Major Global Risk Research Articles

Small and Medium Enterprises and Global Risks: Evidence from Manufacturing SMEs in Turkey

This study investigated how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a country perceive major global risks. The aim was to explore how country attributes and circumstances affect SME assessments of the likelihood, impacts, and rankings of global risks, and to find out if SME risk assessment and rankings differ from the global rankings. Data were gathered using an online survey of manufacturing SMEs in Turkey. The results show that global economic risks and geopolitical risks are of major concern for SMEs, and environmental risks are at the bottom of their ranking. Among the economic risks, fiscal crises in key economies and high structural unemployment or underemployment were found to be the highest risks for the SMEs. Failure of regional or global governance, failure of national governance, and interstate conflict with regional consequences were found to be among the top geopolitical risks for the SMEs. The SMEs considered the risk of large-scale cyber-attacks and massive incident of data fraud/theft to be relatively higher than other global technological risks. Profound social instability and failure of urban planning were among the top societal risks for the SMEs. Although the global environmental and disaster risks were ranked lowest on the list, man-made environmental damage and disasters and major natural hazard-induced disasters were ranked the highest among this group of risks. Overall, the results show that SMEs at a country level, for example Turkey, perceive global risks differently than the major global players.

EAT-Brazil Award for Tobacco Control: a brief description of its first edition.

Smoking is a major global risk factor for preventable death and disability. EAT is an acronym for Education Against Tobacco, a multinational network of physicians and medical students that aims to improve tobacco control by means of school-based prevention targeted at adolescents through counseling, use of software and support materials. The first EAT-Brazil Award, launched in March 2018, was a competition designed to encourage the proposal of objective solutions for tobacco control in Brasil, and identify new talents in the area. Brazilian undergraduate students from any field of study could submit a one-page essay on the subject, competing for the amount of R$ 1000.00 (one thousand reais). There were a total of 39 applicants (20 women and 19 men) from 9 Brazilian states and 18 undergraduate programs, with a mean age of 22.5 years (SD = 3.7). Data from an online anonymous questionnaire answered after the submission of their essays revealed that most applicants were students of institutions from in the state of Minas Gerais (n = 26/39; 66.6%), studied medicine (n = 20/39, 51.3%), and had no prior knowledge of the EAT-Brazil Network (n = 27/39, 69.2%). The winner of the award was Lucas Guimarães de Azevedo, a fourth-year medical student at Federal University of Western Bahia. The next editions of the award should focus on increasing the number of applicants and diversifying their geographical distribution.

THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL RISKS ON THE WORLD TRADE AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

It is noted that the unprecedented dynamic globalization of trade and economic relations and the fourth industrial revolution cardinally transform the global distribution system of the world economy, accompanied by the growing impact of global challenges and risks, the failure to take into account the effects of which permanently reduces the efficiency of economic functioning and international trade. For developing countries affected by geopolitical challenges, the development of partnerships with countries that are recognized as global leaders in the world economy is essential in terms of national interests and the promotion of state sovereignty.The purpose of this paper is to characterize the impact of global risks on the formation and implementation of trade and economic policies of countries based on the methodological approaches of leading international economic institutions and organizations. Major global risks have identified rising / falling prices for assets, oil or gas, changes in the structure of trade and economic cooperation, terrorism, separatism, climate change, unemployment, income inequality, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyberattacks, etc.The following methods of scientific research were used to achieve the goal and to solve the tasks of the article: systematic structural analysis of economic processes and phenomena, method of quantitative and qualitative comparisons, tabular method of calculating the degree of influence.The scientific novelty of the results is to study the processes of formation and implementation of trade and economic policies of countries under the influence of exogenous factors on them. The influence of exogenous factors is characterized not only according to the sectoral classification (economic, geopolitical, technological, social and natural), but also taking into account the degree of influence of the factor (global challenges and global risks) on the environment.It is substantiated that in the conditions of globalization of the world economy, the threats receive a corresponding more serious nature. Therefore, government agencies need to develop new effective tools for their minimization in order to prevent negative effects and to implement more productive trade and economic cooperation with partner countries.

Hesperidin promotes lysosomal biogenesis in chronically ethanol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: A proposed mechanisms of protection.

