Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the b...Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the behavior of legacy PFAS and emerging chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids(Cl-PFESAs)in lettuce grown under environment-related exposure levels and assessed the human exposure risks from consuming contaminated lettuce.Overall,PFAS in lettuce were concentration-dependent,with long-chain PFAS tending to accumulate in roots and short-chain PFAS accumulating more in shoots.The enrichment of PFAS in lettuce was jointly influenced by their chain length and polar functional groups.Specifically,the root concentration factors(RCFs)of PFAS generally increased with increasing chain length,and RCF values of most perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids(PFSAs)were significantly higher than those of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids(PFCAs)with the same chain length(p<0.01),while the translocation factors(TFs)exhibited opposite trends.RCF values of perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS)and its alternatives,Cl-PFESAs,were ranked as follows:8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:139)>6:2 Cl-PFESA(28.6)>PFOS(25.7),which was attributed to the increased molecular size and hydrophobicity resulting from the insertion of ether bonds and additional CF2 in 8:2 Cl-PFESA.Notably,TF value of 8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:0.007)was the smallest among all PFAS,indicating 8:2 Cl-PFESA was difficult to transfer to nutritional compartments.Adults and children would exceed the most conservative health-based reference dose(RfD)by consuming approximately 15.9–148 g and 7.92–74.0 g of contaminated lettuce per day,implying high health risks.展开更多
Solid-phase extraction ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS)was used to evaluate the contamination of ochratoxin A(OTA)and assessed the human exposure risk of OTA in Ras...Solid-phase extraction ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS)was used to evaluate the contamination of ochratoxin A(OTA)and assessed the human exposure risk of OTA in Rasa roxburghii.A more suitable method for OTA extraction and purification of R.roxburghii was obtained.Treated 25 mL of R.roxburghii juice with enzymatic hydrolysis at a concentration of 0.06 mg/mL,filtered the resulting mixture and concentrated the filtrate to dry,then redissolved with 0.2 mL of methanol and diluted with 0.4 mL of ultra-pure water.Added sample solution to the activated hydrophilic-lipophilic balance(HLB)column,washed with 6 mL of ultra-pure water and purified by eluting with 6 mL of methanol.The eluent was collected and dried using nitrogen at 40℃,then redissolved in 1 mL of methanol and filtered for detection.The hazard quotient(HQ)values of all R.roxburghii fruit and juice,which were storage at room temperature,4 and−20℃from 0 day to 63 days,ranged from 0.077%to 35.792%,which were within the allowable limits for human consumption.From the perspective of OTA contamination,the results indicated that the maximal storage time of R.roxburghii fruit were 14 days at room temperature,35 days at 4℃and 63 days at−20℃.And the maximal storage time of R.roxburghii juice were 7 days for sealed storage and the same day for open storage at room temperature,14 days for sealed storage and 7 days for open storage at 4℃,and 63 days for sealed storage and 56 days for open storage at−20℃during the experiment period.And all thirty samples randomly sampled from the market were OTA negative.The results of this study can lay a foundation for the formulation of OTA limit standards in fruits and juice in the future,and provide a reference for consumers to consume R.roxburghii more healthily.展开更多
Elderly individuals disproportionately face heat exposure risk compared to other demographic groups,with projected amplification in the future.The vast disparities between Global North and South countries necessitate ...Elderly individuals disproportionately face heat exposure risk compared to other demographic groups,with projected amplification in the future.The vast disparities between Global North and South countries necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors influencing future heat exposure vulnerabilities.Here,we use factor decomposition method to quantify the contribution of climate change,population,and aging to heat exposure risk under four shared socioeconomic pathways(SSP)(SSP126,SSP245,SSP370,SSP585)from 2000 to 2100 at 20-year intervals.Results demonstrate a projected global escalation in heat exposure risk by 16 and 76 times under SSP126 and SSP585,respectively,with the North generally suffering lower risk than the South.Climate change emerges as a pivotal driver of future heat exposure risk in the North while aging notably influences the South.Despite climate change is projected to reduce heat exposure risk by up to 10%in the North under SSP1-2.6 by the end of the 21st century,aging remains a critical risk factor.展开更多
The atmospheric concentrations of carbonyls and BTEX （benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene,m,p-xylene and o-xylene） were measured simultaneously at a same sampling site in Beijing from September 2008 to August 2010.The aver...The atmospheric concentrations of carbonyls and BTEX （benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene,m,p-xylene and o-xylene） were measured simultaneously at a same sampling site in Beijing from September 2008 to August 2010.The average concentrations of the total measured carbonyls during autumn,winter,spring,and summer were 37.7,31.3,39.7,50.5 μg/m 3,respectively,and maximal values for their diurnal variations usually happened at noontime.In contrast to carbonyls,the average concentrations of the total measured BTEX during the four seasons were 27.2,31.9,23.2,19.1 μg/m 3,respectively,andminimal values for their diurnal variations always occurred in the early afternoon.The average concentration for carbonyls increased about 24% from September 2008–August 2009 to September 2009–August 2010,for BTEX,increased about 15%.Integrated life time cancer risks for three carcinogens （benzene,formaldehyde and acetaldehyde） in Beijing exceeded the value of 1E-06,and the hazard quotient （HQ） of non-cancer risk of exposure to formaldehyde exceeded unity.展开更多
The biopharmaceutical industry contributes substantially to volatile organic compounds(VOCs)emissions,causing growing concerns and social developmental conflicts.This study conducted an on-site investigation of the pr...The biopharmaceutical industry contributes substantially to volatile organic compounds(VOCs)emissions,causing growing concerns and social developmental conflicts.This study conducted an on-site investigation of the process-based emission of VOCs from three biopharmaceutical enterprises.In the workshops of the three enterprises,26 VOCs were detected,which could be sorted into 4 classes:hydrocarbons,aromatic hydrocarbons,oxygen-containing compounds,and nitrogen-containing compounds.Ketones were the main components of waste gases,accounting for 44.13%-77.85%of the overall VOCs.Process-based source profiles were compiled for each process unit,with the fermentation and extraction units of tiamulin fumarate being the main source of VOC emissions.Dimethyl heptanone,vinyl acetate,diethylamine,propylene glycol methyl ether(PGME),and benzene were screened as priority pollutants through a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation system.Ground level concentration simulation results of the Gauss plume diffusion model demonstrated that the diffusivity of VOCs in the atmosphere was relatively high,indicating potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks 1.5-2 km downwind.Furthermore,the process-based formation potentials of ozone and secondary organic aerosols(SOAs)were determined and indicated that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,dimethyl heptanone,and PGME should be preferentially controlled to reduce the ozone formation potential,whereas the control of benzene and chlorobenzene should be prioritized to reduce the generation of SOAs.Our results provide a basis for understanding the characteristics of VOC emission by biopharmaceutical industries and their diffusion,potentially allowing the development of measures to reduce health risks and secondary pollution.展开更多
Long-term exposure to high surface ozone(O_(3))concentrations,a complex oxidative atmospheric pollutant,can adversely impact human health.Based on O_(3)monitoring data from 261 cities worldwide in 2020,generalized add...Long-term exposure to high surface ozone(O_(3))concentrations,a complex oxidative atmospheric pollutant,can adversely impact human health.Based on O_(3)monitoring data from 261 cities worldwide in 2020,generalized additive model(GAM)and spatial data analysis(SDA)methods were applied in this study to quantitatively evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of O_(3)concentration,exposure risk,and dominant meteorological factors.Results indicated that over 40%of the cities worldwide were exposed to harmful O_(3)concentration ranges(40-60μg/m^(3)),with most cities distributed in China and India.Moreover,significant seasonal variations in global O_(3)concentrations were observed,presenting as summer(45.6μg/m^(3))>spring(47.3μg/m^(3))>autumn(38.0μg/m^(3))>winter(33.6μg/m^(3)).Exposure analysis revealed that approximately 12.2%of the population in 261 cities were exposed to an environment with high O_(3)concentrations(80-160μg/m^(3)),with about 36.32 million people in major countries.Thus,the persistent increase in high O_(3)levels worldwide is a critical factor contributing to threats to human health.Furthermore,GAM results indicated temperature,relative humidity,and wind speed as primary determinants of O_(3)variability.The synergy of meteorological factors is critical for understanding O_(3)changes.Our findings are important for enforcing robust air quality policies and mitigating public risk.展开更多
With the development of China’s crewed space mission,the space radiation risk for astronauts is increasingly prominent.This paper describes a simulation of the radiation doses experienced by a Chinese female voxel ph...With the development of China’s crewed space mission,the space radiation risk for astronauts is increasingly prominent.This paper describes a simulation of the radiation doses experienced by a Chinese female voxel phantom on board the Chinese Space Station(CSS)performed using the Monte Carlo N-Particle(MCNP)software.The absorbed dose,equivalent dose,and effective dose experienced by the voxel phantom and its critical organs are discussed for different levels of shielding of the Tianhe core module.The risk of space-radiation exposure is then assessed by comparing these doses with the current risk limits in China(the skin dose limit for short-term low-earth-orbit missions)and the NASA figures(National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No.98)for female astronauts.The results obtained can be used to guide and optimize the radiation protection provided for manned space missions.展开更多
To investigate the levels of exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH） and to estimate the risk these levels pose to traffic assistants （TAs） in Tianjin （a rnegacity in North China）, a ...To investigate the levels of exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH） and to estimate the risk these levels pose to traffic assistants （TAs） in Tianjin （a rnegacity in North China）, a measurement campaign （33 all-day exposure samples, 25 occupational-exposure samples and 10 indoor samples） was conducted to characterize the TAs＇ exposure to PAHs, assess the cancer risk and identify the potential sources of exposure. The average total exposure concentration of 14 PAHs was approximately 2871 ＋ 928 ng/rn3 （on-duty）, and 1622 ＋ 457 ng/m3 （all-day）. The indoor PAHs level was 1257 ＋ 107 ng/m3. After 8000 Monte Carlo simulations, the cancer risk resulting from exposure to PAHs was found to be approximately 1.05 x 10-4. A multivariate analysis was applied to identify the potential sources, and the results showed that, in addition to vehicle exhaust, coal combustion and cooking fumes were also another two important contributors to personal PAH exposure. The diagnostic ratios of PAH compounds agree with the source apportionment results derived from principal component analysis.展开更多
Exposure to market risk is a core objective of the Capital Asset Pricing Model(CAPM)with a focus on systematic risk.However,traditional OLS Beta model estimations(Ordinary Least Squares)are plagued with several statis...Exposure to market risk is a core objective of the Capital Asset Pricing Model(CAPM)with a focus on systematic risk.However,traditional OLS Beta model estimations(Ordinary Least Squares)are plagued with several statistical issues.Moreover,the CAPM considers only one source of risk and supposes that investors only engage in similar behaviors.In order to analyze short and long exposures to different sources of risk,we developed a Time–Frequency Multi-Betas Model with ARMA-EGARCH errors(Auto Regressive Moving Average Exponential AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity).Our model considers gold,oil,and Fama–French factors as supplementary sources of risk and wavelets decompositions.We used 30 French stocks listed on the CAC40(Cotations Assistées Continues 40)within a daily period from 2005 to 2015.The conjugation of the wavelet decompositions and the parameters estimates constitutes decision-making support for managers by multiplying the interpretive possibilities.In the short-run,(“Noise Trader”and“High-Frequency Trader”)only a few equities are insensitive to Oil and Gold fluctuations,and the estimated Market Betas parameters are scant different compared to the Model without wavelets.Oppositely,in the long-run,(fundamentalists investors),Oil and Gold affect all stocks but their impact varies according to the Beta(sensitivity to the market).We also observed significant differences between parameters estimated with and without wavelets.展开更多
This paper evaluates the determinants of risk exposure when development finance institutions consider approval of funding to different development markets utilising multiple regression econometric models and the Devel...This paper evaluates the determinants of risk exposure when development finance institutions consider approval of funding to different development markets utilising multiple regression econometric models and the Development Bank of South Africa(DBSA)as a case study.The research presents the classical development finance institution(DFI)business model and market size estimation with the contemporary DFI risk classification and enterprise risk management framework.In addition to reviewing the profile of financial and non-financial products and services,the related project cycles and the DFI credit risk pricing and mitigation approaches for the different development markets.Our results suggest that there is a correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities by DBSA and its exposure to financial risk though the correlation is not overwhelmingly significant,but also evidence of a negative correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities and the minimization of the financial risk exposure of DBSA.Likewise,there is a negative correlation between funding to all three different sizes of a municipality and ability of the DFI to absorb future losses(non-performing loan coverage ratio).The negative correlation is highest for secondary cities followed by metros and least for under resourced municipalities.The research concludes with four major recommendations of what the role of the DFI should be in enhancing access of under-resourced municipalities to development funding.展开更多
For lifetime non-smokers, lung cancer risk is mainly associated with inhalation exposure to air pollution. For the Chinese population, indoor air pollution due to solid fuel combustion has been the primary source of i...For lifetime non-smokers, lung cancer risk is mainly associated with inhalation exposure to air pollution. For the Chinese population, indoor air pollution due to solid fuel combustion has been the primary source of inhalation exposure for decades. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） are the by-products of incomplete combustion.展开更多
