bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of credit reports in digital lending: a case study from Mexico
Authors: Burlando Alfredo , Kuhn Michael A , Prina Silvia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Digital credit that uses non-traditional scoring techniques has already expanded credit access to many new populations. A point of policy debate is whether digital lenders should be fully integrated into information-sharing systems, such as those offered by credit reference bureaus (CRBs). We study an example of a digital lender in Mexico adopting credit bureau scores into its screening process. Using unique administrative data, we estimate a regression discontinuity in time around the lender’s integration of credit bureau scores. We find that the acquisition of credit scores reduces defaults, with the likelihood of borrowers’ repayment increasing by 10–13 per cent.
Fast growth and slow policy: a decade of digital credit in Kenya
Authors: Mazer Rafe , Garz Seth 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The proliferation of mobile enabled instant credit products (digital credit) across emerging markets and developing economies poses challenges for policy-makers and practitioners that seek to expand access to credit while protecting consumers. The Kenya market, which experienced tremendous commercial innovation and growth from 2012 to 2022, but also significant consumer harms and unequal competition, offers a valuable reference case for actors in other markets facing rapid expansion of new fintech products and firms. Despite the substantial and often polarized debate around the country’s experience, there has been little systematic effort to capture and interpret key facts from the development of the digital credit market in Kenya during its first decade. This paper aims to fill that gap by providing a policy case study informed by original interviews of key stakeholders and extensive review of related academic and grey literature. The analysis suggests that policy responses were often inadequate to address the growing risks in Kenya’s digital credit market and presents five policy reflections from Kenya’s experience to support consumer protection and competition in emerging digital credit markets.
E3 SUMO ligase SIZ1 splicing variants localize and function according to external conditions
Authors: Kwak Jun Soo , Song Jong Tae , Seo Hak Soo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
SIZ1 (SAP and MIZ1) is a member of the Siz/PIAS-type RING family of E3 SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) ligases that play key roles in growth, development, and stress responses in plant and animal systems. Nevertheless, splicing variants of SIZ1 have not yet been characterized. Here, we identified four splicing variants of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) SIZ1, which encode three different protein isoforms. The SIZ1 gene encodes an 873-amino acid (aa) protein. Among the four SIZ1 splicing variants (SSVs), SSV1 and SSV4 encode identical 885 aa proteins; SSV2 encodes an 832 aa protein; and SSV3 encodes an 884 aa protein. SSV2 mainly localized to the plasma membrane, whereas SIZ1, SSV1/SSV4, and SSV3 localized to the nucleus. Interestingly, SIZ1 and all SSVs exhibited similar E3 SUMO ligase activities and preferred SUMO1 and SUMO2 for their E3 ligase activity. Transcript levels of SSV2 were substantially increased by heat treatment, while those of SSV1, SSV3, and SSV4 transcripts were unaffected by various abiotic stresses. SSV2 directly interacted with and sumoylated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 6 (CNGC6), a positive thermotolerance regulator, enhancing the stability of CNGC6. Notably, transgenic siz1-2 mutants expressing SSV2 exhibited greater heat stress tolerance than wild-type plants, whereas those expressing SIZ1 were sensitive to heat stress. Furthermore, transgenic cngc6 plants overaccumulating a mutated mCNGC6 protein (K347R, a mutation at the sumoylation site) were sensitive to heat stress, similar to the cngc6 mutants, while transgenic cngc6 plants overaccumulating CNGC6 exhibited restored heat tolerance. Together, we propose that alternative splicing is an important mechanism that regulates the function of SSVs during development or under adverse conditions, including heat stress.
Online Exercise Programs for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Reveals Comparable Effects of Global, Local, and Combined Approaches
Authors: Bontinck Jente , Meeus Mira , Voogt Lennard , Chys Marjolein , Coppieters Iris , Cagnie Barbara , De Meulemeester Kayleigh 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
Specific neck exercises are recommended in the rehabilitation of chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). They are unfortunately often accompanied by acute pain flare-ups. Global exercises might be a beneficial addition, as they activate endogenous analgesia without overloading painful structures. However, it is still unclear which type of exercise is most effective. This randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the effect of an online blended program of global and specific neck exercises, compared to programs including only 1 of both types of exercise.

