bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 vaccination in the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study of vaccine coverage, hesitancy, and associated risk factors among community members and healthcare workers
Authors: Majer Jennifer , Elhissi Jehad H. , Mousa Nabil , Kostandova Natalya 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
The Gaza Strip, like other settings of complex humanitarian emergencies, faces immense challenges in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. This study was conducted in October 2021 among Gaza’s adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs). The primary aim was to estimate two indicators, coverage of COVID-19 vaccination and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the two indicators’ associations with globally identified risk factors.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a population-based survey of adults and a purposive survey of HCWs in Gaza. A multi-stage sampling design was used for the population survey component. For the HCW component, five health facilities were purposively selected as entry points; HCWs in the facilities holding clinical or other specialized positions were approached to participate in the survey. Data were summarized as univariable descriptive statistics with unweighted and weighted point estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of risk factors with vaccination status and vaccine hesitancy.

Results
A total of 1075 individuals were surveyed, of whom 906 were community members and 169 were HCWs. Population-weighted vaccine coverage was estimated to be 49.08% (95% CI 43.10–55.08). 89.35% of HCWs were vaccinated. Population-weighted vaccine hesitancy was estimated to be 34.08% (95% CI 28.14–40.56) in the overall population and 67.24% (95% CI 49.04–81.41) among the unvaccinated sub-group. In logistic regression vaccination was independently associated with male sex (aOR 1.88, p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.20–2.95), older age (40+ vs. 18–39 age group) (aOR 1.92, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.73–2.13), higher education (aOR 2.19, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.51–3.17), and confidence in the safety of the vaccine (aOR 13.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.1–18.8). Risk factors for hesitancy were similar to those identified for vaccination status, however hesitant individuals were somewhat more likely to obtain vaccine information from family members (aOR 1.29, p = 0.051, 95% CI 1.00–1.67) and less likely to trust healthcare providers (aOR 0.58, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.49–0.68).

Conclusions
The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants reinforces the importance of achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally—a difficult undertaking in Gaza. This study estimated half of Gaza’s adult population received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by October 2021, and the majority of unvaccinated individuals were hesitant. Disparities in vaccination across the territory’s demographic groups underscore the need for targeted outreach to these populations and messaging through community-based channels to permeate social networks of the unvaccinated.
Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles for cancer treatment using versatile targeted strategies
Authors: Tian Hailong , Zhang Tingting , Qin Siyuan , Huang Zhao , Zhou Li , Shi Jiayan , Nice Edouard C. , Xie Na , Huang Canhua , Shen Zhisen 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPoor targeting of therapeutics leading to severe adverse effects on normal tissues is considered one of the obstacles in cancer therapy. To help overcome this, nanoscale drug delivery systems have provided an alternative avenue for improving the therapeutic potential of various agents and bioactive molecules through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Nanosystems with cancer-targeted ligands can achieve effective delivery to the tumor cells utilizing cell surface-specific receptors, the tumor vasculature and antigens with high accuracy and affinity. Additionally, stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms have also been considered as a promising and effective targeting strategy against tumors, as these nanoplatforms maintain their stealth feature under normal conditions, but upon homing in on cancerous lesions or their microenvironment, are responsive and release their cargoes. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the field of active targeting drug delivery systems and a number of stimuli-responsive release studies in the context of emerging nanoplatform development, and also discuss how this knowledge can contribute to further improvements in clinical practice.
Genome-wide analysis of the JAZ subfamily of transcription factors and functional verification of BnC08.JAZ1-1 in Brassica napus
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Na , Zhan Jiepeng , Wang Xinfa , Zhou Xue-Rong , Shi Jiaqin , Wang Hanzhong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
JAZ subfamily plays crucial roles in growth and development, stress, and hormone responses in various plant species. Despite its importance, the structural and functional analyses of the JAZ subfamily in Brassica napus are still limited.

