bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perception of Nurses and Relatives on Family Needs of Critically Ill Patients: A Hospital Based Comparative Study
Authors: Pandey Sabita , Shrestha Roshanee , Paudel Narayani 
Published: December 2020

Background: Critical ill patients are not able to decide about their treatment and their relatives usually asked for the treatment decisions on behalf of the patient. At the time of critical illness, all family members or relatives experience crises and may be exhausted. Recognizing and addressing the relative’s needs is a very important aspect of holistic health care to critically ill patients.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to make a comparison between the nurses’ and relatives’ perceptions regarding the needs of critically ill patients’ family members’ in the Nepalese context. A convenient sample of 50 nurses and 50 relatives who meet the inclusion criteria were selected and interviewed by using a structured questionnaire in the different intensive care units of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal during the period of January to April 2018. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics in the statistical package for social sciences version 16.
Results: The majority, (86%) of the relatives ranked “to know specific facts concerning the patient’s progress and treatment” as the topmost very important need, and 80% of the nurses’ ranked this need as a very important need. The majority of nurses (86%) ranked “to receive explanations about the environment of critical care unit for the first time” as a topmost very important need, whereas, only 54% of the relatives had ranked this need as very important to them. There was a statically significant positive correlation among some need statements between the two groups.
Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the perception of some aspects of family needs by the nurses and relatives. Nurses’ mean score was lower than the relatives’ which can be a major source of disputes among nurses and relatives in the intensive care units.
Keywords: Intensive Care Unit, critically ill patient, family needs, nurses’ perception and relatives, perception
Accuracy of Ultrasound Scanning in Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis in Patients Admitted at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
Authors: Gurung Uma , Gurung Dhiraj 
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency. Both abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography are common diagnostic tools in its diagnosis with each having its own advantages and disadvantages.
Methods: Patients of suspected acute appendicitis were evaluated with an ultrasound to see the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of ultrasound for intraoperative appendicitis diagnosis. The study included 113 patients of suspected acute appendicitis presenting in the emergency during a one year duration. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was calculated from their respective formulae.
Results: The majority of the patients were male patients between the age group of 18 to 30. The sensitivity of ultrasound for diagnosis of acute appendicitis was 96% and specificity was 33%. The positive predictive value was 98% and the negative predictive value was 20%
Conclusion: Ultrasound has good sensitivity and the low cost along with no radiation exposure makes this an acceptable screening investigative modality though due to low specificity, it would be recommended to go for a computed tomography scan if ultrasound shows negative result for appendicitis.
Relationship between Trade Openness, Financial Development and Economic Growth of Nepal: Evidence from a Developing Country
Authors: G.C. Shreezal 
Published: December 2020

Background: Capital investment, financial and technological developments are essential drivers for the economic growth of developing countries like Nepal. These factors, directly and indirectly, contribute to the growth of the country. Technological factors such as FDI and trade allow technology and knowledge transfers to Nepal along with foreign investments, goods and services. The financial sector encourages investors by providing loans that further generates investment in the country. Similarly, the development of human capital further increases labor productivity. Nepal, being a developing country, lacks advanced infrastructure and technology, that are vital for pushing the economic growth in the country.
Objective: This paper examined the effect of capital, labor, foreign direct investment, financial development and trade on the economic growth of Nepal using the endogenous growth model.
Methods: The study employedthe ARDLboundstesting approach to test the long-run relationships introducing an error correction model to estimate both short and long-term relationships among the variables.The TY non-granger causality test was used to ensure robustness and check the direction of causality.
Results: The results showed that gross fixed capital formation, population and financial development were significant and inducedpositive economic growth in the long run at a 1% level of significance whereas, the impact of FDI on economic growth was negative and significant at 1%.
Conclusions: The study concludes that an increase in gross fixed capital formation, population and broad money supply positively impacts the economic growth of Nepal. However, technological factors such as FDI and trade do not adequately explain the economic growth due to low FDI inflows, political instability, poor infrastructure and import dependency.
Implications: The study emphasized domestic investment and financial development of the country as they were found to be highly significant in the long run. Also, the human capital of the country should be developed by providing education and training as the population was found to be highly significant. The study also indicated that Nepal should push export as its share in the trade is very less. Moreover, policies such as legal reforms, incentives to foreign investors and infrastructural development to attract FDIs in Nepal should be formulated.
Antecedents of Perceived Job Commitment among Employees of Local Government in Ilesha Metropolis
Authors: Olonade Zaccheaus O. , Ajibola Kolawole Sunday , Omotoye Oluwatobi O. 
Published: December 2020