Methods
Forty-eight patients with CNNP were randomized into 3 groups. Online questionnaires were collected at baseline, at midtreatment, immediately after treatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. Quantitative sensory testing and actigraphy were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Linear mixed-model analyses were performed to evaluate treatment effects within and between groups. Neck pain–related disability after treatment was considered the primary outcome.

Results
No time × treatment interaction effects were found. All groups improved in neck pain–related disability, pain intensity, self-reported symptoms of central sensitization, local pain sensitivity, physical activity, and pain medication use. No effects were found on quality of life, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, widespread pain sensitivity, health economics, or actigraphy measurements. A higher global perceived effect was reported after performing the blended program, compared to the other groups.

Conclusion
A blended exercise program was not superior to the stand-alone programs in reducing disability. Nevertheless, the global perceived effect of this type of exercise was higher. Future research necessitates larger sample sizes to adequately explore the optimal type of exercise for patients with CNNP.

Impact
Exercise therapy should be an important part of the rehabilitation of patients with CNNP, regardless of the type of exercise.
An Empirical Assessment of Characteristics and Optimal Portfolios
Authors: Lamoureux Christopher G , Zhang Huacheng 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We implement a dynamically regularized, bootstrapped two-stage out-of-sample parametric portfolio policy to evaluate characteristics’ efficacy in the conditional stock return-generating process in the metric of expected power utility. Traditional characteristics, such as momentum and size afforded large utility gains before 1999. These opportunities have since vanished. Overfitting—imprecision in weight estimation—is correlated with the optimal portfolio’s variance. Therefore, it is not a problem for power utility investors with coefficients of relative aversion greater than four. For more risk-tolerant investors, we successfully reduce estimation error by increasing the curvature of the loss function relative to the investor’s utility function. (JEL L200; C110; C350)
Using Computational Phenotyping to Identify Divergent Strategies for Effort Allocation Across the Psychosis Spectrum
Authors: Whitton Alexis E , Cooper Jessica A , Merchant Jaisal T , Treadway Michael T , Lewandowski Kathryn E 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
Disturbances in effort-cost decision-making have been highlighted as a potential transdiagnostic process underpinning negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. However, recent studies using computational phenotyping show that individuals employ a range of strategies to allocate effort, and use of different strategies is associated with unique clinical and cognitive characteristics. Building on prior work in schizophrenia, this study evaluated whether effort allocation strategies differed in individuals with distinct psychotic disorders.

Study Design
We applied computational modeling to effort-cost decision-making data obtained from individuals with psychotic disorders (n = 190) who performed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task. The sample included 91 individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, 90 individuals with psychotic bipolar disorder, and 52 controls.

