O sistema de controlo interno numa empresa do sector hoteleiro: estudo de caso: âmbito da área de vendas

Trabalho de Projecto apresentado ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Auditoria, sob a orientação da Doutora Alcina Augusta de Sena Portugal Dias. “Esta versão contém as críticas e sugestões dos elementos do júri”

Bases para o estudo da genética de populações dos Hymenoptera em geral e dos Apinae sociais em particular

This paper deals with problems on population genetics in Hymenoptera and particularly in social Apidae. 1) The studies on populations of Hymenoptera were made according to the two basic types of reproduction: endogamy and panmixia. The populations of social Apinae have a mixed method of reproduction with higher percentage of panmixia and a lower of endogamy. This is shown by the following a) males can enter any hive in swarming time; b) males of Meliponini are expelled from hives which does not need them, and thus, are forced to look for some other place; c) Meliponini males were seen powdering themselves with pollen, thus becoming more acceptable in any other hive. The panmixia is not complete owing to the fact that the density of the breeding population as very low, even in the more frequent species as low as about 2 females and 160 males per reproductive area. We adopted as selection values (or survival indices) the expressions according to Brieger (1948,1950) which may be summarised as follows; a population: p2AA + ²pq Aa + q2aa became after selection: x p2AA + 2pq Aa + z q²aa. For alge-braics facilities Brieger divided the three selective values by y giving thus: x/y p2 AA + y/y 2 pq Aa + z/y q²aa. He called x/y of RA and z/y of Ra, that are survival or selective index, calculated in relation to the heterozygote. In our case all index were calculated in relation to the heterozygote, including the ones for haploid males; thus we have: RA surveval index of genotype AA Ra surveval index of genotype aa R'A surveval index of genotype A R'a surveval index of genotype a 1 surveval index of genotype Aa The index R'A ande R'a were equalized to RA and Ra, respectively, for facilities in the conclusions. 2) Panmitic populations of Hymenoptera, barring mutations, migrations and selection, should follow the Hardy-Weinberg law, thus all gens will be present in the population in the inicial frequency (see Graphifc 1). 3) Heterotic genes: If mutation for heterotic gene ( 1 > RA > Ra) occurs, an equilibrium will be reached in a population when: P = R A + Ra - 2R²a _____________ (9) 2(R A + Ra - R²A - R²a q = R A + Ra - 2R²A _____________ (10) 2(R A + Ra - R²A - R²a A heterotic gene in an hymenopteran population may be maintained without the aid of new mutation only if the survival index of the most viable mutant (RA) does not exced the limiting value given by the formula: R A = 1 + √1+Ra _________ 4 If RA has a value higher thah the one permitted by the formula, then only the more viable gene will remain present in the population (see Graphic 10). The only direct proof for heterotic genes in Hymenoptera was given by Mackensen and Roberts, who obtained offspring from Apis mellefera L. queens fertilized by their own sons. Such inbreeding resulted in a rapid loss of vigor the colony; inbred lines intercrossed gave a high hybrid vigor. Other fats correlated with the "heterosis" problem are; a) In a colony M. quadrifasciata Lep., which suffered severely from heat, the percentage of deths omong males was greater .than among females; b) Casteel and Phillips had shown that in their samples (Apis melifera L). the males had 7 times more abnormalities tian the workers (see Quadros IV to VIII); c) just after emerging the males have great variation, but the older ones show a variation equal to that of workers; d) The tongue lenght of males of Apis mellifera L., of Bombus rubicundus Smith (Quadro X), of Melipona marginata Lep. (Quadro XI), and of Melipona quadrifasciata Lep. Quadro IX, show greater variationthan that of workers of the respective species. If such variation were only caused by subviables genes a rapid increasse of homozigoty for the most viable alleles should be expected; then, these .wild populations, supposed to be in equilibrium, could .not show such variability among males. Thus we conclude that heterotic genes have a grat importance in these cases. 4) By means of mathematical models, we came to the conclusion tht isolating genes (Ra ^ Ra > 1), even in the case of mutations with more adaptability, have only the opor-tunity of survival when the population number is very low (thus the frequency of the gene in the breeding population will be large just after its appearence). A pair of such alleles can only remain present in a population when in border regions of two races or subspecies. For more details see Graphics 5 to 8. 5) Sex-limited genes affecting only females, are of great importance toHymenoptera, being subject to the same limits and formulas as diploid panmitic populations (see formulas 12 and 13). The following examples of these genes were given: a) caste-determining genes in the genus Melipona; b) genes permiting an easy response of females to differences in feeding in almost all social Hymenoptera; c) two genes, found in wild populations, one in Trigona (Plebéia) mosquito F. SMITH (quadro XII) and other in Melipona marginata marginata LEP. (Quadro XIII, colonies 76 and 56) showing sex-limited effects. Sex-limited genes affecting only males do not contribute to the plasticity or genie reserve in hymenopteran populations (see formula 14). 6) The factor time (life span) in Hymenoptera has a particular importance for heterotic genes. Supposing one year to be the time unit and a pair of heterotic genes with respective survival indice equal to RA = 0, 90 and Ra = 0,70 to be present; then if the life time of a population is either one or two years, only the more viable gene will remain present (see formula 11). If the species has a life time of three years, then both alleles will be maintained. Thus we conclude that in specis with long lif-time, the heterotic genes have more importance, and should be found more easily. 7) The colonies of social Hymenoptera behave as units in competition, thus in the studies of populations one must determine the survival index, of these units which may be subdivided in indice for egg-laying, for adaptive value of the queen, for working capacity of workers, etc. 8) A study of endogamic hymenopteran populations, reproduced by sister x brother mating (fig. 2), lead us to the following conclusions: a) without selection, a population, heterozygous for one pair of alleles, will consist after some generations (theoretically after an infinite number of generation) of females AA fecundated with males A and females aa fecundated with males a (see Quadro I). b) Even in endogamic population there is the theoretical possibility of the presence of heterotic genes, at equilibrium without the aid of new mutations (see Graphics 11 and 12), but the following! conditions must be satisfied: I - surveval index of both homozygotes (RA e Ra) should be below 0,75 (see Graphic 13); II - The most viable allele must riot exced the less viable one by more than is permited by the following formula (Pimentel Gomes 1950) (see Gra-fic 14) : 4 R5A + 8 Ra R4A - 4 Ra R³A (Ra - 1) R²A - - R²a (4 R²a + 4 Ra - 1) R A + 2 R³a < o Considering these two conditions, the existance of heterotic genes in endogamic populations of Hymenoptera \>ecames very improbable though not - impossible. 9) Genie mutation offects more hymenopteran than diploid populations. Thus we have for lethal genes in diploid populations: u = q2, and in Hymenoptera: u = s, being u the mutation ratio and s the frequency of the mutant in the male population. 10) Three factors, important to competition among species of Meliponini were analysed: flying capacity of workers, food gathering capacity of workers, egg-laying of the queen. In this connection we refer to the variability of the tongue lenght observed in colonies from several localites, to the method of transporting the pollen in the stomach, from some pots (Melliponi-ni storage alveolus) to others (e. g. in cases of pillage), and to the observation that the species with the most populous hives are almost always the most frequent ones also. 11) Several defensive ways used for Meliponini to avoid predation are cited, but special references are made upon the camouflage of both hive (fig. 5) and hive entrance (fig. 4) and on the mimetism (see list in page ). Also under the same heading we described the method of Lestrimelitta for pillage. 12) As mechanisms important for promoting genetic plasticity of hymenopteran species we cited: a) cytological variations and b) genie reserve. As to the former, duplications and numerical variations of chromosomes were studied. Diprion simile ATC was cited as example for polyploidy. Apis mellife-ra L. (n •= 16) also sugests polyploid origen since: a) The genus Melipona, which belongs to a" related tribe, presents in all species so far studied n = 9 chromosomes and b) there occurs formation of dyads in the firt spermatocyte division. It is su-gested that the origin of the sex-chromosome of Apis mellifera It. may be related to the possible origin of diplo-tetraploidy in this species. With regards to the genie reserve, several possible types of mutants were discussed. They were classified according to their survival indices; the heterotic and neutral mutants must be considered as more important for the genie reserve. 