bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction of surgical patients with perioperative nursing care in a Spanish tertiary care hospital
Authors: Sillero Sillero Amalia , Zabalegui Adelaida
Published: December 2018

Objective:

Although numerous studies have assessed patient satisfaction in diverse settings, in the realm of nursing surgical care, standardization of measurement for patient experience and satisfaction is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the satisfaction of surgical patients with perioperative nursing care.

Method:

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were recorded. Patient satisfaction was measured with a modified version of the La Monica–Oberst Patient Satisfaction Scale (LOPSS-12).

Results:

150 patients (73 women, 49% and 77 men; 51%) completed the survey. The mean age was 63 years (standard deviation, 16 years). The mean overall satisfaction score on the La Monica–Oberst Patient Satisfaction Scale was 3.17 (standard deviation, 0.21). The scale showed adequate content validity (Lawshe’s Content Validity Index was 0.76) and moderate reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.70). Two variables—patient sex and the presence of comorbidities—were significantly associated with overall satisfaction: men and patients with comorbidities were more satisfied with the care received. Patients with university studies were significantly more likely than patients with less education to consider nurses “impatient,” but also considered the nurses’ advice to be “useful.” Patients with hospital-acquired complications were more likely to perceive nurses to be “more interested in completing tasks than in listening,” although they also felt that nurses worked “conscientiously.”

Conclusion:

Overall, patient satisfaction with perioperative nursing care was good. This study identified several areas of nursing care in need of improvement, particularly the need to spend more time with patients and to keep them better informed about the perioperative process. The modified La Monica–Oberst Patient Satisfaction Scale is suitable for measuring surgical patient satisfaction with perioperative nursing care. The findings presented here may be of value to nursing administrators, educators, and nursing care providers to improve patient satisfaction and to develop strategies to prevent patient dissatisfaction.
Genesis and undertaker of ‘quantification of social class’: On the technocrats in the early stage of the Chinese Communist Party's land revolution
Authors: Meng Qingyan
Published: December 2018

The Land Survey Movement ( chatian yundong) led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1933 incorporated, for the first time, quantified measurements into land reform. This became an established practice in the newly liberated areas after 1946 as well as in the nationwide land reform after the 1949 Liberation. The existing research on land reform has paid little attention to this important quantification method used to define rural social classes. Even those who did pay attention were mostly interested in the policy side of the practice. This study focuses on the architect of this quantification method – Wang Guanlan. Through historical archives, memoirs, and journal articles and documents, Wang's personal background, his education, and his involvement in the communist revolution are thoroughly examined to reach an accurate understanding of the person and the practice he was responsible for. In so doing, we gain some insights into the ‘technocrats’ in the CPC during that period and their pragmatism, the way in which the CPC turned a theoretical and ideological concept of ‘class’ into an applicable measurement to define rural classes, and the limitations associated with such a practice.
Use of a micro-balloon catheter in transcatheter arterial embolization of the renal artery for recurrence of symptoms of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Yamagami Takuji , Kajiwara Kenji , Yamanishi Tomoaki , Minamiguchi Hiroki , Yoshimatsu Rika
Published: December 2018

We report a 63-year-old woman who had recurrent symptoms such as remarkable abdominal distension caused by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in spite of previous bilateral renal arterial embolization with microcoils. Renal arterial embolization with trisacryl gelatin microspheres was performed. The embolic agent was infused while the micro-balloon catheter that was coaxially inserted from a 4-F catheter was inflated without any complications. The size of the polycystic kidneys decreased and the symptoms were satisfactorily relieved.
Multimorbidity patterns and 5-year overall mortality: Results from a claims data–based observational study
Authors: Schäfer Ingmar , Kaduszkiewicz Hanna , Nguyen Truc Sophia , van den Bussche Hendrik , Scherer Martin , Schön Gerhard
Published: December 2018

Background:

Multimorbidity is prevalent and related to adverse outcomes. The effect on mortality is disputed, possibly because studies show differences in the diseases which operationalize multimorbidity. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of three multimorbidity patterns (representing subgroups of diseases) on mortality.

Methods:

We conducted a longitudinal observational study based on insurance claims data of ambulatory care from 2005 to 2009. Analyses are based on 46 chronic conditions with a prevalence ≥1%. We included 52,217 females and 71,007 males aged 65+ and insured by the Gmünder ErsatzKasse throughout 2004. Our outcome was 5-year overall mortality documented as exact time of death. We calculated hazard ratios by Cox regression analyses with time-dependent covariates. Three statistical models were analyzed: (a) the individual diseases, (b) the number of diseases in multimorbidity patterns, and (c) a count of all diseases, all calculated separately for genders and adjusted for age.

Results:

During the study period, 12,473 males (17.6%) and 7,457 females (14.3%) died. The general effect of multimorbidity on mortality was small (females: 1.02, 1.01–1.02; males: 1.04, 1.03–1.04). The number of neuropsychiatric disorders was related to higher mortality (1.33, 1.30–1.36; 1.46, 1.43–1.50). Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders had inconsistent effects (0.99, 0.97–1.01; 1.08, 1.07–1.09). Psychiatric, psychosomatic, and pain-related disorders were related to higher life expectancy (0.87, 0.86–0.89; 0.88, 0.87–0.90).

Conclusions:

Chronic diseases have heterogeneous effects on mortality and generalized measures of multimorbidity reflect and even out the effects of the single diseases. In multimorbidity studies, a careful selection of diseases is therefore important.
Patient-reported activities after bilateral reverse total shoulder arthoplasties
Authors: Assenmacher Andrew T , Alentorn-Geli Eduard , Aronowitz Jessica , Kergosien Matthew , Schleck Cathy D , Sánchez-Sotelo Joaquín , Cofield Robert H , Sperling John W
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) improves pain and function with very good satisfaction. Concerns exist about some activities of daily living (ADLs) involving internal rotation. The purpose of this study was to report how patients with bilateral RSA perform various ADLs.

Methods:

Thirty-one primary bilateral RSA patients (average age 76 years; 21 women and 10 men) completed a survey to assess various outcomes. The average time between the second arthroplasty and the survey was 2.7 years (range 1.0–7.8 years).

Results:

All clinical parameters were favorable. All patients reported being able to easily manage toileting and 87% reaching their back pocket. However, 29% found difficulty and 39% were unable to wash their back or put on bra. In comparison with various unilateral arthroplasty types, there was no statistical difference in overall activities ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Bilateral RSA can provide good functional outcome and high satisfaction. Patients manage most ADLs easily with some limitations in activities requiring extreme internal rotation.
Mental Health Has No Predictive Association With Self-Assessed Knee Outcome Scores in Patients After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Knee
Authors: Ackermann Jakob , Ogura Takahiro , Duerr Robert A. , Mestriner Alexandre Barbieri , Gomoll Andreas H.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are progressively utilized as evaluation tools in preoperative and postoperative assessments in orthopaedic practice. Identifying the potential utility of psychosocial factors to predict patient-reported pain and functional outcomes is of increasing interest to determine which patients will derive the greatest benefit from surgical treatment.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine potential predictive associations between the preoperative 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Mental Component Summary (SF-12 MCS) score, patient characteristics or osteochondral allograft (OCA) morphology, and PROs in patients who underwent OCA transplantation. We hypothesized that poor preoperative mental health is associated with diminished PROs at final follow-up.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 67 patients with a mean follow-up of 2.7 ± 1.0 years (range, 2-6 years) with complete preoperative and at least 24-month postoperative SF-12 MCS, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were included in this study. Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models were used to distinguish associations between age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, workers’ compensation, previous surgery, concomitant surgery, number of grafts, defect location, total graft size, SF-12 MCS score, and postoperative PRO scores as well as their improvement from baseline (delta).

Results:

The SF-12 MCS showed significant correlation with the KOOS Activities of Daily Living subscale ( P = .015), KOOS Sport/Recreation subscale ( P = .024), and IKDC ( P = .039). In the multivariable linear regression models, the SF-12 MCS had no predictive association with any PRO measure. Patient sex contributed significantly to the final regression models of the KOOS Sport/Recreation ( P = .042), Tegner score ( P = .024), and Lysholm score ( P = .031). The SF-12 MCS showed no bivariate correlation with changes in any PRO score (delta) ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

Preoperative mental health status did not predict perceived functional outcomes as assessed by PRO measures at final follow-up. Female sex was negatively correlated with KOOS Sport/Recreation, Tegner, and Lysholm scores.
Improving Speech Intelligibility by Hearing Aid Eye-Gaze Steering: Conditions With Head Fixated in a Multitalker Environment
Authors: Favre-Félix Antoine , Graversen Carina , Hietkamp Renskje K. , Dau Torsten , Lunner Thomas
Published: December 2018

The behavior of a person during a conversation typically involves both auditory and visual attention. Visual attention implies that the person directs his or her eye gaze toward the sound target of interest, and hence, detection of the gaze may provide a steering signal for future hearing aids. The steering could utilize a beamformer or the selection of a specific audio stream from a set of remote microphones. Previous studies have shown that eye gaze can be measured through electrooculography (EOG). To explore the precision and real-time feasibility of the methodology, seven hearing-impaired persons were tested, seated with their head fixed in front of three targets positioned at −30°, 0°, and +30° azimuth. Each target presented speech from the Danish DAT material, which was available for direct input to the hearing aid using head-related transfer functions. Speech intelligibility was measured in three conditions: a reference condition without any steering, a condition where eye gaze was estimated from EOG measures to select the desired audio stream, and an ideal condition with steering based on an eye-tracking camera. The “EOG-steering” improved the sentence correct score compared with the “no-steering” condition, although the performance was still significantly lower than the ideal condition with the eye-tracking camera. In conclusion, eye-gaze steering increases speech intelligibility, although real-time EOG-steering still requires improvements of the signal processing before it is feasible for implementation in a hearing aid.
A Case of Serious Adverse Reaction Following Rabies Vaccination
Authors: Kang Zhilin , Chiang Wen Chin , Goh Si Hui , Goh Anne Eng Neo , Wong Peter Choong Yi , Thoon Koh Cheng , Tan Natalie Woon Hui
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Rabies is one of the most deadly infectious disease. We present a challenging case of an adverse reaction following rabies vaccine in a child. Case Summary. A 10-year-old girl was bitten by a stray dog in Bali and was prescribed rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. She developed breathlessness, abdominal cramps, and lips and eyes swelling 30 minutes after the second dose of rabies vaccine. The subsequent vaccine was successfully administered as a graded challenge with premedication. The final dose was administered in entirety under close observation. She developed transient hypotension 30 minutes later, which spontaneously resolved. Conclusion. There were multiple challenges in the care of this pediatric patient who was potentially exposed to rabies and experienced systemic adverse events during the course of post-exposure prophylaxis. A thorough clinical assessment should be made to weigh benefits versus risks of proceeding with rabies vaccination, bearing in mind that the disease is deadly.
Seeing Is Believing—But Is It Accurate? Eyewitness Lessons From 12 Angry Men
Authors: Rabinowitz Samuel , Fender C. Melissa
Published: December 2018

One of the more difficult aspects of teaching about perception and decision-making biases can be convincing students that they are not immune. One of the best ways of conveying this key knowledge is to ensure that the students experience a situation where they exhibit these biases and recognize that they have done so. In this article, we present an exercise based on the movie 12 Angry Men that creates just such an environment.
Antibody-mediated central nervous system diseases
Authors: Giannoccaro Maria Pia , Crisp Sarah J. , Vincent Angela
Published: December 2018

Antibody-mediated central nervous system diseases are a relatively new area of clinical neuroscience with growing impact. Their recognition has challenged the dogma of the blood–brain barrier preventing antibody access into the central nervous system. The antibodies discovered so far are mainly against neurotransmitter receptors (e.g. N-methyl-d-aspartate and glycine receptors) and ion channel–associated proteins (leucine-rich glioma inactivated protein 1 and contactin-associated protein 2) and are expressed on the surface of neuronal synapses and elsewhere. The disorders are reversible with immunotherapies that reduce antibody levels. Although rare, the identification of these disorders in clinical practice has made central nervous system autoimmune diseases a consideration in the differential diagnoses of many clinical presentations. There is still much to learn about the aetiology of the diseases and the mechanisms by which the antibodies act, the neuronal and glial changes that follow antibody-attack, and the compensatory changes that may be required to ensure good recovery.
Guiding Entrepreneurs Through the Quagmire of Business Entities—Three Hypothetical Scenarios for Discussion
Authors: Forsythe Lynn M. , Davis Lizhu Y. , Mueller John M.
Published: December 2018

Selecting the legal form of a business is a critical decision for entrepreneurs. The selection criteria include the costs to form the entity, risks involved in the particular type of business, taxation, and the effect the choice will have on the ability to raise capital. The authors present three hypothetical scenarios, along with online teaching notes, to help instructors lead discussions with their students about this multi-faceted decision. These scenarios provide a foundation for instructors to lead robust discussions among undergraduate and graduate students revolving around the scenarios and the students’ business concepts.
p53 regulates CD46 expression and measles virus infection in myeloma cells
Authors: Lok Anne , Descamps Geraldine , Tessoulin Benoit , Chiron David , Eveillard Marion , Godon Catherine , Le Bris Yannick , Vabret Astrid , Bellanger Celine , Maillet Laurent , Barillé-Nion Sophie , Gregoire Marc , Fonteneau Jean-François , Le Gouill Steven , Moreau Philippe , Tangy Frederic , Amiot Martine , Moreau-Aubry Agnes , Pellat-Deceunynck Catherine
Published: December 2018

In this study, we assessed the sensitivity of myeloma cells to the oncolytic measles virus (MV) in relation to p53 using 37 cell lines and 23 primary samples. We showed that infection and cell death were correlated with CD46 expression, which was associated with TP53 status; TP53abn cell lines highly expressed CD46 and were preferentially infected by MV when compared with the TP53wt cell lines (P = .046 and P = .045, respectively). Infection of myeloma cells was fully dependent on CD46 expression in both cell lines and primary cells. In the TP53wt cell lines, but not the TP53abn cell lines, activation of the p53 pathway with nutlin3a inhibited both CD46 expression and MV infection, while TP53 silencing reciprocally increased CD46 expression and MV infection. We showed using a p53 chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and microRNA assessment that CD46 gene expression was directly and indirectly regulated by p53. Primary myeloma cells overexpressed CD46 as compared with normal cells and were highly infected and killed by MV. CD46 expression and MV infection were inhibited by nutlin3a in primary p53-competent myeloma cells, but not in p53-deficient myeloma cells, and the latter were highly sensitive to MV infection. In summary, myeloma cells were highly sensitive to MV and infection inhibition by the p53 pathway was abrogated in p53-deficient myeloma cells. These results argue for an MV-based clinical trial for patients with p53 deficiency.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Curcumin inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and promotes apoptosis of retinoblastoma cell lines through modulation of miR-99a and JAK/STAT pathway
Authors: Li Yaping , Sun Weixuan , Han Ning , Zou Ying , Yin Dexin
Published: December 2018

Background

Curcumin, a primary active ingredient extracted from theCurcuma longa, has been recently identified as a potential anti-tumor agent in multiple kinds of cancers. However, the effect of curcumin on retinoblastoma (Rb) is still unclear. Therefore, we attempted to reveal the functional impacts and the underlying mechanisms of curcumin in Rb cells.

