Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Two Faces of Investment Performance and Risk

Investment concepts are generally taught, learnt and spoken about among professionals in time-weighted terms. According to this view of the world, returns are the sole determinant of performance and risk, and a given return has an identical impact no matter its timing. While appropriate in certain circumstances, time-weighted returns (TWRs), and the performance and risk measures derived from them, provide an incomplete picture when evaluating certain practical financial problems like retirement investing. This paper discusses the distinction between time-weighted returns (TWRs) and more comprehensive measures, and compares a number of extant investment strategies employing a range of performance and risk measures from each category. We find that time-weighted measures overlook important aspects of retirement investing, whereas wealth-denominated, target-relative measures more accurately capture the dynamics of retirement investing. Thus we see the two faces of investment performance and risk.
Accuracy of High-Field Intraoperative MRI in the Detectability of Residual Tumor in Glioma Grade IV Resections

Abstract Objective To assess the sensitivity/specificity of tumor detection by T1 contrast enhancement in intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) in comparison to histopathological assessment as the gold standard in patients receiving surgical resection of grade IV glioblastoma. Materials and Methods 68 patients with a primary or a recurrent glioblastoma scheduled for surgery including fluorescence guidance and neuronavigation were included (mean age: 59 years, 26 female, 42 male patients). The ioMRI after the first resection included transverse FLAIR, DWI, T2-FFE and T1 – 3 d FFE +/- GD-DPTA. The second resection was performed whenever residual contrast-enhancing tissue was detected on ioMRI. Resected tissue samples were histopathologically evaluated (gold standard). Additionally, we evaluated the early postoperative MRI scan acquired within 48 h post-OP for remaining enhancing tissue and compared them with the ioMRI scan. Results In 43 patients ioMRI indicated residual tumorous tissue, which could be confirmed in the histological specimens of the second resection. In 16 (4 with recurrent, 12 with primary glioblastoma) cases, ioMRI revealed truly negative results without residual tumor and follow-up MRI confirmed complete resection. In 7 cases (3 with recurrent, 4 with primary glioblastoma) ioMRI revealed a suspicious result without tumorous tissue in the histopathological workup. In 2 (1 for each group) patients, residual tumorous tissue was detected in spite of negative ioMRI. IoMRI had a sensitivity of 95 % (94 % recurrent and 96 % for primary glioblastoma) and a specificity of 69.5 % (57 % and 75 %, respectively). The positive predictive value was 86 % (84 % for recurrent and 87 % for primary glioblastoma), and the negative predictive value was 88 % (80 % and 92 %, respectively). Conclusion ioMRI is effective for detecting remaining tumorous tissue after glioma resection. However, scars and leakage of contrast agent can be misleading and limit specificity. Key points Intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) presents with a high sensitivity for residual contrast-enhancing tumorous tissue during glioma resection. Contrast leakage due to bleeding and scars with reactive contrast enhancement can cause possible misleading artifacts in ioMRI, leading to a limited specificity of ioMRI. Bleeding control in glioma resection is crucial for successful usage of ioMRO for glioma resection. Citation Format Heßelmann V, Mager A, Goetz C et al. Accuracy of High-Field Intraoperative MRI in the Detectability of Residual Tumor in Glioma Grade IV Resections. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 519 – 526
Evidence of liver damage by toxin from a bloom of the blue‐green alga, Microcystis aeruginosa

Examination of the results of routine assays for hepatic enzymes in plasma has shown a significant elevation of the levels of gamma‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase, and a lesser elevation of those of alanine aminotransferase, in plasma specimens from a population who obtained drinking water from a reservoir containing a heavy bloom of toxic Microcystis aeruginosa. Such elevations did not occur in the adjacent population who did not use water from this source. They coincided with the occurrence of the algal bloom, and were not present in the corresponding assays during the periods before and after the occurrence of the bloom. Increases in the levels of these enzymes indicate toxic liver injury and could not be attributed to clinical changes in the frequency of acute liver conditions or to variations in the number of plasma samples taken from patients with alcoholism. Therefore, it is concluded that the toxic algae in the water‐supply reservoir cause the observed elevation of the levels of hepatic enzymes in the plasma of the consuming population.
Activity awareness can improve continuous stress detection in galvanic skin response

Continuous stress monitoring offers a potential to help understand different mental stress patterns and how clinical intervention could best be applied. One economical way to detect stress is to measure galvanic skin response (GSR) as the electrical conductance of skin varies with physiological arousal. In this work, we studied the effects of different activities (sit, stand and walk) on GSR measurements. We implemented a GSR sensor system and an activity recognition system. We showed that using two accelerometers (at thigh and ankle each) achieved an overall accuracy of 94.7% in activity recognition, an improvement of +27.3% from using single sensor node system. We further demonstrated that the activity information could help improve the sensitivity in stress detection at sitting and standing positions.
CNGA2 Channels Mediate Adenosine-Induced Ca2 Influx in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Objectives—Adenosine is a cAMP-elevating vasodilator that induces both endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation. An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is a crucial early signal in the endothelium-dependent relaxation elicited by adenosine. This study explored the molecular identity of channels that mediate adenosine-induced Ca2+ influx in vascular endothelial cells. Methods and Results—Adenosine-induced Ca2+ influx was markedly reduced by L-cis-diltiazem and LY-83583, two selective inhibitors for cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, in H5V endothelial cells and primary cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). The Ca2+ influx was also inhibited by 2 adenylyl cyclase inhibitors MDL-12330A and SQ-22536, and by 2 A2B receptor inhibitors MRS-1754 and 8-SPT, but not by an A2A receptor inhibitor SCH-58261 or a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ. Patch clamp experiments recorded an adenosine-induced current that could be inhibited by L-cis-diltiazem and LY-83583. A CNGA2-specific siRNA markedly decreased the Ca2+ influx and the cation current in H5V cells. Furthermore, L-cis-diltiazem inhibited the endothelial Ca2+ influx in mouse aortic strips, and it also reduced 5-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, an A2 adenosine receptor agonist)-induced vasorelaxation. Conclusion—CNGA2 channels play a key role in adenosine-induced endothelial Ca2+ influx and vasorelaxation. It is likely that adenosine acts through A2B receptors and adenylyl cyclases to stimulate CNGA2.
Performance and Risk Analysis of Index-Based ESG Portfolios

There has been a wide range of research in academia and the asset management industry about the financial benefits of ESG investing. However, the question of how to achieve consistency when integrating ESG has not obtained the same level of attention. As a result, ESG integration currently is often applied inconsistently and incompletely across asset owners’ portfolios. The authors of this article focus on how asset owners can implement ESG integration through index-based allocations to portfolios that seek to replicate ESG indexes. Index-based approaches offer consistency, transparency, and replicability and are generally cost-effective. Over a seven-year study period, global and regional versions of the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes (as proxies for regional allocations) resulted in significant variations in their respective ESG profiles and performance, but in all instances, there was a clear reduction in all key risk measures.
Identification of an immunodominant type‐II collagen peptide recognized by T cells in H‐2q mice: self tolerance at the level of determinant selection

The T cell recognition of type‐II collagen (CII) in H‐2q mice, susceptible to CII‐induced arthritis, was analyzed. With the use of T cell hybridomas derived from rat CII‐immunized mice, a peptide corresponding to amino acids 245–270 on chick CII was found to harbor a T cell epitope which is present on heterologous CII (chick, rat, human, and bovine CII) but not on autologous CII. It was shown that this epitope was located within amino acids 260–270, although flanking regions in either direction were necessary for proper recognition. A peptide corresponding to human CII (256–270) was used for further studies. A single amino acid difference at position 266 between mouse CII (aspartic acid) and heterologous CII (glutamic acid) strongly influenced recognition of this peptide. No response towards the mouse peptide was seen with any of the T cell hybridomas. Inhibition studies revealed that the mouse peptide did not bind as well to major histocompatibility complex as the corresponding heterologous peptide. Both peptides gave rise to a T cell response after immunization. However, immunization with the heterologous peptide resulted in a response strictly directed to rat CII and the immunogen while immunization with the autologous peptide elicited T cells which reacted in a heteroclitic fashion, with a stronger response to the heterologous peptide than to the autologous peptide, and did respond to rat CII but not to mouse CII. We suggest that aspartic acid in position 266 results in a cryptic determinant in mouse CII which is neither recognized after CII immunization nor capable of tolerance induction. A glutamic acid at position 266, however, gives rise to an immunodominant epitope which is recognized by a large proportion of the T cells activated after immunization with heterologous CII.
The Role of Executive Cash Bonuses in Providing Individual and Team Incentives

Abstract Given CEOs’ substantial equity portfolios, much recent literature on CEO incentives regards cash-based bonus plans as largely irrelevant, begging the question of why nearly all CEO compensation plans include such bonuses. We develop a new measure of bonus plan incentives and show that performance sensitivities are much greater than prior estimates. We also test hypotheses regarding the role of bonuses in providing executives with individualized and team incentives. We find little evidence supporting the individualized incentives hypotheses but find consistent evidence that bonus plans appear to be used to encourage mutual monitoring and to facilitate coordination across the top management team as a whole.
Interpreting the Mechanism of APOE (p.Leu167del) Mutation in the Incidence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia; An In-silico Approach

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a ligand protein in humans which mediates the metabolism of cholesterol by binding to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). P.Leu167del mutation in APOE gene was recently connected with Familial Hypercholesterolemia, a condition associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The consequences of this mutation on the protein structure and its receptor binding capacity remain largely unknown. Objective: The current study aims to further decipher the underlying mechanism of this mutation using advanced software-based algorithms. The consequences of disrupting the leucine zipper by this mutation was studied at the structural and functional level of the APOE protein. Methods: 3D protein modeling for both APOE and LDLR (wild types), along with APOE (p.Leu167del) mutant type were generated using homology modeling template-based alignment. Structural deviation analysis was performed to evaluate the spatial orientation and the stability of the mutant APOE structure. Molecular docking analysis simulating APOE-LDLR protein interaction was carried out, in order to evaluate the impact of the mutation on the binding affinity. Result: Structural deviation analysis for APOE mutated model showed low degree of deviance scoring root-mean-square deviation, (RMSD) = 0.322 Å. Whereas Docking simulation revealed an enhanced molecular interaction towards the LDLR with an estimation of +171.03 kJ/mol difference in binding free energy. Conclusion: This in-silico study suggests that p.Leu167del is causing the protein APOE to associate strongly with its receptor, LDLR. This gain-of-function is likely hindering the ability of LDLR to be effectively recycled back to the surface of the hepatocytes to clear cholesterol from the circulation therefore leading to FH.
GH treatment to final height produces similar height gains in patients with SHOX deficiency and Turner syndrome: results of a multicenter trial.

