bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Fog Computing
Authors: Kitanov Stojan , Janevski Toni
Published: August 2018

Pushing computing, control, data storage, and processing into the cloud has been a key trend in the past decade. However, the cloud alone encounters growing limitations, such as reduced latency, high mobility, high scalability, and real-time execution in order to meet the upcoming computing and intelligent networking demands. A new paradigm called fog computing has emerged to overcome these limits. Fog extends cloud computing and services to the edge of the network. It provides data, computing, storage, and application services to end-users that can be hosted at the network edge. It reduces service latency, and improves QoS/QoE, that results in superior user experience. This chapter is about introduction and overview of fog computing, comparison between fog computing and cloud computing, fog computing and mobile edge computing, possible fog computing architecture, applications of fog computing, and possible research directions.
Software Engineering in Internet of Things
Authors: Naresh E.  , Vijaya Kumar B. P.  , Hampiholi Aishwarya , Jeevan B.
Published: August 2018

This chapter gives an overall role of software engineering in internet of things domain. In this chapter, the following topics are included: glimpse of complete software engineering, main motivation of IoT, how IoT evolved, usage of software engineering concepts in IoT, role of CBSE in IoT, role of aspect-oriented software engineering, heterogeneous boards in designing IoT systems, importance of integration phase in IoT systems, comparison of different IDEs of IoT, testing of IoT systems, and a case study illustrating all the concepts for online blood banking system and forest fire detection.
Dispersion, Diaspora Identity and Belonging
Authors: Eminoğlu Can
Published: August 2018

Turks are one of those migrants living in Europe with constituting majority of the migrants in the country of residence and Denmark is among those countries that opened its doors to Turks since 1960's. In this research, I specifically focus on the diaspora consciousness, relations and belonging of the Turkish migrants in Denmark. In doing that, Copenhagen is chosen as the city for the case study. Focusing on the Turkish diaspora and reflection of the sociological realities in the issue of integration to Denmark is the basis of this research. I use qualitative research method and interviewed with 7 migrants from Turkey in living in Copenhagen while conducting my research applying structured interview method. In this study, I have found out that diaspora identity has a significant role in getting integrated to Denmark. As a result of these, migrant Turkish identity becomes bolder which has a direct affect in the level of integration to Denmark.
Refugee Education Policies
Authors: Boyacı Adnan , Öz Yakup
Published: August 2018

Continuing conflicts and wars in emergencies are the main sources of refugee flows around the world. Dealing with refugee crisis loads social, political and economic burden to the host countries based on the preferred durable solutions. And the educational services provided to refugees are also changing in accordance with the legal recognition of the immigrant status issued by the host countries. In this study refugee education policies are examined by identifying legal definition of refugees and types of durable solutions, discussing controversies of refugee education in mass public education of nation states, dealing with refugee education in camp and urban settings, criticizing the will of international organization in handling refugee crisis and education, and focusing on a current refugee flow from Syria in the context of Turkish refugee education policies and practices. At the end, importance on taking responsibilities in refugee crisis and education by all nations of the world is emphasized, considering that quality refugee education would be helpful for rebuilding refugees' society and nation in their country of origin again.
Migration and Refugee Crisis
Authors: Erçetin Şefika Şule , Bisaso Ssali Muhammadi
Published: August 2018

Migration has always been studied by various scholars for multiplicity of purposes. Sociologists always focus on social and cultural aspects of migration; geographers are interested in time and distance antecedents of migration. This paper is attracted by an educational intrigue and draws on educational gimmicks enshrined in migration. It is important that educational managers and educational authorities acknowledge need to incorporate policies and programs that can game challenges arising from migration and refugee crisis to fullest. This paper is thus, explicitly aimed at an educational management audience and is intended as a primer to conceptualizing the complexities and challenges of migrant education as well as serving as a drop shot for eliciting practical approaches that augment this intricate dilemma. There is no gain saying that this paper is not only timely but one with a telling practical guide on how school managers and educational policy makers should approach migrant education.
The Labor Market Effects of Immigration
Authors: İnanç-Tunçer Özlem
Published: August 2018

This chapter discusses the effects of immigration on the labor market of receiving countries, focusing on employment. The effect of immigration on the welfare of native population is an important issue in public debate. The common perception is, at least in the short run, because of immigration, unemployment rates would increase in the host countries, or that immigrants would depress wages of native workers. However, these perceptions do not find confirmation in the previous research on this literature. According to Jean and Jimenez (2011), the evidence is, at best, mixed. Although the magnitude of the impact depends on time and space, in general, results of the previous literature indicate that immigration has only very small or no effect on employment and wages of resident workers. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of immigration-labor market relation for different countries and time intervals with some significant policy implications with regards to state officials.
The Geopolitics of Immigrant Labour
Authors: Christopher Elizabeth Mary
Published: August 2018

