Empowering Information Security Managers: Tailored Information Security Policy Design with POLCO Software

Information security is crucial for protecting an organization\u27s information assets, and information security policies (ISPs) are formal controls that provide guidance in this regard. However, employees\u27 non-compliance with ISPs is a persistent issue, and the design of ISPs can contribute to this problem. Tailored ISP design theory, which includes four design principles and a conceptual model, offers a solution by allowing information security managers to create ISPs that are relevant for different groups of employees. This research introduces POLCO, a software developed based on tailored ISP design theory, to systematically tailor ISPs. The evaluation of functionality of POLCO as a proof of concept was conducted with master students in an information security management program, and the results showed that POLCO fulfils the design principles, making it a potential tool for reducing employee non-compliance with ISPs

Anxiété de séparation chez les enfants souffrant de terreurs du sommeil ou de somnambulisme

La relation entre la psychopathologie développementale et le sommeil, ou vice versa, est complexe (Gregory & Sadeh, 2016). Davantage de recherche est nécessaire, y compris des études longitudinales populationnelles chez les enfants. Cependant, le trouble d'anxiété généralisée et le trouble d'anxiété de séparation comptent tous deux les problèmes de sommeil parmi leurs principaux symptômes chez les enfants en clinique (Kupfer, 2015; Shanahan et al., 2014). Les résultats sont toutefois mitigés et certaines perturbations du sommeil ne sont pas associées à l'anxiété dans la population non-clinique d'enfants. On sait peu de choses sur la relation entre l'anxiété de séparation et les terreurs nocturnes et le somnambulisme chez les enfants d'une population non clinique. Donc, dans ce mèmoire, je tente de démontrer la présence de liens entre l'anxiété de séparation et les terreurs nocturnes d’une part, et le somnambulisme d’autre part, dans la petite enfance ; je teste la robustesse de ces associations après avoir pris en compte l'anxiété générale chez les participants. Enfin, j’explorerai les différences entre les sexes pour ces associations. Cette recherche fait partie de l'Étude longitudinale du développement des enfants du Québec (ÉLDEQ, Canada), pilotée par l'Institut de la statistique du Québec. Dans l'échantillon initial, 2223 familles ont été incluses lorsque les enfants avaient environ cinq mois. Dans cette étude, l'anxiété de séparation et l'anxiété générale ont été mesurés chaque année entre l'âge de 1,5 et 6 ans grâce au questionnaire informatisé rempli par l'interviewer, un entretien structuré en face à face avec la mère (N = 2045; 2044). Les terreurs nocturnes ont été évaluées entre 1,5 et 6 ans et le somnambulisme entre 2,5 et 6 ans à l'aide d'un questionnaire autoadministré à la mère (N = 1840; 1849). Un score moyen à travers les temps de mesure a été calculé pour l'anxiété de séparation et l'anxiété générale alors qu’une somme a été calculée pour les terreurs nocturnes et le somnambulisme. Les associations ont été testées par des régressions hiérarchiques en trois étapes : (1) anxiété de séparation et facteurs de confusion, (2) inclusion de l'anxiété générale et (3) inclusion d'un terme d'interaction sexe * anxiété de séparation. L'une des principales conclusions de cette étude est que l'anxiété de séparation pouvait prédire à la fois les terreurs nocturnes et le somnambulisme dans la petite enfance, même après contrôle de l'anxiété générale entrée comme facteur de confusion dans les modèles. Cette dernière n'a montré aucune association avec les deux parasomnies. Les associations n’étaient pas différentes pour les garçons et les filles. Nos résultats ont montré que l'anxiété de séparation pourrait jouer un rôle dans l’apparition des terreurs nocturnes et du somnambulisme chez les jeunes enfants dans la population générale (non-clinique). Cette étude représente une étape importante dans la compréhension des liens entre les symptômes d’anxiété de séparation et le sommeil chez les enfants.The relationship between developmental psychopathology and sleep is complex (Gregory & Sadeh, 2016). More research is needed, including longitudinal population-based studies in children. However, Generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder all list sleep problems among their core symptoms in clinical children population (Kupfer, 2015; Shanahan et al., 2014), but results are mixed and sleep disturbances may not be associated with anxiety in non-clinical population of children. Little is known the relationship between separation anxiety and night terrors and sleepwalking among children in a non-clinical population. So, in this dissertation, I explore the links between separation anxiety and night terrors on one hand, and sleepwalking on the other hand, in a non-clinical early childhood sample. This research is part of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD, Canada), initiated by the Quebec Institute of Statistics. In the initial sample, 2223 families were included when children were approximately 5 months. Separation anxiety and General anxiety were measured from the ages of yearly 1.5 to 6 years through the Interviewer Completed Computerized Questionnaire, a face-to-face structured interview with the mother (N= 2045; 2044). Night terrors were assessed from 1.5 to 6 years of age, and sleepwalking from 2.5 years to 6 years, through a self-administered questionnaire completed by the mother (N= 1840; 1849). A mean score across measurement times was calculated for separation anxiety and general anxiety, and a sum for night terrors and sleepwalking. I tested the associations with three-step hierarchical regression models: (1) inclusion of separation anxiety and confounding factors as predictors, (2) inclusion of general anxiety, and (3) inclusion of an interaction term gender*separation anxiety. One of the major findings of this study is that separation anxiety predicts both night terrors and sleepwalking in early childhood, even after controlling for general anxiety. The latter showed no associations with any of the two parasomnias. Finally, these associations were not different for boys and girls. Our findings have shown that separation anxiety may play a role in night terrors and sleepwalking etiology. This study represents an important step for a better understanding of the association between separation anxiety symptoms and sleep in children in the general (non-clinical) population

The Effectiveness of Choice Theory Education on Reducing Work-Family Conflict of Women

Background: One of the most significant issues of areas of work and family interactions is work-family conflict. Dominant traditional and stereotypical attitudes toward women’s roles and doing institutionalized house chores provoke problems such as a decline in organizational performance and adverse physical, mental, and behavioral effects in women. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of choice theory education on reducing work-family conflict of women working in the hospital. Methods: The quasi-experimental research conducted in a pre-test and post-test control group design aimed to examine the effectiveness of the choice theory education on reducing work-family conflict of 12 participants in the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group who were selected by multistage cluster sampling.   Results: The result of Covariance analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control group in post-test (Pvalue< 0.001, F=50.13). Conclusions:  It can be concluded that the education of choice theory's concepts can be used as one of the strategies of reducing the work-family conflict to confront its negative consequences in organizations and families

The Effectiveness of Choice Theory Education on Reducing Work-Family Conflict of Women

Background: One of the most significant issues of areas of work and family interactions is work-family conflict. Dominant traditional and stereotypical attitudes toward women’s roles and doing institutionalized house chores provoke problems such as a decline in organizational performance and adverse physical, mental, and behavioral effects in women. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of choice theory education on reducing work-family conflict of women working in the hospital. Methods: The quasi-experimental research conducted in a pre-test and post-test control group design aimed to examine the effectiveness of the choice theory education on reducing work-family conflict of 12 participants in the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group who were selected by multistage cluster sampling.   Results: The result of Covariance analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control group in post-test (Pvalue< 0.001, F=50.13). Conclusions:  It can be concluded that the education of choice theory's concepts can be used as one of the strategies of reducing the work-family conflict to confront its negative consequences in organizations and families

Cerebral Blood Flow Measurement in Healthy Children and Children Suffering Severe Traumatic Brain Injury—What Do We Know?

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death in children. Children with severe TBI are in need of neurointensive care where the goal is to prevent secondary brain injury by avoiding secondary insults. Monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and autoregulation in the injured brain is crucial. However, there are limited studies performed in children to investigate this. Current studies report on age dependent increase in CBF with narrow age range. Low initial CBF following TBI has been correlated to poor outcome and may be more prevalent than hyperemia as previously suggested. Impaired cerebral pressure autoregulation is also detected and correlated with poor outcome but it remains to be elucidated if there is a causal relationship. Current studies are few and mainly based on small number of patients between the age of 0–18 years. Considering the changes of CBF and cerebral pressure autoregulation with increasing age, larger studies with more narrow age ranges and multimodality monitoring are required in order to generate data that can optimize the therapy and clinical management of children suffering TBI

Associated factors of birth weight outcomes in the south of Iran: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Adverse birth outcomes are serious health problems that increase morbidity and mortality in neonates. Socioeconomic inequities are linked with Low Birth Weight (LBW) and High Birth Weight (HBW); however, the associations of these factors differ in various groups. The present survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBW and HBW and also to determine the associated demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted on 6495 children, aged 0-2 years, selected through cluster and multistage sampling methods in 30 cities of Fars province, Iran, from December 2012 to January 2013. Determinants were assessed using a questionnaires including demographic, health parameters, and socioeconomic variables. Also, birth weights were recorded from health report cards. We examined the association between probable factors related to LBW and HBW, and analyzed the data using multinomial regression model. Results: Among the study population, 636 (9.7%) were LBW and the rate of HBW was estimated to be 152 (2.3%). In multinomial regression, the odds ratio of LBW was significantly higher in girls (OR=1.38, 95%CI=1.17-1.63), and the first (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.25-2.31) and the second born child (OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.06-2.02); this ratio was lower in families with the father as the head of the family (OR=0.31, 95%CI=0.13-0.68) or mother (OR=0.43, 95%CI=0.11-1.64), and children from low populated families (OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.42-0.68). Moreover, the lower maternal education (OR=2.52, 95%CI=1.36-4.70) was significantly associated with increased HBW; however, girls (OR=0.56, 95%CI=0.39-0.79), low populated families (OR=0.60, 95%CI=0.37-0.96), and fathers as family head (OR=0.19, 95%CI=0.05-0.71) lowered the odds of HBW. Conclusion: LBW was identified at a relatively high level. The prevention of adverse birth outcomes may be applicable by targeting demographic and social determinants like gender, birth order, family size, mother’s education, and family head as predictors of birth weight in public health interventions

A Complementary Therapy with Whey Protein in Diabetes: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its complications can cause severe morbidity and mortality. The researchers and clinicians’ attention has been toward finding the efficient treatment for T2DM to decrease its heavy burden on the people and countries. Whey protein (WP) is a known glucose-lowering treatment of traditional Persian medicine. This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the WP on the improvement of the glycemic index of the patients with T2DM in Fars, Fasa, Iran. A total of 58 people with T2DM met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention or placebo. For 12 weeks, they were given 1 sachet of WP or 1 sachet of placebo. Before and after the trial, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and liver enzymes were tested. Finally, 35 patients completed the study (18 in the whey group and 17 in the placebo group). The mean ± standard deviation of age, BMI, and the disease duration in placebo group were: 52.1±9.2 years, 26.8±3.9 kg/m2 and 102.9±67.7 months and in WP group were 51.2±8.2 years, 25.7±3.7 kg/m2 and 74.2±51.1 months. There were no significant differences among the study groups at the beginning (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the WP and placebo groups were the same by means of the amount of anti-diabetic drugs that participants consumed (P=0.242). After 12 weeks: the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and hemoglobin A1C amounts showed important decreases in the WP group compared to its starting point (P=0.011 and P=0.001 respectively), while in the placebo group, there was no significant difference in this matter (P>0.05).  No severe complications were reported in both groups. In conclusion, we found that whey protein would be a promising complementary therapy to control hyperglycemia in the patients with T2DM

A Comparative Study of 25 (OH) Vitamin D Serum Levels in Patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy individuals

Background: The incidence of metabolic syndrome has been rising in the Iran population. In parallel, vitamin D deficiency has also been increasing in Iran. This study aims to explore the association of vitamin D serum concentrations with metabolic syndrome and its components in the Iranian population.  Materials and Methods: A case-control study was managed. We enrolled 110 metabolic syndrome patients, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria as a case group and 130 healthy individuals as a control group. The serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25 (OH)D), lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose(FBS) status were determined using a commercially available ELISA method. Enzymatic methods determined total cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels.  Results: In case group, the prevalence rate of 25 (OH)D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) was 10%, 25 (OH)D insufficiency (10–29 ng/mL) was 71.0%, and 25 (OH)D sufficiency (>30 ng/mL) was 19.0%. A non-significant association between Chol level and age was noted (p=0.46, p=0.124). The levels of FBS and TG were significantly higher, and the levels of 25 (OH)D, LDL, and HDL were significantly lower in the case of the group compared to the control group. Conclusion: We found that the serum level of 25 (OH)D in patients with metabolic syndrome is lower than in the healthy group, and a low level of 25 (OH)D is related to increased risk of metabolic syndrome and its components. &nbsp

Evaluation of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D Serum Levels and Thyroid-related Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Healthy People in Shiraz, Iran

Background and Aim: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing globally. There is increasing evidence in the correlation between altered vitamin D levels, thyroid dysfunction, and T2DM. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D), lipid profile, glucose and thyroid-related parameters among patients with T2DM and non-diabetic individuals. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 228 individuals (110 type two diabetics and 118 healthy controls). The serum concentration of 25(OH) D was determined by chemiluminescence assay. Photometric methods measured serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), calcium, phosphorous, total Cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and VLDL levels were estimated from the Friedewald equation (LDL-C=TC–HDL-C–(TG/5)). The Elisa kit measured serum T4 and TSH. Results: 80% of Patients with T2DM and 71% of healthy individuals were suffering from vitamin D insufficiency. A non-significant relationship between TG (P=0.36), HDL (P=0.33), VLDL (P=0.36), T4 (P=0.56) calcium (P=0.39) and phosphorus (P=0.41) levels were showed in control and diabetic groups.  The levels of FBG (P=0.000), TC (P=0.001), LDL (P=0.004), TSH (P=0.000) were significantly higher, and the levels of 25 (OH) D (P=0.001) was significantly lower in the T2DM group compared to the non-diabetic group. Conclusion: We revealed that the serum level of 25 (OH) D is lower in patients with T2DM, and the TSH level is significantly higher compared to the non-diabetic group. Thyroid dysfunction and a low level of 25 (OH) D are associated with a high risk of T2DM. *Corresponding Author: Zakieh Sadat Sheikhalishahi; Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as: Rostami E, Najafi V, Behmard V, Panji M, Moravej FS, Dalvand S, Namdari A, Yavari N, Sheikhalishahi ZS. Evaluation of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D Serum Levels and Thyroid-related Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Healthy People in Shiraz, Iran. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2020;6:1-6 (e22). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v6.3130

Huge variability in restrictions of mobilization for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage - A European survey of practice.

INTRODUCTION One of the major goals of neurointensive care is to prevent secondary injuries following aSAH. Bed rest and patient immobilization are practiced in order to decrease the risk of DCI. RESEARCH QUESTION To explore the current practices in place concerning the management of patients with aSAH, specifically, protocols and habits regarding restrictions of mobilization and HOB positioning. MATERIAL AND METHODS A survey was designed, modified, and approved by the panel of the Trauma & Critical Care section of the EANS to cover the practice of restrictions of patient mobilization and HOB positioning in patients with aSAH. RESULTS Twenty-nine physicians from 17 countries completed the questionnaire. The majority (79.3%) stated that non-secured aneurysm and the presence of an EVD were the factors related to the establishment of restriction of mobilization. The average duration of the restriction varied widely ranging between 1 and 21 days. The presence of an EVD (13.8%) was found to be the main reason to recommend restriction of HOB elevation. The average duration of restriction of HOB positioning ranged between 3 and 14 days. Rebleeding or complications related to CSF over-drainage were found to be related to these restrictions. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Restriction of patient mobilization regimens vary widely in Europe. Current limited evidence does not support an increased risk of DCI rather the early mobilization might be beneficial. Large prospective studies and/or the initiative of a RCT are needed to understand the significance of early mobilization on the outcome of patients with aSAH