13) The mean radius from a mother to a daghter colony was estimated as 100 meters. Since the Meliponini hives swarm only once a year we may take 100 meters a year as the average dispersion of female Meliponini in ocordance to data obtained from Trigona (tetragonisca) jaty F. SMITH and Melipona marginata LEP., while other species may give different values. For males the flying distance was roughly estimated to be 10 times that for females. A review of the bibliography on Meliponini swarm was made (pg. 43 to 47) and new facts added. The population desity (breeding population) corresponds in may species of Meliponini to one male and one female per 10.000 square meters. Apparently the males are more frequent than the females, because there are sometimes many thousands, of males in a swarm; but for the genie frequency the individuals which have descendants are the ones computed. In the case of Apini and Meliponini, only one queen per hive and the males represented by. the spermatozoos in its spermateca are computed. In Meliponini only one male mate with the queen, while queens of Apis mellijera L. are fecundated by an average of about 1, 5 males. (Roberts, 1944). From the date cited, one clearly sees that, on the whole, populations of wild social bees (Meliponini) are so small that the Sewall Wright effect may become of great importance. In fact applying the Wright's formula: f = ( 1/aN♂ + 1/aN♀) (1 - 1/aN♂ + 1/aN♀) which measures the fixation and loss of genes per generation, we see that the fixation or loss of genes is of about 7% in the more frequent species, and rarer species about 11%. The variation in size, tergite color, background color, etc, of Melipona marginata Lep. is atributed to this genetic drift. A detail, important to the survival of Meliponini species, is the Constance of their breeding population. This Constance is due to the social organization, i. e., to the care given to the reproductive individuals (the queen with its sperm pack), to the way of swarming, to the food storage intended to control variations of feeding supply, etc. 14) Some species of the Meliponini are adapted to various ecological conditions and inhabit large geographical areas (e. g. T. (Tetragonisca jaty F. SMITH), and Trigona (Nanno-trigona testaceicornis LEP.) while others are limited to narrow regions with special ecological conditions (e. g. M. fuscata me-lanoventer SCHWARZ). Other species still, within the same geographical region, profit different ecological conditions, as do M. marginata LEP. and M. quadrifasciata LEP. The geographical distribution of Melipona quadrifasciata LEP. is different according to the subspecies: a) subsp anthidio-des LEP. (represented in Fig. 7 by black squares) inhabits a region fron the North of the S. Paulo State to Northeastern Brazil, ,b) subspecies quadrifasciata LEP., (marked in Fig. 7 with black triangles) accurs from the South of S. Paulo State to the middle of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (South Brazil). In the margined region between these two areas of distribution, hi-brid colonies were found (Fig. 7, white circles); they are shown with more details in fig. 8, while the zone of hybridization is roughly indicated in fig. 9 (gray zone). The subspecies quadrifasciata LEP., has 4 complete yellow bands on the abdominal tergites while anthidioides LEP. has interrupted ones. This character is determined by one or two genes and gives different adaptative properties to the subspecies. Figs. 10 shows certains meteorological isoclines which have aproximately the same configuration as the limits of the hybrid zone, suggesting different climatic adaptabilities for both genotypes. The exis-tance of a border zone between the areas of both subspecies, where were found a high frequency of hybrids, is explained as follows: being each subspecies adapted to a special climatic zone, we may suppose a poor adaptation of either one in the border region, which is also a region of intermediate climatic conditions. Thus, the hybrids, having a combination of the parent qualities, will be best adapted to the transition zone. Thus, the hybrids will become heterotic and an equilibrium will be reached with all genotypes present in the population in the border region.

