bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of students regarding E-learning during Covid-19 at a private medical college
Authors: Abbasi Sahar , Ayoob Tahera , Malik Abdul , Memon Shabnam Iqbal 
Published: May 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of students towards e-learning during the lock down.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry. MBBS and BDS students of all levels participated in the study with a sample size calculated as 377. A self-administered questionnaire was developed. After validation from the Medical Education Experts, pilot test was run on 30 participants before the administration of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was emailed to the participants for data collection. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined. Independent T-test was applied for determining the perceptions of students towards e-learning. Frequencies and percentages were also computed for demographics.
Results: Total 382 responses were received.137 males and 245 females participated in the study. 0.851 was calculated as Cronbach’s alpha of the questionnaire. Overall, 77% students have negative perceptions towards e-learning. 76% of the students use mobile device for their e-learning.
Conclusion: Students did not prefer e-teaching over face-to-face teaching during the lock down situation. Administration and faculty members should take necessary measures for improving e-teaching for better learning during lock down.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2766
How to cite this:Abbasi S, Ayoob T, Malik A, Memon SI. Perceptions of students regarding E-learning during Covid-19 at a private medical college. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S57-S61. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2766
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How Nutrition can help to fight against COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Aman Faseeha , Masood Sadia 
Published: May 2020

Currently Covid-19 pandemic is a leading challenge across the globe. It is mandatory to attain and maintain good nutritional status to fight against virus. Nutritional status of individual is affected by several factors such as age, sex, health status, life style and medications. Nutritional status of individuals has been used as resilience towards destabilization during this COVID-19 pandemic. Optimal nutrition and dietary nutrient intake impact the immune system, therefore the only sustainable way to survive in current context is to strengthen the immune system. There is no evidence found that supplement can cure the immune system except Vit C, which is one of the best way to improve immune system. A proper diet can ensure that the body is in proper state to defeat the virus. However along with the dietary management guidelines the food safety management and good food practices is compulsory. This article explores the importance of nutrition to boost immunity and gives some professional and authentic dietary guidelines about nutrition and food safety to withstand COVID-19.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2776
How to cite this:Aman F, Masood S. How Nutrition can help to fight against COVID-19 Pandemic. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S121-S123. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2776
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Chest X-rays findings in COVID 19 patients at a University Teaching Hospital - A descriptive study
Authors: Durrani Misbah , Haq Inam ul , Kalsoom Ume , Yousaf Anum 
Published: May 2020

Objective: To analyze Chest X-ray findings in COVID 19 positive patients, presented at corona filtration center, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi, based on CXR classification of British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI).
Methods: In this study, all RT-PCR COVID-19 positive patients screened at corona filtration center, Benazir Bhutto hospital Rawalpindi from 20th March 2020 to 10th April 2020 were included. Mean age of the cohort with age range was calculated. Presenting complaints & Co-morbid were analyzed and tabulated in frequencies and percentages. Portable CXR findings were classified according to BSTI classification and documented in frequencies and percentages.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 44 years. Presenting complaints were cough 20 (67%), fever 18 (60%), shortness of breath 11 (37%), sore throat six (20%), loss of sense of taste and smell four(13%). Main co-morbid was hypertension six (20%). Two (7%) patients had normal and seven (23%) had classical COVID CXRs. 21 (70%) patients were in indeterminate group with only one (3%) having unilateral lung disease. Three (10%) patients had diffuse lung involvement and 18(60%) had peripheral lung involvement. Majority of patients 19 (63%), had bilateral middle and lower zonal involvement.
Conclusions: In this study, COVID-19 CXRs generally manifested a spectrum of pure ground glass, mixed ground glass opacities to consolidation in bilateral peripheral middle and lower lung zones. BSTI CXR reporting classification of COVID-19 is valid in our patients with addition of middle zonal involvement in classical COVID-19 criteria as opposed to just lower zone involvement.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2778
How to cite this:Durrani M, Inam-ul-Haq, Kalsoom U, Yousaf A. Chest X-rays findings in COVID 19 patients at a University Teaching Hospital - A descriptive study. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S22-S26. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2778
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Beyond transmission: Dire need for integration of nutrition interventions in COVID-19 pandemic-response strategies in Developing Countries like Pakistan
Authors: Hakeem Rubina , Sheikh Muhammad Adil 
Published: May 2020

