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Background: Prenatal care is a critical component of maternal and child health, providing essential preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to pregnant women. Adequate antenatal care has been linked to reduced maternal and infant mortality and improved birth outcomes. Despite its importance, disparities in antenatal care coverage persist globally, including Sierra Leone, with significant implications for maternal and child health. This study examined the trends and inequalities in antenatal care utilisation in Sierra Leone. Methods: We used data from the 2008, 2013, and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys. Simple inequality measures (Difference and Ratio) and complex measures (Population Attributable Risk and Population Attributable Fraction) were computed using the World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software. Inequality in antenatal care was calculated on six stratefiers: age groups for women, birth order, educational levels, economic status, residential areas, and sub-national province. Results: There was a significant increase in adequate antenatal care coverage from 2008 (15.2%) to 2013 (36.5%) but a decrease in 2019 (22.1%). The inequality in age increased over time from a Difference of 2.7 percentage points in 2008 to a Difference of 5.3 percentage points in 2019, indicating age-related inequalities. The Population Attributable Fraction decreased from 2.7% in 2008 to zero in 2013, indicating no further improvement in the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage can be achieved in the absence of age-related inequalities. However, it increased to 7.7% in 2019, indicating that the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage would have increased by 7.7% in the absence of age-related inequalities. The birth order inequality increased from a Difference of − 5.2 percentage points in 2008 to 2.6 percentage points in 2019. The Population Attributable Fraction was zero in 2008 and 3.4% in 2019, showing that the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage would have increased by 3.4% if there was no parity-based inequality. Inequality in economic status decreased from 32.1 percentage points in 2008 (Difference = 32.1) to 2.8 percentage points in 2019 (Difference = 2.8). The Population Attributable Fraction revealed that the national average could have been 164.4% higher in 2008 and 20.8% higher in 2013; however, it was zero in 2019, indicating that no further improvement can be achieved in the national average if there was no inequality related to economic status. Inequality for education decreased from 49.9 percentage points in 2008 (Difference = 49.9) to 11.0 percentage points in 2019 (Difference = 11.0). Inequality decreased from a Difference of 20.8 percentage points in 2008 to a Difference of 1.7 percentage points in 2019 for place of residence inequality, showing a reduction in inequality. Provincial inequality decreased from a Difference of 33.9 percentage points in 2008 to 8.5 percentage points in 2019. Conclusion: While there have been notable improvements in antenatal care coverage in Sierra Leone, adequate antenatal care coverage is still below the WHO target of 78% in 2016, and significant inequalities persist. Addressing these inequalities requires a multifaceted approach considering demographic, economic, educational, and geographic indicators considered in this study. Sustained efforts and targeted interventions are critical by the Sierra Leone government to ensure that all women, regardless of their background, have access to essential antenatal care services up to at least eight visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2022, the tech company OpenAI launched a groundbreaking chatbot model, ChatGPT. This unprecedented chatbot, characterized by an ease of use for lay internet users, gained immediate popularity and attracted extensive media attention. This article examines global press coverage of ChatGPT in peak reporting dates over the first full year of its existence. Based on a qualitative holistic narrative analysis, our findings point to two narrated scapes of political fear in the coverage of ChatGPT: The fear of the machine and the fear of the human. These attest to the collective imagining of an intensified future, where post-humanist interaction with political information is associated with exploitation, propaganda, and polarization of existing political rifts. We draw on the case study to articulate journalists' role in signaling instability in the current political media ecosystem, and their construction of a techno-moral framework for society. We discuss an important blind-spot in journalists' fulfilment of their normative role in fostering technology-informed citizens globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking fast action, and effectively utilizing the available resources, are important when conducting time-critical surveillance missions. In addition, the potential complexity of the search, such as the ruggedness of the terrain or large size of the search region, should be considered. Such issues can be tackled by using a heterogeneous fleet of manned and unmanned vehicles equipped with different sensors by considering speed, coverage and flexibility. This article centres on designing a fast solution approach for planning coverage missions through zoning and routing. The challenge is to cover an area where targets can be potentially found with a variable likelihood. The search area is modelled using a scoring map to support the choice of search in sub-areas, where the scores represent the importance of tasks. Heuristic approaches are proposed to automate search processes and plan missions, given a small time budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding changes in the distribution and coverage of aquatic vegetation (AV) is of great significance for the restoration of lake ecosystems. In this study, the vegetation and bloom indices (VBI) algorithm were used to interpret submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), floating/emergent aquatic vegetation (FEAV), and algal bloom (AB). The dynamics of AV and their influencing factors in Bao' an Lake, in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China, were studied from 2000 to 2023. The results showed that (1) the VBI algorithm can accurately distinguish AV and AB of different life forms with an overall accuracy of 93% and a kappa coefficient of 0.86. (2) Macrophyte coverage decreases. AV grew vigorously in spring, and SAV was the dominant type within it, whereas AV coverage was low in summer, and SAV had no summer species for a long time. In 2000, the coverage of AV was the highest, reaching 64.5%, but a gradual decrease that followed in the coming years finally led to a coverage percentage of less than 5% by 2023. (3) The correlation between SAV coverage and total phosphorus (p < 0.01), total nitrogen (p < 0.05), and water depth/transparency (p < 0.05) in Bao' an Lake were 0.23, 0.28, and 0.32, respectively. (4) The SAV species experienced three stages: richness (before 2003), monotonicity (2004–2020), and final disappearance (2021–present). This study shows that the coverage of AV in Bao' an Lake is too low and the number of SAV species is one (2010–now). Therefore, it is necessary to implement measures to improve vegetation coverage and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confidence interval performance is typically assessed in terms of two criteria: coverage probability and interval width (or margin of error). In this article, we assess the performance of four common proportion interval estimators: the Wald, Clopper-Pearson (exact), Wilson and Agresti-Coull, in the context of rare-event probabilities. We define the interval precision in terms of a relative margin of error which ensures consistency with the magnitude of the proportion. Thus, confidence interval estimators are assessed in terms of achieving a desired coverage probability whilst simultaneously satisfying the specified relative margin of error. We illustrate the importance of considering both coverage probability and relative margin of error when estimating rare-event proportions, and show that within this framework, all four interval estimators perform somewhat similarly for a given sample size and confidence level. We identify relative margin of error values that result in satisfactory coverage while being conservative in terms of sample size requirements, and hence suggest a range of values that can be adopted in practice. The proposed relative margin of error scheme is evaluated analytically, by simulation, and by application to a number of recent studies from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 2015, malaria vector control on Bioko Island has relied heavily upon long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) to complement other interventions. Despite significant resources utilised, however, achieving and maintaining high coverage has been elusive. Here, core LLIN indicators were used to assess and redefine distribution strategies. Methods: LLIN indicators were estimated for Bioko Island between 2015 and 2022 using a 1x1 km grid of areas. The way these indicators interacted was used to critically assess coverage targets. Particular attention was paid to spatial heterogeneity and to differences between urban Malabo, the capital, and the rural periphery. Results: LLIN coverage according to all indicators varied substantially across areas, decreased significantly soon after mass distribution campaigns (MDC) and, with few exceptions, remained consistently below the recommended target. Use was strongly correlated with population access, particularly in Malabo. After a change in strategy in Malabo from MDC to fixed distribution points, use-to-access showed significant improvement, indicating those who obtained their nets from these sources were more likely to keep them and use them. Moreover, their use rates were significantly higher than those of whom sourced