Using System Dynamics Modelling Approach to Develop Management Tools for Animal Production with Emphasis on Small Ruminants

Small ruminants are important assets in several regions of the world. They account for more than half of the domesticated ruminants. Despite the growth in goat production in the world (more than 2% per year), research related to goat production is less than desired. One underused but potentially valuable approach for research on small ruminants is simulation modelling. Models of the components of small ruminant systems can enhance the financial returns and reduce negative environmental impacts. These models can be used to assess many dimensions of small ruminant production, from rumen dynamics to economic policies designed to support small ruminant production. Understanding the nutrition, production, and economic policy feedback signals and planning ahead is crucial to build a robust and integrated production activity that can be managed under different production scenarios. System Dynamics (SD) is a computer-aided modelling methodology that can be used to perform policy analysis and decision support system (DSS) applied to dynamic problems arising in complex social, managerial, economic, or ecological dynamic systems characterized by interdependence, mutual interaction, information feedback, and circular causality. SD can be used as a modelling tool to aggregate knowledge to solve different types of problems that have a limited scope to a specific location or have broad trends of applications across locations and areas of science. Important issues of broad application include the bearings of animal production in the climate change and the impacts of climate change in animal production, alternative production scenarios of animal and crop integration, associations between animal production and business (economics, marketing). The trend of increasing small ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions and an increasing pressure on tropical and subtropical livestock systems to produce food, to feed livestock, and to produce energy crops warrants the development of DSS to address issues such as what is the “real” benefits of livestock, the negative impacts livestock can have on greenhouse-gas emissions and the environment, and the effects of climate change on livestock systems

How are compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction affected by quality of working life? Findings from a survey of mental health staff in Italy

BACKGROUND: Quality of working life includes elements such as autonomy, trust, ergonomics, participation, job complexity, and work-life balance. The overarching aim of this study was to investigate if and how quality of working life affects Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction among mental health practitioners. METHODS: Staff working in three Italian Mental Health Departments completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale, measuring Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction, and the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire. The latter was used to collect socio-demographics, occupational characteristics and 13 indicators of quality of working life. Multiple regressions controlling for other variables were undertaken to predict Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction. RESULTS: Four hundred questionnaires were completed. In bivariate analyses, experiencing more ergonomic problems, perceiving risks for the future, a higher impact of work on life, and lower levels of trust and of perceived quality of meetings were associated with poorer outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed that (a) ergonomic problems and impact of work on life predicted higher levels of both Compassion Fatigue and Burnout; (b) impact of life on work was associated with Compassion Fatigue and lower levels of trust and perceiving more risks for the future with Burnout only; (c) perceived quality of meetings, need of training, and perceiving no risks for the future predicted higher levels of Compassion Satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: In order to provide adequate mental health services, service providers need to give their employees adequate ergonomic conditions, giving special attention to time pressures. Building trustful relationships with management and within the teams is also crucial. Training and meetings are other important targets for potential improvement. Additionally, insecurity about the future should be addressed as it can affect both Burnout and Compassion Satisfaction. Finally, strategies to reduce possible work-life conflicts need to be considered

A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL ON DERELICT BUILDINGS FOR URBAN REGENERATION

Abstract. We present a decision suppport tool for the comparison and selection of projects of integrated renovation of derelict buildings and areas for the purpose of urban regeneration. Each project is defined as a subset of derelict properties to renovate together with their respective designated use, and is scored by the decision support tool on two criteria: expected effort and estimated effectiveness in terms of improved urban capabilities in the urban area of interest. The expected effort is estimated as a global transformation cost, factoring in legal and management overhead costs as well as possible economies of scale. The effectiveness in evaluated in terms of extension of urban capabilities centred on walkable distances. We have implemented a bi-objective evolutionary search algorithm to address the computational complexity of the problem of search for efficient (non-dominated) projects over the two criteria. For the purpose of illustration, we present an example case-study application on the historical core of the city of Sassari, Italy.</p

management of blast and inhalation injury

Key points All patients with facial burns may be suspected of having 'difficult-to-control' airways owing to smoke inhalation injury (SII). Many of them either have an incorrect diagnosis, or mild-to-moderate injury with unrecognised aggravating respiratory failure. For a diagnosis of inhalation injury, it is necessary to follow the patient closely for >48 h. Inhalation injury is a condition with different clinical presentations. Clinical follow-up is necessary to improve patient care, to help guide treatment and to provide clues for therapeutic interventions. Notwithstanding intensive care treatment including airway intubation and mechanical ventilation, many patients with severe inhalation injury remain under-treated. Educational aims To discuss the initial approach and assessment of a patient with SII. To help the reader recognise different clinical pictures of inhalation injury. To outline management and discuss treatment. Summary "Inhalation injury" describes a variety of insults caused by the aspiration of superheated gases, steam or noxious products of incomplete combustion. Inhalation injury involves the entire respiratory system. Early diagnosis based on history and physical examination, in addition to careful monitoring for respiratory complications, is mandatory. As there is no specific treatment for inhalation injury, management involves providing the necessary degree of support required to compensate for upper airway swelling and impairment in gas exchange. Airway intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required while the endobronchial and alveolar mucosa are regenerating. Primary blast injury (BI) is caused by immediate pressure variations, which are the product of rapid sequences of compression and decompression. Secondary and tertiary BI include lesions caused when the subject is thrown against rigid structures or is hit by flying objects. Its diagnosis and therapy follows guidelines for emergency care

