bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Men’s involvement in family planning programs: An exploratory study from Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Jawaria Mukhtar , Abrejo Farina Gul , Gul Xaher , Saleem Sarah 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background:
In Pakistan, family planning has traditionally been perceived as primarily a women's concern, resulting in the exclusion of men from relevant initiatives. This situation is further exacerbated by cultural and social barriers that hinder men's access to family planning services. This study addresses a significant research gap by assessing the extent of family planning service provision for men in urban areas of Karachi. It delves into the exploration of men’s involvement in family planning service delivery, identifies existing gaps in services catering to men, records men’s perceptions of accessibility and acceptability of these services, and ultimately offers recommendations to enhance men's involvement and strengthen service provision to better meet their needs.
Methods:
We employed a qualitative exploratory research design using semi-structured interviews to investigate perceptions regarding family planning service provision to men. This approach involved 25 interviews, comprising eight key informant interviews with stakeholders, eight with service providers, and nine in-depth interviews with married men.
Results:
This study highlights the limited engagement of men in family planning programs, primarily due to entrenched sociocultural norms that confine female healthcare providers to serving women, hindering men's involvement. While national and provisional policies endorse men’s participation, they lack defined roles for male providers. Behavioral and information-sharing barriers at the community level discourage male healthcare providers from collaborating with females. Family planning programs, except for NGO-led vasectomy projects, fail to adequately address men's needs. Despite policy recognition, implementation remains inadequate. Bridging the men’s involvement gap necessitates more male providers and improved contraceptive stigma combat training. Further research is vital to explore effective methods for involving men in community and service delivery in family planning.
Conclusion:
There is a need to change the perception of contraception that it is solely the responsibility of women, as men’s participation in family planning in Karachi is limited. Engaging men can yield positive health and non-health outcomes. Culturally sensitive services, developed with community input using a couple-centered approach, are crucial for equitable family planning. Further research is needed to explore men's inclusion strategies in service provision and utilization.
Responses to the Toxic Effects of the Neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam in Oreochromis niloticus Tissues Using Multiple Biomarkers
Authors: Temiz Özge , Kargın Ferit 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at the toxicity of the synthetic organic insectisid thiamethoxam (TMX) at sublethal concentrations in the blood and kidney of Oreochromis niloticus. In the experiment, fish were exposed to 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm TMX for 7 days and divided into four groups with the control group (N = 6). By the end of the experiment, fish kidney and blood collected for biochemical analysis. The hematological profile and serum levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and cortisol, serum electrolytes (potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca+ 2)), uric acid, and urea were analyzed. Spectrophophotometric methods and ELISA techniques were used to assess the enzyme activities of ionoregulation (Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca+ 2 ATPase), acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In addition, the levels glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), DNA oxidation 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein carbonyl (PC) were detected. The results showed that parameters indicating renal function in blood samples showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in BUN, urea, uric acid creatinine and cortisol concentrations, while albumin concentration decreased in TMX exposure compared to control group. Meanwhile, the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP were significantly (p < 0.05) dose-dependently increased in fish exposed to TMX. In parallel with the decrease in blood serum Na+, K+ and Ca+ 2 ion levels, a decrease in the activity of the ionoregulation enzymes Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca+ 2 ATPase were also observed. In the TMX effect, AChE enzyme activity, the levels of GSH and stress protein HSP70 were significantly decreased in kidney tissue depending on the dose. It was determined that lipid, protein and DNA oxidation parameters, which were examined as biomolecular parameters, caused a toxic effect of TMX with a significant increase in TBARS, PC, 8-OHdG levels, respectively (p < 0.05). As a result, in our study, it was determined by many biochemical analyzes that O. niloticus caused parallel toxic effects in kidney and blood tissue in the exposure of TMX, but this effect was more toxic with increasing dose of TMX, moreover, oxidative damage, DNA oxidation, ionregulation system also affected.
The role of working time, consumption and mobility for declining German household GHG footprints: Kaya Decompositions for 2000 – 2019
Authors: Wiedenhofer Dominik , Plank Barbara , Antal Miklós 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Understanding the drivers of household footprints is crucial for measures accelerating emission reductions. Well-documented drivers are demand, energy efficiency and decarbonization of energy supply, while working time and mobility have received little attention.
Herein, German household energy and emissions footprints for 2000–2019 are investigated using Kaya Decompositions. We find that footprints are declining at -1%/year, due to improving energy efficiency and decarbonization overcompensating the growth of per-capita and per-hour incomes. GHG footprints are suggested to increase as a result of growing aggregate hours driven by increasing part-time employment while full-time employment is stable, even if falling average per-capita working time appears to have the opposite effect in the Kaya framework. Private mobility footprints decrease by -1.4%/year, driven up by growing distances, car-dominated modal splits and growing air travel, but overcompensated by improving energy efficiency, decarbonizing of mobility, slightly decreasing numbers of trips and stable expenditure on mobility.
Remaining issues are the role of work-related trips, mobility on company expenses, delivery services, transport of goods, and more differentiated analyses of working arrangements across socio-economic groups. Part-time work, which is a form of working time reduction for which assumptions of the Kaya Decomposition look fairly realistic and could be useful for a policy-mix. However macro-economic feedbacks and potentially negative social side-effects need to be addressed to design equitable policy measures.
New pyranoxanthones from the stem bark of Calophyllum soulattri Burm. F.
Authors: Lizazman Mas Atikah , Mian Vivien Jong Yi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Four new pyranoxanthones together with eight known xanthones were isolated from hexane extract of C. soulattri stem bark. Among the new compounds, three of the xanthones (1-3) are structural isomers and xanthone 4 is an angular dipyranoxanthone. The structures of compounds 1-12 were determined by 1D and 2D NMR analysis.
Prospective Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy and Emetogenic Profile of Intravenous Ibuprofen and Metamizole in the Immediate Postoperative Period of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Montero Javier Arredondo , Antona Giuseppa , Jaso Eva Murillo , Rico Patricia Unzué , Unanua Iranzu Antuñano , Martín-Calvo Nerea 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Literature comparing different alternatives for pain control in the immediate postoperative period of pediatric acute appendicitis (PAA) is scarce.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective study to compare the analgesic and emetogenic profile of ibuprofen and metamizole in the postoperative period of PAA in a sample of children operated on in 2021 in our center. Participants were recruited on arrival at the Emergency Department and histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained in all of them. Pain was evaluated every 8 hours after the surgery with validated visual analog scales ranging from 0 to 10 points. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the evolution of pain in the 48 hours after surgery between the two groups.
RESULTS
The sample included 95 patients (65% males) with a mean age of 9.7 years (sd: 3.14). 41 patients were treated with Ibuprofen (group 1) and 54 with metamizole (group 2). No significant differences were found in the level of pain either in the comparisons of point measurements or in its evolution in the 48 hours after surgery (p = 0.58). After adjusting for the received fluid therapy, children in the metamizole group had significantly more emetic episodes and needed significantly more doses of ondansetron. No differences were observed between groups in relation to the need of opioids, problems associated with venous catheterization or mean days of admission.
CONCLUSIONS
In our cohort, ibuprofen had a similar analgesic efficacy and a better emetogenic profile than metamizole in the immediate postoperative period of PAA. Future prospective, adequately controlled studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.
Involving citizens in monitoring the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Authors: Danielsen Finn , Ali Natasha , Andrianandrasana Herizo , Baquero Andrea , Basilius Umai , Constantino Pedro , Frederiksen Per Ole , Isaac Max , Jakobsen PâviâraK , Klimmek Helen , Mapendembe Abisha , Meng Han , Moul Katherine , Oliva Maria Julia , Schmidt-Vogt Dietrich , Sophat Seak , Sulyandziga Rodion , Burgess Neil 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and its monitoring framework, aims to reverse the decline of nature. The GBF tasks governments to report progress towards 23 targets and four goals. The monitoring framework ”Invites Parties and relevant organizations to support community-based monitoring and information systems and citizen science”. We assessed how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), and citizen- and professional-scientists, can monitor the GBF. Of 365 indicators, 110 (30%) can involve IPLCs and citizen scientists, 184 (50%) could benefit from IPLC and citizen scientist involvement in data collection, and 181 (50%) require scientists and governmental statistical organizations. Seventeen headline indicators from 12 GBF targets are amenable to citizen monitoring, lower than the Aichi Targets, or other multilateral environment agreements, largely because 196 indicators are analytically complex (54%) and 175 require a legislative overview (48%). Further involving citizens in the GBF would progress environmental conservation.
Monitoring memory B cells by next generation ImmunoSpot® provides insights into humoral immunity that measurements of circulating antibodies do not reveal
Authors: Kirchenbaum Greg A. , Becza Noémi , Lehmann Paul V. , Valente Alexis V. , Wang Junbo , Liu Zhigang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Memory B cells (Bmem) provide the second wall of adaptive humoral host defense upon specific antigen rechallenge when the first wall, consisting of pre-formed antibodies originating from a preceding antibody response, fails. This is the case, as recently experienced with SARS-CoV-2 infections and previously with seasonal influenza, when levels of neutralizing antibodies decline or when variant viruses arise that evade such. While in these instances reinfection can occur, in both scenarios, the rapid engagement of preexisting Bmem into the recall response can still confer immune protection. Bmem are known to play a critical role in host defense, yet their assessment has not become part of the standard immune monitoring repertoire. Here we describe a new generation of B cell ELISPOT/FluoroSpot (collectively ImmunoSpot®) approaches suited to dissect, at single-cell resolution, the Bmem repertoire ex vivo, revealing its immunoglobulin class/subclass utilization, and its affinity distribution for the original, and for variant viruses/antigens. Because such comprehensive B cell ImmunoSpot® tests can be performed with minimal cell material, are scalable, and robust, they promise to be well-suited for routine immune monitoring.
Assessing the affinity spectrum of the antigen-specific B cell repertoire via ImmunoSpot®
Authors: Kirchenbaum Greg A. , Becza Noémi , Liu Zhigang , Chepke Jack , Gao Xing-Huang , Lehmann Paul V. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The affinity distribution of the antigen-specific memory B cell (Bmem) repertoire in the body is a critical variable that defines an individual’s ability to rapidly generate high affinity protective antibody specificities. Detailed measurement of antibody affinity so far has largely been confined to studies of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and are laborious, since each individual mAb needs to be evaluated in isolation. Here, we introduce two variants of the B cell ImmunoSpot® assay that are suitable for simultaneously assessing the affinity distribution of hundreds of individual B cells within a test sample, at single-cell resolution, using relatively little labor and with high-throughput capacity. First, we experimentally validated that both ImmunoSpot® assay variants are suitable for establishing functional affinity hierarchies using B cell hybridoma lines as model antibody-secreting cells (ASC), each producing mAb with known affinity for a defined antigen. We then leveraged both ImmunoSpot® variants for characterizing the affinity distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific ASC in PBMC following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Such ImmunoSpot® assays promise to offer tremendous value for future B cell immune monitoring efforts owing to their ease of implementation, applicability to essentially any antigenic system, economy of PBMC utilization, high-throughput capacity, and suitability for regulated testing.
A leap forward in green photochemistry: singlet fission in water solution
Authors: Magne Chloe , Streckaite Simona , Domínguez-Ojeda Eduardo , Echeverri Andrea , Brigiano Flavio Siro , Ha-Thi Minh-Huong , Fanckevičius Marius , Jašinskas Vidmantas , Quaranta Annamaria , Pascal Andrew A. , Pino Thomas , Robert Bruno , Contreras-García Julia , Finkelstein-Shapiro Daniel , Gulbinas Vidmantas , Llansola-Portoles Manuel J. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We provide the first direct evidence of singlet fission occurring with water-soluble compounds. Perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic forms dynamic oligomers in aqueous solution, with lifetimes long enough to allow intermolecular processes such as singlet fission. As these are transient oligomers rather than large, stable aggregates, they retain a significant degree of disorder. We performed a comprehensive analysis of such dynamic assemblies using time-resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and theoretical modelling, allowing us to observe the characteristic signatures of singlet fission and develop a model to explain the different species observed. Our findings reveal that the twist and tilt angles between perylenes are key in favoring either singlet fission or charge separation. The efficiency of triplet formation is higher than 100% and the disordered system leads to triplets living in the nanosecond time range.
Characterization of carotenoids, proximal analysis, phenolic compounds, anthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity of an underutilized tuber (Tropaeolum tuberosum) from Bolivia
Authors: Castañeta Grover , Miranda-Flores Daniela , Bascopé Marcelo , Peñarrieta J. Mauricio 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The tubers of Tropaeolum tuberosum, locally known as Isaño and native to the Andean region of South America, have been known since ancient times for their multiple uses in the Bolivian population. They are used both as food in various preparations and in traditional medicine. In this investigation, we report the study of three Isaño cultivars currently consumed in Bolivia. We determined their proximal composition, characterized carotenoids, determined antioxidant capacity, measured total phenols and total flavonoids, and quantified the major polyphenols. The results show that, apart from being a source of important nutrients such as proteins, Bolivian Isaño is a source of antioxidants and has a higher concentration of flavonoids and anthocyanidins, particularly in the purple cultivar. Additionally, we identified the presence of three carotenoids in this food for the first time: Lutein, Neoxanthin, and β-carotene. Through these types of studies, we aim to revalue this food, which is little known both in Bolivia and outside the Andean region of South America. Considering its nutritional properties, we seek to increase its consumption.
Application of optimized CNN algorithm in landslide boundary detection
Authors: Wang Lili , Qiao Yun 
Published: October 2023

Landslide, as a natural geological phenomenon with great harm, seriously threatens human social activities and life safety. It has a variety of latent and immeasurable destructiveness, which has a significant impact on the economic losses in rural areas. Therefore, it is urgent to take measures to accurately identify landslides to reduce their negative impacts. However, traditional manual visual interpretation has been unable to meet the current needs for emergency rescue of landslides, so computer intelligent methods have been paid attention to. This study proposes a new recognition network to address the problem of low accuracy of intelligent landslide boundary recognition methods. Firstly, the experiment incorporated boundary structure information into the Full Convolutional Network (FCN) for optimization, and constructed an Improved Full Convolutional Network (IFCN) model to better achieve image reconstruction. After that, Attention Mechanism (AM) is further introduced to achieve accurate detection of landslide boundaries in images, namely the IFCN-AM model. The attention mechanism introduced include spatial attention mechanism and multi-channel attention mechanism. Both are responsible for enhancing the language representation ability of the model and aggregating the interrelated features between different channels. The experimental results show that IFCN-AM has a 3 % to 7 % improvement in accuracy, recall, F1 value, and MIoU value.
Evaluating hydroelectric potential in Alaknanda basin, Uttarakhand using the snowmelt runoff model (SRM)
Authors: Rautela Kuldeep Singh , Kumar Dilip , Gandhi Bandaru Goutham Rajeev , Kumar Ajay , Dubey Amit Kumar , Khati Bhishm Singh 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Hydropower is one of the best renewable energy sources to meet India's rapidly growing energy demand. The Remote Sensing and GIS tools provide reliable information for assessing the available water of the Himalayan rivers. In this study, the basin is divided into 12 elevation zones, and temperature and precipitation were extrapolated within these zones. The MODIS (Terra&Aqua) cloud-free images have been used for mapping the Snow Cover Area and it was found that the SCA will vary from 18–72 % during the simulation period. The model simulation period is divided into calibration (2003–2015) and validation (2016–2019). During the study, it was observed that the model efficiency parameters significantly exceeded the acceptable range. In this study, the snowmelt's contribution increases until zone 8; after this, the snowmelt contribution decreases, and the snow accumulation increases. Also, the Hydro-Electric Power (HEP) generation of the basin is modeled with the help of a power equation for a turbine efficiency of 0.8. The simulation of daily streamflow and generated HEP are compared with the measured values, and both tracked the observed pattern very precisely. The findings of the present study will be implemented on the other ungauged basins and could help us to identify the potential sites for HEP with the help of RS and GIS tools.
Pengaruh Rasio Keuangan terhadap Financial Distress Perusahaan Makanan dan Minuman di Indonesia Sebelum dan Saat Covid-19
Authors: Anisa Shindi , Shafitranata Shafitranata , Azizah MT Rahmawati , Octavia Ria 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTThe aim of the research was to analyze the effect of liquidity, leverage, profitability, and activity on the financial distress of food and beverage companies before and during Covid-19. The data used is secondary data in the form of audited financial statements for 2017-2021. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. This research uses descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The analytical tools used are multiple linear regression (CR, DER, ROA, TATO, Altman Z Score), normality test and paired sample t-test. The results of this study indicate that liquidity, leverage, and activity have a significant effect on financial distress, while profitability has no effect and is not significant to financial distress, and there are differences in financial ratios on financial distress before and during Covid-19. Companies need to implement operational cost efficiency and debt management strategies.Keywords: Liquidity, Leverage, Profitability, Activity, Financial DistressABSTRAKTujuan penelitian adalah menganalisis pengaruh likuiditas, leverage, profitabilitas, dan aktivitas terhadap financial distress perusahaan makanan dan minuman sebelum dan saat Covid-19. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder berupa laporan keuangan audited Tahun 2017-2021. Teknik pengambilan sampel adalah purposive sampling. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Alat analisis yang digunakan berupa regresi linier berganda (CR, DR, ROA, TATO, Altman Z Score), Uji Normalitas dan paired sample t-test. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa likuiditas, leverage, dan aktivitas berpengaruh signifikan terhadap financial distress, sedangkan profitabilitas tidak berpengaruh dan tidak signifikan terhadap financial distress, dan terdapat perbedaan rasio keuangan terhadap financial distress sebelum dan saat Covid-19. Perusahaan perlu melaksanakan strategi biaya operasional dan manajemen utang.Kata Kunci: Likuiditas, Leverage, Profitabilitas, Aktivitas, Financial Distress