Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Reporting Quality

In this paper, we build a new measure of financial reporting quality (RQ) based on the disaggregation quality (DQ) measure from Chen, Miao, and Shevlin (2015) and the financial statement articulation model from Casey, Gao, Kirschenheiter, Li, and Pandit (2016). Like DQ, RQ is a parsimonious measure of data disaggregation quality in the annual report that can be constructed through counting the number of non-missing financial statement items in Compustat. RQ, however, undergoes additional, essential screening steps to minimize counting errors by resolving missing values through accommodating GAAP changes over time and utilizing accounting equations. Consequently, RQ is more consistently related to information quality proxies than DQ is over time and across subsamples formed on firm characteristics. Further, analysis in a sample research setting demonstrates that using RQ or DQ can lead to different inferences. Collectively, the results suggest that RQ is a more reliable and consistent measure of financial reporting quality.
International comparisons of injury mortality in the elderly: issues and differences between New Zealand and the United States.

BACKGROUND International comparisons of mortality rates for injury, as for other conditions, can suggest priorities for further research and intervention. However, variability in the assignment of underlying cause, especially among the elderly, may lead to difficulty in interpreting cross-national differences in death rates. Despite similarities between the two countries, the injury death rate for ages < or = 65 in New Zealand is substantially higher than the United States rate. The objective of this study was to investigate possible reasons for this difference. METHODS We used data not previously reported for New Zealand to calculate the cause-specific injury death rates for ages > or = 65, compared them with US rates, and examined other injury rates that could help explain the observed difference. RESULTS The New Zealand death rate from falls for ages > or = 65 was nearly three times the US rate (92 versus 32 per 100,000), causing the death rate for all injuries in this age group to be 34% higher in New Zealand (153 versus 114 per 100,000). However, hospitalization rates for both falls and hip fractures are similar for the two countries. CONCLUSIONS The substantially higher fall injury death rates for older New Zealanders are not fully explained by differences in the incidence of falls resulting in injury nor the case fatality rate for fall-related injury. US injury death rates based on underlying cause of death might be similar to New Zealand rates, and thus substantially higher, if subjected to comparable procedures for the completion and coding of death certificates. As in studies of other conditions, international comparisons of injury death rates based on underlying cause, especially in studies of the elderly, must consider variation between countries in death certification and coding practices.
Effects of Alterations in Aortic Input Impedance on the Force‐Velocity‐Length Relationship in the Intact Canine Heart

We studied the effects of changes in aortic input impedance on the force-velocity-length relationship of the left ventricle in sir open-chest dogs, using a right heart bypass preparation. The control relationship between wall stress and ventricular diameter or mean velocity of shortening (MVCF) was determined first by using maneuvers (changes in venous return and phenylephrine infusion) that did not alter impedance moduli or phase angle above 0 Hz. Aortic impedance then was increased by occlusion of the descending aorta (+89% increase in the first harmonic P < 0.02; +49% increase in characteristic impedance, P < 0.005; and a constant −20° phase shift between 2 and 10 Hz; P < 0.05). When compared to a phenylephrine infusion at the same mean aortic pressure and cardiac output, aortic occlusion increased the level of peak stress (+43%, P < 0.006) and decreased the extent of shortening (from 28.6 ± 6.9 to 14.6 + 3.1%, P < 0.01) and the MVCF (from 2.00 ± 0.30 to 1.15 ± 0.14 circs."1; P < 0.02). However, left ventricular end systolic diameter and MVCF fell in the 95% confidence interval of their respective control relations with end-systolic wall stress. Similar data were obtained when aortic occlusion was performed during a nitroprusside infusion or during an inotropic stimulation. Moreover, we found that when venous return was reduced by 25% during aortic occlusion, the characteristic impedance and the aortic input resistance increased further (respectively, +16%, P < 0.01; and +18%, P < 0.035) but the wall stress decreased and the MVCF increased slightly. It is concluded that changes in impedance affect shortening and wall stress but not the force-velocity-length frame-work and, furthermore, that the wall stress provided a better description of the afterload than the impedance alone. Circ Res 45:126-135, 1979
Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography for Focal Hepatic Tumors: Usefulness for Differentiating Hemangiomas from Malignant Tumors

Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate whether acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography with ARFI quantification and ARFI 2-dimensional (2D) imaging is useful for differentiating hepatic hemangiomas from malignant hepatic tumors. Materials and Methods One-hundred-and-one tumors in 74 patients were included in this study: 28 hemangiomas, 26 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), three cholangiocarcinomas (CCCs), 20 colon cancer metastases and 24 other metastases. B-mode ultrasound, ARFI 2D imaging, and ARFI quantification were performed in all tumors. Shear wave velocities (SWVs) of the tumors and the adjacent liver and their SWV differences were compared among the tumor groups. The ARFI 2D images were compared with B-mode images regarding the stiffness, conspicuity and size of the tumors. Results The mean SWV of the hemangiomas was significantly lower than the malignant hepatic tumor groups: hemangiomas, 1.80 ± 0.57 m/sec; HCCs, 2.66 ± 0.94 m/sec; CCCs, 3.27 ± 0.64 m/sec; colon cancer metastases, 3.70 ± 0.61 m/sec; and other metastases, 2.82 ± 0.96 m/sec (p < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of SWV for differentiating hemangiomas from malignant tumors was 0.86, with a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 65.8% at a cut-off value of 2.73 m/sec (p < 0.05). In the ARFI 2D images, the malignant tumors except HCCs were stiffer and more conspicuous as compared with the hemangiomas (p < 0.05). Conclusion ARFI elastography with ARFI quantification and ARFI 2D imaging may be useful for differentiating hepatic hemangiomas from malignant hepatic tumors.
Modeling condom-use stage of change in low-income, single, urban women.

This study was undertaken to identify and test a model of the cognitive antecedents to condom use stage of change in low-income, single, urban women. A convenience sample of 537 women (M=30 years old) attending two urban primary health care settings in western New York State anonymously completed questionnaires based primarily on two leading social-cognitive models, the transtheoretical model and the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. We used structural equation modeling to examine the direct and indirect effects of HIV-related knowledge, social norms of discussing HIV risk and prevention, familiarity with HIV-infected persons, general readiness to change sexual behaviors, perceived vulnerability to HIV, and pros and cons of condom use on condom-use stage of change. The results indicated two models that differ by partner type. Condom-use stage of change in women with steady main partners was influenced most by social norms and the pros of condom use. Condom-use stage of change in women with "other" types (multiple, casual, or new) of sexual partners was influenced by HIV-related knowledge, general readiness to change sexual behaviors, and the pros of condom use. These findings suggest implications for developing gender-relevant HIV-prevention interventions.
Dynamical model for individual defence against cyber epidemic attacks

When facing the on-going cyber epidemic threats, individuals usually set up cyber defences to protect their own devices. In general, the individual-level cyber defence is considered to mitigate the cyber threat to some extent. However, few previous studies focus on the interaction between individual-level defence and cyber epidemic attack from the perspective of dynamics. In this study, the authors propose a two-way dynamical framework by coupling the individual defence model with the cyber epidemic model to study the interaction between the network security situation and individual-level defence decision. A new individual-based heterogeneous model for cyber epidemic attacks is established to emphasise the individual heterogeneity in defence strategy. In the meanwhile, a Markov decision process is used to characterise the defence decision in the individual defence decision model. The theoretical and numerical results illustrate that the individual-level defence can dampen the cyber epidemic attack, but the current network security situation, in turn, influences the individual defence decision. Moreover, they obtain a glimpse of the network security situation and the individual defence with respect to different cyber epidemic scenarios.
Physicochemical properties of new peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are one of the major oilseed crops of the world and are an important source of protein in many countries. In this study, some nutrients and characteristics of the seeds’ oil extracted from four peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties: Line 27r (Israel), Line 9 (Malawi), Line 4 (Brazil) and Line 18 (Israel) cultivated, for first time, in Upper Egypt were subjected to the comparative assessment with control NC variety (USA). Peanut seeds are a rich source of oil content (50.45 to 52.12 g 100 g−1 dry weight “DW”). The physicochemical properties of extracted oil were investigated in this study. The obtained data showed that the ratios of saturated fatty acids ranged from 14.24 to 17.23%, and the amounts of unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 82.77 to 85.76%. Significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) of oil content, saponification value, oleic/linoleic (O/L), and oil characteristics were found. Line 9 was found to be high in oil content, while Line 27r was said to have a high O/L ratio (3.22%) and proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (85.76%).
An Intersection-Movement-Based Dynamic User Optimal Route Choice Problem

