Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of eleven operational dust forecast models and a multi-model ensemble in predicting ground-level Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), with a focus on Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Ground-based observations from regional background stations support model performance assessment across different PM fractions (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and coarse particles), using established statistical metrics (correlation coefficient, R, Mean Bias, MB, and Root Mean Square Error, RMSE). The results reveal substantial variability in accuracy, with R values ranging from &minus;0.24 to 0.91 depending on site and event subset. NASA-GEOS consistently achieves the highest correlation (R = 0.71 at Cyprus), indicating accurate representation of dust transport. In contrast, SILAM and EMA-REG4 perform poorly, with low correlations (R = 0.10 and &minus;0.24, respectively) and significant estimation errors (MB = &minus;90.34 &micro;g/m&sup3; for EMA-REG4). The NOA-WRF model effectively captures extreme dust events, with R = 0.91 during the 95th percentile of PM concentrations in Greece. Most models perform better for coarse PM, with the BOOT methodology indicating reduced scatter and bias during dust storm days. However, no model performs optimally across all sites and conditions, highlighting the need for location-specific tuning and evaluation. The study underscores the importance of refining model configurations and improving parameterizations to enhance forecast accuracy. Future efforts should incorporate localized data and further develop region-specific models to improve the operational use of these systems in early warning protocols for mitigating public health impacts.

Abstract. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of eleven operational dust forecast models and a multi-model ensemble in predicting ground-level Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), with a focus on Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Ground-based observations from regional background stations support model performance assessment across different PM fractions (PM10, PM2.5, and coarse particles), using established statistical metrics (correlation coefficient, R, Mean Bias, MB, and Root Mean Square Error, RMSE). The results reveal substantial variability in accuracy, with R values ranging from −0.24 to 0.91 depending on site and event subset. NASA-GEOS consistently achieves the highest correlation (R = 0.71 at Cyprus), indicating accurate representation of dust transport. In contrast, SILAM and EMA-REG4 perform poorly, with low correlations (R = 0.10 and −0.24, respectively) and significant estimation errors (MB = −90.34 µg/m³ for EMA-REG4). The NOA-WRF model effectively captures extreme dust events, with R = 0.91 during the 95th percentile of PM concentrations in Greece. Most models perform better for coarse PM, with the BOOT methodology indicating reduced scatter and bias during dust storm days. However, no model performs optimally across all sites and conditions, highlighting the need for location-specific tuning and evaluation. The study underscores the importance of refining model configurations and improving parameterizations to enhance forecast accuracy. Future efforts should incorporate localized data and further develop region-specific models to improve the operational use of these systems in early warning protocols for mitigating public health impacts.

ABSTRACT This article describes the process of developing the Hellenic Risk Assessment Instrument reaching the pilot phase, with particular application to the police. The Risk Assessment tool is designed to assess incidents of domestic violence for recidivism and lethality. In particular, the Hellenic Risk Assessment tool is designed to be applied horizontally, across all frontline national agencies that receive reports of domestic violence and abuse (health, police, social services, specialised network of structures for victim support). First, the legal underpinnings nationally and internationally will be described, and the theoretical background and methodology for the overall project will be discussed. During the first stage of the development, data were collected from the specialised department for domestic violence in the Hellenic Police force for the period from January 2019 until July 2021. The data pertained to six overall parameters, which were selected to identify potential risk markers that might be potentially present in the Greek domestic violence incidents. These include perpetrator variables (age, gender, ethnicity), victim variables (age, gender, ethnicity), incident variables (type of violence, and prevalence). In addition, the number of cases reported before and after a domestic homicide, the number of cases at the times of major sporting events and at during the major holidays were investigated. The results were then analysed and will be presented and cross-referenced with other international findings and were used to create the preliminary version of the risk assessment tool. During the second phase of the development of the tool, focus groups were conducted with police officers who covered various departments (Anti-Racism division, Homicide division, Minors, Domestic Violence), that came into direct or indirect contact with victims of abuse, and could offer significant insight into risk factors and parameters that could potentially lead to recidivism and to lethal violence and be usefully incorporated within the tool as well as give their expert opinion as to its efficacy.

Migrant women encounter specific health risks and challenges at host countries, as well as unequal access to social and health services. This qualitative study explores the health needs and factors that hamper access to and utilization of healthcare services as reported by migrant women recently arrived (<5 years) in Spain and Greece. Based on four focus-group discussions and seven individual interviews, our findings highlight the effect that structural vulnerability combined with intercultural factors may have on the utilization, acceptability and the overall experience of healthcare.

Diabetes is a rapidly growing health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but empirical data on its prevalence and relationship to socioeconomic status are scarce. We estimated diabetes prevalence and the subset with undiagnosed diabetes in 29 LMICs and evaluated the relationship of education, household wealth, and BMI with diabetes risk. We pooled individual-level data from 29 nationally representative surveys conducted between 2008 and 2016, totaling 588,574 participants aged ≥25 years. Diabetes prevalence and the subset with undiagnosed diabetes was calculated overall and by country, World Bank income group (WBIG), and geographic region. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risk (RR). Overall, prevalence of diabetes in 29 LMICs was 7.5% (95% CI 7.1-8.0) and of undiagnosed diabetes 4.9% (4.6-5.3). Diabetes prevalence increased with increasing WBIG: countries with low-income economies (LICs) 6.7% (5.5-8.1), lower-middle-income economies (LMIs) 7.1% (6.6-7.6), and upper-middle-income economies (UMIs) 8.2% (7.5-9.0). Compared with no formal education, greater educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of diabetes across WBIGs, after adjusting for BMI (LICs RR 1.47 [95% CI 1.22-1.78], LMIs 1.14 [1.06-1.23], and UMIs 1.28 [1.02-1.61]). Among 29 LMICs, diabetes prevalence was substantial and increased with increasing WBIG. In contrast to the association seen in high-income countries, diabetes risk was highest among those with greater educational attainment, independent of BMI. LMICs included in this analysis may be at an advanced stage in the nutrition transition but with no reversal in the socioeconomic gradient of diabetes risk.