In general, the concept of workforce diversity has gained enormous support over the past decade, due to international politics of economic competition, technological progress, increasing emphasis on the importance of human rights, and immigration. The chapter discusses answers to the question: in the face of this consensus, why are xenophobic arguments (communicated worldwide through mass media) increasingly allowed to foster global climates of fear of, and resistance to, immigrant labour? Answers seem to lie in geopolitics and social pressures on governments that constrain them to discriminate against migrants and refugees seeking immigration. Reasons for this are discussed and possible remedies suggested.
Implications of Citizenship Discourse on Female Labour Force Participation
Authors: Khan Masreka
Published: August 2018

Immigrant women's labour market participation remains a long standing concern in the context of developed countries. Bangladeshi women are persistently reported to be one of the lowest participant groups in formal labour market in the UK. Where there is plethora of research to point out this fact, hardly any persuasive explanation is offered to unfold the phenomenon. The intrinsic bond between the rhetoric of citizenship and identities as immigrant is blurred in the surge of literatures. In this milieu, present chapter contributes to develop the understanding of the complex notion of citizenship and its implication in labour market participation, broadly on immigrant women and narrowly on Bangladeshi immigrant women. It reveals how ‘identity shaped by citizenship discourse' influences one of the important indicators of economic empowerment - market participation.
Retaliation in Transitional Justice Scenarios
Authors: Paez Gustavo Rojas
Published: August 2018

This chapter discusses the role of retaliation in the Transitional Justice Scenarios of Argentina and Colombia, drawing attention to the continuation of state violence and human rights violations in these two South American countries following the implementation of legal and non- legal mechanisms of TJ. Subsequently, it attempts to demonstrate how the implementation of TJ mechanisms may fall short in preventing cycles of violence that allow powerful actors, linked to the interests of the state, to continue performing the retaliatory practices that historically caused major ‘social harm' in the transitional societies . The rationale of this article consists of two central questions: How can transitional societies deal with both the legacy and reconfiguration of state violence? Moreover, to what extent do orthodox understandings of law and TJ serve as a means for the recreation of the retaliatory practices that shaped the conflicts that TJ measures are supposed to address?
A Phenomenological Interpretation of Teachers' Online Technology Experiences With Students in Blended Tertiary Environments
Authors: Tuapawa Kimberley
Published: August 2018

This research made a phenomenological interpretation of key stakeholders' educational online technology (EOT) experiences to establish their current EOT needs and challenges and provide a basis from which to provide effective support. It analyzed the experiences of 10 students and 10 teachers from New Zealand and Australia and interpreted their meanings through an abstraction and articulation of local and global themes. This chapter is an update of the fourth in a series of six publications to present the local themes. It documents the interpretations of teachers' experiences with students, in reference to their use of three types of EOTs: learning management systems, online video platforms, and online networking tools. These interpretations, which include descriptions of teachers' challenges using these tools, helped to inform a set of recommendations for effective EOT use, to assist tertiary education institutes (TEIs) to address technology-based challenges and meet their key stakeholders' needs.
Does the Degree of Abstraction of Interactive Visualizations Affect Students' Learning of Surveying?
Authors: Adamo-Villani Nicoletta , Dib Hazar Nicholas
Published: August 2018

Many benefits have been claimed for visualizations, a general assumption being that learning is facilitated. However, several researchers argue that little is known about the cognitive value of graphical representations, be they schematic, such as diagrams, or more realistic, such as virtual reality. In the first part of the chapter, the authors present theories that guide the research on learning with visualizations, report different visualization taxonomies, and discuss the differences between realistic and schematic visualizations. In the second part, the authors discuss surveying education and describe a study that investigated the effect of the type of visualization on students' learning of surveying practices. The study compared two virtual learning environments, one with realistic visualizations of terrains and instruments, and one with schematic graphical representations. Results of an experiment with 62 students show that there were not significant differences in learning between students who interacted with the realistic visualizations versus those who interacted with the schematic ones.
“They Are Thirsty for Internet More Than Water”
Authors: Lucić Luka , Liharska Lora E.
Published: August 2018

The potential benefits of the Internet in providing stand-in educational experiences to displaced young people cannot be overstated. However, actualizing these educational potentials requires much future work in research and practice. By describing the initial theoretical and practical considerations for how these potential benefits can be translated into real-life benefits for refugee children, this chapter serves as an initial step in that direction.
Cyberbullying
Authors: Wright Michelle F.
Published: August 2018

Children and adolescents are actively engaged in a digital world in which blogs, social networking sites, watching videos, and instant messaging are a typical part of their daily lives. Their immersion in the digital world has occurred for as long as they remember, with many not knowing a world without our modern technological advances. Although the digital age has brought us many conveniences in our daily lives, there is a darker side to children's and adolescents' involvement with these technologies, such as cyberbullying. This chapter draws on research from around the world, utilizing a variety of research designs, to describe the nature, extent, causes, and consequences associated with children's and adolescents' involvement in cyberbullying. Concluding the chapter is a solutions and recommendations section in which it is argued that cyberbullying is a global concern, affecting all aspects of society, requiring a whole-community approach.
Construction and Application of Korean-English-Japanese Multilingual Teaching Aid System Based on Knowledge Map
Authors: Zhe Li , Meng Cheng , Takanori Maesako , Juan Li
Published: August 2018

This article describes the design and application of a computer-based system for simultaneously teaching Korean, English and Japanese languages in a classroom setting using knowledge visualization techniques to show the relationships between vocabularies, grammars and meanings. The system consists of a knowledge database of Korean, English, and Japanese which is then uploaded into the teaching module. Visualizations of this information in the form of knowledge maps based upon generally accepted rules of knowledge map can then be displayed and contrasted using the system interface to enter user queries. The system is then tested in a blended classroom of native Korean speakers. Data on student learning experiences are then gathered by means of a questionnaire and analyzed in order to assess the overall success of knowledge acquisition in this setting. Our findings show that this system evokes a personal initiative in the learning process, facilitates communication between teachers and learners, and supports the rapid acquisition of multilingual knowledge.
An Automatic Method to Extract Online Foreign Language Learner Writing Error Characteristics
Authors: Flanagan Brendan , Hirokawa Sachio
Published: August 2018

This article contends that the profile of a foreign language learner can contain valuable information about possible problems they will face during the learning process, and could be used to help personalize feedback. A particularly important attribute of a foreign language learner is their native language background as it defines their known language knowledge. Native language identification serves two purposes: to classify a learners' unknown native language; and to identify characteristic features of native language groups that can be analyzed to generate tailored feedback. Fundamentally, this problem can be thought of as the process of identifying characteristic features that represent the application of a learner's native language knowledge in the use of the language that they are learning. In this article, the authors approach the problem of identifying characteristic differences and the classification of native languages from the perspective of 15 automatically predicted writing errors by online language learners.
Revoicing, Bridging, and Stuttering Across Formal, Physical, and Virtual Spaces
Authors: Van Eaton Grant , Clark Douglas B , Sengupta Pratim
Published: August 2018

As digital games and simulations become more commonplace in educational settings, it is important to document and analyze the way such digital learning environments merge with the traditional discourses and spaces of classroom-based learning environments. The current study contributes toward this goal by analyzing a representative transcript from a veteran traditional teacher's discussion with her class about the Newtonian relationships at the heart of a digital learning game she has integrated into her physics curriculum. This article presents an interaction analysis of the material, virtual, and abstract spaces employed and navigated across by the teacher to clarify common challenges as well as opportunities. The authors then analyze subsequent transcripts of student-teacher interactions for evidence of impact on student learning and understanding.
An Exploration of the Critical Need for Formal Training in Leadership for Cybersecurity and Technology Management Professionals
Authors: Burrell Darrell Norman
Published: August 2018

For many cybersecurity professionals it is often their technical skills, certifications, and technical academic education that gets them hired and even promoted from a line employee to a management role in technical departments and technical organizations. Being in management roles requires the development of new leadership soft skills that include personality traits, attitudes, habits, and behaviors you display when working with leading, coaching, empowering and developing others. While good soft skills are also important for employees, they are critical for managers - and for those who want to be managers. This article explores that nature of those skills and approaches to help organizations develop leaders in these areas.
Introducing a Model of Relationship Between Knowledge Sharing Behavior and Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Positively Orientated Organizational Behavior
Authors: Sadegh Tayebeh , Khani Reyhaneh Mohammad , Modaresi Fatemeh
Published: August 2018

This study investigates the effects of employees' positively oriented organizational behavior and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) use on knowledge sharing behavior after a two-month period. Based on previous research, it was expected that: (1) organizational citizenship behavior would be positively related to knowledge sharing behavior; (2) psychological capital would be positively related to knowledge sharing behavior; (3) OCB would mediate the relationship between psychological capital and knowledge sharing behavior; (4) psychological empowerment would be positively related to knowledge sharing behavior; and (5) OCB would mediate the relationship between psychological empowerment and knowledge sharing behavior. Results provided support for the direct effects of OCB, psychological capital and psychological empowerment on knowledge sharing behavior. Psychological capital and psychological empowerment were each indirectly related to knowledge sharing behavior, mediate by OCB. To be more precise, individuals with higher level of psychological capital and psychological empowerment were not only more likely to participate in organizational citizenship behavior but having a higher level of positively orientated organizational behavior made them to engage more in knowledge sharing behavior two months later.
Use of Organizational Memory Systems in a Police Organization
Authors: de Cuffa Denise , Kraemer Rodrigo , Steil Andrea Valéria
Published: August 2018

Organizational memory systems (OMS) are means used by organizations to retain and reuse their knowledge. This study identifies organizational memory systems and their use for performing daily activities in a multi-unit police organization. Data was collected through a questionnaire and observation. Analytical categorization of systems and descriptive statistics were used as analytical procedures. The results show the most of OMS store explicit knowledge, but the most accessed store tacit knowledge. Internal and external systems to organization were identified. Identification of external systems suggests existence of a thin line between what organization proposes and formalizes as OMS and systems are actually used. These results indicate need to carry out future researches on properties of existing memory systems and those actually used in organizations.
Leadership Styles, Absorptive Capacity and Firm's Innovation
Authors: Yaseen Saad G. , Al-Janaydab Saib , Alc Nesrine Abed
Published: August 2018

The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between leadership styles, absorptive capacity and firm's innovation in the Jordanian Pharmaceutical sector. It is a knowledge-intensive industry and one where effective leadership has been very substantial. Findings reveal that transformational leadership style and transactional leadership style are antecedents to absorptive capacity and a firm's innovation. The results confirm a significant and direct relationship between both leadership styles and firm innovation, and indirectly through absorptive capacity. Overall, the research's findings provide valuable insights for managers to foster absorptive capacity and innovation of their firms.
A PKM–Based Decision-Making Training Program for Personal Healthcare
Authors: Huang Yi-Mei , Pauleen David J. , Scahill Shane , Taskin Nazim
Published: August 2018

Making effective healthcare decisions is important. Despite the large volumes of information available, individuals often face limitations evaluating this information and making effective decisions. This article reports on the design, implementation and evaluation of a pilot training program based on action learning principles. The evaluation of the pilot program provided a clear understanding of what needed to be refined in terms of program structure, content and delivery. Participants' experience of the PKM process was also gained. The results of the study are expected to contribute to knowledge management in three ways: 1) inform current and future researchers of PKM in individual healthcare decision-making; 2) provide a PKM training model for individual healthcare decision-making; 3) demonstrate how action learning can be linked with a training program for the purposes of collecting research data.
A New Entropy-Based Approach to Determine the Weights of Decision Makers for Each Criterion With Crisp and Interval Data in Group Decision Making Under Multiple Attribute
Authors: Azadfallah Mohammad
Published: August 2018

The aim of this article is to develop a modified version of the original entropy approach to determine weights of decision makers (DMs) in multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) contexts with both crisp and interval data, in which the weights of experts (or DMs) are derived from the decision matrices and DMs have different weights for different criteria. In the proposed method, the experts' weight for each criterion depends on the uncertainty measure of DMs comparisons. In other words, the DMs who give less uncertainty judgments (or less entropy measures), will be evaluated as more importance, and vice-versa. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the feasibility of the developed method.
Overcoming Barriers to Delirium Screening in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Rohlik Gina M. , Fryer Karen R. , Tripathi Sandeep , Duncan Julie M. , Coon Heather L. , Padhya Dipti R. , Kahoud Robert J.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Delirium is associated with poor outcomes in adults but is less extensively studied in children.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a quality improvement initiative to implement delirium assessment in a pediatric intensive care unit and to identify barriers to delirium screening completion.

METHODS

A survey identified perceived barriers to delirium assessment. Failure modes and effects analysis characterized factors likely to impede assessment. A randomized case-control study evaluated factors affecting assessment by comparing patients always assessed with patients never assessed.

RESULTS

Delirium assessment was completed in 57% of opportunities over 1 year, with 2% positive screen results. Education improved screening completion by 20%. Barriers to assessment identified by survey (n = 25) included remembering to complete assessments, documentation outside workflow, and “busy patient.” Factors with high risk prediction numbers were lack of time and paper charting. Patients always assessed had more severe illness (median Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score, 0.90 vs 0.36; P < .001), more developmental disabilities (moderate to severe pediatric cerebral performance category score, 54% vs 32%; P = .007), and admission during lower pediatric intensive care unit census (median [interquartile range], 10 [9–12] vs 12 [10–13]; P < .001) than did those never assessed (each group, n = 80). Patients receiving mechanical ventilation were less likely to be assessed (41.0% vs 51.2%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful implementation of pediatric delirium screening may be associated with early use of quality improvement tools to identify assessment barriers, comprehensive education, monitoring system with feedback, multidisciplinary team involvement, and incorporation into nursing workflow models.
Preventing Surgical Site Infections Related to Abdominal Drains in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Orth Krystal
Published: August 2018

Surgical site infections are significant contributors to health care–associated infections. Nursing interventions may help decrease the incidence of surgical site infections, particularly in regards to the management of postsurgical abdominal drains. This comprehensive guide, compiled from evidence-based practice literature, is intended for nurses to use to reduce surgical site infections secondary to postsurgical abdominal drains. This article focuses on drain management in intensive care unit patients, who are at risk for infection because of their immunocompromised state.
The Patient’s Perspective of the Intensive Care Unit Diary in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Levine Sharon A. , Reilly Karen M. , Nedder Melanie M. , Avery Kathleen Ryan
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Many patients who survive an intensive care unit admission develop post–intensive care syndrome and face significant long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments. The intensive care unit diary is a reality-sorting tool that is effective in aiding patients to connect their flashbacks and delusional memories to actual events.

OBJECTIVES

To describe implementation of an intensive care unit diary in the cardiac intensive care unit and to describe the patient’s perspective of the diary.

METHODS

Consent for participation in the study was given by the patient health care proxy or a family member. The study consisted of 3 phases: writing in the diary about the patient’s events in the cardiac intensive care unit, a follow-up visit with the patient within 1 week of cardiac intensive care unit transfer, and a follow-up telephone call 2 months after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Of 26 patients, 13 completed all phases of the study. Four themes were identified from the transcripts of the patients’ responses: (1) The diary allowed patients to correlate memories to actual events, (2) it enabled patients to read about their families’ experiences during their critical illness, (3) recovery was an emotional process that affected the patient’s readiness to read the diary, and (4) patients expressed a desire for more entries by caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

The intensive care unit diary can help patients gain clarity of their time in the cardiac intensive care unit. Additional research on the use of the diary and long-term patient follow-up is warranted.
A missing hand at the dinner table: The response to the plight of farmers in South Africa
Authors: Resane Kelebogile T.
Published: August 2018

This article investigated the plight of farmers in South Africa. The intention is to enlighten South Africans of the importance of farming and the respect of farmers’ life and dignity. It starts by giving the picture of how the farmers are marginalised even in thanksgiving for food. Acknowledgement is always given to the provider (God) and the preparer (cook), while the producer (farmer) is unmentioned in appreciation for food. There is a demonstration that God-human dealings from the beginning were around the garden. Communication of God with a human being was in the garden; and humanity expressed wisdom, sexual intimacy, and livelihood in and around the farm. A historical survey of farming from the hunter-gatherers up to the commercial farmers of today is pointed out. The current farm attacks in South Africa are explored through press releases, political statements, and periodicals. Suggestions to address these attacks through political initiatives, land restitution, decolonised agricultural sciences, and the role the church should play are suggested. The farmer as the food provider is to be respected as a human being that carries the image of God.Intradisciplinary and/or Interdisciplinary implications: The article addresses the importance of farmers, the history of farming in Southern Africa and the biblical basis for agriculture. The burning issue of farm attacks is a main concern and needs to be addressed through political dialogue, decolonisation of agricultural sciences and church’s participation in teaching the nation the value of farmers as human beings regardless of the colour of their skins.
Peripheral T cell lymphoma
Authors: Nemani Sandeep , Korula Anu , Agrawal Bhumi , Kavitha M.L. , Manipadam Marie Therese , Sigamani Elanthenral , George Biju , Srivastava Alok , Viswabandya Auro , Mathews Vikram
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), with universally poor outcome. This study was undertaken to provide data on demographics and outcomes of patients with PTCL who underwent treatment in a single tertiary care centre in southern India.

Methods:

Retrospective study was done on all patients (age ≥18 yr) diagnosed with PTCL from January 2007 to December 2012. The diagnosis of PTCL was made according to the WHO Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues.

