bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluate and Intervene in Sensory Processing Disorders by Occupational Therapists in Early Intervention Teams of the North of Portugal
Authors: Araújo Aline Patriota , Pereira Ana Paula da Silva , Reis Helena I.S. 
Published: December 2021

Background: The National Early Childhood Intervention System of Portugal is an organized set of services under the responsibility of the Ministries of Health, Labor, and Social Security and Education aimed to support children between 0 and 6 years old and their families, and its mission is to ensure Early Childhood Intervention. At present, there is no research to support the extent of the use of sensory interventions in early intervention teams of Portugal.
Aims: This study aims to analyze and understand the role of occupational therapists who support children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction and their families in local Early Intervention Teams.
Methods: A qualitative and descriptive research was developed using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with ten occupational therapists who have worked in Early Intervention Teams in the North of Portugal for at least one year.
Results: Modulation and Praxis were the categories of Sensory Processing Dysfunction most identified. Families consider that Sensory Processing Dysfunctions interfere with children's performance in activities of daily living and playing. Early childhood educators report that Sensory Processing Dysfunctions influence the child's participation in food, playing, and in more structured and directed activities. To transfer skills, occupational therapists organize training for professionals, families, and early childhood educators.
Conclusion: The importance of collaborative work between professionals and the child's family is evident, and the support they provide in the natural environment and daily routines.
Perceptions of Students with Disabilities on Reasonable Accommodation at a Tertiary Education: A Case of a Rural University in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Mukwevho M.H. , Gadisi A. 
Published: December 2021

The advent of democracy in South Africa has put initiatives to redress social injustice suffered by women and people with disabilities. Enrollment of students with disabilities at universities increases yearly, influencing an increase in buying of assistive technologies to enable a teaching and learning environment.
This paper explores the perceptions of students with disabilities on the role of reasonable accommodation in terms of accessibility and facilitation of teaching and learning at the university based on the human rights approach. A pre-corvid 19 pandemic survey used a convergent parallel mixed-method design to evaluate perceptions of reasonable accommodation on the campus. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected roughly simultaneously and integrated into the interpretation of the overall results. A focus group comprised of the representatives of students with disabilities was interviewed. The surveyed population comprised all students with disabilities between the ages of 18 to 25 registered with the Disability Support Unit (DSU) of the University of Venda. The questionnaires collected reasonable accommodation perceptions and satisfaction rates from students about organizational support and training. The distributed questionnaires produced a 90% response rate. The findings highlighted that students with disabilities encountered barriers of inaccessibility to classrooms and residents. Adequate learning material is a barrier for students with visual disabilities. Institutional budget and item costs render buying assistive technologies and building new infrastructures for students with disabilities a constraint. Policy and practice in the institution remain a limitation to interfacing education and disability smoothly.
A short scale for measuring attitudes towards the doctor-patient relationship: psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the German Patient-Practitioner-Orientation Scale (PPOS-D6)
Authors: Pauli Roman , Wilhelmy Saskia 
Published: December 2021

Background
The Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) was originally developed to compare doctor’s and patient’s consensus regarding patient centeredness. Research assumed PPOS measurements to be comparable across different groups of participants, however, without assessing the actual validity of this assumption. In this study, we investigate the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of a short version of the German translation of the PPOS.

Methods
Based on a cross-sectional survey of N = 332 medical students, we present a short version of the German Patient-Practitioner-Orientation Scale (PPOS-D6) and examine its psychometric properties as well as measurement invariance across participants with varying levels of medical experience and gender using multigroup confirmatory factor analyses.

Results
Results indicate that PPOS-D6 provides valid and reliable measurements of patient-centeredness that are invariant across participants with different medical experience. Preliminary results also suggest invariance across gender.

Conclusion
PPOS-D6 is a suitable and efficient measure to compare group-specific attitudes towards the doctor-patient interaction. Additional research on convergent and discriminant validity and divergent study samples is advised.
Growth Performance Characteristics of Cockerel Chicken Fed Diets containing Ginger Rhizome and Garlic Bulb powder
Authors: Onimawo I. A. , Adomeh E. E. , Isidahomen C. E. , Oguntade D. O. , Oshibanjo D. O. 
Published: December 2021

