Solving second-order linear ordinary differential equations by using interactive software

Differential equations constitute an area of great theoretical research and applications in several branches of science and technology. The scope of this work is to present new software that is able to show all the steps in the process of solving a linear second-order ordinary differential equation with constant coefficients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perceptions of PDO Beef: The Portuguese Consumer

The objectives of this paper are to examine consumers' perceptions of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) beef on the basis of a survey of consumers and buyers of beef. The paper identifies a profile of PDO beef consumers, examines their behaviour and perceptions on PDO beef, derives the dimensions of perceptions of PDO beef, and establishes segments based upon those dimensions. The results reveal that PDO consumers are representative of all geographical regions, age and profession groups, are lighter consumers of beef and shop for food mainly in the butchers. Consumers' perceptions on PDO beef emphasises quality, safety, and control. However, underlying those perceptions are six main dimensions and it is possible to identify three segments of PDO beef consumers: a faithful consumer group, an unaware consumer group, and a sensory, price conscious group.Protected designations of origin, beef, perceptions, factor analysis, cluster analysis, Consumer/Household Economics,

On the kernel of a singular integral operator with non-carleman shift and conjugation

On the Hilbert space (L) over tilde (2)(T) the singular integral operator with non-Carleman shift and conjugation K = P+ +(aI + AC)P- is considered, where P-+/- are the Cauchy projectors, A = (m)Sigma(j=0) a(j)U(j), a, a(j), j = (1, m) over bar, are continuous functions on the unit circle T, U is the shift operator and C is the operator of complex conjugation. Some estimates for the dimension of the kernel of the operator K are obtained.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (Portugal) through Centro de Analise Funcional e Aplicacoes of Instituto Superior Tecnicoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Explaining organic food choice on the basis of socio-demographics.A study in Portugal and Germany

Socio-demographic characteristics of consumers may be of interest for marketers for two basic reasons: their appropriateness to segment markets and their influence on consumer behaviour. Success or failure of organic food is mainly determined by the consumer. Consumers from different countries, with different ages or genders may require different product features and show varying preferences and behaviours. Therefore, it can be asked, if, in the present context of food markets, consumers’ socio-demographic characteristics have an impact on consumer behaviour and, consequently, can be used as an effective criteria to segment markets? This is the question addressed on the present paper, through empirical research on organic food products in two different markets – Germany and Portugal. From the study it could be concluded that there are good reasons for preserving socio-demographic or economic variables in food consumer research. In the research reported in this paper, some of these variables proved to be strongly associated with consumer behaviour relating to organic food products, and to be robust segmentation criteria, with the advantage of being easily identifiable, stable and accessible.Organic food products; consumer behaviour; segmentation; socio-demographics.

On the kernel of a singular integral operator with shift

Some estimates for the dimension of the kernel of the singular integral operator I - cUP(+) : L-p(n)(T) -> L-p(n)(T), p is an element of (1, infinity), with a non-Carleman shift are obtained, where P+ is the Cauchy projector, U is an isometric shift operator and c(t) is a continuous matrix function on the unit circle T. It is supposed that the shift has a finite set of fixed points and all the eigenvalues of the matrix c(t) at the fixed points, simultaneously belong either to the interior of the unit circle T or to its exterior. The case of an operator with a general shift is also considered. Some relations between those estimates and the resolvent set of the operator cU are pointed out.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (Portugal) through Centro de Analise Funcional e Aplicacoes of Instituto Superior Tecnicoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identity, Distribution Rules and Productivity in Heterogeneous Teams: An experiment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND THE STRUCTURAL CHANGE OF DIETARY INTAKE IN HUNGARY: A PANNEL STUDY

Typically, big changes in the economic system lead to alterations on the disposable income of families and thus on their spending for different type of products, including food. These may imply, in the long run, a structural modification of the quality of diet of the population. After the fall of the socialist system, in the past two decades Central and Eastern European countries, including Hungary, went through a profound, and sometimes difficult transition of their political and economic systems, shifting from a centralized planned economy to an open market economy, and more importantly, the European Union integration. Economic change in lower-income and transitional economies of the world appears to coincide with increasing rapid social change. With respect to nutrition there is evidence that those countries are changing their diets and that these changes seem to be happening at a faster pace than ever before. In this paper we analyze the evolution of Hungarian dietary patterns based on socio-economic status (SES) data between 1993 and 2007. Data allows to define and profile several clusters based on aggregated consumption data, than to inspect the influence of SES variables using OLS and multinominal logit estimations.Transition economy, food consumption patterns, cluster analysis, logit analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy,

Vitamin K as a diet supplement with impact in human health: current evidence in age-related idseases

Vitamin K health benefits have been recently widely shown to extend beyond blood homeostasis and implicated in chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, dementia, cognitive impairment, mobility disability, and frailty. Novel and more efficient nutritional and therapeutic options are urgently needed to lower the burden and the associated health care costs of these age-related diseases. Naturally occurring vitamin K comprise the phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and a series of menaquinones broadly designated as vitamin K2 that differ in source, absorption rates, tissue distribution, bioavailability, and target activity. Although vitamin K1 and K2 sources are mainly dietary, consumer preference for diet supplements is growing, especially when derived from marine resources. The aim of this review is to update the reader regarding the specific contribution and effect of each K1 and K2 vitamers in human health, identify potential methods for its sustainable and cost-efficient production, and novel natural sources of vitamin K and formulations to improve absorption and bioavailability. This new information will contribute to foster the use of vitamin K as a health-promoting supplement, which meets the increasing consumer demand. Simultaneously, relevant information on the clinical context and direct health consequences of vitamin K deficiency focusing in aging and age-related diseases will be discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of clinical phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of the literature

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a heterogeneous pathology characterized by a complex and multifactorial nature. It has been hypothesised that these differences are due to the existence of underlying phenotypes representing different mechanisms of the disease.Methods: The aim of this study is to identify the current evidence for the existence of groups of variables which point towards the existence of distinct clinical phenotypes in the KOA population. A systematic literature search in PubMed was conducted. Only original articles were selected if they aimed to identify phenotypes of patients aged 18 years or older with KOA. The methodological quality of the studies was independently assessed by two reviewers and qualitative synthesis of the evidence was performed. Strong evidence for existence of specific phenotypes was considered present if the phenotype was supported by at least two high-quality studies.Results: A total of 24 studies were included. Through qualitative synthesis of evidence, six main sets of variables proposing the existence of six phenotypes were identified: 1) chronic pain in which central mechanisms (e.g. central sensitisation) are prominent; 2) inflammatory (high levels of inflammatory biomarkers); 3) metabolic syndrome (high prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disturbances); 4) Bone and cartilage metabolism (alteration in local tissue metabolism); 5) mechanical overload characterised primarily by varus malalignment and medial compartment disease; and 6) minimal joint disease characterised as minor clinical symptoms with slow progression over time.Conclusions: This study identified six distinct groups of variables which should be explored in attempts to better define clinical phenotypes in the KOA population

P-248 Futility and utility of two-stage hepatectomy

Meeting abstract in the European-Society-for-Medical-Oncology (ESMO) 21st World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio