The Econometric Model of Ship-generated Operational Waste: The Underlying Tool for Waste Management in Container Port

Marine pollution prevention through adequate provision of garbage reception facility (GRF) is a legal obligation of every port. According to MARPOL 73/78, each port authority should explore ways to increase its ability to prevent marine pollution from ship-generated waste. The paper supports this legal requirement by developing an econometric model for estimating the amount of operational waste delivered at GRF. The multiple regression with ordinary least squares technique was used to analyze the relationship between the amount of operational waste per month and two explanatory variables – size of ship and travelling distance from the last port of discharge. Data from 2008 to 2014 were obtained from the Port Authority of Thailand. Overall, the adjusted model fits reasonably well with the dataset and all assumptions are satisfied, implying that the estimated coefficients are more practicable to be used by port authority. It is found that, over the past decades, GRF has been provided sufficiently in comparison with the demand. However, the physical adequacy of GRF should be paid special attention during the consideration of phase-3 construction of Laem Chabang Port due to the dramatic growth of the amount of operational waste resulting from an expected rapid increase in maritime traffic

The Analysis of Garbage Management Tools Based on the Levels of Transactional Collaboration between Shipping Company and Seaport

Marine garbage reception facilities can effectively prevent marine pollution when adequately implemented together with other management tools. This paper analyzes the garbage management policy based on transactions between shipping companies and the seaport. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to scrutinize the influence of transactional collaboration (independent variable) on the different reasons for using GRF of the shipping firms (dependent variable). The study indicates that the motivations of ship operators (identified as laws and regulations, navigation limitations, partnerships, competitiveness and environmental consciousness), varies depending on frequency of transaction during the year. Management policies varied by ship operator. In addition, an over-optimistic perception of the state of the marine environment appears to prevail among shipping companies. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents reported concerns over the dangers of ship-generated garbage to the environment as well as marine wildlife. This study highlights the need for technical cooperation and greater exchange of knowledge among port authorities, shipping firms and other environmental related institutes

Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia

© 2018 The Author(s) Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas

Assessment of Direct Costs of Admission Due to Presumed Microbial Keratitis in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Thailand: A 7-Year Retrospective Study

Somporn Chantra,1,2 Peranut Chotcomwongse,1 Supachase Jittreprasert,1 Wirapha Senarak,1,* Anyarak Amornpetchsathaporn,1,* Parinee Kemchoknatee,1,2 Paisan Ruamviboonsuk1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; 2College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Somporn Chantra, Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, 2 Phayatai Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Tel +66 86-541-3765, Email [email protected]: To evaluate the direct healthcare cost of admission and examine the effects of cost drivers of treating presumed microbial keratitis (MK) at a tertiary referral hospital.Design: Retrospective study.Methods: A total of 741 patients who presented with MK were included. All information regarding costs was collected, and demographic data were employed for risk factor analysis.Results: The total cost of treating MK over a 7-year period at Rajavithi Hospital was US$14,514,625.04, while the median cost was US$10,840.17 per patient (Q1– 3, US$5866.56– 24,172.28). The medical professional services were the highest cost category in terms of both total cost of treatment over 7 years and median cost per patient, accounting for US$6,474,718.43 and US$5235.20 (Q1– 3, US$2582.79– 10,474.24) respectively. In 2020, the total cost of treatment declined, corresponding with fewer hospitalized patients; however, the median cost per patient was the highest of all years, amounting to US$15,089.90 (Q1– 3, US$8064.17– 29102.50), while the median cost per patient from 2014 to 2019 was US$9969.96 (Q1– 3, US$5177.98– 21,942.68). Statistical significance was found in the median cost per patient in 2020 compared to the median cost per patient in 2014– 2019 (p-value 0.019). Risk factors associated with the more expensive cost of treatment were longer length of stay (LOS); age more than 60 years old; readmission; diabetes mellitus (DM); hypertension; and heart disease.Conclusion: There were several key factors impacting the direct healthcare costs of severe MK treatment. Medical professional services emerged as the most substantial cost category, while longer hospital stays, older age groups, readmission cases, and comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disease were all linked to elevated treatment expenses. There were no statistically significant differences in the direct medical expenses during hospitalization associated with treating severe MK, whether the culture results were positive or negative, or regardless of the type of cultured organism utilized.Keywords: corneal ulcer, infectious keratitis, healthcare cost, economic burde