bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advance care planning for patients with lung, heart and cancer diseases and their relatives
Authors: Skorstengaard Marianne H , Brogaard Trine , Jensen Anders Bonde , Andreassen Pernille , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Løkke Anders , Aagaard Susanne , Wiggers Henrik , Johnsen Anna Thit , Neergaard Mette Asbjoern 
Published: March 2019

Background:Advance care planning (ACP) has been suggested to improve the quality of life (QoL) and mental wellbeing in severely ill patients and their relatives.Aim:To investigate the effects of ACP among patients with lung, heart and cancer diseases with an estimated life-span of up to 12 months.Methods:Patients and relatives were randomised into two groups: one receiving usual care and one receiving ACP and usual care. Themes from the ACP discussion were documented in patients' electronic medical file. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires four to five weeks after randomisation.Findings:In total, 141 patients and 127 relatives participated. No significant differences were found according to outcomes. However, patients with non-malignant diseases had the highest level of anxiety and depression; these patients seemed to benefit the most from ACP, though not showing statistically significant results.Conclusion:No significant effects of ACP among patients with lung, heart, and cancer diseases and their relatives regarding HRQoL, anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with healthcare were found.
Experiences of symptoms and health service preferences among older people living with chronic diseases during the last year of life
Authors: Pungchompoo Wanicha , Suwan Panudda , Kunapun Sukonta , Pungchompo Sirirat , Tungpunkom Patraporn 
Published: March 2019

Background: There is limited understanding of the symptoms that older people living with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease experience during the last year of life in Thailand, in addition to their health service preferences. Aims: To survey the symptom experiences and health service preferences at the end of life of older people with chronic illnesses from the perspective of bereaved carers. Methods: The study used a retrospective post-bereavement approach to collect quantitative data. Purposive sampling was used to select 76 bereaved relatives of older people living with chronic illnesses who had died in the previous 5 to10 months. Telephone interviews and a translated version of the Views of Informal Carers—Evaluation Services (VOICES) questionnaire were conducted. Data were analysed using the statistical package SPSS version 17. Findings: The overall quality of care received by older people living with chronic diseases during the last three months of life was described as ‘good’ (36%). However, in comparing the quality of care from different settings, most of the subjects (63%) thought that the quality of care at home should be rated as ‘poor’. During the last twelve months, 35% of the respondents rated pain and poor appetite as the main symptoms, while 25% described experiencing ‘worry’ related to being at the end of life. The severity of many symptoms increased during the last three months of life; 21% of carers recommended that pain caused the most suffering to their relatives at ‘all times’, when compared with other symptoms of end of life. Around 21–35% reported that their relatives ‘sometimes’ experienced worry, low mood, breathlessness and oedema. During the last three days of life, it was reported by 97% of respondents that their relatives spent all of their time in hospital, and no respondents reported that their relatives had died at home. Conclusion: The study indicates that older people living with chronic diseases in Thailand are less likely to access specialist palliative care and are more likely to have poor symptom control at the end of life. It indicates that health services may not be meeting patients' needs and that there was clearly insufficient healthcare provision at home for older people to help them to manage their symptoms such as pain and breathlessness.
Work integrated learning in Vanuatu: student perspectives
Authors: Delisle Brenda , Ebbs Phillip 
Published: March 2019

Background: Non-traditional work integrated learning (WIL) experiences have become increasingly popular within undergraduate paramedicine programmes, partly because WIL is considered a valid pedagogy that contributes to the integration of clinical and supporting science capabilities. Aim: This paper builds upon previous WIL evaluation activities to determine whether an international WIL experience in Vanuatu provided a useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate paramedicine students. Methods: A 60-question survey was administered to participants, with questions chiefly focusing on clinical and cultural experiences during this overseas trip. Survey response frequencies have been presented and free-text responses have been used to provide further descriptive detail. Findings: This international WIL experience appears to have provided a very useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate paramedicine students. Discussion: Consideration should be given to further evaluation activities, and the development of a validated survey instrument, to more effectively measure the quality of non-traditional WIL programmes.