their nets elsewhere. Conclusions: Striking a better balance between LLIN distribution efficiency and coverage represents a major challenge as LLIN retention and use rates remain low despite high access resulting from MDC. The cost-benefit of fixed distribution points in Malabo revealed significant advantages, offering a viable alternative for ensuring access to LLINs to those who use them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the classic situation in functional data analysis in which curves are observed at discrete, possibly sparse and irregular, arguments with observation noise. We focus on the reconstruction of individual curves by prediction intervals and bands. The standard approach consists of two steps: first, one estimates the mean and covariance function of curves and observation noise variance function by, e.g. penalized splines, and second, under Gaussian assumptions, one derives the conditional distribution of a curve given observed data and constructs prediction sets with required properties, usually employing sampling from the predictive distribution. This approach is well established, commonly used and theoretically valid but practically, it surprisingly fails in its key property: prediction sets constructed this way often do not have the required coverage. The actual coverage is lower than the nominal one. We investigate the cause of this issue and propose a computationally feasible remedy that leads to prediction regions with a much better coverage. Our method accounts for the uncertainty of the predictive model by sampling from the approximate distribution of its spline estimators whose covariance is estimated by a novel sandwich estimator. Our approach also applies to the important case of covariate-adjusted models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCrisis times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the martial law in Ukraine have actualized the creation of various exhibitions in academic libraries to reach and attract users. In particular, to overcome social isolation, anxiety, and emotional and mental exhaustion. This study discusses the authors’ practical experience of building a partnership between the academic library and the Graphic Design Department of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (Ukraine). The cooperation aims to create a physical and online exhibition space to reach and attract students to the library. The study provides examples of the joint creation of a library thematic exhibition space with students and teachers for interaction and moral support, formation of common values, self-realization, and motivation, as well as examples of using the exhibition space to hold exhibitions of students’ artwork as part of the library’s engagement program in times of crisis. The examples confirm that the university library, in times of crisis during martial law, positions its exhibition space as a place that unites the university community, inspires, promotes cultural development, supports successful initiatives, and presents the achievements of university students and teachers. The results of this article complement previous research on library exhibitions as a means of reaching, engaging, highlighting collections, and educating students. It also informs practitioners about the Ukrainian experience of creating an exhibition space to attract students to the academic library in times of crisis. This article may be helpful to library practitioners looking for ideas and experience organizing exhibitions in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) affect approximately 1.5 billion people globally. The current STH control strategy is annual or twice-annual preventive chemotherapy, typically school-based deworming targeting children and women of reproductive age. Mathematical modeling suggests that it may be possible to interrupt STH transmission through high-coverage community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA). DeWorm3 is a cluster randomized trial testing cMDA for prevalence reduction and transmission interruption. The purpose of this study is to describe coverage of cMDA in study clusters over time and correlates of coverage at individual and cluster levels. Methods: From 2018–2020, DeWorm3 delivered six rounds of cMDA with 400 mg albendazole at sites in Benin, India, and Malawi. We report coverage, treatment uptake, and directly observed therapy across all rounds. Factors associated with coverage at the cluster level were identified using binomial generalized estimating equations, while factors associated with non-treatment at the individual level were identified using binomial mixed-effects models. Results: Coverage was high across all clusters and rounds, exceeding the WHO target of 75% in all sites and across all rounds (78% to 95%); cluster-level coverage tended to increase over time. Younger, unmarried, and migratory adults were more likely to be untreated at all sites; adult males were more likely to be untreated in Benin and Malawi. Among children, girls were more likely to be untreated, as were non-school-attending and migratory children. Higher adult education was associated with greater odds of non-treatment among adults, but lower odds among children in the household. Belonging to a less wealthy or minority language-speaking household was associated with non-treatment among both adults and children. Conclusions: It is possible to deliver community-wide MDA with high coverage. Unique individual and community-level factors influence treatment across settings, and these may be addressed through targeted programming. Trial Registration: Field Studies on the Feasibility of Interrupting the Transmission of Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH), NCT03014167. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous vegetation in crop systems supports many ecosystem benefits, such as enhanced biodiversity. Vineyards are considered one of the most relevant crops in the arid lands of Argentina. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on developing more sustainable practices to enhance a balance among available resources, living organisms, and productivity in vineyards worldwide. We studied the coverage and richness of spontaneous vegetation in a vineyard of Mendoza specifically examining its contribution to biodiversity and carbon storage. We characterized, analyzed, and discussed the plant diversity and the effects of management practices on coverage and carbon storage in both the inter-row and row spaces. As expected, the inter-row areas exhibited greater number of species and higher coverage percentage under both removal and non-removal practices compared to the row spaces which were predominantly dominated by non-native species. The aboveground vegetation in both the row and the inter-row retained more carbon than the belowground biomass. The spontaneous vegetation in the inter-row space accumulated 1.6 tnC/ha, while the under row space accumulated 0.18 tnC/ha. This research provides valuable insights into the characteristics and carbon retention capabilities of spontaneous vegetation growing in a commercial vineyard from Mendoza, Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide application development has grown exponentially in recent decades thanks to the implementation of new technologies and improved quality of spray input application. Electrostatic technology for increasing deposition has proven to be a suitable tool under specific study conditions, such as when working with very small droplet sizes, with air assistance, or typically in greenhouse environments. However, its effectiveness in hydraulic spraying, as well as its application from a commercial point of view in agriculture, is still challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this technology by implementing a modified lance on a small commercial knapsack sprayer, equipped with a hydraulic nozzle providing a range of droplet size values (Dv50) from 136 μm to 386 μm in the pressure range between 2 and 6 bar. This setup allowed operation under normal conditions (disconnected electrostatic system: NES) or with the connected electrostatic system (ES), with both configurations being tested in this study. Liquid distribution profiling as well as qualitative and quantitative evaluation of deposition were carried out both under laboratory conditions and in tomato crops under greenhouse conditions. The results showed no differences between the ES and NES in terms of flow rate (L min−1) characterization or in the total accumulated volume collected with the vertical bench. The impact of the electrostatic system connection was clearly observed in laboratory trials, with total deposition increases of up to 66%. In field trials, this effect decreased in unexposed areas and in denser sections of the crop. However, the overall increase in deposition, mainly associated with the exposed side, continued to be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostatic spraying is considered an effective means to improve the efficacy of pesticide application and reduce pesticide consumption. However, the effectiveness of electrostatic spraying needs further validation in greenhouse environments, especially in long-range air-assisted spraying scenarios. A waist-shaped charging device has been improved to obtain a maximum charge-to-mass ratio of 4.4 mC/kg at an applied voltage of 6 kV in a laboratory setting, representing an increase of approximately 84.9% compared to a commercial circular charging electrode with a fan-shaped nozzle. A comparative air-assisted spray test between electrostatic deactivation (EDAS) and electrostatic activation (EAAS) was conducted on greenhouse tomato crops using a single hanging track autonomous sprayer equipped with a pair of waist-shaped charging devices. The results showed that EAAS yielded an overall average coverage of 28.4%, representing a significant 10.9% improvement over the 25.6% coverage achieved with EDAS. The overall coefficient of variation (CV) for EDAS and EAAS was 62.0% and 48.0%, respectively. Within these, the CV for the average coverage of the sample set reflecting axial distribution uniformity was 33.4% and 31.4%, respectively. Conversely, the CV for the average coverage of the sample group reflecting radial distribution uniformity was 33.7% and 17.9%, respectively. The results indicate that the waist-shaped charging device possesses remarkable charging capabilities, presenting favorable application prospects for long-range air-assisted spraying in greenhouses. The electrostatic application has a positive effect on enhancing the average coverage and improving the overall distribution uniformity. Notably, it significantly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the air-assisted spray at long range, albeit with limited improvement in the axial distribution uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews the impact of eligibility policies in the early rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine on coverage and probable outcomes, with a focus on New York City. We conducted a retrospective ecological study assessing age 65+, area-level income, vaccination coverage, and COVID-19 mortality rates, using linked Census Bureau data and New York City Health administrative data aggregated at the level of modified zip code tabulation areas (MODZCTA). The population for this study was all individuals in 177 MODZCTA in New York City. Population data were obtained from Census Bureau and New York City Health administrative data. The total mortality rate was examined through an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model, using area-level wealth, the proportion of the population aged 65 and above, and the vaccination rate among this age group as predictors. Low-income areas with high proportions of older people demonstrated lower coverage rates (mean vaccination rate 52.8%; maximum coverage 67.9%) than wealthier areas (mean vaccination rate 74.6%; maximum coverage 99% in the wealthiest quintile) in the first 3 months of vaccine rollout and higher mortality over the year. Despite vaccine shortages, many younger people accessed vaccines ahead of schedule, particularly in high-income areas (mean coverage rate 60% among those 45–64 years in the wealthiest quintile). A vaccine program that prioritized those at greatest risk of COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality would have prevented more deaths than the strategy that was implemented. When rolling out a new vaccine, policymakers must account for local contexts and conditions of high-risk population groups. If New York had focused limited vaccine supply on low-income areas with high proportions of residents 65 or older, overall mortality might have been lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wireless sensor networks consist of several autonomous nodes that are outfitted with sensors, radio, processors, memory storage, and power sources. These nodes track, sense, and send data using radio. While establishing a network, the two most essential characteristics are coverage and connectivity. For better connectivity and a longer network life, it's important to make the coverage area as big as possible with the fewest number of sensor nodes. The goal of this research is to make a connected sensor network that uses less energy and can be used in situations where the sensors need to be placed in the best way to make the network last as long as possible. The probabilistic sensing model is used, and improved network lifetime is the goal of the research work by using problem‐specific intelligent optimization techniques like BAT, ACO, and JOA to maximize the coverage area with respect to energy and points of interest. This work introduces a novel approach that optimizes both coverage and connectivity. The modified binary bat algorithm overcomes computational complexities and local optima observed in existing methods. Uniquely, it models the three states of each sensor node and includes innovative features like a greedy initialization and a weighted cost function for improving network efficiency. After investigation, it was analyzed that the proposed solution significantly improves network lifetime by over 10% to 12% compared to existing methods like JOA and ACO. The proposed approach converges faster and performs more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. Filariasis has been a major public health problem in India next only to Malaria. Present study was done to assess coverage and compliance of mass drug administration (MDA) against lymphatic Filariasis in Kalaburgi district. Methods: A coverage evaluation survey was done in one urban and three rural clusters in Kalaburgi district. The data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using proportions. Results: Among total of 683 subjects who were interviewed, 54.61%. were male subjects and only 406 (62.08% ) of the participants have received the drugs. Out of the 406 persons who have received the drugs, 76.6% persons have consumed the drugs. Only 3.54% of study subjects consumed tablets in front of health workers. A total of 277 subjects did not consume the tablets. The reasons for non consumption of tablets were, 66.06% told drug distributor did not visit, 8.3% said that they were out of station and 7.94% subjects were not aware. Among the total only 9 persons suffered from nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies and also proper Information Education and Communication (IEC) should be done to educate and to improve the coverage and compliance in the districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: To assess the effect of a single clinic-based educational intervention session on parents of children aged 4.5 to 5.5 years on improving the coverage of a second booster dose of the DPT vaccine. The secondary objective was to assess the coverage of second booster dose of the DPT vaccine among children aged > 6 years and to learn about the reasons behind such dropouts, if any. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged > 6 years who were attending the pediatric OPD or IPD to determine the coverage of the second booster dose of DPT vaccine and possible reasons for dropout. This was followed by a clustered randomized trial evaluating the effect of an educational intervention (clinic-based, single session) among parents of children aged 4.5 to 5.5 years for improving second DPT booster coverage. Results: A total of 384 children were enrolled in the first phase, of which 233 (60.68%) were vaccinated. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the vaccine coverage between children from tribal-dominant and non-tribal-dominant districts (45.10% vs 63.06%, P = 0.01). Educational intervention resulted in higher vaccination coverage (77.24%) compared to 71.43% in the control arm (P = 0.300) Conclusions: The current study showed low coverage for second booster of DPT vaccine. With educational intervention, the target immunization coverage could be attained early which has implications for reducing childhood morbidity due to vaccine-preventable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to identify the main characteristics and geographical distribution of bus stops, associated with collective public transport systems, through data analysis techniques that can identify clustering patterns based on various characteristics of the stops, such as geographical location, passenger flow, service demand, land use, etc. number of routes available, slope of the road, signage, among other relevant factors. The main result of this study is that the current layout of the stops is distributed according to the main characteristics of their environment, allowing us to conclude that the grouping of transport stops facilitates the interpretation of the location and operability of the stops, thus allowi ng to improve decision-making in the implementation of stops, guaranteeing an adequate operation of the service without compromising coverage and travel time of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are essential in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and industrial automation. Persistent connectivity and coverage challenges in WSN stem from intermittent node connectivity due to obstacles, signal interference, node failures, and compromised data reliability. Existing solutions, while useful, exhibit limitations in fully addressing these concerns. To confront these challenges, a proposed system introduces the Hybrid Grey Optimizer–Harmony Search Algorithm (Hybrid GWO‐HSA), merging adaptive routing protocols and efficient deployment techniques. The Hybrid GWO‐HSA system conducts an initial environmental analysis to pinpoint factors affecting node communication. It strategically deploys additional nodes to bridge coverage gaps, using the Grey Wolf Algorithm's capabilities to optimize node placement. Moreover, it employs the Harmony Search Algorithm to dynamically adjust communication paths based on real‐time network conditions, ensuring robust data transmission. The system workflow involves an environmental assessment followed by node deployment guided by the Grey Wolf Algorithm. Subsequently, the Harmony Search adapts communication paths to enhance connectivity. Simulations and practical experiments across diverse environments validate the Hybrid GWO‐HSA system's effectiveness. Results showcase substantial improvements: network lifetime of 13,200 s, a network delay of 37 ms, a coverage rate of 0.88, and an energy consumption of 590 J. This Hybrid GWO‐HSA‐based system establishes a resilient and efficient WSN infrastructure vital for reliable data collection and transmission in challenging settings. The Hybrid GWO‐HSA system offers a comprehensive approach to WSN connectivity and coverage issues by leveraging firefly and genetic algorithms, and it significantly enhances WSN performance and reliability across multifaceted application domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As healthcare workers run a high and constant occupational risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through exposure to biological material, vaccination is mandatory as well as the monitoring of antibody levels one to two months after complete immunisation. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine HBV vaccine coverage of 200 primary and secondary healthcare workers (100 each) from Šabac, Serbia and their blood anti-HBs titre. We also wanted to identify factors that could predict the titre. Anti-HBV vaccination covered all participants, of whom 89.5 % were fully vaccinated, and 85 % had a protective antibody titre. We found a statistically significant association between antibody titre and the number of received vaccine doses, chronic jaundice, autoimmune disease, and cancer in our participants. The fact that 15 % did not achieve the protective antibody titre confirms the necessity of its control after immunisation, which is not routinely carried out in most countries, Serbia included. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a detailed strategy for monitoring vaccination and serological status of healthcare workers in order to improve their safety at work. An important role should also be given to continuous education of healthcare workers from the beginning of schooling to the end of their professional career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for plant protection have rapidly developed worldwide as a new method for pesticide application, especially in China and other Asian countries. To improve the deposition quality in UAV applications, adding appropriate types of spray adjuvants into pesticide solutions is one of the most effective ways to facilitate droplet deposition and control efficacy. At present, research on spray adjuvants for UAVs are mainly based on droplet drift and laboratory tests. Few studies have been conducted on the physicochemical properties of spray adjuvants and the effects of droplet deposition characteristics. To explore the properties of four different kinds of spray adjuvants (Mai Fei, Bei Datong, G-2801, and Agrospred 910) and the deposition characteristics of spray adjuvants on litchi leaves, an automatic surface tension meter, a contact angle measuring device, an ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer, and a DJI AGRAS T30 plant protection UAV was used to measure the surface tension, contact angle, and droplet deposition characteristics on litchi under UAV spraying operations. The results showed that the addition of spray adjuvants could significantly reduce the surface tension of the solution. The surface tension value of the solution after adding the spray additives was reduced by 53.1–68.9% compared with the control solution. Among them, the Agrospred 910 spray adjuvant had the best effect on reducing the surface tension of the solution. The contact angle of the control solution on the litchi leaves varied from 80.15° to 72.76°. With the increase in time, the contact angle of the spray adjuvant solution gradually decreased, the Agrospred 910 spray adjuvant had the best effect, and the contact angle decreased from 40.44° to 20.23° after the droplets fell on the litchi leaves for 60 s. The adjuvant solutions increased the droplet size, but the uniformity of the droplet size decreased. The Dv0.5 of different spray solutions ranged from 97.3 to 117.8 μm, which belonged to the fine or very fine droplets, and the Dv0.5 of adjuvants solutions were significantly greater than that of the control solution. The RSs of adjuvant solutions were very similar and ranged from 0.92 to 0.96, all of which were significantly greater than the result of the control solution (0.57). Compared with the deposition of the control solution, the Mai Fei, Bei Datong, and G-2801 solutions clearly increased spray deposition, with total depositions of 0.776, 0.705, and 0.721 μL/cm2, which are all greater than the total deposition of the control solution of 0.645 μL/cm2. The addition of tank-mixed adjuvants could effectively increase the uniformity of the spray deposition, and all the average CVs of adjuvant solutions were lower than 96.86%. On the whole, Mai Fei performed best in increasing the spray deposition and promoting penetration, followed by Bei Datong and G-2801. Meanwhile, the test can also provide a reference for improving the utilization rate of UAV pesticide applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a crucial area of modern research. While the increasing number of IoT devices has driven significant advancements, it has also introduced several challenges, such as data storage, data privacy, communication protocols, complex network topologies, and IoT device management. In essence, the management of IoT devices is becoming more and more challenging, especially with the limited capacity and power of the IoT devices. The devices, having limited capacities, cannot store the information of the entire environment at once. In addition, device power consumption can affect network performance and stability. The devices' sensing areas with device grouping and management can simplify further networking tasks and improve response quality with data aggregation and correction techniques. In fact, most research papers are looking forward to expanding network lifetimes by relying on devices with high power capabilities. This paper proposes a device spatial clustering technique that covers crucial challenges in IoT. Our approach groups the dispersed devices to create clusters of connected devices while considering their coverage, their storage capacities, and their power. A new clustering protocol alongside a new clustering algorithm is introduced, resolving the aforementioned challenges. Moreover, a technique for non-sensed area extraction is presented. The efficiency of the proposed approach has been evaluated with extensive experiments that gave notable results. Our technique was also compared with other clustering algorithms, showing the different results of these algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing the explosion of data from the edge to the cloud requires intelligent supervision, such as fog node deployments, which is an essential task to assess network operability. To ensure network operability, the deployment process must be carried out effectively regarding two main factors: connectivity and coverage. The network connectivity is based on fog node deployment, which determines the network's physical topology, while the coverage determines the network accessibility. Both have a significant impact on network performance and guarantee the network quality of service. Determining an optimum fog node deployment method that minimizes cost, reduces computation and communication overhead, and provides a high degree of network connection coverage is extremely hard. Therefore, maximizing coverage and preserving network connectivity is a non-trivial problem. In this paper, we propose a fog deployment algorithm that can effectively connect the fog nodes and cover all edge devices. Firstly, we formulate fog deployment as an instance of multi-objective optimization problems with a large search space. Then, we leverage Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA) to tackle the deployment problem and prove that MPA is well-suited for fog node deployment due to its rapid convergence and low computational complexity, compared to other population-based algorithms. Finally, we evaluate the proposed algorithm on a different benchmark of generated instances with various fog scenario configurations. Our algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art methods, providing promising results for optimal fog node deployment. It demonstrates a 50% performance improvement compared to other algorithms, aligning with the No Free Lunch Theorem (NFL Theorem) Theorem's assertion that no algorithm has a universal advantage across all problem domains. This underscores the significance of selecting tailored algorithms based on specific problem characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cislunar L 4 or L 5 axial orbit families are continuous asymmetrical periodic orbits from the figure-8 orbit around L 4 or L 5 Lagrange point of the Earth–Moon system to the halo-family around the Moon. They provide special locations of lunar relay satellites for the lunar south pole due to their offset locations. In this paper, we investigate the orbital characters and applications of cislunar L 4 and L 5 axial orbits. A construction method of cislunar L 4 and L 5 axial orbit families is proposed according to their topological feature in the torus space. Then, lunar relay performances, including coverage and eclipse, are analyzed for different cislunar L 4 and L 5 axial orbits. Numerical computation indicates that 3:1 resonant L 4 and L 5 axial orbits are the optimal options in terms of the stability, coverage and eclipse avoidance. Lunar relay performances of a two-satellite constellation deployed in these orbits are compared with that in a near rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO). Numerical results show that the constellation of axial orbits can provide longer contact duration to the lunar equator and southern hemisphere than that of the NRHO. Finally, a station-keeping strategy and a transfer design of cislunar L 4 and L 5 axial orbits are developed, and their fuel costs are studied. • Cislunar axial orbits are studied for relay mission of the lunar exploration. • The 3:1 cislunar axial orbit is selected for the eclipse avoidance. • A constellation on axial orbits has longer contact duration than NRHOs. • The corresponding station-keeping method and transfer design are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the strategic deployment of base stations (BSs) or access points (APs) within a smart building to form ultra-dense, small-cell-based 5G or beyond 5G networks. We consider the coverage of an arbitrarily shaped service area (convex or non-convex) in an indoor environment by placing BSs/APs with varying transmit powers at appropriate locations such that every point in the indoor region under consideration will be covered by at least one BS. Towards this goal, we propose a Voronoi diagram-based BS placement framework that can completely cover a given convex/non-convex region without generating any coverage hole. Our placement technique considers the presence of different obstacles, partition walls, etc., of varying attenuation factors inside a building affecting the LOS propagation of signals in the mmWave range. Our proposed strategy simultaneously minimizes the total wastage of transmission powers of all BSs by minimizing the total area of overlapped regions and out-of-region coverages. The unique feature of our approach is that it is applicable for fully covering any convex or non-convex region in contrast to the existing coverage techniques in the literature, which are applicable only for convex regions. We demonstrate that our proposed algorithm outperforms existing techniques for covering convex geometries in terms of the total transmission power requirement of all BSs/APs. Our proposed framework for the placement of access points will also be applicable for upcoming Wi-Fi standards such as the 802.11ad and the 802.11ay standards that can operate in the 60 GHz band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate and study the semantic implications of girls' clothing after media consumption based on the explanatory data base. The purpose of this research is to explain the semantic model of clothing for girls in Tehran. The findings of this qualitative study were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 21 young girls in Tehran because this young part of the society plays an important role in giving meaning to the models of clothing in the society. The average age of these girls was 19 to 33 years old, and the findings were analyzed using the database procedure and related coding procedures. Exploratory findings showed that various factors are effective in the formation of the central category i.e., "body as symbolic capital" and background factors such as "aestheticism and perfectionism, body and clothes as aesthetic objects, ideal self-expression" are also among the factors influencing the choice of style. It is women's clothing; On the other hand, causal and interventional factors such as "fashion prominence in identity giving, popularization of fashion, production of modernity and continuous birth of culture, model and consumer culture" influence this process. Analytical findings also indicated that women's strategy and strategies in this field are placed in two categories: "disobedience and civil disobedience by choosing abnormal clothing patterns and religious conformity by choosing cultural and ideological patterns". Finally, the sum of these strategies brings results such as "reducing the meaning of hijab, increasing social challenges and weakening the social requirements of covering". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are vital for applications such as environmental monitoring, surveillance, and healthcare, where comprehensive network coverage is essential for accurate data collection. However, achieving full coverage in WSNs presents significant challenges due to resource constraints, such as limited battery life, processing capabilities, and environmental factors like terrain and obstacles. To address these issues, coverage optimization techniques are employed to maximize spatial coverage while minimizing energy consumption and deployment costs. This paper provides a thorough overview of these coverage optimization techniques, categorizing them based on different deployment strategies, including static and dynamic sensor placement. It explores their respective advantages, limitations, and application scenarios, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners. The study is motivated by the need to better understand how to improve WSN coverage efficiency and ensure reliable data collection in diverse environments. The research aims to synthesize existing knowledge on WSN coverage optimization, identify gaps in current strategies, and guide future studies in this field. Key findings emphasize the effectiveness of various techniques in enhancing coverage, such as mobility-based approaches and energy-aware algorithms, while also addressing practical challenges like sensor redundancy and environmental unpredictability. Ultimately, this paper contributes to the ongoing efforts to develop more adaptive, scalable, and energy-efficient solutions for WSN coverage optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standardization of procedures for data abstraction by cancer registries is fundamental for cancer surveillance, clinical and policy decision-making, hospital benchmarking, and research efforts. The objective of the current study was to evaluate adherence to the four components (completeness, comparability, timeliness, and validity) defined by Bray and Parkin that determine registries' ability to carry out these activities to the hospital-based National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods: Tbis study used data from U.S. Cancer Statistics, the official federal cancer statistics and joint effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which includes data from National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) to evaluate NCDB completeness between 2016 and 2020. The study evaluated comparability of case identification and coding procedures. It used Commission on Cancer (CoC) standards from 2022 to assess timeliness and validity. Results: Completeness was demonstrated with a total of 6,828,507 cases identified within the NCDB, representing 73.7% of all cancer cases nationwide. Comparability was followed using standardized and international guidelines on coding and classification procedures. For timeliness, hospital compliance with timely data submission was 92.7%. Validity criteria for re-abstracting, recording, and reliability procedures across hospitals demonstrated 94.2% compliance. Additionally, data validity was shown by a 99.1% compliance with histologic verification standards, a 93.6% assessment of pathologic synoptic reporting, and a 99.1% internal consistency of staff credentials. Conclusion: The NCDB is characterized by a high level of case completeness and comparability with uniform standards for data collection, and by hospitals with high compliance, timely data submission, and high rates of compliance with validity standards for registry and data quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Prenatal care is a critical component of maternal and child health, providing essential preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to pregnant women. Adequate antenatal care has been linked to reduced maternal and infant mortality and improved birth outcomes. Despite its importance, disparities in antenatal care coverage persist globally, including Sierra Leone, with significant implications for maternal and child health. This study examined the trends and inequalities in antenatal care utilisation in Sierra Leone. Methods We used data from the 2008, 2013, and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys. Simple inequality measures (Difference and Ratio) and complex measures (Population Attributable Risk and Population Attributable Fraction) were computed using the World Health Organization’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software. Inequality in antenatal care was calculated on six stratefiers: age groups for women, birth order, educational levels, economic status, residential areas, and sub-national province. Results There was a significant increase in adequate antenatal care coverage from 2008 (15.2%) to 2013 (36.5%) but a decrease in 2019 (22.1%). The inequality in age increased over time from a Difference of 2.7 percentage points in 2008 to a Difference of 5.3 percentage points in 2019, indicating age-related inequalities. The Population Attributable Fraction decreased from 2.7% in 2008 to zero in 2013, indicating no further improvement in the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage can be achieved in the absence of age-related inequalities. However, it increased to 7.7% in 2019, indicating that the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage would have increased by 7.7% in the absence of age-related inequalities. The birth order inequality increased from a Difference of − 5.2 percentage points in 2008 to 2.6 percentage points in 2019. The Population Attributable Fraction was zero in 2008 and 3.4% in 2019, showing that the national average of adequate antenatal care coverage would have increased by 3.4% if there was no parity-based inequality. Inequality in economic status decreased from 32.1 percentage points in 2008 (Difference = 32.1) to 2.8 percentage points in 2019 (Difference = 2.8). The Population Attributable Fraction revealed that the national average could have been 164.4% higher in 2008 and 20.8% higher in 2013; however, it was zero in 2019, indicating that no further improvement can be achieved in the national average if there was no inequality related to economic status. Inequality for education decreased from 49.9 percentage points in 2008 (Difference = 49.9) to 11.0 percentage points in 2019 (Difference = 11.0). Inequality decreased from a Difference of 20.8 percentage points in 2008 to a Difference of 1.7 percentage points in 2019 for place of residence inequality, showing a reduction in inequality. Provincial inequality decreased from a Difference of 33.9 percentage points in 2008 to 8.5 percentage points in 2019. Conclusion While there have been notable improvements in antenatal care coverage in Sierra Leone, adequate antenatal care coverage is still below the WHO target of 78% in 2016, and significant inequalities persist. Addressing these inequalities requires a multifaceted approach considering demographic, economic, educational, and geographic indicators considered in this study. Sustained efforts and targeted interventions are critical by the Sierra Leone government to ensure that all women, regardless of their background, have access to essential antenatal care services up to at least eight visits.

