Domestic Households Research Articles

Assessment of heavy metal levels in cow's milk and associated health risks in the vicinity of the MIDROC Laga Dambi gold mine in Ethiopia

IntroductionThe possible health effects of consuming milk contaminated with heavy metals have been the subject of considerable concern worldwide. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals in cow's milk in the vicinity of MIDROC Laga Dambi gold mine and to assess their possible health risks for consumers. MethodsNine composite samples were formed by aggregating 243 milk samples obtained in triplicates from 81 domestic milk-producing households. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy was used to measure the amount of heavy metals after samples digestion under optimal conditions. ResultsThe heavy metals concentrations obtained were 13.913˗7.843, 9.505˗3.589, 5.972˗3.147, 2.288˗1.851, 0.403˗0.143, 0.436˗0.128, 0.26˗0.153, 0.143˗0.048, 0.160˗ND (not detected), and 0.140˗ND mgkg−1for Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Hg, Cr, Cd, As, Ni, and Co, respectively. Of the heavy metals identified, the levels of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg exceeded the recommended value. Based on the estimated daily intake (EDI), the total health quotient (THQ) is higher than unity even for Pb alone. It has been found that the consumption of cow milk increases the health index (HI) by 2.972. Ninety five percent of the HI in the study area was explained by the toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) in the cow milk, which were found to be beyond the safe limit. ConclusionThis demonstrates that there is a health risk to the population who consume cow’s milk sourced from the vicinity of MIDROC Laga Dambi gold mine. To safeguard the public’s health, we advised strict monitoring and legislative control for the safety of cow’s milk originating from study area.

Development and preliminary study of the rLiNTPDase2 rapid test: A lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is the most fatal form of Leishmania infection in dogs and is caused by L. infantum in the Americas. This parasite follows a zoonotic life cycle, raising concerns within domestic households, where dogs act as the primary reservoir of the parasite. Accurately detecting infected dogs is vital for effective epidemiological control in both canine and human populations. However, existing diagnostic methods in Brazil have limitations, particularly in detecting asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic dogs, leading to ineffective disease control. To address this challenge, we evaluated a novel recombinant antigen from L. infantum, the rLiNTPDase2. Previous studies have confirmed its high performance via ELISA, leading us to assess its suitability for a Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assay (LFIA), which is ideal for point-of-care testing. Standardization of the assay involved testing two nitrocellulose membranes (HF135 and HF120, Millipore), three blocking protocols, and five sample dilutions (1:10, 1:20, 1:40, 1:80, and 1:160). Following the chosen conditions (HF120 membrane, 1-minute blocking protocol, and 1:80 sample dilution), we validated our assay with a sample size of 78 dogs, comprising 32 negatives and 46 positives, including symptomatic (n=23), oligosymptomatic (n=17), and asymptomatic (n=6) cases. The results revealed a sensitivity of 86.9 %, specificity of 62.5 %, and accuracy of 76.9 %, which is consistent with ELISA performance for the same samples. Compared to DPP-LVC, our assay demonstrated promising results in detecting asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic cases. This study underscores the suitability of the rLiNTPDase2 antigen for the LFIA format, suggesting its potential as a novel point-of-care diagnostic test for CVL.

The distribution of the cost of Cuban social reproduction in 2016: the relative contributions of domestic and diasporic households, the private sector and the state

ABSTRACT Drawing on feminist political economy and social reproduction theory, we propose an accounting framework for understanding the distributional role of household production, employment, remittances and government social transfers in the social reproduction of the Cuban people. We apply this quantitative framework to available data and produce estimates for 2016. Our findings demonstrate that households – both domestic and diasporic – were the largest contributors to social reproduction in Cuba. Our empirical exercise reveals how the actual distributional arrangements underlying Cuban social reproduction differ from the official commitments and goals of the Cuban Revolution. The relative contributions in 2016 signal several potentially unsustainable self-reinforcing dynamics that undermine efforts to achieve gender and racial equality on the Island.

