Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asset Pricing in the Asian Region: Discussion Paper No 94

In this asset pricing study, three questions are addressed. First, does the multifactor model of Fama and French (1993) capture returns in Asian stock markets in a meaningful manner? Second, do small firms and high bookto- market equity firms carry a risk premia? Third, can competing hypotheses (such as survivorship bias, datasnooping and irrationality) explain the multifactor model results? The answers from this study are as follows: The multifactor model of Fama and French (1993) provides a parsimonious description of the cross-section of returns, with the relationship between firm size, book-to-market equity and average stock returns being robust for Asian markets over the 1990s. We find that small firms and high book-to-market equity firms carry a risk premia, providing opportunities for mean-variance efficient investors. Finally, our findings reject the claim that the results of multifactor model can be explained by competing hypotheses for the Asian experience.
Distress and eating: why do dieters overeat?

OBJECTIVE It has been shown that distress suppresses eating in nondieters (unrestrained eaters), but increases it in chronic dieters (restrained eaters). This study attempted to investigate several possible explanations for this phenomenon, in particular, the "masking hypothesis. " This hypothesis states that dieters use overeating to mask their distress in other areas of their lives by eating when distressed so that they can attribute their distress to their overeating rather than to more uncontrollable aspects of themselves or their lives. In addition, comfort, learned helplessness, and distraction explanations were investigated. METHOD Female college student subjects were led to believe that they had or had not failed at a cognitive task, then were either given ad libitum or just three small spoonfuls of ice cream to taste and rate. RESULTS It was predicted that restrained subjects who ate ad libitum following failure would attribute more of their distress to their eating than would those who were allowed only a taste of ice cream. The results were more complicated than predicted. They indicated that the masking, distraction, and helplessness hypotheses all received some support in the present study and that they may work in tandem with each other. DISCUSSION The results suggest that distress-induced overeating in restrained eaters may serve psychological functions for the individual, allowing for distraction from the distress or masking of the source of dysphoria. The possible relevance of these results to bulimic patients who may use their binges to mask the true source of their distress is discussed.
Gender differences in quality of schoolwork task performance among typically developing students and students at risk of or with mild disabilities

Abstract Aim: As no studies have examined for gender differences in quality of schoolwork task performance, the purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a gender difference in quality of schoolwork task performance among students at risk of or with mild disabilities, and to compare any identified differences to those that might exist among their typically developing peers. Methods: The participants were 2510 students (typically developing = 412 girls, 422 boys; at risk = 147 girls, 379 boys; mild = 242 girls, 901 boys), 4–10 years of age. Schoolwork task performance was measured using the School Version of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (School AMPS). Results: Regression analyses revealed no significant gender or age-by-gender interaction effects for any of the three groups (typically developing, at risk, mild). Interpretation: The results, focused on occupational performance, complement prior research that has focused on examining for gender differences in behaviour, academic achievement, and coordination among students with mild disabilities. These results also suggest that current School AMPS normative values, based on combined gender means, are valid.
Isolates of fungi from symptomatic carthorses in Awassa, Ethiopia.

Samples were collected from clinically infected carthorses in Awassa. Fungus species affecting the carthorses were identified. Eight genera of fungal groups were isolated from swabs and skin scrapes taken from symptomatic horses. These included Aspergillus spp. , Histoplasma spp. , Penicillium spp. , Microsporum spp. , Trichophyton spp. , yeast cells of Candida spp. , Cryptococcus spp. and Geotrichum spp. The most frequent isolates were from the genera Aspergillus (48%), Penicillium (39.2%) and Trichophyton (31.6%). Clinical findings are reported, the economic, zoonotic and pathogenetic importance of fungi causing dermatomycoses is discussed, and further studies are recommended.
A new ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia

A new ganoderic acid (GA), 7-O-ethyl ganoderic acid O (GA-O) (1), together with two known compounds, GA-T (2) and GA-Me (3), was isolated and purified from fermented mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum. The structure of the new triterpenoid was elucidated on the basis of the interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (HR-MS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR) as 3α,15α,22-triacetoxy-7α-ethoxy-5α-lanost-8,24E-dien-26-oic acid. The new compound was found to contain a rare ethoxyl group at C-7. In addition, its cytotoxicity against 95D and HeLa human cancer cell lines was also evaluated.
Voluntary Decisions on Audit Committee Composition and Expertise and the Influence of Board of Director Characteristics: Further Evidence from Singapore