CONTEXT Growth impairment in short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency and Turner syndrome share a similar etiology. Because of the established effect of GH treatment on height in patients with Turner syndrome, we hypothesized that GH therapy would also stimulate growth in patients with SHOX deficiency. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to evaluate long-term efficacy of GH treatment in short patients with SHOX deficiency and to compare the effect on final (adult) height (FH) in patients with SHOX deficiency and Turner syndrome. DESIGN AND SETTING A prospective, multinational, open-label, randomized 3-arm study consisting of a 2-year control period and a subsequent extension period to FH. The treatment groups were 1) SHOX-D-C/GH (untreated during the control period, GH-treated during the extension), 2) SHOX-D-GH/GH, and 3) Turner-GH/GH (GH-treated during both study periods). PATIENTS Short-statured prepubertal patients with genetically confirmed SHOX deficiency (n = 49) or Turner syndrome (n = 24) who participated in the extension. INTERVENTION Depending on the study arm, patients received a daily sc injection of 0.05 mg/kg recombinant human GH from start of the study or start of the extension until attainment of FH or study closure. RESULTS Height SD score gain from start of GH treatment to FH was similar between the combined SHOX-deficient groups (n = 28, 1.34 ± 0.18 [least-squares mean ± SE]) and the Turner group (n = 19, 1.32 ± 0.22). In this FH population, 57% of the patients with SHOX deficiency and 32% of the patients with Turner syndrome achieved a FH greater than -2 SD score. CONCLUSIONS GH treatment in short children with SHOX deficiency showed similar long-term efficacy as seen in girls with Turner syndrome.
Low-risk diet for colorectal cancer in Italy

An innovative approach was used to define a low-risk diet for colorectal cancer from a multicentric case–control study of 1953 incident cases and 4154 hospital controls from Italy. A logistic regression model was fitted on the reported intake of five macronutrients, and the estimated coefficients were used to compute a diet-related logistic risk score (LRS). The mean of LRS within risk decile ranged from 0.89 to 1.86. Total energy intake and absolute consumption of each macronutrient increased with increasing LRS. In relative terms, however, starch intake showed an almost threefold increase across subsequent score levels, while a decline was observed for unsaturated fat, sugar and protein. Saturated fat consumption remained fairly stable in relative terms. When food groups were considered, bread and cereals dishes, cakes and desserts and refined sugar were positively associated, while the consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry and olive oils was inversely associated with LRS.
Use of nonaspirin NSAIDs and risk of lung cancer

Epidemiologic evidence is conflicting regarding the potential for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to lower the risk of lung cancer. We thus determined the incidence of lung cancer among a cohort of over 242,000 adults in Denmark who had been issued NSAID prescriptions during 1991–2002 and calculated the relative risks of this cancer according to the numbers of prescriptions received. Similar analyses were conducted among a subset with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, of whom the large majority was assumed to have been smokers, as an indirect control for smoking. Utilization of Danish registries ensured essentially complete and unbiased ascertainment of prescriptions and cancer outcomes. The relative risks of lung cancer among NSAID users redeeming 10 or more prescriptions vs. nonusers in the general population and among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were 1.51 (95% CI = 1.33–1.71) and 1.55 (95% CI = 0.93–2.60) and tended to decline with decreasing numbers of NSAIDs prescribed. Separate analyses for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma also failed to show reduced risks among NSAID users. Confounding by indication may have contributed to the increased risks, but the study provides no evidence to suggest that recent NSAID intake may be protective for lung cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experiences of the Generalist Nurse Caring for Adolescents with Mental Health Problems

Mental healthcare for adolescents is currently provided in a range ofsettings, including general hospital wards and paediatric wards, although care of adolescents with mental health problems in general settings has not been evaluated. This descriptive study surveyed generalist nurses who provide care to adolescents with mental health problems in the general hospital setting to determine satisfaction with their abilities to provide care, challenges encountered in care provision and strategies to provide optimal care by these nurses. Participants included 30 generalist nurses (response rate of 73%) from two wards in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Queensland, Australia. The survey findings showed that 67 percent of the respondents felt inadequately prepared to care for this group and only 41 percent were satisfied with their ability to provide care. Strategies identified to improve nursing care included: enhancement of continuity of care and teamwork, provision of appropriate environmental facilities, greater support from specialist mental health nurses and further education oncaring for adolescent mental health problems.
Emotional Labor and Job Satisfaction: Does Social Support Matter?

ABSTRACT For the purpose of withstanding the fierce competition in the banking sector, various banks in Ghana requires employees to display emotions whenever dealing with customers. However, these emotions come with their own consequences. The question is could social support provided by these banks serve as a way to mitigate the negative outcomes of such behaviors and increase employee job satisfaction? This paper, therefore, examined the moderating role of social support in the effect of emotional labor on employee job satisfaction in the banking sector. Data were collected from 140 bank employees. The analytical tool used was Structural Equation Modeling.
Gender diversity on corporate boards: does critical mass matter to investors?