Choix professionnels, orientations temporelles et scripts sexués des professions

Les trois recherches (mixed method) que nous avons menées sur les professions supérieures (enseignant.e.-chercheur.e.s du monde académique, cadres de l'administration publique et enseignant.e.s de la scolarité post-obligatoire) ont montré que les organisations professionnelles jouent un rôle important dans la manière dont les deux sexes articulent temps professionnels et temps privé, orientant ainsi leur carrière selon des références prioritaires qui peuvent tenir à l'identité professionnelle ou à celle de genre. Ces résultats nous amènent à discuter du pouvoir d'imposition des « images-guides » de l'orientation temporelle, intériorisées et fortement sexuées du fait d'une socialisation différencielle, et du rôle des contextes professionnels dans leur activation. Dans certains cas l'organisation professionnelle favorise un partage inégal et traditionnel des tâches éducatives alors que ses normes peuvent dans d'autres cas être à la source d'une remise en cause du régime de genre.

Des hommes en mouvement : vers une reconfiguration des modèles masculins? L'exemple de la Suisse

This project is a study of the men's movement in Switzerland, especially regarding organizations seeking to redefine male identity. So far, this topic has been understudied, in Switzerland. The few studies available on the subject mostly adopt a (pro)feminist perspective. Their main purpose is to criticize men's movement participants. What is more, scarce researches on this problem mostly conducted by members of the Swiss men's movement themselves are mainly descriptive and methodologically problematic. In this context, I initiated the first national and sociological study of the men's movement in Switzerland. My main goals are: firstly, to propose a typology of organizations forming the men's movement in Switzerland. Secondly, I develop a sociological analysis of this phenomenon, taking into account in this process especially the characteristics of the Swiss context. Consequently, I adopted a mixed method approach, which included two main research steps: Firstly, I defined a representative sample of men's movement organizations in Switzerland. Based on a content analysis of men's organizations' websites, I was able to distinguish three ideal-types: Radical Criticism of Masculinity, Criticism of Hegemonic Masculinity, Defense of Men and Traditional Masculinity. Based on these three concepts, I subsequently analyzed the discourse on masculinity amongst men's movement organizations. Secondly, I conducted a survey of men's movement participants. This survey was based on the results of the content analysis. In this particular stage, I mainly used factor analysis. My results show that it would be all too simplistic to characterize the men's movement, in Switzerland, as a criticism of women's emancipation. On the contrary, my analysis reveals a more complex picture: The two main factors, which influence the men's movement, in Switzerland, are the contemporary sociological context and the Swiss society's particular features. I find that male roles, on the one hand, depend very much on today's cultural shift from materialistic to self-expression values. On the other hand, male role models reflect a social adaptation process. Moreover, as a reaction to deep changes in contemporary family structures, I observe an individualization process, characterized by separation between parental and conjugal functions that greatly shapes male role models. - Cette thèse analyse le phénomène des hommes en mouvement, dans le contexte de la Suisse. Cet ensemble est formé d'organisations regroupant des hommes impliqués consciemment dans un processus d'actions et de réflexions sur l'identité masculine. La revue de la littérature révèle qu'en Suisse, le sujet des hommes en mouvement est très peu étudié. Jusqu'ici, les rares recherches s'y intéressant adoptent généralement une approche (pro)féministe, dont l'objectif est de dénoncer ce phénomène. En outre, de rares recherches, issues des acteurs mêmes de ce mouvement, proposent une vue descriptive de l'ensemble, mais souffrant de faiblesses méthodologiques. Par notre recherche, nous souhaitons contribuer à l'étude de ce sujet, en initiant la première étude d'envergure nationale portant sur les hommes en mouvement. L'objectif final est de déboucher sur une typologie des organisations réunissant les hommes en mouvement, puis sur une analyse de la spécificité de cet ensemble, dans le contexte suisse. Pour remplir ces objectifs, nous avons mis en place un dispositif de méthodes mixtes, en deux phases. Lors d'une première étape, nous avons sélectionné un échantillon représentatif de la diversité des organisations masculines. Par une analyse de contenu effectuée sur la documentation récoltée sur les sites Internet de ces dernières, nous avons pu, en utilisant une démarche inductive et qualitative, faire émerger trois idéaux-types : Critique radicale de la masculinité, Critique de la masculinité hégémonique, Défense des hommes et de la masculinité traditionnelle. Ces concepts permettent de rendre compte, de manière schématique, des trois types de discours contemporains sur l'identité masculine diffusés par les hommes en mouvement. Lors d'une seconde étape, nous avons réalisé une enquête auprès des membres des organisations masculines. Pour y parvenir, nous avons créé un questionnaire incluant des propositions élaborées à partir des résultats de l'étape précédente. Lors de cette phase, nous avons réalisé une analyse factorielle. Les résultats montrent que le phénomène du mouvement des hommes ne saurait se réduire, en Suisse, à un mouvement de ressac visant à attaquer les droits des femmes. Au contraire, il s'agit d'un phénomène complexe, fortement dépendant du contexte sociologique contemporain et des caractéristiques de la société helvétique. Nous affirmons, entre autres, que les modèles masculins observables dans cet ensemble sont façonnés, d'une part, par une transition culturelle, caractérisée par le passage des valeurs matérialistes aux valeurs d'expression de soi. D'autre part, les modèles masculins prônés par les hommes en mouvement reflètent un processus d'adaptation sociale. En effet, en réaction au contexte de reconfiguration des formes familiales, on assiste à une individualisation des rapports de filiation et au détachement de la fonction parentale et conjugale, qui imprègnent fortement les modèles masculins défendus par ces hommes.

