List of Titles

Women's experiences of birth trauma :a scoping review

- Watson, Kirsty, White, Colleen, Hall, Helen, Hewitt, Alana

Authors: Watson, Kirsty , White, Colleen , Hall, Helen , Hewitt, Alana
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Women and Birth Vol. 34, no. 5 (2021), p. 417-424
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Description: Background: A high number of Australian women report experiencing traumatic birth events. Despite high incidence and potential wide spread and long-lasting effects, birth trauma is poorly recognised and insufficiently treated. Birth trauma can trigger ongoing psychosocial symptoms for women, including anxiety, tokophobia, bonding difficulties, relationship issues and PTSD. Additionally, women's future fertility choices can be inhibited by birth trauma. Aim: To summarize the existing literature to provide insight into women's experiences of birth trauma unrelated to a specific pre-existing obstetric or contextual factor. Methods: The review follows 5 stages of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. 7 databases were searched using indexed terms and boolen operators. Data searching identified 1354 records, 5 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings: Three key themes emerged; (1) health care providers and the maternity care system. (2) Women's sense of knowing and control. (3) Support. Discussion: Continuity of carer creates the foundations for facilitative interactions between care provider and woman which increases the likelihood of a positive birth experience. Women are able to gain a sense of feeling informed and being in control when empowering and individualized care is offered. Functional social supports and forms of debriefing promotes psychological processing and can enable post traumatic growth. Conclusion: Existing literature highlights how birth trauma is strongly influenced by negative health care provider interactions and dysfunctional operation of the maternity care system. A lack of education and support limited informed decision-making, resulting in feelings of losing control and powerlessness which contributes to women's trauma. Insufficient support further compounds women's experiences. © 2020 Australian College of Midwives

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A guide to the short, long and circular RNAs in hypertension and cardiovascular disease

- Prestes, Priscilla, Maier, Michelle, Woods, Bradley, Charchar, Fadi

Authors: Prestes, Priscilla , Maier, Michelle , Woods, Bradley , Charchar, Fadi
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 21, no. 10 (2020)
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Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults in developed countries. CVD encompasses many diseased states, including hypertension, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Studies in animal models and human studies have elucidated the contribution of many genetic factors, including non-coding RNAs. Non-coding RNAs are RNAs not translated into protein, involved in gene expression regulation post-transcriptionally and implicated in CVD. Of these, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs are relevant. CircRNAs are created by the back-splicing of pre-messenger RNA and have been underexplored as contributors to CVD. These circRNAs may also act as biomarkers of human disease, as they can be extracted from whole blood, plasma, saliva and seminal fluid. CircRNAs have recently been implicated in various disease processes, including hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. This review article will explore the promising and emerging roles of circRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CVD, in particular hypertension. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

A review and recommendations for the integration of forensic expertise within police cold case reviews

- Chapman, Brendan, Keatley, David, Oatley, Giles, Coumbaros, John, Maker, Garth

Authors: Chapman, Brendan , Keatley, David , Oatley, Giles , Coumbaros, John , Maker, Garth
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Journal of Criminal Psychology Vol. 10, no. 2 (2019), p. 79-91
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Description: Purpose: Cold case review teams and the processes that they adopt in their endeavour to solve historic crimes are varied and largely underreported. Of the limited literature surrounding the topic of cold case reviews, the focus is on clearance rates and the selection of cases for review. While multiple reports and reviews have been undertaken and recommend that the interface between investigators and forensic scientists be improved, there is little evidence of cold case teams comprised of a mixture of investigators and scientists or experts. With the growing reliance on forensic science as an aide to solvability, the authors propose that the inclusion of forensic scientists to the central cold case investigation may be a critical factor in future success. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: To support the proposed approach, the authors conducted a review of the current literature seeking insight into the reported make-up of cold case teams. In conjunction with this, the authors reviewed a number of commissioned reports intended to improve cold case reviews and forensic services. Findings: While many of the reviewed reports and recommendations suggested better integration with scientists and external expertise, little evidence of this in practice was reported within published literature. Open dialogue and cross pollination between police investigators and forensic scientists are likely to mitigate biases, inform case file triage and better equip investigations with contemporary and cutting-edge scientific solutions to the evidence analysis for cold cases. Furthermore, with respect to scientists within academia, large pools of resources by way of student interns or researchers may be available to assist resource-sparse policing jurisdictions. Originality/value: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first peer-reviewed recommendation for the consideration of integrated forensic scientists within a cold case review team. Multiple reports suggest the need for closer ties, but it is the anecdotal experience of the authors that the benefits of a blended task force approach may yield greater success. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.

