bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a droplet digital PCR assay to detect Brucella in human whole blood
Authors: Liu Jiayin , Song Zhichun , Ta Na , Tian Guozhong , Yang Xiaowen , Zhao Hongyan , Piao Dongri , Fan Yu , Zhang Yu , Jiang Hai 
Published: June 2023

Background
With the development of domestic animal husbandry, the spread of brucellosis has accelerated, and the scope of the epidemic has expanded. The timely and accurate diagnosis of human brucellosis continues to challenge clinicians in endemic areas. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technology can quickly and accurately determine DNA load in samples, providing laboratory evidence for diagnosis, prognosis and management of brucellosis patients. In this study, a ddPCR method was established to accurately quantify Brucella DNA load in whole blood samples, and its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value for human brucellosis was evaluated.

Methods
Annealing temperature, primers, and probe targeting the Brucella bcsp31 gene were optimised, and the sensitivity, specificity and repeatability of the ddPCR assay were assessed using 94 whole blood samples from 61 confirmed and 33 suspected cases. Results were compared with those of quantitative PCR (qPCR). Nine follow-up brucellosis patients were also analysed by the two methods after 2 and 6 months of treatment.

Results
Optimal primer and probe concentrations were 800 nmol/L and 400 nmol/L, respectively, and the optimal annealing temperature was 55.3 °C. The ddPCR results showed that the limit of detection was 1.87 copies per reaction, with high repeatability. The positive rates for ddPCR and qPCR were 88.5% and 75.4% among 61 serum agglutination test (SAT) positive patients. In addition, 57.6% (19/33) of suspected sero-negative samples were positive by ddPCR, but only 36.3% (12/33) were positive by qPCR. Analysis of nine post-therapy follow-up brucellosis patients revealed that the Brucella DNA load in the whole blood samples decreased after 2 and 6 months of treatment, and was slightly increased following relapse and continuous exposure.

Conclusion
The ddPCR assay showed good accuracy for whole blood samples, and could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool for detecting Brucella.
Predicting congenital syphilis cases: A performance evaluation of different machine learning models
Authors: Teixeira Igor Vitor , da Silva Leite Morgana Thalita , de Morais Melo Flávio Leandro , da Silva Rocha Élisson , Sadok Sara , Pessoa da Costa Carrarine Ana Sofia , Santana Marília , Pinheiro Rodrigues Cristina , de Lima Oliveira Ana Maria , Vieira Gadelha Keduly , de Morais Cleber Matos , Kelner Judith , Endo Patricia Takako 
Published: June 2023

Background
Communicable diseases represent a huge economic burden for healthcare systems and for society. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a concerning issue, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries, in which environmental factors and other determinants of health play a role in contributing to its fast spread. In light of this situation, machine learning techniques have been explored to assess the incidence of syphilis and contribute to the epidemiological surveillance in this scenario.

Objective
The main goal of this work is to evaluate the performance of different machine learning models on predicting undesirable outcomes of congenital syphilis in order to assist resources allocation and optimize the healthcare actions, especially in a constrained health environment.

Method
We use clinical and sociodemographic data from pregnant women that were assisted by a social program in Pernambuco, Brazil, named Mãe Coruja Pernambucana Program (PMCP). Based on a rigorous methodology, we propose six experiments using three feature selection techniques to select the most relevant attributes, pre-process and clean the data, apply hyperparameter optimization to tune the machine learning models, and train and test models to have a fair evaluation and discussion.

Results
The AdaBoost-BODS-Expert model, an Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) model that used attributes selected by health experts, presented the best results in terms of evaluation metrics and acceptance by health experts from PMCP. By using this model, the results are more reliable and allows adoption on a daily usage to classify possible outcomes of congenital syphilis using clinical and sociodemographic data.
Using traditional rhyme (folk song) as a tool for oral hygiene promotion (UTRATOHP) among children in rural communities in Nigeria: A protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fagbule Omotayo Francis , Emenyonu Urenna Karen , Idiga Ejiro , Oni Olubunmi Oluseun , Ijarogbe Olabode Adeyemi , Osuh Mary Ebelechukwu , Lawal Folake Barakat , Owoaje Tolulope Olusola , Ibiyemi Olushola 
Published: June 2023

Background
Most oral diseases are caused by poor oral hygiene, and with adequate oral hygiene measures, they are easily preventable. The use of folk songs to deliver oral health education may likely hold a huge potential for success and an increased likelihood of acceptability and sustainability among school children. Therefore, an investigation into the effectiveness of methods that would be culturally appropriate and sustainable, such as folk songs, is essential.

Aim
To determine the effect of traditional rhyme (folk song) as a tool for oral hygiene education among children in rural communities in Nigeria.

Materials and methods
This is a school-based, assessor-blinded, two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial that will assess the effectiveness of oral hygiene messages delivered through traditional rhyme (folk song) on children’s oral hygiene knowledge, attitude, practices, and oral hygiene status in two rural communities (Igboora and Idere) in Nigeria. The study will involve a minimum of 424 participants (aged 7–9 years) selected from eight primary schools using the cluster sampling technique. Four schools will be randomised into the test group to receive oral hygiene messages through folk songs, and the participants will sing the song for two weeks. The other four schools will be assigned to the control group, and the participants will receive the usual oral health talk on oral hygiene practices by a dentist. The participants’ oral hygiene knowledge, attitude, practice and status will be assessed at baseline, immediate, six, and twelve-month post-intervention. A modified World Health Organization (WHO) Children’s oral health survey questionnaire will be utilised for data collection. Oral examinations will be conducted to assess the participants’ dental caries experience and oral hygiene status using the dmft/DMFT and simplified oral hygiene indices, respectively.

Discussion
Folk songs are popular means of conveying messages in Nigeria, and using them to deliver oral health messages may be an effective, acceptable, and sustainable method among children. This study will provide empirical information about this innovative intervention to guide policy development, dental public health practice, and future studies.

Trial registration
Pan African Clinical Trial Registry-PACTR202010863892797 (October 2020).
The design and development of a study protocol to investigate Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa and Mansonella perstans-mediated modulation of the metabolic and immunological profile in lean and obese individuals in Cameroon
Authors: Lenz Benjamin , Andrew Beng Amuam , Ritter Manuel , Karunakaran Indulekha , Gandjui Narcisse Victor Tchamatchoua , Nchang Lucy Cho , Surendar Jayagopi , Ebob Anita Obi Bate , Ehrens Alexandra , Klarmann-Schulz Ute , Ricchiuto Arcangelo , Kuehlwein Janina M. , Fombad Fanny Fri , Ngwa Ambe Marius , Katcho Tatiana Djikeussi , Hoerauf Achim , Wanji Samuel , Hübner Marc P. 
Published: June 2023

Background
Life-style metabolic diseases are steadily rising, not only in developed countries, but also in low- and middle-income countries, presenting a global health problem. Metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are among the ten leading causes of death defined by the WHO in 2019. Results from animal and observational human studies suggest a connection between the decline in human helminth infections and rise of life-style-associated metabolic diseases in developing regions. This trial was designed to investigate filarial infections and their impact on metabolic diseases in Cameroon. We hypothesize that the induction of regulatory immune responses during filarial infection reduces obesity-induced low-grade inflammatory immune responses and thereby improves metabolic parameters, whereas anthelmintic treatment abolishes this protective effect.

Methods/design
Participants infected with Mansonella perstans, Onchocerca volvulus and/or Loa loa being lean (BMI <25), overweight (BMI >25 and <30) or clinically obese (BMI ≥30) from Littoral regions of Cameroon will be evaluated for their parasitological, immunological, metabolic and biochemical profile before and after treatment of their parasitic infections. Anthropomorphic measurements and a detailed questionnaire will complement our analysis. The investigation will assess blood immune cell populations, serum adipokines and cytokines that could be influenced by the parasite infection and/or metabolic diseases. Further, parameters like blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), circulating lipids and circulating makers of liver function will be monitored. Parameters will be assessed before treatment, 12 and 18 months after treatment.

