The construction of housing for low-income people, produced from domestic timber (VIS-M), is an important alternative to be included in the choice menu for solving the housing shortage. Uruguay is beginning to have an important amount of sawtimber, a material suitable and internationally used for housing, but that is not usually among the population preferences. Moreover, the supply chain responsible for producing that material is still incipient, and developing the necessary skills takes time. The main objective of this research work is to characterize the VIS-M Supply Chain, seeking to prospect the future behavior of its critical factors, as well as the demands for training and research, in order to improve its performance. The Delphi technique was used to obtain the perception of key people from of different supply chain members. Delphi may be characterized as a method for structuring a group communication process so that the process is effective in allowing a group of individuals, as a whole, to deal with a complex problem. The main conclusions of this study were: (a) the VIS-M supply chain will develop in the future, but slowly; (b) the level of acceptance of VIS-M will increase in the optimistic and realistic scenarios, but it is expected to be low in the pessimistic scenario; (c) the need for training was pointed out for all stakeholders, in particular the necessity of sharing the knowledge that already exists; (d) some demands were identified, including standardization, performance evaluation, protocols for use and maintenance, and for technology for processing wood (sawing and preservation), which will impact the durability of VIS-M. In turn, standardization and performance evaluation will impact heavily the supply chain, the availability of funding, and the defense of consumer rights; and the integration of the production chain will affect the optimization of resources, by a more efficient and rational use, with impacts on the cost of VIS-M. / La construcción de viviendas de interés social, producidas con maderas nacionales (VIS-M) resulta una opción importante a incluir en el menú de ofertas para atender al déficit habitacional. Uruguay empieza a disponer de gran cantidad de madera aserrable, un material apto e internacionalmente utilizado para la construcción de viviendas, pero que no figura en principio entre las preferencias de la población. Por otra parte, la cadena productiva encargada de producirlas, es aún incipiente, y desarrollar las capacidades necesarias demanda tiempo. El objetivo central de este trabajo, es caracterizar la Cadena Productiva de VIS-M, buscando identificar y prospectar el comportamiento futuro de sus factores críticos, así como las demandas de capacitación y de investigación destinadas al mejor desempeño de la misma. La prospección se realizó mediante el método Delphi, método que puede ser caracterizado como una técnica para estructurar un proceso de comunicación grupal, buscando identificar las convergencias de opiniones de especialistas y destacar consensos sobre cuestiones concretas, mediante cuestionarios interactivos sucesivos, que aseguran el anonimato de las respuestas. Las principales conclusiones del trabajo fueron: (a) que se espera el desarrollo futuro de la cadena productiva de VIS-M, aunque este será lento; (b) que en los escenarios optimista y tendencial, es esperable una mejora (de baja a media) en la aceptación por parte de la sociedad uruguaya de las VIS-M como una alternativa válida para sus hogares; c) se observó la necesidad de capacitación para todos los actores, en particular la necesidad de socializar los conocimientos que ya existen; (d) se identificaron demandas por normalización y evaluación de desempeño, por protocolos de uso y mantenimiento, y por tecnología para procesar maderas (aserrado y preservación) que impactarán en la durabilidad de las VIS-M. Por su parte, la normalización y evaluación de desempeño impactará fuertemente en el encadenamiento productivo, en la existencia de financiamiento y en la defensa de los derechos del consumidor; y la integración de la cadena productiva incidirá en la optimización de los recursos, mediante un uso más eficiente y racional, con su incidencia en el costo de la VIS-M.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:42:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Esta dissertação aborda um estudo sobre algoritmos matemáticos (Método da Variância, Método das Imagens, Método do Gradiente (MG), WCT - Wavelet Covariance Transform), os quais possibilitam a obtenção da altura máxima da Camada Limite Planetária (CLP) a partir de dados fornecidos por um sistema lidar. Em um primeiro momento será descrita a CLP e as suas principais variáveis, assim como também os métodos juntamente com os seus pontos positivos e negativos. Em seguida serão abordadas duas situações de medida: a primeira consiste em um estudo de casos realizado na cidade de Vitória-ES, para o qual foram escolhidas três situações típicas (calmaria, presença de subcamadas de aerossóis e/ou camadas de nuvens e turbulência) em que os métodos foram: testados, comparados entre si, com a análise visual do perfil e o BRN (Bulk Richardsons Number); a segunda situação aborda uma medida feita na cidade de São Paulo-SP durante um período de 12 horas contínuas, sendo o grande diferencial deste experimento, o lançamento de radiossondas dentro de intervalos de 3 horas, isso aliado a utilização de modelagem WRF (Weather Research Forecasting) permitiu uma maior comparação e validação dos dados. A partir dos estudos de casos foi possível observar que com o aumento da complexidade do perfil apresentado pela atmosfera, há um decréscimo na qualidade dos resultados apresentados pelos métodos e um aumento no tempo de processamento, já que há necessidade de um maior refinamento nos parâmetros que serão utilizados. Nas situações de \"calmaria\"o perfil da atmosfera se mostra mais simplificado, o que facilita a escolha de qual método utilizar, sendo que com exceção da Variância, todos os outros métodos forneceram resultados satisfatórios. Para o caso de \"presença de subcamadas de aerossóis e/ou nuvens\"a qualidade dos resultados apresentados pelos métodos decai sendo exceção da Variânci, uma vez que esta passa a apresentar resultados mais próximos do esperado devido ao aumento na complexidade do sinal lidar. Na situação caracterizada como \"turbulência\", todos os métodos passam a apresentar maiores dificuldades para detectar corretamente a CLP, sendo que o WCT se mostra o mais robusto, porém exige uma complexa escolha de parâmetros, demandando um alto tempo de processamento. Na medida de 12 horas contínuas todos os métodos conseguem representar satisfatoriamente a ascensão e o decaimento da CLP, ficando as maiores divergências para o meio do dia, principalmente quando há dispersão dos aerossóis gerando atenuação no sinal, com isso os métodos mais sensíveis (MG e Método das Imagens) passam a apresentar várias oscilações, dificultando a detecção do topo da CLP. As análises realizadas permitiram observar as vantagens e desvantagens de cada método, assim como descobrir qual possui o uso mais indicado para cada cenário meteorológico, sendo o algoritmo WCT o mais robusto em todas as situações apresentadas. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / A avaliação dos sistemas de fornecimento de energia para o futuro é da maior importância para se obter informações sobre o potencial de impacto ambiental dos vários estágios do ciclo de vida das tecnologias inovadoras, determinando as vantagens competitivas sobre as tecnologias convencionais e para o desenvolvimento de cenários futuros. Este trabalho apresenta e caracteriza os tipos de pilhas combustíveis de média e baixa temperatura mais pesquisadas e comercializadas nos últimos anos. Realiza-se também a apresentação da avaliação do impacto ambiental dos principais materiais utilizados nas pilhas a combustível, considerando as fases de fabricação, operação e disposição final após o término da vida útil. São apresentados vários dados de LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) efetuados para alguns tipos de pilhas. O trabalho efetuou uma contribuição ao estudo da avaliação de impacto ambiental das pilhas a combustível de média e baixa temperatura utilizando a metodologia Delphi. Foi construído um questionário e um banco de dados para formação do conjunto de respondentes que participaram da pesquisa. Eles receberam o questionário na primeira rodada e o responderam. Depois receberam novamente o questionário em conjunto com as respostas obtidas na primeira etapa, para nova rodada de respostas. Ao final o estudo verifica se ocorreu aumento de consenso e a influência dos respondentes mais qualificados sobre os menos qualificados. Os resultados mostraram que os respondentes acreditam numa redução do impacto ambiental das pilhas. O mais surpreendente é que os respondentes acreditam que os catalisadores do grupo PGM Podem ser substituídos. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Various local and international neonatal nursing organisations have identified the dire need for a comprehensive administrative database reflecting the true status of neonatal intensive care practice in South Africa. This would enable neonatal interest groups to give input into policy-making; implement, monitor, and evaluate policies; identify particular needs to be addressed by quality improvement initiatives or projects; and to promote international benchmarking. The overall aim of this study was to determine the content of an administrative neonatal database instrument to enhance delivery of the highest quality nursing care to ill and highrisk neonates nationwide. The specific research objectives of this study were to describe and refine the content of such an instrument. This was achieved by using two consensus research methods, the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and the Delphi method. For the NGT session representatives of organisations such as NNASA, SANITSA, SANC and The National Department of Health as well as trained neonatal nurses from both public and private sector hospitals were invited. Five participants attended the NGT session. An electronic format of the Delphi method, the e-Delphi, was used and included the participants from the NGT as well as additional unit managers, paediatricians and neonatologists. By the end of the third round of the e-Delphi method, six participants had fully participated. Through both phases data collection and analysis took place simultaneously. Based on the analysis, a draft instrument for data collection was compiled. This instrument will in the near future be piloted on a larger scale. / Dissertation (MCur)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Nursing Science / MCur / Unrestricted

[ES] La agricultura española se encuentra en un momento estratégico para convertirse en un sector que lidere el desarrollo hacia un nuevo modelo socioeconómico más emprendedor y sostenible. Esta tesis trata de ser una aproximación al entendimiento del fenómeno del emprendimiento agrario, pese a que todavía es un campo de estudio joven, con el objetivo de fomentarlo. Para ello, se ha realizado una triangulación de metodologías cualitativas y cuantitativas que analizan de manera integral la complejidad del fenómeno emprendedor en este contexto; desde la propia figura del emprendedor, las características de la empresa y el ecosistema que los engloba. Los resultados indican que existen acciones de mejora en cuanto a la autopercepción de los emprendedores agrarios, su formación empresarial y las redes que tienen con otros emprendedores, así como potenciar sus valores positivos hacia el emprendimiento. En cuanto a los componentes del ecosistema, es importante facilitar el acceso al mercado, a través de la financiación y mitigando los problemas estructurales y regulativos del sector, así como el éxodo rural puede tener un impacto para la retención de recursos necesarios. La innovación en nuevos productos con mayor valor añadido y la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías son claves para mejorar las iniciativas emprendedoras agrarias. / [CA] La agricultura espanyola es troba en un moment estratègic per convertir-se en un sector que lidere un desenvolupament a un nou model socioeconòmic més emprenedor i sostenible. Aquesta tesi tracta de ser una aproximació a l'enteniment del fenòmen de l'emprendiment agrari, encara que es tracta d'un camp d'estudi jove, amb l'objectiu de fomentar-lo. Per a aquesta finalitat, s'ha realitzat una triangulació de metodologies qualitatives i quantitativas que analitzen integralment la complexitat del fenòmen emprenedor en aquest context; des de la pròpia figura de l'emprenedor, les característiques de l'empresa i l'ecosistema que els engloba. Els resultats indiquen que hi ha accions de millora en quan a l'autopercepció dels emprenedors agraris, la seua formació empresarial i les nexes que tenen amb altres emprenedors, així com potenciar els seus valors positius cap a l'emprenedoria. En quant als components de l'ecosistema, és important facilitar l'accés al mercat, mitjançant el finançament i mitigant els problemes estructurals i regulatius del sector, així com l'èxit rural, que pot tenir un impacte en la retenció de recursos necessaris. La innovació en nous productes amb major valor afegit i la incorporació de noves tecnologies son clau per millorar les iniciatives emprenedores agràries. / [EN] Spanish agriculture has a opportunity to become a strategic sector to foster a new, more entrepreneurial and sustainable socio-economic model. This research aims to approach agricultural entrepreneurship phenomenon with the aim of promoting it, despite the fact that it is still a young field of study, to this end, qualitative and quantitative methodologies triangulation has been made in order to comprehensively analyse the complexity of the entrepreneurial process in this context; from the figure of the entrepreneur, the company characteristics and the ecosystem that encompasses them. The results indicate that there are actions for improvement regarding the self-perception of agricultural entrepreneurs, their business training and their networks with other entrepreneurs, as well as enhancing their positive values towards entrepreneurship. Regarding the ecosystem components, it is important to facilitate market access, through financing and mitigating the structural and regulatory problems of the sector, as well as the rural exodus, due to necessary resource retention. Innovation in new products with greater added value and new technologies incorporation is key to improving agricultural entrepreneurial initiatives. / Ferrándiz Molina, J. (2021). Caracterización del emprendimiento agrario en España y análisis de su ecosistema. Identificación de retos y oportunidades [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/171598 / TESIS

This master thesis deals with acquisitions in academic libraries. It briefly outlines the characteristics of universities and describes the acquisition process and other related issues. Content analysis of foreign literature maps acquisitions in academic libraries abroad. Literature review is combined with a case study in the European University Institute. The research of the current acquisition practice in Czech academic libraries was done using the Delphi method. The conclusion of this thesis is dedicated to the summary and comparison of the information gained from the literature review, the case study and the research. Key problems and trends in academic acquisitions are formulated.

