Examining Validity Claims for Internet Filtering in Islamic Middle Eastern Countries: A Critical Discourse Analysis

ICTs represent a source for emancipation among the citizens of repressive regimes as evidenced by the growth of websites, blogging, social networking and text messaging in countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, these ICTs are heavily filtered in both countries. We examine the justifications offered by authorities for this censorship. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, we demonstrate that the claims fail Habermas’s four part validity test and are better understood as ideology. We argue that ICT filtering is implemented to serve the political agendas of small but powerful Islamic elites in order to undermine citizens’ capacities to pursue their democratic goals

An Exploratory Study on Sustainable ICT Capability in the Travel and Tourism Industry: The Case of a Global Distribution System Provider

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. Environmental values have spread globally and consumer beliefs are pressurizing firms in almost all industries to comply with green regulations. Sustainability has become such an important part of business strategy that almost every major company now has an executive with “sustainability” in their title. The travel and tourism industry produced 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010. Policy makers have responded with ambitious targets. The European Union aims to achieve a 60 percent reduction in transport sector emissions by 2050. This exploratory study draws on the sustainable ICT capability maturity framework (SICT-CMF) and the case of the Amadeus IT Group, a large travel and tourism industry corporate enterprise that specializes in IT solutions. The study investigates the current capability maturity level of sustainable ICT in the company. The findings suggest that the company is a market leader in terms of sustainability initiatives and that it demonstrates an “advanced” level of sustainability capability. We discuss the lessons learned from Amadeus’ experience

Chronic pain management in older people: A qualitative Study

چکیده زمینه و هدف: با توجه به پیچیده بودن مدیریت درد مزمن در دوران سالمندی، شناسایی فرآیند مدیریت این درد از اهمیت فراوانی برخورداراست. بدین جهت این پژوهش با هدف شناسایی فرآیند مدیریت درد مزمن و عوامل تسهیل کننده مرتبط با آن در سالمندان، انجام گردید. روش بررسی: این مقاله کیفی با رویکرد گراندد تئوری، انجام شده است. مصاحبه نیمه ساختارمند و مشاهده شرکت کنندگان روش اصلی گردآوری داده ها بود. شرکت کنندگان شامل 30 سالمند مبتلا به درد مزمن، سه نفر از همراهان آنها و همچنین 29 نفر از از اعضای گروه درمانی بودند،که به صورت هدفمند و نظری انتخاب گردیدند. تحلیل داده ها همزمان با جمع آوری اطلاعات با استفاده از روش اشتراوس و کوربین انجام گردید. اعتبار داده ها بر اساس معیار های لینکلن وگابا تأیید شد. یافته ها: یکی از عوامل انگیزشی برای مقابله با درد مزمن در سالمندان، " دوست داشتن زندگی" بود، به طوری که اغلب سالمندان شرکت کننده در این پژوهش معتقد بودند که چون زندگی خود را دوست دارند، برای کاهش درد تلاش می کنند. طبقه دوست داشتن زندگی به عنوان یک عامل تسهیل کننده در فرآیند مدیریت درد مزمن در سالمندان مشخص گردید که شامل دو زیر طبقه" صیانت از خویشتن " و " تلاش برای زندگی" بود. نتیجه گیری: به منظور مدیریت مؤّثر دردهای مزمن در سالمندان باید به دیدگاههای سالمندان، همراهان آنها و همچنین اعضای گروه درمانی، توجّه نمود. بعلاوه، پس از شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر کنترل این نوع درد از جمله "دوست داشتن زندگی" ، که در مقابله با درد مزمن دارای یک نقش تسهیل کننده است، می توان از آن در طراحی یک برنامه مراقبتی جامع استفاده کرد

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterisation of Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Nanorods

In this study fabrication of rod-like bioactive glass-ceramics (BGCs) using hydrothermal treatment based on a sol-gel precursor is reported for the first time. BGCs with composition 58 wt% SiO2, 33 wt% CaO and 9 wt% P2O5 were synthesized in different thermal conditions (200 and 220 °C) and characterised with regard to morphology, chemical composition and crystallinity. The bioactivity of the materials was assessed by immersion in simulated body fluid for up to 7 days. The results revealed that as the reaction temperature increased from 200 to 220 °C, the diameter of rods was reduced from microscale to nanoscale and the crystallinity was enhanced. It was also found that the BGC nanorods have higher surface area and consequently enhanced bioactivity than BGC microrods. This technique provides a facile method for rapid production of BGC nanorods at relatively low temperature which may have the potential to be used as bioactive composite reinforcement or for bone grafting applications

Comparison of various functionally graded femoral prostheses by finite element analysis

This study is focused on finite element analysis of a model comprising femur into which a femoral component of a total hip replacement was implanted. The considered prosthesis is fabricated from a functionally graded material (FGM) comprising a layer of a titanium alloy bonded to a layer of hydroxyapatite. The elastic modulus of the FGM was adjusted in the radial, longitudinal, and longitudinal-radial directions by altering the volume fraction gradient exponent. Four cases were studied, involving two different methods of anchoring the prosthesis to the spongy bone and two cases of applied loading. The results revealed that the FG prostheses provoked more SED to the bone. The FG prostheses carried less stress, while more stress was induced to the bone and cement. Meanwhile, less shear interface stress was stimulated to the prosthesis-bone interface in the noncemented FG prostheses. The cement-bone interface carried more stress compared to the prosthesis-cement interface. Stair climbing induced more harmful effects to the implanted femur components compared to the normal walking by causing more stress. Therefore, stress shielding, developed stresses, and interface stresses in the THR components could be adjusted through the controlling stiffness of the FG prosthesis by managing volume fraction gradient exponent

The diagnostic value of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in gastric cancer

Introduction: Gastric cancer is a rather common malignancy worldwide and a major healthcare system issue. Lately, the importance of biomarkers such as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been demonstrated in the diagnosis of various gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of MIF, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in gastric cancer. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 84 patients with gastric cancer referred to the gastroenterology clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and 80 healthy individuals were enrolled. Serum levels of MIF, CEA, and CA 19-9 were measured in both groups. Further, the grade and stage of the cancer were determined in in the patient group. Results: Serum levels of all three MIF, CEA, and CA 19-9 biomarkers in patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher than those of the control group (P = 0.001). However, no statistically significant correlations were found between the studied biomarkers with the tumor grade and stage. The MIF cut-off point for the diagnosis of gastric cancer was found to be 7.05 pg/ml and its sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 73.8%, respectively. Conclusion: MIF biomarker may involve in the pathogenesis and development of gastric cancer and it is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic marker in this malignancy

Consumers’ value co-creation in sharing economy: The role of social support, consumers’ ethical perceptions and relationship quality

The ancient phenomenon of ‘sharing’ has become mainstream, and transformed the traditional consumer behavior due to proliferation of online sharing economy platforms. Millions of people participate in popular sharing economy platforms (SEPs) such as Airbnb and Uber. Although sharing economy research has gained interest, yet a holistic model that explains the formation of consumer value co-creation intentions on such platforms remains absent. The purpose of this study is to develop a model of the antecedents of consumers value co-creation intentions at SEPs and evaluate it empirically. Building on social support theory, relationship quality theory, value co-creation and marketing ethics literature, we propose a theoretical model that explains the formation of consumers’ value co-creation intentions. Empirical data was collected from 342 Generation Y consumers and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that social support influences ethical perceptions, which further influences value co-creation. Ethical perceptions also influence consumers' trust, satisfaction and commitment with the SEP. However, trust and commitment do not influence value co-creation intentions. Our study contributes to the literature on sharing economy by providing a holistic model of the antecedents of consumers’ value co-creation intentions. We also detail theoretical and managerial implications

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries