Academic literature on the topic 'Haring aid'

This paper considers the clinical issue of self-harming behaviours, defined as intentional self-injury that results in tissue damage. It is distinct from a suicide attempt, as self-harm does not occur within the context of a conscious wish to die. Self-harming behaviours among children and youth is a recent area of research. To date, studies indicate that in community samples, self-harming behaviours occur in as many as 35% of youth who are sampled (Gratz, 2001). Alarmingly, very little is known about self-harming behaviours among children and youth within the child protection system. This study, drawing from data gathered through a government-mandated reporting procedure of all children and youth in care,attempted to explore self-harming behaviours of children and youth in welfare care. While analyses did not focus explicitly on Aboriginal children and youth, it does consider differences in self-harming behaviours among minority and non-minority children and youth in care of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Approximately half of all child welfare cases that go through the child protection system in Toronto fall under the responsibility of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Although minority status was not significantly related to the number of self-harming attempts or threats, results suggested that minority children and youth in care were less likely to use puncture-type behaviour (cutting, scratching, stabbing) as a means of serious self harm. Results suggest that although self- harm may be a universal phenomenon, culture may affect how children and youth in care engage in self-harming behaviours. Direction of future research should consider between-cultural effects and more importantly, how these culture-specific differences may impact on children and youth’s self-harming behaviours.

Hypothesizing after the results are known, or HARKing, occurs when researchers check their research results and then add or remove hypotheses on the basis of those results without acknowledging this process in their research report ( Kerr, 1998 ). In the present article, I discuss 3 forms of HARKing: (a) using current results to construct post hoc hypotheses that are then reported as if they were a priori hypotheses; (b) retrieving hypotheses from a post hoc literature search and reporting them as a priori hypotheses; and (c) failing to report a priori hypotheses that are unsupported by the current results. These 3 types of HARKing are often characterized as being bad for science and a potential cause of the current replication crisis. In the present article, I use insights from the philosophy of science to present a more nuanced view. Specifically, I identify the conditions under which each of these 3 types of HARKing is most and least likely to be bad for science. I conclude with a brief discussion about the ethics of each type of HARKing.

El presente artículo presenta una interesante propuesta de producción de alimentos balanceado en forma de harina, a partir de los desperdicios de las aves. En él se propone la instalación de una planta que permita recuperar los desperdicios de beneficio de las aves (plumas, sangre, visceras), para transformarlos en productos alimenticios, permitiendo reducir costos, mejorando la calidad del producto final, no contaminando el medio ambiente y preparándonos para enfrentar las nuevas necesidades del consumidor final.

Cette thèse étudie l’impact de l’Aéroport international de Beyrouth sur la qualité de l’air de Beyrouth et ses banlieues par mesures et modélisation des COVs et NO2. Il s’agit de la première étude qui identifie les signatures des émissions (COVs) issues des avions sous opération réelle. Grâce aux signatures détectées lors de 4 campagnes réalisées, nous constatons que l’aéroport a un impact sur la qualité de l’air de son voisinage, la zone côtière (trajectoire d’atterrissage), et les zones montagneuses. Ces résultats sont confirmés via le modèle ADMS-Airport, utilisé pour la première fois au Moyen-Orient et validé pour les conditions libanaises (r = 0.86). Par ailleurs, les concentrations de 47 COVs ont été mesurées pour la première fois à l'intérieur d’un bâtiment de l'aéroport. Les teneurs en COVs qui sont corrélées au nombre d’avions sont en dessous des valeurs seuils sauf pour l'acroléine alors que la celle de NO2 peut constituer un danger pour la santé
This work mainly investigated the impact of Beirut Airport on the air quality of Beirut and its suburbs via both measurements and modeling of VOCs and NO2. This is the first study to determine VOC signatures of exhaust emissions from aircraft under real operation. Using these signatures, the impact of the airport activities was tracked in 4 transect campaigns, where it was found that the airport impacts air quality not only in its vicinity, but also on the seashore (landing jet trajectory) and in mountainous areas. These results were confirmed via modeling with ADMS-Airport, implemented for the first time in the Middle East, after being validated in the Lebanese conditions (r = 0.86). As a secondary goal, and for the first time, 47 VOCs were assessed inside an airport building. Measured VOC levels did not present any risks except for acrolein. In the arrivals hall, NO2 levels indicated a health hazard; while a direct relationship was found between aircraft number and VOC concentrations

