bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A SHORT GUIDE TO DEVELOPING COMMUNICATIVELY ORIENTED TEXBOOK ON SPEECH CULTURE
Authors: Natalya Anisina , Anna Bolshakova , Tatyana Voloshinova , Elena Ganapolskaya
Published: October 2020

The article describes the longitude experiment on creating the communicatively orientated textbook on Russian speech culture. The problem of the majority of modern textbooks on speech culture is the lack of communication potential as they are usually based on texts from classical literature and that is why the language material is far from the professional needs of the university students (and especially the students of technical, mathematical and economical directions of education). The authors of the article conducted the linguistic researches in different language levels and proposed the principles of creating the textbook on speech culture with orientation on the professional needs of the university students. Then the principles were realized in the textbook “Russian Language and Speech Culture”. The efficiency of the principles is affirmed during the experiment; students who studied the speech culture with the help of the textbook showed better results than the control groups. The textbook became one of the most popular manuals for practically orientated university students.
Problems of science popularization exemplified by modern Russian practice
Authors: Antonyan Karina , Sokolova Nina , Strganova Olga
Published: October 2020

Science popularization is a specific public activity of scientists, the purpose of which is education and self-realization. The article emphasizes the fact that this activity is self-organized in Russia, and the key role in its development is played by technical and technological improvement and the Internet. Media development contributes to the uncontrollable spread of pseudoscientific and unscientific theories as well as their criticism. The study is focused on the showization of science, which is presented to the public in the form of spectacle and entertainment. The forms of popularization of science in sociocultural practice begin to fulfill the function of intellectual leisure for the public. Popularization in the context of media development enables scientific knowledge to become public knowledge by means of publishing popular science literature, organizing online and offline lecture halls, web portals with scientific and educational content, which is evidence of the democratization of science in general and the activities of the scientist in particular. The activities of popularizers in modern Russia are consolidating, traditions are being developed, shaped by stable rituals, and recognizable authoritative “stars” are appearing. Thus, the popularization of science seems to be an ambiguous phenomenon of modern Russian culture, which reveals the features of a centralizing sociocultural institution.
Ridge Penalization-based weighting approach for Eco-Efficiency assessment: The case in the food industry in the United States
Authors: Kutty Adeeb A , Abdella Galal M , Kucukvar Murat
Published: October 2020

Eco-efficiency assessment is of great importance for monitoring and managing environmental and economic aspects of sustainable development. The eco-efficiency indicators are required to assess and measure the impact of multiple environmental aspects per unit of economic value-added. The aggregation of multiple environmental impacts in the presence of high correlation is a critical challenge to sustainability practitioners. This study presents a weighting approach using ridge penalization-based regression to overcoming the consequence of the high correlation among the environmental aspects and hence providing accurate weighting values. The performance of the proposed approach is assessed using economic and environmental footprints of 20 food industries in the United States. The new weighting approach is expected to provide decision-makers with a quantitative management tool for monitoring and controlling core operational functions associated with the sustainable development and management.
A Novel Approach for Determination of Hardening Parameters of an Aluminum Alloy under Cyclic Loading with High Amplitudes
Authors: Arslan Eray , Zigo Milan , Kepplinger Gerhard
Published: October 2020

An optimization procedure for the determination of combined nonlinear isotropic/kinematic hardening parameters for strain rate-independent cyclic plasticity has been investigated. With this procedure, it is offered that only nine material parameters, including Young’s modulus, yield stress, Poisson’s ratio, two isotropic hardening parameters, and four kinematic hardening parameters, will be sufficient to perform cyclic plasticity analysis with high accuracy in well-known FE programs (e.g. ABAQUS) even for separate strain range amplitudes. The procedure has been performed to calculate such parameters for aluminum alloy EN AW-6082, which is frequently used in vehicle bodies and simulation results are compared with experiment results. The determined parameters lead highly accurate simulation results in FE routines.
Analysis of magnetorheological grease normal force characteristics in static and dynamic shear modes
Authors: Ye Xudan , Mao Runsong , Wang Jiong
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the normal stress behavior of magnetorheological grease (MRG) in a quiescent state and its dynamic shear modes were systematically studied. Three types of magnetorheological greases were prepared, MRG-30, MRG-50, and MRG-70 with 30%, 50%, and 70% carbonyl iron(CI) powder mass, respectively. Furthermore, static and dynamic shear tests were carried out using a rheometer, the effects of time, magnetic field strength, shear rate and temperature on normal stress were studied and analyzed under both static and dynamic conditions. In the static mode, the research results show that the normal force is related to the magnetic field strength and the content of magnetic particles in the MR grease, but has nothing to do with historical time. the static normal stress generates the evident fluctuation with changing the temperature when magnetic field strengths of 96 kA m−1 and 194 kA m−1. The fluctuation is very small when the magnetic field strengths are 0kA m−1, 391 kA m−1 and 740kA m−1. Similar to the static normal stress, the dynamic normal stress at the degaussing is greater than the normal stress during magnetic field loading. The dynamic normal stress are almost invariant with prolonging the time below 100 s−1 shear rate under the medium magnetic field strength of 194 kA m−1 whereas the stress is increased at the shear rate of 100 s−1. Besides, the dynamic normal stress is basically independent from the time above the shear rate 0f 1 s-1 at the high magnetic field of 740 kA m−1. Under other conditions, the normal force basically presents a stable value. At the absence of the magnetic field, there are quietly weak effects of temperature on the static and dynamic normal stress. Finally, when a magnetic field strength higher than 96 kA m−1 is applied to the material, the value of dynamic normal stress increases with temperature.
Observations of planetary heating since the 1980s from multiple independent datasets
Authors: Allison Lesley C , Palmer Matthew D , Allan Richard P , Hermanson Leon , Liu Chunlei , Smith Doug M
Published: October 2020

Time series of global mean surface temperature are widely used to measure the rate of climate change that results from Earth’s energy imbalance. However, studies based on climate model simulations suggest that on annual-to-decadal timescales global ocean heat content is a more reliable indicator. Here we examine the observational evidence for this, drawing together multiple datasets that span the past ∼30 years. This observational analysis strongly supports the model-based finding that global ocean heat content and sea level are more reliable than surface temperature for monitoring Earth’s energy accumulation on these timescales. Global ocean temperature anomalies in the 0–100 m and 100–250 m layers are negatively correlated (r = −0.36), primarily explained by the influence of the Tropical Pacific, and a clearer heating signal is revealed by integrating over deeper ocean layers. The striking agreement between multiple independent datasets represents unequivocal evidence of ongoing planetary heating.
CsPbBr3 perovskite photodetector with interdigital chromium electrodes
Authors: Salman Haider , Shariffar Amir , Siddique Tanveer A , Jibreel Wafaa , Kuchuk Andrian , Manasreh M O
Published: October 2020

A visible light photodetector made of CsPbBr3 thin film prepared by solution process method was fabricated using a chromium interdigital structure. The device consists of two interdigitated electrodes deposited on glass substrate with 10 μm channel width filled with CsPbBr3. The material was characterized by using absorbance, μ-photoluminescence (μ-PL), and X-ray spectroscopies. The PL peak was observed at 528 nm (2.35 eV). The detector was characterized by using the spectral response, current-voltage (I–V) characteristic, and time response measurements. The photocurrent of the device was observed to be about two orders of magnitude higher than the dark currents. The detectivity was extracted from the I–V measurements to be 2.67 × 109 cm Hz−2W at 5 V bias voltage. The spectral response measured at room temperature exhibited a peak located at 518 nm, which is in good agreement with the absorbance peak. The detectivity was monitored over a period of five weeks and it was observed to decrease by ∼30%.
Prediction of driver variants in the cancer genome via machine learning methodologies
Authors: Rogers Mark F , Gaunt Tom R , Campbell Colin
Published: October 2020

Sequencing technologies have led to the identification of many variants in the human genome which could act as disease-drivers. As a consequence, a variety of bioinformatics tools have been proposed for predicting which variants may drive disease, and which may be causatively neutral. After briefly reviewing generic tools, we focus on a subset of these methods specifically geared toward predicting which variants in the human cancer genome may act as enablers of unregulated cell proliferation. We consider the resultant view of the cancer genome indicated by these predictors and discuss ways in which these types of prediction tools may be progressed by further research.
nMAGMA: a network-enhanced method for inferring risk genes from GWAS summary statistics and its application to schizophrenia
Authors: Yang Anyi , Chen Jingqi , Zhao Xing-Ming
Published: October 2020

Motivation: Annotating genetic variants from summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is crucial for predicting risk genes of various disorders. The multimarker analysis of genomic annotation (MAGMA) is one of the most popular tools for this purpose, where MAGMA aggregates signals of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to their nearby genes. In biology, SNPs may also affect genes that are far away in the genome, thus missed by MAGMA. Although different upgrades of MAGMA have been proposed to extend gene-wise variant annotations with more information (e.g. Hi-C or eQTL), the regulatory relationships among genes and the tissue specificity of signals have not been taken into account.

Results: We propose a new approach, namely network-enhanced MAGMA (nMAGMA), for gene-wise annotation of variants from GWAS summary statistics. Compared with MAGMA and H-MAGMA, nMAGMA significantly extends the lists of genes that can be annotated to SNPs by integrating local signals, long-range regulation signals (i.e. interactions between distal DNA elements), and tissue-specific gene networks. When applied to schizophrenia (SCZ), nMAGMA is able to detect more risk genes (217% more than MAGMA and 57% more than H-MAGMA) that are involved in SCZ compared with MAGMA and H-MAGMA, and more of nMAGMA results can be validated with known SCZ risk genes. Some disease-related functions (e.g. the ATPase pathway in Cortex) are also uncovered in nMAGMA but not in MAGMA or H-MAGMA. Moreover, nMAGMA provides tissue-specific risk signals, which are useful for understanding disorders with multitissue origins.
NEDD4-like ubiquitin ligase 2 protein (NEDL2) in porcine spermatozoa, oocytes, and preimplantation embryos and its role in oocyte fertilization
Authors: Mao Jiude , Zigo Michal , Zuidema Dalen , Sutovsky Miriam , Sutovsky Peter
Published: October 2020

The ubiquitin-proteasome system plays diverse regulatory and homeostatic roles in mammalian reproduction. Ubiquitin ligases are the substrate-specific mediators of ubiquitin-binding to its substrate proteins. The NEDD4-like ubiquitin ligase 2 (aliases NEDL2, HECW2) is a HECT-type ubiquitin ligase that contains one N-terminal HECW ubiquitin ligase domain, one C-terminal HECT ubiquitin ligase domain, one C2 domain, and two WW protein-protein interaction modules. Beyond its predicted ubiquitin-ligase activity, its cellular functions are largely unknown. Current studies were designed to investigate the content and distribution of NEDL2 in porcine spermatozoa, oocytes, zygotes, and early preimplantation embryos, and in cumulus cells before and after in vitro maturation with oocytes, and fibroblast cells as positive control by western blot and immunocytochemistry, and to examine its roles during oocyte fertilization. Multiple isoforms of NEDL2 were identified by WB. One at approximately 52 kDa was detected only in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage and metaphase II oocytes, and in early preimplantation embryos. Other isoforms were high mass bands at 91, 136, and 155 kDa, which were only detected in somatic cells. Interestingly, ejaculated spermatozoa prominently displayed the same 52 kDa band as oocytes; they also had two minor bands of 74 and 129 kDa, which were not detected in somatic cells or oocytes. By immunofluorescence, NEDL2 showed a diffused cytoplasmic localization in all cell types and accumulated in distinct foci in the germinal vesicles (GVs) of immature oocytes, in maternal and paternal pronuclei of zygotes and nuclei of embryo blastomeres and somatic cells. In blastocysts, the labeling intensity of NEDL2 was stronger in the inner cell mass than in trophoblast, indicating higher NEDL2 content in the ICM cells than in trophectoderm. NEDL2 abundance was 10 times higher in post-maturation oocyte-surrounding cumulus cells than that of cumulus cells before in vitro maturation with hormones, indicating that NEDL2 may have a unique role in cumulus cells after ovulation. Microinjection of anti-NEDL2 antibody into oocyte before IVF did not affect the percentage of oocytes fertilized, percentage of oocytes cleaved, or blastocyst formation. However, the anti-NEDL2 antibody decreased the number of pronuclei, accelerated the formation of nuclear precursor bodies at 6 h postfertilization, inhibited sperm DNA decondensation, and resulted in more fertilized oocytes without male pronuclear formation. In summary, NEDL2 may play a key role during fertilization, especially during sperm DNA decondensation.
Financialization of nature and climate change policy: implications for mining-impacted Afro-Colombian communities
Authors: Gilbertson Tamra L
Published: October 2020

The use of financial instruments for climate change mitigation puts communities and nature at risk. Success is measured by capital accumulation rather than the ability to protect or enhance human and non-human nature. From cap and trade programmes that allow corporations to buy and sell ‘units’ of pollution on financialized markets, to forest offset credits, the financialization of nature presupposes the separation and quantification of the Earth’s cycles and functions with carbon, water, and biodiversity. Financialization causes these cycles to be treated as units to be sold in financial and speculation markets. This article reviews the theoretical frameworks of financialization of nature and proliferating climate change policies. I explore the flaws of the new carbon pricing and carbon tax platform in Colombia and its impacts on Afro-Colombian communities in the coal mining region of Cesar, in northeast Caribbean and related Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects on the Pacific coast of Colombia.
The Exhaustion of Local Remedies Rule in the Settlement of Maritime Disputes: A Study of the Practice of the UNCLOS Tribunals
Authors: Gao Jianjun
Published: October 2020

The exhaustion of local remedies (“ELR”) rule is applicable in the settlement of maritime disputes, and it is not limited to the case of diplomatic protection. So far the manner in which the tribunals under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea dealt with the ELR issue in the cases of the flag State’s protection has raised the concern that the rule may become a dead letter in practice. Although the cases involved the protection of natural and legal persons by States, the tribunals rejected the objections to the admissibility of claims raised by the respondents based on the ELR rule in all cases. However, the approaches in which the tribunals dealt with the ELR issue are questionable, and the practice of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea contains dual imbalances. In the case of a mixed claim, the preponderance test suggested by the International Law Commission should be employed to determine the nature of the plaintiff’s claim as a whole. The test was mentioned in several cases, but it was not used correctly.
Semiochemical-based Reproductive Isolation Among Sympatric Species of Trypodendron (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Authors: Kühnholz Susanne , Gries Regine , Borden John H
Published: October 2020

Trypodendron retusum (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) females excised from newly attacked trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michaux (Salicaceae), were shown for the first time to produce the aggregation pheromone (+)-lineatin. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection analysis (GC-EAD) disclosed that the antennae of T. retusum, as well as the antennae of three sympatric species, native T. lineatum (Olivier) and T. rufitarsus (Kirby) and exotic T. domesticum (L.), respond to synthetic (+)-lineatin, but not the (−) enantiomer. In contrast, the antennae of T. betulae Swaine responded to SR- and RR-linalool oxide pyranoid and did not detect lineatin. GC-EAD analysis of volatiles from host and nonhost tree species revealed that conifer-produced α-pinene and angiosperm-produced conophthorin and salicylaldehyde were perceived by the antennae of all three native lineatin-perceiving species, suggesting behavioral activity. Field trapping experiments showed that salicylaldehyde synergized the response of coastal, but not interior, T. retusum to lineatin and inhibited the response of T. lineatum and T. rufitarsus. In the absence of salicylaldehyde, α-pinene appeared to inhibit the response of interior T. retusum to lineatin, while for T. lineatum and T. rufitarsus it had an apparent positive additive or synergistic effect. No behavioral response occurred to conophthorin. The results provide evidence for semiochemical-based reproductive isolation between T. retusum and T. betulae, and between these two angiosperm-infesting species and the two conifer-infesting species. They do not explain how isolation could be maintained between T. lineatum and T. rufitarsus.
Does a higher retirement age reduce youth employment?
Authors: Bertoni Marco , Brunello Giorgio
Published: October 2020

Pension reforms rising minimum retirement age force some senior workers to retire later than originally expected. We evaluate the impact of a 2011 Italian reform, implemented during a recession, on youth and prime-age employment. Our research design is based on difference-in-differences and exploits the variations in the intensity of the treatment across local labour markets due to differences in the age structure of the population. We estimate that, for any 1,000 local senior workers locked into employment by the reform, local youth and prime-age employment declined by 273 (−0.86%) and 199 (−0.12%) workers, and senior employment increased by 833 (+2.70%) individuals. The estimated reduction in youth employment is broadly similar to the one induced by earlier reforms, implemented when the economy was growing. We estimate that an important part of the total employment change induced by the 2011 reform is due to higher firm turnover.
The emergence of nutrition warning labels in Latin America
Authors: Dorlach T
Published: October 2020

Over the last decade, Latin American countries have become leaders in the emerging policy field of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL). Recommended by public health experts and the World Health Organization, FOPNL regulations seek to improve the healthiness of population diets and thereby reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity and associated non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases. In 2011, Chile passed the world's first comprehensive nutrition labelling law and now prohibits school sales and daytime advertisement of any product labeled “high in” sugar, salt, saturated fats, or calories. Ecuador introduced a mandatory traffic-light labelling scheme in 2014, while Peru, Uruguay, and Mexico introduced Chile-style warning labels since 2018. Several other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, are currently debating the introduction of mandatory front-of-pack warning labels. In contrast, most countries in the Global North have so far failed to introduce mandatory FOPNL and the European Union even banned its member states from doing so in 2011. This presentation will trace and explain this emergence of FOPNL in Latin America.
NextGenU.org: the first globally free degree, a Master's in Public Health
Authors: Frank E
Published: October 2020

Background

NextGenU.org and partners have offered (since 2012) free, accredited health sciences courses, with registrants in 192 (of 193) countries. We have now developed the world's first free, accredited degree: The Master of Public Health (MPH), including registration, teaching, testing, and co-granting of a degree. To this end, we continue collaborating with leading public health organizations and educational institutions.

Objectives

Our objective is to improve the health of the underserved, remove barriers to diversifying the health professional workforce, and promote understanding of global/population health. The MPH provides tested and validated interprofessional education in an ongoing timeframe. Institutions add to our MPH via qualified mentors to guide the competency-based mentored activities. Universities may use any/all parts and offer the courses/degrees to students for free or for the school's cost of mentoring. Knowledge acquisition continues to be computer-based via resources from academic, government, professional society, and peer-reviewed journal sources; local and remote peer and mentored activities are included.

Results

We have tested and published on this free model in North American public health, medical, and undergrad students, and in community health workers and primary care physicians in Kenya and India, showing as much knowledge gain and greater student satisfaction than with traditional courses. Peer-reviewed publications on NextGenU.org's efficacy are available at https://nextgenu.org/static/publications.html. All our trainings are reviewed/endorsed by our global academic, governmental and professional partners.

Conclusions

Our research shows the MPH creates local opportunities for health workers in their communities, reducing brain drain and exodus of health workers. We hope that conference attendees discovering these educational innovations translate our findings into action, distributing this resource to their institutions and countries.

Key messages

Our free MPH enables would-be and current health professionals and other learners globally to have equal access to first-class learning resources, without economic or geographic barriers. Because NextGenU.org is able to freely offer these first-class resources to all, our MPH can—and will—change the face of global health through creating worldwide communities of practice.
Strengthening core competences and skills of medical and public health students for digital health
Authors: Petráková A , Príkazský V , Hlavinka A , Holý O
Published: October 2020

Background

Innovations and use of modern IT approaches are important for new generation of health professionals, in particular for strengthening their core competences on health protection, public health emergencies, preparedness and response. Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL), Czech Republic, one of the full ASPHER members, implemented in medical as well as public health curricula new topics focused on digital health in general, in particular on provision of health services in the time of health emergencies.

Objectives

To strengthen competences and skills of medical students in the area of digital health with a special focus on health protection. To train students in using modern IT approaches. To strengthen methodology for retrospective evaluation of surveillance data with an emphasis on updating crisis management for human health within the system of epidemiological alertness.

Results

New module on digital health was developed and successfully tested in all education programmes at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic: General Medicine (Czech and English programmes), Dentistry (Czech and English programmes) and Public Health (Czech programme). New module has blended learning structure based on combination of face-to-face seminars and exercises with e-learning parts, including self-assessment. New module will be presented in details.

Conclusions

This new education module fully supports international recommendations to strengthen digital health competences and skills of medical as well as public health students. This new approach is an integral part of the pilot project on further development and implementation of digital health in the Czech health system, managed by the University Hospital Olomouc. COVID-19 pandemic confirms how important this new approach is for all health professionals.

Key messages

Improving competences and skills of medical as well as public health students in digital health is crucial. Using digital health in the area of health protection, preparedness and response is important for prediction and its use in epidemiological alertness.
Communication breakdown in Italy’s vaccination governance
Authors: Attwell K , Harper T , Rizzi M , Taylor J , Casigliani V , Quattrone F , Lopalco P L
Published: October 2020

Background

In 2017, Italy rebooted its mandatory vaccination regime, following a series of unfavourable court decisions placing vaccination in disrepute. Vaccination rates had steadily declined for half a decade, culminating in a measles epidemic. Existing studies demonstrate the role of vaccine hesitancy, but none have explored the role of government in the years prior to the new mandate. This study analyses the drivers of failures to address sliding vaccine confidence in Italy.

Methods

We engaged in qualitative analysis of primary sources, Italian and international scholarship, and semi-structured interviews with key informants. These were analysed using the coding software NVivo 12. We developed an empirically and theoretically informed schema to make sense of governance failures in knowledge and action.

Results

The resort to mandates in 2017 was triggered by a series of unfortunate events, further thwarted by governance capacity gaps. During 2012-2017, Italy's vaccination governance included no online campaigns to address concerns. Public health officials lacked crucial knowledge regarding the population, including strategies to address hesitancy. They were preoccupied with other significant changes to Italy's vaccination governance, notably the vaccination schedule. Limited financial resources from the political class constrained officials' capacity in a context of austerity. A credibility gap ensued, which officials sought to plug by constructing Italians as in need of firm instruction by mandatory vaccination.

Conclusions

When voluntary vaccination failed in Italy, the new mandates improved coverage rates. However, the vaccine confidence work explored in this study should not be neglected. The future governance of vaccine confidence requires that effective communications to address vaccine confidence be implemented Italy and other jurisdictions facing vaccine hesitancy and refusal problems.

Key messages

We analyse the Italian government’s response to the crisis of vaccine confidence prior to the introduction of mandates, in order to provide lessons for other governments. We identify and explain the gaps in governance capacity that prevented the addressing of sliding coverage rates.
Social values and public procurement in health: can ‘smart’ procurement enhance justice in health?
Authors: Mezeiova V
Published: October 2020

Governments spend 29% of total expenditure on procurement while the second largest area is health. However, the important question is what the impact of these expenditures on health is. Can one buy health justice through procurement? In order to answer this issue, the study firstly analyses theory of global health governance to substantiate whether procurement is a health governance tool whose efficiency and effectiveness determines health outcomes. Secondly, health as a social aspect is scrutinised because its governance and procurement have to be driven by a normative value. Within the study, health justice is justified to be such a value as it is a significant public health factor in practice. Following this normative claim, the study uses analysis of legislation, case law and examples from procurement practice to show whether procurement law can enhance health justice.

In terms of methodology, the study establishes a normative framework of governance in health, health justice and procurement. On that basis, it distinguishes procurement categories (procurement of health, and procurement for health) and concludes what it is in procurement that health justice is transformed into. In order to answer the core research question, the study analyses harmonised transnational EU legislation, policy, case law of the CJEU, and examples from practice through stages of supply framework - at input, output and outcome.

The study leads to a conclusion that procurement serves as a tool of governance in health. In order to reach effectiveness and efficiency of procurement in health, it is submitted that procurement needs to reflect on the argument of ethics and economics of health. Health inequalities are an operationalized factor to reach this. The EU procurement law enables to consider health justice. However, it is restricted by the requirement of proportionality. Therefore, health justice is perceived as distortion, rather than a goal of competition to be enhanced.

Key messages

In order to reach effectiveness and efficiency of procurement in health, it is submitted that procurement needs to reflect on argument of ethics and economics of health. The EU procurement law enables to consider health justice. However, it is rather perceived as distortion, than a goal of competition to be enhanced.
Association between legal status regularization and self-rated health among undocumented migrants
Authors: Fakhoury J , Duvoisin A , Jackson Y L , Burton-Jeangros C , Consoli L , Guessous I
Published: October 2020

Background

Little is known about the social determinants of undocumented migrants' health. The canton of Geneva, which hosts 10-15'000 undocumented migrants, implemented a selective regularization policy in 2017-2018. We sought to assess whether the regularization of the residence status was associated with self-rated health.

Methods

Analyses were based on the first-wave data of the Parchemins Project, a prospective multidisciplinary study evaluating the impact of regularization on undocumented migrants' health and wellbeing. We included 444 undocumented or recently (<3 months) regularized migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years recruited in the community and healthcare settings. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate odds of excellent or very good versus good, fair or bad self-rated health. Explanatory variables included measures of integration, financial situation and social support. Models were adjusted for health variables.

Results

Of the 444 undocumented migrants included, 204 (46%) had recently obtained a residence permit. These regularized migrants reported excellent or very good health more frequently than those undocumented (44.6% vs. 29.2% respectively, p-value < 0.01). However, this difference was not explained by the residence permit (OR = 1.14 [0.70, 1.85]), but rather by the ability to overcome financial hardships (OR = 1.66 [1.02, 2.71]) and better social support (OR = 1.67 [1.07, 2.62]). Adjustment for health variables did not alter these associations.

Conclusions

Policies aiming at promoting better health among undocumented migrants should include measures strengthening financial security and social resources. Further evidence is needed to assess the impact of residence status regularization on self-rated health in the longer term.

Key messages

Studies assessing the impact of the regularization of the legal status on health are generally scarce and evidence in the European context is lacking. This study contributes to fill these gaps. The relationships between the regularization of the residence status, socioeconomic conditions and social participation are of central interest to better understand undocumented migrants’ health.
Theoretical prediction of life expectancy using lifestyle factors in the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort
Authors: Srour B , Hüsing A , Gonzales Maldonado S , Kühn T , Kaaks R
Published: October 2020

Background

The past few decades have witnessed a substantial increase in life expectancy in Western countries, leading to an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases. Several lifestyle risk factors (i.e. smoking, adiposity, unhealthy diet, heavy alcohol drinking and lack of physical activity) have been responsible for a large proportion of premature deaths, as they can affect the incidence of age-related chronic diseases. Our objective was to predict the loss of residual life expectancy (RLE) associated with these lifestyle factors, using data from the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort, linked to an up-to-date mortality registry.

Methods

A total of 23,324 German adults, aged 40 years and above were included (1994-1998) and followed until June 2019. A multi-adjusted parametric proportional hazard model (Gompertz hazard distribution), used to predict survival probabilities, followed by a life table approach was used.

Results

At age 40, being a heavy smoker (> 10 cigarettes/day) was associated with 10.5 y loss of RLE in men and 8.3 in women. Low body mass index (< 22.5 kg/m2) was associated with a RLE loss of 3.7 y in men and 1.4 y in women, while obesity was associated with 4.4 y in men and 3.8 y in women. Heavy alcohol drinking (> 4 drinks/day) was associated with a loss of 4.5 y in men, and high red/processed meat consumption (≥ 120 g/day) was associated with a loss of 1.1y in men and 2.1 y in women. Compared with an overall healthy lifestyle, combined unhealthy behaviors were associated with a loss of RLE of 21.4 y in men and 15.5 y in women.

Conclusions

Prevention strategies encouraging the adoption of an overall healthy lifestyle, particularly by avoiding smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, excess body fatness and reducing red/processed meat consumption, help reducing premature deaths. An extension of this project using blood biomarkers measures is ongoing.

Key messages

Adopting a healthy lifestyle by avoiding or reducing the exposure to risk factors might contribute to a longer life expectancy. Tobacco use, adiposity, and alcohol are probably the main modifiable lifestyle factors affecting life expectancy.
Prevalence and predictors of stress, suicidal thoughts and depression in Italian university students
Authors: Boietti E , Bert F , Savatteri A , Scattaglia M , Ferrara M , Langiano E , De Vito E , Lo Moro G , Gualano M R , Siliquini R
Published: October 2020

Background

Depression is a major public health issue in Europe. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (DS) in university students (US) is considerably higher than in the general population.

Since few data on DS among Italian US exist, this study aimed to estimate perceived stress (PS) and DS prevalence and assess associated factors in Italian US.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in the Social Sciences and Educational Sciences degree courses at University of Cassino through self-administered questionnaires including socio-demographic items, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scale and Perceived Stress Scale. Primary outcomes were DS presence (BDI-II score≥14), suicidal thoughts (ST) and PS. Multivariable analysis and linear logistic regressions were performed.

Results

Globally, 203 questionnaires were collected (23 BDI-II missing). DS and ST prevalence was 30.6% and 11.3 %. PS median score was 20 (IQR=11) and 87.7% reported moderate/severe PS. Family history of psychiatric disorders and not being a freshman (attending first years of courses) were significantly (p < 0.05) related to DS, while not thinking that University hinders carrying out personal activities was protective. High PS and having a chronic disease were significantly associated with ST, while family cohesion appears to be protective. High PS was significantly associated with: female gender, family history of psychiatric disorders, thinking that University hinders resting and relaxing, being under psychiatric/psychological care and having chosen university for Intellectual curiosity. Having no worries about future was linked to a lower PS.

Conclusions

This study found an alarmingly high prevalence of DS and ST in Italian US. Further longitudinal studies need to define risk factors for depression and stress in US. Public health actions such as offering preventive treatment interventions could improve health in European US.

Key messages

Depressive symptoms can be widespread up to 30% of university students and European policies should afford this issue with a strong commitment in order to reduce harmful consequences. Predictors of depressive symptoms, such as university workload and family cohesion, are recognizable and can be a target for European strategies aimed to improve university students’ mental health.
The importance of reliable social media information during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bernardino M , Bacelar Nicolau L
Published: October 2020

On December 2019, in Wuhan-China, SARS-Cov2 coronavirus emerged, causing the COVID-19 pandemic, responsible by June 29 2020, for 10.112.754 cases, and 501.562 deaths, in over 213 countries. Our research aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on Facebook and Instagram posting activity, regarding publications with word ‘Coronavirus', their total interaction and source, as well as an analysis of possible fake news

A sample of 4.000 posts (3.025 Facebook and 975 Instagram posts) was extracted through a web-based social media analytics tool, over two periods: January 10-February 27 (P1) and 01 May-June 28 (P2). Data were analysed using Microsoft tools. The 2.000 P1 posts generated 77.654.161 interactions - 70% likes, 4% comments and 27% shares. However, the 2.000 P2 posts prompted more than four times engagement, with 330.930.859 interactions - 92% likes, 2% comments and 6% shares. From January to February, likes increased 59%, but comments and shares decreased by 27% and 57%, respectively: users are generally more engaged but at a less profound level. From May to June, likes, comments and shares decreased 41%, 43% and 51%, as users gradually come out of confinement.

Certain events boosted engagement: on January 21, as the first case in the United States was announced, 767.280 interactions were reported, a 21-fold increase from the previous day; February 16 was the day with more monthly engagement when the first case in France was announced. January 25, CNN posted the Facebook post with more interactions of the month (2.510.695). On February, the post with most interactions was from Real Madrid Football Club. On P2, the two most popular posts were from The United Nations International Children's Fund Facebook page (May post had 4.153.981 interactions). Social media is nowadays the most used source of information in the world. In a health crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, quality information is necessary to keep the population calm and informed on the correct steps to take.

Key messages

Study the impact of the COVID-19 on Facebook and Instagram, regarding the evolution of publications related to word “Coronavirus”. The importance of Social Media during a Health Crisis.
Factors related to sleep behavior in adolescents: a focus group study
Authors: Vandendriessche A , Deforche B , Verloigne M
Published: October 2020

Background

Adolescents' sleep behavior has deteriorated over the last decades. However, little research has been conducted into possible psychosocial factors related to this behavior, which is an important prerequisite to develop effective sleep behavior interventions. In addition, previous research showed that actively involving adolescents in the development of interventions increases the chance of effectivity and sustainability. This study examined psychosocial factors related to sleep behavior in adolescents and investigated adolescents' willingness to participate in the development of a sleep behavior intervention.

Methods

Nine focus group interviews were conducted with seventy-two students (63,9% girls, 14.8 (±1.0) years) using a standardized interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and thematic content analysis was performed using Nvivo 11.

