bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Medical College Admission Test Preparatory Course as a Strategy to Encourage Premedical Students to Pursue Osteopathic Medicine in Rural Areas
Authors: Shipley Timothy W. , Phu Nancy , Etters Abigail M. , Kadavakollu Samuel 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Context
Comprehensive Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparatory courses could potentially promote interest among premedical students to pursue careers in osteopathic medicine in underserved areas.

Objective
To determine whether a comprehensive 16-week course centered on MCAT preparation and exposure to an osteopathic medical school setting will promote interest among premedical students to become osteopathic physicians in the rural Southwest.

Methods
At the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico, undergraduate premedical students from the surrounding rural and urban areas completed an all-inclusive 16-week MCAT preparation course. Students were required to have completed medical school prerequisite courses and have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The program included interactive instructional sessions for teaching material pertinent to the MCAT, an introduction to osteopathic philosophy, workshops for application preparation, a tour of the medical school facilities, full-length practice tests, and mock interviews. After course completion with at least 80% attendance, a survey was conducted to identify effectiveness and outcomes of the course. The survey used a Likert scale that ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Results
Of the 170 student participants, 163 completed the survey. After completing the course, participants felt more knowledgeable about the true nature of medical school and osteopathic medicine (weighted averages, 4.26-4.40) than before the course. Compared with attitudes before taking the course, participants were more inclined to attend an osteopathic medical school and practice rural medicine in the southwestern United States (weighted averages, 4.16-4.45). Participants who completed the course also felt that they were better prepared to take the MCAT (weighted average, 4.37).

Conclusion
Participant knowledge and attitudes about practicing osteopathic medicine were enhanced after they completed the comprehensive MCAT preparatory course. These results suggest that offering similar courses in osteopathic medical schools throughout the country may improve the outlook of creating a diverse physician workforce that provides health care in rural areas.
Improving Medical Education by Coupling Basic Science Lectures With ICD-10 Codes
Authors: Stanco Kahley M. , Prater Mary Renee , Wubah Araba , Sumpter Cameron , Rawlins Fred , Garner Harold R. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), students are taught through a systems-based block education process organized according to separate organ systems. The block education lectures provide instruction on these various organ systems and their associated diseases and potential for diagnosis and treatment. A curricular initiative implemented at VCOM incorporates International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes into the preclinical curriculum to enhance student learning and recall of basic science information and to prepare them for patient encounters during clinical rotations. In constructing this curricular initiative, diseases and procedures mentioned in all lectures during the first 2 years were evaluated and matched with their corresponding ICD-10 diagnostic and procedural codes to illustrate to students how this information would be used in a clinical setting. Of 994 lectures with 36,105 slides, 4331 opportunities to associate ICD-10 codes were identified. Information was given to instructors to update their future lectures. This initiative aims to enhance the preclinical educational experience and prepare preclinical students for documenting patient care. After students have been fully exposed to this new learning component, a study is planned to analyze the effects of the curriculum.
A Preliminary Survey of Birds in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Parveen Talat , Ilyas Orus 
Published: March 2019

A preliminary survey of bird species and habitat in the Karmajhiri Range, Pench Tiger Reserve was conducted during March 2014 - May 2014. The aim of this study was assessment of avian population by addressing some ecological status such as faunal type, phenological traits, trophic status, occurence and protection status of birds species. 221 species of birds were recorded from study area. Out of 26 order in India 16 order of birds were presented in and around Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) which comprises 61 families. PTR provides habitat for three critically endangered species, namely White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis Gmelin, 1788), Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus Scopoli, 1786) and Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus Scopoli, 1786). Regarding species protected by Berne convention 34 species are listed in Appendix 2 (strickly protected fauna) and only one are represented in Appendix 3 (Protected fauna) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758). Based on the AEWA (African-Europian Migratory Waterbird Agreement) bird list, 18 bird species are noted in the study area. The dominance of Oriental faunal type provide information on the relationship of the surveyed avifauna to the biogeographical zones. We were recorded 28 biome restricted bird species. This assessment also supports and justifies its classification as an Important Bird Area “IBA” because of the importance and abundance of avian species. Its provide shelter and hosts to birds. To conserve birds species in tropical deciduous forest in PTR, it will be necessary to preserve large areas of contiguous forest and monitor the effect of Habitat fragmentation and other development activities in and around forest area will have impact on their foraging, breeding and subsequently their population. These scientific findings will help to evaluate the effectiveness of legislation and policies for bird protection and will under in future conservation action for birds and their habitats.
Effect of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Seed Meal on Performance Characteristics of Rabbit Does
Authors: Anurudu N. , Adebiyi O. A. , Bello Z. O. , Aliu O. T. 
Published: March 2019

