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Trend Analysis on Air Quality and Lung Function - A Case of Consar Stone Quarry Limited, Barekese
Ernest Oti Amankwah,
Godfred Owusu-Boateng,
Asare Barima Maxwell
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
44-53
Received:
7 March 2019
Accepted:
28 April 2019
Published:
31 May 2019
Abstract: Air pollution emanating from particulate matter exposure has been identified as a major environmental problem worldwide. The stone quarry industry generates enormous amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere because of activities like blasting, crushing and haulage. The study determined the levels of PM10 and TSP concentrations (using IOM dust samplers) as well as lung function indicators of inhabitants of the Consar Stone Quarry concessional area from November 2015 to March 2016. PM10 concentration exceeded the WHO guideline value (50µgm-3) and the permissible EPA-Ghana standard of 70µgm-3 except in the month of November and March. The measured TSP concentrations were generally below the EPA Ghana standard of 230µgm-3 except for January and December that recorded concentrations above the EPA-Ghana standard probably due to the low relative humidity resulting from scarcity in rainfall and high atmospheric temperature. Measured lung function indicators were significantly higher than the predicted values suggesting adverse effect of the quarry on inhabitants of the concessional area.
Abstract: Air pollution emanating from particulate matter exposure has been identified as a major environmental problem worldwide. The stone quarry industry generates enormous amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere because of activities like blasting, crushing and haulage. The study determined the levels of PM10 and TSP concentrations (using IOM du...
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Researches on Optimal Tax Rate and Its Effect of Copper Mine Resource Tax in China
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
54-64
Received:
31 March 2019
Accepted:
28 April 2019
Published:
11 June 2019
Abstract: As an important natural resource, mineral resources are indispensable necessities for human’s social existence and economic development. As China’s industrialization process continues to gradually increase, conflicts about resource constraint and ecological pressure resulting from economic and social development are increasingly evident. Key problems of how to guarantee the security of national mineral resources supply, ease the contradiction of resource constraint, and reduce ecological pressure are significant current challenges in China. The Chinese government has successively implemented new types of resource taxes including "ad valorem duty" and "free fee and regulate tax" reform for oil, natural gas, and coal resources in an attempt to adjust differential income needs and protect resources. Given these efforts, there have also been strategies to reform policies for the use and taxation of non-ferrous metal resources. In 2016, the Chinese Ministry of Finance and the State Council jointly issued a government document to comprehensively promote the reform of resource tax policy. This document also set the standards of tax rate for seven metal minerals. Copper is one of the regulated minerals, and the tax rate range of copper mine was set as 2% to 8%, dependent on the conditions of different provinces. We constructed a resource computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to investigate the optimal tax rate of copper resource under ad valorem duty in China. The results showed that the best tax rate is 4%. Based on this optimal rate, a dynamic CGE model was built to analyze and dynamically forecast the macroeconomic impact of different tax rates, providing insight into the best strategy to enable cost control for enterprises and efficient and effective policymaking by the government. Because comprehensive resource tax reform remains in the exploratory stage, the results of this study will provide a reference for the future optimization of the copper mine resource tax rate.
Abstract: As an important natural resource, mineral resources are indispensable necessities for human’s social existence and economic development. As China’s industrialization process continues to gradually increase, conflicts about resource constraint and ecological pressure resulting from economic and social development are increasingly evident. Key proble...
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The Changes and Enlightenment of China's Power Supervision Institutions: Based on Actual Observations Since 1978
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
65-72
Received:
2 March 2019
Published:
15 June 2019
Abstract: China's power supervision organization has experienced a change process of re-establishment, restoration, reform and innovation since the reform and opening up in 1978. In practice, China adopts a multi-agency model of power supervision to decentralize power and restrict power. By raising the level of the rule of law in power supervision, China has achieved full coverage of the power supervision of state organs and civil servants exercising public power. Through improving the anti-corruption strategic system combining education, system and supervision, the anti-corruption work has achieved remarkable results. However, there are also problems such as the imbalance of the functions of various power supervision subjects, the lack of effective restraint mechanisms for the "top leaders" of the Party committee, and the imperfect performance evaluation system for power supervision. It is suggested that the power balance mechanism should be further improved in the future, effective measures to prevent abuse of power and corruption within power supervision institutions should be explored, the discipline inspection and supervision organs should strengthen the supervision of the party committees and "top leaders" at the same level, and a trinity power supervision performance evaluation system of corruption prevention, punishment and control should be established.
Abstract: China's power supervision organization has experienced a change process of re-establishment, restoration, reform and innovation since the reform and opening up in 1978. In practice, China adopts a multi-agency model of power supervision to decentralize power and restrict power. By raising the level of the rule of law in power supervision, China has...
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Geophysical Investigation for Post Foundation Studies at Ikekogbe Primary School, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
Aigbedion Isaac,
Bawallah Musa,
Ilugbo Stephen,
Osaigbovo Aize Diana,
Diana Emmanuela Kehinde,
Ihewkwumere Chinenyeollins,
Igbinoba Collins,
Patrick Promise Uduak,
Amagbamwan Ebenihita
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
73-83
Received:
18 May 2019
Accepted:
26 June 2019
Published:
8 July 2019
Abstract: This research showed the significance of electrical resistivity method for foundation studies at Ikekogbe Primary School, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to assess the building in the area that was intensively affected by cracks resulting in structural instability. The Electrical Resistivity method involved three techniques; Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), 2-D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Horizontal Profiling (HP) which covers a pilot test of 60 meters. Eight (8) VES were carried out using Schlumberger array with current electrode spacing varying from 1 to 40 m, with 2-D ERT using Dipole-Dipole electrode array with inter-station separation of 5 m and an expansion factor that varied from 1 to 5 and HP using Wenner array with an electrode spacing of 5 m interval. The results obtained from the VES delineated three geoelectric units which comprise of topsoil, clayey sand and sandstone formation. The 2 D imaging (Dipole-Dipole) gave information on the subsurface characteristic in the area with low apparent resistivity which indicates low competence material. The Wenner profile is characterised by low resistivity. All the results correlate well with one another showing that all the techniques used are complemented and also deduced that the failures of these buildings arise from incompetent clay materials and lateral inhomogeneity. Evidence has shown that a suspected weak zone cut across the study area and the weak zones contributed a great deal to the cracks observed on the classroom block. The presence of clay materials beneath the classroom also contributed to the cracks observed. It is therefore recommended that future engineering construction should consider possible weak zones before designing or imposed structure as such can instigate failure in the proposed structure.
Abstract: This research showed the significance of electrical resistivity method for foundation studies at Ikekogbe Primary School, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to assess the building in the area that was intensively affected by cracks resulting in structural instability. The Electrical Resistivity method involved three techniques; Ver...
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Rural Nonfarm Activity Income Diversification Among Smallholder Farmers in Deber Elias Woreda, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Mezegbu Aynalem,
Habtamu Mossie,
Mohammed Adem
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
84-91
Received:
14 March 2019
Accepted:
11 June 2019
Published:
12 July 2019
Abstract: This research was carried out with the aim examining and understanding the different nonfarm diversification strategies pursued by households in Deber Elias Woreda. A multi stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 households. First the Woreda Kebeles are stratified in to three categories based on the agro ecology. From each stratum, three sample target kebeles and respective villages selected for primary or secondary data collection. Descriptive statistics and binary logit model were used. Narration was used to analyze the qualitative data. The income portfolio analysis revealed that agriculture is the main livelihood activity in the study area contributing 86.9% and nonfarm activity income which accounts for 5.7% the remaining 2.3% share of the total income. Only 40.8% of the sample respondents participate in nonfarm diversification activities. Regarding the participants in diverse nonfarm activities in the study area female-headed households diversified more than male-headed households, better offs diversified more than poor, educated households diversified better than illiterates and households with large number of family members more diversified than those with small household size. The binary logit model result for determinants of nonfarm activity diversification reveals that sex of household head, educational status of household head, credit access; landholdings of households and household size were statistically significant. Finally, this thesis indicates the important policy implications suggesting that programs, projects and/or any interventions designed targeting to engage people in other income generating activities in Debre Elias woreda.
Abstract: This research was carried out with the aim examining and understanding the different nonfarm diversification strategies pursued by households in Deber Elias Woreda. A multi stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 households. First the Woreda Kebeles are stratified in to three categories based on the agro ecology. From each stratum, thre...
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