Providers’ Effective Approach: Reducing Resistance to Insulin Treatment in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Hyperglycemia

Resistance to insulin therapy is primarily due to emotional and intellectual perceptions among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) new to insulin therapy. Providers’ effective approach to diabetes education equips patients with knowledge, which can reduce resistance to insulin therapy. This project included patients with T2D between the ages of 18 to 70 whose glycated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) was ≥ 8.5% taking two or more oral antidiabetic agents and not on insulin therapy. Data were collected using the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS), a 20-item instrument that contains 16 negative and four positive statements that appraise an individual’s perception of insulin treatment. Each statement is rated using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze collected ITAS data. A paired samples t test was conducted to compare the ITAS scores at pre- and postimplementation. The goal was to reduce the overall mean ITAS score, which would indicate a more positive appraisal of insulin. There was a statistically significant decline in ITAS scores from pre- to post-, t(44) = 1.99, p = .048. Clinical significance was also supported by the decline in ITAS scores, which indicate a more positive appraisal of insulin after the implementation. The reliability and internal consistency were conducted using Cronbach’s alpha, and the findings showed an α = .702 for the presurvey scores and α = .730 for postsurvey scores, which fall into the “good” reliability. The project manager recommended that providers engage with their patients and evaluate all barriers to insulin therapy. Keywords: type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy resistance, insulin reluctance, suboptimal glycemi

Multidimentional and Multi-Parameter Fortran-Based Curve Fitting Tools

The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm has become a popular method in nonlinear curve fitting works. In this paper, following the steps of Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, we extend the framework of the algorithm to two and three dimensional real and complex functions. This work briefly describes the mathematics behind the algorithm, and also elaborates how to implement it using FORTRAN 95 programming language. The advantage of this algorithm, when it is extended to surfaces and complex functions, is that it makes researchers to have a better trust during fitting. It also improves the generalization and predictive performance of 2D and 3D real and complex functions. Keywords: Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, Nonlinear curve fitting and Least square fitting technique

Using a Participatory Stakeholder Process to Plan Water Development in Koraro, Ethiopia

This article reports the results of a one-day participatory workshop in Koraro, Ethiopia conducted prior to major development interventions in the region. The methodology of the workshop, structured to generate data useful for understanding the physical and social systems integral to water resources planning, provides a framework for future water need explorations in similar settings in Ethiopia and elsewhere. The use of only improved water sources as a metric for access to water under-represents the situation in Koraro, as many rely on streambeds for water due to the perceived cleanliness and low salinity of this unimproved water source. The reliance on metrics common in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, such as a minimum distance to a water source and the categorization of potable water based on type of water source, using varying figures (from as many as 30 to as few as four) can lead to assessments regarding the amount of additional sources necessary to allow access to specific locales, that are not consistent with actual need. Since the workshop, the Millennium Village Project has constructed over 30 wells in the region, following the most commonly used distance and source type metrics with less than desirable results. The water access evaluations alone do not address the needs of Koraro residents

Volatile profile of green coffee beans from Coffea arabica L. plants grown at different altitudes in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT. This study was aimed to identify volatile compounds of 31 green coffee bean samples and evalute their correlation with altitude of the coffee plants grown in two zones (Gedeo and Jimma) in Ethiopia. A total of 81 different compounds were detected. The contents of dominant volatile compounds in green coffee beans were in the range: trans-linalooloxide (3.24⎯19.13%), linalool (1.56⎯21.76%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (2.34⎯15.08%) and cis-linalooloxide (1.03⎯13.27%). In addition, benzene acetaldehyde (0.45⎯10.97%), 2-heptanol (0.67⎯8.49%), ⍺-terpineol (0.64⎯6.52%), phenylethyl alcohol (0.44⎯4.98%) and furfural (0.92⎯5.3%) were the next dominant compounds. The volatile compounds identified in the green coffee beans are groups of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines, pyridines, and furans. The volatile compounds in green coffee beans showed either weak positive or weak negative correlation with the altitude of coffee plants indicating that variation in altitude of the coffee plants does not significantly influence the volative compounds of green coffee beans.               KEY WORDS: Coffea arabica L., Coffee plants, Green coffee beans, Volatile compounds, Effect of altitudes, Heterocyclic compounds Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(3), 401-413.   DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i3.

Early Childhood between a Rock and a Hard Place: Early Childhood Education and Students’ Disruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Looking through the lens of ecological system theory, this paper used a mixed-method approach, based on 20 interviews and 208 Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher questionnaires, to elaborate the position of ECE in Pakistan. The study indicates that ECE is between a rock and a hard place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The findings further show that ECE is provided by less qualified and inexperienced teachers, who give less attention to the physical and psychological needs of the students. The classrooms are overcrowded and lack relevant teaching–learning materials. Moreover, the single-teacher policy and overcrowded classrooms hinder students’ motivation, the delivery of quality education and the development of good behaviors. These challenges are also the main causes of students’ dropouts. This paper increases people’s understanding of ECE and its challenges in Pakistan. For ECE development, the paper recommends separating ECE from primary schools and giving it a budget to purchase adequate and relevant resources

Teaching Global Citizenship in a Muslim-Majority Country: Perspectives of Teachers from the Religious, National, and International Education Sectors in Pakistan

Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country, and religion plays a great role in the life of society. This study examines how teachers from the religious, national, and international education sectors realize the concept of global citizenship education (GCE) in Pakistan. Based on 24 semi-structured interviews, this study found differences among the teachers’ understandings of the concept of GCE and its characteristics. Teachers from the national and religious curriculum sectors viewed GCE as a threat to Islamic values, whereas those from the international curriculum sector regarded GCE as an opportunity for improving the economic development and image of Pakistan. Moreover, the teachers from the religious sector argued for the cultivation of Islamic identity instead of GCE. However, the teachers from the national curriculum sector noted the economic benefits of GCE and were keen on global citizenship principles that do not conflict with national and Islamic values. The different perceptions held by teachers from the three educational sectors indicate the need for more work on GCE to narrow the conflicting agendas and broaden the understandings within Pakistani society. Creating common ideas within these different sectors of education is significant for developing sustainable peace within the divided society

Historical land degradation strongly influences soil geography : a case in Ethiopia’s mountains

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Online Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic: Teachers’ Experiences from a Chinese University

This paper explores the experiences of Chinese university teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the teaching and learning methods adopted and the benefits and challenges encountered in the process. It is based on semi-structured interviews with 13 Chinese university teachers selected through purposive sampling. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the university and teachers to adopt online teaching and learning without necessary preparations. Most of the teachers had no adequate ICT and pedagogical training to engage in online teaching and learning. The teachers used the little knowledge they had to learn creating videos and managing online classes gradually. In addition to the flexibility benefits, online learning is expected to transform the teaching and learning process in China to become more interactive and student-centered, which would be a significant achievement for teachers who have been practicing traditional teaching methods. This research provides a better understanding of the benefits and challenges of online learning, which could be vital for future adjustments or educational reforms

COVID-19 lockdown and natural resources: a global assessment on the challenges, opportunities, and the way forward

Background: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has an enormous effect on human lives and the global environment. This review aimed to assess the global scientific evidence on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on natural resources using international databases and search engines. Thus, the unprecedented anthropause due to COVID-19 has positive and negative effects on natural resources. Main body This review showed that the unprecedented pandemic lockdown events brought a negative impact on the physical environment, including pollution associated with a drastic increase in person protective equipment, deforestation, illegal poaching and logging, overfishing, disruption of the conservation program and projects. It is noted that the spread of pandemic diseases could be aggravated by environmental pollution and a rapid increase in the global population. Despite these negative impacts of COVID-19, the anthropause appear to have also several positive effects on natural resources such as short term reduction of indoor and outdoor environmental pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and CO2), reduction in noise pollutions from ships, boats, vehicles, and planes which have positive effects on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, birds behaviour, wildlife biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. Conclusion Therefore, governments and scientific communities across the globe have called for a green recovery to COVID-19 and implement multi-actor interventions and environmentally friendly technologies to improve and safeguard sustainable environmental and biodiversity management and halt the next pandemic