bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracellular matrix graft for reconstruction over exposed structures: a pilot case series
Authors: Bohn Gregory A , Chaffin Abigail E 
Published: December 2020

Objective:Soft tissue defects, especially those involving exposed vital structures, present a reconstructive challenge because poor vascularity of such defects typically makes immediate skin grafting unviable. Where flap procedures are inappropriate or not possible, dermal matrices represent an alternative reconstructive option for defects with denuded vital structures. With dermal matrices becoming increasingly available and technologically advanced, we evaluated an ovine-derived extracellular matrix graft in the reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects involving exposed vital structures.Method:Six cases of soft tissue defects exhibiting denuded vital structures underwent reconstruction using an ovine forestomach matrix graft as a dermal matrix. Grafts were fixed directly into defects for immediate coverage and subsequently temporised defects via granulation tissue formation for later skin graft or secondary closure. Defect granulation and epithelialisation were monitored until closure and the final aesthetic and functional outcomes were evaluated.Results:Complete healing was achieved in all cases, with defect granulation becoming observable within one to two weeks and complete granulation occurring within one to six weeks. Granulation tissue resulting from the graft was suitable for skin grafting, with 100% take of skin grafts after one week and complete re-epithelialisation in two to three weeks in the four cases that received a skin graft. Good cosmetic, functional and patient satisfaction outcomes were achieved in all cases.Conclusion:The present series demonstrates our initial use of an extracellular matrix-based dermal matrix in reconstructing defects with exposed vital structures. While such dermal matrices do not supersede or replace flap procedures, they represent an alternative option on the reconstructive ladder in cases where flap procedures are not appropriate or possible.
Specialised wound care clinics in Spain: distribution and characteristics
Authors: González-de la Torre Héctor , Verdú-Soriano José , Quintana-Lorenzo María L , Berenguer-Pérez Miriam , Lavín Raquel Sarabia , Soldevilla-Ágreda Javier 
Published: December 2020

Objective: To determine the number of specialised wound care units/clinics (SWCUs) in Spain, at present, and to describe their most important characteristics. Method: This was an observational study with a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional, multicentre approach, where the studied population consisted of SWCUs in Spain. A specific data-collection questionnaire was designed using a modified Delphi method, consisting of four rounds, with the collaboration of 10 wound experts. The final questionnaire included 49 items distributed across four dimensions/areas with a content validity index (CVI-Total for pertinence=0.96 and CVI-Total for relevance=0.94. Results: A total of 42 SWCUs were included in the study. Most SWCUs were based in hospitals (n=15, 35.7%) or healthcare centres, covering a specific healthcare area (n=17, 40.5%). SWCU coordinators were primarily nurses (n=33, 78.6%). Staff members' professions in SWCUs included registered nurses (n=38 units, 92.7%), nursing assistants (n=8 units, 19.5%), podiatrists (n=8 units, 19.5%), vascular surgeons (n=7 units, 17%), osteopaths (n=2 units, 4.8%) and medical doctors from different specialties (n=3 units, 7.2%). For wound aetiology, the most prevalent wounds managed were diabetic foot ulcers (n=38 units, 90.5%), followed by venous leg ulcers (n=36 units, 85.7%) and arterial ischaemic ulcers (n=36 units, 85.7%). A statistically significant association was found between the number of staff members in a SWCU and the existence of resistance/opposition barriers when developing a SWCU (Chi-square test, p=0.049; Cramér's V=0.34; 34%), as well as between resistance/opposition barriers when developing a SWCU and a nurse as coordinator of a SWCU (MacNemar test, p=0.007, Cramér's V=0.35; 35%). Conclusion: The typical SWCU implemented in Spain is located in a hospital or integrated in a healthcare structure that offers coverage to a whole health area and providing services for people with hard-to-heal wounds (wound management and prevention) and health professionals (advice, consultancy and training/education). Despite the growing number of SWCUs in Spain, the future of this new organisational model is uncertain, as there can be barriers to creating them and some deficiencies, such as low staff numbers, which need to be addressed.
Extra-wound fixation: a modified tie-over dressing technique for skin graft
Authors: Liu Quanmeng , Liu Xiaodong , Ho Idy HT , Guan Shibing 
Published: December 2020

Objective: Tie-over dressing is the most frequently used technique of skin grafting. However, many deficiencies affecting the outcome have been reported. We hereby introduce a modified method, termed the ‘extra-wound fixation technique’, for skin dressing, and evaluate the complications and clinical outcomes. Method: In this retrospective cross-sectional study we analysed the medical records of patients treated between January 2012 and December 2017. All patients received full thickness skin grafts. Patients were divided equally into to groups: patients were treated using the extra-wound fixation technique, and the remaining, randomly selected patients treated using the traditional tie-over method. The extra-wound fixation technique uses the traditional tie-over dressing method followed by additional stitches made in healthy skin locating 0.5-1.0 cm laterally to the wound edge. The follow-up outcomes between the two groups were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 38 patients took part (19 patients in each group). The follow-up duration was 1–6 months. No raised edges were observed in any of the patients. Prolonged follow-up demonstrated that the grafted skin texture became soft with a thin layer of adipose tissue, and elasticity was gradually improved along with the regeneration of dermoelastic fibre. The colour was similar to the normal skin with a smooth surface. Compared with the traditional method, the extra-wound fixation technique significantly improved the survival of the grafted skin (p=0.008), reduced the risk of laceration of the skin (p=0.001), and eliminated crater rim-like appearances (p=0.020). Conclusion: The extra-wound fixation technique could be used for different skin grafts and improve clinical outcomes compared with the traditional tie-over dressing method.
Automatic Monitoring of Chicken Movement and Drinking Time Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Lin Chen-Yi , Hsieh Kuang-Wen , Tsai Yao-Chuan , Kuo Yan-Fu 
Published: December 2020

HighlightsA customized embedded system was built to acquire images of a chicken coop.Faster R-CNN was used to localize the chickens in the images.The accuracies in chicken detection and tracking were 98.16% and 98.94%, respectively.Movement and drinking time of chickens were quantified.Abstract. Poultry and eggs are major sources of dietary protein worldwide. Because Taiwan is located in tropical and subtropical regions, heat stress in chickens is one of the most challenging concerns of the poultry industry in Taiwan. Typical heat stress symptoms in chickens are reduced movement and increased drinking time. The level of heat stress is conventionally evaluated using the temperature-humidity index (THI) or through manual observation. However, THI is indirect, and manual observation is subjective and time-consuming. This study proposes to directly monitor the movement and drinking time of chickens using time-lapse images and deep learning algorithms. In this study, an experimental coop was constructed to house ten chickens. An embedded system was then designed to acquire images of the chickens at a rate of 1 frame s-1 and to measure the temperature and humidity of the coop. A faster region-based convolutional neural network was then trained on a personal computer to detect and localize the chickens in the images. The movement and drinking time of the chickens under various THI values were then analyzed. The proposed method provided 98.16% chicken detection accuracy and 98.94% chicken tracking accuracy. Keywords: Chicken activities, Embedded system, Faster region-based convolutional neural network, Faster R-CNN, Heat stress, Temperature-humidity index (THI).
Metal-to-ligand charge transfer chirality-based sensing of mercury ions
Authors: Wang Xiongbin , Wang Qiushi , Chen Yulong , Li Jiagen , Pan Ruikun , Cheng Xing , Ng Kar Wei , Zhu Xi , He Tingchao , Cheng Jiaji , Tang Zikang , Chen Rui 
Published: December 2020

Chiral ligand conjugated transition metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are a promising platform for chiral recognition, biochemical sensing, and chiroptics. Herein, we present chirality-based strategy for effective sensing of mercury ions via ligand-induced chirality derived from metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) effects. The ligand competition effect between molybdenum and heavy metal ions such as mercury is designated to be essential for MLCT chirality. With this know-how, mercury ions, which have a larger stability constant (

