The development of a “holistic” model incorporating business strategy formulation with IdM strategy formulation

Identity management (IdM) not only improves the process of creating and maintaining digital identities across the business systems, but, if implemented successfully it can contribute to the strengthening and positioning of the business for success. In order to lead successful IdM implementation organizations need to step back and determine a course of action that would solve enterprise-wide issues. Short-sighted actions can lead to confusion, unnecessary expenses and the delay of beneficial results. This paper presents guidelines for application of strategic management principles regarding IdM implementation. By gathering and interpreting information from a real life case study on how a typical large South African business organization approached its IdM implementation, a theoretical model incorporating IdM implementation planning within business strategy formulation is proposed. This study results reveals five important guideline steps regarding IdM implementation

Solution of free harmonic vibration equation of simply supported Kirchhoff plate by Galerkin-Vlasov method

This work studies the dynamic characteristics of simply supported rectangular thin plates undergoing natural transverse vibrations in harmonic motion. The governing partial differential equation for the free transverse vibration of the plate was solved by the Galerkin-Vlasov variational technique. The assumption of free harmonic motions reduced the governing equation to an algebraic eigen value eigenvector problem, which was solved in the space domain to obtain the eigen frequencies and modal shape functions of the vibrating Kirchhoff plate. The eigen frequencies and modal shape functions obtained were found to be identical with the results obtained by the classical methods of Navier and Levy for the same problem.Keywords: Kirchhoff plate, Galerkin-Vlasov method, harmonic vibration, natural vibrations, eigen frequencies

Internet-based Intervention to Improve Dietary Habits in Women of Color: SAving Lives Staying Active (SALSA)

Background: The Internet is an inexpensive method to distribute information that spans large distances. With 2/3 of the country currently overweight or obese, the Internet is the obvious choice to delivering health information to those that need it most. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an Internet-based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) and decrease fat consumption in women of color. Method: Women (N=50) were middle-aged (M=41.2 years, SD=9.6), overweight (M=29.6 kg/m2, SD=5.3) and well educated (74% were college graduates). Participants completed measures of FV and fat consumption at 4 time points (spaced 4 weeks apart). All were randomized to a (1) 4-week web-based dietary education or (2) bi-weekly Latin dance group. After 4 weeks of intervention, women switched groups to ensure that everyone received both treatments. Women logged onto the SALSA website, where information on improving dietary habits, tools and activities were posted weekly. A total number of visits was logged for each participant and coded as visited less than once a week or one or more times per week for analyses. Results: Women were not meeting FV (M=4.2 servings, SD=5.2) or fat (M=30.9% kcal from fat, SD=3.1) consumption recommendations at baseline, with no differences between groups. Women who visited the site at least once per week increased FV consumption over time (F (3,93)=.587, p=.019) compared to women who did not visit the site at least once a week, regardless of intervention order. Women who visited the website as the first intervention saw greater decreases in fat consumption (p=.046). Conclusion: Greater access and awareness of dietary habits information online increased FV consumption and decreased fat consumption. Internet-based interventions may be used in at least some groups of women of color to change dietary habits. Future studies are needed to determine which website features are most important for behavior change

Drawing the Line: How African, Caribbean and White British Women Live Out Psychologically Abusive Experiences

The final, definitive version of this paper has been published in Violence Against Women, 19 (9):1104-32, Sept 2013 by SAGE Publications Ltd, All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2013. The online version of this article can be found at: http://vaw.sagepub.com/content/19/9/110

Profil Epidémiologique Des Risques Sanitaires Associés A La Fabrication Artisanale De Marmites En Aluminium A Saki Au Nigeria En 2016

L’étude a pour objectif d’analyser les risques sanitaires liés à la fabrication artisanale de marmites à partir de pièces de rechange en aluminium usagées récupérées et fondues à Saki au Nigéria. Il s’agit d’une étude transversale descriptive à visée analytique réalisée dans des ateliers de fonderie artisanale. Elle a duré 30 jours et a porté sur les fabricants. Tous ceux qui ont accepté participer librement à l’étude ont été enquêtés. Les données ont été collectées grâce à un questionnaire. Elles ont été traitées par le logiciel Épi Info 7.2. Le test x2 a été utilisé pour la comparaison de variables. Le taux de participation était 95,2%. Tous les enquêtés étaient de sexe masculin avec une moyenne d’âge 28,64 ± 13,29 ans. La tranche d’âge 8-18 ans étaient plus représentée. Les fabricants de marmites ne faisaient pas usage d’équipement de protection individuelle adapté. Ils souffraient de TMS et presque tous (96, 20%) ont été victimes d’accidents du travail. Étaient aussi évoqués la toux (57,59%), l’éternuement (54,43%), le larmoiement (55,06%), des macules cutanées (53,80%). Les fondeurs d’aluminium de Saki sont victimes de nombreuses pathologies et exposés à des risques sanitaires. The aim of the study isto analyze the health risks associated with homemade cooking pots from used aluminum spare parts recovered and melted in Saki, Nigeria. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study for analytical purposes conducted in artisanal foundry workshops. It lasted 30 days and focused on the manufacturers. All who agreed to participate freely in the study were surveyed. The data was collected through a questionnaire. They were processed by the Epi Info 7.2 software. The x2 test was used for the comparison of variables. The participation rate was 95.2%. All were males of average age 28.64 ± 13.29 years. The age group 8-18 years were more represented. Nobody made use of suitable personal protective equipment. All had MSDs and almost all (96, 20%) were victims of work-related accidents. Cough (57.59%), sneezing (54.43%), watery eyes (55.06%) and skin macules (53.80%) were also mentioned. Many health risks are linked to the handcrafting of aluminum pots in Saki. &nbsp

Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis Infection in Schistosomiasis-Endemic Areas in South-Central Mali

Intestinal parasite infections are frequent causes of diarrhea and malnutrition among children in the tropics. Transmission of helminths and intestinal protozoa is intimately connected with conditions of poverty, including inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Concurrent infections with several intestinal pathogens may lead to excess morbidity. Yet, there is a paucity of epidemiological data from Mali. In this study, stool samples from 56 individuals, aged 2–63 years, from Bamako and Niono, south-central Mali were examined for intestinal parasites using stool microscopy. Additionally, stool samples were subjected to a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis. The predominant pathogens were Schistosoma mansoni and G. intestinalis with prevalences of 41% and 38%, respectively. Hymenolepis nana was detected in 4% of the participants, while no eggs of soil-transmitted helminths were found. Concurrent infections with G. intestinalis and S. mansoni were diagnosed in 16% of the participants. For the detection of G. intestinalis, PCR was more sensitive (100%) than RDT (62%) and microscopy (48%). As helminth-protozoa coinfections might have important implications for morbidity control programs, future studies should employ diagnostic tools beyond stool microscopy to accurately assess the co-endemicity of giardiasis and schistosomiasis

Interviewer: 'Are women and girls ever responsible for the domestic violence they encounter?' Student: 'No, well, unless they did something really, really bad …'

Research shows the ‘gendered nature’ of domestic violence, with Women’s Aid (a UK-based charity) estimating that 1 in 4 women are affected (2014). This paper reports on a project - funded by Comic Relief, completed by Nottinghamshire Domestic Violence Forum (now known as Equation) and evaluated by Nottingham Trent University. The project adopts a Whole School Approach in seeking to prevent domestic violence. Students at three secondary schools attended between one and five blocks of work, and special events. There is evidence of positive developments - with young people showing understanding of domestic violence as well as the margins between healthy and unhealthy relationships. However, not all students could reply ‘never’ to the question of ‘are women and girls to blame for the domestic violence they experience?’, remarking that if the woman had done something ‘really, really bad’ then violence might be justified. We argue that young people’s uncertainties need to be situated within the gender-unequal socio-contexts of contemporary society, and further call for a WSA to domestic violence prevention to be a compulsory part of the UK national curriculum

Spatial and socio-behavioral patterns of HIV prevalence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This study uses a 2007 population-based household survey to examine the individual and community-level factors that increase an individual's risk for HIV infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Using the 2007 DRC Demographic Health Surveillance (DHS) Survey, we use spatial analytical methods to explore sub-regional patterns of HIV infection in the DRC. Geographic coordinates of survey communities are used to map prevalence of HIV infection and explore geographic variables related to HIV risk. Spatial cluster techniques are used to identify hotspots of infection. HIV prevalence is related to individual demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors and community-level factors. We found that the prevalence of HIV within 25 km of an individual's community is an important positive indicator of HIV infection. Distance from a city is negatively associated with HIV infection overall and for women in particular. This study highlights the importance of improved surveillance systems in the DRC and other African countries along with the use of spatial analytical methods to enhance understanding of the determinants of HIV infection and geographic patterns of prevalence, thereby contributing to improved allocation of public health resources in the future

Social Work with Children Affected by Domestic Violence: An Analysis of Policy and Practice Implications

The past decade has seen an increasing awareness of the emotional harm to children that can ensue from exposure to domestic violence. This article develops a framework for understanding social work responses, using an analysis of recent developments in British policy as an example. It is argued that to understand what these developments mean in practice we need to develop our analysis of the value perspectives underpinning them. Issues facing those charged with implementing these sometimes ambiguous policy and practice changes are discussed in three levels of intervention: the macro, the intermediate, and the 'street-level.' The article concludes by calling for closer collaboration between policy makers, practitioners and service users in the co-production of policy