Results:

A total of 244 adult patients were diagnosed with PTCL (non-cutaneous). The most common subtype was PTCL-not otherwise specified (35.7%), followed by anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), ALK negative (21.3%), natural killer/T cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), ALCL, ALK positive, hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTCL) and adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma followed in frequency with 13.1, 11.5, 8.6, 8.2 and 1.6 per cent cases, respectively. The three-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) for the patients who received chemotherapy (n=122) were 33.8±5.0 and 29.3±4.7 per cent, respectively. Various prognostic indices developed for T cell lymphomas were found to be useful.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Except for ALCL, ALK positive, all other PTCLs showed poor long-term outcome with CHOP-based chemotherapy. Novel therapies are needed to improve the outcome.
A randomized controlled study of bedside electrocardiograph-guided tip location technique & the traditional chest radiography tip location technique for peripherally inserted central venous catheter in cancer patients
Authors: Li AiMin , Jiao JianGuo , Zhang Ying , Tian Li , Miao JinHong , Hao XiaoLi , Sun ZhenChang , Sun QiaoZhi
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) has the advantages of higher safety, lower infection rate and longer retention time than peripherally inserted catheter. This study was aimed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of bedside electrocardiograph (ECG)-guided tip location technique in PICC in cancer patients, and compared with traditional chest radiography tip location technique.

Methods:

Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: The ECG test group patients underwent PICC insertion with ECG-guided tip location, while the control group patients had PICC insertion by the conventional method. The precision of tip location was verified by chest radiography in both groups. The groups were compared with regard to the accuracy of tip placement, anxiety levels before and after the procedure; medical cost and incidence of complications at one week, three months and six months after PICC insertion.

Results:

Accurate tip location was achieved in 99.30 per cent in the ECG test group vs 92.30 per cent in the control group (P <0.001). At 24 h after the procedure, the anxiety level was significantly lower in the ECG test group. The presence of thrombogenesis was significantly lower in the ECG test group at both three months and six months after the procedure (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively).

Interpretation & conclusions:

The ECG-guided PICC tip location technique was accurate and caused fewer procedure-related complications and less anxiety in patients compared to chest radiography tip location technique. Radiographic confirmation of PICC tip position may not be needed when ECG guidance is used and thus it can help avoid radiation exposure.
Molecular approach for ante-mortem diagnosis of rabies in dogs
Authors: Singh C. K. , Ahmad Ajaz
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

The ante-mortem diagnosis of rabies is of great significance in establishing the status of infection in dogs, especially since they are involved in exposure to human beings. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to elucidate the most appropriate secretion/tissue for reliable diagnosis of rabies in 26 living dogs suspected to be rabid.

Methods:

In the present study 26 dogs suspected to have rabies were included for ante-mortem diagnosis of rabies in clinical samples of skin and saliva by molecular approach viz. heminested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (HnRT-PCR). Skin and saliva samples were collected from 13 dogs each.

Results:

Of the 13 clinically suspected dogs, fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) confirmed rabies in nine cases of dogs. Of these nine true-positive dogs, eight cases could be confirmed by HnRT-PCR from skin. Of the other 13 dogs clinically suspected for rabies, FAT confirmed rabies in 10 cases. Of these 10 true-positive dogs, rabies was detected ante-mortem by HnRT-PCR from the saliva in seven dogs. Thus, rabies was detected from skin with 90 per cent sensitivity, 100 per cent specificity and 92.85 per cent accuracy. With saliva, rabies was detected with a sensitivity of 76.92 per cent, specificity of 100 per cent and accuracy of 62.50 per cent. The positive predictive values were 100 per cent for both skin and saliva samples while negative predictive values were 80 and 50 per cent, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Skin biopsy may be more appropriate clinical sample as compared to saliva for ante-mortem diagnosis of rabies in dogs. HnRT-PCR can be employed for molecular diagnosis of rabies from skin in live dogs.
Pattern of paediatric HIV status disclosure in coastal Karnataka
Authors: Kodyalamoole Nishanth Krishna , Badiger Sanjeev , Kiran Nalam Udaya , Dodderi Sunil Kumar , Rewari B.B.
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

Karnataka is a high HIV prevalent State in India. Although benefits have been shown by disclosing the HIV status to the child, information regarding HIV status disclosure in Karnataka is limited. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the proportion of children who had been disclosed of their HIV status and its pattern among those who visited the district antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre in coastal Karnataka.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an ART centre in a district hospital in coastal Karnataka between October 2014 and July 2015. Caregivers of paediatric HIV patients were approached and willing participants were administered a pre-formed, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire developed for the study.

Results:

A total of 185 caregivers of the HIV-positive children were interviewed. Mean age of the children was 11±4 years. Only 107 (57.8%) children were aware of their HIV status. Of these, 95 were disclosed fully. Counsellors in rehabilitation centres were the most probable person to disclose and planned events. Children were told of their HIV status for their knowledge and were more likely to be disclosed if they were around 11-15 yr of age and staying in rehabilitation centres.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Older children were more likely to be disclosed of their HIV status by counsellors. Steps need to be taken to counsel and encourage caregivers to fully disclose the HIV status to the children at least when they attain the age more than 11 years.
Correlation of obesity & comorbid conditions with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Mahapatra Sandeep , Ramakrishna Pinjala , Gupta Bhumika , Arumalla Anusha , Para Muneer Ahmad
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common clinical problem among obese patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) and associated morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and hypothyroidism on venous disease clinical scores as per Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, Pathological (CEAP) classification.

Methods:

In this study, adult patients with BMI more than 30 kg/m2 with signs of CVI were evaluated clinically and by using Duplex ultrasonography of venous system. The patients with C0, C1, C2, C3 and C4, C5, C6 clinical scores in CEAP classification were grouped as lower and higher clinical scores of CVI, respectively.

Results:

Of the 200 enrolled patients, 147 (73.5%) were males and were associated with higher grades of clinical scores (P=0.051). Superficial venous system was involved in 96 per cent patients and 91 per cent patients had reflux in the sapheno-femoral junction. A negative association was observed between hypertension and male gender (P=0.001). Higher BMI was associated with higher clinical scoring (P=0.053). BMI >40 kg/m2 was associated with primary aetiology (P=0.007) of CVI. There was no correlation between superficial, deep or perforator incompetence with BMI (P=0.506). Duplex-confirmed significant reflux was observed in patients with higher BMI (P=0.006). Age and BMI were positively correlated with clinical score (r=0.176; P=0.013 & r=0.140; P=0.049), respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our findings indicated that elderly male patients with high BMI seemed to be at a higher risk of advanced clinical grades of CVI. The impact of comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and hypothyroidism on CVI could not reach at significance in the present study.
Molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus from children hospitalized at a tertiary care centre in northwest India
Authors: Malhotra Bharti , Kanwar Anu , Reddy P.V. Janardhan , Chauhan Aradhana , Tiwari Jitendra , Bhargava Shipra , Verma H.N.
Published: August 2018

Background & objectives:

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a major cause of childhood hepatitis, prevalent worldwide. HAV is classified into seven genotypes I-VII; genotypes III and I are the most common among humans. The present work was carried out to identify the genotypes prevalent in children suspected to have acute viral hepatitis (AVH), hospitalized at a tertiary care centre in northwest India.

Methods:

A total of 1269 blood samples from children (0-15 yr of age) clinically suspected of viral hepatitis were screened for anti-HAV IgM. Acute phase serum was processed for RNA extraction and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing of representative samples.

Results:

Among the 1269 samples tested, 642 (50.59%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM; among the positive samples, 171 patients having a history of less than seven days were tested by PCR, of whom 141 (82.45%) were found to be PCR positive. Nucleotide sequencing of a representative 44 samples showed high homology; all the samples were found to be of genotype IIIA.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Hepatitis A was prevalent during July to September and in predominantly children less than five years age. Only genotype IIIA was detected in all the samples.
Participatory guarantee system, equivalence and quality control in a comparative study on organic certifications systems in Europe and Brazil
Authors: Cavallet Luiz Ermindo , Canavari Maurizio , Neto Paulo Fortes
Published: August 2018

Although organic agriculture in Brazil targets mainly local consumers, there is growing demand for research related to commercializing this sector abroad. A study was done in Europe on the perception of entities related to this theme, specifically on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), the feasibility of equivalence between the countries, and control procedures. An exploratory study was conducted through interviews with five organic certification bodies, two in Switzerland, three in Italy, and with a producer association in Italy. PGS is little known in Europe in general and it is suggested that it be better disseminated in the member countries. PGS has been evaluated positively for reducing certification costs and promoting benefits from a social aspect, but it can fail in organic compliance and in large scale production. There are significant differences that must be overcome in order to establish equivalence, such as the lack of homogeneity among European countries on control procedures, the existence of PGS in Brazilian legislation, lack of wild crop products in Europe, different conversion periods, and the requirement of a higher number of inspections in Brazil. Equivalence is seen as beneficial to both Europe and Brazil, and it would therefore be appropriate to promote its viability. The Brazilian law on organic agriculture is taken as very restrictive and complex.
The influence of organizational injustice in the motivation for the practice of cybercrimes
Authors: Silva de Garcia Plínio , Macadar Marie Anne , Luciano Edimara Mezzomo
Published: August 2018

A influência do contexto organizacional na motivação para a prática de crimes cibernéticos

Esta pesquisa analisou como a percepção de injustiça organizacional motiva a prática de crimes cibernéticos no local de trabalho. Em uma investigação qualitativa e exploratória, foram realizadas entrevistas com 16 especialistas em segurança cibernética. Os dados foram analisados através da técnica de análise de conteúdo categorial. Os resultados sugerem que a percepção de injustiça produz sentimentos negativos como a baixa-estima, a frustração e a ausência de culpa, e que essas emoções motivam a prática de crimes cibernéticos. Diferentes percepções identificadas entre os entrevistados deste estudo, associadas à revisão da literatura referente ao tema, permitiram a proposição de um modelo conceitual.

