bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling sociodemographic factors that affect malaria prevalence in Sussundenga, Mozambique: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Ferrao Joao , Earland Dominique , Novela Anisio , Mendes Roberto , Ballat Marcos , Tungadza Alberto , Searle Kelly 
Published: February 2022

Background: Malaria is still one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique with little progress in malaria control over the past 20 years. Sussundenga is one of most affected areas. Malaria transmission has a strong association with environmental and sociodemographic factors. The knowledge of sociodemographic factors that affects malaria, may be used to improve the strategic planning for its control. Currently such studies have not been performed in Sussundenga. Thus, the objective of this study is to model the relationship between malaria and sociodemographic factors in Sussundenga, Mozambique. Methods: Houses in the study area were digitalized and enumerated using Google Earth Pro version 7.3. In this study 100 houses were randomly selected to conduct a community survey of Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). During the survey, a questionnaire was conducted to assess the sociodemographic factors of the participants. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and backward stepwise logistic regression was performed establishing a relationship between positive cases and the factors. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 package. Results: The overall P. falciparum prevalence was 31.6%. Half of the malaria positive cases occurred in age group 5 to 14 years. Previous malaria treatment, population density and age group were significant predictors for the model. The model explained 13.5% of the variance in malaria positive cases and sensitivity of the final model was 73.3%. Conclusion: In this area the highest burden of P. falciparum infection was among those aged 5–14 years old. Malaria infection was related to sociodemographic factors. Targeting malaria control at community level can combat the disease more effectively than waiting for cases at health centers. These finding can be used to guide more effective interventions in this region.
An overview of the establishment of a national contact tracing programme: a quality improvement approach in a time of pandemic
Authors: Martin Jennifer , Carroll Ciara , Khurshid Zuneera , Moore Gemma , Cosgrove Grainne , Conway Robert , Buckley Claire , Browne Mary , Flynn Maureen , Doyle Sarah 
Published: February 2022

Background: With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Irish health system needed a contact tracing and management intervention at a national level to undertake high volume, low complexity contact tracing. This paper describes the establishment and first year of a national Contact Management Programme (CMP) in Ireland, its core components, outcomes on key measures (coverage, timeliness, and training) and learnings from the process. Methods: CMP is centred on four steps, 1) case: rapid notification to a person of a result and provision of advice, 2) contacts: rapid identification of contacts, 3) control: rapid public health management of contacts, which includes testing and 4) active follow-up of close contacts with additional testing and public health advice reminder SMS and calls. The outcome measures used in this study are: 1) The proportion of all Irish cases contact traced through the CMP (Coverage), 2) the time taken to complete the 3 types of CMP calls (timeliness), 3) number of contact tracers trained and their feedback (training). Results: 246,666 positive cases were recorded using the CMP between 17th March 2020 and 30th April 2021, with contact tracing successfully completed for 237,759 cases, representing 99% and 96%, respectively, of the 248,529 cases notified in Ireland up to the 30th of April 2021. The average time taken for contact tracing to be completed was 29.4 hours (95% CI 28.9, 29.9) and the median was 16.8 hours (approximate 95% CI 15.9, 17.7). Conclusion: Using the Quality Improvement (QI) approach, the Health Service Executive (HSE) successfully established and scaled up a Contact Management Programme that rapidly notified results to people and traced their close contacts. CMP contributed to the success of the Irish health service in managing the pandemic. CMP slowed COVID-19 transmission and lessened the impact on health services capacity.
“We threw away the stones”: a mixed method evaluation of a simple cookstove intervention in Malawi
Authors: Saleh Sepeedeh , Sambakunsi Henry , Makina Debora , Kumwenda Moses , Rylance Jamie , Chinouya Martha , Mortimer Kevin 
Published: February 2022

