Wind-wave characteristics and extremes along the Emilia-Romagna coast

This study examines the wind-wave characteristics along the Emilia-Romagna coasts (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) with a 10-year wave simulation for the period 2010-2019 performed with the high-resolution unstructured-grid WAVEWATCH III (WW3) coastal wave model. The wave parameters (significant wave height, mean and peak wave period, and wave direction) were validated with the in situ measurements at a coastal station, Cesenatico. In the coastal belt, the annual mean wave heights varied from 0.2-0.4 m, and the seasonal mean was highest for the winter period (> 0.4 m). The Emilia-Romagna coastal belt was characterized by wave and spectra seasonal signals with two dominant frequencies of the order of 10 and 5-6 s for autumn and winter and 7-9 and 4 s for spring and summer. The wavelet power spectra of significant wave height for 10 years show considerable variability, having monthly and seasonal periods. This validated and calibrated data set enabled us to study the probability distributions of the significant wave height along the coasts and define a hazard index based on a fitted Weibull probability distribution function

Strategies to achieve HPV-related disease control in Italy: results from an integrative approach

Background: achieving Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - related diseases control is an important challenge in public health. In Italy HPV vaccination uptake does not rise a sufficient level. The aim of this project is to identify strategies to promote HPV vaccination in Italy.Methods: an integrated approach consisting of a systematic review and a two-step panel consultation was used to identify strategies to increase vaccination uptake among adolescents, population target of the national vaccination program, and to promote vaccination in additional targets. Overall, ten experts in the fields of Gynecology, Public Health, General Practice and Pediatrics were involved along with Patients representatives. Recommendations were elaborated according to a set of criteria drawn from the Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework.Results: the systematic review led to the identification of three categories of strategies: reminds, education and multicomponent approaches respectively. A strong recommendation was formulated to use reminds tailored to vaccine recipients or their parents, and a moderate recommendation to use reminds directed to health professionals. A moderate recommendation was developed on the implementation of multicomponent interventions. A strong recommendation was yielded with respect to the promotion of HPV vaccination among women already treated for HPV-related diseases, fertile women not previously vaccinated and 25 year-old women undergoing cervical cancer screening. Lastly, a strong recommendation was formulated for catch-up initiatives targeted to women and men turning 18 years of age.Conclusion: this project led to the identification of several valuable strategies to improve HPV vaccination and strengthen HPV-related diseases control at national level

Increasing HPV vaccination uptake among adolescents: A systematic review

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a well-known fundamental strategy in the prevention of cervical cancer, as it is always caused by HPV infection. In fact, primary prevention of the infection corresponds to primary prevention of HPV-related cancers and other diseases. Since an effective prevention at the population level is the final goal, it is mandatory for healthcare systems to achieve a high HPV vaccination coverage among the adolescents to reduce the circulation of the virus and the burden of HPV-related diseases. This research identified, through a systematic literature review, 38 papers on strategies adopted to increase HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents. The evaluated strategies targeted adolescents/parents and/or healthcare providers and could be grouped in three main types: (1) reminder-based, (2) education, information, and communication activities, and (3) multicomponent strategies. Several types of strategy, such as those relied only on reminders and integrating different interventions, showed a positive impact on vaccination coverage. Nonetheless, the heterogeneity of the interventions suggests the importance to adapt such strategies to the specific national/local contexts to maximize vaccination coverage

The Black Sea Physics Analysis and Forecasting System within the Framework of the Copernicus Marine Service

This work describes the design, implementation and validation of the Black Sea physics analysis and forecasting system, developed by the Black Sea Physics production unit within the Black Sea Monitoring and Forecasting Center as part of the Copernicus Marine Environment and Monitoring Service. The system provides analyses and forecasts of the temperature, salinity, sea surface height, mixed layer depth and currents for the whole Black Sea basin, excluding the Azov Sea, and has been operational since 2016. The system is composed of the NEMO (v 3.4) numerical model and an OceanVar scheme, which brings together real time observations (in-situ temperature and salinity profiles, sea level anomaly and sea surface temperature satellite data). An operational quality assessment framework is used to evaluate the accuracy of the products which set the basic standards for the future upgrades, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the model and the observing system in the Black Sea

Is blockchain the breakthrough we are looking for to facilitate genomic data sharing? The European Union perspective

The recent progress of genomics research is providing unprecedented insight into human genetic variance, susceptibility to disease and risk stratification. Current trends predict that a massive amount of genomic data will be produced in the upcoming years which, when coupled with the fast-paced development of the field, will create new social, ethical, and legal challenges. In the complex legislative environment of the European Union, genomic data sharing policies will have to weigh the benefits of scientific discovery against the ethical risks posed by the act of sharing sensitive data. In this complex, interconnected environment, blockchain provides a unique and novel solution to accountability, traceability, and transparency issues regarding genomic data sharing. Implementing a distributed ledger technology-based database could empower both patients and citizens to responsibly use genomic data pertaining to them because it allows for a higher degree of control over the recipients of their data and their uses. The blockchain technology will engage both data owners and policymakers to address the multiple issues of genomic data sharing and allow us to redefine the way we look at genomics

Observational Evidence of the Basin-Wide Gyre Reversal in the Gulf of Taranto

The paper shows for the first time the observational evidence of basin-wide gyre reversal in the Gulf of Taranto (north-western Ionian Sea in the eastern Mediterranean Sea) by means of two specifically designed in situ oceanographic campaigns (based on CTD and ADCP measurements). The analysis of the in situ data shows a change in circulation from anticyclonic in October 2014 to cyclonic in June\u2013July 2016. Furthermore, long-term (1993\u20132018) analysis using gridded satellite altimetry data in the Gulf of Taranto shows that the cyclonic gyres are more frequent than anticyclonic gyres. The latter occur only for 2 to 3 years at a time in some decades

CMEMS downscaled circulation operational forecast system

This document describes the numerical modelling work done in task 5.2 needed to implement OSPA

Copernicus Ocean State Report, issue 6

The 6th issue of the Copernicus OSR incorporates a large range of topics for the blue, white and green ocean for all European regional seas, and the global ocean over 1993–2020 with a special focus on 2020