bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
knowledge, attitude and practice about infection control among primary care professionals in Abha City, kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Ahmari Ahmed M. , Alkhaldi Yahia M. , Al-Asmari Bandar A.
Published: February 2021

Aim of study:

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of health care professionals working in Abha primary health care (PHC) centers regarding standard precautions of infection control.

Subjects and Methods:

This cross sectional study included 212 health care professionals in Abha PHC centers. An electronic questionnaire was constructed by the researchers and was used for data collection. It consisted of five parts, i.e., socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge questions about infection control and standard precautions, statements about attitude of participants, practice of health care providers regarding infection control and perceived obstacles against adequate application of standard precautions.

Results:

Most participants were physicians with Bachelor degree (68.9%, and 45.3%, respectively), while 51.9% had an experience less than five years in PHC. About two thirds of PHC centers (60.8%) had a special and separate room for medical waste. Only 55.7% attended training programs on infection control and 72.6% viewed a memo about coronavirus. About one third of participants (31.6%) had poor knowledge about infection control, 88.2% had positive attitude toward infection control policy and procedures, while 49.5% had poor practice level. There were no significant differences in participants' knowledge or attitude according to their socio-demographic characteristics, while their practices were significantly better among those who got a training program about infection control and those who had an experience <5 years in primary care (p = 0.040, and P = 0.032, respectively).

Conclusions:

Health professionals have suboptimal knowledge and practice levels regarding standard precautions of infection control, while most of them have positive attitude. Therefore, it is recommended to enforce their training and to increase the supervision in PHC settings regarding infection control policy and procedures.
Study of Risk factors and treatment modalities of ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Andola Shruthi , kumar R Ramesh , Desai Ratnamala M. , S.A krutika
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

In the past two decades globally, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been increasing exponentially. One of the major triggering factors being the introduction of medical assisted procreation techniques. The present study emphasis more on clinical presentations, risk factors, associated maternal morbidity and mortality with respect to ectopic pregnancy.

Methodology:

Patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy in reproductive age group (15-44 years) after clinical examination and investigations during one year period were included in the study. It was a prospective study using contingency table analysis and Chi-square test.

Results:

A total of 42 patients were diagnosed and treated as ectopic pregnancy during the study period. Risk factors were found in 37 patients, of which most common were white discharge per vagina (WDPV) in 20 and tubectomy in 6 patients. PID was seen in 5 and no risk factors in 5 patients. Of the 42 patients, 37 underwent surgery as primary modality of treatment and 5 patients underwent medical management. Only 2 patients had complete resolution with medical management while 3 failed medical management. Post operative period was uneventful.

Conclusion:

As the incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been on the rise, screening of high risk cases, early diagnosis and early intervention are required to enhance maternal survival and conservation of reproductive capacity.
knowledge and utilization of family planning among rural postpartum women in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Anate Benedicta Chinyere , Balogun Mobolanle Rasheedat , Olubodun Tope , Adejimi Adebola Afolake
Published: February 2021

Background:

In Nigeria, contraceptive use has remained low, 12% for any modern method, despite the huge resources committed to family planning programs by stakeholders. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and utilization of family planning and determine predictors of utilization of family planning among postpartum women attending primary health care centers (PHCs) in a selected rural area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 325 postpartum women attending PHCs in Ibeju-Lekki local government area of Lagos State selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collate data which was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.

Result:

The mean age was 29.94 ± 5.14 years. All the respondents (100%) had heard of contraceptive methods, however only 38 (11.7%) had good knowledge of family planning. About 38.5% of the respondents used modern family planning methods during the postpartum period. The most commonly used methods were male condoms (26.3%) and implants (17.0%). The significant predictors of postpartum family planning (PPFP) were non-intention to have more children [AOR = 1.88 (95% CI: 1.14–3.11)], and good knowledge of family [AOR = 2.31 (95% CI: 1.11–4.81)].

Conclusion:

It is recommended that interventions be designed to educate and advocate for the use of family planning methods not only to stop childbearing but also to space pregnancies. Education about family planning should also be intensified to improve knowledge of family planning, and thus practice.
Prevalence and dependency of tobacco use among tribal gypsies in Thoothukudi district - A cross sectional study
Authors: Chellappa Lalitha Rani , L Leelavathi , Indiran Meignana Arumugham , Rathinavelu Pradeep kumar
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

The Narikuravars or “gypsy” are a semi vagrant groups distributed across borders, but primarily live in Tamil Nadu, India. They are notorious to face discrimination that interprets into low education level, low socio-economic status and lack of pertinent access to health care. The focus of the present study is to determine the prevalence and dependency with tobacco use among tribal gypsies in Thoothukudi district.

