Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are IPOs Underpriced

This paper studies the valuation of initial public offerings (IPO) using comparable firm multiples. In a sample of more than 2000 IPOs from 1980 to 1997, we find that the median IPO is overvalued at the offer by about 50% relative to its industry peers. This overvaluation is robust over time, across technology and non-technology IPOs, to different price multiples, industry classifications, and matching firms. In the cross-section, overvalued IPOs earn 5% to 7% higher first day returns than undervalued IPOs but earn 20% to 50% lower returns over the next five years. The long-run underperformance of overvalued IPOs is robust to various benchmarks and return measurement methodologies including the Fama-French three-factor model. Overvalued IPOs exhibit higher sales growth rates temporarily but earn persistently lower profit margins and return on assets than undervalued IPOs over the next five years suggesting that any projected growth opportunities implicit in the initial valuation fail to materialize subsequently. Our results are inconsistent with asymmetric information models of IPO pricing and provide support for behavioral theories based on investor overconfidence.
Modulaser: A Tool for Conceptual Analysis of Software Systems

Modulaser is a software tool which produces a Modularity Matrix, to analyse the design of a software system given by its executable code. However, besides the concrete practical purposes of Modulaser, it is important to understand its techniques in a deeper sense. It is immediately clear that it describes the system in a higher abstraction level than the executable code, as the Modularity Matrix follows an implicit class diagram. But behind classes there are concepts. Thus, the ultimate purpose of Modulaser is conceptual analysis. This paper explains the ideas, describe Modulaser in these terms, and illustrate it by a series of case studies.
Differential changes in quality of life components over 5 years in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background The aim of the study was to examine the longitudinal change in quality of life components of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods In the Hokkaido COPD Cohort Study, 261 subjects were appropriately treated and followed over 5 years with a 74% follow-up rate at the end. The longitudinal changes in St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were annually evaluated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). The subjects were classified into the rapid decliners, slow decliners, and sustainers based on ΔFEV1/year. Results The activity component of SGRQ generally deteriorated over time, and its annual decline was the greatest in the rapid decliners (<25th percentile). In contrast, the symptom component improved significantly year by year in the sustainers (>75 percentile), and it did not deteriorate even in the rapid decliners. Of the baseline data, predictors for worsening of the activity component were older age and lower body mass index. Larger reversibility was related to symptom component improvement. Of the follow-up data, ΔFEV1/year was the best predictor for worsening of the components of SGRQ. Continuous smoking was another factor for worsening of the activity component. For the symptom component, a history of exacerbation by admission definition was the determinant of its deterioration, whereas use of beta agonists was related to improvement. Conclusion The longitudinal changes of quality of life and their determinants are markedly different and independent between its components. The activity component of SGRQ generally deteriorated over years, while the symptom component rather improved in some patients with COPD under appropriate treatment.
Design and application of an analog fuzzy logic controller

In this paper, we present an analog fuzzy logic hardware implementation and its application to an autonomous mobile system. With a simple structure the fabricated fuzzy controller shows good performance in processing speed and area consumption. Accomplished with 13 reconfigurable rules, a speed of up to 6 MFLIPS has been achieved. To stress the advantages of the new architecture, speed and flexibility, the same control strategy is implemented on the new analog fuzzy controller and on a digital multipurpose microcontroller in software. The results of the two implementations show that the analog approach is not only faster but also flexible enough to compete with digital fuzzy approaches.
Seasonal variation of estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in women and men.

CONTEXT Seasonal variation in daylight regulates reproduction in animals living at higher latitude, but the influence of season on the sex hormones in humans remains unclear. OBJECTIVE, DESIGN, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional population-based study in Tromsø, Norway (70 degrees N) included 1651 women and 1540 men aged 25-84 yr. Circulating total estradiol (and calculated free levels), FSH, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured between September 1994 and September 1995 and provided a unique opportunity to study effects of extreme seasonal variations in the daylight on hormone levels in an arctic population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Circulating total and free estradiol, FSH, and DHEAS were measured. RESULTS Total and free estradiol showed differences between monthly means, with peak in June in postmenopausal women (P < 0.001), and in May in men (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) by analysis of covariance. By cosinor analysis, a seasonal variation in total and free estradiol was evident in women (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03) and men (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), but only 0.2-0.9% of the variation in total and free estradiol was explained by season. FSH and DHEAS showed no obvious seasonal variation in either sex. CONCLUSIONS Seasonal variations should be considered while designing studies and interpreting results of estradiol measurements to avoid bias in comparative studies.
Akt Is Essential for Insulin Modulation of Amphetamine-Induced Human Dopamine Transporter Cell-Surface Redistribution

Uptake by the dopamine transporter (DAT) is the primary pathway for the clearance of extracellular dopamine (DA) and consequently for regulating the magnitude and duration of dopaminergic signaling. Amphetamine (AMPH) has been shown to decrease simultaneously DAT cell-surface expression and [3H]DA uptake. We have shown that insulin and its subsequent signaling through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent pathway oppose this effect of AMPH by promoting increased cell-surface expression. Here, we used human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably expressing the human DAT (hDAT cells) to investigate the downstream cellular components important for this effect of insulin. Akt is a protein kinase effector immediately downstream of PI3K. Both overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Akt (K179R) and the addition of 1-(5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine HCl (ML9), a pharmacological inhibitor of Akt, decreased cell-surface expression of DAT, suggesting a role of basal Akt signaling in the homoeostasis of DAT. Moreover, expression of a constitutively active Akt mutant reduced the ability of AMPH to decrease hDAT cell-surface expression as well as [3H]DA uptake. In contrast, overexpression of K179R blocked the ability of insulin to oppose AMPH-induced reduction of hDAT cell-surface expression and [3H]DA uptake, as did ML9. Our data demonstrate that hDAT cell-surface expression is regulated by the insulin signaling pathway and that Akt plays a key role in the hormonal modulation of AMPH-induced hDAT trafficking and in the regulation of basal hDAT cell-surface expression.
Histone deacetylases play distinct roles in telomeric VSG expression site silencing in African trypanosomes

African trypanosomes evade the host immune response through antigenic variation, which is achieved by periodically expressing different variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs). VSG expression is monoallelic such that only one of approximately 15 telomeric VSG expression sites (ESs) is transcribed at a time. Epigenetic regulation is involved in VSG control but our understanding of the mechanisms involved remains incomplete. Histone deacetylases are potential drug targets for diseases caused by protozoan parasites. Here, using recombinant expression we show that the essential Trypanosoma brucei deacetylases, DAC1 (class I) and DAC3 (class II) display histone deacetylase activity. Both DAC1 and DAC3 are nuclear proteins in the bloodstream stage parasite, while only DAC3 remains concentrated in the nucleus in insect‐stage cells. Consistent with developmentally regulated localization, DAC1 antagonizes SIR2rp1‐dependent telomeric silencing only in the bloodstream form, indicating a conserved role in the control of silent chromatin domains. In contrast, DAC3 is specifically required for silencing at VSG ES promoters in both bloodstream and insect‐stage cells. We conclude that DAC1 and DAC3 play distinct roles in subtelomeric gene silencing and that DAC3 represents the first readily druggable target linked to VSG ES control in the African trypanosome.
Structural barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a resource-constrained setting: the perspectives of health care providers

Abstract The present study examined the chief structural barriers to antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence from the perspective of health care workers who provide treatment to patients living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. The main barrier to adherence as identified by participants in the study was the stigma associated with living with HIV, and thus with receiving AIDS treatment. A second barrier was the fact that some patients willfully decide to forgo treatment so that they could retain state disability benefits associated with a low CD4 count. Other barriers included the lack of finances for transport to clinics and food insecurity, especially when medication needed to be taken with food. These barriers to ART adherence are conceptualized in terms of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory.
Extraventricular Neurocytomas: Pathologic Features and Clinical Outcome

Neurocytic neoplasms usually arise within the lateral ventricles, generally as circumscribed, slowly growing masses curable by total resection. Both subtotal resection and histologic atypia are associated with an increased risk of recurrence. In contrast, neurocytic neoplasms situated within brain parenchyma, so-called “extraventricular neurocytomas” (EVNs), are not as well characterized. The relationships between histologic features and extent of resection versus clinical behavior have not been defined. We evaluated pathologic features, clinical data, and neuroimaging of 35 examples. The tumors occurred in 18 males and 17 females, age 5–76 years (median 34 years). All tumors involved the cerebrum. On imaging, EVNs were solitary, variably contrast-enhancing, and often (57%) cystic. Tumor cells were arranged in sheets, clusters, ribbons, or rosettes, in association with fine neuropil dispersed in broad zones that separated cell aggregates. Ganglion cell differentiation was seen in 66%. All tumors showed strong synaptophysin immunoreactivity. Despite the lack of apparent astrocytes in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, focal glial fibrillary acidic protein reactivity was seen in 46%. Eleven EVNs were designated “atypical” based on the presence of necrosis, vascular proliferation, or elevated mitotic activity (≥3 mitoses/10 high power fields). Nineteen tumors were subtotally resected or biopsied, whereas 14 were totally resected grossly. Seventeen patients underwent radiotherapy (mean 55 Gy). In 30 cases with follow-up, 10 tumors recurred, 3 causing death at 6, 14, and 43 months. All 10 recurrences followed subtotal resection. No totally resected tumors recurred. Thus, the majority of EVNs are well differentiated and appear unlikely to recur after gross total resection. Subtotal resection, atypical histologic features, and high cell proliferation rates correlate with recurrence.
A novel method for systematic analysis of rigidity in Parkinson's disease

