bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnitude and trend of HIV and Treponema pallidum infections among blood donors in Offinso-North District, Ghana: a nine-year retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Nkansah Charles , Serwaa Dorcas , Osei-Boakye Felix , Owusu-Ampomah Richard 
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Blood transfusion poses a high public health risk to recipients; hence no effort recommended to eradicate or minimize the danger of transmitting the infections.bReproductive Biology should be underestimated at minimizing the risk of TTIs. This study determined the prevalence and trend of HIV and syphilis infections in voluntary blood donors.
Method: A retrospective analysis of secondary data from consecutive prospective voluntary blood donors who accessed Nkenkaasu District Hospital’s Blood Bank from January 2010 to December 2018 was conducted.
Result: Cumulatively, HIV and Treponema pallidum seropositivity identified in the present study was high (19.1%, [95% C.I (0.026-0.028)]) . The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections were 10.9% (95% C.I (0.098-0.120)) and 8.9% (95% C.I (0.073-0.92)) respectively. Prospective female blood donors were less likely to test positive for T. pallidum than males (OR 0.511, [0.340 – 0.769], p=0.001), but the infection was similar among different ages. The data showed downward trend for both HIV and T. pallidum seropositivity, (slope=-2.9467, p<0.0001) and (slope=-0.7117, p<0.0001) respectively.
Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HIV and Treponema pallidum were high, and their individual or combined seropositivity pose a significant threat to the safety of blood. Extensive and continuous screening for high-risk behaviours and infectious markers before blood donation is therefore Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Keywords: Blood donors; HIV; magnitude; trend; Treponema pallidum.
Cataract surgery outcomes: comparison of the extracapsular cataract extraction and manual small incision cataract surgery techniques
Authors: Jimmy Zitha Amukelani , Rampersad Nishanee 
Published: May 2022

Background: Blindness and visual impairment are public health problems and constitute an important socio-economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the outcomes of cataract surgery will improve our knowledge of risk factors for poor outcomes. Previous studies have focused exclusively on the phacoemulsification technique with limited attention to the extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) techniques.
Objectives: To compare the cataract surgery outcomes between the ECCE and MSICS techniques.
Methods: The study was an observational research design that used the LogMAR visual acuity (VA) chart, subjective refraction, slit lamp and ophthalmoscope to collect data. The participants were followed for a period of six-weeks post-surgery and outcomes were recorded. Data were presented using frequencies, percentages and means ± standard deviation.
Results: The sample included 101 participants, with a mean age of 66.32 ± 15.99 years. Fifty and 51 participants had undergone the ECCE and MSICS techniques respectively. Overall, one-hundred participants had poor pre-surgery VA and subjective refractions were generally not possible due to the severity of cataracts present. The mean aided post-surgery VA was 0.31 LogMAR and 0.13 LogMAR in the ECCE and MSICS groups respectively (p < 0.001). The mean post-surgery refractive astigmatism was similar in the ECCE (-2.06 D) and MSICS (-1.80 D) groups (p = 0.110). The spherical equivalence was approximately -0.50 D higher in the MSICS group, but not statistically significant (p = 0.330). Approximately one out of every five participants (n = 21) had post-surgery ocular complications such as corneal opacity and haziness as well as posterior capsular absence.
Conclusions: The MSICS technique showed better post-surgery outcomes than the ECCE technique.
Keywords: Cataract surgery outcomes; extracapsular cataract surgery; manual small incision cataract surgery; ocular complications.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards drug-food interactions among patients at public hospitals in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: C Osuala Emmanuella , Tlou Boikhutso , B Ojewole Elizabeth 
Published: May 2022

