bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does structural form matter? A comparative analysis of pooled procurement mechanisms for health commodities
Authors: Parmaksiz Koray , van de Bovenkamp Hester , Bal Roland 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Pooled procurement can be seen as a collaboration initiative of buyers. Such mechanisms have received increased attention during the Covid-19 pandemic to improve access to affordable and quality-assured health commodities. The structural form of pooled procurement mechanisms ranges from a third-party organization that procures on behalf of its buyers to a buyer’s owned mechanism in which buyers operate more collaboratively. However, little is known about how these types of pooled procurement mechanisms differ in terms of characteristics, implementation and developmental process. To fill this gap, we compared four pooled procurement mechanisms. Two buyer’s owned mechanisms: the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Pacific Island Countries (PIC). And two third-party mechanisms: the Global Drug Facility (GDF) and the Asthma Drug Facility (ADF).

Methods
For this qualitative study, we used a multiple case-study design. The cases were purposefully selected, based on a most-similar case study design. We used the Pooled Procurement Guidance to collect data on individual cases and compared our findings between the case studies. For our analysis, we drew upon peer-reviewed academic articles, grey literature documents and 9 semi-structured interviews with procurement experts.

Results
Buyers within a buyer’s owned mechanisms differ in procurement systems, financing structures, product needs and regulatory and legal frameworks. Therefore, buyers within such mechanisms require relative alignment on motivations, goals and operations of the mechanism. Our study showed that buyers’ relative homogeneity of characteristics and their perceived urgency of the problems was particularly relevant for achieving that alignment.
Third-party organization mechanisms require less alignment and consensus-building between buyers. To participate, buyers need to align with the operations of the third-party organization, instead of other buyers. Elements that were essential for the successful implementation and operation of such mechanisms included the procurement secretariat’s ability to create local and global awareness around the problem, to induce political will to act upon the problem, to mobilize sufficient funding and to attract qualified staff.

Conclusion
To successfully sustain pooled procurement mechanisms over time, key actors should drive the mechanism through continuous and reflexive work on stakeholder engagement, mobilization of funding and alignment of interests and needs.
The relationship between creamatocrit and cumulative percentage of total milk volume: a cross-sectional study in mothers of very preterm infants in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Bowornkitiwong Walaiporn , Komoltri Chulaluk , Ngerncham Sopapan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Human hindmilk contains higher concentrations of fat than foremilk and is more desirable for growth in preterm infants who can tolerate limited volumes of breastmilk. There is currently no clear demarcation between foremilk and hindmilk. This study characterized the change in breastmilk’s fat content from the start to end of milk flow and defined this demarcation.

Methods
Mothers of infants born at ≤ 32 weeks gestational age and ≥ 14 days after childbirth in a University hospital in Bangkok, Thailand between July, 2011, and April, 2012 were included in this cross-sectional study. Breastmilk samples were sequentially collected from the start to end of milk flow in 5-mL aliquots using breast pumps. The fat content of each aliquot from each breast was determined through creamatocrit. The average creamatocrit of foremilk and hindmilk were compared in predefined foremilk to hindmilk ratios of 20:80, 25:75, 33:67, and 50:50. Creamatocrit of the first and last aliquots were compared for mothers who expressed low- (≤ 25-mL per breast) and high-volumes (> 25-mL per breast) of breastmilk.

Results
Of the 25 mothers enrolled, one was excluded due to unsuccessful creamatocrit measurement. The last aliquot of breastmilk had a significantly higher creamatocrit than the first from the same breast (median [interquartile range] of 12.7% [8.9%, 15.3%] vs. 5.6% [4.3%, 7.7%]; test statistic 1128, p < 0.001). Mean creamatocrit in hindmilk portions (9.23%, 9.35%, 9.81%, and 10.62%, respectively) was significantly higher than foremilk portions (6.28%, 6.33%, 6.72%, and 7.17%, respectively) at all predefined ratios. Creamatocrit increased by 1% for every 10% incremental increase in expressed breastmilk volume until the breast was emptied. Low-volume mothers had a significantly higher creamatocrit in the first aliquot compared with high-volume mothers (U = 437, p = 0.002). No significant difference in breastmilk volume was observed between mothers with and without breastfeeding experience.