K

f

) than molybdenum, can be selectively identified and quantified with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.08 and 0.12 nmol/L for D-cysteine and L-cysteine (Cys) capped

MoO

2

NPs. Such chiral chemical sensing nanosystems would be an ideal prototype for biochemical sensing with a significant impact on the field of biosensing, biological systems, and water research-based nanotoxicology.
Welche Strategien nutzen Coaches bei herausfordernden Klienten? Eine explorative Analyse von Herausforderungen, Strategien und der Rolle von Supervision
Authors: Graßmann Carolin , Diller Sandra Julia , Jonas Eva 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDiese explorative Studie untersucht welche Klienten Coaches als besonders herausfordernd erleben, welche Strategien sie für den Umgang mit ihnen einsetzen und welche Rolle Supervision in der Wahl von Strategien spielt. Es wurden 99 Coaches in einer Online-Befragung darum gebeten, an ihren herausforderndsten Klienten im Coaching zu denken. Die deskriptiven Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Coaches ihre Klienten besonders dann als herausfordernd wahrnahmen, wenn die Klienten wenig Problembewusstsein zeigten, falsche Erwartungen bezüglich des Coachings besaßen oder kein konkretes Coachingziel hatten. Zudem gab über die Hälfte der Coaches eine psychische Störung beim Klienten als Herausforderung an. Für den Umgang mit herausfordernden Klienten setzten die Coaches eine Vielzahl an Strategien ein, insbesondere aber Vertrauensaufbau, Empathie und Wertschätzung. Über zehn Prozent der Coaches gab zusätzlich an, dass die Coachings abgebrochen wurden. Des Weiteren deuten die Ergebnisse auf eine unterstützende Funktion von Supervision hin: Coaches, die Supervision nutzen, setzen insgesamt mehr als erfolgreich angesehene Strategien ein. Die Ergebnisse tragen dazu bei, Herausforderungen und deren Umgang damit im Coaching besser zu verstehen.
Malnutrition and nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) in surgical patients with cancer
Authors: Viana Eduarda Cristina Rodrigues de Morais , Oliveira Isadora da Silva , Rechinelli Ana Beatriz , Marques Isabele Lessa , Souza Vanusa Felício de , Spexoto Maria Cláudia Bernardes , Pereira Taísa Sabrina Silva , Guandalini Valdete Regina 
Published: December 2020

