bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing is everything: A simple chemical method to determine the bioavailable surface concentration of insecticide for insecticide treated net (ITN) evaluation
Authors: Skovmand O. , Dang D M , Tran T Q , Bosselmann R , Moore SJ 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background: Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) must meet bioefficacy performance standards after 20 washes to receive WHO prequalification. Days between washes (wash interval, WI) is determined using the regeneration time (RT) method. Mosquitoes are exposed to active ingredients (AI) on the net surface in a repeated measures experiment up to seven days after washing. RT is the number of days for mortality to reach a plateau where the surface insecticide concentration is assumed to be maximal and defines WI. However, mosquito mortality may reach 100% before all insecticide migrates to the ITN surface and thus RT is a function of test mosquitoes and may be underestimated. Using too short WI results in 1) less insecticide removed per wash allowing an ITN to withstand more washes than it might under user conditions or 2) insufficient insecticide becomes available and a product may fail bio-efficacy testing.
Methods: Three methods were used to determine surface concentrations of deltamethrin and Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) in commercial ITNs: 1) Before and After Method, (BAM) using Gas-Chromatography Flame-Ionization Detection (GC-FID) before and after a standard soap-wash; 2) Soap Wash and Analysis Method (SWAM) measuring the AI from the soap-washing water using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); 3) Cold Acetone Method (CAM) extracting AI in cold acetone before HPLC. RT of deltamethrin and PBO were estimated using SWAM or CAM and correlated biological efficacy measured by median knock-down time (MKDT) with pyrethroid susceptible and resistant mosquitoes. BAM and CAM were compared in a wash Resistance Index (WRI) test.
Results and Recommendations: CAM dosages after soap-wash showed 90% correlation with MKDT (r=-0.91, p=0.0006) and measured the same regeneration time. Inter-sample variation was <2%. Wash intervals were longer than these determined by standard WHO method. Comparing acetone and soap washed ITNs, it is concluded that a part of the surface available pyrethroid has little biological activity, most likely the pyrethroid recrystallized on the yarn surface, confirmed by EM scanning. Combining MKDT and CAM after soap-wash could improve predictions of ITN performance. BAM can be used to measure loss of bio-active AI from the yarn surface following protocols currently recommended by WHO.
Improving milk donation behavior through educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior: Study protocol of a quasi-experimental trail
Authors: Sighaldeh Shirin Shahbazi , Moridi Maryam , Sabagh Vafa Ghorban , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Shateranni Fatemeh 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background:
Breastfeeding mothers’ decision to donate their milk is influenced by their knowledge, attitude and subjective norms such as their family’s opinions on milk donation. In Iran, mothers have limited access to information and education about milk donation and milk banks. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether an educational program based on the theory of planned behavior affects breastfeeding mothers’ decision to donate their breast milk.
Methods:
this quasi-experimental study will enroll 66 breastfeeding mothers (intervention, n=33; control, n=33). After collecting baseline data, the intervention group will begin receiving a 60-minute weekly educational program based on TPB components for four weeks. The first follow-up assessment will be conducted immediately after the intervention, and the final one will be conducted 12 weeks later. The primary outcomes are the number of mothers who have donated their breast milk and changes in breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control about DHM and intention to milk donation.
Discussion:
A well-designed educational program can improve breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge and promote their behavioral factors regarding milk donation and can lead to a significant increase in the number of potential milk donors.
Trial registration: irct.ir (IRCT20230124057203N1) registered February 14, 2023
On the Complexity of Non-Binary Tree Reconciliation with Endosymbiotic Gene Transfer
Authors: Gascon Mathieu , El-Mabrouk Nadia 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Reconciling a non-binary gene tree with a binary species tree can be done efficiently in the absence of horizontal gene transfers, but becomes NP-hard in the presence of gene transfers. Here, we focus on the special case of endosymbiotic gene transfers (EGT), i.e. transfers between the mitochondrial and nuclear genome of the same species. More precisely, given a multifurcated (non-binary) gene tree with leaves labeled 0 or 1 depending on whether the corresponding genes belong to the mitochondrial or nuclear genome of the corresponding species, we investigate the problem of inferring a most parsimonious Duplication, Loss and EGT (DLE) Reconciliation of anybinary refinement of the tree. We present a general two-steps method: ignoring the 0-1 labeling of leaves, output a binary resolution minimizing the Duplication and Loss (DL) Reconciliation and then, for such resolution, assign a known number of 0s and 1s to the leaves in a way minimizing EGT events. While the first step corresponds to the well studied non-binary DL-Reconciliation problem, the complexity of the label assignment problem corresponding to the second step is unknown. We show that this problem is NP-complete, even when the tree is restricted to a single polytomy, and even if transfers can occur in only one direction. We present a general algorithm solving each polytomy separately, which is shown optimal for a unitary cost of operation, and a polynomial-time algorithm for solving a polytomy in the special case where genes are specific to a single genome (mitochondrial or nuclear) in all but one species.This work represents the first algorithmic study for reconciliation with endosymbiotic gene transfers in the case of a multifurcated gene tree.
Modeling needle fuel dispersal in longleaf pine-dominated forests
Authors: Blaydes Suzanne Henderson , Cannon Jeffery , Aubrey Doug 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Predicting patterns of fire behavior and effects in frequent fire forests relies on an understanding of fine-scale spatial patterns of available fuels. Leaf litter is a significant canopy-derived fine fuel in many fire-maintained forests. Litter dispersal is dependent on foliage production, stand structure, and wind direction, but the relative importance of these factors is unknown.
Results
Using a 10-year litterfall dataset collected within eighteen 4-ha longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) plots varying in canopy spatial pattern, we compared four spatially explicit models of annual needle litter dispersal: a model based only on basal area, an overstory abundance index (OAI) model, both isotropic and anisotropic litter kernel models, and a null model that assumed no spatial relationship. The best model was the anisotropic model (R2 = 0.61) that incorporated tree size, location, and prevailing wind direction, followed by the isotropic model (R2 = 0.57), basal area model (R2 = 0.49), OAI model (R2 = 0.27), and the null model (R2 = 0.08).
Conclusions
As with previous studies, the predictive capability of the litter models was robust when internally verified with a subset of the original dataset (R2 = 0.24–0.59); however, the models were less robust when challenged with an independent dataset (R2 = 0.08–0.30) from novel forest stands. Our model validation underscores the need for rigorous tests with independent, external datasets to confirm the validity of litter dispersal models. These models can be used in the application of prescribed fire to estimate fuel distribution and loading, as well as aid in the fine tuning of fire behavior models to better understand fire outcomes across a range of forest canopy structures.
Research on lossless continuous transmission method of agricultural low-altitude remote sensing image data
Authors: Zhou Zibin , He Simin , He Binbin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
With the continuous innovation and development of modern technology, unmanned aerial vehicle remote sensing technology has been widely used in agriculture. After the UAV remote sensing operation is completed, a large number of low-altitude remote sensing images will be generated. These image files are relatively large, and each upload will take a lot of time, often due to abnormal conditions such as network fluctuations, the upload fails. In order to solve this problem, combining the practical application of remote sensing images, a storage model of uploading tasks is established, and a lossless continuous transmission method of massive agricultural low-altitude remote sensing image data is proposed. Finally, the simulation experiment is carried out on this method. The results show that in the processing of regional agricultural remote sensing data, the maximum upload time of the proposed lossless continuous transmission method is only 80 seconds, and the data integrity is more than 85%, with a maximum of 92%. It has high upload efficiency and quality, and provides a new method reference for the efficiency and convenience of agricultural production management.
The role of drivers of change in the transition to agroforestry
Authors: Meulen Suzanne van der , Stobbelaar Derk Jan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Dutch policy strives to increase the amount of agroforestry. This paper aims to research the forces and obstacles for this growth, in particular the role of various drivers of change. Therefore we conducted a case study in Lingezegen Park (near Arnhem, The Netherlands), using the transition model of Van der Meulen et al. as a basis. This model describes the connection between the transition of the social and physical realms. Important drivers of change influencing the social and physical realms in Lingezegen Park are the establishment of the park itself, but also the relations and roles of the various stakeholders and the presence of a change agent.
The case of Lingezegen Park clearly shows that the transformation of the social realm intertwines with developments in the physical realm. The development of the park, both a change in the physical as well as the social realm, made way for new initiatives in sustainable farming systems such as agroforestry.
Too Complex to Digest? Federal Tax Bills and Their Processing in US Financial Markets
Authors: Bennani Hamza , Neuenkirch Matthias 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we analyze whether the textual complexity of tax bills affects financial markets. Based on the Flesch-Kincaid grade level of the 32 tax bills identified by Romer and Romer (2010) in the period 1962-2003, we assess the relationship between tax bills' textual complexity and financial markets using an event study approach. Our results show a negative (positive) and significant relationship between the present value of tax bills and changes in the 10-year government bond yields (S&P 500 returns). The magnitude of this relationship increases over time, suggesting that market participants underreact at first and need a couple of days to digest the information contained in the tax bills. This delay can be explained by the textual characteristics of the bills in the case of the 10-year yields as a lower readability partly counteracts the negative relationship for up to three days after the signing of a tax bill. In the case of the stock market, we find similar evidence, but only for a part of the readability measures employed in this paper.
JEL Codes: G14, H20, H30.
Hospital readiness for the provision of care to critically ill patients in Tanzania - an indepth cross-sectional study
Authors: Khalid Karima , Schell Carl Otto , Oliwa Jacquie , English Mike , Onyango Onesmus , Mcknight Jacob , Mkumbo Elibariki , Awadh Khamis , Maiba John , Baker Tim 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Critical illness is a state of ill health with vital organ dysfunction, a high risk of imminent death if care is not provided and potential for reversibility. The burden of critical illness is high, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Critical care can be provided as Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) – the effective, low-cost, basic care that all critically ill patients should receive in all parts of all hospitals in the world– and advanced critical care – complex, resource-intensive care usually provided in an intensive care unit. The required resources may be available in the hospital and yet not be ready in the wards for immediate use for critically ill patients. The ward readiness of these resources, although harder to evaluate, is likely more important than their availability in the hospital. This study aimed to assess the ward readiness for EECC and the hospital availability of resources for EECC and for advanced critical care in hospitals in Tanzania.
Methods: An in-depth, cross-sectional study was conducted in five purposively selected hospitals by visiting all wards to collect data on all the required 66 EECC and 161 advanced critical care resources. We defined hospital-availability as a resource present in the hospital and ward-readinessas a resource available, functioning, and present in the right place, time and amounts for critically ill patient care in the wards. Data were analyzed to calculate availability and readiness scores as proportions of the resources that were available at hospital level, and ready at ward level respectively.
Results: Availability of EECC resources in hospitals was 84% and readiness in the wards was 56%. Availability of advanced critical care resources was 31%.
Conclusion: Hospitals in Tanzania lack readiness for the provision of EECC – the low-cost, life-saving care for critically ill patients. The resources for EECC were available in hospitals, but were not ready for the immediate needs of critically ill patients in the wards. To provide effective EECC to all patients, improvements are needed around the essential, low-cost resources in hospital wards that are essential for decreasing preventable deaths.
