Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Components in Banks' Income Statements and Their Relevance for Equity and Bond Investors

In this paper we study the relative effect on stock and bond markets of different components in banks’ income statements. We divide the operating part of the income statement into loan loss provisions (LLP) and all other operating income. Our hypothesis is that LLPs – which relate to default probability in banks – give a stronger effect on bond markets. Meanwhile, other parts of operating income – which provide a general measure of performance – gives a stronger effect on stock markets. Results confirm this hypothesis. Although there is a large literature on the relevance of accounting for credit losses, it tends to focus on relevance for shareholders rather than debtholders. Our findings suggest that debtholders are primary users relating to accounting for credit losses. This suggests a rebalancing in the user focused in research.
Clofarabine in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in older adults

Objective: To review the literature evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of clofarabine as a single agent and in combination therapy for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Method: A literature search of the PubMed database (1996–April 2012) using the search terms clofarabine and acute myeloid leukemia was performed. All relevant English language articles were reviewed. Clinical trials with patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed with AML were included. Results: Two studies evaluating clofarabine as monotherapy and five studies evaluating clofarabine in combination with cytarabine were reviewed. Clofarabine demonstrated activity in older adults with AML. Response rates and median overall survival (OS) for patients receiving clofarabine were similar to those for patients receiving conventional induction chemotherapy. The induction mortality rate with clofarabine was lower than that seen with intensive chemotherapy. However, clofarabine was associated with a significant risk of severe complications including myelosuppression and sepsis. Conclusion: Clofarabine is an active agent for the treatment of older patients with AML as a single agent or in combination therapy. Based on published data and side-effect profiles, clofarabine may be an appropriate alternative to intensive chemotherapy for older patients with AML, offering similar response rates to traditional 7+3 chemotherapy with potentially decreased induction mortality. The use of clofarabine in combination with newer agents including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors like decitabine is a promising approach for older patients who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to directly compare the efficacy of clofarabine as a single agent and in combination therapy compared with intensive chemotherapy regimens.
Purified bovine AMH induces a characteristic freemartin effect in fetal rat prospective ovaries exposed to it in vitro.

To determine whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is responsible for the gonadal lesions observed in bovine genetic females united by placental anastomoses to male twins (freemartins), prospective ovaries of fetal rats were exposed to purified bovine AMH in vitro. In cultures initiated at 14 days p.c. and maintained 3 to 10 days, AMH consistently induced a characteristic 'freemartin effect', namely reduction of gonadal volume, germ cell depletion and differentiation, in the gonadal blastema, of epithelial cells with large clear cytoplasm linked by interdigitations, resembling rat fetal Sertoli cells. These cells tend to become polarized and form cords, delineated by a continuous basal membrane containing laminin and fibronectin. Such structures, resembling developing seminiferous cords, were not detected in control ovarian cultures. These data strongly suggest that AMH is the testicular factor responsible for triggering the morphological abnormalities of freemartin gonads.
γ1 Laminin and its biologically active KDI‐domain may guide axons in the floor plate of human embryonic spinal cord

Immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and Matrigel‐embedded cultures were used to investigate the distribution of laminins during development of the human embryonic spinal cord (7–11 weeks). Our results indicate that α1, β1, β3 and γ1 laminins localize as punctate deposits in the floor plate region in association with commissural fibers crossing the ventral midline. In addition, the neurite outgrowth domain of γ1 laminin accumulates heavily in the floor plate region, in the notochord and in GFAP‐immunoreactive glial fibers of the embryonic spinal cord. In culture experiments, the biologically active KDI‐domain of γ1 laminin selectively attracted directional outgrowth of neurites from explants of the dorsal spinal cord. The spatial and temporal colocalization of punctate deposits of laminins with nerve fibers crossing the ventral midline, and the guidance of neurites by the KDI‐peptide domain, indicate that laminins, specifically the γ1 laminin, may be involved in guidance of axons during embryonic development of the human spinal cord. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiovascular Effects Associated with Antidiuretic Activity of Vasopressin after Blockade of Its Vasoconstrictor Action in Dehydrated Dogs

In view of our previous findings that a specific antidiuretic (V2) agonist, 4-valine-8- D-arginine vasopressin, acutely increased cardiac output and heart rate in dogs, we examined the hypothesis that interaction with V2-like receptors might contribute to the hemodynamic response seen after blockade of the vasoconstrictor (V1) effect of arginine-vasopressin in dehydrated dogs. After 48 hours of water restriction which increased plasma vasopressin to 10.6 ± 2.0 pg/ml, the V1 antagonist l-(β-mercapto-β,β-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid) 2-(O-methyl)tyrosine arginine- vasopressin, 10 μg/kg, was injected intravenously into six conscious dogs, and the combined V1 + V2 antagonist 1-(β-rhercapto-β,β, cyclopentamethylene propionic acid) 2-(O-ethyl)-D-tyrosine, 4-valine arginine-vasopressin, 10 μg/kg, was administered to another six dogs. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac output (electromagnetic flowmeter), and regional blood flows (radioactive microspheres) were measured before and 20–30 minutes after antagonist administration. Mean arterial pressure did not change significantly in either instance. Cardiac output increased by 31.0 ± 7.1percent; after V1 blockade, but by only 10.8 ± 2.1percent; following V1 + V2 blockade. Blood flow increased significantly and to a similar extent in the skin, the skeletal muscles, and the fat following both antagonists. Conversely, kidney, arterial liver, and bone blood flow increased only after V, blockade. In six additional, normally hydrated conscious dogs, it was shown that the V1 + V2 antagonist had no significant hemodynamic effects, a finding previously established for the V1 antagonist. The V1 + V2 antagonist completely prevented the hemodynamic effects associated with administration of the V2 agonist 4-valine-8-D-arginine vasopressin, 200 ng/kg, whereas the V1 antagonist did not. Both antagonists had similar effects on the hemodynamic changes induced by nitroprusside infusion, namely a potentiation of the blood pressure lowering action. These results suggest that part of the hemodynamic response to blockade of the vasoconstrictor action of vasopressin in dehydration is caused by unmasking cardiovascular effects linked to the antidiuretic activity of the arginine-vasopressin molecule.
A Multi‐Center Analysis of Rehospitalizations Five Years after Brain Injury

Objective:To investigate the incidence and cause of rehospitalizations 1 and 5 years after traumatic brain injury. Design:Descriptive statistics were computed in a prospective study of the cause and incidence of rehospitalizations at years 1 and 5 after injury. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used to identify factors relating to rehospitalization; factors included length of stay, admission and discharge functional status, payer source, medical complications, injury severity, and demographics. Setting:Seventeen medical centers in the federally sponsored Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. In each setting, the continuum of care includes emergency medical services, intensive and acute medical care, inpatient rehabilitation, and a spectrum of community rehabilitation services. Participants:Eight hundred ninety-five rehabilitation patients admitted to acute care within 24 hours of traumatic brain injury between 1989 and 1999 were examined at 1-year follow-up. Main Outcome Measures:Incidence and cause of rehospitalization at 1 and 5 years after injury. Results:The incidence of rehospitalization ranged from 22.9% 1 year after injury to 17.0% at 5 years after injury. At 1 year after injury, a third of the rehospitalizations were for elective reasons. At 5 years after injury, the incidence of readmissions for seizures and psychiatric difficulties and general health maintenance increased substantially. T-tests and chi-square analyses were performed on the 5-year follow-up data to compare those rehospitalized for unplanned reasons with those not rehospitalized. Conclusions:There remains a relatively high rate of rehospitalization in the long term after traumatic brain injury. The costs of rehospitalization should be considered when evaluating the long-term consequences of injury.
Shyness and boldness in pumpkinseed sunfish: individual differences are context-specific

