bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Academic Staff Practices and Challenges of Publishing:
Authors: Alehegn Abatihun 
Published: April 2021

This article reports on the findings of a study undertaken to establish practices and challenges to academic publishing at a higher education institution in Ethiopia. A descriptive survey design was employed and con- -venience and purposive sampling were used to select the sample. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions and were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show that, despite the benefits of publishing, not all academics in the university are publishing in local and international journals due to a number of challenges. These include a lack of commitment and motivation, lack of experience and exposure to publishing, and inadequate information,knowledge and skills to access accredited journals. Academics also suffer from work overload, a lack of support from the university to publish, and challenges emanating from journals themselves. It is recommended thatthe university, the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and other relevant stakeholders should collaborate to address this situation.
Key words: academics, academic publishing, higher education institution, challenges, practices, university
Historical effective population size of North American hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and challenges to estimating trends in contemporary effective breeding population size from archived samples
Authors: Cornman Robert S. , Fike Jennifer A. , Oyler-McCance Sara J. , Cryan Paul M. 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundHoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) are among the bat species most commonly killed by wind turbine strikes in the midwestern United States. The impact of this mortality on species census size is not understood, due in part to the difficulty of estimating population size for this highly migratory and elusive species. Genetic effective population size (Ne) could provide an index of changing census population size if other factors affecting Ne are stable.MethodsWe used the NeEstimator package to derive effective breeding population size (Nb) estimates for two temporally spaced cohorts: 93 hoary bats collected in 2009–2010 and an additional 93 collected in 2017–2018. We sequenced restriction-site associated polymorphisms and generated a de novo genome assembly to guide the removal of sex-linked and multi-copy loci, as well as identify physically linked markers.ResultsAnalysis of the reference genome withpsmcsuggested at least a doubling of Ne in the last 100,000 years, likely exceeding Ne = 10,000 in the Holocene. Allele and genotype frequency analyses confirmed that the two cohorts were comparable, although some samples had unusually high or low observed heterozygosities. Additionally, the older cohort had lower mean coverage and greater variability in coverage, and batch effects of sampling locality were observed that were consistent with sample degradation. We therefore excluded samples with low coverage or outlier heterozygosity, as well as loci with sequence coverage far from the mode value, from the final data set. Prior to excluding these outliers, contemporary Nb estimates were significantly higher in the more recent cohort, but this finding was driven by high values for the 2018 sample year and low values for all other years. In the reduced data set, Nb did not differ significantly between cohorts. We found base substitutions to be strongly biased toward cytosine to thymine or the complement, and further partitioning loci by substitution type had a strong effect on Nb estimates. Minor allele frequency and base quality bias thresholds also had strong effects on Nb estimates. Instability of Nb with respect to common data filtering parameters and empirically identified factors prevented robust comparison of the two cohorts. Given that confidence intervals frequently included infinity as the stringency of data filtering increased, contemporary trends in Nb of North American hoary bats may not be tractable with the linkage disequilibrium method, at least using the protocol employed here.
EFL Female College Students and Instructors’ Preferred Method of Speaking Assessment: A Perspective from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Jarf Reima 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: At the College of Languages and Translation (COLT), the students take four speaking courses in the first four semesters of college. In each course, they take two interm tests and a final exam.
Aims: The study aims to find out which speaking assessment method EFL students and instructors at COLT prefer: Face to face, or lab testing, and reasons for their preferences.
Procedures: Face-to-face assessment is the most common method at COLT. The students are tested individually. Each student randomly draws one topic from a basket and engages in a conversation or interview with the teacher who asks 3-5 questions about it. The test session for all the students lasts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. non-stop. The second method is language lab testing used by few instructors where all the students take the test at the same time and they all answer the same set of questions in about 60 minutes. The lab test consists of several questions. The students read the printed questions, take short notes, then record their answers on an MP3 player.