We propose a novel system that analyzes the components of rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) usually perceived by physicians, in a very simple and systematic way for routine clinical practice. Our system is composed of two compact force sensors, a gyroscope, and EMG surface electrodes. Muscle tone was assessed in 24 healthy elderly subjects and 27 PD patients by passive extension and flexion of the elbow joint with ramp‐and‐hold trajectory. Torque and angle data in the dynamic phase were used to calculate “elastic coefficients” in extension and flexion, and the mean value of torque in each dynamic phase at each joint angle (defined as “Bias”) was also calculated. The muscle activity index in the static phase (EMG Index) was obtained for both biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles. “Elastic coefficients,” sum of the “difference of Bias” and “EMG Index” for BB all correlated well with UPDRS score. Based on our results, Parkinsonian rigidity consists of both an “elastic” component and a “difference of Bias” component, and neurologists may assess greater rigidity when either one or both components are high in value. The EMG index was useful for differentiating PD patients with slight rigidity from healthy elderly adults. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Detection of aortic wall instability with the new dissectometer: Correlation with histological findings

Abstract Objectives: Although risk stratification for aortic dissection or rupture based on aortic diameter is quite suboptimal, alternative methods for the assessment of the aortic wall stability are rare. We assessed the mechanical properties of the aortic wall by a new custom-made device mimicking transversal aortic wall shear stress during open heart surgery in comparison with histological examination. Material and methods: One-hundred and five aortic walls were tested by the ‘dissectometer’ (seven different measured and two calculated values) as well as histological examination was performed. Results: Histological examination classified the aortic wall as normal in 54 (51.4%) patients and pathologic in 51 (48.6%) patients. Six out of nine parameters assessed by the dissectometer showed a significant correlation to histological findings. Using ROC-analysis, the most reliable parameter (P9) showed a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 80.4% with an area under the curve of 0.89 when using a cut-off value of 3.4. In the logistic regression analysis, P9 was an independent predictor for aortic wall instability (OR 28.983, 95% CI 11.507-72.993, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The dissectometer is suitable for discriminating between stable and unstable aortic walls with a good correlation to histological examination holding promise for direct and quick intraoperative identification of aortic walls at risk for dissection.
The large X‐effect on secondary sexual characters and the genetics of variation in sex comb tooth number in Drosophila subobscura

Abstract Genetic studies of secondary sexual traits provide insights into whether and how selection drove their divergence among populations, and these studies often focus on the fraction of variation attributable to genes on the X‐chromosome. However, such studies may sometimes misinterpret the amount of variation attributable to the X‐chromosome if using only simple reciprocal F1 crosses, or they may presume sexual selection has affected the observed phenotypic variation. We examined the genetics of a secondary sexual trait, male sex comb size, in Drosophila subobscura. This species bears unusually large sex combs for its species group, and therefore, this trait may be a good candidate for having been affected by natural or sexual selection. We observed significant heritable variation in number of teeth of the distal sex comb across strains. While reciprocal F1 crosses seemed to implicate a disproportionate X‐chromosome effect, further examination in the F2 progeny showed that transgressive autosomal effects inflated the estimate of variation associated with the X‐chromosome in the F1. Instead, the X‐chromosome appears to confer the smallest contribution of all major chromosomes to the observed phenotypic variation. Further, we failed to detect effects on copulation latency or duration associated with the observed phenotypic variation. Overall, this study presents an examination of the genetics underlying segregating phenotypic variation within species and illustrates two common pitfalls associated with some past studies of the genetic basis of secondary sexual traits.
Endovascular Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection: Long-term Results of the Randomized Investigation of Stent Grafts in Aortic Dissection Trial

Background—Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) represents a therapeutic concept for type B aortic dissection. Long-term outcomes and morphology after TEVAR for uncomplicated dissection are unknown. Methods and Results—A total of 140 patients with stable type B aortic dissection previously randomized to optimal medical treatment and TEVAR (n=72) versus optimal medical treatment alone (n=68) were analyzed retrospectively for aorta-specific, all-cause outcomes, and disease progression using landmark statistical analysis of years 2 to 5 after index procedure. Cox regression was used to compare outcomes between groups; all analyses are based on intention to treat. The risk of all-cause mortality (11.1% versus 19.3%; P=0.13), aorta-specific mortality (6.9% versus 19.3%; P=0.04), and progression (27.0% versus 46.1%; P=0.04) after 5 years was lower with TEVAR than with optimal medical treatment alone. Landmark analysis suggested a benefit of TEVAR for all end points between 2 and 5 years; for example, for all-cause mortality (0% versus 16.9%; P=0.0003), aorta-specific mortality (0% versus 16.9%; P=0.0005), and for progression (4.1% versus 28.1%; P=0.004); Landmarking at 1 year and 1 month revealed consistent findings. Both improved survival and less progression of disease at 5 years after elective TEVAR were associated with stent graft induced false lumen thrombosis in 90.6% of cases (P<0.0001). Conclusions—In this study of survivors of type B aortic dissection, TEVAR in addition to optimal medical treatment is associated with improved 5-year aorta-specific survival and delayed disease progression. In stable type B dissection with suitable anatomy, preemptive TEVAR should be considered to improve late outcome. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01415804.
Editorial: The Role of Primary Motor Cortex as a Marker and Modulator of Pain Control and Emotional-Affective Processing

1 Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Neuropsychophysiology Laboratory, Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology (EPsi), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, 3 Portucalense Institute for Human Development (INPP), Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal, 4 Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Institute, Medical School General Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 5 Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 6 Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Characterizations of localization accuracy of fixtures

In this paper, an analysis is presented of the problem of characterizing the accuracy of deterministic localization of fixtures. In a statistical framework, the positioning accuracy of the workpiece localized by the locators of a fixture is described by a symmetric, positive definite accurateness matrix (or variance matrix). The accurateness (variance) matrix is identified as having similar structural properties to the stiffness (compliance) matrix of an unloaded, stable robot grasp. This connection leads us to describe a set of frame-invariant characteristic parameters with geometric interpretation. The principal translational accuratenesses and rotational variances are defined for constructions of frame-invariant quality measures for a meaningful comparison of different locating schemes. Examples are presented to illustrate the concept and usefulness of the characterizing properties in optimizing a fixture layout.
Association of Yeast RNA Polymerase I with a Nucleolar Substructure Active in Rrna Synthesis and Processing

A novel ribonucleoprotein complex enriched in nucleolar proteins was purified from yeast extracts and constituents were identified by mass spectrometry. When isolated from rapidly growing cells, the assembly contained ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase (pol) I, and some of its transcription factors like TATA-binding protein (TBP), Rrn3p, Rrn5p, Rrn7p, and Reb1p along with rRNA processing factors, like Nop1p, Cbf5p, Nhp2p, and Rrp5p. The small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) U3, U14, and MRP were also found to be associated with the complex, which supports accurate transcription, termination, and pseudouridylation of rRNA. Formation of the complex did not depend on pol I, and the complex could efficiently recruit exogenous pol I into active ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription units. Visualization of the complex by electron microscopy and immunogold labeling revealed a characteristic cluster-forming network of nonuniform size containing nucleolar proteins like Nop1p and Fpr3p and attached pol I. Our results support the idea that a functional nucleolar subdomain formed independently of the state of rDNA transcription may serve as a scaffold for coordinated rRNA synthesis and processing.
Genome Sequencing Shows that European Isolates of Francisella tularensis Subspecies tularensis Are Almost Identical to US Laboratory Strain Schu S4

Background Francisella tularensis causes tularaemia, a life-threatening zoonosis, and has potential as a biowarfare agent. F. tularensis subsp. tularensis, which causes the most severe form of tularaemia, is usually confined to North America. However, a handful of isolates from this subspecies was obtained in the 1980s from ticks and mites from Slovakia and Austria. Our aim was to uncover the origins of these enigmatic European isolates. Methodology/Principal Findings We determined the complete genome sequence of FSC198, a European isolate of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis, by whole-genome shotgun sequencing and compared it to that of the North American laboratory strain Schu S4. Apparent differences between the two genomes were resolved by re-sequencing discrepant loci in both strains. We found that the genome of FSC198 is almost identical to that of Schu S4, with only eight SNPs and three VNTR differences between the two sequences. Sequencing of these loci in two other European isolates of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis confirmed that all three European isolates are also closely related to, but distinct from Schu S4. Conclusions/Significance The data presented here suggest that the Schu S4 laboratory strain is the most likely source of the European isolates of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis and indicate that anthropogenic activities, such as movement of strains or animal vectors, account for the presence of these isolates in Europe. Given the highly pathogenic nature of this subspecies, the possibility that it has become established wild in the heartland of Europe carries significant public health implications.