bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: a catalyst for change in remote and rural advanced clinical practice – A qualitative study
Authors: King Rachel , Carolan Clare , Robertson Steve 
Published: July 2023

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the sustainability of innovations introduced during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in remote and rural primary care advanced clinical practice.Design/methodology/approach The methodology includes an exploratory qualitative study of eight key stakeholders from Scottish remote and rural primary care advanced practice (three policymakers and five advanced practitioners). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews during 2022 and analysed thematically.Findings Advanced practice in remote and rural primary care is characterised by a shortage of doctors, close-knit communities and a broad scope of practice. Covid-19 catalysed changes in the delivery of healthcare. Innovations which participants wanted to sustain include hybrid working, triage, online training and development, and increased inter-professional support networks.Practical implications Findings provide valuable insights into how best to support remote and rural advanced practice which may have implications for retaining healthcare professionals. They also identified useful innovations which could benefit from further investment.Originality/value Given current healthcare workforce pressures, identifying and sustaining innovations which will support and retain staff are imperative. Hybrid consultations and online access to training, development and support should be sustained to support the remote and rural advanced practice workforce. Further research should explore the sustainability of innovations introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic in other care contexts.
The dark side of online transition of exams in higher education: a perspective of an emerging nation
Authors: Koswatte Isuru , Fernando Chandrika , Jayawardena Nirma Sadamali 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Higher educational institutes (HEIs) are experiencing a significant shift towards online education, which has been fast-forwarded with the global pandemic of COVID-19. The forced shift has also exposed many vulnerabilities in online education, especially assessments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential dark side of the digital transformation of examinations through the lens of university students.

Design/methodology/approach
This study involves a sample of 127 university students from the fields of business and science, technology, education and management (STEM) and the key factors affecting student perception were assessed quantitatively to explore the interrelationships.

Findings
Results revealed that both business and STEM students have a similar impression of the use of online examinations, and the majority still have mixed feelings about them as a replacement for physical examinations. The regrouping of the factors revealed two key dimensions, trustworthiness and apprehensible education, as key areas of student perception in the context of online examinations.

Research limitations/implications
This study aims to strengthen the understanding of Kolb’s experiential learning mechanism through a discussion on the importance of abstract conceptualization as opposed to concrete experience in the establishment of the online assessment and learning space. Practically speaking, increasing investment in internet infrastructure and forming strategic alliances with important parties, like internet providers, to create uninterrupted network coverage, are an effective place to start if one wants to make sure that the process of moving to online learning is becoming more and more accepted by educators, students, and the general public.

Originality/value
The online transition to higher education has seen expedited growth since the pandemic and has not given much room for many HEIs globally to adjust. The procedures and techniques implemented take a Western lens, and less attention is given to the emerging context and its context-specific characteristics in such implementation. This study takes the theoretical lens of Kolb and proposes the key learnings for a successful online transition to assessment in emerging contexts.
Happier on the outside? Discourses of exclusion, disempowerment and belonging from former autistic school staff
Authors: Wood Rebecca 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAutistic individuals can have poor outcomes from school, including high rates of unemployment. Despite a growing focus on the work experiences of autistic people, and various approaches to remediate the difficulties they undergo, the school sector remains largely unexplored, as are the insights available from former autistic employees. In a discourse analysis of 12 former autistic school staff previously in a range of roles in the UK, the multiple and intersecting issues they experienced are analysed. These reveal different forms of marginalisation, disempowerment, invisibility and exclusion at play, including in relation to being autistic, before the final departure. However, participant discourses also demonstrate important autistic aptitudes of particular benefit to pupils at risk of marginalisation themselves, and provide insights into how autistic staff—including visiting professionals—can be better supported in the school sector in the future. Such steps could provide significant benefits for the education field generally, especially in relation to the inclusion of autistic and otherwise neurodivergent pupils.
A quantitative sequencing method using synthetic internal standards including functional and phylogenetic marker genes
Authors: Koike Kazuyoshi , Honda Ryo , Aoki Masataka , Yamamoto‐Ikemoto Ryoko , Syutsubo Kazuaki , Matsuura Norihisa 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe method of spiking synthetic internal standard genes (ISGs) to samples for amplicon sequencing, generating sequences and converting absolute gene numbers from read counts has been used only for phylogenetic markers and has not been applied to functional markers. In this study, we developed ISGs, including gene sequences of the 16S rRNA, pmoA, encoding a subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase and amoA, encoding a subunit of ammonia monooxygenase. We added ISGs to the samples, amplified the target genes and performed amplicon sequencing. For the mock community, the copy numbers converted from read counts using ISGs were equivalent to those obtained by the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (4.0 × 104 versus 4.1 × 104 and 3.0 × 103 versus 4.0 × 103 copies μL‐DNA−1 for 16S rRNA and pmoA genes, respectively), but we also identified underestimation, possibly due to primer coverage (7.8 × 102 versus 3.7 × 103 μL‐DNA−1 for amoA gene). We then applied this method to environmental samples and analysed phylogeny, functional diversity and absolute quantities. One Methylocystis population was most abundant in the sludge samples [16S rRNA gene (3.8 × 109 copies g−1) and the pmoA gene (2.3 × 109 copies g−1)] and were potentially interrelated. This study demonstrates that ISG spiking is useful for evaluating sequencing data processing and quantifying functional markers.
Group‐based exercise interventions for community‐dwelling older people in Southeast Asia: A systematic review
Authors: Bong May Ing Janet , Singh Devinder Kaur Ajit , Tan Maw Pin , Adam Bujang Mohammad , Tiong Ing Khieng , Whitney Julie , Kumar Saravana 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectivesSoutheast Asia (SEA) is a rapidly ageing and a diversely populated region that requires strategies to maintain its populations' physical activity and sense of well‐being. While the benefits of group exercise programs are known, the characteristics and types of exercises in terms of their effectiveness for physical function and fidelity of the programs have yet to be defined within this population.MethodsOvid, MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), EBSCOHOST, Cochrane library and Open Grey databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro Scale and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta‐analysis was undertaken when the same outcome measures were reported in a minimum of two studies with appropriate data. (PROSPERO: CRD42020177317).ResultsEleven studies with 900 participants were included, out of which 395 participants were allocated to group exercise programs and 383 completed the program. Culturally adapted Thai dance programs and multicomponent exercise programs were the most‐commonly reported group exercises. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and attendance rates were the most‐frequently reported outcomes. Meta‐analysis demonstrated significant improvement in physical function assessed using the Timed Up and Go test (Random effect model −1.27 s, 95% CI −1.65, −0.88, I2 = 74%). In two studies, adherence (81% and 94%) and dropout rates (4% and 19%) were reported.ConclusionsGroup‐based exercise programs in Southeast Asia consisting mostly of culturally adapted Thai dance programs and multicomponent exercise programs appear to have positive effects on physical function. However, better descriptions of fidelity, including adherence, are required in future studies.
Impact of antibiotic cured chronic endometritis on perinatal outcomes: Re‐evaluation of a cohort study with a detailed follow‐up
Authors: Zhang Qingyan , Yang Guoxia , Xiong Yujing , Tan Jinfeng , Chen Chunxiao , Gu Fang , Xu Yanwen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractProblemThe impact of antibiotic‐cured chronic endometritis (CE) on perinatal outcomes of patients conceived with frozen embryo transfer (FET) was unclear.MethodThis study was to re‐evaluate the perinatal outcomes of a cohort of infertile patients who had undergone endometrial biopsy for CE detection from February 2018 to December 2019 and successfully delivered babies after FET. The study population was divided into two groups: the non‐CE (NCE) group (0‐4/HPF CD138) and the cured‐CE (CCE) group (CD138+/HPF≥5 and has been cured after one or two rounds of antibiotic treatment). For subgroup analysis, the NCE group was further divided into subgroup 1 (CD138+/HPF = 0), subgroup 2 (CD138+/HPF = 1‐4 with antibiotic treatment), and subgroup 3 (CD138+/HPF = 1‐4 without antibiotic treatment)ResultsA total of 321 live births, including 210 in the NCE group and 111 in the CCE group were analyzed. The prevalence rates of premature rupture of the membrane and preterm birth were comparable between NCE and CCE (6.2% vs. 7.1% and 10.8% vs. 10.1%, respectively) groups. In addition, no differences were detected in the rates of placenta‐mediated complications, such as preeclampsia, placenta abruption, or low birthweight. Multiple logistic analyses confirmed that CCE was not associated with an increased risk of any adverse perinatal outcomes. Subgroup analysis in NCE failed to find any significant differences in the incidences of obstetrical and neonatal complications.ConclusionsCCE might not increase the risks of adverse perinatal outcomes after antibiotic treatment.
Higher dietary fibre intake is associated with lower risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective cohort study
Authors: Deng Minzi , Dan Lintao , Ye Shuyu , Chen Xuejie , Fu Tian , Wang Xiaoyan , Chen Jie 
Published: July 2023

SummaryBackgroundLimited prospective studies that have examined the association of dietary fibre with IBD have provided inconsistent evidence.AimTo examine any associations between dietary fibre intake and subsequent incidence of IBD, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 470,669 participants from the UK Biobank and estimated dietary fibre intake from a valid food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Incident IBD was ascertained from primary care data and inpatient data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between dietary fibre intake and the risk of IBD, CD and UC.ResultsDuring an average follow‐up of 12.1 years, we ascertained 1473 incident IBD cases, including 543 cases of CD and 939 cases of UC. Comparing the lowest quintiles, an inverse association was observed between dietary fibre intake and risk of IBD (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.93, p = 0.011) and CD (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.32–0.72, p < 0.001), but not UC (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.69–1.24, p = 0.595). For specified sources, dietary fibre intake from fruit and bread decreased the risk of CD, while dietary fibre intake from cereal decreased the risk of UC.ConclusionsHigher consumption of dietary fibre was associated with a lower risk of IBD and CD, but not UC. Our findings support current recommendations to increase the intake of dietary fibre.
Association between sleep duration, sleep quality, bedtime and myopia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Xing Xing , Liu Xiaotong , Lin Qingxiu , Dong Ping , Wei Ya Bin , Liu Jia Jia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the links between different sleep characteristics and risk of myopia.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Wanfang, and CNKI were searched from inception to August 26, 2022, without any language restriction. Cross‐sectional, case–control, or cohort studies that explored the association between sleep duration, sleep quality, bedtime, and myopia were included. NIH quality assessment tools were used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. Random‐effect or fixed‐effect models were used to pool the associations according to whether there is heterogeneity.ResultsA total of 31 studies with 205 907 participants were included in the final analysis (25 studies reporting sleep duration; four studies examining sleep quality and six studies evaluating bedtime). Compared to reference sleep duration, sufficient sleep duration (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.51–0.78) was associated with a lower risk of myopia, and short sleep duration (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14–2.42) was associated with a higher risk of myopia. In addition, poor sleep quality (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.05–1.47) was associated with a higher risk of myopia while late bedtime (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.96–1.75) was not significantly associated with an increased risk of myopia.ConclusionsAlteration in sleep duration and sleep quality may influence the risk of myopia. Well‐designed cohort studies are needed in future investigations to identify a causal relationship between different sleep characteristics and myopia.
Do the principles of effective development co‐operation improve development outcomes? The case for clearer definitions and measurement
Authors: Gisselquist Rachel M. , Justino Patricia , Vaccaro Andrea 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMotivationElaborated in their current form in Busan in 2011, and reiterated in Geneva in 2022, the four Principles of Effective Development Co‐operation comprise country ownership, focus on results, inclusive partnerships, and transparency and mutual accountability. Framed to guide more effective development assistance, their measurement and impact has not been systematically studied.PurposeWe ask, what do we know about adherence to the principles and better development outcomes? What can we learn about this relationship using the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co‐operation's (GPEDC) monitoring framework?Methods and approachWe define and measure adherence to the four principles using the GPEDC framework and indicators. We then explore the association between these indicators and development outcomes (for example, economic growth and poverty) using correlation, descriptive analysis, and analysis of data quality.FindingsAcross countries, the empirical relationship between the currently available GPEDC data and the development outcomes is tenuous at best. Shortcomings in the data explain much of the lack of evidence. Some shortcomings could be easily fixed with adjustments to the indicators and data collection, but many relate to inherent challenges in measuring the four principles.Policy implicationsA more precise definition of indicators of adherence to the principles, with a wider coverage of countries and with annual measurement, would help—not necessarily for their instrumental value, but as much, if not more, to raise the profile of the principles themselves. The universally agreed objectives of strengthening international partnerships and co‐operation, as well as of building inclusive, effective, accountable, and transparent institutions as declared in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are goals well worth pursuing.
First observation of Lethocerus cordofanus (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) preying on Afronycteris nana (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)
Authors: Chen Kelvin , Massaad Mark , De Lima Ricardo , Rainho Ana , Rocha Ricardo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractGiant water bugs (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) are key predators in freshwater ecosystems and have been reported to feed on several species of vertebrates, including fishes, amphibians and reptiles. Here, we report the opportunistic predation of an adult female vesper bat (Afronycteris nana) by a giant water bug (Lethocerus cordofanus) in a temporary pond in a rice paddy in Guinea‐Bissau, West Africa. To our best knowledge, this is the first instance of natural predation upon a mammal by a giant water bug to be documented in a scientific report.
