scholarly journals Celebrating 25 years of seismology at schools in France

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-481
Author(s):  
Jean-Luc Berenguer ◽  
Julien Balestra ◽  
Fabrice Jouffray ◽  
Fabrice Mourau ◽  
Françoise Courboulex ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Natural Extension ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Broadband Seismometer ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Strong Earthquakes ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
The Impact ◽  
School Curricula

Abstract. An educational program focusing on seismological activities for school and university students that trains in observational sciences and raises citizen awareness of natural hazards has been active in France since 1995. Over this quarter century, different generations of students have learned various lessons concerning instrument installation, data recording, and analysis. These actions have led them into the field of scientific interrogation and interpretation, making them better prepared for our modern technological societies. We describe these student commitments that have been motivated by the installation of the first educational broadband seismometer in southern France. Analysis of regional earthquakes has generated a greater awareness of the seismic hazards where students live, while records of strong earthquakes all around the world have led to interaction between students, especially after the deployment of additional seismometers in schools. The natural extension of such an educational seismic network, first at the national level in France in 2006 and later in many countries through various collaborations, has enriched the pedagogical practices of teachers, increasing their skills in seismology and natural sciences among various other disciplines and complementing standard educational resources. We describe the necessary and sustainable relations between teachers and researchers over time. Combining students' motivation, teachers' experience and researchers' expertise has led to different hosting structures over the years. We conclude by presenting the feedback from a survey carried out in 2019 among all the teachers involved, highlighting the strong and weak points of such a long-term adventure. Recent integration into the official syllabus of the new Geosciences high school curricula in France illustrates the impact of such an exceptional experience.

scholarly journals 25 years of seismology at school in France

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Luc Berenguer ◽  
Julien Balestra ◽  
Fabrice Jouffray ◽  
Fabrice Mourau ◽  
Françoise Courboulex ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Natural Extension ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Broadband Seismometer ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Strong Earthquakes ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
Student Training ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. An educational program focusing on seismological activities for student training in observational sciences and on raising citizen awareness of natural hazards has been active in France since 1995. Over this quarter century, different generations of students have learnt various lessons concerning instrument installation, data recording and analysis. These actions have led them into the field of scientific interrogation and interpretation, making them better prepared for our modern technological societies. We describe these student commitments motivated by the installation of the first educational broadband seismometer in southern France. Analysis of regional earthquakes has generated a strong awareness of the seismic hazard where students live, while records of strong earthquakes all around the world have induced interaction between students, especially after the deployment of additional seismometers at schools. The natural extension of such an educational seismic network, first at the national level in France in 2006 and later in many countries through various collaborations, has enriched the pedagogical practices of teachers, increasing their skills in seismology and natural sciences among various other disciplines complementing standard educational resources. We describe the necessary and sustainable relations between teachers and researchers over time. Combining students' motivation, teachers' experience and researchers' expertise has led to different hosting structures over the years. We conclude by presenting the feedback from a survey carried out in 2019 among all the teachers involved, highlighting the strong and weak points of such a long-term adventure. Recent integration into the official syllabus of the new Geosciences high-school curricula in France illustrates the impact of such an exceptional experience.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Prescribing Trends in Outpatient Care: A Nationwide, Quasi-Experimental Approach

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1040
Author(s):  
Tânia Magalhães Silva ◽  
Marta Estrela ◽  
Eva Rebelo Gomes ◽  
Maria Piñeiro-Lamas ◽  
Adolfo Figueiras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Outpatient Care ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
National Level ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Prescribing Trends ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally and is currently having a damaging impact on nearly all countries in the world. The implementation of stringent measures to stop COVID-19 dissemination had an influence on healthcare services and associated procedures, possibly causing antibiotic consumption fluctuations. This paper aims to evaluate the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing trends in outpatient care of the Portuguese public health sector, including in primary healthcare centers and hospitals, as well as on specific antibiotic groups known to be closely associated with increased resistance. Segmented regression analysis with interrupted time series data was used to analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact in antibiotic prescribing tendencies at a national level. The outcomes from this quasi-experimental approach demonstrate that, at the beginning of the pandemic, a significant, immediate decrease in the overall antibiotic prescribing trends was noticed in the context of outpatient care in Portugal, followed by a statistically non-significant fall over the long term. The data also showed a significant reduction in the prescription of particular antibiotic classes (antibiotics from the Watch group, 3rd-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and clarithromycin) upon COVID-19 emergence. These findings revealed an important disruption in antibiotics prescribing caused by the current public health emergency.

scholarly journals Impact of national interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Mingjie Lim ◽  
Shweta Rajkumar Singh ◽  
Minh Cam Duong ◽  
Helena Legido-Quigley ◽  
Li Yang Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Global recognition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as an urgent public health problem has galvanized national and international efforts. Chief among these are interventions to curb the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. However, the impact of these initiatives is not fully understood, making it difficult to assess the expected effectiveness and sustainability of further policy interventions. We conducted a systematic review to summarize existing evidence for the impact of nationally enforced interventions to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use in humans. Methods We searched seven databases and examined reference lists of retrieved articles. To be included, articles had to evaluate the impact of national responsible use initiatives. We excluded studies that only described policy implementations. Results We identified 34 articles detailing interventions in 21 high- and upper-middle-income countries. Interventions addressing inappropriate antibiotic access included antibiotic committees, clinical guidelines and prescribing restrictions. There was consistent evidence that these were effective at reducing antibiotic consumption and prescription. Interventions targeting inappropriate antibiotic demand consisted of education campaigns for healthcare professionals and the general public. Evidence for this was mixed, with several studies showing no impact on overall antibiotic consumption. Conclusions National-level interventions to reduce inappropriate access to antibiotics can be effective. However, evidence is limited to high- and upper-middle-income countries, and more evidence is needed on the long-term sustained impact of interventions. There should also be a simultaneous push towards standardized outcome measures to enable comparisons of interventions in different settings.

scholarly journals Development of an instructional practices scale for business school curricula

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 416-424
Author(s):  
Daniel Glaser-Segura ◽  
Jennifer Wilson ◽  
Suzanne Mudge
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Practices ◽  
Business School ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Guided Learning ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Instructional Activities ◽  
Business Curricula ◽  
The Impact ◽  
School Curricula

Abstract As reflective educators, we seek to use instructional practices offering the greatest benefit to our students. Such benefits are easily seen and understood by the professor, but less often are clearly recognized by the students. To fully evaluate the impact of various activities on students, it is essential to explore the pedagogical practices they engage in, both within, and outside of the classroom. The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure the variety of instructional activities used int eh business curricula. The instrument that will be described in this session contains thirteen scales drawn from a total of 58 developed items. The survey gathered responses from 189 business students from four US-based universities: two state-supported (public) and two private. Based on Varimax factor analysis rotation, the scales were left intact. All 58 items aligned on the thirteen scales as predicted. Using Cronbach's Alpha, the reliability of the thirteen scales was supported: all Alpha’s measured above .83. The focus of this study is to validate the instructional groupings. The instrument will also serve to measure the delivery of classroom and institutional-guided learning practices for sound instructional practice.

An Overview on Strategic ICT Implementations Toward Developing Knowledge Societies

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakikur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Society ◽  
National Level ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

As nations continue to conceptualize, adopt, implement and monitor their respective information and communications technologies (ICTs) policies and e-strategies, it is vital that a critical assessment is undertaken on their effective progress. This includes analysis of strategies, methodologies and best practices while weighing the impact, effectiveness and efficiency of these policies and strategies. However, the demands, motivations and incentives of various governments for adopting, adapting and initiating ICTs varies from country to country, with diverse economic, social, cultural and political environments. Researches in this aspect recognized the necessity of a cohesive ICT policy and strategic framework in each country for socio-economic development at their grass roots. The execution of these policies and strategies should include concrete national commitment and strong political will at the highest levels of government, and an enabling environment that promotes stakeholder involvement in setting agendas and implementing plans and programs. This chapter provides insights into various national implementations in promoting related activities, tried to establish an analytical approach that would assist in formulating ICT policies and strategies by identifying different ICT indicators. Furthermore, this chapter focuses on critical aspects of different strategic national level policies with short-medium-long term visions that targeted both the immediate needs of the populace and long-term needs of nations by integrating ICTs. Finally, this chapter has recommended that via coherent and complimentary policies that engage both the private sector and civil society organizations, nations can move forward towards creating a knowledge society and at the same time by leveraging capabilities of ICT can address the social, economic and political issues on the ground.

The effect of national disease-modifying therapy subsidy policy on long-term disability outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110359
Author(s):  
Suzi B Claflin ◽  
Julie A Campbell ◽  
Deborah F Mason ◽  
Tomas Kalincik ◽  
Steve Simpson-Yap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Subsidy Policy ◽  
Australian Cohort ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Country Differences ◽  
The Impact

Background: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are used to treat people with relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis (ROMS), but our knowledge is largely limited to their short-term effects. Objective: To determine (1) the impact of national-level DMT subsidy policy on DMT use and health outcomes in people with MS (PwMS) and (2) the long-term effects of DMT on disability and quality of life (QoL; 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) utility value). Methods: This observational cohort study compared Australian and New Zealand populations with different levels of DMT availability 10–20 years post-ROMS diagnosis. Between-country differences were assessed using standardised differences. Associations were assessed with multivariable linear regression models. Results: We recruited 328 Australians and 256 New Zealanders. The Australian cohort had longer DMT treatment duration, greater proportion of disease course treated and shorter duration between diagnosis and starting DMT. The Australian cohort had lower median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (3.5 vs 4.0) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) (3.05 vs 3.71) and higher QoL (0.71 vs 0.65). In multivariable models, between-country differences in disability and QoL were largely attributed to differential use of DMT. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the impact of national-level DMT policy on disability outcomes in PwMS. Where DMTs are more accessible, PwMS experienced less disability progression and improved QoL 10–20 years post-diagnosis.

scholarly journals Reductions in CO2 Emissions from Passenger Cars under Demography and Technology Scenarios in Japan by 2050