Our study empirically examines the association between four board of director characteristics and two audit committee dimensions. The audit committee dimensions are the level to which Singapore publicly listed firms voluntarily (1) include more independent directors on their audit committee beyond the mandatory minimum majority of independent directors and (2) improve the collective knowledge and experience of this standing committee by including suitably qualified independent directors. Our analysis is based on hand collected data from 430 domestically incorporated firms listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) at the end of 2003. We find Singapore publicly traded firms are likely to voluntarily include more independent directors on their audit committees beyond the mandated minimum majority when (1) the size of the board of directors increases, (2) firms segregate the positions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson of the board, and (3) the proportion of independent directors serving on the board of directors increases. The percentage of independent directors with directorate interlocks appears not to influence a firm’s decision to voluntarily include more independent directors on their audit committees. We also find a statistically significant association between (1) duality (negative) and (2) percentage of independent directors with directorate interlocks (positive) and propensity for Singapore firms to voluntarily increase the collective knowledge and experience of the audit committee’s independent directors. Contrary to expectations board size and the proportion of independent directors are not significant
Leptin modifies the prosecretory and prokinetic effects of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 on colonic function in Sprague–Dawley rats

What is the central question of this study? Does crosstalk exist between leptin and interleukin‐6 in colonic enteric neurons, and is this a contributory factor in gastrointestinal dysfunction associated with irritable bowel syndrome? What is the main finding and its importance? Leptin ameliorates the prosecretory and prokinetic effects of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 on rat colon. Leptin also suppresses the neurostimulatory effects of irritable bowel syndrome plasma, which has elevated concentrations of interleukin‐6, on enteric neurons. This may indicate a regulatory role for leptin in immune‐mediated bowel dysfunction.
Service Quality & Loyalty: A Review

Relationship marketing theory is based on maintaining and expanding customer relationships in multi-service organizations which leads to customer loyalty. Recently, a wide range of service providers have realized the importance of customer loyalty. One of the key challenges they face is how to manage service quality, which holds a great importance to customer satisfaction and consequently customer loyalty. The SERVQUAL scale is a principal instrument in the services marketing literature for assessing quality. This study seeks to investigate the relationships between service quality, customer loyalty and ultimately SERVQUAL by deeply reviewing the relevant literature.
Genome-wide profiling identifies epithelial cell genes associated with asthma and with treatment response to corticosteroids

Airway inflammation and epithelial remodeling are two key features of asthma. IL-13 and other cytokines produced during T helper type 2 cell-driven allergic inflammation contribute to airway epithelial goblet cell metaplasia and may alter epithelial–mesenchymal signaling, leading to increased subepithelial fibrosis or hyperplasia of smooth muscle. The beneficial effects of corticosteroids in asthma could relate to their ability to directly or indirectly decrease epithelial cell activation by inflammatory cells and cytokines. To identify markers of epithelial cell dysfunction and the effects of corticosteroids on epithelial cells in asthma, we studied airway epithelial cells collected from asthmatic subjects enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of inhaled corticosteroids, from healthy subjects and from smokers (disease control). By using gene expression microarrays, we found that chloride channel, calcium-activated, family member 1 (CLCA1), periostin, and serine peptidase inhibitor, clade B (ovalbumin), member 2 (serpinB2) were up-regulated in asthma but not in smokers. Corticosteroid treatment down-regulated expression of these three genes and markedly up-regulated expression of FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51). Whereas high baseline expression of CLCA1, periostin, and serpinB2 was associated with a good clinical response to corticosteroids, high expression of FKBP51 was associated with a poor response. By using airway epithelial cells in culture, we found that IL-13 increased expression of CLCA1, periostin, and serpinB2, an effect that was suppressed by corticosteroids. Corticosteroids also induced expression of FKBP51. Taken together, our findings show that airway epithelial cells in asthma have a distinct activation profile and identify direct and cell-autonomous effects of corticosteroid treatment on airway epithelial cells that relate to treatment responses and can now be the focus of specific mechanistic studies.
Shuttlecock velocity during a smash stroke in badminton evolves linearly with skill level

Highly ranked badminton players seem to have a different stroke technique compared to lower ranked players (Sørensen 2010). Up to now, no studies have analysed the evolution of this velocity with expertise. So, in this study it is hypothesised that the maximal velocity of the shuttlecock during a smash evolved linearly until a plateau corresponding to the optimal smash movement. Moreover, the aerodynamic of the trajectory was investigated to understand how this velocity evolves during the whole trajectory.
Positive effects of the traditional Chinese medicine MLC901 in cognitive tasks