Conclusion
The focus of this study is to obtain a comprehensive metabolic profile of the participants in rural areas of Cameroon and to investigate the relationship between filarial immunomodulation and metabolic diseases. This study will elucidate the effect of anti-filarial treatment on the metabolic and immunological parameters that partake in the development of insulin resistance, narrowing in on a potential protective effect of filarial infections on metabolic diseases.

Trial registration
doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN43845142, ISRCTN43845142 February 2020 Trial title Effects of filarial parasite infection on type 2 diabetes Issue date: 27.10.22, V.1.
Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in England: A qualitative evaluation
Authors: Mounier-Jack Sandra , Paterson Pauline , Bell Sadie , Letley Louise , Kasstan Ben , Chantler Tracey 
Published: June 2023

Background
The UK was the first country to launch a national pandemic COVID-19 vaccination programme, which was implemented swiftly despite significant vaccine supply constraints. The delivery strategy used a combination of mass vaccination sites operated by NHS secondary care providers and local sites led by Primary Care Networks, and local pharmacies. Despite nation-wide rollout, persistent gaps in coverage continued to affect particular populations, including ethnic minority and marginalised social groups.

Aim
The study examined sub-national immunisation commissioners and providers’ perspectives on how the COVID-19 vaccine programme was operationalised, and how delivery strategies impacted inequalities in access to vaccination services and uptake. The study aimed to inform national programme implementation, sustainability and future pandemic preparedness.

Methods
Qualitative research was conducted in eight local NHS areas in 4 regions of England. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 82 sub-national NHS and public health vaccine providers and commissioners.

Results
England’s COVID-19 vaccination programme was described as top down, centralised and highly political. The programme gradually morphed from a predominantly mass vaccination strategy into more locally driven and tailored approaches able to respond more effectively to inequalities in uptake. Over time more flexibility was introduced, as providers adapted services by “working around” the national systems for vaccine supply and appointment booking. The constant change faced by providers and commissioners was mitigated by high staff motivation and resilience, local collaboration and pragmatism. Opportunities for efficient implementation were missed because priority was given to achieving national performance targets at the expense of a more flexible sub-national tailored delivery.

Conclusion
Pandemic vaccination delivery models need to be adapted for underserved and hesitant groups, working in collaboration with local actors. Learnings from the initial COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in England and elsewhere is important to inform future pandemic responses, in tailoring strategies to local communities, and improve large-scale vaccination programmes.
Costs of services and funding gap of the Bangladesh National Tuberculosis Control Programme 2016–2022: An ingredient based approach
Authors: Hasan Md. Zahid , Ahmed Sayem , Islam Zeenat , Dorin Farzana , Rabbani Md. Golam , Mehdi Gazi Golam , Ahmed Mohammad Wahid , Tahsina Tazeen , Mahmood Shehrin Shaila , Islam Ziaul 
Published: June 2023

Background
Bangladesh National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme (NTP) has deployed improved diagnostic technologies which may drive up the programme costs. We aimed to estimate the supply-side costs associated with the delivery of the NTP and the funding gap between the cost of implementation and available funding for the Bangladesh NTP.

Methods
An ingredient-based costing approach was applied using WHO’s OneHealth Tool software. We considered 2016, as the base year and projected cost estimates up to 2022 using information on NTP planned activities. Data were collected through consultative meetings with experts and officials/managers, review of documents and databases, and visits to five purposively selected TB healthcare facilities. The estimated costs were compared with the funds allocated to the NTP between 2018 and 2022 to estimate the funding gap.

Findings
The estimated total cost of NTP was US$ 49.22 million in 2016, which would increase to US$ 146.93 million in 2022. Human resources (41.1%) and medicines and investigations/ supplies (38.0%) were the major two cost components. Unit costs were highest for treating extensively drug-resistant TB at US$ 7,422.4 in 2016. Between 2018–2022, NTP would incur US$ 536.8 million, which is US$ 235.18 million higher than the current allocation for NTP.

