Analysis of phthalate plasticizer migration from PVDC packaging materials to food simulants using molecular dynamics simulations and artificial neural network.

Based on the experimental data of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, an improved artificial neural network was first established to predict the migration of 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) plasticizer from poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) into food simulants (ie., heptane, ethanol and water). The sensitivity analysis indicated that temperature acted as a crucial factor influencing the migration values of DEHP.

Malaria elimination in remote communities requires integration of malaria control activities into general health care: an observational study and interrupted time series analysis in Myanmar.

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) can provide diagnosis and treatment of malaria in remote rural areas and are therefore key to the elimination of malaria. However, as incidence declines, uptake of their services could be compromised if they only treat malaria.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 571,286 malaria rapid diagnostic tests conducted between 2011 and 2016 by 1335 CHWs supported by Medical Action Myanmar.