The study assessed the effect of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seed meal (BSM) on some growth and reproductive parameters of rabbit does. A total of 24 adult does (age range) were used, the rabbits were grouped into four treatments having six replicates with each replicate consisting of one doe. Treatment 1 (T1) served as the control, treatment 2 (T2) had 5% BSM, treatment 3 (T3) had 10% BSM and treatment 4 (T4) had 15% BSM. The study lasted for 10 weeks.
The antinutritional factor content of the diet increased with BSM inclusion. Tannin, saponin and alkaloid content in the control diet was 0.27, 260.00 and 0.86 mg/100 g respectively, while the diet with 15% BSM (T4) had 0.0055 mg/g (tannin), 7.73 mg/g (saponin) and 0.022 mg/g (alkaloid). However, the pure BSM had 0.0017 mg/g (tannin), 130.00 mg/kg (saponin) and 0.03 mg/g (alkaloid). Feed intake and weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher for does in T2 compared to the control diet. Does on T2 converted their feed better compared to does on T3 and T4 with 16.93 and 16.95 respectively. The weight change during gestation revealed that does in T2 had a significant (P<0.05) weight increase of 150.00 g compared with the control with a weight change of 137.00g. However, a weight loss of -30.00 g was observed for does fed T4 (15% BSM). No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in the litter size of does fed different diets with means ranging from 5.33 to 6.00, although the highest birth weight of kindles was observed in T2 (5% BSM) but was not significantly (P>0.05) different from kindles of other treatments.
It is concluded from the result of this study that inclusion of 5% ADSM in the diet of does did not result in any significant weight loss. However, inclusion levels above 5% posed a threat to the growth performance and reproductive attributes of does.
The Physiognomy of Flooding and Flood Disasters in Nigeria: Stakeholders’ Perception of Flooding Events of Ogbaru in Anambra State
Authors: Ezeokoli F. O. , Okolie K. C. , Aniegbuna A. I. 
Published: March 2019

Aim: This study evaluates and establishes the nature and characteristics of flooding and flood disaster in Ogbaru.
Study Design: It was a survey research, where questionnaires were distributed to heads of the selected households and building practitioners in the study area. Likewise, physical observations were carried out to substantiate the findings of the questionnaire survey.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria for a period of 2 years.
Methodology: Data were collected through structured questionnaire administered to the selected building construction practitioners and occupants in Ogbaru. In addition, interviews and direct observation survey were conducted to substantiate the validity of the questionnaire. Accordingly, a total of three hundred and eighty-four (384) questionnaires were distributed and a total of two hundred and ninety-three (293) questionnaires were completed and returned. This corresponds to a response rate of 76.3%. Data collected were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation and t-test.
Results: The survey found that flooding is a regular phenomenon for the last five years in Ogbaru with a depth ranging from medium to shallow and not more than 1.8 m deep. The velocity of flow is either laminar or moderate but not up to 3m/s in nature while the intensity of flow & destruction significantly varies across the local government area. The flood disaster lasts for more than a month in most areas and moves with floating debris lowering the ground surface and removing refilled earth of the foundation of buildings. Over 90% of the residents of Ogbaru had experienced flood hazards which have affected their houses and those of their neighborhood.
Conclusion: The study concluded by recommending that the nature and characteristics of flooding in the study area should be thoroughly examined and considered before any construction/ mitigation action will be deployed in Ogbaru.
Effect of Indole Acetic Acid and Boron on the Nutrient Contents of Summer Tomato Cultivar Bina Tomato-3
Authors: Saha Munmun , Chowdhury Md. Abul Khair , Chowdhury Md. Akhter Hossain 
Published: March 2019

A pot experiment was carried out with tomato variety BINA Tomato-3 in the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh from March to August, 2010 to study the effect of Indole Acetic Acid(IAA) and Boron(B) on the nutrient contents of BINA Tomato-3. There were four doses of IAA viz. 0, 20, 40 and 60 ppm and B viz. 0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications. The result revealed that nutrient contents of tomato fruits and plants such as N, P, Ca, Mg and B were significantly influenced by the application of IAA and B. The highest N (0.70%), Ca (0.69%), Mg (0.80%) in tomato fruits and highest N (0.40%), Ca (0.93%), Mg (0.90%) in tomato plants were obtained in 60 ppm IAA along with 2.0 kg B ha-1 and the lowest was obtained in the control treatment. In tomato fruits the highest P (0.41%) was found in IAA40B2.0 treatment, while the lowest P (0.18%) was recorded in IAA0B0.0. The lowest B (4.55µgg-1) was recorded in control, while the highest B (15.72µgg-1) was found in IAA20B2.0in tomato fruits. In tomato plants the highest P (0.34%) was recorded in IAA60B1.5 and the lowest P (0.20%) was found in control. The lowest B (4.15µgg-1) was recorded in IAA0B0.0, while the highest B(13.33µgg-1) was found in IAA40B2.0 in tomato plants. The overall results suggest that treatment IAA60B2.0 was the best from other treatments.
Occurrence of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Cocoyam and Characterisation of the Causal Organism in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Abdullahi A. , Alao S. E. L. , Banwo O. O. , Alabi O. , Lu S. , Bandyopadhyay R. 
Published: March 2019

Aim: To determine the occurrence of bacterial leaf blight of cocoyam and to characterize isolates of the causal organism in Northern Nigeria.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in cocoyam farmers’ fields in Kaduna and Kano States, Department of Crop Protection, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and the Mississippi State University, USA in 2015.
Methodology: Field surveys were conducted in Kaduna and Kano States of northern Nigeria to determine occurrence of bacterial leaf blight of cocoyam. Sampling was done using quadrat. Incidence and severity of the disease was assessed on the field. Bacterial isolates obtained from the diseased samples were used for pathogenicity and hypersensitive reaction (HR) tests. Biochemical tests such as Gram, catalase, oxidase, pectolytic, amylolytic and production of acid from glycerol were carried out on the isolates. A nearly full length of the 16S rDNA gene of selected isolates was PCR amplified using 16S rRNA primers. The resulting amplicons were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. The 16S rDNA gene sequences were aligned along with other Xanthomonas sequences imported from the NCBI database using muscle tool from MEGA6.
Results: The results showed Kaduna State had higher incidence and severity (50.2%, 13.5%) than Kano State (20.5%, 5.1%) and that bacterial isolates induced blight symptoms on cocoyam and elicited HR reactions on tobacco. Isolates were Gram negative, catalase positive, oxidase negative, amylolytic, pectolytic and produced no acids from glycerol. BLAST search of sequenced genes showed 98-100% homology to Xad. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees constructed for the 16S rDNA gene sequences revealed isolates were identical to the Xad reference strains KP247494, KM576803 and EU203153. Generally, all the isolates obtained were Xad.
Conclusion: Bacterial leaf blight of cocoyam occurred in Kaduna and Kano States and the bacterial isolates were identical to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae.
Economics of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goat Production among Small Holder Farmers in Humid and Tropical Region of the World
Authors: Ume S. I. 
Published: March 2019

Economics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat Production by Small Holder Farmers in humid and tropical region was studied using 120 farmers selected from southeast states of Nigeria. The information generated for the study comprised farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and other quantitative variables relevant to the study using mainly structured questionnaire and personal interviewed, descriptive Statistic such as percentage response and budgetary technique were used to address the objectives of the study. The mean of age of the farmer was 54 years, level of education was 11 years, while years of rearing experience and house hold size were 10 and 7 respectively. The result of net farm income analysis revealed that an average total cost of goat production was $127,517 per 12 herds of goat with cost of purchasing breeding kids input resource constituting the highest (30%) of total costs of production. A positive net farm income of $23938 was realized by average goat farmer in the study area, indicating the profitability of the enterprise. The identified problems limiting goat production in the region were poor access credit, problem of pests and diseases, seasonality of forage, theft problem, poor extension contact, poor nutrition of confined animal and technology too costly. There are needs for policies options and measures to enhance farmers’ access to education, access to credit, extension services, and access to drugs at subsidized rates to ensure goat production by the farmers.
Associations between Job Characteristics, Mental Health and Driving: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Bowen Louise , Smith Andrew P. 
Published: March 2019

Background: Human factors are widely acknowledged as major contributors in road traffic collision (RTC) involvement. The aim of the present study, using secondary data analysis was to analyse associations between job characteristics, mental health, personality, fatigue and driving behaviour and their potential connection to RTCs, as well as their potential links with some of the risk factors as outcome variables (driving behaviour, driver fatigue and risk-taking).
Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional approach, with 2856 clients of an insurance company completing an online survey in which they were asked about their driving and a range of other factors, such as personality, job characteristics and mental health.
Results: The results revealed that whereas the extant literature points to personality traits as directly causal of RTCs, they actually impact driving behaviour and risk-taking behaviour. In addition, an association was found between higher salary and risk-taking (the latter predictive of RTC involvement). Using the Demands, Resources and Individual Effects model (DRIVE) it was possible to examine associations between particular job characteristics and driving behaviour, driver fatigue, and risk-taking. Associations between poor levels of driving behaviour and high levels of decision making, perceived job stress, long working hours and issues of work-life balance were uncovered. Moreover, a combined effects approach revealed a 16.73-fold increase in driver fatigue for younger, single drivers who often drive in heavy traffic, on the motorway and in adverse weather, with stressful, noisy, pressurised jobs, lower in levels of respect (typical of the blue-collar worker).
Conclusion: Based on the current findings, further longitudinal research is recommended to assess causality.
Carbon Nanotubes, Directly Grown on Supporting Surfaces, Improve Neuronal Activity in Hippocampal Neuronal Networks
Authors: Rago Ilaria , Rauti Rossana , Bevilacqua Manuela , Calaresu Ivo , Pozzato Alessandro , Cibinel Matteo , Dalmiglio Matteo , Tavagnacco Claudio , Goldoni Andrea , Scaini Denis 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCarbon nanotube (CNT)–modified surfaces unequivocally demonstrate their biocompatibility and ability to boost the electrical activity of neuronal cells cultured on them. Reasons for this effect are still under debate. However, the intimate contact at the membrane level between these thready nanostructures and cells, in combination with their unique electrical properties, seems to play an important role. The entire existing literature exploiting the effect of CNTs on modulating cellular behavior deals with cell cultures grown on purified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) deposited on a supporting surface via drop‐casting or mechanical entrapment. Here, for the first time, it is demonstrated that CNTs directly grown on a supporting silicon surface by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)–assisted technique have the same effect. It is shown that primary neuronal cells developed above a carpet of CVD CNTs form a healthy and functional network. The resulting neuronal network shows increased electrical activity when compared to a similar network developed on a control glass surface. The low cost and high versatility of the here presented CVD‐based synthesis process, together with the possibility to create on supporting substrate patterns of any arbitrary shape of CNTs, open up new opportunities for brain–machine interfaces or neuroprosthetic devices.
Enhancing the Effect of Pharmacological Ascorbate in Cancer Therapy via Acid‐Triggered Ferritin Nanoparticles
Authors: Xu Nuo , Yang Yuan‐Fan , Chen Long , Xu Liang , Xu Xiao‐Jie , Lin Jian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe application of ascorbate (vitamin C) for cancer therapy was first proposed in the 1970s and has shown promising results in recent clinical trials. Pharmacological doses of ascorbate selectively induce cell death in different types of cancer cells through the generation of H2O2. However, some cancer cells are resistant to ascorbate. So increasing the sensitivity of resistant cancer cells to ascorbate has attracted considerable attention. Till now, a few attempts in nanomaterials have been made to improve the effect of ascorbate. In this study, a simple ferritin caged copper nanoparticle (Fn‐Cu) significantly improves the susceptibility of ascorbate‐resistant cancer cells to pharmacological ascorbate via selective inhibition of catalase activity in cancer cells, while having negligible cytotoxicity to normal cells. Remarkably, combination of Fn‐Cu with a lower dose of ascorbate significantly inhibits ascorbate‐resistant tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. These data demonstrate Fn‐Cu has the therapeutic potential by enhancing the effect of ascorbate in cancer therapy.
Graphene Heterostructure Integrated Optical Fiber Bragg Grating for Light Motion Tracking and Ultrabroadband Photodetection from 400 nm to 10.768 µm
Authors: Shivananju Bannur Nanjunda , Bao Xiaozhi , Yu Wenzhi , Yuan Jian , Mu Haoran , Sun Tian , Xue Tianyu , Zhang Yupeng , Liang Zhongzhu , Kan Ruifeng , Zhang Han , Lin Bo , Li Shaojuan , Bao Qiaoliang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntegrated photonics and optoelectronics devices based on graphene and related 2D materials are at the core of the future industrial revolution, facilitating compact and flexible nanophotonic devices. Tracking and detecting the motion of broadband light in millimeter to nanometer scale is an unfold science which has not been fully explored. In this work, tracking and detecting the motion of light (millimeter precision) is first demonstrated by integrating graphene with an optical fiber Bragg grating device (graphene‐FBG). When the incident light moves toward and away from the graphene‐FBG device, the Bragg wavelength red‐shifts and blue‐shifts, indicating its light motion tracking ability. Such light tracking capability can be further extended to an ultrabroad wavelength range as all‐optical photodetectors show the robust response from 400 nm to 10.768 µm with a linear optical response. Interestingly, it is found that graphene‐Bi2Te3 heterostructure on FBG shows 87% higher photoresponse than graphene‐FBG at both visible and telecom wavelengths, due to stronger phonon‐electron coupling and photo‐thermal conversion in the heterostructure. The device also shows superior stability even after 100 d. This work may open up amazing integrated nanophotonics applications such as astrophysics, optical communication, optical computing, optical logic gating, spectroscopy, and laser biology.
Recent Advances in Triboelectric Nanogenerator‐Based Health Monitoring
Authors: Yi Fang , Zhang Zheng , Kang Zhuo , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Yue 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHealth monitoring helps prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, and has been given more and more attention in recent years. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising for applications in health monitoring due to their myriad of merits including low cost, simple fabrication, light weight, self‐powered property, and wide selection of materials. Here, the recent key research achievements in TENG‐based health monitoring are comprehensively reviewed. TENGs have been applied to detect not only motion‐based health conditions such as pulse and heartbeat but also nonmotion‐based health conditions such as CO2 concentration and lactate concentration. The design of device structure, sensing mechanism, device performance, advantages and disadvantages of each kind of TENG‐based health monitors are discussed. Based on recent progresses, the existing challenges and future prospects for TENG‐based health monitoring are also discussed and summarized.