bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of Modified Thorington to the prism cover, von Graefe and Maddox rod tests
Authors: Metsing Thokozile I. , Mathebula Solani D. 
Published: September 2022

Background: Heterophoria measurement is important in the evaluation of binocular vision. There are many different methods of heterophoria measurement. There are various methods of heterophoria measurements, and studies have compared different methods, some reporting little difference between the methods while others reported that measures can be significantly different.Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare heterophoria measurements obtained using four clinical methods, that is, the modified Thorington test (MTT) on the Bernell Muscle Imbalance Measure (MIM) with those obtained from the prism cover test (PCT), Von Graefe test (VGT) and Maddox rod test (MRT), and thereby to establish their interchangeability.Setting: The study was performed at an optometric clinic within a South African university.Methods: Dissociated near horizontal heterophoria was measured on a sample of 30 optometry students (ages 19–25 years) using the PCT, VGT, MRT and MTT. Three measurements for each of the four tests per participant were obtained, and thereafter the means were applied in analysis of the results. Agreement between paired tests was assessed using Bland–Altman plots.Results: The means for near or proximal heterophoria obtained using the four tests were −2.63 ± 1.9Δ, −2.90 ± 1.7Δ, −3.37 ± 2.0Δ and −2.47 ± 1.9Δ, with a strong correlation for each pair (p = 0.00) (minus signs indicate exophoria [XOP]). Among the different combinations of tests, the MTT and PCT showed the best agreement, although the reliability was good for all four tests.Conclusion: The measurement of near heterophoria can best be quantified either using the MTT or PCT because they showed the greatest level of agreement.
Retinopathy of prematurity screening in Johannesburg, South Africa: A comparative study
Authors: Seobi Teboho , Maposa Innocent , Makgotloe Mokokomadi A. 
Published: September 2022

Background: Timeous screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an important predictor of ROP screening outcomes, and hospitals at different levels of care might have different access to ROP screening by ophthalmologists, resulting in different ROP screening outcomes.Objective: To compare ROP screening outcomes between premature babies from a neonatal facility at a central hospital to those from regional hospitals in Johannesburg.Setting: Retinopathy of prematurity screening in babies born at central and non-central hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa, between 01 January 2015 and 31 June 2020.Methods: A cross-sectional study describing clinical findings in babies referred for ROP screening at a central Johannesburg hospital.Results: A total of 2035 ROP screening records were included in the study. The babies screened from the central hospital and regional hospitals were 1081 (53.1%) and 954 (46.9%), respectively. The proportion of babies with ROP were 125 (11.6%) and 121 (12.7%) in the central hospital and regional hospitals, respectively, and this difference was not statistically significant, p = 0.435. There was a significant association between gestational age (GA) categories and birth weight (BW) with the hospital of birth, with proportionately more babies with GA 28 weeks, 212 (19.6%) versus 158 (16.6%) p 0.001, and BW 1500 g, 894 (82.7%) versus 737 (77.3%) p = 0.001, being referred by the central hospital compared to regional hospitals.Conclusion: The prevalence of ROP in regional hospitals does not seem to differ from that found in central hospitals.
Puo Pha!: African theology is a public theology of dialogue
Authors: Resane Kelebogile T. 
Published: September 2022

In this article it is aimed to demonstrate that African theology is a public theology and a theology of dialogue based on its vocalism and oralism. The starting point is the definition of African theology, including its theologising methodologies. The method of research is a critical analysis of literature studies across the disciplines. A Sesotho proverbial or idiomatic puo pha! (orality) is used to illustrate that the decolonisation of theology is possible through African proverbs. This approach enhances African theology in its endeavours to unshackle itself from the western theology. As puo pha! African theology is the voice that addresses social menaces without compromises. It is the voice speaking not from the top, but from below. It is the voice of the masses, more than that of the intellectual elites. As puo pha! it engages African realities and experiences to make theological conclusions. It is argued here that African theology operates in public spaces since it is person-centred, expresses itself through processes of inculturation and is prophetic in character. Results show that African theology is a theology of encounter, and it is interactive. It becomes dialogical in nature, as it invites cultural contexts and eco-sciences in through dialogue in order that it may become relevant to African realities. The conclusion is the recommendation that African theologians embrace and promote an integrated theological method that synergises puo pha! with written theology for African theology, to have both biblical fidelity and cultural relevance.Contribution: The article intends to impress the validity of African proverbs in explaining theology, practised within African context. It demonstrates the sensibilities of African theology as a public theology and a theology of dialogue.
Oxygen as a drug and scarce commodity: Do we use it rationally?
Authors: Groenewald Linda , Faber Lurika , Fourie Jean-Pierre , Oosthuizen Cornelius J. , Müller Miécke , Van der Westhuizen Kayla , Kapp Dian D. , Swanepoel Righard , Brits Hanneke 
Published: September 2022

Background: Medical grade oxygen is classified as a drug and needs to be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional. Oxygen therapy is prescribed to people who cannot maintain normal blood oxygen saturation while breathing atmospheric air. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of the rational use of this scarce commodity. This study investigated oxygen therapy practices in adult ward patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study design with an analytical component was used in the adults wards at a National District Hospital and the Pelonomi Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein. Data were collected from patient files, interviews and oxygen measurements of adult patients that received oxygen.Results: One hundred and fifteen patients were included in the study, of whom 47.0% received oxygen without an oxygen prescription. Around 62.3% of the patients with prescriptions did not receive oxygen as prescribed. The prescriptions and oxygen administration for COVID-19 patients were better than for non–COVID-19 patients. A quarter of the patients possibly received oxygen therapy unnecessarily.Conclusion: Poor oxygen therapy practices were identified, including prescription errors, oxygen administration errors and oxygen wastage. A protocol should be developed and implemented for the prescription and administration of oxygen therapy. Training should occur to prevent oxygen wastage.Contribution: This study highlighted poor oxygen practices and prescriptions, as well as oxygen wastage in the absence of local oxygen therapy guidelines.
Aphicidal and biochemical effects of emulsifiable concentrate and nanoemulsion of two selected essential oils against black bean aphid, Aphis fabae (Scop.)
Authors: Metwally Hala M. , Ibrahim Samar S. , Sammour Elham A. 
Published: September 2022

Background and objectives
Aphids are cosmopolitan pests that feed on a wide range of host plants from different botanical families. Aphids have developed resistance to several groups of synthetic insecticides. Because of their antimicrobial, antiviral, and insect-repellent properties, essential oils extracted from medicinal plants are excellent sources of various bioactive compounds. Formulation of essential oils as emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and nanoemulsion (NE) could help to enhance their bioavailability.

Materials and methods
The insecticidal activity of essential oils derived from two medicinal plants, namely, Proserpinaca palustris L. and Terminalia chebula Retz., was evaluated against black bean aphid, Aphis fabae (Scop.), under laboratory and semifield conditions. The essential oils from both plants were synthesized as EC and NE formulations to enhance their insecticidal efficacy. The stability of ECs and droplet size of NEs were assessed. The toxicity of ECs in comparison with NEs was evaluated against A. fabae adults. Moreover, the biochemical efficacy of the two essential oils on the activity of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes of A. fabae was studied.

Results and conclusion
In laboratory bioassay, both ECs and NEs of selected oils displayed significant toxicity in controlling A. fabae, with lethal concentration values (LC50) for P. palustris EC and NE being 0.59 and 0.50%, respectively. Moreover, LC50 for T. chebula EC and NE was 0.65 and 0.78%, respectively. The bulk essential oils showed less toxic activity against A. fabae adults, with LC50 of 0.68 and 1.16% for P. palustris and T. chebula bulk forms, respectively. Under semifield conditions, EC of P. palustris and T. chebula at LC90 and LC90x3 exhibited greatly lethal effects for aphid adults compared with NE formulations. Both formulations (ECs and NEs) significantly increased the reduction percent of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes of the treated aphid adults. Our results suggest that EC and NE formulations from P. palustris and T. chebula enhanced the insecticidal toxicity of the selected oils and could be used to effectively control A. fabae adults.
Frontline Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Terzioğlu C , Kamişli S 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Nurses were affected by this pandemic more than any other healthcare professionals because they were working on the frontline continuously.

Aims:
The current study explored how nurses who care for patients with COVID-19 assess this process which they experienced, how they coped with the process, and their psychological experiences. The study was conducted by reaching out to the nurses working at pandemic clinics using the snowball sampling method. A total of 40 nurses were interviewed using telephone. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The data were obtained through telephonic interviews that were performed by the researcher using interview forms.

Materials and Methods:
The interview notes were analyzed using the content analysis method according to Colaizzi's phenomenological method.

Results:
As a result of the content analysis, four themes emerged with the following headings: Initial reactions, factors that made an adaptation to the period of pandemic challenging, factors that facilitated the adaptation, and what the period of pandemic taught.

Conclusions:
It is suggested for nurses that their rotation should be planned effectively, and their social support should be enhanced. They should be provided with adequate personal protective equipment and human resource planning should be improved until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Role and Limitations of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Kucukdemirci-Kaya P , Kilic I , Kaya M , Kelebek-Girgin N 
Published: September 2022

Background:
The management of acute respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients and the role and limitations of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT) remain unclear.

Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the effect of HFNOT, identify the characteristics of patients who will benefit from therapy, and determine monitoring strategies to decide on endotracheal intubation for patients with COVID-19.

Patients and Methods:
We conducted a prospective observational study of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and required HFNOT for at least 2 days between 20 March 2020 and 20 June 2020. The exclusion criteria were a severe respiratory failure, reduced levels of consciousness, combination with other noninvasive ventilation strategies, and exhaustion. The patients were followed up until ICU discharge. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with COVID-19 who were successfully weaned from HFNOT, whereas failure comprised intubation or death on HFNOT.

Results:
Thirty-five subjects (24 males, mean-age: 61.62, standard deviation: 14.9 yr.) were included in the study. A total of 20/35 (57.1%) subjects survived to discharge. C-reactive-protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly increased in the treatment failure group (CRP; effect size (r):0.35, P: 0.037, IL-6; r: 0.37, P: 0.03). Although there was a difference between repeated measures of partial-pressure-of-oxygen/fraction-of-inspired-oxygen (PaO2/FiO2:P/F) rates (partial-eta-squared (ηp
2):0.79, P < 0.001), no difference was found between carbon dioxide levels (ηp
2:0.29, p: 0.44). There was also no difference between ROX (ratio-of-oxygen-saturation/FiO2 to respiratory-rate) rates (Kendall's W: 0.33 P = 0.310).

Conclusion:
In COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate dyspnea and hypoxemia who are nonresponsive to conventional-oxygen-therapies, the initial approach may involve the use of HFNOT. In this study, patient monitoring could be performed with ROX and P/F ratios, and the effectiveness of the treatment could be decided by looking at these rates in the second hour. Prolongation of the period and awake prone positioning did not improve the outcome.
Does Preoperative Anaemia have an Effect on the Perioperative Period in Colorectal Cancer Surgery?
Authors: Altintas MM , Kaya S , Kocaoglu AE , Mulkut F 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the third in men. Anaemia is a common condition in patients with CRC.

Aim:
In this study, we aimed to retrospectively analyse the relationship between preoperative anaemia (POA) and postoperative complications in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) that underwent elective surgery.

Patients and Methods:
The data of patients who underwent elective curative surgery for CRC between January 2015 and December 2020 and had pathologically-proven cancer were evaluated retrospectively. We examined the effect of demographic characteristics of patients, preoperative haemoglobin, cancer localization (colon/rectum), American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) classification, preoperative co-morbidity, surgical method (laparoscopic/open), stoma status, tumor stage, presence of preoperative anaemia on surgical site infection, pulmonary complications, renal complications, anastomotic leaks, and need for intensive care and re-operation in the postoperative period.

Results:
Of the 352 patients who underwent curative resection for CRC, 177 (50.3%) were diagnosed with POA. The median haemoglobin value was 10.7 g/dl in POA patients while it was 13.6 g/dl in the non-POA group. Regarding the localization of tumor, the patients with tumors on the right colon were more statistically significant in terms of POA (p < 0.05). Patients with POA had a higher rate of hypertension and coronary artery disease compared to patients without POA (p < 0.05). In patients with POA, surgical site infection and need for intensive care were statistically significant in the postoperative period compared to patients without POA (p < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding pulmonary complications, renal complications, anastomotic leaks, and need for re-operation in the postoperative period.

Conclusion:
We believe that POA should be corrected prior to surgery to reduce not only the need for intensive care but also surgical site infection in patients undergoing elective curative surgery for CRC.
Health Worker (HW) Factors in Delayed Access to Pediatric Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
Authors: Nwankwo EP , Aniwada EC , Ekenze SO 
Published: September 2022

Background:
In the developing world, access to pediatric surgery has been associated with sociocultural factors and healthcare funding challenges.

Aim:
This study aims to evaluate health worker (HW) factors in delayed access to appropriate care for children with surgical problems in South East Nigeria.

Subjects and Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis of the awareness of children's surgery and ability for appropriate referral among 503 HWs of various cadres in South East Nigeria was carried out using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.

Results:
Of 419 (83.3%) respondents, 211 (50.4%) were doctors, 217 (51.8%) were aged 26–35 years, 261 (62.3%) indicated awareness of pediatric surgical conditions, 114 (27.2%) knew of sites to examine on the newborn at birth, and 147 (35.1%) inclined to timely referral to experts. Predictors of early referral include age <35 years, (P = 0.001) and cadre: doctors (P = 0.006). Female HWs (P = 0.013) and doctors (P = 0.008) displayed better knowledge of pediatric surgical cases. Delayed referral was mostly HW-related and included inaccurate diagnosis and wrong assumption of competence. Conditions commonly misdiagnosed were intussusception and posterior urethral valve.

Conclusion:
Awareness of surgical needs of children is poor among HWs in our setting. To address this and improve access to care, there may be a need to incorporate basic training in common pediatric surgical conditions in the training curriculum for HWs at various levels.
PENGARUH KEMAMPUAN KONEKSI MATEMATIS DAN DISPOSISI MATEMATIS TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA
Authors: K Risnah , Masrura Sitti Inaya , Aprisal Aprisal 
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of mathematical connection ability and mathematical dispositions on mathematics learning ourcomes for student of class XI IPS MA Pergis Campalagian. The approach which used in this research was a quantitative approach with the type of research is ex-post facto. The research sample was 37 students who were selected using the saturated sampling technique. Data collection techniques used the following instruments: (1) mathematical connection ability test, (2) mathematical disposition questionnaire, and (3) mathematics learning outcomes test. Data was analysis used descriptive analysis and inferential analysis. The result showed that: (1) the avarage mathematical connection ability is in the low category, (2) the avarage mathematical disposition is in the medium category, and (3) the avarage mathematics learning outcomes are in the low category. There are 3 hypotheses in this study with test result using simple linear regression analysis and multiple linear regression, namely: (1) mathematical connection ability had a positive and significant effect on mathematics learning outcomes, (2) mathematical disposition had a positive and significant effect on mathematics learning outcomes, and (3) mathematical connection abilities and mathematical dispositions positive and significant effect on mathematics learning outcomes
ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEP MATEMATIKA SISWA KELAS VIII MTS AT-TAQWA BEKASI PADA MATERI LINGKARAN
Authors: Kawiyah Wenda Nur , Suhendri Huri , Alfin Edward 
Published: September 2022

This study aims to describe the level of ability to understand mathematical concepts of students of class VIII MTs At-Taqwa on circle material. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative method. The subjects of the study were students of class VIII-2 MTs At-Taqwa Bekasi totaling 26 people and one class VIII mathematics teacher. From the research subjects will be selected using purposive sampling techniques. Furthermore, the ability to understand mathematical concepts will be analyzed according to the test results and interview results of the selected 3 students. From each of the students who have been selected represent the high, medium and low group categories. The results showed that the level of understanding of mathematical concepts in the high group category was 4 people or 16%, the level of understanding of mathematical concepts in the medium category was 16 people or 64%, and the level of understanding of mathematical concepts in the low category was 5 people or 20%. While the achievement of indicators is different for each indicator, namely the percentage for each indicator is as follows: only 90.6% of students are able to meet the indicators of re-state the concept, 32.3% of students who are able to meet classifying indicators / grouping objects according to certain traits according to their concept, 14.5% of students who are able to meet the indicators develop the concepts that have been owned, and 11.5% of students who are able to meet the indicators use and utilize and select specific procedures or operations and apply them to troubleshooting
Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keputusan Investasi Syariah Mahasiswa di Kabupaten Bogor
Authors: Maulana Reza , Devi Abrista , Arief Suyud 
Published: September 2022

The development of the economic and financial sectors has had a major impact on the increasing number of financial instruments and products offered as a form of adjustment to meet the needs & desires of the global community, one of which is sharia investment. Sharia investment instruments were developed to meet the needs of most of the world's Muslims in developing their assets with sharia principles. As one of the countries with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has enormous potential in sharia investment. But in fact, until now its market share is still relatively low.College students are a worthy target of market share to increase the rate of sharia investment in Indonesia because students have a high level of sensitivity to existing developments and are considered to have proper knowledge. In determining investment decisions, of course, there are factors that can influence investors, some of which include sharia investment, sharia financial literacy, religiosity, social environment, sociodemography, and investment returns.. In this study, the influence of these factors was identified on sharia investment decisions with students in Bogor Regency as subjects. Quantitative research is the method used by researchers with a sample of 100 respondents and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method by IBM SPSS AMOS22 as the data analysis technique. The results showed that there was a significant & positive effect both simultaneously & partially on the variables of Islamic financial literacy, religiosity, social environment, sociodemography, and investment returns on Islamic investment decisions of students in Bogor Regency.
Keywords: Sharia Investment, Islamic Financial Literacy, Religiosity, Social Environment, Sociodemography, and Investment Return.
Importancia de utilizar la teoría de la respuesta al ítem (TRI) en la construcción de pruebas de aptitud y conocimiento
Authors: Díaz Esteve José V. 
Published: September 2022

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en introducir al lector en los conceptos básicos relacionados con la Teoría de la Respuesta al Ítem (TRI), por tal razón, ha sido dividido en dos secciones:En la primera sección, se presentan los fundamentos teóricos de la TRI y los principios básicos sobre los que se ha construido esta teoría y elementos.
En la segunda, se utilizan los datos obtenidos en la aplicación de una prueba de aptitud donde se pueden visualizar los valores paramétricos de los ítems y su interpretación.
A través de la TRI se conoce la estructura de un ítem por medio de su curva característica (CCI), así como también, nos permite realizar estimaciones de los parámetros de los ítems y del nivel de aptitud de los sujetos.