Disturbances, robustness and adaptation in forest commons: comparative insights from two cases in the Southeastern Alps

Exposure to disturbances of different nature and scale can represent a threat for the survival of rural communities but also a stimulus to adjustment. Disturbance, robustness and adaptation are here examined through the lens of Forest Commons, as a typical institution, developed by communities in the southeastern Alps since several centuries. The paper relies on Commons' theory and further developments and carries out a historically-embedded analysis of disturbances, robustness and adaptation in Forest Commons of Slovenia and Veneto (Italy). Data have been drawn from multiple sources, following an approach based on an area scale and later on case-studies. The analysis focuses on evidence of Forest Commons\ub4 reactions to disturbances induced by political changes and State actions. Ostrom's design principles are used to test robustness of eight selected cases and identification of their adaptation patterns. The paper concludes by confirming Forest Commons as robust and adaptive socio-ecological systems and thus useful in Community Forestry conceptualisation. However, thanks to its cross-border analysis, it also points out future research needs for their better understanding

Statistical analysis of the equivalent design rainfall

Statistical analyses of rainfall data are used for the design of sewerage systems and pump-stations, for the evaluation of the duration and the frequency of overflow in runoff detention facilities, for the determination of the critical influence on a municipal wastewater-treatment plant or for the protection of watercourses from storm-water runoff (e.g., from highways). The basic data in this calculation are the intensity and the duration of a rainstorm. Different procedures used in the analysis of Equivalent Design Rainfall (EDR) in Slovenia and abroad are described. The stochastic model used is presented in more detail because of its applicability for the determination of the probability of the occurrence of partial rainfalls of higher frequencies and the determination of the lower limit of rainfall evaluation. Computation procedures and the results of the evaluation of rainfall data according to the stochastic model are presented for Ljubljana

Crystal plasticity model calibration for 316l stainless steel single crystals during deformation

Type 316L austenitic stainless steel is an important structural material used for the in-core components and pressure boundaries of light water reactors. In order to study degradation mechanisms in such a steel, like crack initiation and propagation, it is crucial to develop reliable crystal plasticity models at microscale that would account for anisotropic nature of the material and realistic modelling of grain topology. In this work we present a procedure for calibrating material properties of a slip-based crystal plasticity finite element model and investigate its suitability as a constitutive model for single-crystal tensile test simulations. The material properties include the anisotropic elastic and crystal plasticity material parameters that are calibrated against experimental tensile test curves for 316L stainless steel single crystals at selected crystallographic orientations. For the crystal plasticity material parameters a systematic sensitivity study using Bassani and Wu hardening law is performed

Družbeni kontekst kot steber gospodarjenja z gozdom po načelih trajnosti - slovenski primer

Social context as more or less neglected field of sustainable development is crucial for the implementation of forest management measures. We can consider it as a basis to cope with (changing) structure characteristics. Realisation of public services, which we face when coping with economic crisis, might take this into consideration. The Forest Service network serves as a scanner of needs in their social context. It is also a respondent to local specifics in the form of forest management measures. Evidence of research on the social research in Slovenian forestry is weak, although not non-existent. We tested asystem approach, a structuring method of general public. Segmentation, a method presented, is generally known in marketing and has not been used in Slovenian forestry up to now. The two-step clustering analysis of quantitative data gathered with an inquiry of study circles (form of community learning) was used and is described herewith. The results show three general value based segments of study circle participants. The role of Slovenian foresty is changing and is not independent of its dynamic and colourful social contexts, Recognition of the society structure and dynamics may contribute to the rationalisation of organisational models during the crisis period. Hoewer, grounded actualisation of recent organisational models is possible only by considering priorities of the society\u27s segments. We conclude with suggestion for more R&D engagement in the social pillar of multifunctional forest management, in particular as the Slovenian social context is defined by dominance of private property and forest owners\u27 ageing, which are far from being analysed and responded to.Družbeni steber je bolj ali manj zapostavljeno področje trajnostnega razvoja, čeprav je za gospodarske ukrepe ključen. Razumemo ga lahko kot temelj pri seznanjanju z značilnostmi spreminjajoče se družbene strukture. Pomemben je zlasti za racionalizacijo javnih služb med gospodarsko krizo. Mreža enot Zavoda za gozdove je namreč lahko uporabna pri opazovanju družbenih kontekstov in odzivu na lokalne posebnosti z gozdnogospodarskimi ukrepi. Družboslovnih raziskav v slovenskem gozdarstvu ni veliko, vendar obstajajo. Kot primer sistemskega pristopa smo preiskusili metodo strukturiranja splošne javnosti. Predstavljena metoda segmentacije je pogosta v marketingu, v slovenskem gozdarstvu pa doslej še ni bila uporabljena. Za analizo kvantitativnih in kvalitativnih podatkov, zbranih z intervjuvanjem udeležencev študijskih krožkov kot oblike skupnostnega učenja, smo uporabili dvostopenjsko analizo gruč. Rezultati kažejo tri skupine udeležencev študijskih krožkov, katerih odgovori temeljijo na njihovi vrednostni usmeritvi. Vloga slovenskega gozdarstva se spreminja in ni neodvisna od njegove notranje dinamike in od raznolikih družbenih kontekstov. Prepoznavanje struktur in dinamike družbe lahko prispeva k racionalizaciji organizacijskih modelov gozdarstva, aktualni v času krize. Utemeljeno posodabljanje obstoječih organizacijskih modelov je namreč možno le ob upoštevanju prioritet različnih segmentov družbe. Zaključujemo s predlogom okrepitve družboslovnega raziskovalno-razvojnega delovanja večnamenskega gospodarjenja z gozdom, še posebej, ker slednjega v Sloveniji določajo prevladujoča zasebna gozdna posest in staranje lastnikov gozda, na kar se z analizami in ukrepi še nismo odzvali

Effect of diet and physical activity on metabolic syndrome

Meeting agenda from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa

Migration Flows through the Lens of Human Resource Ageing

Background: Ageing and shrinking of the European population influence the shrinking of central places and the hinterland of cities in a spatial structure. Migration also influences the shrinking or growing of spatial units. Various factors influence migration and, thus, spatial units\u27 demographic, social and economic stability. The age structure of citizens in a spatial unit may change not only due to population ageing but also because these factors influence the migration flows of different cohorts differently, which has not been studied so far. Objectives: We used data on internal migration between Slovenian municipalities in 2018 and 2019 to develop a cohort-based spatial interaction model to estimate future inter-municipal migration. Approach: In a spatial interaction model, we analyzed differences in the attractiveness and stickiness of municipalities for different cohorts, focusing on those over 65 who may wish to prolong their working status. We also tried to answer the question of how to mitigate shrinkage processes in spatial units by investigating the potential to contribute to the social value of communities. Results: The study\u27s results show that the 65+ cohorts do not have the same preferences regarding the attractiveness and stickiness factors as younger migrants. Conclusions: The results of our study could contribute to better decisions at the national, regional, and/or local level when designing strategies for regional, urban, and/or rural development, exploring the best solutions for long-term care, and investing in appropriate networks, or considering the revitalization of rural municipalities

Supply Chain Risk of Obsolescence at Simultaneous Robust Perturbations

The earlier planning methods of supply chains (SC) in the skeleton of the extended material requirements planning (EMRP), where the time horizon of the reverse Laplace is infinite, were not convenient to estimate the impact of the technical obsolescence of the product or technology involved, which has economic, environmental, and social consequences. Therefore, the perturbations of timing are presented until the possible obsolescence, with parallel execution of the network simulation model (NSM) to evaluate the impact of the finite lifespan on the value of the chain. The EMRP, as well as the NSM, are based on the skeleton of the material requirements planning model, where delays and their perturbations are presented transparently. Contrary to the previous studies of the net present value (NPV) in the EMRP skeleton, where the infinite horizon is assumed, the impact of shortening the horizon of activities is shown here, in order to also evaluate the risk of financing investments in the SC with a shorter lifespan of products or technology. Owing to the simultaneous appearances of the stochastic variables, the parallel execution and exchanging of data, using NSM is advised. The procedures for estimation of correction factors of the NPV and their values are given.This research was partly funded by the Slovenian Research Agency, grant P5-0364 and J6-9396, and partly by the University of Padua

Regions for Servicing Old People: Case study of Slovenia

Background: Aging is one of the most serious problems that most developed countries are facing in the 21st century. In the European Union, Member States are responsible for the planning, funding and administration of health care and social protection systems. Local authorities and state governments should undertake research toward developing an appropriate array of community-based care services for old people. Objectives: This study analyses the regions of Slovenia for servicing old people in the 2000–2010 time horizon. Methods/Approach: Sets of functional regions were modelled for each year in the analysed period using the Intramax method. Functional regions were evaluated based on the attractiveness of central places for labour commuters and the propensity to commute between regions. Results: The results show that in addition to the nominally declared regional centres of Slovenia, there are also some other local centres that should be potentially included in the functional areas for servicing old people. Conclusions: The results suggest that the regionalization into seven functional regions is the most convenient for servicing old people in the region. Furthermore, some additional functional regions at a lower level are suggested