Oats, frequently incorporated into skincare formulations for their anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier-repairing properties, may present an overlooked risk to individuals with celiac disease, particularly whe...Oats, frequently incorporated into skincare formulations for their anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier-repairing properties, may present an overlooked risk to individuals with celiac disease, particularly when applied to compromised skin. Although pure oats are inherently gluten-free, the widespread contamination with gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, or rye during agricultural and processing stages introduces the potential for gluten exposure through topical application. This raises important questions about whether gluten proteins, when applied to damaged skin, might penetrate the epidermal barrier and contribute to immune responses in genetically predisposed celiac patients, given that even minute amounts of gluten can trigger systemic symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that transdermal absorption of gluten peptides through impaired skin integrity might bypass the gastrointestinal route, yet the precise mechanisms and clinical significance of this pathway remain poorly understood. The role of compromised skin in facilitating gluten absorption and the possible activation of CD4+ T-cells, mimicking gastrointestinal pathways, warrants further investigation. Additionally, the ability of gluten peptides to reach deeper dermal layers and potentially enter the systemic circulation remains speculative, though theoretically possible in severely disrupted skin barriers. Without clinical and molecular studies to determine the risk of topical gluten exposure, particularly in celiac patients with skin injuries, there remains a potential for undetected immune activation and subsequent adverse health outcomes in this sensitive population.展开更多
The booming development of rare earth industry and the extensive utilization of its products accompanied by urban development have led to the accelerated accumulation of rare earth elements(REEs)as emerging pollutants...The booming development of rare earth industry and the extensive utilization of its products accompanied by urban development have led to the accelerated accumulation of rare earth elements(REEs)as emerging pollutants in atmospheric environment.In this study,the variation of REEs in PM_(2.5)with urban(a non-mining city)transformation was investigated through five consecutive years of sample collection.The compositional variability and provenance contribution of REEs in PM_(2.5)were characterized,and the REEs exposure risks of children and adults via inhalation,ingestion and dermal absorption were also evaluated.The results showed an increase in the total REEs concentration from 46.46±35.16 mg/kg(2017)to 81.22±38.98 mg/kg(2021)over the five-year period,with Ce and La making the largest contribution.The actual increment of industrial and traffic emission source among the three pollution sources was 1.34 ng/m^(3).Coal combustion source displayed a downward trend.Ingestion was the main exposure pathway for REEs in PM_(2.5)for both children and adults.Ce contributed the most to the total intake of REEs in PM_(2.5)among the population,followed by La and Nd.The exposure risks of REEs in PM_(2.5)in the region were relatively low,but the trend of change was of great concern.It was strongly recommended to strengthen the concern about traffic-related non-exhaust emissions of particulate matter.展开更多
The levels and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） in chicken tissues from an electronic waste （e-waste） recycling area in southeast China were investigated. Human dietary intake by local resid...The levels and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） in chicken tissues from an electronic waste （e-waste） recycling area in southeast China were investigated. Human dietary intake by local residents via chicken muscle and eggs was estimated. The mean PBDEs concentrations in tissues ranged from 15.2 to 3138.1 ng/g lipid weight （lw） and in egg the concentration was 563.5 ng/g lw. The results showed that the level of total PBDEs （∑PBDEs） in the chicken tissue was 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than those reported in the literature. The large difference of ∑PBDEs concentrations between tissues confirmed that the distribution of PBDEs in tissues depend on tissue-specificity rather than the ＂lipid-compartment＂. BDE-209 was the predominant congener （82.5%- 94.7% of ∑PBDEs） in all chicken tissues except in brain （34.7% of ∑PBDEs）, which indicated that deca-BDE （the major commercial PBDE formulation comprising 65%-70% of total production） was major pollution source in this area and could be bioaccumulated in terrestrial animals. The dietary PBDEs intake of the local residents from chicken muscle and egg, assuming only local bred chickens and eggs were consumed, ranged from 2.2 to 22.5 ng/（day.kg body weight （bw）） with a mean value of 13.5 ng/（day-kg bw）, which was one order of magnitude higher than the value reported in previous studies for consumption of all foodstuffs.展开更多
Landfill sites are regarded as prominent sources of bioaerosols for the surrounding atmosphere.The present study focused on the emission of airborne bacteria and fungi in four seasons of a sanitary landfill site.The m...Landfill sites are regarded as prominent sources of bioaerosols for the surrounding atmosphere.The present study focused on the emission of airborne bacteria and fungi in four seasons of a sanitary landfill site.The main species found in bioaerosols were assayed using high-throughput sequencing.The Source Tracker method was utilized to identify the sources of the bioaerosols present at the boundary of the landfill site.Furthermore,the health consequences of the exposure to bioaerosols were evaluated based on the average daily dose rates.Results showed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria in the operation area(OPA)and the leakage treatment area(LTA)were in the range of(4684±477)–(10883±1395)CFU/m^(3) and(3179±453)–(9051±738)CFU/m^(3),respectively.The average emission levels of fungal aerosols were 4026 CFU/m^(3) for OPA and 1295 CFU/m^(3) for LTA.The landfill site received the maximum bioaerosol load during summer and the minimum during winter.Approximately 41.39%–86.24%of the airborne bacteria had a particle size of 1.1 to 4.7μm,whereas 48.27%–66.45%of the airborne fungi had a particle size of more than 4.7μm.Bacillus sp.,Brevibacillus sp.,and Paenibacillus sp.were abundant in the bacterial population,whereas Penicillium sp.and Aspergillus sp.dominated the fungal population.Bioaerosols released from the working area and treatment of leachate were the two main sources that emerged in the surrounding air of the landfill site boundary.The exposure risks during summer and autumn were higher than those in spring and winter.展开更多
