bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community bylaws concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights in Machinga District, Malawi: to what extent are they responsive to young people’s needs?
Authors: Kok Maryse , Munthali Alister , Mvula Peter , Chisiza Zindaba , Mat Marielle Le 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Community bylaws are commonly accepted mechanisms to influence behaviour change to achieve better health and development outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the uses, benefits, and potential downsides of community bylaws are largely unclear, especially regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which community bylaws in Machinga District in southern Malawi are responsive to young people’s realities and SRHR needs.

Methods
In Phase 1 of this qualitative study, 35 community members were interviewed, including 14 young people (15–24 years), five parents, five traditional leaders, and eleven key informants. Based on findings from Phase 1, eleven members from local youth groups co-created a drama performance that covered issues concerning bylaws and young people’s SRHR (Phase 2). The drama was performed in the community, after which young women (18–24 years), young men (17–24 years), female and male parents discussed on what they saw in the drama, focusing on young people’s SRHR, in four focus group discussions (Phase 3). All transcripts were coded and thematically analysed and narratives were written on main themes.

Results
Three community SRHR bylaws, related to teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and sexual harassment and rape were identified and commonly accepted in the community. While these bylaws intend to reduce SRHR-related issues among young people, they are often not involved in bylaw formulation. The bylaws were associated with protection of girls, and a good reputation for boys, young men and traditional leaders. Bylaw enforcement faced problems, as fines were not in line with national laws, and wealthy offenders could avoid them through bribes. Effects of bylaws on teenage pregnancy rates seemed limited, while some positive effects on school readmission, prevention of child marriage, and reporting sexual harassment were reported.

Conclusions
The study revealed that community bylaws were accepted but not owned by young people, and had different effects on the rich versus the poor, and girls versus young men. Bylaws were associated with punishment in terms of money, which seemed to overpower their potential to promote rights and address social norms underlying SRHR issues of the youth.
A candidate nanoparticle vaccine comprised of multiple epitopes of the African swine fever virus elicits a robust immune response
Authors: Song Jinxing , Wang Mengxiang , Zhou Lei , Tian Panpan , Sun ZhuoYa , Sun Junru , Wang Xuannian , Zhuang Guoqing , Jiang Dawei , Wu Yanan , Zhang Gaiping 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe African swine fever (ASF) pandemics pose a significant threat to the global swine industry, and the development of safe and effective vaccines is a daunting but necessary challenge. The level and persistence of immunity are very important for the effectiveness of the vaccine. Targeting antigens to antigen presenting cells (APCs) can greatly enhance immunogenicity. In this study, we developed a self-assembled nano-ASFV vaccine candidate (NanoFVax) targeting DCs, by covalently coupling the self-assembled 24-mer ferritin with the dominant B and T cell epitopes of the highly immunogenic ASFV antigen (p72, CD2v, pB602L and p30) and fused with the chemokine receptor XCL1 (a DC targeting molecule) through the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system. Compared to monomeric protein, the nanoparticle vaccines can induce a more robust T-cell response, and the high-level antibody response against ASFV can last for more than 231 days. Therefore, the NanoFVax is a novel and promising vaccine candidate for ASFV.
Graphical Abstract
“It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model
Authors: Hill Katherine , Dunham Katherine , Grau Lauretta E. , Heimer Robert 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
The experiences and perceived support needs of harm reduction workers in the USA have been understudied. While previous research has explored staff burnout and role-related stress, there is a research gap around potential supports for staff wellbeing and individual longevity in their roles. This is especially critical given the growing overdose crisis and the need for sustainable harm reduction programming. Thus, we sought to describe the experiences of harm reduction staff and identify the perceived support that could empower harm reduction staff to successfully navigate their roles.

Methods
Purposive sampling methods were used to recruit harm reduction staff working in Connecticut. Seventeen semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted between December 2022 and March 2023. Participants were asked about their experiences with role-related stressors and supports. Informed by the Social-Ecological Model, transcripts were coded using both inductive and deductive codes, and themes were developed using thematic analysis approaches.

Results
Study participants described their experiences working in harm reduction and the numerous ways they already are or could be receiving support in their roles. These experiences were organized into eight themes according to the levels of the Social-Ecological Model. At the individual level, participants explained that support could help them navigate the variability of the physical environment, boundary setting, and self-care. Relationships between clients and co-workers were both identified as means of support at the interpersonal level, helping participants navigate difficult situations and feelings of stress. At the organizational level, study participants explained how they look to their organization to provide sufficient support by way of training, staffing, compensation, and benefits. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of having supervisors who valued their work and provided emotional support. Lastly, at the community level, participants discussed how support was needed to help them navigate complex systems while working with a stigmatized population in an often-stigmatized field.

