bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of sorghum genetic resources of Ethiopia for anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum Henn.) resistance and agronomic traits
Authors: Mengistu Girma , Shimelis Hussein , Laing Mark , Lule Dagnachew 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSorghum anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum Henn. is one of the key diseases limiting sorghum production and productivity. Development of anthracnose‐resistant sorghum genotypes possessing yield‐promoting agronomic traits is an important breeding goal in sorghum improvement programs. The objective of this study was to determine the responses of diverse sorghum genetic resources for anthracnose resistance and agronomic traits to identify desirable lines for breeding. A total of 366 sorghum collections and three standard checks were field evaluated during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. Lines were artificially inoculated with a virulent pure isolate of the pathogen. Anthracnose disease severity was assessed to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Agronomic traits such as panicle length (PL), panicle width (PW), head weight (HW) and thousand grain weight (TGW) were measured. Lines showed highly significant differences (p < .001) for anthracnose severity, AUDPC and agronomic traits. Among the collections 32 lines developed levels of disease severity between 15% and 30% in both seasons. The following sorghum landraces were selected: 71708, 210903, 74222, 73955, 74685, 74670, 74656, 74183, 234112, 69412, 226057, 214852, 71420, 71484, 200126, 71557, 75120, 71547, 220014, 228179, 16212, 16173, 16133, 69088, 238388, 16168 and 71570. These landraces had a relatively low anthracnose severity possessing farmer‐preferred agronomic traits. The selected genotypes are useful genetic resources to develop anthracnose‐resistant sorghum cultivars.
Effect of Photobiomodulation on Repairing Pressure Ulcers in Adult and Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Petz Francislene de Fatima Cordeiro , Félix Jorge Vinicius Cestari , Roehrs Hellen , Pott Franciele Soares , Stocco Janislei Giseli Dorociaki , Marcos Rodrigo Labat , Meier Marineli Joaquim 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEvaluation of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of pressure ulcers in adults and the elderly. Systematic review, based on the recommendations of the handbook, proposed by Cochrane. The search was carried out in databases, records of randomized clinical trials, list of references cited in the selected articles, as well as a manual search in meetings and specialized journals. A total of 1342 studies were identified, 18 were preselected and 5 were included in this review. Clinical heterogeneity of the participants was observed, in addition to variation in the laser parameters and predominance of studies of low methodological quality. PBMT with the use of laser (658 nm; 4 J cm−2;50 mw) showed complete wound healing (P < 0.001) when compared to lasers (990 nm and 808 nm). However, there was no statistically significant difference in relation to time to complete wound healing and in area reduction compared to standard care. PBMT in the infrared wavelength showed efficacy in the healing of the pressure ulcer, similar to the standard care presented in the different studies. PBMT (658 nm) was effective in promoting healing when compared to standard care. Laser can be a therapy of choice in the treatment of pressure ulcers, since no evidence has been found to refute its clinical application.
Changes in preschool children’s social engagement positively predict changes in social competence: A three‐year longitudinal study of portuguese children
Authors: Santos António J. , Daniel João R. , Antunes Marta , Coppola Gabrielle , Trudel Marcel , Vaughn Brian E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTo test the hypothesis that social engagement is a foundational aspect of other peer social competence indicators during early childhood, 160 Portuguese preschool children (“3‐year‐olds”) were observed at least in two different school years, using a battery of validated social competence assessments based on direct observations and child interviews. Multilevel growth models tested whether social engagement predicted initial values and linear changes in the other social competence indicators. Results were consistent with the hypothesis, insofar as both initial values and changes in social engagement significantly predicted initial values and changes in other social competence indicators. Additionally, the number of children's reciprocated friendships was also predicted by social engagement. These results are discussed from the perspectives of conceptual frameworks that consider individual differences in social competence during early childhood as a consequence of attachment histories and/or emotional competence.
Investigation and response to an outbreak of leptospirosis among raspberry workers in Australia, 2018
Authors: Katelaris Anthea L. , Glasgow Keira , Lawrence Kerryn , Corben Paul , Zheng Anthony , Sumithra Suhasini , Turahui John , Terry Janet , van den Berg Debra , Hennessy Daneeta , Kane Stacey , Craig Scott B. , Heading Ellena , Burns Mary‐Anne , Corner Hanisah L. , Sheppeard Vicky , McAnulty Jeremy 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn 2018, an outbreak of leptospirosis was identified among raspberry workers from a mixed‐berry farm in New South Wales, Australia. Initial testing had not revealed a cause, but eventually leptospirosis was detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Further serological testing detected Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Arborea, of which rodents are the predominant reservoir. Leptospirosis is rare in Australia, with outbreaks usually related to flooding. We conducted an investigation to identify risk factors for infection, to inform control measures.MethodsCases were detected through laboratory notifications, hospital‐based syndromic surveillance, awareness‐raising among farm employees and clinician alerts. Confirmed cases had a four‐fold rise in antibody titre or single titre ≥400 on microscopic agglutination test, and a positive IgM. Probable cases had a positive Leptospira PCR or IgM, and possible cases had a clinically compatible illness. We conducted a case–control study among raspberry workers on the farm and compared reported exposures between cases and seronegative controls. We assessed environmental risks on‐site and tested rodents for leptospirosis.ResultsWe identified 84 cases over a 5‐month period (50 confirmed, 19 probable and 15 possible). Compared with controls, cases were less likely to wear gloves and more recently employed. Cases also more commonly reported always having scratched hands, likely from the thorns on raspberry plants. We observed evidence of rodent activity around raspberry plants and three of thirteen trapped mice tested positive for Leptospira Arborea. Control measures included enhanced glove use, doxycycline prophylaxis and rodent control.ConclusionsThis is the largest known outbreak of leptospirosis in Australia. Workers were likely exposed through scratches inflicted during harvesting, which became contaminated with environmental leptospires from mice. Leptospirosis should be considered an occupational risk for raspberry workers, requiring protective measures. Chemoprophylaxis may assist in controlling outbreaks. PCR assists in the early diagnosis and detection of leptospirosis and should be included in surveillance case definitions.
PP10 A rapid response falls service – a new solution to a growing problem?
Authors: Charlton Karl 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundFalls are frequent in older people and are the primary cause of injury in adults aged 65+. Falls are associated with high mortality, morbidity and immobility. Many people who fall become frequent fallers, increasing the risk of serious injury; subsequently falls prevention is an NHS priority. A new rapid response falls service comprising of a Paramedic and Occupational Therapist was launched on 30thNovember 2018 but no evidence exists to determine the clinical or cost effectiveness of this intervention. This research aims to:Evaluate the rate of hospital admission for patients who pass through the interventionEvaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention.Determine the prevalence of risk factors for falling in the study group & determine any differences between those admitted to hospital and those who are notMethodsThis study is an observational, prospective cohort study and aims to recruit all patients who pass through the intervention who meet the eligibility criteria. Calculations indicate a sample size of 677. With informed consent, we will collect anonymised data relating to each patient, their care episode and ambulance despatch data. These data will answer the aims of this study and provide detail on how various patient groups differ. Research ethics committee and HRA approval has been granted.ResultsInterim results will be presented in the form of graphs, frequencies, percentages and mean values to demonstrate the rate of hospital admission, cost effectiveness of the intervention and disease prevalence for the study group. A narrative will contextualise findings to date and generate discussion. We will provide the rate of consent, dissent and withdrawal for the cohort.ConclusionsA summary of findings to date will be provided as well as implications for patients and the NHS. Limitations of this work will be discussed and opportunities for future research highlighted.
PP15 Predicting variations of calls to an ambulance service in the UK caused by circulating infections using-deep learning methods
Authors: Reich Thilo , Budka Marcin 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundDigital patient records in the ambulance service have opened up new opportunities for prehospital care. Previously it was demonstrated that prehospital pyrexia numbers are linked to an increase in overall calls to the ambulance service. This study aims to predict the future number of calls using deep-learning methods.MethodsTemperature readings for 280,447 patients were generously provided by the South Western Ambulance Service Trust. The data covered the time between 05/01/2016 and 30/04/2017 with overall 44,472 patients being pyretic. A rolling window of 10 days was applied to daily sums for both pyretic and apyretic patients. These windows were used as input features to train machine-learning algorithms predicting the number of calls 10 days ahead. Algorithms tested include Linear Regression (LR), basic Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) architectures. A genetic approach was used to optimise the architecture, in which parameters were randomly modified and over several generations the best performing algorithm will be selected to be further manipulated. To assess performance the Mean Average Percentage Error (MAPE) was used.ResultsThe initial analysis showed that the total patient number and pyretic patient numbers are correlated. The best performing algorithms with varying numbers of hidden units had the following MAPE in comparison to simple LR: LR=19.4%, LSTM (104 units) = 6.1%, RNN (79 units)=6.01%, GRU (80 units)=5.97%.ConclusionsThese preliminary results suggest that deep-learning methods allow to predict the variations in total number of calls caused by circulating infections. Further investigations will aim to confirm these findings. Once fully verified these algorithms could play a major role in operational planning of any ambulance service by predicting increases in demand.
PP25 ‘I wish there was CPAP in every box’: internet-based survey responses of clinicians recruiting to a pilot randomised controlled trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for patients with acute respiratory failure
Authors: Miller Joshua , Keating Samuel , Fuller Gordon , Goodacre Steve 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is not in widespread use in UK ambulance services, but could benefit patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). As a new treatment in this context, clinician acceptability is an important factor in the feasibility of conducting definitive research in the prehospital arena.MethodsAs part of a pilot randomised controlled trial (the ACUTE study), recruiting clinicians were emailed after enrolling patients to either the CPAP or standard-care arm, and were asked to complete an optional, anonymous, internet-based survey. The survey used a mixture of closed questions, Likert-scaled answers and free text to explore staff views on both the treatment and the trial procedures. Quantitative responses were analysed descriptively, and qualitative answers thematically.ResultsRecruiting clinicians for all 77 patients were sent survey links, with 40 email responses received. Respondents felt confident diagnosing ARF and determining trial eligibility. CPAP-arm respondents found the equipment easy-to-use and felt it did not delay transport to hospital. Most standard-care respondents said they would have liked CPAP to be available to their patients. Respondents described varying responses from receiving hospital staff.ConclusionsPrehospital CPAP seems acceptable to clinicians. Limitations of this survey are that it was targeted only at clinicians who have already opted to take part in the trial, and so may exclude a body of staff who find the treatment unacceptable at face value. Not all clinicians who enrolled patients completed the survey, which could suggest a response bias or simply a reflection of its optional nature within the trial. Future pilot studies could mandate an acceptability survey, and also seek the views of staff not taking part in the interventional study. Trial teams may need to better explain the rationale of comparing a new intervention with standard care, and offer more widespread hospital staff awareness sessions.
PP31 Strategies to manage emergency ambulance telephone callers with sustained high needs – an evaluation using linked data (STRETCHED)
Authors: Porter Alison , Edwards A , Edwards BM , Evans BA , Gripper PC , Hughes H , John A , Khanom A , Petterson R , Philips CJ , Scott J , Tee A , Watkins A , Snooks H 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundAmbulance services across the UK have recognised a clinical and operational problem with persistent high users of the 999 service, but there is a lack of evidence about what works in this setting and how. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of multi-agency case management approaches to the care of people who frequently call the emergency ambulance service, and gain understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementation.MethodsWe will carry out a mixed methods evaluation using anonymised linked routine data outcomes in a ‘natural experiment’ cohort design in four UK ambulance services, with one case management intervention site and one control site within each service. We will describe the epidemiology of ‘frequent calling’; assess the effects of case management on process, outcomes, safety and costs up to six months for 300 high users per service (n-1200); and examine the views of stakeholders, including patients, through qualitative methods. We will synthesise quantitative and qualitative findings, informed by a logic model describing predicted mechanisms of change.ResultsWe received confirmation of NIHR grant funding for this study in 2018 so do not yet have results to report.ConclusionsTelephone callers with sustained high needs represent a significant, high profile policy challenge to emergency ambulance services. Such callers may be indicative of gaps elsewhere in the health care system, which could be more effectively addressed by pro-active care. The STRETCHED study provides the opportunity to contribute to the currently sparse evidence base on interventions for this patient group.
