Investor Attitudes, Investment Screen Use, and Socially Responsible Investment Behavior

There is an increasing demand for socially responsible investment (SRI), and SRI screens are an important source of information for investors. Yet, little is known about the relationship between investors’ attitudes, use of SRI screens, and actual SRI behavior. To examine this relationship, we gathered data on investors’ environmental attitudes, use of SRI screens, and SRI behavior. We find that four out of five components of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, a measure of basic environmental attitudes, are associated with specific attitudes towards environmentally responsible investment. These specific attitudes in turn are positively associated with SRI screen use, and SRI screen use is positively associated with the percentage of investors’ portfolio held in SRIs. There is also a significant direct relationship between specific environmentally responsible investment attitudes and SRI holdings. Our results suggest that there are complex, multi-dimensional relationships between investor attitudes, SRI screen use, and investment behavior

Effect of mattress deflection on CPR quality assessment for older children and adolescents

Appropriate chest compression (CC) depth is associated with improved CPR outcome. CCs provided in hospital are often conducted on a compliant mattress. The objective was to quantify the effect of mattress compression on the assessment of CPR quality in children. Methods: A force and deflection sensor (FDS) was used during CPR in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department of a children's hospital. The sensor was interposed between the chest of the patient and hands of the rescuer and measured CC depth. Following CPR event, each event was reconstructed with a manikin and an identical mattress/backboard/patient configuration. CCs were performed using FDS on the sternum and a reference accelerometer attached to the spine of the manikin, providing a means to Calculate the mattress deflection. Results: Twelve CPR events with 14,487 CC (11 patients, median age 14.9 years) were recorded and reconstructed: 9 on ICU beds (9296 CC), 3 on stretchers (5191 CC). Measured mean CC depth during CPR was 47 +/- 8 mm on ICU beds, and 45 +/- 7 mm on stretcher beds with overestimation of 13 +/- 4 mm and 4 +/- 1 mm, respectively, due to mattress compression. After adjusting for this, the proportion of CC that met the CPR guidelines decreased from 88.4 to 31.8% on ICU beds (p < 0.001), and 86.3 to 64.7% on stretcher (p < 0.001 The proportion of appropriate depth CC was significantly smaller on ICU beds (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CC conducted on a non-rigid surface may not be deep enough. FDS may overestimate CC depth by 28% on ICU beds, and 10% on stretcher beds

Do environmental responsibility views influence investors’ use of environmental performance and assurance information?

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate whether investor views regarding the benefits of corporate environmental responsibility moderate the influence of environmental performance and assurance information on their judgments. Specifically, the authors examine the effects of two broad views: environmental responsibility is more important than financial performance, regardless of investment returns (i.e. environmental responsibility importance) and positive environmental performance will increase investment returns (i.e. environmental performance return). Design/methodology/approach – Nonprofessional investors completed an online study where environmental performance (high or low) and assurance on environmental performance information (present or absent) were varied. Participants’ corporate environmental responsibility views were assessed using a series of questions adapted from Cheah et al.’s (2011) study. Findings – Environmental performance and assurance information had a greater influence on the investment judgments of investors with strong environmental responsibility views. In contrast, participants’ environmental performance return views did not moderate the influence of environmental performance and assurance information on their judgments. Supplemental analysis indicates that these contrasting results are due to the fact that the two investor views have differing influences on the relative importance that investors place on financial vs environmental performance information. Research limitations/implications – This study presented participants with summarized financial and environmental performance information to maintain scale compatibility between financial and environmental measures. However, the information was presented in a format similar to those used by online brokerages. Practical implications – This study suggests that financial statement preparers should consider investors’ views regarding the importance and value of environmental performance information when making decisions to disclose and obtain assurance on this information. Social implications – Standard setters should consider individual differences among investors when developing guidance regarding the disclosure and assurance of environmental performance information. Originality/value – There is limited prior research which examines how investors’ views of the importance of environmental performance information may influence investment judgments. This research indicates that the strength of investors’ environmental responsibility importance moderates the previously reported influence of environmental performance and assurance information on investment judgments

Extracting Gene Networks for Low-Dose Radiation Using Graph Theoretical Algorithms