Efficacy and safety of 1565‐nm nonablative fractional laser combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream for erythematous acne scars
Authors: Ning Xiaoli , Wang Ziyi , Fei Wenmin , Han Yang , Liu Baoyi , Xu Jingkai , Li Chengxu , Cui Yong , Yu Ruixing 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1565‐nm nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPS) cream in the treatment of erythematous acne scars.MethodsA total of 28 subjects with erythematous acne scars from June 2021 to April 2022 were enrolled. One side of each subject's face was randomly assigned to be treated with 1565‐nm NAFL (at 2 sessions with four‐week intervals) combined with MPS cream (twice daily) for 8 weeks, and the other side with 1565‐nm NAFL combined with placebo cream. CBS® images and parameters, dermoscopic images and the quantitative data processed by ImageJ software, and quantitative global scarring grading system (GSS) score were obtained at baseline and after treatment. Subjects' satisfaction assessment was performed after treatment. Adverse events were recorded during treatment.ResultsIn CBS® parameters, the red area, red area concentration, and smoothness were improved more significantly on the 1565‐nm NAFL combined with MPS cream side than on the 1565‐nm NAFL combined with placebo cream side after treatment (p = 0.015, p = 0.013, and p = 0.021). For dermoscopy, both scar area and scar redness achieved a significantly greater percentage of improvement on the side of 1565‐nm NAFL combined with MPS cream than the side of 1565‐nm NAFL combined with placebo cream after treatment (p = 0.005 and p = 0.041). The reduction of quantitative GSS score and Subjects' satisfaction assessment were similarly superior on the 1565‐nm NAFL combined with MPS cream side. Temporary erythema was experienced by all subjects after each 1565‐nm NAFL treatment. No subject reported intolerance or allergy to the cream during follow‐up.ConclusionsThe combined application of 1565‐nm NAFL and MPS cream could be an effective and safe treatment for erythematous acne scars. ImageJ software enables quantitative evaluation of dermoscopic images of acne scars.
Effect of light spectrum, salinity, and glucose levels on Spirulina morphology
Authors: Nosratimovafagh Ahmad , Esmaeili Fereidouni Abolghasem , Krujatz Felix 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study evaluated how light spectrum, salinity, and glucose level affect Spirulina morphology, using response surface methodology (RSM). A full factorial experiment was conducted including three light conditions with different predominant spectral characteristics (“white”: 100% white; “red”: 80% red, 15% blue, and 5% green; and “yellow”: 80% yellow, 15% blue, and 5% green), four NaCl concentrations (0, 5, 15, 30 g/L), and four glucose levels (0, 1.5, 2, 2.5 g/L). Light spectrum conditions and salinity had significant effects on the filament length, spiral diameter, and screw pitch length. Glucose only had a significant effect in terms of the spiral diameter. The maximum filament length (1274 μm; under 30 g/L NaCl and 2.5 g/L glucose), spiral diameter (47 μm; under 1 g/L NaCl and 2 g/L glucose), and screw pitch length (112 μm; under 1 g/L NaCl and 2 g/L glucose) were attained under yellow light. In line with the simulation, more compacted filaments, that is, with a greater diameter (41 μm) and shorter screw pitches (78 μm), are observed under “red” light (4 g/L NaCl and 2.5 g/L glucose). Because longer but compact filaments are desirable for easier harvesting, we recommend a light spectrum that is predominantly red with a NaCl concentration of 5.8 g/L deprived of glucose, for the cost‐effective harvesting of Spirulina biomass.
Mean–variance hedging of contingent claims with random maturity
Authors: Kladívko Kamil , Zervos Mihail 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe study the mean–variance hedging of an American‐type contingent claim that is exercised at a random time in a Markovian setting. This problem is motivated by applications in the areas of employee stock option valuation, credit risk, or equity‐linked life insurance policies with an underlying risky asset value guarantee. Our analysis is based on dynamic programming and uses PDE techniques. In particular, we prove that the complete solution to the problem can be expressed in terms of the solution to a system of one quasi‐linear parabolic PDE and two linear parabolic PDEs. Using a suitable iterative scheme involving linear parabolic PDEs and Schauder's interior estimates for parabolic PDEs, we show that each of these PDEs has a classical C1, 2 solution. Using these results, we express the claim's mean–variance hedging value that we derive as its expected discounted payoff with respect to an equivalent martingale measure that does not coincide with the minimal martingale measure, which, in the context that we consider, identifies with the minimum entropy martingale measure as well as the variance‐optimal martingale measure. Furthermore, we present a numerical study that illustrates aspects of our theoretical results.