Background: Drug-food interactions can lead to adverse drug reactions and therapy failure which can potentially impact patient safety and therapy outcome.
Objectives: This study assessed patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding drug-food interactions.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients at three public hospitals in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® version 25. The association between demographic variables and patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices were assessed.
Results: Of the 342 patients, 70.5% were female, and the mean age was 42.87±0.89 years. Almost 50% of patients had secondary level education, and 64% were unemployed. About 52% of patients had high knowledge of drug-food interactions; however, only 30-50% of the patients could identify potential drug-food interactions of their drugs. More than halfof the patients (51.5%) answered that they took multivitamin pills with medications and 61.7% responded they consulted healthcare professionals for drug-food interactions’ information before taking new medications. Few patients (15.2%) had experienced drug-food interactions.
Conclusions: Overall, patients had gaps in their knowledge and practices, and positive attitudes towards drug-food interactions. Many patients could not identify food items that can potentially interact with their drugs. It is important that education and medication counselling are provided to patients to prevent drug-food interactions, ensure optimal drug therapy and patient safety.
Keywords: Drug-food interactions; patients; knowledge; attitudes; practices.
Synthesis of Polydispersed P(St-MMA-AA) Microspheres and Fabrication of Colloidal Crystals with Non-Compact Morphology
Authors: Ifijen Ikhazuagbe H. , Jonathan Eribe M. , Jacob Jacob N. , Udokpoh Nyaknno U. , Archibong Ukeme D. 
Published: May 2022

Great attention has been given to the synthesis of monodispersed and uniform colloidal polymer particles with controllable particle sizes. However, investigations on the preparation, characterization and fabrication of polydisperse polymeric particles are very few. Polydisperse polymers are also needed to meet the new demands of the modern markets due to the ease of their synthesis. This study, therefore, synthesized polydispersed poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate acrylic-acid) (P(St-MMA-AA)) via emulsion polymerization synthetic approach under unstable reaction conditions. The synthesized P(St-MMA-AA) microparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), a thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The DLS results revealed a highly polydispersed P(St-MMA-AA) microparticles with an average particle diameter of 803.4 nm. SEM, TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy) analyses showed that the particles were spherical and polydispersed. The unequal diameters and non-compact nature of the fabricated colloidal crystals may have affected its possible uses in some specific applications such as decorative coatings, biomedical and sensing applications. However, other materials can be incorporated into the polydispersed prepared P(St-MMA-AA) colloidal microspheres to improve their properties and possible applications.
Keywords: Emulsion polymerization; Polydispersed; Polymer; P(St-MMA-AA).
Suitability of Flood Hazard Assessment Methods for Tanzania: A Case of Little Ruaha and Upper Ngerengere Catchment
Authors: Kihara Kashimbi J. , Valimba Patrick , Nobert Joel 
Published: May 2022

Understanding the applicability of flood quantile estimation methods in flood hazard assessment is fundamental for planning, prevention, and management of flood risks. Therefore, this study evaluates and compares three hydrological methods, namely Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV), Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN), and regional regression equation (RRE), to estimate flood quantiles embedded in the existing flood damage assessment framework by applying them to two different river catchments, Little Ruaha (LR) and Upper Ngerengere (UN), Tanzania. The evaluation of method performance was carried out using three standard statistical measures for data from 1954 to 2010 and the 1971–1988 period in LR and UN catchments (LRC and UNC). The findings indicated that no single approach could fit all catchments and return periods for these case studies. Overall performance indicated that the RRE method provides more accurate and consistent quantile estimates than other approaches. These findings indicate that spatial scale, model structure, parameters, and hydro-climatic data condition are the most important elements influencing the suitability of the supplied methods for flood risk assessments, which serve as the foundation for developing an improved flood damage assessment framework.
Keywords: Flood Quantiles; Estimate Methods; Flood Risk Management; Little Ruaha; Ngerengere
Analysis of Transformational Teaching as a Philosophical Foundation for Effective Classrooms
Authors: Omodan Bunmi Isaiah , Addam Billey 
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, many classrooms are content-based and, therefore, disadvantage students from gaining lifelong skills that could support them in their future endeavours. This study proposed transformational teaching as a veritable strategy for effective classrooms where teaching and learning are taken beyond content delivery. This theory enables teachers/instructors/lecturers to promote expressive change that could lead to life-changing experiences among students. The study answers the following question: How can transformational teaching be presented as a stimulative teaching strategy for effective classrooms. The study is located within the transformative paradigm and designed with concept analysis, where the principles of transformational teaching are conceptualised and analysed using thematic analysis. The study was implemented by exploring the theory, its assumptions, and the connections between the theory and classroom activities. The study found that when effectively implemented in the classrooms, transformational teaching will enhance students’ lifelong learning experiences and contribute to a productive society. The study further recommends that teachers and students adopt transformational principles/strategies in curriculum facilitation (in the teaching and learning activities).
Hizmet Sektörü Çalışanlarının Yaşadığı Sağlık Sorunları ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları
Authors: HENDEKCİ Ayla 
Published: May 2022