Genes with common functions often exhibit correlated expression levels, which can be used to identify sets of interacting genes from microarray data. Microarrays typically measure expression across genomic space, creating a massive matrix of co-expression that must be mined to extract only the most relevant gene interactions. We describe a graph theoretical approach to extracting co-expressed sets of genes, based on the computation of cliques. Unlike the results of traditional clustering algorithms, cliques are not disjoint and allow genes to be assigned to multiple sets of interacting partners, consistent with biological reality. A graph is created by thresholding the correlation matrix to include only the correlations most likely to signify functional relationships. Cliques computed from the graph correspond to sets of genes for which significant edges are present between all members of the set, representing potential members of common or interacting pathways. Clique membership can be used to infer function about poorly annotated genes, based on the known functions of better-annotated genes with which they share clique membership (i.e., “guilt-by-association”). We illustrate our method by applying it to microarray data collected from the spleens of mice exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation. Differential analysis is used to identify sets of genes whose interactions are impacted by radiation exposure. The correlation graph is also queried independently of clique to extract edges that are impacted by radiation. We present several examples of multiple gene interactions that are altered by radiation exposure and thus represent potential molecular pathways that mediate the radiation response

Conservation Status of the Plains Spotted Skunk, Spilogale putorius interrupta, in Texas, with an Assessment of Genetic Variability in the Species

Robert C. Dowler, Department of Biology at Angelo State University is the corresponding author, robert dot dowler at angelo dot eduIn this report, we present results of research on the conservation status of the plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) in Texas and an assessment of the genetic variability in populations throughout the range of the species. The conservation status portion of the study included (1) mapping the species’ potential habitat in Texas using maximum entropy modeling (Maxent) with historic museum specimen records, (2) field-based surveying of locations in 10 counties to determine occurrence of the plains spotted skunk, (3) seeking additional occurrence records in Texas through crowd sourcing and citizen scientist approaches (4) using all current (2001 – 2017) occurrences to produce a model of probable geographic distribution in Texas and (5) assessing anthropogenic changes in land use, which may threaten the species’ habitats, by mapping current and forecasted oil and gas development and urbanization within the species’ modeled range. The species distribution model, combined with the land-change assessment, was used to select sites in 10 representative counties for field-based surveys in the hopes of revealing patterns of current distribution. Field surveys were carried out using live traps, enclosed track plates, and camera traps. These methods documented detections of plains spotted skunks (n = 12) in 4 of the 10 sites sampled. All methods of detection were successful, but cameras and live traps out-performed track plates. Crowd-sourced approaches and citizen scientist camera trapping revealed an additional 82 occurrences in the state, 79 of which were since 2009. These recent records were used to produce a species distribution model that provides relative probability of occurrence for the plains spotted skunk in the state. Our land-change mapping revealed potential anthropogenic threats to habitats at 2 of the sites (Katy Prairie and Fort Hood), which also had robust populations of plains spotted skunks based on 25 and 51detections, respectively). For our genetic assessment, samples of tissue from three sources (i.e., field surveys, state agencies throughout the distribution of the eastern spotted skunk, and museum tissue collections) allowed a detailed assessment of the genetic variability in the species (S. putorius) using both microsatellite markers and cytochrome b gene sequence. Our analysis of 119 specimens was able to establish that genetic patterns were consistent with currently accepted taxonomy of the 3 recognized subspecies of S. putorius (S. p. putorius, S. p. ambarvalis, and S. p. interrupta). We also determined that there was no evidence for hybridization with the congener, S. gracilis (western spotted skunk), a species co-occurring with the eastern spotted skunk in parts of Texas. The differentiation between S. p. putorius and S. p. ambarvalis was less pronounced (FST = 0.178; cytochrome b sequence divergence = 1.2%) than between these subspecies and the plains spotted skunk (average FST = 0.278; cytochrome b sequence divergence = 2.9%). Overall, genetic variability (observed heterozygosity = 0.474) in the plains spotted skunk was lower than that seen in common carnivores (striped skunks, raccoons), but slightly higher than some endangered carnivores (black-footed ferret). The heterozygosity levels more closely resemble the levels found within the island spotted skunk (S. gracilis amphiala) from the Channel Islands of California and other vertebrates that have a “threatened” conservation status. Key findings of the study include: 1) the current geographic distribution of the plains spotted skunk in Texas is reduced relative to historic records; 2) the species distribution model based on recorded occurrences since 2001 suggests areas of the state that are in need of further survey efforts; 3) genetic variability of plains spotted skunks is lower than more common carnivores, but higher than some recognized endangered species; 4) the subspecies, S. p. interrupta is a distinct genetic subunit of the eastern spotted skunk; and 5) continued energy development and especially future urbanization in some parts of Texas may affect populations of the plains spotted skunk.Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsBureau of Economic Geolog

Repair of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in COVID-19 by Stromal Cells (REALIST-COVID Trial):A Multicentre, Randomised, Controlled Trial

RationaleMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may modulate inflammation, promoting repair in COVID-19-related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).ObjectivesWe investigated safety and efficacy of ORBCEL-C (CD362-enriched, umbilical cord-derived MSCs) in COVID-related ARDS.MethodsThis multicentre, randomised, double-blind, allocation concealed, placebo-controlled trial (NCT03042143) randomised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-related ARDS to receive ORBCEL-C (400million cells) or placebo (Plasma-Lyte148).MeasurementsThe primary safety and efficacy outcomes were incidence of serious adverse events and oxygenation index at day 7 respectively. Secondary outcomes included respiratory compliance, driving pressure, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and SOFA score. Clinical outcomes relating to duration of ventilation, length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, and mortality were collected. Long-term follow up included diagnosis of interstitial lung disease at 1 year, and significant medical events and mortality at 2 years. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on whole blood at day 0, 4 and 7.Main results60 participants were recruited (final analysis n=30 ORBCEL-C, n=29 placebo: 1 in placebo group withdrew consent). 6 serious adverse events occurred in the ORBCEL-C and 3 in the placebo group, RR 2.9(0.6-13.2)p=0.25. Day 7 mean[SD] oxygenation index did not differ (ORBCEL-C 98.357.2], placebo 96.667.3). There were no differences in secondary surrogate outcomes, nor mortality at day 28, day 90, 1 or 2 years. There was no difference in prevalence of interstitial lung disease at 1year nor significant medical events up to 2 years. ORBCEL-C modulated the peripheral blood transcriptome.ConclusionORBCEL-C MSCs were safe in moderate-to-severe COVID-related ARDS, but did not improve surrogates of pulmonary organ dysfunction. Clinical trial registration available at www.Clinicaltrialsgov, ID: NCT03042143. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Successional Change in Phosphorus Stoichiometry Explains the Inverse Relationship between Herbivory and Lupin Density on Mount St. Helens

The average nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (N?P) of insect herbivores is less than that of leaves, suggesting that P may mediate plant-insect interactions more often than appreciated. We investigated whether succession-related heterogeneity in N and P stoichiometry influences herbivore performance on N-fixing lupin (Lupinus lepidus) colonizing primary successional volcanic surfaces, where the abundances of several specialist lepidopteran herbivores are inversely related to lupin density and are known to alter lupin colonization dynamics. We examined larval performance in response to leaf nutritional characteristics using gelechiid and pyralid leaf-tiers, and a noctuid leaf-cutter.Apple JL, Wink M, Wills SE, Bishop JG (2009) Successional Change in Phosphorus Stoichiometry Explains the Inverse Relationship between Herbivory and Lupin Density on Mount St. Helens. PLoS ONE 4(11): e7807. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.000780

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Small molecule binding sites on the Ras:SOS complex can be exploited for inhibition of Ras activation.

Constitutively active mutant KRas displays a reduced rate of GTP hydrolysis via both intrinsic and GTPase-activating protein-catalyzed mechanisms, resulting in the perpetual activation of Ras pathways. We describe a fragment screening campaign using X-ray crystallography that led to the discovery of three fragment binding sites on the Ras:SOS complex. The identification of tool compounds binding at each of these sites allowed exploration of two new approaches to Ras pathway inhibition by stabilizing or covalently modifying the Ras:SOS complex to prevent the reloading of Ras with GTP. Initially, we identified ligands that bound reversibly to the Ras:SOS complex in two distinct sites, but these compounds were not sufficiently potent inhibitors to validate our stabilization hypothesis. We conclude by demonstrating that covalent modification of Cys118 on Ras leads to a novel mechanism of inhibition of the SOS-mediated interaction between Ras and Raf and is effective at inhibiting the exchange of labeled GDP in both mutant (G12C and G12V) and wild type Ras