China's rapid economic development and accelerated process of urbanisation has involved erosion of local distinctiveness during the last twenty years. This loss of character is widely regretted. With intensified inter-city competition there is a growing recognition among planning stakeholders and the general public that a stronger framework of urban conservation will be required in future. The dissertation offers a diagnosis of the methods for coping with urban character in modern Chinese cities and recommends how the contribution of conservation to regeneration may be enhanced. The study is framed within a discussion of the concept of urban character, and a comparative review of international practice within the field. The Chinese legal and policy context is then introduced. A review of current policy issues identifies four aspects for investigation: first, the issue of how urban character is defined and understood; second, the regulatory techniques employed in local planning; third, the issue of the hierarchy of design guidance at different scales; and fourth, the adequacy or otherwise of the basic legal framework for planning, historical conservation and design control. Investigation of these questions was pursued through an in-depth case-study of a single city. The chosen location is Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China. The Manchurian capital has a strong physical character and distinctiveness both because of its sub-Arctic location, and because of its historic legacies from Jewish, Russian and Japanese architecture. Detailed investigation of the regulatory process on a site-by-site basis shows the permissive approach to modern high-volume development. Policies for protection of urban character are not entirely absent. But the study shows their ineffectiveness, because of confusion over characterisation principles, absence of an evidence base, weakness of implementation, and inconsistency in execution. The thesis concludes with a discussion of urban character protection in the light of the Harbin case-study, drawing several recommendations for improvement, including the use of Local Identification Reports; provision of supplementary design guidance; and the introduction of site-specific design briefs.

[EN] The present study was designed to evaluate in independent trials the effect of replace protein fishmeal (HP) by four plant sources, lupine (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet), corn gluten (CGM), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) on the growth of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. For this four sets of diets were developed. The first two containing 35% protein and 11% lipids were prepared to replace the 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the protein from HP by protein lupine (LKM) or CGM. The other two series of isoproteic (30%) and isolipidic (9.5%) diets were formulated to replace 0, 15, 25, 35 and 45% protein HP by protein amaranth and quinoa. Only the contents of corn starch and fish oil were varied to maintain constant levels of protein and lipid in all the experimental diets. All diets had squid meal to provide attractability. Depending on the test conducted eight (LKM and CGM) or seven (amaranth and quinoa) juveniles of about 1g were stocked randomly in aquariums (44 m-2 or 39 m-2) 50 L equipped with a flow-through water system using full-strength seawater. Six aquariums (replicates) were assigned to each of the treatments in a completely randomized design. The shrimp were fed ad libitum twice a day for about eight weeks. At the end of the growth trial, shrimp were fed experimental diets containing 0.5% of chromium oxide. Overall survival in the study was higher than 74% and did not change significantly (p>0.05) when HP was replaced partially or completely by each of the sources evaluated. The results of this study showed that LKM can replace 50% of the protein of HP without significantly (p>0.05) reducing growth (6.7-7.0 g final weight). LKM inclusion in any of the tested levels resulted in a significantly (p<0.05) reduced the apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADMS) and apparent digestibility of crude protein (ADPC) of the feed. The gradual increase of CGM in diets produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease of shrimp final weight (5.9 to 3.2 g) and growth rate (2.7 to 1.7% d-1) compared to those fed CGM 0 (7.1 g and 3.0% d-1). Feed Conversion Factor (FCA) was also significantly (p<0.05) affected by CGM level, diets CGM50, CGM75 and CGM100 had higher FCA than CGM0 and CGM25. The inclusion of CGM on any level tested resulted in a significant decrease in ADMS, from 77.9 to 66.0%, and ADPC, 80.5 to 52.0%, of the feed. The apparent digestibility of amino acids, except lysine, declined with the addition of CGM, reflecting the ADPC. While those shrimps fed diets based on amaranth showed that the diet with 15% replacement obtained a better growth (p<0.05) after the control diet. Diets with replacement 15% and 25% reported significantly (p<0.05) better DAMS (79.7% and 71.2%) and ADPC (88.4% and 81.1%) than the diet with 35% and 45% substitution. The replacement of quinoa in any of the assessed levels have not demonstrated performance (p<0.05) lower than the control diet. The DAMS and ADPC for quinoa diets were statistically superior (p<0.05) than control diet. These results show that lupine and quinoa have a very good potential as a protein source up to 50% and 45% respectively of the HP protein which is equivalent to a third of the total protein in the diet. The cost-benefit of including these ingredients needs to be evaluated. Lower values of corn gluten and amaranth on the HP could be due to low protein digestibility, imbalance of amino acids and / or the presence of antinutritional factors.
