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Information was collected on existing mesonets, potential evapotranspiration networks, and stakeholder needs, in support of a comprehensive feasibility study for a Texas statewide evapotranspiration network. This report summarizes the data and information collected from interviews and online resources regarding the purpose, design, operation, and value of these mesonets. It analyzes existing network data within Texas and evaluates the costs and benefits associated with operating a more comprehensive or integrated network. Finally, it presents options for a sustainable Texas mesonet based on successes elsewhere and the specific needs and resources of Texas. A mesonet here refers to a set of weather stations designed to detect and monitor weather phenomena ranging in size from several miles to hundreds of miles (the "mesoscale"). Such disturbances include flooding and thunderstorms (i.e. convective precipitation), high winds, droughts, and heatwaves. Instruments may be located as high as 10 m above the ground, and stations are generally located to avoid influences from urban landscapes, irrigation, forests, and large bodies of water. This report restricts the term mesonet to networks that serve a variety of needs or stakeholders. ET (Evapotranspiration) networks differ in both their objectives and measurements. Their objective is to determine the atmospheric demand for water evaporation and transpiration from land covered by a well-watered reference crop – either alfalfa or clipped grass. Such data is valuable for irrigation scheduling for agricultural production and for improving efficiencies in landscape watering for homes and businesses. ET networks use specific instruments often at 2 m heights sited well within a homogenous field of a well-maintained reference crop. Requirements of growers and stakeholders often drive the siting and spacing. An ET network has a particular specialized use while a mesonet is more of a multi-purpose network. Many existing mesonets in other states were originally established for agricultural purposes, while others were established in support of public safety. Most have been in operation for an average of twenty years and by now serve a broad range of sectors and constituencies. In Texas, there are three mesonets that serve a variety of purposes: the West Texas Mesonet, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Hydromet Network, and the TexMesonet. There is one dedicated ET network, the TexasET Network, and there are numerous other single-purpose networks. All surveyed mesonets and ET networks measure air temperature, relative humidity, wind, and precipitation. Solar radiation is measured at all stations in the TexasET and TexMesonet networks, but only partially in the other two networks. In addition, many also measure soil temperature and soil moisture at a variety of subsurface levels as well as wind or temperature at multiple above-ground levels. Data transmission from individual stations is predominantly by cellular network. Users access the data via web sites, text alerts, apps, and through retransmission of data to larger aggregation networks such as the Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System, the National Mesonet Program, and MesoWest. Most mesonets quality control their data to either World Meteorological Organization or National Weather Service standards. Individual startup costs range from $6,200 to $25,000 per station, and network maintenance and operating costs range from $1,600 to $6,000 per station. Differences in cost largely reflect differences in instrumentation and maintenance needs. Maintenance costs for ET stations can be high due to irrigation infrastructure and land management required to maintain the reference grasses. Staffing needs depend on the mix of employees and outside contractors; labor-intensive tasks include station, instrumentation, and communication maintenance, calibration, product development, and administration. The benefits gained from fully functional ET networks are substantial. Analyses of benefits of existing ET networks find typical water savings of several inches per year on irrigated cropland, implying potential water savings exceeding one million acre-feet per year within the agriculture sector alone. Overall, the potential economic return on investment is substantial, with one study estimating it at 20:1. Mesonet business models range from comprehensive centralized networks with fully integrated operations to secondhand aggregators of data from existing networks. Most of the successful networks examined in this report operate on a partnership model with some centralized tasks and funding and some tasks and funding shouldered at the local level. Nearly all mesonets function through university or multi-university partnerships. In most cases, data is free of charge. In Texas, an appropriate model would be a consortium model, consisting of the Texas Water Development Board, universities such as Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas, and other statewide or regional stakeholders/operators such as the the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, Lower Colorado River Authority and the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas. Additional stakeholder participation can be formalized through an advisory board. Successful mesonets elsewhere have avoided challenges which can potentially lead to failure of the network, including: 1. lacking an overall network vision; 2. failing to properly engage potential stakeholders; 3. misdiagnosing local needs; 4. lacking diversification in revenue streams; 5. not fully exploring potential government partners; 6. not properly budgeting for maintenance costs; understaffing; 7. lacking data and metadata standards; 8. insufficient communications infrastructure; and 9. not providing reliable web/automated dissemination of data. ; Texas Water Development Board

Der Theaterwissenschaftler Manfred Brauneck erhielt 2010 den Balzan-Preis für seine umfassenden Forschungen zur Geschichte des Theaters in all seinen Ausdrucksformen. Gemäß den Statuten stiftete er die Hälfte des Preisgeldes einem Forschungsprojekt für Nachwuchswissenschaftler_innen und realisierte so zusammen mit dem ITI-Zentrum ein groß angelegtes Projekt, das sich mit der Rolle des freien Theaters im europäischen Theater der Gegenwart befasste. Das daraus entstandene Buch stellt Studien vor, die sich zum einen auf inhaltliche Schwerpunkte beziehen (Osteuropa, Migration, Postmoderne) und zum anderen theatrale Ausdrucksformen in den Blick nehmen (Tanz und Performance, Musiktheater, Kinder- und Jugendtheater). In seinem Vorwort legt Manfred Brauneck die Basis für alle in der Publikation angesiedelten Studien, indem er neben einer Einführung in die Begriffsproblematik 'Freies Theater'auch einen Überblick über Formen und Entstehung des freien Theaters seit den 1960er-Jahren gibt. Er widmet sich darin ebenso den bekanntesten Avantgardegrößen des 20.Jahrhunderts, die sich selbst noch nicht als Akteur_innen des freien Theaters bezeichneten, aber aufgrund ihrer nicht-institutionalisierten Produktions- und Arbeitsweisen dazuzurechnen sind. In der ersten Studie Für eine Topologie der Praktiken widmet sich die Choreographin und Philosophin Petra Sabisch vor allem statistisch gestützten Untersuchungen zur sozioökonomischen Arbeits- und Lebenssituation freier Künstler_innen im Bereich der experimentellen Tanz- und Performancekunst und deren kulturpolitischen Rahmenbedingungen. Ihre Bestandsaufnahme macht auf gravierende Missstände aufmerksam: Allgemein verzeichnen Kunstschaffende einen Einkommensverlust von 30 bis 40 Prozent im Vergleich zu den Vorjahren und Frauen verdienen noch einmal 30 bis 40 Prozent weniger als ihre männlichen Kollegen. Ein solches Ungleichgewicht ist nicht nur in der Theaterarbeit zu verzeichnen, sondern auch in der vorliegenden Publikation, da viele Beiträge entweder gar nicht oder nur sporadisch gendern. Nach einer sehr umfangreichen und detaillierten Auflistung aller Studien, Materialien und Beiträge, die es zum Thema gibt, kommt Sabisch auf die künstlerischen Praktiken zu sprechen, auf die sich ihre Untersuchung bezieht. Doch es bleibt unklar, was diese Praktiken nun bedeuten, auch wenn sie sehr anschaulich beschrieben sind. Selbst in den vorangestellten Erklärungen zur Methodik der Studie findet sich keine klare Verortung. Andrea Hensels Untersuchung Das Freie Theater in den postsozialistischen Staaten Osturopas beschäftigt sich anhand exemplarischer Produktionen mit der Entwicklung des Theaters jenseits institutioneller Einrichtungen sowie mit den Rahmenbedingungen der freien Theaterarbeit. Zunächst nimmt Hensel eine geopolitische Unterscheidung zwischen den ehemaligen sozialistischen Volksrepubliken, den postjugoslawischen und den postsowjetischen Staaten vor. Es folgt ein Exkurs in den Bereich des Tanzes. Dabei konstatiert die Autorin, dass trotz ähnlicher politischer Entwicklungen seit dem Umbruch von 1989 sehr unterschiedliche Entwicklungen in der jeweiligen länderspezifischen Theaterszene zu verzeichnen sind. Zum Beispiel gab es durch die Sonderstellung Ungarns in den sozialistischen Republiken schon seit den 1960er-Jahren einen internationalen Austausch der Theaterszene sowie unabhängige Festivals. Seit 2010 hat der derzeitige Ministerpräsident Victor Orbàn diesen Entwicklungen erfolgreich entgegengearbeitet, hat massive Budgetkürzungen im freien Sektor vorgenommen und ausschließlich 'staatliche' (staatstreue) Intendanten an die Spitze von Theatereinrichtungen gesetzt. In Rumänien sah die Entwicklung anders aus, da unter der staatlichen Repression keine freie Theaterszene entstehen konnte und es erst seit den 1990er-Jahren langsam zur Formierung freier Künstler_innen und Kollektive kam. Auch innerhalb der postjugoslawischen Staaten beobachtet Hensel ganz unterschiedlichen Entstehungsprozesse der freien Szene. Ähnlich verhält es sich mit den postsozialistischen Staaten, wobei die Autorin hier auf die interessante Erschaffung des Novaya Drama eingeht, eine Art Theater, das sich als Mischform zwischen dem deutschen Dokumentartheater der 1960er-Jahre und dem britischen In-Yer-Face-Theatre versteht, indem es dokumentarisches Material sammelt, künstlerisch bearbeitet, zerschneidet und neu zusammensetzt. Eine Gruppe, die diese Ästhetik praktiziert, ist u. a. das regimekritische teatr.doc, das jedoch zunehmend Repressionen durch das derzeitige politische System in Russland erfährt. Das Produzieren in einem freien Kontext gestaltet sich in den untersuchten Ländern ebenfalls sehr unterschiedlich, aber allen ist gleich, dass die Produktions- und Präsentationsbedingungen der freien Gruppen und Künstler_innen prekär bleiben. Sie arbeiten überwiegend ohne eigene Spielstätte, müssen einen hohen administrativen Aufwand betreiben und sind immer noch oder erneut mit staatlicher Repression und ökonomischen Restriktionen konfrontiert. Der Dramaturg und Kulturforscher Hennig Fülle konzentriert sich in seinem Beitrag Theater für die Postmoderne in den Theaterlandschaften Westeuropas vor allem auf die verschiedenen Dimensionen postmoderner Theaterkunst und bezieht sich dafür auf die programmatische Publikationsreihe Theaterschrift, die von 1992 bis 1998 in 13 Ausgaben von einem Netzwerk europäischer Produktions- und Koproduktionsnetzwerke herausgeben wurde. Mit "independent theatre" (das er dem Begriff des "Freien Theaters" vorzieht) bezeichnet Fülle die seit den 1960er/70er-Jahren forschende Theaterkunst für ein heutiges Publikum, die auf ihre Zeit und den Zeitgeist bezogen ist und immer die gegenwärtige Wahrnehmung von Welt behandelt. Er beschreibt neue Ansätze in der Szenografie, in der Musik, zitiert Marianne van Kerkhovens Aufsatz über den Dramaturgen des neuen Theaters und beschreibt das Konzept des neuen Schauspielers, von dem nun mehr als nur die bis dato benötigte technische Qualifikation gewünscht wird. Dabei benennt Fülle zwei Ansätze bzw. Strömungen, die aus einem Impuls zur zeitgenössischen Erneuerung des Theaters entstanden sind: Zum einen beschreibt er Künstler_innen, die auf gesellschaftliche, politische oder kulturelle Entwicklungen reagieren und zum anderen Ansätze einer "kunstimmanenten" ästhetischen Forschung. Im Sinne einer immerwährenden Suche nach sich verändernden künstlerischen Haltungen gibt er mit Beispielen von SIGNA oder machinaEx einen Einblick in die Gegenwart von Kunstformen, die über den Kanon des postmodernen Theaters als kritische Kunst der Wahrnehmung hinausweisen. In ihrer Studie Theater und Migration versammelt Azadeh Sharifi neben einer Untersuchung darüber, wie artists of color allgemein in den künstlerischen Szenen der europäischen Länder eingebunden und repräsentiert sind, Gruppen, Künstler_innen und Projekte, die in diesem Sinne positiven Einfluss auf den Theaterdiskurs genommen haben, wie u.a. das Ballhaus Naunynstraße, Nurkan Erpulats Verrücktes Blut, Jonas Hassen Khemiris dramatisches Schreiben, God's Entertainments Interventionen im öffentlichen Raum oder auch das WUK Wien und die ehemalige Garage X in Wien. Sharifi untersucht anhand von Beispielen wie dem Roma-Theater, dem deutsch-sorbischen Volkstheater oder dem Jüdischen Theater Berlin, das Selbstrepräsentation ermöglichende Theater für Minderheiten, in Abgrenzung zu einem migrantischem Theater, dessen Thema vielmehr die Differenz in der Gesellschaft ist. Insgesamt liest sich die Studie schon etwas veraltet, weil es inzwischen – und das nicht nur durch die Besetzung Shermin Langhoffs als Intendantin des Maxim-Gorki-Theaters – zahlreiche Entwicklungen in der deutschen Theaterlandschaft gibt, die den defizitären Beschäftigungsverhältnissen migrantischer Künstler_innen durch Arbeistverträge an staatlich subventionierten Häusern entgegenzuwirken versuchen. In ihrer Untersuchung Freies Kindertheater in Europa seit 1990 unternimmt die Autorin Tine Koch den Versuch, Entwicklungen, Potentiale und Perspektiven innerhalb des zeitgenössischen europäischen Kindertheaters nachzuzeichnen. Darin beschreibt sie zum einen, dass die Grenzen zwischen dem Erwachsenen-, Kinder- und Jugendtheater verwischen und die Generationenräume fließender werden, dass es vermehrt Tendenzen zu genre- und disziplinübergreifenden Arbeiten gibt, Kinder zunehmend als Partner in künstlerischen Produktionen aktiv werden und die Allerkleinsten als Zielgruppe im Kindertheater entdeckt wurden. Sie unterscheidet nach Carmen Mörsch zwischen einem affirmativen Ansatz des Kindertheaters, der als Generierung der zukünftigen Zuschauer_innengeneration im Stadttheater anzutreffen ist und dem kritisch-dekonstruktiven und transformativen Ansatz der freien Kindertheaterszene, der die gesellschaftliche Emanzipation fördert. Sehr interessant lesen sich ihre Ausführungen über die sogenannte "arts education", die unterschieden wird in "education through the art" (extrinsisch, Bildung durch das Kunstanschauen) und "education in the arts" (intrinsisch, ästhetische Erfahrung). Dabei ist ihre Conclusio, dass zunehmend Wert auf "education through the arts" gelegt wird, nämlich den Erwerb von Schlüsselkompetenzen durch kulturelle Bildung, um das Zielpublikum auf zukünftige gesellschaftliche Erwartungen (u. a. am Arbeitsmarkt) vorzubereiten. Die Erfahrungen, die Kinder nur für sich innerhalb eines Kunsterlebens machen können und sollen, geraten zunehmend in den Hintergrund. Die durch die UNESCO festgelegten Qualitätsparameter für kulturelle Bildungsprozesse (Teamwork, lokaler Kontext, prozessorientiertes Arbeiten auf Basis künstlerisch-kreativer Recherchen) sind aufgrund der zunehmenden finanziellen Unterversorgung des freien Kindertheaters nicht mehr sicherzustellen. Mit Spielarten des freien Musiktheaters in Europa beschäftigt sich Mattias Rebstock, der die nur unzulängliche Sichtbarkeit der freien Musiktheaterszene damit erklärt, das bisher keine Studien dazu existieren, es keine empirischen Untersuchungen zu Akteur_innen oder Publikum gibt, keine Verbandstätigkeit vorliegt und allenfalls eine sporadische internationale Vernetzung zu verzeichnen ist. Dieser Bereich muss als zusammenhängendes Forschungsfeld erst erschlossen werden. In seinem Beitrag versucht Rebstock Ansätze zu formulieren, wie man das Feld des freien Musiktheaters in Europa kartographieren könnte. U. a. bezieht er sich dabei auf Diskurse wie die small scale operas, Opernbearbeitungen, neue Oper/neues Musiktheater, das musikalisierte Theater und das szenisch/inszenierte Konzert. Insgesamt verschafft die vorliegende Publikation einen sehr umfassenden Einblick in die Entwicklung des freien Theaters vor dem Hintergrund der sich seit Beginn der 1990er-Jahre vollziehenden Strukturveränderungen der Theaterlandschaft in Europa. Und es ist ein großer Verdienst der Herausgeber_innen und Autor_innen, dass darin den unterschiedlichen Spielarten zeitgenössischer künstlerischer Ausdrucksformen in gleichem Maße Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt wird.

1.1 Background Bangladesh has made commendable progress in domestic food production through public investments in agricultural research and extension, public and private investments in irrigation, and liberalization of agricultural input markets. In the early 1970s, Bangladesh was a food-deficit country with a population of about 75 million people. Today, the population has more than doubled, and the country is nearly self-sufficient in rice production, which has tripled over the past three decades. However, Bangladesh's performance in improving child and maternal nutrition has been less satisfactory. Despite its success in reducing child stunting, the rate of stunting in Bangladesh (36 percent in 2014) remains high (NIPORT 2015). Bangladesh also continues to struggle with deficiencies in micronutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A. Such deficiencies reflect poor diets that are rice-dominated, monotonous, and lacking diversity (Ahmed et al. 2013). Anemia (in part due to iron deficiency) is estimated to affect 26 percent of nonpregnant, non-lactating women, whereas 42 percent suffer from iodine deficiency. About 28 percent women of reproductive age are underweight (NIPORT 2015). In preschool children, the rates of anemia, iodine, and vitamin A deficiencies are 33 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent, respectively (ICDDR,B 2013). Therefore, government policies and strategies underscore the importance of strengthening the linkage between agriculture and nutrition. Agriculture provides a source of food and nutrients, contributes to income, and affects food prices. Exploring agriculture and nutrition linkages in Bangladesh using data from a multi-round district level panel, a study finds that rice yields are associated with earlier introduction of complementary foods to young children, as well as increases in their weight-for-height (Heady and Hoddinott 2016). Agriculture can also have effects on women's health, nutrition, empowerment and time allocation, which can have important consequences for their ability to care for family members. Given these links, agriculture has the potential to be a strong driver of nutrition. However, that potential is not being fully realized in Bangladesh because, traditionally, nutrition and agricultural policies have been uncoordinated. Low status of women and gender gaps in health and education contribute to chronic child undernutrition (Smith et al. 2003) and food insecurity (von Grebmer et al. 2009), even when other determinants of food security, such as per capita incomes, improve. According to an IFPRI study, women are key actors within the food system, but are historically disempowered in Bangladesh in terms of leadership in the community, control of resources, and control of income (Sraboni, Quisumbing, and Ahmed 2014a). The lack of women's empowerment weakens the links between agriculture and nutrition. Despite increases in 2 women's participation in agriculture in Bangladesh in recent years (Asaduzzaman 2010), women face persistent obstacles, particularly due to social and economic constraints, which limit their further inclusion in agriculture. Women have limited control over agricultural assets, as well as limited mobility to go to markets to sell agricultural produce, often relying on husbands and sons to take produce to market. 1.2 Motivation for the Study IFPRI research in Bangladesh, using data from a nationally representative household survey conducted by IFPRI, reveals that women's empowerment plays a key role in improving household food security and dietary diversity of children, women, and other household members (Sraboni et al. 2014b; Malapit et al. 2015). The study also shows that agricultural production diversity is associated with dietary diversity (Sraboni et al. 2014b). Further, IFPRI research in Bangladesh shows that nutrition behavior change communication (BCC) training imparted to women and men in rural households leads to significant improvements in child nutrition and complementary feeding practices (Ahmed et al. 2016; Menon et al. 2016). Motivated by research-based evidence, IFPRI researchers developed a concept note to strengthen the agriculture-nutrition-gender nexus in Bangladesh and presented it to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in June 2014. Based on the concept note, an inter-ministerial committee of the Government of Bangladesh approved a pilot research project entitled, "Orienting Agriculture Toward Improved Nutrition and Women's Empowerment", also known as "Agriculture, Nutrition, and Gender Linkages"(ANGeL), for implementation by the MOA, with technical assistance from IFPRI and Helen Keller International (HKI), and an evaluation led by IFPRI. The Minister of Agriculture officially launched the pilot project in October 2015. The project is jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and USAID. 1.3 The Baseline Report As part of the evaluation of the ANGeL Project, IFPRI carried out a baseline survey of project participants and a comparison group of households just before the start of project interventions. This report presents the results of the ANGeL baseline survey. It is organized in nine sections. Section 2 describes the salient features of the ANGeL Project. Section 3 presents the progress of the ANGeL Project to date. Section 4 describes the baseline survey. Section 5 gives a profile of the survey households. Section 6 provides the land tenure status of sample households and findings on agricultural production and practices. Section 7 presents patterns of food consumption and nutrition. Section 8 provides findings on women's empowerment. Section 9 summarizes the main findings and provides conclusions. ; Non-PR ; IFPRI1; CRP4 ; PHND; A4NH ; CGIAR Research Programs on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH)

The study of the analysis of the artisanal chili hot sauce production and marketing was undertaken to assess the current status and performance of the artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers in the National Capital Region. This area was chosen to be the area of study because the area abounds with several food establishments that cater to a wide number of food enthusiast as well as artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers. The study generally intends to describe and analyze the status, practices, problems and prospects of the arsenal chili hot sauce manufacturers in NCR. It specifically aims to: 1) present the profile of the manufacturers in artisanal chili hot sauce 2) discuss the production and marketing practices and identify the problems and issues they encounter. 3) Identify the investment opportunities related to artisanal chili hot sauce and 4) formulate recommendations to address the identified problems and prospects to promote artisanal chili hot sauce. Consumers believe that when something is labelled ?artisan? it means that the product was lovingly and expertly made by hand, and the food item was made or processed using a machine. Hand-made or artisanal, therefore denotes that the product is of high quality. The study used a descriptive research design to illustrate and describe their status and performance. A total of five entrepreneurs engaged in artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing were interviewed. Michael Porter?s framework was used to analyze the competitive forces and their relative strength at work. In addition, the dominant economic traits, key success factors contributing to the competitive success of the key players and the manufacturers? strength, weaknesses and threats were also identified. The artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers were found to be relatively young mostly late 20?s to mid-30. The main motivation they engage in the businesses is their personal interest. It was also observed that majority of the businesses were informal in nature (i.e. not registered) since artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing as still a growing industry is not yet fully developed. The businesses are relatively new with their number of years existence ranging from one to three years. Artisanal chili hot sauce are made in small batches either by hand or by means of traditional methods, The average annual production varied depending on market demand and availability of materials. Being the primary ingredient used in hot sauce making, chilies were sourced fresh from the farm and were selected based on their excellent quality. Artisanal chili hot sauce making did not require the use of large machineries but also a stove and a food processor. The manufacturers of artisanal chili hot sauce priced their product based on the cost of materials used and customer demand. Majority of the respondents sold their products to institutional buyers such as restaurants and retail outlets or specialty stores based on NCR. Products were also sold directly institutional buyers such as restaurants and retail outlets or specialty stores based on NCR products were also sold directly to households or end consumers who made orders online through social networking sites. The internet was found to also play a big part in their promotion and entice the manufacturers to reach a wide market. From Michael Porter?s framework, it was found out that the artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing sector in NCR was found with threat or new entrants due to the low capital requirement of the business. Bargaining power of supplier was high because the supply of chilies was low. Meanwhile, the bargaining power of buyers was low because the manufacturers decide on the pricing of the product. The threat of new substitutes was high because consumers may easily shifted to commercially make hot sauces that were readily available in the market and were much cheaper. Lastly, the intensity of rivalry was relatively low because the manufacturers catered to a specific area and to particular clients. The key success factors in the business were identified. These were the use of high-quality ingredients and the skill needed in making the hot sauce. It was also observed that consistency in the production was key to the taste of the hot sauce. Cost and return analysis showed the low cost of inputs resulted to high net profit. There was 82.22% return of investment derived which was based on the survey conducted. However, using secondary data, the return on investment was 51.5%. In both cases, the artisanal chili hot sauce business proved to be profitable. The issues and problems were determined and were found to be interrelated with one another. Problems identified in relation to the production aspect were the lack of government support, limited supply of chilies, and low production of hot sauce. On the other hand, the marketing problems were lack of distribution points and of market information. To effectively address the problems, recommendations were formulated for government institution and enterprises. It is recommended for the government institutions to provide a mapping of chili production in the Philippines, conduct technical assistance such as food safety and good manufacturing practices and organize bazaars and trade fairs. Lastly it was recommended that enterprises perform intensive promotional activities to make potential buyers aware of artisanal chili hot sauce, and to collaborate with food establishments so that artisanal chili hot sauce will be a part of their new food offering.

The study of the analysis of the artisanal chili hot sauce production and marketing was undertaken to assess the current status and performance of the artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers in the National Capital Region. This area was chosen to be the area of study because the area abounds with several food establishments that cater to a wide number of food enthusiast as well as artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers. The study generally intends to describe and analyze the status, practices, problems and prospects of the arsenal chili hot sauce manufacturers in NCR. It specifically aims to: 1) present the profile of the manufacturers in artisanal chili hot sauce 2) discuss the production and marketing practices and identify the problems and issues they encounter. 3) Identify the investment opportunities related to artisanal chili hot sauce and 4) formulate recommendations to address the identified problems and prospects to promote artisanal chili hot sauce. Consumers believe that when something is labelled ?artisan? it means that the product was lovingly and expertly made by hand, and the food item was made or processed using a machine. Hand-made or artisanal, therefore denotes that the product is of high quality. The study used a descriptive research design to illustrate and describe their status and performance. A total of five entrepreneurs engaged in artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing were interviewed. Michael Porter?s framework was used to analyze the competitive forces and their relative strength at work. In addition, the dominant economic traits, key success factors contributing to the competitive success of the key players and the manufacturers? strength, weaknesses and threats were also identified. The artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturers were found to be relatively young mostly late 20?s to mid-30. The main motivation they engage in the businesses is their personal interest. It was also observed that majority of the businesses were informal in nature (i.e. not registered) since artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing as still a growing industry is not yet fully developed. The businesses are relatively new with their number of years existence ranging from one to three years. Artisanal chili hot sauce are made in small batches either by hand or by means of traditional methods, The average annual production varied depending on market demand and availability of materials. Being the primary ingredient used in hot sauce making, chilies were sourced fresh from the farm and were selected based on their excellent quality. Artisanal chili hot sauce making did not require the use of large machineries but also a stove and a food processor. The manufacturers of artisanal chili hot sauce priced their product based on the cost of materials used and customer demand. Majority of the respondents sold their products to institutional buyers such as restaurants and retail outlets or specialty stores based on NCR. Products were also sold directly institutional buyers such as restaurants and retail outlets or specialty stores based on NCR products were also sold directly to households or end consumers who made orders online through social networking sites. The internet was found to also play a big part in their promotion and entice the manufacturers to reach a wide market. From Michael Porter?s framework, it was found out that the artisanal chili hot sauce manufacturing sector in NCR was found with threat or new entrants due to the low capital requirement of the business. Bargaining power of supplier was high because the supply of chilies was low. Meanwhile, the bargaining power of buyers was low because the manufacturers decide on the pricing of the product. The threat of new substitutes was high because consumers may easily shifted to commercially make hot sauces that were readily available in the market and were much cheaper. Lastly, the intensity of rivalry was relatively low because the manufacturers catered to a specific area and to particular clients. The key success factors in the business were identified. These were the use of high-quality ingredients and the skill needed in making the hot sauce. It was also observed that consistency in the production was key to the taste of the hot sauce. Cost and return analysis showed the low cost of inputs resulted to high net profit. There was 82.22% return of investment derived which was based on the survey conducted. However, using secondary data, the return on investment was 51.5%. In both cases, the artisanal chili hot sauce business proved to be profitable. The issues and problems were determined and were found to be interrelated with one another. Problems identified in relation to the production aspect were the lack of government support, limited supply of chilies, and low production of hot sauce. On the other hand, the marketing problems were lack of distribution points and of market information. To effectively address the problems, recommendations were formulated for government institution and enterprises. It is recommended for the government institutions to provide a mapping of chili production in the Philippines, conduct technical assistance such as food safety and good manufacturing practices and organize bazaars and trade fairs. Lastly it was recommended that enterprises perform intensive promotional activities to make potential buyers aware of artisanal chili hot sauce, and to collaborate with food establishments so that artisanal chili hot sauce will be a part of their new food offering.