Background:Exposure to air pollution is responsible for a substantial burden of respiratory disease globally. Household air pollution from cooking using biomass is a major contributor to overall exposure in rural low-income settings. Previous research in Malawi has revealed how precarity and food insecurity shape individuals’ daily experiences, contributing to perceptions of health. Aiming to avoid a mismatch between research intervention and local context, we introduced a simple cookstove intervention in rural Malawi, analysing change in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures, and community perceptions.Methods:Following a period of baseline ethnographic research, we distributed‘chitetezo mbaula’, locally made clay cookstoves, to all households (n=300) in a rural Malawian village. Evaluation incorporated village-wide participant observation and concurrent exposure monitoring using portable PM2.5monitors at baseline and follow-up (three months post-intervention). Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Quantitative analysis of exposure data included pre-post intervention comparisons, with datapoints divided into cooking and non-cooking (‘baseline’) periods. Findings were integrated at the interpretation stage, using a convergent design mode of synthesis.Results:Individual exposure monitoring pre- and post-cookstove intervention involved a sample of 18 participants (15 female; mean age 43). Post-intervention PM2.5exposures (median 9.9μg/m3[interquartile range: 2.2–46.5]) were not significantly different to pre-intervention (11.8μg/m3[3.8–44.4]); p=0.71. On analysis by activity, ‘baseline’ exposures were found to be reduced post-intervention (from 8.2μg/m3[2.5–22.0] to 4.6μg/m3[1.0–12.6]; p=0.01). Stoves were well-liked and widely used by residents as substitutes for previous cooking methods (mainly three-stone fires). Most cited benefits related to fuel saving and shorter cooking times.Conclusions:The cookstove intervention had no impact on cooking-related PM2.5exposures. A significant reduction in baseline exposures may relate to reduced smouldering emissions. Uptake and continued use of the stoves was high amongst community members, who preferred using the stoves to cooking over open fires.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Success and Post-ICO Performance
Authors: Lyandres Evgeny , Palazzo Berardino , Rabetti Daniel 
Published: February 2022

We compile a comprehensive data set of initial coin offerings (ICOs) from 19 data sources including 11 ICO aggregators. We alleviate severe limitations of available ICO data by performing the first systematic analysis of ICO data quality. We use our data set to study determinants of ICO funding success as well as post-ICO operating performance and provide evidence on some novel determinants of initial and longer-term ICO success. Finally, we show that post-ICO operating performance is positively associated with contemporaneous token returns and is generally negatively associated with token return volatility, suggesting that post-ICO operating performance has financial ramifications. This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance. Supplemental Material: Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4312 .
Calculation of the modified control matrix for a selected unimorph
deformable mirror to compensate the piezoelectric hysteresis effect using
the inverse Bouc–Wen model
Authors: Aghababayee M. A. , Mosayebi M. , Saghafifar H. 
Published: February 2022

The hysteresis behavior of piezoelectric actuators degrades the positioning accuracy
and bandwidth of nano-positioning systems. Therefore, considering the
hysteresis of piezoelectric deformable mirrors is completely essential
and also improves the modeling accuracy of adaptive optics layouts.
Because of the unique adaptability and mathematical flexibility of the
Bouc–Wen model it has gained popularity, and as a result, in many
scientific applications, it is one of the most conventional models
typically employed to describe nonlinear hysteretic systems. Among
different deformable mirrors, a unimorph piezoelectric deformable
mirror is a suitable choice to be used in adaptive optics systems
because of its relative convenience and cost-effective production.
This paper proposes a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach to
determine the influence function and the voltage control matrix of a
specific unimorph mirror by considering a simplified inverse Bouc–Wen
hysteresis model as a frequency function. Then the results for two
selected standard Zernike modes, defocus and astigmatism-x, have been
simulated using Comsol Multiphysics and MATLAB at a range of 5 to
100 Hz. For a more comprehensive comparison, the root-mean-square
error and the coefficients of the Zernike terms have been applied as
two criteria. According to the simulation results, the hysteresis
effect of piezoelectric actuators has been significantly compensated
by applying the inverse Bouc–Wen model at different frequencies,
especially for higher frequencies. The effectiveness of the inverse
Bouc–Wen model to compensate the hysteresis has been observed in
astigmatism-x mode slightly more than in the defocus
mode.
Comprehensive design analysis and verification of space-based short-wave infrared coded spectrometer via curved prism dispersion
Authors: Jia Xin-Yin , Li Xi-Jie , Hu Bing-Liang , Li Li-Bo , Wang Fei-Cheng , Zhang Zhao-Hui , Yang Ying , Ke Shan-Liang , Zou Chun-bo , Liu Jia , Li Si-yuan 
Published: February 2022

