Evoluzione storica delle misure orarie in Italia

The present paper represents a research on the historical evolution,<br />in Italy, regarding the measurement of hours during the day. A few<br />cosmographical theoric recalls are offered to clarify how the problem<br />should be considered from the astronomical viewpoint. A review is then<br />made of the different chronometrical scales adopted in Italy, since Roman<br />times; then, later, in the High and Low Medieval periods down to<br />modern and contemporary times. All the different chronometrical scales<br />adopted, in their historical evolution, are investigated: temporary, equinoctial,<br />Italian hours, true local, mean local, civil, time hours a.m. and<br />p.m., mean Rome, Mean Central European, Universal and finally Universally<br />Coordinate, time hours; the intermittent adoption of legal summer<br />time, is recalled.<br />The importance of the problem is evidenced on account of the repercussion<br />that an inaccurate interpretation of the different time measures<br />given in historical times can have on geophysical events, and especially on an indexing of seismic events occurring in epochs prior to the<br />existence of radiosignalled time.<br />To illustrate the research, reference is made to the classical treatise<br />of Baratta «1 terremoti d'ltalia » (ed. 1901): possibility of alterations of<br />the fina lresults can be observed unless special attention is given to the<br />original chronicles. The alterations can even produce a date change<br />or a repetition, in the same catalogue, of the same event.<br />Reliability criteria are suggested for hour data in function of the<br />epoch of the event, as well as for the chronometrical scale employed in<br />evidencing said event.<br />In appendix some passages drawn from a study made by Serpieri<br />on the Rimini earthquake of March 18, 1875 that confirm tre difficulties<br />evidence are reported.<br />Some tables are also reported:<br />a table that gives the start of the clay for the calculation of Italian<br />hours at different latitude sand at different days of the year, prior to<br />and after the Gregorian reformation of the calendar, as well as the<br />corresponding time equations (App. E);<br />a table that gives the geoghaphical coordinates of the Italian<br />provincial capitals with the longitudes (referred to Greenwich and Rome)<br />expressed in time (App. D);<br />a table showing time periods where legal (summer) time was<br />adopted instead of solar time (App. B);<br />a table of intercalar seconds of Universal Coordinate time (App. A)

Work-related fatigue and recovery: the contribution of age, domestic responsibilities and shiftwork

Aim: This paper reports a study of the relationship between age, domestic responsibilities (being partnered and having dependents), recovery from shiftwork-related fatigue and the evolution of maladaptive health outcomes among full-time working female nurses. Background: Several studies have suggested that full-time working women with family responsibilities are at greater risk of developing work-related fatigue problems than single women without these responsibilities. Method: A questionnaire was distributed in 2004 to 2400 nurses at two hospitals in Australia, and 1280 responses were obtained (response rate 54%). The data from a purposive sample of 846 full-time working nurses are reported here. Findings: Domestic responsibilities were not related to differences in fatigue and recovery. Our results suggested that for full-time shiftworking nurses, being part of a family structure, may actually be protective against the development of maladaptive fatigue. The most important factor determining maladaptive fatigue outcome was shift pattern worked, particularly rotation including night duty. The effect of age was equivocal. The youngest age group reported the highest fatigue and poorest recovery compared to the oldest group, who reported the best characteristics. However, this latter group may represent a particularly well-adapted ‘survivor cohort’. The relationship between age and fatigue was partly confounded by older, experienced, nurses with greater job responsibilities, working fewer multiple shifts including night duty. In general, increasing age was not associated with poorer recovery or higher maladaptive fatigue. Conclusions: Unpredictable internal shift rotations, including night duty, which are traditional and typical in nursing, are inimical to maintaining nurses’ health. More creative approaches to rostering for nurses working multiple shifts are a necessary step towards reducing wastage from the profession due to chronic work-related fatigue. Younger nurses in particular, may need more support than is currently recognized if they are to be retained within the profession