bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disparity of secondary prevention among patients with rheumatic heart disease: A longitudinal study in Uganda
Authors: Xu Xinpeng , Chu Emily , Miao Hui , Du Yuxian , Hoskins Ryan , Opara Chinonso C. , Minja Neema W. , Pickersgill Sarah , Atala Jenifer , Beaton Andrea Z. , Kansiime Rosemary , Longenecker Chris T. , Nakitto Miriam , Ndagire Emma , Nalubwama Hadija , Okello Emmy , Sarnacki Rachel , Pulle Jafesi , Watkins David A. , Su Yanfang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is most prevalent in socially disadvantaged settings, placing a severe burden on patients and their households. The study aims to investigate the disparity of healthcare costs, including financial and time costs, among RHD patients in Uganda.MethodsWe enrolled 54 RHD households from the Uganda National RHD Registry between June 2019 and February 2021. The patients were interviewed in baseline and 12-month follow-up surveys. A random-effect model was applied to examine the disparity of RHD financial and time costs. Our primary outcomes are the total outpatient costs for RHD patients’ most recent visit, consisting of direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and time costs.ResultsFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic, the total financial cost of outpatient visits for RHD patients increased by 9 USD on average (P<0.01), with the change primarily driven by non-medical costs such as transportation and food (5.8 USD,P<0.05). Direct medical costs also increased significantly in the pandemic, with an average increase of 3.2 USD (P<0.1). Compared with their counterparts, non-medical costs were higher for patients with poor infrastructure, with less education, who were older, and who were male. Patients with employment experienced a higher time cost than those without (3.3 hours,P<0.01).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased RHD outpatient costs, mainly caused by the increase in non-medical costs. Our study implies that improving infrastructure, investing in education, and providing employees with time to seek care have the potential to reduce non-medical barriers to RHD secondary prevention.
APP and its intracellular domain modulate Alzheimer’s disease risk gene networks in transgenicAPPswandPSEN1M146Iporcine models
Authors: Habekost Mette , Poulsen Ebbe T. , Enghild Jan J. , Denham Mark , Jørgensen Arne Lund , Qvist Per 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most frequent cause of dementia. The disease has a substantial genetic component comprising both highly penetrant familial mutations (APP,PSEN1,andPSEN2) and sporadic cases with complex genetic etiology. Mutations inAPPandPSEN1/2alter the proteolytic processing of APP to its metabolites, including Aβ and APP Intracellular Domain (AICD). In this study, we use transgenic porcine models carrying the humanAPPswandPSEN1M146Itransgenes to demonstrate the pathobiological relevance of transcriptional regulation facilitated by APP and its AICD domain. Through molecular characterization of hippocampal tissue, we describe the differential expression of gene sets that cluster in molecular pathways with translational relevance to AD. We further identify phosphorylated and unphosphorylated AICD in differential complexes with proteins implicated in signal transduction and transcriptional regulation. Integrative genomic analysis of transcriptional changes in somatic cell cultures derived from pigs treated with γ-secretase inhibitor demonstrates the importance of γ-secretase APP processing in transcriptional regulation. Our data supports a model in which APP and, in particular, its AICD domain, modulates gene networks associated with AD pathobiology through interaction with signaling proteins.One Sentence SummaryUtilizing transgenic porcine models, our study reveals that Alzheimer’s disease-related mutations affect neuronal gene expression and highlights the role of the AICD domain of APP in modulating gene networks associated with Alzheimer’s pathobiology.
Highly efficient tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombination in embryonic, larval and adult zebrafish
Authors: Bakūnaitė Edita , Gečaitė Emilija , Lazutka Justas , Balciunas Darius 
Published: March 2024

SummaryWe have generated transgenic lines containing zebrafish-optimized CreERT2recombinase under the control of a recombinantubbRpromoter consisting of the zebrafish ubiquitin promoter supplemented with an intronic enhancer from the carpbeta-actin2gene. These lines enable highly efficient tamoxifen-inducible recombination in embryonic, larval and adult zebrafish.AbstractThe ability to inactivate gene function in an adult organism is essential for studies of biological processes such as regeneration and behavior. This is best achieved by engineering an allele which could be conditionally inactivated using Cre recombinase and subsequently inactivating gene function using a drug-inducible Cre recombinase. Several recent studies clearly demonstrate feasibility of engineering such conditional alleles in zebrafish. Meanwhile, achieving sufficient degree of recombination to induce complete loss of function has remained a major limitation. Herein we address this limitation by engineering a recombinant ubiquitin promoterubbRconsisting of the zebrafishubiquitinpromoter supplemented with an intronic enhancer from the carpbeta-actin2gene. Using phiC31-mediated targeted integration, we demonstrate thatubbRclearly outperforms both parental promoters as well as currently available ubiquitous CreERT2driver lines at all embryonic and larval stages tested. Furthermore, theubbR:CreERT2driver line we generated enables near-complete inactivation of floxed alleles in adult zebrafish hearts. Finally, we demonstrate that ourubbRpromoter retains high activity when integrated at other genomic loci, making it uniquely suitable for robust expression of transgenes at all stages of zebrafish ontogenesis.HighlightsUsed targeted integration to directly compare differentCreERT2driversGenerated a ubiquitousubbR:CreERT2driver line capable of near-complete inactivation of floxed genes in adult zebrafish heartsDemonstrated that the recombinantubbRpromoter is suitable for robust transgene expression when integrated at different genomic loci
The promises and pitfalls of disaster aid platforms: a case study of Lebanon’s 3RF
Authors: Harb Mona , Bloemeke Sophie , Atallah Sami , Zoughaib Sami 
Published: March 2024

PurposeUsing critical disaster studies and state theory, we assess the disaster aid platform named Lebanon Reconstruction, Reform and Recovery Framework (3RF) that was put in place by international donors in the aftermath of the Beirut Port Blast in August 2020, in order to examine the effectiveness of its inclusive decision-making architecture, as well as its institutional building and legislative reform efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the case study approaach and relies on two original data sets compiled by authors, using desk reviews of academic literature and secondary data, in addition to 24 semi-structured expert interviews and participant observation for two years.FindingsThe aid platform appears innovative, participatory and effectively functioning toward recovery and reform. However, in practice, the government dismisses CSOs, undermines reforms and dodges state building, whereas the 3RF is structured in incoherent ways and operates according to conflicting logics, generating inertia and pitfalls that hinder effective participatory governance, prevent institutional building, and delay the making of projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe research contributes to critical scholarship as it addresses an important research gap concerning disaster aid platforms’ institutional design and governance that are under-studied in critical disaster studies and political studies. It also highlights the need for critical disaster studies to engage with state theory and vice-versa.Practical implicationsThe research contributes to evaluations of disaster recovery processes and outcomes. It highlights the limits of disaster aid platforms’ claims for participatory decision-making, institutional-building and reforms.Originality/valueThe paper amplifies critical disaster studies, through the reflexive analysis of a case-study of an aid platform.
Impact of touristic sustainability on satisfaction with touristic services in a world heritage city. The case of the equestrian show in Córdoba (Spain)
Authors: Fernández Gallardo Jose A. , Hernandez Rojas Ricardo 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe main objective of this research is to analyze satisfaction with tourist services linked to the concept of sustainability in the context of a visit to the so-called equestrian show. The equestrian show adds values from the cultures that passed through the city. Specifically, the study focuses on tourist loyalty based on satisfaction with tourist services, satisfaction with the equestrian show and its overall quality. The fieldwork has been conducted in Córdoba, Spain. There are few studies on the relationship between tourist services linked to the concepts of sustainability and loyalty from the perspective of equestrian show management, making this a novel contribution to research.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is based on a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach.FindingsTo achieve the proposed objective, a structured questionnaire was used, and the results obtained confirm that satisfaction with tourist services linked to the concept of sustainability and the assessment of quality positively influence tourist loyalty. Consequently, they recommend returning to the destination and repeating the visit.Originality/valueHeritage in Córdoba, Spain, is internationally recognized. Its uniqueness, with four world inscriptions along with the cultures that inhabited it, left a material heritage legacy in the city. Over time, this legacy has made it a magnet for visitors, making it essential to delve into its management and how concepts such as satisfaction with tourist services, combined with sustainability, impact the improvement of the visit.
Lessons learned from the pandemic: expanding the collaboration between clinical and logistics activities in a hospital
Authors: Beaulieu Martin , Roy Jacques , Chênevert Denis , Rebolledo Claudia , Landry Sylvain 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe Covid-19 pandemic generated significant changes in the operating methods of hospital logistics departments. The objective of this research is to understand how these changes took place, what collaboration mechanisms were developed with clinical authorities and, to what extent, logistics and clinical care activities should be decoupled to maximize each area's contribution?Design/methodology/approachThe case study is selected to investigate practices implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals in Canada. The pandemic presented an opportunity to contrast practices implemented in response to this crisis with those historically used in this environment.FindingsThe strategy of decoupling logistical tasks of an operational nature from clinical activities is well-founded and helps free clinical staff from tasks for which they are not trained. However, the decoupling of operational tasks should be combined with an integration of the clinical information flow to the logistics hub players. With this clinical information, the logistics hub can generate its full potential enabling better inventory management decisions to be made.Originality/valueThe concept of decoupling is studied to identify configurations that offer the best benefits for clinical staff.
Linking temperature sensitivity of mangrove communities, populations and individuals across a tropical‐temperate transitional zone
Authors: Kang Yiyang , Kaplan David A. , Osland Michael J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Climate change is reshaping coastal wetlands worldwide, driving ecosystem shifts like mangrove poleward expansion into saltmarshes in tropical‐temperate transitional zones. Though warming is recognized as the primary driver, a lack of detailed field studies limits our ability to predict mangrove responses to rapid climate warming.

Here, we characterized how mangroves vary across a temperature gradient at 18 sites along Florida's Gulf of Mexico coast (USA). We used minimum air temperature (Tmin) derived from daily data from 1989 to 2021 as the independent variable and applied plot‐based and synoptic approaches to quantify species‐specific mangrove variation at community, population, and individual levels. We then used these results to spatially project future mangrove ecosystem properties under multiple warming scenarios.

Across the Tmin gradient from −10.8 to −1.4°C, mangrove canopy height and coverage ranged from 0.4 to 11.5 m and 15% to 98%, respectively, with both exhibiting sigmoidal increases with Tmin. Estimated mangrove aboveground biomass ranged from 0 to 496.7 Mg/ha and showed a positive linear relationship with Tmin due both to the tall tree stratum's increased biomass per tree and higher abundance.

While the population abundance and coverage of Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa had positive linear relationships with Tmin, Avicennia germinans exhibited a significant quadratic relationship, reflecting the higher freeze tolerance of this species. Such tolerance may stem from A. germinans' higher morphological plasticity observed at the individual level, adapting to cold stress by exhibiting a more shrub‐like architecture at colder sites.

Based on these field‐derived quantitative relationships, we projected substantial increases in mangrove coverage and canopy height near current range limits, with tall A. germinans dominating in the north and R. mangle dominating the centre and south of the study region.