Results
Comparing to the existence of 12 JAZ genes (AtJAZ1-AtJAZ12) in Arabidopsis, there are 28, 31, and 56 JAZ orthologues in the reference genome of B. rapa, B. oleracea, and B. napus, respectively, in accordance with the proven triplication events during the evolution of Brassicaceae. The phylogenetic analysis showed that 127 JAZ proteins from A. thaliana, B. rapa, B. oleracea, and B. napus could fall into five groups. The structure analysis of all 127 JAZs showed that these proteins have the common motifs of TIFY and Jas, indicating their conservation in Brassicaceae species. In addition, the cis-element analysis showed that the main motif types are related to phytohormones, biotic and abiotic stresses. The qRT-PCR of the representative 11 JAZ genes in B. napus demonstrated that different groups of BnJAZ individuals have distinct patterns of expression under normal conditions or treatments with distinctive abiotic stresses and phytohormones. Especially, the expression of BnJAZ52 (BnC08.JAZ1-1) was significantly repressed by abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), indoleacetic acid (IAA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and NaCl treatments, while induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), cold and waterlogging. Expression pattern analysis showed that BnC08.JAZ1-1 was mainly expressed in the vascular bundle and young flower including petal, pistil, stamen, and developing ovule, but not in the stem, leaf, and mature silique and seed. Subcellular localization showed that the protein was localized in the nucleus, in line with its orthologues in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of BnC08.JAZ1-1 in Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced seed weight, likely through regulating the expression of the downstream response genes involved in the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway and phospholipid metabolism pathway.

Conclusions
The systematic identification, phylogenetic, syntenic, and expression analyses of BnJAZs subfamily improve our understanding of their roles in responses to stress and phytohormone in B. napus. In addition, the preliminary functional validation of BnC08.JAZ1-1 in Arabidopsis demonstrated that this subfamily might also play a role in regulating seed weight.
The median age of a city’s residents and population density influence COVID 19 mortality growth rates: policy implications
Authors: Arbel Yuval , Arbel Yifat , Kerner Amichai , Kerner Miryam 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
SARS-CoV-2 is an infectious virus, which has generated a global pandemic. Israel was one of the first countries to vaccinate its population, inaugurating the program on December 20, 2020. The objective of the current study is to investigate the projected daily COVID19 mortality growth rate with higher median age and population size of cities under two scenarios: with and without the BNT162b2 Pfizer vaccination against the SAR-COV2 virus.

Methods
This study employs a panel data-set. We follow the COVID19 mortality growth rate in each of the 173 Israeli cities and towns starting from March 21, 2020 (10 days after the first documentation of COVID19 cases in Israel) until September 21, 2021, where the BNT162b2 Pfizer vaccinations were available starting from December 20, 2020.

Results
Referring to the median age of municipal residents, findings suggest that the BNT162b2 Pfizer vaccinations attenuate the rise in anticipated daily mortality growth rate for cities and towns in which the median population age is 30 years old (the range in median age among the residents in the municipalities surveyed is 11–41 years). Moreover, referring to population size of cities, findings demonstrate that while under the scenario without vaccination, the daily mortality growth rate is anticipated to rise, under a comparable scenario with vaccination, daily mortality growth rate is anticipated to drop.

Conclusions
In crowded cities, where the median age is high, two perspectives of early and intensive public policy interventions are clearly required. The first perspective is extensive medical treatment, namely, extension of availability of medical physical and online services; dispensing designated medications; expansion of hospitalization facilities and information services particularly to susceptible populations. All measures will be taken with attention to age accessibility of these means. The second perspective is prevention via establishment of testing and vaccination complexes; elevation of dedicated health services, generating selective lockdowns; education for increasing awareness to social distancing, wearing masks and other preventive means.
A realist review protocol on communications for community engagement in maternal and newborn health programmes in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Dada Sara , De Brún Aoife , Banda Esther Namwaba , Bhattacharya Sanghita , Mutunga Zaccheous , Gilmore Brynne 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Community engagement (CE) has been increasingly implemented across health interventions, including for maternal and newborn health (MNH). This may take various forms, from participatory women’s groups and community health committees to public advocacy days. While research suggests a positive influence of CE on MNH outcomes, such as mortality or care-seeking behaviour, there is a need for further evidence on the processes of CE in different settings in order to inform the future development and implementation of CE across programmes. Communication is an integral component of CE serving as a link between the programme and community. The aim of the realist review described in this protocol is to understand how, why, to what extent, and for whom CE contributes to intended and unintended outcomes in MNH programming, focusing on the communication components of CE.

Methods
Realist review methodology will be used to provide a causal understanding of what communication for CE interventions in MNH programming work, for whom, to what extent, why, and how. This will be done by developing and refining programme theories on communications for CE in MNH through a systematic review of the literature and engaging key experts for input and feedback. By extrapolating context-mechanism-outcome configurations, this review seeks to understand how certain contexts trigger or inhibit specific mechanisms and what outcomes this interaction generates when communication in CE interventions is used in MNH programming.

Discussion
A realist philosophy is well-suited to address the aims of this study because of the complex nature of CE. The review findings will be used to inform a realist evaluation case study of CE for an MNH programme in order to ascertain transferable findings that can inform and guide engagement activities in various settings. Findings will also be shared with stakeholders and experts involved in the consultative processes of the review (through workshops or policy briefs) in order to ensure the relevance of these findings to policy and practice.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42022293564
Peer support for carers and patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review
Authors: Adriano Ada , Thompson Dean M. , McMullan Christel , Price Malcolm , Moore David , Booth Lesley , Mathers Jonathan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
The support provided by people with the same condition, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), has the potential to improve a range of psychosocial outcomes by allowing people with the disease to receive emotional support as well as to learn coping strategies from more experienced peers. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence on peer support interventions and their effectiveness on people with IBD.

Methods
Bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, grey literature, and clinical trial registers were searched from inception to November 2021. Comparative and single-arm studies that evaluated interventions that were solely or contained in part peer support, for people with IBD and/or their carers of any age and in any setting were included. Effectiveness was evaluated using outcomes relating to physical and psychosocial function, disease control and healthcare utilisation. Data for each outcome were tabulated and presented in a narrative synthesis. Study design specific tools were used to assess risk of bias. Study selection and risk of bias assessment were undertaken by two reviewers independently.

Results
Fourteen completed studies and five ongoing studies met the inclusion criteria. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the studies in relation to the intervention type and peer support was usually part of a wider intervention. All but one study analysed the total effect of the intervention, so it was not possible to fully isolate the effect of the peer support alone. The appropriateness of outcomes and outcome measurement tools for the assessment of effects was a further key issue. As such, overall, no significant evidence of beneficial effects of peer support interventions on quality of life and other psychosocial outcomes was found.

Conclusions
New randomised controlled trials designed to isolate the effects of peer support are needed to evaluate the (net) effects of peer support only. Agreement on the outcomes to be targeted, and the choice of reliable and validated measurement tools for standalone peer support interventions would provide a focus for further intervention design and evaluation.

Systematic review registration
The protocol was accepted in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO CRD42020168817).
Weighted dynamic Hardy-type inequalities involving many functions on arbitrary time scales
Authors: El-Deeb Ahmed A. , Mohamed Karim A. , Baleanu Dumitru , Rezk Haytham M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to prove some new dynamic inequalities of Hardy type on time scales which generalize and improve some recent results given in the literature. Further, we derive some new weighted Hardy dynamic inequalities involving many functions on time scales. As special cases, we get continuous and discrete inequalities.
Characterizing small spheres in a unit sphere by Fischer–Marsden equation
Authors: Bin Turki Nasser , Deshmukh Sharief , Vîlcu Gabriel-Eduard 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe use a nontrivial concircular vector field u on the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

in studying geometry of its hypersurfaces. An orientable hypersurface M of the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

naturally inherits a vector field v and a smooth function ρ. We use the condition that the vector field v is an eigenvector of the de-Rham Laplace operator together with an inequality satisfied by the integral of the Ricci curvature in the direction of the vector field v to find a characterization of small spheres in the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

. We also use the condition that the function ρ is a nontrivial solution of the Fischer–Marsden equation together with an inequality satisfied by the integral of the Ricci curvature in the direction of the vector field v to find another characterization of small spheres in the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

.
Application of C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions to numerical solution of convection-diffusion equations
Authors: Sun Lanyin , Su Fangming 
Published: September 2022

AbstractConvection-diffusion equation is widely used to describe many engineering and physical problems. The finite element method is one of the most common tools for computing numerical solution. In 2003, Wang et al. proposed C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions which are not only a generalization of classical Bernstein basis functions but also have a free shape parameter bringing a lot of flexibility to geometrical modeling. In this paper, we adopt C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions to construct test and trial function spaces of finite element method to get numerical solution of convection-diffusion equations. Compared with Lagrange basis functions, numerical accuracy is improved by $1-3$
1
−
3
order-of magnitudes which implies a much better approximation in simulating convection-diffusion problems. Several examples are presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our method.
Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Reinforced with Various Steel Fibers
Authors: Yang Keun-Hyeok , Kim Hak-Young , Lee Hye-Jin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe objective of the present study is to examine the effects of different types and content of steel fibers on the workability, mechanical properties, and ductility enhancement of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Thirteen LWAC mixtures were prepared using different types of steel fibers including conventional hooked-end macro steel fibers (SF(H)), straight (CSF(S)), crimp-shaped (CSF(C)), and hooked-end (CSF(H)) copper-coated micro steel fibers at the designed compressive strength of 40 MPa. The fiber volume fraction varied from 0% to 1.5% at an interval of 0.5%. Test results showed that CSF(H) type possesses a better potential than the other types in enhancing the tensile resistance and toughness at the post-peak branch of the load–deflection curve of beams. The bond characteristics of fibers with cement matrix were one of critical parameters that needs to be considered in designing the fiber reinforced concrete. Thus, the splitting strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity of fiber reinforced LWAC were formulated as a function of volume fraction, aspect ratio, and bond strength of fibers from the regression analysis using the present test data.
Therapeutic activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Morelli Eugenio , Hunter Zachary R. , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Gullà Annamaria , Perrotta Ida Daniela , Zuccalà Valeria , Federico Cinzia , Juli Giada , Manzoni Martina , Ronchetti Domenica , Romeo Enrica , Gallo Cantafio Maria Eugenia , Soncini Debora , Maltese Lorenza , Rossi Marco , Roccaro Aldo M. , Cea Michele , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Neri Antonino , Treon Steven C. , Munshi Nikhil C. , Viglietto Giuseppe , Amodio Nicola 
Published: September 2022

AbstractActivating G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating a variety of human diseases including cancer. Here, we show that GPER1 is significantly upregulated in tumor cells from different cohorts of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) patients compared to normal B cells. Using the clinically applicable GPER1-selective small-molecule agonist G-1 (also named Tespria), we found that pharmacological activation of GPER1 leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo in animal models, even in the context of the protective bone marrow milieu. Activation of GPER1 triggered the TP53 pathway, which remains actionable during WM progression. Thus, this study identifies a novel therapeutic target in WM and paves the way for the clinical development of the GPER1 agonist G-1.
Measuring exercise in eating disorder patients: a Delphi study to aggregate clinical and research knowledge
Authors: Harris Astrid , Aouad Phillip , Noetel Melissa , Hay Phillipa , Touyz Stephen 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundExercise is a prominent feature of most eating disorders, and has been shown to have a number of detrimental effects on treatment outcome. There is some disagreement in the literature regarding the construct of compulsive exercise, and assessment and treatment varies significantly. This study therefore aimed to aggregate expert clinicians’ and researchers’ views on how to define and measure compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. The expert panel was also asked about questionnaire design, and possible problems when measuring compulsive exercise.MethodThis study used the Delphi method to establish consensus amongst an expert panel. Three successive rounds of questionnaires were distributed to the panel over a period of six months. The first round consisted of four open-ended questions regarding the definition and measurement of compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. For Round 2, 70 statements were derived from the answers, and panelists were asked to rate each item on a Likert-based scale. An 85% consensus level was chosen. In Round 3, 44 statements were re-rated by the panel.ResultsSeventeen of 24 participants completed all three rounds of the study. Consensus was achieved for 63% of the items, while 18.5% reached near consensus, and 18.5% did not reach consensus after Round 3. The panel agreed on a number of important aspects of compulsive exercise. Several suggestions regarding the format of a questionnaire assessing this behavior were also endorsed. The panel further identified common difficulties when assessing compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients, notably a lack of consensus still apparent in the literature.ConclusionThe current findings constitute a further step towards a unified definition of compulsive exercise, and contribute important suggestions to the measurement of this behavior.
Optimization of deep reactive ion etching for microscale silicon hole arrays with high aspect ratio
Authors: Kim Taeyeong , Lee Jungchul 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDuring deep reactive ion etching (DRIE), microscale etch masks with small opening such as trenches or holes suffer from limited aspect ratio because diffusion of reactive ions and free radicals become progressively difficult as the number of DRIE cycle increases. For this reason, high aspect ratio structures of microscale trenches or holes are not readily available with standard DRIE recipes and microscale holes are more problematic than trenches due to omnidirectional confinement. In this letter, we propose an optimization for fabrication of high aspect ratio microscale hole arrays with an improved cross-sectional etch profile. Bias voltage and inductively coupled plasma power are considered as optimization parameters to promote the bottom etching of the high aspect ratio hole array. In addition, flow rates of octafluorocyclobutane (C$$_{4}$$

4

F$$_{8}$$

8

) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF$$_{6}$$

6

) for passivation and depassivation steps, respectively, are considered as optimization parameters to reduce the etch undercut. As a result of optimization, the aspect ratio of 20 is achieved for 1.3 μm-diameter hole array and etch area reduction at the bottom relative to the top is improved to 21%.