Circular Economy Impact Analysis on Stock Performances: An Empirical Comparison with the Euro Stoxx 50® ESG Index

Environmental issues have a considerable impact in all economic sectors, also influencing financial markets. As a result, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) awareness is rising in the financial sector. In this perspective, the concept of circular economy (CE) assumes central relevance. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between CE strategies and market performance; to this end, we use ESG scores as a proxy for CE. Our initial assumption is that since CE is a component of the “E” factor—in that it can generate positive and measurable environmental impacts—then it can be associated with the ESG score. Therefore, we can methodologically overcome the lack of a specific score related to CE. We use a preselection model based on historical performance by verifying the percentages of the presence of stocks in the two selected indices, namely ESG Euro Stoxx 50® and Euro Stoxx 50-ESG. Overall, we find that ESG profiles have a positive impact on stock performance, although ESG scores do not express higher performance per se. Furthermore, our analysis shows that, to date, there is no evidence that CE initiatives can influence stock returns.

Development of a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients: RETRASCORE

Background Severity scores are commonly used for outcome adjustment and benchmarking of trauma care provided. No specific models performed only with critically ill patients are available. Our objective was to develop a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients. Methods This is a retrospective study using the Spanish Trauma ICU registry (RETRAUCI) 2015–2019. Patients were divided and analysed into the derivation (2015–2017) and validation sets (2018–2019). We used as candidate variables to be associated with mortality those available in RETRAUCI that could be collected in the first 24 h after ICU admission. Using logistic regression methodology, a simple score (RETRASCORE) was created with points assigned to each selected variable. The performance of the model was carried out according to global measures, discrimination and calibration. Results The analysis included 9465 patients: derivation set 5976 and validation set 3489. Thirty-day mortality was 12.2%. The predicted probability of 30-day mortality was determined by the following equation: 1/(1 + exp (− y)), where y = 0.598 (Age 50–65) + 1.239 (Age 66–75) + 2.198 (Age > 75) + 0.349 (PRECOAG) + 0.336 (Pre-hospital intubation) + 0.662 (High-risk mechanism) + 0.950 (unilateral mydriasis) + 3.217 (bilateral mydriasis) + 0.841 (Glasgow ≤ 8) + 0.495 (MAIS-Head) − 0.271 (MAIS-Thorax) + 1.148 (Haemodynamic failure) + 0.708 (Respiratory failure) + 0.567 (Coagulopathy) + 0.580 (Mechanical ventilation) + 0.452 (Massive haemorrhage) − 5.432. The AUROC was 0.913 (0.903–0.923) in the derivation set and 0.929 (0.918–0.940) in the validation set. Conclusions The newly developed RETRASCORE is an early, easy-to-calculate and specific score to predict in-hospital mortality in trauma ICU patients. Although it has achieved adequate internal validation, it must be externally validated.

Validity of Remission Criteria in Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared to Ultrasound-Defined Remission

Objectives: Remission is the ultimate purpose of treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, even when the most stringent composite scores were used, structural damages can occur. For that purpose ultrasonography (US) appears to be the best way to assess real remission. Our principal aim was to investigate the validity of different RA remission scores using the US as the reference. Methods: An analytic diagnostic study of 30 RA patients in remission according to DAS28 and a control group with active RA was conducted between January and October of 2018. Among them, we identified patients in remission according to the SDAI, the CDAI, and the ACR/EULAR remission score. The validity of each activity score for remission was calculated using as a gold standard the absence of PD signal. Results: All patients were in remission according to DAS28 with an average score of 2.03 [1.13-2.6]. US examination showed PD signals in 57% of all patients. Twenty-six patients were in remission according to CDAI, a Doppler signal was detected in 58% of those cases. SDAI remission was accomplished in 19 patients with PD activity in 53% of cases. For the 14 patients in remission according to ACR/EULAR criteria, synovial hyper-vascularization was found in 64%. Considering true remission as the absence of PD signals, the most sensitive and specific score was DAS28 (93% and 68% respectively). Conclusion: Considering remission in RA as the absence of vascularized synovitis, the DAS28 was the most sensitive and the most specific score. Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, remission, ultrasonography, validity

Development of a New Score for Early Mortality Prediction in Trauma ICU patients. RETRASCORE

BackgroundSeverity scores are commonly used for outcome adjustment and benchmarking of trauma care provided. No specific models performed only with critically ill patients are available. Our objective was to develop a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients.MethodsRetrospective study using the Spanish Trauma ICU registry (RETRAUCI) 2015-2019. Patients were divided and analysed into the derivation (2015-2017) and validation sets (2018-2019). We used as candidate variables to be associated with mortality those available in RETRAUCI that could be collected in the first 24 hours after ICU admission. Using logistic regression methodology, a simple score (RETRASCORE) was created with points assigned to each selected variable. The performance of the model was carried out according to global measures, discrimination and calibration.ResultsThe analysis included 9465 patients. Derivation set 5976 and validation set 3489. Thirty-day mortality was 12.2%. The predicted probability of 30-day mortality was determined by the following equation: 1 / (1+exp (-y)), where y=0.598 (Age 50–65) + 1.239 (Age 66–75) + 2.198 (Age > 75) + 0.349 (PRECOAG) + 0.336 (Pre-hospital intubation) + 0.662 (High risk mechanism) + 0.950 (unilateral mydriasis) + 3.217 (bilateral mydriasis) + 0.841 (Glasgow ≤ 8) + 0.495 (MAIS-Head) - 0.271 (MAIS-Thorax) + 1.148 (Hemodynamic failure) + 0.708 (Respiratory failure) + 0.567 (Coagulopathy) + 0.580 (Mechanical ventilation) + 0.452 (Massive haemorrhage) - 5.432. The AUROC was 0.913 (0.903-0.923) in the derivation set and 0.929 (0.918-0.940) in the validation set.ConclusionsThe newly developed RETRASCORE is an early, easy-to-calculate and specific score to predict in-hospital mortality in trauma ICU patients. Although it has achieved adequate internal validation, it must be externally validated.

National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) better predicts critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness than COVID-GRAM, a multi-centre study

Purpose Clinical scores to rapidly assess the severity illness of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be considered of help for clinicians. Recently, a specific score (named COVID-GRAM) for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, based on a nationwide Chinese cohort, has been proposed. We routinely applied the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to predict critical COVID-19. Aim of this study is to compare NEWS2 and COVID-GRAM score. Methods We retrospectively analysed data of 121 COVID-19 patients admitted in two Clinics of Infectious Diseases in the Umbria region, Italy. The primary outcome was critical COVID-19 illness defined as admission to the intensive care unit, invasive ventilation, or death. Accuracy of the scores was evaluated with the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Differences between scores were confirmed used Hanley–McNeil test. Results The NEWS2 AUROC curve measured 0.87 (standard error, SE 0.03; 95% CI 0.80–0.93; p < 0.0001). The COVID-GRAM score AUROC curve measured 0.77 (SE 0.04; 95% CI 0.68–0.85; p < 0.0001). Hanley–McNeil test showed that NEWS2 better predicted severe COVID-19 (Z = 2.03). Conclusions The NEWS2 showed superior accuracy to COVID-GRAM score for prediction of critical COVID-19 illness.

A Comparison of the Greek ACE-III, M-ACE, ACE-R, MMSE, and ECAS in the Assessment and Identification of Alzheimer’s Disease

Objective:This study aimed to adapt the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) and Mini-Addenbrooke’s CognitiveExamination (M-ACE) into Greek and then to examine the convergent validity against their predecessorsAddenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a Greekpopulation. Moreover, a primary aim was to appraise the utility of each screen by conducting a comparison of thepsychometric properties of ACE-III, M-ACE, ACE-R, MMSE, and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural AmyotrophicLateral Sclerosis (ALS) Screen (ECAS) in detecting Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:Forty patients with AD were recruited and matched with 38 controls. Bayesian Pearson’s correlation analysis wasconducted to examine the convergent validity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was implemented toappraise the sensitivity and specificity of the tests in detecting AD.Results:The ACE-III, M-ACE, and the ECAS scores robustly correlated with ACE-R and MMSE. The ACE-III and the ECAS-ALSNon-Specific score were the most sensitive and specific tools in detecting AD, closely followed by ECAS Total scoreand M-ACE. Only ECAS Total score correlated with the duration of disease. The ECAS scores were more resilient toceiling effects than the other screens. M-ACE produced fewer ceiling effects than MMSE.Conclusion:The Greek ACE-III and M-ACE were successfully adapted and showed good convergent validity against theirpredecessors. They showed very good psychometric properties in detecting AD and may be considered in hecticclinical settings. ECAS Total score and ECAS-ALS Non-Specific showed comparable psychometric properties in thedetection of AD and may be considered in polypathological clinics where motor impairments are common.

Interactive Game Application of Cooking Malay Traditional Cuisines Toward Teenagers in Malaysia

The proposed interactive game application of cooking Malay traditional cuisines is a game designed to teach teenagers aged 12 to 24 years old in the cooking. There were a bunch of interactives cooking game applications on the internet, except for Malay cuisine games. This game is created to attract teenagers to making Malay traditional cuisine in interactive and fun ways. In this game, the user needs to follow the storyline in the game. Then, in the early game, they were given a list of ingredients to make some Malay cuisines. The player will be given the customer’s requested food picture. Then the players need to click the right ingredients in making of the requested food by customer. If the player picks the wrong ingredients, then need to pick the ingredients from the start again. Next, this game concept is casual. With the time given, the players need to complete the order with minimum specific score to move forward to next stage. If they achieve the best result, the player will gain extra money and extra time bonus in the game. This game created with a different type of menus based on every chapter of the story. This game can attract teenagers to learn about cooking and the ingredients used in the food. This game is created to educate teenager yet entertain them at the same time.

A new idea for assessing mobile phone addiction

Objective:Internet / mobile phone addiction has become a major concern in today’s world. Current diagnosis methods are based on questionnaire survey. This typically involves asking the person concerned around 15-30 questions. Each response is allotted a specific score, and the range in which the final sum of the scores lies is used to determine his/ her level of addiction. These tests assume that the respondent is answering the questions honestly and that he/she has an exact idea about his/ her usage durations. In the present work, the validity of these assumptions is questioned.Methods: Mobile phone usage is considered as a case study here. In this work, a group of 40 students in the age group of 13-18 (male= 52.5%, female= 47.5%) are surveyed. These students are asked a single question of how much do they think they use their phone. This information is compared with their actual phone usage times (obtained through the inbuilt usage tracking system of the phones, or similar such Apps). Conclusion:Based on the present survey, it is found that on an average, the participants use their phones for 1.4 times longer than they think they do. The disparity between the estimated and actual usage time duration forms the basis of the proposed approach for assessing the level of mobile phone addiction.

Maternal knowledge on infant feeding in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Abtract Objectives: to describe the knowledge of infant feeding on breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding among mothers of children under one-year-old in São Luís, MA. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study using a single questionnaire, standardized by trained interviewers, who visited all the residents in 20 communities chosen by convenience. This questionnaire searched for socioeconomic, demographic information, care received during pregnancy, and the knowledge about infant feeding. The analysis was performed through the creation of knowledge scores, frequency listing, central tendency and dispersion measurements. Results: among the 709 interviewees, 53.5% presented satisfactory knowledge. The score on the percentage mean of knowledge on infant feeding was 66.7%. The specific score on the introduction of complementary feeding was 60.7% and breastfeeding was71.4%. The benefits of breastfeeding for the babies were better known than the advantages it confers on mothers. The worst result was related to porridge preparation,(13.5%). Conclusion: the proportion of mothers who did not know about the basic teachings of infant feeding is high. This can lead to reduce exclusive breastfeeding time, increase rates of improper introduction of food and drink, and in favor early weaning.