Short Communication: Sequence variation of DREB2 gene as a potential molecular marker for identifying resistant plants toward drought stress
Authors: RINI DWI SETYO 
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Rini DS. 2019. Short Communication: Sequence variation of DREB2 gene as a potential molecular marker for identifying resistant plants toward drought stress. Nusantara Bioscience 11: 35-43. Drought stress is the most destructive environmental factor affecting agricultural productions worldwide. Drought stress affects around 60 million hectares of agricultural land in Indonesia. Therefore, the selection of crops that can grow well and survive under drought is necessary to overcome the problem of decreased crop yield during stress conditions. DREB2 (Dehydration Responsive Element Binding2) belongs to the Transcription Factor (TF) gene families as a master regulator of plant responses under stress. Due to increased expression by stress, this gene can be used as a molecular marker to identify resistant plants toward drought. However, study the sequence variation of DREB2 is required to understand the character of this gene related to its function at a molecular level. The sequence of DREB2 in several plants was obtained from NCBI and aligned to determine the similarity of the regions. Even though variations were found in N-terminal of DREB2 sequences studied, there was a high similarity of the sequences in the DNA binding domain. It has been predicted that this domain is part of a conserved region in the sequence of DREB2 gene. This domain is then proposed to be used for primer designing purposes to study DREB2 gene expression between plant species.
Keywords: DREB2, drought stress, sequence variation
Diagnostic accuracy of glycated hemoglobin for gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Renz Paula B. , Chume Fernando C. , Timm João R.T. , Pimentel Ana L. , Camargo Joíza L. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to establish the overall accuracy of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis.

Methods
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and ClinicalTrials.gov up to October 2018, using keywords related to GDM, HbA1c and diagnosis. Studies were included that were carried out with pregnant women without previous diabetes that assessed the performance of HbA1c (index test) compared to the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (reference test) for the diagnosis of GDM, that measured HbA1c by standardized methods and presented data necessary for drawing 2 × 2 tables.

Results
This meta-analysis included eight studies, totaling 6406 pregnant women, of those 1044 had GDM. The diagnostic accuracy of HbA1c was reported at different thresholds ranging from 5.4% (36 mmol/mol) to 6.0% (42 mmol/mol), and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.751–0.899), indicating a good level of overall accuracy. The pooled sensitivities and specificities were 50.3% (95% CI 24.8%–75.7%) and 83.7% (67.5%–92.7%); 24.7% (10.3%–48.5%) and 95.5% (85.7%–98.7%); 10.8% (5.7%–19.41%) and 98.7% (96.2%–99.5%); 12.9% (5.5%–27.5%) and 98.7% (97.6%–99.3%), for the cut-offs of 5.4% (36 mmol/mol), 5.7% (39 mmol/mol), 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) and 6.0% (42 mmol/mol), respectively.

Conclusions
We observed a high heterogeneity among the studies. The effect of ethnicities, different criteria for OGTT interpretation and the individual performance of HbA1c methods may have contributed to this heterogeneity. The HbA1c test presents high specificity but low sensitivity regardless of the threshold used to diagnose GDM. These findings point to the usefulness of HbA1c as a rule-in test. HbA1c should be used in association with other standard diagnostic tests for GDM diagnosis.
Digitalization, Multinationals and Employment: An Empirical Analysis of Their Causal Relationships
Authors: Gómez-Plana Antonio G. , Latorre María C. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This study measures the effects of digitalization related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) investment on employment and other economic variables according to firms‘ ownership. We present two computable general equilibrium models (with full employment and with unemployment) which differentiate two types of firms: National and foreign multinationals (MNEs). Both types of firms allow for the substitution between labour and ICT capital. We conclude that ICT investments significantly create jobs and raise real wages, GDP and welfare. The aggregate positive effects are stronger for ICT investment in national firms than in foreign MNEs although the sign of some sectoral effects can be negative. We also analyze the role of wage flexibility in this context, with the most favorable results related to scenarios where wages are more rigid for both cases, when investors are national firms or foreign MNEs. The model is applied to the case of Spain, a country with a high unemployment rate where ICT investment has been large since the mid 1990s.