Alcohol consumption is a major global risk factor for mortality and morbidity. We aimed to delineate the mechanisms underlying the potential ameliorative effects of hesperidin against chronically ethanol-induced cardiotoxicity. Sixty male albino rats were divided into normal control group, hesperidin-treated control group, untreated alcoholic group, and hesperidin-treated alcoholic group. Transcription factor-EB (TFEB) expression levels were estimated using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1-α), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 α, poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity, and tenascin C levels in cardiac tissues were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; while tissue malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Our data portrayed promoting lysosomal biogenesis, as judged by upregulation of TFEB expression and its target PGC1-α, as well as decreased PARP-1 activity and offsetting inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue injury as the principal culprits mediating the cardioprotective effect of hesperidin in alcohol-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, hesperidin can be used as a cardioprotective agent in chronically ethanol-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effect of Portable Air Filtration Systems on Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Blood Pressure Among Residents in a Low-Income Senior Facility

Fine particulate matter (smaller than 2.5 μm) (PM2.5) air pollution is a major global risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Few studies have tested the benefits of portable air filtration systems in urban settings in the United States. To investigate the effectiveness of air filtration at reducing personal exposures to PM2.5 and mitigating related CV health effects among older adults in a typical US urban location. This randomized, double-blind crossover intervention study was conducted from October 21, 2014, through November 4, 2016, in a low-income senior residential building in Detroit, Michigan. Forty nonsmoking older adults were enrolled, with daily CV health outcome and PM2.5 exposure measurements. Participants were exposed to the following three 3-day scenarios separated by 1-week washout periods: unfiltered air (sham filtration), low-efficiency (LE) high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA)-type filtered air, and high-efficiency (HE) true-HEPA filtered air using filtration systems in their bedroom and living room. The primary outcome was brachial blood pressure (BP). Secondary outcomes included aortic hemodynamics, pulse-wave velocity, and heart rate variability. Exposures to PM2.5 were measured in the participants' residences and by personal monitoring. The 40 participants had a mean (SD) age of 67 (8) years (62% men). Personal PM2.5 exposures were significantly reduced by air filtration from a mean (SD) of 15.5 (10.9) μg/m3 with sham filtration to 10.9 (7.4) μg/m3 with LE fitration and 7.4 (3.3) μg/m3 with HE filtration. Compared with sham filtration, any filtration for 3 days decreased brachial systolic and diastolic BP by 3.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -6.1 to -0.2 mm Hg) and 1.5 mm Hg (95% CI, -3.3 to 0.2 mm Hg), respectively. A continuous decrease occurred in systolic and diastolic BP during the 3-day period of LE filtration, with a mean of 3.4 mm Hg (95% CI, -6.8 to -0.1 mm Hg) and 2.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -4.2 to -0.3 mm Hg), respectively. For HE filtration, systolic and diastolic BP decreased by 2.9 mm Hg (95% CI, -6.2 to 0.5 mm Hg) and 0.8 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.8 to 1.2 mm Hg), respectively. Most secondary outcomes were not significantly improved. Results of this study showed that short-term use of portable air filtration systems reduced personal PM2.5 exposures and systolic BP among older adults living in a typical US urban location. The use of these relatively inexpensive systems is potentially cardioprotective against PM2.5 exposures and warrants further research. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03334565.

Knowledge of fruits and vegetables, consumption pattern and associated factors among adults in Lagos State, Nigeria

Objective : Low fruit and vegetable consumption is a major global risk factor for morbidity (associated with micronutrient deficiencies) and premature mortality; meanwhile, little is known about the adequacy and consumption pattern in Lagos, Nigeria. This study therefore determined knowledge, patterns, adequacy and factors associated with fruits and vegetables consumption among adults in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods : This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that employed a multistage sampling method to select 330 adults from one local government area in Lagos State. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Questions on knowledge were scored and the total obtainable score was 13. The percentage of the score obtained out of the total obtainable score (13) was used in grading the level of knowledge. Adequacy of fruit and vegetable intake was regarded as consuming an average of at least five (5) servings of fruits and vegetables per day within the previous one week before the study. Data was analyzed using Epi info version 7 and Chi-square was used to determine associations between categorical variables. Results : Majority of the respondents were males (60.6%), between age 19 to 38 years (69.4%) and had at least secondary school education (93%). Only 24.9% of respondents had a 'good' level of knowledge while 27.0% consumed 'adequate' amount of fruits and vegetables. Orange and pumpkin were the most frequently consumed fruit and vegetable respectively. Educational status, income, female gender and marriage were associated with adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (p<0.05). Conclusion : Knowledge and prevalence of adequate intake of fruits and vegetables were low especially among young unmarried men who are of low socio-economic status in Lagos. Orange and pumpkin were the most frequently consumed fruit and vegetable. Efforts to increase public awareness about fruits and vegetables should be targeted towards younger unmarried males of low socioeconomic status. Keywords : Fruit, vegetables, knowledge, consumption pattern, adequacy

