bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cross-comparative analysis of child poverty across sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Francophone and Anglophone African states
Authors: Fonta Cynthia Lum , Gordon David , Toumpakari Zoi 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThe institutional structures established by French and British colonists continue to shape the socio-economic landscape of sub-Saharan Africa, potentially contributing to the unequal distribution of child poverty. This study, therefore, has significant relevance as it aims to estimate child poverty disparities within the context of colonial origins in Francophone and Anglophone African countries.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilised data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2000 and 2019 involving 22 sub-Saharan African states. A rights-based framework was applied based on the SDG-updated Gordon et al. (2003) methodology to measure child poverty. We then compared child poverty disparities between colonial origins using one-way ANOVA tests and risk ratios to quantify the magnitude of these differences.FindingsCritically high estimates of sanitation and housing poverty (above 70% prevalence) were observed in the two colonial settings. Children in Francophone states were 1.4 times (RR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.8) more likely to experience higher risks of low medical access, almost twice as likely to experience low vaccine uptake (risk ratios-RR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.8) or no formal education (RR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.5). All other dimensions were equal between colonial origins.Research limitations/implicationsDue to its cross-comparative approach, this study is restricted in making conclusive inferences regarding the causal relationship between colonialism and health/education poverty. Also, given the limited number of countries, particularly Anglophone countries, our sample may not fully represent all French and British ex-colonies. As a follow-up to this study, we intend to repeat this analysis using the harmonised Multiple Indicator Cluster (MIC) surveys, providing a larger number of countries.Originality/valueDespite similar household poverty levels in both colonial settings, Francophone states had lower access to health and education services than Anglophone states. These findings indicate deeper systemic issues that may be rooted in the historical governance styles of centralisation. More effective decentralisation of healthcare and education services in Francophone countries and improved government commitment to addressing household poverty throughout sub-Saharan Africa are imperative.
Exploring outsourcing dynamics: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of emerging markets
Authors: Le Minh-Hieu , Le Thu-Thao , Tran Phung Phi 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThis research aims to enhance understanding of outsourcing dynamics from emerging markets by employing a bibliometric analysis of relevant scholarly articles. The study explores publication patterns, citation networks, author collaborations and contributions by different countries, offering insights for researchers and practitioners investigating outsourcing in these markets.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted using 197 articles from the SCOPUS database, spanning January 1999 to June 2023. Established bibliometric techniques were utilized to analyze publication patterns, citation networks, author collaborations and country contributions, identifying key research themes and influential authors and institutions.FindingsThe study identified eight distinct research clusters, highlighting interdisciplinary collaborations, influential authors like Thomas Frisanco and Erdener Kaynak, and significant contributions from the United States and the UK. Notable organizational collaborations include the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Miami. These findings provide valuable insights into outsourcing practices and research trends in emerging markets.Research limitations/implicationsThe study acknowledges limitations such as sampling bias, language bias and publication bias, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should strive for more diverse and representative samples, including non-English publications and studies with non-significant results, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of outsourcing dynamics.Practical implicationsThe findings offer practical insights for organizations considering outsourcing from emerging markets, guiding strategic decision-making and policy development. Understanding publication patterns and research themes can help organizations navigate location selection, vendor management, risk mitigation and performance evaluation in these markets.Social implicationsOutsourcing can significantly impact employment, income generation, skill development and overall economic development in emerging markets. Policymakers can use these insights to foster business growth, infrastructure development and investment incentives, contributing to economic growth and employment opportunities.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of outsourcing from emerging markets, filling a gap in the existing literature. The insights gained can guide future research, inform strategic decision-making and enhance the understanding of outsourcing dynamics in these rapidly evolving markets.
Does financial inclusion and financial openness matter for capital market development? Evidence from a panel ARDL-PMG approach
Authors: Otinga Noah Keya , Obi Pat , Waweru Freshia 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of financial inclusion (FI) and financial openness (FO) on the development of capital markets in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from 34 countries over 18 years (2004–2021) and adopts the panel autoregressive distributed lag and pooled mean group approach, with economic growth, trade openness, government expenditure and institutional quality as control variables.

Findings
The analysis reveals that both FI and FO contribute to the long-term development of capital markets across all income levels within the sampled countries. The interaction between FI and FO enhances capital market development (CMD) over the long run. This finding indicates that FO particularly enhances the development of capital markets in economies with comparatively lower levels of FI.