Trapezoidal Linguistic Cubic Fuzzy TOPSIS Method and Application in a Group Decision Making Program
Authors: Fahmi Aliya , Abdullah Saleem , Amin Fazli , Aslam Muhammad , Hussain Shah 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to define some new operation laws for the trapezoidal linguistic cubic fuzzy number and Hamming distance. Furthermore, we define and use the trapezoidal linguistic cubic fuzzy TOPSIS method to solve the multi criteria decision making (MCDM) method. The new ranking method for trapezoidal linguistic cubic fuzzy numbers (TrLCFNs) are used to rank the alternatives. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify and prove the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Something Old, Something New – Which Way to Go for Rule of Law Projects in the Agenda 2030 Era?
Authors: Bakibinga-Gaswaga Elizabeth 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Africa and the developing world have been the theatre of countless rules of law assistance projects since the end of World War II, with mixed results. While the reasons for the mixed results vary from project to project and from country to country, this paper seeks to address the limitations that arise right from project inception, reviews the cycle of project management from problem construction to monitoring and evaluation, taking into account the core and secondary aspects of project management such as scope, budget, quality, schedule, as well as stakeholder engagement, communication, risk management and performance management. With a focus on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030, the paper addresses the following aspects: identify challenges of past approaches of major development partners and interrogate the current shift in paradigm by the World Bank, United Nations and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID). It will consider lessons from complexity and other methodologies, theories of change, theoretical frameworks, and the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) model as tools for doing development differently. The paper concludes with recommendations on improving the effectiveness of rule of law programmes, including a better approach to project design that makes allowance for results based programming, ease of adaptation, reflective learning through after action reviews and lessons learned from military science’s doctrines and practices in the management of complex operations. The paper also recommends, back and forth iteration and better stakeholder engagement, including at the lowest level of governance (local contextualization), to increase effectiveness of rule of law and change in mind-sets especially donor and development partner ideology.
Comparison of Lactate and Electromyographical Thresholds After an Exercise Bout
Authors: Snarr Ronald L. , Esco Michael R. , Tolusso Danilo V. , Hallmark Ashleigh V. , Earley Ryan L. , Higginbotham John C. , Fedewa Michael V. , Bishop Philip 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Snarr, RL, Esco, MR, Tolusso, DV, Hallmark, AV, Earley, RL, Higginbotham, JC, Fedewa, MV, and Bishop, P. Comparison of lactate and electromyographical thresholds after an exercise bout. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3322–3331, 2019—The electromyographical threshold (EMGT) has been previously validated as a means to predict the work rate at which lactate threshold (LT) occurs. The reliability of these measures has yet to be examined after a bout of exercise. The purpose was to determine the agreement between electromyography (EMG) and LT after a 30-minute bout of steady-state aerobic exercise. Participants completed 2 graded exercise tests (GXT) on a cycle ergometer separated by 30 minutes of steady-state exercise. Blood lactate was measured the last 45 seconds of each stage during both GXTs, whereas EMG of the vastus lateralis was monitored continuously. Individual agreement demonstrated that pre-exercise and post-exercise LT occurred at the same work rate in 2 of 10 participants, whereas EMGT occurred at the same work rate in 6 of 10 participants. Results showed no mean difference between work rates for LT or EMG threshold for the pre-exercise GXT, but LT was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than EMGT during the post-exercise GXT. Post-GXT LT work rates were also determined to be significantly lower than pre-GXT LT (p = 0.034), whereas no differences existed in EMG thresholds. Although both LT and EMGT testing may display similar properties, they are not interchangeable. The physiological responses to increasing exercise intensity between La and EMG signaling seem to be associated, and their interaction may not be cause-effect. Because of poor individual agreement, caution should be used when determining LT through the use of EMG. Further research is needed to determine the ability of these 2 metrics to prescribe training intensities.
Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Seven Commercially Available Devices for the Assessment of Movement Velocity at Different Intensities During the Bench Press
Authors: Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , Piepoli Antonio , Delgado-García Gabriel , Garrido-Blanca Gabriel , García-Ramos Amador 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Pérez-Castilla, A, Piepoli, A, Delgado-García, G, Garrido-Blanca, G, and García-Ramos, A. Reliability and concurrent validity of seven commercially available devices for the assessment of movement velocity at different intensities during the bench press. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1258–1265, 2019—The aim of this study was to compare the reliability and validity of 7 commercially available devices to measure movement velocity during the bench press exercise. Fourteen men completed 2 testing sessions. One-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press exercise was determined in the first session. The second testing session consisted of performing 3 repetitions against 5 loads (45, 55, 65, 75, and 85% of 1RM). The mean velocity was simultaneously measured using an optical motion sensing system (Trio-OptiTrack; “gold-standard”) and 7 commercially available devices: 1 linear velocity transducer (T-Force), 2 linear position transducers (Chronojump and Speed4Lift), 1 camera-based optoelectronic system (Velowin), 1 smartphone application (PowerLift), and 2 inertial measurement units (IMUs) (PUSH band and Beast sensor). The devices were ranked from the most to the least reliable as follows: (a) Speed4Lift (coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.61%); (b) Velowin (CV = 3.99%), PowerLift (3.97%), Trio-OptiTrack (CV = 4.04%), T-Force (CV = 4.35%), and Chronojump (CV = 4.53%); (c) PUSH band (CV = 9.34%); and (d) Beast sensor (CV = 35.0%). A practically perfect association between the Trio-OptiTrack system and the different devices was observed (Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient (r) range = 0.947–0.995; p < 0.001) with the only exception of the Beast sensor (r = 0.765; p < 0.001). These results suggest that linear velocity/position transducers, camera-based optoelectronic systems, and the smartphone application could be used to obtain accurate velocity measurements for restricted linear movements, whereas the IMUs used in this study were less reliable and valid.
Epilepsy-Induced Reduction in HCN Channel Expression Contributes to an Increased Excitability in Dorsal, But Not Ventral, Hippocampal CA1 Neurons
Authors: Arnold Elizabeth C. , McMurray Calli , Gray Richard , Johnston Daniel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCA1 neurons in epileptic animals are vulnerable to selective changes in ion channel expression, called acquired channelopathies, which can increase the excitability of a neuron. Under normal conditions there is a gradient of ion channel expression and intrinsic excitability along the longitudinal, dorsoventral axis of hippocampal area CA1 of the rodent. Many of these channels, including M-channels, GIRK channels and HCN channels, all have dorsoventral expression gradients that might be altered in rodent models of epilepsy. Here, we show that the excitability of dorsal, but not ventral CA1 neurons, had an increased firing rate, reduced interspike interval (ISI) and increased input resistance in a status epilepticus (SE) model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). As a result, the excitability of CA1 neurons became uniform across the dorsoventral axis of the rat hippocampus post-SE. Using current clamp recordings with pharmacology and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that the expression of HCN channels was downregulated in the dorsal CA1 region post-SE, while the expression of M and GIRK channels were unchanged. We did not find this acquired channelopathy in ventral CA1 neurons post-SE. Our results suggest that the excitability of dorsal CA1 neurons post-SE increase to resemble the intrinsic properties of ventral CA1 neurons, which likely makes the hippocampal circuit more permissible to seizures, and contributes to the cognitive impairments associated with chronic epilepsy.
Severe mitral regurgitation due to atrial tachyarrhythmia: cure by DC cardioversion
Authors: Parnell Jack , Tahir Mehak , Shah Benoy N 
Published: March 2019

Summary
A 62-year-old man admitted with palpitations had a 12-lead ECG that revealed atrial flutter with 2:1 AV block (rate 150 bpm). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed normal left ventricular size with impaired systolic function and severe MR (Fig. 1, panels A, B and Videos 1, 2). No MV prolapse was seen. The admitting doctor informed the patient that mitral valve surgery was the likely outcome. However, after senior review, the patient was commenced on rate-control, diuretic and anticoagulant medications. He was discharged and returned 6 weeks later for direct current cardioversion, which successfully restored sinus rhythm. TTE 2 months later showed normal LV function and trivial MR (Fig. 1, panel C and Video 3). This case highlights the importance of understanding the mechanism underlying MV dysfunction. The mitral annulus is a thin fibrofatty ring that geometrically resembles a parabola; its sphincteric contraction reduces MV annular area by ~25% during the cardiac cycle, facilitating normal leaflet coaptation (1). Consequently, the onset of atrial flutter - and loss of annular contraction - resulted in MR, and this was exacerbated by the rapid heart rate, which reduces the normal ventricular closing forces on the valve leading to incomplete mitral leaflet coaptation. Clinicians are reminded that atrial arrhythmias with high heart rates can disrupt normal MV function, producing MR which can be resolved by treating the underlying abnormality (i.e. atrial arrhythmia) (2, 3) and thus avoiding unnecessary cardiac surgery.
EVALUASI USABILITY PADA APLIKASI E-LEARNING DI JURUSAN TEKNIK INFORMATIKA UNIVERSITAS PAMULANG
Authors: Thoyyibah Thoyyibah 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRAK Universitas Pamulang merupakan salah satu kampus swasta yang telah melaksanakan sistem pembelajaran secara online. Pada sistem pembelajaran online ini atau yang disebut dengan e-learning, terdapat banyak aktivitas antara dosen dan mahasiswa di antaranya diskusi online dan sharing data. Kegiatan e-learning ini tidak terbatas oleh tempat dan waktu. Namun, pada kenyataannya terdapat beberapa mahasiswa yang tidak melakukan e-learning. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu melakukan evaluasi usability untuk meningkatkan kepuasan user dalam menggunakan e-learning. Metode penelitian ini yaitu studi pustaka, studi lapangan dan kuesioner SUMI (Software Usability Measurement Inventory). Kuesioner dilakukan terhadap 20 responden, diantanya 10 mahasiswa dan 10 dosen teknik informatika. Kuesioner dilakukan dengan 3 kategori yaitu efektivitas, efisiensi dan kepuasan dengan masing-masing 10 soal sehingga terdapat 60 pertanyaan dan 3 linker yaitu 4 jika setuju semua, 2 jika tidak tahu dan 0 tidak setuju. Hasil perhitungan kuesioner SUMI terhadap e-learning teknik informatika yaitu 92.5; 87.5; 75; 90; 90; 75. Hasil evaluasi usability berada di atas rata-rata artinya usability pada sistem E-learning teknik informatika UNPAM sudah masuk kategori baik. ABSTRACT PamulangUniversityis one of the private campus that has implemented online learning system. In this online learning system or called e-learning, there are many activities between lecturers and students such as online discussion and data sharing. This e-learning activity is not limited by time and place. However, in reality there are some students who do not do e-learning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate usability to improve user satisfaction in using e-learning. This research method is literature study, field study and questionnaire SUMI (Software Usability Measurement Inventory). Questionnaires were conducted on 20 respondents, including 10 students and 10 lecturers of informatics engineering. Questionnaires were conducted with 3 categories of effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with each 10 questions so there are 60 questions and 3 linkers that is 4 if all agree, 2 if not know and 0 disagree. Results of calculation of SUMI questionnaire to e-learning informatics technique that is 92.5; 87.5; 75; 90; 90; 75. The result of usability evaluation is above average means usability on E-learning system of informatics engineering UNPAM has been categorized well.