Probability density functions of photochemicals over a coastal area of Northern Italy

The present paper surveys the findings of experimental studies and analyses of statistical probability density functions (PDFs) applied to air pollutant concentrations to provide an interpretation of the ground-level distributions of photochemical oxidants in the coastal area of Ravenna (Italy). The atmospheric pollution data set was collected from the local environmental monitoring network for the period 1978-1989. Results suggest that the statistical distribution of surface ozone, once normalised over the solar radiation PDF for the whole measurement period, follows a log-normal law as found for other pollutants. Although the Weibull distribution also offers a good fit of the experimental data, the area’s meteorological features seem to favour the former distribution once the statistical index estimates have been analysed. Local transport phenomena are discussed to explain the data tail trends

Differences in perceived destination image and event satisfaction among cultural visitors: The case of the european biennial of contemporary art "manifesta 7"

The destination image reflects the impressions and ideas tourists have of a holiday region and strongly influences visitors' behavior. Visitors to cultural events have differing images of destinations according to their interest in seeing the event itself. Destination managers can exploit the factors that influence the destination image and customer satisfaction with a cultural event in order to successfully position the destination and improve communication. Destination image, quality of event, and customer satisfaction are highly related, and this study analyzes these factors for three differently motivated groups of visitors. An empirical investigation of visitors at 2008 Manifesta 7, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art, was conducted in order to ascertain differences among groups according to these variables. The results show that differentiation of promotion measures is needed depending on the single items that influence satisfaction with cultural event and tourist offerings. © 2013 Cognizant Comm. Corp

Risk factors of duodenal ulcer bleeding: the role of smoking and nicotine

Several studies have shown that cigarette smoking affects duodenal ulcer (DU) recurrence. To verify any correlation between smoking and complications of ulcer disease, we studied 33 DU smokers, 16 DU ex-smokers and 87 DU non-smokers for up to 48 months, recording age, sex, family history of ulcer, ulcer symptoms, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, length of DU history, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, relapses and bleeding episodes. Nicotine contents were also obtained for the type of cigarettes smoked. Statistics used were: Analysis of variance with Bonferroni's test. Pearson's chi-squared test and stepwise logistic regression analysis. Smokers were found to have significantly more relapses but fewer bleeding episodes than ex-smokers and non-smokers (63.3%, 31.2% and 34.5%, p = 0.029; 12.1%, 43.7% and 34.5%, p = 0.017). Bleeders were significantly more often males than non-bleeders (82.9% vs. 61.0%, p = 0.01) and had ulcer symptoms less frequently (9.7% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis confirmed sex as a risk factor (OR = 3.0) and smoking as a "protective" factor (OR = 0.4) for bleeding, while nicotine intake was found to be unrelated to this complication. We concluded that smoking (but not nicotine intake) and male sex are factors to take into account in evaluating the risk of DU bleeding

Hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer disease: Clinical and biochemical findings in a case-control pilot study

A retrospective study of 31 consecutive bleeding duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and, as controls, 62 active DU subjects without bleeding episodes was conducted in order to ascertain whether bleeding DU patients have particular clinical or functional characteristics. The patients were followed for 15.6 and 17.4 months, respectively, after diagnosis. The following parameters were taken into account: sex, age, family history of ulcer, blood group (ABO system), ulcer pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, ulcer site, fasting serum gastrin and pepsinogen group A, basal acid output (BAO), and maximal acid output (MAO). Statistics were gathered using the Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. Bleeding DU patients had less ulcer pain (P < 0.005) and used more NSAIDs (P < 0.05) than controls. All other clinical and functional data considered in both groups were comparable. Results showed that NSAID consumption was very dangerous in our DU patients even though bleeding episodes were observed. Usually no pain is felt immediately before hemorrhage, and cigarette smoking does not appear to affect this complication of DU. © 1993 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved