bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building research experience: Impact of a novice researcher development program for rural health workers
Authors: Schmidt David D. , Webster Emma , Duncanson Kerith 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of the Rural Research Capacity Building Program on self‐reported research experience of rural health workers.DesignA repeat cross‐sectional study design was used to assess self‐reported research experience at the commencement and completion of a novice researcher development program.SettingCandidates in the Rural Research Capacity Building Program are health workers employed in the rural NSW public health service who have not completed research higher degrees.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty candidates of the Rural Research Capacity Building Program from the 2006 to 2013 cohorts were participated.InterventionsThe Rural Research Capacity Building Program is an experiential learning program in which candidates gain research experience by undertaking a new, self‐selected, local health service endorsed research project over a 2‐year period, supported by 10 days face‐to‐face teaching, weekly teleconferencing and mentoring.Main outcome measuresChange in self‐assessed research experience using a validated 10‐item measurement tool known as the Research Spider which measures 10 domains of research experience.ResultsReported research experience demonstrated statistically significant increases across all 10 domains of research experience. The largest change was ‘writing and presenting a research report’ and ‘writing a research protocol’.ConclusionsSignificant increases in Research Spider results across all 10 domains demonstrated that completing the Rural Research Capacity Building Program significantly improves self‐assessed research experience. Rural health workers who are experienced and confident to undertake research are more capable of studying health problems and finding solutions unique to the rural setting.
Influence of the disengagement of the forceps on levator ani muscle injuries in instrumental delivery: A multicenter study
Authors: Sainz José Antonio , Martín‐Martínez Alicia , González‐Diaz Enrique , Fernández‐Fernández Camino , Ortega Ismael , Medina Margarita , Fernández‐Corona Alfonso , Fernández‐Palacín Ana , García‐Mejido José Antonio 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionForceps use is the main risk factor for levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries. We believe that the disengagement of the forceps branches before delivery of the fetal head could influence LAM injuries, so we aimed to determine the influence of the disengagement of the forceps on the occurrence of LAM avulsion during forceps delivery.Material and methodsA prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted with 261 women who underwent forceps delivery. The women were classified according to whether the branches of the forceps had been disengaged before delivery of the fetal head. LAM avulsion was defined using a multislice mode (3 central slices).ResultsIn all, 255 women completed the study (160 without disengagement and 95 with disengagement). LAM avulsions were observed in 37.9% of women in the group with disengagement and in 41.9% of women in the group without disengagement. The crude OR (without disengagement vs with disengagement) for avulsion was 0.90 (95% CI 0.49‐1.67, P = 0.757) and an adjusted OR of 0.82 (95% CI 0.40‐1.69, P = 0.603).ConclusionsWe did not observe a statistically significant reduction in the LAM avulsion rate with disengagement of the forceps branches before delivery of the fetal head.
Letter: impact of hepatitis B core‐related antigen on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues—further clarifications needed
Authors: Lim Miao‐Shan , Tan Chee‐Kiat 
Published: June 2019

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Hosaka et al and Hosaka papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15108. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15332 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15361.
Effect of semaglutide on liver enzymes and markers of inflammation in subjects with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity
Authors: Newsome Philip , Francque Sven , Harrison Stephen , Ratziu Vlad , Van Gaal Luc , Calanna Salvatore , Hansen Morten , Linder Martin , Sanyal Arun 
Published: June 2019

SummaryBackgroundObesity and type 2 diabetes are drivers of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogues effectively treat obesity and type 2 diabetes and may offer potential for NAFLD treatment.AimTo evaluate the effect of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue, semaglutide, on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) in subjects at risk of NAFLD.MethodsData from a 104‐week cardiovascular outcomes trial in type 2 diabetes (semaglutide 0.5 or 1.0 mg/week) and a 52‐week weight management trial (semaglutide 0.05‐0.4 mg/day) were analysed. Treatment ratios vs placebo were estimated for ALT (both trials) and hsCRP (weight management trial only) using a mixed model for repeated measurements, with or without adjustment for change in body weight.ResultsElevated baseline ALT (men >30 IU/L; women >19 IU/L) was present in 52% (499/957) of weight management trial subjects. In this group with elevated ALT, end‐of‐treatment ALT reductions were 6%‐21% (P<0.05 for doses≥0.2 mg/day) and hsCRP reductions 25%‐43% vs placebo (P < 0.05 for 0.2 and 0.4 mg/day). Normalisation of elevated baseline ALT occurred in 25%‐46% of weight management trial subjects, vs 18% on placebo. Elevated baseline ALT was present in 41% (1325/3268) of cardiovascular outcomes trial subjects. In this group with elevated ALT, no significant ALT reduction was noted at end‐of‐treatment for 0.5 mg/week, while a 9% reduction vs placebo was seen for 1.0 mg/week (P = 0.0024). Treatment ratios for changes in ALT and hsCRP were not statistically significant after adjustment for weight change.ConclusionsSemaglutide significantly reduced ALT and hsCRP in clinical trials in subjects with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.
Incorporating perspective analysis into critical thinking performance assessments
Authors: Mejía Andrés , Mariño Julián Patricio , Molina Adriana 
Published: June 2019

