Lo studio della vittimologia nell’Arma dei Carabinieri

La centralità delle teorie criminologiche è stata per lungo tempo sbilanciata sullo studio di comportamenti antisociali, privilegiando il fascino dell’immagine cruenta e del suo autore alla figura della vittima e ai riflessi psicologici del reato sulla persona offesa. Dalla nascita della vittimologia, quale branca della criminologia, in parallelo con l’evoluzione socio-culturale-giuridica che ne è seguita -anche attraverso una crescente attività normativa, soprattutto a livello extracodicistico e ad alcuni interventi internazionali di rilievo- si è assistito ad una progressiva promozione ed elevazione del profilo della vittima a una “key figure” degna delle dovute garanzie legislative. Anche l’Arma dei Carabinieri si è inserita in questo nuovo contesto -facilitata peraltro dalla capillare architettura della sua struttura- partecipando insieme agli altri attori istituzionali del settore sicurezza a quella che è stata definita una “rivoluzione culturale” nell’approccio alla vittima del reato. Espressione di tale nuovo orientamento è il concetto di polizia di prossimità che, nato dall’idea di essere più vicini alla gente, cerca di colmare il gap esistente tra sicurezza reale e sicurezza percepita, sfruttando quel tradizionale patrimonio motivazionale che aiuta il Carabiniere ad essere primario interlocutore capace di ascoltare, aiutare ed indirizzare. La formazione di base e la specializzazione dei Carabinieri di ogni ordine e grado a questa nuova cultura nell’approccio alla vittima del reato viene pertanto avvertita dall’Istituzione come esigenza primaria, al fine di umanizzare e valorizzare la persona offesa che –spesso violentata nella sua privacy e nei suoi affetti personali- deve trovare di fronte a sé un chiaro e qualificato punto di riferimento, un cittadino che opera a favore di altri cittadini, un professionista capace di aiutare e sostenere. Résumé Pendant longtemps, la recherche en criminologie s’est concentrée sur l’étude des comportements déviants, en privilégiant l’image de l’acte cruel de l’auteur plutôt que de se focaliser sur la victime, en particulier sur les conséquences psychologiques du crime sur cette dernière. Depuis la naissance de la victimologie (branche de la criminologie) et l’intervention des grands noms de la victimologie, puis avec l’évolution socioculturelle et juridique sans cesse croissante, on a assisté à la prise en compte du profil de la victime comme étant un « élément clé » devant faire l’objet d’une attention accrue. L’Arme des Carabiniers (en raison notamment de sa dispersion sur tout le territoire) s’inscrit dans ce nouveau contexte, en participant avec les autres acteurs institutionnels de la sécurité à cette « révolution culturelle », qui se traduit par une meilleure prise en compte de la victime. Expression d’une nouvelle orientation majeure du service, le concept de police de proximité est né de l’idée de rendre l’Arme plus visible et plus proche des citoyens. Ainsi, l’action de proximité s’efforce de combattre un fort sentiment d’insécurité, en exploitant les valeurs du Carabinier, étant généralement le premier interlocuteur des personnes en détresse. Pour une meilleure satisfaction des attentes de la population, le développement d’une culture de l’accueil des victimes constitue une priorité pour l’Institution et fait l’objet d’une attention particulière dans la formation de base et continue de l’ensemble des militaires de l’Arme, tous grades confondus. La victime (souvent physiquement et moralement traumatisée) doit trouver en face d’elle un militaire, véritable professionnel chargé de son soutien et de son assistance, et toujours capable d’apporter des réponses empreintes d’humanité. Abstract The focal point of criminal theories has been, for some time now, uneven in regards to the study of anti-social behavior, because the tendency is to privilege the fascination of a cruel act and of its author rather than giving adequate consideration to the victim of crime and the psychological effects that crime produces on the person who has suffered an assault. Since victimology began as part of the criminology branch, along with the social-cultural-juridical evolution that followed (due also to the growth in rules and special laws that extend beyond the law code and to some very considerable international involvement), we have witnessed the progressive rise of the victim profile, to a “key figure”, worthy of the required legislative assurances. The expression of this new orientation can be found in the concept of “community policing”. This policy derives from the idea of getting closer to the community’s citizens and of filling the gap existing between actual security and sense of security felt. This is a result of having exploited the traditional motivational heritage that helps the Carabiniere Serviceman be a primary interlocutor experienced in listening, providing assistance and advising. The basic training and the skills of the Carabiniere Serviceman, of any social and military rank, for this new way of approaching a victim of crime is therefore perceived by the Institution, as an essential need in order to make the person who suffered an abuse, feel more human and more important, (often his/her privacy and family affection are violated) and bring him/her, to rely on a clear and qualified point of reference, who is a citizen that acts for other fellow citizens and in the same time, an expert capable of providing aid and support

On the behaviour of the solutions to pp-Laplacian equations as pp goes to 11

In the present paper we study the behaviour as $p$ goes to $1$ of the weak solutions to the problems $$\begin{cases} -\operatorname{div} \bigl(|\nabla u_p|^{p-2}\nabla u_p\bigr)=f &\text{in } \Omega\\ u_p=0 &\text{on } \partial\Omega, \end{cases}$$ where $\Omega$ is a bounded open set of ${\mathbb R}^N$ $(N\ge 2)$ with Lipschitz boundary and p > 1. As far as the datum $f$ is concerned, we analyze several cases: the most general one is $f\in W^{-1,\infty}(\Omega)$. We also illustrate our results by means of remarks and examples

Reliability of third-order moment parameterization for models of turbulent boundary layer over gentle topography

An analysis is made of the transport equation of Reynolds shear stress, written in a streamline coordinate system, starting from the fields of first- and secondorder moments of wind velocity, measured in a terrain-following system over gentle topography, in order to verify the usual parameterizations of third-order moments. The equation is split into two parts: the first contains the terms which can be calculated directly from measurements, the second involves the pressure-velocity correlation considering the terms of rapid distortion, curvature and return to isotropy and the transport of triple velocity-correlation modelled assuming a flux-gradient approximation. Moreover, the error estimates associated with both parts have been computed using a Monte Carlo technique which takes into account the experimental errors. This analysis is performed on wind tunnel data over a gently shaped two-dimensional valley and hill. The comparison between the measured and modelled parts is good near the surface, whereas, at higher levels, where the pertubations induced by the topography are significant, there are large zones generally characterized by streamlines with concave curvature in which the flux-gradient approximation used to compute the triple product correlation cannot be applied

Effect of a multifactorial fall-and-fracture risk assessment and management program on gait and balance performances and disability in hospitalized older adults: a controlled study

Summary: This controlled intervention study in hospitalized oldest old adults showed that a multifactorial fall-and-fracture risk assessment and management program, applied in a dedicated geriatric hospital unit, was effective in improving fall-related physical and functional performances and the level of independence in activities of daily living in high-risk patients. Introduction: Hospitalization affords a major opportunity for interdisciplinary cooperation to manage fall-and-fracture risk factors in older adults. This study aimed at assessing the effects on physical performances and the level of independence in activities of daily living (ADL) of a multifactorial fall-and-fracture risk assessment and management program applied in a geriatric hospital setting. Methods: A controlled intervention study was conducted among 122 geriatric inpatients (mean ± SD age, 84 ± 7years) admitted with a fall-related diagnosis. Among them, 92 were admitted to a dedicated unit and enrolled into a multifactorial intervention program, including intensive targeted exercise. Thirty patients who received standard usual care in a general geriatric unit formed the control group. Primary outcomes included gait and balance performances and the level of independence in ADL measured 12 ± 6days apart. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, incidence of in-hospital falls, hospital readmission, and mortality rates. Results: Compared to the usual care group, the intervention group had significant improvements in Timed Up and Go (adjusted mean difference [AMD] = −3.7s; 95% CI = −6.8 to −0.7; P = 0.017), Tinetti (AMD = −1.4; 95% CI = −2.1 to −0.8; P < 0.001), and Functional Independence Measure (AMD = 6.5; 95%CI = 0.7-12.3; P = 0.027) test performances, as well as in several gait parameters (P < 0.05). Furthermore, this program favorably impacted adverse outcomes including hospital readmission (hazard ratio = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.9; P = 0.02). Conclusions: A multifactorial fall-and-fracture risk-based intervention program, applied in a dedicated geriatric hospital unit, was effective and more beneficial than usual care in improving physical parameters related to the risk of fall and disability among high-risk oldest old patient

Alterations of bone microstructure and strength in end-stage renal failure

Summary: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have a high risk of fractures. We evaluated bone microstructure and finite-element analysis-estimated strength and stiffness in patients with ESRD by high-resolution peripheral computed tomography. We observed an alteration of cortical and trabecular bone microstructure and of bone strength and stiffness in ESRD patients. Introduction: Fragility fractures are common in ESRD patients on dialysis. Alterations of bone microstructure contribute to skeletal fragility, independently of areal bone mineral density. Methods: We compared microstructure and finite-element analysis estimates of strength and stiffness by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in 33 ESRD patients on dialysis (17 females and 16 males; mean age, 47.0 ± 12.6years) and 33 age-matched healthy controls. Results: Dialyzed women had lower radius and tibia cortical density with higher radius cortical porosity and lower tibia cortical thickness, compared to controls. Radius trabecular number was lower with higher heterogeneity of the trabecular network. Male patients displayed only a lower radius cortical density. Radius and tibia cortical thickness correlated negatively with bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Microstructure did not correlate with parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Cortical porosity correlated positively with "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes” working group PTH level categories (r = 0.36, p < 0.04). BMI correlated positively with trabecular number (r = 0.4, p < 0.02) and negatively with trabecular spacing (r = −0.37, p < 0.03) and trabecular network heterogeneity (r = −0.4, p < 0.02). Biomechanics positively correlated with BMI and negatively with BALP. Conclusion: Cortical and trabecular bone microstructure and calculated bone strength are altered in ESRD patients, predominantly in women. Bone microstructure and biomechanical assessment by HR-pQCT may be of major clinical relevance in the evaluation of bone fragility in ESRD patient

Conceptualising quality of life for older people with aphasia

Background: There is an increasing need in speech and language therapy for clinicians to provide intervention in the context of the broader life quality issues for people with aphasia. However, there is no descriptive research that is explicitly focused on quality of life (QoL) from the perspectives of older people with aphasia. Aims: The current study explores how older people with chronic aphasia who are living in the community describe their QoL in terms of what contributes to and detracts from the quality in their current and future lives. The study is descriptive in nature, and the purpose is to conceptualize the factors that influence QoL. Methods & Procedures: Thirty older participants (16 women, 14 men) with mild to moderate aphasic impairment took part. All participants had adequate communication skills to participate: demonstrating reliable yes/no response and moderate auditory comprehension ability. Participants were interviewed in their own homes using six brief unprompted open questions about QoL, in a structured interview. The first five questions were drawn from previous gerontological research (Farquhar, 1995), and a sixth question specifically targeting communication was added. Content analysis was used, identifying discrete units of data and then coding these into concepts and factors. Additional demographic information was collected, and participants’ mood on day of interviewing was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986). Outcomes & Results: Activities, verbal communication, people, and body functioning were the core factors in QoL for these participants, and they described how these factors both contributed quality in life as well as detracted from life quality. Other factors that influenced QoL included stroke, mobility, positive personal outlook, in/dependence, home and health. Whilst the findings are limited by the lack of probing of participants’ responses, the study does present preliminary evidence for what is important in QoL to older people with aphasia. Conclusions: Quality of life for older people with predominantly mild to moderate chronic aphasia who are living in the community is multifactorial in nature. Some factors lie within the remit of speech and language therapy, some lie beyond the professional role, but all are relevant for consideration in rehabilitation and community practice. Further qualitative research is implicated to better understand QoL with aphasia, using in-depth interviewing with a broader range of people with aphasia

Spectral Distortions of the CMB as a Probe of Inflation, Recombination, Structure Formation and Particle Physics

Following the pioneering observations with COBE in the early 1990s, studies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) have focused on temperature and polarization anisotropies. CMB spectral distortions - tiny departures of the CMB energy spectrum from that of a perfect blackbody - provide a second, independent probe of fundamental physics, with a reach deep into the primordial Universe. The theoretical foundation of spectral distortions has seen major advances in recent years, which highlight the immense potential of this emerging field. Spectral distortions probe a fundamental property of the Universe - its thermal history - thereby providing additional insight into processes within the cosmological standard model (CSM) as well as new physics beyond. Spectral distortions are an important tool for understanding inflation and the nature of dark matter. They shed new light on the physics of recombination and reionization, both prominent stages in the evolution of our Universe, and furnish critical information on baryonic feedback processes, in addition to probing primordial correlation functions at scales inaccessible to other tracers. In principle the range of signals is vast: many orders of magnitude of discovery space could be explored by detailed observations of the CMB energy spectrum. Several CSM signals are predicted and provide clear experimental targets, some of which are already observable with present-day technology. Confirmation of these signals would extend the reach of the CSM by orders of magnitude in physical scale as the Universe evolves from the initial stages to its present form. The absence of these signals would pose a huge theoretical challenge, immediately pointing to new physics.Comment: Astro2020 Science White Paper, 5 pages text, 13 pages in total, 3 Figures, minor update to reference

Sharp estimates for solutions to elliptic problems with mixed boundary conditions

We show, using symmetrization techniques, that it is possible to prove a comparison principle (we are mainly focused on $L^1$ comparison) between solutions to an elliptic partial differential equation on a smooth bounded set $\Omega$ with a rather general boundary condition, and solutions to a suitable related problem defined on a ball having the same volume as $\Omega$. This includes for instance mixed problems where Dirichlet boundary conditions are prescribed on part of the boundary, while Robin boundary conditions are prescribed on its complement

Existence of minimizers for eigenvalues of the Dirichlet-Laplacian with a drift

This paper deals with the eigenvalue problem for the operator L=-δ-x{dot operator}∇ with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We are interested in proving the existence of a set minimizing any eigenvalue λk of L under a suitable measure constraint suggested by the structure of the operator. More precisely we prove that for any c&gt;0 and k∈N the following minimization problemmin&lt;&gt;{λk(Ω):Ωquasi-openset,∫Ωe|x|2/2dx≤c} has a solution