bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biases and investment decision: an analysis of demographics using PLS-MGA
Authors: Raj Gargi 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate how biases among retail investors – such as mental accounting, overconfidence and herd behaviour – affect their investment choices, while also examining how demographics, specifically, age, gender and income moderate these effects.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses quantitative method for collecting data through questionnaire from 385 Indian investors investing actively in stock market. The relationship was tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling through SmartPLS 4.0. To analyse the moderating role of demographics, multi-group analysis with percentile bootstrapping approach was performed.

Findings
The results reveal the varying effect of each bias on investment decision. The evidence proves the presence of herd behaviour, overconfidence and mental accounting while making investment decisions. Furthermore, age and gender was found to be moderating the effect of biases and investment decision of Indian investors. Also, the results imply that female investors are more prone to herd behaviour compared to their male counterparts.

Research limitations/implications
The study confirms that investors often deviate from complete rationality, with their investment decisions constrained by available resources, information and cognitive processing abilities, consistent with the theory of bounded rationality. The findings offer practical insights for financial advisors, educators, investors, government agencies and regulators to enhance investment decision-making practices.

Originality/value
This study offers new perspectives on the impact of behavioural biases on investment decisions. Particularly, the study enhances the understanding of investment patterns and contributes to the behavioural finance literature by addressing the interplay between demographics and investor behaviour in a rapidly growing economy.
Understanding BallotLoafing at work: examining employee loafing during political elections
Authors: Salehzadeh Reza , Esmailian Hassan , Javani Maliheh 
Published: December 2024

PurposeGiven the concept of loafing at work and its IT equivalent, cyberloafing, we propose the concept of BallotLoafing to metaphorically describe a similar phenomenon occurring during political elections. BallotLoafing describes how employees’ attention can become absorbed by discussions, debates or following news related to an election, shifting focus away from work tasks. This study aims to investigate the effects of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control on employees’ intention to engage in BallotLoafing behaviors through the lens of the theory of planned behavior. Additionally, the research explores the moderating role of political belief in the relationship between these variables.Design/methodology/approachThe statistical population of this research was the employees of public organizations in Isfahan, Iran. We conducted a two-wave lagged survey. The data were collected during the 2024 elections for the 12th convocation of the Islamic Parliament of Iran. This study used structural equation modeling to examine the proposed model.FindingsEmployees’ attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control positively impacted employees’ intention to engage in BallotLoafing. In addition, behavioral intention positively impacted actual BallotLoafing behaviors. Finally, the results showed that the political belief did not play a moderating role in the relationship between these variables.Practical implicationsManaging or reducing BallotLoafing involves addressing the key factors that influence such behavior: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control.Originality/valueThis research introduces a novel concept: BallotLoafing, which captures employee distraction during elections.
Demystifying the efficiency in managing the working capital through the lens of sustainability
Authors: Karki Uttam , Seth Himanshu , Bhatia Vaneet 
Published: December 2024

PurposeThis study aims to scrutinize the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and its indicators in achieving working capital management (WCM) efficiency.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample comprising 520 firm-year observations from Indian listed firms for the period from 2017 to 2021, the current study estimates WCM efficiency using the Banker, Charnes and Cooper (BCC) input-oriented model of data envelopment analysis (DEA). In addition, this study performs baseline, robustness and heterogeneity tests to examine the effect of ESG performance and its components on WCM efficiency.FindingsOur findings show that firms with high ESG performance better manage short-term liquidity. Also, environmental performance (EP), social performance (SP) and governance performance (GP) highlight a similar positive association with WCM efficiency. As per the heterogeneity test results, both high- and low-sustainable firms showcase the necessity of ESG performance to achieve efficiency in managing their working capital.Practical implicationsThe findings emphasize the need for managers and policymakers to integrate sustainable practices with financial strategies, enhancing both short-term stability and long-term sustainability goals and thereby guiding effective policy and governance enhancements.Originality/valueWe attempt to adjudicate the role of sustainability on WCM efficiency from an emerging country perspective, which has not yet been explored. Our study also makes a methodological contribution by pioneering the DEA in the context of ESG and working capital.
Comprehending the role of soft skills in current work scenarios in the engineering domain
Authors: Pandey Aayushi , Dhand Shivani , Kaswan Mahender Singh , Chhibber Priyanka , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Manzoor Mehnaz 
Published: December 2024

PurposeTo investigate the transformative impact of soft skills on the career pathways of experts and students in the engineering domain.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a comprehensive approach, combining a review of existing literature with primary data to analyse quantitative and qualitative empirical investigations. Data from 40 participants, who are engineering students and professionals, is analysed using descriptive statistics and advanced software tools like ATLAS.ti and Jamovi.FindingsThe findings underscore the indispensable nature of soft skills in elevating employability, emphasising the urgent need for mandatory soft skills education for engineering students and professionals. The research identifies the top five soft skills engineers need: communication, teamwork, time management, leadership and problem-solving.Practical implicationsThe research contributes to understanding soft skills’ pivotal role in engineering professions, providing valuable insights for professionals and organisations aiming to enhance performance and competitiveness in the industry. The study advocates for a holistic approach that recognises the symbiotic relationship between technical proficiency and soft skills in shaping the success of engineering graduates in the 21st-century workforce.Originality/valueThe study recognises the current job market demands and asserts that engineers must combine technical expertise with soft skills to succeed in the technology-driven yet people-centric engineering profession.
Measuring the efficacy of community consultation in a pediatric exception from informed consent trial
Authors: Johnson Ann R. , Riches Naomi O. , VanBuren John M. , Corona Ana E. , Jacobsen Kammy , Yang Shu , Shah Manish I. ,   Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) PediDOSE Study Investigators
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundCommunity consultation activities are required by the Food and Drug Administration prior to conducting research using exception from informed consent (EFIC) for emergency research and aim to provide additional participant protections. However, it is difficult for institutional review boards (IRBs) to assess the efficacy of such activities. In this study, our primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the PediDOSE trial's consultation activities by answering key questions about whether consultation efforts reached a relevant community and if the perspectives of the consulted community coincided with those of parents actually enrolled in the study.MethodsQualitative findings of semistructured interview data collected during community consultation efforts were compared with interview responses from parents of children enrolled in the PediDOSE trial to identify common themes.ResultsMost themes were identified in both groups, but additional themes emerged with parents of enrolled participants that may be important for future study teams and IRBs to consider. Even with an overrepresentation of White and non‐Hispanic/Latino participants in the community consultations compared to those who were enrolled in the EFIC study there was common overlap of themes.ConclusionsParent interviews added to our understanding beyond the themes identified in the consultation interviews. The theme of therapeutic misconception was not found in the consultation interviews, possibly due to the child's emergency medical care being theoretical. With modest accommodations, collection of additional demographic and follow‐up interview data can successfully assess key elements of community consultation efficacy for EFIC trials.
High‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for children with bronchiolitis: Implementation of a national guideline
Authors: Beckeringh Nike , Linssen Rosalie S. N. , Kapitein Berber , van Woensel Job B. M. , Plötz Frans B. ,   Pediatric Research and Evaluation Network (PREN) Amsterdam study group
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimHigh flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a form of respiratory support used in children with bronchiolitis. A national guideline for the use of HFNC was published in The Netherlands in 2020. We studied the implementation and use of this guideline.MethodsWe performed a multicentre observational study amongst all hospitals in the North‐West part of The Netherlands referring to the same paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study consisted of two parts: a comparison of local HFNC protocols to the national guideline and a survey about the use of HFNC amongst paediatricians in the participating centres.ResultsWe observed considerable variations between the local protocols and the national protocol, especially regarding criteria to initiate HFNC treatment and weaning practices. Survey results showed that expectations of HFNC widely varied, while the clinical use of HFNC deviated from both the national guideline as well as local protocols, especially for weaning practices and the use of pCO2 as a parameter for initiation and evaluation of the effect of HFNC.ConclusionImplementation of the national guideline for HFNC therapy in bronchiolitis was inefficacious, leading to non‐uniform clinical practice.
Finnish nationwide controlled register study found increased inpatient infections in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Wahrmann Sakari , Kainulainen Leena , Lempainen Johanna , Kytö Ville 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimStudies on treating infections in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) have been limited. We characterised inpatient infections and outpatient antibiotic treatment.MethodsChildren born during 2005–2018 were eligible for this national Finnish retrospective register‐based study. We recruited 98 children (54% male) with DiGeorge or velocardiofacial syndrome. The 980 matched controls had a benign murmur diagnosed before 1 year of age. The cumulative incidence of infections and antibiotic prescriptions and total prescriptions were measured.ResultsThe median age for 22q11.2DS diagnoses was under 1 year of age (range 0–14 years), with a median follow‐up time of 9 years for diagnoses and 11 years for prescriptions. Children with 22q11.2DS had significantly higher hospitalisation rates than the controls for any infection (68.1% vs. 30.5%), gastroenteritis (16.8% vs. 4.0%), pneumonia (23.4% vs. 4.3%), severe bacterial infections, excluding pneumonia or pyelonephritis (15.0% vs. 4.1%) and viral wheezing (23.2% vs. 9.1%). Outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were similar, but the children with 22q11.2DS received them earlier than the controls, with a hazard ratio of 3.29 for ages 0–5 years and 1.84 for the entire follow‐up.ConclusionChildren with 22q11.2DS had significantly more infections requiring hospitalisation than controls without the syndrome.
Unicentric Castleman disease complicated with bronchiolitis obliterans: A single‐centre retrospective study from China
Authors: Liu Yan‐ting , Zhen Jun‐feng , Gao Yu‐han , Li Si‐yuan , Dang Yue , Xu Hao‐Yi , Zhang Lu , Li Jian 
Published: December 2024

SummaryBronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a rare and life‐threatening complication of unicentric Castleman disease (UCD), which is considered the leading cause of death in UCD. However, few studies focused on the characteristics of UCD patients complicated with BO. This single‐centre, retrospective study of 281 patients diagnosed with UCD identified 18 patients (6.4%) with BO. UCD‐BO patients had a significantly lower age at UCD diagnosis than the UCD without BO group. 94.4% of UCD‐BO patients had deep lymph nodes involvement and 83.3% of them had paraneoplastic pemphigus, which were both significantly higher than UCD without BO. Median forced expiratory volume in 1 s of predicted was 20.9% (10%–41.9%) and 83.3% patients had severe BO. All patients underwent complete resection for UCD. 61.1% patients developed BO after surgery. UCD‐BO patients had a poorer overall survival than UCD without BO. Among severe BO, 11 patients did not receive lung transplantation and two of them died, with 62.5% (95% CI, 20.8%–100%) of estimated 5‐year overall survival. Four patients underwent lung transplantation and they all survived. UCD‐BO patients had distinct clinical identity. Complete resection could neither alleviate BO nor prevent BO progression. Lung transplantation is a vital treatment for improving prognosis for patients with severe BO.
Applying 224Ra and 223Ra to Trace Lateral Groundwater Discharge into Lake Qinghai, China
Authors: Su Weigang , Ma Yujun , Wang Qiugui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractQuantifying lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) is important for understanding the dynamics of lake ecosystems and their expansion. This study focuses on Lake Qinghai, employing radium isotope models to evaluate the contributions of both shallow and deep groundwater. The data indicate that the activity of 223Ra and 224Ra demonstrates a pronounced gradient, decreasing from the shoreline to the center of Lake Qinghai. Additionally, vertical stratification characteristics were observed. The spatial distribution of radium isotope activity suggests that there is discharge of both shallow and deep groundwater into the lake. Deep groundwater migrates slowly and its apparent age reflects the time elapsed since the water became enriched in Ra and was isolated from the source, in the study system this age is estimated to be 10.1 d. In contrast, shallow groundwater displayed varied apparent ages in different regions: 7.9 d in the north, 13.1 d in the south, and 7.4 d in the southeastern area of the lake. The LGDs of shallow groundwater discharge in the north, south, and southeast areas of Lake Qinghai were estimated by 224Ra as 1.89 × 106 to 2.69 × 106 m3/d, 3.25 × 106 to 3.99 × 106 m3/d, and 4.51 × 106 to 6.33 × 106 m3/d, respectively. For deep groundwater, the LGD was 0.16 × 106 to 0.29 × 106 m3/d. Annually, the total LGD fluxes of shallow and deep groundwater are 27.86 × 108 to 37.59 × 108 m3/year and 0.58 × 108 to 1.06 × 108 m3/year, respectively. This study is the first to evaluate shallow and deep groundwater discharge around the lake. Understanding these discharge dynamics is essential for developing effective management strategies to preserve lake environments.
Stone at the same location for 2 months predicts impacted stones and stone‐free status after shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones: A Funabashi clinic expert study
Authors: Nozumi Kazuyoshi , Sakamoto Shinichi , Zhao Xue , Pae Sangjon , Tamura Takaaki , Taguchi Kazumi , Yamada Yasutaka , Goto Yusuke , Imamura Yusuke , Sazuka Tomokazu , Awa Yusuke , Yasui Takahiro , Nozumi Kuniyoshi , Naya Yukio , Akakura Koichiro , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: December 2024

ObjectivesTo evaluate the success rate of shock wave lithotripsy and identify predictors of stone‐free status after shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones, focusing on the impact of stones remaining in the same location for 2 months (SSL2).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 501 patients with ureteral stones treated with shock wave lithotripsy by expert surgeons (each with over 1000 shock wave lithotripsy operations) at a single Japanese institution in 2020. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of stone‐free status, including stone length, skin‐to‐stone distance, stone density (Hounsfield Unit), Hounsfield Unit above/below the stone, stone position, and duration of stone at the same location (SSL2).ResultsNinety patients were excluded, resulting in 411 patients undergoing an average of 1.15 ± 0.4 sessions (range: 1–4). 344 patients (83.7%) achieved stone‐free status after a single session. The overall 1‐month stone‐free rate was 71.4%, and the 3‐month stone‐free rate was 88.8%. Stone at the same location ≥2 months (SSL2) was an independent predictor of 1‐month stone‐free status (odds ratio = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.10–4.57, p = 0.025), while mean stone density ≥ 813 HU was an independent predictor of 3‐month stone‐free status (odds ratio = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.10–6.45, p = 0.03).ConclusionStone at the same location ≥2 months (SSL2) was a potent predictor of 1‐month and 3‐month stone‐free status. This condition is associated with impacted stones and can aid in decision‐making for shock wave lithotripsy treatment selection.
Prevalence and associations of cerebral microbleeds in an Australian memory clinic cohort
Authors: Wrigley Scott , Cody Ross , Amadoru Sanka , Huynh Andrew , Galante Olivia , Mandrawa Christine , Yassi Nawaf , Yates Paul 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundCerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small brain haemorrhages, identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They indicate potential for cognitive decline and mortality in memory clinic attendees. The presence of more than four CMBs is exclusionary for some clinical trials of disease‐modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prevalence and clinical relevance of CMBs in Australian memory clinic populations has not been reported.AimsTo highlight the prevalence of CMBs in an Australian memory clinic cohort and explore associations with diagnoses, topography and cognitive performance.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 393 patients who attended a memory clinic (CDAMS) in Melbourne, Australia from January 2014 to December 2016 who underwent brain MRI. Data collected included age, gender, clinical diagnosis and cognitive scores. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify associations of CMBs with clinical and cognitive findings.ResultsThe prevalence of CMBs was 27% (n=107) with good inter‐rater reliability (κ=0.75). CMBs were significantly associated with increasing age. Prevalence of CMBs was higher in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (32%) and dementia (39%) compared with other diagnostic groups (p<0.001). Lobar‐predominant CMB distribution was associated with AD diagnosis. Presence of multiple CMBs was associated with poorer cognitive performance overall.ConclusionsCMBs are common in an Australian memory clinic population and are associated with poorer cognitive performance. “Real world” prevalence of CMBs may limit accessibility to disease‐modifying therapies for many people.
Flow loss in superplasticized limestone calcined clay cement
Authors: Moghul Sirajuddin , Zunino Franco , Flatt Robert J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the mechanisms behind fluidity loss in superplasticized limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Despite its environmental benefits, in presence of superplasticizers, LC3 experiences significant challenges in maintaining workability, an issue of which this paper examines the root cause. It focuses on the role that initial reactions play in creating additional surface area and the consequence thereof on the performance of polycarboxylate ether superplasticizers (PCE) in LC3. Experimental results reveal that while PCEs initially disperse the cement particles, fluidity decreases rapidly over time, primarily due to the continuous generation of those new surfaces that exceed the adsorption capacity of PCEs. The study also examines the potential intercalation of PCE side chains into calcined clays and shows that even in the worst‐case scenario with montmorillonite clays, intercalation is not a significant contributor to slump loss when the clays are calcined. These findings suggest that alternative strategies, such as slowing down the initial reactivity of the calcined clays, for example by combining PCEs with other additives like diphosphonates, may be necessary to improve flow retention in superplasticized LC3 systems.
The effects of handling on stress response markers in a reef fish model for aquaculture development, the brassy chub, Kyphosus vaigiensis
Authors: Merlo Reilly S. , Fox Bradley K. , Seale Andre P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWith the expanding global population, interest has increased in the sustainable aquaculture development of indigenous fishes. In Hawaiʻi, the brassy chub, Kyphosus vaigiensis, has drawn interest as a candidate species for production. However, little is known about its resilience in aquaculture settings where fish are exposed to acute, husbandry‐related stressors. To address the response of brassy chub to handling stress, we characterized the effects of simulated netting and confinement stress on physiological parameters indicative of the alarm and resistance phases of the stress response over a 24‐h time course. Specifically, we measured plasma osmolality and glucose, mucous cortisol, hepatic activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO). Plasma osmolality in stressed fish was increased relative to controls at 1 and 6 h. Mucous cortisol levels were transiently increased in stressed fish at 1 h following handling stress. In stressed fish, plasma glucose was generally increased from 1 h to 24 h relative to controls. By contrast, SOD activity decreased in stressed fish at 6 and 12 h, returning to control levels at 24 h; GPX activity and LPO were unaffected by the handling stressor. The transient and modest responses of mucous cortisol and antioxidant enzyme activity indicate the recovery of brassy chub from handling stress. Moreover, the sustained increase in plasma glucose and lack of change in LPO suggest mobilization of energy and long‐term resiliency toward handling stressors.