Evaluating the Role of Sanitation in Improving Child Health and Nutrition: Does it Matter and Can We Make it Count?bySumeet Rajshekhar PatilDoctor of Philosophy in EpidemiologyUniversity of California, BerkeleyProfessor John M. Colford, Jr., ChairPoor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and behaviors are believed to be the major contributors to the worldwide burden of diarrheal diseases and parasite infections; the second most leading cause of deaths among children under 5 years of age in developing and under-developed countries. India alone accounts for a third of those without improved sanitation (814 million), nearly 60% of those who practice open defecation (626 million), 25% of the world's deaths from diarrheal diseases among children under 5 years of age and approximately one third of the stunted children globally. Compared to this staggering burden of poor WASH in India, research on which WASH interventions are efficacious is limited particularly on sanitation. This dissertation seeks to bridge some of the gaps in sanitation public health research by answering following three questions.Does India's Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) – one of the largest rural sanitation program in the world – deliver the hypothesized health benefits of improved sanitation to pre-school age children in India? I use a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the TSC in terms of prevalence of diarrhea, highly credible gastrointestinal infections, parasitic infections, anemia and child growth in terms of age adjusted height, weight and arm circumference. The sample consists of 5239 children under the age of 5 years from 80 villages in Dhar and Kargone districts of Madhya Pradesh state. I find that while the TSC almost doubled the coverage of private toilets (41% in the intervention group vs. 19% in the control group), the relative reduction in the open defecation rate was small and remained high in absolute magnitude (73% in the intervention group vs. 83% in the control group). Possibly due to inadequate reduction in open defecation levels, the TSC did not improve health of children under the age of 5 years in terms of above health outcome indicators. Can the private toilet coverage increase substantially by reducing the price of the toilets through subsidies? Subsidies are a cornerstone of India's TSC to increase private toilet coverage however little is known whether and to what extend these subsidies can increase the toilet coverage. I estimate the arc price elasticity of demand for private toilets using the data from the TSC trial in Madhya Pradesh. Taking advantage of variation in the level of subsidies offered by the Government of Madhya Pradesh to build private toilets, I find that the price elasticity of toilet demand is 0.91 so that if the price of a private toilet is reduced from ₹18000 to ₹6000 as per the new sanitation program norms in India, the private toilet coverage in rural India can increase from 30% (as per Census 2011 data) to 80%. However, using data from another experimental efficacy trial in Odisha of a pilot sanitation program that consisted of intensive behavior change, I find that the price elasticity is 0.26 and statistically not different from 0. The findings provide an evidence that the demand for private toilets is inelastic and reducing the price of toilets through subsidies may not be enough to increase the toilet coverage. Whether the built toilets be used regularly resulting in drastic reductions in open defecation levels, and whether this reduction in open defecation will result in improved health outcomes for children still remain unanswered.What are the importance of risk factors including owning a private toilet in explaining linear growth faltering among children aged 6-24 months? I propose and apply a variable importance analysis method using SuperLearner –– a machine learning based ensemble algorithm –– to objectively and non-parametrically model the relationship between HAZ and 51 risk factors related to child nutrition, pre- and post-natal care, mothers' health and nutrition, household socioeconomics, and water and sanitation. I also apply a new estimator called Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimator to estimate the magnitude and standard error of variable importance measures. I apply the proposed method the nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey data from India as a case study application. Subject to the available data and model limitations, I find that the following are main risk factors for stunting: mother of short stature (< 145 centimeter height); child not fed as per the WHO recommended guidelines; boiling drinking water; and children second or later in the birth order. I find that access to private sanitation explained -0.09 Z loss in HAZ which is a much smaller importance than above variables. However, the importance of sanitation may be underestimated because access to private toilet is an underestimate or poor indicator of reduction in open defecation or the reduction in exposure to enteric pathogens in the community.I conclude my dissertation by underlying the need for more evidence based advocacy, design and implementation of sanitation programs than what was done over the past 20 years, and flag some of the important consideration in design of future studies based on the insights gained in developing this dissertation.

Geološka građa terena kao podloga bojnoga polja može biti iznimno važan čimbenik za uspjeh ili neuspjeh vojne operacije. Utjecaj geološke građe bojnoga polja kod belgijskoga grada Ypresa pokazao se kao važan, a možda i presudan čimbenik za neuspjeh ofenzivnih operacija postrojbi sila Antante protiv postrojbi Njemačkoga Carstva 1917. godine. Geološka građa bojišta, odnosno donjoeocenske gline koje se nalaze na površini terena kao podloga bojnoga polja kod Ypresa u interakciji s meteorološkim uvjetima (oborine) pokazala se kao izrazito nepovoljna za utvrđivanje, kretanje, paljbu i manevar svih postrojbi, a pogotovo oklopnih postrojbi koje su uporno usmjeravane na teško prohodne taktičke pravce. Zbog odabira nepovoljnoga i teško prohodnoga terena, odnosno smjera napada, britanska vojska imala je gubitak raspoloživoga borbenog potencijala, a posebno je izostao učinak oklopnih snaga tijekom bitke. Ukupni gubitci sila Antante iznosili su 448 000 mrtvih, ranjenih, oboljelih, zarobljenih i nestalih, a strateški cilj nije bio ostvaren. Sile Atante 1917. godine u 3. bitci kod Ypresa nisu uspjele multiplicirati borbenu učinkovitost kroz sinergiju djelovanja rodova i grana na bojištu. Uzrok je loše planiranje, priprema i provedba vojne operacije, odnosno loše zapovijedanje i nadzor kroz zapovjedni lanac od feldmaršala Douglasa Heiga naniže, što uključuje i lošu procjenu utjecaja terena – bojnoga polja na provedbu vojne operacije. Feldmaršal Douglas Heig tijekom 3. bitke kod Ypresa uporno je nastavljao napadati protivnika na istome pravcu i na istome terenu na kojemu je već pretrpio neuspjeh. Zbog toga su sile Antante propustile angažirati cjelokupnu borbenu moć na najučinkovitiji način na prohodnome terenu. Geološka podloga bojnoga polja, odnosno glineni pokrivač pokazao se kao problem za kretanje i manevar oklopništva, topništva i pješaštva, ali i konjaništva kao roda oružanih snaga u 1. svjetskom ratu. Glineni pokrivač utjecao je izrazito negativno na transport (logistiku) kamionima i konjskim zapregama. Gusta hidrografska mreža (kanali, potoci i rijeke) dodatna su prepreka svim rodovima, a posebno oklopnim postrojbama. Topnička paljba suprotstavljenih vojski stvorila je niz kratera u mekanoj, glinovitoj podlozi, a i znatno je oštetila cestovnu infrastrukturu. Uz navedeno izostao je i efekt iznenađenja uslijed višednevnoga uvodnog bombardiranja. Izrada rovova u glini pokazala se kao velik problem, jer je dolazilo do urušavanja rovova zbog jaružanja i tečenja. Rovovi su za kišna vremena stalno bili natopljeni vodom i blatom, te je život i rad u takvoj sredini uzrokovao različite vrste bolesti kod britanskih vojnika, od kojih je najčešća bolest takozvanih "rovovskih stopalaˮ koja je mogla dovesti i do amputacije nožnih prstiju. Sve navedeno otvara pitanje eventualnoga povoljnijeg smjera napada. U radu su ponuđeni drugi mogući taktički pravci koji su s vojnogeografskoga i vojnogeološkoga gledišta bolje rješenje za postizanje strateškoga cilja koji je bio postavljan pred zapovjednike država sila Antante uoči početka 3. bitke kod Ypresa 1917. godine. S vojnogeološkoga gledišta povoljniji bi smjer napada bio, umjesto preko glinene podloge sjeverno kod Ypresa, preko vapnenačke ravnice istočno od Arrasa, gdje je u podlozi vapnenac koji se već pokazao kao dobra podloga za tenkove u bitci kod Arrasa u travnju 1917. godine i Cambrea 20. studenoga 1917. godine. Učinak topničke vatre po ciljevima na vapnenačkoj podlozi bio bi učinkovitiji, jer tvrda podloga povećava radijus i učinak fragmenata granate uz dodatni ubojiti učinak odlomljenih oštrih fragmenata stijene. Vapnenačka bi podloga olakšala inženjeriji popravak oštećenih cesta ili izradu novih, te bi olakšala kretanje snaga i opskrbu prednjih linija. Na smjeru glavnoga napora sile Antante imale bi u prvoj etapi, u odlučujućoj točki bitke, povoljniju geološku podlogu, a u drugoj etapi, pri kretanju i manevru prema Ghentu i nizozemskoj granici imale bi povoljniji raspored hidrografske mreže nego u području Ypresa, jer rijeke Lys, Schelde i Dendre čine taktičku pregradu, odnosno štite bokove snaga na tome smjeru napada. Na vapnenačkoj podlozi, ako se radi o ravnome terenu, znatno su veći izgledi za uspješnu provedbu ofenzivne vojne operacije nego na glinenoj podlozi, te bi sile Antante na drugim, tenkoprohodnim vojnogeografskim pravcima vjerojatno uspjele multiplicirati borbenu učinkovitost kroz sinergiju djelovanja različitih rodova oružanih snaga na bojištu, što bi u konačnici povećalo mogućnost britanske vojske da ostvari zadani strateški cilj. ; Geological structure of the terrain as a ground for a battlefield could be a significant factor for the success or failure of a military operation. The geology of the Belgian town of Ypres was an important, maybe even crucial factor, of the failure of the WWI Allied Powers offensive military operations against German Axis forces in 1917. The Early Eocene clays found at the ground surface at Ypres, coupled with excess precipitation, turned out to be utterly inappropriate for the fortification, movement, fighting and manoeuvring of all military units, especially the armoured units that were directed towards hardly passable routes. With selecting the unsuitable and hardly passable terrain, that is the direction of the attack, the British army had losses of the available combat potential and armoured forces were ineffective during the battle. The total number of Allied casualties was 448,000 dead, wounded, imprisoned and missing. This paper offers other possible solutions that would, from a military geographic and military geological viewpoint, have made a better solution for achieving the strategic goal required by the Allies on the eve of the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917.

The aim of this article is to find out the logic of modern sociocultural environment within a historical process (in the context of A. Giddens', U. Beck's, P. Sztompka's and Z. Bauman's researches). The article deals with a history as a process of permanent learning, and the era of modernity is interpreted as the radicalization of this process. A history of the human community constitutes itself through the constant reproduction and changing of social practices. Each society should be understood as a process, which models of social life are being internalizing, externalizing and changing. So the learning could be described as a fundamental mechanism of social history. The phenomenon of learning means the practice of productive sociocultural creativity. The learning solves the social life problems: it tends to overcome unfeasibility, incoherence and imperfection of social life. Thereby a history as the learning process is directed to increase the human control over the natural and mental environments. Therefore discovering of the modern epoch's specificity as a situation of dynamicity, changeability, plurality, globality of social practices allows to assert that the learning is the engine of social life in contemporaneity. Moreover the life in the era of modernity should be understood as a radical learning. The situation of posttraditionalization and loss of identity requires sociocultural activity so that a society could stably keep the historical course. Such a radical learning, activity could be understood in the modernity as «colonization of the future», in other words as the social trust and the rationalization. Problems of social life in the era of modernity are overcoming by means of the trust and rationalization. In order to ensure control over the natural and the mental environments, an active modern humanity must always deal with the open future. That is to say with the risk and the uncertainty. The ontological security of posttraditional human could be restored only by «colonization of the future», as a necessary condition for further sociocultural construction of reality. In this way contemporary human's understanding of history and the era of modernity is a principal peculiarity of one's social life. It means that the continuity of contemporary social existence is made possible by pointed understanding. ; Метою даної розвідки є з'ясування логіки сучасного соціокультурного середовища в межах процесу історії (у контексті досліджень Е. Ґіденса, У. Бека, П. Штомпки та З. Баумана). У статті розглядається історія як процес перманентного навчання, а доба модерності осмислюється як радикалізація цього процесу. Виявлено, що історія людської спільноти улаштовує себе через постійну репродукцію та зміну соціальних практик. Відтак феномен навчання може бути окреслений як фундаментальний механізм історії суспільства. Адже будь-яка соціокультурна практика як навчання вирішує проблеми соціального життя: тяжіє до подолання його нереалістичності, некогерентності і недосконалості. З'ясовано, що у такий спосіб історія як процес навчання спрямована до все більшого контролю суспільства над природним та ментальним середовищами. Далі – розкриття специфіки модерної доби як ситуації динамічності, мінливості, множинності, ґлобальності соціальних практик дає змогу автору стверджувати, що навчання у сучасності є рушієм соціального життя. Більш того, життя у добу модерності слід розуміти як радикальне навчання. Адже ситуація посттрадиціоналізації і втрати ідентичностей вимагає соціокультурної активності для того, аби суспільство могло стабільно зберігати історичний плин. Таке радикальне навчання, активність можуть розумітися у модерності як «колонізація майбутнього», тобто як соціальна довіра і раціоналізація. Бауман З. (2008). Текучая современность. СПб.: Питер. Бойченко І. В. (2000). Філософія Історії. Київ: Знання. Бойченко М. (2015). Історичне становлення інституційних засад критичного мислення: економічний, релігійний, мистецький та віртуальний виміри. Філософія освіти. Philosophy of Education, 2 (17), 132-152. Бойченко М. І. (2011). Системний підхід у соціальному пізнанні: ціннісні та функціональні аспекти. К.: Промінь. Бойченко М. (2009). Цінності як категорія філософії освіти (соціально-філософський та філософсько-антропологічний ракурси). Філософія освіти. Philosophy of Education, 1-2 (8), 99–107. Гидденс Э. (2011). Последствия современности. М.: Издательская и консалтинговая группа «Праксис». Гидденс Э. (2005). Устроение общества: Очерк теории структурации. М.: Академический Проект. Ґіденс Е. (1999). Соціологія. К.: Основи. Ковалев Л. Д. (2000). Э. Гидденс: современный тип социологического теоретизирования. В: История теоретической социологии, в 4-х. т., Т.4. СПб.: РХГИ, 625-658. Мак-Ніл В. (2011). Піднесення Заходу. Історія людської спільноти. К.: Ніка-Центр. Пролеєв С. (2007). Репресивність освіти: вимушена необхідність чи владні зазіхання соціуму? Філософія освіти. Philosophy of Education, 1 (6), 17-27. Пролеєв С. (2014). «Суспільство знань» як антропологічна ситуація. Філософія освіти. Philosophy of Education, 1 (14), 7-24. Штомпка П. (2005). Социология. Анализ современного общества. М.: Логос. Штомпка П. (1996). Социология социальных изменений. М.: Аспект Пресс. Beck, U. & Beck-Gernsheim, E. (2002). Individualization: Institutionalized Individualism and its Social and Political Consequences. London: Sage. Beck, U., Bonss, W. & Lau, C. (2003). The Theory of Reflexive Modernization: Problematic, Hypotheses and Research Programme. Theory, Culture & Society, 20, 1-33. Giddens, A. (1994). Living in Post-Traditional Society. In: Beck U., Giddens A. & Lash S. Reflexive Modernization. Politics, Tradition and Aesthetics in the Modern Social Order. Stanford. CA: Standford University Press, 56-109. Giddens, A. (2002). Nowoczesność i tożsamość. "Ja" i społeczeństwo w epoce późnej nowoczesności. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.

The Maasai/Kikuyu agro-pastoral borderlands of Maiella and Enoosupukia, located in the hinterlands of Lake Naivasha's agro-industrial hub, are particularly notorious in the history of ethnicised violence in the Kenya's Rift Valley. In October 1993, an organised assault perpetrated by hundreds of Maasai vigilantes, with the assistance of game wardens and administration police, killed more than 20 farmers of Kikuyu descent. Consequently, thousands of migrant farmers were violently evicted from Enoosupukia at the instigation of leading local politicians. Nowadays, however, intercommunity relations are surprisingly peaceful and the cooperative use of natural resources is the rule rather than the exception. There seems to be a form of reorganization. Violence seems to be contained and the local economy has since recovered. This does not mean that there is no conflict, but people seem to have the facility to solve them peacefully. How did formerly violent conflicts develop into peaceful relations? How did competition turn into cooperation, facilitating changing land use? This dissertation explores the value of cross-cutting ties and local institutions in peaceful relationships and the non-violent resolution of conflicts across previously violently contested community boundaries. It mainly relies on ethnographic data collected between 2014 and 2015. The discussion therefore builds on several theoretical approaches in anthropology and the social sciences – that is, violent conflicts, cross-cutting ties and conflicting loyalties, joking relationships, peace and nonviolence, and institutions, in order to understand shared spaces that are experiencing fairly rapid social and economic changes, and characterised by conflict and coexistence. In the researched communities, cross-cutting ties and the split allegiances associated with them result from intermarriages, land transactions, trade, and friendship. By institutions, I refer to local peace committees, an attempt to standardise an aspect of customary law, and Nyumba Kumi, a strategy of anchoring community policing at the household level. In 2010, the state "implanted" these grassroots-level institutions and conferred on them the rights to handle specific conflicts and to prevent crime. I argue that the studied groups utilise diverse networks of relationships as adaptive responses to landlessness, poverty, and socio-political dynamics at the local level. Material and non-material exchanges and transfers accompany these social and economic ties and networks. In addition to being instrumental in nurturing a cohesive social fabric, I argue that such alliances could be thought of as strategies of appropriation of resources in the frontiers – areas that are considered to have immense agricultural potential and to be conducive to economic enterprise. Consequently, these areas are continuously changed and shaped through immigration, population growth, and agricultural intensification. However, cross-cutting ties and intergroup alliances may not necessarily prevent the occurrence or escalation of conflicts. Nevertheless, disputes and conflicts, which form part of the social order in the studied area, create the opportunities for locally contextualised systems of peace and non-violence that inculcate the values of cooperation, coexistence, and restraint from violence. Although the neo-traditional institutions (local peace committees and Nyumba Kumi) face massive complexities and lack the capacity to handle serious conflicts, their application of informal constraints in dispute resolution provides room for some optimism. Notably, the formation of ties and alliances between the studied groups, and the use of local norms and values to resolve disputes, are not new phenomena – they are reminiscent of historical patterns. Their persistence, particularly in the context of Kenya, indicates a form of historical continuity, which remains rather "undisturbed" despite the prevalence of ethnicised political economies. Indeed, the formation of alliances, which are driven by mutual pursuit of commodities (livestock, rental land, and agricultural produce), markets, and diversification, tends to override other identities. While the major thrust of social science literature in East Africa has focused on the search for root causes of violence, very little has been said about the conditions and practices of cooperation and non-violent conflict resolution. In addition, situations where prior violence turned into peaceful interaction have attracted little attention, though the analysis of such transitional phases holds the promise of contributing to applicable knowledge on conflict resolution. This study is part of a larger multidisciplinary project, "Resilience in East African Landscapes" (REAL), which is a Marie Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (ITN) project. The principal focus of this multidisciplinary project is to study past, present, and future thresholds and sustainable trajectories in human-landscape interactions in East Africa over the last millennia. While other individual projects focus on long-term ecosystem dynamics and societal interactions, my project examines human-landscape interactions in the present and the very recent past (i.e. the period in which events and processes were witnessed or can still be recalled by today's population). The transition from conflict to coexistence and from competition to cooperative use of previously violently contested land resources is understood here as enhancing adaptation in the face of social-political, economic, environmental, and climatic changes. This dissertation is therefore a contribution to new modes of resilience in human-landscape interactions after a collapse situation.

