bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A few steps along the road? Promoting support for parents with learning difficulties
Authors: Tarleton Beth 
Published: May 2015

Accessible summary

Parents with learning difficulties often face lots of barriers to being the best parents they can. They often do not have the support they need.

The Norah Fry Research Centre (NFRC) found out how to support parents with learning difficulties. It developed a network to help professionals work with parents with learning difficulties.

Some professionals are working well with parents. Many professionals do not have the time, training or support they need to work with parents in a more positive way.

SummaryThis paper considers the impact of research and development work around parenting by adults with a learning difficulty undertaken at the Norah Fry Research Centre (NFRC) since 2005. It discusses how our understanding of the support needs of parents with learning difficulties grew through an initial mapping study which led to the concept of ‘Parenting with Support’. It then discusses the development of the Working Together with Parents Network which has endeavoured to continue to draw together and promote positive support for parents with learning difficulties and how the subsequent research at NFRC has been undertaken with a desire to further understand and support the development of this positive practice. It describes how this work has supported professionals already aware of parents with learning difficulties’ support needs and but has yet to engage with the far wider range of professionals and agendas involved in supporting vulnerable families.
A ‘Suitable Person’: an ‘insider’ perspective
Authors: Coles Barbara 
Published: May 2015

Accessible Summary

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how ‘insider’ research can make an effective contribution to policy debates.

It draws on a study which looked at the experiences of twelve parents in England who manage a Direct Payment for an adult child who has a learning disability and complex support needs.

This article matters to people with learning disabilities because it reveals some of the challenges faced by some parents who are managing Direct Payments on their behalf.

SummaryThis article draws on a doctoral study carried out across seven counties in England which focused on twelve parents’ experiences of carrying out the role of a ‘suitable person’ (‘SP’) by managing a direct payment for an adult child (living in her/his own home) who has severe learning disabilities, autism and very complex support needs. Evidence came from naturally occurring qualitative data using (auto) ethnography. The research exposed how vital these parents’ expertise and skills are to their adult children, but also how they themselves are being used within the care system. This article considers whether research has greater impact if a researcher who has direct experience of the research problem has conducted it. It argues that ‘insider’ research can uncover a unique perspective of some of the issues that directly affect the lives of ‘SP’. In terms of ‘impact’, how seriously such research is taken, especially if the findings run counter to much of the existing literature, as it did in this study, remains to be seen.
Easy Information about research: getting the message out to people with learning disabilities
Authors: Goodwin Julian , Mason Victoria , Williams Val , Townsley Ruth 
Published: May 2015

Accessible Summary

People with learning disabilities have a right to be given easy information about research which is about their lives. At the Norah Fry Research Centre, we have tried to do that.

We have employed a person with learning disabilities Julian Goodwin. In this paper, he looks back at the importance of the work he has done.

We think about the questions and difficulties in making information about research ‘easy’. For instance different people with learning disabilities need different types of information.

Easy information is changing, and we need to look forward to better ways of getting research messages out to people with learning disabilities.

SummaryThis paper discusses the provision of easy information about research to people with learning disabilities, their families and supporters. We explore some different ways we have used over the past 25 years, to make sure that research has the greatest impact both in the UK and abroad. We discuss first the process of providing easy‐read versions of research at the Norah Fry Research Centre, where two of us, Goodwin and Townsley, worked on a series called Plain Facts funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. We have always used different media such as audio, but more recently, have started to use video as a way of getting information out to people with learning disabilities. We aim to present the ‘easy information’ work done at Norah Fry, to reflect on its impact, and set it within the context of the move towards accessible information more generally, questioning some of the premises about ‘impact’ on which accessible information is based.
Love in a Cold Climate: changes in the fortunes of LGBT men and women with learning disabilities?
Authors: Abbott David 
Published: May 2015

Accessible Summary

This study goes back to look at some research which was about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people with learning disabilities.

Have things got better or worse for LGBT people as this research was performed?

It is hard to say whether things have changed because we still do not know very much about the experiences of LGBT people with learning disabilities themselves.

