bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of a Blended Learning Programme in Enhancing the Communication Skill Competence and Self-Efficacy of Nursing Students in Conducting Clinical Handovers: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Chung Jessie Yuk Seng , Li William Ho Cheung , Cheung Ankie Tan , Ho Laurie Long Kwan , Chung Joyce Oi Kwan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: A clinical handover is an essential nursing practice that ensures patient safety. However, most newly graduated nurses struggle to conduct clinical handovers as they lack sufficient communication skill competence and self-efficacy in this practice. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a blended learning programme in enhancing the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of final-year nursing students in conducting clinical handovers.Methods: A randomised controlled design was used. A convenience sample of 96 final-year baccalaureate nursing students at a local university, who had no previous training in clinical handovers. Data were collected in 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 50) that received a blended learning programme with face-to-face training and an online module on handover practice, or a waitlist control group (n = 46) that received only face-to-face handover training during the study period and an online module immediately after the completion of data collection. The outcomes were the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of the participants in conducting clinical handovers. Results: We found that the participants in the experimental group had significantly higher communication skill competence (p < 0.001) than those in the waitlist control group. Although both groups showed a significant improvement in self-efficacy, the mean scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the waitlist control group (p < 0.001).Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of a blended learning approach in improving the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of final-year nursing students in conducting clinical handovers. The findings have implications for the clinical handover training programme.Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in the Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150067; retrospective registration; date of registration 08/12/2021).
Postnatal Clubs for Integrated Postnatal Care in Johannesburg, South Africa: A Qualitative Assessment of Implementation
Authors: Makina-Zimalirana Ndinda , Dunlop Jackie , Jiyane Anele , Bartels Sophia Marie , Struthers Helen , McIntyre James , Rees Kate 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
South Africa has reported challenges in retaining women in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs postnatally. Due to the success of PMTCT in the antenatal period, proportionally more infant transmissions now occur after delivery. The Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Postnatal Club (PNC) model allows for integrated postnatal care and support. Anova Health Institute implemented the model in primary health facilities in Johannesburg as part of a planned national scale-up. We aimed to assess the implementation of these PNCs.
Methods
We used the RE-AIM (Reach, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework to assess implementation success and explore factors influencing implementation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 PNC staff, both clinicians and lay counsellors, using convenience sampling, from 12 facilities in Johannesburg. Data were analysed thematically using the RE-AIM framework.
Results
PNC were perceived to have many benefits for postnatal clients and their infants: providers reported reduced waiting times, reduced number of clinic visits and that PNC provided clients with a space to form cohesive group dynamics thereby contributing to retention and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. However, it was found that lacking resources (e.g., space, medical equipment, staff) negatively impacted reach, implementation and sustainability. At times the PNC model was altered to accommodate the availability of resources (e.g., counselling mothers individually). Additionally, providers expressed concerns about lack of stakeholder adoption and emphasized the importance of involving facility leadership for successful integration of the model into routine primary healthcare.
Conclusion
Our study found incomplete implementation of PNC in most of the participating facilities attributed to lack of resources and stakeholder buy-in. This underscores the need for increased support at management level to ensure sustainability. Effective collaboration between all stakeholders would allow better use of existing resources. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether all components of the model need to be implemented fully to ensure optimal outcomes, and to identify implementation strategies to facilitate scale-up.
Extracting the candidate genes for cancer from the microarray gene expression data by stochastic computation
Authors: Behera Narayan , Sinha Shruti 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Microarray gene expression data provides a simultaneous gene expression profile of thousands of genes. A handful of genes among the thousands of genes play dominant roles in a disease process. It is impractical to find these faulty genes from experimental data. A computational approach is necessary to find the key genes and hence it is an important area of research in bioinformatics. A new algorithm is developed in this work to identify the candidate genes of a cancer from microarray gene expression data. Gene clustering enables identification of co-expressed genes in specified biological conditions. Many algorithms have inherent limitations to understand the accurate information. This model is a hybrid of clustering algorithm and genetic. A genetic algorithm utilizes the three biological principles of evolution, such as selection, recombination, and mutation to solve an optimization problem. An interdependence measure between the genes is based on a metric which can be mutual information. In many conventional algorithms, a Euclidean genetic distance measure is used. This is basically the difference between gene expression values. Genes are similar if their expressions levels are very close. Similarity of the gene expression levels, and also positive and negative correlations between the genes are taken into account while clustering them. This property is used in mutual information which introduces a parameter called interdependence measure. This says roughly how the two genes are correlated. The genes having higher interdependence measures are the top candidate genes responsible for a diseased state. These top genes are believed to be faulty genes that contain the most diagnostic information for cancer. An analysis is done on gastric cancer, colon cancer, and brain cancer microarray gene expression datasets to pinpoint the faulty genes. In comparison with many existing computational tools, the top candidate genes found by this evolutionary computational model, are able to classify the known samples into cancerous and normal ones with high accuracy. The new model called as evolutionary clustering algorithm also creates more even-like distribution of genes in the clusters. Furthermore, the present computational tool is more coherent in clustering the genes having large differences in their expression values. This information-theoretic computational method can be potentially applied to the big data analysis from other sources.
