bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-confidence and digital proficiency: Determinants of digital skills perceptions among young people in Spain
Authors: Calderón Daniel , Sanmartín Ortí Anna , Kuric Stribor
Published: April 2022

The necessity of introducing telework and online education due to the COVID-19 crisis has drawn attention to the problem of digital inequalities among young people. Besides access and connectivity problems, the lockdown has shown a gap between young people’s self-perceived level of digital skills (which is generally high) and their actual digital performance, they tend to experience important difficulties associated with the second-level digital divide. Most of the empirical evidence about digital skills relies on index construction based on variables about digital tasks or practices that people can fulfill. Nevertheless, there is no evidence about the sociological and biographical determinants that influence subjects’ self-perception of their level of digital skills, particularly among young people, since this generational group is generally associated with a high level of digital skills. Therefore, in this article we will measure the influence of different sociological and biographical aspects (gender, age, education, forms of digital accessibility, digital practices, itineraries of digital literacy along their life, etc.) over declaring a certain level of digital skills. The outcomes show the importance of socio-demographic factors and of the processes of appropriation of technology when young people perceive their level of digital performance, which are only partially related to socioeconomic situations, since digital vulnerability is mediated by acquired cultural patterns over the use of technology.
Going virtual: Academic conferences in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Medina Leandro Rodriguez , Shrum Wesley
Published: April 2022

In the context of the 2020 world pandemic of COVID-19, many professional and scientific associations have had to change the way that they gather and reorganize their scholarly conferences. For many of them, conferences are a main source of income and important occasions for business meetings and managerial decisions. Yet, with trips and face-to-face encounters banned, the opportunity arrived for going virtual and developing human and technical capacities to provide online environments for virtual conferences. In this article, we analyze the case of an e-conference co-organized by two international organizations at two levels: (a) the decision-making process and (b) the assessment by attendees. Relying on personal, first-hand experience, participant observation, and a post-conference survey, we collected data that allow an examination of the intricacies of the decision to go virtual as well as pros and cons of the experiences of colleagues who presented papers and attended sessions. Consistent with previous studies, we found that scholars value the possibility of having more colleagues participating (providing geographic and career stage diversity), reduction of carbon emissions, lower travel and transportation costs, and ease of watching presentations later (through recordings). On the other hand, academics point to the difficulty of socializing as the main problem, with implications for strengthening academic networks and consolidation of professional careers.
Distance learning, digital inequality, and COVID-19: Visualizing learning channels among California public school students
Authors: Schulz Jeremy , Robinson Laura
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 has put a spotlight not only on digital inequalities but on the formation of digital skills. With the pandemic, the abrupt transition of schools to distance learning in continues to underscore the key importance of digital skills for students who will increasingly need digital skills to navigate new educational terrains and adapt to its demands. This study examines fundamental issues in the formation of digital skills and argues that access to the Internet and digital devices are insufficient if students lack digital skills to use them and benefit from them. To explain why we analyze the relationships and learning channels that are central to students acquisition of digital skills. We examine the interrelationships between four essential “channels” through which students acquire digitals skills: through self direction; through peers; through family; and through formal instruction and interaction with teachers. Drawing from original survey and interview data among disadvantaged secondary school students, we employ configurational and narrative methods to explore how the four learning channels map onto the formation of four key Internet skills (Internet search, Internet-mediated school research, multimedia, and social media). The study’s findings shed light on the ways that self-instruction, the primary learning channel, articulates with the other learning channels. Findings show that school-related research skills are best developed through educator-led instruction, while multimedia and social media skills can be developed through the combination of instruction on the part of peers and family members as long as the learning is simultaneously self-directed. Finally, these findings help explain why remote learning has been inadequate for some low-SES students during the pandemic. As we show, these students could not fully benefit from self-instruction due to the lack of family members or peers who could teach them digital skills. When coupled with disenfranchisement from educator instruction, these students could not acquire the digital skills necessary for them to engage in informed self-instruction and skill development.
香港对英国双边旅游贸易服务分析
Authors: 张 婷君 , 张 雅菁
Published: April 2022

伴随着世界贸易格局的变化，国际产业转移和产业结构不断升级，经济服务化趋势越发显著，服务业持续蓬勃发展。本文以香港的旅游服务贸易作为主要对象，对香港与英国的双边旅游服务贸易进行分析，透过香港旅游服务贸易的竞争力指数趋势介绍香港国际旅游服务贸易的发展；通过计算香港对英国市场渗透率指数和产业内贸易竞争力指数，初步分析香港服务贸易在全球的贸易竞争力，并区分两地区名义GDP差和实际GDP差，分别搭配香港对世界服务进出口量的开放程度、香港对世界物品进出口量的开放程度、香港对世界的外商直接投资流入和流出四个指标作为自变量，对香港对英国市场渗透率和产业内贸易竞争力指数进行多元回归，深入分析影响服务贸易国际竞争力的影响因素。研究结果表明外商直接投资、服务开放程度、两地区GDP差对香港旅游服务贸易皆有显著的影响。
Burnout, Areas of Worklife, and Vocational Evaluators: A New Perspective
Authors: Lawrence Shakeerrah
Published: April 2022

Burnout negatively impacts people from different occupations and socioeconomic
groups. Burnout manifests through three distinct characteristics: emotional exhaustion,
depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Understanding the causes of
burnout is critical for preventing burnout in the helping professions; however, research
about burnout in vocational evaluation is rare. Given the risk factors of burnout faced by
many vocational evaluators and career assessment professionals (e.g., production
requirements, competitive work environment, isolation, secondary trauma, limited
resources) it is important for vocational evaluators and career assessment professionals
to better understand burnout as they build towards wellness. This paper will review
literature that explores the origin, description, and symptoms of burnout. Support for
future research, along with implications for vocational evaluators, administrators, and
the profession is also included.
2019 Global Data Visualization Tools to Empower Decision-Making in Nutrition
Authors: Manorat Renee , Flory Augustin , Becker Laura
Published: April 2022

Thanks to the significant investments in the nutrition data landscape over the past decade, more data is available to support the work of nutrition policymakers, implementers, donors, advocates and researchers. Data is collected through routine administrative health information platforms (e.g., District Health Information System 2 [DHIS2]), large-scale household surveys (e.g., Demographic and Health Surveys [DHS], Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys [MICS] and Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions [SMART] surveys) and project evaluation studies or monitoring platforms (e.g., Scaling Up Nutrition Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning [SUN MEAL] and Hunger and Nutrition Commitment Index [HANCI]). Hundreds of indicators on nutrition outcomes, intervention coverage, underlying determinants and the enabling environment are collected across global data platforms.
2014 Newborn Vitamin A Dosing is Feasible in Bangladesh
Authors: Kaushik S. , Charles Mary Kate , Mahmud Zeba
Published: April 2022

There is an urgent need to address high neonatal and infant mortality rates in many developing countries. In Bangladesh, 104,000 infants die each year before their first birthday, most of whom do not survive past six months. A major public health challenge has been to reduce early infant mortality through effective and practical interventions. Vitamin A (VA) supplementation has been long known to reduce child mortality over six months of age, but it may similarly reduce early infant mortality if given at birth.
2020 Social Marketing to Sustainably Influence Nutrition Behavior
Authors: Rakotonarivo Mieja Vola , Martinaud Clemence Boulle
Published: April 2022

Every year, 9 million children worldwide die before the age of five. Directly or indirectly, one out of every two of these deaths is due to malnutrition. Malnutrition is especially devastating during the first 1,000 days of life, from an infant’s conception to its second birthday. Even when it does not kill, malnutrition causes irreversible damage that lasts into adulthood (high morbidity, physical and mental disabilities). This damage is passed on from one generation to the next, and has serious consequences for development. Malnutrition during this period is partly caused by the inadequate intake of nutritionally appropriate foods that are complementary to breast milk, and it can lead to food-borne diseases (diarrhea, parasitic infections) and/or the reduced bioavailability of micronutrients. The timely use of appropriate complementary foods and/or food supplements is generally recognized as a necessary prerequisite for preventing malnutrition. However, encouraging mothers to buy or prepare appropriate food products at the appropriate time is a challenge that has oft en been addressed without major success in developing countries.
2011 Role of Maternal Micronutrients
Authors: Yajnik Chittaranjan S. , Lubree Himangi , Deshmukh Urmila S.
Published: April 2022

Two thirds of all deaths in the world are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 80% of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are the major contributors to the global burden of NCDs. Studies in the life course evolution of these chronic diseases have highlighted an etiological role for factors which govern intrauterine and post-natal growth. Research in this field could off er a novel solution to the “primordial” prevention of conditions which are the most prominent killers in today’s world. These novel ideas arose from a series of studies by David Barker and his colleagues in the UK. They proposed that intrauterine undernutrition initiated a number of adaptations in the fetus which increased disease susceptibility in later life, especially when post-natal nutrition tended to be “excessive”. A developing fetus has the ability to grow in different ways depending on the surrounding (intrauterine) environment; this ability is called the “plasticity”. An unfavorable environment restricts the ability of the fetus to grow “wildly” and causes a permanent structural or functional change, known as “programming”. India is the world’s capital of low birth weight (lBW) babies, while at the same time it is evolving into one of the economic powers of the world. It was clear that research in India would shed important light on these new and exciting ideas.
Древние петроглифы урочища Тесик
Authors: Горячев Александр Анатольевич , Потапов Станислав Александрович , Егорова Татьяна Александровна , Егорова Ксения Александровна
Published: April 2022

В статье впервые в научный оборот вводятся результаты исследований петроглифического комплекса, расположенного в западной части урочища Тесик гор Айтау (Шуский р-н, Жамбылская обл.). Наскальные изображения обнаружены на четырех сопках близ могильника эпохи бронзы и раннего железного века Тесик-I. На данный период выявлено свыше 300 древних петроглифов. Отмечена разница технических приемов нанесения рисунков на скалы внутри отдельных исторических этапов. Основная часть петроглифов эпохи бронзы и раннего железа демонстрирует определенный круг сюжетов – изображения людей, животных и знаков, сцены выпаса скота, ритуальных противоборств, охоты и т. д. Выделена серия многослойных и разновременных композиций, которые демонстрируют определённую культурную преемственность между населением микрорайона на разных исторических этапах. По технике нанесения рисунков на скалы и их стилистическим особенностям, репертуару древних петроглифов, а, следовательно, их семантике и вероятному функциональному назначению, данное скопление относится к памятникам тамгалинского круга Юго-Западного Жетысу. Каноны изображений ведущих сюжетов эпохи бронзы и раннего железа в петроглифах урочища Тесик свидетельствуют как о развитии местных художественных традиций, так и о культурном взаимодействии в результате транспортных коммуникаций древнего населения региона с сопредельными территориями Центральной Азии.
Tackling the implementation gap
Authors: Mitchell Dervilla
Published: April 2022

