bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why do nurses choose to stay silent?: A qualitative study
Authors: Yalçın Begüm , Baykal Ülkü , Türkmen Emine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explore nurses' views and experiences regarding remaining silent.BackgroundSilence is a barrier for organizational improvement and can occur for many reasons; it cannot be simply defined as the opposite of speaking out.MethodAn exploratory qualitative design was used for this study. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews in 2016 with 24 nurses who were recruited by using a snowball sampling method.ResultsThree themes emerged as a result of the thematic analysis: fear, silence climate and disengagement. The first theme contained three subthemes: avoidance of being seen as a troublemaker, financial loss and reluctance to reveal lack of ability or knowledge. The results indicated that nurses remained silent when they felt unsupported or psychologically unsafe in their work environment.ConclusionEncouraging nurses to express their opinions is essential for creating a psychologically safe nursing work environment and an organizational climate that supports open communication. Because the majority of healthcare professionals are nurses, they can act as role models and change agents for other nurses if they are encouraged to share their ideas and opinions without fear of retribution.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) influence on health and ovarian functions
Authors: Sirotkin Alexander V. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper reviews provenance, processing and properties of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis, Brum.f) and its numerous biologically active constituents, as well as the currently available knowledge concerning their physiological and medicinal effects and their possible extra‐ and intracellular mechanisms of action. Search for literature was performed in agreement with the preferred reporting items for systematic review criteria in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases between the years 2000 and 2021. The limited number of in vitro studies suggests an influence of rooibos on basic ovarian cell functions, as well as its potential applicability to control female reproduction and prevent the effect of environmental contaminants on ovarian functions. Nevertheless, further studies are required for better understanding of the character and mechanisms of action, as well as of rooibos’ application in reproductive biology and medicine.
Effects of dietary supplementation with filamentous microalgae (Oedocladium sp. or Tribonema ultriculosum) on growth performance, fillet fatty acid composition, skin pigmentation, and immune response of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
Authors: Chen Weijun , Wang Yu , Han Danxiang , Han Dong , Zhu Xiaoming , Xie Shouqi , Long Feiping , Jia Jing , Hu Qiang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA 40‐day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary microalgae Oedocladium sp. or Tribonema ultriculosum supplementation on growth performance, fillet fatty acid composition, skin pigmentation, and immune response of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Two hundred and seventy experimental fish (51.19 ± 1.17 g) were distributed among nine net cages (2 × 2 × 2 m3) in a randomized design and were fed diets containing 0% (control), 4% Oedocladium meal (Oedocladium), and 5% T. utriculosum meal (Tribonema) to apparent satiation twice a day. After the feeding trial, a hypoxic stress test was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary microalgal supplementation on fish immune response. Compared to the control, microalgal supplementation did not affect fish growth performance. Dietary supplementation of T. utriculosum significantly increased fillet contents of palmitoleic acid by 100.44% and eicosapentaenoic acid by 12.51%, while the supplementation of Oedocladium meal in diet significantly increased the fish skin ventral lutein content by 61.6%. In addition, dietary Oedocladium or T. utriculosum supplementation significantly increased the plasma total superoxide dismutase activity (before hypoxic stress) and complement component 3 contents (after hypoxic stress). The addition of T. utriculosum meal also significantly increased the plasma immunoglobulin M content regardless of hypoxic stress. These results demonstrated Oedocladium sp. and T. utriculosum can be used to enhance fillet nutritional quality, skin pigmentation, and fish immune response.
Peatland microbial community responses to plant functional group and drought are depth‐dependent
Authors: Lamit Louis J. , Romanowicz Karl J. , Potvin Lynette R. , Lennon Jay T. , Tringe Susannah G. , Chimner Rodney A. , Kolka Randall K. , Kane Evan S. , Lilleskov Erik A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPeatlands store one‐third of Earth's soil carbon, the stability of which is uncertain due to climate change‐driven shifts in hydrology and vegetation, and consequent impacts on microbial communities that mediate decomposition. Peatland carbon cycling varies over steep physicochemical gradients characterizing vertical peat profiles. However, it is unclear how drought‐mediated changes in plant functional groups (PFGs) and water table (WT) levels affect microbial communities at different depths. We combined a multiyear mesocosm experiment with community sequencing across a 70‐cm depth gradient, to test the hypotheses that vascular PFGs (Ericaceae vs. sedges) and WT (high vs. low) structure peatland microbial communities in depth‐dependent ways. Several key results emerged. (i) Both fungal and prokaryote (bacteria and archaea) community structure shifted with WT and PFG manipulation, but fungi were much more sensitive to PFG whereas prokaryotes were much more sensitive to WT. (ii) PFG effects were largely driven by Ericaceae, although sedge effects were evident in specific cases (e.g., methanotrophs). (iii) Treatment effects varied with depth: the influence of PFG was strongest in shallow peat (0–10, 10–20 cm), whereas WT effects were strongest at the surface and middle depths (0–10, 30–40 cm), and all treatment effects waned in the deepest peat (60–70 cm). Our results underline the depth‐dependent and taxon‐specific ways that plant communities and hydrologic variability shape peatland microbial communities, pointing to the importance of understanding how these factors integrate across soil profiles when examining peatland responses to climate change.
Comparative assessment of microsatellite and retrotransposon‐based markers for genetic characterization of commercial banana cultivars (Musa spp.)
Authors: González Carracedo Mario , Tejera‐Pérez Hugo , Hernández Ferrer Mariano , Jiménez Arias David , Pérez Pérez José Antonio 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBanana cultivars of agronomic interest have been genetically characterized using two different molecular markers. On the one hand, a panel of 14 trinucleotide single sequence repeats (SSRs or microsatellites) was optimized for homogeneous PCR conditions. It was tested with 50 individuals from seven cultivars, yielding 76 alleles and 5.4 ± 1.8 alleles per locus, while the presence of cultivar‐exclusive alleles allowed the discrimination of all cultivars. On the other hand, a retrotransposon‐based marker system named inter‐primer binding site (iPBS) was implemented for the first time in the Musa genus. A total of 120 bands were detected in eight different Musa cultivars, from which 65.8% were polymorphic and 23.3% were cultivar exclusive. Both techniques allowed a cut‐off identification of all cultivars studied, but overall, iPBS analysis was a more straightforward and economical choice. Despite the fact that we were unable to distinguish local banana varieties belonging to the same cultivar, new cultivar‐specific molecular markers have been developed for the Musa genus, which could be used to guide new breeding programmes and maintain high quality of Plátano de Canarias.
Is it necessary to wait several minutes between applications of different topical ophthalmic solutions? A preliminary study with tropicamide eye drops in healthy dogs
Authors: Arad Dikla , Deckel Reut , Pe’er Oren , Ross Maya , Sebbag Lionel , Ofri Ron 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of topical tropicamide when placed at different time intervals before or after a saline drop.Animals studiedEight healthy Labrador and golden retriever dogs.ProceduresThe effect of 1% tropicamide on pupillary diameter (PD) was measured over 240 min when administered alone (control) and then 1 and 5 min prior to, or following, application of a saline drop, with 1‐week washout between each of the five trials. Data were analyzed using repeated‐measures ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test.ResultsOnly 6/110 pairwise comparisons among the 5 trials were statistically significant (p ≤ .035), with post‐hoc analysis showing no significant differences (p ≥ .14) between the overall means of all trials. In all five trials, maximal PD was reached 30 min after tropicamide application and maintained until 210 min for 180 min (p = .0005).ConclusionsOur results suggest that waiting 1 min between applications of different ophthalmic solutions may be sufficient for maximal drug effect. Care should be taken when extrapolating these results to other species and different ophthalmic formulations.
