Households Food Expenditures Behaviours And Socioeconomic Welfare In Italy: A Microeconometric Analysis

The paper aims to investigate food expenditure behaviours and dynamics of Italian households, by identifying the main characteristics of different socioeconomic groups. In particular, the study focuses on relevant food categories in terms of healthy diet to investigate different food styles consumers. In this framework, the paper stresses the linkages between food demand behaviours and socioeconomic characteristics to give some insights on the difference between wealthy/not wealthy consumers. The analysis uses the 2000 and 2006 Consumption Expenditure Surveys at household level, implemented by the Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT), that provide useful data on households socioeconomic conditions and consumption expenditures dynamics on a cross-sectional population sample of about 24000 units. In a first step, the work analyses food expenditures characteristics and dynamics across different consumers classes in order to describe demand profiles. In a second step, the work directly investigates relations between socioeconomic characteristics (e.g. income, age, household size, education) and households food expenditures, by adopting advanced econometric methods, e.g. quantile regression methods, to identify existing differences across socioeconomic groups.Food expenditures determinants, econometric methods, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Links Between Education and Crime: A Critical Perspective

In this paper, I will investigate the correlation between educational philosophy, educational attainment, the drop out rate and crime. I suggest that insufficiencies in funding and the current educational philosophy leads to practices that increase the likelihood of dropout, and that dropping out is related to the commission of crime. I understand that there is much more to this topic than I will be addressing here, for example, adult re-education and continuing education, correctional education, and other such types of post-adolescent educational programs. So to cover an area that deals with the greatest number of students, but does not get too broad in scope, I will focus this paper on public education

Equity Council Student Sub-Committee 2009

The general purpose of this meeting was to continue the dialog we started on 11/18. A second major purpose is to explore the possibility of holding an Equity Council Student Leadership Conference at URI\u27s W. Alton Jones Campus in early February. The focus of the retreat was to gather data in order to have a sense of the current climate/culture present at URI. To conduct focus groups at Alton Jones. The forums/ focus groups addressed issues revolving around the following areas: Academics/Curricular issues/concerns, Housing and Residential Life, Student Leaders and Student Groups, Faculty Diversity Training/Interventions, and Campus Climate

Esophageal Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation: When Esophagus Gives a Help to Cardiologists

Atrial fibrillation is a common clinical disease especially in the elderly and in patients with organic heart disease. Electrical cardioversion is the first choice therapeutic approach for patients in which sinus rhythm could improve the quality of life and where the maintenance of sinus rhythm is considered likely. There are different techniques to perform an electrical cardioversion, each with specific indications, advantages, and limitations. The method most frequently used to restore sinus rhythm is external direct current cardioversion; however, this technique has some disadvantages, since it requires a high energy and usually general anesthesia. Esophageal cardioversion is an alternative method to obtain restoration of sinus rhythm, warranting acute and long-term results absolutely comparable with those obtained by the conventional transthoracic technique, especially in obese and COPD patients with high thoracic impedance for whom the standard technique may be less effective

Sustainability perspectives in agricultural economics research and policy agenda

Abstract Background The agricultural sector both needs to reduce its impacts and adapt its food production system to cope with environmental constraints and climate changes. This special issue includes three selected papers presented at the 53rd annual Conference of the Italian Society of Agricultural Economics discussing the future of agriculture. The fil rouge linking the three papers is the issue of sustainability that nowadays influences the functioning of the food supply chain and the behavior of all actors involved in it, from producers to consumers. Findings The selected papers investigate the theme of sustainability by exploring strategies for the adoption of sustainable innovation in the food supply chain, developing a model that assesses the effect of climate changes on farm production, as well as evaluating consumer attitudes to wine attributes, including those related to "carbon footprint" and "winescape esthetic." Conclusions The reading of these papers provides a multifaceted light on different dimensions linking future perspectives of sustainable agriculture between globalization and local market. Papers discuss issues, propose approaches, and show empirical findings that can be useful to fuel the debate about future agricultural policies and stimulate the development of research agendas

Proposta para um habitar partilhado com base no estudo da Casa Pátio de Portugal Islâmico a pretexto da musealização da Alcáçova de Mértola