The influence of organizational injustice in the motivation for the practice of cybercrimes

This research analyzes how the perception of organizational injustice motivates the practice of cybercrimes in the workplace. In a qualitative and exploratory investigation, interviews have been carried out for 16 specialists in cybernetic security. Data were analyzed through the categorical content analysis technique. The results obtained suggest that the perception of injustice produces negative feelings, such as low self-esteem, frustration, and lack of guilt, and these emotions, in turn, motivate the practice of cybercrimes. Different perceptions have been identified among the interviewees of this study, which are associated with the literature review related to the theme, allowed the proposition of a conceptual model.
Detecting high-emitting methane sources in oil/gas fields using satellite observations
Authors: Cusworth Daniel H. , Jacob Daniel J. , Sheng Jian-Xiong , Benmergui Joshua , Turner Alexander J. , Brandman Jeremy , White Laurent , Randles Cynthia A.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Methane emissions from oil/gas fields originate from a large number of relatively small and densely clustered point sources. A small fraction of high-mode emitters can make a large contribution to the total methane emission. Here we conduct observation system simulation experiments (OSSEs) to examine the potential of recently launched or planned satellites to detect and locate these high-mode emitters through measurements of atmospheric methane columns. We simulate atmospheric methane over a generic oil/gas field (20–500 production sites of different size categories in a 50 × 50 km2 domain) for a 1-week period using the WRF-STILT meteorological model with 1.3 × 1.3 km2 horizontal resolution. The simulations consider many random realizations for the occurrence and distribution of high-mode emitters in the field by sampling bi-modal probability density functions (pdfs) of emissions from individual sites. The atmospheric methane fields for each realization are observed virtually with different satellite and surface observing configurations. Column methane enhancements observed from satellites are small relative to instrument precision, even for high-mode emitters, so an inverse analysis is necessary. The inverse analysis can be regularized effectively using a L-1 norm to provide sparse solutions for a bi-modally distributed variable. We find that the recently launched TROPOMI instrument (low Earth orbit, 7 × 7 km2 nadir pixels, daily return time) and the planned GeoCARB instrument (geostationary orbit, 2.7 × 3.0 km2 pixels, 2× or 4×/day return time) are successful at locating high-emitting sources for fields of 20–50 emitters within the 50 × 50 km2 domain but are unsuccessful for denser fields. GeoCARB does not benefit significantly from more frequent observations (4×/day vs. 2×/day) because of temporal error correlation in the inversion. It becomes marginally successful when allowing a 5-km error tolerance for localization. A next-generation geostationary satellite instrument with 1.3 × 1.3 km2 pixels, hourly return time, and 1 ppb precision can successfully detect and locate the high-mode emitters for a dense field with up to 500 sites in the 50 × 50 km2 domain. The capabilities of TROPOMI and GeoCARB can be usefully augmented with a surface air observation network of 5–20 sites, and in turn the satellite instruments increase the detection capability that can be achieved from the surface sites alone.
Aerosol light absorption from attenuation measurements of PTFE-membrane filter samples: implications for particulate matter monitoring networks
Authors: Pandey Apoorva , Shetty Nishit J. , Chakrabarty Rajan K.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Mass absorption cross-section (MAC) measurements of atmospherically-relevant aerosols are required to quantify their effect on Earth’s radiative budget. Estimating aerosol light absorption from transmittance and/or reflectance measurements through filter deposits is an attractive option because of ease of deployment in field settings and low cost. These measurements suffer from artifacts that depend on a given filter measurement system and type of aerosol. Empirical correction algorithms are available for commercial instruments equipped with optically-thick fiber filters, but optically-thin filter media have not been characterized in detail. Here, we present empirical relationships between particle light absorption–measured using multi-wavelength integrated photoacoustic spectrometers and nephelometers–and attenuation measurements for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane filter samples of carbonaceous aerosols generated from combustion of diverse biomass fuels and kerosene (surrogate for fossil-fuel combustion). We establish a simple, wavelength-independent formulation for calculating aerosol MAC and absorption coefficients from filter attenuation measurements. We find the ratio between in-situ absorption and bulk attenuation to be inversely proportional to aerosol single scattering albedo. As a case study, we apply our formulations on 2010 attenuation datasets of the Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network to quantify the overestimation in their filter-based absorption coefficients.