254 research outputs found
Constraints and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs in developing countries: a relational perspective
No full textPurpose: this purpose of the paper to examine the interplay of constraints and opportunities affecting female entrepreneurship in developing countries. The paper integrates salient micro- and macro-level perspectives and provides a rounded account of opportunities and constraints as part of a holistic interdependent system.Design/methodology/approach: the paper adopts an integrative multi-level research design and an interpretive research methodology, capitalizing on in-depth interviews with ten women entrepreneurs to explore their perceptions and interpretations of constraints and opportunities facing female entrepreneurship in the Lebanese context.Findings: the findings presented in this paper clearly illustrate the relevance of micro-, meso-, and macro-level factors in entrepreneurship research and the usefulness of integrating multiple lens and units of analysis to capture the complexity of the women entrepreneurship experience in any particular context.Originality/value: the value added of this research lies in adapting a framework recently popularized in the context of diversity management for use in entrepreneurship research, helping to capture in turn the dynamic interplay of multiple levels of analysis and objective/subjective factors influencing female entrepreneurshi
Dima isabellae Dajoz 1973
No full textDima isabellae Dajoz, 1973 Dima isabellae Dajoz, 1973: 103. Type depository. Holotype, female (MHNP?; see the Remark). Type locality. Greece: Euboea, Mt. Dirphys [Ile d'Eubée, mont Dirphys vers 1400 m]. Distribution. Greece. Literature. Dajoz (1973): original description; Chassain (1984): remark; Schimmel (1996a): catalogue; Wurst (1997): remark; Cate (2007): catalogue; Schimmel & Platia (2008): review; Mertlik et al. (2017): revision. Remark. Despite the intensive search by the author RK, A. Mantilleri (MHNP), and several other colleagues, the holotype has not been found in the collection of MHNP.Published as part of Kundrata, Robin, Musalkova, Marketa & Kubaczkova, Magdalena, 2018, Annotated catalogue of the click-beetle tribe Dimini (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Dendrometrinae), pp. 1-75 in Zootaxa 4412 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4412.1, http://zenodo.org/record/122188
A Protocol for Basketball as Inclusive Sport to Boost Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Preschoolers
No full textThis paper presents the Early Basketball Protocol, a sports-based intervention designed to improve motor and socio-emotional skills in autistic preschoolers. Recognizing the paucity of sports protocols for younger autistic children, we developed this protocol using basketball rules to foster an inclusive setting where autistic preschoolers (n = 4) and their typically developing peers (n = 13) could engage in activities together. The protocol aims to simultaneously develop motor and socio-emotional skills through inclusive sports activities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of the protocol was evaluated using parent-reported measures. A narrative approach synthesized the parental answers, and a pre–post-test analysis evaluated the preliminary application of the EB protocol based on parent-reported perceptions. Encouraging longitudinal results emerged, particularly in the improvement of socio-emotional skills for all participants. However, the early disruption of activities due to the pandemic may have contributed to the lack of improvement in gross motor skills. The paper discusses the practical implications of these findings and outlines future research directions, emphasizing the critical role of social inclusion
Dutch Diagnostic Instrument for Mild Aphasia (DIMA): standardisation and a first clinical application in two brain tumour patients
No full textBrain tumour patients with mild language disturbances are typically underdiagnosed due to lack of sensitive tests leading to negative effects in daily communicative and social life. We aim to develop a Dutch standardised test-battery, the Diagnostic Instrument for Mild Aphasia (DIMA) to detect characteristics of mild aphasia at the main linguistic levels phonology, semantics and (morpho-)syntax in production and comprehension. We designed 4 DIMA subtests: 1) repetition (words, non-words, compounds and sentences), 2) semantic odd-picture-out (objects and actions), 3) sentence completion and 4) sentence judgment (accuracy and reaction time). A normative study was carried out in a healthy Dutch-speaking population (N = 211) divided into groups of gender, age and education. Clinical application of DIMA was demonstrated in two brain tumour patients (glioma and meningioma). Standard language tests were also administered: object naming, verbal fluency (category and letter), and Token Test. Performance was at ceiling on all sub-tests, except semantic odd-picture-out actions, with an effect of age and education on most subtests. Clinical application DIMA: repetition was impaired in both cases. Reaction time in the sentence judgment test (phonology and syntax) was impaired (not accuracy) in one patient. Standard language tests: category fluency was impaired in both cases and object naming in one patient. The Token Test was not able to detect language disturbances in both cases. DIMA seems to be sensitive to capture mild aphasic deficits. DIMA is expected to be of great potential for standard assessment of language functions in patients with also other neurological diseases than brain tumours.sponsorship: The author Roelien Bastiaanse was partially supported by the Center for Language and Brain NRU Higher School of Economics, RF Government grant, ag.. 14.641.31.0004. (Center for Language and Brain NRU Higher School of Economics, RF Government|14.641.31.0004)status: Published onlin
Reference intervals for cell counts of umbilical cord blood.