Indonesiaʼs energy transition: Dependency, subsidies and renewables

AbstractIndonesiaʼs economy is highly dependent on the fossil fuel industry as evidenced in measures of non‐taxable revenue, energy subsidy, energy mix and regulatory flexibility. To cut carbon emissions by 41% in 2030, the energy system needs to transition faster than anticipated through progressive reforms and investment. Policy makers understandably are fearful of the shocks and unrests resulted from fossil fuel subsidy reform. However, the fears were shown to be an over‐reaction, especially if poorer households were supported. The state‐owned enterprise, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, is the central player in the tug of war between the fossil fuel and renewable sectors. The government should signal unwavering support for international investment in the renewables, and update the regulation on rooftop solar that boosts return on investment for domestic households. International investors will need modelling of cost competitiveness of wind farms against coal‐fired plants in more remote areas.

Waste Matters: A Comprehensive Exploration of Solid Waste Management in Krishnanagar City for Sustainable Solutions

Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a term used to address the management of waste and garbage. Given the communal living of human beings, the generation of a substantial amount of waste has transformed Solid Waste Management into a global concern. Defined as non-liquid waste material devoid of utility for human beings, solid waste stems from diverse sources such as domestic households, commercial enterprises, industrial operations, medical facilities, and institutional activities. In India, solid waste significantly contributes to environmental degradation, with improper management posing potential hazards. Over time, India has employed various techniques for Solid Waste Management. However, traditional methods, once effective, are now deemed less efficient and contribute to environmental harm due to population growth and shifts in the types of generated waste. Consequently, newer, more effective techniques have been introduced for SWM, aiming to minimize environmental impact. Krishnanagar city, much like other urban areas, grapples with solid waste management challenges, leading to a continual rise in waste production. Consequently, it becomes imperative to handle municipal waste in a systematic, cost-effective, and secure manner. This study reviews the current state of SWM in Krishnanagar city, offering a comprehensive overview. Through an analysis of all functional aspects related to SWM, the study draws conclusions and provides recommendations to enhance the existing waste management system in Krishnanagar city. The revisions made emphasize clarity, coherence, and relevance, ensuring the information is presented in a more refined and plagiarism-free manner.

INVESTMENT OF HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS IN CONTEXT OF THE INFLUENCE ON FUNCTIONING OF PUBLIC FINANCES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE WAR

Introduction. In the current extremely difficult financial and economic realities associated with Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, studies of household savings as one of the potentially important sources of investment resources needed to end the war and further restore the national economy are of utmost importance. Therefore, the problems of active transformation of such savings into investments with the help of modern financial instruments operating in the financial market of Ukraine (primarily domestic government bonds and military bonds), which in the conditions of a full-scale war can become a significant resource for the development of public finances in general and support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in particular, remain important. The purpose of the article is to study current trends in the investment of savings of domestic households in the context of a full-scale war and the impact of innovative instruments of such investment on the development of public finance in Ukraine. Results. The article analyzes the pragmatics of investing accumulated savings by Ukrainian households in the context of their impact on the development of public finance in the context of a full-scale war, identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each of the investment instruments under consideration and emphasizes the need to increase the level of financial literacy of Ukrainians in the context of the development of state-creating financial patriotism of the nation. Conclusions. Identification of the key advantages and potential risks of investing household savings during a full-scale war made it possible to substantiate the significant impact of such investment on the functioning of public finance in Ukraine and to justify the directions of intensification of investment processes at the level of domestic households in the current conditions.

Evaluation of Centralized Management and Distributed Deployment of Photovoltaic System for Domestic Households

Evaluation of Centralized Management and Distributed Deployment of Photovoltaic System for Domestic Households

Стан фінансової безпеки домогосподарств України в умовах війни

The aim of the article is to study the current state of financial security of domestic households in the conditions of wartime. The study of the financial security of households during the wartime period is a relevant topic due to the increased financial difficulties under the influence of hostilities. This paper considers the issue of assessing the financial security of households in the context of wartime. Assessing financial security in conflict settings is crucial for effective financial management and maintaining the financial stability of households. Analyzing, systematizing and summarizing the scientific works of many scholars, the essence of the concept of «financial security of households» was considered, as well as a list of external and internal threats to the financial security of households in the current conditions of wartime along with economic and political instability was provided. The publication uses a variety of methods and tools to assess the financial condition of households. The analysis of such financial indicators as: real GDP, GDP per capita at PPP, HDI, average and minimum wages, the level of pensions, as well as the relationship between them, household income and expenditure, unemployment rate, is carried out. The impact of the ongoing war on the financial capabilities and stability of households is studied. The results obtained allow us to conclude that there is a need to improve financial planning and financial management at the household level during the wartime. This will help ensure financial stability and an appropriate response to the negative impact of the military conflict on the financial well-being of families, and most importantly, increase the level of financial security of domestic households. Prospects for further research in this direction are the study of foreign experience in ensuring the financial stability of households, where much attention is paid to personal finance planning as an effective method of ensuring financial security.

The external financial spillovers of CBDCs

We set up a DSGE model to study the macroeconomic consequences of a foreign central bank digital currency (CBDC) available to residents in a small open economy. We find that a gradual and permanent increase in the domestic households' preferences toward the foreign CBDC leads to a structural reduction in economic activity, especially if the CBDC is designed to be similar to domestic deposits. Imposing capital flow management measures on outflows, relaxing macroprudential policy, or selling foreign reserves can smooth the transition. A Taylor rule that targets PPI inflation is more effective in limiting the disruptive effects than a CPI targeting or an exchange rate peg. A central bank's liquidity facility available to commercial banks is able to avoid the long-run GDP loss, at the cost of a larger short-run consumption fall. We also show that an economy with a large stock of foreign CBDC is better shielded from exogenous increases in the interest rate on foreign debt, if the CBDC remuneration remains constant.

Study on Raw Water Needs at Cibanten Reservoir Serang Regency, Banten Province

The rural communities of Sukadana and Sukabares in Serang Regency, Banten Province, require clean and quality water. Current water supply of 10 liters per second serves 4,120 people in Sukadana and 500 in Sukabares. Yet, many lack access due to a required flow rate of 21 liters per second for the combined 9,399 population. Additionally, the existing water network is aging and functioning suboptimally due to damage and insufficient volume capacity. Two main reasons, the damaged old network and insufficient water volume supply, necessitate the construction of a new water network by revamping the existing system and enhancing the reservoir capacity. This network planning is designed to serve the community for the next 22 years, aiming toward Indonesia's golden age in 2045. To ensure the provision of clean water, a well-structured Raw Water Network Development is required. A sound network involves meticulous calculations of water demand and availability to formulate an appropriate Water Network System. The study utilizes measurements from a Current Meter at the Cibanten Reservoir and the FJ. Mock method for establishing reliable flow rates. Water demand calculations are based on population growth projections using arithmetic, geometric, and exponential methods, extended to the year 2045. The research indicates that by 2045, the new network will cater to 15,952 individuals, with a required flow rate of 36 liters per second. This will serve domestic households at 20.30 liters per second, social activities at 1.11 liters per second, and non-domestic purposes at 3.86 liters per second, resulting in a total demand of 35.38 liters per second, considering water loss due to evapotranspiration. The available drinking water flow is abundant at 272 liters per second. With the development and improvement of the Clean Water System, this water supply will be sufficient to meet the consumption needs of the communities in Sukadana and Sukabares in the Ciomas sub-district of Serang Regency, Banten Province. Furthermore, the Cibanten Reservoir serves an additional purpose by irrigating 159 hectares of rice fields in Sukadana Village at approximately 87 liters per second, as well as supporting tourism in Serang Regency and the broader Banten Province. The challenge of the Clean Water Network System is being addressed through the construction of this system by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Directorate General of Water Resources, SNVT Groundwater and Raw Water, and the Cidanau-Ciujung-Cidurian River Basin Agency, Banten Province.