ONTOLOGY OF SCIENTIFIC COGNITION OF SHADOW ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC SHADING

The purpose of this article is to characterize deformation problems of the domestic economy, particularly the influence of negative factors on it, resulting in its shading. This article analyses the approaches to statement that the shadow economy is one of the major global risks of the coming decade. The context of legal regulation is directly related to form an effective system of ensuring of Ukraine’s national security is possible under the condition of thorough development of the areas of counteraction to individual threats in the relevant spheres, including the economy. At the same time, a special attention is paid to the view that the economic shading although is officially recognized as a threat to national security, however, the notion that should denote this phenomenon and be a basic one is not formulated in any current normative legal act. The formation of the concepts of “shadow economy” and “economic shading” in the interconnection is a logical stage of cognitive activity within both the economic and legal sciences. The practical significance of the results of scientific research is the formation of the hypothesis, the essence of which is the new knowledge about the shadowing of the economy as a legal category on the basis of systemdefined signs, causes and of dialectical connection of the phenomenon of the shadow economy and the process of dynamic transformation. A given hypothesis is intended to change the strategic directions and guidelines in the formation of economic policy to neutralize harmful processes of shading of the legal sectors of the economy. The value of the results obtained of the current research is due to the transnational nature of the phenomenon of the shadow economy and connection of such a phenomenon with other harmful processes that are produced within the economic space and lead to the institutionalization of the global economic crisis. Methodology. A methodological framework of the economic security research is defined by complex of scientific cognition methods that allow us to look at this problem as a multi-aspect, interdisciplinary phenomenon. On the basis of the system-based, structural, systemic-functional, and other scientific approaches, the idea of the economic security has formed a complex systemic category covering the theoretical and practical level of economic activity.

The biological impact of blood pressure-associated genetic variants in the natriuretic peptide receptor C gene on human vascular smooth muscle.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major global risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Genome-wide association studies have identified several genetic variants at the NPR3 locus associated with BP, but the functional impact of these variants remains to be determined. Here we confirmed, by a genome-wide association study within UK Biobank, the existence of two independent BP-related signals within NPR3 locus. Using human primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) from different individuals, we found that the BP-elevating alleles within one linkage disequilibrium block identified by the sentinel variant rs1173771 was associated with lower endogenous NPR3 mRNA and protein levels in VSMCs, together with reduced levels in open chromatin and nuclear protein binding. The BP-elevating alleles also increased VSMC proliferation, angiotensin II-induced calcium flux and cell contraction. However, an analogous genotype-dependent association was not observed in vascular ECs. Our study identifies novel, putative mechanisms for BP-associated variants at the NPR3 locus to elevate BP, further strengthening the case for targeting NPR-C as a therapeutic approach for hypertension and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Assessment of Indoor-Outdoor Particulate Matter Air Pollution: A Review

Background: Air pollution is a major global environmental risk factor. Since people spend most of their time indoors, the sole measure of outdoor concentrations is not sufficient to assess total exposure to air pollution. Therefore, the arising interest by the international community to indoor-outdoor relationships has led to the development of various techniques for the study of emission and exchange parameters among ambient and non-ambient pollutants. However, a standardised method is still lacking due to the complex release and dispersion of pollutants and the site conditions among studies. Methods: This review attempts to fill this gap to some extent by focusing on the analysis of the variety of site-specific approaches for the assessment of particulate matter in work and life environments. Results: First, the main analogies and differences between indoor and outdoor particles emerging from several studies are briefly described. Commonly-used indicators, sampling methods, and other approaches are compared. Second, recommendations for further studies based on recent results in order to improve the assessment and management of those issues are provided. Conclusions: This review is a step towards a comprehensive understanding of indoor and outdoor exposures which may stimulate the development of innovative tools for further epidemiological and multidisciplinary research.

