bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discordance Between Glucose Levels Measured in Interstitial Fluid vs in Venous Plasma After Oral Glucose Administration: A Post-Hoc Analysis From the Randomised Controlled PRE-D Trial
Authors: Færch Kristine , Amadid Hanan , Bruhn Lea , Clemmensen Kim Katrine Bjerring , Hulman Adam , Ried-Larsen Mathias , Blond Martin Bæk , Jørgensen Marit Eika , Vistisen Dorte 
Published: October 2021

AimsThe oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is together with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) gold standard for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the concordance between glucose values obtained from venous plasma versus interstitial fluid after oral glucose administration in 120 individuals with prediabetes and overweight/obesity.Methods120 adults with prediabetes defined by HbA1c 39-47 mmol/mol and overweight or obesity who participated in the randomised controlled PRE-D trial were included in the study. Venous plasma glucose concentrations were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 120 minutes during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed on three different occasions within a 26 weeks period. During the OGTT, the participants wore a CGM device (IPro2, Medtronic), which assessed glucose concentrations every five minutes.ResultsA total of 306 OGTTs with simultaneous CGM measurements were obtained. Except in fasting, the CGM glucose values were below the OGTT values throughout the OGTT period with mean (SD) differences of 0.2 (0.7) mmol/L at time 0 min, -1.1 (1.3) at 30 min, -1.4 (1.8) at 60 min, and -0.5 (1.1) at 120 min). For measurements at 0 and 120 min, there was a proportional bias with an increasing mean difference between CGM and OGTT values with increasing mean of the two measurements.ConclusionsDue to poor agreement between the OGTT and CGM with wide 95% limits of agreement and proportional bias at 0 and 120 min, the potential for assessing glucose tolerance in prediabetes using CGM is questionable.
Toward an Understanding of Physical and Biological Properties of Corn-Based Whole Stillage, Thin Stillage, and Condensed Distillers Solubles and Changes Thereof During Storage
Authors: Rosentrater Kurt A. , Yang Lu 
Published: October 2021

