bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Actualistic approaches to interpreting the role of biological decomposition in microbial preservation
Authors: Manning‐Berg Ashley , Selly Tara , Bartley Julie K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTaphonomic processes, especially post‐mortem biological decomposition, act as crucial controls on the microbial fossil record. Information loss during the fossilization process obscures interpretation of ancient microbial ecology and limits our view of preserved ecosystems. Conversely, taphonomic information can itself provide insight into fossilization pathways and processes. This information‐gain approach requires specific attention to taphonomic patterns in ancient assemblages and robust modern analogue data to serve as points of reference. In this study, we combine experimental taphonomy with decomposition models in order to constrain taphonomic hypotheses regarding Proterozoic microfossil assemblages. Several filamentous and coccoidal prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs were evaluated for taphonomic pattern over the course of a short (~100 days) decomposition experiment. In parallel, simple numerical models were constructed to explain potential taphonomic pathways. These analogue data were then compared to two Mesoproterozoic fossil assemblages, the ~1.5 Ga Kotuikan Formation, Siberia, and the ~1 Ga Angmaat Formation, Canada. Concordant with previous experiments and observations, our results suggest that sheath morphology is more persistent than cell/trichome morphology during early stages of decomposition. These experiments also suggest that taphonomic change in cell morphology may follow one of several trajectories, resulting in distinct taphonomic endpoints. Model output suggests two categories of underlying mechanism and resultant taphonomic trajectory: (1) uniform decomposition, resulting in a low overall taphonomic grade and poor preservation, and (2) faster decomposition of structurally compromised individuals, producing a final population with better overall preservation of very few individuals. In this experiment, cells of coccoidal organisms exhibit the first pattern and trichomes of filamentous organisms and some sheaths exhibit the second. Comparison with preserved microfossil assemblages suggests that differences in taphonomic pattern between parts of an assemblage could be useful in assessing taphonomic processes or degree of taphonomic loss in an entire assemblage.
Digestion and assimilation of benthic biofilm by the Sábalo, Prochilodus lineatus
Authors: Bowen Stephen H. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Sábalo, Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837), is one of 270 fish species in the Rio Paraná system, and it comprises >50% of the fish biomass. Its diet is flocculant benthic biofilm comprised of algae, bacteria and non‐living organic matter: a food resource apparently of little value to other fishes. Digestion and assimilation of key nutrients from its biofilm diet by P. lineatus were described and quantified in an attempt to discover how this species is so successful. The fish begin a feeding period with empty digestive tracts, accumulate food during the feeding period and then void the gut content at the end of the feeding period. Early in a feeding period, sand accumulates in the gizzard‐like pyloric stomach where it serves as both a grinding medium and a sieve. After sufficient sand has been acquired, food particles passed from the pyloric stomach to the intestine are dramatically reduced in size to <20 μ maximum dimension, whereas larger particles including mineral matter and plant fibres are retained. Total ash, hydrolysis‐resistant‐ash and hydrolysis‐resistant‐organic‐matter were tested as reference materials against which to measure assimilation and hydrolysis‐resistant‐organic matter best met the assumptions of the technique. Comparison of the first food ingested to food ingested later in the feeding period shows that grinding of food and selective retention of larger particles results in a three‐fold increase in the assimilation of ash‐free‐dry‐mass (to 56%) and hydrolysis‐labile‐organic‐matter (to 67%), and a six‐fold increase in the assimilation of amino acids (AAs; to 74%). When food quality is assessed in terms of g AA assimilated · kJ−1 energy assimilated, the quality of food ingested by P. lineatus ranges from a maintenance level of 5 to 12 mg AA · kJ−1, a level expected to produce near maximum growth. Thus, the processing of food in the pyloric stomach is integral to the success of P. lineatus in establishing large populations on a diet of flocculent benthic biofilm.
The Influence of Victor White and the Blackfriars Dominicans on a young Elizabeth Anscombe: An Essay accompanying the Republication of G.E.M. Anscombe's ‘I am Sadly Theoretical: It is the Effect of Being at Oxford’ (1938)
Authors: Berkman John 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis essay examines the Dominican influences on the Catholic philosopher G.E.M. Anscombe while an undergraduate at Oxford University between 1937–1941. It focuses on three Thomists who formally instructed Anscombe and how one Dominican, Victor White, likely instructed her on a radically Catholic perspective regarding the morality of warfare, which would not only influence her 1940 co-authored pamphlet, ‘The Justice of the Present War Examined’, but would shape her writings on war and murder for her entire academic career.This essay accompanies the republication of Anscombe's ‘I am Sadly Theoretical: It is the Effect of Being at Oxford,’ her earliest known published essay. She wrote this article in response to a public invitation from the Catholic Herald for Catholics between the ages of 18 and 25 to make their voices heard by their fellow Catholics. In this teenage apologia, Anscombe outlines the goals for her life, and what it means for her as a Catholic to be a witness.