Conclusions
Fat content in breastmilk increased on an incremental basis. More fluid definitions of foremilk and hindmilk should be adopted. Mothers should prepare their breastmilk into aliquots based on the required feeding volume of their infant. Hindmilk aliquots can be prioritized over foremilk aliquots to ensure infants obtain optimal caloric intake.
Discrimination between the effects of pulsed electrical stimulation and electrochemically conditioned medium on human osteoblasts
Authors: Bielfeldt Meike , Budde-Sagert Kai , Weis Nikolai , Buenning Maren , Staehlke Susanne , Zimmermann Julius , Arbeiter Nils , Mobini Sahba , González María Ujué , Rebl Henrike , Uhrmacher Adelinde , van Rienen Ursula , Nebe Barbara 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Electrical stimulation is used for enhanced bone fracture healing. Electrochemical processes occur during the electrical stimulation at the electrodes and influence cellular reactions. Our approach aimed to distinguish between electrochemical and electric field effects on osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. We applied 20 Hz biphasic pulses via platinum electrodes for 2 h. The electrical stimulation of the cell culture medium and subsequent application to cells was compared to directly stimulated cells. The electric field distribution was predicted using a digital twin.

Results
Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed partial electrolysis at the electrodes, which was confirmed by increased concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the medium. While both direct stimulation and AC-conditioned medium decreased cell adhesion and spreading, only the direct stimulation enhanced the intracellular calcium ions and reactive oxygen species.

Conclusion
The electrochemical by-product hydrogen peroxide is not the main contributor to the cellular effects of electrical stimulation. However, undesired effects like decreased adhesion are mediated through electrochemical products in stimulated medium. Detailed characterisation and monitoring of the stimulation set up and electrochemical reactions are necessary to find safe electrical stimulation protocols.
Evaluation of a novel surface-coating formulation with time-extended antimicrobial activity for healthcare environment disinfection
Authors: Marano Roberto Bruno Maria , Merezhko Diana , Resnick Keren Anat , Moran-Gilad Jacob , Oster Yonatan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
The importance of environmental contamination in the transmission of pathogens among hospitalized patients is universally recognized, and disinfection of surfaces is a widely accepted modality for reducing healthcare-associated infections. Nevertheless, hospital disinfection is still suboptimal. In this study, we evaluated the sustained effects of the novel formulation OxiLast™ which extends the antimicrobial effects of chlorine-based disinfectants.

Methods
In an experimental lab phase, PVC surfaces were coated with OxiLast™ and then inoculated with representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Cells were recovered at different contact times (5, 15, 30 min) to assess the reduction in bacterial counts compared to uncoated surfaces and also subject to various challenges to assess robustness. A similar methodology was then applied in an unoccupied hospital room to evaluate the sustained effect of OxiLast™ on high-touch surfaces.

Results
OxiLast™ demonstrated notable activity against the range of bacterial strains tested with ≥ 4 log10 reduction in bacterial counts observed for up to seven days following one surface application, for various strains and contact times. Similar results were observed following challenges such as simulated abrasion of coated surfaces, organic contamination or successive inoculations. The results were confirmed in a simulated patient care environment.

Conclusions
The addition of OxiLast™ to common chlorine-based disinfectants has shown a substantial and sustained reduction in bacterial pathogen counts for up to 7 days following one application. The consistent results in the laboratory and hospital are promising and should be tested in a real-life clinical scenario.
Volatile organic compounds produced by some synthetic essential oils as biological fumigants against Botrytis cinerea on apples
Authors: Karakus Sinem , Atıcı Okkes , Turan Metin , Azizi Sahar , Hajizadeh Hanifeh Seyed , Kaya Ozkan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Gray mold, attributed to Botrytis cinerea, poses a substantial threat to food security in fruit-growing regions impacted by global climate change. Addressing this disease requires the utilization of either resilient plant varieties or advanced technological interventions. In this study, the research focused on examining the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by synthetic essential oils, namely thymol, eugenol, 1,8-cineol, and their combination, as potential biological fumigants against B. cinerea on Golden Delicious apples.

Results
In this study, a total of 53 compounds were identified and categorized into six distinct classes, which included (1) terpenes, (2) esters, (3) C6 compounds, (4) alcohols, (5) acids, and (6) aldehydes. The results we obtained revealed significant variations in the volatile compounds present in apples after harvest when treated with different essential oils to combat B. cinerea. Among the VOCs found in the fruits, the most abundant ones were pentanal, nerol, and ethyl octanoate. The essential oil combination of thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol (Thy + Eug + Fun) had the most significant impact on the volatile compound content in the fruits. Conversely, both B. cinerea and the essential oils were observed to increase the volatile organic compound content in the fruits after harvest.

Conclusion
The findings from this study underscore the significance of essential oils as effective biological fumigants for countering Botrytis cinerea on apples. Furthermore, the study suggests that these essential oils have the potential to influence the composition of volatile organic compounds in postharvest apples. This research offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay between volatile organic compounds and essential oils in apples, emphasizing the critical role of essential oils in preserving fruit quality during the post-harvest period.

Graphical abstract
Reconciling opposite trends in the observed and simulated equatorial Pacific zonal sea surface temperature gradient
Authors: Bai Wenrong , Liu Hailong , Lin Pengfei , Li Xichen , Wang Fan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe reasons for large discrepancies between observations and simulations, as well as for uncertainties in projections of the equatorial Pacific zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, are controversial. We used CMIP6 models and large ensemble simulations to show that model bias and internal variabilities affected, i.e., strengthened, the SST gradient between 1981 and 2010. The underestimation of strengthened trends in the southeast trade wind belt, the insufficient cooling effect of eastern Pacific upwelling, and the excessive westward extension of the climatological cold tongue in models jointly caused a weaker SST gradient than the recent observations. The phase transformation of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) could explain ~ 51% of the observed SST gradient strengthening. After adjusting the random IPO phase to the observed IPO change, the adjusted SST gradient trends were closer to observations. We further constrained the projection of SST gradient change by using climate models’ ability to reproduce the historical SST gradient intensification or the phase of the IPO. These models suggest a weakened SST gradient in the middle of the twenty-first century.
The association between empirical dietary inflammatory pattern and colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study
Authors: Shateri Zainab , Makhtoomi Maede , Mansouri Fatemeh , Rajabzadeh-dehkordi Milad , Nouri Mehran , Rashidkhani Bahram 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iran. Inflammation plays an essential role in developing CRC. A dietary pattern called the empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) has recently been designed based on the inflammatory potential of the diet. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of EDIP on the risk of CRC.

Methods
The current case-control study was conducted on 142 controls and 71 CRC cases in three general hospitals and Hospital Cancer Organization in Tehran, Iran. We calculated EDIP by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between EDIP and CRC were evaluated by logistic regression. The level of significance was p < 0.05.

Results
The results revealed that people who were in the highest tertile of the EDIP had higher odds of CRC (in the adjusted model: odds ratio (OR) = 3.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–10.14; P = 0.011).

Conclusion
The present study demonstrated the potential role of dietary-induced inflammation in developing CRC. In the current study, an increase in the intake of red meat, processed meats, and refined grains was observed in the higher EDIP tertiles compared to the lower tertiles. Consequently, to decrease the risk of CRC, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of these foods.
Vegetarian diets and risk of all-cause mortality in a population-based prospective study in the United States
Authors: Blackie Keeley , Bobe Gerd , Takata Yumie 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe popularity of vegetarian diets has increased the need for studies on long-term health outcomes. A limited number of studies, including only one study from a non-vegetarian population, investigated the risk of mortality with self-identified vegetarianism and reported inconsistent results. This study evaluated prospective associations between vegetarian diets and all-cause mortality among 117,673 participants from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial cohort study. Vegetarian diet status was self-identified on the questionnaire. Deaths were ascertained from follow-up questionnaires and the National Death Index database. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the risk of all-cause mortality in hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). By diet group, there were 116,894 omnivores (whose diet does not exclude animal products), 329 lacto- and/or ovo-vegetarians (whose diet excludes meat, but includes dairy and/or eggs), 310 pesco-vegetarians (whose diet excludes meat except for fish and seafood) and 140 vegans (whose diet excludes all animal products). After an average follow-up of 18 years, 39,763 participants were deceased. The risk of all-cause mortality did not statistically significantly differ among the four diet groups. Comparing with the omnivore group, the HR (95% CI) were 0.81 (0.64–1.03) for pesco-vegetarian group, 0.99 (0.80–1.22) for lacto- and/or ovo-vegetarian group and 1.27 (0.99–1.63) for vegan group, respectively. Similarly, mortality risk did not differ when comparing lacto- and/or ovo-vegetarians plus vegans with meat/fish eaters (omnivores and pesco-vegetarians) (HR [95% CI] = 1.09 [0.93–1.28]). As this study is one of the two studies of vegetarianism and mortality in non-vegetarian populations, further investigation is warranted.
Dividend policy framework and bank risk-taking in Africa: do women inclusion in governance system offer new insight?
Authors: Ofori-Sasu Daniel , Dzeha Gloria Clarissa , Fiador Vera Ogeh , Abor Joshua Yindenaba 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This study examines the role of women included in governance system in explaining the impact of dividend policy framework on the risk-taking of banks, using a panel dataset of 52 African countries over the period, 2006–2020. The empirical outcome confirms that independent women on the board has a lower probability of paying dividend, reduce dividend yield and induce less risk-taking of banks while women in country-level governance position seek to protect the interest of shareholders and subsequently increase the likelihood of dividend payments and risk-taking of banks. The study found that banks that pay dividends face stricter market discipline, which in turn reduces banks' risk-taking. The study found that dividend policy framework generally acts as a complement for risk-taking when independent women are included in corporate boards while it acts as a substitute control device for banks’ risk-taking when women are included in country-level governance positions. Based on the net effects, the study found robust and strong evidence to support that the dividend policy framework reduces the risk-taking at higher level of women included in governance system.
Coupled propagation dynamics on complex networks: A brief review
Authors: Wang Zhishuang , Li Haoxian , Chen Jiaxing , Hong Zhiyong , Yin Qian , Xia Chengyi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Coupled propagation dynamics based on complex networks have received widespread attention in recent years. This work reviews the research work related to coupling propagation dynamics on single-layer complex networks, multi-layer complex networks and high-order complex networks. We sort out relevant research results from three aspects: competitive propagation, cooperative propagation and asymmetric coupled propagation, finding that different coupling mechanisms focus on different dynamic properties. The dynamic characteristics such as coexistence threshold in competitive propagation, discontinuous phase transition in cooperative propagation, outbreak threshold and propagation prevalence in asymmetric coupling propagation have been extensively discussed. We conclude by giving some valuable future research topics in coupled propagation dynamics.
Drugie życie pieczęci urzędowej. Na przykładzie kolekcji typariuszy pieczęci urzędów PRL z lat 1945–1975 w zbiorze sfragistycznym Działu Numizmatycznego Muzeum książąt Lubomirskich w Ossolineum
Authors: Forysiak-Wójciński Robert 
Published: November 2023

Zgodnie z przepisem prawnym dotyczącym wytwarzania i niszczenia pieczęci urzędowych, obowiązującym w PRL od 1955 r., wycofane z użytku tłoki pieczętne (typariusze) były zwracane przez urzędowych dysponentów do Mennicy Państwowej w celu ich kasacji. W 1975 r. Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich jako instytucja, w której gromadzono także historyczne pieczęcie, zwrócił się z petycją do rządu, aby ten zatrzymał wykonanie ustawowego nakazu zniszczenia tłoków pieczęci urzędów powiatowych – zlikwidowanych na skutek bieżącej reformy administracyjnej – i przekazał je na własność do zbiorów instytucji. W następstwie pozytywnej odpowiedzi władz PRL do Działu Numizmatycznego Ossolineum trafiło blisko 3 tys. pieczęci używanych przez urzędy powiatowe i inne terenowe władze w okresie 1945–1975 (z wyjątkami do 1977 r.). Artykuł przybliża ten mało znany epizod z historii sfragistyki urzędowej PRL, przedstawiając jego genezę, przebieg i rezultat, omawiając przy tym prawne uwarunkowania wytwarzania i niszczenia pieczęci urzędowych w okresie II RP i PRL. W drugiej części tekstu w oparciu o literaturę przedmiotu, nielicznie zachowane źródła archiwalne oraz na podstawie samego materiału sfragistycznego, tak licznie zgromadzonego w jednym zbiorze, a przez to stanowiącego reprezentatywną wartość dla niniejszych badań, odniesiono się do różnych kwestii istotnych dla sfragistyki w kontekście Mennicy Państwowej jako wytwórcy: formy i treści pieczęci, techniki wyrobu, materiału, wymiarów poszczególnych elementów tłoków, znaków i cech identyfikacyjnych, kwestii heraldycznych.
Overconservativeness of Variance-Based Efficiency Criteria and Probabilistic Efficiency in Rare-Event Simulation
Authors: Bai Yuanlu , Huang Zhiyuan , Lam Henry , Zhao Ding 
Published: November 2023

In rare-event simulation, an importance sampling (IS) estimator is regarded as efficient if its relative error, namely, the ratio between its standard deviation and mean, is sufficiently controlled. It is widely known that when a rare-event set contains multiple “important regions” encoded by the so-called dominating points, the IS needs to account for all of them via mixing to achieve efficiency. We argue that in typical experiments, missing less significant dominating points may not necessarily cause inefficiency, and the traditional analysis recipe could suffer from intrinsic looseness by using relative error or, in turn, estimation variance as an efficiency criterion. We propose a new efficiency notion, which we call probabilistic efficiency, to tighten this gap. In particular, we show that under the standard Gartner-Ellis large deviations regime, an IS that uses only the most significant dominating points is sufficient to attain this efficiency notion. Our finding is especially relevant in high-dimensional settings where the computational effort to locate all dominating points is enormous. This paper was accepted by Baris Ata, stochastic models and simulation. Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Information and Intelligent Systems [Grants IIS-1849280 and IIS-1849304], Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation [Grant CAREER CMMI-1834710], and Division of Computer and Network Systems [Grant CNS-2047454]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4973 .
The image of the government of Yogyakarta Special Region on the privileged funds (Media online coverage on privileged funds issues in Tempo.co, Kompas.com and KrJogja.com 2012 – 2022)
Authors: Zulham Fachry Muhammad , Rochimah Tri Hastuti Nur 
Published: November 2023

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is a province that acquired a special status as a special region. The privilege of Yogyakarta has been running for 10 years and still raises pros and cons in its implementation. One of the controversies is the use of the privileged funds budget. National and local media have also reported many pros and cons about these issues. This study aims to determine the image of the Yogyakarta Special Region Regional Government through the management of privileged funds in online media coverage (Tempo.co, Kompas.com and KrJogja.com) in the period 2012 - 2022. This research uses a quantitative approach with content analysis method. The results of this study show that the image of the Yogyakarta Special Region Regional Government through the management of special privilege funds for 10 years, tends to be negative. Judging from the news topics that have emerged, it has not had an impact on the welfare of society and the privilege fund program has not been oriented towards the welfare of society. Online media Tempo.co and Krjogja.com tend to negative reporting, meanwhile, Kompas.com has a neutral reporting tendency.