An agenda for future Social Sciences and Humanities research on energy efficiency: 100 priority research questions

Decades of techno-economic energy policymaking and research have meant evidence from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)-including critical reflections on what changing a society's relation to energy (efficiency) even means-have been underutilised. In particular, (i) the SSH have too often been sidelined and/or narrowly pigeonholed by policymakers, funders, and other decision-makers when driving research agendas, and (ii) the setting of SSH-focused research agendas has not historically embedded inclusive and deliberative processes. The aim of this paper is to address these gaps through the production of a research agenda outlining future SSH research priorities for energy efficiency. A Horizon Scanning exercise was run, which sought to identify 100 priority SSH questions for energy efficiency research. This exercise included 152 researchers with prior SSH expertise on energy efficiency, who together spanned 62 (sub-)disciplines of SSH, 23 countries, and a full range of career stages. The resultant questions were inductively clustered into seven themes as follows: (1) Citizenship, engagement and knowledge exchange in relation to energy efficiency; (2) Energy efficiency in relation to equity, justice, poverty and vulnerability; (3) Energy efficiency in relation to everyday life and practices of energy consumption and production; (4) Framing, defining and measuring energy efficiency; (5) Governance, policy and political issues around energy efficiency; (6) Roles of economic systems, supply chains and financial mechanisms in improving energy efficiency; and (7) The interactions, unintended consequences and rebound effects of energy efficiency interventions. Given the consistent centrality of energy efficiency in policy programmes, this paper highlights that well-developed SSH approaches are ready to be mobilised to contribute to the development, and/or to understand the implications, of energy efficiency measures and governance solutions. Implicitly, it also emphasises the heterogeneity of SSH policy evidence that can be produced. The agenda will be of use for both (1) those new to the energy-SSH field (including policyworkers), for learnings on the capabilities and capacities of energy-SSH, and (2) established energy-SSH researchers, for insights on the collectively held futures of energy-SSH research.

Factors associated with sexuality in later life: An exploratory study in a group of Greek married older adults

The present study aimed to investigate factors associated with sexual interest and behaviors in married older adults. The study recruited older adults from the Open Protection Centers for Elderly. A 30-items questionnaire addressing sexuality, emotional and physical intimacy, demographics, and background data was constructed. Dichotomous responses were used for intimacy and sexuality items. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Independent samples t-test. The sample consisted of 454 married participants (age range: 60-90, mean: 69.0+/-6.5). More than 50% reported having sexual desire and intercourse's average frequency of 4/month. Increasing age and marriage's years related significantly to decreased frequency of sexual intercourse (p<0.001). Participants married out of love reported higher frequency of intercourse p.a. compared with those in arranged marriages (p=0.031). Gender, age, income, married out of love and being still in love with the partner were all significantly associated with sexual interest and behaviors (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that older adults remain sexually active and a range of personal, socio-economic and interpersonal factors are associated with sexual interest. Therefore, sexual expression should be a well-informed individual's choice and not the result of societal myths or health professionals' misconceptions.

Reproductive health and midwives: does occupational status differentiate their attitudes on assisted reproduction technologies from those of the general population?

BACKGROUND

Advancements within assisted reproduction technologies (ART) raise ethical questions; however, research on health care professionals' attitudes towards their application is limited. This study aimed at assessing certified (CMs) and Student (SMs) midwives' attitudes towards various aspects of ART as well as comparing them with public opinion.

METHODS

The final sample included 567 female CMs and 605 women from the general population (age range: 25-62 years), 221 SMs and 209 female non-SMs (age range: 18-24 years). The questionnaire administered included socio-demographic information, items addressing knowledge issues and attitude statements. Data were analysed using principal components analysis, one-way analysis of variance and Friedman's test, as well as multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Four attitudinal factors emerged: 'genetic counselling' (GC), 'application of ART', 'moral dilemmas' and 'socio-ethical aspects'; occupational status did not affect attitudes towards GC, however SMs expressed more positive attitudes regarding the latter three factors (P<0.001: 17.49, 14.14 and 11.55). Student groups expressed more negative attitudes for multifetal pregnancy reduction (SMs: 1.88+/-0.83; non-SMs: 2.17+/-0.77) whereas the other two groups were least favourable towards embryo donation (2.30+/-0.80, CM; 2.32+/-0.83, general population). Sex selection and the use of ART by menopausal or homosexual women were the least acceptable practices for all groups (P<0.001). A high level of relevant knowledge was positively associated with 'application of ART' and acceptability of its use by specific population groups (b=0.469, b=0.19). Findings on factors influencing attitudinal patterns are further discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first attempt, it was revealed that CMs express the same conservative attitudes as the general population.

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale: the validation of the scale in Greece in elderly demented patients and normal subjects

INTRODUCTION

The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) is a scale specifically structured for the assessment of the cognitive decline and behavioral disorder seen in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The validation of ADAS in the Greek population.

MATERIAL

One hundred and thirty-one subjects took part in the current study. Fifty of them were nondemented subjects (35 normal subjects and 15 suffering from age-associated memory impairment) and 81 demented patients (68 AD patients and 13 vascular dementia, VD, patients).

METHOD

Diagnosis was made according to DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Hachinski Ischemia Scale was used to help to differentiate between AD and VD patients. Geriatric Depression Scale was used to quantify depressive symptomatology. MMSE and CAMCOG were used to assess the cognitive functioning of all subjects and FRSSD for the assessment of daily functioning. All subjects underwent a complete laboratory and biochemical testing, according to the protocol proposed in CAMDEX. All demented patients underwent brain CT.

RESULTS

ADAS-Cog discriminates perfectly AD patients and nondemented subjects at the score level of 13/14 and/or 14/15. Principal components analysis, using only AD patients, revealed 4 factors: cognitive, psychotic, depressive, and 'severe apraxia' factors.

CONCLUSION

ADAS is suitable for use in the discrimination between AD patients and nondemented subjects. It is also suitable for a more comprehensive assessment of the clinical symptomatology of AD patients, and for the evaluation of new therapeutic methods for AD, as well.