Abstract Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a widely performed procedure that significantly enhances patients’ quality of life by reducing pain and improving daily function. While the traditional tibial plate design used in TKA has been symmetrical, there has been a recent trend towards using asymmetrical designs. Our study aimed to compare symmetrical and asymmetrical tibial designs, focusing on outcomes related to overhang, malrotation, and tibial coverage. Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was carried out up to January 22nd, 2024, to identify comparative studies on symmetrical and asymmetrical designs, as well as those reporting postoperative functional and clinical outcomes. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results This systematic review included 587 patients from seven comparative studies that met the inclusion criteria. Our findings indicate that asymmetrical tibial components generally provided better outcomes in terms of tibial coverage, malrotation, and overhang. Asymmetrical designs provided greater tibial coverage and reduced posterolateral overhang compared to symmetrical designs, which is essential for minimizing complications like soft tissue irritation and patellar maltracking. Additionally, asymmetrical components were associated with less severe tibial malrotation. Conclusion This systematic review showed that asymmetrical tibial implants offer better tibial coverage, with less overhang and fewer rotational issues compared to symmetrical implants. As a result, asymmetrical designs in TKA may lower complication rates, enhance patient satisfaction, and improve quality of life post-surgery.

Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) is an emerging paradigm in wireless navigation community, aiming at systems that both complement the existing Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and can act as alternative global positioning methods in the events of outages or discontinuous availability of GNSS. Such limited availability can of GNSS can occur, for example, in indoor scenarios or deep outdoor canyons, or in the presence of strong jammers in GNSS bands. LEO-PNT solutions have been studied so far either in the context of signals of opportunity, where existing LEO mega-constellation signals can be re-used and repurposed, in an opportunistic way, also for positioning purposes, or in terms of standalone LEO-PNT solutions, where novel single-shell and multi-shell constellations are designed for the sole purpose of positioning, navigation, and tracking applications. In both approaches, the constellation geometry, as measured by the Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) metric, the 4-fold coverage, meaning the percentage of Earth points having at least four satellites in view, and the carrier-to-noise ratio at the receiver are important positioning metrics. The focus of this paper is on analyzing the impact of increasing the number of constellation shells on the positioning metrics when the overall number of satellites in the orbits is fixed. The analysis is done with an advanced constellation simulator, under indoor and outdoor scenarios. Five heuristic constellations are introduced and compared with three benchmarks from the literature: two benchmark constellations based on Pareto optimization approaches and one commercial constellation. The focus is on small-sized constellations with less than 300 satellites. We find out that two-shell and three-shell heuristic approaches can reach satisfactory performance metrics under a wide range of orbital altitudes, and that more than three shells in the constellations are not necessarily bringing in additional improvements.

Abstract Background Since 2015, malaria vector control on Bioko Island has relied heavily upon long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) to complement other interventions. Despite significant resources utilised, however, achieving and maintaining high coverage has been elusive. Here, core LLIN indicators were used to assess and redefine distribution strategies. Methods LLIN indicators were estimated for Bioko Island between 2015 and 2022 using a 1x1 km grid of areas. The way these indicators interacted was used to critically assess coverage targets. Particular attention was paid to spatial heterogeneity and to differences between urban Malabo, the capital, and the rural periphery. Results LLIN coverage according to all indicators varied substantially across areas, decreased significantly soon after mass distribution campaigns (MDC) and, with few exceptions, remained consistently below the recommended target. Use was strongly correlated with population access, particularly in Malabo. After a change in strategy in Malabo from MDC to fixed distribution points, use-to-access showed significant improvement, indicating those who obtained their nets from these sources were more likely to keep them and use them. Moreover, their use rates were significantly higher than those of whom sourced their nets elsewhere. Conclusions Striking a better balance between LLIN distribution efficiency and coverage represents a major challenge as LLIN retention and use rates remain low despite high access resulting from MDC. The cost-benefit of fixed distribution points in Malabo revealed significant advantages, offering a viable alternative for ensuring access to LLINs to those who use them.

Abstract Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) affect approximately 1.5 billion people globally. The current STH control strategy is annual or twice-annual preventive chemotherapy, typically school-based deworming targeting children and women of reproductive age. Mathematical modeling suggests that it may be possible to interrupt STH transmission through high-coverage community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA). DeWorm3 is a cluster randomized trial testing cMDA for prevalence reduction and transmission interruption. The purpose of this study is to describe coverage of cMDA in study clusters over time and correlates of coverage at individual and cluster levels. Methods From 2018–2020, DeWorm3 delivered six rounds of cMDA with 400 mg albendazole at sites in Benin, India, and Malawi. We report coverage, treatment uptake, and directly observed therapy across all rounds. Factors associated with coverage at the cluster level were identified using binomial generalized estimating equations, while factors associated with non-treatment at the individual level were identified using binomial mixed-effects models. Results Coverage was high across all clusters and rounds, exceeding the WHO target of 75% in all sites and across all rounds (78% to 95%); cluster-level coverage tended to increase over time. Younger, unmarried, and migratory adults were more likely to be untreated at all sites; adult males were more likely to be untreated in Benin and Malawi. Among children, girls were more likely to be untreated, as were non-school-attending and migratory children. Higher adult education was associated with greater odds of non-treatment among adults, but lower odds among children in the household. Belonging to a less wealthy or minority language-speaking household was associated with non-treatment among both adults and children. Conclusions It is possible to deliver community-wide MDA with high coverage. Unique individual and community-level factors influence treatment across settings, and these may be addressed through targeted programming. Trial Registration: Field Studies on the Feasibility of Interrupting the Transmission of Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH), NCT03014167.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used for detecting objects, collecting, analyzing, and communicating information. Optimizing the estimation of sensor node positions is crucial for precise and reliable operations. The standard Distance Vector Hop (DV-Hop) localization method, while simple and practical, lacks sufficient accuracy. This article introduces an Improved Distance Vector Hop (IDV-Hop) algorithm that enhances positioning accuracy using a Variable Velocity Strategy Human Conception Optimization (VVS-HCO). This method refines the velocity update technique to improve convergence and precision without additional hardware costs. The proposed algorithm allows adjustable hop sizes for anchor nodes. Simulation results demonstrate that the IDV-Hop algorithm significantly reduces localization error and variance, improving accuracy under various conditions, outperforming other advanced algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of continuous natural or industrial phenomena in time and space requires the emergence of new wireless sensor networks. A virtual sensor network (VSN) is a wireless camera network that appears to overcome the limitations of traditional wireless sensor networks in terms of the ability to store, process, and communicate data in a 3D region of interest. In this paper, we proposed a Starlings Model-based virtual Sensor Network for Coverage, Connectivity, and Data Communication (SM-VSN-3C) to ensure 3D coverage of temporally and spatially continuous 3D phenomena. Starlings are a good example of a VSN in nature. We therefore simulate the 3D movement of the stars in the sky, ensure the associated permanent coverage, and communicate with the Renault model. Use the behavioral model proposed by Reynolds to simulate herd movement. We've demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed network (SM-VSN-3C) in terms of communication and continuous coverage in time and space (3D). When simulating large and dense VSNs, there are two challenges in terms of coverage and communication: How to efficiently track a set of VSN-Starlings (VSN-Birds) in terms of coverage? In such a dense environment, how can a single Starling be tracked in terms of communication and data routing? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To explore the differences of vegetation growth characteristics between different plant communities and gully positions. [Methods] The vegetation growth characteristics of 5 typical plant communities were systematically studied in Zhifanggou small watershed of Ansai, Shaanxi Province.The investigated characteristics included species diversity, coverage, aboveground biomass, litter storage and underground biomass. [Results] (1) The above ground biomass, litter storage and root reduction coefficient were significantly affected by vegetation type, tree cutting ditch > shrub cutting ditch > herb cutting ditch, and the coverage was shrub cutting ditch > herb cutting ditch > tree cutting ditch. (2) The species diversity index and coverage of the right side of gully (sunny to semi-sunny slopes) were smaller than those on the left side (shade to semi-shade slopes); (3) Under the comprehensive influence of hydrothermal conditions, there was no obvious difference in vegetation growth characteristics between gully bottom and the original slope; (4) The accumulation of litter on the original slope was greater than that of different positions of gully. [Conclusion] The research results provide data foundation and theoretical support for understanding of the potential effects of vegetation restoration on the development of gully and evaluating the role of vegetation in mitigating gully erosion.

Abstract Background In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended screening and investigation of contacts of index tuberculosis patients as a strategy to accelerate detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Nine years after the adoption of this recommendation, coverage of TB contact investigations in Uganda remains low. The objective of this study was to examine health care providers’ perceptions of factors influencing coverage of TB contact investigations in three selected rural health facilities in Mbarara district, southwestern Uganda. Methods This study identified provider opinions on the barriers and facilitators to implementation of TB contact investigation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Using an exploratory qualitative study design, semi-structured interviews with 19 health workers involved in the TB program at district, health facility and community levels were conducted from April 2020 and July 2020. Analysis was conducted inductively using reflexive thematic analysis in six iterative steps: familiarizing with the data, creating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, developing theme definitions, and writing the report. Results Nineteen health care workers participated in this study which translates to a 100% response rate. These included two district TB and leprosy supervisors, five nurses, five clinical officers, six village health team members and one laboratory technician. The three themes that emerged from the analysis were intervention-related, health system and contextual factors. Health system-related barriers included inadequate or delayed government funding for the TB program, shortage of human resources, insufficient personal protective equipment, and a stock-out of supplies such as Xpert MTB cartridges. Contextual barriers included steep terrain, poverty or low income, and the stigma associated with TB and COVID-19. Facilitators comprised increased knowledge and understanding of the intervention, performance review and on-the-job training of health workers. Conclusions This study found that most of the factors affecting TB contact investigations in this rural community were related to health system constraints such as inadequate or delayed funding and human resource shortages. This can be addressed by strengthening the foundational elements of the health system - health financing and human resources - to establish a comprehensive TB control program that will enable the efficient identification of missing TB patients.

Abstract Background High levels of maternal morbidity and mortality persist in low- and middle-income countries, despite increases in coverage of facility delivery and skilled assistance at delivery. We compared levels of facility birth to a summary delivery care measure and quantified gaps. Methods We approximated a delivery care score from type of delivery (home, lower-level facility, or hospital), skilled attendant at delivery, a stay of 24-or-more-hours after delivery, and a health check within 48-h after delivery. Data were obtained from 333,316 women aged 15–49 who had a live birth in the previous 2 years, and from 71 countries with nationally representative surveys between 2013 and 2020. We computed facility delivery and delivery care coverage estimates to assess the gap. We stratified the analysis by country characteristics, including the national maternal mortality ratio (MMR), to assess the size of coverage gaps, and we assessed missed opportunities through coverage cascades. We looked at the association between MMR and delivery care coverage. Results Delivery care coverage varied by country, ranging from 24% in Sudan to 100% in Cuba. Median coverage was 70% with an interquartile range of 30 percentage points (55% and 85%). The cascade showed that while 76% of women delivered in a facility, only 41% received all four interventions. Coverage gaps exist across all MMR levels. Gaps between highest and lowest wealth quintiles were greatest in countries with MMR levels of 100 or higher, and the gap narrowed in countries with MMR levels below 100. The delivery care indicator had a negative association with MMR. Conclusions In addition to providing high-quality evidenced-based care to women during birth and the postpartum period, there is also a need to address gaps in delivery care, which occur within and between countries, wealth quintiles, and MMR phases.

Abstract Background The aim of this review was to investigate the impact of short message service (SMS)-based interventions on childhood and adolescent vaccine coverage and timeliness. Methods A pre-defined search strategy was used to identify all relevant publications up until July 2022 from electronic databases. Reports of randomised trials written in English and involving children and adolescents less than 18 years old were included. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results Thirty randomised trials were identified. Most trials were conducted in high-income countries. There was marked heterogeneity between studies. SMS-based interventions were associated with small to moderate improvements in vaccine coverage and timeliness compared to no SMS reminder. Reminders with embedded education or which were combined with monetary incentives performed better than simple reminders in some settings. Conclusion Some SMS-based interventions appear effective for improving child vaccine coverage and timeliness in some settings. Future studies should focus on identifying which features of SMS-based strategies, including the message content and timing, are determinants of effectiveness.

Since the very birth, the media has exerted a huge impact on masses, which only became more obvious in the contemporary information society, especially given the rapid development of technology and social networks. After a brief theoretical overview, the authors present the results of the sociological survey conducted in two public universities of the Republic of Srpska, which aimed at identifying student estimates of the mass media’s manipulative potential in general and student opinions towards the media coverage of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in particular. The authors designed the survey sample in such a way as to represent students of social sciences and humanities (different educational profiles within these two professional fields) due to the very nature of their studies and to the better knowledge of issues under study by definition (content of courses and requirements to competences in the future professional field). The survey was conducted online, the questionnaire was posted on the Google platform, which allowed not only to share the link but also to receive feedback. The authors wanted to get empirical data proving the fact that the media has a significant influence on the formation of attitudes and value systems of the wider public, including the younger generation represented by the student youth. Given that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has lasted for more than two years, it allows to get a deeper insight into the public perception of such critical issues as not just based on the media coverage or the first emotional reactions after the outbreak of the conflict. The authors wanted to know whether students feel/believe that the media (in general or specific media companies) tend to biased reporting, and what media channels students prefer to get much-needed information. The authors emphasize the need for objective reporting in crisis situations, including various conflicts. Crisis situations are always a great challenge for any media in the perspective of complying with ethical standards of reporting and the pressure of media owners and political forces. The article aims at revealing students’ attitudes towards the causes of such biased reporting and topics that the media is likely to cover in an objective manner.