Opportunistic screening for random blood glucose level among adults attending a rural tertiary care centre in Haryana during world health day observation activity

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-commu­nicable diseases worldwide and major global risks for morbidity and mortality. The total burden of deaths from high blood glucose in 2012 has been estimated to 3.7 million which includes 1.5 million diabetes deaths, 2.2 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and tuberculosis. Various studies reported that population-based screening of blood glucose level will result in low yield but higher cost. However, opportunity screening at earlier stage had good prognosis. Hence opportunistic screening for raised random blood glucose level was planned.Methods: During observation of World Health Day 2016 activity based on theme, “Beat diabetes: Scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance” this present cross-sectional study was conducted. Attendants of the patients having age &gt;30 years; visiting this institute on that day enrolled as study participants. Information gathered regarding their socio-demographic parameters and doing regular physical activity. A brief clinical examination regarding anthropometric measurements and random blood glucose was done using standard procedures by trained personnel.Results: Out of 215 opportunistic screened participants, 14 (6.51%) participants were known diabetic and having random blood glucose level &lt;200 mg%. However among rests 201 study participants whose diabetic status was unknown, 8 (4%) participants had random blood glucose level &gt;200 mg%. BMI status of 48 (22%) and 103 (48%) study participants were recorded as pre-obese and obese respectively.Conclusions: It was concluded that after every 7 cases of known diabetes mellitus there were 4 unknown cases identified as raised random blood glucose level. Hence in tertiary care settings, individuals more than 30 years should get priority for opportunistic screening of random blood glucose estimation. Health-care providers should be sensitized on practicing opportunistic screening in outpatient department.

Modelling the directional spillovers from DJIM Index to conventional benchmarks: Different this time?

Abstract In this study, we examine the issues of directional interdependence and financial performance of Sharia-screened Islamic equity finance with conventional benchmarks. To do this, we examine the directional spillover via return and volatility spillovers between Islamic stock index represented by Dow Jones Islamic Market Index (DJIMI) and three conventional stock indices viz., Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 for USA, S&P Europe and S&P Asia 50 along with major global risk factors viz., Europe and US interest rate benchmarks, volatility index (VIX) to capture stock market risk and crude oil prices between 01 March 2006 and 30 June 2015. Using spillover index and dynamic conditional correlation models, we find that there is a visible level of directional interdependence between DJIMI and conventional indices, though the magnitude is not as high as we find among conventional indices. Particularly, during the global financial crisis (2008) period, the DJIMI shows the patterns of decoupling which are in line with previous studies. To risk factors, DJIMI shows an inverse relationship with VIX, European interest benchmark, and crude oil prices. However, the DJIMI shows a positive relationship with US interest rate. The findings thus suggest that the Sharia-screening does play a constructive role in the financial performance of DJIMI. We finally conclude that the Sharia-screened Islamic equity index may act as an effective hedging instrument during the crisis period.

Science in the World Risk Society: Risk, the Novel, and Global Climate Change

Abstract Anthropogenic climate change constitutes one of the major global risks of our time. In spite of widespread scientific consensus, however, climate change discourse is still characterized by controversy. This controversy reflects both a variety of conflicting interests that frame the perception of climate change and a fundamental trend in our age of reflexive modernity: an increased awareness of scientific uncertainty and a loss of trust in scientific authority. It also defines our current cultural moment as paradoxical: societies worldwide are simultaneously characterized by such increased awareness of scientific uncertainty and by reliance on scientific knowledge to a historically unprecedented degree. According to Ulrich Beck, this paradox in part defines what he conceived of as a new manifestation of modern society, the ‘world risk society.’ This essay addresses the fictional contribution to the risk discourse of global climate change. After introducing the role of science in the world risk society and the climate change novel as a fictional risk narrative, it discusses how Susan M. Gaines’ Carbon Dreams (2001) and Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior (2012) engage with this paradox, how they explore the complex socioeconomic, political, and cultural significance of climate science and the role and experience of climate scientists.

Engineering biological systems toward a sustainable bioeconomy.

The nature of our major global risks calls for sustainable innovations to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gases emission. The development of sustainable technologies has been negatively impacted by several factors including sugar production costs, production scale, economic crises, hydraulic fracking development and the market inability to capture externality costs. However, advances in engineering of biological systems allow bridging the gap between exponential growth of knowledge about biology and the creation of sustainable value chains for a broad range of economic sectors. Additionally, industrial symbiosis of different biobased technologies can increase competitiveness and sustainability, leading to the development of eco-industrial parks. Reliable policies for carbon pricing and revenue reinvestments in disruptive technologies and in the deployment of eco-industrial parks could boost the welfare while addressing our major global risks toward the transition from a fossil to a biobased economy.

Plasma endothelin-1 and cardiovascular risk among young and healthy adults

ObjectivesEndothelial dysfunction is a major precursor of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the interrelationships between plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and cardiovascular risk among young and healthy individuals. MethodsWe performed a population-based study among 2160 healthy adults aged between 25 and 41 years in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Individuals with prevalent cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a body mass index >35 kg/m2 were excluded. Plasma ET-1 was measured using a novel high-sensitive, single-molecule counting technology. The relationships between plasma levels of ET-1 and various cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by multivariable regression analyses. ResultsMedian age of our population was 37 years. Median ET-1 levels across ET-1 quartiles were 1.86, 2.33, 2.76 and 3.48 pg/mL. After multivariable adjustment, there were significant correlations of ET-1 with systolic blood pressure (β per 1-unit increase in log transformed ET-1 2.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03; 3.58, p = 0.0004), C-reactive protein (β 0.19 (95% CI 0.03; 0.34, p = 0.021), glomerular filtration rate (β −1.73 (95% CI −3.17; −0.29, p = 0.019), and current smoking (Odds ratio 1.94 (95% CI 1.39; 2.71, p < 0.0001). We also found a highly significant association between ET-1 levels and overall cardiovascular risk estimated by the “Prospective Cardiovascular Münster” (PROCAM) and the Framingham score (β 0.18 (95% CI 0.06; 0.31, p = 0.004, and β 0.11 (95% CI 0.05; 0.16), p < 0.0001, respectively). ConclusionsPlasma ET-1 levels are easily measurable in healthy adults and correlate with major cardiovascular risk factors and global cardiovascular risk.

Alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, and ischemic heart disease: a narrative review of meta-analyses and a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of heavy drinking occasions on risk for moderate drinkers.

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is a major global risk factor for mortality and morbidity. Much discussion has revolved around the diverse findings on the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and the leading cause of death and disability, ischemic heart disease (IHD).MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of the literature up to August 2014 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify meta-analyses and observational studies examining the relationship between alcohol drinking, drinking patterns, and IHD risk, in comparison to lifetime abstainers. In a narrative review we have summarized the many meta-analyses published in the last 10 years, discussing the role of confounding and experimental evidence. We also conducted meta-analyses examining episodic heavy drinking among on average moderate drinkers.ResultsThe narrative review showed that the use of current abstainers as the reference group leads to systematic bias. With regard to average alcohol consumption in relation to lifetime abstainers, the relationship is clearly J-shaped, supported by short-term experimental evidence and similar associations within strata of potential confounders, except among smokers. Women experience slightly stronger beneficial associations and also a quicker upturn to a detrimental effect at lower levels of average alcohol consumption compared to men. There was no evidence that chronic or episodic heavy drinking confers a beneficial effect on IHD risk. People with alcohol use disorder have an elevated risk of IHD (1.5- to 2-fold). Results from our quantitative meta-analysis showed that drinkers with average intake of <30 g/day and no episodic heavy drinking had the lowest IHD risk (relative risk = 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.53 to 0.71). Drinkers with episodic heavy drinking occasions had a risk similar to lifetime abstainers (relative risk = 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.37).ConclusionsEpidemiological evidence for a beneficial effect of low alcohol consumption without heavy drinking episodes is strong, corroborated by experimental evidence. However, episodic and chronic heavy drinking do not provide any beneficial effect on IHD. Thus, average alcohol consumption is not sufficient to describe the risk relation between alcohol consumption and IHD. Alcohol policy should try to reduce heavy drinking patterns.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12916-014-0182-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Active travel intervention and physical activity behaviour: An evaluation

