National Operational Programmes Research Articles

The Italian Roma, Sinti and Travellers Health Project for equity in access to care

Abstract Issue In 2015, Italy approved the National Action Plan for Health for and with Roma, Sinti and Travellers (RSC); however, it is still not fully applied at a local level. The INMP (funded by the National Operational Programme for Social Inclusion), implemented the “Health Project - Promotion of strategies and tools for equity in access to health care for RSC”, aimed to support the implementation of the Plan by Local Health Authorities (ASL). Description The project lasted from March 2019 to December 2021. INMP worked with 7 ASL to design interventions and develop tools to address RSC health needs. The SODA (Strategic Options Development and Analysis) method as a participatory process aimed at identifying strategies and models for the execution of the Plan among relevant stakeholders was used. Moreover, RSC communities’ engagement strategies and a community-based Proximity Public Health (PPS) approach were adopted in designing and developing health promotion interventions. Results INMP performed 38 interviews with ASL health operators highlighting barriers and strategies in the local implementation of the Plan. Tools orienting to social and health services and health education materials for hard-to-reach groups were produced. A training course for 14 RSC facilitators and 5 training courses attended by over 200 NHS operators have been organized. ASL were supported in developing health promotion initiatives, based on the engagement of both local RSC communities and third sector entities. Lessons The project has enabled the ASL to develop local protocols for the implementation of the Action Plan. In line with this capacity-building activity, the project trained both health operators and RSC facilitators fostering the dissemination of the PPS culture in designing and providing care for hard-to-reach groups. Given the positive results obtained, INMP is still collaborating with both ASL and the Third Sector on additional activities related to the Project in 2022. Key messages

InCulture: A Collaborative Platform for Intangible Cultural Heritage Narratives

Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH) is defined as the collection of oral traditions and expressions such as epics, fairy tales, stories, arts, social practices, rituals and celebrations, events, knowledge, and practices related to nature and the universe, traditional medicine, folk medicine, traditional handcrafts, as well as personal experiences related to important historical events or cultural activities that shaped the historical and local identity. Under the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH, nations are committed to developing inventories of ICH and working with local communities, groups, and individuals to preserve these traditions. In this paper, a platform is introduced that facilitates the collection of intangible ICH data, the formation of story-based narratives, and their presentation to the public via a web and mobile application, which offers Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. The platform aims to support the formation of user communities sharing common interests and to provide them with the appropriate tools for collecting pieces of ICH. Collected ICH resources and created narratives are modeled using semantic web technologies so that information can be perceived by third-party systems too. Furthermore, towards the dissemination of the platform, a real-world use case took place on the island of Rhodes focusing on the recent history of the island between 1912 and 1948 (WWII). The platform was implemented to support the goals of the project InCulture, funded by the EPAnEK Greek national co-funded operational program “Competitiveness Entrepreneurship and Innovation”.

The Hurdles to Obtaining European Funds by Polish Benefi ciaries – Quantitative Research

The main objective for writing this article is to present the barriers to accessing EU funds at the stage of preparing an application for funding, as well as the barriers to executing project activities. The research objective, question, and problem as well as the statistical description of the research group and the measurement instruments have been highlighted in the article. The author attempts to answer the following questions: what are the main barriers/hurdles encountered by Polish benefi ciaries of EU funds allocated under national and regional operational programmes; which of the identified barriers to accessing EU funds is perceived as the most hindering in the process of executing EU projects; and how is the impact of EU funds on regional development assessed from the perspective of those people executing projects and taking part in projects fi nanced with EU funds? The following barriers can be enumerated as the most significant: the withholding of subsequent funding tranches while maintaining the obligation to pursue project execution, the highly bureaucratic application process for a subsidy, the bureaucratic system of post-project accounting, and the long deadlines for transferring subsequent tranches of funding. An analysis of the findings confi rms that the benefi ciaries of EU funds primarily fear losing fi nancial liquidity. Receiving a subsidy in the form of a refi nancing of the incurred costs requires, on the one hand, efficient project management,and, on the other, a well-functioning institutional system that should support project recipients in their investment endeavours.

Monitoring crop growth using a canopy structure dynamic model and time series of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data

ABSTRACT Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series data are used by agricultural agencies for many essential operational crop monitoring programmes. But optical sensors often miss key growth stages due to cloud cover interference, impacting the performance of operational activities. Although the synergistic use of optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery can provide time series data, any SAR-optical integration necessitates building a relationship between these two data sources. The objective of this study was to use a semi-empirical Canopy Structure Dynamics Model (CSDM), Growing Degree Days (GDD), and SAR parameters calibrated to optical NDVI to derive daily estimates of canola crop condition over an entire growing season. RADARSAT-2 Fine Quad-pol and RapidEye images were collected over three years for a study site in western Canada. Object-based image analysis was applied to study the relationship between the optical and SAR time series data. Significant correlations were documented between a number of SAR parameters and optical NDVI, specifically a ratio of backscatter intensities (HH-HV)/(HH+HV), a ratio of volume to surface scattering extracted from the Freeman Durden decomposition, and Entropy from the Cloude-Pottier decomposition. Correlations (r-values) between these SAR parameters and optical NDVI ranged from 0.63 to 0.84 for the three years of data. Based on this analysis, a simple statistical model was used to relate SAR parameters to optical NDVI, creating a SAR-calibrated NDVI (SARcal-NDVI). A CSDM was fit to the SARcal-NDVI for each canola field, constructing a temporal vegetation index curve which captured canopy development from emergence to senescence. Coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.87 0.86 and 0.82 for entropy, the volume-surface scattering ratio, and the ratio of backscatter intensities (HH-HV)/(HH+HV), respectively, demonstrating a good model fit. The CSDM describes well the temporal evolution of SARcal-NDVI. Using the CSDM, SARcal-NDVI and GDD, the canola condition can be estimated for any given day in the growing season. In fact when the CSDM was used to estimate SARcal-NDVI for the exact days of RapidEye acquisitions, correlations with optically derived NDVI were high. The strongest correlations with RapidEye NDVI were reported for the volume-surface scattering ratio (R2 of 0.69 and RMSE of 0.15). The SARcal-NDVI estimated from the CSDM was also physically meaningful. Field-based biomass was significantly correlated (R2 of 0.79) with the SARcal-NDVI calculated using the volume-surface scattering ratio. Although further research is needed to extend this method to other crops, these results demonstrate that SAR data can be used to estimate vegetation conditions and when coupled with a CSDM, integrated into current monitoring operations based on optical NDVI. As a next step, the research team will be assessing SARcal-NDVI in a national operational programme which reports on crop yields using modelling with optical-based NDVI.

New Insights into the Role of Intracellular Ca2+ in the Regulation of the Human Kidney Chloride Channel ClC‐Ka

It has been recognized that the physiological role of ClC‐Ka and its mouse homolog ClC‐K1 in the nephron is to confer high Cl− permeability in the thin Ascending Limb of Henle (tAL), which in turn is essential for establishing the high osmolarity of the renal medulla in the countercurrent system. Accordingly ClC‐K1 KO mice display a severe polyuria resembling a Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI) phenotype. Thus, ClC‐Ka in human nephron could be an interesting target for diuretic and anti‐hypertensive drugs. Unfortunately the regulation of ClC‐Ka in and its electrophysiological properties are still not completely known. We analyzed, by whole‐cell voltage‐clamp, Cl− currents in HEK293 cells expressing GFP‐ClC‐Ka and the accessory m‐Cherry Barttin subunit upon intracellular Ca2+mobilization. The patch clamp protocol consists of a holding potential from 0 mV, which is stepped to various test potentials from −195 and +125 mV for 150 ms. Pulses ended with a tail pulse to −125 mV for 20 ms. In control conditions we found a linear current/voltage relationship over a broad range of membrane voltages except of hyperpolarization below −100 mV, where the channel open probability was reduced, providing the well‐known hook‐shaped appearance of the I‐V curve for ClC‐Ka channel. Interestingly, both 100 μM ATP and 400 μg/ml of dandelion root extract (DRE), both increasing intracellular Ca2+ in HEK293, significantly inhibited Cl− currents in a time dependent way. Pretreatment of cells with either the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM or the PCK inhibitor Calphostin C, reverted the inhibitory effects of both ATP and DRE. Interestingly, 1μM of Phorbol Meristate Acetate (PMA), a specific PKC activator, mimicked the inhibitory effect of ATP and DRE on Cl− currents. We finally demonstrated that 30 μM Heclin, an inhibitor of E3 ubiquitin ligase, did not revert the DRE‐ and ATP‐ induced Cl− currents inhibition, thus suggesting that the ClC‐Ka inhibition is independent of channel ubiquitination. Accordingly, live confocal analysis showed that all the Ca2+mobilizing compounds tested did not induced neither ClC‐Ka nor Barttin internalization. We hypothesized that phosphorylation in the putative PKC consensus sites present in ClC‐Ka amino acidic sequence may be involved in the inhibition of channel activity. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that the activity of ClC‐Ka in renal cells could by inhibited by either receptor agonists or natural molecules able to activate an intracellular Ca2+/PKC pathway, thus opening venues for the development of new diuretic drugs.Support or Funding InformationGrant n# ARS01_01081 to MC from The National Operational Program (PON) of the Ministry of Education, ITALYFigure 1

