bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor results of surgical treatment of hiatal hernias. Is there a solution to the problem?
Authors: Bechvaya Georgiy T. , Vasilevsky Dmitriy I. , Akhmatov Akhmat M. , Kovalik Vladislav V.
Published: March 2020

Hiatal hernias are the most common violation of visceral anatomy. Indications for surgical treatment of this pathology include refractory gastroesophageal reflux or anatomical changes, which carry a risk of developing life-threatening conditions. An unresolved problem in this area of surgery is the high recurrence rate of the disease, reaching 1040%. Subjective causes of unsatisfactory results are technical errors in performing interventions and violations of perioperative management. Compliance with the methodology of operations and the rules of patient management can minimize this group of factors. Large size of the hiatal opening, mechanical weakness of diaphragm crura and shortening of the esophagus are considered to be objective causes for the recurrent disease. An effective way to increase the reliability of the plastic esophageal opening of the diaphragm is the use of prosthetic materials. When the esophagus is shortened, it is possible to increase its length with the stomach (gastroplasty) or with the formation of a fundoplication wrap in the chest. Another option to increase the reliability of the operation may be fixing the stomach to the anterior abdominal wall (gastropexia) to prevent its redeployment to the chest. The use of this arsenal of techniques allows to reduce the frequency of unsatisfactory results after surgical treatment of hiatal hernias by up to 510%.
The role and diagnostic value of the most common methods for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Tryapitsyn Alexander V. , Mal’kov Vladimir A.
Published: March 2020

The purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate the practical value of the most common diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Materials and methods. The study involved 104 people. All the patients examined underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with a rapid urease histochemical test for Helicobacter pylori and a standard five-point biopsy of the gastric mucosa for morphological evaluation and bacterioscopy. If the result of the quick urease histochemical test coincided with the data of the biopsy study on Helicobacter pylori, no further examination was carried out. In case of discrepancy the patients additionally underwent the 13C-urease breath test.

Results. It was found that the sensitivity of the rapid urease histochemical test in the area of the proposed model, according to our study, was 89.74% and the specificity was 46.15% when validating it using the additional methods. Similar calculations for the diagnostic method of staining by Giemsa showed sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.4%. The total number of the infected in the survey was 78 out of 104 people, which amounted to 75%.

When analysing the severity of activity, inflammation and atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa, it was found that in the patients with two positive tests, the severity of the processes was significantly higher than in those with one positive test or all the tests were negative (p 0.05). When comparing the same processes in cases where only a quick urease histochemical test was positive and no signs of Helicobacteriosis were detected in any test, no significant differences were detected.

Discussion. The rapid urease histochemical test showed good sensitivity of 89.74%, but unsatisfactory specificity of 46.15%, which severely limits its use. An unexpected result for this methodology was a large number of false positive tests, while the European recommendations indicate a more frequent occurrence of false negative results, which can be explained by differences in the production technology of the test systems. High sensitivity and specificity of the Helicobacter pylori test using Giemsa staining strongly depends on observing the methodology and experience of a specialist and cannot be recommended as a standard in the routine medical use.

The study confirmed the recommendations for using at least two diagnostic tests to diagnose the infection, while the most common rapid urease histochemical test always needs confirmation. As a result of the analysis, it can be said that esophagastroduodenoscopy with a rapid urease histochemical test for Helicobacter pylori and standard diagnostic biopsy is the optimal method for diagnosing the pathology of the upper sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, 13C-UDT seems to be almost ideal as a screening technique and for evaluating treatment in cases where endoscopic monitoring is not necessary.
Opportunities of polyhepatography in the assessment of diastolic function of the right ventricle in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Apresyan Anna G. , Ermolov Sergey Yu. , Ermolova Tatyana V. , Manasyan Sofya G. , Serdyukov Sergei V. , Talan Andrey S.
Published: March 2020

The article presents a new method for determining diastolic function of the right ventricle in patients with essential hypertension through evaluation of intrahepatic blood flow by the method of polyhepatography.
Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Topuzov Eldar E. , Tsatinyan Bella G. , Topuzov Eskender G. , Balashov Vyacheslav K. , Arshba Esma A. , Ali Ammar Kh. , Ataev Gumamurad B.
Published: March 2020

Background. In recent years, the lethality from acute pancreatitis in Russia has not undergone significant changes and according to various data is from 15% to 25%.
Purpose. The evaluation of the performing minimally invasive interventions in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe acute pancreatitis.
Materials and methods. The authors retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 169 patients, the structure of mortality and complications depending on the choice of surgical intervention for the patients with acute pancreatitis of moderate and severe degree.
Results. Lethal outcomes in the group of patients using minimally invasive interventions amounted to 11.5%, in the group of patients using traditional operations 37.5%, p 0.05. Laparoscopic interventions were effective in 88.8% of the cases, and drug therapy had a positive effect in 81.2% of the cases, p 0.05.
Conclusion. It is shown that the use of minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of pancreatic necrosis significantly reduces the levels of mortality, postoperative complications, which improves the overall results of acute pancreatitis treatment.
Cervical effacement, as an independent parameter versus modified bishop score, for predicting the favorability of vaginal delivery in a primigravida at 40 weeks gestation and beyond
Authors: Galzie Saniyah Khan , Rao Smitha B.
Published: March 2020