Study Results
Different effort allocation strategies were observed both across and within different disorders. Relative to individuals with psychotic bipolar disorder, a greater proportion of individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder did not use reward value or probability information to guide effort allocation. Furthermore, across disorders, different effort allocation strategies were associated with specific clinical and cognitive features. Those who did not use reward value or probability information to guide effort allocation had more severe positive and negative symptoms, and poorer cognitive and community functioning. In contrast, those who only used reward value information showed a trend toward more severe positive symptoms.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that similar deficits in effort-cost decision-making may arise from different computational mechanisms across the psychosis spectrum.
The Impact of Weather Shocks on Violent and Property Crimes in Jamaica
Authors: Wright Nicholas A , Stewart Aubrey M 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Developing countries face the largest exposure to the negative effects of climate change. However, as temperature and rainfall patterns change, we have a limited understanding of their impact on these countries and the mitigation strategies that may be needed. In this paper, we utilize administrative panel data to examine the impact of weather shocks on violent and property crimes in Jamaica. We find strong evidence that a one-standard-deviation increase in the daily temperature (2○C) increases violent crime by 3.67 percent, due to an increase in the number of murders (3.44 percent), shootings (7.53 percent), and cases of aggravated assault (6 percent). However, our results suggest that temperature changes have no statistical impact on property crime. In addition, we find that a one-standard-deviation increase in rainfall (2 mm) reduces crimes such as shootings (1.53 percent), break-ins (2.27 percent), and larcenies (3.85 percent), but it has a minimal impact on other categories of crime.
Candesartan upregulates angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 in kidneys of male animals by decreased ubiquitination
Authors: Wang Ping , Ren Zhiyun , Wang Weiwan , Liu Mingda , Jia Yutao , Zhang Mingzhuo , Xue Ying , Zhang Chenyang , Xu Jianteng , Wang Cheng , Wang Xiaoyan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCandesartan is a common angiotensin‐II receptor‐1 blocker used for patients with cardiovascular and renal diseases. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a negative regulator of blood pressure (BP), and also a major receptor for coronaviruses. To determine whether and how candesartan upregulates ACE2, we examined BP and ACE2 in multi‐organs from male and female C57BL/6J mice treated with candesartan (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. Relative to the vehicle, candesartan lowered BP more in males than females; ACE2 protein abundances were increased in kidneys, not lungs, hearts, aorta, liver, spleen, brain, or serum, only from males. Ace2‐mRNA was similar in kidneys. Candesartan also decreased BP in normal, hypertensive, and nephrotic male rats. The renal ACE2 was increased by the drug in normal and nephrotic male rats but not spontaneously hypertensive ones. In male mouse kidneys, ACE2 was distributed at sodium‐hydrogen‐exchanger‐3 positive proximal‐convoluted‐tubules; ACE2‐ubiquitination was decreased by candesartan, accompanied with increased ubiquitin‐specific‐protease‐48 (USP48). In candesartan‐treated mouse renal proximal‐convoluted‐tubule cells, ACE2 abundances and activities were increased while ACE2‐ubiquitination and colocalization with lysosomal and proteosomal markers were decreased. The silence of USP48 by siRNA caused a reduction of ACE2 in the cells. Thus, the sex‐differential ACE2 upregulation by candesartan in kidney from males may be due to the decreased ACE2‐ubiquitination, associated with USP48, and consequent degradation in lysosomes and proteosomes. This is a novel mechanism and may shed light on candesartan‐like‐drug choice in men and women prone to coronavirus infections.
E-cigarettes and Youth: The Known, the Unknown, and Implications for Stakeholders
Authors: Yammine Luba , Tovar Maria , Yammine Nastassia Anna , Becker Cabrina , Weaver Michael F. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Despite the decline in the prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, more than 2.5 million of US high and middle schoolers are still using e-cigarettes. Furthermore, those who use e-cigarettes are starting at a younger age and are using them more intensely, reflecting, at least in part, a high addiction liability of modern e-cigarettes. Beyond addiction, accumulating evidence suggests that, in the short-term, e-cigarettes are associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary effects, whereas the long-term effects of e-cigarette use are yet to be established. The aim of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on e-cigarette use among youth, including established and potential risks and efforts to date to curb youth exposure to e-cigarettes. In addition, we provide recommendations for health care providers, researchers, and other stakeholders to address this significant public health issue.
Head-to-head comparison of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI for detecting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinru , Ma Zhe 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the performance of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) in comparison to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for detecting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa).

Materials and methods
We conducted a comprehensive search for articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, spanning the inception of the database until October 26, 2022, which included head-to-head comparisons of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI for assessing the biochemical recurrence of PCa.

Results
A total of 5 studies including 228 patients were analyzed. The overall positivity rates of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI for detecting biochemical recurrence of PCa after final treatment were 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.89) and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36–0.88), respectively. The positivity rates of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI for detecting local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and bone metastases were 0.37 (95% CI, 0.30–0.47) and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.22–0.67), 0.44 (95% CI, 0.35–0.56) and 0.25 (95% CI, 0.17–0.35), and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.11–0.31) and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.05–0.25), respectively. Compared with mpMRI, PSMA PET/CT exhibited a higher positivity rate for detecting biochemical recurrence and lymph node metastases, and no significant difference in the positivity rate of local recurrence was observed between these 2 imaging modalities.

Conclusions
Compared with mpMRI, PSMA PET/CT appears to have a higher positivity rate for detecting biochemical recurrence of PCa. Although both imaging methods showed similar positivity rates of detecting local recurrence, PSMA PET/CT outperformed PSMA PET/CT in detecting lymph node involvement and overall recurrence.
Effects of preoperative and postoperative carbohydrate loading on gastrointestinal function and stress-induced inflammation after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Wang Ke , Xiao Jiaming , Wang Ying , Fan Bo , Dai Zhihong , Chang Cheng , Wen Lijie , Zhang Yue , Bao Jia , Wang Liang , Liu Zhiyu 
Published: March 2024

Background:
Early postoperative oral clear liquid diet has been shown to enhance postoperative recovery. However, the standard strategy for this diet has not been established. The authors’ aim was to investigate the combined effect of preoperative and early postoperative carbohydrate loading on postoperative stress and gastrointestinal function of patients by standardizing the starting time, type, volume, and concentration of carbohydrate drinks.

Materials and methods:
Fifty-three patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received a carbohydrate loading of 400 ml (12.5%) overnight and 2 h before surgery. The intervention group (n=29) started a 400 ml (12.5%) carbohydrate loading 6 h after surgery and consumed it within 24 h, while the control group (n=32) drank water. The primary outcomes–postoperative fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 levels, and gastrointestinal function–were recorded. Secondary outcomes included subjective comfort assessment, the first postoperative intake of semi-fluid food time, and drainage volume.

Results:
Compared with the control group, the intervention group had lower CRP levels on postoperative day 1 (POD1)/POD2 and less drainage volume on POD1. The intervention group also experienced shorter times to the first postoperative flatus and the first consumption of semi-fluid foods; their 72-h postoperative protein intake was higher than that of the control group.

Conclusion:
The results suggest that combined preoperative and postoperative carbohydrate loading can alleviate stress-induced inflammation and promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function.
Therapeutic targeting at genome mutations of liver cancer by the insertion of HSV1 thymidine kinase through Cas9-mediated editing
Authors: Kader Muhamuda , Sun Wei , Ren Bao-Guo , Yu Yan-Ping , Tao Junyan , Foley Lesley M. , Liu Silvia , Monga Satdarshan P. , Luo Jian-Hua 
Published: March 2024

Background:
Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies for humans. The treatment options for advanced-stage liver cancer remain limited. A new treatment is urgently needed to reduce the mortality of the disease.

Methods:
In this report, we developed a technology for mutation site insertion of a suicide gene (herpes simplex virus type 1- thymidine kinase) based on type II CRISPR RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9-mediated genome editing to treat liver cancers.

Results:
We applied the strategy to 3 different mutations: S45P mutation of catenin beta 1, chromosome breakpoint of solute carrier family 45 member 2-alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase gene fusion, and V235G mutation of SAFB-like transcription modulator. The results showed that the herpes simplex virus type 1-thymidine kinase insertion rate at the S45P mutation site of catenin beta 1 reached 77.8%, while the insertion rates at the breakpoint of solute carrier family 45 member 2 – alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase gene fusion were 95.1%–98.7%, and the insertion at V235G of SAFB-like transcription modulator was 51.4%. When these targeting reagents were applied to treat mouse spontaneous liver cancer induced by catenin beta 1S45P or solute carrier family 45 member 2-alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase, the mice experienced reduced tumor burden and increased survival rate. Similar results were also obtained for the xenografted liver cancer model: Significant reduction of tumor volume, reduction of metastasis rate, and improved survival were found in mice treated with the targeting reagent, in comparison with the control-treated groups.

