bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standardized patients in psychotherapy training and clinical supervision: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kühne Franziska , Heinze Peter Eric , Weck Florian 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Psychotherapy is highly effective and widely acknowledged for treating various mental disorders. Nevertheless, in terms of methods for teaching effective psychotherapeutic approaches and competencies, there has been a lack of investigation. Training and supervision are the main strategies for teaching therapist competencies, and standardized role-plays with simulated patients (i.e., trained individuals playing someone with a mental disorder) seem useful for evaluating training approaches. In medical education, this procedure is now internationally established. However, so far, little use has been made of standardized role-playing to evaluate training and supervision in the area of clinical psychology and psychotherapy.

Methods
In this study, standardized role-plays are used to evaluate methods for training and supervision. Central cognitive behavioral approaches for treating depression are taught in the training. The first experiment compares an active training approach (i.e., model learning) with a passive one (i.e., reading manual-based instructions). The second experiment compares a direct supervision technique (i.e., supervision based on video analysis) with an indirect one (i.e., supervision based on verbal reporting). In each experiment, 68 bachelor’s and master’s students of psychology will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Each student takes part in three role-plays (baseline, post and 3-month follow-up), which are all videotaped. Two independent raters assess therapist competencies in each role-play on the basis of a standardized competence scale.

Discussion
The research project aims to contribute to the development of specific training and supervision methods in order to improve psychotherapy training and patient care.

Trial registration
ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN19173895. Registered on 10 December 2019.
Protocol for a randomized control trial of the caregiver support intervention with Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Authors: Miller Kenneth E. , Arnous Maguy , Tossyeh Fadila , Chen Alexandra , Bakolis Ioannis , Koppenol-Gonzalez Gabriela V. , Nahas Nayla , Jordans Mark J. D. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
There is evidence that chronic stress negatively impacts parenting among refugees and other war-affected communities. Persistent parental stress and distress may lead to unresponsive, anxious, or overly harsh parenting and a corresponding increase in emotional and behavior problems among children. Most parenting interventions emphasize the acquisition of knowledge and skills; however, this overlooks the deleterious effects of chronic stress on parenting. The Caregiver Support Intervention (CSI) aims to strengthen quality of parenting skills by lowering stress and improving psychosocial wellbeing among refugee caregivers of children aged 3–12 years, while also increasing knowledge and skills related to positive parenting. The CSI is a nine-session psychosocial group intervention delivered by non-specialist providers. It is intended for all adult primary caregivers of children in high-adversity communities, rather than specifically targeting caregivers already showing signs of elevated distress.

Methods/design
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the CSI through a parallel group randomized controlled study with Syrian refugee families in North Lebanon. Participants will be primary caregivers of children aged 3–12 years, with one index child per family. Families will be randomized to the CSI or a waitlist control group.
A total of 240 families (480 caregivers) will be recruited into the study. Randomization will be at the family level, and CSI groups will be held separately for women and men. The study will be implemented in two waves. Outcomes for both arms will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is quality of parenting skills. Secondary outcomes include parental warmth and sensitivity, harsh parenting, parenting knowledge, and child psychosocial wellbeing. Putative mediators of the CSI on parenting are caregiver stress, distress, psychosocial wellbeing, and stress management.

Discussion
This trial may establish the CSI as an effective intervention for strengthening parenting in families living in settings of high adversity, particularly refugee communities.

Trial registration
International Society for the Registration of Clinical Trials, ISRCTN22321773. Registered on 5 August 2019
Ginger in patients with active ulcerative colitis: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shayesteh Forough , Haidari Fatemeh , Shayesteh Ali Akbar , Mohammadi-Asl Javad , Ahmadi-Angali Kambiz 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
As a lifetime disorder, ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects quality of life and also demands long-term interventions. In spite of considerable side effects and sometimes restricted uses, efficient medications are available for UC treatment. Some in vitro and in vivo examinations have correspondingly introduced ginger and its active components with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcerative properties. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the effect of ginger supplementation on patients with active UC.

Methods
This study will be a 12-week, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) in which 44 patients will be allocated to ginger and placebo groups receiving basic routine treatments plus ginger or placebo capsules, respectively. The primary outcomes are inflammatory markers (TNF-α and hs-CRP) and total antioxidant capacity.

Discussion
The findings of this trial will provide evidence on the effect of ginger on patients with active UC.

Trial registration
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20190129042552N1. Registered on 21 June 2019.
Multiplex PCRs for the specific identification of marsupial and deer species from faecal samples as a basis for non-invasive epidemiological studies of parasites
Authors: Koehler Anson V. , Zhang Yan , Wang Tao , Haydon Shane R. , Gasser Robin B. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The specific identification of animals through the analysis of faecal DNA is important in many areas of scientific endeavour, particularly in the field of parasitology.

Methods
Here, we designed and assessed two multiplex PCR assays using genetic markers in a mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene region for the unequivocal identification and discrimination of animal species based on the specific amplification of DNA from faecal samples collected from water catchment areas in Victoria, Australia. One of these assays differentiates three marsupial species (eastern grey kangaroo, swamp wallaby and common wombat) and the other distinguishes three deer species (fallow, red and sambar deer). We tested these two assays using a total of 669 faecal samples, collected as part of an ongoing programme to monitor parasites and microorganisms in these animals.

Results
These two PCR assays are entirely specific for these animal species and achieve analytical sensitivities of 0.1–1.0 picogram (pg). We tested 669 faecal samples and found that some previous inferences of species based on faecal morphology were erroneous. We were able to molecularly authenticate all of the 669 samples.

Conclusions
We have established PCR assays that accurately distinguish the faecal samples of some of the prominent large mammalian herbivores found within a water catchment system in the state of Victoria, Australia. The multiplex assays for marsupials and deer produce amplicons that are easily differentiable based on their size on an agarose gel, and can be readily sequenced for definitive species authentication. Although established for marsupials and deer, the methodology used here can be applied to other host-parasite study systems to ensure data integrity.
Detection of enteric parasite DNA in household and bed dust samples: potential for infection transmission
Authors: Mejia Rojelio , Seco-Hidalgo Victor , Garcia-Ramon Diana , Calderón Evelyn , Lopez Andrea , Cooper Philip J. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Enteric parasites are transmitted in households but few studies have sampled inside households for parasites and none have used sensitive molecular methods.

Methods
We collected bed and living room dust samples from households of children participating in a clinical trial of anthelmintic treatment in rural coastal Ecuador. Dust was examined for presence of DNA specific for 11 enteric parasites (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara canis and T. cati, Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Entamoeba histolytica) by quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Results
Of the 38 households sampled, 37 had positive dust for at least one parasite and up to 8 parasites were detected in single samples. Positivity was greatest for B. hominis (79% of household samples) indicating a high level of environmental fecal contamination. Dust positivity rates for individual pathogens were: S. stercoralis (52%), A. lumbricoides (39%), G. lamblia (39%), Toxocara spp. (42%), hookworm (18%) and T. trichiura (8%). DNA for Cryptosporidium spp. and E. histolytica was not detected. Bed dust was more frequently positive than floor samples for all parasites detected. Positivity for A. lumbricoides DNA in bed (adjusted OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 2.0–50.1) but not floor dust (adjusted OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 0.3–37.9) was significantly associated with active infections in children.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first use of qPCR on environmental samples to detect a wide range of enteric pathogen DNA. Our results indicate widespread contamination of households with parasite DNA and raise the possibility that beds, under conditions of overcrowding in a humid tropical setting, may be a source of transmission.
How much of skin improvement over time in systemic sclerosis is due to normal ageing? A prospective study with shear-wave elastography
Authors: Santiago T. , Santiago M. , Coutinho M. , Salvador M. J. , Da Silva J. A. P. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Measurement of skin involvement is essential for the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis and disease progression in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) is the gold standard measure of skin thickness, but it has been criticised for the lack of objectivity, poor inter-observer reproducibility and lack of sensitivity to change. Recently, shear-wave elastography (SWE) emerged as a promising tool for the objective and quantitative assessment of the skin in SSc patients. However, no studies have evaluated its sensitivity to change over time.

Objective
To assess changes in skin stiffness in SSc patients using SWE during a 5-year follow-up.

Methods
Skin stiffness [i.e. shear-wave velocity values (SWV) in metres per second] was assessed by SWE ultrasound (using virtual touch image quantification) at the 17 sites of the mRSS, in each participant, at baseline and follow-up. mRSS was performed at both time points. Differences between groups were analysed using the related-samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results
We included 21 patients [85.7% females; mean age 56.3 (10.4) years at baseline, 57.1% with limited SSc] and 15 healthy controls [73.3% females; mean age 53.6 (14.1) years)]. The median follow-up was 4.9 (0.4) years.
Skin stiffness decreased significantly at all Rodnan sites (p ≤ 0.001) (except in the fingers), in SSc patients, over time. The same phenomenon occurred in controls, but to a lesser degree, in terms of percentage change.
The percentage reduction in skin stiffness varied in the different Rodnan sites and in different phases of the disease. In addition, SWV values also decreased significantly in 15/16 skin sites with local normal Rodnan at baseline, whereas local Rodnan skin score only changed significantly in the upper arm (p = 0.046) and forearm (p = 0.026).

Conclusion
This study provides first-time evidence suggesting that skin SWV values are more sensitive to change over time than mRSS and reduce significantly over time in SSc and normal controls.
Breast milk vitamin B12 concentration and incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections among infants in urban Tanzania: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lweno Omar N. , Sudfeld Christopher R. , Hertzmark Ellen , Manji Karim P. , Darling Anne Marie , Fawzi Wafaie W. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective
A recent trial of vitamin B12 supplementation among Indian children 6–30 months found no effect on the incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections. These results differ with studies in adults that showed improvement of the immune response following treatment with vitamin B12. We sought to determine how the adequacy of vitamin B12 concentrations in breast milk could act as immune modulator and protect against the incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections of children up to 18 months in urban Tanzania.

Results
A prospective cohort study was undertaken to determine the association of breast milk vitamin B12 concentration with the incidence of acute respiratory infection and diarrhea among infants in urban Tanzania. A random sample of 491 women enrolled in a trial of multivitamins provided milk for B12 analysis at or around 6 weeks postpartum. Of 491 women, 345 had breast milk vitamin B12 inadequacy (< 310 pmol/L). Using generalized estimating equations, we found no overall association of milk vitamin B12 concentration with incident diarrhea and acute respiratory infections in infants. Studies measuring longitudinal changes of breast milk B12 concentration over time are needed to clarify the role of breast milk vitamin B12 in childhood infections.
Effects of oxytocin administration on salivary sex hormone levels in autistic and neurotypical women
Authors: Procyshyn Tanya L. , Lombardo Michael V. , Lai Meng-Chuan , Auyeung Bonnie , Crockford Sarah K. , Deakin J , Soubramanian S. , Sule A , Baron-Cohen Simon , Bethlehem Richard A. I. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Oxytocin administration, which may be of therapeutic value for individuals with social difficulties, is likely to affect endogenous levels of other socially relevant hormones. However, to date, the effects of oxytocin administration on endogenous hormones have only been examined in neurotypical individuals. The need to consider multi-hormone interactions is particularly warranted in oxytocin trials for autism due to evidence of irregularities in both oxytocin and sex steroid systems.

Methods
In this double-blind cross-over study, saliva samples were collected from 16 autistic and 29 neurotypical women before and after intranasal administration of 24 IU oxytocin or placebo. Oestradiol, testosterone, and oxytocin levels were quantified in saliva samples. Participants also completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Empathy Quotient (EQ) questionnaires.

Results
Distinct patterns of change in testosterone and oestradiol levels pre- to-post-administration were observed in autistic relative to neurotypical women (ANCOVA, p < 0.05 main effect of Group), controlling for sample collection time. The mean percent change oestradiol was + 8.8% for the autism group and − 13.0% for the neurotypical group (t = 1.81, p = 0.08), while the mean percent change testosterone was + 1.1% in the autism group and − 12.6% in the neurotypical group (t = 1.26, p = 0.22). In the oxytocin condition, the mean percent change oestradiol was + 12.6% in the autism group and − 6.9% in the neurotypical group (t = 1.78, p = 0.08), while the mean percent change testosterone was + 14.4% in the autism group and − 15.2% in the neurotypical group (t = 3.00, p = 0.006). Robust regression confirmed that group differences in percent change hormone levels were not driven by a small number of influential individuals. Baseline hormone levels did not differ between groups when considered individually. However, baseline testosterone relative to oestradiol (T:E2 ratio) was higher in autistic women (p = 0.023, Cohen’s d = 0.63), and this ratio correlated positively and negatively with AQ and EQ scores, respectively, in the combined sample.

Limitations
Further studies with larger and more diverse autistic sample are warranted to confirm these effects.

Conclusions
This study provides the first evidence that oxytocin influences endogenous testosterone levels in autistic individuals, with autistic women showing increases similar to previous reports of neurotypical men. These findings highlight the need to consider sex steroid hormones as a variable in future oxytocin trials.
COVER: conformational oversampling as data augmentation for molecules
Authors: Hemmerich Jennifer , Asilar Ece , Ecker Gerhard F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTraining neural networks with small and imbalanced datasets often leads to overfitting and disregard of the minority class. For predictive toxicology, however, models with a good balance between sensitivity and specificity are needed. In this paper we introduce conformational oversampling as a means to balance and oversample datasets for prediction of toxicity. Conformational oversampling enhances a dataset by generation of multiple conformations of a molecule. These conformations can be used to balance, as well as oversample a dataset, thereby increasing the dataset size without the need of artificial samples. We show that conformational oversampling facilitates training of neural networks and provides state-of-the-art results on the Tox21 dataset.
Transformer-CNN: Swiss knife for QSAR modeling and interpretation
Authors: Karpov Pavel , Godin Guillaume , Tetko Igor V. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe present SMILES-embeddings derived from the internal encoder state of a Transformer [1] model trained to canonize SMILES as a Seq2Seq problem. Using a CharNN [2] architecture upon the embeddings results in higher quality interpretable QSAR/QSPR models on diverse benchmark datasets including regression and classification tasks. The proposed Transformer-CNN method uses SMILES augmentation for training and inference, and thus the prognosis is based on an internal consensus. That both the augmentation and transfer learning are based on embeddings allows the method to provide good results for small datasets. We discuss the reasons for such effectiveness and draft future directions for the development of the method. The source code and the embeddings needed to train a QSAR model are available on https://github.com/bigchem/transformer-cnn. The repository also has a standalone program for QSAR prognosis which calculates individual atoms contributions, thus interpreting the model’s result. OCHEM [3] environment (https://ochem.eu) hosts the on-line implementation of the method proposed.
Clinical significance of miR-19b-3p in patients with sepsis and its regulatory role in the LPS-induced inflammatory response
Authors: Xu Huimin , Liu Xiuwu , Ni Huaijun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the development and progression of sepsis. This study investigated the clinical value of miR-19b-3p in sepsis patients, and explored its role in regulating inflammatory responses in HUVECs cells.

Methods
103 patients with sepsis and 98 healthy individuals were recruited. qRT-PCR was used for the measurement of miR-19b-3p level. Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8. The protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured using ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analysis were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values of miR-19b-3p in sepsis patients.

Results
MiR-19b-3p level was significantly reduced in the serum from patients with sepsis compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). Sepsis patients in the survival group had significantly high miR-19b-3p levels compared with the non-survival group (P < 0.001). MiR-19b-3p was of a good value in predicting sepsis risk, and was an independent prognostic factor for 28-day survival in sepsis patients (OR = 3.226, 95% CI 1.076–9.670, P = 0.037). MiR-19b-3p level was negatively associated with serum levels of IL-6 (r = − 0.852, P < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = − 0.761, P < 0.001). Overexpression of miR-19b-3p alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory response of HUVECs, which was reflected by the decrease of the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α induced by LPS treatment (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
MiR-19b-3p might be a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis patients. Overexpression of miR-19b-3p alleviated sepsis-induced inflammatory responses.
Cities and migration: generative urban policies through contextual vulnerability
Authors: Monno Valeria , Serreli Silvia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper deals with the relationships between urban policies for the integration of migrants and the construction of new spaces of coexistence in the contemporary city. It discusses the limits of the current conceptual framework of integration and shows how it works in a way that seperates space and people from each other. This creates marginalisation and segregation in already unjust and uneven cities. By contrast, the paper proposes a different perspective toward the construction of coexistence between local populations and migrants. It places a particular emphasis on contextual vulnerability and on its role in generative planning experiments that are aimed at creating inclusive cities. It also reflects on some of these experiences by considering their potential to reconnect local people, migrants and places, and shows how a focus on a relational and embodied understanding of vulnerability can give rise to supportive, less disciplining forms of coexistence in the contemporary city.
Linear feature extraction from point cloud using color information
Authors: Alshawabkeh Yahya 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
LiDAR is considered as an effective technology for digitizing the real scene at a very high-resolution and in a short time. However, the resolution of the LiDAR is not sufficient to identify and evaluate the façade surface features like edges and cracks. Generally, photographs provide a better interpretation of the linear characteristics. The complementary benefits of each allow exploring valuable spatial information with different surface detail levels. The paper introduces a flexible image-based approach for linear feature extraction from LiDAR point cloud. Initially, the algorithm converts the point clouds into a structured depth image to reduce the complexity and computation time. Using transformation matrix and camera calibration parameters, the visible point clouds are perceptively projected into color image space using co-linearity equations. The result depth channel is sampled with the interpolation process and added to the color channels to compute (RGBD) layers. The edges and linear features of the surface are initially extracted using the optical 2D imagery and subsequently, each pixel of the linear features can be projected directly into 3D space. Due to the various acquisition positions of the laser and color images, the issue of occlusion is resolved using the visibility algorithm. Applying the methodology, experimental results from the Treasury Monument of Jordan’s ancient Petra City, indicate that the developed approach provides adequate contour points for better interpretation and quantification of weathering processes and dangerous cracking. 3D Modeling these features can also reduce data size, facilitating surface inspection and analysis with simpler models.