Conclusions
To best support harm reduction staff in their day-to-day roles, our findings underscore the need for support on multiple levels. Future research could explore how the provision of support to harm reduction staff impacts not only staff perceptions of support but also the success of clients accessing harm reduction services.
Aging and the impact of global DNA methylation, telomere shortening, and total oxidative status on sarcopenia and frailty syndrome
Authors: Kmiołek Tomasz , Filipowicz Gabriela , Bogucka Diana , Wajda Anna , Ejma-Multański Adam , Stypińska Barbara , Modzelewska Ewa , Kaliberda Yana , Radkowski Marcin , Targowski Tomasz , Wrona Julia , Paradowska-Gorycka Agnieszka 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAging is a biological event that influences many organs and systems. Both sarcopenia and frailty syndrome refer to geriatric conditions with overlapping phenotypes. Many mechanisms are involved in the aging process such as DNA methylation telomeres which are susceptible to oxidative stress, and inflammations which result in telomere shortening, leading to chromosomal instability. The study aimed to determine the associations between these processes, frailty and sarcopenia syndrome. Global DNA methylation was analyzed using the ELISA method. Telomere length was analyzed using qPCR. Total oxidative status (TOS) was analyzed using a colorimetric method. The present study revealed that the main factor affecting methylation, telomeres length and level of total oxidant stress was age.
Short-term outcomes following total correction of tetralogy of fallot in adult patients
Authors: Khajali Zahra , Mohammadi Nasibeh , Toloueitabar Yaser , Maleki Majid , Saedi Sedigheh , Norouzi Zeinab , Mazloum-Zadeh Saeedeh , Chenaghlou Maryam , Jalali Amirhossein , Tatari Hassan , Aliramezany Maryam 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common congenital heart disease which should be corrected. The recommended time for the Tetralogy of Fallot Total Correction (TFTC) surgery is during the infancy for the possible difficulties during the surgery and the related issues. However, sometimes TOF is diagnosed and managed during the adulthood.

Methods
This study is a descriptive and retrospective one which included all patients who underwent TFTC at the age of 15-year and older in 10 years (between the years 2010 and 2020) to identify short-term (in-hospital mortality, ICU stay, postoperative bleeding, respiratory complications after the surgery such as pulmonary edema, pneumonia, etc.) and one-year (left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricle (RV) ejection fraction, the severity of tricuspid and aortic regurgitation after surgery) outcomes. All data were taken from medical records at Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.

Results
94 patients with the mean ± SD age of 26.7 ± 9.6 years were enrolled. Most of them were male (59.6%) (P-value: 0.009). In-hospital mortality in our study were 5.3%. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was significantly resolved after the surgery (P-value: 0.006). Of 17 (18.1%) patients with small or hypoplastic pulmonary artery (PA) branches, 14 patients had acceptable PA branch size after surgery.

Conclusion
TFTC at an older age is safe with acceptable results. Age is not a contraindication for TFTC and surgery should be recommended if the patients are diagnosed with TOF in adulthood. Also, the TOF diagnosis should be considered in adult patients with suspicious signs and symptoms.
Aortoesophageal fistula treated using one-stage total reconstruction: a case report from a high-volume center
Authors: Lee Yi-Ping , Ozaki Kensuke , Oshima Susumu , Hirokami Tomohiro 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but typically life-threatening condition. Although several treatment strategies exist, including conservative treatment with intraluminal stent graft and open thoracic aortic replacement, the overall outcome remains poor, ranging from 16 to 39%. Furthermore, esophageal reconstruction methods vary between hospitals. Herein, we report a case of aortoesophageal fistula treated using one-stage total reconstruction.

Case presentation
This case involved a 58-year-old woman who developed acute type A aortic dissection and underwent successful total arch replacement at the other hospital. However, she developed AEF 1 year later and underwent urgent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, which eventually failed. We performed thoracic aortic replacement, total esophagectomy, gastric tube reconstruction, and omental flap in a one-stage operation. The patient was extubated the next day and transferred to the general ward on postoperative day 3. Computed tomography revealed favorable results.

Conclusions
For postoperative AEF, dedicated debridement with reconstruction is more effective than conservative treatment. In an experienced center, post-procedure-related AEF can be easily treated using one-stage reconstruction.
Measurement and characteristics of the temporal-spatial evolution of China’s healthcare services efficiency
Authors: Ye Yizhong , Tao Qunshan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Healthcare services efficiency (HSE) is directly related to the healthcare demands of the general public and also plays an essential role in the country’s coordinated economic and social development.