The Research Laboratory of the Mediterranean University

The laboratory, called LAB RENEW MEL created to test new technologies for producing energy from renewable sources thanks to the decisions of the management committees of three projects funded under the National Operational Program for Research and Competitiveness 2007-2013:RENEW Project (2014-2016) Coordinator prof. Claudio De Capua (Note 5)MEL Project (2014-2016 Coordinator prof. Pasquale Fabio Filianoti (Note 6)GELMINCAL Project (2011-2014) Coordinator prof. Francesco Della Corte (Note 7)All three projects together have a budget of nearly thirty million Euros. These are substantial resources that can allow the Mediterranean to take on a role of excellence in research on renewables. The establishment of a research center aims to achieve this goal, involves three departments of the University of Reggio Calabria, two of Engineering area, the Department of Civil Engineering, Energy, Environment and Materials (DICEAM) and the Department of Information Engineering, Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (DIIES) and one of Architecture area, the Department of Architecture and Territory (dArTe).The author of this article is also the designer together with professor Alessandro Villari and professor Angelo Di Chio, who have followed, from the initial stages, all aspects related to the relationship between the objectives of the research and those related to the implementation of the Laboratory.

Investire nel digital fabrication: le scuole che scelgono di dotarsi di stampanti 3D attraverso il Programma Operativo Nazionale

In this paper, we propose a framework for monitoring school projects based on the National Operational Programme (NOP) For School: Skills and Learning Environments. These schools intend to use 3D printers purchased with ERDF funds in preschools. This study aims to identify the characteristics of these schools, through analysis of data relevant to the participation in the NOP.

EU Funds for Security

Police Academy in Szczytno as a university applies for grants for scientific projects and education activities under national and international calls for proposals. To a large extent, the Academy, as part of national resources, participates in competitions of the National Centre for Research and Development, but also in national and regional operational programmes. The research carried out primarily has the nature of applied and industrial research carried out for the benefit of industry or development works for specific recipients from the area of generally understood security. The obtained European funds are primarily projects implemented under the 7th Framework Program, and currently mainly within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme in the area of security. Police Academy in Szczytno is an active recipient of financial resources from European sources, mainly under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. Police Academy in Szczytno is a member of scientific and industrial consortia implementing projects mainly in the fields of security, cybersecurity, organized crime and terrorism, and education of law enforcement officers. Police Academy in Szczytno has a highly qualified scientific and teaching staff and modern infrastructure, which enables the Academy to apply for funds under European programmes. This article presents five projects carried out by the Police Academy in Szczytno as part of European Union research programmes. The authors of the article provide overview of the characteristics of projects implemented in international consortia, discuss their goals and assumptions and indicate the potential ways of utilizing the developed solutions and project results.

The startegy of sustainable public transport in the city of Kielce for the years 2014 to 2020

In the frame of Action 2.1. “Sustainable urban transport” of the II Priority Axis of the Eastern Poland 2014-2020 Operational Programme, the community of Kielce submitted two applications of investment projects of the total value of 295 mln PLN, 220 mln out Submissions of the total amount are going to be covered by programme funds. The main aim of submitted projects is to support complex investments in ecological and integrated public transportation system. Eastern Poland Operational Programme includes five voivodeships in the area of Eastern Poland macroregion : lubelskie, podkarpackie, podlaskie, świętokrzyskie i warmińsko-mazurskie. As an additional territorial instrument of financial support, programme is oriented on complementing implementation of regional and national operational programmes. Programme is also based on the main aims and priorities of “The Strategy of Social and Economic Development of Eastern Poland to 2020” approved by the Council of Ministers in Poland on 11th of July 2013 and is one of the instruments of strategy implementation..

Security Through Innovation Based on the Research and Development Projects of the Police Academy, Szczytno

New technologies in respect of security make it necessary for the overall national sector for research and innovations to undertake a strategy that is well-thought-out and coordinated with the aims of the state administration departments which relate to internal and external security. In Poland, the European Union plays a crucial role in defining priorities and funding research, in particular the ‘Horizon 2020’ research programme. However, the national programmes are also of great importance. The aim of this article is to introduce innovations for security which are the result of research and development projects. New technologies which directly influence security will be presented on the basis of the Police Academy, Szczytno, which applies for financial help for education in national and international competitions. Within the national resources, the institution takes part in the competitions of the National Centre for Research and Development, as well as in national and regional operational programmes. The projects conducted are mainly projects which are used in and for industry, or they are development programmes for specific consumers within the broadly understood area of security. The Police Academy, Szczytno, conducts intensive work of innovative nature in the field of security subsequent to receiving resources for projects and this is presented in great detail by the authors. The objective defined in the paper’s introduction is achieved by means of showing the full meaning of new technologies for security. This is presented through descriptions of particular projects.

Wybrane aspekty prawne odpowiedzialności korpusu służby cywilnej za naruszenie dyscypliny finansów publicznych w procesie realizacji krajowych programów operacyjnych

The aim of the paper is to characterize the tasks of civil servants in the area of implementation of national operational programmes and to determine the conditions in which civil servants can be responsible for a breach of public finance discipline. This problem exposes one of the key issues underlying the smooth functioning of civil service, which is to reconcile the rights and obligations of a member of a body dependent on politicians, with the principles of civil service which obtain in democratic states and with the rule that separates political and legal responsibility. In practice, there are areas where these spheres overlap. This situation can cause all sorts of legal collisions.

Designing, producing and exemplifying videos to support reflection and metacognition for in-service teachers training

In this paper we document a six-phase video production process designed to support teachers’ continuous professional development in three disciplinary areas: scientific, linguistic-literary and foreign languages areas. This production has been carried out within the NOP1 - National Operational Programme funded by European structural funds and conducted by INDIRE between 2007 and 2014.The originality of this work lies in the co-research action performed by the team involved (researchers, teachers, instructional designers, video director, etc.) aimed at capturing meaningful professional practices enacted by teachers in their classes for the achievement of a given educational goal. The documented and exemplified production process can, not only function as a guide for the production of educational videos, but is also strongly characterized by its reflective and meta-reflective functions for Teacher Professional Development or TPD. Several examples of videos are described and referenced in the paper.

Public Research Support for an Innovative Integrated Payment Model of Service Delivery

AbstractThis paper introduces an entrepreneurial innovation supported by public research. TITAN is an R&D project funded by European Structural Funds with the National Operational Program for “Research and Competitiveness” 2007–2013 (NOP for R&C). General purpose of TITAN project is to achieve a multi-application and multi-channel platform to manage value-added services (VAS) and e-payments. From the EPAS protocols perspective of standardizing the electronic payment, VAS data management will be included in the current financial messages (CAPE – ISO 20022). In order to improve the process of card payment transactions through the delivery of new VAS was born the cooperation between EPASOrg and TITAN’s team. This cooperation would facilitate the examination and submission to ISO 20022 of data components related to the provision of added-value services meeting the requirements of those new contactless applications developed in the framework of the project. This is the principal and most entrepreneurial innovation concentrated on the integration of payment and VAS that draws attention to a new model delivering the VAS on a multi-application device used by both payment and VAS, during the same payment transaction. The latter result has led a Change Request to ISO in order to allow the extension to the VAS on the standard ISO 20022 related to card payment. The innovative model proposed is validated through a sample scenario and, finally, the conclusions summarize the next steps and underlines possible implications for future business and technological developments.

Driving Behavior and Traffic Safety: An Acceleration-Based Safety Evaluation Procedure for Smartphones

Traffic safety and energy efficiency of vehicles are strictly related to driver’s behavior. The scientific literature has investigated on some specific dynamic parameters that, among the others, can be used as a measure of unsafe or aggressive driving style such as longitudinal and lateral acceleration of vehicle. Moreover, the use of modern mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), and their internal sensors (GPS receivers, three-axes accelerometers), allows road users to receive real time information and feedback that can be useful to increase awareness of drivers and promote safety. This paper focuses on the development of a prototype mobile application that can evaluate the grade of safety that drivers are keeping on the road by measuring of accelerations (longitudinal and lateral) and warning for users when it can be convenient to correct their driving style. The aggressiveness is evaluated by plotting vehicle’s acceleration on a g-g diagram specially studied and designed, where horizontal and lateral acceleration is displayed inside areas of “Good Driving Style”. Several experimental tests were carried out with different drivers and cars in order to estimate the system accuracy and the usability of the application. This work is part of the wider research project M2M, Mobile to Mobility: Information and communication technology systems for road traffic safety (PON National Operational Program for Research and Competitiveness 2007-2013) which is based on the use of mobile sensor computing systems for giving real-time information in order to reduce risks and to make the transportation system more safe and comfortable.