In this paper a novel variational inequality (VI) formulation of the dynamic user optimal (DUO) route choice problem is proposed using the concept of approach proportion. An approach proportion represents the proportion of travelers that select a turning or through movement when leaving a node. Approach proportions contain travelers’ route information so that the realistic effects of physical queues can be captured in a formulation when a physical-queue traffic flow model is adopted, and so that route enumeration and path-set generation can be avoided in the solution procedure. In addition, the simple structure of the approach proportion representation allows us to decompose the constraint set for solving large-scale DUO route choice problems. This paper also discusses the existence and uniqueness of the solutions to the VI problem and develops a solution algorithm based on the extragradient method to solve the proposed VI problem. This solution algorithm makes use of the decomposition property of the constraint set and is convergent if the travel time functions are pseudomonotone and Lipschitz continuous. It is not necessary to know the Lipschitz constant of the travel time functions in advance. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the properties of the proposed model and the performance of the solution algorithm. Subject classifications: dynamic traffic assignment; dynamic user optimal; approach proportion; variational inequality;
Optimal level of 25‐(OH)D in children in Nanjing (32°N Lat) during winter

Background: The optimal serum level of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐(OH)D) for bone health is still unclear, especially in children. Hypovitaminosis D is also re‐emerging in developed and developing countries. The purpose of the present study was therefore to determine optimal serum 25‐(OH)D level and preliminarily identify the vitamin D nutritional status in Nanjing children.
Oxidative Stress Function in Women over 40 Years of Age, Considering Their Lifestyle

Aging is dependent on biological processes that determine the aging of the organism at the cellular level. The Oxidative Stress Theory of Aging might explain some of the age-related changes in cell macromolecules. Moreover, exposome and lifestyle may also induce changes in cell damage induced by oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to analyze the related redox changes in lymphocyte function of healthy women over 40 years old. Three groups: younger (YG: 40–49 years), middle aged (MAG: 50–59 years), and older (OG: ≥60 years) were evaluated on anthropometric variables, blood pressure, cardiovascular fitness, lifestyle habits, perceived stress, DNA damage, malondialdehyde, catalase activity, and total antioxidant capacity. Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness were significantly higher in YG and MAG as compared to the OG. Systolic blood pressure increased significantly with group age. Frequency and total amount of alcohol intake were lower in the OG and higher in the MAG. No significant differences were observed between the three groups in oxidative stress parameters. Only alcohol consumption was associated with the higher DNA FPG-sensitive sites, and only in the YG (p < 0.05). Healthy lifestyle is critical to avoiding major ailments associated with aging. This may be inferred from the lack of significant differences in the various oxidative stress parameters measured in the healthy women over the age of 40 who took part in the study. Conscious lifestyle behaviors (decrease in alcohol and smoking habits) could have impaired the expected age-related oxidative stress increase.
Towards loyalty development in the e-banking business

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to put forward a descriptive model that characterizes customer loyalty in the context of electronic banking. Owing to the high costs involved in increasing the current client base, one of the main goals of banks and other financial services providers that operate through the internet should be to develop customer loyalty in order to improve their results.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes the loyalty development process in the e‐banking context. The data were collected through a web survey using Spanish‐speaking subjects. The contrasts of the research model and measurement validation were based on exploratory analyses and structural equations models.Findings – The findings showed that web site perceived reputation and satisfaction have a direct and significant effect on consumer loyalty to a financial services web site. In addition, the analyses have shown that perceived reputation is particularly influenced by the satisfaction with previous interaction.
Bayesian recombination identification : new models for incorporating prior information

A dual multiple change-point (MCP) model was recently introduced to improve detection of recombination among aligned nucleotide sequences in a Bayesian framework. To improve the precision of recombination identification, one can employ informative priors on recombination locations. We develop a new class of prior distributions for the dual MCP model that flexibly incorporate information about previously identified recombinants. We suggest a simple rescaling procedure for our new prior to adjust the overall probability of recombination. Next, we demonstrate how to specify prior distributions for recombination locations using previous analyses of individual recombinants. Two possible types of prior information are considered: point-estimates and probabilities of recombination locations. In both cases we demonstrate how to overcome data sparseness by employing Gaussian Markov random fields. We examine two real examples of recombination analysis in HIV and apply our methodology to summarize spatial recombination information produced by these studies.
Internet Banking Adoption in an Emerging Economy: Indian Consumer's Perspective

Information technology Services is considered as tkey driver for the changes taking place around the world. Internet banking (IB) is the latest and most innovative serviceand is the new trend among the consumers . The shift from the formal banking to e-banking has been a 'leap' change. This study deter mines the factors influencing the consumer's adoption of internet banking in India and hence investigates the influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived risk on use of IB. It is an essential part of a bank's strategy formulation process in an emerging economy like India. Survey based questionnaire design with empirical test was carried out. The results have supported the hypothesis.
Antibodies and IL-3 support helminth-induced basophil expansion