OP4 Accessing unplanned and emergency health services – experiences of asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees living in wales
Authors: Khanom Ashrafunnesa , Evans Bridie , Alonazi Wedad , Glendenning Alex , Jones Matthew , John Ann , Khan Talha , Kingston Mark Rhys , Manning Cathrin , Moyo Sam , Porter Alison , Rhydderch Melody , Rungua Grace , Russell Daphne , Russell Ian , Scott Rebecca , Williams Victoria , Snooks Helen 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundNumbers of asylum seekers and refugees living in Wales have increased sharply. Many are liable to have unmet health needs and difficulty accessing services. We investigated the experience of, and access to, unplanned and emergency health services by asylum seekers, refugees and those refused asylum living in Wales.MethodWe surveyed 210 asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees and conducted eight focus groups with 57 participants (with interpreters present when necessary) to explore experiences. We used descriptive statistics to analyse survey data and framework analyses to analyse interview data.ResultsSurvey data showed awareness of unscheduled health services was mixed. Best known was the 999 ambulance service (72% reportedly had heard of and could contact this outside daytime hours). NHS111 was familiar to 36% but just a quarter (26%) had heard of and could contact GP out-of-hours services. Fewer than half of respondents (44%) knew of the Emergency Department. 26% reported using a health service out-of-hours. Focus group respondents with little English reported difficulty explaining their health needs, particularly in emergencies and when seeking telephone help through 999 and 111 calls. Others said they used emergency services if they did not know how to access routine and out-of-hours care or if they felt their efforts to see a GP did not resolve their problem.ConclusionLanguage barriers and poor knowledge of UK health systems mean asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees use emergency health services to meet needs which could be seen and treated in routine primary services. Language barriers using phone lines may also result in paramedic attendance or conveyance to Emergency Departments because health needs are not clearly identified. Better information and support may help this population access services which match their needs and support their health more effectively.
PP9 Managing alcohol intoxication in the night-time economy: staff and patient perspectives
Authors: Irving Andy , Allen Davina , Blake Joanne , Moore Simon , Goodacre Steve 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundAlcohol-related harms arising in the Night-Time Economy (NTE) impose a substantial burden on emergency services (ES) especially ambulance services engaged in both street level care and transportation of acutely intoxicated patients to a hospital Emergency Department (ED). Alcohol Intoxication Management Services (AIMS) are intended as an alternative care pathway for intoxicated patients who would normally use emergency services and are often run by ambulance services in partnership with other agencies. Despite growing policy interest in AIMS as an alternative pathway it is not known what their users think of them nor the experiences of frontline staff engaged in and around AIMS.MethodsAs part of a mixed-method study semi-structured interviews were followed by a survey of users recruited from six different AIMS. A parallel ethnographic component used observations and interviews with ambulance staff in two cities with AIMS and one without.ResultsSurveys and interviews found AIMs users retrospectively viewed the decision to take them to AIMS favourably and highly rated the care they received, especially the friendly, non-judgemental atmosphere created between ambulance staff and other agents involved in AIMS. A majority of AIMS survey respondents said they would not have called emergency services (85%) or gone to the ED (75.6%). Ethnographic work showed ambulance personnel considered AIMS to have a positive impact on ES, freeing capacity to attend to other emergencies. Ambulance staff without AIMS worked to avoid conveyance to ED but this could result in extended periods risk assessing individuals at street level, which meant they felt unavailable to address other emergency calls.ConclusionsAIMS are viewed very positively by their users and the ambulance staff involved. Findings from surveys, interviews and ethnography suggest that AIMS and EDs are managing different patient groups in different ways, and thus may represent complementary rather than competing alternatives care pathways.
Periodic Solutions of an Impact-Driven Frequency Up-Conversion Piezoelectric Harvester
Authors: Abedini Amin , Onsorynezhad Saeed , Wang Fengxia 
Published: September 2019

Frequency up-conversion has been proved to be an effective approach to increase the output power of a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH). The proposed system can convert low-frequency vibration from ambient sources to the resonant vibration of the PEH hence can improve the output power efficiency. Frequency up-conversion technologies are introduced via impact or nonimpact magnetic forces to initiate the repeated free oscillations of the piezoelectric generator. No matter impact- or nonimpact-driven PEHs, most studies focus on either finite element simulation or experimental demonstration of PEHs electric power generations. Few, if any, study the effects of the impact-induced discontinuous dynamics on power generation efficiency. In this work, the energy harvesting performance of a piezoelectric beam upon interaction with a softer driving beam was studied. The discontinuous dynamics behind this impact-driven PEH was investigated, and strategies exploited to further improve the power efficiency of the frequency up-conversion process. Based on the linear elastic and linear mechanical-electrical constitutive laws, the lumped parameter models were built for both the driving beam and the piezoelectric driven beam. The numerical solution of the output power is obtained based on the vibration amplitude, frequency, and the electrical load. The soft beam is subjected to a sinusoidal base excitation, and the piezoelectric beam was excited via impacting with the soft driving beam. Based on the discontinuous dynamics theory, the performance of the energy harvesting of the impact-driven system was studied for period-1 and period-2 motions. Based on the stability and bifurcation analysis of periodic solutions, bifurcation diagrams of impact velocities, times, displacements and harvested power versus the frequency of the base excitation were also obtained, and compared to the power generation of a piezoelectric beam with base excitation.