On the short and long phosphorescence lifetimes of aromatic carbonyls
Authors: Mukherjee Saikat , Kar Moumita , Bhati Mansi , Gao Xing , Barbatti Mario 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This work applies theoretical and computational methods to investigate the relationship between phosphorescence lifetime and the electronic character of the lowest triplet state of aromatic carbonyls. A formal analysis of the spin-perturbed wave functions shows that phosphorescence is due to a direct spin-orbit coupling mechanism modulated by permanent dipoles when the T1 minimum is 3nπ*. If the minimum is a totally symmetric 3ππ*, phosphorescence is due to an indirect spin-orbit coupling mechanism involving transition dipole moments with other excited states. The magnitude difference between permanent and transition dipoles leads to a much faster 3nπ* phosphoresce than 3ππ* if vibronic coupling effects are not considered. These predictions were verified with phosphorescence lifetime simulations of benzaldehyde and its three derivatives in the gas phase employing a vertical approximation as well as the nuclear ensemble approach. Both simulation methods deliver good results for molecules with a 3nπ* T1 minimum. Nevertheless, vertical simulations fail for those molecules with a 3ππ* T1 minimum due to the overwhelming importance of vibronic couplings.
Heavy atom effect through chalcogen substitution in Red Nile dye: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Alberto Marta E. , Prejanò Mario , Marino Tiziana , Simone Bruna C. , Toscano Marirosa , Russo Nino 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
A DFT and TDDFT study has been carried out on Red Nile dye (RN) and on two chalcogens-derivatives in which the carbonyl-oxygen was replaced by Sulphur- (SNR) and Selenium-(SeNR) in order to evaluate the effect of such substitution on their photophysical properties. Inspection of Type I and Type II photoreactions have been achieved exploring the absorption properties, computing spin-orbit coupling, proposing the most plausible deactivation channels leading to the population of excited triplet states and through the analysis of vertical electron affinities and ionization potentials. Our data show a useful bathochromic shift of the lowest energy 1ππ* absorption band as the size of the substituted atom increases combined with an enhancement of the SOC values for the main nπ*→ ππ* S1→T1 deactivation pathways, suggesting a more efficient ISC mechanism for the thio- and seleno-dye. Moreover, the introduction of selenium in the NR dye has the intriguing effect to promote also the electron transfer reaction producing the O2(−)• species through the TypeI mechanism, allowing us to propose that designed dye as a dual TypeI/II PS. Our study supports the strategy to afford heavy-atom effect by using chalcogens showing as it could be successfully exploited to achieve metal-free PSs with desirable properties.
Can Computer Network Attributes be Useful for Identifying Low-Credibility Websites? A Case Study in Brazil
Authors: Couto João M. M. , Reis Julio C. S. , Benevenuto Fabrício 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Misinformation has become a global issue with impacts on various spheres of society, particularly in developing countries like Brazil. In most misinformation ecosystems, a recurring challenge is the spread of fake news through websites that closely replicate the look and function of reputable news outlets. This facilitates their dissemination, which might also involve automation, political bias, targeted ads and even the exploitation of social network algorithms in a attempt to reach niche audiences. Due to this high complexity and the rapidly evolving nature of the problem, we are just beginning to identify patterns in the various misinformation ecosystems on the Web. In this work, we extend a previous study, offering important steps towards a deeper understanding of computer networking patterns observed on Brazilian misinformation websites. These patterns emerge from various sources, including DNS records, domain registrations, TLS certificates and hosting infrastructure. Our results reveal a novel avenue through which low-credibility news websites can be distinguished from websites of credible nature.