BackgroundThe International Performance Assessments of Learning (iPAL) project developed a framework for the construction of performance assessments for testing critical thinking, which proposes structuring them around a problem situation that sets an authentic (i.e., real‐life‐like) problem‐solving task for the test‐taker. Its critical thinking construct – which reflects the dominant conception of critical thinking – focuses on assessment and use of information, of arguments, and of consequences, and on communication. However, it fails to acknowledge that perspectives on a problem situation are systemically articulated in networks and derive from worldviews, which should also be critically examined.AimsWe aim to elaborate on the iPAL framework and enhance its critical thinking construct, incorporating a new facet of perspective analysis. We also intend to show what design considerations the construction of a performance assessment appropriate for this task entails.DevelopmentBased on Werner Ulrich’s Critical Systems Heuristics, which provides a systemic way of analysing perspectives about a problem situation, we argue the need to introduce perspective analysis in the critical thinking construct, and we discuss the considerations necessary for designing critical thinking performance assessments that test perspective analysis skills: about the kind of problem situation the test‐taker will face and about the expectations she may have about her task or role in that problem situation. We illustrate how performance assessments of this kind can be constructed by means of an example of an actual test.
Mediterranean diet and health status: Active ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms
Authors: Schwingshackl Lukas , Morze Jakub , Hoffmann Georg 
Published: June 2019

