bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare Provider Advice to Engage in Walking Regimens and Adherence in Women With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Peñacoba Cecilia , Angeles Pastor-Mira María , López-Roig Sofía , Sanz Yolanda , Velasco Lilian 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of the study was to analyze the profile of fibromyalgia patients receiving medical advice to walk and who complied with the advice according to a specific clinical pattern. A further aim has been to analyze the elements that increase adherence to walking.

Design
A cross-sectional study with 920 women with fibromyalgia.

Methods
Sociodemographic and clinical variables, walking behavior, and medical advice to walk were assessed.

Findings and Conclusions
Patients who adhere to walking have a lower likelihood of being tired. Regular walkers (patients who walk according to a specific clinical pattern) have a lower likelihood of comorbidity. Patients who receive medical advice to walk are more likely to walk more than 30 minutes and to take a break between bouts.

Clinical Relevance
Nurses caring for people with fibromyalgia should include strategies to promote walking, especially in patients with low adherence profiles, paying attention to all elements of behavior.
A neural model of working memory
Authors: Manohar Sanjay G , Zokaei Nahid , Fallon Sean J , Vogels Tim , Husain Masud 
Published: December 2017

SummaryWorking memory, the ability to keep recently encountered information available for immediate processing, has been proposed to rely on two mechanisms that appear difficult to reconcile: selfsustained neural firing, or the opposite—activity-silent synaptic traces. Here we show that both phenomena can co-exist within a unified system in which neurons hold information in both activity and synapses. Rapid plasticity in flexibly-coding neurons allows features to be bound together into objects, with an important emergent property being the focus of attention. One memory item is held by persistent activity in an attended or “focused” state, and is thus remembered better than other items. Other, previously attended items can remain in memory but in the background, encoded in activity-silent synaptic traces. This dual functional architecture provides a unified common mechanism accounting for a diverse range of perplexing attention and memory effects that have been hitherto difficult to explain in a single theoretical framework.
Using an agent-based sexual-network model to guide mitigation efforts for controlling chlamydia
Authors: Azizi Asma , Dewar Jeremy , Hyman James M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe create and analyze a stochastic heterosexual agent-based bipartite network model to help understand the spread of chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and is major cause of infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy among women. We use an agent-based network model to capture the complex heterogeneous assortative sexual mixing network of men and women. Both long-term and casual partnerships are modeled with different sexual contact frequencies and condom use. We use simulations to compare the effectiveness of intervention strategies based on randomly screening people for infection, treating the partners of infected people, and rescreening for infection after treatment. We compare the difference between treating the partners of an infected person both with, and without, testing them first for infection. The highest prevalence is among young sexually active individuals. We calibrate the model parameters to agree with recent survey data showing chlamydia prevalence of 14% of the women and 9% of the men in the 15 – 25 year-old African American residents of New Orleans, Louisiana. We observed that although increased chlamydia screening and treating most of the partners of infected people will reduce the incidence, these mitigations alone are not sufficient to control the epidemic. The model predicts that the current epidemic can brought under control once over half of the partners of infected people are tested and treated.
Transmural unipolar electrogram morphology is achieved within 7s at the posterior left atrial wall during pulmonary vein isolation: VISITAG™ Module-based lesion assessment during radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Tomlinson David R. , Myles Madison , N. Stevens Kara , Streeter Adam J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimsTo assess the occurrence of a histologically validated measure of transmural (TM) atrial ablation – pure R unipolar electrogram (UE) morphology change – at first-ablated left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) sites during contact force (CF)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).Methods and resultsExported VISITAG™ Module and CARTOREPLAY™ (Biosense Webster Inc.) UE morphology data was retrospectively analysed in 23 consecutive patients undergoing PVI under general anaesthesia. PVI without spontaneous / dormant recovery was achieved in all, employing 16.3[3.2] minutes (mean [SD]) of temperature-controlled RF at 30W. All first-ablated LAPW sites demonstrated RS UE morphology pre-ablation, with RF-induced pure R UE morphology change in 98%. Time to pure R UE morphology was significantly shorter at left-sided LAPW sites (4.9[2.1] s versus 6.7[2.5] s; p=0.02), with significantly greater impedance drop (median 13.5Ω versus 9.9Ω; p=0.003). Importantly, neither the first-site RF duration (14.9 versus 15.0s) nor the maximum ablation catheter tip distance moved (during RF) were significantly different, yet the mean CF was significantly higher at right-sided sites (16.5g versus 11.2g; p=0.002). Concurrent impedance and objectively annotated bipolar electrogram (BE) data demonstrated ~6-8Ω impedance drop and ~30% BE decrease at the time of first pure R UE morphology change.ConclusionUsing objective ablation site annotation, TM UE morphology change was typically achieved within 7s at the LAPW, with significantly greater ablative effect evident at left-sided sites. The methodology described in this report represents a novel and scientifically more rigorous foundation towards future research into the biological effects of RF ablation in vivo.Condensed abstractThrough appropriate use of the VISITAG™ Module and CARTOREPLAY™, unipolar electrogram morphology change indicative of histologically confirmed transmural atrial ablation in animal models, was proven to occur typically within 7s, during first-site contact force-guided ablation at the left atrial posterior wall during pulmonary vein isolation.
Distractor inhibition contributes to retroactive attentional orienting within working memory: Evidence by lateralized alpha oscillations in the EEG
Authors: Schneider Daniel , Barth Anna , Haase Henrike , Hickey Clayton , Wascher Edmund 
Published: December 2017