Background: Employee commitment primarily focuses on strong bonds between the organization and its employees. It has massive positive effects on organizations. Investigating the combined influence of the assorted psychological factors like work-family conflict, job stress and self-concept on perceived job commitment among employees of Local Government authority is helpful.
Objective: The study investigates the antecedents of perceived job commitment among employees of Local Government in Ilesha Metropolis.
Methods: Antecedents of perceived job commitment in this study are work-family conflict, job stress, and self-concept. The study has adopted survey method within a descriptive research design. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of work-family conflict, job stress and self-concept on perceived job commitment. Primary data were used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that had five scales in likert scale including personal data. 238 respondents, randomly selected across the three local government areas in Ilesha Metropolis, were used for the study. Only 189 questionnaires were returned, out of which 124 were found to be useful for the study.
Results: Three hypotheses were tested and they revealed that self-concept, work-family conflict and job stress jointly have a positive and significant impact on perceived job performance. Furthermore, work-family conflict (β = 0.173; t = 9.119; p<.05), job stress (β = 1.170; t = 7.458; p<.05), and self-concept (β = 0.064; t = 2.444; p<.05) independently predicted perceived job commitment to be at 5% level.
Conclusions: The study has found that factors, like work-family conflict, job stress and self-concept, significantly predict the perceived job commitment among employees of local government in Ilesha Metropolis. The finding of the study implies that the antecedents of employee's job commitment are important variables. Governments, employers of labour, human resource practitioners and psychologists need to give more attention to these variables, especially among local government employees and related workforce, for the increase in employee commitment. The study recommends that governments should adopt welfare approaches in tackling issues around work-family conflict, job stress and self-concept to improve employee job commitment.
Originality: This article is original and there is no potential conflict of interest.
Rethinking Zimbabwean Education During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mandikiana Memory Rumbidzai Virginia 
Published: December 2020

Background: This paper was premised on the educational learning gap created by the COVID-19 Pandemic induced schools’ closure in Zimbabwe and the world in 2020. Approximately, 1,576 billion, 297 million and 4,6 million learners globally, in Africa and in Zimbabwe respectively, are attending schools and their learning process is interrupted because of the COVID-19 Pandemic in many different ways across the globe. Developed countries adopted innovations to ensure continuity of educational learning, however, developing countries like Zimbabwe, were caught unaware. Already battling with a crippled economy, severe natural disasters induced by climate change, this paper investigates a relatively new and demanding curriculum, the Zimbabwe education system’s capacity to adopt to the changes induced by COVID-19 Pandemic.
Objective: The study has three objectives: to unearth if stakeholders are appreciative of the importance and dictates of Zimbabwe’s Competency-Based Curriculum; to ascertain if e-learning can ensure the continued provision of education during and after the COVID-19 era and other pandemics that may arise in the future; and to establish which method of education instruction is preferred by Zimbabweans, either during or after the COVID-19 Pandemic period.
Methods: A mixed method research design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Considering that data collection was done at the peak of the COVID-19 period, physical contact was avoided and the research was largely hinged on an online questionnaire and interview sessions. Focus group discussions were however, also conducted when it was expedient to do so, to qualify some of the quantitative responses provided by respondents.
Results: Results showed that stakeholders were inadequately consulted about the ‘new curriculum’, that education innovation to adopt e-learning is required, and that Zimbabweans prefer to have a dual method of education instruction through e-learning and in the traditional classroom set-up.
Conclusions: The government needs to consult stakeholders, create synergies with partners to implement educational technologies and provide the necessary precautionary equipment in schools prior to re-opening.
Academic Performance of Enrolled Students in the University of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Jawad Sana , Naveed Haleema , Akram Muhammad Bilal 
Published: December 2020

Background: This study investigates the academic performance of students, enrolled at the University of Lahore, Pakistanto different programs in Spring-2019. The study measuredthe academic performance of students using the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The variables under consideration were academic performance(students’ percentage, CGPA, and GPA). A total number of nine hundred and fifty eight (958) students were enrolled in Spring-19 with CGPA’s in Undergraduate BS (Hons) Programs, (246) Graduate (MS/MPhil.) Programs, and (11) Postgraduate (Ph.D.) Programs.
Objective: The report aims to identify the relationship between percentage of marks with undergraduates and graduates, enrolled at the University of Lahore, Pakistan to different programs in Spring-2019.
Methods: Undergraduate BS (Hons), Graduate (MS/M.Phil.) and Postgraduate (PhD) students were taken as the target population for the research sample. Data were collected with the help of an array of technology support, and management. For analysis, the frequency analysis, descriptive analysis and correlation are used through the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 23.
Results: Results show that the performance of students, enrolled with a weak academic background, had poor performance in enrolled programs. On the other hand, students, enrolled with high academic background, maintained their excellent performance in the first semester of their enrolled programs. Also, we observe that the students who were enrolled with a high percentage of marks show poor and average performance in the first semester.
Conclusions: We can infer from this analysis that only the students who were enrolled with a high percentage can achieve a high GPA in the semester. And likewise, students who weren’t enrolled with a good percentage of marks cannot achieve a high GPA in the first semester.
Originality: This is the original work of author and not submitted for publishing in other publications.
The COVID-19 Virus Wears Stiletto: Review of Gendered Socio-economic Impacts and Implications of the Corona virus Pandemic on Women and Girls in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chigiya-Mujeni Ruvarashe 
Published: December 2020

Background: With its ability to mutate and take charge of its hosts’ respiratory organs, COVID-19 has ravaged the global north and south alike. The world’s greatest economies are crumbling and death tolls continue to rise exponentially. The most recent strain of the coronavirus has spread like wildfire, sparing neither the rich nor the poor. It is pertinent, however, to note that natural disasters do not affect members of society unilaterally. Women, children and the disabled interact with global and national disasters differently, highlighting the urgent need to take cognizance of the various elements that constitute the measures drafted and implemented to tackle the spread and impact of these disasters.
Objective:This paper seeks to demonstrate these intricacies based on the webinar seminar held in March 2020 by UN Women in Zimbabwe and discuss the impact and implications of this virus on women and girls in Zimbabwe and bring out the challenges faced as they fight the virus in various socioeconomic settings
Methods: A desk review approach was used to highlight the various gender dimensions surrounding the coronavirus and its implications on women and girls in Zimbabwe.
Results: Women, due to their multiple roles and biological makeup, are more vulnerable to succumb to this disease and besides their biological disposition women are impacted differently and negatively by the pandemic.
Conclusions: There is a need to take a holistic approach in dealing with issues of the pandemic without ignoring the fact that women are on the receiving end.
Implications: This paper is useful to policy makers, institutions working on COVID-19 and government to take necessary actions.
Originality: This paper is original and not sent anywhere else for the publication.
Ability of Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Students to Evaluate and Classify Lumbar Movement Control Using Lumbopelvic Movement Control Tests
Authors: Huysamen Cornelia , Olivier Benita , Naidoo Vaneshveri , Stewart Aimee 
Published: December 2020

Purpose: The aims of our study were to (1) describe the tests that physiotherapists use to assess lumbopelvic movement control and (2) compare physiotherapists’ and physiotherapy students’ ability to evaluate lumbar movement dysfunction in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Method: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 93 qualified physiotherapists and 96 students participated in our study. The physiotherapists reported whether they were familiar with lumbopelvic movement control tests and indicated which tests they used to assess lumbopelvic movement control (Part 1). Both the physiotherapists and the students evaluated and classified lumbopelvic movement control while observing videos of patients with NSLBP (Part 2). The responses from physiotherapists and students were described and compared between the two groups using the Fisher exact test ( p ≤ 0.05). Odds ratios were calculated in terms of years of experience and level of education. Results: A total of 80 physiotherapists (86%) were familiar with lumbopelvic movement control tests, but only a few were using those tests as part of the assessment of patients; 12 (13%) used waiter’s bow; 16 (17%) used rocking forward; 17 (18%) used rocking backward; 32 (34%) used sitting knee extension; 34 (37%) used prone knee flexion; and 70 (75%) used posterior pelvic tilt. The physiotherapy students and qualified physiotherapists generally agreed on the ratings of most of the videos (e.g., as correct or incorrect). A difference was found in only 3 of 24 videos for both the qualified physiotherapists and the physiotherapy students ( p = 0.001, p = 0.007, and p = 0.033, respectively), which indicates that qualified physiotherapists and students agreed and classified 21 videos the same. No differences were found in the ability of physiotherapists (regardless of experience) or students to classify patients as presenting with either a flexion or an extension pattern. Conclusions: The majority of physiotherapists were familiar with lumbopelvic movement control tests, but only a few used them. Both the physiotherapists and the students were able to classify patients with NSLBP presenting with either a flexion or an extension pattern.
DETERMINING THE ROLE OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND AIR POLLUTION ON PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC GROWTH: APPLICATION OF AUTOREGRESSIVE DISTRIBUTIVE LAG MODEL (ARDL)
Authors: Baseerat Sultana  , Mansoor Abdul 
Published: December 2020

Abstract:
The goals of the study are to observe the impact of energy consumption, CO2 emission on Pakistan’s economic growth by using and annual time series data from 1980 to 2016. The Auto regressive lag distributive (ARDL) model is applied to find out the correlation between the variables. The short run elasticity shows that CO2 emission, fossil fuel and hydro energy consumption decreases Pakistan’s economic growth, while nuclear energy consumption and electric power consumption substantially increases GDP per capita of the country. In the long run, nuclear energy consumption and electric power generation support country’s economic growth, which need more friendly environmental policies to reduce high mass carbon emissions in a country.
CORONAVIRUS AND THE ECONOMY: A CRISIS LIKE NEVER BEFORE OR JUST A TEMPORARY TRIP?
Authors: Valaskova Katarina 
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the activities of all sectors of national economies. Worldwide business shutdowns and national lockdowns destroyed hundreds of million jobs; thousands of enterprises became bankrupt and major economies in Europe faced double-digit collapses. However, the anticipation of the economic recovery is influenced by pervasive uncertainty given by the unpredictable development of the virus.
JEL: B22, H12
Programa de Residência Pedagógica: conexões entre a formação docente e a Educação Básica
Authors: Souza Alba Regina Battisti de Souza , Martins Filho Lourival José , Martins Rosa Elisabete Militz Wypyczynski 
Published: December 2020

O artigo tem como objetivo problematizar e analisar as possíveis conexões promovidas pelo Programa de Residência Pedagógica (PRP) com a Educação Básica, considerando a formação inicial, a relação entre as instituições formadoras e a inserção dos licenciandos nas escolas. Como objeto de estudo, foram consideradas as experiências dos próprios autores, participantes do programa e docentes dos cursos de Geografia e de Pedagogia de uma instituição pública estadual de ensino superior. Documentos oficiais, institucionais e relatórios constituem os dados coletados. Os resultados do estudo demonstram que o PRP intensificou as relações com as escolas e a participação das professoras preceptoras possibilitou aos residentes uma contínua e ampliada convivência com o contexto escolar, aprimorando o processo formativo e fomentando a relação teoria e prática. O trabalho desencadeou uma série de problematizações quanto ao formato e abrangência do programa como uma política de formação docente.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Formação Docente. Programa de Residência Pedagógica. Relação Universidade e Escola.
Improved Photovoltaic Panel Performance Using a Cylindrical Pin Fins as a Heat Sink
Authors: A. Hasan Ibtisam , S. kareem Iman , Adil Attar Duha 
Published: December 2020

In this work, the photovoltaic panel performance has been investigated theoretically and experimentally where using an array of pin fins as a cooling system. Trying to satisfy the ideal operation conditions of the solar panel, heat sink was fixated on the back of the PV panel to use as a passive technique. An Analytical thermal model based on the steady state and one dimension analysis condition was built to transfer the excess heat from PV panel with the heat sink existing to predict the operation temperature of PV panel. Theoretical results were compared with experimental results of solar panels cooled by heat sink, in order to validate the suggested thermal model. Also, the effect of the solar cells temperature on the panel performance has been studied experimentally. The results displays that using pin fins array as a cooling technique led to drop in the average panel's temperature nearly 5.9°C and an enhancement of the average output power nearly 13.5%.
Dickkopf-related protein 1 expression in bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients: correlation with bone disease and plasma cell malignancy type
Authors: Auziņa D. , Beinaroviča I. , Janicka-Kupra B. , Lejniece S. , Lejnieks A. , Groma V. 
Published: December 2020

Summary. Background: Previous studies have pointed out the role of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK 1) — Wnt inhibitor, which is essential for osteoblast functioning, in the development of osteolytic lesions in multiple myeloma (MM). Aim: To assess the DKK 1 expression displayed by myeloma cells in bone marrow trephine biopsies of patients with and without osteolytic lesions, and in different malignancy grades of the disease. Methods: The expression level of DKK 1 was assessed immunohistochemically in bone marrow of 49 MM patients presented with and without osteolytic lesions (the 1st and the 2nd group, respectively). Results: Levels of weak, moderate, and strong DKK 1 expression were distributed — as 43.33, 27.78 and 25.56%, and 63.91, 18.80, and 1.50%, respectively when evaluating the samples obtained from the 1st group and 2nd group. Statistically significant differences were found when the levels of DKK 1 expression in the 1st and the 2nd group were compared (χ2 = 51; df = 3; p < 0.001). Conclusions: DKK 1 contributes to the development of osteolytic lesions in MM. The present study provides morphological evidence that inhibition in Wnt signaling may lead to bone damage observed in the advanced stage of the disease.