Role of Low-FODMAP diet in functional dyspepsia: “Why”, “When”, and “to Whom”

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a frequent disorder of gut-brain interaction, affecting 5–7% of people globally, with significant impairment in quality of life. The management of FD is challenging due to the lack of specific therapeutic approaches. Although food seems to play a role in symptom production, its pathophysiologic role in patients with FD is not fully understood. Most FD patients report that their symptoms are triggered by food, especially in the post-prandial distress syndrome (PDS) group, although evidence to support the use of dietary interventions are limited. FODMAPs can increase production of gas in the intestinal lumen, through fermentation by intestinal bacteria, can exert osmotic effects by increasing water volume and can cause an excessive production of short-chain fatty acids (propionate, butyrate, and acetate). Emerging scientific evidence, confirmed by recent clinical trials, suggest that FODMAPs could be involved in the pathogenesis of FD. Given the consolidated approach of the Low-FODMAP Diet (LFD) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management and emerging scientific evidence regarding the LFD in FD, a therapeutic role of this diet may be hypothesized also in FD, either alone or in combination with other therapies

Errors in neuroradiology

Approximately 4 % of radiologic interpretation in daily practice contains errors and discrepancies that should occur in 2-20 % of reports. Fortunately, most of them are minor degree errors, or if serious, are found and corrected with sufficient promptness; obviously, diagnostic errors become critical when misinterpretation or misidentification should significantly delay medical or surgical treatments. Errors can be summarized into four main categories: observer errors, errors in interpretation, failure to suggest the next appropriate procedure, failure to communicate in a timely and a clinically appropriate manner. Misdiagnosis/misinterpretation percentage should rise up in emergency setting and in the first moments of the learning curve, as in residency. Para-physiological and pathological pitfalls in neuroradiology include calcification and brain stones, pseudofractures, and enlargement of subarachnoid or epidural spaces, ventricular system abnormalities, vascular system abnormalities, intracranial lesions or pseudolesions, and finally neuroradiological emergencies. In order to minimize the possibility of error, it is important to be aware of various presentations of pathology, obtain clinical information, know current practice guidelines, review after interpreting a diagnostic study, suggest follow-up studies when appropriate, communicate significant abnormal findings appropriately and in a timely fashion directly with the treatment team

Exploring the impact of rehabilitation on post-surgical recovery in elbow fracture patients: a cohort study

Introduction: Elbow fractures, characterized by their complexity, present significant challenges in post-surgical recovery, with rehabilitation playing a critical role in functional outcomes. This study explores the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions in enhancing joint range of motion (ROM) and reducing complications following surgery for both stable and unstable elbow fractures. Methods: A cohort of 15 patients, divided based on the stability of their elbow fractures and whether they received post-operative rehabilitation, was analyzed retrospectively. Measurements of ROM—including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination—were taken at three follow-ups: 15-, 30-, and 45-day post surgery. The study assessed the impact of rehabilitation on ROM recovery and the resolution of post-surgical complications. Results: The findings indicated no statistically significant differences in ROM improvements between patients who underwent rehabilitation and those who did not, across all types of movements measured. However, early rehabilitative care was observed to potentially aid in the mitigation of complications such as joint stiffness, especially in patients with stable fractures. Conclusion: While rehabilitation did not universally improve ROM recovery in elbow fracture patients, it showed potential in addressing post-operative complications. The study underscores the importance of individualized rehabilitation plans and highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for post-surgical care in elbow fractures

Fertilizer type influences tomato yield and soil N2O emissions

Improvements in crop management for a more sustainable agriculture are fundamental to reduce environmental impacts of cropland and to mitigate effects on global climate change. In this study three fertilization types – ammonium nitrate (control); mineral fertilizer added with a nitrification inhibitor (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP)), and an organo-mineral fertilizer (OM) – were tested on a tomato crop in order to evaluate effects both on crop production and soil N2O emissions. Plants grown under OM fertilization had a greater relative growth rate compared to mineral fertilization, due to a higher net assimilation rate, which was related to a greater light interception rather than to a higher photosynthetic efficiency. OM fertilization determined the highest fruit production and lower soil N2O fluxes compared to NH4NO3, although the lowest soil N2O fluxes were found in response to mineral fertilizer added with a nitrification inhibitor. It can be concluded that organo-mineral fertilizer is a better nutrient source compared to mineral fertilizers able to improve crop yield and to mitigate soil N2O emission