Synthesis. To better predict the ecological consequences in coastal wetlands under future climate change, it is essential to understand how mangroves respond to winter temperature regimes across a temperature gradient. Collectively, these cross‐level and species‐specific results advance our understanding of mangrove temperature sensitivity and provide information about the future of coastal wetland structure and function in response to a changing climate.
Decoupling in hybrid arrangements: Insights from the Australian defence industry
Authors: Sardeshmukh Shruti , Oak Mandar , Mackay Will 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program presents an example of hybridity where national security interests are served through a complex partnership between the Department of Defence, global prime contractors, and small and medium‐sized Australian companies. Through a qualitative interview study of stakeholders in the defence industry by and triangulating findings from publicly available defence industry documents, this study aims to document the decoupling associated with the AIC program. We find that complexity and opacity, stemming from hybridity, create decoupling in the implementation of the AIC program. We also find that a lack of accountability and monitoring contributes to decoupling. We advance the literature on hybridity into the context of multi‐organisational arrangements in a unique industry and identify how decoupling can impede the achievement of policy objectives in the context of complex hybrid arrangements.Points for practitioners
The Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program represents a case of complex hybrid arrangement in public sector management involving the defence industry.
Hybridity of AIC arrangements creates challenges of complexity and opacity, creating conditions that give rise to decoupling. Lack of accountability and monitoring exacerbates these challenges.
Potential for coupling is identified with recommendations provided.
Choosing Wisely audit: CT KUB ordering in emergency department renal colic presentations
Authors: Yousif Fahad , Campbell Katie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveOur aim was to safely reduce unnecessary CT KUBs (kidneys, ureters, bladder) in patients with renal colic.MethodsThis was a before and after intervention observational study of 74 patients in April 2023 and 57 patients in October 2023.ResultsSeventy‐five per cent of patients with suspected renal colic underwent a CT KUB in the pre‐audit period. Following education, an update in the ED Renal Colic Policy, electronic medical record ordering and short stay pathway, a re‐audit was undertaken in October 2023 resulting in an absolute reduction of 15% of CT KUBs ordered.ConclusionsAudit interventions can reduce unnecessary CT KUBs in renal colic.
Characteristics of sleep in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Inkelis Sarah M. , Soja Jacqueline , Mattson Sarah N. , Chambers Christina D. , Bhattacharjee Rakesh , Thomas Jennifer D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSleep plays an important role in neurodevelopment. However, the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on sleep quality have been understudied, despite reports of sleep disturbance in infants prenatally exposed to alcohol and elevated levels of sleep problems reported by caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The current study characterizes sleep in children with prenatal alcohol exposure using both objective (actigraphy) and subjective (questionnaires, sleep diaries) methods.MethodsParticipants aged 6–10 years, with and without prenatal alcohol exposure, were included in the study (alcohol‐exposed [AE]: n = 35; control [CON]: n = 39). Objective sleep was measured via 24‐h actigraphy for 2 weeks. Parents completed sleep diaries and sleep questionnaires (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to characterize the sleep profile (objective, subjective) and examine group differences.ResultsThere were no group differences on actigraphy metrics averaged across 2 weeks. However, the AE group showed significantly greater intraindividual variability on most actigraphy measures, particularly total sleep time, percent sleep, wake after sleep onset, and number of wake bouts. Parents reported significantly more sleep problems in the AE group than in the CON group, primarily driven by night wakings, parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking), snoring, and daytime sleepiness. These effects were more severe in children >8.5 years of age.ConclusionsDespite similar 2‐week average sleep outcomes, children with prenatal alcohol exposure showed greater intraindividual sleep variability and parents reported more sleep problems related to sleep behavior and snoring. These difficulties with sleep may be related to other cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Importantly, sleep is a modifiable behavior, and interventions that focus on variability in sleep, particularly in sleep duration, can impact the quality of life in children with prenatal alcohol exposure and their families.
Letter: Thioguanine, an underutilised option in inflammatory bowel disease?
Authors: Chetwood John D. , Paramsothy Sudarshan , Leong Rupert W. 
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Vasudevan et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17831 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17957
Home participation and personal and environmental factors in children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Brugnaro Beatriz Helena , Fernandes Gesica , De Campos Ana Carolina , Pavão Silvia Letícia , Pfeifer Luzia Iara , Kraus de Camargo Olaf , Hlyva Oksana , Rocha Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimTo describe current home participation (frequency, involvement) and caregiver's desire for change in home participation of children and adolescents with Down syndrome, as well as home environmental factors, and to explore the associations of personal and environmental factors with current participation and caregiver's desire for change.MethodEighty‐two caregivers (mean age = 45 years 10 months) of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (mean age = 10 years 7 months) were surveyed about the child's home participation and environmental factors using the Participation and Environment Measure‐Children and Youth. Furthermore, children's personal and environmental factors were collected. Results are reported using descriptive analysis and correlations (Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and Mann–Whitney U test) to describe the relationship between current participation and caregiver's desire for change, with personal and environmental factors as ordinal and nominal variables respectively (p < 0.05).ResultsChildren's participation was highest with regard to personal care management and lowest with regard to school‐related activities. Most caregivers desired change in homework and household chores. Greater frequency was associated with male sex, caregiver less rigorous social distancing due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, and children receiving therapies. Greater involvement was associated with younger age in children and higher environmental support. Older age in children was associated with caregiver's greater desire for change.InterpretationPersonal and environmental factors correlated with participation in specific ways. Creative strategies to promote participation that consider caregiver's wishes should be undertaken.
The effects of stress testing on US banks' off‐balance sheet activities
Authors: Calice Giovanni , Savoia Francesco 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of the new post‐financial crisis regulatory regime – risk‐based capital ratios (RBC) and stress tests – on banks' off‐balance sheet activities (OBS). We use a panel of US bank holding companies over the period 2001–2018 to examine the relationship between banks' capital levels and OBS activities. Our major finding is that banks significantly reduced their OBS exposure following the introduction of the new capital regulatory framework requirements. In particular, we show that tighter regulatory RBC resulted in a reduction of OBS activities in well‐capitalised banks. Conversely, we find that under‐capitalised banks increased their OBS activities, which suggests the possibility of regulatory arbitrage.
The large family penalty in Italy: Poverty and eligibility to minimum incomes
Authors: Aprea Massimo , Gallo Giovanni , Raitano Michele 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper argues that public policies, including minimum income schemes (MIS), should devote specific attention to large families, in terms of both benefits' generosity and targeting, to avoid unfair penalizations. Adopting a child‐centered approach to the definition of family size, and using a unique administrative‐survey linked database, this study provides two main contributions for the Italian case. First, it documents the consumption‐based absolute poverty outcomes according to sibling size, highlighting that large families are overexposed to this specific type of economic deprivation. Second, it investigates to what extent the household size and the number of children tend to be a penalizing factor for social benefit receipt. A key finding is that large families in absolute poverty are penalized in terms of both entitlement and generosity of MIS with the peculiar equivalence scale adopted by the scheme playing a crucial role.