bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modern contraceptives use among women in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
Authors: David Imba Alex , Otte Ambayo Peter , Ratib Mawa , Loponi Lou Eluzai 
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The South Sudan health sector strategic plan indicates that only 1.2% of women aged 15-49 years have their need for family planning met, and the contraceptive prevalence rate of 6% is lower than the rate of 17% in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. The use of modern contraceptives contributes to women’s health and reduces maternal mortality related to pregnancy and childbirth complications globally. The study investigated the utilization of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Terekeka County of South Sudan.
Method: We employed cross-sectional, qualitative, and quantitative research involving in-depth interviews with key informants. Respondents were selected purposively and through a multistage random sampling technique. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.
Results: There were 384 respondents. The results indicate that 21.4% of the women use modern contraceptives. Demographic factors such as education, religion, marital status, knowledge, access to contraceptive information, and partner support are positively associated with the use of modern contraceptives in Terekeka County.
Conclusion: We conclude that if all WRA had access to education and family planning information, many would use modern contraceptives. The study recommends more studies to explore the use of modern contraceptives in the whole country.
Molecular docking simulation of Bioactive Compounds from Curcuma longa against Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Mbise Alex J. , Kanaka Rao Pulapa V. , Stanley F.M. 
Published: December 2024

Peptic ulcers are open sores that form on the lining of the stomach and upper small intestine and the primary causative pathogen is Helicobacter pylori. In this research, the inhibitory activities of bioactive compounds from Curcuma longa, against H. pylori (8H52) were studied. Eighty-three significant bioactive compounds were selected from the Zinc database and were initially screened using absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties based on compliance with the Pfizer rule. Molecular docking studies were carried out with specific docking site dimensions of values x: -37.3658, y: -4.1028, and z: -22.8563, to identify the binding affinities and interactions. Ten phytoconstituents scored binding affinities between -7.8 and -10.1 kcal/mol. When compared to the control drug omeprazole (-8.8 kcal/mol), the compounds curcumin pyrazole (-10 kcal/mol), 4'-O-methylcatechin (-9.5 kcal/mol), and curcumin (-9.3 kcal/mol) displayed significant binding affinities and good interactions with alanine, valine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid amino acids respectively forming H-bonds with the phytochemicals. These results indicate that curcumin pyrazole, 4'-O-methylcatechin, and curcumin from C. longa can be used as potential inhibitors for H. pylori against peptic ulcers with no adverse effects.
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Peptic ulcers; Bioactive compounds; Molecular docking; Curcumin pyrazole
Fixed Point Theorems and Sensitivity Analysis in Solving Nonlinear Matrix Equations: A Study Involving Partially Ordered Sets
Authors: Chacha Chacha Stephen 
Published: December 2024

Nonlinear matrix equations of the form , where represents an unknown matrix, and and are given square matrices, are encountered in various fields. Understanding the characteristics and behaviour of these equations is essential for developing efficient computational methods and obtaining reliable solutions. This paper explores the use of partially ordered sets within fixed point schemes to solve the targeted equations. Furthermore, it derives perturbation estimates of the solutions and evaluates them computationally. Finally, the numerical simulations are provided to validate our theoretical claims and affirm the effectiveness of the proposed fixed-point scheme.
Keywords: Fixed point, partially ordered sets, Nonlinear matrix equation, Positive definite solution, Perturbation
A Mathematical Model for Malaria Transmission Dynamics in the Population with Different Immune Status
Authors: Mbugi Neema S. , Irunde Jacob I. , Mwasunda Joshua A. , Kiware Samson 
Published: December 2024

Malaria is a febrile illness affecting a large population worldwide. Even though malaria is curable and preventable it continues to pose a significant health risk, economic effects, and social effects in the population. This study formulates a mathematical model to study the transmission dynamics of malaria in a population with different immune status. By dividing the population based on immune status, the model provides insights into how immunity influences the interaction between hosts and malaria parasites, particularly in terms of infection rates, immune responses, and propose appropriate control for effective elimination. The basic reproduction number is computed using the next-generation matrix approach. The analysis shows that the model can undergo forward bifurcation when the basic reproduction number , thus, the condition of necessary and sufficient for malaria elimination. The numerical simulation results indicate that non-immune individuals play a more significant role in malaria transmission compared to semi-immune individuals. This is because non-immune individuals, lacking strong immunity, are more susceptible to malaria infection. Moreover, the results highlight the effect of mosquito biting rates on the susceptible and infectious population. The findings underscore the importance of considering immune heterogeneity within the population when developing strategies to control and eventually eradicate malaria.
Evangelho da Criação à luz da ecologia integral
Authors: Marques Mariosan de Sousa 
Published: December 2024

Este artigo explora a relação entre teologia bíblica e a crise ecológica contemporânea à luz das contribuições exegéticas e da encíclica Laudato Si’ do Papa Francisco. A temática central, que vincula a interpretação dos textos de Gênesis à noção de ecologia integral, é de grande relevância, dado o crescente reconhecimento da crise ambiental como uma questão teológica e ética. A partir de análises comparativas entre os textos bíblicos e as mitologias do Antigo Oriente Próximo, bem como por meio da crítica das fontes e de abordagens sincrônicas da narrativa de criação, o artigo investiga como a tradição judaico-cristã oferece elementos que podem contribuir para uma reconfiguração dos atuais paradigmas de exploração ambiental. Os principais pontos abordados incluem: a adaptação e transformação de conceitos culturais e religiosos do entorno de Israel em seus relatos de criação; a crítica das fontes que diferencia as tradições redacionais sacerdotais e javistas, evidenciando como essas camadas literárias refletem contextos históricos específicos e se relacionam com o cuidado da criação, e a análise sincrônica que destaca a coesão entre Gênesis 1 e 2-3, propondo uma leitura que enfatiza a responsabilidade humana em relação ao mundo natural. O método de pesquisa utilizado combina a análise exegética, centrada nas abordagens comparativa, diacrônica e sincrônica dos textos bíblicos, com a reflexão teológica baseada na Laudato Si’, integrando aspectos sociais, culturais e espirituais. Ao comparar as diferentes tradições literárias e interpretar o conceito bíblico de “domínio” e “imagem de Deus” à luz da ecologia contemporânea, o artigo busca proporcionar uma releitura dos textos bíblicos que possa dialogar com os desafios ambientais atuais. Na conclusão, argumenta-se que essas abordagens exegéticas, ao ressignificarem a relação entre Deus, a humanidade e a criação, oferecem uma base teológica sólida para uma ética ecológica que não apenas protege o meio ambiente, mas também promove justiça social e espiritual. Dessa forma, os relatos bíblicos de criação, reinterpretados à luz da Laudato Si’, se revelam ferramentas valiosas para a construção de uma consciência ecológica integral.
Effectiveness of IEC on the Care of Pregnant Women and Children During the First 1000 Days of Life in Reducing the Prevalence of Stunting in Simoro Village, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi
Authors: Nur Rosmala , Rau Muh Jusman , Larasati Rahma Dwi , Laba Stefiani Bengan , H Muh Rusydi , Rahmawati Rahmawati , Jamaluddin Jamaluddin , Badollahi Muh Zainuddin 
Published: December 2024

Backgrounds: The prevalence of stunting in Central Sulawesi remains high at 27.2%, surpassing the national prevalence of stunting. In Sigi Regency, the prevalence of stunting reaches 26.4% (1). This figure is still far from the Indonesian presidential target of reducing stunting prevalence to 14% by 2024. One strategy to reduce stunting is to carry out applied research aimed at increasing mothers' knowledge and attitudes about the first 1000 days of life. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) programs on the care of pregnant women and children during the first 1000 days of life, including antenatal care (ANC) visits, iron (Fe) tablet supplementation, colostrum provision, exclusive breastfeeding, and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years, on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of respondents. Method: This pre-experimental research used a one-group pretest-posttest design and was carried out in Simoro Village, Sigi Regency, from June to July 2024. The research population included all pregnant women and mothers of children under two years (Baduta) in the area. A sample of 40 respondents was selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The IEC intervention on the first 1000 days of life used lectures, question-and-answer sessions, demonstrations, and leaflets. Pretests and posttests were administered using questionnaires to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the respondents regarding the first 1000 days of life. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The Wilcoxon test results showed significant improvements in the knowledge (p = 0.002), attitudes (p = 0.008), and behaviors (p = 0.037) of the respondents. Conclusion: The IEC intervention on the care of pregnant women and children during the first 1000 days of life positively influenced the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the respondents. Routine IEC activities using varied methods should be carried out to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pregnant women and mothers of children under two years (Baduta) as a strategy to prevent stunting.
Aplicabilidad de la metodología “learning-by-doing” en el proceso de aprendizaje de las ciencias empresariales y turísticas universitarias
Authors: Castillo Montenegro Edilberta , Martinez Moreno Jorge Antonio 
Published: December 2024

El presente estudio enfatiza la importancia que tiene la incorporación de metodologías activas -dinámicas, innovadoras y flexibles- que puedan contribuir al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los estudiantes de las ciencias empresariales y turísticas. Hoy, se exige una formación universitaria integral y dinámica, que permita al estudiante enfrentar retos y desafíos. Es por ello, que se pretendió resaltar la importancia de incorporar la Metodología “Aprender-Haciendo” (Learning-by-Doing) con el propósito de que sean incorporada y desarrollada en el proceso educativo universitario de las ciencias empresariales y turísticas, para así, fortalecer el trabajo en equipo, la creatividad, integralidad, el pensamiento crítico, innovación y garantizar el espíritu emprendedor en los estudiantes. El análisis, basado en un enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo y explicativo, incluyó un escenario, en donde participaron 35 docentes de la Escuela de Administración de Empresas (Departamento de la Empresa y su Organización y Departamento de Empresas Turísticas Bilingüe). Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la incorporación de metodologías y estrategias activas garantizan efectividad, optimización y competitividad al desarrollar competencias para enfrentar las problemáticas circundantes y empresariales en mundo cambiante y tecnológico del siglo XXI.
Aplicaciones móviles para el fomento de la cultura digital en el sector turistico de Panamá
Authors: Brenes Samaniego María Alexandra , Martínez Serafina 
Published: December 2024

El ensayo bibliográfico que se presenta tiene como objetivo analizar las aplicaciones móviles (Apps) para el fomento de la cultura digital en el sector turístico de Panamá. Las Apps son herramientas diseñadas para funcionar desde dispositivos móviles cono smartphones y tabletas para ayudar a los usuarios a realizar tareas específicas, ya sean de carácter profesional, recreativo o informativo. En el contexto del turismo panameño las aplicaciones móviles tienen varios fines: facilitan la planificación de viajes, ofrecen datos actualizados sobre destinos en tiempo real, mejoran la experiencia del usuario, fomentan la conectividad entre turistas y proveedores de servicios, así como en los propios viajeros. Se realizó una revisión documental para analizar varios factores como la accesibilidad, eficiencia, innovación y sostenibilidad. Entre las conclusiones se tiene que las aplicaciones móviles no solo mejoran la experiencia cultural del visitante, sino que también contribuyen al desarrollo económico y social de las comunidades locales panameñas.
Occupational Performance Coaching on Health Self-Care Behavior and Activity Participation for Adults With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ahmadizadeh Zahra , Shanbehzadeh Sanaz , Taghavi Sepideh , Kessler Dorothy , Khaleghparast Shiva , Akbarfahimi Malahat 
Published: December 2024

Importance: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience restrictions in their activity participation. Health self-care behavior (HSCB) among patients with HF is an essential component of managing HF symptoms.
Objective: To assess the effect of occupational performance coaching (OPC) on improving activity participation and HSCB among patients with HF.
Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Outpatient HF clinic in Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical & Research Center (Tehran, Iran).
Participants: Forty-four adults with HF randomized into two groups (1:1 ratio).
Outcomes and Measures: All participants received the usual health self-care education, and the intervention group also received eight weekly sessions of the OPC intervention. HSCB and activity participation were the primary outcomes. Primary outcomes and secondary outcomes (depression, quality of life, self-efficacy, cognitive level, fatigue, social support, functional capacity, and activities of daily living) were collected at baseline and 8 and 12 wk postintervention.
Results: The results of two-way repeated-measures analysis of covariance for three assessment time points with the primary and secondary outcomes showed a significant improvement in primary outcomes and depression (p &lt; .05) among the intervention group. There were no significant between-groups differences in the other outcomes (p &gt; .05).
Conclusions and Relevance: These findings indicate that an 8-wk OPC intervention could enhance HSCB and activity participation and reduce depression among patients with HF. Therefore, integrating OPC into standard care may improve the well-being of patients with HF. Moreover, the results suggest that the participation-based interventions have the potential to enhance HSCB among HF patients.
Plain-Language Summary: Occupational performance coaching (OPC) is a client-centered occupational therapy intervention designed to enhance behavior change and activity participation by promoting the development of healthy habits and routines. This study presents important insights into the impact of the OPC intervention on patients with heart failure (HF). Our findings indicate that the OPC intervention can significantly improve health self-care behavior, increase participation, and reduce depression among HF patients.
Constructing Accessible Technology Policy in a University Setting During COVID
Authors: Rode Jennifer , Littlejohn Allison 
Published: December 2024

The University College London’s Moving to Online Teaching and Homeworking (MOTH) project used this data to mobile and advocate for improved accessibility in remote meetings during the pandemic. We conducted a survey running from March to June 2020 with UCL’s staff. As part of the survey, staff who took part in teaching and research shared challenges and opportunities, as well as images that communicated their experience. The focus of our study was on how working from home impacted teaching and research, rather than asking staff members to report on their disability. Nonetheless, many staff members took the opportunity to write comments regarding disability implications in our open-ended qualitative questions. From the responses, it was clear that disabled people experience both challenges and opportunities from working at home. This paper reports that data and discusses the rapid responses to disseminate the data and make recommendations to ameliorate the situation. Rather than using a top-down approach led by literature, we worked with disabled activists as part of UCL’s Disability Equality Steering Group to act on the findings based on lived experience. We present our data and recommendations here modeling best practices for acting on research findings led by the disabled community in the spirit of “nothing about us without us”.
Spatial, temporal, and meteorological impact of the 26 February 2023 dust storm: increase in particulate matter concentrations across New Mexico and West Texas
Authors: Robinson Mary C. , Schueth Kaitlin , Ardon-Dryer Karin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. The southwestern portions of the United States experience dust events frequently due to arid and semi-arid environments and close proximity to multiple deserts. On 26 February 2023, a dust event was initiated in New Mexico due to strong winds aloft mixing down to the surface. The dust intensified as it moved eastward into West Texas and developed into a dust storm (visibility <1 km) for multiple locations. This study examined the meteorological characteristics of this dust storm using 28 meteorological stations and examined the impacts on PM2.5 and/or PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 and 10 µm) concentrations using 19 air quality stations. The dust event lasted up to ∼16 h; dust storm conditions lasted from 5 to 120 min. The highest wind speed and wind gust recorded during the dust episode were 27 and 37 m s−1, respectively. This dust had a strong impact on the air quality in the area, as very high PM values were recorded across the region, and nine of the PM stations exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) daily threshold. The maximum hourly PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations recorded were 518 and 9983 µg m−3, respectively. These concentrations at the peak of the dust were an order of magnitude higher than the minimum hourly PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations recorded on the dust day. The highest hourly PM10–PM2.5 concentration recorded was 760 ± 1000 µg m−3, while the lowest hourly PM2.5 / PM10 concentration measured was 0.05 ± 0.01.
Molecular and seasonal characteristics of organic vapors in urban Beijing: insights from Vocus-PTR measurements
Authors: An Zhaojin , Yin Rujing , Zhao Xinyan , Li Xiaoxiao , Li Yuyang , Yuan Yi , Guo Junchen , Zhao Yiqi , Li Xue , Li Dandan , Li Yaowei , Wang Dongbin , Yan Chao , He Kebin , Worsnop Douglas R. , Keutsch Frank N. , Jiang Jingkun 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. Understanding the composition and evolution of atmospheric organic vapors is crucial for exploring their impact on air quality. However, the molecular and seasonal characteristics of organic vapors in urban areas, with complex anthropogenic emissions and high variability, remain inadequately understood. In this study, we conducted measurements in urban Beijing during 2021–2022, covering four seasons, using improved proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (Vocus-PTR-MS). During the measurement period, a total of 895 peaks were observed, and 512 of them can be assigned to formulas. The contribution of CxHyOz species is most significant, composing up to 54 % of the number and 74 % of the mixing ratio of total organics. With enhanced sensitivity and mass resolution, various species with multiple oxygens (≥ 3) or at a level of sub-parts per trillion (ppt) were observed, with 44 % of the number measured at sub-ppt level and 38 % of the number containing three–eight oxygen atoms. Organic vapors with multiple oxygens mainly consist of intermediate/semi-volatile compounds, and many formulae detected were reported to be the oxidation products of various volatile organic precursors. In summer, the fast photooxidation process generated organic vapors with multiple oxygens and led to an increase in both their mixing ratio and proportion, while, in other seasons, the variations in organic vapors with multiple oxygens were closely correlated with those of organic vapors with 1–2 oxygens, which could be substantially influenced by primary emissions. Organic vapors with low oxygen content (≤ 2 oxygens) are comparable to the results obtained by traditional PTR-MS measurements in both urban Beijing and neighboring regions.
Dual-frequency (Ka-band and G-band) radar estimates of liquid water content profiles in shallow clouds
Authors: Socuellamos Juan M. , Rodriguez Monje Raquel , Lebsock Matthew D. , Cooper Ken B. , Kollias Pavlos 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. The profile of the liquid water content (LWC) in clouds provides fundamental information for understanding the internal structure of clouds, their radiative effects, propensity to precipitate, and degree of entrainment and mixing with the surrounding environment. In principle, differential absorption techniques based on coincident dual-frequency radar reflectivity observations have the potential to provide the LWC profile. Previous differential frequency radar reflectivity (DFR) efforts were challenged by the fact that the measurable differential attenuation for small quantities of LWC is usually comparable to the system measurement error. This typically renders the retrieval impractical, as the uncertainty can become many times greater than the retrieved value itself. Theoretically, this drawback can be mitigated following two interconnected approaches: (1) increasing the frequency separation between the dual-frequency radar system to measure greater differential attenuation and (2) increasing the radar operating frequency to reduce the instrument measurement random error. Our recently developed 239 GHz radar was deployed during the Eastern Pacific Cloud Aerosol Precipitation Experiment (EPCAPE) along with a variety of collocated remote sensing and in situ instruments. We have combined Ka-band (35 GHz) and G-band (239 GHz) observations to retrieve the LWC from more than 100 vertical profiles of shallow clouds with typical amounts of LWC smaller than 1 g m−3. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the Ka-band and G-band pair of frequencies offers at least a 65 % relative improvement in the LWC retrieval sensitivity compared to previous works reported in the literature using lower-frequency radars. This new technique provides a missing capability to determine the LWC in the challenging low liquid water path (LWP) range (< 200 g m−2) and suggests a way forward to characterize microphysical and dynamical processes more precisely in shallow clouds.