Study Protocol: Development and Pilot Testing of the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool for Families (CPOT-Fam)
Authors: Shahid Anmol , Owen Victoria S , Sept Bonnie G , Longmore Shelly , Soo Andrea , Brundin-Mather Rebecca , Krewulak Karla D , Moss Stephana J , Plotnikoff Kara M , Gelinas Celine , Fiest Kirsten M , Stelfox Henry T 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
BackgroundPatients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often have limited ability to communicate making it more difficult to identify and effectively treat their pain. Family caregivers or close friendsof critically ill patients may be able to identifysigns of pain before the clinical care team, and could potentially assist in routine pain assessments. This study will adapt the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) for use by family members to create the CPOT-Fam and compare family CPOT-Fam assessments with nurse-provided CPOT assessments for a given patient.MethodsThis study will be executed in two phases:1) Development of the CPOT-Fam - A working group ofpatient partners, ICU clinicians, and researchers will adapt the CPOT for use by family caregivers (creating the CPOT-Fam) and produce an accompanying educational module to deliver information on pain and how to use the tool.The CPOT-Fam will undergo pre-clinical testing with participants (i.e., members of the public and family caregiversof critically ill adults), who will complete the educational module and provide CPOT-Fam scores on sample cases. Feedback on the CPOT-Fam will be collected.2) Pilot testing the CPOT-Fam – Family caregivers of critically ill adults will complete the educational module and provide information on: 1) demographics, 2) anxiety, 3) caregiving self-efficacy, and 4) satisfaction with care in the ICU. Family caregivers will then provide a proxy assessment of their critically ill loved one’s pain through the CPOT-Fam and also provide a subjective(i.e., questionnaire-based including open-ended responses) accountof their loved one’s pain status. A comparison (i.e., agreement) will be made between family caregiver provided CPOT-Fam scores and ICU nurse-provided CPOT scores (collected from the provincial health information system), calculated independently and blinded to one another. Feasibility and acceptability of the CPOT-Fam will be determined.DiscussionThe results of this work will produce a familycaregiver CPOT (i.e., CPOT-Fam), determine feasibility and acceptability of the CPOT-Fam, and comparepain assessments conducted by family caregivers and ICU nurses. The results will inform whether a larger studyto determine arole for family caregivers in ICU pain assessmentusing the CPOT-Fam is warranted.Trial registration- Not applicable.
Viability of Natural Populations of Hypancistrus zebra (Siluriformes, Loricariidae), Xingu, Brazil
Authors: Silva Liriann Chrisley Nascimento Da , de Sousa Leandro Melo , De Marco Paulo , Vieira Thiago Bernardi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Hypancistrus zebra is an endemic fish species from the Middle Xingu River and recently included in the Critically Endangered (CR) category in the Red Book List of Endangered Brazilian Fauna that follows IUCN criteria. Given these impacts and the lack of information about the species, it is difficult to assume the viability of natural populations. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the effect of the variation of intrinsic parameters on the population viability of H. zebra. For this, an Individual Based Model (MBI) was created of the type Agent Based Modeling (MBA). To create the model, we considered “individuals” as an entity and the following variables of interest: longevity, age of sexual maturity, annual reproduction number, instant birth rate (b0), instant mortality rate (d0), interference of each individual in population growth (b1), interference of each individual in population mortality (d1), time (t), radius, richness (S), tolerance (tol) and population size (N). The model showed that natural populations today, even not taking human impacts in account, are at the limit of viability. However, any factor that causes a reduction in resource availability, even if not evident, can lead to a steep population decline, affecting the viability of the populations.