Methods

Two Rb cell lines SO-Rb50 and Y79 were pre-treated with various doses of curcumin, and then cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed, respectively. Further, regulatory effects of curcumin on miR-99a expression, as well as the activation of JAK/STAT pathway were studied.

Results

Data showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the viability, colony formation capacity, migration and invasion, while induced apoptosis of SO-Rb50 and Y79 cells. Up-regulation of miR-99a was observed in curcumin-treated cells. Curcumin suppressed the phosphorylation levels of JAK1, STAT1, and STAT3, while curcumin did not inhibit the activation of JAK/STAT pathway when miR-99a was knocked down.

Conclusion

Curcumin inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, but promoted apoptosis of Rb cells. The anti-tumor activities of curcumin on Rb cells appeared to be via up-regulation of miR-99a, and thereby inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway.
What do we know about the impacts of the Marine Stewardship Council seafood ecolabelling program? A systematic map protocol
Authors: Arton Ashleigh , Leiman Anthony , Petrokofsky Gillian , Toonen Hilde , Neat Francis , Longo Catherine S.
Published: December 2018

Background

Voluntary sustainability standards and eco-labels are market-based mechanisms used to encourage producers and consumers toward environmental sustainability. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is one such program which aims to improve the state of the world’s oceans and promote a sustainable seafood market. Now in its 21st year, with approximately 14% of global fisheries landings certified, there is growing evidence of the program’s impacts (direct and indirect) on factors from fisheries management and consumer awareness to coastal communities’ livelihoods and international law. To better understand the program as a whole, the proposed systematic map will collate and describe published research on the environmental, social and economic effects of the MSC program, and indicate the prevalence of disciplines or topics and study designs in this literature. Areas considered of greater interest, knowledge gaps, and future research priorities will be identified.

Methods

This systematic map protocol describes how research regarding the MSC will be searched, identified and described. All research on the MSC and its effects (direct and indirect) will be included. The review is not limited to effects on certified fisheries but will include those on supply chain companies, socio-economics of coastal communities, governments, biological populations and ecosystems, NGOs and other stakeholders impacted by or potentially influenced by the MSC. The search scope includes studies from MSC’s foundation in 1997 to the present. To identify studies, pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used at the title, abstract and full text levels. In addition to the use of bibliographic databases and internet search engines, the authors will call for and search for grey-literature. The final systematic map will be presented in a descriptive report detailing the focus, extent, and occurrence of research on the MSC’s impacts, taking special care to map the disciplines focused on the programme and the study design of research.
Population-Based Cohort Study Reveals Distinct Associations Between Female Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Emily Pei-Ying , Lin Ching-Heng , Yang Ching-Yao , Lu Tzu-Pin , Chang Shih-Ni , Hsiao Tzu-Hung , Huang Bo-Tsang , Yu Chong-Jen , Chan K. Arnold , Yang Pan-Chyr
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Associations between Asian lung cancer (LC) and breast cancer (BC) are unknown. This study evaluates associations between LC and BC in the Taiwan population.

Methods

This study was based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance data and Taiwan Cancer Registry. The cohorts included women with newly diagnosed LC or BC between 2000 and 2011 and an age- and sex-stratified random sample as a noncancer comparison cohort during the same period. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the risks. The National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) cohort, which comprised patients with confirmed pathology diagnoses of double BC/LC, was reviewed.

Results

In 32,824 women with LC, there were increased risks for synchronous BC in patients younger than age 50 years (hazard ratio, 5.80; 95% CI, 1.83 to 18.73), age 50 to 59 years (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.02 to 5.54), and age 60 to 69 years (HR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.91 to 10.2). In the 88,446 women with BC, there were increased risks for synchronous LC in patients age 40 to 59 years (HR, 5.86; 95% CI, 3.05 to 11.3) and older than 60 years (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.77). In the 128-patient NTUH double LC/BC cohort, 77 (60%) had both cancers diagnosed within 5 years of each other.

Conclusion

LC is associated with an increased risk for synchronous BC in Taiwan and vice versa. Radiotherapy might not be a major risk factor for LC in BC survivors. Etiology for double LC/BC deserves additional exploration and cross-racial genomic studies.
Nitrogen handling in the elasmobranch gut: a role for microbial urease
Authors: Wood Chris M. , Liew Hon Jung , De Boeck Gudrun , Hoogenboom J. Lisa , Anderson W. Gary
Published: December 2018

Ureotelic elasmobranchs require nitrogen for both protein growth and urea-based osmoregulation, and therefore are probably nitrogen-limited in nature. Mechanisms exist for retaining and/or scavenging nitrogen at gills, kidney, rectal gland, and gut, but as yet, the latter are not well characterized. Intestinal sac preparations of the Pacific spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias suckleyi) incubated in vitro strongly reabsorbed urea from the lumen after feeding, but mucosal fluid ammonia concentrations increased with incubation time. Phloretin (0.25 mmol L−1, which blocked urea reabsorption) greatly increased the rate of ammonia accumulation in the lumen. A sensitive [14C]urea-based assay was developed to examine the potential role of microbial urease in this ammonia production. Urease activity was detected in chyme/intestinal fluid and intestinal epithelial tissue of both fed and fasted sharks. Urease was not present in gall-bladder bile. Urease activities were highly variable among animals, but generally greater in chyme than in epithelia, and greater in fed than in fasted sharks. Comparable urease activities were found in chyme and epithelia of the Pacific spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei), a ureotelic holocephalan, but were much lower in ammonotelic teleosts. Urease activity in dogfish chyme was inhibited by acetohydroxamic acid (1 mmol L−1) and by boiling. Treatment of dogfish gut sac preparations with acetohydroxamic acid blocked ammonia production, changing net ammonia accumulation into net ammonia absorption. We propose that microbial urease plays an important role in nitrogen handling in the elasmobranch intestine, allowing some urea-N to be converted to ammonia and then reabsorbed for amino acid synthesis or reconversion to urea.
Therapeutic interventions for osteoarthritis of the wrist: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dean Benjamin , Henari Shwan , Thurley Neal , Little Chris , McNab Ian , Riley Nicholas
Published: December 2018