No full textThe umbilical cord blood is useful for assessing the health status in newborns. A limited number of studies evaluated the reference values of peripheral blood cell count and little information is available on the number of stem cells in umbilical cord blood. This study aimed to define reference intervals for hematological parameters in umbilical cord blood. 257 umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy infants with gestational age >37 weeks, uncomplicated pregnancy, birth weight >2500 g and umbilical arterial pH >7.0. The analysis was performed within 3 h from collection using the hematology analyzer Sysmex XN-1000. Reference values were derived with a non-parametric approach, by following the CLSI document EP28–A3c. A statistically significant difference between genders was observed for erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell distribution width, these parameters being significantly higher in males than in females. Results from this study may be seen as a useful guide for neonatologists to evaluate the newborn status and for hematologists to evaluate the quality of collected blood
Personalized physical activity programs for the management of knee osteoarthritis in individuals with obesity: a patient-centered approach
No full textPhysical activity (PA) plays a vital role in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management. However, engaging individuals with KOA in regular exercise is challenging, especially when they are affected by obesity. The aim of the current review is to elucidate how to increase adherence to exercise in this population. When implementing a PA program with patients with KOA and obesity, a specific multi-step approach can be adopted. In phase I (the baseline assessment), the patients' eligibility for exercise is ascertained and a physical fitness assessment, sarcopenic obesity screening and quantification of the pain experienced are undertaken. Phase II adopts a patient-centered approach in implementing a PA program that combines an active lifestyle (>6000 steps/day) with land- or water-based exercise programs performed over eight to twelve weeks, with a frequency of three to five sessions per week, each lasting 60 min. In phase III, several strategies can be used to increase the patients' adherence to higher levels of PA, including the following: (i) personalizing PA goal-setting and real-time monitoring; (ii) enhancing physical fitness and the management of sarcopenic obesity; (iii) building a sustainable environment and a supportive social network for an active lifestyle; and (iv) reducing pain, which can ameliorate the clinical severity of KOA and help with weight management in this population
The Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Disordered Eating Among Adult Athletes in Italy and Lebanon
No full textBackground/Objectives: Disordered eating (DE) is a wide-spectrum condition, represented by altered eating patterns, behaviors, and attitudes aimed at controlling food intake, body weight, and shape, which does not necessarily satisfy the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder of clinical severity. DE is frequently reported among athletes, but its prevalence and associated factors have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we intended to assess the prevalence of DE among adult athletes from different sports disciplines in Italy and Lebanon and to identify the factors associated with DE. Methods. A validated questionnaire (Eating Attitude Test [EAT-26]) was administered to determine the prevalence of DE, which was indicated by a score ≥ 17. Sport-related information, such as the type of sport, level of competition, training volume, and years of athletic experience, was also collected. Results: Among the total sample of 881 athletes, 78 were identified as having DE, with a prevalence of 6.1% (7.8% of females and 4.9% of males) in Italian athletes and 21.3% (27.3% of females and 17.0% of males) in Lebanese athletes. In addition, among male athletes, the risk of having DE was more than threefold in those practicing weightlifting or bodybuilding (odds ratio [OR] = 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–10.08, and p < 0.05), while females with more athletic experience had almost 10% less risk of having DE (OR = 0.92; 95%CI = 0.86–0.98, and p < 0.05). Conclusions: DE is a prevalent condition among athletes. Therefore, it is crucial that sports federations and committees consider adopting standardized practical guidelines that focus on routinely screening for the early identification of DE in this population and implementing strategies for its timely management. In the future, longitudinal studies are also needed to clarify the impact of DE on athletes’ clinical condition as well as their physical fitness and sports performance
The Effect of Sports Activities on Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Children and Adolescents: a Systematic Narrative Review
No full textBackgroundThe main traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are difficulties in social communication and interactions. Autism is frequently related to motor impairments. In the last decades, to develop and promote the social and motor skills of autistic people, several sports training programmes have been designed. In the present systematic narrative review, we aimed at providing an overview of studies evaluating the effectiveness of these sports training programmes to synthesize their strengths and weaknesses.MethodTo formulate the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, the PICO protocol was used. The PRISMA protocol was applied to four databases for the search strategy. 30 papers were reviewed, and their main features were tabulated and critically discussed.ResultsFindings highlighted that 8 types of sports were applied to autistic individuals and that the majority of them were focused on two individual sports (i.e., swimming and horseback riding). In sum, findings revealed that sports training programmes provided positive benefits both on motor/social skills as well as on autistic traits (e.g., repetitive behaviours) and individual functioning. The narrative synthesis revealed also that future studies should enroll more autistic females and preschoolers. To encourage the social inclusion of autistic individuals, a group of typically developing peers should be involved in future sports training programmes.DiscussionIn conclusion, professionals trained on autistic traits and knowledgeable in the target sport are required; consultations with the autistic community as guidance for designing novel sports training programmes are recommended
Sviluppo di un calibro funzionale per il controllo in linea di componenti motociclistici in Ducati Motor Holding SpA
No full textSi è voluto concretizzare lo studio della normativa GPS e GD&T e dimostrarne l'efficacia della filosofia di progettazione con la rivisitazione di alcuni disegni tecnici proponendo la specificazione funzionale. Per completare la trattazione, in base alle modifiche apportate ai disegni, si è deciso di progettare una dima di controllo per il collaudo in linea, e quindi rapido, dei codici sceltireservedEmbargo permanente per motivi di segretezza e/o di proprietà dei risultati e informazioni di enti esterni o aziende private che hanno partecipato alla realizzazione del lavoro di ricerca relativo alla tes
Reference values of erythroblasts of umbilical cord blood: analysis of results.
No full textReference values of erythroblasts of umbilical cord blood: analysis of results
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