Understanding the sexual health information needs and preferences of “hard to reach” young people.

Background- The purpose of this research was to understand the needs and preferences of young people who are labelled as “hard to reach” when it comes to the delivery of sexual health information. Up to this point, most research has taken the form of needs’ assessment, or service or outcome evaluations; thus it has had a predominantly practical, problem-solution focus. This qualitative study was theoretically informed by and focused on achieving a deeper level of understanding by exploring the phenomenon under investigation rather than reporting on existing situations and offering solutions to problems. Method- Semi-structured interviews were carried out in London with 23 young people from both genders who were peer educators (11) and professionals (15) who were responsible for the design and delivery of the information to NEET young people. Main findings: Analysis of data showed that young peoples perceived needs for sexual health information was different to what the providers thought. Even peer educators, who were young people themselves and from the same socioeconomic backgrounds seemed to have different views from the ‘hard to reach’. This could be that their social mobilization to become peer educators distanced them from the group they are serving. Their perceptions were more similar to the professionals than young people. The young people’s perceptions of their needs fell into three categories: need for a significant other, need for help and need for information. This study sheds light on a marginalised group of young people who have not been studied before in such depth; it challenges the use of the label ‘hard to reach’ and offers a critique of current policy approaches. The thesis concludes with some recommendations, for research, policy, and practice with the aim of developing a more responsive service for young people

An Integrative Framework For E-Business Information System Development

The advent of networked economy calls for new understanding of business, and it is evidenced by the visible trend of traditional businesses either migrating to e-business or expanding to embrace electronic commerce. The development of new business models supported by information technology has become an important issue in the business community. This paper first describes different kinds of information systems and their criteria, e-business information system framework and then map IS criteria into the EBIS criteria to extend the former EBIS framework and to reach an integrative framework which fills the gap between IS categories and EBIS. The mapping process was done by academics and managers of top 50 firms in Iran. Consequently the paper discusses the roadmap guiding information system planners and designers

Decadal Spatial-Temporal Variations in the Spatial Pattern of Anomalies of Extreme Precipitation Thresholds (Case Study: Northwest Iran)

This study focused on decadalvariations of extreme precipitation thresholds within a 50-year period (1961–2010) for 250 stations of Iran’s northwest. The 99th percentile was used as the threshold of extreme precipitation. In order to analyze threshold cycles and spatial autocorrelation pattern dominating extreme precipitation thresholds, spectral analysis and Gi (known as HOTSPOT) were used respectively. The results revealed that the highest threshold of extreme precipitation occurred along the Ghoosheh Dagh mountain range. Additionally, in all the five studied decades, the highest positive anomalies were observed in the same region (i.e., the Ghoosheh Dagh). The findings also showed that the intensity of positive spatial autocorrelation pattern of extreme precipitation thresholds experienced a declining trend in recent decades. At the same time, extreme precipitation weighted mean center indicated that they followed an ordered pattern during the studied period. The results of harmonic analysis demonstrated that, in all decades, short-term (2–4 years) and mid-term (4–8 years) cycles of extreme precipitation thresholds were dominated. However, especially the southwest of the studied area, the return period of extreme precipitation thresholds was as long as the studied period, a phenomenon that indicates the existence of a trend in extreme precipitation thresholds of these regions.Peer Reviewe

Tychiini and Mecinini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Curculioninae) of Iran: eleven species recorded for the first time, with new data on host plants and distribution of several species

A faunistic study on the tribes Tychiini and Mecinini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae) was carried out during the years 2010-2013 in different ecological regions of Iran. Twenty nine species belonging to the genera Mecinus Germar, 1821, Gymnetron Schoenherr, 1825, Rhinusa Stephens, 1829, Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919, Tychius Germar, 1817 and Sibinia Germar, 1817 were collected. Localities and ecological notes on each species are provided. Among these, The following 11 species are new to the Iranian fauna: Mecinus crassifemur (Arzanov, 1991), Mecinus simus (Mulsant & Rey, 1859), Gymnetron linkei Reitter, 1907, Rhinusa antirrhini (Paykull, 1800), Rhinusa brondelii (H. Brisout de Barneville, 1862), Rhinusa florum (Rübsaamen, 1895), Tychius reitteri Faust, 1889, Tychius tridentinus Penecke, 1922, Sibinia aureofulva (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875), Sibinia pellucens (Scopoli, 1772), Sibinia unicolor Fảhraeus, 1843, whereas all other 18 species are new for one or more provinces. Host plants of several species reported for the first time and commented as well

Understanding the sexual health information needs and preferences of “hard to reach” young people.

Background- The purpose of this research was to understand the needs and preferences of young people who are labelled as “hard to reach” when it comes to the delivery of sexual health information. Up to this point, most research has taken the form of needs’ assessment, or service or outcome evaluations; thus it has had a predominantly practical, problem-solution focus. This qualitative study was theoretically informed by and focused on achieving a deeper level of understanding by exploring the phenomenon under investigation rather than reporting on existing situations and offering solutions to problems. Method- Semi-structured interviews were carried out in London with 23 young people from both genders who were peer educators (11) and professionals (15) who were responsible for the design and delivery of the information to NEET young people. Main findings: Analysis of data showed that young peoples perceived needs for sexual health information was different to what the providers thought. Even peer educators, who were young people themselves and from the same socioeconomic backgrounds seemed to have different views from the ‘hard to reach’. This could be that their social mobilization to become peer educators distanced them from the group they are serving. Their perceptions were more similar to the professionals than young people. The young people’s perceptions of their needs fell into three categories: need for a significant other, need for help and need for information. This study sheds light on a marginalised group of young people who have not been studied before in such depth; it challenges the use of the label ‘hard to reach’ and offers a critique of current policy approaches. The thesis concludes with some recommendations, for research, policy, and practice with the aim of developing a more responsive service for young people

Optimization study of incineration in a incinerator with a vertical radiation shaft.

An extensive series of experimental tests were carried out at the Sheffield municipal solid waste incinerator plant (30 MW) from September 1988 to July 1989 to investigate the influence of the design and operating parameters on the performance of the incinerator which burns domestic and commercial wastes (500 ton/day). The following measurements were made around the plant: temperature measurements, pressure measurements, flue gas composition analysis and determination of physical and chemical properties of Sheffield refuse. Several other miscellaneous measurements were also made to monitor the effect of variation of operating parameters on the performance characteristics of the incinerator. A combustion model of Essenhigh type was then employed to model the combustion processes inside the solid refuse bed on top of the travelling grate. In addition a mathematical model of the finite difference type (FLUENT) was used to predict the three dimensional reacting flows (gaseous phase) within the incinerator geometry. Experimental measurements of gas composition, temperature and exit velocity were compared with model predictions. Modelling results were generally in good agreement with measurements. As a result of the test data and the mathematical modelling of the whole process, suggestions for design improvements for the Sheffield municipal solid waste incinerator were made which will substantially increase the efficiency, reduce emissions of pollutants and reduce the maintenance costs at the plant. These are: a) replacing the existing secondary air system with secondary air nozzles and the use of more secondary air (up to 20 % of total air) in order to generate turbulence in the high intensity combustion zone where it is most needed and b) introducing a baffle into the main stream inside the radiation shaft in order to lower the gas temperatures entering the precipitator and to remove the existing recirculation zone in the shaft