With the adjustment of the Slovenian legislation with the European one we have an obligation to increase the reuse and recycling target for municipal solid waste by up to 65% by 2030 and gradual limitation of the landfilling of municipal solid waste to 10% by 2030 (Directive 2008/98 on waste, 2015). This represents a major challenge for municipalities in Slovenia. This study contains a plan for establishing new waste treatment facility in the Municipality of XY. As all new constructions in Slovenia, the presented facility needs to provide all the environmental protective measures predicted by the legislation. Beside the legislation, it is also important to ensure that new waste treatment facilities will have a low or no effect on the environment. Based on the Environmental Protection Act and the Construction Act of Slovenia, measures to ensure long term monitoring of the waste treatment facility as a case study in the Municipality of XY are presented. Before constructing the new facility, the track of "baseline" – a one-year monitoring of the following environmental parameters was crucial: groundwater, air dust deposit, condition of the soil on the area where new facility will operate in the future. The thesis points out the importance of the so-called track "baseline" monitoring of environmental parameters before new waste treatment facility will operate. This will be the basis for the introduction of operating monitoring for the new waste treatment facility in the future. Data for the analysis of presence of pollutants were acquired from groundwater, air dust deposit, soil sampling and containment of chemical pollutants. The following methods of analysis were employed in the acquisition of laboratory results of specific physical and chemical parameters: ion chromatography, gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, titration, inductive coupled plasma – mass detector, measurement with an electrode. It was determined that in the period between 2011 and 2012, the groundwater samples taken from three drilled wells containing pollutants as for example in the P-2 well there were adsorbable organic halogens - AOX, boron and mineral oils found. The results of the dust deposit show increased value of lead and zinc. More concerning are analysis of the soil samples where the quantity of copper at the MM2 measuring point were 530mg/kg, on 20 April 2012 the present critical level was 300 mg/kg. At the same measuring point (MM2) on the same day, the value of zinc was 650 mg/kg and almost reached the critical level of 720 mg/kg. The levels of heavy metals as cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the soil samples taken at the MM2 and MM3 measuring points were at the warning level. All the detected parameters were evaluated and present a good basis for future operational monitoring of the environment in the area of the new waste treatment facility in the future. This case study has shown that planned steps in the improvement of the waste management in the Municipality of XY are crucial to protect the environment. The analysis and interpretation present an important basis for planning and monitoring a new waste treatment facility which will help to improve our goals and reduce landfilling to 10% and increace recycling by up to 65% by 2030 as predicted by the Directive on waste (Directive 2008/98 on waste, 2015). ; Tako v Sloveniji kot v Evropski uniji se je po nekaj letih ekonomske krize, ki je zajela celotno Evropo od leta 2008 in je trajala do 2012, količina nastalih komunalnih odpadkov povečala. Komunalni odpadki v državah članicah predstavljajo okoljski problem v smislu odstranjevanja, obdelave in odlaganja oziroma sežiganja. V letu 2008 je bila na ravni Evropske unije sprejeta Direktiva 2008/98 o ravnanju z odpadki v Evropski uniji, ki močno posega v ključni element obdelave in predelave odpadkov. Posega na področje nastajanja in končne obdelave odpadkov na odlagališča. Pri tem je spodbudila veliko razprav o vpeljevanju tako imenovanega krožnega gospodarjenja z odpadki, ki je bil leta 2015 z nekaj amandmaji vključen v navedeno Direktivo. Odpadek dobi novo dimenzijo in po sistematizaciji se pravilno zbran, tretiran in pripravljen odpadek pripravi za nadaljnjo uporabo. Potrebno je poudariti, da nova Direktiva predvideva enotne formularje za javljanje podatkov o količini zbranih, recikliranih in odloženih odpadkov iz vseh držav EU v enoten portal Evropske unije. Opredeljuje zmanjšanje količine odloženih odpadkov do leta 2030, kar nekako prisili države, ki zaostajajo za recikliranjem in večino odpadkov še vedno odlagajo na deponije odpadkov in s tem negativno vplivajo na okolje. Odlagališča predstavljajo posreden in neposreden vir negativnega vpliva na okolje. Zato moramo v Sloveniji zagotoviti več možnosti in kapacitet za zbiranje, sortiranje in obdelavo odpadkov po novih smernicah EU. V lokalni skupnosti XY, ki ima okoli 156.000 prebivalcev, od leta 2010 tečejo priprave na učinkovitejše ravnanje z odpadki. Občina je izdala koncesije za ravnanje z odpadki in ker ni bilo pričakovanih rezultatov, so konec leta z odlokom ustanovili lastno podjetje za ravnanje z odpadki in pričeli z aktivnostmi za izgradnjo novega obrata za obdelavo in predelavo odpadkov. Določena je bila lokacija in v skladu s pravilniki in zakonom so pričeli pregledovati stanje v okolju na lokaciji, s čimer so želeli ugotoviti, katere potencialno negativne vplive bo imel novi obrat za ravnaje z odpadki na okolje. Ker je lokacija na vodovarstvenem območju, so veliko pozornosti namenili ugotavljanju stanja podtalnice, ki obenem predstavlja vir vodne oskrbe za vse mesto. Tako so v času med avgustom 2011 in junijem 2012 izvedli naslednje meritve okoljskih parametrov ; stanje podtalnice, stanje zemljin na območju, stanje prašnih usedlin.

La presente publicación XXIX, número 2, de revista Persona y Sociedad, cuenta con cinco artículos y tres reseñas. En el primer artículo, titulado "Análisis crítico del concepto de valores absolutos relativamente absolutos", Isabel Ruiz-Gallardón se plantea analizar las tesis del profesor Pedro Schwartz sobre el concepto de 'valores absolutos relativamente absolutos', que fueran divulgadas en su ensayo En busca de Montesquieu. La democracia en peligro. En esta dirección, la autora "se plantea una reconsideración de la aplicación que realiza Schwartz del método hipotéticodeductivo de Karl Popper al ámbito de los valores".
María Celia Duek nos presenta otro artículo con un fuerte carácter teórico. En "Campo de batalla teórico: teorías posmodernas y posmarxistas versus marxismo", la autora analiza cómo desde el surgimiento de la sociología clásica con Max Weber y Emile Durkheim, "toda la teoría social dialoga con el marxismo o la emprende contra él". En particular, revisa la crítica que experimentó la teoría marxista durante los últimos 20 o 30 años del siglo XX "por parte de las reflexiones posmodernas y posmarxistas, que lograron erigirse como teorías sociológicas hegemónicas". La autora pretende mostrar "cómo durante esos años la teoría marxista fue ninguneada y sus conceptos fueron desplazados del ámbito académico por nuevas nociones, presuntamente más adecuadas para explicar la sociedad actual".
El tercer artículo, de Alejandro Espinosa, pertenece al ámbito de la sociología de la ciencia, y lleva por título "Asignación de científicos en el observatorio astronómico Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA): lógica virtual, sociomaterialidad y régimen de control en la ciencia". Este trabajo busca dar cuenta de los "procesos de asignación de tiempos de observación en el observatorio astronómico ALMA en Chile". Con este objetivo, se investiga la asignación de científicos en este observatorio, y al mismo tiempo "se señala cuáles son las instancias en que los científicos se coordinan, cómo se utilizan ciertos dispositivos para facilitar los procesos de selección y de qué forma ello conlleva un dominio particular del régimen".
Los dos artículos siguientes aplican una metodología cualitativa para analizar dos problemáticas concretas en Valparaíso y la Región Metropolitana de Santiago. "Discapacidad física e identidad: elementos emergentes en la experiencia de vida en el Gran Valparaíso", de Sergio Marambio, se plantea como objetivo principal "analizar los procesos de construcción identitaria de las personas en situación de discapacidad física del Gran Valparaíso", utilizando la "tradición fenomenológica". Como resultado, "la identidad se configura en torno a tres grandes dimensiones transversales: cuerpo, cultura y contexto social, las que se encuentran interrelacionadas". En este texto "se presenta la identidad de una persona con discapacidad física como una estructura eminentemente social, en constante cambio y configurada en torno a la superación de barreras sociales, culturales, ideológicas, entre otras".
Por su parte, el artículo de Héctor Rivera titulado "Procesos de movilidad social de profesionales de estratos socioeconómicos medios de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile", propone investigar "la influencia del reconocimiento socio-laboral en los procesos de movilidad social de los profesionales de estratos socioeconómicos medios de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile". Este trabajo se aborda desde la dimensión del reconocimiento socio-laboral, lo que "se debe a que la teoría revisada sobre movilidad social se refiere mayoritariamente a cuantificaciones en la distribución del bienestar económico y social de una persona o grupo en un tiempo determinado, entregando resultados muy relevantes y útiles, pero que no abordan la dimensión significativa del problema".
Este volumen se cierra con tres reseñas. La primera, realizada por Juan Pablo Espinoza, destaca la importancia de la publicación Teología de los signos de los tiempos latinoamericanos. Horizontes, criterios y métodos (Azcuy, Schickendantz, Silva, 2013). Frente a la pregunta de ¿por qué realizar una teología de los tiempos en América Latina?, se responde que hay un reconocimiento de que "en América Latina se ha dado una recepción teológica creativa, original, selectiva, inacabada del Concilio Vaticano II". La segunda reseña, preparada por Gustavo Sánchez, aborda el texto Economía política del fracaso. La falsa modernización del modelo neoliberal (Mayol, Ahumada, 2015). Sánchez destaca que este libro "constituye una contribución fundamental para comenzar a desnaturalizar el modelo chileno, evidenciar cuáles son sus discursos ideológicos legitimadores y aportar las bases para elaborar un lenguaje propio de 'la crítica', uno que pueda incorporarse a la disputa sobre qué mantener y qué reemplazar". Finalmente, Vivian Díaz elabora la tercera reseña, del libro La construcción social de las demencias en las personas mayores de la Región Metropolitana, Chile (Guajardo, Tijoux, Abusleme, eds., 2015). Se trata de una investigación que "nos sitúa frente a la temática de la demencia y da cuenta de las construcciones sociales que se tejen en relación a esta, considerando la vivencia y narrativas de quienes están en contacto cotidiano con los adultos mayores que han sido diagnosticados con esta enfermedad, como son los familiares, cuidadores, entornos comunitarios e institucionales".