A physically active lifestyle is an important contributor to individual health and well-being. The evidence linking higher physical activity levels with better levels of morbidity and mortality is well understood. Despite this, physical inactivity remains a major global risk factor for mortality and, consequently, encouraging individuals to pursue physically active lifestyles has been an integral part of public health policy in many countries. Physical activity promotion and interventions are now firmly on national health policy agendas, including policies that promote active travel such as walking and cycling. This study evaluates one such active travel initiative, the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme in Scotland, intended to encourage uptake of walking, cycling and the use of public transport as more active forms of travel. House to house surveys were conducted before and after the programme intervention, in May/June 2009 and 2012 (12,411 surveys in 2009 and 9542 in 2012), for the evaluation of the programme. This paper analyses the physical activity data collected, focussing on what can be inferred from the initiative with regards to adult uptake of physical activity participation and whether, for those who participated in physical activity, the initiative impacted on meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. The results suggest that the initiative impacted positively on the likelihood of physical activity participation and meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. Individuals in the intervention areas were on average 6% more likely to meet the physical activity guidelines compared to individuals in the non intervention areas. However, the absolute prevalence of physical activity participation declined in both intervention and control areas over time.Our evaluation of this active transport initiative indicates that similar programmes may aid in contributing to achieving physical activity targets and adds to the international evidence base on the benefits of active travel interventions.

Balancing Acts: How to Cope with Major Catastrophes, particularly the Financial Crisis

Abstract We are on the eve of the materialisation of a series of major global risks. They pose unprecedented challenges, also for lawyers. If society at large does not change course radically, many people will be adversely affected. Traditionally, lawyers focus on ex post remedies. While that may be unavoidable in relation to the run-of-the-mill cases, it is not the most promising approach in relation to the colossal damage that will be caused by the looming global crises if we stick to business as usual. This contribution advocates a shift of paradigm. I doubt whether damages is a serious option. Instead, we should focus on preventive remedies.

Global Warming Potential Implications and Methodological Challenges of Road Transport Emissions in Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to examine the repercussions vehicular road transport emissions have on global warming potential (GWP), and the need to address the issue considering methodological challenges facing road transportation in Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study includes to determine the emission level in the country, to evaluate the GWP and to develop a emission mapping network on trunk A roads in Nigeria. Accurate information on these emissions is required to strengthen the mitigation and adaptation ability of the country to tackle climate change. The study relied on direct measurement technique supported by literature as well as questionnaires administered on the organised vehicle fleet operators and road traffic management agency as data gathering methods. Also, detailed analysis of questionnaires responses was carried out. Results show that road transport account for over 14% of greenhouse gases. Survey findings indicate that excessive smoke emission offence accounts for 1-2% of the annual road traffic offences in Nigeria. Using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 16, five fitted simple linear regression models were developed. With these fitted models it is possible to map the gas concentrations on the kilometre travelled. Examination of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) revealed a rise in the periodic plate number generation from yearly record of 788,169 in 2001 to 791,832 in 2009. Human capacity requirements, based on yearly Drivers Licence (DL) processed, increased by 55% between 2000 and 2010. Three mutual strategies namely renewed urban and rural road transport infrastructure availability, regular fleet maintenance and capacities building for improved behavioural change of road users were recommended to help control road transport emissions. These measures if inflexibly implemented will change the transport sector from being a major global warming risk factor to that of Eco-friendly sector.

A Public Policy Perspective on Global Energy Security

Goldthau, Andreas. (2011) A Public Policy Perspective on Global Energy Security.International Studies Perspectives,,doi: 10.1111/j.1528-3585.2011.00448.x © 2011 International Studies Association Despite an emerging literature on global energy governance, there so far is no extensive intellectual rationale for it. This article seeks to fill this gap by putting forward a public policy framework to analyze global energy. With that lens, energy security relates to problems of market failure at a transnational scale. These may occur due to imperfect competition; negative externalities; lack of information; or the presence of public goods. It is argued that major global energy risks such as oil price volatility, lack of transport infrastructure, and insufficient upstream investments can be convincingly conceptionalized as markets failing to provide for a crucial good—energy security. This article thus proposes market failure as an analytical justification of and as an intellectual foundation for further research in global energy governance, and sketches possible research agendas in that field.

The Arsenic Hyperaccumulator FernPteris vittataL.

Arsenic (As) contaminated soils and waters are becoming major global environmental and human health risks. The identification of natural hyperaccumulators of As opens the door for phytoremediation of the arsenic contaminant. Pteris vittata is the first identified naturally evolving As hyperaccumulator. More than a decade after its discovery, we have made great progress in understanding the uptake, transport, and detoxification of As in the fern. The molecular mechanisms controlling As accumulation in P. vittata are now beginning to be recognized. In this review, we will try to summarize what we have learned about this As accumulator, with particular emphasis on the current knowledge of the physiological and molecular mechanisms of arsenic phytoremediation. We also discuss the potential strategies to further enhance phytoextraction abilities of P. vittata.