Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and Bias of Equity Analysts in an Environment Characterised by Higher Disclosure: Empirical Evidence from the Italian Market

Thousands of reports are published yearly by brokerage houses and investment banks, providing trading advice to investors and forecasts concerning the future market price of stocks (the so called target prices). Using a database of reports concerning blue chips listed on the Italian stock market, we measured the forecasting ability of equity analysts in determining target prices. Having outlined considerable levels of inaccuracy, we explored the weight of the various factors potentially affecting the accuracy of different analyst firms: the boldness of the forecast (measured by the ratio between the target price and the current market price of the stock), the volatility of the stock, the average number of stocks covered by each analyst employed by the firm, the length of the coverage, the past forecasting performance of the analyst. We also explored the correlation between the potential exposure of the analysts to conflicts of interests and the level/sign of his forecasting errors. Finally, we focused on the profitability of a basic trading strategy based on buying (shorting) a stock when the target price indicated by the analysts is higher(lower) than the current market price.
Object recognition in forward-looking sonar images with Convolutional Neural Networks

Forward-looking sonars can provide high resolution images that can be used for different tasks in an underwater environment. However, image interpretation is still an open problem due to multiple issues inherent in acoustic imaging. In this work, we use Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for object recognition in forward-looking sonar images. We show that a CNN outperforms the state of the art for such kind of images by achieving an accuracy of 99.2%. While state of the art template matching methods have accuracies between 92.4% and 97.6%. We also compare the number of learnable parameters of CNNs and template matching that are required to achieve high performance. Our results show that CNNs require less parameters to provide better recognition capabilities that generalize well to unseen data.
Determinants of tender offer post-acquisition financial performance

The present study extends previous research efforts and examines relationships between commonly discussed strategic acquisition factors and long-term financial performance measures of acquiring firnms. The factors of interest include relative size, previous acquisition experience, organizational age, industry commoniality, contested versus uncontested acquisitions, and percenltage of stock acquired. The financial performance measures include both accouniting and capital market data for the 4-year period precedinig acquisition activity and the 4-year period following such activity. The study presents bivariate and multivariate analyses for 42 industrial manufacturing firms that engaged in the tender offer form of acquisition. The fin(dings indicate that, on the average, post-acquisition financial performance improved significantly for organizations that had previous acquisition experience, acquired a higher percentage of a target, or were older. Post-acquiisition performance decreased significantly for acquiring firms when target firtns contested an acquisition.
Risk of influenza in pregnancy Risks of influenza in pregnancy to the pregnant woman

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php International Journal of Women’s Health 2014:6 681–689 International Journal of Women’s Health Dovepress
The Natural Course of Radiographic Progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis — Evidence for Major Individual Variations in a Large Proportion of Patients

Objective. To describe the natural course of radiographic progression and to differentiate rates of progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. Overall, 146 patients with AS who had never received anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. The main inclusion criterion was the availability of complete sets of cervical and lumbar radiographs from at least 2 timepoints within 6 years. Using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS), we quantified the structural changes and assessed different rates of radiographic progression based on development of new syndesmophytes/year. Results. The mean followup time was 3.8 ± 1.7 years (range 1–6) and the mean number of consecutive radiographs was 2.7 (range 2–6) per patient. The mean mSASSS change/year was 1.3 ± 2.5 units. Radiographic progression showed much variability, since 43% of patients showed a 4-fold greater rate of progression than the mean, and 23% had no progression. The data-based definition for “fast progression” was calculated as a change > 5 mSASSS units or > 2 new syndesmophytes; for “moderate progression” as change of 2.0–5.0 mSASSS units or < 2 new syndesmophytes; and for “slow progression” as change of < 2 mSASSS units or no more than 1 new syndesmophyte within 2 years. The only factor to predict future radiographic progression was the number of syndesmophytes at baseline. Conclusion. Radiographic progression in AS is rather variable and many patients show high rates of progression. On the basis of this retrospective dataset we propose to differentiate patients on an individual level according to their progression rates: patients with fast, moderate, and slow radiographic progression, assessed by counting new syndesmophytes. Predicting radiographic progression remains difficult; only the prevalence of syndesmophytes at baseline is predictive of future damage.
Fostering Stakeholders Trust through CSR Reporting: An Analytical Focus

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a buzzword worldwide. In today’s globalized world, one of the great challenges faced by firms is integration of CSR in business. Stakeholders require a lot more from companies than merely pursuing growth and profitability. They demand information about economic, social and environmental performances of the companies. Previous studies in developed countries have confirmed that a true and sincere corporate communication leads to the building of stakeholders’ trust. There is, however, a dearth of such studies in developing countries such as India. This study is an attempt to bridge the gap by conducting an exploratory study on how the top management of a company reports CSR. Using the technique of content analysis, this article assessed the extent and nature of CSR reporting by Indian companies. We used multiple regression analysis to evaluate how well a set of predictors explain the social disclosure practices of Indian firms. The results indicated that there is no significant relationship between a firm’s profitability and its corporate social disclosure (CSD). However, a firm’s ownership (private sector or public sector) has influence on CSD practices. The findings also suggest that firm size has a positive association with CSD under the community development theme. This implies that large companies with public visibility favour community development. Finally, the study ends with a conclusion that has strong managerial implications: sincere and honest social reporting can harness a better relationship with all stakeholders.
Making sense of Arctic maritime traffic using the Polar Operational Limits Assessment Risk Indexing System (POLARIS)

Maritime traffic volume in the Arctic is growing for several reasons: climate change is resulting in less ice in extent, duration, and thickness; economic drivers are inducing growth in resource extraction traffic, community size (affecting resupply) and adventure tourism. This dynamic situation, coupled with harsh weather, variable operating conditions, remoteness, and lack of straightforward emergency response options, demand robust risk management processes. The requirements for risk management for polar ship operations are specified in the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). The goal of the Polar Code is to provide for safe ship operations and protection of the polar environment by addressing the risk present in polar waters. Risk management is supported by evidence-based models, including threat identification (types and frequency of hazards), exposure levels, and receptor characterization. Most of the information used to perform risk management in polar waters is attained in-situ, but increasingly is being augmented with open-access remote sensing information. In this paper we focus on the use of open-access historical ice charts as an integral part of northern navigation, especially for route planning and evaluation.
Allylpyrocatechol Attenuates Collagen-Induced Arthritis via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress Secondary to Modulation of the MAPK, JAK/STAT, and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathways

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune disorder, is characterized by synovial hyperplasia and bony destruction. The pathogenesis of RA includes redox dysregulation, concomitant with increased levels of proinflammatory mediators. As the ability of allylpyrocatechol (APC), a phytoconstituent of Piper betle leaves, to alleviate oxidative stress has been demonstrated in patients with RA, its antiarthritic activity was evaluated in an animal model of arthritis, and the underlying mechanism(s) of action clarified. The animal model was established by immunizing rats with bovine collagen type II (CII) followed by lipopolysaccharide, along with a booster dose of CII on day 15. Rats were treated with APC or methotrexate (MTX) from days 11 to 27, when paw edema, radiography, histopathology, and markers of inflammation were evaluated. The pro/antiinflammatory signaling pathways were studied in a RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Allylpyrocatechol (APC) prevented the progression of arthritis as was evident from the reduction in paw edema, and attenuation of damage to bones and cartilage shown by radiography and histopathology. Additionally, there was reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and restoration of the redox balance. Importantly, MTX ameliorated the features of arthritis but not the associated oxidative stress. In RAW264.7, APC inhibited generation of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p40), and modulated the phosphorylation of proinflammatory (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase, and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription) and cytoprotective (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1) signaling pathways. Taken together, APC controlled the development of arthritis, possibly via modulation of signaling pathways, and deserves further consideration as a therapy for RA.
A comparison of the renal effects and metabolism of enflurane and methoxyflurane in Fischer 344 rats.

After 6 to 10 hours of 2.5% enflurane anesthesia rats developed vasopressin-resistant polyuric renal dysfunction similar to that resulting from 1.5 hours of 0.25% methoxyflurane. This occurred at similar peak serum inorganic fluoride levels, 43.8 ± 6.2 and 56.7 ± 6.6 µmol/l after 6 and 10 hours of enflurane, respectively, and 65.7 ± 7.6 µmol/l after 1.5 hours of methoxyflurane. Serum inorganic fluoride level peaked earlier and returned to control values sooner after enflurane than after methoxyflurane anesthesia. Enzyme induction with phenobarbital did not increase the defluorination of enflurane or exacerbate its nephrotoxicity.
Clonal distribution of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae 23F in France

We studied the clonality of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae 23F, the serotype most often associated with penicillin resistance in France. Clinical isolates obtained between November 1992 and April 1993 from nasopharyngeal samples from children with acute otitis media from different regions of the country were analyzed. The genetic polymorphism of penicillin-susceptible and -resistant 23F isolates (MIC, 2 mg/liter) was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The resistant isolates were closely related, whereas the susceptible isolates were genetically heterogeneous. PCR amplification and restriction of the genes encoding penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) 1A, 2B, and 2X also showed that the 24 resistant isolates had similar patterns which were very different from those of the susceptible isolates. All resistant isolates gave the same PBP pattern, with low affinities of PBPs for penicillin. Our results indicate that, in contrast to penicillin-susceptible 23F isolates, the penicillin-resistant 23F isolates have a single clonal origin, suggesting the rapid clonal spread of a resistant epidemic strain throughout the country.
Reassessment of the phylogenetic position of conulariids (?Ediacaran‐Triassic) within the subphylum medusozoa (phylum cnidaria)

Synopsis Fossil taxa of uncertain phylogenetic affinities can play a crucial role in the analysis of character evolution within major extant groups. Marques & Collins (2004) concluded that conulariids (? Ediacaran‐Triassic) are an extinct group of medusozoan cnidarians most closely related to Stauromedusae. However, only six of the 87 characters used by these authors can be observed in conulariid fossils. Rescoring the character states of conulariids in a conservative manner yields a new hypothesis for the phylogenetic position of conulariids, namely that they are the sister group of the scyphozoan order Coronatae rather than Stauromedusae, which is revealed as the earliest diverging lineage of Medusozoa. This new hypothesis also implies several different sequences of character evolution within Cnidaria. Specifically, the presence of a periderm completely covering the polyp in conulariids and coronates appears to be derived within Scyphozoa. Strobilation appears to be a synapomorphy uniting conulariids, Coronatae, Rhizostomeae and Semaeostomeae. This result supports the controversial interpretation of one exceptionally preserved conulariid that potentially shows that these animals produced ephyrae by strobilation. Finally, the pelagic adult medusa stage and the giant fibre nerve net appear to be features that are derived within Medusozoa.
Determinants of Mall Image in the Indian Context: Focus on Environment

Multitude of options available before the consumer has made the environment competitive for the shopping malls and they need to differentiate themselves from the competition. Shopping mall image is a useful instrument to do so as it is strongly associated with vital parameters of mall success. Different studies conducted in the past have identified different dimensions of mall image. Present study proposes and validates a four-factor model of mall image for the Indian context. Results are based on a sample of 216 respondents collected from different malls. The model is analysed and authenticated using second-degree confirmatory factor analysis using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). Results indicate that the four dimensions constituting mall image are accessibility, atmospherics, tenant-mix and facilities. The research reveals that atmospherics is the strongest determinant of mall image in the Indian context, whereas accessibility is the least potent. The article ends with a discussion on strategies that Indian mall developers and managers may use to improve mall image in the minds of consumers.
AN ITERATIVE APPROXIMATION OF FIXED POINTS OF STRICTLY PSEUDOCONTRACTIVE MAPPINGS IN BANACH SPACES

We prove strong convergence of an iterative scheme for approximation of fixed point of λ-strict pseudocontractive mapping in a uniformly smooth real Banach space (which is not necessarily uniformly convex). We apply our result to approximation of common fixed point of a finite family of strictly pseudocontractive mappings. Our result extends the results of Li and Yao [M. Li, Y. Yao, Strong convergence of an iterative algorithm for λ-strictly pseudocontractive mappings in Hilbert spaces, An. St. Univ. Ovidius Constanta 18 (2010), 219-228] and complements other new interesting results in the literature.
N‐acetylcysteine promotes long‐term survival of cones in a model of retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a major source of blindness caused by a large variety of mutations that lead to the death of rod photoreceptors. After rods die, cones gradually die from progressive oxidative damage. Several types of antioxidant formulations have been shown to reduce cone cell death over a relatively short‐time frame, but in order for this strategy to be translated into a new treatment for patients with RP, prolonged effects will be needed. In this study, we determined that orally administered N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced cone cell death and preserved cone function by reducing oxidative damage in two models of RP, rd1+/+ and rd10+/+ mice. In rd10+/+ mice, supplementation of drinking water with NAC promoted partial maintenance of cone structure and function for at least 6 months. Topical application of NAC to the cornea also reduced superoxide radicals in the retina and promoted survival and functioning of cones. Since oral and/or topical administration of NAC is feasible for long‐term treatment in humans, and NAC has a good safety profile, it is reasonable to consider clinical trials to evaluate the effects of prolonged treatment with NAC in patients with RP. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1843–1849, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Local and global factors in work stress—the Australian dairy farming examplar

Objectives Whether the job demand-control model is necessary, but not sufficient, to explain farmers' high levels of strain was studied. If the model were sufficient, then the impact of deregulation would mean that Australian dairy farmers would experience high-strain jobs rather than the active jobs reported for American and European farmers. Methods Longitudinal survey data were used from 348 farmers in 2002 and 195 farmers matched in 2003. Results The dairy farmers had extremely high distress levels, which increased significantly over 12 months (39% according to the General Health Questionnaire, binary scoring), exceeding those of several other Australian occupations. The dairy farmers had active jobs. This situation indicated that theoretically the job demand-control model was not sufficient to explain high levels of distress. Specific measures (globalization, finances, demands of work in sheds) explained the variance in psychological distress beyond the job demand-control theory cross-sectionally, whereas specific demands alone predicted distress over 12 months. In addition, specific demands increased significantly over 12 months. Conclusions The job demand-control model requires supplementation if the impact of important external or upstream factors such as globalization or free market forces, and environmental demands are to be fully assessed. Deregulation demands appear to be the most important and may have reached a ceiling of tolerance that cannot be moderated by control and that requires intervention upstream at the community, industry, and government level. The study builds knowledge, given that little previous research has used the job demand-control model to study self-employed or rural workers.
Hysteresis-free, suspended pristine carbon nanotube gas sensors

We present a novel carbon nanotube gas sensor based on a suspended and ultraclean carbon nanotube transistor. The transistor shows no apparent hysteresis under ambient conditions, thus reducing the drift of the sensor signal due to charging effects. Structural characterization with TEM shows the presence of one single-walled nanotube in the transistor channel. Exposure to 1 ppm NO2 is shown to result in a drain current change of 115%. Together with noise measurements, a detection limit of 32 ppb NO2 is extrapolated. The dependence of signal-to-noise ratio and the low-frequency noise on gate voltage are analyzed.
Consumer-Generated Ads: Does Awareness of Advertising Co-Creation Help or Hurt Persuasion?

Companies increasingly involve consumers in the process of developing advertising and other marketing actions. An important question that has not been explored is whether brands benefit from communicating to consumers who had not been involved in the co-creation process that a target ad was developed by a fellow consumer. The authors propose a skepticism–identification model of ad creator influence, which hypothesizes that disclosing to an audience that an ad was created by a consumer triggers two opposing effects: skepticism about the competence of the ad creator and identification with the ad creator. Four studies demonstrate that the effectiveness of disclosing advertising co-creation depends on factors that hinder skepticism and heighten identification with the ad creator. Specifically, attributing the ad to a consumer is shown to increase persuasion when the audience (1) has limited cognitive resources to scrutinize the message, (2) is given background information about the ad creator that enhances source similarity, and (3) has high loyalty toward the brand. The implications of these findings on marketing theory and practice are discussed.
STUDIES ON ANTIBODY-PRODUCING CELLS

Efferent lymph of the popliteal lymph nodes of rabbits was collected 4 days after a single footpad injection of SRBC. Thin-layer agar plating was done to isolate plaque-forming cells of the lymph for electron microscope examination, and the numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in cells from the lymph and lymph nodes were determined. Of 71 PFC of lymph isolated and examined, 93% were lymphocytes, most of them with signs of substantial levels of physiologic activity. The cytoplasm showed an abundance of free ribosomes and many finger-like projections. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was barely detectable in most of the active lymphocytic PFC, and in some, a few short narrow channels of ER could be seen. Approximately one-fifth of the lymphocytic PFC presented an appearance of senescence, with signs of degeneration: rounded cells, with amorphous nuclear chromatin, and very few microvilli. The remaining 7% of the PFC of the lymph showed an unusual combination of features: small round cells with a narrow ring of cytoplasm which, however, contained well-organized channels of ER. Such cells had been found only among PFC of peripheral blood of the rabbit. The number of PFC per million cells was higher in the lymph than in the suspensions of lymph node cells. In both the contralateral lymph node and its efferent lymph, the number of PFC was less than 1% that of the injected side.
A Study of Homology between a Terminal Portion of Zea Chromosome 2 and a Segment Derived from Tripsacum.

an accuracy of about 99 percent. Chromosomes were identified by means of knob markers, relative lengths and arm ratios. The results include records of pachytene pairing failure from microsporocytes of 39 disomic plants with a Zea-Tripsacum exchange chromosome 2 (referred to as knob (+) plants) and from 28 disomic plants with apparently all normal chromosomes (called knob (-) plants). All plants were progeny of 2N + 1 knob (+) plants which were thought to contain an intact (or nearly so) segment from Tripsacum for the reasons stated