The World Health Organisation reported that over 20 % of the global disease burden and deaths are caused by environmental factors such as air and dust pollution. Legacy organic pollutants (LOPs) and emerging organic p...The World Health Organisation reported that over 20 % of the global disease burden and deaths are caused by environmental factors such as air and dust pollution. Legacy organic pollutants (LOPs) and emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) are among the biggest contributors to this burden. Herein we reviewed literature published for the period 2000–2023 on selected LOPs and EOPs in indoor dust and outdoor air in Africa to understand the occurrence, associated human health risks and common analytical techniques used to identify and quantify these contaminants. The findings revealed generally lower contamination levels for most pollutants than that in most regions outside Africa except for PCBs in outdoor air and OCPs in indoor settled dust. Apart from a few studies for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), most studies reported hazard index (HI) values less than 1 for outdoor air and indoor dust exposure, which suggested negligible non-carcinogenic risks in children and adults. Gas Chromatography and mass spectrometry were the most frequently used analytical techniques for both air and dust probably due to their sensitivity and selectivity in detecting chemical traces at the pg m^(−3) and ng g^(−1) levels. Although the current contamination levels are generally low, their synergistic and cumulative effects may in the long run affect the environment and human health. There is also a paucity of data on most contaminants, especially for PCNs, and PFASs in both outdoor air and dust. Coordinated efforts are needed to limit the trade, importation, and disposal of products containing LOPs and EOPs in Africa.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for lens opacities in populations living at two different altitudes in China.·METHODS： A total of 813 subjects aged ≥40y in Lhasa（Tibet Autonomous Region...AIM： To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for lens opacities in populations living at two different altitudes in China.·METHODS： A total of 813 subjects aged ≥40y in Lhasa（Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Altitude： 3658 m） and Shaoxing（Zhejiang Province, China. Altitude： 15 m） were underwent eye examinations and interviewed in this cross-sectional study. Participants＇ lens opacities were graded according to the Lens Opacities Classification System II（LOCS II） and the types of opacities with LOCS II scores ≥2 were determined. Univariate and stepwise logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations of independent risk factors with lens opacities.· RESULTS： Lens opacities were significantly more prevalent in the high-altitude than in the low-altitude area（χ2=10.54, P 〈0.001）. Lens opacities appear to develop earlier in people living at high than at low altitude. The main types of lens opacity in Lhasa and Shaoxing were mixed（23.81%） and cortical（17.87%）,respectively. Independent risk factors associated with all lens opacities were age, ultraviolet（UV） radiation exposure,and educational level. Compared with participants aged40-49 y, the risk of lens opacities increased gradually from 2 to 85 times per 10 y [odds ratio（OR）=2.168-84.731,P 〈0.05）. The risk of lens opacities was about two times greater in participants with the highest UV exposure than in those with the lowest exposure（OR=2.606, P =0.001）.Educational level was inversely associated with lensopacities; literacy deceased the risk by about 25%compared with illiteracy（OR=0.758, P =0.041）.·CONCLUSION： Old age, higher UV exposure and lower educational level are important risk factors for the development of lens opacities. Lens opacities are more prevalent among high-altitude than low-altitude inhabitants.展开更多
Mango fruit has a great national and international market, and Brazilian production is 1,900 thousand tons/year exporting to North America and Europe. However, the loss could occur during the production when it is aff...Mango fruit has a great national and international market, and Brazilian production is 1,900 thousand tons/year exporting to North America and Europe. However, the loss could occur during the production when it is affected by pests and climate conditions, so the increased use of chemical substances and their presence should be monitored. A task for governmental agencies, producers and food sales, attending the sanitary barriers requirements, is to distribute food free from contaminants, so laboratories involved in this type of work usually employ multi-residues analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues in mango using QuEChERS method and mass spectrometry technique. Positive samples were compared with Brazilian maximum residues level （MRL） and the health risk exposure was evaluated using the acute dietary intake （ADI） parameter. A total of 20 samples were collected from January to March, in Sao Paulo city markets. The recoveries were in the range of 70% to 120%, and standard deviation was below 20%. The category of pesticides not permitted for the crop were found in l0 samples; eight samples presented pesticides below MRL and two samples above MRL for the fungicide procloraz. The ADI values were below 20% of ADI for an adult and the worst case was dimethoate with 69% of ADI for children. The time spent in monitoring studies and the viability of method chosen must be considered by pesticide residues laboratories during routine analysis of food quality control.展开更多
Rapid internationalization of economic activities following the Second World War has generated an unprecedented increase in international trade and capital flows. For example, only during 1963-1993, exports rose from ...Rapid internationalization of economic activities following the Second World War has generated an unprecedented increase in international trade and capital flows. For example, only during 1963-1993, exports rose from 157 billion to 3.774 billion dollars. Also the flows of foreign direct investment （FDI） have grown exponentially. Although FDI flows are concentrated on developing countries, 80% being targeted towards 10 countries, capital flows towards the Third World have quadrupled only between 1990 and 1993. This trend towards a truly international economy influences also on how companies do business. International business environment provides many opportunities, as well as threats. Romanian companies need to align to this trend. In addition to identifying new opportunities to do business in foreign markets, they have to deal with specific risks, which they did not have to face when working internally. In this context, we consider necessary to launch an investigation, whose main objective would be analyzing the manner in which Romanian companies manage risks specific to international economic affairs. As the complexity of these businesses is great, and the majority of Romanian companies, in their attempt to internationalize, use classical forms of export-import, the analysis took into account only the export activity undertaken by Romanian companies. We mention that we did not take into account the determination of the exposure to these risks of the companies concerned, but an analysis of the management of those risks. For this analysis, data were collected based on the administration of a questionnaire, and these data were used to develop an econometric model analysis. The specific methods of risk analysis of specific export transactions are then interpreted using the GLOBE model.展开更多
This paper uses the input-output tables from 2007 to estimate the exchangerate risk exposure of all 42 sectors of the Chinese economy. It then demonstrates a new quantitative approach for examining the differential im...This paper uses the input-output tables from 2007 to estimate the exchangerate risk exposure of all 42 sectors of the Chinese economy. It then demonstrates a new quantitative approach for examining the differential impacts of Renminbi appreciation on the export of finished goods and the import of intermediate inputs in each sector, and estimates the changes in profitability of each sector under different degrees of Renminbi appreciation. The results indicate that appreciation of the Renminbi will increase the profitability of 22 sectors, which are generally monopolistic, capital-intensive, and reliant on R＆D, and reduce the profitability of 20 sectors, which are generally competitive, labor-intensive, and less reliant on R＆D. This suggests that the degree and pace of Renminbi appreciation must be coordinated with industrial and employment policies in order to reduce exchange-rate risk exposure through trade restructuring, to improve economic structure, to promote competition and employment, and to maintain steady and sustainable economic growth.展开更多
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Non-profit Scientific Institution(No.1610132022015)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB0750200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22176198).