Background and aimNutrition impact symptoms (NIS) are common in cancer patients and the negative impacts on nutritional status indicate the need for research, diagnosis and nutritional intervention in order to reduce the risk of malnutrition. We aimed to verify the presence of malnutrition, the need for nutritional intervention, NIS and their influence on the nutritional status of surgical patients with cancer.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in a public tertiary hospital, from March 2017 to October 2019. Nutritional status, the need for nutritional intervention and NIS were assessed through the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in the first 48 hours of hospital admission.ResultsAmong the 135 patients evaluated, 55.6% were elderly and 51.1% were male; patients had a median age of 62 years and a predominance of cancer located in the lower gastrointestinal tract (35.6%). Malnutrition and the need for nutritional intervention were identified in 60.0% and 90.4% of cases, respectively. The presence of three or more NIS was reported by 51.9% of patients. Significant differences in NIS were observed according to sex, PG-SGA classification and PG-SGA score. After logistic regression analysis, it was determined that the symptoms that increased the chances of malnutrition were anorexia, constipation, strange taste, mouth sores and others (depression, dental or financial problems).ConclusionMalnutrition, the need for nutritional intervention and the presence of three or more NIS were elevated in the patients evaluated. Malnutrition was associated with the presence of NIS, indicating the need for attention and care in antineoplastic treatment.
Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review
Authors: Freitas Danielle A. , Souza-Santos Reinaldo , Carvalho Liege M. A. , Barros Wagner B. , Neves Luiza M. , Brasil Patrícia , Wakimoto Mayumi D. 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThe signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild and self-limited. However, the disease has been linked to neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and peripheral nerve involvement, and also to abortion and fetal deaths due to vertical transmission, resulting in various congenital malformations in newborns, including microcephaly. This review aimed to describe the o signs and symptoms that characterize the congenital Zika syndrome.Methods and findingsA systematic review was performed with a protocol and described according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The search strategy yielded 2,048 studies. After the exclusion of duplicates and application of inclusion criteria, 46 studies were included. The main signs and symptoms associated with the congenital Zika syndrome were microcephaly, parenchymal or cerebellar calcifications, ventriculomegaly, central nervous system hypoplasia or atrophy, arthrogryposis, ocular findings in the posterior and anterior segments, abnormal visual function and low birthweight for gestational age.ConclusionsZika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a series of changes in the growth and development of children, while impacting the healthcare system due to the severity of cases. Our findings outline the disease profile in newborns and infants and may contribute to the development and updating of more specific clinical protocols.
Metabolic risk factors and risk of Covid-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moazzami Bahram , Chaichian Shahla , Kasaeian Amir , Djalalinia Shirin , Akhlaghdoust Meisam , Eslami Masoud , Broumand Behrooz 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveBased on the epidemiologic findings of Covid-19 incidence; illness and mortality seem to be associated with metabolic risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association of metabolic risk factors and risk of Covid-19.MethodsThis study was designed according to PRISMA guidelines. Two independent researchers searched for the relevant studies using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The search terms developed focusing on two main roots of “Covid-19” and “metabolic risk factors”. All relevant observational, analytical studies, review articles, and a meta-analysis on the adult population were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model for pooling proportions to address heterogeneity among studies. Data were analyzed using STATA package version 11.2, (StataCorp, USA).ResultsThrough a comprehensive systematic search in the targeted databases we found 1124 papers, after running the proses of refining, 13 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of obesity in Covid-19 patients was 29% (95% CI: 14–47%). For Diabetes and Hypertension, these were 22% (95% CI: 12% 33%) and 32% (95% CI: 12% 56%), respectively. There was significant heterogeneity in the estimates of the three pooled prevalence without any significant small-study effects. Such warning points, to some extent, guide physicians and clinicians to better understand the importance of controlling co-morbid risk factors in prioritizing resource allocation and interventions.ConclusionThe meta-analysis showed that hypertension is more prevalent than obesity and diabetes in patients with Covid-19 disease. The prevalence of co-morbid metabolic risk factors must be adopted for better management and priority settings of public health vaccination and other required interventions. The results may help to improve services delivery in COVID-19 patients, while helping to develop better policies for prevention and response to COVID-19 and its critical outcomes.
Prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years old in mass drug administration graduated and non-graduated districts in Northwest Amhara region, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Melkie Gashaw , Azage Muluken , Gedamu Genet 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundMass drug administration has implemented to reduce trachoma since 2001, however, trachoma is still the major public health problem in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. However, credible evidence on the prevalence of trachoma and its associated factors after the implementation of mass drug administration is limited.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years old in mass drug administration graduated and non-graduated districts in the Northwest Amhara Region.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November, 2019. A stratified multistage random sampling was used to select 690 households having children aged 1–9 years. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with active trachoma. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to assess the degree of association between the independent variables and active trachoma.ResultsThe overall prevalence of active trachoma was 8.3% (95% CI: 6.2% –10.5%) and showed a significant variation between graduated [3.5% (95% CI: 1.8% –5.6%)] and non-graduated [13% (95% CI: 9.7%–16.8%)] districts. Living in graduated districts (AOR = 7.39, 95% CI: 3.19, 17.09), fly presence in the house (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.43, 6.89), presence of more than two children in the family (AOR = 3.78, 95%CI: 1.79, 7.98), did not wash face daily (AOR = 6.31, 95% CI: 1.81, 21.98), did not use soap during face washing (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.37, 8.15), presence of sleep in eyes (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.42, 7.02) and presence of dirt on child face (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.50) increased the odds of having active trachoma.ConclusionThe prevalence of active trachoma was high in the study area and showed a significant variation between graduated and non-graduated districts with mass drug administration. Living in non-graduated districts, fly presence in the house, more than two children in a household, did not wash the face daily, did not use soap during face washing, presence of sleep in eyes, and dirt on the child’s face were the significant predictors of active trachoma. Therefore, the identified modifiable factors are the area of intervention to reduce the burden of active trachoma.
Structural analysis of reinforced asphalt pavement by impregnated surface geotextile
Authors: Rezende Juliana De Paula , Pitanga Heraldo Nunes , Da Silva Taciano Oliveira , Marques Geraldo Luciano De Oliveira , Pereira Géssica Soares 
Published: December 2020