Determining the efficacy of the bovine amniotic membrane homogenate during the healing process in rabbits' ex vivo corneas
Authors: Capistrano da Silva Erotides , Carossino Mariano , Smith‐Fleming Kathryn M. , Langohr Ingeborg M. , Martins Bianca da C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of bovine amniotic membrane homogenate (BAMH) on wounded ex vivo rabbit corneas.ProcedureEighteen corneas obtained from normal rabbit eyes were wounded equally using a 6 mm trephine and cultured into an air‐liquid interface model. Corneas were treated with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (n = 6, control group), 0.2% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA; n = 6), or BAMH (n = 6). All treatments were applied topically 6 times/day. Each cornea was macrophotographed daily with and without fluorescein stain to assess epithelialization and haziness. After 7 days, corneal transparency was evaluated, and the tissues prepared for histologic analysis of viability, and total and epithelial thickness.ResultsThe mean epithelialization time was 6.2 ± 0.82 days for the control group, 6.2 ± 0.75 days for the EDTA‐treated group, and 5.1 ± 0.40 days for the BAMH‐treated group, demonstrating a significant difference between the BAMH and the other groups. The corneas that received EDTA had better transparency compared with the other groups. Histologically, all corneas had adequate morphology and architecture after healing. Analysis of corneal and epithelial thickness revealed no significant difference among groups.ConclusionBovine amniotic membrane homogenate is an effective and promising treatment for stromal and epithelial ulcers.
Comparison of conjunctival microbiota of clinically normal Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Authors: Arteaga Kevin , Aftab Ghazal , Rajaei Seyed Mehdi , Faghihi Houman , Crasta Manuela 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study was performed to determine the conjunctival microbiota of Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).Animals studiedTwenty‐five Persian cats: 15 with bilateral NLDO (Group A) and 10 with no NLDO (Group B).ProceduresAll fifty eyes were assessed. Sterile swab applicators were used for the collection of specimens, which were cultured. PCR was performed on conjunctival swab and blood samples for the detection of Mycoplasma spp. and feline herpesvirus 1(FHV‐1), respectively.ResultsFHV‐1 was detected in two cats in Group A. Twelve eyes from Group A and four from Group B were Mycoplasma spp. positive based on the PCR results. Moreover, fungal culture was positive in six eyes from Group A and three eyes from Group B. The dominant fungus isolated was Aspergillus spp. (6 out of 11 fungal isolates). Other isolated fungi were Alternaria spp. and Cladosporidium spp. Twenty‐three eyes had positive bacterial culture in Group A, while twelve eyes were positive in Group B. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis (15 out of 38 bacterial isolates). β‐hemolytic Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in similar proportions in both groups. Escherichia coli was also present in both groups.ConclusionsResults of this study revealed same isolated fungal and bacterial spp. and in similar proportions in Persian cats with and without NLDO.
An Investigation of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Energy Consumption in the United States
Authors: Kahn Lindsey , Najafi Hamidreza 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Lockdown measures and mobility restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19 have impacted energy consumption patterns. The overall decline of energy use during lockdown restrictions can best be identified through the analysis of energy consumption by source and end-use sectors. Using monthly energy consumption data, the total 9-months use between January and September for the years 2015–2020 is calculated for each end-use sector (transportation, industrial, residential, and commercial). The cumulative consumption within these 9 months of the petroleum, natural gas, biomass, and electricity energy by the various end-use sectors are compared. The analysis shows that the transportation sector experienced the greatest decline (14.38%). To further analyze the impact of COVID-19 on each state within the USA, the consumption of electricity by each state and each end-use sector in the times before and during the pandemic is used to identify the impact of specific lockdown procedures on energy use. The distinction of state-by-state analysis in this study provides a unique metric for consumption forecasting. The average total consumption for each state was found for the years 2015–2019. The total average annual growth rate (AAGR) for 2020 was used to find a correlation coefficient between COVID-19 case and death rate, population density, and lockdown duration. A correlation coefficient was also calculated between the 2020 AAGR for all sectors and AAGR for each individual end-user. The results show that Indiana had the highest percent reduction in consumption of 10.07% while North Dakota had the highest consumption increase of 7.61%. This is likely due to the amount of industrial consumption relative to other sectors in the state.