Bringing animal welfare under the umbrella of sustainable development: A legal analysis
Authors: Verniers Elien 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe quest of global animal welfare has been the subject of vigorous debate in legal scholarship. However, an entry point which the legal literature has so far failed to consider is sustainable development. To date, the uneasy relationship between sustainable development and animal welfare remains remarkably underexplored, and legal research investigating the interdependence of sustainable development and animal welfare is almost non‐existent. This article proposes a new approach to global animal welfare law through sustainable development by examining four key questions: (i) does sustainable development currently addresses animal welfare; (ii) can sustainable development integrate animal welfare; (iii) if so, how could this be operationalized; and (iv) is sustainable development a suitable vehicle to advance animal welfare? The article shows that sustainable development is both conceptually and substantively an adequate candidate for animal welfare integration. Moreover, the article claims that the sustainable development approach to animal welfare is not only conducive for global animal welfare law but also allows for a strong entrenchment of animal welfare at the national level. In addition, the article argues that such integration is also beneficial for sustainable development itself.
Data-Efficient Machine Learning on 3D Engineering Data
Authors: Herzog Vencia D , Suwelack Stefan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Decisions in engineering design are closely tied to the 3D shape of the product. Limited availability of 3D shape data and expensive annotation present key challenges for using Artificial Intelligence in product design and development. In this work we explore transfer learning strategies to improve the data-efficiency of geometric reasoning models based on deep neural networks as used for tasks such as shape retrieval and design synthesis. We address the utilization of problem- related and un-annotated 3D data to compensate for small data volumes. Our experiments show promising results for knowledge transfer on mechanical component benchmarks.
How can rural community-engaged health services planning achieve sustainable healthcare system changes?
Authors: Johnston Campbell Stuart , Belanger Erika , Wong Krystal , Snadden David 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesThe objectives of the Rural Site Visit Project (SV Project) were to develop a successful model for engaging all 201 communities in rural British Columbia, Canada, build relationships and gather data about community healthcare issues to help modify existing rural healthcare programs and inform government rural healthcare policy.DesignAn adapted version of Boelen’s health partnership model was used to identify each community’s Health Care Partners: health providers, academics, policy makers, health managers, community representatives and linked sectors. Qualitative data were gathered using a semistructured interview guide. Major themes were identified through content analysis, and this information was fed back to government and interviewees in reports every 6 months.SettingThe 107 communities visited thus far have healthcare services that range from hospitals with surgical programs to remote communities with no medical services at all. The majority have access to local primary care.ParticipantsParticipants were recruited from the Health Care Partner groups identified above using purposeful and snowball sampling.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA successful process was developed to engage rural communities in identifying their healthcare priorities, while simultaneously building and strengthening relationships. The qualitative data were analysed from 185 meetings in 80 communities and shared with policy makers at governmental and community levels.Results36 themes have been identified and three overarching themes that interconnect all the interviews, namely Relationships, Autonomy and Change Over Time, are discussed.ConclusionThe SV Project appears to be unique in that it is physician led, prioritises relationships, engages all of the healthcare partners singly and jointly in each community, is ongoing, provides feedback to both the policy makers and all interviewees on a 6-monthly basis and, by virtue of its large scope, has the ability to produce interim reports that have helped inform system change.
Efficacy of a Low-threshold, Culturally-Sensitive Group Psychoeducation Programme for Asylum Seekers (LoPe): study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Weise Cornelia , Grupp Freyja , Reese Jens-Peter , Schade-Brittinger Carmen , Ehring Thomas , Morina Nexhmedin , Stangier Ulrich , Steil Regina , Johow Johannes , Mewes Ricarda 
Published: October 2021

IntroductionDespite high levels of mental distress, accessing psychological treatment is difficult for asylum seekers in Western host countries due to a lack of knowledge about mental disorders, and the health system, as well as due to cultural and language barriers. This study aims to investigate whether brief culturally sensitive and transdiagnostic psychoeducation is effective in increasing mental health literacy.Methods and analysisThe study is a parallel two-group randomised controlled trial with 1:1 individual allocation to either culturally sensitive, low-threshold psychoeducation (‘Tea Garden’ (TG)) or a waitlist (WL) control group. It takes place at four study sites in Germany. A total of 166 adult asylum seekers who report at least mild mental distress will be randomly assigned. The TG consists of two 90 min group sessions and provides information about mental distress, resources and mental health services in a culturally sensitive manner. The primary outcome is the percentage of participants in the TG, as compared with the WL, achieving an increase in knowledge concerning symptoms of mental disorders, individual resources and mental healthcare from preintervention to postintervention. The further trajectory will be assessed 2 and 6 months after the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in mental distress, openness towards psychotherapy and resilience. Furthermore, healthcare utilisation and economics will be assessed at all assessment points.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Ethics Commission of the German Psychological Society (ref: WeiseCornelia2019-10-18VA). Results will be disseminated via presentations, publication in international journals and national outlets for clinicians. Furthermore, intervention materials will be available, and the existing network will be used to disseminate and implement the interventions into routine healthcare.Trial registration numberDRKS00020564; Pre-results.Protocol version2020-10-06, version number: VO2F.