Practical implications
The findings of this research underscore the importance for policymakers and professionals to adopt guidelines and regulations that promote FI and openness. Such measures can bolster the development of strong financial systems by improving access to the formal financial sector, and by contributing to the growth of capital markets.

Originality/value
The study is robust to the use of a multidimensional financial and CMD index. It is one of the pioneering studies that explore the relationship between FI and FO, and how this interaction influences CMD.
The impact of environmental quality on mental health: an ecological study
Authors: Wilson Karise , Jackman Mahalia , Moore Winston 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
A growing body of research suggests that exposure to natural environments has several mental health effects. This paper aims to evaluate whether countries with high-quality environments report fewer mental health disorders.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses secondary data from the Legatum Centre for National Prosperity. The data set consists of data from 167 countries collected between 2007 and 2023. The authors use panel data regressions to formally investigate the impact of environmental quality on mental health outcomes.

Findings
The results suggest that overall environmental quality is positively related to mental well-being. However, the connection between environmental quality and mental health varies depending on the specific environmental and mental health factors analysed. Specifically, the authors find that air quality and the quality of blue spaces are positively associated with emotional well-being. Furthermore, death by suicide is negatively correlated with air quality and the quality of a country’s green spaces. The authors find no evidence to suggest that environmental quality impacts the prevalence of depressive disorders in a country.

Originality/value
In contrast to previous studies that primarily focused on individual-level analyses, the research adopts an ecological approach. In addition, this study evaluates the relationship between mental health and a wide range of environmental factors, namely, emissions, air quality, ocean health, land use, forest and soil quality, freshwater quality and preservation efforts. This research further distinguishes itself by using a large panel database to investigate the impacts of the natural environment on mental health.
The impact of team building excellence on creating a culture of quality: a quality managers’ perspective
Authors: Alkhawaldeh Khleef 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
Creating, enhancing and sustaining a culture of quality is critical to business continuity and sustainability. It is necessary to study the enablers and motivators, specifically excellence in building work teams and its relationship to the culture of quality. This study aims to examine excellence in team building in terms of understanding the team’s mission, team characteristics and accountability in engineering industries companies in Jordan. It also investigated the level of quality culture in these companies and the relationship between excellence in team building and quality culture.

Design/methodology/approach
The variables of this study were measured through a questionnaire distributed to quality managers in engineering industries companies in Jordan. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: excellence in team building (understanding of team mission, characteristics of team members, accountability) and quality culture. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (t test and regression).

Findings
The results indicated that the level of excellence in team building, understanding of the team mission, characteristics of team members and accountability and the level of quality culture fall within the “very good” point range on the scale. The results also indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between team building excellence and quality culture.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first applied study that addressed excellence in team building, investigated the level of quality culture and the relationship between team building excellence and quality culture. The results support the role of team building excellence in creating, enhancing and sustaining a culture of quality.
Settling secondhand sales: Pricing symbolic items in an emergent online marketplace environment
Authors: Fajardo Ryan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractHow do sellers on online marketplaces determine agreeable prices? This question is a theoretical concern for sociologists but a professional one for secondhand clothing resellers. Thousands of resellers across the United States purchase items from physical secondhand clothing sources and then resell them for a profit on sites such as Depop, Etsy, and Poshmark. They confront two pricing challenges: secondhand clothing items are aesthetic items of non‐standard, uncertain quality, and online marketplaces offer limited explicit institutional support to back pricing claims. I analyze interviews and fieldwork to theorize how resellers price items for sale on online marketplaces. Resellers gain knowledge of secondhand community values and online marketplace technologies via immersion into offline (local reselling networks and secondhand sources) and online spaces (social media and the marketplaces themselves). Resellers selectively draw on these sources of pricing knowledge to deploy similar but varied pricing practices. These situated valuation practices reveal how resellers rely on reselling community structures and reflexively invoke pricing displays on marketplace interfaces to price secondhand clothing. These practices increase confidence in exchange as resellers can suitably justify the prices of material goods to online marketplace participants with varying levels of knowledge and experience.
Prevalence and risk factors of gunshot wound infection in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Budema Paul Munguakonkwa , de Dieu Tumusifu Manegabe Jean , Hatu'm Victoire Urbain , Gulimwentuga Fabrice Cikomola , Toha Georges Kuyigwa , Mukuku Olivier , Tsongo Zacharie Kibendelwa , Kabesha Theophile Barhwamire , Wembonyama Stanislas Okitotsho 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundSurvivors of gunshot injuries are at high risk of developing infections at the injury site. However, data on gunshot wound infections and their associated burdens are limited. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gunshot wound infections and identify the risk factors associated with them in a tertiary hospital located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective observational study was conducted at the Provincial General Reference Hospital of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reviewing data from patients hospitalised between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020.ResultsA total of 549 patients were included in the study, with wound infections occurring in 26.6% of cases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified fractures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.92; P = .0146), nerve damage (aOR = 2.65; 95% CI 1.70–4.14; P < .0001), trunk injuries (aOR = 5.64; 95% CI 2.61–12.16; P < .0001), lower extremity injuries (aOR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.39–5.28; P = .0034), and multiple injuries (>2; aOR = 2.35; 95% CI 1.05–5.25; P = .0378) as independent predictors of gunshot wound infection.ConclusionThe main factors predisposing gunshot wounds to infection, identified in this study, require thorough evaluation and urgent management. In cases of abdominal gunshot trauma, fractures, and vascular or nerve lesions, management procedures are aimed at reducing the infection burden.
Harnessing delegation and technology to identify and manage malnutrition in a digital hospital: An implementation study
Authors: Ellick Jennifer , McCoy Simone , Olufson Hannah , Adams Amanda , Banks Merrilyn , Young Adrienne 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAimsDelegation of nutrition care activities to Dietetic Assistants in hospitals has been identified as one innovative malnutrition model of care, but there has been limited evaluation of their roles. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a new Malnutrition Model of Care embracing automated delegation and digital systems.MethodsThe Malnutrition Model of Care was created to detect patients at risk of malnutrition (using the Malnutrition Screening Tool) and nutritional decline (via routine intake tracking at all meals and snacks). Digital systems generated automated referrals to dietetics, with protocols to support Dietetic Assistants to action these to direct care escalation to the ward dietitian. Dietetic Assistant training included simulations and clinical task instructions. Implementation evaluation was guided by the Donabedian model of quality and included a review of inpatient dietetics occasions of service, survey of Dietetic Assistant role satisfaction and task confidence, and hospital‐wide cross‐sectional malnutrition audit. Data was descriptively analysed.ResultsDuring the first year of implementation, 60% of Dietetics inpatient occasions of service were completed by Dietetic Assistants, with 26% of Dietetic Assistant inpatient tasks initiated from nursing malnutrition risk screening. Most Dietetic Assistants reported adequate training and confidence in completing delegated tasks. Malnutrition prevalence was 14% with no hospital‐acquired malnutrition identified. No clinical incidents were reported.ConclusionsThe Dietetic Assistant workforce and technology were harnessed to implement an innovative delegated Malnutrition Model of Care that appears to be safe and effective at managing malnutrition from preliminary evaluation. Work continues to formally assess service efficiencies, cost and patient experience.
