ABSTRACT
Plastics have brought many benefits to society, but their mismanagement has turned them into a serious environmental problem. Today, the effects of plastic waste on wildlife are becoming increasingly evident. Since studies on plastic pollution have focused on species in marine ecosystems, here we review current knowledge on interactions between terrestrial mammals and plastic waste in the countries of the Americas, which is a global hotspot of mammalian biodiversity and in turn has, among its member countries, nations with high per capita generations of plastic waste globally. We identified 46 scientific articles documenting plastic ingestion in 37 species and four species that used plastic waste for nest or burrow construction. Of the 46 investigations, seven focused on plastic contamination, while the others reported on the presence of plastics in wildlife, even though this was not the primary focus of the research. However, these publications lack analytical methods commonly used in plastic studies, and only one study applied a standardized methodology for plastic detection. Therefore, in general, plastic pollution research on terrestrial mammals is limited. We extend several recommendations such as designing methodologies that are adapted to terrestrial mammals for the identification of plastics in fecal matter or gastrointestinal contents, carrying out species-specific analyzes on the impacts of plastics in nests or burrows, and giving further attention to this understudied issue and taxa.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Plastics , Environmental Pollution , Feces/chemistry , Biodiversity , Environmental Monitoring , Waste Products/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , MammalsABSTRACT
Esta investigación se fundamenta desde una perspectiva y enfoque de género. Su objetivo fue analizar la influencia del género en el desempeño laboral de los Terapeutas Ocupacionales en la ciudad de Temuco, basándose en las percepciones y vivencias de dichos profesionales. La metodología utilizada corresponde al enfoque cualitativo, utilizando como sustento teórico la fenomenología. La muestra del estudio fue intencional y estuvo constituida por 10 profesionales, siendo elnúmero de hombres y mujeres iguales en cantidad. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada como instrumento de recolección de datos analizando la información obtenida a través del análisis de contenido y análisis de discurso. Los tópicos abordados consideran la relación entre trabajo y género y hacen referencia a: diferencias salariales, costos laborales, manejo de poder y estatus de minoría. Los resultados obtenidos señalan que existe influencia del género en el desempeño laboral de los Terapeutas Ocupacionales en todas las determinantes analizadas, principalmente en costos laborales y estatus de minoría. Con respecto al impacto en el desempeño existen opiniones divididas, y a que el 80 por ciento de la muestra femenina considera que existe influencia de género en el desempeño laboral, frente al 60 por ciento masculino que no visualiza influencias en su quehacer determinados por la variable de género. Sin embargo, se hace necesario destacar que lo anterior no está determinado por la disciplina, sino que por las construcciones culturales de la sociedad, por lo que debemos ser más críticos con los fenómenos derivados de género, considerando que es una categoría de análisis inherente al ser humano.
This research is based on a gender perspective and approach. Its objective was to analyze the genders influence on the performance of Occupational Therapistss work in the city of Temuco, based on the perceptions and experiences of these professionals. The methodology used corresponds to the qualitative approach, using the phenomenology as theoretical support. The sample of the study was intentional and was constituted by 10 professionals, being the number of men and women equal in quantity. The semi - structured interview was used as an instrument of data collection by analyzing the information obtained through content analysis and discourse analysis. The topics covered consider the relationship between work and gender and refer to: wage differences, labor costs, power management and minority status. The results obtained indicate that there is gender influence in the occupational therapists workperformance in all the determinants analyzed, mainly in labor costs and minority status. With regard to the impact on performance, there are divided opinions, since 80 percent of the female sample considers that there is gender influence in the labor performance, compared to the male 60 percent that does not visualize influences in their work determined by the gender variable. However, it is necessary to emphasize that the above is not determined by the discipline, but by the cultural constructions of the society, reason why we must be more critical with the phenomena derived from gender, considering that it is a category of analysis inherent to the human being.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Gender Identity , Occupational Therapists , Sex Factors , Work Performance , Job Satisfaction , Qualitative Research , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical representatives often give sample medications to physicians for distribution to patients. In chronic conditions such as hypertension, this practice can contribute to unnecessary medication changes, gaps in treatment, and inferior control of disease. The objective of the current study was to explore associations between use of free sample medicine, hypertension, and source of payment for health care. METHODS: Telephone interviews and chart reviews were conducted at two community health centers in California. Adults with hypertension who had at least three clinic visits in the previous year and either had no insurance or had Medicare or Medicaid were included. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients participated. Seventeen had received sample medicines up to three times within the previous year. Lack of insurance (P < .01) was associated with sample medicine use. No group differences were found for medication changes. In multiple regression analysis, uninsured patients who received sample medicines had higher diastolic blood pressure (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of insurance was the principle predictor of use of sample medications. Although cross-sectional design and covariance of independent variables limit conclusions, higher diastolic blood pressure was related to sample medication use in patients who did not have insurance.