Summary - A wide range of systems need to be transformed in the coming years in order to meet UK climate goals - A systems approach can identify no-regrets measures that can be implemented now - This approach allows for global planning and local delivery - A systems approach enables a full understanding of a very complex situation - Tackling climate change needs a collaborative, integrated approach
Developing a systems approach
Authors: Newey Guy
Published: April 2022

Summary - Achieving net zero is a very complex challenge - There are different ways of achieving net zero but determining the optimum way is not simple - Making big changes, to be successful, means a full understanding of the consequences - Consumer preferences and behaviours have to be factored in - We will need to test how different strategies work in practice
All technologies will be needed to reach our net zero targets
Authors: Cohen Colette
Published: April 2022

Summary - People often see climate change in emotional terms, rather than technical ones - The current energy system is the product of choices taken over centuries - Adopting a systems approach to the creation of a new system offers substantial opportunities - There is room for all technologies in an expanded energy system - To achieve our goals, it is critical to start investing now and at pace.
The role of innovation in creating our future
Authors: Mukerjee Indro
Published: April 2022

Summary - Innovation will play a crucial role in creating our future as a country - We must inspire the brightest and the best to become successful innovators - We need to be aware of emerging technologies, markets and industries - Successful innovation is more than good science: it involves commercial skills as well - Innovate UK is looking to bring on a new generation of innovators.
Taking a systems approach to reaching net zero
Authors: McDonald Jim
Published: April 2022

Summary - A systems approach to delivering net zero is essential - Policy needs to be driven by the underlying data driving the development of sophisticated modelling - Many of the technologies needed to deliver net zero are already available - Investment in new ideas is still required however on the journey to 2050 - Public acceptability and citizen engagement with this is absolutely essential.
Rethinking the way society operates
Authors: Wray Stephanie
Published: April 2022

Summary - Biodiversity is declining and that decline must be addressed urgently - The UK is among the countries that have seen the greatest decline - Sustainability is about more than carbon and net zero - Business needs a good structure of legislation, policy and regulation within which to operate - It is important to view everything in terms of how the activity affects the natural environment.
Hanefî Usul Düşüncesinde Fâsid İstidlâl Çeşitlerinden İktiran Delâleti
Authors: Sen Ayhan
Published: April 2022

Hanefî usulünde fâsid istidlâl, usûl-ı fıkıh ilminin önemli konularından biridir. Kendisiyle fıkhî hükümlere ulaşılan istidlâl yöntemlerinin sahih olması son derece önemlidir.
Şer‘î hükümlerin istinbatında ihtiyatlı ve titiz bir bakış açısıyla hareket eden Hanefîler, bu konuda lafzî delâleti referans almışlar ve lafzî delâlete dayalı istidlâl metodlarını sahih kabul etmişlerdir. Aynı zamanda sahih istidlâl yoluyla elde edilen hükümler, şer‘î hüküm olmaları sebebiyle amel edilmesi gereken hükümler olarak kabul görmüştür. Lafzî delâlete dayanmayan istidlâl yöntemleri ise sadece akla veya kıyasa dayandığı ve bu nedenle de meskûtun delâleti olduğu gerekçesiyle fâsid istidlâl olarak değerlendirilmiştir.
Hanefî usul düşüncesinde fâsid sayılan istidlâl çeşitlerinden biri iktiran delâletidir. Hanefî usûl âlimleri, iktiran delâletini sahih bir istidlâl yöntemi olarak kabul etmezler. Bu istidlâl yöntemi neticesinde ulaşılan hükümleri, şer‘î hüküm olmamaları sebebiyle amel edilmemesi gereken hükümler olarak değerlendirirler. İktiran delâleti; bir araya gelen kelimelerin veya cümlelerin lafızda beraber olmalarının hükümde de beraber olmalarını gerekli kılıp kılmadığı düşüncesi etrafında şekillenir. Bu makalede iktiranın sözlük anlamı, terim anlamı, iktiranı kabul edenler, reddedenler, iktiranı kabul edenlerin delilleri, reddedenlerin delilleri, Hanefîlerin iktiran ile amel ettikleri yönündeki itirazlara, bu itirazlara verilen cevaplara ve iktiranın isti’nâsi delil olduğu yönündeki iddialara temas edilecektir.
İLAHİ TAKDİR ve YARDIMIN SÜNNETİ AÇISINDAN KUR’AN-I KERİM’DE BEDİR GAZVESİ
Authors: Altaytaş Muhammet
Published: April 2022