Results

Adolescents had adequate knowledge of sleep hygiene and short-term consequences of sleep deficiency, but limited knowledge of sleep norms and long-term consequences. Positive attitudes towards sleep were outweighed by positive attitudes towards other behaviours such as screen time. Leisure activities, smartphones, television, schoolwork, early school time and worrying were mentioned as barriers for healthy sleep. Adolescents showed low self-efficacy towards changing their sleep behaviors and perceived a negative social norm towards sleep. Although some adolescents indicated parental rules to have a positive influence on their sleep, others indicated these sometimes provoked frustration. Finally, adolescents emphasized the importance of their participation in the development of a sleep behavior intervention at school, although adult guiding would be needed.

Conclusions

Future interventions promoting heathy sleep in adolescents could focus on psychosocial factors such as knowledge, attitudes, barriers, self-efficacy and social perceived norm and could involve adolescents in intervention development.

Key messages

Future interventions promoting heathy sleep in adolescents should in addition to knowledge, also focus on psychosocial factors such as attitudes, self-efficacy and perceived social norms. Adolescents emphasize the importance of their participation in the development of a sleep behavior intervention. This approach could be worth trying in future research.
Integrating health and social care in Brazil
Authors: Sempe L , Lloyd-Sherlock P
Published: October 2020

Integrating health and social care is now a high priority for public health policy in high-income countries. It has received much less attention in low and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. There is particular value in assessing the potential to integrate care services for older adults, given the speed of population ageing in LMICs.

The presentation provides findings of process and impact evaluations of novel local government initiatives to integrate care for older people in Brazil (drawing on a study co-funded by the UK MRC and CONFAP Brazil).

Programa Maior Cuidado (PMC) was established in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte in 2011. It is jointly managed by the departments of health and of social assistance and involves close community-level collaboration between health posts and neighbourhood social service centres. A key element of PMC is the provision of paid trained lay carers to support family care for dependent older people in socially vulnerable families. We will present findings on the implementation process and operation of PMC, as well as its effects on the following outcomes of interest: reduced unnecessary hospitalisations, enhanced health status for older people and reduced care burden for family carers.

Quasi-experimental analysis using spatial-based Propensity Score Matching shows promising results in terms of increasing planned attentions as well as access to rehabilitation services, which confirms the ability of the Program to improve interface with health services avoiding unplanned unnecessary attentions

We will examine the implementation of similar interventions in other Brazilian cities, including Fortaleza and Contagem, and will study the role of national and international processes in dissemination, knowledge sharing and agenda-setting.

Key messages

The presentation provides findings of process and impact evaluations of novel local government initiatives to integrate care for older people in Brazil. Programme under evaluation lead to interesting outcomes of interest: reduced unnecessary hospitalisations, enhanced health status for older people and reduced care burden for family carers.
How to scale up quality and safety program into home care: an accreditation tool proposal
Authors: Cristofori V , Brunelli L , Battistella C , Agnoletto A , Catelani A , De Sarno C , Odasmini B , Pauletto S , Tosetto C , Brusaferro S
Published: October 2020

Home care is managed with extreme heterogeneity among Italian regions by healthcare and social services. Standardization and self-assessment of these activities can improve their quality and outcomes. The goal of the study is to develop and validate an accreditation tool that provides minimum standards for home care. A multidisciplinary group of health and social care professionals developed a new tool according to the Deming cycle, including 26 items for a total of 144 standards grouped in 6 areas: Organization&governance (A1); Patient safety&clinical risk (A2); Job description, knowledge and skills (A3); Communication&information (A4); Integration tools in care processes (A5); Improvement&innovation (A6). Between April and November 2019, 40 experts from Italian primary care and social services of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) and Veneto Regions were asked by email to evaluate the tool using Delphi methodology. Experts were asked to score each standard according to relevance and feasibility (RF) on a 1 to 9 point scale. RF and agreement among experts were considered good respectively when mean score was >7, and 70% of responses were greater than 7. A total of 21 experts' reviews were collected, with a response rate of 53%. Most responders came from the healthcare setting (71%) and FVG Region (86%). Globally, 101 standards (70%) were rated as good. RF mean and agreement resulted to be good for: A1 (7.6; 81%); A2 (7.4; 71%); A4 (7.5; 86%); A5 (8.0; 86%). More critical results were achieved concerning A3 (7.0; 52%) and A6 (6.5; 43%). Most standards were recognized as both relevant and feasible by experts, confirming the tool developed for home care accreditation. Agreement for Job description, knowledge and skills, and Improvement&innovation areas seems harder to be achieved. The evaluation of detailed experts' comments would further improve the tool, and a pilot study will be implemented in the next future to test its reliability.

Key messages

The implementation of the home care accreditation could reduce inequalities among contexts, while helping quality and patient safety improvement outside healthcare facilities. The existence of a unique home care accreditation tool can foster the integration between health and social care while reducing hospitalizations.