The article presents the results of years of research combatants and persons who have suffered traumatic impact factors of the combat situation, described the features of medical and social and psychological adaptation to civilian life. And as diagnostic indicators are psychological PTSD characteristic combatants Ukraine. Defines the basic principles of psychological adjustment.Medico-social and psychological adaptation of combatants and persons who have suffered traumatic impact factors of the combat situation is a highly topical issue. Political developments in Ukraine in 2014 identified the need for further study of population mental states associated with stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will inevitably result in developing participation in hostilities or after a stay in a war zone. Relevance of research in this area is defined by the fact that these states are one of the main internal barriers to adapting to civilian life, as well as suggest the possibility to move in deviant behaviors. At the same time in Ukraine such limited research has been conducted since the country more than 20 years there was no war and fundamental research are virtually absent.Description of the problem. After returning to civilian life to an already existing post-traumatic stress disorder associated with exposure to combat situations, new laminated stress disorder associated with social maladjustment combatants. Combatants are usually faced with incomprehension, condemnation, difficulties in communication and professional self-determination, economic problems, education, creation or preservation of the family, etc. In such circumstances it is important to apply adequate methods psychocorrection and psychotherapy for PTSD.Contents: The study was conducted on the basis of combatants 411 Hospital of Southern Operational Command (now the Military Medical Clinical Centre of the Southern Region), for 14 years (2000–2014).The aim of the study was the selection of general psychological diagnostic indicators of PTSD characteristic combatants Ukraine.The study involved 562 combatant. Among them — the veterans of local wars, warriors peacekeepers who were investigated, regardless of the reasons for entry into hostilities (whether voluntarily or by order), as well as civilians who have experienced the impact factors of the combat situation.The sample consisted of officers and soldiers of Ukrainian army, military service contract, as well as civilian civilians, aged between 21 and 37 years old, from different regions of the country (including the Western and Eastern regions of Ukraine), which have different educational level, marital status and various social and financial status.As the main experimental tool was used battery of tests proposed Tarabrina NV As well as a questionnaire to identify E. Schneidman state heartache, supplemented by methods of observation, clinical interview, self-reports and projective techniques broad spectrum.In order to study the dynamics of states in the structure of PTSD retest conducted tests with a long period.Results of the study.Received during an extended research results suggests that not all of the diagnostic indicators of PTSD received and listed in ICD-10 and DSM-4 appear in equal measure. Moreover, not all psychological diagnostic indicators identified. Foreign classifiers (eg DSM-4) provide a set of indicators «to the full», but does not indicate some typical for combatants Ukraine.After years psychodiagnosis identified the psychological characteristics that are common to all investigated combatants Ukraine and found in most cases.Conclusions.1. Not all PTSD diagnostic indicators adopted and listed in ICD-10 and DSM-4 appear equally and not all psychological diagnostic indicators identified. Foreign classifiers (eg DSM-4) provide a set of indicators «to the full», but does not indicate some typical for Ukraine.2. Revealed the psychological characteristics of combatants that occurs in most cases in Ukraine.3. All the examinees, regardless of age, military rank, marital status and other factors observed state expressed anguish.4. Identified during psychodiagnosis psychological symptoms of PTSD can be corrected relatively quickly, in the event of timely detection.5. Identify three basic principles of effective psychotherapy, which are the basis of the process of medical and social and psychological rehabilitation of persons who have suffered traumatic impact factors of the combat situation in the modern world. Dedicated principles may be expressed in various forms, as well as supplemented with various aspects that are important for the treatment of PTSD.6. Rehabilitation of combatants and persons who have suffered the impact factors of the combat situation should be carried out by the state as designed and specially organized programs. In the development and implementation of the program should participate doctors avtoriitetnye state and public figures involved in the fighting, already passed rehabilitation, veterans of other wars, social workers, as well as cultural workers, and volunteers.7. Features medico-social and psychological adaptation of persons who have suffered traumatic impact factors of the combat situation in Ukraine requires further investigation. ; В статье представлены результаты многолетних исследований участников боевых действий и лиц, перенесших психотравмирующее воздействие факторов боевой обстановки, описаны особенности медико-социальной и психологической адаптации к условиям мирной жизни. А также указаны психологические диагностические показатели посттравматического стрессового расстройства, характерные для комбатантов Украины. Определены базовые принципы психотерапевтической коррекции. ; У статті представлені результати багаторічних досліджень учасників бойових дій та осіб, які перенесли психотравмуючий вплив факторів бойової обстановки, описано особливості медико-соціальної та психологічної адаптації до умов мирного життя. А також зазначені психологічні діагностичні показники посттравматичного стресового розладу, характерні для комбатантів України. Визначено базові принципи психотерапевтичної корекції.

Energy production from wind is an increasingly important component of overallglobal power generation, and will likely continue to gain an even greater shareof electricity production as world governments attempt to mitigate climatechange and wind energy production costs decrease. Wind energy generationdepends on wind speed, which is greatly influenced by local and synopticenvironmental forcings. Synoptic forcing, such as a cold frontal passage,exists on a large spatial scale while local forcing manifests itself on a muchsmaller scale and could result from topographic effects or land-surface heatfluxes. Synoptic forcing, if strong enough, may suppress the effects ofgenerally weaker local forcing. At the even smaller scale of a wind farm,upstream turbines generate wakes that decrease the wind speed and increase theatmospheric turbulence at the downwind turbines, thereby reducing powerproduction and increasing fatigue loading that may damage turbine components,respectively. Simulation of atmospheric processes that span a considerablerange of spatial and temporal scales is essential to improve wind energyforecasting, wind turbine siting, turbine maintenance scheduling, and windturbine design.Mesoscale atmospheric models predict atmospheric conditions using observeddata, for a wide range of meteorological applications across scales fromthousands of kilometers to hundreds of meters. Mesoscale models includeparameterizations for the major atmospheric physical processes that modulatewind speed and turbulence dynamics, such as cloud evolution andsurface-atmosphere interactions. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)model is used in this dissertation to investigate the effects of modelparameters on wind energy forecasting. WRF is used for case study simulationsat two West Coast North American wind farms, one with simple and one withcomplex terrain, during both synoptically and locally-driven weather events.The model's performance with different grid nesting configurations, turbulenceclosures, and grid resolutions is evaluated by comparison to observation data.Improvement to simulation results from the use of more computationallyexpensive high resolution simulations is only found for the complex terrainsimulation during the locally-driven event. Physical parameters, such as soilmoisture, have a large effect on locally-forced events, and prognosticturbulence kinetic energy (TKE) schemes are found to perform better thannon-local eddy viscosity turbulence closure schemes.Mesoscale models, however, do not resolve turbulence directly, which isimportant at finer grid resolutions capable of resolving wind turbinecomponents and their interactions with atmospheric turbulence. Large-eddysimulation (LES) is a numerical approach that resolves the largest scales ofturbulence directly by separating large-scale, energetically important eddiesfrom smaller scales with the application of a spatial filter. LES allowshigher fidelity representation of the wind speed and turbulence intensity atthe scale of a wind turbine which parameterizations have difficultyrepresenting. Use of high-resolution LES enables the implementation of moresophisticated wind turbine parameterizations to create a robust model for windenergy applications using grid spacing small enough to resolve individualelements of a turbine such as its rotor blades or rotation area. Generalized actuator disk (GAD) and line (GAL) parameterizations are integratedinto WRF to complement its real-world weather modeling capabilities and betterrepresent wind turbine airflow interactions, including wake effects. The GADparameterization represents the wind turbine as a two-dimensional diskresulting from the rotation of the turbine blades. Forces on the atmosphere arecomputed along each blade and distributed over rotating, annular ringsintersecting the disk. While typical LES resolution (10-20 m) is normallysufficient to resolve the GAD, the GAL parameterization requires significantlyhigher resolution (1-3 m) as it does not distribute the forces from the bladesover annular elements, but applies them along lines representing individualblades. In this dissertation, the GAL is implemented into WRF and evaluated against theGAD parameterization from two field campaigns that measured the inflow andnear-wake regions of a single turbine. The data-sets are chosen to allowvalidation under the weakly convective and weakly stable conditionscharacterizing most turbine operations. The parameterizations are evaluatedwith respect to their ability to represent wake wind speed, variance, andvorticity by comparing fine-resolution GAD and GAL simulations along withcoarse-resolution GAD simulations. Coarse-resolution GAD simulations produceaggregated wake characteristics similar to both GAD and GAL simulations (savingon computational cost), while the GAL parameterization enables resolution ofnear wake physics (such as vorticity shedding and wake expansion) for highfidelity applications. For the first time, to our knowledge, this dissertation combines thecapabilities of a mesoscale weather prediction model, LES, and high-resolutionwind turbine parameterizations into one model capable of simulating a realarray of wind turbines at a wind farm. WRF is used due to its sophisticatedenvironmental physics models, frequent use in the atmospheric modelingcommunity, and grid nesting with LES capabilities. Grid nesting is feedinglateral boundary condition data from a coarse resolution simulation to a finerresolution simulation contained within the coarse resolution simulation'sdomain. WRF allows the development of a grid nesting strategy fromsynoptic-scale to microscale LES relevant for wind farm simulations; this isdone by building on the results from the investigation of model parameters forwind energy forecasting and the implementation of the GAD and GAL wind turbineparameterizations. The nesting strategy is coupled with a GAD parameterizationto model the effects of wind turbine wakes on downstream turbines at autility-scale Oklahoma wind farm. Simulation results are compared todual-Doppler measurements that provide three-dimensional fields of horizontalwind speed and direction. The nesting strategy is able to produce realisticturbine wake effects, while differences with the measurements can mostly beattributed to the quality of the available weather input data.