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is one of the most widely described and evaluated dietary patterns in scientific literature. It is characterized by high intakes of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, grains, fish, seafood, extra virgin olive oil, and a moderate intake of red wine. A large body of observational and experimental evidence suggests that higher adherence to the MedDiet is associated with lower risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, and cancer. Current mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of the MedDiet include reduction of blood lipids, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, improvement of insulin sensitivity, enhancement of endothelial function, and antithrombotic function. Most likely, these effects are attributable to bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, or fibre. This review will focus on both established and less established mechanisms of action of biochemical compounds contained in a MedDiet.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc
Operative results, sexual function and quality of life after gracilis muscle transposition in complex rectovaginal fistulas
Authors: Kersting S. , Athanasiadis C.‐J. , Jung K.‐P. , Berg E. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimSuccessful treatment of complex rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) continues to be a surgical challenge. Interposition of well‐perfused tissue, such as gracilis muscle, is one treatment option. The aim of this study was to investigate the operative results, sexual function and quality of life after gracilis muscle transposition (GMT) in the authors’ own group of patients.MethodThe study included 19 women with RVF (mean age 48 years). The postoperative outcome was evaluated by a questionnaire and clinical examination.ResultsThe postoperative follow‐up period was 7 months to 3.5 years (mean 23 months). GMT led to primary healing of RVF in 10 (53%) patients. Recurrences were observed in nine (47%) patients with RVF, in four (44%) of whom healing was achieved as a result of further interventions. Following GMT, two complications (abscess formation) requiring revision occurred. Although 42% of the patients reported certain limitations following muscle removal, GMT is a procedure that has a positive influence on the healing rate (74%), quality of life, continence and patient satisfaction.ConclusionGMT is a procedure that allows healing in the majority of patients with RVFs, and it should be considered especially in patients with recurrent fistulas, in whom a correlation between decreasing healing rates and the number of previous operations has been demonstrated.
Aortic valve perforation in the setting of Cogan's syndrome
Authors: Beltagy Asmaa , Eshak Nouran , Abdelnabi Mahmoud Hassan , Almaghraby Abdallah , Magdy Samar , Shehata Hoda 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCogan's syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the coexistence of ocular and audio‐vestibular manifestations. Systemic manifestations are quite unusual with pan‐vasculitis and cardiac involvement reported in the form of aortitis with aortic aneurysm, dissection, or extremely rare aortic valve perforation. Hereby, we report a case of a 56‐year‐old woman presented with ocular, audio‐vestibular, and systemic manifestations with medium‐sized vasculitis in the form of multiple splenic artery aneurysms, superior mesenteric artery thrombosis, and cardiovascular involvement in the form of aortic regurgitation due to noncoronary cusp perforation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case to report aortic perforation in the setting of Cogan's syndrome.
Improving youth mental wellness services in an Indigenous context in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories: ACCESS Open Minds Project
Authors: Etter Meghan , Goose Annie , Nossal Margot , Chishom‐Nelson Jessica , Heck Carly , Joober Ridha , Boksa Patricia , Lal Shalini , Shah Jai L. , Andersson Neil , Iyer Srividya N. , Malla Ashok 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimTo describe a community‐specific and culturally coherent approach to youth mental health services in a small and remote northern Indigenous community in Canada's Northwest Territories, under the framework of ACCESS Open Minds (ACCESS OM), a pan‐Canadian youth mental health research and evaluation network.MethodsAs 1 of the 14 Canadian communities participating in a 5‐year, federally funded service transformation and evaluation project, the arctic Inuit community of Ulukhaktok has undertaken culturally relevant adjustments in their delivery of youth mental wellness services and related community wellness initiatives. These enhancement activities highlight connections to culture and traditional skills, honour youth‐ and community‐expressed desires to incorporate Inuvialuit‐specific approaches to wellness, and strengthen the support systems to improve access to mainstream mental healthcare, when needed. The adaptation of a Lay Health Worker model from Global Mental Health to the local circumstances resulting in creation of lay community health workers is central to this approach in meeting contextual needs.ResultsCommunity leaders identified key activities for sustainable change, including human capital development, authentic collaboration and diversified engagement strategies. Building around five ACCESS OM objectives, the local site team in Ulukhaktok has identified its youth programming and mental wellness service gaps through an ongoing process of community mapping.ConclusionsInformation from service providers, youth and other community members demonstrates attuning of the ACCESS OM framework to Inuit paradigms in Ulukhaktok. It could prove to be a sustainable prototype for delivering youth mental health services in other communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and possibly across the entire Inuit Nunangat. It needs, however, to be further supported by easier access to specialized mental health services when needed.
The epileptic network and cognition: What functional connectivity is teaching us about the childhood epilepsies
Authors: Bear Joshua J. , Chapman Kevin E. , Tregellas Jason R. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOur objective was to summarize and evaluate the rapidly expanding body of literature studying functional connectivity in childhood epilepsy. In the self‐limited childhood epilepsies, awareness of cognitive comorbidities has been steadily increasing, and recent advances in our understanding of the network effects of these disorders promise insights into the underlying neurobiology. We reviewed publications addressing functional connectivity in children with epilepsy with an emphasis on studies of children with self‐limited childhood epilepsies. The majority of studies have been published in the past 10 years and predominantly examine childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and childhood absence epilepsy. Cognitive network alterations are commonly observed across the childhood epilepsies. Some of these effects appear to be nonspecific to epilepsy syndrome or even to category of neurological disorder. Other patterns, such as changes in the connectivity of cortical language areas in childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, provide clues to the underlying cognitive deficits seen in affected children. The literature to date is dominated by general observations of connectivity patterns without a priori hypotheses. These data‐driven studies build an important foundation for hypothesis generation and are already providing useful insights into the neuropathology of the childhood epilepsies. Future work should emphasize hypothesis‐driven approaches and rigorous clinical correlations to better understand how the knowledge of network alterations can be applied to guidance and treatment for the children in our clinics.
Cloud data analysis using a genetic algorithm‐based job scheduling process
Authors: Frank Vijay J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractData analysis plays a major role in different research applications that require a large volume of data. Cloud computing can provide computer processing resources and device‐to‐device data sharing based on user requirements. The main goal of cloud computing is to allow users and enterprise of varying capabilities to store and process data in an efficient way and to access and distribute resources. However, a crucial problem in cloud computing is job scheduling for numerous users. Prior to the implementation of job scheduling, jobs must be categorized according to degree of criticalness, privacy and time required. Based on the experimental results, the combination of tasks was successfully determined by the processor. In heterogeneous multiprocessor systems, customized job scheduling is highly critical for obtaining optimal job performance. In this paper, an evolutionary genetic algorithm was used for obtaining better results in job scheduling, thereby improving performance in the cloud system in this regard. The genetic algorithm‐based job scheduling process introduced minimizes the investment in time through effective allocation of user requests in order to enhance the overall efficiency of the system.
A three‐dimensional numerical model investigation of the impact of submerged macrophytes on flow dynamics in a large fluvial lake
Authors: Bulat Maxim , Biron Pascale M. , Lacey Jay R. W. , Botrel Morgan , Hudon Christiane , Maranger Roxane 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Aquatic plants (macrophytes) are known to affect flow dynamics, contributing to flow resistance. Most studies on flow‐vegetation interactions are performed in laboratory flumes and focus on the flow field around plants, with little research at the level of vegetation patches in large aquatic ecosystems. In most hydrodynamic models, increased drag due to plants is modelled by increasing the Manning's n roughness coefficient.

The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a three‐dimensional hydrodynamic model (Delft3D) applicable to large water bodies including a novel approach to represent macrophyte resistance (modified k‐ε turbulence closure model); and (2) compare the modelled flow with field measurements for different vegetation configurations and patch arrangements. Work was carried out in Lake Saint‐Pierre, a large fluvial lake of the St Lawrence River in Québec, Canada.

Results showed a marked increase in residence time in the zone affected by macrophytes when using the modified k‐ε turbulence closure model compared to the Manning's n approach, particularly near the bed. An improved agreement with field measured depth‐averaged velocity is obtained with this novel approach (correlation coefficient of 0.80 compared to 0.46 with Manning's n only). In addition, a good fit was obtained between vertical velocity profiles modelled and measured in the macrophyte zone. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the additional drag due to plants was closely associated with plant height, but that plant density played only a minor role in retarding velocities.

These findings indicate that it is possible to accurately quantify both the horizontal and vertical flow modulations resulting from submerged vegetation in large fluvial systems. Considering that the Delft3D model is capable of approximating measured velocity magnitude, preserving the logarithmic shape throughout the water column and reaching near‐zero velocities without increasing the roughness coefficient, we recommend this modelling approach for future research on the impact of macrophytes on flow at the scale of vegetation patches in large water bodies comparable to Lake Saint‐Pierre.
Aquatic insects decline in abundance and occupy low‐quality artificial habitats to survive hydrological droughts
Authors: Deacon Charl , Samways Michael J. , Pryke James S. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Hydrological extremes have negative impacts on natural, agricultural, and urban landscapes and place substantial ecological pressure on freshwater habitats. However, the role of artificial freshwater habitats during hydrological drought is poorly understood. Insects make up much of total aquatic fauna and lend themselves to understanding how drought impacts freshwater ecosystems.

Using the Greater Cape Floristic Region as an example of a drought‐prone area, we determined the effects of a severe drought on a subset of insects occupying lentic habitats in terms of their species richness, diversity, and assemblage composition. Here, we: (1) calculated the percentage change in average precipitation between a record dry season and the last consistently wet decade; (2) identified the environmental variables driving aquatic insect species richness, diversity and composition; (3) identified the environmental differences between natural ponds and artificial reservoirs; (4) determined whether artificial reservoirs act as suitable habitats for focal taxa during drought; and (5) compared these results to other, pre‐drought studies.

Environmental variables related to water chemistry and physical characteristics were drivers of species richness, diversity, and composition, yet vegetation cover remained a major driver. In terms of marginal vegetation cover, most artificial reservoirs did not resemble natural ponds, yet overall 38.4% of sampled aquatic insect species were shared between natural ponds and artificial reservoirs. We found some rare endemic species in artificial reservoirs that had never before been recorded in this habitat during wet years. When our drought findings were compared to earlier, wet years, species richness did not change significantly, although abundance was much lower during the drought year.

We postulate that historically, these aquatic insects, which have been through many ecological filters such as drought, must have sought low‐quality habitats to survive water stress periods. Artificial reservoirs, being novel landscape features, cannot fully replace natural ponds, but enable some aquatic insects to survive drought. Artificial reservoirs can be attractive habitats to aquatic insects when they resemble natural ponds, with specific reference to their marginal vegetation characteristics.
Average information residual maximum likelihood in practice
Authors: Gilmour Arthur R. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGilmour, Thompson, and Cullis (Biometrics, 1995, 51, 1440) presented the average information residual maximum likelihood (REML) algorithm for efficient variance parameter estimation in the linear mixed model. That paper dealt specifically with traditional variance component models, but the algorithm was quickly applied to more general models and implemented in several REML packages including ASReml (Gilmour et al., Biometrics, 2015, 51, 1440). This paper outlines the theory with respect to these more general models, describes the main issues encountered in fitting these models and how they have been addressed in the ASReml software. The issues covered are the basics steps in the implementation of the algorithm, keeping parameters within the parameter space, maximizing sparsity, avoiding issues associated with unstructured variance matrices by using the factor‐analytic structure and handling singularities in marker‐based relationship matrices and current work.