Summary‘Secret Loves, Hidden Lives?’ was a piece of research which explored the lives and loves of gay, lesbian and bisexual people with learning disabilities. The research arguably influenced the development of policy in that same sex relationships were subsequently mentioned in English government policy on learning disability. The research had an extensive programme of dissemination, and whilst no systematic attempt was made to measure the impact of the dissemination or the research, this study suggests ways in which the research might (or might not) have made a difference in relation to: telling untold stories, supporting front line workers with practical resources, challenging negative assumptions held by staff in services and putting LGBT people with learning disabilities in touch with each other. The study also considers work which was left undone and reflects on the opportunities to support LGBT people with learning disabilities in the current context of financial austerity.
Perceptions of low‐income mothers about the causes and ways to prevent overweight in children
Authors: Danford C. A. , Schultz C. M. , Rosenblum K. , Miller A. L. , Lumeng J. C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundChildhood overweight and obesity remain major health conditions, affecting nearly one‐third of children in the USA. Multiple factors have been identified that contribute to children becoming overweight; however, little is known regarding what low‐income mothers perceive to be the causes of and the ways to prevent children from becoming overweight.MethodsLow‐income mothers (n = 286) with children aged 4–8 years participated in semi‐structured interviews, during which they were asked for their opinions about the causes of and ways to prevent children from becoming overweight. After themes were identified, interviews were coded for the presence or absence of each theme.ResultsThe majority of mothers were non‐Hispanic White (69.2%) and overweight or obese (77.3%). Additionally, many of the children (41.9%) were overweight or obese. Six causes of children becoming overweight were identified by mothers: types or quantities of food eaten (90.9%); parenting behaviours (44.9%); lack of activity (42.3%); genetics, slow metabolism or medical issues (24.5%); stress or emotion (5.2%); and limited access to resources (3.5%). Five ways to prevent children from becoming overweight identified by mothers included the following: healthy eating (84.9%), more activity (54.8%), limiting screen time (19.9%), limiting sugar‐sweetened beverages (12.2%) and drinking more water (6.6%). The majority of mothers (77.1%) reported that they carried out their suggestions to prevent their children from becoming overweight.ConclusionWithin this cohort with a high prevalence of maternal and child overweight, most mothers identified many of the evidence‐based strategies for childhood obesity prevention. Future intervention development may benefit from focusing on content areas that were less commonly identified by mothers as well as helping mothers translate knowledge to implementation.
Risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after heart transplantation: clinical outcomes comparing upper extremity deep vein thrombosis and lower extremity deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Elboudwarej Omeed , Patel Jignesh K. , Liou Frank , Rafiei Matthew , Osborne Ashley , Chai Wanxing , Kittleson Michelle , Czer Lawrence , Stern Lily , Esmailian Fardad , Kobashigawa Jon A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIntroductionHeart transplant patients have risk factors that place them at higher risk for acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), than the general population. We assessed for rate of VTE and incidence of PE‐related mortality among heart transplant patients.Materials and MethodsA total of 1258 heart transplant patients were evaluated for the development of VTE. The diagnosis of DVT was made by Duplex ultrasonography, and PE was diagnosed by computerized tomography pulmonary angiography or ventilation–perfusion radionuclide scan. PE‐related mortality was assessed at one yr, three yr, and five yr post‐transplant.ResultsA total of 117 (9.3%) patients were diagnosed with DVT, including 65 of 117 (55.5%) with lower extremity DVT (LEDVT) and 52 of 117 (44.4%) with upper extremity DVT (UEDVT). A total of 24 (1.9%) patients experienced PE with seven (29.2%) resulting deaths. The rate of LEDVT and UEDVT was similar (55.5% vs. 44.4%); however, the incidence of PE was greater for those with LEDVT (23.1% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.04). Patients with PE had lower survival over the five‐yr follow‐up period compared to those with DVT only (67% vs. 81%; p = 0.51).ConclusionHeart transplant patients have a high incidence of VTE despite current best practice, indicating a need for a more aggressive approach to thromboprophylaxis.
Incidence and early outcomes associated with pre‐transplant antivimentin antibodies in the cardiac transplantation population
Authors: Young Raymond K. , Dale Bethany , Russell Stuart D. , Zachary Andrea A. , Tedford Ryan J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn cardiac transplant recipients, the development of antibodies to the endothelial intermediate filament protein vimentin (antivimentin antibodies, AVA) has been associated with rejection and poor outcomes. However, the incidence of these antibodies prior to transplantation and their association with early rejection has not been investigated.MethodsPre‐transplant serum was analyzed from 50 patients who underwent de novo cardiac transplant at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2004 to 2012. Demographic, one‐yr rejection, and survival data were obtained from the transplant database.ResultsThe incidence of pre‐transplant AVA was 34%. AVA‐positive patients were younger (p = 0.03), and there was an a trend toward incidence in females (p = 0.08). Demographic data were similar among both groups. AVA positivity did not predict rejection in the first year post‐transplant. There was no difference in rejection‐free graft survival (53 vs. 52%, p = 0.85) at one yr. Similarly, there was no difference in graft survival at one yr (82 vs. 88%, p = 0.56) or graft survival at a median follow‐up of 23 and 26 months, respectively (76 vs. 85%, p = 0.41).ConclusionsAVA is common in the cardiac pre‐transplant population with a higher incidence in the young. The presence of detectable AVA did not correlate with early post‐transplant rejection or graft survival.
Management of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state in adults with diabetes
Authors: Scott A. R. ,   the Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care,   the JBDS hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic guidelines group
Published: May 2015

AbstractHyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is a medical emergency, which differs from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and requires a different approach. The present article summarizes the recent guidance on HHS that has been produced by the Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care, available in full at http://www.diabetologists-abcd.org.uk/JBDS/JBDS_IP_HHS_Adults.pdf. HHS has a higher mortality rate than DKA and may be complicated by myocardial infarction, stroke, seizures, cerebral oedema and central pontine myelinolysis and there is some evidence that rapid changes in osmolality during treatment may be the precipitant of central pontine myelinolysis. Whilst DKA presents within hours of onset, HHS comes on over many days, and the dehydration and metabolic disturbances are more extreme. The key points in these HHS guidelines include: (1) monitoring of the response to treatment: (i) measure or calculate the serum osmolality regularly to monitor the response to treatment and (ii) aim to reduce osmolality by 3–8 mOsm/kg/h; (2) fluid and insulin administration: (i) use i.v. 0.9% sodium chloride solution as the principal fluid to restore circulating volume and reverse dehydration, (ii) fluid replacement alone will cause a fall in blood glucose (BG) level, (iii) withhold insulin until the BG level is no longer falling with i.v. fluids alone (unless ketonaemic), (iv) an initial rise in sodium level is expected and is not itself an indication for hypotonic fluids and (v) early use of insulin (before fluids) may be detrimental; and (3) delivery of care: (i) The diabetes specialist team should be involved as soon as possible and (ii) patients should be nursed in areas where staff are experienced in the management of HHS.
Nest boxes in planted and regrowth Forest Red‐gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.) ecosystems
Authors: Smith Geoffrey C. , Hogan Luke D. , Franks Alan , Franks Stacey 
Published: May 2015

SummaryNest boxes were deployed in planted and regrowth areas in association with a revegetation project to restore Forest Red‐gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) ecosystems on abandoned former agricultural land. A year after revegetation began, 36 boxes were installed in each of the planted and regrowth areas in 2003, and these were monitored to 2013. Sixteen vertebrate species utilised boxes, which included breeding by four species and two species that were not detected by other survey methods. More boxes were used by fauna in the planting compared to regrowth in all but one audit. Significantly, more boxes were used by reptiles in regrowth than planting, but significantly more by birds in planting than regrowth. Nearly 90 per cent of boxes remained intact over the 10‐year period. While the study's capacity to attribute results to habitat types was limited, the results do add weight to the possibility that nest boxes made of good quality materials can provide valuable habitat for a wide range of species during the early recovery phase of reforestation projects.
Response of feral cats to a track‐based baiting programme using Eradicat® baits
Authors: Doherty Tim S. , Algar Dave 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThe feral Cat (Felis catus) is a significant threat to Australian fauna, and reducing their impacts is considered an essential action for threatened species conservation. Poison baiting is increasingly being used for the broad scale control of feral cats. In this study, we measured the population response of feral cats to a track‐based baiting programme using Eradicat® baits in the semi‐arid northern wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Over two years, 1500 baits were laid once annually and the response of feral cats was measured using remote cameras in a before–after, control–impact design. There was a significant reduction in feral cat activity in the second year, but not the first. During bait uptake trials, corvids removed the most number of baits, followed by cats and varanids. The lack of a response to baiting in the first year may be due to existing low cat numbers in the baited area and/or the timing of the baiting. We provide a list of key recommendations to help inform future cat baiting programmes and research.
Remotely‐sensed foliage cover and ground‐measured stand attributes are complimentary when estimating tree hollow abundances across relictual woodlands in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Ellis Murray V. , Taylor Jennifer E. , Rayner Laura 
Published: May 2015

SummaryHollows, also known as tree cavities, are critical to the survival of many animal species but are too poorly mapped across landscapes to allow for their adequate consideration in regional planning. Managing cost is important, so we tested whether freely available satellite‐derived foliage projective cover and field‐measured stand attributes could be used separately or combined to predict tree hollow abundance in relictual Australian temperate woodlands. Satellite‐derived foliage projective cover revealed variation in woody vegetation densities both within mapped woodland remnants and cleared areas of the agricultural matrix. Plot‐based field assessment of the actual number of hollows in each one‐hectare site (n = 110 sites) revealed a relationship with foliage cover. Improvement of the model was achieved if site‐based estimates of the proportion of the canopy due to Eucalyptus species and the number of mature trees per hectare were included. Remotely sensed foliage cover can improve on traditional vegetation mapping for predicting hollow‐bearing tree and hollow abundances at landscape scales when managing hollow‐dependent fauna habitat across relictual woodlands in temperate Australian agricultural landscapes. At finer scales, the addition of other predictors is necessary to raise the accuracy of the predicted hollow densities.
Virologically suppressed patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders do not display the same pattern of immune activation
Authors: Vassallo M , Durant J , Lebrun‐Frenay C , Fabre R , Ticchioni M , Andersen S , DeSalvador F , Harvey‐Langton A , Dunais B , Cohen‐Codar I , Montagne N , Cua E , Fredouille‐Heripret L , Laffon M , Cottalorda J , Dellamonica P , Pradier C 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesInversion of the CD4:CD8 ratio is a marker of immune activation and age‐associated disease. We measured the CD4:CD8 ratio as a marker of cognitive impairment in HIV‐infected patients and explored differences according to clinical severity.MethodsPost hoc analysis of data from two prospective cohorts of HIV‐infected patients randomly selected to undergo neuropsychological tests was performed. Test scores were adjusted for age, gender and education. Inclusion criteria were undetectable viral load and stable treatment for at least 6 months. Subjects with HIV‐associated dementia were excluded. Patients were divided into an unimpaired group, a group with asymptomatic neurocognitive disorder (ANI) and a group with symptomatic HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder (sHAND), represented by mild neurocognitive disorder (MND). Demographic and background parameters, immune activation markers and the CD4:CD8 ratio were recorded.ResultsTwo hundred patients were included in the study. The mean age was 52 years, 78% were male, the mean CD4 count was 624 cells/μL, the mean nadir CD4 count was 240 cells/μL, 27% were hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐coinfected, the mean duration of HIV infection was 16 years, and the mean time on current combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 2.9 years. Twenty‐nine per cent of subjects had HAND (21% had ANI and 8% had MND). In multivariate analysis, a CD4:CD8 ratio < 1 was associated with a nadir CD4 count < 200 cells/μL [odds ratio (OR) 3.68] and with the presence of CD4+CD38+HLA+ cells (OR 1.23). Multinominal logistic regression showed that, in comparison with the unimpaired group, diagnosis of sHAND was associated with a CD4:CD8 ratio < 1 (OR 10.62), longer HIV infection (OR 1.15) and longer current cART (OR 1.34), while the ANI group differed from the unimpaired group only for education level.ConclusionsAviraemic patients with sHAND did not display the same pattern of immune activation as subjects with ANI, suggesting that the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms could be different.
Global Survey of the Diagnostic Evaluation and Management of Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Giruparajah Mohana , Bosch Jackie , Vanassche Thomas , Mattina Katie , Connolly Stuart J. , Pater Calin , Hart Robert G. 
Published: May 2015

Background About 25% of ischemic strokes are categorized as cryptogenic (i.e. of unknown cause), but few data exist about the extent of diagnostic testing or treatment. We undertook an international survey to characterize current diagnostic evaluation and antithrombotic management of patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke in 2014. Aims/Hypothesis To determine the type of diagnostic evaluation undertaken for cryptogenic ischemic stroke and antithrombotic management and to compare across global regions. Methods An 18-question online survey was sent to 995 physicians involved in stroke care in 61 countries. Countries were separated into World Bank global regions and income groups. Diagnostic tests were considered routine if performed in >75% of patients at a center. Results Three hundred one completed surveys were received from 48 countries (response rate ∼30%). The majority (82%) of hospitals were from high-income countries and mainly from Europe and Central Asia (56%) and North America (19%). For ischemic stroke patients, magnetic resonance imaging is routinely obtained at 36% of hospitals (highest in North America, 58%). Among cryptogenic stroke patients, transesophageal echocardiography is routinely performed in 17% of hospitals. More than 24 hour cardiac rhythm monitoring is done routinely at relatively few (17%) hospitals (highest in North America, 33%). Intracranial arterial imaging is done routinely at 70% of hospitals, with no significant regional differences. Antiplatelet therapies are routinely prescribed for secondary prevention at 94% of hospitals. Conclusions Based on self-selected respondents from a large number of international stroke centers, transesophageal echocardiography and prolonged (>24 h) cardiac rhythm monitoring are not routinely performed in cryptogenic stroke patients, even in high-income countries. Antiplatelet therapy is the global standard for secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke.