Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance measurement of ESG-themed megatrend investments in global equity markets using pure factor portfolios methodology

ESG factors are becoming mainstream in portfolio investment strategies, attracting increasing fund inflows from investors who are aligning their investment values to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) declared by the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investments. Do investors sacrifice return for pursuing ESG-aligned megatrend goals? The study analyses the risk-adjusted financial performance of ESG-themed megatrend investment strategies in global equity markets. The analysis covers nine themes for the period 2015–2019: environmental megatrends covering energy efficiency, food security, and water scarcity; social megatrends covering ageing, millennials, and urbanisation; governance megatrends covered by cybersecurity, disruptive technologies, and robotics. We construct megatrend factor portfolios based on signalling theory and formulate a novel measure for stock megatrend exposure (MTE), based on the relative fund flows into the corresponding thematic ETFs. We apply pure factor portfolios methodology based on constrained WLS cross-sectional regressions to calculate Fama-French factor returns. Time-series regression rests on the generalised method of moments estimator (GMM) that uses robust distance instruments. Our findings show that each environmental megatrend, as well as the disruptive technologies megatrend, yielded positive and significant alphas relative to the passive strategy, although this outperformance becomes statistically insignificant in the Fama-French 5-factor model context. The important result is that most of the megatrend factor portfolios yielded significant non-negative alphas; which supports our assumption that megatrend investing strategy promotes SDGs while not sacrificing returns, even when accounting for transaction costs up to 50bps/annum. Higher transaction costs, as is the case for some of these ETFs with expense ratios reaching 80-100bps, may be an indication of two things: ESG-themed megatrend investors were willing to sacrifice ca. 30-50bps of annual return to remain aligned with sustainability targets, or that expense ratio may well decline in the future.
A cis‐regulatory change underlying the motor neuron‐specific loss of Ebf expression in immotile tunicate larvae

Many species in the tunicate family Molgulidae have independently lost their swimming larval form and instead develop as tailless, immotile larvae. These larvae do not develop structures that are essential for swimming such as the notochord, otolith, and tail muscles. However, little is known about neural development in these nonswimming larvae. Here, we studied the patterning of the Motor Ganglion (MG) of Molgula occulta, a nonswimming species. We found that spatial patterns of MG neuron regulators in this species are conserved, compared with species with swimming larvae, suggesting that the gene networks regulating their expression are intact despite the loss of swimming. However, expression of the key motor neuron regulatory gene Ebf (Collier/Olf/EBF) was reduced in the developing MG of M. occulta when compared with molgulid species with swimming larvae. This was corroborated by measuring allele‐specific expression of Ebf in hybrid embryos from crosses of M. occulta with the swimming species M. oculata. Heterologous reporter construct assays in the model tunicate species Ciona robusta revealed a specific cis‐regulatory sequence change that reduces expression of Ebf in the MG, but not in other cells. Taken together, these data suggest that MG neurons are still specified in M. occulta larvae, but their differentiation might be impaired due to reduction of Ebf expression levels.
Different Breast Cancer Subtypes Show Different Metastatic Patterns: A Study from A Large Public Database

Background: Receptor status in breast cancer is known to be related to survival. However, the relationship between breast cancer subtype, preferential sites of metastasis, and overall survival is not clear. Methods: A total of 414,528 patients from the National Cancer Database (2010-2013) were examined. All patients received surgery and systemic treatments. Breast cancer was subtyped based on hormonal receptor (HR) and HER2 status. Results: HR-/HER2+ breast cancer patients had the highest overall rate of metastasis while HR+/HER2- had the lowest. HR+/HER2+ cancer had the most frequent metastasis to the bone, and HR-/HER2+ to brain, liver, lung and multiple sites. Generally, patients with brain or multiple metastasis had the worst overall survival (OS) across different subtypes. Patients with bone oligometastasis tend to have better OS than patients with metastasis to other site but significantly worse OS than patients without any metastasis. Conclusions: This large study exhibits how breast cancer subtype plays a role in the rate and site of metastasis as well as in overall survival. Surveillance and treatment strategies should be tailored on the risk and potential site of metastases based upon receptor subtype.
Dependence of radiomic features on pixel size affects the diagnostic performance of radiomic signature for the invasiveness of pulmonary ground-glass nodule.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of reducing pixel size on the consistency of radiomic features and the diagnostic performance of the downstream radiomic signatures for the invasiveness for pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) on CTs. METHODS We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 182 patients with GGNs on high resolution CT (HRCT). The CT images of different pixel sizes (0.8mm, 0.4mm, 0.18 mm) were obtained by reconstructing the single HRCT scan using three combinations of field of view and matrix size. For each pixel size setting, radiomic features were extracted for all GGNs and radiomic signatures for the invasiveness of GGNs were built through two modeling pipelines for comparison. RESULTS The study finally extracted 788 radiomic features. 87% radiomic features demonstrated inter pixel size variation. By either modeling pipeline, the radiomic signature under small pixel size performed significantly better than those under middle or large pixel sizes in predicting the invasiveness of GGNs (p's value <0.05 by Delong test). With the independent modeling pipeline, the three pixel size bounded radiomic signatures shared almost no common features. CONCLUSIONS Reducing pixel size could cause inconsistency in most radiomic features and improve the diagnostic performance of the downstream radiomic signatures. Particularly, super HRCTs with small pixel size resulted in more accurate radiomic signatures for the invasiveness of GGNs. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The dependence of radiomic features on pixel size will affect the performance of the downstream radiomic signatures. The future radiomic studies should consider this effect of pixel size.
Effects of dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an analysis of DAPA‐HF