Formação dos preços de venda nas Empresas Importadoras de São Vicente

As decisões de preços de venda, é uma das funções com mais relevância no ambiente empresarial para os gerentes, devido o seu carácter estratégico para o sucesso das empresas. O processo de formação de preço (FP) é fundamental para as empresas, embora apresenta graus de dificuldade e de complexidade, por implicar diversos factores. A primeira etapa para a FP consiste na estimativa correcta de custos, para obtenção de preços ideais. Para além dos custos, outros factores internos e externos devem ser analisados para que as decisões possam ser tomadas de forma correcta e obter um preço competitivo. Portanto, os gerentes precisam de informações precisas para poderem tomar decisões com segurança, levando em consideração todos os aspectos relevantes para a FP. O presente trabalho tem como objectivo principal, conhecer uma politica adequada de FP, bem como, descobrir quais os factores mais relevantes considerados na formação desses preços nas empresas e ainda conhecer quais os métodos de FP utilizado pelas empresas de importação de S.Vicente para a FP. A metodologia, consistiu primeiramente numa pesquisa bibliográfica e exploratória. Para a recolha dos dados,foram aplicados questionários com perguntas fechadas múltipla escolha, aos gerentes e aos responsáveis pelos processos de EC e FP e para complementar, foi feita uma entrevista a um especialista da área. Para a análise dos dados, foram utilizadas técnicas qualitativas e quantitativas, feito através das respostas obtidas dos questionários. Os resultados obtidos da pesquisa, mostram que o método de formação de preços de venda adoptado pelas empresas de S.Vicente, é o método baseado no custo e no mercado (método misto), ou seja, o preço é definido com base nos seus custos, mas é ajustado tendo por base o preço da concorrência. The sale prices decisions; it is one of the functions with more relevance in the managerial atmosphere for the managers, due your strategic character for the success of the companies. The process of price formation (FP) it is fundamental for the companies,although it presents degrees of difficulty and of complexity, for implicating several factors. The first stage for FP consists in estimate correct costs, to obtaining ideal prices. Besides the costs, others internal and external factors should be analyzed so that decisions can be made in a correct form to obtain a competitive price. Therefore, the managers need necessary information to make safety decisions, taking in consideration all the important aspects of FP. The main objective of this present work, is to know the appropriate politics of FP, as well as, to discover which the most important factors considered in the formation of those prices to purchases and still to know which of the FP methods used by the import companies in São Vicente. The methodology consisted firstly in a bibliographical and exploratory research. To collect the data, were applied uestionnaires with closed questions, multiple choice to the managers and the responsible for the processes of ECP and EP and to complement, it was made an interview to a specialist. For the analysis of the data, qualitative techniques were used, done through to obtained answers of the questionnaires. The results of the research, show that the method of formation of sale prices adopted for São Vicente's companies, is the method based on the cost and in the market (mixed method), in other words, the price is defined with base in the costs, but it is adjusted tends for base of the competition.

Estudi sobre la utilitat d'una intervenció de pacient expert en pacients amb lesions per cremades

Les lesions per cremades comporten conseqüències a nivell físic, psicològic i social. Les intervencions psicosocials per aquests pacients estan valorades de forma positiva però manquen estudis fets a l’Estat Espanyol. Les intervencions de pacient expert estan donant resultats positius en moltes patologies cròniques però no n’existeix cap per aquest tipus de lesions cròniques. L’objectiu d’aquest estudi és comprendre la utilitat d’una intervenció de pacient expert a pacients d’entre 18 i 30 anys que han patit lesions per cremades recentment. Es realitzaran 9 sessions de pacient expert des de la perspectiva bio-psicosocial. El grup focal serà un grup de 8-10 pacients de 18 a 30 anys amb un mínim del 15% de superfície corporal cremada de grau 2n profund o 3r, residents a Barcelona o rodalies. Les dades s’analitzaran per mètode mixt amb enfocament dominant qualitatiu. La recollida de dades s’obtindrà d’entrevistes, testos i anotacions realitzades prèvia a la primera sessió, al finalitzar les 9 sessions i als 6 mesos de la última sessió. Les limitacions de l’estudi són: el risc de pèrdua dels membres del grup focal a causa del retorn a la vida laboral i l’heterogeneïtat del grup en la fase d’acceptació, principis i valors personals que podrien desviar els resultats.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the aged: Laboratory Diagnosis, Prevalence and Clinical Profile

