Onko valokuvien tarkastelulla paikkansa kuoleman kohtaamisen prosessissa?

Kysyn opinnäytteessäni onko toisten ottamista valokuvista keskustelukumppaneiksi elämän lopun kysymysten äärellä; voiko kuratoitu taidenäyttely antaa mielekästä kaikupohjaa kuoleman esiin nostamille kysymyksille. Opinnäytteeni koostuu sekä kirjallisesta että käytännöllisestä osasta. Käytännöllinen osa oli Kuolemasta kuvin -näyttely, jonka oli esillä Suomen valokuvataiteen muse-on Prosessi-tilassa (11.2012–01.2013)

Groundwater resources assessment using numerical model : a case study in low-lying coastal area.

The impacts of climate change and human pressure in groundwater have been greatest threats facing small islands. This paper represents a case study of groundwater responses towards the climate change and human pressures in Manukan Island Malaysia. SEAWAT-2000 was used for the simulations of groundwater response in study area. Simulations of six scenarios representing climate change and human pressures showed changes in hydraulic heads and chloride concentrations. Reduction in pumping rate and an increase in recharge rate can alter the bad effects of overdrafts in Manukan Island. In general, reduction in pumping rate and an increase in recharge rate are capable to restore and protect the groundwater resources in Manukan Island. Thus, for groundwater management options in Manukan Island, scenario 2 is capable to lessen the seawater intrusion into the aquifer and sustain water resources on a long-term basis. The selection of scenario 6 is the preeminent option during wet season. The output of this study provides a foundation which can be used in other small islands of similar hydrogeological condition for the purpose of groundwater resources protection

A baseline study of tropical coastal water quality in Port Dickson, Strait of Malacca, Malaysia

Tidal variation in tropical coastal water plays an important role on physicochemical characteristics and nutrients concentration. Baseline measurements were made for nutrients concentration and physicochemical properties of coastal water, Port Dickson, Malaysia. pH, temperature, oxidation reduction potential, salinity and electrical conductivity have high values at high tides. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was used to understand spatial variation of nutrients and physicochemical pattern of Port Dickson coastal water at high and low tide. Four principal components of PCA were extracted at low and high tides. Positively loaded nutrients with negative loadings of DO, pH and ORP in PCA outputs indicated nutrients contribution related with pollution sources. This study output will be a baseline frame for future studies in Port Dickson involving water and sediment samples. Water and sediment samples of future monitoring studies in Port Dickson coastal water will help in understanding of coastal water chemistry and pollution sources

Efficacy and safety of long-acting β-agonist/long-acting muscarinic antagonist combinations in COPD:a network meta-analysis

BackgroundThe place of long-acting β agonist/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LABA/LAMA) combinations in stable patients with COPD is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the efficacy and safety of LABA/LAMA combinations.MethodsSeveral databases and manufacturers’ websites were searched for relevant clinical trials. Randomised control trials, at least 12 weeks duration, comparing a LABA/LAMA combination with placebo and/or monotherapy were included. The data were pooled using a network as well as a traditional direct comparison meta-analysis.ResultsTwenty-three trials with a total of 27 172 patients were included in the analysis. LABA/LAMA combinations were associated with a greater improvement in lung function, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, and Transitional Dyspnoea Index (TDI) than monotherapies. LABA/LAMA combinations were associated with a significantly greater proportion of SGRQ and TDI responders than monotherapies (OR 1.23 (95% credible interval (CrI) 1.06–1.39), OR 1.34 (95% CrI 1.19–1.50) versus LABAs and OR 1.24 (95% CrI 1.11–1.36), OR 1.31 (95% CrI 1.18–1.46) versus LAMAs, respectively) and fewer moderate-to-severe exacerbations compared with LABAs (HR 0.82 (95% CrI 0.73–0.93)), but not when compared with LAMAs (HR 0.92 (95% CrI 0.84–1.00)). There were no statistically significant differences associated with LABA/LAMA combinations compared with monotherapies in safety outcomes as well as in severe exacerbations.ConclusionsThe combination therapy was the most effective strategy in improving lung function, quality of life, symptom scores and moderate-to-severe exacerbation rates, and had similar effects on safety outcomes and severe exacerbations as compared with monotherapies.</jats:sec

A review of groundwater in islands using SWOT analysis

This paper has focused and reviewed the groundwater of 55 islands around the world using Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analyses selected based on existing literatures and studies conducted. The SWOT analysis output fills in the gap of scientific knowledge and helps in groundwater management. The overall of groundwater management in islands should be conducted by the highest government level. The institutional framework must make sure that any development and management of water resources in these islands take place in national level planning. The main thing is to ensure collaborations between agencies for sustainable management of groundwater in islands