Natural selection often promotes a mix of behavioural phenotypes in a population. Adaptive variation in the propensity to take risks might explain individual differences in shyness and boldness in humans and other species. It is often implicitly assumed that shyness and boldness are general personality traits expressed across many situations. From the evolutionary standpoint, however, individual differences that are adaptive in one context (e.g. predator defence) may not be adaptive in other contexts (e.g. exploration of the physical environment or intraspecific social interactions). We measured the context specificity of shyness and boldness in a natural population of juvenile pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus, by exposing the fish to a potentially threatening stimulus (a red-tipped metrestick extended towards the individual) and a nonthreatening stimulus (a novel food source). We also related these measures of shyness and boldness to behaviours observed during focal observations, both before and after the introduction of a predator (largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides). Consistent individual differences were found within both contexts, but individual differences did not correlate across contexts. Furthermore, fish that were scored as intermediate in their response to the metrestick behaved most boldly as foragers and in response to the bass predators. These results suggest that shyness and boldness are context-specific and may not exist as a one-dimensional behavioural continuum even within a single context. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Establishment of reference values for endocrine tests. Part VII: growth hormone deficiency.

BACKGROUND Plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) concentration can be used as a rough indicator of the growth-hormone status. However, for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, dynamic tests are required. The growth hormone (GH) response in the insulin tolerance test (ITT) is considered to be the gold standard in this respect. An alternative for the ITT is the GHRH/ GHRP-6 test, which has fewer side effects. In this study we established reference values for IGF-I levels and for the GH response in both dynamic tests. METHODS We studied 296 subjects recruited from the general population, equally distributed according to sex and aged between 20 and 70 years. Serum IGF-I level was measured in all subjects and an insulin tolerance test (0.15 U/kg Actrapid iv) and GHRH/GHRP-6 test (1 microg GHRH/kg and 1 microg GHRP-6/kg) were performed in 49 subjects. RESULTS In multivariate analyses both IGF-I and the GH response in the ITT were significantly influenced by age, whereas the GH response in the GHRH/GHRP-6 test was significantly affected by BMI. There was no sex difference in IGF-I and in the GHRH/GHRP-6 test, but in the ITT males had a higher GH peak. There was a significant correlation between the GH responses in both tests, and the GH response was significantly higher in the GHRH/GHRP-6 test than in the ITT. Age-adjusted reference values were established for each test. CONCLUSION We have established age-adjusted reference values for serum IGF-I and for the GH response in the ITT and GHRH/GHRP-6 test.
Surgical Treatment of Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures of the Humerus

Greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus can be successfully treated nonsurgically in most patients. However, as little as 3 to 5 mm of superior greater tuberosity displacement may adversely affect rotator cuff biomechanics and lead to subacromial impingement in patients who are active. In these cases, surgical treatment is recommended. Multiple surgical techniques include open and arthroscopic options tailored to fracture morphology, and strategies for repair include the use of suture anchors, transosseous sutures, tension bands, and plates/screws. Three classification systems are commonly used to describe greater tuberosity fractures: the AO, Neer, and morphologic classifications. Several hypotheses have been discussed for the mechanism of greater tuberosity fractures and the deforming forces of the rotator cuff, and the use of advanced imaging is being explored.
Effects of divalent cations on exocytosis and endocytosis from single mouse pancreatic beta‐cells.

1. The effects of the divalent cations Ca2+, Ba2+ and Sr2+ on exocytosis and endocytosis from single isolated mouse pancreatic beta‐cells were investigated by monitoring changes in cell capacitance. 2. The immediate increase in capacitance elicited by a single depolarization from ‐70 to +20 mV was dependent on the divalent cation species, with Ca2+ (8.2 +/‐ 1.1 fF pC‐1) > Ba2+ (1.0 +/‐ 0.2 fF pC‐1) > Sr2+ (0.7 +/‐ 0.2 fF pC‐1) in perforated‐patch recordings. 3. In Ba2+ solutions alone there was subsequently an additional slow increase in capacitance (to 4.3 +/‐ 1.1 fF pC‐1). This second phase of exocytosis was unaffected by preincubation with colcemid (20 microM, 45 min) or cytochalasin D (10 microM, 15 min), suggesting that interaction of secretory granules with microtubules or microfilaments is not involved. 4. An increase in cell capacitance was elicited by depolarization in Ba2+ solutions when intracellular Ca2+ was buffered with 10 mM EGTA. Infusion of the beta‐cell with Ba2+ also stimulated exocytosis although the rate was much slower (1.1 +/‐ 0.2 fF s‐1; 8 microM free Ba2+) than for Ca2+ (39 +/‐ 5 fF s‐1; 2 microM free Ca2+). These data indicate that Ba2+ does not evoke secretion by promoting Ca2+ release from internal stores. 5. The lower efficacy of Ba2+ in supporting exocytosis may be related to the fact that this cation does not activate calmodulin‐dependent processes and the slow second phase of secretion may result from this ion being removed only slowly from the cytoplasm. 6. Endocytosis was faster in Sr2+ than in Ca2+ or Ba2+ solution, and the speed increased when the external concentration of all three divalent cation species was raised. The ability of Ba2+ to support endocytosis suggests calmodulin‐dependent processes are not involved. These data suggest membrane retrieval is regulated differently from exocytosis in beta‐cells.
An exploration of intelligent learning (iLearning) systems

This study uses survey and case study methods to explore the current status of intelligent learning (iLearning) implementation in several countries. The survey targets universities from the U.S., China, and Europe, who are either developing or have implemented iLearning systems. The case study describes in detail the systems that have been successfully used in several of these universities. Findings of this study have implications for what needs to be further researched, as related to iLearning.
Epigenetic and Genomic Imprinting Analysis in Nuclear Transfer Derived Bos gaurus/Bos taurus Hybrid Fetuses1

Abstract Somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) in cattle is an inefficient process, whereby the production of calves is hindered by low pregnancy rates as well as fetal and placental abnormalities. Interspecies models have been previously used to facilitate the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within coding regions of genes to discriminate between parental alleles in the offspring. Here we report the use of a bovine interspecies model (Bos gaurus × Bos taurus) for the assessment and characterization of epigenetic modifications and genomic imprinting in Day 40-old female NT-derived fetuses and placenta. Analysis of NT and control pregnancies indicated disruption of genomic imprinting at the X inactivation-specific transcript (XIST) locus in the chorion, but not the fetus of clones, whereas proper allelic expression of the insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and gene trap locus 2 (GTL2) loci was maintained in both the fetus and placenta. Analysis of the XIST differentially methylated region (DMR) in clones indicated normal patterns of methylation; however, bisulfite sequencing of the satellite I repeat element and epidermal cytokeratin promoter indicated hypermethylation in the chorion of clones when compared with controls. No differences were detected in methylation levels in the fetus proper. These results indicate that the nuclear transfer process affects gene expression patterns in the trophectoderm- and inner cell mass-derived tissues to different extents.
Modeling and characterization of a silicon-epoxy 2-2 composite material

This paper presents modeling and characterization of a 2-2 silicon-epoxy composite used as matching layer for high frequency transducers. The composite was fabricated using Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE), common in the MEMS industry, to form deep trenches into a silicon wafer, and fill them with epoxy resin. This composite was used as acoustic matching layer in an air-backed 15 MHz transducer and characterized by electrical impedance measurements in air. The effective acoustic properties of the composite, i.e., speed of sound, acoustic impedance and mechanical loss tangent, were deduced from the measured electrical impedances. The estimated parameters were compared with results from analytical and FEM models. The models show that the first lateral resonance in the silicon-epoxy 2-2 composite is primarily defined by the composite period, not by the epoxy kerf, and no switching between the two lowest modes is seen near the “interaction zone” in the dispersion curves, where the two lowest branches are close to each other. Higher loss was also observed in coarser composite structures, probably due to dispersion. The simulation results were verified by pulse-echo measurements on two transducers with the composite matching layer period 20 μm and 40 μm, which are just below and just above the interaction zone. The measurements show good agreement with the theoretical calculations.
Anterior Shoulder Instability Modifies Glenoid Subchondral Bone Density

Subchondral bone mineralization is used as a morphologic marker for individual stress distribution of joints and therefore may help to distinguish variations of glenohumeral contact. Therefore, an in vivo analysis was done to evaluate glenoid stress distribution in anterior glenohumeral instability by computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry. Patients with recurrent anterior glenohumeral dislocation, seven of posttraumatic and six of atraumatic origin, and an intact rotator cuff were grouped retrospectively and compared with healthy, age-matched shoulder specimens from cadavers (n = 13). Glenoid subchondral bone mineralization, including those in all patients with anterior glenohumeral instability, indicated a more anterior and inferior stress distribution compared with stable shoulders. The position of the anterior glenoid density maximum had shifted anteriorly and inferiorly whereas the position of the posterior maximum had shifted anteriorly. Analyzing results on the basis of cause, in posttraumatic instabilities, the shift of the anterior maximum mainly was anterior and in atraumatic instabilities, it mainly was inferior. Individual glenoid stress distribution in anterior glenohumeral instability can be assessed objectively by computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry. The shift of the density maxima corresponded with anterior and inferior directions of humeral head displacement, whereas the degree of changes varied according to the cause of glenohumeral instability.
Long-term comparative pharmacovigilance of orally transmitted Chagas disease: first report

ABSTRACT Background: Two old drugs are the only choice against Trypanosoma cruzi and little is known about their secondary effects in the acute stage of oral-transmitted Chagas disease (ChD). Methods: A cross-sectional analytical surveillance study was conducted in a sizable cohort of patients seen during the largest acute foodborne ChD microepidemic registered so far. Individuals were treated with benznidazole (BNZ) or nifurtimox (NFX). ‘Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events’ was assessed to categorize side effects according to severity. Results: Out of 176 treatments applied, 79% had one or more adverse effects, which predominated in adults (97.8%) as compared to children (75.5%). Risk of side effects with NFX was significantly higher than BNZ. Four adults and a child treated with NFX had severe side effects (pulmonary infarction, facial paralysis, neutropenia, blurred vision, bone marrow hypoplasia) warranting hospitalization, and drug suspension. Adverse effects frequently reported with NFX were abdominal pain, hyporexia, weight loss, headache, nausea and lymphocytosis, whereas skin rash, neurosensory effects, hyporexia, fatigue, pyrosis, abdominal pain and eosinophilia were observed with BNZ. Conclusions: Frequency and severity of side effects during treatment of acute oral infection by T. cruzi demand direct supervision and close follow-up, even in those asymptomatic, to prevent life-threatening situations.
Adaptability to hypobaric hypoxia is facilitated through mitochondrial bioenergetics: an in vivo study

High‐altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) experienced under high‐altitude conditions is attributed to mitochondrial redox distress. Hence, hypobaric hypoxia (HH)‐induced alteration in expression of mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics genes was determined in rat lung. Further, such alteration was correlated with expression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)‐encoded oxidative phosphorylation (mtOXPHOS) genes. The prophylactic effect of dexamethasone (DEX) in counteracting the HH‐induced mitochondrial distress was used as control to understand adaptation to high‐altitude exposure.
Sequential churn prediction and analysis of cellular network users — A multi-class, multi-label perspective

We investigate the problem of churn detection and prediction using sequential cellular network data. We introduce a cleaning and preprocessing of the dataset that makes it suitable for the analysis. We draw a comparison of the churn prediction results from the-state-of-the-art algorithms such as the Gradient Boosting Trees, Random Forests, basic Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). We achieve significant performance boost by incorporating the sequential nature of the data, imputing missing information and analyzing the effects of various features. This in turns makes the classifier rigorous enough to give highly accurate results. We emphasize on the sequential nature of the problem and seek algorithms that can track the variations in the data. We test and compare the performance of proposed algorithms using performance measures on real life cellular network data for churn detection.