文摘Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the behavior of legacy PFAS and emerging chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids(Cl-PFESAs)in lettuce grown under environment-related exposure levels and assessed the human exposure risks from consuming contaminated lettuce.Overall,PFAS in lettuce were concentration-dependent,with long-chain PFAS tending to accumulate in roots and short-chain PFAS accumulating more in shoots.The enrichment of PFAS in lettuce was jointly influenced by their chain length and polar functional groups.Specifically,the root concentration factors(RCFs)of PFAS generally increased with increasing chain length,and RCF values of most perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids(PFSAs)were significantly higher than those of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids(PFCAs)with the same chain length(p<0.01),while the translocation factors(TFs)exhibited opposite trends.RCF values of perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS)and its alternatives,Cl-PFESAs,were ranked as follows:8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:139)>6:2 Cl-PFESA(28.6)>PFOS(25.7),which was attributed to the increased molecular size and hydrophobicity resulting from the insertion of ether bonds and additional CF2 in 8:2 Cl-PFESA.Notably,TF value of 8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:0.007)was the smallest among all PFAS,indicating 8:2 Cl-PFESA was difficult to transfer to nutritional compartments.Adults and children would exceed the most conservative health-based reference dose(RfD)by consuming approximately 15.9–148 g and 7.92–74.0 g of contaminated lettuce per day,implying high health risks.
基金supported by the Guizhou Province High-level Innovative Talent Project(Qiankehe Platform Talent-GCC[2022]027-1)the Science and Technology Project of Guizhou Province(Qiankehe Platform Support-[2021]193).
文摘Solid-phase extraction ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS)was used to evaluate the contamination of ochratoxin A(OTA)and assessed the human exposure risk of OTA in Rasa roxburghii.A more suitable method for OTA extraction and purification of R.roxburghii was obtained.Treated 25 mL of R.roxburghii juice with enzymatic hydrolysis at a concentration of 0.06 mg/mL,filtered the resulting mixture and concentrated the filtrate to dry,then redissolved with 0.2 mL of methanol and diluted with 0.4 mL of ultra-pure water.Added sample solution to the activated hydrophilic-lipophilic balance(HLB)column,washed with 6 mL of ultra-pure water and purified by eluting with 6 mL of methanol.The eluent was collected and dried using nitrogen at 40℃,then redissolved in 1 mL of methanol and filtered for detection.The hazard quotient(HQ)values of all R.roxburghii fruit and juice,which were storage at room temperature,4 and−20℃from 0 day to 63 days,ranged from 0.077%to 35.792%,which were within the allowable limits for human consumption.From the perspective of OTA contamination,the results indicated that the maximal storage time of R.roxburghii fruit were 14 days at room temperature,35 days at 4℃and 63 days at−20℃.And the maximal storage time of R.roxburghii juice were 7 days for sealed storage and the same day for open storage at room temperature,14 days for sealed storage and 7 days for open storage at 4℃,and 63 days for sealed storage and 56 days for open storage at−20℃during the experiment period.And all thirty samples randomly sampled from the market were OTA negative.The results of this study can lay a foundation for the formulation of OTA limit standards in fruits and juice in the future,and provide a reference for consumers to consume R.roxburghii more healthily.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFF1303101)the open fund project of the State Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology(Grant No.SKLURE2023-2-4).
文摘Elderly individuals disproportionately face heat exposure risk compared to other demographic groups,with projected amplification in the future.The vast disparities between Global North and South countries necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors influencing future heat exposure vulnerabilities.Here,we use factor decomposition method to quantify the contribution of climate change,population,and aging to heat exposure risk under four shared socioeconomic pathways(SSP)(SSP126,SSP245,SSP370,SSP585)from 2000 to 2100 at 20-year intervals.Results demonstrate a projected global escalation in heat exposure risk by 16 and 76 times under SSP126 and SSP585,respectively,with the North generally suffering lower risk than the South.Climate change emerges as a pivotal driver of future heat exposure risk in the North while aging notably influences the South.Despite climate change is projected to reduce heat exposure risk by up to 10%in the North under SSP1-2.6 by the end of the 21st century,aging remains a critical risk factor.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41075094,40830101, 21177140,20977097)the National Basic Research and the Development Program (973) of China (No. 2010CB732304)+1 种基金the Special Fund for Environmental Research in the Public Interest (No. 201009001)the National Water Special Project (No. 2009ZX07210-009)
文摘The atmospheric concentrations of carbonyls and BTEX （benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene,m,p-xylene and o-xylene） were measured simultaneously at a same sampling site in Beijing from September 2008 to August 2010.The average concentrations of the total measured carbonyls during autumn,winter,spring,and summer were 37.7,31.3,39.7,50.5 μg/m 3,respectively,and maximal values for their diurnal variations usually happened at noontime.In contrast to carbonyls,the average concentrations of the total measured BTEX during the four seasons were 27.2,31.9,23.2,19.1 μg/m 3,respectively,andminimal values for their diurnal variations always occurred in the early afternoon.The average concentration for carbonyls increased about 24% from September 2008–August 2009 to September 2009–August 2010,for BTEX,increased about 15%.Integrated life time cancer risks for three carcinogens （benzene,formaldehyde and acetaldehyde） in Beijing exceeded the value of 1E-06,and the hazard quotient （HQ） of non-cancer risk of exposure to formaldehyde exceeded unity.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51878650)。
文摘The biopharmaceutical industry contributes substantially to volatile organic compounds(VOCs)emissions,causing growing concerns and social developmental conflicts.This study conducted an on-site investigation of the process-based emission of VOCs from three biopharmaceutical enterprises.In the workshops of the three enterprises,26 VOCs were detected,which could be sorted into 4 classes:hydrocarbons,aromatic hydrocarbons,oxygen-containing compounds,and nitrogen-containing compounds.Ketones were the main components of waste gases,accounting for 44.13%-77.85%of the overall VOCs.Process-based source profiles were compiled for each process unit,with the fermentation and extraction units of tiamulin fumarate being the main source of VOC emissions.Dimethyl heptanone,vinyl acetate,diethylamine,propylene glycol methyl ether(PGME),and benzene were screened as priority pollutants through a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation system.Ground level concentration simulation results of the Gauss plume diffusion model demonstrated that the diffusivity of VOCs in the atmosphere was relatively high,indicating potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks 1.5-2 km downwind.Furthermore,the process-based formation potentials of ozone and secondary organic aerosols(SOAs)were determined and indicated that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,dimethyl heptanone,and PGME should be preferentially controlled to reduce the ozone formation potential,whereas the control of benzene and chlorobenzene should be prioritized to reduce the generation of SOAs.Our results provide a basis for understanding the characteristics of VOC emission by biopharmaceutical industries and their diffusion,potentially allowing the development of measures to reduce health risks and secondary pollution.