Atkins conducted an intensive cultural resources investigation on behalf of Navitas Midstream Partners LLC for the proposed La Bahia Pipeline in Brazos and Grimes Counties, Texas, during September and October 2014. The investigations consisted of an intensive terrestrial cultural resources survey for a proposed 13.13‐mile, 20‐inch‐diameter natural gas pipeline, which originates near the Gibbons Creek Reservoir and terminates at a new gas‐processing facility west of the Navasota River. The overall Area of Potential Effect (APE) is about 200 feet (ft) (61 meters [m]) wide with a depth of impacts averaging between 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m), with deeper impacts where horizontal directional drilling will be used to bore under existing roads and utilities. Thus, the overall APE is about 315.15 acres (127.5 hectares). The cultural resources survey was limited to portions of APE that coincide with the estimated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District jurisdictional areas, corresponding to 100‐year floodplains plus an additional 300 ft (91.4 m) onto the first terrace, if present. Portions of the proposed project traverse the Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) properties, which are owned by the cities of Bryan, Denton, Garland, and Greenville, Texas. Because the TMPA is owned by cities that are political subdivisions of the state of Texas, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas is required. However, the TMPA declined to sign an Antiquities Permit application; thus, the results of survey efforts associated with the proposed pipeline construction activities located on the TMPA property are included in this report. During the survey, two sites were recorded (41GM469 and 41BZ174), and revisits were attempted at four prehistoric sites, of which three (41GM322, 41GM329, and 41GM330) were not relocated within the pipeline right‐of‐way (ROW). Despite investigations to identify these four sites' recorded locations within the APE, no cultural materials associated with them were encountered during the present survey. Newly recorded site 41GM469 is situated within the APE and between existing sites 41GM322 and 41GM323. The site location is presently being used as a plowed and cleared pasture, with Gibbons Creek forming the site's northern perimeter. The site 41GM469 assemblage includes burned clay pebbles, charcoal flecks and nodules, an ash lens, and FCR. These elements are indicative of a small clay oven or hearth; however, severe disturbances similar to those affecting nearby site 41GM323 have likely destroyed the context and integrity of site 41GM469. Thus, Atkins recommends that site 41GM469 is not eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 41BZ174 is a prehistoric site occupying a low toeslope between an ephemeral drainage and the Wickson Creek floodplain. Initially, the site was identified by the presence of a chert tertiary flake within a disturbed mound, which led to the excavation of five shovel tests in order to determine the sites boundary. Site 41BZ174 likely represents a short‐term occupation as indicated by the presence of probable Caddo ceramics. Atkins recommends avoidance of site 41BZ174. If that is not a viable option, additional work for the purpose of assessing whether site 41BZ174 is eligible for listing in the NRHP would be necessary prior to ground‐disturbing construction activities. Based on these reasons, Atkins recommends that site 41BZ174's eligibility for inclusion to the NRHP remains undetermined. Revisited site 41GM323 consisted of a light subsurface scatter of lithic debitage, fire‐cracked rock (FCR), and one sand‐tempered, ceramic rim sherd located on a knoll along the south side of Gibbons Creek. Site 41GM323 possesses buried intact deposits with research potential; therefore, Atkins recommends avoidance of the portions of this site extending within the survey corridor during the construction and maintenance of proposed oil and gas facilities. Atkins concurs with the findings of two previous investigations that recommended the site for additional testing to determine its eligibility for inclusion to the NRHP. Based on the results of the background literature reviews and field surveys, it is Atkins' professional opinion that it is very unlikely that significant cultural resources will be encountered during construction of the pipeline. However, if previously unknown cultural resources are encountered during construction of the proposed project, construction should cease at that location until a qualified professional archaeologist can assess the significance of the findings. In accordance with 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix C (Processing Department of Army Permits: Procedures for the Protection of Historic Properties; Final Rule 1990; with current Interim Guidance Document dated April 25, 2005), Atkins has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify archaeological historic properties within the APE. As no properties besides sites 41BZ174 and 41GM323 were identified that meet the criteria for listing in the NRHP according to 36 CFR 60.4, Atkins recommends that sites 41BZ174 and 41GM323 be avoided, that no further cultural resource investigations are necessary, and that construction of the proposed project should be allowed to proceed.

2013/2014 ; La corretta valutazione del rischio finanziario è una delle maggiori attività nell'amibto della ricerca finanziaria, ed è divenuta ancora più importante dopo la recente crisi finanziaria. I recenti progressi dell'econofisica hanno dimostrato come la dinamica dei mercati finanziari può essere studiata in modo attendibile per mezzo dei modelli usati in fisica statistica. L'andamento dei prezzi azionari è costantemente monitorato e registrato ad alte frequenze (fino a 1ms) e ciò produce un'enorme quantità di dati che può essere analizzata statisticamente per validare e calibrare i modelli teorici. Il presente lavoro si inserisce in questa ottica, ed è il risultato dell'interazione tra il Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università degli Studi di Trieste e List S.p.A., in collaborazione con il Centro Internazionale di Fisica Teorica (ICTP). In questo lavoro svolgeremo un analisi delle serie storiche finanziarie degli ultimi due anni relative al prezzo delle azioni maggiormente scambiate sul mercato italiano. Studieremo le proprietà statistiche dei ritorni finanziari e verificheremo alcuni fatti stilizzati circa i prezzi azionari. I ritorni finanziari sono distribuiti secondo una distribuzione di probabilità a code larghe e pertanto, secondo la Teoria delle Grandi Deviazioni, sono frequentemente soggetti ad eventi estremi che generano salti di prezzo improvvisi. Il fenomeno viene qui identificato come "condensazione delle grandi deviazioni". Studieremo i fenomeni di condensazione secondo le convenzioni della fisica statistica e mostreremo la comparsa di una transizione di fase per distribuzioni a code larghe. Inoltre, analizzaremo empiricamente i fenomeni di condensazione nei prezzi azionari: mostreremo che i ritorni finanziari estremi sono generati da complesse fluttuazioni dei prezzi che limitano gli effetti di salti improvvisi ma che amplificano il movimento diffusivo dei prezzi. Proseguendo oltre l'analisi statistica dei prezzi delle singole azioni, investigheremo la struttura del mercato nella sua interezza. E' opinione comune in letteratura finanziaria che i cambiamenti di prezzo sono dovuti ad eventi esogeni come la diffusione di notizie politiche ed economiche. Nonostante ciò, è ragionevole ipotizzare che i prezzi azionari possano essere influenzati anche da eventi endogeni, come le variazioni di prezzo in altri strumenti finanziari ad essi correlati. La grande quantità di dati a disposizione permette di verificare quest'ipotesi e di studiare la struttura del mercato finanziario per mezzo dell'inferenza statistica. In questo lavoro proponiamo un modello di mercato basato su prezzi azionari interagenti: studieremo un modello di tipo "integrate & fire" ispirato alla dinamica delle reti neurali, in cui ogni azione è influenzata da tutte gli altre per mezzo di un meccanismo con soglie limite di prezzo. Usando un algoritmo di massima verosimiglianza, applicheremo il modello ai dati sperimentali e tenteremo di inferire la rete informativa che è alla base del mercato finanziario. ; The correct evaluation of financial risk is one of the most active domain of financial research, and has become even more relevant after the latest financial crisis. The recent developments of econophysics prove that the dynamics of financial markets can be successfully investigated by means of physical models borrowed from statistical physics. The fluctuations of stock prices are continuously recorded at very high frequencies (up to 1ms) and this generates a huge amount of data which can be statistically analysed in order to validate and to calibrate the theoretical models. The present work moves in this direction, and is the result of a close interaction between the Physics Department of the University of Trieste with List S.p.A., in collaboration with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). In this work we analyse the time-series over the last two years of the price of the 20 most traded stocks from the Italian market. We investigate the statistical properties of price returns and we verify some stylized facts about stock prices. Price returns are distributed according to a heavy-tailed distribution and therefore, according to the Large Deviations Theory, they are frequently subject to extreme events which produce abrupt price jumps. We refer to this phenomenon as the condensation of the large deviations. We investigate condensation phenomena within the framework of statistical physics and show the emergence of a phase transition in heavy-tailed distributions. In addition, we empirically analyse condensation phenomena in stock prices: we show that extreme returns are generated by non-trivial price fluctuations, which reduce the effects of sharp price jumps but amplify the diffusive movements of prices. Moving beyond the statistical analysis of the single-stock prices, we investigate the structure of the market as a whole. In financial literature it is often assumed that price changes are due to exogenous events, e.g. the release of economic and political news. Yet, it is reasonable to suppose that stock prices could also be driven by endogenous events, such as the price changes of related financial instruments. The large amount of available data allows us to test this hypothesis and to investigate the structure of the market by means of the statistical inference. In this work we propose a market model based on interacting prices: we study an integrate & fire model, inspired by the dynamics of neural networks, where each stock price depends on the other stock prices through some threshold-passing mechanism. Using a maximum likelihood algorithm, we apply the model to the empirical data and try to infer the information network that underlies the financial market. ; XXVII Ciclo ; 1986