Conclusion
Our results indicated a funding gap associated with the NTP in each of the years between 2018–2022. Policy planners should advocate for additional funding to ensure smooth delivery of TB services in the upcoming years. The cost estimates of TB services can also be used for planning and budgeting for delivering TB services in similar country contexts.
Recreational water exposures and illness outcomes at a freshwater beach in Toronto, Canada: A prospective cohort pilot study
Authors: Young Ian , Sanchez J. Johanna , Desta Binyam Negussie , Heasley Cole , Tustin Jordan 
Published: June 2023

Background
Swimming and other recreational water activities in surface waters are popular in Canada during the summer. However, these activities can also increase the risk of recreational water illness. While routine monitoring of beach water quality is conducted by local authorities each summer, little research is available in Canada about beach exposures and illness risks.

Methods
We conducted a pilot of a prospective cohort study at a popular beach in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2022 to determine characteristics of beachgoers, common water and sand exposures, the incidence of recreational water illness, and the feasibility for a larger, national cohort study. We enrolled beachgoers on-site and surveyed about their exposures at the beach and conducted a follow-up survey 7 days following their beach visit to ascertain acute gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, ear, and eye illness outcomes. We descriptively tabulated and summarized the collected data.

Results
We enrolled 649 households, consisting of 831 beachgoers. Water contact activities were reported by 56% of beachgoers, with swimming being the most common activity (44% of participants). Similarly, 56% of beachgoers reported digging in the sand or burying themselves in the sand. Children (≤14 years) and teenagers (15–19 years) were most likely to report engaging in water contact activities and swallowing water, while children were most likely to report sand contact activities and getting sand in their mouth. Boys and men were more likely than women and girls to report swallowing water (15.2% vs. 9.4%). Water and sand exposures also differed by household education level and participant ethno-racial identity. E. coli levels in beach water were consistently low (median = 20 CFU/100 mL, range = 10–58). The incidence of illness outcomes was very low (0.3–2.8%) among the 287 participants that completed the follow-up survey.

Conclusions
The identified beach exposure patterns can inform future risk assessments and communication strategies. Excellent water quality was observed at the studied beach, likely contributing to the low incidence of illnesses. A larger, national cohort study is needed in Canada to examine risks of illness at beaches at higher risk of fecal contamination.
Exploring the piezoelectric porous polymers for energy harvesting: a review
Authors: Najihi Ikrame , Ennawaoui Chouaib , Hajjaji Abdelowahed , Boughaleb Yahia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn addition to traditional piezoelectric polymers, mono-crystals and ceramics, piezoelectrets or charged voided polymers have shown an interesting piezoelectric response by converting the mechanical energy into electrical and vice versa, therefore being incorporated in a number of advanced electromechanical transducers. This article is a review on the different phases for the elaboration of pseudo piezoelectric films based on passive polymers. First, several methods for the elaboration of the cellular structure of these materials are explained in the main text, with the morphological representation of the reached porosity. The porosity represents a cell to embed the positive and negative electrical charges created by the most common electrical charging processes, which are subsequently mentioned. Different theoretical models are emphasized as well to predict the piezoelectric behavior of this porous polymers. Finally, some of the latest harvesting energy applications based on porous polymers are collected. All the considerations cited above make Piezoelectric porous polymers open access materials that can be developed and optimized by the control of the porosity then used in energy harvesting applications.
EU Contract Case Law, January–March 2023
Authors: Esposito Fabrizio , de Almeida Lucila Gabriel , Rubio Roger Barat i 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
This article provides an overview of the most relevant cases decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning contract law. The present issue covers the period between the beginning of January 2023 and the end of March 2023. Out of a total of 265 judgments decided in this period, 57 had a contract law dimension.
Paradigms of Business Consulting Agreements
Authors: Denga Michael 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Business consulting represents one of the most important activities in the service economy, yet its contractual arrangements have rarely been analysed. Various scandals linked to professional consulting in recent times, such as the accounting scandal surrounding the German DAX-company, Wirecard, or the ‘Luanda Leaks’, give reason for a closer look at this activity, as well as the corresponding contractual agreements. Additionally, the regular functioning of consulting agreements is largely undiscussed. The aim of this contribution is (1) to highlight the essential problems of business consultancy contracts, namely the informational advantage of the consultant with regard to the quality of advice and price; structural conflicts of interest, especially in the case of business consultancy by auditors; the possibilities of abusing consultancy contracts for personal gain, as well as the liability of the consultant and the exemption of management from liability through the use of consultants; and (2) to propose solutions to these problems using the existing rules of due diligence and collateral duties, especially by applying general norms in the light of the economic function of management consultants as brokers for knowledge and know-how.
Die sogenannten Krawallnächte als
Conjuncture
: Wie gewaltvolle Ausschreitungen diskursiv ent- und repolitisiert werden
Authors: Kotzur Laura 
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung
Ausschreitungen und Gewalt im urbanen Raum stellen immer wieder Projektionsflächen für diskursive Eskalationen und politische Deutungshoheiten dar. Sie können mit Stuart Hall als Conjunctures verstanden werden, in denen situative Ereignisse und medial-diskursive Deutungskämpfe in ein größeres Aushandlungsgefüge eingebettet werden. Durch die Analyse von hegemonialen und oppositionellen Lesarten der Ereignisse eröffnet sich dieser umkämpfte Raum. Im Folgenden soll dieser exemplarisch an den sogenannten Krawallnächten in Stuttgart und Frankfurt im Sommer 2020 diskursanalytisch nachgezeichnet werden. Es zeigt sich, dass die oppositionelle Lesart die versicherheitlichenden und rassifizierenden/kulturalisierenden Lesarten des hegemonialen Narrativs herausfordert und repolitisiert. Welcher Strategien sich beide Lesarten bedienen, soll in diesem Artikel dargestellt werden.
Entgrenzung von Gewalt in autoritärer Herrschaft
Authors: Sydiq Tareq 
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung
Wie gewaltsam sind Staat-Gesellschaftsbeziehungen in repressiven Kontexten? Dieser Beitrag illustriert dies anhand des Irans in Form periodisch wechselnder Beziehungsverhältnisse. Autoritäre Macht ist grundsätzlich charakterisiert durch ihren exklusiven Charakter, der durch Repressionen aufrechterhalten wird. Dennoch ist sie, um Output-Legitimität zu generieren, auf effektive Politikgestaltung angewiesen. Aufgrund dieser pragmatischen Überlegungen greift sie auf begrenzte gesellschaftliche Teilhabe in Form autoritärer Partizipation zurück. Wo aus dieser Responsivität eine signifikante Machtverschiebung zugunsten gesellschaftlicher Konkurrent*innen hervorgeht, sichern Machthabende ihre Position durch den Einsatz massiver Gewalt ab. Dies kann, wie derzeit im Iran, kurzzeitig den Machterhalt sichern, nimmt aber langfristig beschädigte Staat-Gesellschaftsbeziehungen in Kauf. Damit sichert Gewalt zwar den Machterhalt, schwächt aber die Institutionen, auf denen der eigene Machtapparat aufbaut. Dermaßen polarisierte Staat-Gesellschaftsbeziehungen lassen sich schließlich immer schwerer in friedliche Formen des Machterhalts zurückführen, womit eine staatlich beförderte Eskalationsspirale droht.
Why truth is necessarily pragmatic
Authors: Allan Keith 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
This essay presents an array of arguments demonstrating that truth is necessarily pragmatic. Evaluations of truth derive from human experience, from the individual’s weltanschauung which molds their point of view and ideological perspective. Consequently, within any community, there exist alternative truths. Traditional takes on truth are reviewed. The fuzziness of many truths is examined. The existence within the community of alternative, sometimes contradictory, truths is explicated and shown to be fairly common in practice, even though it can occasionally lead to social dissension. The essay expatiates on the alleged incontrovertibility of logical, mathematical, and scientific truths (supposedly true in all possible worlds) showing that they are necessarily subject to specific conditions which render the assessment pragmatic. In sum, Φ is true resolves into Φ functions as true under specific conditions a

1…n
. Certainly, a hegemonic group within the community will often assert a preference for one truth over its alternatives, but that does not eliminate the existence of alternative truths within that community. The only way to manage this state of affairs is to admit that truth does not exist independent of human beings but is necessarily evaluated according to the set of perceptions, conceptions, and beliefs that constitute the individual’s weltanschauung at the time the judgment is made, such that different weltanschauungen often give rise to different judgments about what functions as true.