Real‐World Outcomes of Patients Treated With Gemcitabine Using Standardized Dose and Rate and Docetaxel for Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma in an Australian Sarcoma Center
Authors: Wilson Isabella , Strach Madeleine , Bhadri Vivek , Harrison Michelle , Tang Whiter , Grimison Peter 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundGemcitabine and docetaxel (GD) is a common chemotherapy regimen for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The GeDDiS trial compared GD with doxorubicin in the first‐line setting, using gemcitabine 675 mg/m2 over a prolonged rate of 90 min—reporting a 20% response rate and 5.4‐month median progression‐free survival (PFS). We aimed to examine the real‐world efficacy and toxicity of GD in our center, using a standardized dose of gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 over 30 min on Days 1 and 8 and intravenous docetaxel 75 mg/m2 over 60 min on Day 8 every 21 days.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with unresectable or metastatic STS receiving GD between July 2018 and October 2022. Data collected included patient and tumor characteristics, dose intensity, toxicity, response, PFS, and overall survival (OS).ResultsThirty‐eight patients were included. Median follow‐up was 19 months (range 3–30). Line of treatment (n) was first line (10), second line (13), ≥ third line (15). The median number of cycles was 6. Response rate was 42%, including 5% with a complete response. At the time of data collection, 33 patients had disease progression and 24 patients had died. PFS (median, 6‐month rate) was 4.5 months and 44%. OS (median, 12‐month rate) was 15 months and 65%. Grade 3/4 toxicity included anemia (21%), neutropenia (5%), thrombocytopenia (5%), and febrile neutropenia (3%).ConclusionThese data demonstrate the activity of gemcitabine using a standardized dose and rate with docetaxel comparable to other published data and favorable toxicity in a real‐life patient population despite altered gemcitabine dosing and a heavily pretreated patient population.
Successful colonization of the testicular germinal epithelium by bone marrow stem cells producing spermatozoa of donor genotype is rare
Authors: Shankara‐Narayana Nandini , Yu Bing , Qian Jie , Allen Steven , Reyes Brisa , Cheong Anthony , Daniele Joseph , Sleiman Sue , Bacha Fey , Jayadev Veena , Handelsman David J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundIt is not known whether bone marrow stem cells when injected intravenously for a bone marrow transplant colonize the human testicular epithelium. No previous studies of sperm genotype after bone marrow transplantation are reported.ObjectivesTo differentiate host from donor genotype in spermatozoa of men who have undergone successful bone marrow transplants.Materials and methodsTriplet DNA samples (spermatozoa, blood, and hair) obtained from men who had recovered sperm production after bone marrow transplant were genotyped using 44 autosomal and three sex‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine the tissue genotype in pairwise comparisons of DNA profiles.ResultsParticipants were 14 men at a median of 5.5 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplant who had a median sperm output of 77 million spermatozoa/ejaculate. In 14/14 the donor (leukocyte) DNA genotype differed significantly from the spermatozoa and hair genotypes whereas hair and sperm genotypes showed no variations.DiscussionThese data suggest that paternity after a successful bone marrow transplant is likely to be of the host and not the donor's genetic origins. The study's small sample size reflects the paucity of eligible man with recovered spermatogenesis after bone marrow transplant and represents preliminary evidence. A large‐scale epidemiological analysis to estimate the frequency of bone marrow donor stem cell colonization of the testicular germinal epithelium based on progeny sex ratio and frequency of female donors is proposed.ConclusionSuccessful colonization of the testicular germinal and hair follicle epithelia by allogeneic bone marrow transplant donor stem cells is rare or does not occur.
Subcutaneous Infliximab Concentration Thresholds for Mucosal and Transmural Healing in Patients With Crohn's Disease
Authors: Hong Sung Noh , Song Joo Hye , Kim Sung Jin , Park Yoon Ha , Choi Chang Wan , Kim Ji Eun , Kim Eun Ran , Chang Dong Kyung , Kim Young‐Ho 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundPredose trough concentrations (Ctrough) of intravenous infliximab (IV‐IFX) during maintenance therapy are associated with therapeutic outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). A subcutaneous formulation of infliximab (SC‐IFX) has shown high Ctrough values due to its favourable pharmacokinetics.AimsTo evaluate the association of Ctrough of SC‐IFX with therapeutic outcomes and the threshold of SC‐IFX Ctrough for achieving mucosal healing (MH) and transmural healing (TH) in patients with CD.MethodsWe performed this cross‐sectional study in patients with CD who had received SC‐IFX maintenance therapy for ≥ 6 months. We measured SC‐IFX Ctrough immediately before SC‐IFX injection. We performed ileocolonoscopy/single‐balloon enteroscopy and/or magnetic resonance enterography within 3 months of SC‐IFX Ctrough measurement. MH was defined as SES‐CD–ulcerated surface subscore of 0. TH was defined as simplified MaRIA score of 0.ResultsWe enrolled 124 patients with MH in 77.9% (74/95) and TH in 36.3% (37/102). SC‐IFX Ctrough was significantly higher in patients with MH (24.1 vs.16.9 μg/mL; p = 0.001) and TH (26.0 vs. 20.5 μg/mL; p = 0.007) than in those without. ROC analysis identified that the threshold of SC‐IFX Ctrough for MH and TH were 17.5 and 30.3 μg/mL, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that SC‐IFX Ctrough was significantly associated with MH (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05–1.27; p = 0.002) and TH (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.14; p = 0.005).ConclusionsSC‐IFX Ctrough was positively associated with MH (≥ 18 μg/mL) and TH (≥ 30 μg/mL) in patients with CD, which may guide treatment decisions to optimise therapeutic response in the era of treat‐to‐target.