The production of bio-based ethanol has been one of the fastest growing industries in the United States during the past decade. Thus, wider exploration of ethanol coproduct uses is necessary in the ethanol plant. Currently, process steams such as whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup are processed into distiller dried grains with solubles and fed to livestock. The storability of whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup influences the economic and energetic balances of fuel ethanol production. However, there are few investigations of the shelf life for these products or how to measure these quantities. The objectives of this research were to test physical and biological properties of whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup and determine storability and allowable shelf life for these materials as influenced by storage temperature levels. Using standard laboratory methods, several properties were determined, including moisture content, water activity, thermal properties (conductivity, resistivity, volumetric heat capacity, and diffusivity), color, mold development, and CO2 production. Also, the separation processes due to settling were observed over 72 h. The thin stillage and whole stillage had relative high average moisture contents of 92% (w.b.) and 87% (w.b.), respectively, and a mean water activity of 0.99; the high water content marked samples easily susceptible to rapid spoilage. Time had a significant effect (p &lt; 0.05) on properties of coproducts. Both thin stillage and whole stillage samples got mold growth after 5 days incubation at 32°C. Thin stillage had the greatest separation rate in the settling experiment. However, syrup had a relative low average moisture content of 62% and an average water activity of 0.92. No mold growth and settling separation happened in syrup samples. There was no evidence showing that a linear relationship exists between Hunter L*, a* and b*, and mold growth. The Solvita® test showed that high-temperature treatment caused high CO2 production in all samples. The exponential models described the relationship between storage time (from 0 to 5 days at 25 and 35°C) and CO2 concentration for the three coproducts. This study is a first step to explore opportunities for utilizing valuable components from these coproducts. Follow-up study should work on separation processes to concentrate the valuable components of these coproducts. Exploring the potential value of ethanol coproducts could maintain and improve the profitability of the ethanol industry.
Neuromodulation With Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Reduces Ventricular Arrhythmogenicity
Authors: Kuwabara Yuki , Salavatian Siamak , Howard-Quijano Kimberly , Yamaguchi Tomoki , Lundquist Eevanna , Mahajan Aman 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Sympathetic hyperactivity is strongly associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Neuromodulation provides therapeutic options for ventricular arrhythmias by modulating cardiospinal reflexes and reducing sympathetic output at the level of the spinal cord. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) is a recent neuromodulatory approach; however, its role in reducing ventricular arrhythmias has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine if DRGS can reduce cardiac sympathoexcitation and the indices for ventricular arrhythmogenicity induced by programmed ventricular extrastimulation. We evaluated the efficacy of thoracic DRGS at both low (20 Hz) and high (1 kHz) stimulation frequencies.Methods: Cardiac sympathoexcitation was induced in Yorkshire pigs (n = 8) with ventricular extrastimulation (S1/S2 pacing), before and after DRGS. A DRG-stimulating catheter was placed at the left T2 spinal level, and animals were randomized to receive low-frequency (20 Hz and 0.4 ms) or high-frequency (1 kHz and 0.03 ms) DRGS for 30 min. High-fidelity cardiac electrophysiological recordings were performed with an epicardial electrode array measuring the indices of ventricular arrhythmogenicity—activation recovery intervals (ARIs), electrical restitution curve (Smax), and Tpeak–Tend interval (Tp-Te interval).Results: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation, at both 20 Hz and 1 kHz, decreased S1/S2 pacing-induced ARI shortening (20 Hz DRGS −21±7 ms, Control −50±9 ms, P = 0.007; 1 kHz DRGS −13 ± 2 ms, Control −46 ± 8 ms, P = 0.001). DRGS also reduced arrhythmogenicity as measured by a decrease in Smax (20 Hz DRGS 0.5 ± 0.07, Control 0.7 ± 0.04, P = 0.006; 1 kHz DRGS 0.5 ± 0.04, Control 0.7 ± 0.03, P = 0.007), and a decrease in Tp-Te interval/QTc (20 Hz DRGS 2.7 ± 0.13, Control 3.3 ± 0.12, P = 0.001; 1 kHz DRGS 2.8 ± 0.08, Control; 3.1 ± 0.03, P = 0.007).Conclusions: In a porcine model, we show that thoracic DRGS decreased cardiac sympathoexcitation and indices associated with ventricular arrhythmogenicity during programmed ventricular extrastimulation. In addition, we demonstrate that both low-frequency and high-frequency DRGS can be effective neuromodulatory approaches for reducing cardiac excitability during sympathetic hyperactivity.
Motivation to Change in the Course of a Pilot Study of a Step-Down Treatment Approach of Inpatient and Anorexia Nervosa-Specific Home Treatment and Its Effects on Treatment Outcome
Authors: Heider Kathrin Sophie , Dempfle Astrid , Altdorf Sophie , Herpertz-Dahlmann Beate , Dahmen Brigitte 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental disorder that typically manifests in adolescence. Motivation to change is an important predictor for treatment outcome in adolescent AN, even though its development over the often long therapeutic process, with transitions between treatment settings, has not yet been studied. In this pilot study, the course of motivation to change and its effect on treatment outcome were investigated over the course of a step-down treatment approach during a 12-month observation period.Methods: Twenty-one adolescents admitted to inpatient treatment because of AN received multidisciplinary home treatment (HoT) with several weekly visits after short inpatient stabilization. Eating disorder (ED-)specific cognitive [Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI-2) subscales] and physical [% expected body weight (%EBW)] illness severity and motivation to change [Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ)] were assessed at the time of admission, discharge from hospital, at the end of HoT, and at a 12-month follow-up. Changes in motivation over time and its relationship with treatment outcome were investigated.Results: Mean motivation to change improved significantly over the course of treatment from the contemplation stage [2nd stage, mean ANSOCQ sum score 47.26 (SD 17.60)] at admission to the action stage [4th stage, mean ANSOCQ sum score 77.64 (SD 18.97)] at the end of HoT (p &lt; 0.001) and remained stable during the follow-up period. At each assessment, higher motivation to change was significantly correlated with lower ED-specific cognitive illness severity (Spearman ρs: −0.53 to −0.77, all p &lt; 0.05). Only pretreatment motivation to change significantly predicted ED-specific cognitive illness severity after the first inpatient treatment phase when taking prior illness severity into account.Conclusions: Motivation to change is an important aspect of treatment success in adolescent AN, especially in the early phase of treatment. In addition, home treatment contributed significantly to a higher motivation. Further longitudinal research into how motivation to change in adolescent patients with AN is related to outcome in this often severe and enduring disease and into targeted therapeutic strategies and interventions that reliably enhance the motivation to change in adolescent patients with AN seems promising.
The Prevalence of Low Back Pain in Commercial Motor Drivers and Private Automobile Drivers
Authors: Odebiyi Daniel Olufemi , Ogwezi D C , Adegoke B O 
Published: October 2021