文摘Long-term exposure to high surface ozone(O_(3))concentrations,a complex oxidative atmospheric pollutant,can adversely impact human health.Based on O_(3)monitoring data from 261 cities worldwide in 2020,generalized additive model(GAM)and spatial data analysis(SDA)methods were applied in this study to quantitatively evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of O_(3)concentration,exposure risk,and dominant meteorological factors.Results indicated that over 40%of the cities worldwide were exposed to harmful O_(3)concentration ranges(40-60μg/m^(3)),with most cities distributed in China and India.Moreover,significant seasonal variations in global O_(3)concentrations were observed,presenting as summer(45.6μg/m^(3))>spring(47.3μg/m^(3))>autumn(38.0μg/m^(3))>winter(33.6μg/m^(3)).Exposure analysis revealed that approximately 12.2%of the population in 261 cities were exposed to an environment with high O_(3)concentrations(80-160μg/m^(3)),with about 36.32 million people in major countries.Thus,the persistent increase in high O_(3)levels worldwide is a critical factor contributing to threats to human health.Furthermore,GAM results indicated temperature,relative humidity,and wind speed as primary determinants of O_(3)variability.The synergy of meteorological factors is critical for understanding O_(3)changes.Our findings are important for enforcing robust air quality policies and mitigating public risk.
基金Project supported by the Open Project Funds for the Key Laboratory of Space Photoelectric Detection and Perception(Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics),the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China(Grant No.NJ2022025-7)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.NJ2022025).
文摘With the development of China’s crewed space mission,the space radiation risk for astronauts is increasingly prominent.This paper describes a simulation of the radiation doses experienced by a Chinese female voxel phantom on board the Chinese Space Station(CSS)performed using the Monte Carlo N-Particle(MCNP)software.The absorbed dose,equivalent dose,and effective dose experienced by the voxel phantom and its critical organs are discussed for different levels of shielding of the Tianhe core module.The risk of space-radiation exposure is then assessed by comparing these doses with the current risk limits in China(the skin dose limit for short-term low-earth-orbit missions)and the NASA figures(National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No.98)for female astronauts.The results obtained can be used to guide and optimize the radiation protection provided for manned space missions.
基金supported by the Chinese National Science Funding Council (No. 20807002, 20307006)the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB503801)
文摘To investigate the levels of exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH） and to estimate the risk these levels pose to traffic assistants （TAs） in Tianjin （a rnegacity in North China）, a measurement campaign （33 all-day exposure samples, 25 occupational-exposure samples and 10 indoor samples） was conducted to characterize the TAs＇ exposure to PAHs, assess the cancer risk and identify the potential sources of exposure. The average total exposure concentration of 14 PAHs was approximately 2871 ＋ 928 ng/rn3 （on-duty）, and 1622 ＋ 457 ng/m3 （all-day）. The indoor PAHs level was 1257 ＋ 107 ng/m3. After 8000 Monte Carlo simulations, the cancer risk resulting from exposure to PAHs was found to be approximately 1.05 x 10-4. A multivariate analysis was applied to identify the potential sources, and the results showed that, in addition to vehicle exhaust, coal combustion and cooking fumes were also another two important contributors to personal PAH exposure. The diagnostic ratios of PAH compounds agree with the source apportionment results derived from principal component analysis.
文摘Exposure to market risk is a core objective of the Capital Asset Pricing Model(CAPM)with a focus on systematic risk.However,traditional OLS Beta model estimations(Ordinary Least Squares)are plagued with several statistical issues.Moreover,the CAPM considers only one source of risk and supposes that investors only engage in similar behaviors.In order to analyze short and long exposures to different sources of risk,we developed a Time–Frequency Multi-Betas Model with ARMA-EGARCH errors(Auto Regressive Moving Average Exponential AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity).Our model considers gold,oil,and Fama–French factors as supplementary sources of risk and wavelets decompositions.We used 30 French stocks listed on the CAC40(Cotations Assistées Continues 40)within a daily period from 2005 to 2015.The conjugation of the wavelet decompositions and the parameters estimates constitutes decision-making support for managers by multiplying the interpretive possibilities.In the short-run,(“Noise Trader”and“High-Frequency Trader”)only a few equities are insensitive to Oil and Gold fluctuations,and the estimated Market Betas parameters are scant different compared to the Model without wavelets.Oppositely,in the long-run,(fundamentalists investors),Oil and Gold affect all stocks but their impact varies according to the Beta(sensitivity to the market).We also observed significant differences between parameters estimated with and without wavelets.