Background: Dr. Edward Bishop developed the original bishop score. He concluded that elective induction in multiparous women was successful with a score > 8. Calder introduced the modified bishop score in which he replaced cervical effacement with cervical length in cms. Score of 6-12 is favourable. In this study, studied the cervical effacement/ length as an independent predictor of vaginal delivery in a primigravida.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from May 2018 to January 2019. Total participants were divided into two groups on the basis of spontaneous labor and induced labor. Both the groups were assessed individually and collectively in terms of cervical effacement/length and modified bishop score. Study primary outcome was vaginal delivery. The results were reflected in terms of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. These values were compared for cervical effacement/ length as well as modified bishop score and p value calculated. Also, association between modified bishop score and cervical effacement/length was established.Results: Total number of participants included was n = 91. Those with modified bishop score > 6, 78.16% had vaginal delivery. This gave a sensitivity of 78.16%, specificity of 50%, PPV of 97.14%. Those with cervical effacement of >/=50% or cervical length of </= 2 cms, 78.82% had vaginal delivery. This gave a sensitivity of 78.82%, specificity of 55%, PPV of 95.71%. Thus, it had similar sensitivity, specificity, PPV to that of modified bishop score, and therefore has the same accuracy in predicting vaginal delivery. Also, 89.01% participants who had cervical effacement >/= 50% had modified bishop score >/= 6, reflecting the association between them.Conclusions: Cervical effacement of >/= 50% or cervical length </= 2 cms yielded an equivalently high predictive ability similar to modified bishop score, for spontaneous as well as induced labor. Hence, cervical effacement can be taken as an independent parameter to assess the favorability of successful vaginal delivery in a primigravida.
A study of microbiological analysis and its sensitivity pattern of postoperative wound infections in obstetrics and gynecology department: retrospective study in tertiary institute in Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Authors: Shagun Pramodha Mallik , S. Chaitra
Published: March 2020

Background: Infections acquired in hospitals are classified as nosocomial infections. Most of these infections are related to surgery, usually at the post-operative wound site. It is also termed Surgical Site Infection (SSI). Staphylococcus aureus is the documented most common organism that infect surgical wounds. This study was focused on identifying the most common microorganism documented in post-operative wound sepsis in abdomen hysterectomy surgery of obstetrics and gynaecology in a tertiary hospital in Mangalore. The aim of this study was to identify postoperative infection and to determine their current antimicrobial resistance to commonly prescribed drugs.Methods: Materials and Methods: This retrospective research was carried out in tertiary hospital with a sample size of 90 wound samples, whose records span from Jan 2014-Jan 2018.  The study involved obtaining records of subjects with cases of contamination and isolation of organisms that frequently infect post-operative wound site in abdomen hysterectomy surgery.Results: A total of 79 bacterial isolates were obtained from 95 wound culture samples. In 41 cases, the isolated culture were mono microbial, 39 cultures were polymicrobial whereas no growth was obtained in 15 cases. The results showed that Staphylococcus Aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (48.1%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.98%) and E. coli (17.72%).Conclusions: The study is therefore important in identifying those at risk of post-operative wound sepsis and the probable causative organisms. This will be useful in the choice of prophylactic antibiotics for treatment of high-risk patients, thereby setting up an empirical antibiogram for use.
Study of endometrial and cervical histopathology in adenomyosis
Authors: Matangi Anandakumari , Manukonda Alpha , Bommiti Abhizna
Published: March 2020

Background: Hysterectomy is the most common gynaecological surgery performed in the perimenopausal and post-menopausal women all over the world. One of the most common cause of AUB is Adenomyosis based on histopathological evidence and the ultimate mainstay stay of treatment is hysterectomy in those patients not responding to medical therapy. Endocervical and Endometrial histopathology in adenomyosis are studied in this study. Objective of this study was to analyses various histopathological changes of endometrium and cervix in hysterectomy specimens showing features of adenomyosis.Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Government Victoria Hospital for Women and Children, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Medical College for a period of one year from January 2019 to December 2019.100 cases with histopathology reports of hysterectomy specimens showing changes suggestive of adenomyosis were studied for 1 year. Those cases which showed features of adenomyosis were taken and the preoperative details and procedures done on the patient were retrieved and endometrial and cervical biopsy, Pap Smear changes of these patients were studied.Results: Out of 100 cases, 37 members (majority) showed features of atrophic endometrium, 69 members (majority) showed features of chronic cervicitis, about 58 members (majority) showed inflammatory changes in Pap Smear. In the 100 cases, 75 cases are in perimenopausal age group i.e., 40-50 years, 80 of them are multiparous women, 85 members had mild to moderate degree of anaemia while only about 15 members had severe anemia. Adenomyosis was found to be the leading cause of AUB.Conclusions: Adenomyosis is one the leading causes of AUB and hence also an important cause of hysterectomy in those with failed medical therapy. Histopathological changes of endometrium and cervix are analyzed from D and C and Pap Smear reports of patients whose specimens are confirmed to be having adenomyosis.
The role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in predicting the severity of sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in South India: a retrospective study
Authors: George Alfy Ann , Thomas Teju P. , Gaffoor Abdul
Published: March 2020

Background: Sepsis, a syndrome of dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction, is having a substantial burden in health system. The outcome in sepsis is often time dependent. None of the clinical manifestations nor the age-old markers like ESR, CRP, etc. have proven diagnostic or prognostic of sepsis. This study aims to assess the role of neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in assessing the severity of sepsis within the initial 24 hrs of admission.Methods: Authors did a retrospective observational study in 208 sepsis patients admitted in the MDICU. The NLR was calculated and the study population was grouped into those with an NLR of more than or equal to 5 and those with less than 5. The patients were also grouped based on the number of organs impaired due to sepsis. The association between these groups were then assessed.Results: 46 patients (60.5%) with single organ involvement had NLR <5; 30 patients (39.5%) had NLR >5; 27 patients (42.2%) with two organ involvement had NLR <5 and 37 patients (57.8%) had NLR >5. Among patients with more than two organ involvement, 8 patients (21.6%) had NLR <5 and 29 patients (78.4%) had NLR >5. It was found that there is statistically significant association between increase in number of organs involved and NLR more than 5. The chi square test value was 15.691 with a p value was less than 0.001.Conclusions: In the current study, we have evaluated the role of NLR in sepsis. NLR calculated on the day of admission is a simple parameter that helps to stratify patients into severe risk category. A significant association was found with higher NLR and the number of organs impairment in sepsis.
Clinical epidemiology of paediatric febrile and afebrile in-patients and their association with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Pinnamaneni Pawankalyan , Devabhakthuni Rakesh , Chodavarapu Ravikumar
Published: March 2020

Background: Fever is one of the commonest and thrombocytopenia is one of the common clinical problems in children. The current study was done with the aim to identify the frequency and the etiology of thrombocytopenia in febrile children. This study was planned to identify epidemiological observations associated with pediatric fever and with febrile thrombocytopenia children, in this area among hospitalized children.Methods: A sample of 530 children of age 6 months to 18 years were studied. Febrile children were taken as cases (n=268) and afebrile children as controls (n=262). Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were measured and compared between the cases and controls.Results: Significant proportion of 1-3 years age group of children belong to febrile group compared to afebrile group. There is no significant difference in the gender, region, WFH or BMI, WFA, HFA between febrile and afebrile children. No significant difference in pulse rate, respiratory rate; TLC, ALC, ANC, Hb; Widal test or CRP was noted between pyrexial and apyrexial children. The median platelet count, in the pyrexial group is significantly lower than that of apyrexial group. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia in pyrexial group is significantly more than that observed in apyrexial group. The commonest illness in pyrexial group is non-bacterial-probable viral illness (59.7%). In the apyrexial group the common diseases are neurological (36.6%) disorders.Conclusions: Prevalence of thrombocytopenia is 11.45% in febrile children and in afebrile children it is 2.38%. In this study, viral infections and neurological disorders are the commonest etiology in febrile group and afebrile children respectively.
Effects of Various Environmental Conditions on Pulcherrimin Production and Extracellular Enzyme Profiles of Metschnikowia pulcherrima
Authors: Turgut Genç Tülay
Published: March 2020

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of various stress conditions on pulcherrimin pigment secretion and extracellular enzyme profiles of isolated Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast strains. In order to analyse the effects of heat stress and osmotic stress on pulcherrimin pigment synthesis, different temperatures and NaCl concentrations were used, respectively. The enzymatic profiles of M. pulcherrima yeast strains were determined by API-ZYM. The results indicated that the amount of pigment synthesis and the localization were changed depending on the growth conditions. All yeast strains showed a high leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, alpha-glucosidase and beta-glucosidase activities.
Factors Affecting the Use of E-Government Services Among Youths in Oman
Authors: Suradi Zurinah , H. Yusoff Noor , Al Mashiki Kawther S. M.
Published: March 2020

Many countries, including the Sultanate of Oman have implemented e-government for better services to their citizens and residents. In this study, the researchers examined the factors that are perceived to affect adoption of e-government among young citizens of the country. Factors such as usefulness, ease of use, risk, and trust of technology were incorporated into the survey questionnaire. The questionnaires were then distributed to students in the Dhofar University. Findings of the study indicate that perceived ease of use of e-government services is one of the most important factors to encourage the young citizens to use the e-government services. Besides that, all other factors in the study suggested that they are related to the intention of use of e-government e-services among Omani youths.
Pedagogical Agents in an Adaptive E-learning System
Authors: M. Ali. Hussein Aqeel , Al-Chalabi Humam K. Majeed
Published: March 2020

The pedagogical agents for e-learning can immensely help in improving the quality of teaching, evaluating and learning the process through appropriate pedagogical agents. The pedagogical agents for adaptive e-learning systems are basically designed to provide a unique and personal experience to such students who come from diverse backgrounds having different styles of learning and with various educational needs. This study basically discusses the importance of pedagogical approach for the adaptive elearning systems. The selection of personalised (relevant) pedagogical agent can increase the effectiveness of adaptive e-learning, in the form of learning activities, delivered content, and communication. This will lead individuals to an adaptive pedagogical guided e-learning experience in which pedagogy will be the centerpiece, and in which the adaptive power will influence the pedagogy effectiveness. Thus, the main aim of this study is to discuss the importance of pedagogical agents in adaptive e-learning systems and to discuss different approaches of pedagogy including the constructivist approach, collaborative approach, inquiry-based approach, integrative approach, reflective approach, objectivist approach, and competency-b ased approach.
Intersexual Differences in Executive Functions in Adolescents
Authors: Gatial Viktor , Juhásová Andrea
Published: March 2020

The authors of this study pay attention to several aspects of executive functions (such as the biological and social determinations, their types and disorders) and they implement research with the goal of finding out whether, in the adolescent developmental stage, the scale of executive functions exhibits significant differences when differentiated by gender.
Identifying Innovation Leverage in the University of Indonesia
Authors: Hutapea Parulian , Huseini Martani , Kusumastuti Retno
Published: March 2020

Indonesia has been looking for a way to improve its current policy applied for higher education institutions, which puts more weight on increasing publications in order to be able to survive in the future. They need to change their practices and behaviors in order to prepare for these future scenarios. One way to do it is by studying directly about the practices done at universities which become sources of innovation. This study is aimed at identifying the sources of innovation variables that have the highest leverage on research social innovation production. The study used a postpositivism paradigm by collecting 117 questionnaires and interviewing 24 informants from the University of Indonesia (UI). A system dynamic was used for simulation through Vensin PLE. The highest leverage to increase the number of publications, but not the patents and social innovations, came from a production loop consisting of UI research grants and rewards. However, the research rewards and grants cannot improve creativity and the innovation ecosystem. The University reward structure which put more weight on research publication output and ignore innovation ecosystem degrades the production of patent, social innovation as well as the teaching quality. Therefore, to set the priority of research publicity in the university the management of the university should not ignore the teaching and innovation practices.
Information Literacies of PhD Students in the Health Sciences: A Review of Scholarly Articles (2009 - 2018)
Authors: Nylander Elisabeth , Hjort Margareta
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective – Doctoral studies offer a unique phase in the development and legitimization of researchers, in which PhD students shift from the consumption to the production of knowledge. If librarians are to support this process in an evidence based manner, it is essential to understand the distinct practices of this user population. While recent reviews exist concerning the information behaviours of graduate students and researchers, there is little knowledge synthesis focused on the information literacies of PhD students in specific disciplines. The aim of this article is to explore the depth and breadth of recent evidence which describes the information literacies of students pursuing a doctoral degree in the health sciences.

Methods – Strategic searches were performed in databases, hand-searched key journals, and reference lists. Records were screened independently by both authors based on pre-determined criteria. General trends within the literature were mapped based on the extraction of the following data: geographic location, population, study aims, and method of investigation. Further analysis of the articles included charting the academic disciplines represented, summarizing major findings related to PhD students in health sciences, and which databases indexed the relevant articles.

Results – Many studies fail to treat doctoral studies as a unique process. PhD students are often grouped together with other graduate students or researchers. Studies tend to be based on small populations, and the number of PhD students involved is either unclear or only equals a few individuals within the entire group of study. In addition, of the limited number of studies which focus exclusively on PhD students, few conduct explicit examination of information practices in the health sciences. The result is that this user group is underrepresented within recent journal publications.

Conclusion – This review highlights the need for more primary, in-depth research on the information literacies of PhD students in the health sciences. In addition, librarians are encouraged to share their knowledge in scholarly publications which can reach beyond their own professional circles.
How to Develop a Validated Geographic Search Filter: Five Key Steps
Authors: Ayiku Lynda , Craven Jenny , Hudson Thomas , Levay Paul
Published: March 2020

No abstract.
Advancing the Reference Narrative: Assessing Student Learning in Research Consultations
Authors: Bradley Doreen R. , Oehrli Angie , Rieh Soo Young , Hanley Elizabeth , Matzke Brian S.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective – As reference services continue to evolve, libraries must make evidence based decisions about their services. This study seeks to determine the value of reference services in relation to student learning acquired during research consultations, by soliciting students’ and librarians’ perceptions of consultation success and examining the degree of alignment between them.

Methods – The alignment of students’ learning outcomes (reported skills and knowledge acquired) with librarians’ expectations for student learning during consultations was assessed. An online questionnaire was conducted to gather responses from students who had sought consultation services; 20 students participated. In-person interviews took place with eight librarians who had provided these consultations. The online questionnaire for students included questions about students’ assessments of their self-identified learning goals through consultation with a librarian and their success at applying the knowledge and skills gained. Librarian interviews elicited responses about students’ prior research experience, librarians’ objectives for student learning, librarians’ perceptions of student learning outcomes, and perceived consultation success. The responses of both the students and the librarians were coded, matched, and compared.

Results – Students and librarians both considered the consultation process to be successful in advancing learning objectives and research skills. All students reported that the consultations met their expectations, and most reported that the skills acquired were applicable to their projects and significantly improved the quality of their work. Librarians expressed confidence that students had gained competency in the following skill sets: finding sources, search strategy development, topic exploration, specific tool use, and library organization and access. A high degree of alignment was observed in the identification by both students and librarians of “finding sources” as the skill set most in need of enhancement or assistance, while some disparity was noted in the ranking of “search strategy development,” which librarians ranked second and students ranked last.

Conclusion – The data demonstrate that both students and librarians perceived individual research consultations as an effective means to meet student learning expectations. Study findings suggest that as reference models continue to change and reference desk usage declines, research consultations remain a valuable element in a library’s service model and an efficient use of human resources.
Information Literacy Beyond Librarians: A Data/Methods Triangulation Approach to Investigating Disciplinary IL Teaching Practices
Authors: Foster Britt
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective – While library literature contains many studies examining faculty perceptions of the value of librarian-led information literacy (IL)instruction, there is little evidence regarding IL instruction practices of disciplinary faculty independent of librarians. In a climate of uncertain budgets, increasing student enrollment, and increased conversation around the need for IL, media, and digital literacy skills, this study aimed to investigate a little-researched area of the IL instruction, learning, and development milieu.

Methods – In collaboration with the institutional research office, a data and methods triangulation approach was used. A survey of disciplinary faculty was administered and disciplinary faculty focus groups were also conducted. Student outcomes and annual assessment reports, documents that describe teaching and assessment methods for courses across the university, were analyzed. Voyant, a text-mining tool, was also used to determine key phrases and terms related to IL in these documents.

Results – Results revealed that disciplinary faculty highly value skills and understandings affiliated with IL competency. Faculty provide the majority of IL learning opportunities independent of librarians, although these learning opportunities are generally provided through implicit, rather than explicit, methods. Pedagogical methods that may enable explicit practices, such as the use of standards and competencies, are infrequently used.

Conclusion – Evidence and findings from this study are being used to inform several initiatives to work with disciplinary faculty for IL instruction, including new services, resources, and instruction models to support IL development in students.
Gathering Evidence for Sustainable Development Goals: An Alignment Perspective
Authors: Ochôa Paula , Pinto Leonor Gaspar
Published: March 2020

No abstract.
Understanding EBLIP at an Organizational Level: An Initial Maturity Model
Authors: Thorpe Clare , Howlett Alisa
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective - Existing research around evidence based practice in the LIS (library and information science) professional context over the past two decades has captured the experience of individual practitioners, rather than the organization as a whole. Current models of evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP) relate to, and apply predominantly to, individuals or specific scenarios. Yet despite a growing demand from institutional and library leaders for evidence to demonstrate why investments in libraries should continue, little is known about how an organization can enhance its maturity in evidence based practice. This paper addresses this gap by seeking to understand what an evidence based university library looks like and answering the questions: how does a university library leader know the library’s service and practice is evidence based? How can a university library measure and progress its maturity in evidence based practice?

Methods - Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with library professionals employed at Australian and New Zealand university libraries. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The interviews, combined with a literature review and environmental scan of evidence based practices in university libraries, informed the development of a draft capability maturity model as a framework for developing evidence based practice in university libraries.

Results - The model identifies and describes characteristics at five different levels of evidence based practice maturity from least mature (Ad hoc/Sporadic) to most mature (Transforming). Three dimensions of experience help to define the characteristics at each level of maturity and provide a framework to understand how a university library might develop its organizational capacity in evidence based library and information practice.

Conclusion - Library leaders and practitioners will benefit from the model as they seek to identify and build upon their evidence based practice maturity, enabling more robust decision-making, a deeper understanding of their clients and demonstration of value and impact to their stakeholders.
Digital Health and Professional Identity in Australian Health Libraries: Evidence from the 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census
Authors: Gilbert Cecily , Gray Kathleen , Butler-Henderson Kerryn , Ritchie Ann
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective – This research aimed to examine the characteristics of the current health library professional workforce in Australia. The study also sought to explore the areas of health library competency domains and job functions that may reflect progress toward a specialized digital health information capability.

Methods – Health librarians’ responses to the May 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census were analysed and compared with results obtained in earlier census counts. The health librarian characteristics were also compared with other health information occupations included in the Census.

Results – There were 238 usable health librarian responses. These indicate that the health librarian workforce continues to be a comparatively mature population, with substantial experience, increasing involvement in data- and technology-intensive functions, high levels of professional association membership, and participation in continuing education activities. Notably there are emerging role titles and job functions which point to a greater digital health focus in the changing work realm.

Conclusion – The health librarian workforce has adapted its skills, in line with the increased digital emphasis in health information work. However, as with other health information occupational groups, it is possible that health system planners and funders are not aware of librarians’ current functions and skills. This mature workforce may undergo significant attrition and consequent loss of expertise in the next decade. Continued advocacy and strategic planning around these factors with workforce, healthcare quality, and educational organizations will be required.
Developing, Implementing, and Monitoring a System for the Management of Corporate Policies: A Partnership Between Risk and Evidence
Authors: Minns Amanda , McGhee Carol
Published: March 2020

No abstract.
Mixed Methods Research in Library and Information Science: A Methodological Review
Authors: Hayman Richard , Smith Erika E
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective - To review mixed methods research trends in the field of library and information science (LIS). In particular, we examine the extent to which research about or using mixed methods has been occurring in library and information science over the past decade (2008-2018), and how much of that mixed methods research is done in health contexts.

Methods - We conducted a methodological review and analysis of mixed methods research (MMR) in LIS for published articles indexed in LISTA and Web of Science. After deduplication and verification for inclusion, we coded 417 articles to identify contributions using or about MMR. Given the connections between evidence based practice in health and LIS, we also identified whether articles about or using mixed methods were health-focused.

Results - We found MMR to be a tiny proportion (less than 0.5%) of the overall LIS research literature. In terms of observable trends, while contributions about MMR remain fairly static, there has been an increase in articles using mixed methods. Of the 417 included articles, 373 (89.5%) primarily used mixed methods and 44 (10.5%) were primarily about MMR. Results also demonstrated that health-related research both using and about mixed methods has a strong presence in the LIS literature, with 136 published articles (32.6% of the total).

Conclusion - Confirming findings of prior analyses of research methods in LIS, our methodological review shows current opportunities to adopt and expand the use of mixed methods research processes. Further contributions about mixed methods research, and ideally connecting research and practice in LIS, are needed. Despite the small proportion of MMR in LIS research, there is an observable increase in the number of publications using mixed methods during this timeframe. The LIS research community can promote additional growth by leveraging this momentum around using mixed methods, and look to translate lessons learned about mixed methods research and practice in health contexts to other LIS settings. Recommendations include developing educational opportunities and learning resources that facilitate wider engagement with MMR in LIS contexts.
Variation among Copies of Titles Catalogued as Identical Should Inform Retention Decisions
Authors: Scott Rachel Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

A Review of:
Teper, J. H. (2019). Considering “sameness” of monographic holdings in shared print retention decisions. Library Resources & Technical Services, 63(1), 29-45. https://doi.org/10.5860/lrts.63n1.29
Abstract
Objective – To investigate the degree to which books catalogued using the same bibliographic record differ and to consider the implications of these differences for cooperative monographic print retention programs.
Design – Book condition survey.
Setting – Academic library consortium in the United States of America.
Subjects – 47 monographic titles, publication years 1851-1922, held by all consortium members and catalogued using the same respective OCLC record number. 625 out of a possible 705 circulating copies of these titles were available for item-level analysis via interlibrary loan.
Methods – Book condition surveys were completed for all items and the resulting sets of assessment data points were analyzed to reveal trends.
Main Results – 3.4% of items analyzed exhibited cataloguing errors (i.e., were catalogued using the wrong OCLC records), 56.8% retained their original bindings, 17.8% were marked to show previous ownership, 95.7% were complete with no missing content, 9.8% had no damage, and 18.9% had received identifiable preservation action.
Conclusion – Books catalogued using the same OCLC record demonstrated many differences when compared at the item level. These differences are important in light of shared print retention programs and highlight a need for inquiry into the number of copies that should be retained to minimize the loss of uniqueness in print materials.
User Education and File Standards Best Options to Ensure Open Educational Resources are Truly Open
Authors: Patterson Jordan
Published: March 2020

A Review of:

Ovadia, S. (2019). Addressing the technical challenges of open educational resources. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 19(1), 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2019.0005

Abstract

Objective – To describe common technical challenges of open educational resources (OERs) and recommend solutions.

