scholarly journals Fighting with the Lernean Hydra: Greek Humanitarian Crisis Enters Worst-Case Scenario. Comment on: Joseph, L.; Ismail, S.A.; Gunst, M.; Jarman, K.; Prior, D.; Harris, M.; Abbara, A. A Qualitative Research Study Which Explores Humanitarian Stakeholders’ Views on Healthcare Access for Refugees in Greece. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6972

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8253
Author(s):  
Ourania S. Kotsiou ◽  
Panagiotis Kotsios ◽  
Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis ◽  
Vaios Kotsios
Keyword(s):  
Research Study ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Shed Light

Liz Joseph and collaborators shed light upon the real challenges of securing health during the Greek humanitarian crisis from the point of view of the key stakeholders in healthcare access, reflecting the need to reform a range of different contexts and types of humanitarian response [...]

scholarly journals A Qualitative Research Study Which Explores Humanitarian Stakeholders’ Views on Healthcare Access for Refugees in Greece

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Joseph ◽  
Sharif A. Ismail ◽  
Meghan Gunst ◽  
Kate Jarman ◽  
Dina Prior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Key Stakeholders

Introduction: As of January 2020, 115,600 refugees remain in Greece; most are Afghani, Iraqi or Syrian nationals. This qualitative research study explores the views of key stakeholders providing healthcare for refugees in Greece between 2015 and 2018. The focus was on identifying key barriers and facilitators to healthcare access for refugees in Greece. Methods: 16 interviewees from humanitarian and international organisations operating in Greece were identified through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and April 2018. Data were analysed using the Framework Method. Results: Key themes affecting healthcare access included the influence of socio-cultural factors (healthcare expectations, language, gender) and the ability of the Greek health system to respond to existing and evolving demands; these included Greece’s ongoing economic crisis, human resource shortages, weak primary healthcare system, legal barriers and logistics. The evolution of the humanitarian response from emergency to sustained changes to EU funding, coordination and comprehensiveness of services affected healthcare access for refugees. Conclusion: The most noted barriers cited by humanitarian stakeholders to healthcare access for refugees in Greece were socio-cultural and language differences between refugees and healthcare providers and poor coordination among stakeholders. Policies and interventions which address these could improve healthcare access for refugees in Greece with coordination led by the EU.

Initial Price Strategies of Polish Micro and Small Enterprises

2017 ◽  
pp. 126-143
Author(s):  
Mariusz Maciejczak ◽  
Adrian Słodki
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
The Game Theory ◽  
Real Market ◽  
And Performance

The sector of micro, small and medium size enterprises is important for any economy. It is important also for Poland. Analyzing the industrial organization of this sector it was confirmed that the owners and managers of such companies are applying strategies, which are rational from their point of view, but not from the perspective of real market conditions. It is argued therefore that the game theory is for them a solution in enhancing competences and performance of their organizations. Based on randomized sample of Polish micro and small companies the paper aimed to find out if the managers apply the game theory rationales when choosing price strategy when enter the market. It was confirmed that they do not and that they don't play Nash equilibrium in the strategic interaction when it comes to the price level. There was applied maxmin strategy, which maximises the worst - case scenario from the game. Thus there is a real chance that if entrepreneurs would analyze the situation with respect of game theory, their strategies would be more accurate and provide better outcomes.

scholarly journals The UV surface habitability of Proxima b: first experiments revealing probable life survival to stellar flares

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. L69-L74 ◽  
Author(s):  
X C Abrevaya ◽  
M Leitzinger ◽  
O J Oppezzo ◽  
P Odert ◽  
M R Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Uv Shielding ◽  
High Fluences ◽  
Stellar Flares ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Very High

ABSTRACT We use a new interdisciplinary approach to study the UV surface habitability of Proxima b under quiescent and flaring stellar conditions. We assumed planetary atmospheric compositions based on CO2 and N2 and surface pressures from 100 to 5000 mbar. Our results show that the combination of these atmospheric compositions and pressures provide enough shielding from the most damaging UV wavelengths, expanding the ‘UV-protective’ planetary atmospheric compositions beyond ozone. Additionally, we show that the UV radiation reaching the surface of Proxima b during quiescent conditions would be negligible from the biological point of view, even without an atmosphere. Given that high UV fluxes could challenge the existence of life, then, we experimentally tested the effect that flares would have on microorganisms in a ‘worst case scenario’ (no UV-shielding). Our results show the impact that a typical flare and a superflare would have on life: when microorganisms receive very high fluences of UVC, such as those expected to reach the surface of Proxima b after a typical flare or a superflare, a fraction of the population is able to survive. Our study suggests that life could cope with highly UV irradiated environments in exoplanets under conditions that cannot be found on Earth.