文摘This paper evaluates the determinants of risk exposure when development finance institutions consider approval of funding to different development markets utilising multiple regression econometric models and the Development Bank of South Africa(DBSA)as a case study.The research presents the classical development finance institution(DFI)business model and market size estimation with the contemporary DFI risk classification and enterprise risk management framework.In addition to reviewing the profile of financial and non-financial products and services,the related project cycles and the DFI credit risk pricing and mitigation approaches for the different development markets.Our results suggest that there is a correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities by DBSA and its exposure to financial risk though the correlation is not overwhelmingly significant,but also evidence of a negative correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities and the minimization of the financial risk exposure of DBSA.Likewise,there is a negative correlation between funding to all three different sizes of a municipality and ability of the DFI to absorb future losses(non-performing loan coverage ratio).The negative correlation is highest for secondary cities followed by metros and least for under resourced municipalities.The research concludes with four major recommendations of what the role of the DFI should be in enhancing access of under-resourced municipalities to development funding.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41390240 and 41571130010)the 111 Project(B14001)
文摘For lifetime non-smokers, lung cancer risk is mainly associated with inhalation exposure to air pollution. For the Chinese population, indoor air pollution due to solid fuel combustion has been the primary source of inhalation exposure for decades. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） are the by-products of incomplete combustion.
文摘Oats, frequently incorporated into skincare formulations for their anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier-repairing properties, may present an overlooked risk to individuals with celiac disease, particularly when applied to compromised skin. Although pure oats are inherently gluten-free, the widespread contamination with gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, or rye during agricultural and processing stages introduces the potential for gluten exposure through topical application. This raises important questions about whether gluten proteins, when applied to damaged skin, might penetrate the epidermal barrier and contribute to immune responses in genetically predisposed celiac patients, given that even minute amounts of gluten can trigger systemic symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that transdermal absorption of gluten peptides through impaired skin integrity might bypass the gastrointestinal route, yet the precise mechanisms and clinical significance of this pathway remain poorly understood. The role of compromised skin in facilitating gluten absorption and the possible activation of CD4+ T-cells, mimicking gastrointestinal pathways, warrants further investigation. Additionally, the ability of gluten peptides to reach deeper dermal layers and potentially enter the systemic circulation remains speculative, though theoretically possible in severely disrupted skin barriers. Without clinical and molecular studies to determine the risk of topical gluten exposure, particularly in celiac patients with skin injuries, there remains a potential for undetected immune activation and subsequent adverse health outcomes in this sensitive population.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22176056)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2017ZZD07)。
文摘The booming development of rare earth industry and the extensive utilization of its products accompanied by urban development have led to the accelerated accumulation of rare earth elements(REEs)as emerging pollutants in atmospheric environment.In this study,the variation of REEs in PM_(2.5)with urban(a non-mining city)transformation was investigated through five consecutive years of sample collection.The compositional variability and provenance contribution of REEs in PM_(2.5)were characterized,and the REEs exposure risks of children and adults via inhalation,ingestion and dermal absorption were also evaluated.The results showed an increase in the total REEs concentration from 46.46±35.16 mg/kg(2017)to 81.22±38.98 mg/kg(2021)over the five-year period,with Ce and La making the largest contribution.The actual increment of industrial and traffic emission source among the three pollution sources was 1.34 ng/m^(3).Coal combustion source displayed a downward trend.Ingestion was the main exposure pathway for REEs in PM_(2.5)for both children and adults.Ce contributed the most to the total intake of REEs in PM_(2.5)among the population,followed by La and Nd.The exposure risks of REEs in PM_(2.5)in the region were relatively low,but the trend of change was of great concern.It was strongly recommended to strengthen the concern about traffic-related non-exhaust emissions of particulate matter.
基金supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCX2-YW-420-3,KZCX2-YW-Q-02-05)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20437020,20677074)
文摘The levels and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） in chicken tissues from an electronic waste （e-waste） recycling area in southeast China were investigated. Human dietary intake by local residents via chicken muscle and eggs was estimated. The mean PBDEs concentrations in tissues ranged from 15.2 to 3138.1 ng/g lipid weight （lw） and in egg the concentration was 563.5 ng/g lw. The results showed that the level of total PBDEs （∑PBDEs） in the chicken tissue was 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than those reported in the literature. The large difference of ∑PBDEs concentrations between tissues confirmed that the distribution of PBDEs in tissues depend on tissue-specificity rather than the ＂lipid-compartment＂. BDE-209 was the predominant congener （82.5%- 94.7% of ∑PBDEs） in all chicken tissues except in brain （34.7% of ∑PBDEs）, which indicated that deca-BDE （the major commercial PBDE formulation comprising 65%-70% of total production） was major pollution source in this area and could be bioaccumulated in terrestrial animals. The dietary PBDEs intake of the local residents from chicken muscle and egg, assuming only local bred chickens and eggs were consumed, ranged from 2.2 to 22.5 ng/（day.kg body weight （bw）） with a mean value of 13.5 ng/（day-kg bw）, which was one order of magnitude higher than the value reported in previous studies for consumption of all foodstuffs.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No:2018YFD1100600)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52041004)。
文摘Landfill sites are regarded as prominent sources of bioaerosols for the surrounding atmosphere.The present study focused on the emission of airborne bacteria and fungi in four seasons of a sanitary landfill site.The main species found in bioaerosols were assayed using high-throughput sequencing.The Source Tracker method was utilized to identify the sources of the bioaerosols present at the boundary of the landfill site.Furthermore,the health consequences of the exposure to bioaerosols were evaluated based on the average daily dose rates.Results showed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria in the operation area(OPA)and the leakage treatment area(LTA)were in the range of(4684±477)–(10883±1395)CFU/m^(3) and(3179±453)–(9051±738)CFU/m^(3),respectively.The average emission levels of fungal aerosols were 4026 CFU/m^(3) for OPA and 1295 CFU/m^(3) for LTA.The landfill site received the maximum bioaerosol load during summer and the minimum during winter.Approximately 41.39%–86.24%of the airborne bacteria had a particle size of 1.1 to 4.7μm,whereas 48.27%–66.45%of the airborne fungi had a particle size of more than 4.7μm.Bacillus sp.,Brevibacillus sp.,and Paenibacillus sp.were abundant in the bacterial population,whereas Penicillium sp.and Aspergillus sp.dominated the fungal population.Bioaerosols released from the working area and treatment of leachate were the two main sources that emerged in the surrounding air of the landfill site boundary.The exposure risks during summer and autumn were higher than those in spring and winter.