The use of antibiotics in poultry production has raised global concern due to health risk associated with its residues in poultry products. A study was conducted to assess the growth performance characteristics of cockerel fed ginger and garlic based diets for a period of 12 weeks. A total of 180 day old Isa white cockerels were randomly allotted to 4 experimental treatment diets. Each dietary treatment was replicated 3 times with 15 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet one had 0% ginger rhizome and garlic bulb powder (T1), diet 2 had 2% ginger rhizome powder (T2), diet 3 had 2% garlic bulb powder (T3) while diet 4 had 2% mixture (1:1) of ginger rhizome powder and garlic bulb powder (T4). The weights were measured and weight gain calculated on weekly basis. In addition, the feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured and calculated on weekly basis. At starter phase, average initial weight, average final weight, average weekly feed intake and average daily feed intake were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. However, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) highest (2.09) among birds placed on T2 while the lowest mean value of 1.30 was recorded in T3. At finisher phase, the average initial weight, average weekly feed intake, average daily feed intake and FCR were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the experimental diets. However, birds fed T4 had the highest (P<0.05) mean value of average final live weight (1796.67g) while the least value (1553.33g) was obtained in birds fed T3. The average daily weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) highest 37.14 g T2. It was concluded that ginger and garlic powder can be used successfully in cockerel diets at 2 % level of inclusion to enhance growth performance characteristics especially at finisher phase.
Environmental Control of Plant Primary Metabolism: Exploitation of Plant Plasticity in Perennial and Tree Crops
Authors: Bhattacharya Sumanta , Mukherjee Swrupananda , Mazumder Rituparna , Moni Chatterjee Sparsha 
Published: December 2021

Perennial and tree crops are interwoven with environmental challenges in multiple ways, as anthropogenic global changes are a fundamental component in a variety of pressures that have negative consequences for farming. Climate controls have a wide range of detrimental effects on the land and crops. Rainfall, temperature, heat waves, pests or bacteria, CO2 or ozone levels, and marine flows are a few examples of environmental controls life. These alterations have a negative influence on the metabolisms of primary and secondary in plants, but they make use of the adaptability of plants also, which is referred to as plasticity.
Biological and metabolic characteristics, as well as plant genome mutations for greater adaptability, play an important impact on growth patterns. Pathogens and herbivores, for example, are important climatic regulators that induce unique plasticity within the plant system. The incredible adaptability is that the plants thrive under extreme conditions. Furthermore, more research and investigations are needed to determine how and to what extent plasticity can aid endurance. Because of the influence of various other factors, the results of previous studies have been inconsistent. They sense the stressor in the environment, become engaged, and then trigger the appropriate physiological responses. According to the GDB theory, the metabolic exchange is responsible for plant elasticity including the processes of growth and differentiation.
The genetic trade-off in plant life development is caused by the biological impact on growth and genetic alterations, as well as herbivory and plant-plant competition. In a traditional growth rate model, researchers separate the biological and evolutionary components to characterize the impact of competition in the development of this flexibility. Plant breeding is unquestionably important in the application of plasticity to stressful controls. In the current circumstances, larger yields under harsh environmental conditions are required to meet food demand.
Assessment of Some Haematological, Coagulation and Immune Parameters among Male Oil Refinery Workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Bridget Obofoni Ehiaghe-Shepherd, , Serekara Gideon Christian, , Mgbeoma Eze, Evelyn 
Published: December 2021

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the levels of some hematological, coagulation and immune parameters among male oil refinery workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Study Design: This study is a cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and Modular Oil Refinery, Rivers State, between January 2021 and September 2021.
Methodology: A total of one hundred (100) subjects (50 oil and gas workers as test subjects and 50 non-oil and gas workers as control subjects), were enrolled in the study. The convenient sampling technique was employed in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from all subjects and tested for Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), Fibrinogen concentration, Full Blood Count (FBC) (Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Total White Blood Cell (WBC) count, Lymphocyte, Neutrophils, monocytes and Platelet Count), CD4 cell count, CD3 cell count and CD8 cell count. Data generated were analyzed statistically using Graph-Pad Prism, Version 8.0.2.
Results: There was statistically significant decrease (P<.001) in Prothrombin time (PT) (11.55±0.73s), International Normalized Ratio (INR) (0.85±0.05), Fibrinogen (202.4±27.4mg/dl), Platelet count (185.6±37.1(103/μl)) and Neutrophils (46.6±6.4%) in oil refinery workers exposed to gas flare, while there was a statistical significant increase in APTT (31.8±4.15s), Hb (13.7±1.0g/dl), PCV (41.1±3.2%), Monocytes (8.4±3.0%) in subjects exposed to gas flare over control subjects with Prothrombin time(12.23±0.82s), INR(0.90±0.06), Fibrinogen(252.0±57.0mg/dl), platelet count(213.3±49.5(103/μl)) and Neutrophils(52.6±11.7%). Other parameters showed no statistical significant difference at P<.05 in both test and control subjects. Comparison of the mean ± standard deviation of the studied parameters in test subjects based on age using Analysis of Variance showed no statistically significant difference in all parameters at P<.05. Also, Comparison of the mean ± standard deviation of the studied parameters in test subjects based on duration of Exposure using Analysis of Variance showed a significant decrease in CD8 cells as the years of exposure increase (2-5years exposure = 865±319, 6-10years exposure = 579±288, 11-20 years exposure = 591± 286, F- Value = 3.869, P- Value = 0.0278).
Conclusion: In conclusion, based on the findings, some haematogical, coagulation and immune parameters increased while others decreased in male oil refinery workers and duration of exposure can also be considered as a risk factor and age was considered not a risk factor as to cause any aberrations in the studied parameters.
Association of Adiponutrin/Patatin Like Phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) I148M Gene Variant with Chronic Hepatitis C in Egyptian Children
Authors: Motawae Mahmoud Mohamed , El-Aziz Awad Mohiee El-Deen Abd , Elaraby Hanaa Ahmed , El-Wahed Eid Manal Abd , Soliman Hanan Hamed , Ahmed Ehsan Nermine , El-Deen El-Sawy Doaa Mohammed Salah 
Published: December 2021

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) represents a leading cause of liver-related mortality worldwide. The patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3/adiponutrin) rs738409 (I148M) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been reported to be linked with the severity and progression of liver fat content and liver fibrosis in CHC among different racial groups. Such reports are lacking in CHC Egyptian children.
Aim of Study: To evaluate the possible association of PNPLA3-I148M gene variant with the severity of liver fat content and liver fibrosis in Egyptian children with CHC.
Patients and Methods: Fifty normal-weighted children (mean age 10.62±2.59 years) with CHC were subjected to genotyping of PNPLA3-I148M gene variant using the real time PCR TaqMan assay. FibroScan examination for assessment of both liver fibrosis by Fibroscan liver stiffness (LMS) and liver steatosis by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) scores and histological examination of liver biopsies for assessment of liver steatosis, and METAVIER scoring for necroinflammatory activity grades and liver fibrosis stages were done for all patients as well as appropriate laboratory investigations. APRI and FIB-4 indices as well as insulin resistance using HOMA-IR were also calculated.
Results: 34 cases (68%) had CC genotype (wild CC genotype) ,9 cases (18%) had CG genotype (heterozygous for the risk G allele) and 7 cases (14%) had GG genotype (homozygous for the risk G allele). Significant higher values of LSM and CAP steatosis scores were found in patients with CG and GG genotypes compared to those with CC genotype. CG gene variant and GG gene variant were significant positive predictive factors for histopathological liver steatosis and fibrosis stages and inflammatory activity grades among the studied patients. Significant higher values of many laboratory variables (AST, fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, and HOMA-IR) but lower platelets count was found in patients with G allele (CG+ GG) compared to patients without G allele (CC). In addition, significant positive correlations between PNPLA3-I148M gene variant and indicators of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis and many laboratory parameters (AST, APRI, FIB4, FBS, fasting serum insulin, and HOMA-IR) but a significant negative correlation between PNPLA3-I148M gene variant and platelet cell count were found among the studied patients.
Conclusion: Data of this study suggested that polymorphisms in the PNPLA3 I148M gene variant could contribute to the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis of the studied Egyptian children with CHC.
Impact of Different Nitrogen Levels to the Grain Yield and Yield Components of Some Corn (Zea mays L.) Hybrids
Authors: Sabri Wisam Khald , Oktem Abdullah 
Published: December 2021

Aims: The study was designed to elucidate the effect of different nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on five different maize cultivars.
Study Design: A split plot experimental design in randomized complete blocks (RCBD) with three replicates. Arrangement of seven nitrogen levels and five single cross hybrids were compared. Main plots were nitrogen levels and subplots were varieties.
Place and Duration of Study: College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Duhok, Iraq. The study was undertaken fromMarch– August 2021.
Methodology: At the present research, five single cross-hybrid corn varieties were used, which were: CADZ, DKC6050, DRACHMA, MYIMY and ZP6468D. Arrangement of seven nitrogen fertilizer levels were 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg N ha−1. The following features were studied: plant height, leaf area index, thousand kernel weight, total grain yield, total chlorophyll, protein% and oil %.The collected data were projected to SAS software program for analysis. The significant differences between treatment means were calculated using Duncan’s multiple ranges.
Results: It was reveal that there were significant effect of different nitrogen fertilizer levels, maize genotypes as well as the interaction of nitrogen and genotype of maize (P<.01) for plant height, leaf area index, 1000 kernel weight, total grain yield, total chlorophyll and protein %. However, There were no significant differences between different maize genotypes as well as different nitrogen fertilizer levels (P>.05) with oil %, but the interaction of nitrogen and genotype of maize was significant (P<.01).
Conclusion: Increasing the amount of nitrogen had better effect on studied characteristics of different maize varieties, in which adding 300 kg nitrogen had optimum results. In considering the response of maize varieties to nitrogen, the best variety was DRACHMA genotype while the worst variety was CADZ genotype, however this hybrids was superior in some traits.
Influence of Teacher Professional Development on Teaching and Learning in Public Technical Institutes in the Upper West Region, Ghana
Authors: Akpem Benedict , Tetteh Nicholas , Adom Dickson 
Published: December 2021

Teacher Professional Development (TPD) has received global recognition as one of the most essential elements required for increasing teachers’ knowledge and skills and improving students’ learning. However, not much account has been given on the influence or otherwise of TPD since some appears ineffective in supporting changes in teacher practices and student learning. This study examined the influence of teacher professional development on teaching and learning in public Technical Institutes in the Upper West Region, Ghana.The study adopted the concurrent mixed method design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative datasets.The study was conducted between September 2019 to September 2020 in two technical institutes, namely, St. Basilide’s Technical Institute and the Wa Technical Institute in the Nadowli-Kaleo district and Wa Municipality respectively. The study sought to find out the type of TPD that teachers in public Technical Institutes in the Upper West Region participate in; evaluate the relationship between TPD and teaching and learning; as well as assess the challenges confronting teachers relative to access to professional development programmes. Evidence was obtained through the use of interview as well as questionnaires including both open and closed ended questions and a 5-point Likert scale. A sample size of 220 was obtained from a total target population of 1,072 at 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error.
Results: The findings showed that teachers in public Technical Institutes have considerable access to teacher professional development provided by the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana National Association of Teachers, Non-Governmental Organizations, Subject Associations, among others. Like the teachers, majority of the students have a very positive account about how well their teachers teach and how well they themselves are learning. It was found that a highly significant positive relationship (r (44) =.745, p˂.01 given ɑ =.01 and p-value=.000) exists between teachers’ participation in teacher professional development and teaching and learning. Furthermore, the study also showed a Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance (W) of 0.212 in the ranking of challenges or barriers affecting teacher professional development. The study contends that GES should put in place policies to encourage teachers to participate in professional development programs; the GES should also encourage and partly fund individual schools particularly technical institutes to conduct subject-based in-service training for teachers among others.
Maternal Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations and Calcium Levels in Preeclamptic Women, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Memon Khalil Ahmed , Shaikh Hazoora , Soomoro Rukhsana , Joyo Yasmeen , Parveen Saira , Shaikh Farheen , Ahmer Arslan 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: To analyse the levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH) Dand calcium concentrations in patients with pre-eclampsia, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, LUHS, Hyderabad during the period of January 2020 to June 2020. Total 150 pregnant women were selected according to predesign Proforma and divided into two groups. 50 females were normal normotensive pregnant women as a control group, 100 were pre-eclamptic patients as case group. Obstetric history, clinical data was gathered and then 5ml of blood sample was collected from each patient. The blood samples were taken for the analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D and calcium levels. 25(OH)D were performed on chemiluminescence, While calcium concentration of Microlab 300. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 23. Student t-test was used for analysed of continuous variables.
Results: The maternal serum vitamin D and calcium levels were significantly decreased as compared to patient with preeclampsia and normotensive healthy pregnant ladies. The blood pressure also declined in case group with P<0.001.Multinomial logistic regression showed significant odd ratio of Vitamin-D and Calcium deficiency in preeclampsia.
Conclusion: The present study reveals that 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and Calcium levels declined significantly in preeclamptic women, and mighty be biomarker of this life threating disease.
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS): A Review
Authors: Sande Suvarna 
Published: December 2021

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) has gained more importance as pathogenic organism for infections in both human and animals. CoNS are especially prevalent in immunocompromised patients, critically ill patients, patients having invasive medical devices.
The incidence of CoNS varied across different geographic locations in humans and animals. Also, there are varying antibiotic resistance patterns observed in CoNS species, with high methicillin resistance and cross resistance against many antibiotics. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus xylosus are the most commonly reported species in various studies. Various virulence factors in CoNS are responsible for enhanced pathogenicity. Because of advancement in diagnostic techniques understanding of molecular mechanisms of CoNS pathogenicity is possible. Recent advances in identification and typing methods, virulence screening methods will help to assess true pathogenic potential of CoNS species.
This review focuses on various CoNS species, their identification and virulence factors and clinical importance.
Endodontics: Dental Undergraduate Students’ Perception of the Speciality
Authors: Rajan J. , Sadananda V. , Hegde M. N. 
Published: December 2021

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental undergraduate students’ perception of the dental speciality Endodontics
Material and Methods: Multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to 82 final year dental undergraduate students and 88 interns. The analysis of data was performed using methods of descriptive analysis.
Results: 79.27% of the final year students and 79.55% of interns preferred to pursue Endodontics as a future speciality course. An increase in the understanding of the speciality overall was observed among the interns.
Conclusion: The undergraduate dental students were reasonably informed the speciality Endodontics.