U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration under Contract no. E(49-18) 2295, Task Order no. 14

U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration under Contract no. E(49-18) 2295, Task Order no. 14

U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration under Contract no. E(49-18) 2295, Task Order no. 14

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:31:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:00:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 11272.pdf: 3694600 bytes, checksum: 59ea029affc46c70103e5e932a8939ea (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

M.Sc. / There has been significant development of new technology for the economic use of mining waste within recent years. The application of these new technologies makes the process of environmental rehabilitation less of a profit loss to mining companies and motivates them to take part in environmental rehabilitation. Apart from the financial benefit through redemption of costs, the economic use of mining waste, especially in the case of retreatment operations, may lead to the removal of waste from site, the removal of harmful substances, the recovery of economic minerals and job creation. The importance of the development and application of these technologies is emphasised through consideration of the different impacts of mining on the environment, the requirements by new environmental laws concerning mining activities in South Africa and the economic survival of the mining industry. This paper discusses the currently available and developing technologies to utilise mine waste economically by highlighting some of the most significant developments over the years. The paper then focuses on the uses of coalmine waste and associated regulations implemented to promote its economic use. The paper then continues to discuss other technology and techniques that can be applied to facilitate the economic use of mining waste. Lastly the paper examines whether mining companies in Gauteng and a few coal mines outside Gauteng are applying any of these technologies or are using their waste economically in other ways.

M.Phil. (Geography) / Pleae refer to full text to view abstract

Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: The primary aim of this project was to determine how receptive patients of Avella Specialty Pharmacy are towards using a mail-back medication disposal envelope by phone survey. This evaluated the hypothesis: participants in the Avella Pharmacy Medication Mail-Back Program will find the program helpful and easy to use. A secondary aim was to describe the participation in Avella’s pharmacy based medication mail-back program. This evaluated the hypothesis: Avella’s pharmacy based mail-back program will produce more participants versus non-participants. Methods: Patients of Avella Specialty Pharmacy with unused medications from discontinued prescriptions for any reason were offered a pre-paid Take Away™ envelope to dispose their medications. Each patient who accepted an envelope was called and asked about their experience using the envelope. Main Results: The majority of patients (58%) who were offered a medication disposal envelope agreed to receive one. All of the respondents surveyed indicated they would use their envelope to mail medications back. Patients of Avella Specialty Pharmacy think medication disposal envelopes are easy (100%) and helpful (97%) to use. Utilizing the trash or toilet to dispose of medications made up 41% of responses when asked about their usual method of medication disposal. A majority of respondents (74%) had not heard of a medication disposal program before Avella’s call regarding the envelope. Conclusion: Medication mail-back disposal envelopes are helpful and easy to use for disposing of unused medications among Avella Specialty Pharmacy patients. The majority of Avella Specialty Pharmacy patients are receptive towards receiving and using medication mail-back disposal envelopes.

Class of 2013 Abstract / Specific Aims: The purpose of the study is to describe the reasons for medication disposals at Take-Back-Rx events and make inferences regarding medication adherence. Methods: Participants at Take-Back-Rx were invited to complete a survey that collected information on the participants current medical conditions, associated medications, unwanted medications, and demographic information. Main Results: The majority of participants were non-Hispanic White (89.2%) on Medicare (87.8%) with at least some college education (72.1%). The mean number of reasons listed for disposal was 2.25 and the majority of medications were expired (70%) or the dose/agent changed (47%). Conclusion: This study effectively described the reasons for medication disposals at Take-Back Rx events, but applicability to further patient populations may be limited due to shortcomings of the instrument.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To determine whether perceptions of drug disposal among patients are driven by environmental concerns or medication diversion, to determine the preferred method of medication disposal, and to identify related demographic characteristics. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. The primary dependent variable is patients' perception of medication disposal. The secondary dependent variables include the impact of income and the preferred method of disposal. Demographic variables include age, medication use, education level, gender, and average household income. RESULTS: The paper survey was completed by 86 patients. Overall, study participants were more concerned with environmental concerns (69.6%, p<0.001) rather than with medication diversion (11.4%) or convenience (19.0%). In the disposal of medications, study participants preferred dropping off medications at a pharmacy (43.8%, p<0.001) to disposing medications at a secure drop off point (17.2%) , crushing medications into coffee grounds (28.9%), or mailing medications to a secure federal collection site (10.2%). Income level of the participants had no impact on their perception of drug disposal or preferred method of medication disposal. CONCLUSION: Patients' perception of drug disposal is more related to environmental concerns than with medication diversion or convenience. Patients' preferred method of medication disposal was pharmacy drop-off as opposed to driving to a secure medication drop off point, crushing medications into coffee grounds, or mailing medications to a secure federal site.