The spaceborne dispersive spectrometer is widely used in environmental, resource, and
ocean observations. The coded spectrometer has higher energy
advantages than the dispersion spectrometer, so it has great
application prospects. In the current study, we developed an off-axis
short-wave infrared coded optical system (SICOS) based on curved prism
dispersion, and we further explored the design and optimization of the
SICOS structure. Finite element analyses of a space-based short-wave
infrared coded spectrometer based on curved prism dispersion
(SSICS-CPD), including static simulation, modal analysis, sinusoidal
vibration mechanical analysis, and random vibration mechanical
analysis, were carried out. Simulation results showed that the SICOS
support structure had excellent mechanical and thermal stability. As
off-axis optical systems cannot meet the requirements of optical
position accuracy through centering processing, a point source
microscope and three-coordinate measuring machines were employed to
complete the high-precision and rapid assembly of the SSICS-CPD. In
addition, verification tests of surface shape error, stress relief,
random vibration, and optical design parameters were carried out to
validate the high stability and imaging performance of the SSICS-CPD.
Results showed that the average modulation transfer function in the
full field was 0.43 at 16.67 lp/mm, the spectral smile was

<

0.2

pixels, and the spectral keystone was

<

0.1

pixels. The design, analysis,
assembly, and verification of the SSICS-CPD provide a useful reference
for the development of other spaceborne prism dispersion
spectrometers.
Effects of Catha Edulis Forsk on spatial learning, memory and correlation with serum electrolytes in wild-type male white albino rats
Authors: Limenie Abebaye Aragaw , Dugul Tesfaye Tolessa , Eshetu Eyasu Mekonnen 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe burdens of psychostimulant use disorders are becoming a worldwide problem. One of the psychostimulants widely consumed in Ethiopia and East African countries isCatha edulisForsk (khat). However, no studies have been conducted on the cognitive effects of khat and its correlation with serum electrolytes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of khat on spatial learning and memory and their correlation with serum electrolytes.Materials and methodsDiethyl ether and chloroform (3:1v/v ratio) were solvents used to obtain the crude khat extract in this study. T80W was used to prepare the khat juice, fresh khat leave extract. The rats were received crude khat extract subchronically (KESC) (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w), khat juice (KHJ 2.5 mL/kg), 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v, vehicle) and khat extract subacutely (KESA) (300 mg/kg). For subchronic treatment, each rat was administered for twelve weeks before Morris water maze experiment has been started, while it was administered for a week for acute treatment. Spatial learning and memory were measured using the Morris water maze model and serum sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride were evaluated using Cobas 6000.ResultsSpatial learning was improved with trials across the groups, while average escape latency (s) of rats received KESC 200 mg/kg (p<0.001), KESC 300 mg/kg (p<0.01) and KHJ 2.5 mL/kg (p<0.05) was significantly greater than rats that received vehicle. There was no significant difference in the latency between rats that received KESA 300mg/kg and vehicle (p>0.05). Thigmotaxis was significantly higher in rats that received all doses of khat extract (p<0.001). The time spent in the target quadrant in rats that received KESC 300 mg/kg was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Serum calcium level was inversely correlated with the escape latency (R = -0.417, p<0.05) in rats that received khat.ConclusionsKhat extract and juice administered subchronically, but not subacutely, impaired learning and memory and was associated with serum calcium reduction. The neuronal basis for such alteration should be investigated.
Adherence to contemporary antiretroviral treatment regimens and impact on immunological and virologic outcomes in a US healthcare system
Authors: T. Tchakoute Christophe , Rhee Soo-Yon , Hare C. Bradley , Shafer Robert W. , Sainani Kristin 
Published: February 2022

Background
Only a few recent reports have examined longitudinal adherence patterns in US clinics and its impact on immunological and virological outcomes among large cohorts initiating contemporary antiretroviral therapy (ART) in US clinics.