[ES] El presente estudio fue diseñado para evaluar en ensayos independientes el efecto de reemplazar la proteína de la harina de pescado (HP) por cuatro fuentes de origen vegetal, altramuz (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet), gluten de maíz (CGM), amaranto (Amaranthus caudatus L.) y quinua (Chenopodium quinoa) sobre el crecimiento de camarones juveniles Litopenaeus vannamei. Para esto se elaboraron cuatro series de dietas. Las dos primeras conteniendo 35% de proteína y 11% de lípidos fueron preparadas para sustituir el 0, 25, 50, 75 y 100% de la proteína proveniente de la HP por proteína de las harinas de altramuz (LKM) o CGM. Las otras dos series de dietas isoproteicas (30%) e isolipidicas (9,5%) fueron formuladas para reemplazar 0, 15, 25, 35 y 45% de la proteína de la HP por proteína de amaranto y quinua. Solamente los contenidos de almidón de maíz y aceite de pescado variaron para mantener constante los niveles de proteína y lípidos en todas las dietas experimentales. Todas las dietas tuvieron harina de calamar. Dependiendo del ensayo realizado ocho (LKM y CGM) o siete (amaranto y quinua) juveniles de alrededor de 1g fueron sembrados aleatoriamente en los acuarios (44 m-2 o 39 m-2) de 50 l equipados con un sistema de recambio de agua de mar de flujo continuo. Seis acuarios (réplicas) fueron asignadas a cada uno de los tratamientos en un diseño completamente aleatorizado. Los camarones fueron alimentados ad libitum dos veces al día por aproximadamente ocho semanas. Al final del ensayo de crecimiento, los camarones fueron alimentados con las dietas experimentales conteniendo 0,5% de óxido de cromo. La supervivencia en general del estudio fue superior a 74% y no varió significativamente (p>0,05) cuando la HP fue reemplazada parcial o totalmente por cada una de las fuentes evaluadas. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que LKM puede reemplazar el 50% de la proteína de la HP sin disminuir significativamente (p>0,05) el crecimiento (6,7-7,0 g peso final). La inclusión de LKM en cualquiera de los niveles ensayados resultaron en una significativamente (p<0,05) reducción de la digestibilidad aparente de materia seca (DAMS) y la digestibilidad aparente de proteína cruda (DAPC) del alimento. El gradual incremento del CGM en las dietas produjo un significativo (p<0,05) decrecimiento del peso final (5,9 a 3,2 g) de los camarones y sus tasas de crecimiento (2,7 a 1,7% d-1) comparado a aquellos alimentados con 0 CGM (7,1 g y 3,0 % d-1). El Factor de Conversión Alimenticia (FCA) fue también significativamente (p<0,05) afectado por el nivel de CGM, las dietas CGM50, CGM75 y CGM100 tuvieron un más alto FCA que CGM0 y CGM25. La inclusión de CGM en cualquier nivel ensayado resultó en un significativo decrecimiento en DAMS, de 77,9 a 66,0%, y en DAPC, de 80,5 a 52,0%, del alimento. La digestibilidad aparente de aminoácidos, con la excepción de lisina, declinó con la incorporación de CGM, reflejando la ADPC. En tanto que los camarones alimentados con las dietas a base de amaranto mostraron (p<0,05) que la dieta con 15% de reemplazo obtuvo un mejor crecimiento después de la dieta control. Las dietas con reemplazo de 15% y 25% registraron significativamente (p<0,05) una mejor DAMS (79,70% y 71,21%) y DAPC (88,39% y 81,10%) que las dieta con 35% y 45% de sustitución. El reemplazo de la quinua en cualquiera de los niveles evaluados no demostraron tener un rendimiento (p<0,05) inferior a la dieta control. La DAMS y DAPC para las dietas con quinua fueron estadísticamente superiores (p<0,05) a la dieta control. Estos resultados muestran que el altramuz y quinua tienen un potencial muy bueno como fuente proteína hasta el 50% y 45% respectivamente de la proteína de la HP lo cual es equivalente a un tercio del total de la proteína presente en la dieta. Los valores más bajos del gluten de maíz y amaranto relativo a la HP podrían ser debido a la baja digestibilidad de la proteína, imbalance de aminoácidos y/o a la pres
[CAT] El present estudi va ser dissenyat per a avaluar en assajos independents l'efecte de reemplaçar la proteïna de la farina de peix (HP) per quatre fonts d'origen vegetal, tramús (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet), gluten de dacsa (CGM), amarant (Amaranthus caudatus L.) i quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) sobre el creixement de gambetes juvenils Litopenaeus vannamei. Per a açò es van elaborar quatre sèries de dietes. Les dos primeres contenint 35% de proteïna i 11% de lípids van ser preparades per a substituir el 0, 25, 50, 75 i 100% de la proteïna provinent de la HP per proteïna de les farines de tramús (LKM) o CGM. Les altres dos sèries de dietes isoproteicas (30%) i isolipidicas (9,5%) van ser formulades per a reemplaçar 0, 15, 25, 35 i 45% de la proteïna de la HP per proteïna d'amarant i quinoa. Només els continguts de midó de dacsa i oli de peix van variar per a mantindre constant els nivells de proteïna i lípids en totes les dietes experimentals. Totes les dietes van tindre farina de calamar per a proveir atractabilidad. Depenent de l'assaig realitzat huit (LKM i CGM) o set (amarant i quinoa) juvenils d'al voltant de 1g van ser sembrats aleatòriament en els aquaris (44 m-2 o 39 m-2) de 50 l equipats amb un sistema de recanvi d'aigua de mar de flux continu. Sis aquaris (rèpliques) van ser assignades a cada un dels tractaments en un disseny completament aleatorizado. Les gambetes van ser alimentats ad libitum dos vegades al dia per aproximadament huit setmanes. Al final de l'assaig de creixement, les gambetes van ser alimentats amb les dietes experimentals contenint 0,5% d'òxid de crom. La supervivència en general de l'estudi va ser superior a 74% i no va variar significativament (p>0,05) quan la HP va ser reemplaçada parcial o totalment per cada una de les fonts avaluades. Els resultats d'este estudi van mostrar que LKM pot reemplaçar el 50% de la proteïna de la HP sense disminuir significativament (p>0,05) el creixement (6,7-7,0 g pes final). La inclusió de LKM en qualsevol dels nivells assajats van resultar en una significativament (p<0.05) reducció de la digestibilitat aparent de matèria seca (DAMS) i la digestibilitat aparent de proteïna crua (DAPC) de l'aliment. El gradual increment del CGM en les dietes va produir un significatiu decreixement del pes final (5,9 a 3,2 g) de les gambetes i les seues taxes de creixement (2,7 a 1,7% d-1) comparat a aquells alimentats amb 0 CGM (7,1 g i 3,0 % d-1). El Factor de Conversió Alimentària (FCA) va ser també significativament (p<0.05) afectat pel nivell de CGM, les dietes CGM50, CGM75 i CGM100 van tindre un més alt FCA que CGM0 i CGM25. La inclusió de CGM en qualsevol nivell assajat va resultar en un significatiu decreixement en DAMS, de 77,9 a 66,0%, i en DAPC, de 80,5 a 52,0%, de l'aliment. La digestibilitat aparent d'aminoàcids, amb l'excepció de lisina, va declinar amb la incorporació de CGM, reflectint l'ADPC. En tant que les gambetes alimentats amb les dietes a base d'amarant van mostrar que la dieta amb 15% de reemplaçament va obtindre un millor creixement després de la dieta control. Les dietes amb reemplaçament de 15% i 25% van registrar significativament una millor DAMS (79,70% i 71,21%) i DAPC (88,39% i 81,10%) que les dieta amb 35% i 45% de substitució. El reemplaçament de la quinoa en qualsevol dels nivells avaluats no van demostrar tindre un rendiment inferior a la dieta control. La DAMS i DAPC per a les dietes amb quinoa van ser estadísticament superiors a la dieta control. Estos resultats mostren que el tramús i quinoa tenen un potencial molt bo com a font proteïna fins al 50% i 45% respectivament de la proteïna de la HP la qual cosa és equivalent a un terç del total de la proteïna present en la dieta. El cost-benefici d'incloure estos ingredients necessita ser avaluat. Els valors més baixos del gluten de dacsa i amarant relatiu a la HP podrien ser degut a la baixa digestibilitat de la proteïna, imbalance d'aminoàcids y/o a
