Search results for "ASSESSMENT"
showing 10 items of 5125 documents
PROMOTING THE REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH CLUSTERS‘ APPROACH: CASE OF THE LATVIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CLUSTER
2018
The purpose of this research is to contribute to the debate on regional competitiveness concept by evaluating genesis of the studies of concept development, and the impact assessment. This paper also presents the impact of clusters on regional competitiveness through the experience of the Latvian Information Technology (IT) cluster. The methods used in the research are literature analysis, correlation and statistical analysis. The main tasks include: (i) the usage of competitiveness concept to describe main factors of regional competitiveness, (ii) identification of the role of clusters for regional competitiveness by testing the linkage between regional competitiveness and state of cluster…
Environmental performance of building materials: life cycle assessment of a typical Sicilian marble
2009
Background, aim, and scope: The building sector is strategically important for achieving sustainability. Therefore, the improvement of energy and environmental performances are relevant targets because precious building materials such as marble have a significant impact on the environment. The aim of this paper is an analysis of a typical Sicilian marble (Perlato di Sicilia) to evaluate its energy and environmental performance. Marble plays an important role in the economy of Italy and has a global market share of 58% in terms of exports. For the main production areas of marble, relevant environmental performance data are missing except for one region (Tuscany-Massa e Carrara province). Per…
The rationale for and practice of EIA follow-up: an analysis of Finnish road projects
2015
Follow-up is often considered to be a weak or even missing element in environmental impact assessment (EIA). Though it is recognized that follow-up practices could provide useful opportunities to learn from projects’ actual consequences, the practice is criticized for not achieving this goal. In this paper, we aim to clarify the relationship between the theoretical rationale for EIA follow-up and the actual practices carried out in a Finnish EIA context. An empirical analysis was performed with follow-up documents. The findings indicate that follow-ups focused on dealing with environmental impacts related to the physical environment, e.g., flora, fauna, and ground and surface waters. Social…
128 Development of a job-exposure matrix (JEM) to describe pesticide exposure in Spanish workers (1996–2005)
2013
Objectives Pesticides are intensively used in Spain in a wide range of economic activities such as agriculture, farming, wood treatments or pest control, reaching in 2005 a consumption of more than 100,000 ton/year. Exposure to these substances has been proven to have negative effects on human health. However, there is little information available regarding the levels and frequency of exposure for workers, or the job titles associated with the worst exposure indicators. This study aimed to collect the available information on occupational pesticide exposure in Spain as a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Methods The work was carried out in the context of MatEmESp Project, which aims to build a Spa…
The Valencia Port Authority (VPA): environmental information in the annual report
2012
In recent years, most companies are participating in the disclosing of information on the impact of their potential activities on the environment. In 2002, Spain developed its legislation on environmental information in annual reports. The port industry has a potential environmental and economic impact. In this context, it is important to know how it disclosure environmental information in the annual reports. The case of study shows the disclosure information characteristics of Valencia Port Authority (VPA) and the relationships with the environment. The results concluded that VPA has adapted its information not only the standards but as a mean of legitimation.
A successful way for performing nutritional nursing assessment in older patients
2008
Aim. The aim of this study was to obtain increased knowledge and understanding about what can be promoting and facilitating for nurses to perform nutritional nursing assessment in older patients. Background. The frequency of older patients at nutritional risk or suffering from undernutrition is high in hospitals. Studies have shown frequent lack of awareness about signs of undernutrition as all patients are, for example, not weighed. Nurses’ descriptions about nutritional problems have also been found to be often vague and unspecific. Design. A qualitative design was used. Methods. Ten conveniently chosen registered nurses, working with older patients in two hospitals in western Sweden …
Key drivers of internet banking services use
2009
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of internet banking use, paying special attention to the role of product involvement, perceived risk and trust.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of trust, perceived risks, product involvement and TAM beliefs (ease of use and usefulness) on internet banking adoption is tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consists of 511 Spanish internet banking services users and the data are collected through an internet survey. Risk is measured as a formative construct.FindingsData analysis shows that TAM beliefs and perceived risks (security, privacy, performance and social) have a direct influence on e‐ban…
Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity Generation Scenarios in Italy
2018
Hindering global warming and achieving a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy sector are some of the most relevant goals of the 2030 Framework for climate and energy of the European Union. European countries have to identify and implement strategies for contributing to these ambitious goals. In this context, the authors carried out a scenario analysis on the Sicilian electricity mix in order to estimate the life cycle energy and environmental benefits of the increase of the use of renewable energy technologies for electricity production, and the potential contribution of Sicily in the achievement of the European energy and environmental targets. In detail, the authors identified …
The effects of three remineralizing agents on regression of white spot lesions in children: A two-week, single-blind, randomized clinical trial.
2016
Background This study investigated the effect of three remineralizing agents on improving white spot lesions (WSLs). Material and Methods This clinical trial included children who had at least one WSL on anterior teeth of upper or lower jaws. The participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups by treatment: 1) a cream containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and fluoride (MI Paste Plus); 2) a cream containing hydroxyapatite and fluoride (Remin Pro); 3) a 2% sodium fluoride gel; and 4) usual home care (control). The treatment was performed for 3 times over 10 days using special trays for retaining remineralizing agents. The area and mineral content of WSLs were measured a…
The socio-economic and communication challenges of spent nuclear fuel management in Finland
2010
Abstract One of the key factors behind the expansion of nuclear energy policy in Finland is nuclear waste management. As in many countries, nuclear waste management agencies are still struggling with the siting of intermediate and low level nuclear waste management facilities, in Finland Posiva, the nuclear waste company owned by the two nuclear power utilities Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) and Fortum Power and Heat (FPH), has been excavating a underground characterization facility since 2004 in the Olkiluoto site in the municipality of Eurajoki. The facility under construction is meant to be for a part of the final repository for disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). The site selection process …