Methods
We followed all persons with HIV (PLWH) in a California clinic population initiating ART between 2010 and 2017. We estimated longitudinal adherence for each PLWH by calculating the medication possession ratio within multiple 6-month intervals using pharmacy refill records.

Results
During the study, 2315 PWLH were followed for a median time of 210.8 weeks and only 179 (7.7%) were lost-to-follow-up. The mean adherence was 84.9%. Age (Hazard Ratio (HR): (95% confidence interval): 1.25 (1.20–1.31) per 10-year increase) and Black race (HR: 0.62 (0.53–0.73) vs. White) were associated with adherence in the cohort. A 10% percent increase in adherence increased the odds of being virally suppressed by 37% (OR and 95% CI: 1.37 [1.33–1.41]) and was associated with an increase in mean CD4 count by 8.54 cells/ul in the next 6-month interval (p-value <0.0001).

Conclusions
Our study shows that despite large improvements in retention in care, demographic disparities in adherence to ART persist. Adherence was lower among younger patients and black patients. Our study confirmed the strong association between adherence to ART and viral suppression but could only establish a weak association between adherence and CD4 count. These findings reaffirm the importance of adherence and retention in care and further highlight the need for tailored patient-centered HIV Care Models as a strategy to improve PLWH’s outcomes.
Carathéodory approximate solutions for a class of stochastic differential equations involving the local time at point zero with one-sided Lipschitz continuous drift coefficients
Authors: Hiderah Kamal 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In this paper, we study the Carathéodory approximate solution for a class of stochastic differential equations involving the local time at point zero.
Based on the Carathéodory approximation procedure, we prove that stochastic differential equations involving the local time at point zero have a unique solution, and we show that the Carathéodory approximate solution converges to the solution of stochastic differential equations involving the local time at point zero with one-sided Lipschitz drift coefficient.
Journalistic Practices on Twitter: A Comparative Visual Study on the Personalization of Conflict Reporting on Social Media
Authors: Fahmy Shahira S. , Taha Basma Mostafa , Karademir Hasan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeUsing a mixed-method approach, this comparative study unpacks the way journalists personalized the controversial Yemen Civil War by examining the patterns of visual framing on Twitter. It further explores the influence of the individual level factor (home country or foreign identity of the journalist) and organizational level factor (countries affiliated with news organizations directly or indirectly involved in the conflict), on images shared on the Twitter platform.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis and a semiotic analysis of 2880 image tweets were used to investigate the different visual narratives related to the conflict and the extent of personalized journalism on Twitter.FindingsThe content analysis showed that while journalists offered some personalized reporting, by and large, they preferred to adopt a neutral stance when reporting the conflict. The semiotic analysis complemented the findings and identified more broadly that the image tweets analyzed emphasized the classic war-as-a-tragedy narrative, while at the same time shedding some light on the political conflict.Practical implicationsResearchers are given guidance into journalistic practices on social media and a deeper understanding of the extent and role of personalized journalism of conflict on Twitter.Social implicationsThis study captured the fluctuating role of journalists on Twitter. Journalists occasionally fluctuated in their visual roles between being neutral observers and moral agents. These fluctuations were likely influenced by an array of factors, including the journalist’s home country or foreign identity and the country affiliation of news organizations they were working for.Originality/valueThis is the first study to show that journalists from different backgrounds have remained somehow obliged to carry on with their journalistic roles on Twitter. It also sheds light on different levels of influences on personalized war coverage on social media and extend the hierarchy of influence model (Shoemaker, Pamela & Stephen Reese. 1996.Mediating the Message; Theories of influence on mass media content. New York: Longman) in the context of personalized reporting on Twitter. It thus adds to the growing body of knowledge on how this model plays out in an online-first era, especially in non-western contexts.
Material-property correlations for a high-alloy special steel
Authors: Michael Oliver , Rosemann Paul , Halle Thorsten , Dieck Sebastian 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Using the example of the high-alloy austenitic steel 1.4828 (X15CrNiSi20-12), which is typically used for high-temperature applications, this paper will demonstrate how the performance characteristics of semi-finished products are impacted by the condition of a material after production and processing. For this purpose, samples of a cost-effective as-cast condition and a comparatively expensive as-forged condition were studied in a comparative approach. The microstructure was examined by means of light optical as well as scanning electron microscopy, hardness values were determined, and the corrosion behavior was characterized by electrochemical investigations. The comparative studies show that despite an almost identical chemical composition, both the as-fabricated and as-processed conditions of a material have a decisive impact on the performance characteristics, particularly on corrosion behavior.
Impact of surface preparation on the formation of deformation-induced α‘-martensite in a metastable austenitic steel
Authors: Kubotsch Marcel , Scheck Rudi , Willer Dieter , Speicher Magdalena , Soppa Ewa Anna 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The metastable austenitic steel X6CrNi-Nb18-10 (AISI 347) will partly transform to α‘-martensite under mechanical loading at room temperature. In order to determine the influence of loading conditions on deformation-induced martensitic transformation, a thorough surface preparation is required for the samples to be analyzed, ensuring that a martensite-free sample surface is achieved prior to mechanical loading. In this paper, two preparation techniques were compared, focusing in particular on the final preparation step, which is polishing. Measurements using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) have revealed that large α‘-martensite volume fractions of more than 20 % are present on the prepared sample surface after vibratory polishing. However, they can be removed almost completely by electrolytic polishing and chemical etching respectively.
Liquid Metal Embrittlement in Narrow Gap Welds
Authors: Neidel A. , Riesenbeck S. , Giller M. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Failure analysts are sometimes surprised to find well-known metallurgical failure mechanisms at work in completely unexpected places. This contribution is an eloquent example for just such an incidental convergence of well-known failure mechanism and fabrication process where it was not reported to have previously occurred. Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) was observed in Narrow Gap Welds (NGW) produced for Welding Procedure Qualification (WPQ). The embrittling liquid metal was copper in this case. It is believed to have originated from copper backing used for weld pool protection. It was recommended to replace copper backing with ceramic weld pool protection.
Non-assignment clauses as obstacles to true sale securitisations
Authors: Gárdos Péter 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe new European rules on securitisation entered into force in 2019 with a view to revitalising the securitisation market. By introducing public law rules, the regulation intends to avoid the re-creation of the risks that played a role in the 2008–2009 financial crisis. The regulation, however, does not contain private law rules. Consequently, the substantive rules pertaining to securitisation will remain to be formed by the national laws of the Member States of the European Union. This paper argues that the ways in which non-assignment clauses are regulated in Member States will have a significant impact on the availability of securitisation.
Rubem Alves e o entretempo messiânico: variações sobre corpo, poder e esperança
Authors: Marques Cabral Alexandre , De Almeida Edson Fernando 
Published: February 2022

ResumoEste artigo tem como objetivo apresentar o conceito de temporalidade messiânica ou entretempo messiânico em Rubem Alves. Tal temporalidade está construída sobre três elementos fundamentais da sua antropologia teológica, a saber, o corpo, o poder e a esperança. Em um primeiro momento, sob a chave da esperança, mapeamos duas temporalidades do mundo que se entrechocam em seus escritos, quais sejam, o realismo e a utopia. Em seguida, sob a chave do corpo, apresentamos a noção de teogonia somatológica como imprescindível para a compreensão da temporalidade do entretempo nestes mesmos escritos. Finalmente, sob a chave do poder, desenvolvemos a noção entretempo que em Rubem Alves diz respeito às descontinuidades qualitativas que interrompem experiências históricas que amarram as possibilidades criativas da condição humana.