Identifying the difference in barriers and motivators between middle-age and older adults could contribute toward the development of age-specific health promotion interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the literature on barriers and motivators for physical activity in middle-aged (50-64 years) and older adults (65-70 years). The review examined qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domain framework as the guiding theory. The search generated 9400 results from seven databases. A total of fifty-five articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that barriers are comparable across the two age groups with environmental factors and resources being the most commonly identified barriers. In older adults, social influences, reinforcement and assistance in managing change were the most identified motivators. Middle-aged identified goals settings, believe that activity will be beneficial and social influences were most important. Findings can be used by professionals to encourage engagement with and adherence to physical activity.

BackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), urgently requiring detailed evidence to guide the response of health systems to this epidemic. In an effort to understand at what step in the diabetes care continuum individuals are lost to care, and how this varies between countries and population groups, this study examined health system performance for diabetes among adults in 28 LMICs using a cascade of care approach.Methods and findingsWe pooled individual participant data from nationally representative surveys done between 2008 and 2016 in 28 LMICs. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl), random plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl), HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, or reporting to be taking medication for diabetes. Stages of the care cascade were as follows: tested, diagnosed, lifestyle advice and/or medication given (“treated”), and controlled (HbA1c < 8.0% or equivalent). We stratified cascades of care by country, geographic region, World Bank income group, and individual-level characteristics (age, sex, educational attainment, household wealth quintile, and body mass index [BMI]). We then used logistic regression models with country-level fixed effects to evaluate predictors of (1) testing, (2) treatment, and (3) control. The final sample included 847,413 adults in 28 LMICs (8 low income, 9 lower-middle income, 11 upper-middle income). Survey sample size ranged from 824 in Guyana to 750,451 in India. The prevalence of diabetes was 8.8% (95% CI: 8.2%–9.5%), and the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 4.8% (95% CI: 4.5%–5.2%). Health system performance for management of diabetes showed large losses to care at the stage of being tested, and low rates of diabetes control. Total unmet need for diabetes care (defined as the sum of those not tested, tested but undiagnosed, diagnosed but untreated, and treated but with diabetes not controlled) was 77.0% (95% CI: 74.9%–78.9%). Performance along the care cascade was significantly better in upper-middle income countries, but across all World Bank income groups, only half of participants with diabetes who were tested achieved diabetes control. Greater age, educational attainment, and BMI were associated with higher odds of being tested, being treated, and achieving control. The limitations of this study included the use of a single glucose measurement to assess diabetes, differences in the approach to wealth measurement across surveys, and variation in the date of the surveys.ConclusionsThe study uncovered poor management of diabetes along the care cascade, indicating large unmet need for diabetes care across 28 LMICs. Performance across the care cascade varied by World Bank income group and individual-level characteristics, particularly age, educational attainment, and BMI. This policy-relevant analysis can inform country-specific interventions and offers a baseline by which future progress can be measured.

A DR partially enclosed within a rectangular cavity excited with a vertical monopole is examined. The structure can act as an antenna with several close radiating modes. The example considered has a dual-band characteristic, where a coupling screw is shown to significantly improve its -10dB radiation bandwidth.

Tricyclic dyes with different mesoatoms such as xanthenes (fluorescein, eosin) anthracenes and acridines (proflavine) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic preparations interact with DNA, and some of them do so through intercalation. Hyperchem 7.5, Spartan 04, Yasara 10.5.14 program packages and molecular modeling, molecular mechanics and dynamics techniques with the oligonucleotides d(CCGGCGCCGG)2 and d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 were utilized in order to examine the mode of binding to DNA of a range of tricyclic carboxamides bearing N,N-dimethylaminoethyl side chain, i.e., 9-amino-DACA, anthracene, acridine-1-carboxamide, acridine-4-carboxamide (DACA), azacridine, phenazine, pyridoquinoxaline, oxopyridoquinoxaline, phenoxazine and xanthenone or N,N-dimethylaminobutyl moiety, i.e., phenazine and acridine. The bicyclic quinoline-8-carboxamide was also examined for comparison reasons. On the basis of our data, prerequisite for the interaction between protonated N,N-dimethylaminoethyl moiety and guanine is the formation of only one internal hydrogen bond between carboxamide and peri NH + in the case of 9-amino-DACA or peri N in the cases of DACA, azacridine, phenazine and pyridoquinoxaline. The presence of an additional internal hydrogen bond between oxygen carboxamide and protonated N,N-dimethylamino group in the cases of tricyclic systems bearing peri NH (phenoxazine) or O (xanthenone) group, prevents the interaction between side chain and guanine. Also, the formation of one internal hydrogen bond between oxygen carboxamide and protonated N,N-dimethylamino group inhibits the interaction between side chain and guanine in the case of acridine-1-carboxamide. Our findings are in accordance with previously reported results obtained from the kinetic studies of the binding of acridine and related tricyclic carboxamides to DNA.