52 research outputs found
Historical, geographic and fortification factors of the area of Cyrenajka. Description and importance of the fortress of Tobruk 1940–1941
No full textThe article presents an outline of the history of Cyrenajka, from the ancient times until the seventies of the 20th century. The author focuses on the military development of the region as well as on its geographic determinants important for wartime activities. The fundamental part of the article provides a description of the development of the fortification system of the area of Cyrenajka. The author starts the description from the Lebanese-Egyptian borderline presenting the fortresses of Mersa-Matruh and Sidi-Barani, and then moves on to giving a description of the fortress of Bardia and the fortress of Tobruk, constituting the main area of the defense activities in the region of Cyrenajka. The article includes a detailed characterization of the fortress of Tobruk and its division into three (red, blue and green) defensive lines. The article also presents the defense points of the western part of the area of Cyrenajka – the so called desert position – such as the fortresses of Derna, where the huge airport of Martuba was situated, and the desert fortress of El-Mechili. In the summary, the author assesses the military significance of the fortress of Tobruk and the entire area of , for the course of the military actions undertaken during the Second World War as well as the role of the region after 1945.W artykule przedstawiono zarys historii Cyrenajki, sięgając od czasów antycznych po lata 70. XX wieku. Autor skupił się głównie na ukazaniu militarnego rozwoju tego obszaru, a także jego uwarunkowań geograficznych dla działań wojennych. W zasadniczej części artykułu scharakteryzował rozwój systemu fortyfikacyjnego obszaru Cyrenajki. Wychodząc od pogranicza libijsko-egipskiego, ukazał obozy warowne (twierdze) Mersa-Matruh i Sidi-Barani, a następnie twierdzę Bardia i główny rejon obrony Cyrenajki – twierdzę Tobruk. Szczegółowo scharakteryzowano strukturę forteczną Tobruku i jego podział na trzy (czerwoną, niebieską i zieloną) linie obrony. W artykule przedstawiono także punkty obronne zachodniego obszaru Cyrenajki – tzw. pozycji pustynnej, m.in. forty w Dernie, gdzie znajdowało się wielkie lotnisko – Martuba oraz pustynny fort El-Mechili. W podsumowaniu dokonano oceny znaczenia militarnego tobruckiej twierdzy i całego obszaru Cyrenajki dla przebiegu działań wojennych prowadzonych podczas II wojny światowej a także militarna rolę tego miejsca po 1945 roku
Are political views related to smoking and support for tobacco control policies? A survey across 28 European countries
No full textBackground: General political views are rarely considered when discussing public support for tobacco control policies and tobacco use. The aim of this study was to explore potential associations between political views, smoking and support for tobacco control policies. Methods: We analysed responses from 22,313 individuals aged ≥15 years from 28 European Union (EU) member states, who self-reported their political views (far-left [1-2 on a scale 1-10]; centre-left (3-4); centre (5-6); centre-right (7-8); and far-right (9-10) in wave 82.4 of the Eurobarometer survey in 2014. We ran multi-level logistic regression models to explore associations between political views and smoking, as well as support for tobacco control policies, adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Results: Compared to those placing themselves at the political centre, people with far-left political views were more likely to be current smokers (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.01-1.26), while those in the centre-right were the least likely to smoke (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76-0.93). Similar associations were found for having ever been a smoker. Respondents on the left side of the political spectrum were more likely to support tobacco control policies and those on the centre-right were less likely to support them, as compared to those at the political centre, after controlling for smoking status. Conclusions: General political views may be associated not only with support for tobacco control policies, but even with smoking behaviours, which should be taken into account when discussing these issues at a population level. Further research is needed to explore the implications of these findings. © 2017 The Author(s)
Current practices and perceived barriers to tobacco treatment delivery among healthcare professionals from 15 European countries. The EPACTT Plus project
No full textINTRODUCTION The latest evidence-based Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Dependence highlight the significant role of healthcare professionals in supporting smokers interested to quit. This study aimed to identify the current practices of healthcare professionals in Europe and perceived barriers in delivering tobacco treatment to their patients who smoke.
METHODS In the context of EPACTT-Plus, collaborating institutions from 15 countries (Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Italy, France, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Romania, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine) worked for the development of an accredited eLearning course on Tobacco Treatment Delivery available at http:// elearning-ensp.eu/. In total, 444 healthcare professionals from the wider European region successfully completed the course from December 2018 to July 2019. Cross-sectional data were collected online on healthcare professionals’ current practices and perceived barriers in introducing tobacco-dependence treatment into their daily clinical life.
RESULTS At registration, 41.2% of the participants reported having asked their patients if they smoked. Advise to quit smoking was offered by 47.1% of the participants, while 29.5% reported offering assistance to their patients who smoked in order to quit. From the total number of participants, 39.9% regarded the lack of patient compliance as a significant barrier. Other key barriers were lack of: interest from the patients (37.4%), healthcare professionals training (33.1%), community resources to refer patients (31.5%), and adequate time during their everyday clinical life (29.7%).
CONCLUSIONS The identification of current practices and significant barriers is important to build evidence-based guidelines and training programs (online and/or live) that will improve the performance of healthcare professionals in offering tobacco-dependence treatment for their patients who smoke
Impact of the ENSP eLearning platform on improving knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy for treating tobacco dependence. An assessment across 15 European countries
No full textINTRODUCTION In 2018, the European Network for Smoking Cessation and Prevention (ENSP) released an update to its Tobacco Treatment Guidelines for healthcare professionals, which was the scientific base for the development of an accredited eLearning curriculum to train healthcare professionals, available in 14 languages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ENSP eLearning curriculum in increasing healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy (perceived behavioral control) and intentions in delivering tobacco treatment interventions in their daily clinical routines.
