1,721,079 research outputs found
A Proposed Benchmark Analysis of the Connection Between Wine Production and Destination Perception
No full textClimatology of atmospheric PM10 concentration in the Po Valley
No full textThe limits to atmospheric pollutant concentration set by the European Commission provide a challenging target for the municipalities in the Po Valley, because of the characteristic climatic conditions and high population density of this region. In order to assess climatology and trends in the concentration of atmospheric particles in the Po Valley, a dataset of PM10 data from 41 sites across the Po Valley have been analysed, including both traffic and background sites (either urban, suburban or rural). Of these 41 sites, 18 with 10 yr or longer record have been analysed for long term trend in de-seasonalized monthly means, in annual quantiles and in monthly frequency distribution. A widespread significant decreasing trend has been observed at most sites, up to few percent per year, by Generalised Least Square and Theil-Sen method. All 41 sites have been tested for significant weekly periodicity by Kruskal–Wallis test for mean anomalies and by Wilcoxon test for weekend effect magnitude. A significant weekly periodicity has been observed for most PM10 series, particularly in summer and ascribed mainly to anthropic particulate emissions. A cluster analysis has been applied in order to highlight stations sharing similar pollution conditions over the reference period. Five clusters have been found, two gathering the metropolitan areas of Torino and Milano and their respective nearby sites and the other three clusters gathering north-east, north-west and central Po Valley sites respectively. Finally the observed trends in atmospheric PM10 have been compared to trends in provincial emissions of particulates and PM precursors, and analysed along with data on vehicular fleet age, composition and fuel sales. Significant basin-wide drop in emissions occurred for gaseous pollutants, contrarily to emissions of PM10 and PM2.5, whose drop resulted low and restricted to few provinces. It is not clear whether the decrease for only gaseous emissions is sufficient to explain the observed drop in atmospheric PM10, or if the low drop in particulate emissions is indeed due to the uncertainty in the emission inventory data for this species
Statistical analysis of surface atmospheric pollutant measurement series for various sites across the Po valley
No full textIn order to assess recent changes in the concentration of pollutants in the Po valley, ten-year or longer time series of atmospheric pollutants have been analyzed, including both traffic and background sites (either urban, suburban or rural) at main towns and cities in the Po valley. The dataset comprise pollution data from Regional Environmental Agency monitoring networks; all data are referred to actual sampling condition, as by 2008/50/EC. Weekly pattern at each site has been estimated, in order to assess pollution condition and anthropogenic sources influence at each station. Time series have been checked for significant change in de-seasonalized mean monthly concentration and in annual median concentration. Mean daily concentration data have been tested for significant weekly (i.e. anthropogenic) cycles. Long term trend of atmospheric pollutants has been estimated via parametric and non-parametric methods. Finally, cluster analysis has been applied in order to highlight stations sharing similar pollution conditions over the reference period
Political party brand identity and brand image: an empirical assessment
No full textIn this article we explore the concepts of political party brand identity and image. Political leaders should be able to effectively define the distinctive characteristics of the political brand and subsequently activate the most appropriate mechanisms of communication to promote an accurate perception of the image in the market. The specific aim of this research is to explore interrelations between a political party’s brand identity and image in two different time periods, in order to discover possible discrepancies and changes in time. The party blog, containing both the official communication and the people’s feedbacks represents a perfect place where to observe the concepts and the values on which both the political brand identity and image are founded.</p
Long term trends and patterns of atmospheric pollutants in Modena, Po valley, Italy
No full textThe concentration of atmospheric pollutants in the Po Valley is renowned for its remarkably high levels, both for particulate and gaseous compounds. This analysis focussed on measurements of air pollutants from a background site in Modena, Po valley, Italy. These comprise hourly data for CO, NO, NO2, NOx, O3 and daily gravimetric equivalent data for PM10 from 1998 – 2010. The data are analysed in terms of long-term trends, and of annual, weekly and diurnal patterns. Auto-correlation and cross-correlation functions are also investigated. Influence of anthropogenic sources on pollutant concentration has been studied by checking the presence of weekly cycles on pollutants. Gaseous pollutant characteristic of vehicular traffic emissions (i.e. CO, NO and NO2) exhibit a daily pattern featured by peaks at morning and evening rush-hour and lower concentrations over the weekend. Ozone, whose annual pattern is typified by summer peak due to local production, did not show a significant variation in long term trend notwithstanding the significant decrease in NO over the decade. Regression models of PM10 upon NOx show a greater intercept in winter, representing higher secondary PM10 in the cooler months of the year, and a seasonal pattern in the PM10 to NOx ratio, with lower values in winter and higher in summer
Has the Metaverse a Strategic or Operative Role in Luxury Fashion Brands’ Marketing?
