Spatial Quantile Regression In Analysis Of Healthy Life Years In The European Union Countries

The paper investigates the impact of the selected factors on the healthy life years of men and women in the EU countries. The multiple quantile spatial autoregression models are used in order to account for substantial differences in the healthy life years and life quality across the EU members. Quantile regression allows studying dependencies between variables in different quantiles of the response distribution. Moreover, this statistical tool is robust against violations of the classical regression assumption about the distribution of the error term. Parameters of the models were estimated using instrumental variable method (Kim, Muller 2004), whereas the confidence intervals and p-values were bootstrapped

Risks of Discrimination through the Use of Algorithms. A study compiled with a grant from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency

Algorithms, including artificial intelligence, are used in a variety of ways to differentiate people, services, products or positions. This study uses examples to illustrate the technical and organisational causes of discrimination risks and analyses the resulting forms of discrimination. Its particular focus is on the social risks from algorithmic differentiation and automated decision-making, including injustice by generalisation, treatment of people as mere objects, restrictions on the free development of personality and informational self-determination, accumulation effects and growing inequality as well as risks to societal goals of equality or social policy. In these cases, there is a need for reforms of the anti-discrimination and data protection law, but also for societal considerations and definitions of which kinds of algorithmic differentiations are considered acceptable in a society in order to protect fundamental rights and values. Last but not least, the study discusses tasks for anti-discrimination agencies and equality bodies, ranging from the identification and proof of algorithm-based discrimination to preventive and cooperative actions

The Economic Cost of Domestic Hunger: Estimated Annual Burden to the United States

Examines the extent of domestic hunger and estimates the cost burden of food insecurity to the nation, including the costs of charity to help feed families, mental health and physical illnesses, and impaired educational outcomes and economic productivity

Social work in the United States of America

Social work in the United States maintains a longstanding history of education and practice on the policy, community, and micro level. Such education and practice is grounded in social justice and is driven by values that distinguish social work from other professions. The authors describe social work in the United States to include education, scope of practice, and the state of the workforce. They conclude with a discussion of trends for the future.El trabajo social en los Estados Unidos mantiene una larga historia de educación y práctica profesional en la política, en la comunidad y en el nivel micro. Este tipo de educación y práctica, se basa en la justicia social y se orienta por los valores que distinguen el trabajo social de otras profesiones. Los autores describen el trabajo social en los Estados Unidos incluyendo la educación, el ámbito de la práctica y la situación de la profesión. Concluyen con una discusión de las tendencias para el futuro.Il servizio sociale negli Stati Uniti ha una lunga storia di formazione e pratica: sulla politica, sulla comunità e a livello micro. Tale formazione e tale pratica si basano sulla giustizia sociale e sono guidate dai valori che contraddistinguono il servizio sociale dalle altre professioni. Gli autori descrivono il servizio sociale negli Stati Uniti includendo la formazione, l'ambito della pratica e lo stato della forza lavoro. Concludo-no il saggio con una riflessione sulle tendenze futur

Towards pervasive computing in health care – A literature review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The evolving concepts of pervasive computing, ubiquitous computing and ambient intelligence are increasingly influencing health care and medicine. Summarizing published research, this literature review provides an overview of recent developments and implementations of pervasive computing systems in health care. It also highlights some of the experiences reported in deployment processes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>There is no clear definition of pervasive computing in the current literature. Thus specific inclusion criteria for selecting articles about relevant systems were developed. Searches were conducted in four scientific databases alongside manual journal searches for the period of 2002 to 2006. Articles included present prototypes, case studies and pilot studies, clinical trials and systems that are already in routine use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The searches identified 69 articles describing 67 different systems. In a quantitative analysis, these systems were categorized into project status, health care settings, user groups, improvement aims, and systems features (i.e., component types, data gathering, data transmission, systems functions). The focus is on the types of systems implemented, their frequency of occurrence and their characteristics. Qualitative analyses were performed of deployment issues, such as organizational and personnel issues, privacy and security issues, and financial issues. This paper provides a comprehensive access to the literature of the emerging field by addressing specific topics of application settings, systems features, and deployment experiences.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both an overview and an analysis of the literature on a broad and heterogeneous range of systems are provided. Most systems are described in their prototype stages. Deployment issues, such as implications on organization or personnel, privacy concerns, or financial issues are mentioned rarely, though their solution is regarded as decisive in transferring promising systems to a stage of regular operation. There is a need for further research on the deployment of pervasive computing systems, including clinical studies, economic and social analyses, user studies, etc.</p

Minority Stress Theory: An Examination of Factors Surrounding Sexual Risk Behavior Among Gay and Bisexual Men Who Use Club Drugs

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of minority stress theory (MST) upon sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men using club drugs. Similar studies have focused on ethnic minorities and women; however, gay and bisexual men demonstrate greater likelihood for risk behaviors leading to HIV/AIDS. Objective: This study examines sexual risk behavior from the perspective of minority stress theory upon substance-using gay and bisexual men and their partners. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined minority stress associations with participant sexual risk behaviors, drug use, and partner type, controlling for demographics. Results: 396 gay and 54 bisexual respondents, ages 18–67, reported at least one-time drug use while engaging in sexual risk behavior. In the adjusted model, expectations of rejection associated with lower odds of sexual risk behavior, while older age approached significance. Conclusions: Theoretical origins for examining risk behavior among gay and bisexual men may underscore risk and protective factors, while ultimately holding implications for prevention and treatment interventions

Warsztaty przyrodnicze i ich rola w rozbudzaniu zainteresowań przyrodniczych dzieci i uczniów

Development of science interests is one of many elements of the daily teachers' work at school. Finding out interesting forms of working with school students and their proper application at school allows for increasing science interests and to achieve many didactic aims. One of many of such proposals is an informal teaching which can be carried out while students participate in the various workshops, out of school meetings or science fairs.Rozwijanie zainteresowań przyrodniczych ucznia jest jednym z podstawowych elementów codziennej pracy nauczyciela. Poszukiwanie interesujących rozwiązań dydaktycznych i ich umiejętne oraz właściwe zastosowanie w procesie nauczania-uczenia się pozwala pobudzać i rozwijać te zainteresowania, jak również osiągnąć wiele celów dydaktycznych tego procesu. Jedną z takich propozycji jest nieformalne nauczanie w trakcie różnorodnych spotkań warsztatowych, zajęć pozalekcyjnych czy też aktywnego uczestnictwa w festiwalach nauki