Previous studies have been unable to establish a clear relationship between board gender diversity and firm performance. We argue that this could be due to the failure of these studies to account for both the endogeneity problem and the possible nonlinearity of the relationship between board diversity and firm performance. We overcome these problems by studying the investor reaction at the announcement of a female director's departure. We find a negative market reaction only when this departure drops the gender diversity below a critical level of three women. In all other cases, a director's departure has no significant impact on shareholder wealth. This result is consistent with the assumption of value in diversity and critical mass theory.
Carotid endarterectomy: comparison of complications between transverse and longitudinal incision.

BACKGROUND Cranial nerve injury (CNI) is the most common neurological complication associated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Some authors postulate that the transverse skin incision leads to increased risk of CNI. OBJECTIVE We compared the incidence of CNI associated with the transverse and longitudinal skin incisions in a high-volume cerebrovascular center. METHODS We reviewed the charts of 226 consecutive patients who underwent CEAs between January 2007 and August 2009. Pre- and postoperative standardized neurological evaluations were performed by faculty neurologists and neurosurgeons. RESULTS One hundred sixty nine of 226 (75%) CEAs were performed with the use of a transverse incision. The longitudinal incision was generally reserved for patients with a high-riding carotid bifurcation. Mean patient age was 69 years (range, 45-91 years); 62% were men; 59% of patients were symptomatic and had high-grade stenosis (70%-99%). CNI occurred in 8 cases (3.5%): 5 (3%) in transverse and 3 (5.3%) with longitudinal incisions (P = .42). There were 2 marginal mandibular nerve injuries, 1 (0.6%) transverse and 1 longitudinal; 5 recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, 4 transverse and 1 longitudinal; and 1 case of hypoglossal nerve injury associated with longitudinal incision. One hematoma was associated with CNI. All injuries were transient. Fourteen wound hematomas required surgical evacuation. CONCLUSION The transverse skin incision for CEAs is not associated with an increased risk of CNI (P =.42). In this study, the incidence of CNI associated with the transverse incision was 3% (n = 5) vs 5% (n = 3) for longitudinal incisions. All CNIs were temporary.
Effects of a secondary prevention combination therapy with an aspirin, an ACE inhibitor and a statin on 1-year mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with a beta-blocker. Support for a polypill approach

Abstract Objective: Large randomized clinical trials have shown the efficacy of aspirin, ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and statins as secondary prevention measures in patients after an acute coronary syndrome with and without ST elevations. Therefore we aimed to determine the effect of a combination therapy with these three drugs on 1-year mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We prospectively followed 9998 survivors of acute myocardial infarction treated with a beta-blocker for 1 year. Patients were divided into three groups according to their therapy with aspirin, ACE inhibitors and statins: 3 drugs, 2 drugs or 0–1 drug. Results: The majority of patients (n = 6260, 62.6%) were treated with 3 drugs, 2986 (29.9%) with 2 drugs and 752 (7.5%) with 0–1 drug. In the univariate analysis 1-year mortality was 4.9%, 9.7% and 13.6%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors in the propensity score analysis the odds ratios for 1-year mortality were significantly increased with 0–1 drug (odds ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.24–2.27) and with 2 drugs (odds ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.26–1.87) in comparison with the group treated with all 3 drugs. However, in the ACOS registry the treatment was left to the discretion of the physician. This could lead to a selection bias, which cannot be fully eliminated by using multiple regression analysis. Conclusions: A combination therapy with aspirin, an ACE inhibitor and a statin reduces 1-year mortality in patients after AMI. Therefore a polypill approach with these three agents should be considered to increase drug compliance and reduce mortality after acute myocardial infarction.