Conclusions:
Our studies suggested that mutation targeting may hold promise as a versatile and effective approach to treating liver cancers.
The Nudging Effect of a Reminder Letter to Reduce Duplicated Medications
Authors: Cheng Shou-Hsia , Chung Kuo-Piao , Wang Ying-Chieh , Tsai Hsin-Yun 
Published: March 2024

Background:
The increasing trend of multiple chronic conditions across the world has worsened the problem of medication duplication in health care systems without gatekeeping or referral requirement. Thus, to overcome this problem, a reminder letter has been developed in Taiwan to nudge patients to engage in medication management.

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of reminder letter on reducing duplicated medications.

Research Design:
A 2-arm randomized controlled trial design.

Subjects:
Patients with duplicated medications in the first quarter of 2019.

Measures:
The Taiwanese single-payer National Health Insurance Administration identified the eligible patients for this study. A postal reminder letter regarding medication duplication was mailed to the patients in the study group, and no information was provided to the comparison group. Generalized estimation equation models with a difference-in-differences analysis were used to estimate the effects of the reminder letters.

Results:
Each group included 11,000 patients. Those who had received the reminder letter were less likely to receive duplicated medications in the subsequent 2 quarters (postintervention 1: odds ratio [OR]=0.95, 95% CI=0.87–1.03; postintervention_2: OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.90–1.08) and had fewer days of duplicated medications (postintervention 1: β=–0.115, P=0.015; postintervention 2 (β=–0.091, P=0.089) than those who had not received the reminder letter, showing marginal but significant differences.

Conclusions:
A one-off reminder letter nudge could mildly decrease the occurrence of duplicated medications. Multiple nudges or nudges incorporating behavioral science insights may be further considered to improve medication safety in health systems without gatekeeping.
Promoting Lung Cancer Screen Decision-Making and Early Detection Behaviors
Authors: Lin Xiujing , Lei Fang , Lin Jialing , Li Yonglin , Chen Qiuhong , Arbing Rachel , Chen Wei-Ti , Huang Feifei 
Published: March 2024

Background
Promoting lung cancer screening (LCS) is complex. Previous studies have overlooked that LCS behaviors are stage based and thus did not identify the characteristics of LCS interventions at different screening stages.

Objective
The aims of this study were to explore the characteristics and efficacy of interventions in promoting LCS decision making and behaviors and to evaluate these interventions.

Methods
We conducted a study search from the inception of each bibliographic database to April 8, 2023. The precaution adoption process model was used to synthesize and classify the evidence. The RE-AIM framework was used to evaluate the effectiveness of LCS programs. Heterogeneity tests and meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results
We included 31 studies that covered 4 LCS topics: knowledge of lung cancer, knowledge of LCS, value clarification exercises, and LCS supportive resources. Patient decision aids outperformed educational materials in improving knowledge and decision outcomes with a significant reduction in decision conflict (standardized mean difference, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, −1.15 to −0.47; P < .001). Completion rates of LCS ranged from 3.6% to 98.8%. Interventions that included screening resources outperformed interventions that used patient decision aids alone in improving LCS completion. The proportions of reported RE-AIM indicators were highest for reach (69.59%), followed by adoption (43.87%), effectiveness (36.13%), implementation (33.33%), and maintenance (9.68%).

Conclusion
Evidence from 31 studies identified intervention characteristics and effectiveness of LCS interventions based on different stages of decision making.

Implications for Practice
It is crucial to develop targeted and systematic interventions based on the characteristics of each stage of LCS to maximize intervention effectiveness and reduce the burden of lung cancer.