B₁₂-vitamiinin puute iäkkäillä: laboratoriodiagnostiikka, yleisyys ja yhteys sairastavuuteen Tausta: B12-vitamiinin puute on yleistä iäkkäillä ja se tulisi todeta riittävän varhaisessa vaiheessa palautumattomien vaurioiden estämiseksi. On epäselvää pitäisikö diagnostiikka kohdistaa tiettyihin riskiryhmiin vai mahdollisesti seuloa valikoimatonta vanhusväestöä. Myöskään yksimielisyyttä laboratoriotutkimusten valinnasta ei ole. Tavoitteet: Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli evaluoida uutta HoloTC RIA menetelmää ja tuottaa viitearvot sille, selvittää B12-vitamiinin puutteen yleisyys, yhteys sairastavuuteen ja mahdolliset riskitekijät suomalaisessa vanhusväestössä, arvioida munuaisfunktion vaikusta B12-vitamiinin puutteen laboratoriotutkimuksiin ja näiden perusteella ehdottaa suomalaiseen terveydenhuoltoon sopivaa laboratoriotutkimusstrategiaa. Aineisto ja menetelmät: Liedon iäkkäät -tutkimuksen vanhusaineisto on edustava otos yhden kunnan yli 65-vuotiaasta väestöstä, yhteensä 1260 henkilöä. Tutkittavat kävivät lääkärintarkastuksessa, ja heistä on käytettävissä runsaasti laboratoriotutkimuksia sekä tiedot sairauksista, ruokavaliosta, lääkkeiden ja vitamiinivalmisteiden käytöstä, dementiaseula ja depressiokysely. Viitearvoaineistoa varten kerättiin näytteet 84 vapaaehtoisesta terveestä aikuisesta ja menetelmäevaluaatiota varten 107 sairaalapotilaasta. Tulokset: HoloTC RIA menetelmän toistettavuus oli hyvä manuaalimenetelmäksi. 95%:n viiteväli holotranskobalamiinille oli 37-171 pmol/l. Kaikilla tutkittavilla, joilla oli muilla laboratoriotutkimuksilla osoitettu todennäköinen B12-vitamiinin puute, myös holotranskobalamiini oli viitealueen alarajaa pienempi. Suurentuneella kystatiini C-pitoisuudella osoitettu munuaisten vajaatoiminta korreloi voimakkaasti homokysteiinin (rs=0.53, p<0.001) ja metyylimalonihapon (rs=0.27, p<0.001) pitoisuuksiin, mutta ei kokonais-B12-vitamiinin (rs=- 0.04, p=0.227) tai holotranskobamiinin (rs=-0.01, p=0.817) pitoisuuksiin. Suomalaisessa vanhusväestössä B12-vitamiinin puutteen prevalenssi oli 12%. Kokonais- B12-vitamiinin pitoisuus oli matala (<150 pmol/l) 6%:lla. Miessukupuoli (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9), ikä ≥75 (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.4) ja maitotuotteiden välttäminen (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.4) lisäsivät B12-vitamiinin puutteen riskiä, mutta anemia (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.7-2.3) tai makrosytoosi (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.6-2.7) eivät. Päätelmät: Diagnosoimaton B12-vitamiinin puute on yleistä iäkkäillä, mutta kliinisesti merkityksellistä spesifistä riskiryhmää ei löydy. Koska anemian ja makrosytoosin puuttuminen ei poissulje B12-vitamiinin puutetta ja munuaisten vajaatoiminta heikentää metabolisten merkkiaineiden käyttökelpoisuutta, kokonais-B12-vitamiinia suositellaan ensisijaiseksi laboratoriotutkimukseksi epäiltäessä B12-vitamiinin puutetta ja tarvittaessa varmentavina tutkimuksina käytetään homokysteiiniä ja holotranskobalamiinia.

Assessment of inflammatory Bowel Disease patient's needs and problems from a nursing perspective

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed at assessing Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients' needs and current nursing practice to investigate to what extent consensus statements (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) on the nursing roles in caring for patients with IBD concur with local practice. METHODS: We used a mixed-method convergent design to combine quantitative data prospectively collected in the Swiss IBD cohort study and qualitative data from structured interviews with IBD healthcare experts. Symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety and depression scores were retrieved from physician charts and patient self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive analyses were performed based on quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: 230 patients of a single center were included, 60% of patients were males, and median age was 40 (range 18-85). The prevalence of abdominal pain was 42%. Self-reported data were obtained from 75 out of 230 patients. General health was perceived significantly lower compared with the general population (p < 0.001). Prevalence of tiredness was 73%; sleep problems, 78%; issues related to work, 20%; sexual constraints, 35%; diarrhea, 67%; being afraid of not finding a bathroom, 42%; depression, 11%; and anxiety symptoms, 23%. According to experts' interviews, the consensus statements are found mostly relevant with many recommendations that are not yet realized in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Identified prevalence may help clinicians in detecting patients at risk and improve patient management. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Lujan teräksen hyödyntäminen taittopuomissa

Työn päätavoitteena on ennakkoluulottomasti etsiä uudenlaista ratkaisua Mantsinen -lastausnosturin taittopuomiin ja pyrkiä löytämään kevyempi tarkoitukseen sopiva rakenne hyödyntämällä lujia teräksiä. Työ painottuu eri ratkaisuvaihtoehtojen kartoittamiseen ja niiden arviointiin elementtimenetelmää hyödyntäen. Arvioinnissa painotettiin tarkoituksen mukaisuutta ja väsymiskestävyyttä. Tutkimus suoritetaan vertailemalla vanhaa ja uutta ratkaisua keskenään. Työssä havaittiin, että ottamalla huomioon hitsattujen lujien terästen väsymisominaisuudet jo suunnittelussa, voidaan saada aikaan kevyempiä ja väsymisen kannalta kestävämpiä ratkaisuja.

