Gatekeepers Rather than Helpless: An Exploratory Investigation of Seniors’ Use of Information and Communication Technology in Critical Settings

Reports and studies often show that seniors suffer disproportionately during disasters. Yet seniors’ handling of information and communication technology is largely overlooked. Based on a qualitative study comprising interviews and focus groups, this research shows important properties of seniors’ practices with information in critical settings. Seniors embody and tap into local knowledge, mingle offline and take online cues about emergency situations, and maintain trust towards institutions. We discuss the need to pursue and diversify investigation on this topic, as well as the role of seniors as gatekeepers rather than considering them helpless individuals. This research contributes to a better understanding of seniors’ use of digital resources by highlighting their role in information sharing in disaster settings. We pave the way for future research to inform policy making and support seniors’ survival in future disasters

Inter-Organizational Collaboration, Information Flows, and the Use of Social Media During Disasters: A Focus on Vulnerable Communities

This study contributes to ongoing attempts by scholars to understand the many ways that social media is being used by disaster and crisis response actors. We present a case study consisting of emergency response organizations, government agencies, local government, non-government organizations, community groups and platform-based actors, and focus specifically on how social media is used in this context to support the information needs of vulnerable groups. We examine how tension between the presence of top-down, generic information and the need for contextualized and specific information is resolved, and the translation processes that occur between the range of actors. We also offer recommendations for future research to address the disproportionate impacts of disasters and crises on vulnerable groups

“An iron hand in a velvet glove’’: the embodiment of the platform logic in the emergency sector

Despite increasing attention on organizational responses to digital platforms the Information Systems research has overlooked the influence of platforms on the public sector. In this paper we draw on the concept of institutional logics to examine the impact of platforms on the emergency sector. A qualitative case study of the emergency sector is undertaken, comprised of interviews with organizations—including emergency response organizations, government agencies, firms, non-government organizations and community and volunteer groups. The findings reveal the interplay between the prevailing ‘command and control’ and ‘community’ logics and the ‘platform’ logic and how the tensions and synergies between them are shaping the information landscape in the sector. We demonstrate how organizations embody and resist aspects of the platform logic

The effect of potassium inclusion in a silver catalyst for N2O-mediated oxidation of soot in oxidising exhaust gases

It has previously been shown that an Ag/CZA catalyst can simultaneously remove NOx and soot from an oxygen-rich exhaust gas at low temperatures, by utilising the N2O generated preferentially during incomplete NOx reduction. Here, we examine the effect of reformulating the catalyst to include potassium, which is a known promoter of soot combustion. On including 2 wt% K, NOx-reduction occurs both in the absence and presence of soot, but the N2O formed does not play a part in the oxidation of soot. At higher K loadings (5, 10 and 15 wt%), NOx reduction is almost completely disabled, and only contributes to the activity of the catalyst containing 5 wt% K when tested in the presence of soot. At a loading of 20 wt% K, the potassium phase segregates, leaving NO and NH3 adsorption sites exposed. In the absence of soot, this catalyst can remove NOx by reduction on the Ag/CZA component and through nitration of the potassium phase. Although the presence of potassium lowers the onset temperature for soot oxidation to within the range of NOx reduction over Ag/CZA, the mobile K species prevents the desirable C+N2O reaction

Mechanical, structural and dissolution properties of heat treated thin-film phosphate based glasses

Here we show the deposition of 2.7 μm thick phosphate based glass films produced by magnetron sputtering, followed by post heat treatments at 500 °C. Variations in degradation properties pre and post heat treatment were attributed to the formation of Hematite crystals within a glass matrix, iron oxidation and the depletion of hydrophilic P-O-P bonds within the surface layer. As deposited and heat treated coatings showed interfacial tensile adhesion in excess of 73.6 MPa; which surpassed ISO and FDA requirements for HA coatings. Scratch testing of coatings on polished substrates revealed brittle failure mechanisms, amplified due to heat treatment and interfacial failure occurring from 2.3 to 5.0 N. Coatings that were deposited onto sandblasted substrates to mimic commercial implant surfaces, did not suffer from tensile cracking or trackside delamination showing substantial interfacial improvements to between 8.6 and 11.3 N. An exponential dissolution rate was observed from 0 to 2 h for as deposited coatings, which was eliminated via heat treatment. From 2 to 24 h ion release rates ordered P > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe whilst all coatings exhibited linear degradation rates, which reduced by factors of 2.4–3.0 following heat treatments