Synergistic associations between infection and nutrition are well known. Impact of nutrition interventions on the outcomes have been scientifically assessed and reported. The role of nutrition in limiting the infection related morbidity and mortality does not appear to be a debatable question but nutrition interventions do not appear to be an essential part of current COVID-19 management strategies. Given the nature of pandemic and lack of organism-specific evidence, variability in nutrition interventions and lack of nutrition interventions is not unexpected. However, delay in realization of the crucial need of nutrition interventions to limit the immediate and long term outcomes at personal and community level may aggravate health related issues that can have long term impact on quality of life and economy. Due to existing undernutrition and lack of nutrition related awareness and competence, need for timely and appropriate interventions is much more critical for developing countries. This manuscript highlights the need and feasibility of various nutrition interventions to assure optimum quality of life during and after COVID-19 pandemic. Available evidence provides enough guidance for nutrition interventions that are safe and promise to accrue various degrees of benefits with almost no likelihood of harm. Nutrition interventions suggested by author are: 1) population level efforts for promoting better use of existing resources; 2) quicker augmentation of nutrition status of high risk people and non-hospitalized cases by use of supplement and individualized guidance and 3) nutritional support of sever case by timely and adequate enteral and parenteral feeding.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2784
How to cite this:Hakeem R, Sheikh MA. Beyond transmission: Dire need for integration of nutrition interventions in COVID-19 pandemic-response strategies in Developing Countries like Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S85-S89. doi: https://doi.org/ 10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2784
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19
Authors: Ali Saqib , Noreen Sara , Farooq Imran , Bugshan Amr , Vohra Fahim 
Published: May 2020

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the frontline of treating patients infected with COVID-19. However, data related to its infection rate among HCWs are limited. The aim was to present evidence associated with the number of HCWs being infected with COVID-19 from most viral affected countries (Italy, China, United States, Spain, and France). Furthermore, we looked into the reasons for HCWs COVID 19 infections and strategies to overcome this problem. Early available evidence suggested that HCWs are being increasingly infected with the novel infection ranging from 15% to 18% and in some cases up to 20% of the infected population. Major factors for infection among HCWs include lack of understanding of the disease, inadequate use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), uncertain diagnostic criteria, unavailability of diagnostic tests and psychological stress. Therefore the protection of HCWs by authorities should be prioritized through education and training, the readiness of staff, incentives, availability of PPEs, and psychological support.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790
How to cite this:Ali S, Noreen S, Farooq I, Bugshan A, Vohra F. Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S99-S103. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Inter-hospital communication and transfer practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Karachi, Pakistan. A brief overview
Authors: Salman Saima , Saleem Syed Ghazanfar , Khatri Adeel , Jamal Imran , Maroof Quratulain , Alam Ashar 
Published: May 2020

Objective: To discuss the referral mechanisms established for safe and expeditious inter-facility transfer of COVID 19 positive patients to ensure their referrals through establishing proper communication channels.
Methods: Mobile phone and WhatsApp based groups, administrated by The Indus Hospital were established in April 2020. Through detailed reports and frequent communication, factors like bed and ventilator availability across these facilities are shared. Weekly reports through zoom meetings updating the key stake holders, discussion of problems faced and planning for the week ahead are also done.
Result: The establishment of these groups has been successful in ensuring referral to and from The Indus Hospital to various healthcare facilities across Karachi using appropriate ambulance services.
Conclusion: The development of referral mechanisms is the need of the day that has been highlighted through the COVID 19 pandemic. It is our hope that these mechanisms are sustained after the pandemic and result in improvement in patient outcome through proper referrals.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2803
How to cite this: Salman S, Saleem SG, Khatri A, Jamal I, Maroof Q, Alam A. Inter-hospital communication and transfer practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Karachi, Pakistan. A brief overview. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S118-S120. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2803
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Notes from the Editors, May 2020
Authors: The Editors - 
Published: May 2020

buy this issue
In its wider economic, ecological, epidemiological, and public health context, the current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the enormous dangers of the metabolic rift in human ecology and epidemiology brought on by capitalist social relations in the age of monopoly-finance capital, global agribusiness, and intricate, globe-spanning supply chains associated with the extreme exploitation and expropriation of both human beings and nature. Neoliberalism, representing the inner logic of capitalism, has left the world vulnerable to catastrophe wherever it has come into play.
Improving Asphalt Binder’s Elasticity through Controlling the Interaction Parameters between CRM and Asphalt Binder
Authors: Deef-Allah Eslam , Abdelrahman Magdy , Hemida Ahmed 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Crumb rubber modifier (CRM) is considered one of the most commonly used modifiers that enhances the rheological properties of asphalt binders. Optimizing the interaction process between CRM and asphalt binder to enhance the asphalt binder’s elasticity without additional additives is the main purpose of the article. Rheological properties were measured in this article for neat asphalt and crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) binders. Two sets of interactions were selected. In the first interaction set, one interaction temperature (190°C), one interaction speed (3,000 rpm), and different interaction times (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 h) were used. The used CRM percentage was 10 % by weight of the neat asphalt binder. Two sources of asphalt binder, one source and different percentages of CRM, one interaction temperature (190°C), one interaction speed (3,000 rpm), and different interaction times were selected for the second interaction set. This set was designated to confirm the rheological properties obtained for the first set. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on CRM particles before and after their interaction with asphalt binder after different interaction times. The CRMA binders that interacted for the entire 8-h interaction times had significantly enhanced properties, especially the elasticity, as compared to the neat asphalt binder. The 8-h interaction time showed the highest CRM dissolution percentage by dissolution and TGA testing. At this interaction time, more CRM components were released into the asphalt binder liquid phase, which was detected by observing Fourier-transform infrared peaks at 966 cm−1 for polypropylene and 699 cm−1 for polystyrene.
Avaliação dos exames toxicológicos referentes a atividade de motoristas profissionais conforme Lei nº 13. 103
Authors: Silveira Rafaela , Domingues Daiane Guedes , Ehrhardt Alexandre 
Published: May 2020

O uso de substâncias psicoativas é considerado um importante fator para a ocorrência de acidentes de trânsito. Além do álcool, drogas ilícitas como cocaína, anfetaminas e maconha são utilizadas pelos motoristas. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil de uso de substâncias psicoativas por motoristas profissionais. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de caráter documental, por meio de avaliação retrospectiva das planilhas de registro de todos os motoristas que foram submetidos ao exame toxicológico, coletado em um laboratório de análises clínicas na cidade de Ibirubá/RS, no período de Março de 2016 a Outubro de 2017. Dos 980 laudos analisados, 19 (1,94%) apresentaram resultados positivos para uma ou mais drogas pesquisadas e/ou seus metabólitos, dos quais 63% foram resultados positivos para cocaína, 7% para maconha e 30% para opiáceos. O estudo indicou uma prevalência de resultados positivos para cocaína e uma ausência de positividade para compostos anfetamínicos. O exame toxicológico de larga janela de detecção tem com o intuito minimizar os riscos dos motoristas no trânsito, contribuindo assim, para a diminuição do número de acidentes e atos imprudentes.
A visão do perito criminal sobre as causas de um acidente de trabalho
Authors: Cotomacio André Carrara 
Published: May 2020

A compreensão de um acidente de trabalho é objeto de estudo da Engenharia de Segurança do Trabalho e, em locais deste tipo, a aplicação de seus conceitos permite que os peritos criminais determinem aspectos cruciais a respeito das causas do sinistro. Contudo, a literatura demonstra a necessidade de quebra do paradigma tradicional que influencia a visão do perito criminal a respeito de suas causas, a qual influencia a conclusão do laudo pericial. Destarte, o presente estudo busca confirmar os resultados apresentados por Vilela, Iguti e Almeida (2004), identificando quais concepções e paradigmas influenciam a visão do perito criminal a respeito do acidente de trabalho no tocante às suas causas. Para o conhecimento direto da realidade de um grupo de pessoas (peritos criminais) acerca do problema estudado (causa de um acidente de trabalho), foi utilizado um web survey visando o levantamento dos dados quanto ao entendimento da causa do acidente, por parte do perito criminal, devido à “culpa da vítima”, “condição insegura à qual a vítima foi exposta”, ou “ambos os fatores”. Os resultados obtidos corroboram o estudo de Vilela, Iguti e Almeida (2004), demonstrando que, em geral, a concepção de acidente nos laudos periciais é “centrada na pessoa” (culpa da vítima, “ato” ou “comportamento” inseguro), em contraste com a concepção prevencionista de acidente de trabalho, podendo tal entendimento, desta forma, influenciar indevidamente o resultado de uma perícia.
Improving the Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) in a University Master’s Course
Authors: Prost Stefan , Petersen Malte , Grethlein Martin , Hahn Sarah Joy , Kuschik-Maczollek Nina , Olesiuk Martyna Ewa , Reschke Jan-Olaf , Schmey Tamara Elke , Zimmer Caroline , Gupta Deepak K , Schell Tilman , Coimbra Raphael , De Raad Jordi , Lammers Fritjof , Winter Sven , Janke Axel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Ever decreasing costs along with advances in sequencing and library preparation technologies enable even small research groups to generate chromosome-level assemblies today. Here we report the generation of an improved chromosome-level assembly for the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) that was carried out during a practical university master’s course. The Siamese fighting fish is a popular aquarium fish and an emerging model species for research on aggressive behavior. We updated the current genome assembly by generating a new long-read nanopore-based assembly with subsequent scaffolding to chromosome-level using previously published Hi-C data. The use of ∼35x nanopore-based long-read data sequenced on a MinION platform (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) allowed us to generate a baseline assembly of only 1,276 contigs with a contig N50 of 2.1 Mbp, and a total length of 441 Mbp. Scaffolding using the Hi-C data resulted in 109 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 20.7 Mbp. More than 99% of the assembly is comprised in 21 scaffolds. The assembly showed the presence of 96.1% complete BUSCO genes from the Actinopterygii dataset indicating a high quality of the assembly. We present an improved full chromosome-level assembly of the Siamese fighting fish generated during a university master’s course. The use of ∼35× long-read nanopore data drastically improved the baseline assembly in terms of continuity. We show that relatively in-expensive high-throughput sequencing technologies such as the long-read MinION sequencing platform can be used in educational settings allowing the students to gain practical skills in modern genomics and generate high quality results that benefit downstream research projects.
The Gene scb-1 Underlies Variation in Caenorhabditis elegans Chemotherapeutic Responses
Authors: Evans Kathryn S , Andersen Erik C 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Pleiotropy, the concept that a single gene controls multiple distinct traits, is prevalent in most organisms and has broad implications for medicine and agriculture. The identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying pleiotropy has the power to reveal previously unknown biological connections between seemingly unrelated traits. Additionally, the discovery of pleiotropic genes increases our understanding of both genetic and phenotypic complexity by characterizing novel gene functions. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping has been used to identify several pleiotropic regions in many organisms. However, gene knockout studies are needed to eliminate the possibility of tightly linked, non-pleiotropic loci. Here, we use a panel of 296 recombinant inbred advanced intercross lines of Caenorhabditis elegans and a high-throughput fitness assay to identify a single large-effect QTL on the center of chromosome V associated with variation in responses to eight chemotherapeutics. We validate this QTL with near-isogenic lines and pair genome-wide gene expression data with drug response traits to perform mediation analysis, leading to the identification of a pleiotropic candidate gene, scb-1, for some of the eight chemotherapeutics. Using deletion strains created by genome editing, we show that scb-1, which was previously implicated in response to bleomycin, also underlies responses to other double-strand DNA break-inducing chemotherapeutics. This finding provides new evidence for the role of scb-1 in the nematode drug response and highlights the power of mediation analysis to identify causal genes.
Characteristics of top coal fall in front of face support in longwall: A case study
Authors: Le Tien Dung , Vu Dinh Hieu , Nguyen Anh Tuan 
Published: May 2020

Top coal fall in front of face support severely affects the safety and productivity in mechanized longwall mining. This paper presents a discontinuous numerical analysis on the important characteristics of the fall such as abutment stress, material failure, and fall mode. A top coal fall model is validated against site observation and past numerical and empirical studies. The numerical results provide further evidence confirming that horizontal stress relaxation, vertical stress concentration, and strength and structure of coal seam control the failure of top coal ahead of support. Top coal fall in longwall mining with large caving height is found in “stress caving” mode or, in other words, “horizontal stress-driven guttering” mechanism. A pre-existing fault running into a mined-out area can facilitate the occurrence of face spall but may not lead to top coal fall. The results of this study are particularly helpful to engineers in developing proper remedy or prevention solutions to top coal/roof fall incidents.