Background: In order to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for osteoarthritis of the wrist in adults we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE via OVID, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus via EBSCO databases were searched from inception to 25th April  2018.All randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and any prospective studies of adults with wrist osteoarthritis investigating any intervention with a comparator were included.  Data were extracted and checked for accuracy and completeness by pairs of reviewers. Primary outcomes were pain and function. Comparative treatment effects were analysed by random effects at all time points.

Results: Three RCTs were identified for inclusion after screening and all had a high risk of bias. Two compared proximal row carpectomy (PRC) with four corner fusion (4CF) for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, while the other compared leather with commercial wrist splints in patients with chronic wrist pain, of which a small group had wrist osteoarthritis. 

Conclusion: There is no prospective study comparing operative to non-operative treatment for wrist osteoarthritis, while there is a paucity of prospective studies assessing the effectiveness of both non-operative and operative interventions.  Further research is necessary in order to better define which patients benefit from which specific interventions.

Registration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42018094799.
The development and evaluation of an online application to assist in the extraction of data from graphs for use in systematic reviews
Authors: Cramond Fala , O'Mara-Eves Alison , Doran-Constant Lee , Rice Andrew SC , Macleod Malcolm , Thomas James
Published: December 2018

Background:The extraction of data from the reports of primary studies, on which the results of systematic reviews depend, needs to be carried out accurately. To aid reliability, it is recommended that two researchers carry out data extraction independently. The extraction of statistical data from graphs in PDF files is particularly challenging, as the process is usually completely manual, and reviewers need sometimes to revert to holding a ruler against the page to read off values: an inherently time-consuming and error-prone process.

Methods:To mitigate some of the above problems we developed a new web-based graphical data extraction tool to assist reviewers in extracting data from graphs. This tool aims to facilitate more accurate and timely data extraction through a user interface which can be used to extract data through mouse clicks. We carried out a non-inferiority evaluation to examine its performance in comparison to standard practice.

Results:We found that our new graphical data extraction tool is not inferior to users’ prior preferred current approaches. Our study was not designed to show superiority, but suggests that there may be a saving in time of around 6 minutes per graph, accompanied by a substantial increase in accuracy.

Conclusions:Our study suggests that the incorporation of this type of tool in online systematic review software would be beneficial in facilitating the production of accurate and timely evidence synthesis to improve decision-making.
Dynamic Procurement of New Products with Covariate Information: The Residual Tree Method
Authors: Ban Gah-Yi , Gallien Jérémie , Mersereau Adam J.
Published: December 2018

Problem definition: We study the practice-motivated problem of dynamically procuring a new, short-life-cycle product under demand uncertainty. The firm does not know the demand for the new product but has data on similar products sold in the past, including demand histories and covariate information such as product characteristics. Academic/practical relevance: The dynamic procurement problem has long attracted academic and practitioner interest, and we solve it in an innovative data-driven way with proven theoretical guarantees. This work is also the first to leverage the power of covariate data in solving this problem. Methodology: We propose a new combined forecasting and optimization algorithm called the residual tree method and analyze its performance via epiconvergence theory and computations. Our method generalizes the classical scenario tree method by using covariates to link historical data on similar products to construct demand forecasts for the new product. Results: We prove, under fairly mild conditions, that the residual tree method is asymptotically optimal as the size of the data set grows. We also numerically validate the method for problem instances derived using data from the global fashion retailer Zara. We find that ignoring covariate information leads to systematic bias in the optimal solution, translating to a 6%–15% increase in the total cost for the problem instances under study. We also find that solutions based on trees using just two to three branches per node, which is common in the existing literature, are inadequate, resulting in 30%–66% higher total costs compared with our best solution. Managerial implications: The residual tree is a new and generalizable approach that uses past data on similar products to manage new product inventories. We also quantify the value of covariate information and of granular demand modeling.
Public health: PART 1 Making Every Contact Count
Authors: Craig Lynn , Senior Emma
Published: December 2018

Lynn Craig, Subject Lead, Adult Nursing, and Senior Lecturer ( L.craig@northumbria.ac.uk ) and Emma Senior, Senior Lecturer/Programme Lead, Adult Nursing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, discuss the nurse's role in public health interventions using the Making Every Contact Count approach
Patients' perspectives on opt-out consent for observational research: systematic review and focus group
Authors: Cardillo Luca , Cahill Fidelma , Wylie Harriet , Williams Ambi , Zylstra Janine , Davies Andrew , Fullwood Louise , Van Hemelrijck Mieke
Published: December 2018

Background:

observational research is increasingly important in clinical decision-making. Opt-out consent has been proposed as a more practical way to obtain participants' consent for such research. The authors evaluated patients' views on opt-out consent for observational research by identifying perceived benefits and barriers.

