bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineer CEOs and corporate investment efficiency
Authors: Weerasinghe Ashesha Paveena , Dissanayake Sulochana 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether CEOs with an engineering background increase corporate investment efficiency (CIE). The authors further investigate the role of engineering directors on boards of the above association.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from upper-echelon theory, which suggests that corporate outcomes are a reflection of its top management characteristics, the authors hypothesise a positive association between engineer CEOs and CIE and a positive moderation role of the proportion of engineer directors on boards in the above association. The authors examine this link using a sample of Australian Securities Exchange 200 firms from 2015 to 2022. Engineer CEO data is hand-collected from corporate annual report biographies and investment efficiency is a measure that captures whether the investments are maintained at optimal levels relative to industry-year benchmarks, following the approaches of Biddle et al. (2009), Chen et al. (2011) and the average values of both models.

Findings
The results indicate support for the hypotheses, revealing that firms managed by engineer CEOs have higher investment efficiency than their counterpart firms. This association is exacerbated in the presence of a higher proportion of engineer directors on boards. The results are robust to year and industry-fixed effects, propensity score matching, alternative measures of investment efficiency and robust standard errors. Our results also remain valid for an industry sub-sample using certain industries in which engineering expertise maybe more desirable (e.g. metals and mining).

Research limitations/implications
By showing that engineer CEOs are significantly associated with CIE, the authors contribute to upper-echelon literature examining the link between CEO characteristics and corporate outcomes, particularly, investment decision efficiency. The influence of engineering background on corporate outcomes is less examined in the literature; thus, the authors contribute to this thin literature.

Originality/value
The findings are informative to potential investors in evaluating firms’ investment efficiency before investing in firms. For example, firms with engineer CEOs are likely to maintain efficient investment levels in future years.
The legacy effects of afforestation facilitate the maintenance of microbial C:N:P stoichiometric homeostasis amid land use change
Authors: Zheng Jingmei , Feng Jiao , Wen Shuhai , Song Yanting , Liu Zhongwen , Yu Dailin , Huang Qiaoyun , Liu Yu‐Rong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are altering the land cover of terrestrial ecosystems, wherein the influences of prior land use types on edaphic properties and soil microbes (i.e. legacy effects) may persist, influencing the soil processes of current ecosystems. However, the legacy effects of land use types on microbial homeostasis in terms of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry remain greatly unknown, despite its pivotal roles in driving soil nutrient cycling.

Here, we conducted a combined 35‐year of observational study with a short‐term soil‐microbe interactive inoculation experiment following afforestation in central China. Specifically, microbial communities from long‐term afforested soils (including shrubland and woodland, with adjacent cropland as the control) were extracted and then inoculated into soils across different land use types, in order to examine the legacy effects of priori land use on the current ecosystems.

We showed that microbial communities in the woodland had more homeostatic C:N:P stoichiometric ratios when inoculated into soils across different land use types, compared to microbes originating from the cropland and shrubland. Further analyses revealed that changes in the composition of microbial community explained most of the variations in the C:P and N:P stoichiometric gaps between the microbial community and soil resources. Specifically, the C:P and N:P stoichiometric gaps showed positive relationships with the proportions of microbial r‐strategists that had fast‐growing life histories (e.g., Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Firmicutes). Moreover, variations in the C:N and C:P stoichiometric gaps exhibited positive associations with N‐ and P‐acquisition enzyme activities, as well as microbial respiration.

Our findings indicate that microbial efforts to maintain homeostatic C:N:P stoichiometry accelerate nutrient cycling in woodland, which may also involve energy costs and elevate C expenditure following afforestation. These results underscore the significance of ecological memory of historical land use in regulating microbial C:N:P stoichiometry, with important implications for the fate of soil C under land use changes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Invasion stress mitigates climate stress in a brackish marsh amphipod
Authors: Haworth Lorna E. , Nancollas Sarah , Landa Susie N. , Todgham Anne E. , Tanner Richelle L. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Organisms in coastal brackish ecosystems face not only highly variable environmental conditions, but the intensity and stochasticity of these environmental conditions are anticipated to increase due to climate change. While environmental changes are often presented unilaterally as stressors, there are some anthropogenic environmental transformations, such as the introduction of habitat forming plant species, that may mitigate physiological stress imposed by warming. In Suisun Marsh in the California Delta, native plant canopies allow light and heat to penetrate to the understory yet the canopies of the introduced Phragmites australis reed block out sunlight and heat for organisms living below.

We set out to understand the physiological performance of mud‐dwelling invertebrates in this context: can invasion stress mitigate climate stress? We raised field collected Gammarus amphipods in the laboratory under simulated ‘native canopy’ and ‘Phragmites canopy’ temperature/light conditions based on data from our field environmental loggers. We assessed survival, body mass, fecundity, glycogen and protein content every 2 weeks from our lab population of amphipods.

We found that amphipods raised under the Phragmites conditions had better survival, greater stores of protein, and similar body mass and stores of glycogen, which could positively impact available food resource quality for juvenile fishes.

We support this with field data showing higher use of Phragmites canopies by amphipods, especially in the water column, across the year of sampling.

Synthesis and applications: Understanding the potential benefits of Phragmites as climate stress refugia can inform management decisions around its mitigation in future restoration.
Re‐arrest immediately after return of spontaneous circulation: A retrospective observational study of in‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Unneland Eirik , Norvik Anders , Bergum Daniel , Buckler David G. , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Eftestøl Trygve Christian , Aramendi Elisabete , Nordseth Trond , Abella Benjamin S. , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Skogvoll Eirik 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundPatients who achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) may re‐arrest. This phenomenon has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the immediate (1‐min) and short‐term (20‐min) risks of re‐arrest in IHCA.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed four datasets of IHCA episodes, comprising defibrillator recordings collected between 2002 and 2022. Re‐arrest was defined as the resumption of chest compressions following a period of ROSC after cardiac arrest of any duration. Parametric models were applied to calculate the immediate risk of re‐arrest. In addition, we estimated the short‐term risk of re‐arrest within 20 min.ResultsIn 763 episodes of IHCA, we observed 316 re‐arrests: 68% to pulseless electrical activity (PEA), 25% to ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT), and 7% to asystole. Most re‐arrests occurred with the same rhythm as in the initial arrest. When ROSC was achieved from a non‐shockable rhythm, the risk of re‐arrest to a non‐shockable rhythm was initially 2% per minute and decreased to 1% per minute after 9 min. The corresponding risk of re‐arrest to VF/VT was constant at 2% per minute. If ROSC was obtained from a shockable rhythm, the risk of re‐arrest to a shockable rhythm was initially 5% per minute, decreasing to 4% per minute after 9 min. The corresponding risk to a non‐shockable rhythm was constant at 1% per minute. The risk of re‐arrest within 20 min was 27%, and the overall risk of at least one re‐arrest per episode was 33%.ConclusionsThe immediate risk of re‐arrest was approximately 2% per minute, with the highest risk occurring as a reversion to VF/VT if ROSC was obtained from VF/VT. The risk of re‐arrest within 20 min of the initial arrest was 27%, and the overall risk of at least one re‐arrest per episode was 33%.
Gender‐stereotypical attribution of fear and fearlessness in preschool children
Authors: Kelesidou Sofia , Bonoti Fotini , Abakoumkin Georgios , Misailidi Plousia 
Published: December 2024

AbstractFear and fearlessness are two distinct emotional responses that can occur when a person faces a potentially dangerous situation. These responses seem to be linked to gender stereotypes (fearful female and fearless male). This study examines whether preschool children attribute fear and fearlessness stereotypically in relation to gender and whether their attributions vary as a function of age and gender. One hundred and twenty children (60 boys and 60 girls) aged 3, 4 and 5 years participated in this study. We examined children's gender‐stereotypical performance through emotional scenarios and drawing tasks involving fear and fearlessness conditions. The results showed that children's performance was equally stereotypical in the two conditions. An age effect was found: children's gender stereotypical attributions increased with age. The results showed no differences in children's stereotypical performance in regards to their gender and task type (emotional scenarios and drawing tasks). The significance and implications of these findings are discussed in the context of gender‐emotion stereotypes.
From farms to tables: Quantifying the effect of emissions pricing on canadian food prices
Authors: Tombe Trevor , Winter Jennifer 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe examine the effect of emissions pricing on the cost of Canadian food. We describe emissions pricing policies relevant to the agriculture and food sectors and the differing design details of various provincial systems and the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. To quantify the potential effect of such policies, we use a detailed input‐output model of Canada's economy to estimate both the direct and indirect cost increases across sectors. We also explore how exemptions and policy design can mitigate what would otherwise be larger effects. In particular, imported inputs, generous exemptions for most direct emissions in primary agriculture, and special provisions for large industrial emitters all dampen the effect. Overall, we find that emissions pricing at $80 per tonne could potentially increase the cost of domestically produced food by approximately 0.8% on average. Combined with imported food that is not directly affected by emissions pricing, we find an average effect of approximately 0.5%. While we abstract from general equilibrium responses, our analysis suggests emissions pricing in Canada has only a modest effect on food costs.
Faecal immunochemical tests for patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer: An updated systematic review and multiple‐threshold meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies
Authors: Harnan Sue , Hamilton Jean , Simpson Emma , Clowes Mark , Biz Aline Navega , Whyte Sophie , Ren Shijie , Cooper Katy , Abulafi Muti , Ball Alex , Benton Sally , Booth Richard , Carten Rachel , Edgar Stephanie , Hamilton Willie , Kurien Matthew , Merriman Louise , Monahan Kevin , Heathcote Laura , Jones Hayley E. , Stevenson Matt 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimExtending faecal immunochemical tests for haemoglobin (FIT) to all primary care patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer (CRC) could identify people who are likely to benefit from colonoscopy and facilitate earlier treatment. The aim of this work was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of FIT across different analysers at different thresholds, as a single test or in duplicate (dual FIT).MethodThis systematic review and meta‐analysis searched 10 sources (December 2022). Diagnostic accuracy studies of HM‐JACKarc, OC‐Sensor, FOB Gold, QuikRead go, NS‐Prime and four Immunodiagnostik (IDK) tests in primary care patients were included. Risk of bias was assessed (QUADAS‐2). Statistical syntheses produced summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity at any chosen threshold for CRC, inflammatory bowel disease and advanced adenomas separately. Sensitivity analyses investigated reference standard and population type (high, low or all‐risk). Subgroup analyses investigated patient characteristics (e.g. anaemia, age, sex, ethnicity).ResultsThirty‐seven studies were included. At a threshold of 10 μg/g, pooled results for sensitivity and specificity (95% credible intervals) for CRC, respectively, were: HM‐JACKarc (n = 16 studies) 89.5% (84.6%–93.4%) and 82.8% (75.2%–89.6%); OC‐Sensor (n = 11 studies) 89.8% (85.9%–93.3%) and 77.6% (64.3%–88.6%); FOB Gold (n = 3 studies), 87.0% (67.3%–98.3%) and 88.4% (81.7%–94.2%). There were limited or no data on the other tests, dual FIT and relating to patient characteristics.ConclusionTest sensitivity at a threshold of 10 μg/g highlights a requirement for adequate safeguards in test‐negative patients with ongoing symptoms. Further research is needed into the impact of patient characteristics and dual FIT.
ChatGPT as a patient education tool in colorectal cancer—An in‐depth assessment of efficacy, quality and readability
Authors: Siu Adrian H. Y. , Gibson Damien P. , Chiu Chris , Kwok Allan , Irwin Matt , Christie Adam , Koh Cherry E. , Keshava Anil , Reece Mifanwy , Suen Michael , Rickard Matthew J. F. X. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimArtificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer‐4 (ChatGPT‐4) have made significant strides in generating human‐like responses. Trained on an extensive corpus of medical literature, ChatGPT‐4 has the potential to augment patient education materials. These chatbots may be beneficial to populations considering a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the accuracy and quality of patient education materials are crucial for informed decision‐making. Given workforce demands impacting holistic care, AI chatbots can bridge gaps in CRC information, reaching wider demographics and crossing language barriers. However, rigorous evaluation is essential to ensure accuracy, quality and readability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy, quality and readability of answers generated by ChatGPT‐4 on CRC, utilizing patient‐style question prompts.MethodTo evaluate ChatGPT‐4, eight CRC‐related questions were derived using peer‐reviewed literature and Google Trends. Eight colorectal surgeons evaluated AI responses for accuracy, safety, appropriateness, actionability and effectiveness. Quality was assessed using validated tools: the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT‐AI), modified DISCERN (DISCERN‐AI) and Global Quality Score (GQS). A number of readability assessments were measured including Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and the Gunning Fog Index (GFI).ResultsThe responses were generally accurate (median 4.00), safe (4.25), appropriate (4.00), actionable (4.00) and effective (4.00). Quality assessments rated PEMAT‐AI as ‘very good’ (71.43), DISCERN‐AI as ‘fair’ (12.00) and GQS as ‘high’ (4.00). Readability scores indicated difficulty (FRE 47.00, GFI 12.40), suggesting a higher educational level was required.ConclusionThis study concludes that ChatGPT‐4 is capable of providing safe but nonspecific medical information, suggesting its potential as a patient education aid. However, enhancements in readability through contextual prompting and fine‐tuning techniques are required before considering implementation into clinical practice.
Mining User Study Data to Judge the Merit of a Model for Supporting User‐Specific Explanations of AI Systems
Authors: Chambers Owen , Cohen Robin , Grossman Maura R. , Hebert Liam , Awad Elias 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we present a model for supporting user‐specific explanations of AI systems. We then discuss a user study that was conducted to gauge whether the decisions for adjusting output to users with certain characteristics was confirmed to be of value to participants. We focus on the merit of having explanations attuned to particular psychological profiles of users, and the value of having different options for the level of explanation that is offered (including allowing for no explanation, as one possibility). Following the description of the study, we present an approach for mining data from user participant responses in order to determine whether the model that was developed for varying the output to users was well‐founded. While our results in this respect are preliminary, we explain how using varied machine learning methods is of value as a concrete step toward validation of specific approaches for AI explanation. We conclude with a discussion of related work and some ideas for new directions with the research, in the future.
Extensive Leg Ulcers in a Patient With Monoclonal Gammopathy
Authors: Moreau Carlos Manuel Martorell , González Beatriz Bartolomé , Oblitas Alberto Danilo Escobar , Sarrias Carlos Saus 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTA 60‐year‐old male was admitted from the emergency department with extensive leg ulcers and polyarticular joint pain. Cryocrystalglobulinemia was diagnosed through positive cryoglobulin studies and characteristic histopathological findings. Treatment with bortezomib led to complete clinical resolution. Cryocrystalglobulinemia poses diagnostic and management challenges, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal patient care.
Precision medicine in type 1 diabetes: comparing metabolic outcomes of Control‐IQ and MiniMed 780G according to patient characteristics
Authors: Gargouri Imene , Charfi Hana , Belabed Wafa , Outenah Cécilia , Pochat Armelle , Touimer Menaouar , Huynh Pascaline , Petit Catherine , Lejeune Marie , Eroukhmanoff Juliette , Ly Sall Khadijatou , Penfornis Alfred , Amadou Coralie 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to compare 12‐month metabolic outcomes in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with either MiniMed 780G (Guardian 4) or Control‐IQ (Dexcom G6) automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and identify interaction with patient characteristics.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a single‐centre, retrospective study including all patients (aged ≥16) with T1D who were started on either MiniMed 780G or Control‐IQ between January 2021 and October 2022 and continued for ≥12 months. We used propensity score matching to compare the average marginal effects between MiniMed 780G and Control‐IQ regarding the primary outcome (time in range [TIR]) and secondary outcomes (time below range [TBR], glucose monitoring indicator [GMI] and coefficient of variation [CV]) after 12 months. We tested for interaction effects between baseline characteristics (age, sex, socio‐professional background, body mass index, insulin daily dose, carbohydrate counting practice) and treatment effect.ResultsWe included 245 patients (58% women): 178 treated with Control‐IQ and 67 with MiniMed 780G. The mean ± SD age and haemoglobin A1c were 39 ± 15 years and 8.7 ± 1.8% (72 ± 20 mmol/mol) respectively. In the propensity score‐matched sample (n = 221), we observed significant differences in 12‐month TIR (MiniMed 780G minus Control‐IQ [95% CI]: 6.4 [3.4;9.5]), GMI (−0.42 [−0.59; −0.25]) and CV (−2.12 [−3.68; −0.55]), while TBR showed no significant difference (−0.04 [−0.47; +0.40]). The 12‐month TIR difference was consistent across subgroups, including baseline carbohydrate counting characteristics.ConclusionMiniMed 780G is associated with moderate metabolic superiority compared to Control‐IQ, without interaction with patient characteristics. These results suggest that neither model is more appropriate for certain populations, particularly patients without carbohydrate counting practice.
Identification of adipose tissue‐derived exosomal microRNA as a novel causal biomarker for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Triangulating evidence from Mendelian randomization and multicentre population studies
Authors: Yang Sijue , Yuan Yue , Zhang Bing , Wu Tianyu , Yu Congcong , Li Fangyi , Zhu Wenhui , Zhai Beibei , Zhang Wen , Wang Jin , Zhang Zhou , Bi Yan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimsTo explore serum exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) as risk biomarkers for early detection of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Materials and MethodsThis study included two phases: a discovery phase and a validation phase. To detect adipose tissue exosomal biomarkers for T2DM patients, small RNA sequencing was conducted on a discovery population consisting of six T2DM patients and five subjects with normal glucose tolerance. To identify miRNAs with causal effects on cognitive impairment, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly available genome wide association studies (GWAS) datasets was performed. Relationships between serum exosomal miRNAs and cognitive impairment were evaluated in a training population of 207 T2DM patients, and further validated in an external population of 101 T2DM patients from multiple centres.ResultsIn the discovery phase, 13 exosomal miRNAs were significantly upregulated in adipose tissue of T2DM patients. MR analyses identified that increased miR‐125a‐5p was causally associated with increased Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk (OR = 1.231, 95% CI 1.062–1.426). In the validation phase, higher serum exosomal miR‐125a‐5p levels were related to increased amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) risk (OR = 1.066, 95% CI 1.030–1.103) and reduced left hippocampal body volume (r = −0.189, p < 0.05), achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.728 for identifying aMCI in T2DM patients. External validation confirmed a diagnostic AUC of 0.738.ConclusionsSerum exosomal miR‐125a‐5p derived from adipose tissue can serve as a causal biomarker for cognitive impairment in T2DM patients.