1,474 research outputs found

    One Protocol to Rule Them All? On Securing Interoperable Messaging

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    European lawmakers have ruled that users on different platforms should be able to exchange messages with each other. Yet messaging interoperability opens up a Pandora's box of security and privacy challenges. While championed not just as an anti-trust measure but as a means of providing a better experience for the end user, interoperability runs the risk of making the user experience worse if poorly executed. There are two fundamental questions: how to enable the actual message exchange, and how to handle the numerous residual challenges arising from encrypted messages passing from one service provider to another -- including but certainly not limited to content moderation, user authentication, key management, and metadata sharing between providers. In this work, we identify specific open questions and challenges around interoperable communication in end-to-end encrypted messaging, and present high-level suggestions for tackling these challenges

    Exposure of a 23F serotype strain of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> to cigarette smoke condensate is associated with selective upregulation of genes encoding the two-component regulatory system 11 (TCS11)

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    Alterations in whole genome expression profiles following exposure of the pneumococcus (strain 172, serotype 23F) to cigarette smoke condensate (160 μg/mL) for 15 and 60 min have been determined using the TIGR4 DNA microarray chip. Exposure to CSC resulted in the significant (P &#60; 0.014–0.0006) upregulation of the genes encoding the two-component regulatory system 11 (TCS11), consisting of the sensor kinase, hk11, and its cognate response regulator, rr11, in the setting of increased biofilm formation. These effects of cigarette smoke on the pneumococcus may contribute to colonization of the airways by this microbial pathogen

    Comparison of the Thesslay Test and McMurray Test: A Systematic Review of Comparative Diagnostic Studies

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    The Thessaly test is a relatively recently developed meniscal test; therefore research compared to other meniscal tests is somewhat limited. In addition, a systematic review comparing the Thessaly’s test with a long standing test such as the McMurray test has not been previously conducted. Objectives: To systematically identify and appraise all empirical studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of the Thessaly test and McMurray test. Procedure: Eligible studies were identified through a rigorous search of ScienceDirect, CINAHL Plus, Pubmed, PEDro, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from January 2004 until August 2014. Full English reports of studies investigating the accuracy of the Thessaly test and McMurray test. Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS) scores were completed on each selected article. Results: The Thessaly test reported to have higher diagnostic accuracy values (61-96%) compared to the McMurray test (56- 84%). Although McMurray test showed to have higher sensitivity in the detection of lateral meniscal tears, the Thessaly reported to more sensitive for medial and higher specificity values for both medial and lateral tears. Limitations: All the included studies have considerable limitations related to inclusion and exclusion criteria and recording of test outcomes. Conclusion: Higher strength of evidence studies are warranted to ensure a more robust data collection of information in addition to further investigate the diagnostic accuracy of such tests

    Will d-amphetamine’s effect on impulsive choice be consistent when the environmental context changes by using decreasing delays to reinforcement?

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    Impulsivity (choosing a smaller, more immediate reward over a larger, more delayed reward) and substance abuse are positively correlated. It is important to understand how factors like delay to reward and drug effects determine impulsive choice, which can be studied using animal models. This study evaluated impulsive choice in rats, where delays to the larger reward (three food pellets) were presented in decreasing order versus one food pellet delivered immediately. Then, effects of d-amphetamine were assessed. It was found that in three of four rats, d-amphetamine increased impulsive choice when the larger option was presented with decreasing delays. This effect is contrary to what has generally been found with increasing delays. Thus, environmental context can influence drug effects on impulsive choice

    Møtet mellom pedagogen og skuespilleren i barnehagen

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    Problemstilling: Hvordan kan jeg som pedagogisk leder nyttiggjøre kompetansen til en skuespiller i barnehagen?bachelor-v201

    Proto-professionalism: Opportunities for student learning and service to homeless people

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    The concepts of professionalism including ethical practice, reflection, self-awareness, respect, teamwork and social responsibility are present in the healthcare curriculum but rarely learned in combination. The concepts can be combined when students receive practical experiences on the challenges of delivering health and social care to populations experiencing poverty and disadvantage. &nbsp;We report on work with homeless people in our local communities designed to align social accountability responsibilities with healthcare curricula through a student volunteering project; initially established in a medical school. Using an ethical approach we developed this learning through a staff-student-community partnership. The outcome was learning consisting of theoretical teaching, practice learning and the potential to volunteer. We report on the development phases over several years (2013-2017). The pedagogical evaluation used a sequential mixed methods approach.&nbsp; One hundred and ninety-five student participants scored pre- and post-questionnaires.&nbsp; Of these 75% completed reflective assignments and many went on to volunteer. Twenty of those who volunteered participated in one-to-one interviews. Scored data were analysed statistically and reflective written materials were analysed using content analysis. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. The learning was positively experience and students reported changed attitudes and understandings of homelessness. Practice-placements and volunteering further enhanced these insights and student’s perceptions of readiness for clinical practice.&nbsp; This can be described as proto-professionalism.&nbsp; The student-staff-community partnership offers an ethical platform on which to build sustainable local outreach projects. The students gained a deeper appreciation of social injustice for homeless people

    Maternal vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic:A qualitative interview study with UK pregnant women

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    BACKGROUND: There is suboptimal uptake of recommended maternal vaccines (pertussis and influenza) during pregnancy in the UK. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare services, and potentially vaccine coverage, and brought the need for new vaccines to be tested and rolled out. OBJECTIVES: : To explore: i) the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on pregnant women's access to, and attitudes towards, routine maternal vaccines and; ii) women's attitudes towards testing Covid-19 vaccines on pregnant women and their personal willingness to take part in such a trial. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study with pregnant women in the Bristol and surrounding area (UK). METHODS: Semi-structured telephone/videoconference interviews were conducted (following a topic guide), transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-one pregnant women (selected for demographic range) were interviewed in April/May 2020. Participants felt the pandemic had elevated the importance of routine maternal vaccines, though women were concerned about safety management around appointment attendance. Women were wary of receiving a new Covid-19 vaccine, with most perceiving it as riskier than Covid-19 itself. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to maximise the safety and efficiency of maternity appointments to encourage uptake of routine maternal vaccines, and to communicate this well. For pregnant women to gain a new vaccine or participate in a vaccine trial, they need to be convinced that the risk posed by the virus is greater than any risk of receiving a new vaccine

    Assessing Brucellosis Seroprevalence and Transmission Risk in a Free-Ranging Elk Population: The Targetted Brucellosis Surveillance Project in Montana

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    Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that affects elk, bison and domestic cattle.  Recently the seroprevalence of brucellosis in free-ranging elk populations of Montana has increased and its’ range has expanded, resulting in increased pressure on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) to manage the disease in elk.  In 2010 MFWP and the Montana Department of Livestock initiated a targeted surveillance program to delineate the current geographic distribution of brucellosis, document spatio-temporal habitat selection and movement patterns, and to quantify potential transmission risk from elk to cattle.  Since 2010, we have targeted 11 different winter ranges from 9 hunt districts, both within and outside of the Designated Surveillance Area used to manage cattle.  During each capture operation we tested approximately 100 adult female elk for exposure to brucellosis.  We deployed GPS radiocollars on a subsample of adult female elk on each winter range.  An epidemiological summary of the first five years, including seroprevalence, movement and implications for transmission vectors will be presented. Current brucellosis exposure in domestic herds, future surveillance areas, evaluation of various management actions on transmission risk, and the creation of a spatio-temporal risk model are discussed
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