Influence of the preparation method of Ag-K/CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalysts on their structure and activity for the simultaneous removal of soot and NOx

Ag/CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3, a known catalyst for the simultaneous removal of NOx and soot, was modified by the addition of K, and was prepared using various techniques: wet impregnation, incipient wetness, and chemical vapor impregnation at different temperatures. The effect of the preparation method on catalyst activity was studied. It was found that catalysts prepared via wet impregnation, incipient wetness, and chemical vapor impregnation at 80 °C were able to utilize in situ formed N2O at low temperatures, to simultaneously remove NOx and soot. The difference in preparation method affected the catalyst’s ability to produce and use N2O as an oxidant for soot. The temperature at which chemical vapor impregnation was performed greatly influenced the catalyst’s ability to oxidize soot. The introduction of K to the Ag/CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 vastly improved the soot oxidation activity, particularly for the catalyst prepared via wet impregnation. However, the incorporation of K had an adverse effect on the reduction of NOx

A Step toward Tuberculosis Elimination in a Low-Incidence Country: Successful Diagnosis and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Refugee Clinic

Objectives. Approximately 65 percent of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Canada each year occur from reactivation in foreign-born individuals. Refugees are at high risk after immigration. Routine screening of this population for latent TB infection (LTBI) is generally considered infeasible. We evaluated the outcome of LTBI screening and treatment amongst refugees. Methods. Government-sponsored refugees in Edmonton are seen at the New Canadians' Clinic and screened for TB and LTBI. We reviewed records of patients between 2009 and 2011. Completeness of initial assessment, diagnosis of latent infection, and completion of LTBI treatment were evaluated. Treatment for LTBI was offered when patients had a positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and risk factors for progression to TB. An Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) was performed on all other TST positives; treatment is only offered if it was positive. Results. 949 refugees were evaluated. 746 TSTs were read, with 265 positive individuals. IGRA testing was performed in 203 TST positive individuals without other TB risk factors; 110 were positive. LTBI treatment was offered to 147 of 151 eligible patients, 141 accepted, and 103 completed a treatment course. Conclusion. We observed high proportions of patient retention, completion of investigations, and treatment. This care model promises to be a component of effective TB prevention in this high-risk population

Selection of Candidate Housekeeping Genes for Normalization in Human Postmortem Brain Samples

The most frequently used technique to study the expression profile of genes involved in common neurological disorders is quantitative real-time RT-PCR, which allows the indirect detection of very low amounts of selected mRNAs in tissue samples. Expression analysis by RT-qPCR requires an appropriate normalization to the expression level of genes characterized by a stable, constitutive transcription. However, the identification of a gene transcribed at a very stable level is difficult if not impossible, since significant fluctuations of the level of mRNA synthesis often accompanies changes of cell behavior. The aim of this study is to identify the most stable genes in postmortem human brain samples of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) suitable as reference genes. The experiments analyzed 12 commonly used reference genes in brain samples from eight individuals with AD and seven controls. After a careful analysis of the results calculated by geNorm and NormFinder algorithms, we found that CYC1 and EIF4A2 are the best reference genes. We remark on the importance of the determination of the best reference genes for each sample to be analyzed and suggest a practical combination of reference genes to be used in the analysis of human postmortem samples

Cloud e-learning for mechatronics: CLEM

his paper describes results of the CLEM project, Cloud E-learning for Mechatronics. CLEM is an example of a domain-specific cloud that is especially tuned to the needs of VET (Vocational, Education and Training) teachers. An interesting development has been the creation of remote laboratories in the cloud. Learners can access such laboratories to support their practical learning of mechatronics without the need to set up laboratories at their own institutions. The cloud infrastructure enables multiple laboratories to come together virtually to create an ecosystem for educators and learners. From such a system, educators can pick and mix materials to create suitable courses for their students and the learners can experience different types of devices and laboratories through the cloud. The paper provides an overview of this new cloud-based e-learning approach and presents the results. The paper explains how the use of cloud computing has enabled the development of a new method, showing how a holistic e-learning experience can be obtained through use of static, dynamic and interactive material together with facilities for collaboration and innovation