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important comorbidity in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), associated with worse outcomes and often suboptimal treatment because of under‐prescription of beta‐blockers. Consequently, additional effective therapies are especially relevant in patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes related to COPD in a post hoc analysis of the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse‐outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA‐HF) trial.
Phytochemicals from the Leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus and their 11β‐HSD1 Enzyme Inhibitory Effects

Two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, 3β‐(α‐l‐arabinopyranosyloxy)‐24,25‐dihydroxydammar‐20‐en‐12α‐yl 6‐deoxy‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (1) and (24R)‐3β‐[(4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐l‐arabinopyranosyl)oxy]‐25‐hydroxy‐20,24‐epoxydammaran‐12β‐yl 6‐deoxy‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (2), and fourteen known triterpenoids were isolated from the 70 % MeOH extract of the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus. Their structures were established based on analyses of spectroscopic data. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory activities against the 11β‐HSD1 enzyme. Hederagenin (13) exhibited moderate inhibitory effect for mouse 11β‐HSD1 with an IC50 value of 0.16±0.04 μM.
Generation and basic characterization of a gene‐trap knockout mouse model of Scn2a with a substantial reduction of voltage‐gated sodium channel Nav1.2 expression

Large‐scale genetic studies revealed SCN2A as one of the most frequently mutated genes in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. SCN2A encodes for the voltage‐gated sodium channel isoform 1.2 (Nav1.2) expressed in the neurons of the central nervous system. Homozygous knockout (null) of Scn2a in mice is perinatal lethal, whereas heterozygous knockout of Scn2a (Scn2a+/−) results in mild behavior abnormalities. The Nav1.2 expression level in Scn2a+/− mice is reported to be around 50–60% of the wild‐type (WT) level, which indicates that a close to 50% reduction of Nav1.2 expression may not be sufficient to lead to major behavioral phenotypes in mice. To overcome this barrier, we characterized a novel mouse model of severe Scn2a deficiency using a targeted gene‐trap knockout (gtKO) strategy. This approach produces viable homozygous mice (Scn2agtKO/gtKO) that can survive to adulthood, with about a quarter of Nav1.2 expression compared to WT mice. Innate behaviors like nesting and mating were profoundly disrupted in Scn2agtKO/gtKO mice. Notably, Scn2agtKO/gtKO mice have a significantly decreased center duration compared to WT in the open field test, suggesting anxiety‐like behaviors in a novel, open space. These mice also have decreased thermal and cold tolerance. Additionally, Scn2agtKO/gtKO mice have increased fix‐pattern exploration in the novel object exploration test and a slight increase in grooming, indicating a detectable level of repetitive behaviors. They bury little to no marbles and have decreased interaction with novel objects. These Scn2a gene‐trap knockout mice thus provide a unique model to study pathophysiology associated with severe Scn2a deficiency.
The scope and nature of prolonged social withdrawal in Israel: An initial quantitative and qualitative investigation

Objective: Over the past few decades, prolonged social withdrawal (PSW) among young people has been recognized in several countries. Most research has been quantitative and focused on the characteristics of PSW individuals and their families. Little attention has been given to the valuable perspective of professionals providing service to this population. The purpose of the present study is to identify the characteristics of PSW in Israel, where this phenomenon has not been researched yet. For this initial investigation, the study will utilize a combination of quantitative self-report data from parents of PSW individuals, as well as qualitative data gathered from interviews with mental health professionals who work with this population. Methods: Quantitative data were derived from records of referrals by parents of 121 PSW individuals, and later categorized into apparent characteristics of PSW. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 19 professionals experienced in treating PSW, and later analyzed in a thematic analysis process. Results: Findings from the quantitative data revealed a majority of males (70%) with an average age of 24.2, with previously diagnosed psychiatric conditions (64%). Findings from the qualitative data exposed frequently reported characteristics of PSW individuals and their families, out of which five themes emerged: Family Dynamics, Psychological Characteristics, Typical Behaviors, Past Difficulties, and Present Challenges. Conclusion: This study is the first to identify and report characteristics of PSW in Israel, which are consistent with previous research reported in other countries. The study is highlighting familial characteristics as well as individual ones, while also considering the broader socio-cultural context. These findings draw attention to the importance of notifying the general public, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers in Israel and beyond to the concerning problem of PSW, while contributing to the efforts to develop a map of this barely explored territory.
Evaluation of 3 refractometers to determine transfer of passive immunity in neonatal beef calves.

BACKGROUND Refractometry is used to assess transfer of passive immunity (TPI), but studies evaluating different refractometers and appropriate thresholds for recommended target immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations for beef calves are limited. OBJECTIVES To evaluate test performance of digital (DSTP) and optical (OSTP) serum total protein (STP) refractometers and a digital Brix (DBRIX) refractometer for assessment of passive immunity in beef calves. ANIMALS A total of 398 beef calves from 6 herds, 1 to 7 days of age. METHODS Serum IgG concentration was estimated by DSTP, OSTP, and DBRIX, and measured by radial immunodiffusion (RID). Correlation coefficients (r) among results were calculated. Optimal STP and Brix thresholds for identification of IgG <10, <16, and <24 g/L were determined using interval likelihood ratios. Refractometer performance and agreement were assessed using areas under the curve (AUC), diagnostic test characteristics, Cohen's kappa (κ), and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS Refractometer results were highly correlated with RID (r = 0.82-0.91) and with each other (r = 0.91-0.95), and overall test performance was excellent (AUC = 0.93-0.99). The STP concentrations of ≤5.1, ≤5.1, and ≤5.7 g/dL and Brix percentages of ≤7.9%, ≤8.3%, and ≤8.7% indicated IgG concentrations <10, <16, and <24 g/L, respectively. Agreement of refractometers with RID was variable (κ = 0.46-0.80) and among refractometers was substantial (κ = 0.62-0.89). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE All refractometers showed good utility as monitoring tools for assessment of TPI in beef calves.
India Hypertension Control Initiative—Hypertension treatment and blood pressure control in a cohort in 24 sentinel site clinics

The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is a multi‐partner initiative, implementing and scaling up a public health hypertension control program across India. A cohort of 21,895 adult hypertension patients in 24 IHCI sentinel site facilities in four Indian states (Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana), registered from January 2018 until June 2019 were assessed at baseline and then followed up for blood pressure (BP) control and antihypertensive medication use. Among all registrations, 11 274 (51%) of the patients returned for a follow‐up visit between July 2019 and September 2019. Among patients returning for follow‐up, 26.3% had BP controlled at registration, and 59.8% had BP controlled at follow‐up (p < .001). The absolute improvement in BP control was more than two times greater in primary care (48.1 percentage point increase) than secondary care facilities (22.9 percentage point increase). Most IHCI patients received prescriptions according to state‐specific treatment protocols. This study demonstrates that a scalable public health hypertension control program can yield substantial BP control improvements, especially in primary care settings. However, high loss to follow‐up limits population health impact; future efforts should focus on improving systems to increase the likelihood that patients will return to the clinic for routine hypertension care.
A survey of the use of music by hospice chaplains: a call for collaboration

Abstract Music is an integral tool in creating sacred space, and research indicates the potential for music to advance spiritual goals. However, little evidence exists on the use of music by hospice chaplains. In an online survey, 313 hospice chaplains were asked about their work including their use of music and perception of the effectiveness of music in meeting spiritual goals. Most respondents named supporting those actively dying and providing compassionate presence as a top reason for referral. Many used prayer and life review to meet spiritual goals. Participants reported playing recorded religious music (66.54%) or singing religious music (61.54%) with their patients and only 8.08% never use music. Collaboration with board-certified music therapists to use music to support actively dying patients and prompt life review is encouraged. Seminary and CPE educators are urged to incorporate the use of music into their curricula.
Intraoperative assembly of anatomical shoulder prosthesis frequently results in malalignment of the modular taper junction

Anatomical shoulder arthroplasties (ASA) may fail because of micromotion at the modular taper junction causing wear due to fretting. Sufficient taper strength can reduce micromotion and potential reasons for failure. However, there are no normative standards for a safe assembly process performed intraoperatively by the surgeon. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of common intraoperative assembly strategies and to identify critical influencing factors on taper stability. ASA with standard and stemless humeral component in combination with concentric Al2O3 heads and eccentric CoCr28Mo6 alloyed humeral heads were tested. Taper angles and surface roughness were determined. Force magnitudes and impact directions were recorded using a sensorized head impactor and a three‐dimensional force measuring platform. Subsequently, the axial pull‐off forces were measured and taper engagement areas were macroscopically evaluated. In comparison to standard stem tapers that were impacted with an assembly device, stemless tapers were impacted into the artificial bone with significantly lower forces. Taper strength correlates to maximum impact force and was higher for CoCr28Mo6 heads with a mean pull‐off ratio of 0.56 than for Al2O3 heads with 0.37. Interestingly, all tapers showed an asymmetric clamping behavior, due to tilting during impaction. This is caused by the variation of the resulting force vector and further promoted by humeral head eccentricity. Assembly technique markedly influences the force magnitude, impact direction, impulse, and consequently taper strength. The resulting force vector and head eccentricity were identified as potential risk factors for taper malalignment.
Fluorescent indolizine derivative YI-13 detects amyloid-β monomers, dimers, and plaques in the brain of 5XFAD Alzheimer transgenic mouse model

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aberrant production and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Accumulated Aβ in soluble oligomer and insoluble plaque forms are considered to be a pathological culprit and biomarker of the disorder. Here, we report a fluorescent universal Aβ-indicator YI-13, 5-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-7,8-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-9(6H)-one, which detects Aβ monomers, dimers, and plaques. We synthesized a library of 26 fluorescence chemicals with the indolizine core and screen them through a series of in vitro tests utilizing Aβ as a target and YI-13 was selected as the final imaging candidate. YI-13 was found to stain and visualize insoluble Aβ plaques in the brain tissue, of a transgenic mouse model with five familial AD mutations (5XFAD), by a histochemical approach and to label soluble Aβ oligomers within brain lysates of the mouse model under a fluorescence plate reader. Among oligomers aggregated from monomers and synthetic dimers from chemically conjugated monomers, YI-13 preferred the dimeric Aβ.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Observational Study

Background Eliminating disparities in the burden of COVID-19 requires equitable access to control measures across socio-economic groups. Limited research on socio-economic differences in mobility hampers our ability to understand whether inequalities in social distancing are occurring during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objective We aimed to assess how mobility patterns have varied across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associations with socioeconomic factors of populations. Methods We used anonymized mobility data from tens of millions of devices to measure the speed and depth of social distancing at the county level in the United States between February and May 2020, the period during which social distancing was widespread in this country. Using linear mixed models, we assessed the associations between social distancing and socioeconomic variables, including the proportion of people in the population below the poverty level, the proportion of Black people, the proportion of essential workers, and the population density. Results We found that the speed, depth, and duration of social distancing in the United States are heterogeneous. We particularly show that social distancing is slower and less intense in counties with higher proportions of people below the poverty level and essential workers; in contrast, we show that social distancing is intensely adopted in counties with higher population densities and larger Black populations. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequalities appear to be associated with the levels of adoption of social distancing, potentially resulting in wide-ranging differences in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across the United States. These inequalities are likely to amplify existing health disparities and must be addressed to ensure the success of ongoing pandemic mitigation efforts.
A randomized Phase II trial evaluating efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral BI 409306 in attenuated psychosis syndrome: Design and rationale

Attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS), a condition for further study in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐5, comprises psychotic symptoms that are qualitatively similar to those observed in schizophrenia but are less severe. Patients with APS are at high risk of converting to first‐episode psychosis (FEP). As evidence for effective pharmacological interventions in APS is limited, novel treatments may provide symptomatic relief and delay/prevent psychotic conversion. This trial aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BI 409306, a potent and selective phosphodiesterase‐9 inhibitor, versus placebo in APS. Novel biomarkers of psychosis are being investigated.
Oxidative stress links periodontal inflammation and renal function

Abstract Aims Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are also susceptible to periodontitis. The causal link between periodontitis and CKD may be mediated via systemic inflammation/oxidative stress. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), this cross‐sectional study aimed to explore the causal relationship between periodontal inflammation (PI) and renal function. Materials and methods Baseline data on 770 patients with stage 3–5 (pre‐dialysis) CKD from an ongoing cohort study were used. Detailed, bioclinical data on PI and renal function, as well as potential confounders and mediators of the relationship between the two, were collected. SEMs of increasing complexity were created to test the causal assumption that PI affects renal function and vice versa. Results Structural equation modelling confirmed the assumption that PI and renal function are causally linked, mediated by systemic oxidative stress. The magnitude of this effect was such that a 10% increase in PI resulted in a 3.0% decrease in renal function and a 10% decrease in renal function resulted in a 25% increase in PI. Conclusions Periodontal inflammation represents an occult source of oxidative stress in patients with CKD. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm whether periodontal therapy, as a non‐pharmacological approach to reducing systemic inflammatory/oxidative stress burden, can improve outcomes in CKD.