COVID-19: WHAT PEDIATRICIANS LEARNED ABOUT PECULIARITIES OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO A NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION AFTER YEAR OF FIGHTING IT

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 32-51
Author(s):  
L.S. Namazova-Baranova ◽  
◽  
A.A. Baranov ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Body ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
The World ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
The Impact

A year ago, the world heard about an outbreak of a new severe coronavirus infection in China, which later, after its rapid spread across the globe, WHO defined as a pandemic. Pediatricians, of course, expected the worst-case scenario and mass illness of the most vulnerable patients – children and people of older age groups with a new infectious disease. From the immunological point of view, everything is obvious – the new pathogen is most dangerous for those who have not yet formed a defense against it, or for those with weakened defense. But it quickly became clear that, unlike, for example, a flu pandemic, there is an unexpected situation when adults, including elderly and senile patients, become seriously ill and die, and children remain practically outside the spread of the infectious process. During a year of living «in a new reality», not only physicians, but all of humanity learned to respond to a new infectious challenge, empirically looking for possible therapeutic or diagnostic interventions and at the same time trying to plan and implement scientific research that would help shed light on the questions posed. For the first time, the international medical community united to perform serious clinical trials of drugs that were proposed for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. As a result of actions of scientists and clinicians around the world, answers to some questions were obtained, however, most of the information on the impact of the new coronavirus on the human body, including children, is still unavailable to medical practitioners. The review presents latest data on the causative agent of the new coronavirus infection, its effect on the body of children and adults, describes peculiarities of immune response to the new virus, and outlines basic principles of managing such patients in real clinical practice.

scholarly journals When Mobiles Go Media: Relational Affordances and Present-to-Hand Digital Devices

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Best
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract: This article argues that the reasons people adopt—or resist adopting—media capabilities on their mobile devices are largely concerned with their experience of control over technology. In particular, the ever-present, ready-to-hand nature of media on mobile devices plays a strong role in establishing and mediating these relationships of control. To substantiate this argument, I draw on findings from a qualitative research study undertaken of Canadian users of digital screen devices. This work is significant not only in helping us to understand why certain technologies fail to catch on, but also to shed light on our continued concerns about technology. These concerns may be voiced as worries about our needs, our pleasures, our identity or our status, but they boil down to our ability to feel in control of our technologies.Résumé : Cet article soutient que les raisons pour lesquelles les gens adoptent–ou résistent à adopter de nouvelles fonctions sur leurs appareils mobiles ont grandement trait à leurs expériences de contrôle par rapport à la technologie. En particulier, le fait que ces fonctions soient toujours à portée de la main joue un rôle important dans l’établissement et la médiation de ces rapports de contrôle. Pour appuyer mon argument, j’ai recours aux résultats d’une étude quantitative portant sur des utilisateurs canadiens d’appareils comportant des écrans numériques. Cette étude est signifiante non seulement parce qu’elle nous aide à comprendre pourquoi certaines technologies sont des échecs commerciaux, mais aussi parce qu’elle peut nous éclairer sur nos préoccupations à l’égard des technologies. Ces soucis peuvent se manifester comme des inquiétudes par rapport à nos besoins, nos plaisirs, notre identité ou notre statut, mais au fond ils ont souvent trait à notre habileté à contrôler ces technologies.

scholarly journals Dynamic analysis using finite elements to calculate the critical wear section of the contact wire in suburban railway overhead conductor rails

2008 ◽  
Vol 222 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
F J Gonzalez ◽  
J A Chover ◽  
B Suarez ◽  
M Vazquez
Keyword(s):  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Maximum Tensile Stress ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Contact Wire ◽  
Wear Process ◽  
The Wire