Methods
In this study, the stochastic frontier approach (SFA)-Malmquist model was applied to measure the HSE of 31 Chinese provinces based on panel data from 2010–2020. Then, kernel density estimation, Markov chain, and exploratory spatial data analysis were adopted to study the temporal-spatial dynamic evolution characteristics of the HSE.

Results
The study found that China’s HSE showed an average value of approximately 0.841, indicating room for improvement. The HSE varied significantly across regions, presenting an “East > Central > West” distribution layout. The TFP of healthcare services in China grew by 1.6% per year, driven mainly by technological progress of 1.8% per year. The trend of the HSE shifting to a high level in China was significant, but its evolution exhibited stability of maintaining the original state, and it was harder to achieve leapfrog transfer. The temporal-spatial evolution of the HSE was also significantly affected by geospatial factors, with a clear spatial spillover effect and spatial agglomeration characteristics. Provinces with high-level HSE exhibited positive spatial spillover effects, while provinces with low-level HSE had negative spatial spillover effects. Thus, the “club convergence” phenomenon of “high efficiency concentration, low efficiency agglomeration, high levels of radiation, and low levels of suppression” was formed in the spatial distribution.

Conclusions
The results indicate that countermeasures should be taken to improve the HSE in China. Theoretical support for the improvement of HSE is provided in this paper.
Current knowledge gaps in extracorporeal respiratory support
Authors: Tonetti Tommaso , Zanella Alberto , Pérez-Torres David , Grasselli Giacomo , Ranieri V. Marco 
Published: November 2023

AbstractExtracorporeal life support (ECLS) for acute respiratory failure encompasses veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R). V-V ECMO is primarily used to treat severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), characterized by life-threatening hypoxemia or ventilatory insufficiency with conventional protective settings. It employs an artificial lung with high blood flows, and allows improvement in gas exchange, correction of hypoxemia, and reduction of the workload on the native lung. On the other hand, ECCO2R focuses on carbon dioxide removal and ventilatory load reduction (“ultra-protective ventilation”) in moderate ARDS, or in avoiding pump failure in acute exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical indications for V-V ECLS are tailored to individual patients, as there are no absolute contraindications. However, determining the ideal timing for initiating extracorporeal respiratory support remains uncertain. Current ECLS equipment faces issues like size and durability. Innovations include intravascular lung assist devices (ILADs) and pumpless devices, though they come with their own challenges. Efficient gas exchange relies on modern oxygenators using hollow fiber designs, but research is exploring microfluidic technology to improve oxygenator size, thrombogenicity, and blood flow capacity. Coagulation management during V-V ECLS is crucial due to common bleeding and thrombosis complications; indeed, anticoagulation strategies and monitoring systems require improvement, while surface coatings and new materials show promise. Moreover, pharmacokinetics during ECLS significantly impact antibiotic therapy, necessitating therapeutic drug monitoring for precise dosing. Managing native lung ventilation during V-V ECMO remains complex, requiring a careful balance between benefits and potential risks for spontaneously breathing patients. Moreover, weaning from V-V ECMO is recognized as an area of relevant uncertainty, requiring further research. In the last decade, the concept of Extracorporeal Organ Support (ECOS) for patients with multiple organ dysfunction has emerged, combining ECLS with other organ support therapies to provide a more holistic approach for critically ill patients. In this review, we aim at providing an in-depth overview of V-V ECMO and ECCO2R, addressing various aspects of their use, challenges, and potential future directions in research and development.
Regeneration of joint surface defects by transplantation of allogeneic cartilage: application of iPS cell-derived cartilage and immunogenicity
Authors: Abe Kengo , Tsumaki Noriyuki 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Because of its poor intrinsic repair capacity, articular cartilage seldom heals when damaged.

Main body
Regenerative treatment is expected for the treatment of articular cartilage damage, and allogeneic chondrocytes or cartilage have an advantage over autologous chondrocytes, which are limited in number. However, the presence or absence of an immune response has not been analyzed and remains controversial. Allogeneic-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived cartilage, a new resource for cartilage regeneration, reportedly survived and integrated with native cartilage after transplantation into chondral defects in knee joints without immune rejection in a recent primate model. Here, we review and discuss the immunogenicity of chondrocytes and the efficacy of allogeneic cartilage transplantation, including iPSC-derived cartilage.

Short conclusion
Allogeneic iPSC-derived cartilage transplantation, a new therapeutic option, could be a good indication for chondral defects, and the development of translational medical technology for articular cartilage damage is expected.
Maximizing the cost effectiveness of electric power generation through the integration of distributed generators: wind, hydro and solar power
Authors: Idoko Idoko Peter , Ayodele Temitope Raphael , Abolarin Sogo Mayokun , Ewim Daniel Raphael Ejike 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
The transition towards renewable energy sources has become an imperative step to mitigate climate change, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security and economic prosperity in a sustainable manner. Maximizing the cost effectiveness of electric power generation is crucial to making renewable energy sources viable and attractive options for clean energy production. The strategic allocation of wind, hydro and solar power systems is essential to achieving this goal. This paper attempts to demonstrate how the cost effectiveness of electrical power system could be maximized through the integration of wind, solar and hydropower systems and comparison at different penetration levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on cost effectiveness of electric power generation. The different generator technologies were designed based on their electrical output attributions.

Results
The cost of electric generation for the integration of each generator at the various buses were calculated at different penetration level for fair comparison. The results indicate that the minimum money loss for the integration of solar power was $743.90 at bus 4 and at 50% penetration level, the minimum money loss for the integration of wind power was $999.00 at bus 4 and at 25% penetration level while the minimum amount loss for the integration of hydropower was $546.50 at bus 4 and at 75% penetration level.

Conclusions
The magnitude to which the integration of the different generator affects the cost effectiveness of power production hinges on the type of generator, the penetration level and the location of the generator in the grid.
Employee perception of electronic human resource management and COVID-19 restrictions in public organizations: the experience of Ghana Revenue Authority, Bono Region
Authors: Abane Juliana Abagsonema , Brenya Edward , Agyapong Andrews Boakye 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to find out what measures were taken to manage human resources during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Ghana Revenue Authority in Ghana. This was necessary because, even though electronic human resource practices have been implemented in most public organizations in the country, it was uncertain whether or not these practices were vital in delivering public service during the peak of the pandemic at the regional level due to government restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the virus. The study used 78 employees of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the Bono Regional Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority. The study used inferential statistics by employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression techniques to test the effect of employee perceptions, electronic human resource management practices, and COVID-19 practices on electronic human resource adoption. The findings revealed that e-human resource practices had the strongest effect on e-human resource adoption with a beta value of 0.781 and apvalue of 0.000, followed by employee perception with a beta value of 0.272 and apvalue of 0.004. Significantly, the entire effect of the COVID-19 practices was statistically insignificant yet positive. Overall, the four regression models were significant (p < 0.01), with the fourth model indicatingR2to be 0.677 points. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Ghana Revenue Authority focuses more on transformational human resource management strategies to increase employee adoption of electronic systems. Furthermore, it is suggested that the organization includes employees in new technologies that improve their performance. Our findings are significant because the outbreak of COVID-19 made scholars focus more on flextime, health and safety, and remote working practices. Little has been done to determine whether or not the new normal has impacted how electronic human resource practices have been implemented in public sector organizations compared to the private sector. So, this study stands out as one of the critical studies in electronic human resource management practices in sub-Saharan Africa.Graphical Abstract
Flexible Differentiable Optimization via Model Transformations
Authors: Besançon Mathieu , Dias Garcia Joaquim , Legat Benoît , Sharma Akshay 
Published: November 2023

We introduce DiffOpt.jl, a Julia library to differentiate through the solution of optimization problems with respect to arbitrary parameters present in the objective and/or constraints. The library builds upon MathOptInterface, thus leveraging the rich ecosystem of solvers and composing well with modeling languages like JuMP. DiffOpt offers both forward and reverse differentiation modes, enabling multiple use cases from hyperparameter optimization to backpropagation and sensitivity analysis, bridging constrained optimization with end-to-end differentiable programming. DiffOpt is built on two known rules for differentiating quadratic programming and conic programming standard forms. However, thanks to its ability to differentiate through model transformations, the user is not limited to these forms and can differentiate with respect to the parameters of any model that can be reformulated into these standard forms. This notably includes programs mixing affine conic constraints and convex quadratic constraints or objective function. History: Accepted by Ted Ralphs, Area Editor for Software Tools. Funding: The work of A. Sharma on DiffOpt.jl was funded by the Google Summer of Code program through NumFocus. M. Besançon was partially supported through the Research Campus Modal funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research [Grant 05M14ZAM, 05M20ZBM]. J. Dias Garcia was supported in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. B. Legat was supported by a BAEF Postdoctoral Fellowship, the NSF [Grant OAC-1835443], and the ERC Adv. [Grant 885682]. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0283 ), as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0283 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .