Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Classification model of companies' financial performance based on integrated support vector machine

In order to forecast the corporate finance performance, we must choose the appropriate forecast method. The forecast model widely used at present lacks generalization ability and the accuracy is not approving. In this paper, we propose an improved version of support vector machines (named AdaBoost support vector machine) to forecast financial performance of Chinese listed companies. In the choice of kernel function of support vector machine, we compare forecast results for each kernel function and its associated parameters in order to identify the most appropriate forecasting model. The experiment results show that AdaBoost-support vector machine model with rbf kernel function behaves quite well than other methods (such as probabilistic neural network and decision tree model).
Systematic meta-analysis of outcomes associated with psychosis and co-morbid substance use

Objective: To compare the symptoms and social function of patients with psychosis and current substance use to those with psychosis and no history of substance use. Method: The databases EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for peer-reviewed publications in English that reported the characteristics of patients with psychotic illness who were current substance users and those who had never used substances. The searches yielded 22 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was used to compare four key outcome variables: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, depression and social function – and three secondary outcomes: violence, self-harm and hospital admissions. Results: Current substance-using patients were significantly younger than non-substance-using patients and were more likely to be male, but did not differ in age at onset of psychosis or in their level of education. Current substance users had higher ratings of positive symptoms and were more likely to have a history of violence. Older studies reported a stronger association between current substance use and positive symptoms than more recently published studies. Current substance users did not differ from non-users on measurements of negative symptoms, depressive symptoms, social function, self-harm, or the number of hospital admissions. Conclusion: Current substance users with psychosis may have more severe positive symptoms than patients who have never used substances, but this result should be interpreted with caution because of demographic differences between substance users and non-substance users.
Role of Web Personalization in Consumer Acceptance of E-Government Services

Consumer acceptance of technology is vital for understanding the motivating factors involved in technology acceptance and adoption. Whereas most academic attention has gone to understanding user acceptance of technology in organizations, some recent studies have extended this research to consumer context. The evolution of Internet commerce and its wide adoption resulted in academic research on recommendation systems and web personalization. This study seeks to understand how web personalization influences consumer technology acceptance in an E-Government setting. A recent theory of consumer acceptance was extended to study the impact of Web Personalization as a moderator. Our results show that personalizing the web by self-reference and content relevance has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between the determinants of intention to use and user acceptance in certain cases.
Human Infection with Highly Pathogenic A(H7N7) Avian Influenza Virus, Italy, 2013

During an influenza A(H7N7) virus outbreak among poultry in Italy during August–September 2013, infection with a highly pathogenic A(H7N7) avian influenza virus was diagnosed for 3 poultry workers with conjunctivitis. Genetic analyses revealed that the viruses from the humans were closely related to those from chickens on affected farms.
Comparative Effectiveness of Antibiotic Treatment Strategies for Pediatric Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and β-lactams for the treatment of pediatric skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of children 0 to 17 years of age who were enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid, experienced an incident SSTI between 2004 and 2007, and received treatment with clindamycin (reference), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or a β-lactam was created. Outcomes included treatment failure and recurrence, defined as an SSTI within 14 days and between 15 and 365 days after the incident SSTI, respectively. Adjusted models stratified according to drainage status were used to estimate the risk of treatment failure and time to recurrence. RESULTS: Among the 6407 children who underwent drainage, there were 568 treatment failures (8.9%) and 994 recurrences (22.8%). The adjusted odds ratios for treatment failure were 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49–2.47) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 2.23 (95% CI: 1.71–2.90) for β-lactams. The adjusted hazard ratios for recurrence were 1.26 (95% CI: 1.06–1.49) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.19–1.69) for β-lactams. Among the 41 094 children without a drainage procedure, there were 2435 treatment failures (5.9%) and 5436 recurrences (18.2%). The adjusted odds ratios for treatment failure were 1.67 (95% CI: 1.44–1.95) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.06–1.41) for β-lactams; the adjusted hazard ratios for recurrence were 1.30 (95% CI: 1.18–1.44) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.99–1.18) for β-lactams. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with clindamycin, use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or β-lactams was associated with increased risks of treatment failure and recurrence. Associations were stronger for those with a drainage procedure.
Different pattern of risk factors for atopic and nonatopic asthma among children – report from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden Study

Background: A cross‐sectional study was performed among 7–8‐year‐old schoolchildren during the winter of 1996 in three municipalities in the most northern province of Sweden, Norrbotten. The study was the starting point of a longitudinal study of asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and type‐1 allergy, and provided data on prevalence and risk factors for these conditions. The aim of the present study was to validate the classification of asthma based on a parental questionnaire, and to examine risk factors for atopic and nonatopic asthma.
Probiotic Characterization of Acid- and Bile-tolerant Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius from Korean Faeces

This study was conducted to investigate lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius having probiotic properties to be used as the health adjuncts with fermented milk products. Acid- and bile-tolerant lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius was isolated with lactobacilli MRS broth from faeces of 80 healthy persons (infants, children and adults). It was used as a probiotic strain in fermented milk products. The pH of fermented milk decreased from pH 6.7 to 5.0 and titratable acidity increased from 0.3% to 1.0% by L. salivarius subsp. salivarius (isolation strain 20, 35, and 37), when incubated for 36 h at 37°C. The number of viable cell counts of fermented milk was maximized at this incubation condition. The SDS-PAGE evidenced no significant change of casein but distinct changes of whey protein were observed by isolated L. salivarius subsp. salivarius for titratable acidity being incubated by 0.9-1.0% at 37°C. All of the strains produced 83.43 to 131.96 mM of lactic acid and 5.39 to 26.85 mM of isobutyric acid in fermented products. The in vitro culture experiment was performed to evaluate ability to reduce cholesterol levels and antimicrobial activity in the growth medium. The selected L. salivarius subsp. salivarius reduced 23-38% of cholesterol content in lactobacilli MRS broth during bacterial growth for 24 h at 37°C. All of the isolated L. salivarius subsp. salivarius had an excellent antibacterial activity with 15-25 mm of inhibition zone to E. coli KCTC1039, S. enteritidis KCCM3313, S. typhimurium M-15, and S. typhimurium KCCM40253 when its pH had not been adjusted. Also, all of the isolated L. salivarius subsp. salivarius had partial inhibition zone to E. coli KCTC1039, E. coli KCTC0115 and S. enteritidis KCCM3313 when it had been adjusted to pH 5.7. The selected strains were determined to have resistances of twelve antibiotic. Strains 27 and 35 among the L. salivarius subsp. salivarius showed the highest resistance to the antibiotics. These results indicated that some of the L. salivarius subsp. salivarius (strain 27 and 35) are considered as effective probiotic strains with a potential for industrial applications, but the further study is needed to establish their use as probiotics in vivo. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 12 : 1798-1807)
Neck Lift My Way: An Update

Background: The author updates prior descriptions of an approach to the surgical neck lift that aims for a maximum degree of control over the size, shape, and position of every anatomical feature of the neck that is negatively affecting its appearance. Methods: A 38-year clinical experience guided the development of the operative tactics that define the strategy. Data collected from a records review of 522 consecutive neck lifts performed during the 10-year period 2004 through 2013 further inform the report. The approach has eight features: (1) nearly routine use of open submental access to all tissue layers of the central neck, including a regimen that curbed the problems that may attend an extensive tissue dissection; (2) management of lax neck skin by lateral excision using a specific postauricular incision, or by using the nonexcisional method of redistribution; (3) open lipectomy for precise removal of excess subcutaneous neck and jawline fat; (4) individualized modifications to subplatysmal fat, perihyoid fascia, and anterior digastric muscles; (5) treatment of large, ptotic, or malpositioned submandibular salivary glands by partial excision using a transcutaneous traction suture; (6) the current version of the corset platysmaplasty, which is used to treat static paramedian platysma muscle bands, and to avoid contour imperfections following subplatysmal maneuvers; (7) an approach that facilitates an isolated neck lift; and (8) durable results. Results: Case examples demonstrate outcomes. Conclusion: Although the updated approach remains relatively complex and invasive, the author believes that the ends justify the means. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Small RNA Deep Sequencing Identifies MicroRNAs and Other Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Herpesvirus 6B

ABSTRACT Roseolovirus, or human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), is a ubiquitous human pathogen infecting over 95% of the population by the age of 2 years. As with other herpesviruses, reactivation of HHV-6 can present with severe complications in immunocompromised individuals. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of herpesvirus-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating both cellular and viral gene expression. An initial report which computed the likelihood of various viruses to encode miRNAs did not predict HHV-6 miRNAs. To experimentally screen for small HHV-6-encoded RNAs, we conducted large-scale sequencing of Sup-T-1 cells lytically infected with a laboratory strain of HHV-6B. This revealed an abundant, 60- to 65-nucleotide RNA of unknown function derived from the lytic origin of replication (OriLyt) that gave rise to smaller RNA species of 18 or 19 nucleotides. In addition, we identified four pre-miRNAs whose mature forms accumulated in Argonaute 2. In contrast to the case for other betaherpesviruses, HHV-6B miRNAs are expressed from direct repeat regions (DRL and DRR) located at either side of the genome. All miRNAs are conserved in the closely related HHV-6A variant, and one of them is a seed ortholog of the human miRNA miR-582-5p. Similar to alphaherpesvirus miRNAs, they are expressed in antisense orientation relative to immediate-early open reading frames (ORFs) and thus have the potential to regulate key viral genes.
Factor-based Portfolio Management with Corporate Bonds

Over the past 50 years financial asset pricing theories have evolved from simple single-factor models to more complex multi-factor models. Initially, Sharpe’s (1964) Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) postulated that security markets can be described by a single factor (market beta). The basic premise of the model is that market participants require a risk premium for investing in high-beta assets that are typically considered more risky than low-beta assets. However, in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, two major trends emerged in the investment industry that laid the groundwork for the rise of factor-based investment strategies: 1) Investors started to evaluate and implement portfolio diversification in terms of underlying systematic risk factors given the failure of active management to provide adequate downside protection. 2) Investors demanded cost-effective, transparent and systematic alternative investment vehicles that could capture most or at least parts of active managers’ excess return. As a consequence, factor-based investing has grown in popularity and rapidly attracted academics, asset managers and institutional investors.
The Declining Infrastructure of the Aging Brain

Great effort has been dedicated to mapping the functional architecture of the brain in health and disease. The neural centers that support cognition and behavior are the "hubs" defining the salient geographic landmarks of the cerebral topography. Similar to urban cartography, however, the functionality of these hubs is critically dependent on the infrastructure permitting the transfer of relevant information from site to site, and this infrastructure is susceptible to deterioration. The groundwork of the brain lies in the form of the complexly organized myelinated nerve fibers responsible for the inter-regional transmission of electrical impulses among distinct neural areas. Damage to the myelin sheath and reduction in the total number of nerve fibers with aging are thought to result in a degradation in the efficiency of communication among neural regions and to contribute to the decline of function in older adults. This article describes selected studies that are relevant to understanding the deterioration in structural connectivity of the aging brain with a focus on potential consequences to functional network activity. First, the neural substrates of connectivity and techniques used in the study of connectivity are described with a focus on neuroimaging methodologies. This is followed with discussion of the negative effects of age on connective integrity, and the possible mechanisms and neural and cognitive consequences of this progressive disconnection. Given the potential for natural repair of certain elements of the connective network, understanding the basis of age-associated decline in connectivity could have important implications with regard to the amelioration of neural dysfunction and the restoration of the infrastructure necessary for optimal function in older adults.
The Neurogenic Vasodilator Response to Endothelin‐1: A Study in Human Skin In Vivo

We have investigated the mediators and mechanisms underlying the vasodilator effects of the potent vasoactive peptide, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and its isomers ET‐2 and ET‐3 in human skin, in vivo, using cutaneous microdialysis to quantify the release of mediators within the dermal response and scanning laser Doppler imaging to measure changes in blood flux. The effects of local anaesthesia, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by L‐NAME and ET receptor blockade on the ET‐induced vascular response were also investigated. ET‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 all caused a dose‐dependent area of pallor surrounded by a long‐lasting flare which was accompanied by a short‐lived burning pruritus. The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in dialysate collected within the pallor response to 5 μM ET‐1 (1.43 ± 0.64 μM, n = 5) was not significantly different from baseline levels collected prior to injection (0.86 ± 0.38 μM) whilst that in the flare increased to reach a peak value of 2.28 ± 0.61 μM at between 4 and 10 min after intradermal injection (P < 0.004). Pretreatment with local anaesthetic slowed the development of the flare and significantly reduced its size by up to 52% at 20 min after injection (P < 0.05) but had no significant effect on the central pallor. L‐NAME, delivered by dialysis also caused a significant reduction in the ET‐1‐induced flare (P < 0.005). Bosentan, the non‐selective ETA/ETB antagonist, when given by dialysis at the site of injection, reduced the area of both the ET‐1‐induced pallor and surrounding flare by 41 and 26%, respectively. No significant increase in tissue histamine was measured within either the pallor or flare response to ET‐1, ‐2 or ‐3. Together these data confirm that the vasodilator response to endothelin‐1 in human skin is neurogenic in origin and that it is in part mediated by the local release of nitric oxide. There appears to be little evidence for the involvement of mast cell‐derived histamine in the initiation or modulation of ET‐induced vasodilatation, in vivo.
The short-run performance of equity issues in South Africa: Bad timing or a last resort?

Understanding the stock market’s reaction to secondary equity offerings (SEOs) is vital for managers who are commonly tasked with deciding on how to finance their firm’s operations. This study investigated the short-run performance of firms conducting equity issuance on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over the period 1998–2015 by exploring both rational and behavioural models in predicting SEO behaviour. Event-study analysis reveals that the market generally reacts negatively to the announcement of SEOs with a statistically significant average two-day cumulative abnormal return of -2.6%. We also found that the probability of a firm conducting a SEO is significantly negatively related to the number of years listed and the future share return. Although it would make sense that more corporate activity takes place during periods of high investor sentiment, there is no significant evidence that firms conducting SEOs are attempting to time the market.
Determination Sovereign Sukuk in Indonesia in 2011–2016

: This study aims to determine the value of sovereign sukuk that are affected by macroeconomic variables in this case economic growth, Money Supply (JUB), and Bank Indonesia Sharia Certificates (SBIS). This study uses secondary data with time series data type and used monthly for the period 2011-2016. The research method used is descriptive and verifikatif method with multiple linear regression analysis. Variable Dependent in this research is sukuk country. Furthermore, the independent variables in the research are economic growth, JUB, and SBIS. Based on the results of the research note that economic growth has no significant effect on the value of sovereign sukuk with a positive related. While JUB has significantly effect on the value of sovereign sukuk with a positive related. As well as SBIS has significantly effect on the value of sovereign sukuk with a negative related.
Determination of the amino acid change responsible for the nontoxic, cross-reactive exotoxin A protein (CRM 66) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-PR1

Analysis of purified exotoxin A from parental Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and mutant strain PAO-PR1, which produces enzymatically inactive exotoxin A (CRM 66), revealed that CRM 66 lost 90% of parental enzymatic activity. Nucleotide sequence analysis of cloned exotoxin A genes showed a single amino acid substitution in CRM 66. Position 426 in the mature protein of parental (PAO1) exotoxin A is histidine, whereas in CRM 66, it is tyrosine.
Inhibitory Phosphorylation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 as a Compensatory Mechanism for Mitosis Exit

ABSTRACT The current paradigm states that exit from mitosis is triggered by the ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) acting in concert with an activator called CDC20. While this has been well established for a number of systems, the evidence of a critical role of CDC20 in somatic cells is not unequivocal. In this study, we reexamined whether mitotic exit can occur properly after CDC20 is depleted. Using single-cell analysis, we found that CDC20 depletion with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) significantly impaired the degradation of APC/C substrates and delayed mitotic exit in various cancer cell lines. The recruitment of cyclin B1 to the core APC/C was defective after CDC20 downregulation. Nevertheless, CDC20-depleted cells were still able to complete mitosis, albeit requiring twice the normal time. Intriguingly, a high level of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)-inhibitory phosphorylation was induced during mitotic exit in CDC20-depleted cells. The expression of an siRNA-resistant CDC20 rescued both the mitotic exit delay and the CDK1-inhibitory phosphorylation. Moreover, the expression of a nonphosphorylatable CDK1 mutant or the downregulation of WEE1 and MYT1 abolished mitotic exit in CDC20-depleted cells. These findings indicate that, in the absence of sufficient APC/C activity, an alternative mechanism that utilized the classic inhibitory phosphorylation of CDK1 could mediate mitotic exit.
Ten‐year prognosis for generalized infantile eczema

Forty children treated in our hospital for generalized infantile eczema were re‐examined at 11‐13 years of age. In 7(18%) children the eczema had disappeared and in 26(65%) it had become less severe. Unrelated to dermatological status or gender, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 31(78%) and asthma in 21(53%) children. Only 8 children continued without either of these two conditions. All 32 children with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma showed at least one positive skin test reaction in a test panel of 11 common inhalant and food allergens compared with only 4 of 8 children without either allergic rhinitis or asthma (p<0.001). Our results showed an improvement of dermatological status in most children with generalized infantile eczema but there was a high risk of a concomitant respiratory allergy and development of allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Relations between plasma Ox-LDL and carotid plaque among Chinese Han ethnic group

Abstract Objectives: To study the relationship between plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and carotid plaque, including plaque stability, of patients with acute ischemic stroke among Chinese Han ethnic group. Methods: A total of 181 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited and enrolled. The subjects were divided into a carotid plaque group and a no-plaque group by carotid ultrasound. The stability of carotid atheromas was assessed by ultrasound echo density, and the carotid plaque group was further divided into a vulnerable plaque group and a stable plaque group based on the echo results. Results: The study showed that the correlation between age [odds ratio (OR): 1·047; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·014-1·082; P<0·01] and carotid plaque was significant. Plasma ox-LDL (OR: 1·020; 95%CI: 1·010-1·030; P<0·001) was also found to be significantly correlated with carotid plaque. Age was irrelevant to plaque stability (P = 0·0685). The ox-LDL of the vulnerable plaque group was found to be significantly higher than that of the stable plaque group (P = 0·015). By measuring the plasma ox-LDL in patients with ischemic stroke, the proportion under the receiver operating characteristic curve of vulnerable carotid plaques was 0·690 with a 95%CI of 0·613-0·767 (P<0·001). The point of cut-off was 94·5943, the sensitivity was 0·805, and the specificity was 0·505. Conclusion: The plasma ox-LDL level and age are possible risk factors for carotid plaque among patients with ischemic stroke of the Chinese Han ethnic group. This study suggests that ox-LDL could be used as a biomarker in screening for vulnerable carotid plaque in clinical practice.