Validity of the FACIT-Sp to assess spiritual well-being in elderly patients

Among instruments measuring spiritual well-being, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp-12) is the most widely used instrument in research. It has been validated in patients suffering from cancer or HIV/AIDS, but has rarely been used in elderly patients. The objectives of this study were to determine the psychometric properties and suitability of the FACIT-Spto assess spiritual well-being in hospitalized elderly patients. This cross-sectional study uses a mixed method approach. Subjects were patients (N = 208), aged 65 years and older, consecutively admitted in post-acute rehabilitation. Psychometric properties of the FACITSp were investigated. The internal structure of the FACIT-Sp (factor structure and internal consistency) was assessed. Convergent validity of the FACIT-Sp was assessed using the Spiritual Distress Assessment Tool (SDAT), the question "Are you at peace?" and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Predictive validity was assessed using length of stay (LOS) and discharge destination. Understanding and interpretation of FACIT-Sp items were consecutively assessed in a sub-sample of 135 patients. Results show that FACIT-Sp scores ranged from 7 to 46 (mean 29.6 ± 7.8); 23.1% of the patients had high spiritual well-being. Cronbach's α was g ood ( 0.85). Item-to-total correlations were all significant (0.34 to 0.73). Principal component analyses performed with 2 or 3 factors were only moderately consistent with previous work. FACIT-Sp correlated with SDAT, "Are you at peace?" and GDS (Rho = −0.45, P < 0.001; 0.51, P < 0.001 and −0.38, P < 0.001). No association was found with LOS or discharge destination. Spontaneous comments about one or more FACIT-Sp items were made by 97/135 (71.9%). Specifically, items that address purpose and meaning in life were frequently found difficult to answer. Analyses suggest that the FACIT-Sp may underestimate spiritual well-being in older patients. In conclusion, despite having acceptable psychometric properties, the FACIT-Sp presents limitations for measurement of spiritual well-being in hospitalized elderly patients.

Exploring Different Types of Sharing: A Proposed Segmentation of the Market for "Sharing Businesses"

Sharing instead of buying is regaining traction among today's consumers. This study aims at identifying segments of sharing consumers to unearth potentially viable clusters of a consumer behavior that is a market of growing economic relevance. By means of a qualitative study and a survey with a roughly representative sample of 1121 Swiss-German and German consumers, a set of trait-related, motivational, and perceived socioeconomic variables is identified that can be used to group individuals into segments that differ with regard to their approach to sharing. A cluster analysis based on these variables suggests four potential clusters of sharing consumers-sharing idealists, sharing opponents, sharing pragmatists, and sharing normatives. Two sets of testable propositions are derived that can guide further research in this domain and pave the way to a more targeted approach to the growing market of "sharing" businesses.

Uptake and factors that influence the use of ‘sit less, move more’ occupational intervention strategies in Spanish office employees

Background Little is known about the types of ‘sit less, move more’ strategies that appeal to office employees, or what factors influence their use. This study assessed the uptake of strategies in Spanish university office employees engaged in an intervention, and those factors that enabled or limited strategy uptake. Methods The study used a mixed method design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics and administrators (n = 12; 44 ± 12 mean SD age; 6 women) at three points across the five-month intervention, and data used to identify factors that influenced the uptake of strategies. Employees who finished the intervention then completed a survey rating (n = 88; 42 ± 8 mean SD age; 51 women) the extent to which strategies were used [never (1) to usually (4)]; additional survey items (generated from interviewee data) rated the impact of factors that enabled or limited strategy uptake [no influence (1) to very strong influence (4)]. Survey score distributions and averages were calculated and findings triangulated with interview data. Results Relative to baseline, 67% of the sample increased step counts post intervention (n = 59); 60% decreased occupational sitting (n = 53). ‘Active work tasks’ and ‘increases in walking intensity’ were the strategies most frequently used by employees (89% and 94% sometimes or usually utilised these strategies); ‘walk-talk meetings’ and ‘lunchtime walking groups’ were the least used (80% and 96% hardly ever or never utilised these strategies). ‘Sitting time and step count logging’ was the most important enabler of behaviour change (mean survey score of 3.1 ± 0.8); interviewees highlighted the motivational value of being able to view logged data through visual graphics in a dedicated website, and gain feedback on progress against set goals. ‘Screen based work’ (mean survey score of 3.2 ± 0.8) was the most significant barrier limiting the uptake of strategies. Inherent time pressures and cultural norms that dictated sedentary work practices limited the adoption of ‘walk-talk meetings’ and ‘lunch time walking groups’. Conclusions The findings provide practical insights into which strategies and influences practitioners need to target to maximise the impact of ‘sit less, move more’ occupational intervention strategies.

Investigating university students' adaptation to digital learner course portfolio

Digital learner portfolios are of growing importance in higher education as the sector seeks new teaching-learning-assessment methods which promote students" autonomy as managers of their own virtual learning environment. The purpose of this study was to analyse descriptively the undergraduate students" perceptions, attitudes and behaviour when using an eportfolio to support their learning and assessment in practice based courses at two traditional Spanish universities. The participants were 88 students, who were studying through a blended learning mode. Data were collected through questionnaires: a computer experience survey, another which examined the psychological, pedagogical and technological dimensions of eportfolios use. Further, an individual overall reflection was obtained from each student to help gain an understanding of their experiences of using the eportfolio. A mixed-method analysis was applied in order to study the impact of this technological innovation on students and their satisfaction. The results showed that the students had positive opinions and self-efficiency through the eportfolio as a tool to manage their learning and assessment during a semester, especially from the second month of use. However, the expected impact on their learning was not so significant. Nevertheless, the students emphasised that the eportfolio was valuable as a personal developmental learning tool.

Poultry carcass decomposition and physicochemical analysis of compounds in different Composter types

This study aimed to assess five composter types in poultry carcasses decomposition and to perform a physicochemical analysis of the compounds obtained. Composter types used were six-hole brick, wood, screen, windrow with three PVC pipes with six holes and windrow with three PVC pipes with 10 holes. Composting was followed by four periods using wood shaving like substrate with one bird carcass placed in each composter. Pile turning was performed every 10 days and temperature in each layer was measured on 1st, 7th, 14th, 19th and 29th day, at 3 p.m., as well as room temperature. Temperature during pile turning was also measured at five points per layer and carcass weighing performed to calculate decomposition percentage. Physicochemical parameters evaluated in substrates were moisture, ash, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, pH, organic carbon and C/N ratio, up to 30 days. Data were analyzed by repeated measures model, using MIXED method of SAS software. All values of final physicochemical composition of substrates were found according to values of IN-25, except nitrogen. The composter types were efficient in decomposition of poultry carcasses.

Sähköisen markkinoinnin markkinointisuunnitelma metallialan pk-yrityksen kansainvälistymiseen Venäjälle

Suuri osa ihmisten tiedon etsinnästä painottuu internetiin ja siellä käytettäviin hakukoneisiin. Myös yritykset ovat tiedostaneet sähköisen markkinoinnin roolin omassa kansainvälisessä näkyvyydessään. Pienyritysten kansainvälistymisessä sähköisellä markkinoinnilla voidaan parantaa markkinatiedon etsintää, asiakkaiden tavoitettavuutta ja markkinointiviestinnän kohdennettavuutta eri käyttäjäryhmille. Sähköinen markkinointi ei kuitenkaan poista kulttuurisidonnaisia epävarmuuksia, ja sen laadukas toteuttaminen vaatii perehtymistä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selvittää Case-yritykselle sähköisen markkinoinnin potentiaaliset hyödyntämisvaihtoehdot kansainvälistymisprosessissa Venäjälle ja suunnitella resursseihin nähden toteutettava sähköisen markkinoinnin markkinointisuunnitelma. Monimenetelmätekniikalla toteutetussa tutkimuksessa tietolähteenä käytetään asiantuntijahaastatteluja sekä datarekistereitä. Teoriapohjana tarkastellaan pk-yrityksien tiedon vaiheittaista oppimista, verkoston roolia sekä ulkoistamispäätöksen tukena käytettyjä transaktiokustannuksia. Sähköisen markkinoinnin kehitys on ollut Venäjällä kovaa viimeisen kahden vuoden aikana. Tästä syystä venäläisten yritysten sähköisen markkinoinnin taso on osittain korkeampaa kuin suomalaisten. Sähköisellä markkinoinnilla tavoittaa erityisesti kaupungeissa asuvat ihmiset, mutta kaupunkien ulkopuolella verkkotekniikka on vielä osittain alkeellisella tasolla. Vientimuotojen vertailussa transaktiokustannusten avulla nousi esille suoran viennin malli, jossa jälleenmyyjän etsimisen avuksi kehitetään sähköisen markkinoinnin osaamista. Paikallisella jälleenmyyjällä nähdään olevan etuja sähköisen markkinoinnin, paikallistuntemuksen ja kulttuurillisten erityispiirteiden tuntemuksessa.