How to counter the anti-vaccine rhetoric: Filling information voids and building resilience

Widely circulating anti-vaccine misinformation online has been constituting a large obstacle for the success of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and for the well-being of people during the pandemic. In this paper we discuss strategies to mitigate negative effects of online anti-vaccine contents on public health and to prevent hesitant individuals from falling prey of the traps set by anti-vaccine disinformation spreaders. Here we discuss the importance of filling information voids and understanding trends and concerns that shape the vaccine debate, and we highlight the relevance of building resilience to vaccine misinformation by strengthening public health and digital literacy

The PHERCC Matrix. An Ethical Framework for Planning, Governing, and Evaluating Risk and Crisis Communication in the Context of Public Health Emergencies

In this paper we propose a consistent definition of the risk and crisis communication process in the context of public health emergency (PHERCC), which comprises six key elements: evidence, initiator, channel, public, message, and feedback. Based on these elements and on a detailed analysis of their role in PHERCC, we define an ethical framework to help designing, governing and evaluating PHERCC strategies. The presented framework is based on effectiveness and justice, intended as fairness. It comprises five principles: openness, transparency, inclusivity, understandability, and privacy. The resulting matrix helps understanding the interplay between the PHERCC process and the principles of the framework, simplifying its implementation with real life examples and scenarios. The paper includes suggestions and recommendations for the implementation of the PHERCC matrix, including the role of censorship and the regulation of free speech; education and empowerment of the public; trust, data access, and contextualization; feedback bias and bias propagation; and reflections revolving around the is-ought issue

Concerns Around Opposition to the Green Pass in Italy: Social Listening Analysis by Using a Mixed Methods Approach

Background: The recent introduction of COVID-19 certificates in several countries, including the introduction of the European green pass, has been met with protests and concerns by a fraction of the population. In Italy, the green pass has been used as a nudging measure to incentivize vaccinations because a valid green pass is needed to enter restaurants, bars, museums, or stadiums. As of December 2021, a valid green pass can be obtained by being fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine, recovered from COVID-19, or tested. However, a green pass obtained with a test has a short validity (48 hours for the rapid test, 72 hours for the polymerase chain reaction test) and does not allow access to several indoor public places. Objective: This study aims to understand and describe the concerns of individuals opposed to the green pass in Italy, the main arguments of their discussions, and their characterization. Methods: We collected data from Telegram chats and analyzed the arguments and concerns that were raised by the users by using a mixed methods approach. Results: Most individuals opposing the green pass share antivaccine views, but doubts and concerns about vaccines are generally not among the arguments raised to oppose the green pass. Instead, the discussion revolves around the legal aspects and the definition of personal freedom. We explain the differences and similarities between antivaccine and anti–green pass discourses, and we discuss the ethical ramifications of our research, focusing on the use of Telegram chats as a social listening tool for public health. Conclusions: A large portion of individuals opposed to the green pass share antivaccine views. We suggest public health and political institutions to provide a legal explanation and a context for the use of the green pass, as well as to continue focusing on vaccine communication to inform vaccine-hesitant individuals. Further work is needed to define a consensual ethical framework for social listening for public health

Using engineering documentation to create a data framework for life cycle inventory of welded structures

Abstract Welding is considered an energy-intensive manufacturing system and it represents one of the most impacting construction process. The paper aims to define a structured data framework for life cycle inventory of a welding process starting from engineering and design documentation. The use of design documentation allows to perform robust LCA analysis which permits to compare the environmental performances of the most widely used welding technologies early in the design process. The necessary information to fill the data framework can be retrieved by available documentation developed in the preliminary design phase allowing to anticipate the life cycle analysis before the construction phase. A ship hull structure designed to be manufactured by the use of GMAW and GTAW welding processes has been analyzed as case study. The use of data framework facilitates the inventory phase creating a consistent and robust inventory for LCA

using design geometrical features to develop an analytical cost estimation method for axisymmetric components in open die forging

Abstract Hot forging is an industrial process where a metal piece is formed through a series of dies which permanently change the shape of the part. Open-die forging is a particular type of hot forging in which the used dies are generally flat and the part to be formed has a simple shape. Manufacturing cost estimation is a well-debated topic, especially for traditional manufacturing technologies. However, only few models are available in scientific literature for the open-die forging process. This lack is due to the complexity of the process, characterized by a low level of automation and a high degree of expertise required to develop the process. The paper proposes an analytical model for the cost estimation of axisymmetric components realized using open die-forging. The model uses as input the geometrical features of the part (e.g. dimensions, shape, material and tolerances), and gives as output: (i) the time required for the process development, (ii) the amount of material needed for the part processing and, (iii) the forging machine size/type, from the cutting of the billet to the piece deformation. Two cylindrical discs have been analysed for validating the proposed cost estimation model. The case studies show that the cost models give an accurate result in terms of cost breakdown, allowing the designer a quick calculation of process costs

‘VaxTax’: a follow-up proposal for a global vaccine pandemic response fund

Equal access to vaccines has been one of the key ethical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most scholars consider the massive purchase and hoarding of vaccines by high-income countries, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, to be unjust towards the vulnerable living in low-income countries. A recent proposal by Andreas Albertsen of a vaccine tax has been put forward to remedy this problem. Under such a scheme, high-income countries would pay a contribution, conceptualised as a vaccine tax, dedicated to buying vaccines and distributing them to low and middle-income countries. Proceeding from this proposal, we critically assess the feasibility of a vaccine tax and suggest how to conceptualise and implement a vaccine tax in practice. We present our 'VaxTax model' and explore its comparative advantages and disadvantages while considering other possible measures to address the global vaccine access problem, also in view of future pandemics and disease outbreaks. Keywords: COVID-19; Ethics; Health Care Economics and Organization

Women’s experiences with non-invasive prenatal testing in Switzerland: a qualitative analysis

Background: Prenatal genetic testing, in particular non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), as well as screening for risks associated with pregnancy, and counseling, play pivotal roles in reproductive healthcare, offering valuable information about the health of the fetus to expectant parents. This study aims to delve into the perspectives and experiences of women considering genetic testing and screening during pregnancy, focusing on their decision-making processes and the implications for informed consent. Methods: A nationwide qualitative study was conducted in Switzerland, involving in-depth interviews with women who were 1 to 2 years post-partum, covered by basic compulsory Swiss insurance, including women with a migration background. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and patterns in the data. Results: The findings underscore the significance of effective communication during prenatal counseling, suggesting that healthcare providers could not only convey technical information but also support women in their decision-making processes. Women need comprehensive information about genetic testing and its implications, as well as the reasons for screening during pregnancy, as there might be a need to bridge knowledge gaps and clarify misconceptions. Furthermore, the study highlights the multifaceted nature of decision-making, with women considering factors such as uncertainty, values, emotional responses, and societal support systems. The concept of acceptance emerged as a crucial theme, with some women expressing their readiness to love and accept their child, regardless of genetic anomalies or disabilities. Conclusion: This study offers valuable insights into the perspectives and needs of women regarding prenatal genetic testing, screening, and counseling in Switzerland. It underscores the importance of enhancing the clinical interaction and informed consent process by providing comprehensive information, addressing misconceptions, and supporting women in decision-making about pregnancy management and the management of the child’s health, following prenatal genetic testing, including NIPT. These findings can inform healthcare providers and policymakers in improving the quality of prenatal counseling, ensuring informed consent, and supporting women in making well-informed and meaningful decisions about genetic testing, and on the use of screening during pregnancy

cost estimation method for gas turbine in conceptual design phase

Abstract Introduction of new gas turbine machines on market is a complex project that requires optimization of different performance parameters such as power, efficiency, maintenance plan, product cost and life. The ability to control cost and impact on performances and life strongly decreases from conceptual to detailed design phase. Actually, 80 % of product's cost and performances are committed based on decisions made in conceptual design. This Paper describes a systematic procedure to estimate the cost of multiple design alternatives during conceptual design phase, comparing different cross sections for gas turbine solutions. Examples of parametric costing tool for part family will be described, to show the approach that allows to estimate costs in conceptual design phase, when detailed design has not been developed and lack of information is a daily topic. The idea is to be able to read design information of each part from an enhanced cross section and enter parametric costing tool to have a preliminary cost estimation in conceptual phase. Doing that for each part or module present, it will be possible to estimate total cost of the product. The scope is to create an internal database where the whole know-how and best practices are stored. This database can be examined in early program stages, to reduce time to market and avoid pursuing solutions that would not be viable or convenient, in a sort of digital twin approach. Another positive aspect pursued and presented, is the positive impact on engineering productivity, that directly reflects on program development cost

Perturbations and non-Gaussianities in three-form inflationary magnetogenesis

We reconsider magnetogenesis in the context of three-form inflation, and its backreaction. In particular, we focus on first order perturbation theory during inflation and subsequent radiation era: we discuss the consistency of the perturbative approach, and elaborate on the possible non-Gaussian signatures of the model.Comment: 29 pages and 8 figure

ASTRI Mini-Array Data Model Document

This document provides an overview of the data products of the ASTRI MA System, and their conceptual (and logical) data models. The goals are: - list the data products produced by the MA system and the related data product categories; - show the relationship between the data products; - define a short identifier for the data product; - refer to data streams in architectural diagrams without ambiguity; - define interfaces and data models