Results: Most students prefer lab assessment, whereas most instructors prefer face-to-face assessment. Students reported that lab test questions are comprehensive and help them improve their speaking skills better than face-to-face assessment. Testing conditions are the same. They are less anxious. They lose few marks if they miss a question. On the other hand, instructors reported that face-to-face test questions are easy and only cover part of the material. All students pass. Students are more anxious. Comparisons of students’ test score showed that lab tests are more reliable, valid and have a better discriminating power between students who have mastered and those who have not mastered the speaking skills than face-to-face tests. Recommendations for effective speaking assessment methods are given.
Modeling Key Drivers of Under-Five Child Malnutrition in Marsabit County, Kenya: Application of the Logit Model
Authors: Rop Benjamin Kiptoo , Koech J. , Otieno A. 
Published: April 2021

Malnutrition remains one of the major problems in developing countries affecting both adults and children under 5 years. The use of binary logistic regression model was employed, and parameters of interest estimated. Results showed that 29.3 percent of the children were acutely malnourished. There was an insignificant difference between household food security and child malnutrition status Factors such as the age of caregivers, household size, the gender of the child, and the level of education of caregivers, if the child was weighed at birth, source of income, the occupation status, and the distance to the water source remained insignificant at a multivariate level. However, factors such as full-term maternal pregnancy, the child being ill for the past two weeks, and the study site were strong significant factors affecting the status of childhood malnutrition. Moreover, mothers with full-term pregnancy up to the birth were 53 percent less likely to have malnourished infants when compared to their counterparts whose pregnancy was not term. Mothers/caregivers who traveled more than half a kilometer were twice more likely to have their children malnourished than those who had traveled less than half a kilometer. It recommended that the policymakers and the entire County government of Marsabit should build more social amenities that provide pregnant women with full-term maternal checkups for both antenatal and postnatal care. County government of Marsabit should lobby and mobilize resources for food aid or cash transfers to households.
E-Tendering System for Arecanut in Karnataka: Stakeholders’ Perspective
Authors: Vivek M. C. , Sahana S. , Halingali B. I. , Chinnappa B. , Amareshkumar K. 
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to explore the perception of farmers, commission agents and traders about e-tendering system for arecanut in Karnataka. The present study was conducted in two major Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) of Karnataka state, viz., Shivamogga APMC of Shivamogga district and Bheemasamudra APMC of Chitradurga district during 2019-20. The primary data were collected randomly from 50 farmers, 10 traders, and 10 commission agents involved in e-tendering of Arecanut from each of the selected APMCs. Thus, the total sample size was 140. The study also attempts to document the constraints faced by the stakeholders and their suggestions for the improvement of the system. The results indicated that the majority of the farmers (65.00%), traders (60.00%) and commission agents (50.00%) had a favourable perception about e-tendering system. Frequent price fluctuation was the major constraint confronted by the farmers and difficulty in rectifying the mistakes after quoting the price was the major issue for traders and commission agents. Majority of the farmers insisted on creating awareness about the operational aspects of e-tendering system, whereas traders demanded a provision to rectify mistakes after quoting the price. Results from the present study could provide a better understanding of the effectiveness and inherent problems associated with the e-tendering system.
Efficacy of Zn, Fe and Mg Nano Scale and Bulk Plant Nutrient Foliar Sprays in Biochemical Changes of Blackgram Genotypes under YMV Tolerance
Authors: Rajitha B. , Rajarajeswari V. , Sudhakar P. 