Abstract Background The implementation of digital disease surveillance systems at national levels in Africa have been challenged by many factors. These include user applicability, utility of IT features but also stable financial support. Funding closely intertwines with implementations in terms of geographical reach, disease focus, and sustainability. However, the practice of evidence sharing on geographical and disease coverage, costs, and funding sources for improving the implementation of these systems on the continent is unclear. Objectives To analyse the key characteristics and availability of evidence for implementing digital infectious disease surveillance systems in Africa namely their disease focus, geographical reach, cost reporting, and external funding support. Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature for the period 2003 to 2022 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022300849). We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE over Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and websites of WHO, Africa CDC, and public health institutes of African countries. We mapped the distribution of projects by country; identified reported implementation cost components; categorised the availability of data on cost components; and identified supporting funding institutions outside Africa. Results A total of 29 reports from 2,033 search results were eligible for analysis. We identified 27 projects implemented in 13 countries, across 32 sites. Of these, 24 (75%) were pilot projects with a median duration of 16 months, (IQR: 5–40). Of the 27 projects, 5 (19%) were implemented for HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis, 4 (15%) for malaria, 4 (15%) for all notifiable diseases, and 4 (15%) for One Health. We identified 17 cost components across the 29 reports. Of these, 11 (38%) reported quantified costs for start-up capital, 10 (34%) for health personnel compensation, 9 (31%) for training and capacity building, 8 (28%) for software maintenance, and 7(24%) for surveillance data transmission. Of 65 counts of external funding sources, 35 (54%) were governmental agencies, 15 (23%) foundations, and 7 (11%) UN agencies. Conclusions The evidence on costing data for the digitalisation of surveillance and outbreak response in the published literature is sparse in quantity, limited in detail, and without a standardised reporting format. Most initial direct project costs are substantially donor dependent, short lived, and thus unsustainable.

In this work, a numerical approach is presented to reconstruct the ionomer three-dimensional distribution in the microstructure of the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) from a 3D segmented image of the CCL obtained by focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Three forms of ionomer are distinguished: the ionomer filaments, the coating ionomer and the inter-carbon grains ionomer. The ionomer filaments are identified by applying a filtering procedure to the size distribution in the segmented solid phase obtained via a maximum sphere inscription algorithm. The coating ionomer is reconstructed via a filtering procedure of the curvature distribution computed over the interface between the two segmented phases from the consideration that concave regions are preferential ionomer accumulation zones during the drying step of the CCL fabrication procedure. This procedure of coating controlled by the local curvature is applied until a desired value of coverage is reached. In a last step, catalyst nanoparticles, also not visible in the FIB-SEM image, are reconstructed in the image. • Ionomer coating is numerically reconstructed in a FIB-SEM image. • The ionomer coating is of variable thickness. • A small fraction of the ionomer forms protrusions in the pore space. • A significant fraction of the ionomer is in between the carbon grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended screening and investigation of contacts of index tuberculosis patients as a strategy to accelerate detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Nine years after the adoption of this recommendation, coverage of TB contact investigations in Uganda remains low. The objective of this study was to examine health care providers' perceptions of factors influencing coverage of TB contact investigations in three selected rural health facilities in Mbarara district, southwestern Uganda. Methods: This study identified provider opinions on the barriers and facilitators to implementation of TB contact investigation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Using an exploratory qualitative study design, semi-structured interviews with 19 health workers involved in the TB program at district, health facility and community levels were conducted from April 2020 and July 2020. Analysis was conducted inductively using reflexive thematic analysis in six iterative steps: familiarizing with the data, creating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, developing theme definitions, and writing the report. Results: Nineteen health care workers participated in this study which translates to a 100% response rate. These included two district TB and leprosy supervisors, five nurses, five clinical officers, six village health team members and one laboratory technician. The three themes that emerged from the analysis were intervention-related, health system and contextual factors. Health system-related barriers included inadequate or delayed government funding for the TB program, shortage of human resources, insufficient personal protective equipment, and a stock-out of supplies such as Xpert MTB cartridges. Contextual barriers included steep terrain, poverty or low income, and the stigma associated with TB and COVID-19. Facilitators comprised increased knowledge and understanding of the intervention, performance review and on-the-job training of health workers. Conclusions: This study found that most of the factors affecting TB contact investigations in this rural community were related to health system constraints such as inadequate or delayed funding and human resource shortages. This can be addressed by strengthening the foundational elements of the health system - health financing and human resources - to establish a comprehensive TB control program that will enable the efficient identification of missing TB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low immunization and discrepancies in data sources have been a consistent challenge in Afghanistan. The objective of this was to estimate the coverage of immunization status among children of 12–23 months in urban settings of 12 provinces plus Kabul, Afghanistan in 2019. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the capital of 12 cities of polio high‐risk provinces plus Kabul during October–December 2019. A two‐stage cluster sampling was used to approach 30 clusters and interview seven households. The coverage for 13 vaccines against 10 childhood diseases prioritized by the Afghanistan Immunization program was assessed through observation of vaccine cards or by history from caregivers of children. Epi Info v.7.2.5 was used for data management and analysis. Results: Totally, 3382 caregivers of children aged 12–23 months, of whom 50.8% were boys, were interviewed. The literacy of mothers was 35%, and 86.4% were housewives with no formal employment. The average age of children was 17.07 ± 4.05 months. In total, 1261 (37.29%) children were fully vaccinated, 833 (54.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 288 (8.52%) did not receive any dose of routine vaccine. Of total, 71.82% had vaccination cards, 17.24% had lost them, and 11% had no cards. Generally, coverage of immunization by cards and history was 91.70% for BCG, 52% for Penta, 78% for OPV‐4, 63% for PCV2, 61% for Rota2, 68.50% for measles 1, and 58% for IPV. Nangarhar and Kunar provinces have the highest and lowest immunization coverage, respectively. Lack of awareness and time was the main factor cited by partially vaccinated individuals, while misconceptions about vaccines were reported among the unvaccinated. Conclusion: Child immunization levels, varying across cities, were suboptimal in the study population. Realistic goal‐setting and awareness campaigns are necessary to address the low immunization coverage and fight against barriers in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Identify, through a systematic review, the main domains and methods to support health technology assessment of Medical Devices (MD) from the perspective of technological incorporation into healthcare systems. Methods: Performed structured searches in MEDLINE, Embase, BVS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for full studies published between 2017 and May 2023. Selection, extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two blinded reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: A total of 5,790 studies were retrieved, of which 41 were included. We grouped the identified criteria into eight domains for the evaluations. Conclusion: Overall, studies discuss the need to establish specific methods for conducting HTA in MD. Due to the wide diversity of MD types, a single methodological guideline may not encompass all the specificities and intrinsic characteristics of the plurality of MD. Studies suggest using clustering criteria through technological characterization as a strategy to make the process as standardized as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To estimate rotavirus vaccine coverage using data from Beijing I Immunization Information System (IIS) and provide evidence for guiding vaccination strategies. Methods Children bom between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, were selected from the IIS. Vaccination data for Lanzhou lamp rotavirus vaccine (LLR) and Pentavalent human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5) were analyzed to assess rotavirus vaccination coverage. Results The overall coverage rates for the 1-3 doses of rotavirus vaccine were 35.93%, 24.02%, and 16.72% among children bom in Beijing from 2017 to 2022. Specifically, LLR vaccination rates were 18.91%, 7.68%, and 1.12%, and RV5 vaccination rates were 22.04%, 21.15%, and 20.19%, respectively. Female children and those residing in urban districts showed higher vaccination rates than male children and those in suburban and outer suburban districts for all doses. Timely vaccination rates for the total, RV5, and LLR doses were 18,68%, 22.00%, and 1.68%, respectively. Conclusion Rotavirus vaccine coverage remains low among eligible children in Beijing, with delays observed in administering the first LLR dose. Enhanced health education is recommended to improve timely and complete vaccination coverage among eligible children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]