Methods:

following a systematic literature review of research on participants' perspectives on opt-out consent, a focus group interview was conducted with oncological patients and their family members.

Results:

the review identified 13 articles detailing perspectives on opt-out consent. Perceived advantages included benefitting medicine and future generations. These findings were confirmed in the focus group. The main reported barriers to opt-out consent are concerns regarding privacy and the sharing of data with third parties. Participants also demonstrated concerns on insufficient education on opt-out consent.

Conclusion:

participants demonstrated willingness to participate in observational studies utilising opt-out consent. Special focus should be placed on outlining existing safeguards in research.
Managing moisture-associated skin damage in stoma care
Authors: Metcalf Christine
Published: December 2018

Moisture-associated skin damage from stoma effluent is the most common cause of peristomal skin problems. It is important to identify the causes for any treatment to be effective. A comprehensive assessment should be undertaken using an assessment tool to document the extent of the damage in an accurate and reliable way, and to assist with developing and evaluating a management plan. This article discusses the different types of appliances and accessories that can be used to treat moisture-associated skin damage. As some are costly they should be used wisely. Management of the peristomal skin should be proactive, with the goal being prevention by identifying and managing the causes effectively, thus preventing skin breakdown occurring.
Skin tears: Prediction, prevention, assessment and management
Authors: Campbell Karen E , Baronoski Sharon , Gloeckner Mary , Holloway Samantha , Idensohn Patricia , Langemo Diane , LeBlanc Kimberly
Published: December 2018

Skin tears are a significant problem for patients and the nurses who treat them. Estimates of their prevalence differs around the world, but there is strong evidence to suggest that they occur more frequently than pressure ulcers. In the past few years there has been an increased focus and research into skin tears, and the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel has developed internationally recognised best practice recommendations in this important field for the global wound care community. This article will review the most current research and best practice recommendations for the prediction, prevention, assessment and treatment of skin tears.
Compassionate wound care: An integrated intervention for people who self-injure
Authors: Rayner Gillian , Blackburn Joanna , Ousey Karen
Published: December 2018

This article discusses how an integrated physical, psychological and social approach to wound care can help improve the quality of life for people who self-injure. The health professional should demonstrate compassion while teaching the person who self-injures how to provide their own wound care. Compassionate care may help the patient improve their self-compassion and reduce shame associated with this coping strategy, which may in turn avoid exacerbating self-harm when seeking healthcare.
Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Karma Öğrenme Ortamındaki Akademik Erteleme Davranışları
Authors: Bayrak Fatma
Published: December 2018

Akademik
hayatta yapılan erteleme davranışları öğrencilerin performansını olumsuz
etkilemektedir. Buna bağlı olarak bu çalışmada üniversite öğrencilerinin karma öğrenme
ortamında yürütülen bir ders sürecinde akademik erteleme ile öz-düzenleme
algıları ve tamamlamaları gereken görevleri gönderdikleri zamanlar, sistemlere
eklenecek özellik ve müdahaleleri belirlemek için incelenecektir. Araştırmaya
bir devlet üniversitesinde Bilgisayar ve Öğretim Teknolojileri Eğitimi
bölümünde okuyan altmış beş öğrenci katılmıştır. Çalışmada "Akademik
Erteleme Ölçeği" ve "Çevrimiçi Öz-düzenleme Ölçeği"
kullanılmıştır. Ayrıca öğrencilerin gönderdikleri ürünlerin gönderim tarihleri
Öğrenme Yönetim Sistemi’nin kayıtlarından (log) elde edilmiştir. Öğrencilerin
akademik erteleme puanları incelenerek, öğrenciler düşük ve orta düzey erteleme
eğilimli şeklinde iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Mann-Whitney U test sonuçlarına göre
akademik erteleme eğilimi düşük ve orta düzeyde olan öğrencilerin gönderim
sürelerinde istatistiksel olarak bir farklılık olmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Ancak akademik erteleme eğilimi farklı olan öğrencilerin çevrimiçi
öz-düzenlemenin alt boyutları olan amaç özellikleri, zaman yönetimi, ortamın
yapılandırılması, yardım aramalarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark olduğu
ve bu farklılığın düşük erteleme eğilimi düzeyinde olan öğrencilerin lehine
olduğu belirlenmiştir. Buradan hareketle, bu çalışma sonuçlarına göre gönderim
süresinin akademik erteleme eğilimini belirlemek ve sistemde buna yönelik bir
müdahale belirlemek için tek başına ele alınmaması gerektiği söylenebilir.
Aday Öğretmenlerde Meraklılık ve Bilgi Okuryazarlığı Üzerine İlişkisel Bir Çalışma
Authors: AŞKIN TEKKOL İlkay , DEMİREL Melek
Published: December 2018

Bu araştırmanın amacı, aday öğretmenlerin meraklılık
ve bilgi okuryazarlığı düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemektir. İlişkisel
tarama modelinde yürütülen araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Ankara’daki bir devlet
üniversitesinde öğrenim görmekte olan 340 öğretmen adayı oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada
meraklılık ve bilgi okuryazarlığı arasındaki ilişki aday öğretmenlere uygulanan
ölçeklerle belirlenmiştir. Aday öğretmenlerin meraklılık düzeyleri Erwin (1998)
tarafından geliştirilen (Meraklılık İndeksi/3. versiyon) ve Diker Coşkun (2009)
tarafından Türkçe’ye uyarlama çalışması yapılan “Meraklılık Ölçeği” ile elde
edilmiştir. Aday öğretmenlerin bilgi okuryazarlık düzeylerini belirlemek
amacıyla ise Adıgüzel (2011) tarafından geliştirilen “Bilgi Okuryazarlığı
Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, öğretmen adaylarının meraklılık
puanlarının ölçek orta puanının üzerinde olduğu görülmüştür. Cinsiyet değişkeni
açısından kız öğrenciler lehine anlamlı bir farklılık olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Öğretmen adaylarının meraklılık düzeyleri, alan türleri açısından TM puanı ile
üniversiteye giren öğrenciler lehine farklılık göstermiştir. Meraklılık
düzeyleri ile öğrencilerin akademik başarı ortalamaları arasında anlamlı bir
farklılık olmadığı ortaya konmuştur. Öğretmen adaylarının bilgi okuryazarlığı puanlarının
ölçek orta puanının üzerinde olduğu görülmüştür. Öğretmen adaylarının bilgi
okuryazarlığı becerileri cinsiyete göre incelendiğinde kız öğrenciler lehine
anlamlı bir farklılık olduğu görülmüştür. Öğretmen adaylarının bilgi
okuryazarlığı düzeyleri, alan türlerine göre incelendiğinde sınıf eğitimi ve
okulöncesi eğitimi alanında (TM) öğrenim gören öğrencilerin bilgi okuryazarlığı
puanlarının, dil ve MF puanı ile üniversiteye giren öğrencilerden anlamlı
düzeyde yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Öğretmen adaylarının meraklılık düzeyleri
ile bilgi okuryazarlığı becerileri arasında pozitif yönlü, yüksek düzeyde bir
ilişki saptanmıştır. Meraklılığın bilgi okuryazarlığını yordama gücü
incelendiğinde ise, meraklılığın bilgi okuryazarlığının anlamlı bir yordayıcısı
olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Ortaokul Matematik Öğretmenlerinin Radyan ve Özelde π Sayısına İlişkin Kavramsal Bilgileri
Authors: Erdem Emrullah , Man Sedat
Published: December 2018

Bu çalışmanın amacı ortaokul
matematik öğretmenlerinin radyan kavramı ve özelde π sayısına ilişkin kavramsal
bilgilerini incelemektir. Araştırma, Türkiye’nin dört ilindeki farklı
sosyo-ekonomik çevrelerde bulunan ortaokullarda görev yapan ve farklı mesleki
deneyime sahip 43 matematik öğretmeninin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir.
Araştırmanın verileri, katılımcıların radyan ve π sayısı hakkındaki bilgilerini
ortaya çıkarmaya yönelik hazırlanan ve beş açık uçlu sorudan oluşan bir form
vasıtasıyla toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde içerik analizi tekniği
kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, ortaokul matematik öğretmenlerinin π’yi
22/7 kesri, çevre/çap ve 3,14 sabit sayısı olarak düşündükleri, alan ve çevre
hesabı ve kolay işlem yapmak için kullandıkları görülmüştür. Bazı öğretmenler
radyan ve derece arasında eşleme yapamamış ve sabit bir sayı olan π’nin iki
farklı değerinin olamayacağını fark edememişlerdir. Ayrıca katılımcıların
çoğunun merkez açının radyan olarak ölçüsünün gördüğü yayın uzunluğuna sadece
birim çemberde eşit olduğunu bilmedikleri ve detaylı açıklama yapamadıkları
ortaya çıkmıştır. Öte yandan, az sayıda katılımcı açıların sayı doğrusunda
derece olarak gösterilemeyeceğini bunun yerine radyan karşılıklarının
yazılacağını belirtmiştir. Bu bulgulardan hareketle, katılımcıların çoğunun
radyan kavramına ilişkin eksik, yanlış ya da kavram yanılgılı bilgilere sahip
olduğu söylenebilir.
Overall assessment of environmental sustainability: The Portuguese water industry case
Authors: Tralhão Sandra S. , Martins Rita , Costa João Paulo
Published: December 2018

Similarly to what happens worldwide, environmental sustainability is one of the pillars of the Portuguese water industry regulatory model. Taking into account the criteria and preference profiles defined by the Portuguese regulatory authority, the overall sustainability performance of the Portuguese water utilities is assessed using multicriteria decision analysis methodologies. The results showed that about half of the utilities have an overall unsatisfactory performance, which is not shown by the item-by-item assessment by the regulatory authority. The overall assessment allows not only highlighting and exposing the best practices of the sector, in line with the sunshine regulation model, as it proves appropriate to the valorization, in each regulatory period, of the priorities established in the sectoral plans for the sector.
En busca del paraíso. Historia del turismo de Menorca. Alfonso Méndez Vidal (2017). Ed. Institut d’Estudis Menorquins i Consell Insular de Menorca. 376 pp ISBN: 978-84-15291-37-7
Authors: Roig-Munar Francesc Xavier
Published: December 2018

Reseña del libro: Méndez Vidal, Alfons (2017.). A la recerca del paradís. Història del turisme de Menorca. Institut Menorquí d'Estudis. ISBN: 978-84-15291-36-7, 376 pp.
Focus 6 - février 2013
Authors: Maniquet François
Published: December 2018

Il existe une sorte de consensus implicite entre économistes, politiciens et membres de la société civile pour trouver légitime que l'Etat intervienne dans la répartition du bien-être au sein de la société, et tout particulièrement pour en diminuer la pauvreté. Les opinions divergent fortement, par contre, lorsqu'il s'agit de définir la manière d'intervenir. Un des principaux dilemmes concerne le choix à faire entre contrôler les prix, en les fixant temporairement ou en modifiant les taux de TVA, ou contrôler les revenus, en modifiant le système de transferts. Par exemple, dans le cas d'une augmentation des prix de l'énergie, l'Etat doit-il subsidier le prix de l'énergie auquel font face les plus pauvres ou doit-il compenser l'augmentation des prix de l'énergie par un ajustement des transferts (pensions, revenus minimaux, allocations de chômage) ?
Research Contributions of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar : A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Siwach Anil Kumar , Parmar Seema
Published: December 2018

CCS Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) is among the top ten agricultural universities of India according to ICAR ranking 2016-17. The present study has been undertaken to find out the publication trends in this university during 2001-2015. The study mainly focus on year-wise research output, major subject categories, national and international collaborations, top journals for publications, most prolific authors, citations pattern and highly cited papers of CCSHAU. The results indicate that among the top ten agricultural universities of India, CCSHAU stands at fourth position in terms of publications and sixth position in terms of citations. It has collaborated with many institutions at national and international level in its research publications.
Artificial Intelligence Research in India: A Scientometric Assessment of Publications Output during 2007-16
Authors: Gupta Brij Mohan , Dhawan Surinder Mohan
Published: December 2018

The paper examines the world output in artificial intelligence research, a total of 1,52,655 publications, as seen from Scopus database, covering the period during 2007-16. The top 10 countries of the world in artificial intelligence research accounted for 74.32 per cent global publication share. Individually their global share varied from 3.68 per cent to 19.46 per cent, with China accounting for 19.46 per cent global share, followed by the USA (17.96 %), India (6.37 %), and the U.K. (6.33 %), etc. The paper also examines publications output by India in artificial intelligence research. India cumulated a total of 9730 publications in 10 years during 2007-16, registered an annual average growth rate of 27.45 per cent, averaged citation impact to 2.76 citations per paper, and contributed 10.34 per cent share of its total country output as international collaborative publications during 2007-16. Computer science accounted for the largest publication share (86.99 %), followed by engineering (30.69 %), mathematics (15.95 %), biochemistry, genetics & molecular biology (4.66 %), and several other disciplines. The top 10 organizations and 10 authors together accounted for 19.31 per cent and 2.71 per cent national publications share respectively and 29.78 per cent share and 6.85 per cent national citation share respectively during 2007-16. Top 10 journals accounted for 15.45 per cent share of the country output appearing in journal medium (1650 papers). India accounted for 24 highly cited papers, averaging to 162.46 citations per paper. These 24 highly cited papers involved the participation of 109 authors from 70 organizations, published in 15 journals.
DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology: A Gender Perspective
Authors: Bisaria Garima
Published: December 2018

The present study aims to study the research articles published in DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology during 2008-2017 with a gender perspective. Influence of gender was assessed at individual and collaborative levels, professional engagement and citedness. The findings reveal increase in the overall presentation of male authors i.e. 401 (75.38 %) compared to female authors 131 (24.62 %) of total of 532 authors. 345 (64.85 %) are multiple authored articles compared to 187 (35.15 %) single authored papers. Collaborative pattern of male- male authors with 205 (38.83 %) articles, followed by articles contributed by male solo authors with 160 (30.08 %) authors, outnumbers all other collaborative authorship patterns. A chi square value of (x2 = 11.801, p = 0.003) shows significant difference in the number of contributions by both male and female authors engaged in different LIS profession. The findings prove that men are over represented in the whole LIS community.
Performance Analysis of GaN/AlGaN HEMTs Passivation using Inductively Coupled Plasma Chemical Vapour Deposition and Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Techniques
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Malik Amit , Rawal Dipendra Singh , Vinayak Seema , Malik Hitendra
Published: December 2018

In the present paper SiN thin film has been studied as a passivation layer and its effect on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is investigated using two different deposition techniques i.e PECVD and ICPCVD. AlGaN/GaN HEMTs devices passivated with optimised SiN film have delivered lower gate leakage current (from μA to nA). Device source drain saturation current (Ids) increased from 400mA/mm to ~550 A/mm and the peak extrinsic trans-conductance increased from 100 mS/mm to 170 mS/mm for a 0.8 μm HEMT device. The optimised SiN passivation process has resulted in reduced current collapse and increased breakdown voltage for HEMT devices. 