Individual investor trading results in systematic and economically large losses. Using a complete trading history of all investors in Taiwan, we document that the aggregate portfolio of individuals ...suffers an annual performance penalty of 3.8 percentage points. Individual investor losses are equivalent to 2.2% of Taiwan's gross domestic product or 2.8% of the total personal income. Virtually all individual trading losses can be traced to their aggressive orders. In contrast, institutions enjoy an annual performance boost of 1.5 percentage points, and both the aggressive and passive trades of institutions are profitable. Foreign institutions garner nearly half of institutional profits.
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a high-grade NSCLC characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Development of targeted therapeutic strategies for PSC has been hampered ...because of limited and inconsistent molecular characterization.
Hybrid capture–based comprehensive genomic profiling was performed on DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of 15,867 NSCLCs, including 125 PSCs (0.8%). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated from 1.11 megabases (Mb) of sequenced DNA.
The median age of the patients with PSC was 67 years (range 32–87), 58% were male, and 78% had stage IV disease. Tumor protein p53 gene (TP53) genomic alterations (GAs) were identified in 74% of cases, which had genomics distinct from TP53 wild-type cases, and 62% featured a GA in KRAS (34%) or one of seven genes currently recommended for testing in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network NSCLC guidelines, including the following: hepatocyte growth factor receptor gene (MET) (13.6%), EGFR (8.8%), BRAF (7.2%), erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 gene (HER2) (1.6%), and ret proto-oncogene (RET) (0.8%). MET exon 14 alterations were enriched in PSC (12%) compared with non-PSC NSCLCs (∼3%) (p < 0.0001) and were more prevalent in PSC cases with an adenocarcinoma component. The fraction of PSC with a high TMB (>20 mutations per Mb) was notably higher than in non-PSC NSCLC (20% versus 14%, p = 0.056). Of nine patients with PSC treated with targeted or immunotherapies, three had partial responses and three had stable disease.
Potentially targetable GAs in National Comprehensive Cancer Network NSCLC genes (30%) or intermediate or high TMB (43%, >10 mutations per Mb) were identified in most of the PSC cases. Thus, the use of comprehensive genomic profiling in clinical care may provide important treatment options for a historically poorly characterized and difficult to treat disease.
The Gram-negative bacterium
adapts to changes in the environment by selectively producing the necessary machinery to take up and metabolize available carbohydrates. The import of fructose by the ...fructose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) phosphotransferase system (PTS) is of particular interest because of its putative connection to cholera pathogenesis and persistence. Here, we describe the expression and regulation of
, which encodes an EIIA-FPr fusion protein as part of the fructose-specific PTS in
Using a series of transcriptional reporter fusions and additional biochemical and genetic assays, we identified Cra (catabolite repressor/activator) and cAMP receptor protein (CRP) as regulators of
expression and determined that this regulation is dependent upon the presence or absence of PTS sugars. Cra functions as a repressor, downregulating
expression in the absence of fructose when components of PTS
are not needed. CRP functions as an activator of
expression. We also report that Cra and CRP can affect
expression independently; however, CRP can modulate
expression in the presence of fructose and glucose. Evidence from this work provides the foundation for continued investigations into PTS
and its relationship to the
life cycle.
is the causative agent of cholera disease. While current treatments of care are accessible, we still lack an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that allow
to survive in both aquatic reservoirs and the human small intestine, where pathogenesis occurs. Central to
's survival is its ability to use available carbon sources. Here, we investigate the regulation of
, which encodes a protein central to the import and metabolism of fructose. We show that
expression is controlled by the transcriptional regulators Cra and CRP. This work contributes toward a clearer understanding of how carbon source availability impacts the physiology and, potentially, the persistence of the pathogen.
Disaster warning and surveillance systems have been widely applied to help the public be aware of an emergency. However, existing warning systems are unable to cooperate with household appliances or ...embedded controllers; that is, they cannot provide enough time for preparedness and evacuation, especially for disasters like earthquakes. In addition, the existing warning and surveillance systems are not responsible for collecting sufficient information inside a building for relief workers to conduct a proper rescue action after a disaster happens. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a proof of concept prototype, named the active disaster response system (ADRS), which automatically performs emergency tasks when an earthquake happens. ADRS can interpret Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) messages, published by an official agency, and actuate embedded controllers to perform emergency tasks to respond to the alerts. Examples of emergency tasks include opening doors and windows and cutting off power lines and gas valves. In addition, ADRS can maintain a temporary network by utilizing the embedded controllers; hence, victims trapped inside a building are still able to post emergency messages if the original network is disconnected. We conducted a field trial to evaluate the effectiveness of ADRS after an earthquake happened. Our results show that compared to manually operating emergency tasks, ADRS can reduce the operation time by up to 15 s, which is long enough for people to get under sturdy furniture, or to evacuate from the third floor to the first floor, or to run more than 100 m.
Purpose Bladder cancer presents as a spectrum of different diatheses. Accurate assessment for individualized treatment depends on initial diagnostic accuracy. Detection relies on white light ...cystoscopy accuracy and comprehensiveness. Aside from invasiveness and potential risks, white light cystoscopy shortcomings include difficult flat lesion detection, precise tumor delineation to enable complete resection, inflammation and malignancy differentiation, and grade and stage determination. Each shortcoming depends on surgeon ability and experience with the technology available for visualization and resection. Fluorescence cystoscopy/photodynamic diagnosis, narrow band imaging, confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography address the limitations and have in vivo feasibility. They detect suspicious lesions (photodynamic diagnosis and narrow band imaging) and further characterize lesions (optical coherence tomography and confocal laser endomicroscopy). We analyzed the added value of each technology beyond white light cystoscopy and evaluated their maturity to alter the cancer course. Materials and Methods Detailed PubMed® searches were done using the terms “fluorescence cystoscopy,” “photodynamic diagnosis,” “narrow band imaging,” “optical coherence tomography” and “confocal laser endomicroscopy” with “optical imaging,” “bladder cancer” and “urothelial carcinoma.” Diagnostic accuracy reports and all prospective studies were selected for analysis. We explored technological principles, preclinical and clinical evidence supporting nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer detection and characterization, and whether improved sensitivity vs specificity translates into improved correlation of diagnostic accuracy with recurrence and progression. Emerging preclinical technologies with potential application were reviewed. Results Photodynamic diagnosis and narrow band imaging improve nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer detection, including carcinoma in situ. Photodynamic diagnosis identifies more papillary lesions than white light cystoscopy, enabling more complete resection and fewer residual tumors. Despite improved treatment current data on photodynamic diagnosis do not support improved high risk diathetic detection and characterization or correlation with disease progression. Prospective recurrence data are lacking on narrow band imaging. Confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography potentially grade and stage lesions but data are lacking on diagnostic accuracy. Several emerging preclinical technologies may enhance the diagnostic capability of endoscopic imaging. Conclusions New optical imaging technologies may improve bladder cancer detection and characterization, and transurethral resection quality. While data on photodynamic diagnosis are strongest, the clinical effectiveness of these technologies is not proven. Prospective studies are needed, particularly of narrow band imaging, confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography. As each technology matures and new ones emerge, cost-effectiveness analysis must be addressed in the context of the various bladder cancer types.
China is a key region for understanding fire activity and the drivers of its variability under strict fire suppression policies. Here, we present a detailed fire occurrence dataset for China, the ...Wildfire Atlas of China (WFAC; 2005-2018), based on continuous monitoring from multiple satellites and calibrated against field observations. We find that wildfires across China mostly occur in the winter season from January to April and those fire occurrences generally show a decreasing trend after reaching a peak in 2007. Most wildfires (84%) occur in subtropical China, with two distinct clusters in its southwestern and southeastern parts. In southeastern China, wildfires are mainly promoted by low precipitation and high diurnal temperature ranges, the combination of which dries out plant tissue and fuel. In southwestern China, wildfires are mainly promoted by warm conditions that enhance evaporation from litter and dormant plant tissues. We further find a fire occurrence dipole between southwestern and southeastern China that is modulated by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Observational data indicate increasing trends of surface ozone (O3) in China, despite emission controls that have resulted in reductions of precursor emissions. Here, we explore the cause of this ...contradiction, through analysis of surface observations (2014–2019) in China and historical observation record in the United States (US, 1990–2019). Our observation‐based analysis indicates that the reductions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions led to increase of surface O3 in North China Plain (NCP) and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) of around 8 ppb. However, NOx controls resulted in shift of O3 chemical regimes over NCP and YRD, with turning points between NOx‐ and volatile organic compound (VOC)‐limited regimes around 2019, while model simulations suggest transitional or NOx‐limited regimes over the rest of China. The impacts of high fine particles (PM2.5) on O3 formation has declined because of the reduction of PM2.5 concentrations. Stricter NOx controls can mitigate O3 pollutions over industrialized areas in China.
Plain Language Summary
Ozone (O3) in surface air is an important pollutant with adverse effects on human health and vegetation growth. Here, we explore the sustainable pathway to control O3 pollution in China through analysis of observations in China (2014–2019) and the United States (US, 1990–2019). We find that the reductions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions have led to increase of surface O3 in North China Plain (NCP) and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) by about 8 ppb. However, the severe O3 pollution in China can be mitigated because NOx controls led to the shift of O3 chemical regimes over NCP and YRD to transitional regime around 2019. In addition, the impacts of high fine particles (PM2.5) on O3 formation has declined because of the reduction of PM2.5 concentrations.
Key Points
Reductions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) led to increase of surface ozone (O3) in North China Plain and Yangtze River Delta
Shift of O3 chemical regimes with turning points between NOx‐ and volatile organic compound‐limited regimes around 2019
The impacts of high fine particles (PM2.5) on O3 formation has declined with reduction of PM2.5 concentrations
Events of stratospheric intrusions to the surface (SITS) can lead to severe ozone (O
) pollution. Still, to what extent SITS events impact surface O
on a national scale over years remains a ...long-lasting question, mainly due to difficulty of resolving three key SITS metrics: frequency, duration and intensity. Here, we identify 27,616 SITS events over China during 2015-2022 based on spatiotemporally dense surface measurements of O
and carbon monoxide, two effective indicators of SITS. An overview of the three metrics is presented, illustrating large influences of SITS on surface O
in China. We find that SITS events occur preferentially in high-elevation regions, while those in plain regions are more intense. SITS enhances surface O
by 20 ppbv on average, contributing to 30-45% of O
during SITS periods. Nationally, SITS-induced O
peaks in spring and autumn, while over 70% of SITS events during the warm months exacerbate O
pollution. Over 2015-2022, SITS-induced O
shows a declining trend. Our observation-based results can have implications for O
mitigation policies in short and long terms.
Sunlit and shaded leaf separation proposed by Norman (1982) is an effective way to upscale from leaf to canopy in modeling vegetation photosynthesis. The Boreal Ecosystem Productivity Simulator ...(BEPS) makes use of this methodology, and has been shown to be reliable in modeling the gross primary productivity (GPP) derived from CO2flux and tree ring measurements. In this study, we use BEPS to investigate the effect of canopy architecture on the global distribution of GPP. For this purpose, we use not only leaf area index (LAI) but also the first ever global map of the foliage clumping index derived from the multiangle satellite sensor POLDER at 6 km resolution. The clumping index, which characterizes the degree of the deviation of 3‐dimensional leaf spatial distributions from the random case, is used to separate sunlit and shaded LAI values for a given LAI. Our model results show that global GPP in 2003 was 132 ± 22 Pg C. Relative to this baseline case, our results also show: (1) global GPP is overestimated by 12% when accurate LAI is available but clumping is ignored, and (2) global GPP is underestimated by 9% when the effective LAI is available and clumping is ignored. The clumping effects in both cases are statistically significant (p < 0.001). The effective LAI is often derived from remote sensing by inverting the measured canopy gap fraction to LAI without considering the clumping. Global GPP would therefore be generally underestimated when remotely sensed LAI (actually effective LAI by our definition) is used. This is due to the underestimation of the shaded LAI and therefore the contribution of shaded leaves to GPP. We found that shaded leaves contribute 50%, 38%, 37%, 39%, 26%, 29% and 21% to the total GPP for broadleaf evergreen forest, broadleaf deciduous forest, evergreen conifer forest, deciduous conifer forest, shrub, C4 vegetation, and other vegetation, respectively. The global average of this ratio is 35%.
Key Points
Plant canopy structure is quantified by both LAI and clumping index
A global clumping map is for the first time used for global GPP estimation
The impact of clumping is highly significant for global GPP modeling
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