A review on the production of renewable aviation fuels from the gasification of biomass and residual wastes

- Shahabuddin, M., Alam, Md Tanvir, Krishna, Bhavya, Bhaskar, Thallada, Perkins, Greg

Authors: Shahabuddin, M. , Alam, Md Tanvir , Krishna, Bhavya , Bhaskar, Thallada , Perkins, Greg
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Bioresource Technology Vol. 312, no. (2020), p.
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Description: This article reviews the production of renewable aviation fuels from biomass and residual wastes using gasification followed by syngas conditioning and Fischer-Tropsch catalytic synthesis. The challenges involved with gasifying wastes are discussed along with a summary of conventional and emerging gasification technologies. The techniques for conditioning syngas including removal of particulate matter, tars, sulphur, carbon dioxide, compounds of nitrogen, chlorine and alkali metals are reported. Recent developments in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, such as new catalyst formulations are described alongside reactor technologies for producing renewable aviation fuels. The energy efficiency and capital cost of converting biomass and residual wastes to aviation fuels are major barriers to widespread adoption. Therefore, further development of advanced technologies will be critical for the aviation industry to achieve their stated greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2050. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

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A role for MAIT cells in colorectal cancer

- Berzins, Stuart, Wallace, Morgan, Kannourakis, George, Kelly, Jason

Authors: Berzins, Stuart , Wallace, Morgan , Kannourakis, George , Kelly, Jason
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Frontiers in Immunology Vol. 11, no. (2020), p.
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Description: MAIT cells are MR1-restricted T cells that are well-known for their anti-microbial properties, but they have recently been associated with different forms of cancer. Several studies have reported activated MAIT cells within the microenvironment of colorectal tumors, but there is conjecture about the nature of their response and whether they are contributing to anti-tumor immunity, or to the progression of the disease. We have reviewed the current state of knowledge about the role of MAIT cells in colorectal cancer, including their likely influence when activated and potential sources of stimulation in the tumor microenvironment. The prospects for MAIT cells being used in clinical settings as biomarkers or as targets of new immunotherapies designed to harness their function are discussed. © Copyright © 2020 Berzins, Wallace, Kannourakis and Kelly.

Advances in the thermo-chemical production of hydrogen from biomass and residual wastes : summary of recent techno-economic analyses

- Shahabuddin, M., Krishna, Bhuvya, Bhaskar, Thallada, Perkins, Greg

Authors: Shahabuddin, M. , Krishna, Bhuvya , Bhaskar, Thallada , Perkins, Greg
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Bioresource Technology Vol. 299, no. (2020), p.
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Description: This article outlines the prospects and challenges of hydrogen production from biomass and residual wastes, such as municipal solid waste. Recent advances in gasification and pyrolysis followed by reforming are discussed. The review finds that the thermal efficiency of hydrogen from gasification is ~50%. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) from biomass varies from ~2.3–5.2 USD/kg at feedstock processing scales of 10 MWth to ~2.8–3.4 USD/kg at scales above 250 MWth. Preliminary estimates are that the LCOH from residual wastes could be in the range of ~1.4–4.8 USD/kg, depending upon the waste gate fee and project scale. The main barriers to development of waste to hydrogen projects include: waste pre-treatment, technology maturity, syngas conditioning, the market for clean hydrogen, policies to incentivize pioneer projects and technology competitiveness. The main opportunity is to produce low cost clean hydrogen, which is competitive with alternative production routes. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Assessing the quality of mobile applications targeting postpartum depression in China

- Li, Ying, Zhao, Qian, Cross, Wendy, Chen, Jiarui, Qin, Chunxiang, Sun, Mei

Authors: Li, Ying , Zhao, Qian , Cross, Wendy , Chen, Jiarui , Qin, Chunxiang , Sun, Mei
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 29, no. 5 (2020), p. 772-785
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Description: Postpartum depression is a serious mental illnessdisorder that occurs after delivery and is one of the most common post-partum complications. With the increasing popularity and extensive use of smartphones worldwide and the fact that China has become the country with the largest number of smartphone users, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of the use and influence of smartphones and discuss the role of smartphone applications in postpartum depression. This study evaluated and analysed the contents of all postpartum depression applications available in China, applying the US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (Interventions to Prevent Perinatal Depression) and expert consensus on the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression. We used the keywords ‘postpartum depression; and ‘PPD’ to search Android, iOS, and WeChat in the Chinese application market. Two reviewers agreed on the coding guidelines and coded the content and functionality of the application through content analysis to determine its intervention and adherence to the guidelines. In addition, we used the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to evaluate the application for engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information domains and recorded the features of the postpartum depression application. The current findings suggest that despite the recent expansion of smartphone platforms and increased availability of applications, existing Chinese apps for postpartum depression have low levels of adherence to clinical practice-based guidelines. New apps need to be developed, and existing apps need to be revised following evidence-based principles. © 2020 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

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Attacks on self-driving cars and their countermeasures : a survey

- Chowdhury, Abdullahi, Karmakar, Gour, Kamruzzaman, Joarder, Jolfaei, Alireza, Das, Rajkumar

Authors: Chowdhury, Abdullahi , Karmakar, Gour , Kamruzzaman, Joarder , Jolfaei, Alireza , Das, Rajkumar
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 8, no. (2020), p. 207308-207342
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Description: Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) are currently evolving in the form of a cooperative ITS or connected vehicles. Both forms use the data communications between Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-To-Infrastructure (V2I/I2V) and other on-road entities, and are accelerating the adoption of self-driving cars. The development of cyber-physical systems containing advanced sensors, sub-systems, and smart driving assistance applications over the past decade is equipping unmanned aerial and road vehicles with autonomous decision-making capabilities. The level of autonomy depends upon the make-up and degree of sensor sophistication and the vehicle's operational applications. As a result, self-driving cars are being compromised perceived as a serious threat. Therefore, analyzing the threats and attacks on self-driving cars and ITSs, and their corresponding countermeasures to reduce those threats and attacks are needed. For this reason, some survey papers compiling potential attacks on VANETs, ITSs and self-driving cars, and their detection mechanisms are available in the current literature. However, up to our knowledge, they have not covered the real attacks already happened in self-driving cars. To bridge this research gap, in this paper, we analyze the attacks that already targeted self-driving cars and extensively present potential cyber-Attacks and their impacts on those cars along with their vulnerabilities. For recently reported attacks, we describe the possible mitigation strategies taken by the manufacturers and governments. This survey includes recent works on how a self-driving car can ensure resilient operation even under ongoing cyber-Attack. We also provide further research directions to improve the security issues associated with self-driving cars. © 2013 IEEE.

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Big networks : a survey

- Bedru, Hayat, Yu, Shuo, Xiao, Xinru, Zhang, Da, Xia, Feng

Authors: Bedru, Hayat , Yu, Shuo , Xiao, Xinru , Zhang, Da , Xia, Feng
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Computer Science Review Vol. 37, no. (2020), p.
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Description: A network is a typical expressive form of representing complex systems in terms of vertices and links, in which the pattern of interactions amongst components of the network is intricate. The network can be static that does not change over time or dynamic that evolves through time. The complication of network analysis is different under the new circumstance of network size explosive increasing. In this paper, we introduce a new network science concept called a big network. A big networks is generally in large-scale with a complicated and higher-order inner structure. This paper proposes a guideline framework that gives an insight into the major topics in the area of network science from the viewpoint of a big network. We first introduce the structural characteristics of big networks from three levels, which are micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level. We then discuss some state-of-the-art advanced topics of big network analysis. Big network models and related approaches, including ranking methods, partition approaches, as well as network embedding algorithms are systematically introduced. Some typical applications in big networks are then reviewed, such as community detection, link prediction, recommendation, etc. Moreover, we also pinpoint some critical open issues that need to be investigated further. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