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Arquitetura com a especialização em Interiores e Reabilitação do Edificado, apresentada na Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa, para obtenção do grau de Mestre.A influência das culturas mais diversas e antigas, especialmente a árabe, é evidente em todos os aspectos de certos locais do sul de Portugal, em particular nas regiões do Algarve e do Alentejo. O aprofundamento desse tema levou à descoberta de Mertola, cuja estratigrafia conta várias histórias, todas relacionadas entre si. A escolha do “Bairro da Alcacova do Castelo”, importante sitio arqueológico em Mértola, na regiao do baixo Alentejo, como área de projecto a reabilitar, quer ser o ponto de partida para a redescoberta da memória histórica do lugar, para mostrar a arqueologia e valorizá-la como elemento de ligação com o passado. Trata-se de uma intervenção que visa identificar a paisagem como parte ativa do projeto, integrando-o e potencializando-o em seu potencial e beleza sem ser aprisionado e sufocado por uma arquitetura que quer se impor por si mesma. O projeto visa responder a solicitações específicas do local: melhorar o sítio arqueológico, protegendo as ruínas e, ao mesmo tempo, promovendo a acessibilidade e a visibilidade do local aos visitantes; construir novas casas para a residência temporárias destinadas a arqueólogos, pesquisadores e estudantes voluntários, que cuidarão de futuras obras de escavação; garantir conexão direta entre essas duas áreas. Mas a pergunta que se deseja responder è: De que forma o passado pode dialogar com o presente sem ser dominado?ABSTRACT: The influence of the most diverse and ancient cultures, especially the Arab one, is evident in every aspect of certain places in southern Portugal, in particular in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. The deepening of this theme led to the discovery of Mertola, whose stratigraphy tells several stories, all related to each other. In fact, it hosts numerous archaeological sites whose ruins date back mostly to the era of Roman and Arab domination, some of which, like the archaeological site in question, lack a touch that enhances them effectively. The project aims to be a response to specific requests from the place: to enhance the archaeological site by protecting the ruins and at the same time promoting the accessibility and visibility of the site to visitors; have new homes for the residence of short periods intended for archaeologists, researchers and volunteer students; ensure direct connection between these two areas. But the question to be answered is: in what form can the past dialogue with the present without being overlooked?N/

A review of the surveillance systems of influenza in selected countries in the tropical region

Influenza viruses cause annual epidemics of respiratory tract disease that affect all age groups. Many developing countries do not have an influenza surveillance system or adequate laboratory capacity for  virus detection. The objective of this study was to describe the influenza surveillance systems in the  different countries in the tropics and to identify outstanding research needs. A questionnaire was designed and sent to 52 NICs and MoHs in the different countries in tropical Asia and Africa to gather information on the surveillance systems, sentinel sites, specimen and data collection, and laboratory testing. Replies were received from 32 NICs and MoHs (61.5% response) – 17 were located in tropical Asia and 15 in  Africa. There are 20 WHO recognized NICs in tropical Asia and 14 in tropical Africa, all with virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capacity. Of the Asian countries, only Hong Kong and Singapore reported that the patient population from the sites represents the broader community. In tropical Africa, only Senegal has sentinel sites distributed all over the country contributing to the  geographic representativeness of the surveillance system. The rest of the countries in Africa have just  established their influenza surveillance system in the past decade  and are working toward geographic expansion of the ILI and SARI sites. Limited laboratory capacity or  infrastructure to perform influenza surveillance makes difficult to justify the importance of influenza vaccine or  other influenza control measures as a strategy for improving population health in the tropical region.Key words: Tropical region, influenza surveillance, epidemics of respirator

Amtrol Plastic Modular Pump Stand

Team Stand Strong has been given the task to design a plastic modular pump stand by Amtrol. The team is responsible for the design and testing of the stand. The final design report shows the steps taken by the team to prove the feasibility of the created design concept as well as build, test and redesign to achieve a final design. After research, brainstorming, and creating key criteria the team began designing possible solutions. Research conducted on competition and support from professors and sponsors guide the team. The team works through multiple design processes to obtain a plastic modular pump stand. Team Stand Strong used Solidworks for 3D modeling and FEA to create several prototypes. Using the combined skills from each team member, the prototypes were refined and improved upon. The fastening solution and pump stand saw several different iterations before arriving at the final design. Team Stand Strong finished the first semester with a small scale prototype and FEA to prove the design concept. The team utilizes another set of tools given to them in order for the project to continue progressing in the right direction. The first semester design of the pump stand met design specification requirements which stemmed from the QFD. As the first semester came to a close Team Stand Strong prepared for spring semesters challenges and hurdles. During the second semester the team dealt with failing concepts and constantly changing designs. The fastening solution was the hardest part of project. After earlier complications with the fastening solution from the first semester the team created a new solution and the pump has changed to fit this. The current stand meets the design specification set by Amtrol and the team. FEA is used to proved that the stand can actually work in the real world due to build complications. The team is con dent in the design and know that it exceeds the expectations set by ourselves and by Amtrol

Exploring the raw materials and technological practice to obtain red and black surfaces of Apulian red figure pottery by Raman and SEM‐EDS investigations

In this paper, 4th century BC Apulian red vases, from sites among the most relevant in Apulia (Italy), are studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. The effectiveness of this technique in the archaeometric research is emphasized, particularly regarding the manufacturing procedures and raw materials of black and red surfaces. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses are carried out jointly with Raman spectroscopy in order to complete the morphological and chemical information. The results show that two different clays have been employed for black gloss and ceramic body. The black gloss proves composed of the finest fraction of terre rosse—very common all over Apulia—with no organic material added to its clayey suspension. Traces of carbon found on the surfaces can be ascribed to fly ash deposited during the firing process. This research highlights that two more methods besides red engobe were used by Apulian potters to color red the surface of whitish/grayish vases realized with local raw materials, namely, the addition of either “miltos” or a clayey layer enriched in Fe oxides. A multistep firing (ox-red-ox), reaching the maximum temperature of about 900C, can be deduced from the different mineralogical phases identified through Raman. The possibility of gaining information on the hematite particles size from the position of its characteristic Raman bands is successfully investigated, allowing to get clues on the presence of a surface layer in a nondestructive manner by comparing the particle size there and in the ceramic body