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanobu Kii
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Automobile Industry ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Passenger Cars ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
The Impact

Climate policy requires substantial reductions in long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including in the transportation sector. As passenger cars are one of the dominant CO2 emitters in the transport sector, governments and the automobile industry have implemented various countermeasures, including decarbonization of fuels, more energy efficient vehicles, and transport demand management. However, the total impact of these measures in the long term remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the CO2 emissions reductions from passenger cars by 2050 in 1727 municipalities in Japan under a declining population. To estimate CO2 emissions, we model travel behavior and traffic situations reflecting the regional conditions of the municipalities, including population density and accessibility to public transport for the base year 2010. Assuming plausible scenarios for future populations and automobile technologies, we estimate CO2 emissions from passenger cars. We estimate that CO2 emissions will decline by 64–70% between 2010 and 2050, with automobile technologies playing the largest role. We find that the impact of urban compaction is marginal at the national level but varies by municipality. These results imply that, given regional variations, all countermeasures, including technology and demand management, must be used to achieve the long-term target of CO2 emissions reductions.

scholarly journals Groundwater level oscillation analysis in shallow alluvial aquifers in Pomurje, NE Slovenia

Geologija ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-129
Author(s):  
Urška PAVLIČ ◽  
Petra SOUVENT
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Oscillation Analysis ◽  
Groundwater Fluctuation ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Level Oscillation ◽  
Groundwater Quantity ◽  
The Impact

Systematic hydrologic monitoring of groundwater quantity at the national level in Slovenia has been ongoing since 1952. An insight into long-term groundwater level data enables us to delineate parts of aquifers with similar groundwater level oscillation properties as well as to identify changes of those properties in time. We used variety of statistical methods to identify long-term behaviour of groundwater level oscillation of groundwater body (GWB) Murska kotlina. Results showed that fluctuation of groundwater level in time reflect complex set of events that originate in natural or anthropogenic interferences. Using percentile analysis in combination with cluster analysis, we were able to isolate areas with a related groundwater fluctuation. Results of long-term data trends analyses of monthly groundwater level showed the impact of the research area climate on long-term and seasonal groundwater level fluctuation. In addition to natural causes, by performing trend analysis on groundwater level data, we were able identify some human induced interventions into the environment made in the past.

Comparison of Two Successive Earthquake Awareness Campaigns in Israel: Improved Methodology or a Cumulative Effect?

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilead Shenhar ◽  
Michael Rozenfeld ◽  
Irina Radomislensky ◽  
Kobi Peleg
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Earthquake Preparedness ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectivesAn effective way to reduce casualties from earthquakes is to increase population preparedness. During 2011 to 2013, Israeli authorities executed 3 national-level earthquake awareness campaigns. We aimed to assess the impact of these campaigns on the populace and the ability of the campaigns to produce a cumulative effect throughout the study period.MethodsTwo surveys were conducted 2 weeks after the end of the first campaign and the third campaign in a similar randomly selected representative sample.ResultsExposure to the campaign proved to be a significant factor in increasing the knowledge of the respondents, giving a knowledge advantage of 1.5 times to respondents exposed to the campaign. However, the period of assessment proved to be an even more significant factor, with knowledge in 2013 being 2.3 times that in 2011. Additionally, a gap of up to 40% between the levels of trust and the perceived responsibility of respective authorities in the times of earthquake was found.ConclusionsThis study found an improvement in public knowledge regarding earthquake preparedness over the 3 years of the study. This may mean that an awareness campaign does not stand by itself, but should be part of an integrated long-term process in order to have a lasting effect on the population. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:74–79)

An Overview on Strategic ICT Implementations Toward Developing Knowledge Societies

2008 ◽  
pp. 1-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakikur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Society ◽  
National Level ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

As nations continue to conceptualize, adopt, implement and monitor their respective information and communications technologies (ICTs) policies and e-strategies, it is vital that a critical assessment is undertaken on their effective progress. This includes analysis of strategies, methodologies and best practices while weighing the impact, effectiveness and efficiency of these policies and strategies. However, the demands, motivations and incentives of various governments for adopting, adapting and initiating ICTs varies from country to country, with diverse economic, social, cultural and political environments. Researches in this aspect recognized the necessity of a cohesive ICT policy and strategic framework in each country for socio-economic development at their grass roots. The execution of these policies and strategies should include concrete national commitment and strong political will at the highest levels of government, and an enabling environment that promotes stakeholder involvement in setting agendas and implementing plans and programs. This chapter provides insights into various national implementations in promoting related activities, tried to establish an analytical approach that would assist in formulating ICT policies and strategies by identifying different ICT indicators. Furthermore, this chapter focuses on critical aspects of different strategic national level policies with short-medium-long term visions that targeted both the immediate needs of the populace and long-term needs of nations by integrating ICTs. Finally, this chapter has recommended that via coherent and complimentary policies that engage both the private sector and civil society organizations, nations can move forward towards creating a knowledge society and at the same time by leveraging capabilities of ICT can address the social, economic and political issues on the ground.

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