Published: April 2021

Evidence-based synergistic effects of Nanoscale materials, which size typically falls below 100 nm, exhibit novel chemical, physical and biological properties which are different from their bulk counterparts. Here, we report for the first time comparision of nanoscale zinc oxide (n-ZnO), magnesium oxide (n-MgO), and iron oxide (n-FeO) with their respective bulk concentrations on biochemical variability of blackgram genotypes under yellow mosaic virus condition. Oxides of nano scale Zn, Mg and Fe materials were prepared by using a modified sol-gel method. Characterization was performed by using X- ray diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Analysis and High- Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). Average sizes of ZnO, MgO and FeO (78.8, 60.8 and 12.4 nm respectively) and potentials (-36.7,-33.0 and -18.0 mV respectively). A field study was conducted during summer 2018 in split-plot design with two blackgram genotypes as main treatments (TBG-104 and LBG-623) and nine sub treatments (Control, ZnSO4 @ 0.2 %, n-ZnO @ 200ppm, MgSO4 @ 0.2 %, n- MgO @ 100ppm, FeSO4 @ 0.2%, n- FeO @ 200ppm, ZnSO4 @ 0.2 % + MgSO4 @ 0.2 % + FeSO4 @ 0.2 %, n-ZnO @ 200ppm + n- MgO @ 100ppm + n- FeO @ 200ppm) as foliar sprays with three replications. YMV infection was observed at 25 DAS. The foliar treatmental sprays were imposed at 30 and 50 DAS.
Results of the field study revealed that combined application of nanoscale treatmental spray ZnO @ 200 ppm + MgO @ 100 ppm + FeO @ 200 ppm resulted higher YMV tolerance interms of high chlorophyll content, total phenols, total proteins and lower total soluble sugars, followed by combined bulk treatmental spray ZnSO4 @ 0.2% + MgSO4 @ 0.2% + FeSO4 @ 0.2% and nano scale Magnesium Oxide @ 100 ppm. Here we concluded that either of these three foliar sprays can be recommended to blackgram crop prone to YMV condition to sustain plant growth and final yields. But, there should be study on the impact of different shape, size of nano particles on plant system and the promotery effects of nano scale Oxides of Zn, Mg and Fe particles at cellular level and transport mechanism in plant system needs to be understood.
Awareness and Utilization Pattern of Over-the-Counter Painkillers amongst Health professional Students in a Medical University
Authors: Al-Azi Abir , Dzhakha Aya , Palaian Subish 
Published: April 2021

Objective: Pain relievers are one of the most frequently purchased over-the-counter medications and are vulnerable to be misused, leading to safety concerns. This study was conducted to assess the awareness and self-medication practices of over-the-counter analgesics amongst health professions students in a medical university.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, after obtaining ethical approval, using a self-developed, pilot tested (n=40), valid questionnaire comprising three sections; sociodemography, student awareness, analgesic use pattern. A sample of 379 (calculated sample size, n=400) covering all health stream students proportionately from Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE, were studied during October-December 2018 and data analysed using descriptive statistics (Mean±SD, frequency), Chi square test, and independent t test at alpha =0.05.
Results: Total 379 respondents (male 38.5%; n=146, female 61.5%; n=233 with mean ± SD age of 19.76±2.109 years) were enrolled. Commonly used painkillers were paracetamol 47.3% (n=187), ibuprofen 24% (n=95) and aspirin 14.4% (n=57). Information available on package inserts were the source of information for 54.1% (n=119) respondents. Family and friends’ recommendations was reason for use of painkillers in 27.3% (n=93) of the students. Adverse effects mostly known were nausea 11.5% (n=92), drowsiness 8.9% (n=71) and vomiting 7.2% (n=58). Contraindications known were pregnancy 14.5% (n=225), liver disease 13.4% (n=208) and bleeding 13.3% (n=207). Findings showed 61.5% (n=233) were not aware of painkillers’ interactions with other medications.
Conclusion: Though students were aware of the usage of analgesics, the utilization pattern is high, suggesting the need for further in-depth investigations. Findings also showed the need for creating awareness among the students.
Status of Transferrin Saturation in Diabetic Nephropathypatients
Authors: Kumar R. Dinesh , Manjula A. J. , Shanthi B. 