METHODS We conducted a quasi-experimental pre-post design study with 444 healthcare professionals, invited by 20 collaborating institutions from 15 countries (Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Italy, France, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Romania, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine), which completed the eLearning course between December 2018 and July 2019.
RESULTS Healthcare professionals’ self-reported knowledge improved after the completion of each module of the eLearning program. Increases in healthcare professionals’ self-efficacy in delivering tobacco treatment interventions (p<0.001) were also documented. Significant improvements were documented in intentions to address tobacco use as a priority, document tobacco use, offer support, provide brief counselling, give written material, discuss available medication, prescribe medication, schedule dedicated appointment to develop a quit plan, and be persistent in addressing tobacco use with the patients (all p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS An evidence-based digital intervention can be effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intentions on future delivery of tobacco-treatment interventions
Screening for Depression in Cardiovascular Patients in Albania: Findings from the Country Check-Up Program
No full textThis is a retrospective study conducted in Vlora from January 2016 to April 2017 and the aim was to report the prevalence of depression in cardiovascular (CVD) patients. Depression assessment was done using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 (PHQ-9). Data were derived from the patient records and the standard recommended cut-off point of PHQ-9 ≥ 10 was used. In total, data of 300 patients were analyzed. Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) were observed at 6% of the participants. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping too much, feeling tired or having little energy and having little interest or pleasure in doing things were the most common symptoms reported. In multivariate analysis, only family status showed statistical significance. Unmarried (mean rank = 207.22) are more likely to have moderate or severe depression level (OR 3.529; C.I. 95% 1.017–12.238). Future research should focus on the needed actions after depression screening (i.e. referral, treatment etc.). © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Research Progress in Metal-Organic Framework Based Nanomaterials Applied in Battery Cathodes
No full textMetal-Organic Frameworks have attracted profound attention the latest years for use in environmental applications. They can offer a broad variety of functions due to their tunable porosity, high surface area and metal activity centers. Not more than ten years ago, they have been applied experimentally for the first time in energy storage devices, such as batteries. Specifically, MOFs have been investigated thoroughly as potential materials hosting the oxidizing agent in the cathode electrode of several battery systems such as Lithium Batteries, Metal-Ion Batteries and Metal-Air Batteries. The aim of this review is to provide researchers with a summary of the electrochemical properties and performance of MOFs recently implemented in battery cathodes in order to provide fertile ground for further exploration of performance-oriented materials. In the following sections, the basic working principles of each battery system are briefly defined, and special emphasis is dedicated to MOF-based or MOF-derived nanomaterials, especially nanocomposites, which have been tested as potential battery cathodes
Ultrasound-Assisted Preparation Methods of Nanoparticles for Energy-Related Applications
No full textThe state of health in the European Union (EU-27) in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
No full textBackground: The European Union (EU) faces many health-related challenges. Burden of diseases information and the resulting trends over time are essential for health planning. This paper reports estimates of disease burden in the EU and individual 27 EU countries in 2019, and compares them with those in 2010. Methods: We used the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study estimates and 95% uncertainty intervals for the whole EU and each country to evaluate age-standardised death, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates for Level 2 causes, as well as life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE). Results: In 2019, the age-standardised death and DALY rates in the EU were 465.8 deaths and 20,251.0 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Between 2010 and 2019, there were significant decreases in age-standardised death and YLL rates across EU countries. However, YLD rates remained mainly unchanged. The largest decreases in age-standardised DALY rates were observed for “HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases” and “transport injuries” (each -19%). “Diabetes and kidney diseases” showed a significant increase for age-standardised DALY rates across the EU (3.5%). In addition, “mental disorders” showed an increasing age-standardised YLL rate (14.5%). Conclusions: There was a clear trend towards improvement in the overall health status of the EU but with differences between countries. EU health policymakers need to address the burden of diseases, paying specific attention to causes such as mental disorders. There are many opportunities for mutual learning among otherwise similar countries with different patterns of disease. © The Author(s) 2024
Assessing refugee healthcare needs in Europe and implementing educational interventions in primary care: a focus on methods.
No full textThe current political crisis, conflicts and riots in many Middle Eastern and African countries have led to massive migration waves towards Europe. European countries, receiving these migratory waves as first port of entry (POE) over the past few years, were confronted with several challenges as a result of the sheer volume of newly arriving refugees. This humanitarian refugee crisis represents the biggest displacement crisis of a generation. Although the refugee crisis created significant challenges for all national healthcare systems across Europe, limited attention has been given to the role of primary health care (PHC) to facilitate an integrated delivery of care by enhancing care provision to refugees upon arrival, on transit or even for longer periods. Evidence-based interventions, encompassing elements of patient-centredness, shared decision-making and compassionate care, could contribute to the assessment of refugee healthcare needs and to the development and the implementation of training programmes for rapid capacity-building for the needs of these vulnerable groups and in the context of integrated PHC care.
This article reports on methods used for enhancing PHC for refugees through rapid capacity-building actions in the context of a structured European project under the auspices of the European Commission and funded under the 3rd Health Programme by the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA). The methods include the assessment of the health needs of all the people reaching Europe during the study period, and the identification, development, and testing of educational tools. The developed tools were evaluated following implementation in selected European primary care settings. (aut. ref.
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