Aeolian Sand Deposit Assessment in an Arid Area, Case Study: The Region of Ksour Mountains (SW of Algeria)
Authors: Bouarfa Said , Derdour Abdessamed , Okkacha Youb , Almaliki Abdulrazak H. , Jodar-Abellan Antonio , Hussein Enas E. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The phenomenon of aeolian sand deposit constitutes a major problem in the region of Ksour Mountains in Algeria, which causes serious social and economic problems. To assess the textural properties of sands, and to investigate the origin of aeolian sand deposit in the study area, eleven (11) samples were collected from the sands of Ain Sefra. Then the granulometry, calcimetry and morphoscopy of the samples were studied. Granulometric testing of samples from 11 locations showed that sand size was very fine to fine grained, with a mean grain value of 226.5 μm. It sort ranged from 1.22 to 1.90, indicating well sorting the sands and skewness values ranging from-0.4 to 0.66, being mainly negative with an average of -0.06, indicating symmetrical to fine skewed values. The values of kurtosis ranges from 0.79 to 1.5, with an average of 0.93, where 64 percent of samples are Mesokurtotic and 36 percent of samples are Platikurtotic. Calcimetric results show a very low percentage of carbonate, which ranges from 1.85 % to 7.4 % and illustrate a very low content of fine fraction and organic matter. The preliminary examinations of the sands in our study area by morphoscopy showed that 73 percent of sand are in RM category, 19 percent in the rounded and shiny (EL) category. In comparison, 08 percent are represented by the fresh and angular (NU) category. The outcome of various experimentation led to the conclusion that the aeolian sand deposit in the study area, are linked to the wind transport from the Moroccan territory such as Chott Tigri, Oued Maader, the corridor between Figuig, Bouarfa and Massa Daraa, which are the dominant sources of sands in the region of the study area. Therefore, the study better understands the origin of sands and their characteristics in this part of the Ksour Mountains.
Long-term Cardio-vascular Risk Assessment in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplanted Patients Following SARS-COV-2 Disease: Protocol for Multi-center Observational Match Controlled Trial
Authors: Tapoi Laura , Apetrii Mugurel , Dodi Gianina , Nistor Ionut , Voroneanu Luminita , Siriteanu Lucian , Onofriescu Mihai , Kanbay Mehmet , Covic Adrian 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produced a pandemic since March 2020 by affecting more than 243 million people with more than 5 million deaths globally. SARS-CoV-2 infection is produced by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme, which among other sites is highly expressed in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, pericytes and the heart, as well as in renal podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are interconnected by risk factors association with an increased incidence of the disease and by determining de novo cardiac complications. At the same time, COVID-19 disease can lead to acute kidney injury directly, or due to sepsis, multi-organ failure and shock. Therefore, the pre-existence of both CVD and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked with a higher risk of severe disease and worse prognosis. MethodsThe main aim of this study is to assess the CV risk in a CKD (stage 3 to 5), dialysis and kidney transplanted population, following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with focus on the endothelial dysfunction as compared to a control group of matched patients. By using clinical evaluation, flow-mediated dilatation, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, intima-media thickness, echocardiographic parameters, lung ultrasound, bioimpedance spectroscopy and a series of novel biomarkers, the investigators will determine the long-term impact of this disease on CV and renal outcomes.DiscussionThis study will address the challenges and implications in long-term CV sequeale of COVID-19 and focus on a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and possible therapeutic options.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05125913. Registered November 18, 2021.
Basicity and Nucleophilicity Effect in Charge Transfer of ALH3-Base Adducts
Authors: Aichi Mouhamed , Hafied Meriem , Dibi AMMAR 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This study permits to explore the interactions involved in Lewis acid (AlH3) and Lewis bases: CO; H2O; NH3; PH3; PC13; H2S; CN- ; OH-; O2 -2; F-; N (CH3)3; N2; N2H4; N2H2; pyridine; aniline. By means of DFT theory calculations with B3LYP functional using 6-31G(d,p) basis set and in order to check the effects of both the donor and the acceptor in the establishment of the different adducts we focused mainly on the calculation of the energetic gap ∆EHOMO-LUMO, Gibbs energies ∆G, the angle (𝜃) in AlH3-Base and the interaction energy values Eint. The several parameters of the reactivity (electrophilicity index (𝜔) , nucleophilicity (𝑁), chemical potential (μ), hardness (η) and polarizability (α) are also calculated to defined the weak interaction as well as to distinguish between the nucleophilicity and basicity of the different Lewis basis.Our results showed that the electronic charge transfer is estimated to be important in the systems where the interaction is established between Al and anionic bases, and the electron donor power is predictable for O-2, F- , OH- and CN-. The pseudo-tetrahedral adduct arrangements depend on the parameter geometries (bond length interaction and 𝜃 angle) and Gibbs energies ∆G characterizing the main stability.