Materials and Methods:

The study design of the present study was a cross sectional which was done in Thoothukudi district in the month of December, 2019. Oral health status of the study population was analysed by WHO assessment form (adults), 2013. Tobacco dependence was analysed by Fagerstrom Nicotine dependency scale. The inclusion criteria were to include every gypsy person who is a citizen of Thoothukudi district and of all ages. The study included all the narikuravars (164) whose origin is Thoothukudi district. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were done to establish the distribution and association of the variables, respectively.

Results:

The total study participants of this cross-sectional study were 164, among them 128 were adults and 36 were children. Results revealed that among the adult population 64.55% were using tobacco, among them 29.1% were using smoking tobacco, 63.4% were using smokeless tobacco and 7.5% were using both. Medium nicotine dependency was more prevalent in both smoking and smokeless tobacco users (82.75% and 53.57%). The association between prevalence of tobacco use and gingival bleeding was statistically significant. Gingival bleeding was present in 88.9% of tobacco users and 11% of non-users (p value- 0.01). Significant association was found between gender and tobacco usage (p value- 0.042), dental erosion and tobacco usage (p value- 0.007). There exists significant association established between gender and nicotine dependency. (p value - 0.000).

Conclusion:

More than 60% of the adult study participants were using some form of tobacco. Medium tobacco dependency was prevalent among tobacco users. The tribal people have no access to all the services as their counterparts and it's our duty to educate them and create an insight about the ill effects of tobacco usage.
A study on the anxiety level and stress during Covid19 lockdown among the general population of West Bengal, India- A must know for primary care physicians
Authors: Bhowmick Subhrojyoti , Parolia Saksham , Jana Shubham , kundu Debarati , Choudhury Digbijoy , Das Nina , Ray krishnanghsu , karPurkaysatha Sujit
Published: February 2021

Background:

Covid19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes in human lives across the globe in the form of lockdown and an uncertain future. Information regarding the COVID-19-related anxiety and well-being among the public in India is very limited, especially from the state of West Bengal. We conducted this e-survey among the general population of West Bengal to assess the anxiety levels and the well-being status during lockdown. This information would be helpful to guide family physicians to screen patients for anxiety from the primary care level.

Aims:

The main aim of this questionnaire based study was to assess the levels of anxiety and well-being status among the public including the frontline workers in West Bengal, India.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective study was conducted with a validated e-questionnaire after Institutional Ethics committee approval, from 18th April, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. The questionnaire had 12 questions which included the Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 scale and the WHO-5 scale (5 question-items) to assess the well-being of the participants. The survey link was distributed through the social networking sites of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and e-mails within West Bengal. Microsoft Excel (version 2016) was used to analyse the data.

Results:

A total of 355 responses were received 15.49% responders were observed to have anxiety and 37.74% participants had low well-being scores. Majority of healthcare workers (89.47%) were seen to have anxiety and a significant (52.03%) had a low well-being status.

Conclusions:

We report the presence of anxiety and low well-being among the general population of West Bengal. It is important to understand the current psychological status of the public for the family physicians as many would visit them with vague symptoms. There is a dire need to screen all patients including front line workers visiting primary care physicians for mental health to ensure better clinical outcome.
Haemlacria
Authors: Ambasta Anita , kusumesh Rakhi , kumari Rashmi , Sinha Bibhuti P. , Gyan Bhasker
Published: February 2021

Haemlacria is a rare condition which is not widely mentioned in literature. In this mini case series, we describe two cases with this presentation. Both the patients were women with unilateral presentation of haemlacria in the right eye. Case one was diagnosed with photosensitivity, while case two was assumed to be due to an undiagnosed systemic illness which led to her mortality. Careful history, systemic examination, slit- lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, relevant haematological tests like coagulation profile, liver function test along with nasolacrimal duct probing with syringing and appropriate imaging may be needed to arrive at a diagno sis. Though many cases are idiopathic yet this can be a sign of an underlying life-threatening disease.
Efficacy of dexmedetomidine and ketamine addition to bupivacaine 0.25% by epidural method in reducing postoperative pain in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery
Authors: Radbin Taraneh , kamali Alireza , Yazdi Bijan , Pazouki Shirin , Hadi Hoseinali , Rakei Siamak
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim:

One of the most complex medical problems is pain, that due to inappropriate management of patients after surgery could cause various side effects on the psychological, physiological, and metabolic state of the patients. The natural duration of analgesia can be increased by adding new efficient adjuvant. The present study is mainly aimed to investigate the differences between the epidural dexmedetomidine and ketamine effectiveness when administered as an adjuvant to epidural 0.25% bupivacaine for improving the postoperative analgesia duration.

Methods:

In the present double-blind clinical study, 105 patients of the age range of 40–85 years were selected for elective femoral surgery and then was divided into three of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and control randomly. The scores of postoperative pain were evaluated in accordance with the visual Analogue Scale (VAS) criteria and the duration of analgesia and the amount of analgesics consumption were recorded.

Results:

The mean pain VAS score during the first day after the surgery and recovery of patients in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower in comparison with two other groups (p = 0.01). However, no significant difference was found in the mean VAS score of Paine during 12 and 24 hours after the operation (P ≥ 0.05). Comparisons among these groups demonstrated that the mean on opioid administration during the operation and 24 hours after that was significantly higher in both groups of ketamine and control in comparison with the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01). Besides, analgesia duration among patients belonged to the dexmedetomidine group was notably lower in comparison with two other groups (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

In epidural anesthesia cases adding ketamine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to the solution of bupivacaine 0.25%, could increase the duration of analgesia and reduce the consumption of analgesics, which is more in the dexmedetomidine group when compared with ketamine.
Leveraging role of non-physician health workers in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in India
Authors: Nebhinani Mamta , Saini Sushma k.
Published: February 2021

Due to upsurge of non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, there is accentuated emphasis on task sharing and shifting NCDs-related health care delivery to non-physician healthcare workers especially nursing personnel and grass root level health professionals. This narrative review summates role of non-physician health workers, highlights various enablers and challenges while engaging them in delivery of NCD services so as to prevent and control various NCDs in India. Pubmed, Google scholar databases were searched using various keywords and Mesh terminologies. In addition, reference lists of selected articles were also screened. It is concluded that with regular update of knowledge, training, and supervision, these workers can efficiently deliver promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative NCD-related healthcare services to needy. While engagement of this workforce in NCDs mitigation is a transforming concept, it also has its own challenges and issues which need to be explored and addressed in order to utilize this human resource to their maximum potential.
An investigation of the effectiveness of oral cyclosporine on perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) in patients who undergo the surgical procedure of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Authors: Hassan Adel Seyed Mohammad , Sheikhi Mohammad Ali , Dorra Marziyeh
Published: February 2021

Background:

Routine clinical strategies for the prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) during the surgical procedure of CABG include cross-clamp fibrillation and cardioplegia have failed to decrease the risk of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI). Cyclosporine-A (CsA) might be able to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and PMI.

Methods:

In the present clinical trial, patients were divided into two groups (Case receive 2.5 mg/kg CsA and Control receive a placebo) randomly. Moreover, patients were controlled by placebo through a double-blind, single-center trial 4-12 h before anesthesia. Perioperative blood tests include bilirubin, complete blood count, the amount of hemoglobin in whole blood, liver transaminases, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Blood samples were taken before surgery and at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery and serum Troponin-I and Ck-MB levels were determined in all blood samples using ELISA.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the two groups in the results of routine pre-operative blood results, intraoperative variables, and baseline characteristics (P > 0.05). There are significant correlations between cross clamp time and cTnI and CkMB levels in patients taking CsA. In patients with both diabetes and hypertension, postsurgical cTnI and CkMB levels decrease significantly in CsA compared to placebo group on 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05). Moreover, patients with old MI, both postsurgical cTnI and CkMB levels decrease significantly in CsA compared to placebo group on 24 h and 48 h (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

In patients with a long cross-clamping period, using an oral CSA single dose before conducting CABG surgery, the risk of PMI could be decreased. Also, oral CsA has protective effect for CABG in diabetic patients with hypertension.
Digital gangrene in spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Hussain Masaraf , Sharma Sri Ram , Synmon Baiakmonlang , Hynniewta Yasmeen
Published: February 2021

Though tuberculosis is commonly seen in India, uncommon manifestations like peripheral gangrene is also a possibility. Here we present a case of spinal tuberculosis, with peripheral gangrene.
knowledge, attitude, and practice study on animal bite, rabies, and its prevention in an urban community
Authors: Sivagurunathan Chinnaian , Umadevi Ramachandran , Balaji Arumugam , Rama Ravi , Gopalakrishnan Sekaran
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Rabies is a neglected zoonotic tropical disease that usually affects the poorest communities. Rabies is 100% fatal and at the same time 100% preventable. A huge proportion of death due to rabies occurs in Asia and Africa, and India is reported to have the highest incidence of rabies.

Aims:

To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to animal bites, rabies, and its prevention and utilization of health services for this purpose in the study population.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study done in an urban area among the age group 20 and above of both gender to assess and statistically highlight the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to animal bites, rabies, and its prevention and utilization of health services for this purpose in the study population. The sample size was estimated to be 350 and a simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of samples.

Results:

About 76% had heard about rabies. Among them only 63.5% knew it is a fatal disease, only 37.6% knew animals other than dogs can also cause rabies, only 37.3% of the study participants knew about appropriate first aid. Only 37.5% of the animal bite victims washed their wound with soap and running water and 35% had a full course of vaccination. Education had been an important factor that created a significant difference in the knowledge level of the participants.

Conclusions:

Improved community awareness, forestalling animal rabies, and better access to affordable and potent human rabies vaccines are essential for the elimination of human rabies.
Risk factors associated with lower extremity amputation in Sudanese individuals with diabetes
Authors: Elkhider Alaa Tag E. , Almobark Ahmed O. , Badi Safaa , Tahir Hanan , Ramadan Azza , khalil Abbas A. , Elshaikh Elamin , Ahmed Mohamed H.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Lower extremity amputation (LEA) in individuals with diabetes is a serious health issue with a considerable physical and social burden. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with LEA in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional health facility-based study that recruited 315 diabetes individuals with foot ulcers from the diabetes center in khartoum, Sudan. Direct interviewing of subjects was used to obtain data, using a standardized validated questionnaire. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis.

Results:

69.5% of the diabetic participants were aged 50 years old or more, and 71.1% were males. Most of the subjects (48.2%) were diabetics for a duration of >10 years, while more than one third (37.5%) of them were diabetic for 5–10 years. The majority (89.5%) had type 2 DM, while only 10.5% were type 1 DM. Two hundred forty-five patients had a left lower foot ulcer; 55.1% of the patients' ulcers were present in the toes, while 21.6% were in the foot sole. The overall prevalence of lower limb amputation was 17.1%. Individuals with diabetes patients with LEA had a higher incidence of hypertension (P = 0.000), retinopathy (P = 0.000), nephropathy (P = 0.002), ulcer size >2.5 cm (P = 0.000), and neuropathy (P = 0.000) through Chi-square analysis. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that amputation was significantly associated with retinopathy (P = 0.000), size of ulcer (P = 0.000), and neuropathy (P = 0.016).

Conclusion:

The overall prevalence of LEA was 17.1%. The primary risks factors associated with amputation were presence of neuropathy and ulcer size >2.5 cm. Presence of retinopathy predispose diabetic individuals to amputation. Amputation is associated with disability and psychological problems; therefore, there is an urgent need for more improvement in preventative measures and primary health care system in low resource setting country like Sudan in order to decrease diabetes complications, especially patient's education about diabetes management by primary care physicians.
Silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis and silico-tuberculosis among workers with occupational exposure to silica dusts in sandstone mines of Rajasthan state
Authors: Nandi Subroto S. , Dhatrak Sarang V. , Sarkar kamalesh
Published: February 2021

Context:

Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible and incurable respiratory morbidity and often becomes a cause for pre-mature mortality among occupationally silica dust-exposed workers in India and similar countries. It has a dual problem of associated silico-tuberculosis as a co-morbidity. The present study was done to assess the respiratory morbidity caused by silicosis in sandstone mine of Rajasthan, India.

Methods:

The chest X-rays of 529 subjects having history of employment in stone mines with respiratory morbidity were subjected for this study and evaluated in accordance with ILO Classification 2000. The X-rays were classified into various categories of silicosis and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) in relation to years of work in stone mines.

Results:

Out of 529 chest radiographs evaluated, 275 (52%) showed radiological evidence of silicosis. Of them, 40 (7.5%) subjects showed large opacities suggestive of progressive massive fibrosis. Both silicosis and progressive massive fibrosis were associated with increasing duration of work in stone mines. Sixty-one (12.4%) subjects with silicosis also had associated pulmonary tuberculosis, termed as silico-tuberculosis.

Conclusion:

The present study showed a high prevalence of silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis and silico-tuberculosis among stone mine workers. It appears that that unless silicosis is controlled, elimination of tuberculosis is far from reality in the country. Hence, states and central authorities must work together towards control of both silicosis as well as silico-tuberculosis. Similarly, there is an urgent need of initiation of national silicosis control programme, similar to existing national tuberculosis control programme, considering the huge burden of silicosis in India
Quarantine practices and COVID-19 transmission in a low-resource setting
Authors: Vaman Raman Swathy , Valamparampil Mathew J. , Varghese Basil , Mathews Elezebeth , Valiyapurayilmundakundil Muhammed Anwar , Abraham Ramya k , A V Ramdas , A T Manoj , T S Anish
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Disease transmission patterns of COVID-19 have shown that masking, social distancing, contact tracing and quarantine measures are important strategies for reducing transmission. The effective implementation of quarantine is determined by the commitment of the people and monitoring by the State. The aim of the study was to find out the effectiveness of home quarantine practises and its role in determining SARS CoV2 transmission.

Methods:

Record-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among expatriates of kerala who were on quarantine at their homes and later tested positive for SARS –CoV-2. Quarantine practises were categorised as strict room quarantine, incomplete room quarantine, home quarantine and no quarantine. Risk of transmission was assessed using risk ratios. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the determinants of SARS CoV2 transmission.

Results:

The median (IQR) age and duration of quarantine of 95 study participants were found to be 35 (29, 44) years and 7 (3,13) days, respectively. Majority of the participants practised strict room quarantine (57%), whereas 11.6%, 16.8% and 14.7% practiced incomplete room, home and no quarantine, respectively. Home quarantine without room quarantine had 24 times odds for transmitting disease [OR (95%CI)): 24.14 (4.87--119.75), P < 0.001] and not being in quarantine for any duration before being diagnosed was found to be 14 times riskier when compared with strict room quarantine [OR (95%CI)): 14.44 (2.42–86.17), P = 0.003].

Discussion:

Low-resource settings successful in the initial phases of COVID-19 pandemic should make periodic revisions in the quarantine guidelines while continually promoting physical distancing strategies.
Эрмитов подход Янга-Миллса к гипотезе Гриффитса о положительности обильных векторных расслоений
Authors: Demailly Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2021

Для данного векторного расслоения произвольного ранга с обильным детерминантным линейным расслоением на проективном многообразии предлагается новая эллиптическая система эрмитовых дифференциальных уравнений типа Янга-Миллса на тензор кривизны. Система составлена таким образом, что ее решения дают эрмитовы метрики положительной кривизны в смысле Гриффитса и даже в двойственном смысле Накано. Как следствие, если бы получилось доказать существование решения для любого обильного векторного расслоения, то гипотеза Гриффитса об эквивалентности между обильностью и положительностью векторных расслоений была бы доказана.
Библиография: 15 названий.
Об автоморфизмах квазигладких взвешенных полных пересечений
Authors: Przyjalkowski Victor Vladimirovich , Shramov Constantin Aleksandrovich
Published: February 2021

Показано, что действие любой редуктивной подгруппы в группе автоморфизмов квазигладкого хорошо сформированного взвешенного полного пересечения размерности не меньше $3$ индуцировано действием подгруппы в группе автоморфизмов объемлющего взвешенного проективного пространства. Приведены примеры, показывающие, что группа автоморфизмов квазигладкого хорошо сформированного взвешенного полного пересечения Фано может быть бесконечной и даже нередуктивной.
Библиография: 25 названий.
Detached Youth Work: A critical analysis of theory and practice
Authors:   , Dowling Natalie
Published: February 2021

This thesis provides a critical analysis of the theory and practice of detached youth work (DYW) as a form of engagement with young people which has lacked attention within policy and research. The research aim was to develop a contemporary definition for DYW in order to create a model of best practice and establish a set of key practitioner skills. The thesis addressed three research objectives, 1: To develop a contemporary definition of DYW using current theory and analysis of practice, 2: To critically analyse current DYW processes to establish a model of best operational practice and 3: To evaluate the work of practitioners in order to establish a set of key practitioner skills for effective DYW. These were achieved through an ethnographic case study approach across two locations, employing three interviews with detached youth workers and 15 participant observations. This was combined with an online survey of 32 detached youth workers exploring their experiences of practice. The thesis illustrates the problems, exacerbated by austerity, in supporting marginalised young people. Responding to the first objective it develops an umbrella term to define DYW, while advising on ideal requirements for this form of practice. For the second objective a model of best operational practice is constructed, emphasising the importance of locations of practice, engagement tools and aspects related to the community and police. The final objective of this thesis contributes a new three-stage process for engagement with new groups of young people through DYW, alongside drawing on data analysis to establish a set of key practitioner skills particularly beneficial in development of job descriptions and recruitment consideration. The thesis concludes that greater understanding of DYW is required to support this form of engagement and allow effective practice to make a difference to individuals at risk. Moreover, in responding to the research aim, it evidences the need for effective relationships and the key skills required for any practitioner engaging with individuals and communities. Without investment in youth services this form of practice is at risk of becoming lost or viewed as ineffective due to inappropriate understandings.
Machine Learning of Physical Unclonable Functions using Helper Data
Authors: Strieder Emanuele , Frisch Christoph , Pehl Michael
Published: February 2021

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are used in various key-generation schemes and protocols. Such schemes are deemed to be secure even for PUFs with challenge-response behavior, as long as no responses and no reliability information about the PUF are exposed. This work, however, reveals a pitfall in these constructions: When using state-of-the-art helper data algorithms to correct noisy PUF responses, an attacker can exploit the publicly accessible helper data and challenges. We show that with this public information and the knowledge of the underlying error correcting code, an attacker can break the security of the system: The redundancy in the error correcting code reveals machine learnable features and labels. Learning these features and labels results in a predictive model for the dependencies between different challenge-response pairs (CRPs) without direct access to the actual PUF response. We provide results based on simulated data of a k-SUM PUF model and an Arbiter PUF model. We also demonstrate the attack for a k-SUM PUF model generated from real data and discuss the impact on more recent PUF constructions such as the Multiplexer PUF and the Interpose PUF. The analysis reveals that especially the frequently used repetition code is vulnerable: For a SUM-PUF in combination with a repetition code, e.g., already the observation of 800 challenges and helper data bits suffices to reduce the entropy of the key down to one bit. The analysis also shows that even other linear block codes like the BCH, the Reed-Muller, or the Single Parity Check code are affected by the problem. The code-dependent insights we gain from the analysis allow us to suggest mitigation strategies for the identified attack. While the shown vulnerability advances Machine Learning (ML) towards realistic attacks on key-storage systems with PUFs, our analysis also facilitates a better understanding and evaluation of existing approaches and protocols with PUFs. Therefore, it brings the community one step closer to a more complete leakage assessment of PUFs.
Secure, Accurate, and Practical Narrow-Band Ranging System
Authors: Abidin Aysajan , El Soussi Mohieddine , Romme Jac , Boer Pepijn , Singelée Dave , Bachmann Christian
Published: February 2021

Relay attacks pose a serious security threat to wireless systems, such as, contactless payment systems, keyless entry systems, or smart access control systems. Distance bounding protocols, which allow an entity to not only authenticate another entity but also determine whether it is physically close by, effectively mitigate relay attacks. However, secure implementation of distance bounding protocols, especially of the time critical challenge-response phase, has been a challenging task. In this paper, we design and implement a secure and accurate distance bounding protocol based on Narrow-Band signals, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), to particularly mitigate relay attacks. Narrow-Band ranging, specifically, phase-based ranging, enables accurate distance measurement, but it is vulnerable to phase rollover attacks. In our solution, we mitigate phase rollover attacks by also measuring time-of-flight (ToF) to detect the delay introduced by such attacks. Therefore, our protocol effectively combines the best of both worlds: phase-based ranging for accuracy and time-of-flight (ToF) measurement for security. To demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of our solution, we prototype it on NXP KW36 BLE chips and evaluate its performance and relay attack resistance. The obtained precision and accuracy of the presented ranging solution are 2.5 cm and 30 cm, respectively, in wireless measurements.
Provably Secure Hardware Masking in the Transition- and Glitch-Robust Probing Model: Better Safe than Sorry
Authors: Cassiers Gaëtan , Standaert François-Xavier
Published: February 2021

There exists many masking schemes to protect implementations of cryptographic operations against side-channel attacks. It is common practice to analyze the security of these schemes in the probing model, or its variant which takes into account physical effects such as glitches and transitions. Although both effects exist in practice and cause leakage, masking schemes implemented in hardware are often only analyzed for security against glitches. In this work, we fill this gap by proving sufficient conditions for the security of hardware masking schemes against transitions, leading to the design of new masking schemes and a proof of security for an existing masking scheme in presence of transitions. Furthermore, we give similar results in the stronger model where the effects of glitches and transitions are combined.
New First-Order Secure AES Performance Records
Authors: Shahmirzadi Aein Rezaei , Božilov Dušan , Moradi Amir
Published: February 2021

Being based on a sound theoretical basis, masking schemes are commonly applied to protect cryptographic implementations against Side-Channel Analysis (SCA) attacks. Constructing SCA-protected AES, as the most widely deployed block cipher, has been naturally the focus of several research projects, with a direct application in industry. The majority of SCA-secure AES implementations introduced to the community opted for low area and latency overheads considering Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) platforms. Albeit a few, those which particularly targeted Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) as the implementation platform yield either a low throughput or a not-highly secure design.In this work, we fill this gap by introducing first-order glitch-extended probing secure masked AES implementations highly optimized for FPGAs, which support both encryption and decryption. Compared to the state of the art, our designs efficiently map the critical non-linear parts of the masked S-box into the built-in Block RAMs (BRAMs).The most performant variant of our constructions accomplishes five first-order secure AES encryptions/decryptions simultaneously in 50 clock cycles. Compared to the equivalent state-of-the-art designs, this leads to at least 70% reduction in utilization of FPGA resources (slices) at the cost of occupying BRAMs. Last but not least, we provide a wide range of such secure and efficient implementations supporting a large set of applications, ranging from low-area to high-throughput.
Issues in the Analysis of Focus Groups: Generalisability, Quantifiability, Treatment of Context and Quotations
Authors: Vicsek Lilla
Published: February 2021

In this paper I discuss some concerns related to the analysis of focus groups: (a) the issue of generalisation; (b) the problems of using numbers and quantifying in the analysis; (c) how the concrete situation of the focus groups could be included in the analysis, and (d) what formats can be used when quoting from focus groups. Problems with respect to generalisation are discussed; types of generalisation are presented which can be used in focus group research. Arguments are made against using a primarily quantitative perspective in the evaluation of focus group data. It is argued that the situation of the particular group discussion should be taken into account in the analysis. A scheme for analysis that has been developed by the author is presented. Suggestions are made for the characteristics of the quotations in the analyses.
Master's Students' Challenges, Achievements, and Professional Development
Authors: Richards Janet
Published: February 2021

Few inquiries have investigated master's students in education as they mentor preservice teachers. In this embedded case study I explored the professional development of 15 master's students as they mentored 35 preservice teachers for eight weeks in a summer literacy camp. Data sources were e-mail exchanges, written reports, and transcriptions from focus groups and in-class conversations. I analyzed the data through constant comparison methods and discovered that the mentors were initially frustrated with their mentoring responsibilities and had little empathy for the preservice teachers. By the end of the camp, they recognized the benefits of mentoring and gained confidence as mentors. Learning occurred for both the mentors and the preservice teachers. Implications include the power of social participation in authentic contexts.
Sailing Stormy Seas: The Illness Experience of Persons with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Stanley-Hermanns Melinda , Engebretson Joan
Published: February 2021

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder with no known cause or promising cure. While substantial information is known about the pathophysiology, little is known about the illness experience of living with the disease. A qualitative study using an ethnographic approach was conducted to provide a rich understanding of the illness experience. The illness experience was apprehended through field work in two support groups and the personal accounts of 14 participants with Parkinson's disease. The metaphor, "Sailing the Sea in The Eye of the Storm," is the overarching theme and was chosen to conceptualize the voyage of persons living with Parkinson's disease. Two prevailing sub-themes were Daily Negotiations in the Midst of Uncertainty and Reconstruction of the Self.
Legislative Decision Making on Education Issues: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Canfield-Davis Kathy , Jain Sachin
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this descriptive, single case study was to provide knowledge and insight about state education policy-making, specifically, the process by which education-related bills pass through a legislature. This study was also designed to identify factors of influence shaping legislative decision-making as perceived by lawmakers and observers of the legislative process. Sources of evidence included interviews, direct observation, archival records, public records documentation, and tape recordings of committee meetings and Senate floor sessions. Results show that a bill's fate is subject to many planned and unplanned sequential steps, and to a collection of diverse personalities that drive the legislative process. Trust forms the foundation upon which other factors depend including bill sponsors, party leadership, lobbyists, fellow legislators, and constituents.
A Hockey Night in Canada: An Imagined Conversation between Theorists
Authors: Fogel Curtis
Published: February 2021

In this paper, various methodological issues surrounding the sociological study of sport are explored. Through an imagined dialogue between two graduate students at a hockey game, this work brings together three divergent approaches to social enquiry: Positivist Grounded Theory, Constructivist Grounded Theory, and Actor-Network Theory. This paper challenges conventional writing on method in two ways: (a) assembling three divergent approaches within a single work, and (b) employing a scripted narrative as a means of exploring methodological issues. Through this innovative approach, many of the overlaps and tensions between these theories/methods are captured. In so doing, numerous methodological questions about the sociological study of sport, as well social science research more generally are raised.
A Sex-Based Examination of Violence and Aggression Perceptions Among Adolescents: An Interactive Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Wyatt Tammy
Published: February 2021

In this study I examine the critical factors and themes that are identified as salient influencers of overt and relational aggression among youth. Sex differences and similarities associated with such adolescent perceptions are assessed. Forty-eight ethnically diverse youth between the ages of 14 and 16 years participated in sex-specific focus groups and individual interviews. Sex-Specific Systems Influence Diagrams (SID), models of influences and outcomes, were created using the Interactive Qualitative Analysis methods (Northcutt & McCoy, 2004). Study findings suggest that the critical influences on violent and aggressive behavior, peer relationships, popularity, and emotions, are sex-specific. By examining and understanding such influences, school health professionals may be better able to create a safe and healthy school environment and improve the effectiveness of violence prevention programs.
Experienced Secondary Teachers' Perceptions of Engagement and Effectiveness: A Guide to Professional Development
Authors: Meister Denise
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this research is to describe a qualitative research study of experienced high school educators who have remained motivated and highly engaged in their teaching. Ten high school teachers who have been called "the best" by their administrators and fellow teachers were interviewed to ascertain common traits that can serve as a framework for providing professional development to assist teachers in the work force, as well as bring their voice to the National Reform Movement. The following themes emerged: teachers are ambivalent to administrative leadership as an important influence in their work; colleagues are their support network; and their commitment to the students transcends academic achievements.
Coming in from the Margin: Research Practices, Representation and the Ordinary
Authors: Greiner Karen
Published: February 2021