MLC901 (NurAiDII) is used as a treatment for stroke patients. It has been shown that MLC901 improves motor and cognitive recovery in ischemic and traumatic brain‐injured rodents. The present study seeks to delineate cognitive effects induced by MLC901 in normal, noninjured mice. To this end, the behaviors of vehicle‐ and MLC901‐treated C57BL/6 mice in hippocampus‐dependent (passive avoidance, Morris water maze) and hippocampus‐independent (novel object recognition) cognitive tasks are compared. The potential influence of the compound on the anxiety level and nycthemeral rhythm of mice is also assessed. In addition, the long‐term effects of MLC901 on hippocampal neurogenesis are measured. The results clearly demonstrate that MLC901 promotes extinction in passive avoidance and reversal learning in the Morris water maze and improves the performance of mice in novel object recognition. In parallel, this study shows the long‐term proneurogenesis effects of MLC901 that result in the increase in the number of mature neurons in the hippocampus. If these observations can be extended to humans, then MLC901 could represent a promising therapeutic strategy. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Neuroscience Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multivariate analysis of pathologic prognostic indicators in large bowel cancer

A multivariate analysis of the pathologic data of 350 patients with primary colorectal cancer was performed. In addition to conventional parameters such as shape and size of the primary tumor, central node involvement, angioinvasive growth, grade, and stage, new variables such as the immunoreactivity patterns of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19‐9, mucin, serotonin, secretory component (SC), and the DNA index were tested for their potential prognostic value. Every variable except CA 19‐9, serotonin, and DNA showed significant prognostic information in univariate analysis. However, in the multivariate analysis stage was the predictive factor with the highest hazard ratio, but absence of central node involvement, tumors with diameters between 3.5 cm and 6 cm, exophytic tumor growth, well‐differentiated tumors, tumors with CEA immunoreactivity, absence for staining with serotonin, and diploid tumors also were included in the relative risk model. Thus, the afore mentioned variables appear to play a role in the establishment of a prognostic index.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WAL-MART SUPERCENTERS ON EXISTING BUSINESSES IN MISSISSIPPI

This apparatus is an exponent calculator for slide rules which includes first, second and third scale elements, the first of which is stationary and the second and third being movable with respect to said first scale, the first and second scales being similarly divided and numbered and the third being attached to the second for movement therewith and including reference indicia registrable with the numbers on the first scale to indicate the proper increment of movement of the second scale for each exponent being calculated. The specific form of the invention illustrated embodies a stationary disc carrying the first scale and a rotary disc concentrically mounted in underlying relation to the first disc and carrying the second and third scales whereby each exponent number being calculated is identified on the first scale and the specific reference indicium on the third scale in registration with said number indicates the proper increment of movement of the second scale to calculate the resultant exponent characteristic.
The application of the agricultural innovation system approach in technology development in Tanzania: researchers' perceptions and practices

This paper examines the perceptions of researchers towards features of the innovation system approach. It also examines the extent of incorporation of these features into Tanzania's existing National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 100 purposefully selected researchers from 13 public and three private research institutes, and one university. Most (81%) of the researchers perceive end-users (farmers) as an important actor. Other actors such as intermediary organisations (extension), regulatory bodies and entrepreneurs are perceived as important by half (50%) of the researchers. On the other hand, most of the researchers perceive the roles of these actors to be similar to the traditional roles of actors under NARS. The indicators used in measuring the success of agricultural innovation were mainly associated with the pattern of adoption and productivity potential of technologies, suggesting that a linear model of innovation is still dominant in NARS. We conclude that the mode of agricultural innovation under NARS in Tanzania is in transition from a linear to a system model of innovation. The study suggested that policies should be redesigned to include wider participation of stakeholders in agricultural innovation; the mandate and capacity of extension services should be expanded to include facilitation of innovation; and indicators of monitoring and evaluation should be all-inclusive to include technical and social changes.
National destination marketing organisations and Web 2.0

National destination marketing organisations and Web 2.0 - Based on a detailed review of 25 web sites, supported by in-depth personal interviews, this paper evaluates the strategic response of European DMOs to the global marketing opportunities and threats presented by the rapid growth of Web 2.0. The main conclusion is that national DMOs, from the leading tourist destinations in Europe, have made only limited progress in this area. Much still needs to be done before they are fully utilising the interactive power of Web 2.0 for building strong customer and network relationships; for engaging with and energising online communities. The surveyed DMOs exhibited a high level of awareness and understanding concerning the global marketing and customer engagement potential of Tourism 2.0. There is considerable enthusiasm for moving forward in this area. However, major barriers to Web 2.0 adoption exist, especially in relation to internal resource constraints, organisational culture and mindset, the lack of a clear vision and strategy for 2.0, concerns about the loss of control and potential brand impact of user controlled social media. A route map for DMO Tourism 2.0 strategy development and implementation is presented. Keywords: e-tourism; web 2.0; tourism 2.0; DMOs; destination marketing.
Treatment of Methanol and Isopropanol Poisoning with Intravenous Fomepizole

Case Report: We report a case of mixed methanol and isopropanol poisoning in a patient who refused dialysis but agreed to treatment with intravenous fomepizole. The patient was asymptomatic on arrival, with initial blood methanol and isopropanol concentrations of 146 mg/dL and 39 mg/dL, respectively. Blood ethanol was undetectable. The patient was treated with fomepizole twice daily intravenously until blood methanol was undetectable. No side effects of therapy, other than transient eosinophilia, were observed. The evolution was uneventful and no metabolites of either alcohol were detected at any time during the hospitalization. The decay of plasma methanol and isopropanol under fomepizole treatment were well described by first-order kinetics. The plasma elimination half-lives of methanol and isopropanol were 47.6 hours and 27.7 hours, respectively. Fomepizole appears to have been effective in blocking the toxic metabolism of both methanol and isopropanol and was associated with a favorable outcome.
Effects of antipsychotic medications on sleep in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is often accompanied by sleep problems. Evidence exists that these sleep difficulties have significant effects on individuals with this disorder. The mainstay of treatment for this condition is the administration of medications that have effects on neurotransmitter systems, which play an important role in sleep–wake function, including histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Little systematic attention, however, has been paid to how the sleep effects of these agents might play a role in the course of treatment, function and quality of life of schizophrenia patients. Schizophrenia medications can improve sleep problems and reverse the sleep architectural derangements that are common among patients with schizophrenia and, therefore, have the potential to improve the quality of life and functional capacity of the patient. Conversely, some sleep–wake effects of these medications can impair patient function and quality of life. In this study, we review the effects of schizophrenia medications and discuss their relevance to optimizing the clinical treatment of people with schizophrenia with regard to sleep–wake function.
General practitioners' adoption of new drugs and previous prescribing of drugs belonging to the same therapeutic class: a pharmacoepidemiological study.

AIM To test the hypothesis that general practitioners (GPs) with high prescribing levels of certain drugs will adopt new drugs belonging to the same therapeutic group faster than those with low prescribing levels. METHODS The adoption of four new drugs: esomeprazol, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, new triptans, and angiotensin-II receptor blockers were analysed using population-based prescription data. We used the preference proportion (prescriptions for new rather than older alternatives for the same indication) to measure GPs' adoption rate. Annual prescribing volume and prevalence were used to measure previous prescribing of older drug alternatives. We modelled the preference proportion using multiple linear regression analysis and the prescribing of older drugs as independent variables. We controlled for the GPs' general prescribing level and weighted for practice size. In the first three analyses, we dichotomized data using the median, lower and upper quartile as cut-off point. Next, we grouped data into quartiles and finally, we used continuous data. RESULTS For esomeprazol and new triptans there was a higher preference for new drugs among "high prescribers", but only when this term was defined as the upper quarter and the upper half of previous prescribing levels, respectively (mean difference in preference proportion: 10.2% (99% confidence interval = 1.3%, 19.1%) and 8.2% (0.2%, 16.2%)). For the remaining two drug classes the associations were weak and almost all statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSION There is no consistent association between GPs' level of drug prescribing and their adoption of new drugs of the same therapeutic group.
Do Cloudy Days Affect Stock Exchange Returns?: Evidence from Istanbul Stock Exchange

Market anomalies in stock markets should be related to investors' trading strategies, which are based on their psychologies along with other factors. The fact that some weather variables affect investor's performance and mood can also affect market prices substantially. This paper examines the relation between cloudy days at the Istanbul Stock Exchange 100 (ISE100) Index returns and the weak form efficiency for ISE with a different approach. It has been found that cloudy days are not the cause of or have no relationship with ISE 100 Index returns and also that there exists an evidence of weak form efficiency for Turkish stock market.
CA 125 Elevations in Patients with Malignant Lymphomas

Circulating CA 125 serum levels were measured in 60 patients with several hematological malignancies. Using 35 U/ml as cutoff level, elevated CA 125 concentrations were found in 3 of 18 patients with acute leukemia, 1 of 5 patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia, 2 of 9 patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and in 14 of 28 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. None of the healthy control group had CA 125 serum levels above 35 U/ml. In patients with malignant lymphoma, elevated CA 125 serum concentrations were associated with abdominal involvement (p < 0.01). 15 of 19 patients with abdominal tumor masses had CA 125 concentrations above 35 U/ml, but only 1 of 18 patients with supradiaphragmatic involvement. Serial determinations of CA 125 were performed in 3 patients with malignant lymphoma during chemotherapy. Disease regression was associated with decreasing CA 125 serum levels. Thus, CA 125 may be a useful indicator of abdominal involvement in patients with malignant lymphoma. Moreover, serial CA 125 measurement may be of value in monitoring response to chemotherapy in these patients.