"It Has Always Been Customary to Make Slaves of Savages": The Problem of Indian Slavery in Spanish Louisiana Revisited, 1769–1803

Abstract: The enslavement of Indigenous peoples by Europeans was not a small and isolated practice in the lands that now comprise the United States. Contests for land and labor were not mutually exclusive, and enslaved Native people labored in mines, domestic households, and plantations across North America. In the vast Louisiana Colony, French records frequently enumerated enslaved Indigenous people, but their presence is conspicuously absent from Spanish period records. Scholars have previously assumed that the practice of Indian slavery had simply been outlawed and any remaining Indian slaves were emancipated under the Leyes y Ordenanzas Nuevamente de las Indias after Don Alejandro O'Reilly raised the Spanish flag over New Orleans in August 1769. However, the very first case brought before the Louisiana State Supreme Court disproves that assumption. During the period of its supposed illegality, Indigenous enslavement persisted through a discursive practice of Indigenous erasure; changing notions of race and legal personhood hid enslaved Native Americans within a socioracial order that negated their existence. These machinations allowed "Indianness" to be controlled and exploited, and Native people continued to be trafficked and enslaved across the Gulf South into the antebellum period. Their stories must become part of the broader history of American slavery.

Athenian Women as Anti-War Heroes, Role Reversal and Power Play in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata

This research focuses on Athenian women as an epitome of female authority which challenges the male supremacy and strive for their struggle of political empowerment. Role reversal aspect is found in Aristophanes’ play Lysistrata hidden under the mask of erotic humor and this play aims to highlight that facet. For this purpose, this research will use frameworks regarding gender and power from the book Gender and Power: Society, the Person and Sexual Politics by Raewyn Connell. 411 B.C. Greece was a democratic state ruled predominantly by males and hence the society was affected by the phallic roles. So, this paper will analyze the play Lysistrata from the perspective of gender inequality faced by women and will attempt to observe the limited female involvement at the state level and male opposition to female struggle for political inclusion. This article will study the play on multiple differing interconnecting facets which are female struggle against the predetermined societal roles, the motive of using sex strike as a tool to challenge male dictatorship and its modern day application. It will also explore that how the dominant personality of Lysistrata and the how the comparison of domestic households to the state affairs was used as political tools for challenging the male authority. This research concludes with a comparison of Athenian women with the modern day women and the message it instills for the modern world. Although women are socialized to stay the subservient and nurturing gender for males, but this article calls for an equal division of labor amongst all without any discrimination and prejudice.

Contaminación cruzada: Uso de tablas de cortar al manipular alimentos en el entorno doméstico

The objective of this work was to carry out a bibliographical review on the approach to cross contamination in the domestic environment, using cutting boards as a tool used in food handling in domestic households, serving as a vehicle for contamination, and as interest for study, in addition to important aspects related to the safety and handling of food at home. Foodborne diseases are defined as infectious or toxic diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water, and the home is considered a place of origin for these diseases based on the food handled and ingested in the home itself. The main errors during food handling are related to the hygiene conditions in the places and surfaces where these foods are handled, with cross-contamination as the main factor responsible for the transfer of microorganisms from one material or contaminated food to another. Cutting surfaces are utensils widely used in the preparation and manipulation of food, whether raw or ready-to-eat and, as handlers are unaware of adequate measures for hygiene, storage, and conservation of these surfaces, the organic matter and microorganisms present in raw foods can remain adhered to them, serving as a source of constant contamination. The permanence and adhesion of microorganisms can occur on any type of surface with the production of biofilms. Biofilms can be defined as communities of sessile cells, consisting of one or more bacterial species, included in a matrix of extracellular polymers (exopolysaccharides - EPS) adhered to an inert or living surface. Biofilms can contribute to the permanence of microorganisms on cutting boards, which may compromise the microbiological quality of food handled on these surfaces, exposing people to biological risk through the biotransfer of pathogenic microorganisms. Studies show that these pathogenic microorganisms may have some degree of resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants used in disease control and the hygiene of this utensil, and exposure to pathogens associated with their degree of resistance raises concerns for the World Health Organization (WHO), which reveals a worrying scenario for public health.

Surfactant-induced disaggregation of a quinoxaline AIEgen scaffold: aggregation aptitude in the solid and solution states.

We have designed five propellor-shaped molecules based on the quinoxaline scaffold with a functional group variation. They exhibit aggregation-induced emission, and the responses of these congeners regarding good solvents and poor solvents are investigated both spectroscopically and microscopically. Solid- as well as solution-state parallel analysis of the aggregation facet is laid out. Notably, L2 interacts specifically with a cationic surfactant, unlike other congeners where the mechanism proceeds via disaggregation. Real sample analysis was carried out on freshwater samples as well as waste effluent samples from domestic households and industries, thus projecting the analytical and environmental significance.

Impact of antimicrobial use in dogs on antimicrobial resistance and shared flora with human owners.

Transmission of bacteria between animals and humans in domestic households is increasingly recognized. We evaluated the presence of antimicrobial-resistant fecal bacteria in 8 dog-owner-dog pairs before and after the dog received amoxicillin-clavulanate. The study identified shared flora in the humans and dogs that were affected by antimicrobial administration.

СТАТИСТИЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ДОХОДІВ ТА ВИТРАТ ДОМОГОСПОДАРСТВ

The article presents the results of an analytical and statistical study of the dynamics and structure of incomes and expenses of Ukrainian households. The informational basis of the study is the data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine regarding household incomes and expenses for 2017–2021. The territorial distribution and quantitative composition of domestic households are characterized. An analysis of the structure of aggregate income resources of households was made. The dynamics, trends and problematic aspects of household income generation were studied. Real incomes of households were compared with their subsistence minimum. The analysis showed that the average monthly amount of total household resources in Ukraine during 2017–2021 showed positive dynamics. Household incomes differ significantly across regions of the country. Despite the constant and rather significant growth of the nominal incomes of Ukrainian households, their real incomes grow much more slowly, which is due to the influence of inflation. The study of expenses as a component of the assessment of the financial condition of households made it possible to single out the following features in the structure of expenses of domestic households: a high share of consumer expenses, and accordingly, a low share of non-consumer expenses, in particular, investment expenses; a high share of expenditure on food products. An analysis of the dynamics and structure of total household expenses was carried out. It is proved that the structure of domestic household expenses is quite typical for post-Soviet countries. With the help of the Engel curve, the dynamics of the current financial provision of household expenses is illustrated. It was established that the key factor affecting the formation of household expenses is their income. It has been proven that the financial condition of households is affected not only by the amount of income, but also by the level of their use. An imbalance in the structure of income and expenses of domestic households was revealed. It is noted that the financial condition of domestic households did not significantly improve during the research period.

БЮДЖЕТ ДОМОГОСПОДАРСТВА ЯК ІНСТРУМЕНТ УПРАВЛІННЯ ФІНАНСАМИ: ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ФОРМУВАННЯ В УМОВАХ ЗМІН

The purpose of the article is to theoretically determine the essence of household finances, to analyze the formation of household budget revenues and expenditure directions, to identify the main problems of the functioning of household finances, and to find ways to achieve balance. The scientific article defines the role of households in the financial system of any country in the world. Approaches to determining the economic essence of the concept of "household finances" are given. The main entities of the financial system with which the household interacts are highlighted. It has been proven that the main financial plan of income and expenses of an individual family and an important element of household finances is the household budget. The author's definition of the concept of "household finances" is given. It has been proven that the main special feature and difference of household finances from other economic categories are the methods of generating income and financial resources, their use, and storage. In the scientific study, an analysis of the dynamics of monetary income and aggregate resources of Ukrainian households for 2019–2021 was carried out on average per household. It is noted that during the analyzed period, cash incomes occupy a significant share of household resources. The structure of aggregate resources of urban and rural households as of 2021 was considered. A dynamic analysis of the structure of monetary expenditures of Ukrainian households in 2019–2021 was carried out on average per household. It has been proven that most of the expenses of domestic households consist of expenses for providing primary consumer needs. The dynamics of household deposits for 2020–2022 were studied. A comparative analysis of monetary income and expenses of households in the Western region of Ukraine in 2021 was carried out. It has been proven that in the territory of the western region of Ukraine, Zakarpattia Oblast ranks first in terms of household expenses and income. The scientific article highlights the problems faced by household finances. On the basis of the research carried out, measures to balance and strengthen the financial independence and stability of household budgets of Ukraine are given.