Background: The low back is susceptible to injury (pain) because it supports most of the body weight. Prolonged sitting and being sedentary are some of the risk factors to developing low back pain (LBP). This study was designed to determine and compare the prevalence of LBP in Commercial Motor Drivers (CMD) and Private Automobile Drivers (PAD).
Materials and Method: Five hundred males (250-CMD and 250-PAD) participated in the survey. The participants were made to complete a 33-item closed ended questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on the respondents' biodata, driving, back pain and the effects of driving on the low back (LB). The questionnaire was selfadministered.
Results: The results showed that LBP was a major problem among these groups ofdrivers. The 12-month prevalences of LBP among the CMD and PAD were 96% and 88% respectively. Twelve-month prevalence of LBP was significantly (p< 0.05) higher in the CMD. Sixty four percent and 42% of the CMD and PAD attributed the cause of their back pain to the length of time spent sitting when driving.
Conclusion: Low back pain was a major problem among the respondents; but was experienced more among CMD. The higher prevalence of LBP in CMD was attributed to the length of time spent sitting when driving.
KEY WORDS: Prevalence, low back pain, Commercial Motor Drivers, Private Automobile Drivers.
Working Memory Model and Language Learning
Authors: Demir Bora 
Published: October 2021

Working Memory (WM) is an essential concept of cognitive science since many aspects of human learning depend on it. Primarily proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) and developed by Baddeley (1986), the concept of WM comprises the number of subsystems involved during the process and the considerable emphasis on its key role in cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension. As a complex and limited cognitive system, by enabling the input to be temporarily stored, monitored and manipulated understanding the sub mechanism under the WM model is crucial in specifying the factors that affect learning languages. By taking Baddeley’s model of WM (2012) as reference, the aim of this study is to dicuss the model of WM and demonstrate the relationship between its components and the processes that play an important role in understanding the underlying cognitive processes for language learning.
A Study on the Relationship between Mobbing and Professional Burn out Perceptions of Secondary School Mathematics Teachers
Authors: İlhan Aziz , Tutak Tayfun , Ekinci Nurefşan 
Published: October 2021

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between mobbing perception and job burnout of secondary school mathematics teachers. Another subject of the study is to find out whether mobbing and burnout perception differs according togender, marital status, teachers’ professional experience, educational background, staff position, and school type variables. The demographical information form developed by the researchers, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey, developed by Maslach and Jackson (1981),and Mobbing Scale developed by Cemaloğlu and Ertürk (2007) were used as data collection tools. The study was conducted using the survey method. The study participants included 243 mathematics teachers working in public and private secondary schools in a city centre of a province in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Although the study findings of burnout perceptions of mathematics teachers do not differ significantly according to the variables of gender, and educational background, they differ according to the variables of marital status, professional experience, staff position, and school type. Mobbing perceptions of mathematics teachers differ according to sub-levels of all variables but the variable of gender and staff position. In addition, a significant relationship has been identified between the mobbing and burnout perceptions of secondary school mathematics teachers. In addition, it has been determined that mathematics teachers’ mobbing perceptions are significant predictors of burnout perceptions.
Turkish EFL Teachers’ Perspectives on WEB 2.0 Applications: Benefits and Potential Challenges
Authors: Özcan Metin , Kırkgöz Yasemin 
Published: October 2021

Web 2.0 applications such as Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts, and social networking including Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are important sources for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). in foreign language classrooms. This study investigates Web 2.0 tools used by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, and the teachers’ perspectives of such tools in terms of their benefits and potential challenges. A mixed-method research design was adopted, and data was collected using The Web 2.0 Application Questionnaire and written interviews. English teachers (n:56) working in TED (Turkish Education Association, Türk Eğitim Derneği) colleges completed the questionnaire, and interviews were held with 12 volunteer teachers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data from the demographic information of the participants, as well as the mean and standard deviation scores of the Likert-scale questionnaire items. Qualitative data from the interview questions were analyzed through content analysis. The findings suggest that teachers are aware of the potential uses of ICT technology, and they use various Web 2.0 applications for instructional purposes. In addition, teachers consider using Web 2.0 tools beneficial in enhancing student motivation, collaboration, and communication skills, keeping students engaged with classroom tasks, and enabling teachers to adjust their instructional practices to students’ varied needs, hence creating an effective learning environment. Not much challenge is reported in using Web 2.0 tools, except technology-related difficulties.
An Analysis of Self-, Peer-, and Teacher- Assessment within the Scope of Classroom Teaching Activities
Authors: Cirit Didem Karakaya 
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between self-, peer- and teacher- assessment to evaluate preservice science teachers’classroom teaching activities. A mixed method was employed. The sample consisted of 55 senior students (29 women, 26 men) from the science teaching program of a public university in Turkey. Quantitative data were collected using a classroom observation form, which was the Reformed Teaching Observation Practice (RTOP), while qualitative data were collected using observation notes. The study was conducted within the scope ofthe course “applied teaching” for three weeks under the scope of three topics; global warming(GW), acid rain (AR), and ozone depletion (OD). Each participant attended nine assessment processes with two peers for the three topics. Quantitative results did not show a correlation between self- and teacher-assessment on the three topics. There was no correlation between GW self-assessment and GW peer-assessment and between AR peer-assessment and OD peer-assessment. However, there was a correlation between OD and AR self- and peer-assessment. There was a correlation between peer-assessment and teacher-assessment on neither of the three topics. Qualitative results showed that participants with high RTOP scores in peer-assessment were more likely to make quite superficial qualitative assessments, and briefly describe the teaching process and positively assess it. In self-assessment, participants not only gave themselves high scores but also positively described the teaching process. In teacher-assessment, quantitative and qualitative assessment was consistent.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Education Sector in Zambia: A Case Study on DMI-St. Eugene University
Authors: Iradukunda Franck , Ananda Kumar A 
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 pandemic has left the largest disorder in education systems in history; these affected more than3.6 a billion learners in more than 200 countries. Suspending of physical learning of colleges, institutions and universities have impacted more than 95% of the world’s learner’s population. This has brought changes in all aspects of our usual education systems. Social distancing, mask-up and restrictive movement policies were put in place by several governments that have considerably interrupted ancient instructional practices. Re-opening of learning establishments and universities after relaxation of restriction is another ultimatum with many new standard operating systems and procedures that will be put in place.Since late 2019 after discovering the COVID-19 pandemic, several researchers have shared their findings on teaching and learning practices. Many colleges, faculties and universities have abandoned face-to-face teaching and learning practices. We tend to might lose the 2021 academic year or perhaps additional within the coming future. This recommends we’d like to introduce and implement different educational systems and assessment ways during which learning and teaching will continue however additionally putting in place the mitigation to fight against the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us an opportunity to introducing and improve digital learning and teaching systems to the very best level as never been before. This analysis aims to provide a radical report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education sector in Zambia, specifically at DMI-St. Eugene University.
Operational Excellence: The Healthcare Management Imperative
Authors: Nair Sindhu Shantha , S P Smritika 
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Operational excellence as a response to quality crises emerged in the 1980s with growing recognition. The concept that predominantly existed in manufacturing industries slowly shifted to other industries. This review addresses the concept of operational excellence for quality beyond industry specificity.Recent findings: The strive for operational excellence is on but lags in metrics and indicators. Innovative approaches are still underway. The positive development is that operational excellence is gaining more leadership attention for quality gaps.Summary: Operational excellence is not a destination but a culture of an organisation for continuous improvement, lean management, leadership support, exponential technology advancement, training and developing employees, teamwork, and collaboration with patientcenteredness as the main focus
Quality of Work-Life Balance among Working Professionals
Authors: Vinodini K J 
Published: October 2021

The study concentrates on the working professional’s real quality work life at an organisation. So, the research aims in identifying and examining the influences on the provision of Work-Life Balance in an organisation. A balanced life is one where people spread energy, effort, emotional, intellectual, imagination, spiritual in crucial areas. The neglect of one or the other may threaten the vitality of the whole research. If the quality of work-life is stable, productivity will increase, so it is necessary to understand the perspectives of Work-Life Balance concerning the employees and total work environment. The study follows a descriptive research design, and the sample size is determined using the formula. The pilot study helped to make necessary changes in the questionnaie. The data collection includes both primary and secondary sources. The statistical tools such as percentage analysis, ANOVA, Chi-square, Interval estimation and correlation is performed. The findings and suggestions are being valuable sources for the betterment of organisational development. It concludes that, although the working professionals seek work/life balance, this concern for career draws them into a situation where they can work increasingly for long hours and seek perfect balance in work pressure than before. As several previous studies have shown, both qualities of work-life and work-life balance are multidimensional constructs. And the provision of work-life balance varies between organisations. In contrast, some organisations provide a comprehensive range of work-life balance, while others do not
Impact of the Tourism Development on the Quality of Life of the People: A Case in Jaffna Municipal Area
Authors: Kandeepan Visvanathan , Seevaratnam Tharani , Somasuntharam Renuka 
Published: October 2021

Purpose: The impact of tourism development on the quality of life (Veenhoven. R., 2007) of the people in the Jaffna municipal area is studied.Design/Methodology/Approach: Closed-ended questionnaire/ Likert scale- for measuring the impact of the Tourism development as above. A questionnaire was distributed in the Jaffna municipal area. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed in this study. Findings: Descriptive analysis showed that there is a positive relationship between tourism development and quality of life. Correlation analysis ascertained it. Correlation analysis established that a significant positive correlation is present between the two, which was very strong. The correlation of tourism development was significant with the three sub-variables, namely, households’ income, entrepreneurial & employment opportunities, and culture. Regression analysis confirmed that tourism development had a significantly positive relationship and predicted the model satisfactorily to explain the impact of tourism development on the quality of life of people of the Jaffna municipal area.Practical implication:There is a great potential to enhance the quality of life through tourism development.Originality/ value: Improving the Quality of Life of the people through Tourism Development is explored. The specific findings are valuable in policy-making and planning tourism development projects.