bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of the strain measurement in textile reinforced cementitious matrix composites by distributed optical fibre and 2D digital image correlation
Authors: Saidi M. , Gabor A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe study presented in this paper aims to adapt and calibrate two strain measurement techniques used for textile reinforced cementitious matrix composites (TRCMCs): distributed optical fibres and 2D digital image correlation (DIC). These composites exhibit tensile behaviour characterised by a succession of transverse cracks along specimens. During the tensile test, out‐of‐plane parasitic displacements may occur due to the geometry of specimens and possible imperfections of the test method. These phenomena interfere with the measurement of the strain sensors, leading to loss of results and parasitic strain. In order to eliminate them and to finely analyse the complex behaviour of TRCMCs, a test methodology and experimental approach are proposed for optical fibres, and a practical and simple solution is proposed to quantify the parasitic strains of the 2D DIC. For optical fibres, Rayleigh backscatter is used, allowing a millimetric spatial resolution and a high recording frequency. For the DIC, required equipment is used, and the results are processed through existing commercial software.
A rare diarrheic parasite in a kidney transplant patient: Cystoisospora belli
Authors: Marques Joana , Menezes Maria , Mendes Filipa , Dutra Eduardo , Saiote Joana , Santos Sara , Cotovio Patrícia , Caeiro Fernando , Carvalho Dulce , Nolasco Fernando 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCystoisospora belli colitis is a rare complication of immunosuppression in solid organ transplant recipients. We describe a case of Cystoisospora belli infection with colitis following renal transplantation.
Comparative Study on Numerical Computation Methods for Radiation Forces on a Three-Dimensional Body With Edge in the Time Domain
Authors: Yang Jianye , Teng Bin , Gou Ying 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA time-domain numerical model with the linear free surface condition and large amplitude body motions is developed based on the higher-order boundary element method. Five numerical formulations are used to compute the nonlinear radiation forces on a moving body in the domain. A series of submerged bodies that have sharp edges and rounded corners with small radii are considered to investigate their reliabilities. It is found that for the bodies with rounded corners the nonlinear radiation forces calculated by the five numerical formulations are close to each other, while large discrepancies exist for the body with sharp edges. Examination on the vertical nonlinear radiation forces due to the body surge motion reveals that the body edge has less influence on the method of the rate of change of the fluid momentum; however, it has a stronger effect on the other four formulations. The former applied a substitution of the spatial derivatives of the velocity potential, and the other four use a direct integration of the fluid pressure on the body surface.
The Creation of a Mental Skills Training Program in Elite Youth Tennis: A Coach-Driven Approach to Developing Resilient, Confident Competitors
Authors: Lauer E. Earlynn , Lerman Mark , Zakrajsek Rebecca A. , Lauer Larry 
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we describe the development and content of a mental skills training (MST) program and how a strength and conditioning coach/certified mental coach delivered this program within a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Player Development (PD) program. The purpose of the MST program was to create resilient, confident youth tennis competitors. Specific mental strategies (i.e., journaling, routines, breathing, imagery, self-talk) were identified to best meet the objectives of the MST program and were delivered using a three-pronged approach: (a) classroom lessons, (b) strength and conditioning sessions and on-court lessons, and (c) homework assignments. Specific ways that the USTA PD coaches reinforced the use of these strategies during tennis practice are described. Recommendations for coaches to integrate an MST program in high-performance youth sport environments are also provided.
Sleep problems of healthcare workers in tertiary hospital and influencing factors identified through a multilevel analysis: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Liu Huan , Liu Jingjing , Chen Mingxi , Tan Xiao , Zheng Tong , Kang Zheng , Gao Lijun , Jiao Mingli , Ning Ning , Liang Libo , Wu Qunhong , Hao Yanhua 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesSleep problems are common among healthcare workers, especially among those who work in tertiary hospitals; however, studies focusing on healthcare workers in tertiary hospitals in China are limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prevalence of sleep problems among tertiary hospital employees in China and identify associated factors.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire survey study.SettingThe study was conducted in 317 departments at 33 tertiary hospitals in the Heilongjiang Province, China.ParticipantsThe study included a representative sample of 4007 healthcare workers, including clinicians, medical technicians and office workers, who were selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Ultimately, 3810 participants completed valid questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 95%.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants completed a structured questionnaire which collected data regarding demographics, sleep problems, employment, chronic pain and health-related behaviours. A two-level logistic regression model was constructed to examine determinants of sleep problems.ResultsWe found that nearly half of the respondents reported experiencing sleep problems. The two-level logistic model suggested a positive association of sleep problems with headache (OR=2.64, 95% CI=2.27 to 3.07), working hours (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.20 to 1.66) and night shifts (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.21 to 1.69). In contrast, regular diet (OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.36 to 0.53) and exercise (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.53 to 0.80) protected the study population against sleep problems.ConclusionsWe found that sleep problems are prominent among tertiary hospital employees in China. The risk factor most strongly associated with sleep problems was headaches. To alleviate sleep problems in this population, medical institutions and health policy makers should establish reasonable working schedules and night-shift work systems, while the healthcare workers themselves should pay attention to their chronic pain problems and engage in regular diet and exercise.
Improving chronic pain management with eHealth and mHealth: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Jaén Irene , Suso-Ribera Carlos , Castilla Diana , Zaragoza Irene , García-Palacios Azucena , Gómez Palones Jose Luis 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionChronic pain has become a matter of public health concern due to its high prevalence and because public costs associated with treatment and disability increase each year. Research suggests that limitations in the traditional assessment of chronic pain patients limit the effectiveness of current medical treatments. The use of technology might serve change patient traditional monitoring into ecological momentary assessments, which might be visualised by physicians live. This study describes a randomised control trial designed to test the utility of a technology-based solution for pain telemonitoring consisting of a smartphone app for patients and a web application for physicians. The goal of this study will be to explore whether this combination of eHealth and mHealth improves the effectiveness of existing pain treatments.Methods and analysisParticipants will be 250 patients randomly assigned to one of these two conditions: treatment-as-usual (TAU) and TAU +app+ web. All participants will receive the usual treatment for their pain. Only the TAU +app+ web group use Pain Monitor app, which generates alarms that are sent to the physicians in the face of previously established undesired events. Physicians will be able to monitor app reports using a web application, which might result in an adjustment of treatment. We anticipate that the use of Pain Monitor plus the therapist web will result in a reduction of pain intensity and side effects of the medication. Improvements on secondary outcomes, namely fatigue, mood, pain interference, rescue medication use and quality of life, are also expected. Mixed repeated-measure multivariate analyses of variances will be conducted to investigate whether there are differences between preassessment and postassessment scores as a function of the experimental condition.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval from the Hospital General Universitari de Castellon was obtained. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT03606265
Family-building decision aid and planning tool for young adult women after cancer treatment: protocol for preliminary testing of a web-based decision support intervention in a single-arm pilot study
Authors: Benedict Catherine , Ford Jennifer S , Schapira Lidia , Simon Pamela , Spiegel David , Diefenbach Michael 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionMany young adult female (YA-F) cancer survivors who received gonadotoxic therapy will experience fertility problems. After cancer, having a child will often require assisted reproductive technology (ART), surrogacy or adoption. However, there are significant informational, psychosocial, financial and logistical barriers to pursuing these options. Survivors report high rates of decision uncertainty and distress related to family-building decisions. The aim of this study is to pilot test a web-based decision aid and planning tool for family-building after cancer.Methods and analysisThe pilot study will use a single-arm trial design to test the feasibility and acceptability (aim 1) and obtain effect size estimates of the decision support intervention (aim 2). The target sample size is 100. Participants will include YA-F survivors (aged 18–45 years) who are post-treatment and have not completed desired family-building. A longitudinal prepost design will be conducted. Participants will complete three psychosocial assessment surveys over a 3-month time period to track decisional conflict (primary outcome) and cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning (secondary outcomes). After completing the baseline survey (T1; pre-intervention), participants will have access to the decision aid website. Postintervention surveys will be administered at 1-month (T2) and 3-month (T3) follow-up time points. Feasibility and acceptability metrics will be analysed. Pairwise t-tests will test mean scores of outcome variables from T1 to T2. Effect size estimates (Cohen’s d) will be calculated. Google analytics will evaluate user engagement with the website over the study period. Baseline and follow-up data will examine measures of feasibility, acceptability and intervention effect size.Ethics and disseminationThis will be the first test of a supportive intervention to guide YA-F cancer survivors in family-building decisions and early planning. Study findings will inform intervention development. Future directions will include a randomised controlled trial to test intervention efficacy over a longer time period.Trial registration numberNCT04059237; Pre-results.
Resilience and associative stigma among mental health professionals in a tertiary psychiatric hospital: a cross-sectional study in Singapore
Authors: Chang Sherilyn , Picco Louisa , Abdin Edimansyah , Yuan Qi , Chong Siow Ann , Subramaniam Mythily 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesThe mental health profession exposes healthcare workers to unique stressors such as associative stigma (stigmatisation that is extended from the stigmatised patients to psychiatric professionals and is based on affiliation with an individual with mental illness). Enhancing resilience, or the ability to ‘bounce back’ from adversity, is found to be useful in reducing occupational stress and its negative effects. In view of the high burnout rates reported among mental health professionals, this study aimed to examine resilience in this group of professionals and to explore the association between resilience and associative stigma.DesignObservational study—cross-sectional design.SettingTertiary psychiatry hospital in Singapore.ParticipantsThe study was conducted among 470 mental health professionals (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals) working in the hospital.MeasuresResilience was assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and participants completed questionnaires that examined associative stigma. Participants provided their sociodemographic information, length of service, and information on whether they knew of a close friend or family member who had a mental illness.ResultsMean resilience score for the overall sample was 3.59 (SD=0.64). Older age (β=0.012, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.019, p=0.003) and having known a family member or close friend with a mental illness (β=0.155, 95% CI 0.019 to 0.290, p=0.025) predicted higher BRS score. Associative stigma remained significantly associated with resilience score after controlling for sociodemographic factors whereby higher associative stigma predicted lower resilience scores.ConclusionThe present finding suggests that resilience building programmes among mental health workers should target those of the younger age group, and that addressing the issue of associative stigma is essential.
Does ‘online confidence’ predict application success and later academic performance in medical school? A UK-based national cohort study
Authors: Tiffin Paul A , Paton Lewis W 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesThe UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) previously piloted an assessment of ‘online confidence’, where candidates were asked to indicate how confident they were with their answers. This study examines the relationship between these ratings, the odds of receiving an offer to study medicine and subsequent undergraduate academic performance.DesignNational cohort study.SettingUK undergraduate medical selection.Participants56 785 UKCAT candidates who sat the test between 2013 and 2016 and provided valid responses to the online confidence pilot study.Primary outcome measuresTwo measures of ‘online confidence’ were derived: the well-established ‘confidence bias’, and; a novel ‘confidence judgement’ measure, developed using Item Response Theory in order to derive a more sophisticated metric of the ability to evaluate one’s own performance on a task. Regression models investigated the relationships between these confidence measures, application success and academic performance.ResultsOnline confidence was inversely related to cognitive performance. Relative underconfidence was associated with increased odds of receiving an offer to study medicine. For ‘confidence bias’ this effect was independent of potential confounders (OR 1.48, 1.15 to 1.91, p=0.002). While ‘confidence judgement’ was also a univariable predictor of application success (OR 1.22, 1.01 to 1.47, p=0.04), it was not an independent predictor. ‘Confidence bias’, but not ‘confidence judgement’, predicted the odds of passing the first year of university at the first attempt, independently of cognitive performance, with relative underconfidence positively related to academic success (OR 3.24, 1.08 to 9.72, p=0.04). No non-linear effects were observed, suggesting no ‘sweet spot’ exists in relation to online confidence and the outcomes studied.ConclusionsApplicants who either appear underconfident, or are better at judging their own performance on a task, are more likely to receive an offer to study medicine. However, online confidence estimates had limited ability to predict subsequent academic achievement. Moreover, there are practical challenges to evaluating online confidence in high-stakes selection.
Feasibility study of early outpatient review and early cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery: mixed-methods research design—a study protocol
Authors: Ngaage Dumbor , Mitchell Natasha , Dean Alexandra , Hirst Claire , Akowuah Enoch , Doherty Patrick Joseph , Fairhurst Caroline , Flemming Kate , Hewitt Catherine , Hinde Sebastian , Mitchell Alex , Nichols Simon , Watson Judith 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionFollowing cardiac surgery, patients currently attend an outpatient review 6 weeks after hospital discharge, where recovery is assessed and suitability to commence cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is determined. CR is then started from 8 weeks. Following a median sternotomy, cardiac surgery patients are required to refrain from upper body exercises, lifting of heavy objects and other strenuous activities for 12 weeks. A delay in starting CR can prolong the recovery process, increase dependence on family/carers and can cause frustration. However, current guidelines for activity and exercise after median sternotomy have been described as restrictive, anecdotal and increasingly at odds with modern clinical guidance for CR. This study aims to examine the feasibility of bringing forward outpatient review and starting CR earlier.Methods and analysesThis is a multicentre, randomised controlled, open feasibility trial comparing postoperative outpatient review 6 weeks after hospital discharge, followed by CR commencement from 8 weeks (control arm) versus, postoperative outpatient review 3 weeks after hospital discharge, followed by commencement of CR from 4 weeks (intervention arm). The study aims to recruit 100 eligible patients, aged 18–80 years who have undergone elective or urgent cardiac surgery involving a full median sternotomy, over a 7-month period across two centres. Feasibility will be measured by consent, recruitment, retention rates and attendance at appointments and CR sessions. Qualitative interviews with trial participants and staff will explore issues around study processes and acceptability of the intervention and the findings integrated with the feasibility trial outcomes to inform the design of a future full-scale randomised controlled trial.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by East Midlands—Derby Research Ethics Committee on 10 January 2019. The findings will be presented at relevant conferences disseminated via peer-reviewed research publications, and to relevant stakeholders.Trial registration numberISRCTN80441309
Rehabilitation in palliative care: a qualitative study of team professionals
Authors: Harding Zoe , Hall Charlie , Lloyd Anna 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesThere has been a recent drive to embed rehabilitation within palliative care. The concept of rehabilitative palliative care has been advocated to help patients preserve function and independence, through greater patient enablement and self-management. Such an approach requires engagement from all members of the palliative care team. There is a lack of understanding of such viewpoints. The objective of this research was to explore hospice-based palliative care professionals’ understanding and perceptions of rehabilitation.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. Eighteen hospice-based healthcare professionals were recruited from a hospice in central Scotland. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.ResultsOverall, participants clearly articulated the underlying values and benefits of rehabilitative palliative care. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that rehabilitation was appropriately tailored to each individual patient. There was more ambiguity regarding the pragmatic implementation of rehabilitative palliative care, with a number of barriers and facilitators identified.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that hospice-based palliative care professionals would be receptive to further implementation of rehabilitative palliative care. A lack of conceptual clarity among palliative care professionals may be a barrier to the effective implementation of rehabilitative palliative care. At an organisational level, this would require clarification of the approach, and additional training involving all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Using Bluetooth beacon technology to reduce distracted pedestrian behaviour: a cross-over trial study protocol
Authors: Schwebel David C , Hasan Ragib , Griffin Russell 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveOver 6400 American pedestrians die annually, a figure that is currently increasing. One hypothesised reason for the increasing trend is the role of mobile technology in distracting both pedestrians and drivers. Scientists and policy-makers have attended somewhat to distracted driving, but attention to distracted pedestrian behaviour has lagged. We will evaluate Bluetooth beacon technology as a means to alert and warn pedestrians when they approach intersections, reminding them to attend to the traffic environment and cross streets safely.MethodsBluetooth beacons are small devices that broadcast information unidirectionally within a closed proximal network. We will place beacons at an intersection frequently trafficked by urban college students. From there, the beacons will transmit to an app installed on users’ smartphones, signalling users to attend to their environment and cross the street safely. A cross-over trial will evaluate the app with 411 adults who frequently cross the target intersection on an urban university campus. We will monitor those participants’ behaviour over three distinct time periods: (1) 3 weeks without the app being activated, (2) 3 weeks with the app activated and (3) 4 weeks without the app activated to assess retention of behaviour. Throughout the 10-week period, we will gather information to evaluate whether the intervention changes distracted pedestrian behaviour using a logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of key behavioural outcome measures and adjusting for any residual confounding. We also will test for changes in perceived risk. The trial will follow CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement guidelines, as modified for cross-over design studies.ConclusionIf this program proves successful, it offers exciting implications for future testing and ultimately for broad distribution to reduce distracted pedestrian behavior. We discuss issues of feasibility, acceptability and scalability.