Biostratigraphy, Age, and Paleoenvironment of the Pliocene Beaufort Formation on Meighen Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Barendregt R.W. , Matthews Jr.* J.V. , Behan-Pelletier V. , Brigham-Grette J. , Fyles† J.G. , Ovenden L.E. , McNeil D.H. , Brouwers E. , Marincovich L. , Rybczynski N. , Fletcher§ T.L. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTMeighen Island, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is one of the most important localities for study of the late Neogene Beaufort Formation because of the presence of marine sediments interbedded with terrestrial fossiliferous sands. The stratigraphic succession, fossils from the marine beds, correlation with reconstructions of sea level, and paleomagnetic data from the Bjaere Bay region of the island suggest that the Beaufort Formation on Meighen Island was likely deposited either at 3.2–2.9 Ma or during two intervals at ca. 4.5 Ma and 3.4 Ma. The exposed Beaufort Formation on Meighen Island probably encompasses at least one warm interval and eustatic sea-level highstand of the Pliocene.Fossils of plants and arthropods are abundant in the alluvial sands exposed in the Bjaere Bay region. The lower part of the sequence (Unit A), beneath the muddy marine sequence (Unit B), contains plant taxa that have not been seen above the marine beds. Sediments below the marine beds are dominated more by fossils of trees, whereas the organic debris from above marine beds contains many fossils of plants, insects, and mites characteristic of open treeless sites. Regional tree line probably occurred on Meighen Island during deposition of the upper sediments, which implies a mean July climate at least 9 °C warmer than at present. When the marine sediments were deposited, nearshore water temperatures probably did not fall below 0 °C; hence, the Arctic Ocean probably lacked perennial ice cover. This confirms recent modeling experiments exploring the causes of Arctic amplification of temperature that have found the removal of sea ice to be a key factor in resolving previous proxy-model mismatches.
Effectiveness of a short-structured training programme on knowledge of healthcare providers and programme managers involved in maternal and child health programmes in Odisha, India: a quality improvement study
Authors: Bhatia Vikas , Singh Arvind Kumar , Giri Prajna Paramita , Sahoo Durgesh Prasad 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of training programme on knowledge related to new interventions proposed under India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) and Integrated Action Plan against Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD).DesignQuality improvement study with pre-evaluation and post evaluation.SettingThe study was conducted in 17 districts of Odisha, India.Participants and interventionsThe participants were healthcare providers and programme managers involved in maternal and child health programmes. Intervention was a short-structured (8 hours) training delivered to 127 batches with expected participation of 30 trainees in each batch. Training was divided into four modules covering new interventions related to INAP and IAPPD like causes of neonatal death, kangaroo mother care (KMC), feeding of low birthweight (LBW) infants, use of injection gentamicin, identification of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI), identification and management of pneumonia and diarrhoea and key interventions for maternal health. Various modalities of teaching-learning method were used.Outcome measuresPretraining and post-training knowledge assessment was done with a pretested tool consisting of 15 items. Each item carried equal weightage in calculation of knowledge score thus maximum possible knowledge score was 15. Feedback assessment was also done after the training.ResultsThe mean (SD) knowledge score significantly improved to 10.24 (2.24) after training as compared with 4.73 (1.94) before training, p<0.001 (n=982). There was significant improvement in knowledge for majority of the components namely causes of neonatal death (61.9% vs 28.1%), KMC (68.0% vs 54.6%), feeding of LBW infants (77.7% vs 6.9%), use of injection gentamicin (69.7% vs 11.2%), identification of PSBI (69.5% vs 59.5%). The improvement in knowledge score was more when healthcare providers and programme managers had provided a favourable response on feedback.ConclusionSystematic pretest and post-test assessment coupled with feedback assessment can ensure the effectiveness of training programmes offered in programmatic settings.
