Multilevel modelling of mechanical properties of textile composites: ITOOL Project

The paper presents an overview of the multi-level modelling of textile composites in the ITOOL project, focusing on the models of textile reinforcements, which serve as a basis for micromechanical models of textile composites on the unit cell level. The modelling is performed using finite element analysis (FEA) or approximate methods (method of inclusions), which provide local stiffness and damage information to FEA of composite part on the macro-level

Technical assistance in the field of risk communication

This report assesses peer-reviewed and grey literature on risk communication concepts and practices, as requested by the European Commission to support the implementation of a ‘General Plan for Risk Communication’, i.e. an integrated framework for EU food safety risk assessors and risk managers at Union and national level, as required by the revised EU General Food Law Regulation. We conducted a scoping review of social research studies and official reports in relation to risk communication in the following areas: understanding and awareness of risk analysis roles and tasks, reducing misunderstanding of the different meaning of the terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’, tackling misinformation and disinformation, enhancing confidence in EU food safety, taking account of risk perceptions, key factors in trade-offs about risks, audience segmentation and tools, channels and mechanisms for coordinated risk communications. We structured our findings as follows: i) definitions of key concepts, ii) audience analysis and information requirements, iii) risk profiling, models and mechanisms, iv) contributions to communication strategies. We make several recommendations for consideration by the Commission, both in terms of actions to support the design and implementation of the general plan, and research needs that we consider crucial to further inform appropriate risk communication in the EU. EFSA carried out a targeted consultation of experts and a public consultation open to all interested parties including the general public, in preparing and finalising this report

Unfolding-Based Process Discovery

This paper presents a novel technique for process discovery. In contrast to the current trend, which only considers an event log for discovering a process model, we assume two additional inputs: an independence relation on the set of logged activities, and a collection of negative traces. After deriving an intermediate net unfolding from them, we perform a controlled folding giving rise to a Petri net which contains both the input log and all independence-equivalent traces arising from it. Remarkably, the derived Petri net cannot execute any trace from the negative collection. The entire chain of transformations is fully automated. A tool has been developed and experimental results are provided that witness the significance of the contribution of this paper.Comment: This is the unabridged version of a paper with the same title appearead at the proceedings of ATVA 201

Breast cancer by migrant background in Belgium:Lower risk, but worse survival in women of non-European origin

Foreign and native populations differ in terms of breast cancer outcomes. Studies rarely distinguish between premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer, although the risk profile is different; nor between migrants of the first and second generation (FG and SG), which is crucial to examine genetic and environmental influences on breast cancer. This research fills these gaps by investigating patterns in breast cancer incidence and survival in different migrant groups by menopausal and migrant generational status, taking various risk factors into account. To this end, individually linked data from the 2001 census, the Belgian Cancer Registry and the Crossroads Bank for Social Security are used. Age-standardised incidence rates and incidence rate ratios are calculated by migrant background group, stratified according to ages 30–50 (premenopausal) and 50–70 (postmenopausal). Incidence rate ratios are examined with and without taking reproductive factors and socioeconomic position (SEP) into account. Relative survival percentages and relative excess risks of dying among premenopausal and postmenopausal patients are computed with and without controlling for the stage at diagnosis and SEP. Premenopausal breast cancer is further examined by migrant generational status. Breast cancer incidence is lower among non-European migrants compared to Belgians. Keeping SEP and known risk factors constant reduces much, but not all of the observed discrepancies. A risk convergence between SG migrants and Belgians for the development of premenopausal breast cancer is observed. Premenopausal breast cancer survival is worse among Moroccan patients due to a higher stage at diagnosis. This disadvantage is concentrated in the FG

Communication on plant health risks:Social science research, audience segmentation, and communication strategy for an EU awareness‐raising campaign

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out preparatory work to inform an EU awareness-raising communication campaign on plant health risks. In a first phase, this included social science research and audience segmentation to inform appropriate choices regarding targeting and topics to be covered. Mixed methods research was carried out – including analysis of survey data, literature review and in-depth interviews –, to identify plant health awareness, knowledge, risk perception, preferred information sources and trust in different actors. Four “personas” were developed based on the results, representing four potential audience segments: “curious traveller” (P1), “home gardener and hobby farmer” (P2), “conscious young parent” (P3), and “adventurous and green foodie” (P4). The research also included an additional focus on stakeholders involved in plant health, agriculture, and related sectors since they can support the objectives and reach of a campaign. Then, in a second phase, the communication strategy for the 3-year campaign was designed, building on the social research as well as on situational analysis and a stakeholder mapping. The proposed strategy for the campaign foresees targeting of P1, P2 and P3, and entails using a progressive model aimed at raising target audiences’ awareness (Year 1), triggering critical thinking (Y2), and activating and creating advocacy (Y3). A crucial role will also be played by plant sector operators, who will be involved in dedicated activities and act as touchpoints and amplifiers for the campaign. The strategy provides a common framework allowing Member States (MSs) to fully localise the national implementation and to join the campaign throughout its 3-year course. The report outlines the objectives and topics defined for the different years of the campaign per target audience, as well as the tactics and the evaluation methodology. EFSA plans to launch the campaign in summer 2023 in collaboration with participating MSs

Incidence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in returning travellers with fever.

Although tick-borne pathogens have been reported as an important cause of imported fever, the incidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), in travellers is unknown. We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the aetiologies of fever in returning travellers (November 2017-July 2019). Polymerase chain reaction for msp2 gene amplification and indirect immunofluorescence assay for A. phagocitophilum were performed in all returning travellers with undifferentiated non-malarial fever. Among 141 travellers included, 8 patients were diagnosed with probable or confirmed HGA. The overall incidence rate of HGA was 19.9 cases/1000 person-week of travel. The main destination of travel was Asia, accounting for 62.5% patients with HGA. Co-infections were found in 37.5% of patients with HGA. Diagnosis of HGA and empirical treatment with doxycycline should be considered in travellers with fever

IUHPE Position statement on health literacy: a practical vision for a health literate world

Since the 1990s, there has been a steep and steady rise in studies published, and national and international policies adopted, on health literacy. This surge in interest has focused on the definition of health literacy and its various measures, the relationship between health literacy, health promotion and a wide range of health and social outcomes, and increasingly, investment in policy and programs to improve health literacy in populations. The Position Statement is a mechanism by which we describe what we believe to be the current state of the art and how it can be promoted through adoption by key stakeholders

Health literacy and public health: A systematic review and integration of definitions and models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health literacy concerns the knowledge and competences of persons to meet the complex demands of health in modern society. Although its importance is increasingly recognised, there is no consensus about the definition of health literacy or about its conceptual dimensions, which limits the possibilities for measurement and comparison. The aim of the study is to review definitions and models on health literacy to develop an integrated definition and conceptual model capturing the most comprehensive evidence-based dimensions of health literacy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review was performed to identify definitions and conceptual frameworks of health literacy. A content analysis of the definitions and conceptual frameworks was carried out to identify the central dimensions of health literacy and develop an integrated model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The review resulted in 17 definitions of health literacy and 12 conceptual models. Based on the content analysis, an integrative conceptual model was developed containing 12 dimensions referring to the knowledge, motivation and competencies of accessing, understanding, appraising and applying health-related information within the healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion setting, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based upon this review, a model is proposed integrating medical and public health views of health literacy. The model can serve as a basis for developing health literacy enhancing interventions and provide a conceptual basis for the development and validation of measurement tools, capturing the different dimensions of health literacy within the healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion settings.</p

Effect of environmental irritants on the airway epithelial barrier and airway hypersensitivity

Via inhalation we are continuously exposed to environmental agents, such as gasses, chemicals and particles in the air. The first layer of cells that come into contact with these inhaled agents is the airway epithelium. Airway epithelial cells are closely linked to each other, creating a barrier that prevents entry of inhaled (deleterious) agents to the host. Proper functioning of the airway epithelial barrier is crucial in host defense and the importance of an intact barrier has already implicated in a number of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where dysfunction of the epithelium occurs. Inhalation of irritating agents induces a reversible inflammatory response compromising coughing, wheezing and increased mucus production, persistence of these symptoms is indicative of irritant-induced asthma (IIA). IIA is a subtype of asthma that develops after exposure to irritants, such as chlorine, formaldehyde, strong acids and smoke, without an immunological sensitization towards the causal agent. IIA can arise after acute exposure to high concentrations of respiratory irritants, such as during an explosion, fire or accidental leak. However, continuous exposure to lower levels of irritating agents, such as for example exposure of chlorine to professional swimmers, lifeguards and cleaning personnel, can result in IIA. Currently the mechanisms leading to IIA are poorly known. The general hypothesis in the dissertation is that environmental irritants can disturb the airway epithelial barrier and that this contributes to the development of airway hypersensitivity, as in IIA. Therefore we first evaluated the effect of different types of irritants on the airway epithelial barrier on an in vitro level. In a second part, we tested in mice the hypothesis that due to airway barrier impairment, inhalation of low levels of irritants can result in airway hypersensitivity. In chapter 3, a co-culture mimicking the airway epithelial barrier was exposed to different types of environmental irritants. This co-culture existed of bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) and endothelial cells (HLMVEC) seeded on the opposite sides of a permeable membrane, and monocytes (THP-1) added apically. We found that the nanoparticles graphene and graphene oxide induced an immediate negative effect on the airway epithelial barrier. Hypochlorite only induced a negative effect after 24 hours of exposure and ammonium and sodium persulfate did not alter the barrier function. Using immunofluorescent staining a less connected tight junction network was observed due to graphene and graphene oxide exposure. By means of phosphoproteomics we found that graphene and graphene oxide altered the level of phosphorylation of proteins from the tight junction and adherens junction pathway, hereby providing an explanation of the reduced barrier function following exposure to graphene and graphene oxide. We evaluated whether mast cells can influence the response of the airway epithelium upon exposure to environmental irritants in chapter 4. Bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were seeded on a permeable membrane in absence or in presence of mast cells (HMC-1) on the basolateral or apical side, and were exposed to different types of irritants. Irrespective of the seeding condition, graphene and graphene oxide had an immediate and persistent effect on the airway epithelial barrier, whereas hypochlorite and diesel exhaust particles only induced a temporary decrease in barrier function. After irritant-exposure the bronchial epithelial cells did not release the 'danger' signals TSLP, IL-33 or IL-1α and the mast cells were not activated. Due to the inactive (or immature) state of the HMC-1 cells, no additional effects of the airway epithelium following irritant-exposure was determined in the bi-cultures. In the first in vivo study of this thesis, we combined the mouse model of naphthalene-induced airway damage (after a recovery period) with a single intranasal exposure to the common disinfectant hypochlorite (chapter 5). We demonstrated that naphthalene-induced barrier impairment resulted in temporary enlargement of the lungs and airways, and in a permanent increase in the functional lung volumes. The challenge with hypochlorite induced a sensory irritant response, as well as, development of airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary inflammation. The increased airway permeability and epithelial damage after exposure to hypochlorite indicated that due to barrier impairment the epithelium is more vulnerable for the irritant effect of hypochlorite. Moreover, the naphthalene-induced epithelial dysfunction resulted in the recruitment of monocyte-derived epithelial cells towards the lung and increased the type 2 innate lymphoid cell population because of the additional insult with hypochlorite. We confirmed our hypothesis that due to impairment of the airway epithelial barrier, with partial recovery, the mice became more sensitive to exposure of hypochlorite. In chapter 6, we implemented a more vigorous treatment protocol, in which mice were treated twice with naphthalene in order to impair the airway barrier, followed by repeated endotracheal instillations with hypochlorite. In this model the functional lung volumes of mice treated with naphthalene also increased. In combination with the endotracheal instillations, the repeated barrier impairment resulted in non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness. The increase in neutrophils in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and epithelial damage on histologic sections at the end of the experiment indicated that the mice were not fully recuperated from the repeated barrier impairment. Airway exposure to hypochlorite did not augment the airway responses and epithelial damage, but did increase the number of eosinophils in the lung. Using this more vigorous treatment protocol, specific sensitivity towards hypochlorite did not develop, but the mice did become more sensitive to airway exposure in general. To conclude, in this thesis we demonstrated that different types of environmental irritants have different effects on the airway epithelial barrier in vitro, and that impairment of the airway epithelial barrier can result in the development of airway hypersensitivity in mice. By studying these mechanisms, we demonstrated that the airway epithelial barrier and its interaction with respiratory irritants are crucial aspects in the development of IIA.status: publishe