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Blending big data analytics : review on challenges and a recent study

- Amalina, Fairuz, Targio Hashem, Ibrahim, Azizul, Zati, Fong, Ang, Imran, Muhammad

Authors: Amalina, Fairuz , Targio Hashem, Ibrahim , Azizul, Zati , Fong, Ang , Imran, Muhammad
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 8, no. (2020), p. 3629-3645
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Description: With the collection of massive amounts of data every day, big data analytics has emerged as an important trend for many organizations. These collected data can contain important information that may be key to solving wide-ranging problems, such as cyber security, marketing, healthcare, and fraud. To analyze their large volumes of data for business analyses and decisions, large companies, such as Facebook and Google, adopt analytics. Such analyses and decisions impact existing and future technology. In this paper, we explore how big data analytics is utilized as a technique for solving problems of complex and unstructured data using such technologies as Hadoop, Spark, and MapReduce. We also discuss the data challenges introduced by big data according to the literature, including its six V's. Moreover, we investigate case studies of big data analytics on various techniques of such analytics, namely, text, voice, video, and network analytics. We conclude that big data analytics can bring positive changes in many fields, such as education, military, healthcare, politics, business, agriculture, banking, and marketing, in the future. © 2013 IEEE.

Care providers' perspectives on disrespect and abuse of women during facility-based childbirth in Africa : a qualitative systematic review protocol

- Adinew, Yohannes, Hall, Helen, Marshall, Amy, Kelly, Janet

Authors: Adinew, Yohannes , Hall, Helen , Marshall, Amy , Kelly, Janet
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: JBI Evidence Synthesis Vol. 18, no. 5 (May 2020), p. 1057-1063
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Description: Objective: The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available qualitative evidence to understand healthcare providers' views on disrespect and abuse of women during facility-based childbirth in Africa. Introduction: Everyday, approximately 800 women die from preventable pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes worldwide; poorer women living in developing countries comprise 99% of these deaths. Maternal mortality has no single cause or solution, but the most effective preventive strategy is ensuring that every woman gives birth in an equipped health facility with the help of skilled providers. Yet, many women decline to attend facility-based delivery, often due to disrespect and abuse received during childbirth. Inclusion criteria: This systematic review will consider studies that include views of care providers regarding disrespect and abuse of women in birthing facilities, including verbal, physical and sexual abuse; stigma; discrimination; substandard care; neglect; and trust and communication problems. Qualitative studies that relate to Africa published in English from 1990 will be included. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, African Index Medicus and Web of Science, and selected gray literature sources, will be searched for eligible papers. Titles and abstracts of obtained documents will be assessed by the lead reviewer against the inclusion criteria. Identified documents will then be appraised for relevance and rigor by two independent reviewers. Data will be extracted by two independent reviewers and graded according to the ConQual approach.

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Communities of practice : a systematic review and meta-synthesis of what it means and how it really works among nursing students and novices

- Terry, Daniel, Nguyen, Hoang, Peck, Blake, Smith, Andrew, Phan, Hoang

Authors: Terry, Daniel , Nguyen, Hoang , Peck, Blake , Smith, Andrew , Phan, Hoang
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Journal of Clinical Nursing Vol. 29, no. 3-4 (2020), p. 370-380
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Description: Aims and objectives: To evaluate the enablers, barriers and impact that communities of practice have on novice nurses and students learning to become registered nurses. Background: Communities of practice have formed the basis for conceptualising the process of learning that occurs among groups of people within a place of work—a mainstay of healthcare practice. There is a dearth of literature that focuses specifically on the outcomes from student and novice engagement with existing communities of practice. Design: Systematic review and Meta-synthesis. Methods: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were accessed between 1997–2019. The screening and selection of studies were based on eligibility criteria and methodological quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative research. Meta-synthesis was grounded in the original experiences and collectively synthesised into meaningful themes. The review follows the PRISMA reporting guidelines and PRISMA checklist. Results: The findings highlight three major themes and included enablers for successful communities of practice, barriers to successful communities of practice, and success in action as described by students and novice nurses. Discussion: We suggest successful communities of practice occur when safe and supported spaces ensure students and novices feel comfortable to experiment with their learning, and we emphasise the benefits of having more novice nurses situated within close proximity and under the direct influence of the established practices of more experienced or core group of peers. Relevance to clinical practice: Communities of practice that function successfully create an environment that prioritises the embedding of novices into the broader group. In so doing, students and novice nurses feel supported, welcomed, empowered, and able to make the transition from student to colleague and novice nurse to more experienced nurse. It allows them to experiment with ever new ways of fulfilling the role, while aiding better clinical outcomes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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Comparative effectiveness of three exercise types to treat clinical depression in older adults : a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

- Miller, Kyle, Gonçalves-Bradley, Daniela, Areerob, Pinyadapat, Hennessy, Declan, Mesagno, Christopher, Grace, Fergal

Authors: Miller, Kyle , Gonçalves-Bradley, Daniela , Areerob, Pinyadapat , Hennessy, Declan , Mesagno, Christopher , Grace, Fergal
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Ageing Research Reviews Vol. 58 (2020).
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Description: Background: Few studies have directly compared the effects of different exercise therapies on clinical depression in older adults. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of current evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the effectiveness of three major exercise types (aerobic, resistance, and mind-body exercise) in clinically depressed older adults. Methods: We followed PRISMA-NMA guidelines and searched databases for eligible RCTs (inception – September 12th, 2019). RCTs were eligible if they included clinically depressed adults aged >65 years, implemented one or more exercise therapy arms using aerobic, resistance, or mind-body exercise, and assessed depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up using a validated clinical questionnaire. Results: A network meta-analysis was performed on 15 eligible RCTs comprising 596 participants (321 treatment and 275 controls), including aerobic (n = 6), resistance (n = 5), and mind-body (n = 4) exercise trials. Compared with controls, mind-body exercise showed the largest improvement on depressive symptoms (g = −0.87 to −1.38), followed by aerobic exercise (g = −0.51 to −1.02), and resistance exercise (g = −0.41 to −0.92). Notably, there were no statistically significant differences between exercise types: aerobic versus resistance (g = −0.10, PrI = −2.23, 2.03), mind-body versus aerobic (g = −0.36, PrI = −2.69, 1.97), or mind-body versus resistance (g = −0.46, PrI = −2.75, 1.83). Conclusions: These findings should guide optimal exercise prescription for allied health professionals and stakeholders in clinical geriatrics. Notably, clinically depressed older adults may be encouraged to self-select their preferred exercise type in order to achieve therapeutic benefit on symptoms of depression. In coalition with high levels of compliance, these data provide encouraging evidence for the antidepressant effect of either aerobic, resistance, or mind-body exercise as effective treatment adjucts for older adults presenting with clinical depression. © 2019

Deep learning and big data technologies for IoT security

- Amanullah, Mohamed, Habeeb, Riyaz, Nasaruddin, Fariza, Gani, Abdullah, Ahmed, Ejaz, Nainar, Abdul, Akim, Nazihah, Imran, Muhammad

Authors: Amanullah, Mohamed , Habeeb, Riyaz , Nasaruddin, Fariza , Gani, Abdullah , Ahmed, Ejaz , Nainar, Abdul , Akim, Nazihah , Imran, Muhammad
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Computer Communications Vol. 151, no. (2020), p. 495-517
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Description: Technology has become inevitable in human life, especially the growth of Internet of Things (IoT), which enables communication and interaction with various devices. However, IoT has been proven to be vulnerable to security breaches. Therefore, it is necessary to develop fool proof solutions by creating new technologies or combining existing technologies to address the security issues. Deep learning, a branch of machine learning has shown promising results in previous studies for detection of security breaches. Additionally, IoT devices generate large volumes, variety, and veracity of data. Thus, when big data technologies are incorporated, higher performance and better data handling can be achieved. Hence, we have conducted a comprehensive survey on state-of-the-art deep learning, IoT security, and big data technologies. Further, a comparative analysis and the relationship among deep learning, IoT security, and big data technologies have also been discussed. Further, we have derived a thematic taxonomy from the comparative analysis of technical studies of the three aforementioned domains. Finally, we have identified and discussed the challenges in incorporating deep learning for IoT security using big data technologies and have provided directions to future researchers on the IoT security aspects. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