No full textNowadays, the Metaverse is one the most discussed concepts as it could offer excellent opportunities to companies. Although the fully immersive and interoperable metaverse platforms have not been achieved yet. Therefore, this study aims to examine how the Metaverse can change the marketing activities in the luxury fashion industry by analysing the main characteristics and motivations of the brands that adopted a first mover approach. Furthermore, this research aims to explore the awareness of companies about the metaverse contributions to offering a unique customer experience which will create a competitive advantage. To that end, an exploratory design with an interpretivist approach is adopted in this research. Qualitative content analysis is utilised to infer meaning from interviews with the CEOs and representatives of well-known luxury fashion brands. The findings support that despite the high interest in the topic and the correlated hype, luxury fashion brands do not consider this tool central to their strategy. Instead, they plan to use it as an operational tool to reinforce their strategies
Monitoraggio idrotorbidimetrico per la stima dell'erosione nel bacino montano del Reno
No full textIl trasporto solido in sospensione dei corsi d’acqua, detto anche trasporto torbido, può essere considerato un valido indicatore dei fenomeni di erosione del suolo che avvengono ad opera delle acque dilavanti, sui versanti del bacino. L’erosione del suolo è inevitabilmente collegata all’uso agricolo di territori intrinsecamente fragili a causa, principalmente, dei fattori geolitologici e climatici: esemplare è il nostro Appennino ne è un caso esemplare. L’erosione provoca, da un lato, la degradazione del suolo, dall’altro è stata identificata come una delle maggiori cause di deterioramento della qualità delle acque superficiali e di perdita della diversità biologica. Inoltre, tra i più noti effetti del trasporto solido in sospensione si ricordano: i fenomeni legati alle dinamiche costiere, in particolare il ripascimento delle coste basse o l’erosione delle stesse, a seconda che il bilancio dei solidi a mare sia positivo o meno,l’inquinamento e l’eutrofizzazione dei corpi d’acqua superficiali: numerosi studi sui processi di trasporto concordano nell’attribuire ai solidi sospesi il ruolo di veicolo preferenziale per la migrazione di agenti inquinanti e nutrienti,la perdita di efficienza delle opere di approvvigionamento idrico,l’interrimento dei bacini artificiali e degli alvei, con la formazione dei fiumi ad alveo pensile, in pianura.La gravità potenziale di questi effetti ha portato alla promulgazione della legge quadro 183/89 “Norme per il riassetto organizzativo e funzionale della difesa del suolo” dove è stato fatto il primo tentativo di dare una sistemazione organica alla gestione delle acque sia in relazione alla difesa delle acque dall’inquinamento che al loro uso, che alla difesa del suolo, nell’ambito dell’unità del bacino idrografico considerato nel suo insieme di ecosistema naturale . Il controllo e contenimento di tali effetti rientrano nell’ambito della gestione e della protezione dell’ambiente.: Ppoiché una corretta regolamentazione dell’uso delle acque e del suolo passa necessariamente attraverso la conoscenza dei fenomeni fisici, la necessità di dati sperimentali rende il monitoraggio fluviale un basilare tassello nella gestione di unità territoriali complesse quali i bacini idrografici. Un programma di monitoraggio idrologico prevede necessariamente un numero consistente di anni di dati per poterne estrapolare delle considerazioni statisticamente affidabili, a causa sia della variabilità delle precipitazioni, e quindi dei deflussi liquidi e solidi, sia della specificità delle condizioni caratterizzanti ciascun bacino fluviale. Sulla base di tali presupposti si è avviato il monitoraggio del fiume Reno e di alcuni suoi affluenti principali
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