A presente pesquisa contemplou a análise mecanístico-empírica de pavimentos asfálticos não reforçado e reforçado por geotêxtil superficialmente impregnado. As propriedades mecânicas determinadas em laboratório derivam dos ensaios de resistência à tração por compressão diametral (RT), módulo de resiliência (MR) e vida de fadiga (Nf). A inserção do reforço à mistura asfáltica conferiu incrementos de RT e MR, além de reduzir o risco de ruptura por fadiga. Nas análises estruturais, foram verificadas as tensões horizontais de tração e verticais de compressão no bordo inferior da camada de ligação. A análise baseada no parâmetro de resistência mecânica estaticamente determinada (RT) evidenciou uma superioridade estrutural do sistema não reforçado comparativamente ao reforçado por geotêxtil, contrariamente à análise baseada no parâmetro de resposta estrutural dinamicamente determinada (Nf). Supõe-se que, por não traduzir a resistência mobilizada pelo concreto asfáltico sob condição de carregamento dinâmico, a análise de segurança estrutural baseada em propriedades estáticas encobre as melhorias geradas pelo reforço geossintético.
Engaging with the cultural ‘other’: The ‘colonial signature’ and learning from intercultural engagements
Authors: Hoult Simon 
Published: December 2020

In this article, the idea of the ‘colonial signature’ is advanced as a potentially pivotal response to triggers that deepen or act as barriers to intercultural learning. From a postcolonial positioning, empirical data is then examined to consider the responses to intercultural-learning triggers of 14 UK-based student teachers on a study visit to India specifically through an analysis of their reflective writing and interviews.
Participants’ responses to varied triggers became significant colonial signatures to their intercultural learning. The learning deepened where responses were reflexive and articulated with reference to the global powerbase that underpins study visits to the Global South. Where responses to triggers provoked more shallow comparisons with home, the colonial signatures resulted in closed-down discussion, thus acting as a barrier to further learning. This has implications not only for study visits, but also, more widely, for the approach to global learning.
Application of sampling methods for the research design
Authors: Mweshi Geoffrey Kapasa , Sakyi Kwesi 
Published: December 2020

The objective of this paper is to discuss the application of the sampling framework in a research with a view to understanding what it is, and examining the application of the concept to the analysis of sampling as one procedure that makes research manageable. When investigators
choose a sample they select a relatively small but representative number of cases from the population of interest or universe of discourse for enumeration or observation. A sample chosen in an unbiased or scientific way is likely to yield results which are closer to the population parameters. The discussion in this paper will address the issues and decisions which are considered before determining the sampling framework in a research so that there is a clear identification of the phenomenon being researched on to create room for rigorous analysis. The discussion went further by comparing and contrasting the qualitative research approaches.
The paper further explored some philosophical underpinnings of research in order to understand and appreciate some of the individual organizational problems. The paper relied mainly on secondary research by drawing insights from publications and books that had contributed to the revelations about the nature and issues that may be an important in both qualitative and quantitative research. The literature review was therefore mainly focused on the nature of analysis of quantitative and qualitative data collected through empirical study through cross sectional and time series data using various data collection instruments. The paper also examined in detail data presentation methods and their implications for analysis.