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Does the modality used in health coaching matter? A systematic review of health coaching outcomes

- Singh, Harjit, Kennedy, Gerard, Stupans, Ieva

Authors: Singh, Harjit , Kennedy, Gerard , Stupans, Ieva
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Patient Preference and Adherence Vol. 14, no. (2020), p. 1477-1492
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Description: Objective: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the modalities (e.g., face-to-face, telephone or electronic) of pharmacist health coaching providing the greatest improvement in patient outcomes, to enable a more comprehensive evaluation to be done and quality decision-making around health coaching modalities to be undertaken by pharmacists. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. CINHAL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO and SCOPUS were searched (2000–2019). Included articles were reviewed for the modality used to health coach, the training provided, and the outcomes. Results: Twelve papers met the eligibility criteria. A majority of studies included involved a combination of modalities of pharmacist health coaching. Four papers referred to face-toface sessions, and one study used telephone coaching. In each paper, coaching led to an improvement in clinical and non-clinical health outcomes. Conclusion: The training provided to health coaches varied and in some cases was not reported. Inconsistencies in reports led to difficulties when comparing study outcomes. Therefore, conclusions about the modality providing the greatest improvement in patient outcomes and the most pragmatic health coaching modality are not possible. Studies that document the training, the modality, the outcomes and the cost benefits of coaching by pharmacists are warranted to enable a more comprehensive evaluation to be done and quality decision-making around health coaching modalities to be undertaken by pharmacists. © 2020 Singh et al.

Ecology, distribution and control of the invasive weed Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. : a global review of current and future challenges

- Humphries, Talia, Dowling, Kim, Turville, Christopher, Sinclair, Steve, Florentine, Singarayer

Authors: Humphries, Talia , Dowling, Kim , Turville, Christopher , Sinclair, Steve , Florentine, Singarayer
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Weed Research Vol. 60, no. 6 (2020), p. 392-405
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Description: Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) is a highly invasive perennial C3 weed from South America. It grows in most soil conditions, can resist fire and frost, and is unpalatable to grazing animals. Each plant can produce up to 140,000 seeds annually, and together, these characteristics make it a damaging landscape weed. It has diminished the agricultural carrying capacity of pastures in south-eastern Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and emerging populations have now been identified in Europe and the United States, and bioclimatic models suggest its distribution could significantly expand within these regions in the near future. Research into control methods for this weed has been explored, and these include herbicides applied alone and in combination, the establishment of plant competition, the introduction of seed mitigation fencing, grazing management and exclusion zones, specific biological management and alteration of soil composition. Currently, the most effective and widely used control method is the residual herbicide flupropanate (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoic acid). This review will investigate the ecology, distribution, current control techniques and past research on this species, and make recommendations for future research and management. © 2020 European Weed Research Society

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Education and training for preventing and minimizing workplace aggression directed toward healthcare workers

- Geoffrion, Steve, Hills, Danny, Ross, Heather, Pich, Jacqueline, Hill, April, Dalsbo, Therese, Riahi, Sanaz, Martínez-Jarreta, Begona, Guay, Stephane

Authors: Geoffrion, Steve , Hills, Danny , Ross, Heather , Pich, Jacqueline , Hill, April , Dalsbo, Therese , Riahi, Sanaz , Martínez-Jarreta, Begona , Guay, Stephane
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Vol. 2020, no. 9 (2020), p.
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Description: Background: Workplace aggression constitutes a serious issue for healthcare workers and organizations. Aggression is tied to physical and mental health issues at an individual level, as well as to absenteeism, decreased productivity or quality of work, and high employee turnover rates at an organizational level. To counteract these negative impacts, organizations have used a variety of interventions, including education and training, to provide workers with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent aggression. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of education and training interventions that aim to prevent and minimize workplace aggression directed toward healthcare workers by patients and patient advocates. Search methods: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, six other databases and five trial registers were searched from their inception to June 2020 together with reference checking, citation searching and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-randomized controlled trials (CRCTs), and controlled before and after studies (CBAs) that investigated the effectiveness of education and training interventions targeting aggression prevention for healthcare workers. Data collection and analysis: Four review authors evaluated and selected the studies resulting from the search. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Main results: We included nine studies—four CRCTs, three RCTs, and two CBAs—with a total of 1688 participants. Five studies reported episodes of aggression, and six studies reported secondary outcomes. Seven studies were conducted among nurses or nurse aides, and two studies among healthcare workers in general. Three studies took place in long-term care, two in the psychiatric ward, and four in hospitals or health centers. Studies were reported from the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Sweden. All included studies reported on education combined with training interventions. Four studies evaluated online programs, and five evaluated face-to-face programs. Five studies were of long duration (up to 52 weeks), and four studies were of short duration. Eight studies had short-term follow-up (< 3 months), and one study long-term follow-up (> 1 year). Seven studies were rated as being at "high" risk of bias in multiple domains, and all had "unclear" risk of bias in a single domain or in multiple domains. Effects on aggression. Short-term follow-up. The evidence is very uncertain about effects of education and training on aggression at short-term follow-up compared to no intervention (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.27 to 0.61, 2 CRCTs; risk ratio [RR] 2.30, 95% CI 0.97 to 5.42, 1 CBA; SMD -1.24, 95% CI -2.16 to -0.33, 1 CBA; very low-certainty evidence). Long-term follow-up. Education may not reduce aggression compared to no intervention in the long term (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.37, 1 CRCT; low-certainty evidence). Effects on knowledge, attitudes, skills, and adverse outcomes. Education may increase personal knowledge about workplace aggression at short-term follow-up (SMD 0.86, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.38, 1 RCT; low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about effects of education on personal knowledge in the long term (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.75, 1 RCT; very low-certainty evidence). Education may improve attitudes among healthcare workers at short-term follow-up, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 0.59, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.94, 2 CRCTs and 3 RCTs; very low-certainty evidence). The type and duration of interventions resulted in different sizes of effects. Education may not have an effect on skills related to workplace aggression (SMD 0.21, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.49, 1 RCT and 1 CRCT; very low-certainty evidence) nor on adverse personal outcomes, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD -0.31, 95% CI -1.02 to 0.40, 1 RCT; very low-certainty evidence). Measurements of these c ncepts showed high heterogeneity. Authors' conclusions: Education combined with training may not have an effect on workplace aggression directed toward healthcare workers, even though education and training may increase personal knowledge and positive attitudes. Better quality studies that focus on specific settings of healthcare work where exposure to patient aggression is high are needed. Moreover, as most studies have assessed episodes of aggression toward nurses, future studies should include other types of healthcare workers who are also victims of aggression in the same settings, such as orderlies (healthcare assistants). Studies should especially use reports of aggression at an institutional level and should rely on multi-source data while relying on validated measures. Studies should also include days lost to sick leave and employee turnover and should measure outcomes at one-year follow-up. Studies should specify the duration and type of delivery of education and should use an active comparison to prevent raising awareness and reporting in the intervention group only. Copyright © 2020 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of sub-concussion on neuropsychological performance and its potential mechanisms : a narrative review

- Rawlings, Samuel, Takechi, Ryusuke, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: Rawlings, Samuel , Takechi, Ryusuke , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Brain Research Bulletin Vol. 165, no. (2020), p. 56-62
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Description: Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are recognised as serious medical events that are relatively common in contact sports. Recently, the seemingly non-injurious phenomenon of sub-concussion has gained interest among neuroscience researchers and early studies are showing that there may be some acute and chronic effects on brain health and function with repeated sub-concussive events of the type seen in soccer, where players strike the ball with the head, and collision sports like the rugby codes. The aim of this narrative review is to describe sub-concussion and the current understanding of short and long term effects of repeated minor impacts that have been found to occur in human and animal models. Here, potential mechanisms for cognitive dysfunction following sub-concussion and recommend directions for future research are discussed. The Potential mechanisms of injuries resulting from sub-concussion such as changes in blood brain barrier integrity, neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, and oxidative stress damage, among other changes in central nervous system function vary considerably making understanding of the underlying causative mechanism challenging for researchers. Some evidence suggests a link between impaired cerebrovascular function and cognitive impairment which poses a potential mechanism linking the two. It is hoped that this review helps guide researchers toward a potential direction of investigations. © 2020

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