AbstractShifts of attention within mental representations based on retroactive cues (retro-cues) facilitate performance in working memory tasks. It was suggested that this retro-cue benefit is related to the concentration of working memory resources on a subset of representations, thereby improving storage and retrieval at the cost of non-cued items. However, the attentional mechanisms underlying this updating of working memory representations remain unknown. Here, we present EEG data for distinguishing between target enhancement and distractor suppression processes in the context of retroactive attentional orienting. Therefore, we used a working memory paradigm with retro-cues indicating a shift of attention to either a lateralized or non-lateralized item. There was an increase of posterior alpha power contralateral compared to ipsilateral to the irrelevant item when a non-lateralized mental representation was cued and a contralateral suppression of posterior alpha power when a lateralized item had to be selected. This suggests that both inhibition of the non-cued information and enhancement of the target representation are important features of attentional orienting within working memory. By further presenting cues to either remember or to forget a working memory representation, we give a first impression of these retroactive attentional sub-processes as two separable cognitive mechanisms.
Treatment‐related psychological stress in different in vitro fertilization therapies with and without gonadotropin stimulation
Authors: Haemmerli Keller Katja , Alder Gilliane , Loewer Lennard , Faeh Monika , Rohner Susanne , von Wolff Michael 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionInfertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) impose substantial distress. However, the specific role of individual contributory factors remains unclear. We therefore compared treatment‐related psychological stress in IVF treatments with (cIVF) and without (NC‐IVF) gonadotropin stimulation, as cIVF includes potentially stressful factors such as ovarian stimulation, anesthesia, embryo selection and cryopreservation, whereas NC‐IVF does not.Material and methodsWomen were offered to have cIVF or NC‐IVF. Validated psychological questionnaires filled in online before, during and after completed treatment cycle(s) at home were used to analyze psychological distress and treatment‐related satisfaction and quality of life. To avoid different pregnancy rates in the two treatment groups, one cIVF was compared with three NC‐IVF therapies, resulting in the same cumulative pregnancy rate.ResultsData from 57 NC‐IVF and 62 cIVF patients were evaluated. NC‐IVF resulted in a similar overall clinical pregnancy rate than one cIVF. NC‐IVF patients had a significantly lower level of depression (CES‐D, 13.4 vs. 15.7, p < 0.05) and a higher satisfaction with the treatment (Treatment FertiQoL, 67.9 vs. 62.9, p < 0.05) compared with cIVF patients. The level of psychological distress increased during c‐IVF treatment and decreased during NC‐IVF treatment. In contrast, during NC‐IVF treatment there was a significant increase in satisfaction with the treatment, whereas satisfaction with treatment in the cIVF patients decreased.ConclusionsFactors other than just pregnancy rate seem to have an impact on psychological stress in IVF treatment. Due to reduced psychological stress in NC‐IVF, this treatment could be especially considered in psychologically stressed women.
Interactive media as a tool for reducing waiting anxiety at paediatric rehabilitation hospitals: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Biddiss Elaine , Knibbe Tara Joy , Fehlings Darcy , Mckeever Patricia , Cohen Ashley , Mcpherson Amy 
Published: December 2017

AimTo investigate the efficacy of waiting room media for reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction at a paediatric rehabilitation hospital.MethodIn this clustered, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 310 young people with disabilities (age range 5–19y) and their parents attending outpatient clinics were assigned to interactive media (n=113), a silent nature video (n=97), or media‐free comparison (n=100) groups. Young person and parent anxiety was reported using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) on arrival and after 10 minutes in the waiting space. Questionnaires measured young person, parent, and staff satisfaction.ResultsYoung people exposed to interactive media reported a postexposure state anxiety that was 1.1 raw points (2.7 standardized points) lower on the STAI than the comparison group (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.9 to −0.22). There was no difference in postexposure state anxiety between the passive media and comparison groups (95% CI −0.64 to 1.1). Parents’ state anxiety did not differ between conditions, but interactive media were associated with greater satisfaction (p=0.009). Of 120 staff, 119 reported that interactive media improved the clinic experience for families.InterpretationInteractive media designed for accessible, hands‐free play mitigate waiting anxiety and increases satisfaction. This paper provides evidence to guide design and decision‐making around the use of interactive media in health care spaces.What this paper adds

Interactive media reduced preclinic waiting anxiety for young people with disabilities.

Interactive media were accessible to young people with a range of mobility.

Interactive media increased parental and staff satisfaction in the clinic.

Guidelines for the design of hands‐free, inclusive interactive media for health care facilities are presented.
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) assistants in Europe: Pathways towards continuous professional development (CPD) and qualification
Authors: Peeters Jan , Sharmahd Nima , Budginaité Irma 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThere is broad consensus amongst researchers and international organisations that the quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC), which means the wellbeing of children and families, depends on well‐educated and competent staff. This remains a challenge in Europe, since part of the workforce is also represented by low‐qualified ECEC assistants in many EU countries. In the CoRe study (2011), assistants are defined as ‘invisible workers’, meaning that their presence is usually not taken into account in policy documents and that they have far fewer possibilities of qualification and professional development than core practitioners. Building on the findings of the CoRe study, a recent NESET II report reviewed the profiles of ECEC assistants in 15 European countries and their professionalisation opportunities. This article describes the report's findings, with a focus on the roles of assistants and on how to create coherent pathways towards their qualification and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities. The latter is shown through the examples of three case studies carried out in Denmark, France and Slovenia. Recommendations for policy makers are included in the conclusions. The framework of the article is the ‘competent system’: as pointed out in the CoRe study, individual competences alone are not sufficient to create quality. A ‘competent system’ is needed which includes collaboration between individuals, teams and institutions and has competent governance at policy level. This means working within a holistic ‘educare’ approach that is able to value the educative role of caring and the caring role of education.
Neuronal oscillations: unavoidable and useful?
Authors: Singer Wolf 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNeuronal systems have a high propensity to engage in oscillatory activity because both the properties of individual neurons and canonical circuit motifs favour rhythmic activity. In addition, coupled oscillators can engage in a large variety of dynamical regimes, ranging from synchronization with different phase offsets to chaotic behaviour. Which regime prevails depends on differences between preferred oscillation frequencies, coupling strength and coupling delays. The ability of delay coupled oscillator networks to generate a rich repertoire of temporally structured activation sequences is exploited by central pattern generator networks for the control of movements. However, it is less clear whether temporal patterning of neuronal discharges also plays a role in cognitive processes. Here, it will be argued that the temporal patterning of neuronal discharges emerging from delay coupled oscillator networks plays a pivotal role in all instances in which selective relations have to be established between the responses of distributed assemblies of neurons. Examples are the dynamic formation of functional networks, the selective routing of activity in densely interconnected networks, the attention‐dependent selection of sensory signals, the fast and context‐dependent binding of responses for further joint processing in pattern recognition and the formation of associations by learning. Special consideration is given to arguments that challenge a functional role of oscillations and synchrony in cognition because of the volatile nature of these phenomena and recent evidence will be reviewed suggesting that this volatility is functionally advantageous.
An EEG index of sensorimotor interhemispheric coupling after unilateral stroke: clinical and neurophysiological study
Authors: Pichiorri Floriana , Petti Manuela , Caschera Stefano , Astolfi Laura , Cincotti Febo , Mattia Donatella 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBrain connectivity has been employed to investigate on post‐stroke recovery mechanisms and assess the effect of specific rehabilitation interventions. Changes in interhemispheric coupling after stroke have been related to the extent of damage in the corticospinal tract (CST) and thus, to motor impairment. In this study, we aimed at defining an index of interhemispheric connectivity derived from electroencephalography (EEG), correlated with CST integrity and clinical impairment. Thirty sub‐acute stroke patients underwent clinical and neurophysiological evaluation: CST integrity was assessed by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and high‐density EEG was recorded at rest. Connectivity was assessed by means of Partial Directed Coherence and the normalized Inter‐Hemispheric Strength (nIHS) was calculated for each patient and frequency band on the whole network and in three sub‐networks relative to the frontal, central (sensorimotor) and occipital areas. Interhemipheric coupling as expressed by nIHS on the whole network was significantly higher in patients with preserved CST integrity in beta and gamma bands. The same index estimated for the three sub‐networks showed significant differences only in the sensorimotor area in lower beta, with higher values in patients with preserved CST integrity. The sensorimotor lower beta nIHS showed a significant positive correlation with clinical impairment. We propose an EEG‐based connectivity index which is a measure of the interhemispheric cross‐talking and correlates with functional motor impairment in subacute stroke patients. Such index could be employed to evaluate the effects of training aimed at re‐establishing interhemispheric balance and eventually drive the design of future connectivity‐driven rehabilitation interventions.
Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in ponies measured by two different assays suggests seasonal cross‐reactivity or interference
Authors: Knowles E. J. , Moreton‐Clack M. C. , Shaw S. , Harris P. A. , Elliott J. , Menzies‐Gow N. J. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundAnalysis of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration [ACTH] aids diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Comparisons of the validated chemiluminescent‐immunoassay (CI) and immunofluorescent (IF) assays are limited.ObjectivesTo compare the results of [ACTH] analysis by CI and IF methods of samples collected in autumn and spring and assess cross‐reactivity.Study designMethod comparison.MethodsPlasma from nonlaminitic ponies was analysed concurrently using the IF and CI methods in autumn and the following spring. Diagnostic thresholds for the IF method were derived using ROC curves and Youden indices to correspond with CI thresholds. Assay specificity was assessed using commercially available ACTH fragments and degradation products of endogenous ACTH.ResultsCI and IF methods yielded different results (P<0.001); mean differences (CI–IF), (95% confidence intervals): Autumn (n=99) 38.6 (30.6–46.5) pg/ml, Spring (n=88) 5.1 (3.9–6.3) pg/ml. The association between CI and IF results differed in autumn and spring, consistent with seasonally dependent cross‐reactivity or interference. Good (κ=0.66–0.74) agreement was obtained for binary interpretation in spring between IF and CI using thresholds of >24 and >29 pg/ml respectively and in autumn between IF and CI using thresholds of >27 and >47 pg/ml respectively or >33 and >77 pg/ml respectively. Of 88 ponies with both spring and autumn samples, 56 (64%) exceeded a published autumn CI threshold (>47 pg/ml), of which 39 (70%) were below the equivalent threshold (<29 pg/ml) the following spring without treatment. The CI assay showed apparent increases in [ACTH] following addition of CLIP (ACTH 18–39). Degradation of ACTH during storage affected the assays differently.Main limitationsLimited numbers of PPID cases were included. Immunoreactivity of commercially available peptides may differ from their endogenous equivalents.ConclusionsThe methods yielded different absolute values but the agreement for binary classification was good. An altered pituitary secretome in autumn that affects apparent [ACTH] values is likely.
The Summary is available in Spanish ‐ see Supporting information.
Factors Associated with Romantic Relationship Self‐Efficacy Following Youth‐Focused Relationship Education
Authors: Futris Ted G. , Sutton Tara E. , Duncan Jeneé C. 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo explore how youths' perceived relationship self‐efficacy following relationship education may vary on the basis of program and youth characteristics.BackgroundYouth‐focused relationship education has been shown to promote attitudes and behaviors that foster healthy romantic relationships. Yet little is known about the factors associated with variations in these program outcomes.MethodUsing data collected from a convenience sample of 1,076 youth who participated in the Love U2: Relationship Smarts Plus program, structural equation models and multiple group analysis using chi‐square difference tests were examined to assess whether and how various program and youth characteristics are associated with relationship self‐efficacy.ResultsYouths' romantic relationship self‐efficacy was greater when programming was offered within a week or weekly versus monthly, after school rather than in‐school, and whether participants were female and had previous dating experiences. Several demographic factors (e.g., race, sex) moderated the influence of programmatic and individual characteristics on self‐efficacy.ConclusionVariability exists in how relationship and marriage education programs are implemented in uncontrolled real‐world settings. Our findings suggest that program outcomes may also vary on the basis of certain youth and program characteristics.ImplicationsPractitioners should carefully consider how the tailoring of program content and delivery to meet the needs of diverse audiences maintains program fidelity and can potentially influence program outcomes.