Design – Descriptive study.

Setting – Online open educational resources in higher education.

Subjects – Open educational resources.

Methods – Drawing from the literature and his own experiences, the author explains the necessity of accepted standards of “openness” and describes the many ways OERs fail to meet these standards. The author also describes common technical challenges that impede openness, then proposes solutions to address these challenges.

Main Results – Technical limitations often prohibit OERs from being truly open. Providers can design their resources to encourage reuse, redistribution, revision, and remixing. Three strategies for addressing technical challenges in OERs are user education, open file standards, and using Git to facilitate distributed version control.

Conclusion – Git is a compelling option for distributed version control, but entails its own technical challenges. User education and established open file standards are the best strategies to ensure that OERs are open in both a legal and a technical sense. The article concludes with the author’s opinions about how OER directors may most realistically implement these solutions.
Editorial Responsibilities
Authors: . .
Published: March 2020

No abstract.
Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Attracting Financial Resources from the Capital Market to the Corporate Sector
Authors: Khayrullo Khasanov
Published: March 2020

The article analyzes the theoretical views on capital markets, and provides an overview of the increasing need of the corporate sector to rely on external financing in the context of market relations. The author reflects on the role of national and international capital markets, segmenting the financial instruments of the financial market.
Position of Prague on the International Tourism Market
Authors: Vanicek Jiri
Published: March 2020

There are not many European countries with such a significant share of the capital city on tourism (especially incoming tourism) as the Czech Republic. The number of foreign tourists grows significantly in the Czech Republic, and so does the share of Prague. All marketing campaigns aiming to get foreign tourists beyond Prague ended inefficient. The share of Prague on the number of tourists accommodated in standard accommodation facilities on the total number of tourists in the Czech Republic (CZ) is 62%. Prague is also the only region with a higher number of foreign tourists than Czech tourists (85% of tourists in Prague are foreigners). Prague is therefore struggling with overtourism in some attractive areas and must deal with unsustainable development.
Concept Mapping for Noun Identification in CLIL Textbooks by Primary Education Students
Authors: Gómez José Luis , Arias Enrique , Lirio Juan
Published: March 2020

This study aims at observing if initial training on concept mapping improves pupils’ skills on noun category identification from foreign language (L2) texts. To observe the null hypothesis, learners receive short-term training to manage the basics of concept mapping. After the intervention, in a classroom context of reading and writing assignments in the English language, Spanish primary students identify and circle substantives in texts from their CLIL textbooks. The sample comprises sixty fifth-grade Spanish pupils age-ranged 10 to 11. Though the school has an English-Spanish bilingual program, the students are not complete bilinguals. In the sample, participants belong to both male and female genders non randomly assigned. Concerning the identification of singular and collective nouns from texts, including plural irregular nouns, both treated and control sample groups displayed similar results. Although the instructed group was skilled in detecting and categorizing hypernyms and first hyponym categories of nouns, they did not precisely discriminate adjectives, confusing them with nouns. Dissimilarly, the untrained control group not only mistakenly identified adjectives as nouns but also other grammatical categories as verbs, conjunctions, pronouns, and adverbs. The scarce disclosed precision by the non-trained group was also perceptible in the production of the concept maps. When they had to make the concept mapping tasks, control participants tended to make flow charts, mind maps, and tree diagrams instead. Contrarily, the trained group accomplished the activities satisfactorily. Yet the outcome of this study reveals that a little training on concept mapping leads to disclosing slight achievement in discriminating information from L2 texts in students. Hence, statistical analysis reveals that concept mapping helps students differentiate lexical and grammatical categories and to synthesize the information.
On Aspects of Quality Assessment Criteria of Mobile Banking Applications in Poland
Authors: Chmielarz Witold , Łuczak Konrad , Zborowski Marek
Published: March 2020

The main objective of this article is to present the findings and to analyse a survey questionnaire used to assess the quality of mobile banking applications offered by commercial banks in Poland. The study carried out by the authors concerned the importance of the evaluation criteria adopted in the studies into the quality of mobile applications for individual users. The findings discussed in the article focus on mobile banking applications offered by universal banks in Poland which are available for mobile devices running on the Android, iOS and Windows operating systems. The structure of the article consists of presenting the general assumptions of the study, describing the methodology and the research sample, analysing the obtained findings as well as relevant discussions and interpretations. The paper is of a quantitative nature and has been conducted on a selected sample of respondents using banking services and products. The presented study and its analysis will empirically verify how individual clients assess the quality of banking applications and which criteria of this evaluation are most important to them. The authors’ original contribution was: specifying the criteria used for websites’ evaluation as the main indicators of the perception of the quality of websites; identifying the best e-banking websites and formulating conclusions which may constitute the starting point for designing an efficient system for quality management of e-services in the sectors.
Deneyim Örnekleme Yönteminin Anksiyete Bozukluklarının Değerlendirilmesinde Kullanımı: Sistematik Bir Derleme
Authors: Yıldırım Büşra , BOZYEL Gizem , YORULMAZ Orçun
Published: March 2020

Günlük yaşam esnasında taşınabilir cihaz veya akıllı telefon uygulamalarıyla anlık ölçümler almayı mümkün kılan Deneyim Örnekleme Yöntemi (Experience Sampling Method, DÖY), son yıllarda hızlanan teknolojik gelişmeler ile beraber klinik psikoloji araştırmalarında aktif şekilde kullanılmaya başlanmıştır. Özellikle anksiyete bozuklukları gibi belirti şiddetinde dalgalanmalar gözlenen bozukluklarda bu yöntemin etkin kullanımının oldukça işlevsel olduğu söylenebilir. Bu sistematik derlemede, DÖY’ün anksiyete bozukluklarında kullanış biçimlerini gözden geçirmek ve genel bulgulara ilişkin çıkarımlar yapmak hedeflendiği için alanyazında özellikle anksiyete bozukluklarına ait belirtileri DÖY ile değerlendiren güncel görgül çalışmalar sistematik olarak taranıp incelenmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında, DSM-5’te yapılan son değişiklikler göz önünde bulundurularak belirlenen anahtar kelimeler 4 farklı veri tabanında (Web of Science, ProQuest, PsycINFO ve PubMed) taranmış; tarama işleminin ardından belirlenen ölçütlere uygun olan 14 makale bu derlemeye dâhil edilmiştir. İlk olarak DÖY kullanılarak yapılan bu çalışmalarda, çoğunlukla yetişkin ve kadın örneklem grubu ile çalışıldığı ve deneyim örnekleme ölçümlerinin ortalama 9 gün boyunca elektronik cihazlar ile yapıldığı görülmektedir. Ayrıca farklı bozukluk kategorilerine yönelik bu görgül çalışmalarda ortak olarak çoğunlukla anlık duygulanım değişimleri, olay sonrası işlemleme ve ruminasyon gibi ilişkili faktörlerin çalışıldığı görülmüştür. Özetle, DÖY’ün bilimsel araştırma alanında kullanılabilecek işlevsel bir yöntem olduğu ve bu açıdan yaygınlaşmasının faydalı olabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Kronik Ruhsal Bozukluğu Olan Bireylerin Gereksinimleri: Sistematik Derleme
Authors: TUNCER Gülsüm Zekiye , ÇETİNKAYA DUMAN Zekiye
Published: March 2020

Bu sistematik derleme, kronik ruhsal bozukluğu olan bireylerin gereksinimleri ve etkileyen faktörleri saptayan son on yıl içindeki araştırmaları değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Sistematik derlemenin literatür taraması “Pubmed”, “Google Scholar”, “Science Direct”, “Medline”, “Ebsco” “Cochrane” veri tabanlarında İngilizce ve Türkçe anahtar kelimeler kullanılarak yapılmıştır. İncelenen literatür sonucunda 2008 ve 2018 yılları arasında, kronik ruhsal bozukluğu olan bireyler ile yapılmış olan 20 çalışma derlemeye dahil edilmiştir. İncelenen araştırmaların 19’u tanımlayıcı, biri ise randomize kontrollü deneysel çalışmadır. İncelemeye alınan çalışmaların örneklem büyüklüğü 35 ve 588 aralığındadır. Hastaların sosyal ve yakın ilişkiler, fiziksel sağlık durumu, hastalık durumu ve tedavi hakkında bilgi, gündüz aktiviteleri, psikolojik sıkıntı gibi psikososyal gereksinimlerinin çoğunlukla karşılanmadığı bulunmuştur. Hasta bireylerin gereksinimlerinin yaş, cinsiyet, etnik köken, hastalık tanısı, hastalık süresi ve yatış sayısı gibi sosyo-demografik özelliklerden etkilendiği saptanmıştır. Ayrıca hastaların gereksinimlerinin sosyo-ekonomik durum ile işlevsellik ve semptom şiddeti gibi değişkelerden etkilendiği bulunmuştur. Bu sistematik derlemede, hastaların bir çok alanda gereksinimi olduğu ve sosyo-demografik ve ekonomik faktörlerin, hastalık özelliklerinin gereksinimleri etkilediği görülmektedir. Kronik ruhsal bozukluğu olan bireylerin gereksinimlerini karşılamaya yönelik müdahalelerin planlanması ve uygulanması, bireylerin toplumda yaşamını sürdürebilmesi için önemlidir.