Critical analysis of videogame privacy policies: data handling practices and evaluating children’s digital privacy rights in Europe, U.S., and Canada

The extensive use of the internet by children has given rise to concerns about their digital privacy. The General Data Protection Regulation (‘EU GDPR 2018’) treats children as a ‘special class of data subjects’ without clearly explaining how to do so in practice. Privacy policies set out a website’s data handling practices, however, they are typically complex, lengthy documents that deter users from reading them. A comparative analysis examining the adequacy of data privacy laws in the EU, the U.S. and Canada in protecting children’s digital privacy is carried out, followed by a multiple-case study evaluation of popular videogame policies. As a result, an original child-friendly model privacy policy was drafted, designed to inform the development of best practice in treating children as a special class of data subjects

An Enhanced Energy Balanced Data Transmission Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks.

This paper presents two new energy balanced routing protocols for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs); Efficient and Balanced Energy consumption Technique (EBET) and Enhanced EBET (EEBET). The first proposed protocol avoids direct transmission over long distance to save sufficient amount of energy consumed in the routing process. The second protocol overcomes the deficiencies in both Balanced Transmission Mechanism (BTM) and EBET techniques. EBET selects relay node on the basis of optimal distance threshold which leads to network lifetime prolongation. The initial energy of each sensor node is divided into energy levels for balanced energy consumption. Selection of high energy level node within transmission range avoids long distance direct data transmission. The EEBET incorporates depth threshold to minimize the number of hops between source node and sink while eradicating backward data transmissions. The EBET technique balances energy consumption within successive ring sectors, while, EEBET balances energy consumption of the entire network. In EEBET, optimum number of energy levels are also calculated to further enhance the network lifetime. Effectiveness of the proposed schemes is validated through simulations where these are compared with two existing routing protocols in terms of network lifetime, transmission loss, and throughput. The simulations are conducted under different network radii and varied number of nodes

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves for patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures (The BeLieVeR-HIFi trial): study design and rationale

Although lung volume reduction surgery improves survival in selected patients with emphysema, there has been ongoing interest in developing and evaluating bronchoscopic approaches to try to reduce lung volumes with less morbidity and mortality. The placement of endobronchial valves is one such technique, and although some patients have had a significant improvement, responses have been inconsistent because collateral ventilation prevents lobar atelectasis. We describe the protocol of a trial (ISRCTN04761234) aimed to show that a responder phenotype, patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures on CT scanning, can be identified prospectively, leading to a consistent benefit in clinical practice

Eight Weeks of Zumba Fitness Training Improves Balance Ability in Women

Zumba fitness (Zumba) is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends Latin music and repetitive steps/dance moves that form a fitness-party”. There is very little evidence to the effectiveness of Zumba as a mode of exercise despite its widespread popularity with more than 14 million people of both genders and all ages. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of Zumba fitness training on balance ability and body composition in sedentary women. Fourteen sedentary women, aged 24.6±5.7 years, were assigned into two groups: Zumba fitness training group (ZT; n=6) and aerobic exercise training group (AT; n=8). Subjects in ZT performed the Zumba fitness at 60-80% of maximal heart rate, 60 min/session, and 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks, whereas subjects in AT performed aerobic exercises including walking and/or jogging on treadmill or elliptical machine as well as cycling on cycle ergometer at the same exercise intensity, frequency and duration as the ZT. Height (cm), body mass (kg), waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm), percent body fat (%), blood pressure (mmHg), resting heart rate (b·min.-1), blood glucose (mg ·dL-1), blood lipids (mg ·dL-1), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max, ml·kg-1·min-1), muscular strength (kg), and balance ability (sec) were measured pre- and post-exercise training, and the results were analyzed utilizing a repeated measures two-way ANOVA. Balance ability in the dominant limb was significantly increased only in ZT (12.2±3.5 to 20.8±8.6 sec, p\u3c.05). In the non-dominant limb, increased tendency of the time was shown in ZT (8.8±6.2 to 17.7±15.4 sec, p=.084). VO2max increased significantly in AT (30.1±5.1 to 33.3±5.6 ml·kg-1·min-1, p\u3c.05). Systolic blood pressure (p=.013) and diastolic blood pressure (p=.032) decreased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in other variables after 8 weeks of training. The results indicate that Zumba fitness is an effective exercise regimen to improve balance ability in sedentary women

HAJJRAH: an innovative application for pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah

This paper describes an application system named HAJJRAH which offer solutions to common problems faced by pilgrims in performing the obligatory and supplementary activities of Hajj and Umrah. Background of pilgrimage and problems faced by various agencies who manage pilgrims were also provided in this paper to give an understanding on the problem surrounding the need of HAJJRAH application. Analysis of market study among potential user and industrialists are presented in this paper to justify market needs and strength of the applications business idea. Results of the analysis shows that the features provided by HAJJRAH application accommodates and address common problems faced by most pilgrims and various agencies who involved in managing the pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah

Pharyngitis and sore throat: A review

Pharyngitis is a sore throat caused by inflammation of the back of the throat. It is one of the most common reasons for visits to family physicians. Throat may be scratchy and swallowing can be painful. Usually, a sore throat is the sign of another illness, such as a cold or the flu. In this review article, epidemiology, national perspective, regional perspective, pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, clinical presentation and causes of pharyngitis was described.Key words: Pharyngitis, sore throat, inflammation

Outcome of early cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest managed in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients require immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Early initiation of CPR and defibrillation before arrival at Emergency Department (ED) increases the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors that influenced the outcome of early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients managed at the ED of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). The second objective was to determine the incidence of CPR initiated by the public prior to ambulance arrival. The present study was a one-year cross-sectional study. The OHCA patients were identified from the ED resuscitation logbook. Patients’ medical records were used to obtain details of the resuscitation. Factors recorded included: aetiology of arrest, initiation of on-scene CPR, use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), mode of transportation and the incidence of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the ED. Categorical data was analysed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Nine patients out of 98 had early CPR. Three patients achieved ROSC. Gender was significantly associated with ROSC (p-value=0.015). More patients who received early CPR achieved ROSC compared to those who received late CPR. The provision of early CPR and usage of AEDs by the public is still low. Female gender had a positive influence on ROSC. Efforts are required to increase the awareness and involvement of the public in initiating early CPR prior to the arrival of ambulance service

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves for patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures (the BeLieVeR-HIFi study): a randomised controlled trial

Background Lung volume reduction surgery improves survival in selected patients with emphysema, and has generated interest in bronchoscopic approaches that might achieve the same effect with less morbidity and mortality. Previous trials with endobronchial valves have yielded modest group benefits because when collateral ventilation is present it prevents lobar atelectasis. Methods We did a single-centre, double-blind sham-controlled trial in patients with both heterogeneous emphysema and a target lobe with intact interlobar fissures on CT of the thorax. We enrolled stable outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who had a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of less than 50% predicted, significant hyperinflation (total lung capacity >100% and residual volume >150%), a restricted exercise capacity (6 min walking distance <450 m), and substantial breathlessness (MRC dyspnoea score ≥3). Participants were randomised (1:1) by computer-generated sequence to receive either valves placed to achieve unilateral lobar occlusion (bronchoscopic lung volume reduction) or a bronchoscopy with sham valve placement (control). Patients and researchers were masked to treatment allocation. The study was powered to detect a 15% improvement in the primary endpoint, the FEV1 3 months after the procedure. Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered at controlled-trials.com, ISRCTN04761234. Findings 50 patients (62% male, FEV1 [% predicted] mean 31·7% [SD 10·2]) were enrolled to receive valves (n=25) or sham valve placement (control, n=25) between March 1, 2012, and Sept 30, 2013. In the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction group, FEV1 increased by a median 8·77% (IQR 2·27–35·85) versus 2·88% (0–8·51) in the control group (Mann-Whitney p=0·0326). There were two deaths in the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction group and one control patient was unable to attend for follow-up assessment because of a prolonged pneumothorax. Interpretation Unilateral lobar occlusion with endobronchial valves in patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures produces significant improvements in lung function. There is a risk of significant complications and further trials are needed that compare valve placement with lung volume reduction surgery

Quality of care in prevention, detection and management of postpartum hemorrhage in hospitals in Afghanistan:an observational assessment

Background: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and accounts for 56% of maternal deaths in Afghanistan. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is commonly caused by uterine atony, genital tract trauma, retained placenta, and coagulation disorders. The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of prevention, detection and management of PPH in both public and private hospitals in Afghanistan in 2016, and compare the quality of care in district hospitals with care in provincial, regional, and specialty hospitals. Methods: This study uses a subset of data from the 2016 Afghanistan National Maternal and Newborn Health Quality of Care Assessment. It covers a census of all accessible public hospitals, including 40 district hospitals, 27 provincial hospitals, five regional hospitals, and five specialty hospitals, as well as 10 purposively selected private hospitals. Results: All public and private hospitals reported 24 h/7 days a week service provision. Oxytocin was available in 90.0% of district hospitals, 89.2% of provincial, regional and specialty hospitals and all 10 private hospitals; misoprostol was available in 52.5% of district hospitals, 56.8% of provincial, regional and specialty hospitals and in all 10 private hospitals. For prevention of PPH, 73.3% women in district hospitals, 71.2% women at provincial, regional and specialty hospitals and 72.7% women at private hospital received uterotonics. Placenta and membranes were checked for completeness in almost half of women in all hospitals. Manual removal of placenta was performed in 97.8% women with retained placenta. Monitoring blood loss during the immediate postpartum period was performed in 48.4% of women in district hospitals, 36.9% of women in provincial, regional and specialty hospitals, and 43.3% in private hospitals. The most commonly observed cause of PPH was retained placenta followed by genital tract trauma and uterine atony. Conclusion: Gaps in performance of skilled birth attendants are substantial across public and private hospitals. Improving and retaining skills of health workers through on-site, continuous capacity development approaches and encouraging a culture of audit, learning and quality improvement may address clinical gaps and improve quality of PPH prevention, detection and management