Development and Characterization ofAgro-AlliedRice Husks andGroundnut ShellWaste Briquettes

Briquetting of agro-residues can alleviate some of the problems of energy shortage being encountered world-wide. The briquettes are essentially manufactured to provide cheap energy to the various sectors. Most importantly, to the domestic households that are finding it difficult to purchase the other sources of energy because of their cost. In this research the briquettes wereproduced in a briquetting screw press –BSP, using a manually operated piston and cylindrical shape Mould. The individual materials weremixed thoroughly in a ratio of rice husk: groundnut shell (RH:GS) as follows: 100:00; 70:30; 50:50;30:70; and 00:100.A fixed quantity of each mixture wereseparately hand-fed into a manually operated closed-end piston press to compact the briquettes. Thereafter, the briquettes wereejected and placed on drying racks and left in the sun for drying. The moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ignition time,flame propagation time, calorificvalue and water boiling test were investigated to determine the physical and thermal properties of the briquettes produced. The results of the investigation showedthat moisture content of the briquettes ranged from 3.96 –5.65%, the calorific value ranges from 130, 63.56–141, 62.87kJ/kg, the range of ash content is 6.10 -9.32 %, for fixed carbon is 7.67 -20.20 %, the ignition time ranges from 238-270sec and the rangesfor water boiling test time is 10.57m, –13.37m. These values satisfactorily comparewell with values obtained by other researchers in the literature. Therefore, the rice husk -groundnut shell briquettes are good alternative source of thermal energy for cooking. It is an economical and also an environmental friendly source of energy and waste disposal.

INVESTING SAVINGS IN STOCKS DURING WARTIME

The crisis that began in the domestic economy with the beginning of the war in Ukraine showed that not only the economy of Ukraine was not ready for its consequences, but also the entire world economic system as a whole. Yes, almost every country in the world felt the increase in prices for products, electrical resources, etc., and the economy of the United States of America faced the highest level of inflation in the last 40 years. The devaluation of the domestic currency, which could be restrained in the first few months of the war, is now gaining momentum. Therefore, the search for ways to save hryvnia savings of households is quite important and necessary. Thus, in recent years, savings were most often directed to deposit accounts. As long as the deposits provided a return that covered the level of inflation, this type of financial operations could be considered stable and sufficient for keeping money in Ukraine, although it did not give a high return. Since the beginning of military operations in Ukraine, the level of inflation in Ukraine, according to official data, indicates 21.6% per year in 2022. Thus, domestic households are forced to look for other, more effective financial instruments and operations that can offer a higher percentage of return. The article examines the peculiarities of investing household savings in domestic and foreign securities. The most stable and reliable shares of leading corporations, which can ensure the preservation of monetary savings from depreciation, are considered.

Model for Regulating the Reproduction Process in the Economy.

The authors analyze the regulation of the reproduction process in the real and financial sectors of the economy by variations in the amount of cash in circulation and through the investment policy of the state, as well as the consequences of the collapse of the market value of securities. The production sphere is shown to unite the production system (production), banking system, market system, domestic households, and the rest of the world. It is shown that the regulators of the economic reproduction are the banking system that provides credits to production and the necessary amount and velocity of money in the real sector, the financial sector that is selling securities for cash and investing in production, and the state that pursues an investment policy for the expanded reproduction of production capital. The reproduction process of the economy of Ukraine is modeled for 2022-2024 by the statistical data of 2020 and 2021.