bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Residual activity of spinosad applied as a soil drench to tomato seedlings for control of Tuta absoluta
Authors: Erasmus Reynardt , van den Berg Johnnie , van Rensburg Peet Jansen , du Plessis Hannalene 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDTuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is difficult to control by means of foliar insecticides, partly because of the endophytic feeding behavior of its larvae. The biopesticide spinosad is applied as a foliar spray for control of T. absoluta and has systemic properties when applied as a soil drench to the growing medium of tomato plants. The aims of this study were to determine the: (i) instar‐dependent tolerance of larvae to spinosad; (ii) efficacy of spinosad drench application for the control of larvae; (iii) residual period of systemic activity of spinosad in leaves and fruit after drenching; and (iv) effect of spinosad drenching on tomato plant growth parameters.RESULTSThe estimated LC50 value (Lethal Concentration at which 50% of the larvae died) differed between instars. The LC50 for second‐instar larvae (0.41 ppm) to spinosad was significantly lower than that for third‐ (0.64 ppm) and fourth‐instar (0.63 ppm) larvae. The LC80 value (Concentration at which 80% of the larvae died) for fourth‐instar larvae (2.48 ppm) was 2.6‐ and 1.7‐fold higher than that for the second‐ and third‐instar larvae, respectively. The spinosad concentration recorded in leaves at 25 days after treatment (DAT; 0.26 μg g−1) was significantly lower than that in leaves sampled at 3, 10 and 15 DAT. High larval mortalities were, however, recorded for the duration of the experiment, which lasted 25 days (equivalent to one T. absoluta generation).CONCLUSIONSystemic spinosad effectively controlled T. absoluta larvae over a prolonged period. However, drenching this insecticide violates the recommendation of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee to avoid treating consecutive insect generations with the same mode of action and can therefore result in the evolution of insecticide resistance. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Global survey of consumer organizations advocating for safer nicotine products
Authors: Jerzyński Tomasz , Harding Jessica , Stimson Gerry V. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe study investigated the role and activities of organizations that advocate for the adoption of and access to safer nicotine products (SNPs), such as nicotine vaping products (e‐cigarettes), Swedish‐style snus, nontobacco nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products, as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes and other high‐risk tobacco products, following a harm reduction approach. The aim was to map the number and locations of nicotine consumer organizations globally and describe their history, legal status, membership, structure, objectives, working methods and activities, and funding.MethodsWe identified active organizations through the use of existing networks and referrals. All identified organizations were contacted and asked to fill in an online self‐completion survey through the representatives of the organizations. The data collected were cleaned and anonymized. Categorization and analysis of variable distributions were carried out. Responses to open–ended questions were analyzed qualitatively.ResultsA total of 52 active organizations were identified: 13 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, 24 in Europe, 5 in the Asia‐Pacific region, and 2 in North America. Most were established from 2016 onward, and 39 were legally incorporated. Their reported objectives were to raise awareness about SNP, promote rights to access SNP, and advocate for a legal and regulatory environment in which SNPs are available. They are small organizations: Most are operated with volunteers, with only 7 having any contracted or paid staff, and only 13 persons globally with a paid position. A total of 31 organizations had not received any funding support. The total global funding for all organizations was US$ 309,810. None reported receiving funding from tobacco or pharmaceutical companies. All pointed to important achievements in the public debate about SNP and tobacco harm reduction.ConclusionThe organizations are run by enthusiastic individuals, most of whom have successfully quit smoking with the help of SNP. Organizations depend on the input of a small number of core workers, all organizations are under‐resourced and potentially fragile, and yet, they report significant activity and success. The challenge for these groups is to gain recognition at national and international level as legitimate stakeholders in the development of tobacco control policy with respect to safer alternatives to smoking.
An exploratory study of local social innovation initiatives for sustainable poverty reduction in Nigeria
Authors: Ipinnaiye Olubunmi , Olaniyan Femi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe eradication of extreme poverty remains an intractable global challenge. This paper explores social innovation (SI) as a strategy for fostering sustainable poverty reduction in a developing country, Nigeria. Analysis is based on semi‐structured interviews with founders of SI initiatives. Findings indicate SI as a sustainable poverty reduction strategy because it addresses: (i) some underlying causes of poverty such as poor nutrition and lack of access to education; (ii) different dimensions of sustainability (i.e., economic, social and environmental). The study also identifies socially innovative cultural practices such as traditional rotational saving/credit and apprenticeship schemes which help eradicate poverty by ensuring improved access to finance and encouraging entrepreneurship. Furthermore, results indicate local SI initiatives in Nigeria are largely private sector‐led, while a weak institutional environment hampers expansion. The study highlights the need for policy aimed at identifying, strengthening and scaling up innovative local practices, and creating favourable framework conditions for SI.
Impact of transport and storage practices on the microbiological quality of drinking water in Godomey district (Abomey‐Calavi municipality) in the Republic of Benin
Authors: Ekpe Sévérin , Nougbode Yéwêgnon Alima Esther Irma , Labite Hervé E. , Daouda Mama 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the risk of drinking water contamination during transportation and storage at the household level of Godomey district in Benin. A survey carried out in 175 households was followed by a microbial analysis of water samples at the point of supply and after transport and storage in households over a period of 4 days. The results of the surveys showed that households obtain their supplies in water mostly from the network of the National Water Company of Benin (SONEB). In addition, they used private boreholes and wells as source of the drinking water. People who did not have direct access to water sources traveled a few meters with different materials (cans, plastics, basins) to obtain water and store it in households for their daily needs. This water was used for several days (1–7) before the renewal of the storage. The microbiological results revealed an increase in microbial contamination, specifically total germs and total coliforms, after transport and storage when compared with the point of supply, and as time passed. The fecal contamination was expressed by the presence of Escherichia coli. According to the study, 17% of well samples are polluted on the first and second days and are classified as dangerous quality. After 4 days, this pollution had spread to 50% of well samples. In addition, 17% of borehole water samples were found to be of poor quality, and none of the SONEB samples were contaminated with E. coli.
The inflated Chern-Simons number in spectator chromo-natural inflation
Authors: Bagherian Hengameh , Reece Matthew , Xu Weishuang Linda 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The chromo-natural inflation (CNI) scenario predicts a potentially detectable chiral gravitational wave signal, generated by a Chern-Simons coupling between a rolling scalar axion field and an SU(2) gauge field with an isotropy-preserving classical background during inflation. However, the generation of this signal requires a very large integer Chern-Simons level, which can be challenging to explain or embed in a UV-complete model. We show that this challenge persists in the phenomenologically viable spectator field CNI (S-CNI) model. Furthermore, we show that a clockwork scenario giving rise to a large integer as a product of small integers can never produce a Chern-Simons level large enough to have successful S-CNI phenomenology. We briefly discuss other constraints on the model, both in effective field theory based on partial-wave unitarity bounds and in quantum gravity based on the Weak Gravity Conjecture, which may be relevant for further explorations of alternative UV completions.
The molecular mechanisms of remodeling in asthma, COPD and IPF with a special emphasis on the complex role of Wnt5A
Authors: Singla Abhinav , Reuter Sebastian , Taube Christian , Peters Marcus , Peters Karin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Chronic inflammatory lung diseases are a common cause of suffering and death. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the reason for 6% of all deaths worldwide. A total of 262 million people are affected by asthma and 461,000 people died in 2019. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is diagnosed in 3 million people worldwide, with an onset over the age of 50 with a mean survival of only 24–30 months﻿. These three diseases have in common that remodeling of the lung tissue takes place, which is responsible for an irreversible decline of lung function. Pathological lung remodeling is mediated by a complex interaction of different, often misguided, repair processes regulated by a variety of mediators. One group of these, as has recently become known, are the Wnt ligands. In addition to their well-characterized role in embryogenesis, this group of glycoproteins is also involved in immunological and structural repair processes. Depending on the combination of the Wnt ligand with its receptors and co-receptors, canonical and noncanonical signaling cascades can be induced.
Wnt5A is a mediator that is described mainly in noncanonical Wnt signaling and has been shown to play an important role in different inflammatory diseases and malignancies.

Objectives
In this review, we summarize the literature available regarding the role of Wnt5A as an immune modulator and its role in the development of asthma, COPD and IPF. We will focus specifically on what is known about Wnt5A concerning its role in the remodeling processes involved in the chronification of the diseases.

Conclusion
Wnt5A has been shown to be involved in all three inflammatory lung diseases. Since the ligand affects both structural and immunological processes, it is an interesting target for the treatment of lung diseases whose pathology involves a restructuring of the lung tissue triggered in part by an inflammatory immune response.
Nanoceria: an innovative strategy for cancer treatment
Authors: Tang Joyce L. Y. , Moonshi Shehzahdi S. , Ta Hang T. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNanoceria or cerium oxide nanoparticles characterised by the co-existing of Ce3+ and Ce4+ that allows self-regenerative, redox-responsive dual-catalytic activities, have attracted interest as an innovative approach to treating cancer. Depending on surface characteristics and immediate environment, nanoceria exerts either anti- or pro-oxidative effects which regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in biological systems. Nanoceria mimics ROS-related enzymes that protect normal cells at physiological pH from oxidative stress and induce ROS production in the slightly acidic tumour microenvironment to trigger cancer cell death. Nanoceria as nanozymes also generates molecular oxygen that relieves tumour hypoxia, leading to tumour cell sensitisation to improve therapeutic outcomes of photodynamic (PDT), photothermal (PTT) and radiation (RT), targeted and chemotherapies. Nanoceria has been engineered as a nanocarrier to improve drug delivery or in combination with other drugs to produce synergistic anti-cancer effects. Despite reported preclinical successes, there are still knowledge gaps arising from the inadequate number of studies reporting findings based on physiologically relevant disease models that accurately represent the complexities of cancer. This review discusses the dual-catalytic activities of nanoceria responding to pH and oxygen tension gradient in tumour microenvironment, highlights the recent nanoceria-based platforms reported to be feasible direct and indirect anti-cancer agents with protective effects on healthy tissues, and finally addresses the challenges in clinical translation of nanoceria based therapeutics.
Nebenströme der Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft – vom Abfallprodukt zur wertvollen Ressource!?
Authors: Klein Oliver , Nier Stefan , Tamásy Christine 
Published: January 2023

ZusammenfassungDie Nutzung von organischen Abfällen und Nebenströmen ist ein wichtiger Baustein für die Transformation zu einem nachhaltige(re)n Agrar- und Ernährungssystem. Die damit einhergehenden Kreislaufsysteme werden in der Literatur unter dem Begriff der Circular Bioeconomy diskutiert. Der Beitrag greift diese Diskussionen auf und liefert empirische Befunde aus der Raps- und Zuckerrübenproduktion, wo große Mengen an Nebenströmen speziell auf der Verarbeitungsstufe anfallen (z. B. Presskuchen, Extraktionsschrot, Rübenschnitzel, Melasse). Für diese organischen Stoffe haben sich unterschiedliche Verwertungspfade etabliert, sodass sie mittlerweile ein wichtiges Element der betrieblichen Wertschöpfung darstellen. Die Verwertung geschieht in beiden Bereichen durch intersektorale Vernetzungen, die sich je nach Wertschöpfungspotenzial und Lager‑/Transportfähigkeit der Biomasse über verschiedene Raumebenen erstrecken (lokal/regional, national, international). Ebenso spielen unternehmerische Merkmale wie auch der institutionelle Kontext eine Rolle bei der Nebenstromverwertung.
Psychometrics and diagnostics of the Italian version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Maggi Gianpaolo , D’Iorio Alfonsina , Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Poletti Barbara , Ticozzi Nicola , Silani Vincenzo , Amboni Marianna , Vitale Carmine , Santangelo Gabriella 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Depression is one of the most disabling neuropsychiatric manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and requires proper screening and diagnosis because it affects the overall prognosis and quality of life of patients. This study aimed to assess the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in an Italian PD cohort.

Materials and methods
Fifty consecutive outpatients with PD underwent the Italian version of the BDI-II and other questionnaires to evaluate anxiety and apathetic symptoms. Patients’ caregivers completed the depression/dysphoria domain of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-D). We evaluated the internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and factorial structure of BDI-II. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios were computed using ROC analyses, and an optimal cutoff was defined using the Youden index.

Results
The BDI-II proved to be internally consistent (Cronbach’s α = 0.840) and substantially met the bi-factorial structure. Regarding construct validity, the BDI-II was substantially related to anxiety measures, but not to apathy. With the combination of the NPI-D and anxiety score used as the gold standard, the BDI-II overall showed good accuracy (AUC = 0.859) with adequate sensitivity (75%) and specificity (87%). The optimal cutoff point was defined at 14.50.

Conclusions
We provide evidence of the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Italian version of the BDI-II as a screening tool for depression in patients with PD. The BDI-II was found to be reliable and valid for the measurement of depression in patients with PD; therefore, it is available for use in clinical research and practice.
Cost and cost-effectiveness of four different SARS-CoV-2 active surveillance strategies: evidence from a randomised control trial in Germany
Authors: Nguyen Hoa Thi , Denkinger Claudia M. , Brenner Stephan , Koeppel Lisa , Brugnara Lucia , Burk Robin , Knop Michael , Bärnighausen Till , Deckert Andreas , De Allegri Manuela 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has entered its third year and continues to affect most countries worldwide. Active surveillance, i.e. testing individuals irrespective of symptoms, presents a promising strategy to accurately measure the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to identify the most cost-effective active surveillance strategy for COVID-19 among the four strategies tested in a randomised control trial between 18th November 2020 and 23rd December 2020 in Germany. The four strategies included: (A1) direct testing of individuals; (A2) direct testing of households; (B1) testing conditioned on upstream COVID-19 symptom pre-screening of individuals; and (B2) testing conditioned on upstream COVID-19 symptom pre-screening of households.

Methods
We adopted a health system perspective and followed an activity-based approach to costing. Resource consumption data were collected prospectively from a digital individual database, daily time records, key informant interviews and direct observations. Our cost-effectiveness analysis compared each strategy with the status quo and calculated the average cost-effective ratios (ACERs) for one primary outcome (sample tested) and three secondary outcomes (responder recruited, case detected and asymptomatic case detected).

Results
Our results showed that A2, with cost per sample tested at 52,89 EURO, had the lowest ACER for the primary outcome, closely followed by A1 (63,33 EURO). This estimate was much higher for both B1 (243,84 EURO) and B2 (181,06 EURO).

Conclusion
A2 (direct testing at household level) proved to be the most cost-effective of the four evaluated strategies and should be considered as an option to strengthen the routine surveillance system in Germany and similar settings.
Household Social Needs, Emotional Functioning, and Stress in Low-Income Latinx Children and their Mothers
Authors: Keeton Victoria F. , Bell Janice F. , Drake Christiana , Garcia Erik O. Fernandez y. , Pantell Matthew , Hessler Danielle , Wing Holly , Silveira Patricia P. , Donnell Kieran J. O’ , Filho Euclides José de Mendonça , Meaney Michael J. , Gottlieb Laura M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractLatinx families may be particularly vulnerable to emotional dysfunction, due to higher rates of economic hardship and complex social influences in this population. Little is known about the impact of environmental stressors such as unmet social needs and maternal stress on the emotional health of Latinx children from low-income families. We conducted secondary analyses using survey and biomarker data from 432 Latinx children and mothers collected in a separate study. We used binomial and multinomial logistic regression to test if household social needs, or maternal perceived stress or hair cortisol concentration (HCC), predicted child measures of emotional functioning or child HCC, independent of relevant sociodemographic factors. Approximately 40% of children in the sample had symptoms consistent with emotional dysfunction, and over 37% of households reported five or more social needs. High perceived maternal stress predicted higher odds of child emotional dysfunction (OR = 2.15; 95% CI [1.14, 4.04]; p = 0.01), and high maternal HCC was positively associated with high child HCC (OR = 10.60; 95% CI [4.20, 26.74]; p < 0.01). Most individual household social needs, as well as the level of household social need, were not independently associated with child emotional dysfunction or child HCC. Our findings begin to define a framework for understanding emotional health, stress, and resilience when caring for Latinx children and mothers living with high levels of social need, and the need for integrated mental health and social needs screening and interventions in settings that serve this population.
Synergistic Effect of Iron and Copper Oxides in the Removal of Organic Dyes Through Thermal Induced Catalytic Degradation Process
Authors: Aboelfetoh Eman F. , Aboubaraka Abdelmeguid E. , Ebeid El-Zeiny M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis study proposes a new method for producing α-Fe2O3–CuO nanocatalyst that is both cost-effective and ecologically benign. The α-Fe2O3–CuO nanocomposite was prepared via moderate thermal oxidative decomposition of copper hexacyanoferrate. Its structure and surface morphology are affirmed via XRD, SEM, FTIR, EDX, TEM, XPS, and VSM. In the presence of H2O2, α-Fe2O3–CuO is employed as a heterogeneous catalyst to stimulate thermally induced degradation of dyes such as direct violet 4, rhodamine b, and methylene blue. The synergistic effect of Fe2O3 and CuO enhanced the catalytic activity of the nanocomposite compared to Fe2O3 and CuO separately. The effectiveness of DV4 degradation is optimized by evaluating multiple reaction parameters. The reaction rate increased substantially with the temperature, revealing its key role in the degradation process. Higher H2O2 levels and the inclusion of inorganic anions like chloride or nitrate also sped up the degradation process. While sulfate and humic acid, particularly at high doses, slowed it. The mechanism of H2O2 activation on α-Fe2O3–CuO is studied. The measurements of chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon indicate that all dyes are highly mineralized. The remarkable performance and stability of this nanocomposite in removing diverse dyes render it a promising option for wastewater remedy.
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Mortality 20 Years later
Authors: John Ulrich , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen , Hanke Monika , Meyer Christian 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The objective was to test whether Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) results may predict mortality after 20 years. An observational study was conducted. It included an interview of a general population sample aged 18 to 64 in northern Germany in the years 1996 − 1997 (baseline) and a mortality-follow-up in the years 2017 − 2018. Study participants were 3581 persons who had consumed alcohol during the last 12 months prior to the baseline assessment. It included the AUDIT which was filled in by study participants. At follow-up, death cases were ascertained including the date of death. Official records and death certificates from local health authorities were used. Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that the AUDIT predicted time to death. The hazard ratio was 1.70 (95% confidence interval: 1.43 − 2.02) with the lowest AUDIT zone of values as the reference group. Competing risks regression analysis for diagnosis-specific mortality data revealed that the AUDIT predicted cardiovascular mortality (subhazard ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.49 − 2.27). It is concluded that the alcohol screening predicted total and cardiovascular mortality in this adult general population sample.