Climate change, climate-related disasters and mental disorder in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Sharpe Isobel , Davison Colleen M 
Published: October 2021

IntroductionClimate change and climate-related disasters adversely affect mental health. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disasters and often lack adequate mental healthcare infrastructure. We used the scoping review methodology to determine how exposure to climate change and climate-related disasters influences the presence of mental disorders among those living in LMICs. We also aimed to recognise existing gaps in this area of literature.MethodsThis review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. To identify relevant studies, we searched five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, APA PsycInfo and Sociological Abstracts) from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2019. We also searched the grey literature. Included studies had an adult-focused LMIC population, a climate change or climate-related disaster exposure and a mental disorder outcome. Relevant study information was extracted and synthesised.ResultsFifty-eight studies were identified, most of which (n=48) employed a cross-sectional design. The most commonly studied exposure–outcome combinations were flood-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=28), flood-related depression (n=15) and storm-related PTSD (n=13). The majority of studies identified a positive exposure–outcome association. However, few studies included a baseline or comparator (ie, unexposed) group, thereby limiting our understanding of the magnitude or nature of this association. There was also great heterogeneity in this literature, making studies difficult to pool or compare. Several research gaps were identified including the lack of longitudinal studies and non-uniformity of geographic coverage.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this was the first scoping review to investigate the relationship between climate change and climate-related disaster exposures and mental disorder outcomes in LMICs. Our findings support the need for further research, but also highlight that mental health should be a priority within LMIC climate change policy considerations.
Design and reporting characteristics of clinical trials investigating sedation practices in the paediatric intensive care unit: a scoping review by SCEPTER (Sedation Consortium on Endpoints and Procedures for Treatment, Education and Research)
Authors: Lee Jennifer Jooyoung , Price Jerri C , Gewandter Jennifer , Kleykamp Bethea A , Biagas Katherine V , Naim Maryam Y , Ward Denham , Dworkin Robert H , Sun Lena S 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesTo conduct a scoping review of sedation clinical trials in the paediatric intensive care setting and summarise key methodological elements.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and grey references including ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception to 3 August 2021.Study selectionAll human trials in the English language related to sedation in paediatric critically ill patients were included. After title and abstract screening, full-text review was performed. 29 trials were eligible for final analysis.Data extractionA coding manual was developed and pretested. Trial characteristics were double extracted.ResultsThe majority of trials were single centre (22/29, 75.9%), parallel group superiority (17/29, 58.6%), double-blinded (18/29, 62.1%) and conducted in an academic setting (29/29, 100.0%). Trial enrolment (≥90% planned sample size) was achieved in 65.5% of trials (19/29), and retention (≥90% enrolled subjects) in 72.4% of trials (21/29). Protocol violations were reported in nine trials (31.0%). The most commonly studied cohorts were mechanically ventilated patients (28/29, 96.6%) and postsurgical patients (11/29, 37.9%) with inclusion criteria for age ranging from 0±0.5 to 15.0±7.3 years (median±IQR). The median age of enrolled patients was 1.7 years (IQR=4.4 years). Patients excluded from trials were those with neurological impairment (21/29, 72.4%), complex disease (20/29, 69.0%) or receipt of neuromuscular blockade (10/29, 34.5%). Trials evaluated drugs/protocols for sedation management (20/29, 69.0%), weaning (3/29, 10.3%), daily interruption (3/29, 10.3%) or protocolisation (3/29, 10.3%). Primary outcome measures were heterogeneous, as were assessment instruments and follow-up durations.ConclusionsThere is substantial heterogeneity in methodological approach in clinical trials evaluating sedation in critically ill paediatric patients. These results provide a basis for the design of future clinical trials to improve the quality of trial data and aid in the development of sedation-related clinical guidelines.
Using positive deviance to improve timely access in primary care
Authors: DeRocher MaryBeth , Davie Sam , Kiran Tara 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundImproving timely access in primary care is a continued challenge in many countries. We used positive deviance to try and identify best practices for achieving timely access in our primary care organisation in Toronto, Canada.MethodsSemistructured interviews were used to identify practice strategies used by physicians who successfully maintained a low third next available appointment (TNA) (positive deviants, n=6). We then conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the prevalence of identified promising practices among all physicians (n=70) in the practice. We used χ2testing to understand whether uptake of promising practices among survey respondents was different for those with a median TNA of 7 days or less vs a median TNA over 7 days.ResultsWe identified seven promising practice strategies used by positive deviants: adjusting the appointment template based on demand; reviewing the appointment schedule in advance; max-packing of visits; using phone, email and secure messaging; customising care for complex patients; managing planned absences; and involving the interprofessional team. 65 of 70 physicians responded to the survey on promising practices. Uptake of the promising practices was variable among survey respondents. In general, we found no association between uptake of promising practices and median TNA. One exception was that those with a median TNA of 7 or less were more likely to review the schedule in advance to potentially mitigate a visit using phone/email (62% vs 31%, p=0.0159).ConclusionPromising practices used by a small group of physicians (‘positive deviants’) to maintain good access were generally not associated with timely access among a larger sample of physicians in the practice. Our findings highlight the difficulty of untangling physician practice style and its contribution to timely access in primary care.
Teaching end-of-life communication: priorities, challenges, scope—systematic review
Authors: Pun Jack K H , Cheung Ka Man , Chow Chung Hang James 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundWithout a well-rounded syllabus to teach end-of-life (EOL) communication, medical providers find it challenging to enhance their patients’ quality of life at the final stage of life.AimThe aim of this scoping review was to explore studies about the teaching of EOL communication and to detail how educators can approach the teaching of EOL communication.MethodsA scoping review of both qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted according to the methodological framework of scoping review. The PsycINFO, PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched for studies using the keywords ‘teach’, ‘educat*’, ‘end of life’, ‘terminal care’, ‘communication’ and ‘palliative care’. Sixteen studies were appraised, and none was rejected on the grounds of quality.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 22 278 entries and 16 studies were included. Two themes were identified from the priorities in teaching EOL communication: (1) challenges to teaching EOL communication and (2) methods of teaching EOL communication. To present a comprehensive overview of EOL communication teaching, we provide directions for priorities of topics and approaches when teaching EOL communication.ConclusionsThe review detailed the complexity of teaching EOL communication, which indicates the need for a well-rounded syllabus that includes skills such as non-verbal social cues, communication strategies and understanding EOL communication in various cultural contexts to facilitate a well-rounded EOL communication experience for students’ future practice.
Wish to die and hasten death in palliative care: a cross-sectional study factor analysis
Authors: Belar Alazne , Martinez Marina , Centeno Carlos , López-Fidalgo Jesús , Santesteban Yolanda , Lama Marcos , Arantzamendi Maria 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesThe wish to die (WTD) is a complex experience sometimes accompanied by intention to hasten death. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive factors for WTD and hastening death intention (HDI) in Spanish patients with advanced illness.MethodsThis is a subanalysis of a larger cross-sectional study conducted on patients experiencing advanced illness (N=201). Sociodemographic data and data related to symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised), depressive and anxious symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), demoralisation (Spanish version of the Demoralisation Scale), perceived loss of dignity (Patient Dignity Inventory) and WTD (Assessing Frequency and Extent of Desire to Die) were collected. The analysis used univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of WTD in the sample was 18%, with 8 out of 36 patients reporting HDI. The independent factors predictive of WTD were (1) knowledge of approximate prognosis (OR=4.78; 95% CI 1.20 to 10.8; p=0.001); (2) symptom burden (OR=1.05; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09; p=0.038); and (3) the Demoralisation Scale subsection ‘lack of meaning and purpose in life’ (OR=1.61; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.99; p=0.000). An independent predictive factor for HDI was the Demoralisation Scale subsection ‘patients’ distress and coping abilities’ (OR=1.47; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.08; p=0.028), while having religious beliefs was a protective factor (OR=0.13; 95% CI0.17 to 0.97; p=0.047).ConclusionsDemoralisation was found to be the only common triggering factor for WTD and HDI, although experiences share certain features. Identification of the predictive factors for WTD and HDI may contribute to their prevention and management.