The purpose of this study is to determine the critical wear levels of the contact wire of the catenary on metropolitan lines. The study has focussed on the zones of contact wire where localized wear is produced, normally associated with the appearance of electric arcs. To this end, a finite element model has been developed to study the dynamics of pantograph—catenary interaction. The model includes a zone of localized wear and a singularity in the contact wire in order to simulate the worst case scenario from the point of view of stresses. In order to consider the different stages in the wire wear process, different depths and widths of the localized wear zone were defined. The results of the dynamic simulations performed for each stage of wear let the area of the minimum resistant section of the contact wire be determined for which stresses are greater than the allowable stress. The maximum tensile stress reached in the contact wire shows a clear sensitivity to the size of the local wear zone, defined by its width and depth. In this way, if the wear measurements taken with an overhead line-recording vehicle are analysed, it will be possible to calculate the potential breakage risk of the wire. A strong dependence of the tensile forces of the contact wire has also been observed. These results will allow priorities to be set for replacing the most critical sections of wire, thereby making maintenance much more efficient. The results obtained show that the wire replacement criteria currently borne in mind have turned out to be appropriate, although in some wear scenarios these criteria could be adjusted even more, and so prolong the life cycle of the contact wire.

scholarly journals Determination of the Area Affected by Agricultural Burning

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel F. Prato ◽  
Jose I. Huertas
Keyword(s):  
Burning Rate ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Area Source ◽  
Influence Area ◽  
Agricultural Burning ◽  
Area Of Influence

Agricultural burning is still a common practice around the world. It is associated with the high emission of air pollutants, including short-term climate change forcing pollutants such as black carbon and PM2.5. The legal requirements to start any regulatory actions to control them is the identification of its area of influence. However, this task is challenging from the experimental and modeling point of view, since it is a short-term event with a moving area source of pollutants. In this work, we assessed this agricultural burning influence-area using the US Environmental authorities recommended air dispersion model (AERMOD). We considered different sizes and geometries of burning areas located on flat terrains, and several crops burning under the worst-case scenario of meteorological conditions. The influence area was determined as the largest area where the short-term concentrations of pollutants (1 h or one day) exceed the local air quality standards. We found that this area is a band around the burning area whose size increases with the burning rate but not with its size. Finally, we suggested alternatives of public policy to regulate this activity, which is based on limiting the burning-rate in the way that no existing households remain inside the resulting influence-area. However, this policy should be understood as a transition towards a policy that forbids agricultural burning.

Impact of Oil Additive Characteristics on Biofuel Engine Wear Using Electron Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 798 ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
Panyakorn Rungsritanapaisan ◽  
Preechar Karin ◽  
Dhritti Tanprayoon ◽  
Ruangdaj Tongsri ◽  
Katsunori Hanamura
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Engine Wear

Soot particles are produced during combustion process in the diesel engine. These particles will later exhaust into the thermosphere and part of them will contaminate the engine oil. When the lubricant is contaminated with soot, diesel engine abrasion or in a worst-case scenario lubricant starvation occurs. This situation will eventually lead into engine ware. High volume of soot also raises acid level of the area. If this state co-occurs with high temperature of the engine and volatile gases during operation, engine corrosion may also be produced. This research study the effect of additive volume on the dispersion of soot in engine oil and effect of additive on size and volume of soot which affect to mechanism of ware in metal by tribology four-ball tester, image analysis by scanning electron microscope and particle size analysis by laser diffraction technique.

Stakeholder Management (Donald Getz)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Getz
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Privately Owned

This chapter presents concepts and principles for stakeholder manage- ment in a time of crisis, and how stakeholder management is an essential part of recovery and resilience. Definitions, stakeholder theory, case studies and practical advice for event stakeholder management has been provided in the book Event Stakeholders by Mathilda van Niekerk and Donald Getz (2019). However, it was written before the 2020 pandemic and did not specifically address crisis management. A number of interviews and case studies have been incorporated in this book, reflecting the views of experts in a wide range of event settings and types. The interviewees were asked to comment on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the events sector, from their perspectives, on actions taken and plans for recovery, and on the key stakeholders for recovery and building resilience. A summary of the interviews and case studies is contained in the final chapter. While not all crises are as serious as the pandemic, 2020 generally being seen as a worst-case scenario, this material is valuable in shedding light on any form of crisis facing events, and in particular on the vital roles played by internal and external stakeholders. Who or what is a stakeholder? For a privately owned event, owners and direct investors are the shareholders, while stakeholders can broadly be defined as persons or organizations that have something to gain or lose by the actions of the event. They might have an investment in an event, or a perceived interest. An investment can be tangible or intangible. For example, tangible investments can be in the form of being a marketing or logistical partner, supplier, volunteer, paid employee, sponsor or other type of participant. Communities, cities and destinations invest in events and consider themselves to be important stakeholders, their investments being both tangible (e.g., money, venues, marketing, other services) or intangible (e.g., moral and political support, attendance, or – at a minimum – tolerance).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document