Şahsî varoluşa dair tasavvurla, kâinata ve tarihe dair tasavvur, başka bir deyişle inanç ile bilgi, bilim ve tarih arasındaki yakın irtibat sebebiyle Kur’an-ı Kerim’in tarihî anlatımları ancak sahih İslâm itikadı zemininde sıhhatli okunabilir. Bilhassa Aydınlanma tecrübesi sonrası materyalist, pozitivist, tabiatçı, mekanist ve seküler kabullere dayanan Batı metafiziğinin yoğun tesiriyle, Kur’an-ı Kerim’i, Sünnet’i ve İslâm ilim ve kültür tarihini yeniden okumaya tâbi tutan bazı Müslüman aydınlar, bilhassa ilahî takdir ve yardımın sünnetine dair farklı bir takım anlayışlar ortaya koydular. Bu makalede modern dönemde zuhur eden bu farklı okumalar da göz önünde bulundurularak Ebû Mansûr el-Mâtürîdî (ö. 333/944), Ebü’l-Kāsım ez-Zemahşerî (ö. 538/1144) ve Fahrüddîn er-Râzî (ö. 606/1210) gibi biri Mâtürîdî, biri Mûtezilî, biri de Eş’ârî olan, her biri Kelâm ve Tefsir’de temâyüz etmiş üç büyük öncü âlimin tefsirlerinde Bedir Gazvesi’ndeki ilahi takdir ve yardımın sünnet ve hikmetini nasıl anladıkları ortaya konulmuştur. Farklı ekollere mensup üç âlimin de, İslâm itikadına dayalı tarih tasavvuru zeminde Bedir’de tabiatüstü mucizevi ilahi yardım konusunda ittifak ettikleri fakat bu yardımın şekli konusunda yer yer farklı görüşlere sahip oldukları görülmüştür. Sonuç bölümünde meseleye dair klasik anlayış ile modernist anlayışlar karşılaştırılmış ve değerlendirilmiştir.
Patients Knowledge and Practices about Disposal of Used Insulin Needles in Diabetic patients of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Nawaz Arsalan , Rizvi Amna , Shireen Maria , Hafeez Usman , Arshad Rabia , Muzahir Ammara
Published: April 2022

Background: Pakistan is now the 3rd country having highest diabetic population in the world. [1] Many of the diabetics are on insulin. The issue of the safe disposal of insulin syringes is an area of concern. Aim: To assess the knowledge & disposal practices of insulin needles and its relationship with the different parameters related to diabetes education. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Services Hospital Lahore after approval of institutional review board. 363 diabetic patients, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were approached. The patients were interviewed through a validated questionnaire. The data was stratified according to the age, gender, duration of diabetes, duration since last instructions reviewed. The chi-square test was applied. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Almost all patients 98.6% were (n=359) adult, 4(1.2%) were adolescents i.e., below 18 years of age. Mean age of study population was 49.71±13.36 years, mean weight was 67.12±13.29 kg and mean height was 160.95± 6.89 cm. Among 363 cases, 209(57.6%) were females and 154(42.4%) were males. 242(67.5%) of study population was above age of 45 years while 118(32.5%) was below the age of 45 years. Mean duration of diabetes was 95.18±54.49 months and mean duration of insulin use was 6.45±3.7 years. Among all, 332(91.5%) use syringe for injecting insulin and 31(8.5%) use pen as device for insulin. About 95% of patients discard their insulin waste into home rubbish. Among that 95% of patients who are discarding their insulin waste into household rubbish, 91% discards it after recapping of needles but 4% of them put it into rubbish without recapping. More than three fourth (82.9%) of study participants were not confident about having correct knowledge of waste disposal while small proportion of participants (17.1%) were confident of having correct knowledge. Conclusion: Unawareness about correct insulin disposal technique is much prevalent and is a major hazard for transmitting infectious diseases accidentally. Risk can be reduced by reinforcing the education. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin.
Outcomes of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair in Obese patients
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Najam , Khan Ashfaq Nasir , Khan Muhammad Shahid , Khan Urwa Ashfaq
Published: April 2022

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for primary ventral hernia. Surgery is deferred in obese patients because of overweight but most of patients present in emergency with obstructed /strangulated hernia in which outcome is poor. Aim: To compare the primary outcomes (seroma ,surgical site infection and recurrence) and secondary outcomes (duration of surgery and postoperative pain) in obese and non obese patients after laparoscopic primary ventral hernia repair. Study design: Prospective comparative study Setting & duration: B V Hospital /Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur, 01-01-2019 to 31-08-2021 Method: This study was done on 70 patients above the age of 25 years undergoing laparoscopic IPOM (intraperitoneal onlay mesh ) after closure of fascial defect for primary ventral hernia. Patients with history of obstructed /strangulated hernia were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups( Patients with BMI <30 kg/m2 - Group A and patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2- Group B). Data was calculated regarding patient’s age ,sex, BMI, comorbidities, type of hernia, hernia size, primary outcome (postoperative complications-seroma ,surgical site infection and recurrence) and secondary outcome (duration of surgery and pain). Statistical analysis using SPSS version 22 was done and it was considered significant when p value was <0.05. Results: 29 (41.43%) had BMI < 30 kg/m2 and 41 (58.57%) had BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 .The most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus (17.1%) in both groups. 38 patients presented wiyh paraumblical hernia and 32 patients with epigastric hernia. A significant correlation between size of defect and post operative complications. (p value 0.042) was found. A significant correlation between comorbidities and complications was also found (p value 0.001). Complications being more common in group B patients but were not statistically significant (p value 0.979). Duration of surgery being higher in group B patients but was not statistically significant.(p value 0.194). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain in both groups. Conclusion: Obesity has no significant effect on postoperative complications ( seroma, surgical site infection and recurrence), duration of surgery and postoperative pain after laparoscopic IPOM repair. Comorbidities are significantly associated with postoperative complications rather than increased BMI. So surgery should not be delayed in obese patients. Key words: Primary Ventral Hernia, Obesity, BMI (Body Mass Index), IPOM (Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh)
Association of Preeclampsia with Low Platelet Count among Pregnant Females Presenting during Third Trimester
Authors: Manzoor Farhana , Rahat Fouzia , Ashique Fakhra , Waheed Rubina , Iqbal Safdar , Chughtai Arslan Saleem
Published: April 2022

Aim: To determine the association between presenting for antenatal check-up Methods: Study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lahore General Hospital of Lahore during 15-5-2019 to 15-11-2019 and consented to participate were considered for the study. 35 were with preeclampsia (Cases) and 35 were without (Control). The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 25. For categorical data analysis chi square test was used using p-value ≤0.05. 70 Women of age 18-40years, parity of 20 weeks (on LMP) Results: The study results showed that the mean age of the cases group was 29.54±6.284 years whereas the mean age of control group was 28.83±7.213 years. In the present study among cases the low platelets count was noted in 26(74.3%) patients while among control group the low platelets count was found in 17(48.6%) patients. Odds of developing preeclampsia among patients aged below or equals to 30 years was 3.97 [95% CI: 0.95-16.52] whereas among aged >30, was 3.06 [95% CI: 0.68-13.78]. The odds of developing preeclampsia among low platelet count subjects with normal BMI was 3.50 [95% CI; 0.69-17.71] Conclusion: Low platelets count was associated with preeclampsia. It was found that pregnant females with low platelet count has significantly greater odds of developing preeclampsia as compared to normal platelets count females presenting during third trimester of pregnancy. Keywords: Pregnant Female, Low platelet count, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Case Control Study
Effects and outcome of Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy for Eradication of Hepatitis C in Kidney Transplant patients
Authors: Ayyaz Ahmed , Khan Azhar Ali , Ibrahim Nasir , Sarwar Sehrish , Khan Azhar Waheed , Ashraf Hafiz Hamad
Published: April 2022

Aim: To look for effects and graft outcome of Direct Antiviral Agents on Hepatitis C positive Renal Transplant Patients Design: Prospective study Duration & place of study: The study will be conducted in Shaikh Zayed Hospital’s Kidney Transplant Unit, Lahore, and will comprises of consecutive Hepatitis C positive Renal Transplant Recipients from January 2018 to January 2020 Methodology: The Hepatitis C Positive Renal Transplant Recipients will be selected after fulfilling Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria and we will follow the patient for 3 months after initiation of DAA regime. Result: The study included 50 patients average age was 36.1±10.5 years and 32(64%) of them were male and rest were females. Therapy for HCV was 100.0% successful. The total bilirubin levels, hemoglobin, platelet count, serum creatinine and eGFR had no significant change in averages over 12 weeks of treatment. The ALT and AST levels reduced significantly in first 4-week time and then stayed at a level while the ALP levels reduced significantly over all intervals of follow-ups. The albumin levels increased significantly at week 8 and stayed unchanged on week 12 as compared to baseline. The WBC count and blood glucose levels reduced significantly from baseline till end of study. 12th week was compared with baseline, it was observed that among 29 with eGFR >90 at baseline 7(24.1%) had eGFR 60 – 90 and 3(10.3%) had eGFR even less (30 – 60). Conclusion: HCV is a well-recognised risk factor of poor graft survival in kidney transplant patients. In our study it was observed that DAA treatment can resolved HCV infection in kidney Transplant Recipients with significant improvement of liver function without loss of allograft function. Keywords: Hepatitis C, Direct Antiviral Agents, Sustained Virological Response
Gender Differences in Cardiac Autonomic Modulations as Reflected by Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Jawwa Ghazala , Khan Humaira Fayyaz , Iftikhar Mehwish , Rizvi Amna
Published: April 2022

Background: Heart rate variability is the most important noninvasive tool to quantify cardiac autonomic function. Aim: To compare the “frequency domain” parameters of “heart rate variability” in male and female subjects. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: Present study was carried out at Islamic International Medical College and Yusra medical and dental college from June 2014 to December 2018. Four hundred subjects from both the genders between 20-40 years of age were included in the study after filling written informed consent. Ten minutes ECG of the subject was taken using power lab and explored for heart rate variability observing the protocols of “Task Force of European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology Frequency domain indices of heart rate variability obtained using “fast Fourier transform” .and were compared among male female groups. Results: Male subjects have considerably low high frequency in absolute unit and normalized unit (p≤ 0.05)and high low frequency in normalized unit and absolute unit (p ≤ 0.05 and .001 respectively)and low to high frequency ratio when compared with females(p ≤0.001). Conclusion: We concluded that assessment of Heart rate variability is an important measure of autonomic nervous system. Males exhibit reduced HRV parameters as compared to females showing that female have good vagal control than males. Keywords: Heart Rate Variability, Frequency Domain Methods, Low Frequency, High Frequency and Low Frequency
Evaluation of Procalcitonin Diagnostic Accuracy with Comparison to Blood Culture
Authors: Bhatti Yasir Ali , Zia Sadia , Aamir Hooria , Memon Zulfiqar Ali , Akbar Afshan , Ijaz Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Background: Procalcitonin has been used globally as indicator marker of sepsis to define bacteremia or blood stream infection for early patient management or antibiotic therapy. Blood culture refers to a microbiological culture of a peripheral blood sample. The blood cultures help to determine the presence of systemic infections, such as septicaemia. If the culture is positive, the causative micro-organism can usually be identified, and antibiotic sensitivity testing performed. On the other hand, the sensitivity of procalcitonin in comparison to its specificity to certain bacterial infections is still in question. Methodology: In this study, we selected 309 patients without restriction of age gender with pre-diagnosed sepsis or septic shock syndrome. Blood culture samples were collected in bactAlert media plus culture bottles and were incubated in BactAlert 3D semi-automated blood culture system; blood sample was collected for serum procalcitonin on immunoassay principle. Results: Out of 309, a total 87 blood cultures were positive and PCT was positive in 134 whereas 179 were PCT negative. In positive PCT, 63 were having bacterial growth in their blood culture while 71 were with negative blood culture. Although in total, 179 PCT were negative, only 16 were having bacterial growth in blood culture samples whereas all others revealed no growth that showed maximum number of positive blood cultures were having PCT positive but not all PCT positive demonstrated bacterial growth in blood culture suggesting that the bacteremia or sepsis can only be suspected with positive PCT. In addition, blood culture positive or negative results cannot be predicted by PCT value to make diagnostic confirmation of sepsis. Keywords: Procalcitonin (PCT), Blood culture, Sepsis, 95%CI; confidence interval, IQR; Interquartile range
Use of wide bore bougie (36Fr) and small distance of staple line from Pylorus (≤4cm) as predictor of success of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Lodhi Junaid Khan , Malik Aasim , Bukhari Saba Tahir , Amjad Saima , Shereen Rutb , Zubair Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is now a gold standard treatment for morbid obesity but no local data is available to standardize size of bougie and distance of staple line from pylorus and its effect on weight loss. Aim: To evaluate effect of 36 Fr bougie size and a distance of staple line of ≤4cm from pylorus and its impact on outcome of LSG. Method: This is retrospective study done by going through data base of morbidly obese patients from Jan 2012 to Dec 2020. Results: 150 patients were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 42 years old and male to female ratio was 4:11. Preoperative BMI was 56 kg/m². Operative time was 102 ±13.24 minutes. Postoperative leak was seen in 2 (1.6%) cases with total 7 patients developing complication with 1(0.6%) mortality. Mean follow up was 34.21±13.68 months. Percentage of weight loss observed was 30%,50%,55%,58%,60% and 60% at 6 months,1 year and then yearly after till 5 years. At 5 years, DM, HTN, OSAS, DJD and HLP showed remission of 75%,90%, 58%, 40% and 82% cases respectively. No revisional surgery was performed. Conclusion: LSG is a definitive bariatric procedure not only safe in expert hands but also effective and durable %WL is mainly dependant on bougies of 36 Fr size and a distance of ≤ 4cm of staple line from pylorus. Keywords: Morbid obesity, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, weight loss
Translation and Validation of Barthel Index in Urdu Language for Stroke Patients
Authors: Mustafa Kashmala , , Waqas Shoaib , Khawar Dar Rida , Sherazi Qurat Ul Ain , Tariq Muhammad , Asim Hafiz M.
Published: April 2022

Aim: To translate and validate of Barthel index in Urdu language for stroke patients Methodology: From June 2020 to January 2021, a descriptive linguistic validation research was done using convenient sampling at Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital in Lahore. Twenty neurological rehab professionals and 200 stroke survivors who could understand Urdu were used to validate the content. Two translators, one with a medical background and the other with a technical background in Urdu language, forward translated the BI English version into Urdu. The backward translation of the translated versions BI-Urdu-I and BI-Urdu-II into English was done by two professionals with medical and technical backgrounds who are fluent in Urdu to English translation. After that, the re-translated versions BI-English-III and BI-English-IV were compared to the original BI-English (English version) by expert committee. Data was collected by Final version of Urdu while considering inclusion and exclusion. Patients gave their consent in advance, and anonymity was guaranteed. Results: The mean age of stroke patients was 54.87 and standard deviation was 0.7648. The Chronbach’s alpha of translated version of BI questionnaire is 0.732. The inter item correlation (Pearson Correlation) after testing and re-testing on stroke patients was ranged from (0.425-0.945). The Intra-class Correlation after the translation of BI ranged from 0.314-0.732. Conclusion: Urdu version of Barthel index is a valid and reliable tool for stroke patients. Keywords: Validation, Barthel Index and Stroke
Evaluating the Frequency of Infertility in Retroverted Versus Anteverted Uterus Using Ultrasound
Authors: Rose Sybil , Shams Rana Muhammad Athar Azeem , Sadaf Ambreen , , Ali Sana , Ahsan Umair
Published: April 2022

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of infertility in retroverted versus anteverted uterus using ultrasound. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in total number of 380 patients using non-probability sampling technique. The study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Tahir Medical Complex, Haroonabad in 6 months of duration. Married women of all age groups with anteverted and retroverted uterus were included in this study while all unmarried females were excluded from this study. The ultrasound was performed using VOLISON 730 with 3.5 MHz linear array broadband transducer on grayscale while patient positioning was supine. Results: Total 386 woman were enrolled and the mean age of the patient was 25 years with a range of 21-30±3.26 years. Out of 386 woman anteverted uterus was found in 134(34.7%) and anteflexed uterus was found in 2(0.5%). On the other hand, retroverted uterus was found in 86(22.3%) women and retroflex uterus was found and none of the women. Among 386 women, 142(36.8%) were nulliparous (P0), 107(27.7%) were primiparas (P1), 108(28%) were multiparas (P2) and 29(7.5%) were grand multiparas (P3). Primary fertility was diagnosed in 142(36.8%) women while secondary infertility was diagnosed in 244(63.2%). Conclusion: Secondary infertility was seen more frequently in anteverted uterus as compared with retroverted uterus. Keywords: Infertility, Ultrasound, Uterus.
Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Obstetric patients using Macrosomia and Increased Amniotic Fluid on Ultrasound, as Diagnostic Markers
Authors: Hakeem Nazia , Akhtar Yasmin , Bakht Khush , Ashfaq Sanobar , Ahmed Uzma , Kumar Sanjay
Published: April 2022

Aim: To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes in obstetric patients with the help of ultrasonography and diagnostic biomarkers such as increased amniotic fluid and macrosomia. Methods: In 110 women who failed the glucose tolerance test, longitudinal ultrasound measurements of foetal growth were taken during the first, second and third trimesters with the informed consent of every pregnant women. 524 ultrasound examinations were performed in total, and uncomplicated pregnancies were included as controls for the comparison of our results. Head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and head circumference to abdominal circumference ratio (HC/AC) was evaluated at 17th and 37th weeks of gestation while amniotic fluid was measured and recorded at 13th, 27th and 37th weeks of gestation respectively. Results: The mean HbA1c (%) of the pregnant women in 1st semester recorded was 5.2±0.27SD which increased to 5.31 ±0.24SD in 2nd trimester and later changed to 5.54±0.17SD in 3rd semester. The measured amniotic fluid in ultrasound was 23.23cm ±3.18 SD at 13th weeks of gestation, 15.97cm±2.62SD at 27th weeks and 11.95cm±1.99SD at 37th week. The mean abdominal circumference at 37th week was 347.01mm ±7.28SD, mean head circumference was 1477.50mm±2.88SD, AC/HC ratio at 37th week estimated 0.89 ±0.08SD and femur length was 73.44mm ±2.28SD respectively. Conclusion: The finding suggests that increased amniotic fluid and macrosomia are important biomarkers of gestational diabetes and can be assessed through ultrasonography. Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, obstetrics, macrosomiqa, amniotic fluid
Assessment of the Quality of Life of HIV Positive Individuals in Tertiary Care Hospitals using Whoqol-Bref Questionnaire
Authors: Navied Umbreen
Published: April 2022

Background: Harmonious balance in health depends upon the quality of life (QOL). QOL is the condition of life resulting from the combination of the effects of the complete range of factors such as those determining health, happiness, education, social and intellectual attainments, freedom of action, justice and freedom of expression. Aim: To assess the QOL of people affected with HIV/AIDS, which is pertinent in countries like Pakistan, as it is on the rise and one of the leading causes of stigmatization in our society as far as disease is concerned. Methods: This exploratory study by non-probability, convenient sampling was conducted on 139 selected HIV/AIDS positive and registered cases at the Voluntary Counseling Testing Centers (VCT centers) at Services and Jinnah hospitals Lahore, within 6 months in 2019. Data was collected using WHOQOL BREF Questionnaire. The SPSS software was used for data compilation and analysis. The investigator herself took the interviews, after an informed consent. Results: A total of 139cases of HIV/AIDS positive registered individuals were taken. The mean age was 32.12 ± 8.54, with 78.4% males and 21.6% females. Quality of life (QOL) tables with domains were calculated; in the WHOQOL-BREF; higher score in the domains refers to good QOL. Results of the study depicted that the highest mean score was in Social relationships domain (64.75± 16.89) and lowest mean score in quality of life & general health (41.37± 30.28). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated the dire need to explore the QOL in HIV/AIDS patients in Pakistan. There is an urge for measures to be taken, in regards to enhance the QOL. These results conclude that it is imperative to conduct health and vocational education, counseling sessions to augment awareness of the masses regarding QOL. Keywords: Quality of life, HIV/AIDS cases, Lahore, Voluntary Counseling Testing Centers, People Living with HIV/AID’s
Assessment of Dental Caries among adults of different Socioeconomic groups
Authors: Tufail Hafiz Muhammad , Fatima Kiran , Mahmood Amna , . Hamadia , Ch. Saadia
Published: April 2022

Background: Dental caries is one of the leading dental diseases worldwide. Its towering prevalence in all age groups is worrisome and it lies in the top ten most common chronic health conditions. Interplay of biological, environmental, social, and behavioral elements forms its etiology. Recently, there has been growing research which has looked at the environmental and social factors that impact the oral health of people in different age groups. Aim: To determine the frequency of dental carries among participants belonging to different socioeconomic groups. Methods: It was adescriptive cross-sectional study. The study was carried out at Dental department of Begum Haseena Memorial Medical Center, Wah Cantt from 15th February 2019 till 15 August 2019. Three hundred participants (36 men and 264 women) aged 19-60 years were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Results: Total of 300 patients belonging to different socio-economic groups were included in study. Most of the respondents were from lower SES which comprised of 74% of the total sample size. Highest number of respondents fell in the age range of 28-35 i.e., 37%. SES was assigned by calculating per capita income through total income from all sources divided by number of households dependent on that income. Interviews were conducted and statistical analysis was done using correlation and multiple linear regression which revealed significant association between SES and DC (p <0.05).The prognosis of dental health diseases can be predicted by using socioeconomic status as an indicator. Conclusion: Prevalence of dental health diseases can be decreased through cost effective prevention strategies which should pivot around spreading awareness among masses about the undesirable outcomes of oral health diseases and educating them about the importance of good oral hygiene. Keywords: Dental caries, Adults, Socio-economic status
Pattern of Asphyxial Deaths in Forensic Autopsies
Authors: Akhtar Naseem , Mal Sono , Anwar Azra , Rasheed Aisha , Aziz Ijaz , Langah Ishtiaque Ali
Published: April 2022