In recent publications it is questioned whether the existing wastewater management system is suitable for future requirements. The today’s wastewater infrastructure is a complex socio-technical system characterized by centralization, very long life-spans and sunk costs. Thus, it appears questionable whether this system is suitable against the background of a context of dynamic conditions as demographic change, climate change and the emerging requirements in terms of sustainability. This paper adds a contribution to the growing body of literature on prospective waste water management systems. Focusing on long term developments this paper aims to build up scenario-modules towards the year 2050. Our approach combines three methodologies which appear to be suitable with each other, namely the method of explorative scenario development, a modified Delphi method and content analysis. As the waste water sector is a very complex system with various impact factors which are characterized by high dynamics and strong uncertainty the scenario technique appears as an appropriate method. Within the scenario building process a modified Delphi method had been applied to generate the input for the scenario-modules. Key drivers and uncertainties in the field of waste water management were identified by interviewing 16 experts who are scientists or practitioners in the waste water sector. The interviews had been transliterated and then evaluated by using the content analysis approach. Afterwards scenario-modules were derived which provide a basis for further procedure towards complete scenarios for future wastewater infrastructure.

No description available.

Introduction: Due to potentially severe sequelae (impaired growth, condylar resorption, and ankylosis) early diagnosis of chronic rheumatic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and timely onset of therapy are essential. Aim: Owing to very limited evidence the aim of the study was to identify and discuss controversial topics in the guideline development to promote further focused research. Methods: Through a systematic literature search, 394 out of 3771 publications were included in a German interdisciplinary guideline draft. Two workgroups (1: oral and maxillofacial surgery, 2: interdisciplinary) voted on 77 recommendations/statements, in 2 independent anonymized and blinded consensus phases (Delphi process). Results: The voting results were relatively homogenous, except for a greater proportion of abstentions amongst the interdisciplinary group (p < 0.001). Eighty four percent of recommendations/statements were approved in the first round, 89% with strong consensus. Fourteen recommendations/statements (18.2%) required a prolonged consensus phase and further discussion. Discussion: Contrast-enhanced MRI was confirmed as the method of choice for the diagnosis of TMJ arthritis. Intraarticular corticosteroid injection is to be limited to therapy refractory cases and single injection only. In adults, alloplastic joint replacement is preferable to autologous replacement. In children/adolescents, autologous reconstruction may be performed lacking viable alternatives. Alloplastic options are currently still considered experimental.

<p>  </p> <p>This research evaluates Kidney Health Initiative's (KHI)   four kidney replacement therapy (KRT) technology priority groups in the roadmap:</p> <p>1) Literature review of technology citations for each of the four KHI priority groups for safety and efficacy data with a patient centered focus. Additionally, the incorporation and integration of KHI minimum technical design criteria in six areas into the development process.</p> <p>2) Clinical PICO analysis of the critical clinical outcomes that the discovery and innovation from the specific technology priority group addresses</p> <p>3) Critical evaluation of KRT technologies on patients with ESKD by expert clinicians and scientists in KRT through Delphi method with targeted questionnaires</p>