New methods to assess fecal contamination in beach water quality

The emerging paradigm in assessment of recreational water quality needs a basic information on microbial contamination. Recreational water is susceptible to fecal contamination which may increase in health risk associated with swimming in polluted water. Recreational water quality is monitored for fecal indicator bacteria to help prevent swimming-associated illnesses. This study aims to determine the concentrations of total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli ) in recreational water, Teluk Kemang beach, Port Dickson (Malaysia). This study was also aimed to determine relationship between total coliforms, E. coli and physico-chemical parameters of marine recreational water. Exposure behaviors and perceived health symptoms among beach visitors were also assessed in this study. A total of eight water sampling points were selected randomly taken at 100 m from the wash zone and 20 cm below the water surface along Teluk Kemang beach. Total coliforms and E. coli concentrations were analyzed using membrane filtration technique. Total coliforms concentrations were found between 20 and 1,940 cfu/100 ml. E. coli concentrations were between 0 and 90 cfu/100 ml. Total coliforms and E. coli were the highest at sampling point A and exceeded USEPA (Report of Task Force on guide standard and protocol for testing microbiological water purifiers. USEPA, Washington, DC, pp 1–29, 1986) guideline as it located near sewage out-fall. Significant correlations were found between total coliforms and E. coli with pH, temperature and oxidation reduction potential. Microbiological water quality in Teluk Kemang public beach was generally safe for recreational activities among the public except sampling location near with sewage outfall. Output of this study will act as a crucial model for protection of marine ecosystem health. Moreover, output of this study can be used as a monitoring design tool for other public beaches in Malaysia, as such studies are lacking and have not been reported so far

Recharge and aquifer response: Manukan islands aquifer, Sabah, Malaysia

Manukan Island is a small island located in North-West of Sabah, Malaysia was used as a case study area for numerical modeling of an aquifer response to recharge and pumping rates. The results in this study present the variations of recharge into the aquifer under the prediction simulations. The recharge rate increases the water level as indicated by hydraulic heads. This shows that it can alter groundwater of Manukan Island which has been suffering from an overexploration in its unconfined the aquifer. The increase in recharge rate (from 600 mm/year to 750 mm/year) increases the water level indicated by hydraulic heads. A reduction in pumping rate (from 0.072 m3/day to 0.058 m3/day) not only increases the amount of water levels in aquifer but also reduces the supply hence a deficit in supply. The increase in hydraulic heads depends on the percentage reduction of pumping and recharges rates. The well water has 1978.3 mg/L chloride with current pumping (0.072 m3/day) and recharge rates (600 mm/year). However, with an increased of recharge rate and current pumping rate it has decreased about 1.13%. In addition, reduction in pumping rate made the chloride concentration decreased about 2.8%. In general, a reduction in pumping with an increase in recharge rate leads to a decreased in chloride concentrations within the vicinity of cone of depression. Next, to further develop the numerical model, the model should focus on climate change variables such as consequences of climate change are increase in air temperature, increase in sea surface temperature, and more extreme weather conditions. These parameters are considered critical parameters for climate change impact modeling in aquifers. The behavior of the aquifer and its sustainable pumping rate can be done by applying a computer modeling component

Potential health risk assessment of urban soil on heavy metal content in Seri Kembangan

Rapid urban development has made environmental quality of urban soil to decline. To have a an understanding of heavy metal pollution in urban soil, in this study, concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd in urban surface soil of Seri Kembangan, Selangor (Malaysia) were analysed and investigated. Potential health risk assessment from these heavy metals was also assessed. Results showed that surface soil of Seri Kembangan has been polluted by heavy metals. A total of 16 sampling locations were sampled representing three major areas namely residential, industrial and playground in Seri Kembangan. The results showed that Pb and Cr concentrations are the highest at playground area. While Cd concentration is the highest concentration in residential area. Heavy metal concentrations were subsequently used to establish potential health risk assessment (non cancer risk) using Hazard Index. The order of hazard index of heavy metal in urban soil of Seri Kembangan was Pb > Cd > Cr. Hazard Quotient values exceeded 1 for Pb indicating potential non-cancer effect to human health via soil ingestion. Since health effects caused by Pb have long-term effects, especially on children, other pathways (inhalation and dermal) need to be considered. Other pathways are crucial to provide a bigger picture of potential health risk assessment of urban soil in Seri Kembangan