Interventions for the well-being of healthcare workers during a pandemic or other crisis: scoping review
Authors: Cairns Patrick , Aitken Gill , Pope Lindsey Margaret , Cecil Joanne E , Cunningham Kathryn B , Ferguson Julie , Gibson Smith Katie , Gordon Lisi , Johnston Peter , Laidlaw Anita , Scanlan Gillian Marion , Tooman Tricia R , Wakeling Judy , Walker Kim 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesThe aim of this scoping review was to identify pre-existing interventions to support the well-being of healthcare workers during a pandemic or other crisis and to assess the quality of these interventions.DesignArksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review framework was used to identify the types of evidence available in the field of well-being interventions for healthcare workers during a pandemic. PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and ERIC databases were searched to find interventions for the well-being of doctors during pandemics. Owing to a lack of results, this search was expanded to all healthcare workers and to include any crisis. Databases were searched in June 2020 and again in October 2020.Inclusion/exclusion criteriaArticles were included that studied healthcare workers, reported an intervention design and were specifically designed for use during a pandemic or other crisis. Well-being was defined broadly and could include psychological, physical, social or educational interventions.ResultsSearching produced 10 529 total academic references of which 2062 were duplicates. This left 8467 references. Of these, 16 met our inclusion criteria and were included in data extraction. During data extraction, three more papers were excluded. This left 13 papers to summarise and report. Of these 13 papers, 6 were prospective studies and 7 were purely descriptive. None of the interventions were theoretically informed in their development and the quality of the evidence was generally deemed poor.ConclusionsThere are no high-quality, theory-based interventions for the well-being of healthcare workers during a pandemic or other crisis. Given that previous pandemics have been shown to have a negative effect on healthcare workers well-being, it is imperative this shortcoming is addressed. This scoping review highlights the need for high-quality, theory-based and evidence-based interventions for the well-being of healthcare workers during a pandemic.
Rate of condom use among sexually active adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Taiwan from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Siu Wing Hin Stanford , Li Pei-Ru , See Lai-Chu 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveAdolescents’ sexual behaviours are associated with sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed to estimate the sexual intercourse and condom use rates at first and last sex among Taiwanese adolescents in grades 7–12.DesignA secondary data analysis of the Taiwan Global School-Based Student Health Survey’s 2012–2016 data. The survey was anonymous, cross-sectional and nationwide.SettingTaiwan high school students (grades 7–12).ParticipantsThe sample comprised 27 525 students from junior high schools (grades 7–9), and senior high schools, comprehensive schools, vocational high schools and night schools (grades 10–12).Main outcome measuresThe rate of ever having had sexual intercourse; the rates and factors of condom use at first and last sex.ResultsThe sexual intercourse rate in each school type (in ascending order) was junior high school (1.62%), senior high school (4.14%), comprehensive school (9.08%), vocational high school (14.03%) and night school (41.09%). Condom use rate decreased from 57.07% (95% CI=54.31% to 59.83%) at first sex to 25.72% (95% CI=23.34% to 28.10%) at last sex (p<0.0001). The condom use rate (in ascending order) was junior high school (first sex: 37.67%, last sex: 19.76%), night school (55.83%, 22.62%), vocational high school (61.13%, 25.78%), comprehensive school (62.83%, 28.61%) and senior high school (68.38%, 34.96%). Older age at sexual debut was associated with condom use at first and last sex, and having one sexual partner was associated with condom use at last sex, as revealed by logistic regression analysis.ConclusionsThis study highlights an urgent need to instil a proper understanding of protected sex while adolescents are still in their formative years. Despite the low sexual intercourse rate (4.95%), there is lower condom use at last sex than at first sex, which indicates that many sexually active adolescents are not practising protected sex, especially among junior high school students.