Basophils are powerful mediators of Th2 immunity and are present in increased numbers during allergic inflammation and helminth infection. Despite their ability to potentiate Th2 immunity the mechanisms regulating basophil development remain largely unknown. We have found a unique role for isotype-switched antibodies in promoting helminth-induced basophil production following infection of mice with Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. H. polygyrus bakeri-induced basophil expansion was found to occur within the bone marrow, and to a lesser extent the spleen, and was IL-3 dependent. IL-3 was largely produced by CD4+CD49b+NK1.1− effector T cells at these sites, and required the IL-4Rα chain. However, antibody-deficient mice exhibited defective basophil mobilization despite intact T-cell IL-3 production, and supplementation of mice with immune serum could promote basophilia independently of required IL-4Rα signaling. Helminth-induced eosinophilia was not affected by the deficiency in isotype-switched antibodies, suggesting a direct effect on basophils rather than through priming of Th2 responses. Although normal type 2 immunity occurred in the basopenic mice following primary infection with H. polygyrus bakeri, parasite rejection following challenge infection was impaired. These data reveal a role for isotype-switched antibodies in promoting basophil expansion and effector function following helminth infection.
Solubility enhancement of simvastatin by arginine: thermodynamics, solute–solvent interactions, and spectral analysis

We examined the solubility of simvastatin in water in 0.01 mol·dm−3, 0.02 mol·dm−3, 0.04 mol·dm−3, 0.09 mol·dm−3, 0.18 mol·dm−3, 0.36 mol·dm−3, and 0.73 mol·dm−3 arginine (ARG) solutions. The investigated drug is termed the solute, whereas ARG the cosolute. Phase solubility studies illustrated a higher extent of solubility enhancement for simvastatin. The aforementioned system was subjected to conductometric and volumetric measurements at temperatures (T) of 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K to illustrate the thermodynamics involved and related solute–solvent interactions. The conductance values were used to evaluate the limiting molar conductance and association constants. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0, ΔH0, ΔS0, and Es) for the association process of the solute in the aqueous solutions of ARG were calculated. Limiting partial molar volumes and expansibilities were evaluated from the density values. These values are discussed in terms of the solute–solvent and solute–cosolute interactions. Further, these systems were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and 13C, 1H, and two-dimensional nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance to complement thermophysical explanation.
Active Online Classification via Information Maximization

We propose an online classification approach for co-occurrence data which is based on a simple information theoretic principle. We further show how to properly estimate the uncertainty associated with each prediction of our scheme and demonstrate how to exploit these uncertainty estimates. First, in order to abstain highly uncertain predictions. And second, within an active learning framework, in order to preserve classification accuracy while substantially reducing training set size. Our method is highly efficient in terms of run-time and memory footprint requirements. Experimental results in the domain of text classification demonstrate that the classification accuracy of our method is superior or comparable to other state-of-the-art online classification algorithms.
Increased risk of male cancer and identification of a potential prostate cancer cluster region in BRCA2

Background. The risk of cancer in men from BRCA1 and BRCA2 families is relevant to define to motivate genetic testing and optimize recommendations for surveillance. Material and methods. We assessed the risk of cancer in male mutation carriers and their first-degree relatives in 290 BRCA1 and BRCA2 families with comparison to matched controls with the aim to motivate genetic testing and optimize recommendations for surveillance. Results. Mutation carriers in BRCA1 families were not at increased risk of cancer, whereas mutation carriers in BRCA2 families were at increased risk of male breast cancer and prostate cancer with cumulative risks of 12.5% and 18.8%, respectively. Breast cancer developed at a mean age of 59 years, typically as ER/PR positive ductal carcinomas. Prostate cancer developed at a mean age of 68 years, with Gleason scores ≥ 8 in 40% of the tumors. The hazard ratio for BRCA2-associated prostate cancer was 3.7 (p < 0.001) in mutation carriers and 3.1 (p = 0.001) in first-degree relatives. Of the 37 prostate cancers, 19 were linked to four BRCA2 mutations within a region defined by c.6373-c.6492. Individuals with mutations herein had a HR of 3.7 for prostate cancer compared to individuals with mutations outside of this region. Conclusions. Male mutation carriers and first-degree relatives in BRCA2 families are at an increased risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer with a potential prostate cancer cluster region within exon 11 of BRCA2.