文摘The World Health Organisation reported that over 20 % of the global disease burden and deaths are caused by environmental factors such as air and dust pollution. Legacy organic pollutants (LOPs) and emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) are among the biggest contributors to this burden. Herein we reviewed literature published for the period 2000–2023 on selected LOPs and EOPs in indoor dust and outdoor air in Africa to understand the occurrence, associated human health risks and common analytical techniques used to identify and quantify these contaminants. The findings revealed generally lower contamination levels for most pollutants than that in most regions outside Africa except for PCBs in outdoor air and OCPs in indoor settled dust. Apart from a few studies for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), most studies reported hazard index (HI) values less than 1 for outdoor air and indoor dust exposure, which suggested negligible non-carcinogenic risks in children and adults. Gas Chromatography and mass spectrometry were the most frequently used analytical techniques for both air and dust probably due to their sensitivity and selectivity in detecting chemical traces at the pg m^(−3) and ng g^(−1) levels. Although the current contamination levels are generally low, their synergistic and cumulative effects may in the long run affect the environment and human health. There is also a paucity of data on most contaminants, especially for PCNs, and PFASs in both outdoor air and dust. Coordinated efforts are needed to limit the trade, importation, and disposal of products containing LOPs and EOPs in Africa.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province,China(No.2014021009)
文摘AIM： To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for lens opacities in populations living at two different altitudes in China.·METHODS： A total of 813 subjects aged ≥40y in Lhasa（Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Altitude： 3658 m） and Shaoxing（Zhejiang Province, China. Altitude： 15 m） were underwent eye examinations and interviewed in this cross-sectional study. Participants＇ lens opacities were graded according to the Lens Opacities Classification System II（LOCS II） and the types of opacities with LOCS II scores ≥2 were determined. Univariate and stepwise logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations of independent risk factors with lens opacities.· RESULTS： Lens opacities were significantly more prevalent in the high-altitude than in the low-altitude area（χ2=10.54, P 〈0.001）. Lens opacities appear to develop earlier in people living at high than at low altitude. The main types of lens opacity in Lhasa and Shaoxing were mixed（23.81%） and cortical（17.87%）,respectively. Independent risk factors associated with all lens opacities were age, ultraviolet（UV） radiation exposure,and educational level. Compared with participants aged40-49 y, the risk of lens opacities increased gradually from 2 to 85 times per 10 y [odds ratio（OR）=2.168-84.731,P 〈0.05）. The risk of lens opacities was about two times greater in participants with the highest UV exposure than in those with the lowest exposure（OR=2.606, P =0.001）.Educational level was inversely associated with lensopacities; literacy deceased the risk by about 25%compared with illiteracy（OR=0.758, P =0.041）.·CONCLUSION： Old age, higher UV exposure and lower educational level are important risk factors for the development of lens opacities. Lens opacities are more prevalent among high-altitude than low-altitude inhabitants.
文摘Mango fruit has a great national and international market, and Brazilian production is 1,900 thousand tons/year exporting to North America and Europe. However, the loss could occur during the production when it is affected by pests and climate conditions, so the increased use of chemical substances and their presence should be monitored. A task for governmental agencies, producers and food sales, attending the sanitary barriers requirements, is to distribute food free from contaminants, so laboratories involved in this type of work usually employ multi-residues analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues in mango using QuEChERS method and mass spectrometry technique. Positive samples were compared with Brazilian maximum residues level （MRL） and the health risk exposure was evaluated using the acute dietary intake （ADI） parameter. A total of 20 samples were collected from January to March, in Sao Paulo city markets. The recoveries were in the range of 70% to 120%, and standard deviation was below 20%. The category of pesticides not permitted for the crop were found in l0 samples; eight samples presented pesticides below MRL and two samples above MRL for the fungicide procloraz. The ADI values were below 20% of ADI for an adult and the worst case was dimethoate with 69% of ADI for children. The time spent in monitoring studies and the viability of method chosen must be considered by pesticide residues laboratories during routine analysis of food quality control.
文摘Rapid internationalization of economic activities following the Second World War has generated an unprecedented increase in international trade and capital flows. For example, only during 1963-1993, exports rose from 157 billion to 3.774 billion dollars. Also the flows of foreign direct investment （FDI） have grown exponentially. Although FDI flows are concentrated on developing countries, 80% being targeted towards 10 countries, capital flows towards the Third World have quadrupled only between 1990 and 1993. This trend towards a truly international economy influences also on how companies do business. International business environment provides many opportunities, as well as threats. Romanian companies need to align to this trend. In addition to identifying new opportunities to do business in foreign markets, they have to deal with specific risks, which they did not have to face when working internally. In this context, we consider necessary to launch an investigation, whose main objective would be analyzing the manner in which Romanian companies manage risks specific to international economic affairs. As the complexity of these businesses is great, and the majority of Romanian companies, in their attempt to internationalize, use classical forms of export-import, the analysis took into account only the export activity undertaken by Romanian companies. We mention that we did not take into account the determination of the exposure to these risks of the companies concerned, but an analysis of the management of those risks. For this analysis, data were collected based on the administration of a questionnaire, and these data were used to develop an econometric model analysis. The specific methods of risk analysis of specific export transactions are then interpreted using the GLOBE model.
文摘This paper uses the input-output tables from 2007 to estimate the exchangerate risk exposure of all 42 sectors of the Chinese economy. It then demonstrates a new quantitative approach for examining the differential impacts of Renminbi appreciation on the export of finished goods and the import of intermediate inputs in each sector, and estimates the changes in profitability of each sector under different degrees of Renminbi appreciation. The results indicate that appreciation of the Renminbi will increase the profitability of 22 sectors, which are generally monopolistic, capital-intensive, and reliant on R＆D, and reduce the profitability of 20 sectors, which are generally competitive, labor-intensive, and less reliant on R＆D. This suggests that the degree and pace of Renminbi appreciation must be coordinated with industrial and employment policies in order to reduce exchange-rate risk exposure through trade restructuring, to improve economic structure, to promote competition and employment, and to maintain steady and sustainable economic growth.