Amaç: Bu çalışmada amaç, hizmet sektörü çalışanlarının yaşadıkları sağlık sorunları ve sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışlarını belirlemektir.
Yöntem: Çalışma, tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel türdedir. Çalışmanın evrenini, Doğu Karadeniz bölgesindeki bir ilde en büyük ilçedeki hizmet sektörü çalışanları oluşturmuştur. Örneklem evrenin bilindiği durumlardaki örneklem formülü ile belirlenmiş ve çalışma 102 katılımcı ile tamamlanmıştır. Çalışma verileri, Aralık 2019 - Şubat 2020 tarihlerinde yüz yüze toplanmıştır. Veriler literatür doğrultusunda hazırlanan Tanıtıcı Bilgi Formu ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları Ölçeği II ile toplanmıştır.
Bulgular: Katılımcıların %69.6’sının erkek, %54.9’unun lise mezunu, %61.8’inin günlük çalışma süresinin 8 saatten az olduğu ve %63.7’sinin algıladığı iş yükünü yoğun olarak ifade ettiği belirlenmiştir. Çalışmaya katılan bireylerin en sık yaşadıkları sorun %70.6 ile stres, en az yaşadıkları sorun % 13.7 ile hapsedilmişlik duygusudur. Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları Ölçeği II toplam puanı 121.76±22.73 olup en düşük puan fiziksel aktivite alt boyutunda, en yüksek puan manevi gelişim alt boyutunda bulunmuştur. Katılımcıların cinsiyet, işten memnun olma, sağlık durumu ve kronik hastalık durumları ile ölçek puanları arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur (p
Análisis del éxito en las secuencias de finalización de los playoffs del fútbol profesional colombiano (Analysis of successful completion sequences in the Colombian professional football playoffs)
Authors: Caicedo Parada Sergio Andrés , Amatria Jímenez Mario , Villamizar Navarro Amalia 
Published: May 2022