Published: April 2021

Serum transferrin saturation (TSAT%) ratio is a commonly used laboratory measure of iron deficiency and iron overload in clinical practice. It has become a first step in the routine screening of iron deficiency anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and for the detection of pathological iron overload in assessment for hemochromatosis. Used alone or in combination with other measures of iron metabolism, low levels of TSAT (typically<20%) reflect a state of iron deficiency whereas levels in excess of 50% indicate an excess of total body iron. In our study, transferring saturation levels was significantly high in diabetic Nephropathy (group I). Comparison of the parameters serum iron, Urine Albumin, TIBC, Trasferrin saturation, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), Fasting plasma glucose(FBS) between the 3 group was done using Student t test and was statistically significant.Pearson’s coefficient correlation was done between transferrin saturation and serum iron, Urine microalbumin, TIBC, Trasferrin saturation, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and found a positive correlation between them and had a statistical significance. This indicates that transferrin saturation levels increases with the extent of severity of diabetic Nephropathy. Positive correlation provides the information that transferrin saturation can be considered to reflect the iron depletion of an individual.
Detection of Gram Negative Bacilli Producing Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase on Intensive Care Unit at Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Nishanthy M. , Saikumar Chitralekha 
Published: April 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is a budding threat worldwide. The every class of antibiotic agents must have resistance mechanisms.The principal mechanism for resistance to the β-lactam antibiotics in gram-negative bacteria is the production of β-lactamase. The creation of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is a vital mechanism which is responsible for the resistance to the cephalosporins. During the last 2 decades, ESBL producing gram-negative bacilli have arose as a major problem in many settings. Resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins by attainment and manifestation of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) enzymes among gram-negative bacilli is on a rise. To isolate the ESBL strains from various clinical samples in ICU. To find out the prevalence of ESBL producing gram negative bacilli during the period of December 2017 - December 2018 in the Intensive care unit of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital. Totally 27 out of 139 gram negative bacilli (19.42%) were found to be ESBL producers. ESBL triggering gram negative bacilli spiteful the biological sample like blood, urine, wound swab, sputum were 36.36%, 16.00%, 10.00%, 9.09% individually Though Meropenem is 100% sensitive to all ESBL beginning gram negative bacilli, but still sensitivity also witnessed with some cheaper drugs like Cotrimoxazole (33.33%), Amikacin (48.14%), Gentamicin (40.7%), Ciprofloxacin (22.22%). Hence we care and will provide an analysis and treatment for affected patients with Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase producing organisms.
Effect of Metformin on C-reactive Protein in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Selvi P , Elizabeth Arul Amutha 
Published: April 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex endocrinology disease which requires a meticulous understanding of its pathogenesis and its complications to subdue it. It has been riddled with extensive micro and macro vascular complications which by itself has its own set of pathogenesis. There is a link between DM and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia are more common in patients with DM, placing them at increased risk for cardiac events. In addition, they have found biological mechanisms associated with DM that independently increases the risk of CVD in diabetic patients.Metformin is the most commonly used antidiabetic agent derived from Gallegaofficinalis. Metformin provided greater protection against macro vascular complications than would be expected from its effects upon glycemic control alone. Hence this study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of metformin on C Reactive Protein (CRP) in patients. In this study fifty type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled in the study including 23 males and 27 females with mean age 40±4.33. FBS and PPBS baseline values expressed as Mean ± SD were 138.06±17.12 mg/dl and 223.12±30.63 mg/dl respectively. After 6 months of metformin therapy, FBS and PPBS were 91.64±10.55 mg/dl and 133.88±7.99 mg/dl respectively. HBA1C baseline value expressed as Mean ± SD was 7.966±0.85 %. After 6 months of metformin therapy, HBA1C improved to 6.8±0.93.hs-CRP baseline value expressed as Mean±SD was 3.4±1.16 mg/L. After 6 months of metformin therapy, hs - CRP effectively reduced to 1.7±0.81 mg/L. Prompt treatment intensification in such cases may thus be sensible. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of metformin treatment response, especially focusing on hs-CRP levels, lipid levels and genetic factors.
Features of Anesthesia in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Didiev Muslim Khamidovich , Edilsultanova Khava Abdullaevna , Rakitin Timofei Alekseyevich , Matveichev Ivan Sergeevich , Kleimenov Oleg Vladimirovich , Goncharov Vitaly V. 
Published: April 2021

Minimally invasive surgery is usually performed due to various benefits, such as reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, and reduced postoperative pulmonary complications. Combining different surgical interventions into one group on the principle of technological generality, and not depending on the etiopathogenesis of the patient or the operated organ from the point of view of the anesthesiologist is quite justified, since it allows us to develop a single methodological approach to intraoperative protection of the patient. This approach is formed on the basis of taking into account both general anaesthetic and specific requirements for this type of operation. At the same time, the procedure should be painless and comfortably tolerated by the patient, as well as anesthesia should contribute to the fastest possible rehabilitation of the patient and his social rehabilitation.
Naturally, the implementation of the above requirements should not be at the expense of the effectiveness, safety and reliability of anesthetic during the perioperative period.
The purpose of the work is to consider the features of anesthesia in minimally invasive surgery.
Isolation and Identification of Uropathogenic E. coli and its Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern with Special Reference to Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (Esbl)
Authors: Kumar V. Naveen , Saikumar Chitralekha 
Published: April 2021

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infection among the humans. One of the most important factors impacting the management of UTI over the past decade is emergence of anti-microbial resistance among uropathogens. ESBL production is one of the most common mechanisms of anti-microbial resistance, the other being Amp C β-lactamases in gram negative bacteria. This study was undertaken to establish the prevalence of ESBL producing strains and their anti-microbial susceptibility pattern to newer agents to guide therapy for urinary tract infection. The present studies isolates and identify Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern with special reference to ESBL. The emergence of β-lactamase is a Metter of serious concern .The drug resistance in gram negative bacilli is due to production of β-lactamases, AmpC lactamases, Efflux mechanisms and Porin deficiency. Out of the total 3580 urine samples, 987 samples (27.56%) showed No growth, 1786 (49.88%) showed the presence of Gram negative bacteria. Totally, 1081 E. coli species were isolated and < 30% of them were found to be ESBL positive. Uropathogenic E. coli isolates are highly susceptible towards Meropenem and Imipenem antibiotics and highly resistant towards β-lactam and Cephalosporins antibiotics. Hence, the present study urged to implement the management plan for using those antibiotics in patients for preventing the antibiotic resistance.
murA, uhpT, glpT and fosA Genes of Fosfomycin Resistance in Multi-drug Resistant E. coli Isolated from Hematological Malignancies' Patients with Blood Stream Infection
Authors: Nabiel Yasmin , Barakat Ghada 
Published: April 2021

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of murA, uhpT, glpT and fosA resistance genes of fosfomycin in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from patients suffering from hematological malignancies with on top blood stream infection together with correlating this distribution to the rate of expression of AmpC, ESBLs and MBLs in such isolates.
Methods: 205 blood samples collected from patients with underlying hematological malignancies were cultured to isolate E. coli strains. Multidrug resistance was detected. PCR was done to determine fosfomycin resistance genes; murA, uhpT, glpT and fosA.
Results: A total of 83 (40.5%) E. coli strains were isolated from blood samples. 58 (69.9%) were found to be multidrug resistant. AmpC beta-lactamase production was deduced in 15 (25.8%) isolates. 43 (74.1%) isolates were ESBLs producers whereas 9 (15.5%) were MBL class A carbapene-mases producers. Depending on PCR results, murA gene was detected in one isolate (1.7%), uhpT gene in 3 (5.2%), glpT gene in 4 (6.9%) whereas fosA gene was found in 7 E. coli strains (12.1%).
Conclusion: Fosfomycin is a promising antibiotic with limited degree of prevalence of its resistant genes; however disseminating resistance might increase in multidrug resistant E. coli