Molina Poveda, C. (2016). Evaluación de varias fuentes de proteína vegetal en dietas para camarón Litopenaeus vannamei [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/63666
TESIS

Si calcola che nel 2008 oltre 7 milioni di cittadini italiani abbiano sofferto di una patologia che si manifesta con un deficit uditivo cronico che tende a peggiorare con l’avanzare dell’età: l’ipoacusia. Oggi questa patologia colpisce una persona su tre dopo i 50 anni di età e due persone su tre dopo i 75 anni. La perdita di udito è connessa con l’isolamento, una minore indipendenza, il declino funzionale, il deterioramento cognitivo e fenomeni depressivi anche gravi. Inoltre, in numerosi studi, di cui si forniranno i dettagli nel presente lavoro, si è dimostrato come le persone associno il benessere alle relazioni sociali e all’assenza di patologie che impediscano la creazione e il mantenimento di dette relazioni. Ebbene, altri studi hanno messo in luce come l’ipoacusia sia tra le patologie che maggiormente inficiano proprio la capacità di relazione dell’individuo. Nonostante la disponibilità di protesi acustiche avanzate, di professionisti altamente qualificati e di contributi statali all’acquisto, ancora un esiguo numero di soggetti ipoacusici ricorre alla protesi acustica. Si calcola che nel 2008, a fronte dei circa 7 milioni di potenziali portatori di protesi, solo 200 mila pazienti ne abbiano acquistata una. Questa situazione finisce per limitare anche le prospettive di sviluppo delle imprese che operano nel settore dell’applicazione delle protesi acustiche. È parso interessante studiare, in una prospettiva economico-manageriale, le ragioni di questa situazione e lo si è fatto attraverso un’analisi del comportamento del paziente/consumatore. Questo studio si è posto due specifici obiettivi: (a) individuare le difficoltà incontrare dai pazienti che intraprendono il percorso per giungere alla protesizzazione; (b) definire e comprendere bisogni, attese e atteggiamenti dei consumatori ipoacusici. Il lavoro verte intorno al tema dell’analisi e dello sviluppo del mercato, particolarmente rilevante per gli studi di marketing e gestione strategica d’impresa. Si è inteso affrontare il tema con taglio essenzialmente empirico, cogliendone le implicazioni all’interno del settore dell’applicazione delle protesi acustiche. Si tratta di un settore che fa da intermediario tra una domanda attuale e una potenziale (costituita dalle persone affette da problemi uditivi) ed il settore industriale - ad altissima tecnologia - dei produttori delle protesi acustiche. Il settore dell’applicazione delle protesi acustiche presenta una confluenza di problematiche commerciali e di assistenza sanitaria ed ha un soggetto-chiave nella figura professionale dell’audioprotesista, che dovrebbe collaborare con una rete di altri soggetti (medici e non) per risolvere il problema di salute del paziente. Ad oggi risulta che nessuno studio sia mai stato condotto non solo in Italia ma neppure in Europa per cercare di comprendere il comportamento del paziente/consumatore in riferimento al prodotto protesi acustica. Le poche ricerche oggi disponibili - condotte principalmente in Danimarca e negli Stati Uniti - hanno voluto indagare solo il grado di soddisfazione del paziente protesizzato o la funzionalità del prodotto. Questa ricerca - di natura esplorativa - ha cercato, invece, di studiare le difficoltà, i bisogni, le attese e gli atteggiamenti dei pazienti/consumatori che si avvicinano alla protesi acustica. È stato possibile condurre due ricerche primarie, una qualitativa ed una quantitativa. Per la ricerca qualitativa si sono organizzati 7 focus group con gli audioprotesisti e 10 focus group con i pazienti sia protesizzati che protesizzabili, tra marzo e giugno 2009, con l’obiettivo di comprendere quali fossero gli ostacoli incontrati dai pazienti all’interno del processo diagnostico-applicativo. Nel complesso sono stati coinvolti 96 pazienti e 49 audioprotesisti, reclutati in tutto il territorio italiano. Per lo studio dei dati raccolti si è fatto ricorso agli strumenti forniti dalla Grounded Theory, una metodologia di analisi di tipo qualitativo che nasce in ambito sociologico ed è oggi ampiamente applicata nelle scienze sociali. Questa metodologia ha una forte base induttiva e prevede passaggi di progressiva astrazione a partire da uno o più testi, oggetto dell’analisi. In questo caso i testi erano la trascrizione delle conversazioni registrate durante i focus group. La ricerca quantitativa è stata condotta su un campione di 1075 pazienti protesizzati, reclutati grazie alla collaborazione degli audioprotesisti che hanno risposto all’inserzione pubblicitaria. A questi pazienti è stato somministrato un questionario creato ad hoc, a partire da marzo fino a settembre 2009. Per le ricerche ci si è avvalsi di strumenti informatici per l’analisi qualitativa (software NVivo 8.0 per l’analisi dei testi prodotti nei focus group) e di strumentazione statistica (software SPSS 13.0) per l’analisi quantitativa (risposte ai questionari). Dall’analisi dei dati raccolti emergono due punti critici: (a) le numerose interruzioni nel percorso diagnostico-applicativo; (b) il sentimento di disagio avvertito dal paziente ipoacusico nell’indossare la protesi acustica. Il primo dei due punti elencati è determinato principalmente da evidenti limiti nella normativa vigente che ostacolano la collaborazione tra i professionisti sanitari coinvolti nel processo di diagnosi, applicazione dell’ausilio e riabilitazione del soggetto ipoacusico. In particolare, la stessa normativa che auspica una piena collaborazione di tutti i professionisti sanitari coinvolti nel processo, impedisce che l’audioprotesista - in quanto operatore sanitario con funzioni anche commerciali - lavori nella medesima struttura in cui operano gli altri professionisti, per il rischio di conflitto di interessi. La limitata collaborazione tra i professionisti determina il dilatarsi dei tempi per la fornitura dell’ausilio, tanto che lo stesso processo diventa un percorso minato in cui gli stimoli a rinunciare sono maggiori di quelli a continuare. In secondo luogo, il sentimento di disagio avvertito dal paziente nell’indossare il prodotto è determinato dall’inefficace promozione fatta fino ad oggi. Infatti, nonostante i pazienti protesizzati riconoscano la qualità del prodotto e la professionalità del personale sanitario, continua ad esistere una forte barriera culturale che si crede possa essere superata solo attraverso opportune e mirate iniziative di marketing, volte a favorire l’espandersi di un passaparola positivo. Alla luce di queste considerazioni, si credono auspicabili tre interventi. In primo luogo, il Sistema Sanitario Nazionale o le singole unità sanitarie locali dovrebbero creare centri di eccellenza per l’udito, nei quali possano lavorare a stretto contatto l’O.R.L., l’audiologo, il logopedista, l’audiometrista, lo psicologo e l’audioprotesista. In secondo luogo, è auspicabile una revisione della normativa che consenta una fattiva collaborazione tra gli audioprotesisti, i medici specialisti e i medici di base. Infine, si rende necessario un coinvolgimento diretto delle aziende produttrici, le quali occupano una posizione privilegiata da cui possono godere di una conoscenza del mercato reale e potenziale più approfondita rispetto a quella delle piccole aziende distributrici. Inoltre, in queste aziende operano professionisti che, in possesso di adeguate e aggiornate conoscenze di marketing, potrebbero portare ad una segmentazione della domanda e, dunque, alla creazione di più mirate iniziative di promozione del prodotto. Si crede che i risultati emersi possano contribuire ad impostare consapevoli strategie di marketing, volte a favorire la crescita della domanda del prodotto protesi acustica.
It is esteemed that in Italy more than 7 million people suffered from hearing loss in 2008. Today this pathology affects one out of three 75 years-old persons. Hearing loss is related to isolation, loss of independence, physical decline, cognitive deterioration and depression. In addition, many researches showed that people tend to associate well-being to social relationships and with the absence of pathologies invalidating these relationships. Other studies highlighted that hearing loss is one of the sicknesses invalidating individuals’ relations. In spite of the availability of good-quality hearing aids, of the presence in the territory of qualifies professionals and of a Health Care System contribution to the hearing aid purchase, few hearing-impaired patients have recourse to hearing aids. It is esteemed that in 2008 only 200,000 patients bought one. In this scenario, development and growth possibilities of the companies of this sector are highly limited. Having said that, it was decided to study the reasons of this situation form a managerial point of view through a consumer behavior research. The research aims at empirically investigating the barriers patients face during the diagnostic process, and identifying patients’ needs and attitudes towards the product. The research deals with market study and development and its focus is the hearing aid sector, the intermediary between a real and potential demand and the industrial sector in which hearing aids producers work. In the hearing aid sector there is a confluence of commercial and health care problems and its key figure in the audiologist, who should work in team with many other subjects to treat hearing-impaired patients. It seems that no study has been conducted so far in Italy to investigate the patients behavior in relation to hearing aids. This explorative research tries to study patients’ needs, problems, expectations and attitudes towards hearing aids. The research was promoted through an advertisement on the a journal – L’Audioprotesista – published by the Italian Audiologist Association and delivered for free to audiologists, specialists and other hearing professionals. Two primary researches were conducted, a qualitative and a quantitative one. 7 focus groups with audiologists and 10 with patients were organized for the qualitative research from March to June 2009. In total 96 patients and 49 audiologists were recruited on the Italian territory. Interviews were recorded and transcripts were produced for every interview. The collected data were analyzed through the Grounded Theory, an inductive methodology (software NVivo 8.0). The quantitative research was conducted with 1075 patients, recruited tanks to the cooperation of the audiologists who read the advertisement and were available to take part into the project. These patients answered the questions of a questionnaire, made on the basis of the qualitative study results. The answers were analyzed with the software SPSS 13.0 Two critical point merged from the analysis: (a) the interruption in the diagnostic and fitting protocol; (b) the embarrassment of patients wearing a hearing aid. The first situation is due to the legislative limits, preventing hearing professional from a real cooperation. The embarrassment is caused by a ineffective hearing aids promotion. In fact, although patients agree on the product quality, it keeps being present a cultural barrier that can be overcome with targeted marketing actions, aiming at developing a positive word-of-mouth. On the basis of these considerations, three actions are desirable. First of all, the Italian Health Care System should create hearing loss centers of excellence, where audiologists and specialists can work in team. Secondly, the rules should be reassessed, in order to promote an effective cooperation among professionals. Thirdly, hearing aid manufacturers should be involved and make available marketing tools and their knowledge on the demand. In fact, the size of their business is much bigger than the one audiologists can count on and manufactures can look at the market from a wider perspective. In addition, in these companies there are professionals who are in possession of adequate marketing tools for a market segmentation and targeting and for a more successful product promotion.

Abstract A study of the buckling of a sandwich column, based on the three dimensional theory of elasticity, and a comparison with the simple Euler or transverse shear correction Engesser / Haringx / Timoshenko column buckling formulas, is presented. All three phases of the sandwich structure (two face sheets and the core) are assumed to be orthotropic and the column is in the form of a hollow circular cylinder. The Euler or Engesser / Haringx / Timoshenko loads are based on the equivalent axial modulus. Representative results show the significance of the effect of transverse shear in these sandwich structures.

We present an all-fiber linear Mamyshev oscillator s haring i ts p ump with an amplifier. This new design is enabled by fiber Bragg gratings and yields high energy efficiency, repetition rate and pulse performance without additional components.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi aliran air tanah bawah permukaan di sekitar Jalan Perdana, Kelurahan Bansir Laut, Kota Pontianak. Pengamatan aliran air tanah berguna untuk mengetahui lokasi yang berpotensi terdapat air tanah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode self- potential dengan mengaplikasikan 12 lintasan yang masing-masing mempunyai panjang 130 m. Jarak antar lintasan sejauh 10 m dan jarak antar elektroda porous pot adalah 10 m. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa variasi nilai potensial sebelum koreksi variasi harian yaitu -36.44 mV hingga 25.18 mV, sedangkan nilai potensial setelah koreksi variasi harian yaitu -36.64 mV hingga 25.86 mV. Nilai potensial relatif tinggi berada di bagian barat dan timur, sedangkan nilai potensial relatif rendah berada di bagian tengah dari lokasi penelitian. Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan bahwa air tanah diduga mengalir dari arah barat dan timur menuju ke bagian tengah dari lokasi penelitian.

The purpose of this review is to highlight LiDAR data usage for geomorphic studies and compare to other remote sensing technologies. This review further identifies survey efficiencies and issues that can be problematic in using LiDAR digital elevation models (DEMs) in completing surveys and geomorphic analysis. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) geospatial data collection guidance (EM 1110-1-1000) (USACE 2015) aligns with the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (ASPRS 2014). Geomorphic assessment technologies are rapidly evolving, and LiDAR data collection methods are at the forefront. The FluvialGeomorph (FG) toolbox, developed to support USACE watershed planning, is a recent example of the use of LiDAR high-resolution terrain data to provide a new, efficient approach for rapid watershed assessments (Haring et al. 2020; Haring and Biedenharn 2021). However, there are advantages and disadvantages in using LiDAR data compared to other remote sensing technologies and traditional topographic field survey methods.

Existing Delta Headwaters Project (DHP) watershed stabilization studies are focused on restoration and stabilization of degraded stream systems. The original watershed studies formerly under the Demonstration Erosion Control (DEC) Project started in the mid 1980s. The watershed stabilization activities are continuing, and because of the vast number of degraded watersheds and limited amount of yearly funding, there is a need for developing a rapid watershed assessment approach to determine which watersheds to prioritize for further work. The goal of this project is to test the FluvialGeomorph (FG) toolkit to determine if the Rapid Geomorphic Assessment approach can identify channel stability trends in Campbell Creek and its main tributary. The FG toolkit (Haring et al. 2019; Haring et al. 2020) is a new rapid watershed assessment approach using high-resolution terrain data (Light Detection and Ranging [LiDAR]) to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) watershed planning. One of the principal goals of the USACE SMART (Specific Measureable Attainable Risk-Informed Timely) Planning is to leverage existing data and resources to complete studies. The FG approach uses existing LiDAR to rapidly assess either reach-specific analysis for smaller more focused studies or larger watersheds or ecosystems. The rapid assessment capability can reduce the time and cost of planning by using existing information to complete a preliminary watershed assessment and provide rapid results regarding where to focus more detailed study efforts.

Many people enjoy wildlife. Nationwide, Americans spend over $144 billion annually on fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching activities. However, wildlife is not always welcome in or near homes, buildings, or other property and can cause significant damage or health and safety issues. Many people who experience a wildlife conflict prefer to resolve the issue without harming the offending animal. Of the many options available (i.e., habitat modification, exclusion, repellents) for addressing nuisance wildlife problems, translocation—capturing and moving—of the offending animal is often perceived to be effective. However, trapping and translocating wild animals is rarely legal nor is it considered a viable solution by wildlife professionals for resolving most nuisance wildlife problems. Reasons to avoid translocating nuisance wildlife include legal restrictions, disease concerns, liability issues associated with injuries or damage caused by a translocated animal, stress to the animal, homing behavior, and risk of death to the animal. Translocation is appropriate in some situations such as re-establishing endangered species, enhancing genetic diversity, and stocking species in formerly occupied habitats. The main focus of this publication, however, is to address nuisance wildlife issues that may be commonly encountered by homeowners and nuisance wildlife control professionals.

Previous research has identified several likely causes of eligible non-participation in the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), including awareness, financial exclusion, and administrative barriers. This study expands on that research, with a particular focus on the role of tax-filing as an administrative obstacle to accessing the CLB. I present results from an online survey of low and modest income parents (n=466) conducted in 2021. We find that, even among parents reporting they have received the CLB (46%), a majority (51%) report low confidence in their familiarity with the program, and more than one in six (17%) are unaware of the need to file tax returns to maintain eligibility for annual CLB payments. Self-reported regular tax-filing is associated with a 59% increase in the probability of accessing the CLB, even when controlling for a range of parental characteristics. This study confirms previous work by Harding and colleagues (2019) that non-filing may explain some share of eligible non-participation in education savings incentives. Tax-filing services may be an important pathway to improve CLB access. Low and modest income parents show substantial diversity in their preferred filing methods and outreach efforts cannot be concentrated in only one avenue if they are to be successful. The study also tests a small ‘nudge’ to address gaps in awareness and finds that information-only approaches to outreach are likely to have limited success, even with motivated populations.