Aim: To observe the pattern of the asphyxial deaths among the medicolegal autopsies. Study design: Prospective observational study Place and duration of study: Medicolegal Section, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2019. Methodology: One hundred and forty seven autopsies were characterized as asphyxial. The data was obtained from forensic autopsy reports and was collected in a preformed data collection sheet after acquiring consent of close relatives. Results: There were 107 males and 40 females. Most of the subjects belonged to age group of adults (≥19 to <60 years) followed by age group of teens (13-18 years). The medicolegal autopsy was performed for 58 and 49 deceased from urban and rural areas, respectively. The asphyxial deaths were characterized as drowning (57.82%), hanging (16.32%), strangulation (14.28%), suffocation (8.16%), and throttling (3.40%). Conclusion: The drowning was the most common mechanism of asphyxia in medicolegal autopsies. The hanging also contributed substantial number in asphyxial deaths. Most types of asphyxia were higher in males of adult age than in females. Key words: Forensic autopsy, Asphyxia, Drowning, hanging, Strangulation
Willingness to Acquire, Share Knowledge and Prescribe Forest Bathing by Health Professionals in Nigeria
Authors: Aiyeloja Adedapo , Adedeji Gabriel , Elufioye Taiwo , David Israel , Onwuagana Wendy , Egubogo Azuka
Published: April 2022

Forest bathing (FB) as a medicine is gaining popularity across the globe but little is known about this medicine in Nigeria. Health professionals (HPs) are central to the usage of this medicine through their communications and prescriptions. Therefore, we investigated HPs willingness to acquire, share knowledge and prescribe FB in Nigeria. Cross-sectional data from the 371 HPs (Doctors, n = 215; Nurses, n = 103; Pharmacists, n = 53) from teaching and military hospitals in Port Harcourt were analyzed. About half (49.9%) of HPs were aware of the importance of forest, mostly as a source of drugs/herbs. However, only 16.4% of HPs were aware of FB of which just 4.6% had prescribed it to patients. Online internet search and seminars/conferences were dominant approaches for the acquisition and sharing of knowledge, respectively. While multinomial logistic regression results indicated age as a significant factor influencing the willingness of HPs to acquire knowledge about FB, years of experience were found as a significant factor predicting the willingness of HPs to share knowledge about FB. Gender specificity analyses indicated female HPs more willing to prescribe FB than male counterparts. The results of this study may significantly improve HPs awareness and their willingness for health communication research/practices of FB as medicine in Nigeria.
I-Statistical Rough Convergence of Order α
Authors: BULUT Sevcan , OR Aykut
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to define the concept of I-statistical (I-st) rough convergence of order α (0 < α ≤ 1). It proposes the concept of I-st bounded of order α. Moreover, the necessary and sufficient condition for a sequence (x_k) to be I-st bounded of order α is studied. In addition, the necessary and sufficient condition for a sequence (x_k) to be I-st convergent of order α is examined. Finally, the need for further research studies is discussed.
Internal Cat-1 and XMod
Authors: SOYLU YILMAZ Elis , EGE ARSLAN Ummahan
Published: April 2022

In this study, internal categories in the category of cat-1 groups, 1-cat, are determined, and it is investigated whether there is a natural equivalence between the category of these categories and the category of internal categories within the category of crossed modules of groups, XMod.
Sağlık Göstergelerinin Birliktelik Kuralları ile Analizi
Authors: KÖSE Aslı
Published: April 2022

Veri Madenciliği, büyük veri tabanlarından faydalı bilgileri keşfetmek için kullanılan bir tekniktir. Günümüzde veriden elde edilen bilginin değeri ile veri madenciliği alanına ilgi artmıştır. Veri madenciliği tekniklerinden biri de birliktelik kurallarıdır. Sağlık göstergeleri sağlık ve sosyal boyutu ile birçok çalışmanın temel parametreleridir. Bu çalışma ile ulusal literatürde son 10 yıl içerisinde sağlık göstergelerinin kullanıldığı araştırmalar değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmalarda sağlık göstergeleri olarak sağlık harcamaları, sağlık statüsü, sağlık kurumu ve sağlık çalışanı parametreleri gruplandırılmıştır. Belirlenen birliktelik kurallarına göre tekli türetilen kuralların ikili ve üçlü türetilen birliktelik kurallarına göre daha yüksek güven ve destek değerine sahip oldukları belirlenmiştir. Bu araştırmanın gelecek araştırmalarda kullanılacak parametrelerin seçiminde araştırmacılara yol göstereceği düşünülmektedir