El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar la influencia de las variables categóricas y el componente de éxito en las secuencias de finalización durante los playoffs del fútbol profesional colombiano (FPC) clausura 2017. La muestra estuvo conformada por 243 acciones de finalización ejecutadas en los 14 partidos de los playoffs del torneo clausura 2017 del FPC. Los datos se trataron bajo metodología observacional descriptiva, con un diseño ideográfico, puntual y multidimensional y un sistema de categorías teniendo en cuenta el formato de campo mixto del instrumento de observación VATOF (Valoración de Acciones Tácticas Ofensivas en Fútbol). El nivel de acuerdo (inter-observador) y la fiabilidad (intra-observador) fue calculada a través del índice de kappa de Cohen, (Cohen, 1960); con nivel de acuerdo inter observadores (p= . 95) e intra observador (p= 1). De acuerdo con los resultados de este estudio, se evidencia una tendencia clara hacia el juego defensivo por parte de los equipos del FPC; falta de elaboración de juego, creación y aprovechamiento de espacios libres manteniendo la posesión de balón para el desarrollo de juego por bandas con efectividad de remates, así como una mayor interacción entre jugadores que garantice una elaboración organizada y con profundidad de juego para la concreción de las acciones en gol. El análisis del rendimiento técnico-táctico a partir de variables categóricas, puede permitir a los entrenadores establecer características y demandas del juego y diseñar planes de entrenamiento acordes con las exigencias de la competición.
Abstract. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of categorical variables and the success component in the finishing sequences during the 2017 Colombian professional football playoffs. The sample consisted of 243 finishing actions during the 2017 Colombian professional football playoffs, treated under descriptive observational methodology. With an ideographic, punctual and multidimensional design and a system of categories taking into account the mixed field format of the instrument designed. According to the results of this study, there is a clear tendency towards defensive play on the part of the FPC teams; lack of game development, creation and exploitation of free spaces while maintaining possession of the ball for the development of wing play with effective finishing, as well as greater interaction between players to ensure an organised development and depth of play for the concretion of the actions in goal. The analysis of technical-tactical performance from categorical variables can allow coaches to establish characteristics and demands of the game and to design training plans in accordance with the demands of competition.
Inventory control: Its principles and application
Authors: Singh Ankita , Rasania Sanjeev Kumar , Barua Kabita 
Published: May 2022

Availability of good quality stock, in right quantity, at right place and time and at right cost is the essence of inventory control, which in turn is mandatory for smooth functioning and service delivery of any health care facility. Various techniques are available for inventory control, based on cost, criticality and other factors for e.g., ABC analysis, VED analysis, ABC-VED matrix, FSN analysis, SDE analysis etc. Each technique has its own strength and weakness in its applicability. Economic considerations are also imperative for logistic management of any health facility, as any cost savings could be spent more gainfully in some other way and thus more lives could be saved, reduced morbidities and overall positive impact. Future healthcare managers will have to utilize scientific methods of inventory management and the role of an efficient hospital logistics system cannot be ignored anymore. Inventory control is an important component of hospital management. It provides significant improvement in patient care, customer relationships and optimal use of resources. The objective of this paper is to present an up-to-date review of inventory control and critically appraise its various techniques, various costs associated with it and methods of indenting stock. This review will benefit post-graduate students and public health workers in understanding the concepts and principle of inventory control and applying the same in their practice.
Geospatial Epidemiology of chicken-pox disease in India between 2015-2021: A GIS based analysis
Authors: Minhas Akshay , Singh Mitasha , Prasad Nerella Satya Narayana , Bhardwaj Ashok 
Published: May 2022

Introduction: In this paper, we introduce geographical information systems (GIS) as a tool to study trends in disease spread in time and space. Based on data gathered by the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP), we can see where outbreaks of Chickenpox have occurred. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the trends in chickenpox diseases in India between January 2015 and April 2021 using GIS maps. Methods: For the collection of secondary data relating to chickenpox, a free app called collect 5 was used for collecting data weekly from the IDSP website and then storing them in an online server. In this project, variables that needed to be processed with QGIS were combined with table attributes of many shapefiles of India and presented as maps. Results: Between Jan 2015 and May 2021, 1269 chickenpox outbreaks (27,257 cases) have been recorded. Thirty-one deaths have been confirmed, with most occurring in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Nineteen states did not report any deaths. According to the seasonally adjusted trend, the number of cases was highest during the months of January and March. Conclusion: In summary, geographic information systems have become an invaluable tool for mapping the hotspots of acute epidemics and planning public health interventions to prevent the spread of these diseases.
Continuous Online Assessment: Opening TVET Education in South Africa through Instant Feedback and Flexibility
Authors: Huang Cheng-Wen 
Published: May 2022

Every interaction between an educator and a student has the potential to be pedagogically rich. Yet many interactions feel minimal and limited because they are designed to achieve a singular, one-dimensional goal. This is especially true when it comes to assessments.
In most cases, assessments provide information to an educator about a student’s understanding of materials that were covered in a course.
However, because assessments are often summative (covering knowledge shared up to a given point) and evaluative (aimed at providing information about a student to the educator rather than the student themselves), students rarely learn as much as they could from assessment activities.
OER Development Models: Opening Post-School Education in South Africa through a Coordinated OER Strategy
Authors: Dabula Anelisa 
Published: May 2022

Given the many challenges facing higher education – such as the massification of the sector, rising student costs, high textbook prices, a growing digital divide and the undersupply of Global South learning materials – open educational resources (OER) have been proposed as one of a number of elements that can help address these challenges. As openly licensed educational resources that can be used, adapted and shared by anyone (Butcher 2010), OER are a versatile innovation that can open up learning by disrupting static intellectual property (IP), publishing and funding regimes.
This is especially true in South Africa where, over the last decade, open education advocates have been making the case for greater OER engagement at national higher education institutions (HEIs) (Hodgkinson-Williams & Arinto 2017). They have made the case that OER can reduce education costs for students, increase resource relevance in the South African context and increase collaborative opportunities between educators and students (Masuku et al. 2021).
Open Educational Resources Funding: Opening Higher Education in South Africa through OER Small Grants
Authors: Maake-Malatji Mahlatse 
Published: May 2022

Most South African higher education students face a persistent challenge regarding their learning materials’ cost, relevance and comprehensibility. Their prescribed textbooks are usually expensive, authored in the Global North, and written in English, which is often students’ second or third language.This can exacerbate long-standing economic, epistemological and linguistic inequalities.
One response has been for local educators to explore the potential of open educational resources (OER) to mitigate, if not overcome, these challenges for their students. But how would OER do that?
Innovative Leadership: Opening Post-School Education in South Africa through Enabling Early e-Learning Adoption
Authors: Raban Mukhtar 
Published: May 2022

Since the rise of the computer and the internet, technology-enhanced learning (TEL) has gradually become a more prominent part of the post-school education and training sector (Gaebel et al. 2014; Kanuka 2008). Interest in TEL dramatically rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but even preceding the lockdowns, e-learning offerings were already increasing at a rate of 15% per year worldwide (Alqahtani & Rajkhan 2020). TEL and online learning in general were becoming more commonplace, both as a substitute for, or complement to, face-to-face learning and teaching.
In South Africa, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has called for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to widen flexible access to learning by varying their modes of delivery to include e-learning and blended learning so as to become more open, accessible and inclusive (DHET 2013, 2017). In response, many of the 50 colleges in the TVET sector have sought to increase the range and diversity of e-learning experiences within their various programmes.
Working Towards Open: Opening Post-School Education in South Africa through Alternative Access Routes
Authors: Dhurumraj Thasmai , Govender Shanali C. 
Published: May 2022

One of the primary objectives of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is to improve access to higher education opportunities for those who have not been able to continue studying since leaving high school.
There are numerous reasons – financial, linguistic, personal, social, developmental, geographic, familial, health-related – why an aspiring student might not be able to access higher education studies, but perhaps the most common reason is academic, that they failed to obtain a high enough matric result to study at a public higher education institution (HEI).
Work Integrated Learning: Opening Educator Professional Learning and Development in the TVET Sector
Authors: Govender Shanali C , Dhurumraj Tashmai 
Published: May 2022

For the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector to thrive in South Africa, TVET colleges need passionate, professional and appropriately qualified lecturers to educate their students. Yet while many lecturers have the passion for their work, far too few have the academic qualifications or industry experience to make TVET education as valuable an experience as it could be for students (Olowoyo et al. 2020).
Part of the reason for this is historical. At the end of apartheid, the 153 “ethnically defined” vocational colleges were rapidly merged into 50 Further Education and Training (FET) colleges (Wedekind 2016a, 2016b) – the base of our current TVET sector. This caused substantial stress for lecturers at the time (Wedekind et al. 2016). Further disputes between the then Ministries of Education and Labour for control of the colleges resulted in staff insecurity and attrition (Cosser et al. 2011) and a decline of the