This essay explores issues of marginality and representation in research, which emerged during life history interviews with Tammi, an "ordinary" woman living in Appalachia. I examine how my research practices, namely my thirst for drama and marginality, nearly silenced the preferred stories of the woman who shared her life with me. I contrast Tammi's unique yet quotidian accounts with streams of literature reflecting a tendency to neglect the commonplace by representing residents of Appalachia through tragic or heroic extremes. This essay pairs Tammi's stories with a reflection on what may have become of them had I followed my first impulse to sacrifice the ordinary at the altar of the marginal.
"We're Locking The Door": Family Histories in a Sample of Homeless Youth
Authors: Alvi Shahid , Scott Hannah , Stanyon Wendy
Published: February 2021

It is well known that the pathways to homelessness for young people are embedded in often ongoing negative childhood experiences. Many of these experiences are rooted in multiple and intersecting problems including, but not limited to: family conflict, abuse, addictions, and mental health issues. The authors draw upon qualitative interviews conducted with 15 homeless male and female youth between the ages of 16 and 24 in a suburban area of Southern Ontario, Canada. We describe these young people's perceptions of family experiences and find support for Elliott Currie's (2004) proposition that a broader ethos of individualism and intolerant parenting underpins many youth experiences in contemporary society.
Asian International Student Transition to High School in Canada
Authors: Popadiuk Natalee
Published: February 2021

There is a paucity of studies conducted with unaccompanied adolescent international students. In this qualitative inquiry, I present a thematic analysis of the critical incidents that Chinese, Japanese, and Korean participants reported as either facilitating or hindering to their transition to Canada. Using the Critical Incident Technique, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants aged 15 to 18 years who were attending three public secondary schools in Vancouver, Canada. I present the findings of seven thematic categories: making decisions, experiencing dilemmas, receiving advice, receiving help, impressed with environment, experiencing local annoyances, and participation in activities. Finally, I address the implications for school counsellors who work with these students, the limitations of this study, and directions for future research.
Embracing the Visual: Using Timelines with In-depth Interviews on Substance Use and Treatment
Authors: Berends Lynda
Published: February 2021

People typically seek treatment for addiction only when faced with a major crisis. Understanding the trajectory of substance use and treatment seeking may assist in identifying points for intervention. In this study I explored the use of visual methods with in-depth interviews to represent people's substance use, critical events, and treatment pathways. Ethics approval was granted with the condition that only aggregate findings would be presented, although occasional quotes could be used for illustration. Typical timelines were developed, along with text vignettes describing hypothetical participants whose experience matched that shown in these timelines. Benefits of the timelines include the combination of aural and visual data, along with the concise and holistic form of presentation. However, the use of typical timelines and hypothetical vignettes meant a loss of the richness found in individual portrayals of experience. Alternative approaches, such as the use of individual and summary timelines with text illustrations would preserve the conciseness of representation while enabling the voice of the participant to be heard.
Risk of Nursing Home Admittance among Working Age Residents with Mental Illness
Authors: Bernard Stephanie
Published: February 2021

The number of working age (18-64) nursing home (NH) residents with a mental diagnosis at admission rose from 70,600 in 1997 to 97,200 in 1999 (Jones, 2002). Utilizing the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (Gelberg, Andersen, & Leak, 2000), I examined factors associated with NH admittance in a sample of working age residents with mental illness. I conducted a qualitative analysis of 20 residents' healthcare and social experiences leading to NH admittance. Data came from semi-structured interviews, medical records, and clinicians. Results showed that homelessness, drug abuse, and low functional status were perceived by residents to play a role in their admittance. Overall, participants associated disadvantaged social and healthcare experiences with current NH admittance.
Comprehensive Treatment of Women with Postpartum Psychosis across Health Care Systems from Swedish Psychiatrists' Perspectives
Authors: Engqvist Inger , Åhlin Arne , Ferszt Ginette , Nilsson Kerstin
Published: February 2021

Studies concerning the psychiatrist's experiences of treating women with postpartum psychosis (PPP) or how they react to these women are limited in the literature. In this study a qualitative design is used. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews with nine Swedish psychiatrists working in psychiatric hospitals. The audio-taped interviews are transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. The findings consist of the categories: Protection, Treatment, Care, and Reactions. The psychiatrists describe emotions such as compassion, empathy and distress. A conclusion is that the psychiatrists focus on protecting the women from suicide and/or infanticide. Given the degree of stress the psychiatrists can experience caring for high risk challenging patients, health care organizations need to provide support and/or opportunities for peer supervision.