Liver Tumor Detection by Automated Thresholding and Image Segmentation
Authors: J Jeslin Libisha , G Pavithra , R Sundar , C Ram Kumar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Cancer is the most prevalent disease, with higher death factor in human beings. The irregular growth of cells leads to liver cancer or hepatic cancer, where, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the affected liver cancer to 75% of cases. Due to risk factors, it is difficult to be diagnosing the liver cancer at the earlier stage. Since, manual segmentation of tumor from Computed Tomography (CT) image is associated with time consuming and the task requires expert radiologist. To overcome this problem we need an automatic segmentation and analysis process, to identify the prevalence of liver cancer in the early phase itself. This technique consists of various image processing techniques to detect, segment and analyse the tumor in the liver automatically. The clustering algorithm is applied on liver CT image for effective tumor detection. In order to segment the region of tumor, distance transform and watershed transform is used. Then, the intensity of the tumor can be measured by the process which involves edge detection, adaptive thresholding, hole – filling and background subtraction. This works aims to improve accurate analysis of tumor in the liver.
Summer Regional Climate Simulations over Tibetan Plateau: From Gray Zone to Convection Permitting Scale
Authors: Ma Mengnan , Ou Tinghai , Liu Dongqing , Wang Shuyu , Fang Juan , Tang Jianping 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is often referred to as ‘the Third Pole’ and plays an essential role in influencing the global climate. However, it remains challenging for most global and regional models to realistically simulate the characteristics of long-period climate over the TP. In this study, two Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) experiments using the regional climate simulation method of spectral nudging with gray-zone (GZ9) and convection-permitting (CP3) resolution are conducted for summer from 2009 to 2018. The surface air temperature (T2m) and precipitation from the two simulations and the global reanalysis ERA5 are evaluated against in-situ observations. The results show that ERA5 has a general cold bias over southern TP, especially in maximum T2m (Tmax), and wet bias over whole TP. Both experiments can successfully capture the spatial pattern and daily variation of T2m and precipitation, though cold bias for temperature and dry bias for precipitation exist especially over the regions south of 35°N. Compared with ERA5, the added value of the two WRF experiments is mainly reflected in the reduced cold bias especially for Tmax with more improvement found in CP3 and the reduced wet bias. However, the ability of WRF experiments in significantly improving the simulation of precipitation seems limited, which may be related to physical parameterization and lack of representativeness of station observation. Further investigation into surface radiation budget reveals that the underestimation of surface net radiation contributes a lot to the cold bias of T2m over the eastern TP in GZ9 while is improved in CP3 due to more downward solar radiation. Compared with GZ9, CP3 shows larger specific humidity at low-level (mid-high level) coexists with more precipitation (clouds) over the southern TP. This improvement is achieved by better depiction of topographic details and stronger northward water vapor transport (WVT) in CP3, providing more water vapor for precipitation at surface and much wetter condition in the mid-high level.
Zero fluoroscopy ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and typical atrial flutter is equally safe and effective with EnSite NavX, Carto3, and Rhythmia mapping systems
Authors: Piros Katalin , Perge Péter , Salló Zoltán , Herczeg Szilvia , Nagy Vivien Klaudia , Osztheimer István , Merkely Béla , Gellér László , Szegedi Nandor 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Our purpose was to compare the procedural characteristics, success rate, and complication rate of the conventional fluoroscopic (CF) and the zero-fluoroscopic (ZF) approach in patients undergoing catheter ablation AVNRT or typical atrial flutter (Aflu).
Methods
186 consecutive patients with an indication for AVNRT or Aflu ablation were enrolled. Based on the operator's preference, the patients were assigned to either CF or ZF group. In the ZF group EnSite NavX, Carto3, or Rhythmia EAMS were used for catheter guidance.
Results
The median age was 56 (IQR= 42-68) years, 144 patients had AVNRT, and 42 had Aflu ablation. CF approach was chosen in 123 cases, while ZF in 63 cases. ZF approach was used more often in case of AVNRT patients [56 (39%) vs. 7 (17%), p=0.006] and in the case of female patients [43 (43%) vs. 20 (23%), p=0.025]. Acute procedural success was obtained in all cases. There was no difference in the complication rate (1 vs. 1, p>0.99) between the two groups. No difference was found regarding the procedure time between the CF and ZF groups [CF: 55 (46-60) min, ZF 60 (47-65) min; p=0.487] or in the procedure time for the different EAMS [EnSite NavX: 58 (50-63) min, Carto3: 60 (44.5-66.3) min, Rhythmia: 55 (35-69) min; p=0.887]. Similar mid-term success rate was seen in the two groups [41 (100%) vs. 96 (97%); p=0.55].
Conclusion
The ZF approach demonstrated non-inferiority in safety and efficacy compared with CF for the AVNRT and Aflu ablations.