Voltammetry in the spleen assesses real-time anti-inflammatory norepinephrine release elicited by autonomic neurostimulation
Authors: Mughrabi Ibrahim T. , Gerber Michael , Jayaprakash Naveen , Palandira Santhoshi P. , Al-Abed Yousef , Datta-Chaudhuri Timir , Smith Corey , Pavlov Valentin A. , Zanos Stavros 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground:The noradrenergic innervation of the spleen is implicated in the autonomic control of inflammation and has been the target of neurostimulation therapies for inflammatory diseases. However, there is no real-time marker of its successful activation, which hinders the optimization of anti-inflammatory neurostimulation therapies and mechanistic studies in anti-inflammatory neural circuits.Methods:In mice, we performed fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in the spleen during intravascular injections of norepinephrine (NE), or during stimulation of the vagus, splanchnic, or splenic nerves. We defined the stimulus-elicited charge generated at the oxidation potential for NE (~0.8 V) as the “NE voltammetry signal” and quantified the dependence of the signal on NE or nerve stimulation dose. We correlated the NE voltammetry signal in response to splenic nerve stimulation (SpNS) with the latter’s anti-inflammatory effect in a model of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) induced endotoxemia, quantified as suppression of TNF release.Results:We found that the NE voltammetry signal is proportional to injected amount and estimated peak NE concentration, with 0.3 μM detection threshold. In response to SpNS, the signal increases within seconds, returns to baseline minutes later and is blocked by interventions that deplete NE or inhibit NE release. The signal is elicited by efferent, but not afferent, electrical or optogenetic vagus nerve stimulation, and by splanchnic nerve stimulation. The magnitude of the signal during SpNS is inversely correlated with subsequent TNF suppression in endotoxemia and explains 40% of the variance in TNF measurements.Conclusion:FSCV in the spleen provides a marker for real-time monitoring of anti-inflammatory activation of the splenic innervation during autonomic stimulation.
Update of the documentation of the José de Alencar theatre
Authors: VIEIRA Mylene , RIBEIRO Gilmário , ALVES Karina , BARBOSA José Ermerson , ISIDORO Henrique , MARTINS Thiago , MAGALHÃES Brendda Karen , ALMEIDA Francisco Emerson , MOREIRA Eugenio , MESQUITA Esequiel 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Valorisation of heritage buildings can greatly be benefited by the update of the existing documentation. BIM (Building Information Modelling) can create a model able to be enriched by new information according to the dynamism of the historical building over time. This work deal with the update of the documentation of the iconic José de Alencar theatre (Fortaleza city – Brazil). A few existing drawings and graphic documents encompassing pictures, original illustrations, and 2D AutoCAD model were catalogued. A digital survey with an integrated approach using laser scanner and UAV photogrammetry technology was performed. 3D model based on existing documentation and digital survey was developed. From the work, an update of the documentation of the theatre over time and a reliable 3D BIM model, with a higher level of information and details, were obtained.
Comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms for classifying stunting among children under the age of five in Rwanda
Authors: NDAGIJIMANA Similien , KABANO Ignace , MASABO Emmanuel , NTAGANDA Jean Marie 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose: In Rwanda, childhood stunting is a major public health problem. Earlier studies employed traditional statistical approaches to identify causal factors to stunting, and little is known about the uses and effectiveness of machine learning (ML) algorithms that may identify risk factors for a variety of health conditions based on complex data.
Methods: This study examines the usefulness of machine learning algorithms in predicting stunting in children under the age of five using data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. Random Forest was utilized for feature selection, and supervised machine learning methods were applied. The confusion matrix and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC), which incorporated several metrics, were used to evaluate the performance of algorithms. Additionally, the outperformed model identifies variables that strongly predict stunting in Rwanda. Ultimately, multivariate logistic regression was used.
Results: The XGBoost classifier predicts stunting with the lowest misclassification error among the selected ML algorithms, followed by a gradient boosting classifier, random forests, support vector machines, classification trees, and logistic regression with forward-stepwise selection. The 10 most important variables in predicting childhood stunting in Rwanda are breastfeeding start, mother’s height, provinces, possessing television, child size at birth, maternal education, maternal BMI, wealth index, preceding birth interval, and child age.
Conclusion: This study contributes to the body of knowledge that confirmed the efficacy of ML for population health research and policy decision-making in a broad range of areas, including defining treatment effects in epidemiological studies and child undernutrition. This study shows that the XGBoost classifer is highly recommended because of the combination of ﬂexibility, scalability,regularization, ensemble approaches, and feature importance that distinguishesXGBoost from gradient-based classifers.