Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The four-factor model and stock returns: evidence from Sri Lanka

There have been numerous studies that have attempted to explain the cross-sectional variation in average returns in developed and emerging markets. However, there is a dearth in the published evidence of research that has looked at frontier markets regarding this aspect. Sri Lanka is considered to be a frontier market and hence the objective of this study is to test the ability of the Carhart four-factor model to explain the variation in the cross-section of average stock returns in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and to evaluate it in comparison to the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and the Fama and French three-factor model. The study finds that the four-factor model, incorporating the market factor, size factor, value factor and momentum factor, provides a satisfactory explanation of the variation in the cross-section of average stock returns in the CSE. Further, it is found that the four-factor model performs better than the CAPM and the three-factor model.
Two-months-off, four-months-on antiretroviral regimen increases the risk of resistance, compared with continuous therapy: a randomized trial involving West African adults.

BACKGROUND A randomized trial was launched in Côte d'Ivoire in 2002 to compare continuous antiretroviral treatment (hereafter, "C-ART") to an ART regimen of 2 months off and 4 months on therapy (hereafter, "2/4-ART"). We report the final analysis. METHODS A total of 435 adults who were receiving successful ART ((median CD4 cell count prior to ART, 272 cells/mm(3); 88% were receiving a zidovudine-lamivudine-efavirenz regimen) were randomized to receive C-ART or 2/4-ART. The main primary end point was the percentage of patients with <350 CD4 cells/mm(3) at 24 months. The sample size ensured 80% power to demonstrate noninferiority (noninferiority bound, -15%), assuming that 30% of the patients in the C-ART arm would have <350 CD4 cells/mm(3). Other end points were mortality, morbidity, cost of care, genotypic resistance, adherence, and toxicity. RESULTS The percentage of patients with <350 CD4 cells/mm(3) at 24 months was 5.6% (6 of 107) in the C-ART arm and 14.6% (46 of 315) in the 2/4-ART arm (lower bound of the 95% CI for the difference, -14%). Cost was 18% higher in the C-ART arm, and resistance to nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) was 20% higher in the 2/4-ART arm. Other end points were nonconclusive. CONCLUSIONS Although 2/4-ART met the predetermined criteria for noninferiority, the percentage of patients with <350 CD4 cells/mm(3) in the C-ART arm was lower than anticipated, which makes the clinical significance of this noninferiority uncertain. In addition, 2/4-ART led to an unacceptable additional risk of selecting for drug-resistant virus. This new argument against episodic ART strategies is also a caveat against any unplanned ART interruptions in Africa, where most patients receive NNRTIs.
Low Loss and Temperature Stable Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibers

We report on a study of the loss mechanisms in microstructured polymer optical fibers (mPOF), resulting in the fabrication of mPOF with a loss equal to that of commercial polymer optical fibers of 0.16 dB/m at 650 nm, nearing the limit imposed by material absorption. The contributions of confinement loss, macroscopic defects, microbending, and surface roughness are investigated and quantified. The temperature stability of mPOF is also investigated and is dependent on stresses introduced into the fiber during fabrication. A method for achieving stable operation up to 90 °C with a minimal increase in fiber loss is outlined.
Thermal stabilization of the DNA duplex by adducts of aflatoxin B1

The trans‐8,9‐dihydro‐8‐(N7‐guanyl)‐9‐hydroxyaflatoxin B1 cationic guanine N7 adduct of aflatoxin B1 thermally stabilizes the DNA duplex, as reflected in increased Tm values upon adduction. The magnitude of the increased Tm value is characteristically 2–3°C. The major rotamer of the neutral guanine N7 adduct trans‐8,9‐dihydro‐8‐(2,6‐diamino‐4‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydropyrimid‐5‐yl‐formamido)‐9‐hydroxy aflatoxin B1 (the FAPY major adduct) exhibits a 15°C increase in Tm in 5′‐d(CTATFAPYGATTCA)‐3′‐5′‐d(TGAATCATAG)‐3′. Site‐specific mutagenesis experiments reveal the FAPY major adduct induces G→T mutations in Escherichia coli at a frequency six times higher than that of the cationic adduct (Smela, M. E.; Hamm, M. L.; Henderson, P. T.; Harris, C. M.; Harris, T. M.; Essigmann, J. M. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 99, 6655–6660). Thus, the FAPY major lesion may account substantially for the genotoxicity of AFB1. Structural studies for cationic and FAPY adducts of aflatoxin B1 suggest both adducts intercalate above the 5′‐face of the modified deoxyguanosine and that in each instance the aflatoxin moiety spans the DNA helix. Intercalation of the aflatoxin moiety, accompanied by favorable stacking with the neighboring base pairs, is thought to account for the increased thermal stability of the aflatoxin cationic guanine N7 and the FAPY major adducts. However, the structural basis for the large increase in thermal stability of the FAPY major adduct in comparison to the cationic guanine N7 adduct of aflatoxin B1 is not well understood. In light of the site‐specific mutagenesis studies, it is of considerable interest. For both adducts, the intercalation structures are similar, although improved stacking with neighboring base pairs is observed for the FAPY major adduct. In addition, the presence of the formamido group in the aflatoxin B1 FAPY major adduct may enhance duplex stability, perhaps via intrastrand sequence‐specific hydrogen bonding interactions within the duplex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Nucleic Acid Sci) 65: 190–201, 2002
Treatment of glucocorticoid-resistant or relapsing Takayasu arteritis with methotrexate.

OBJECTIVE To identify the role of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of persistent or recurrent Takayasu arteritis that is refractory to treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) alone. METHODS An open-label pilot study of weekly low-dose MTX+GC treatment was performed. Outcome was evaluated according to clinical characteristics, laboratory abnormalities, findings on routinely performed angiographic studies, and ability to withdraw GC and MTX therapy. Eighteen patients entered the study; 2 dropped out, and 16 were followed up for a mean period of 2.8 years (range 1.3-4.8 years). RESULTS Weekly administration of MTX (mean stable dose of 17.1 mg) and GC resulted in remissions in 13 of 16 patients (81%). However, 7 patients (44%) had relapses as GC was tapered to or near discontinuation. Retreatment again led to remission, and 3 of 7 patients in this group have successfully stopped GC therapy. Of those patients who achieved remission, 8 (50%) have sustained remissions of 4-34 months (mean 18 months), and 4 of this group have not required GC or MTX therapy for 7-18 months (mean 11.3 months). Three patients experienced disease progression in spite of treatment. CONCLUSION About half of all Takayasu arteritis patients have chronic active disease for which GC therapy alone does not provide sustained remissions that allow withdrawal of treatment. Weekly low-dose MTX is an effective means of inducing remission and minimizing GC therapy and toxicity in most of these patients. Further long-term studies will be required to assess the durability of remission and the need for maintenance MTX therapy in this subset of Takayasu arteritis patients.
Characteristics and postnatal development of a hyperpolarization-activated inward current in rat hypoglossal motoneurons in vitro.

1. Single-electrode voltage clamp recordings in a rat brain stem slice preparation were used to determine the characteristics and postnatal development of a hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih) in hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs). 2. In young adult HMs (> P21), a noninactivating, time- and voltage-dependent inward current was evident during hyperpolarizing voltage steps to membrane potentials negative to approximately -65 mV from depolarized holding potentials [Vh = -56.2 +/- 1.0 (SE) mV]. The averaged reversal potential (Erev) of the inward current, estimated using an extrapolation procedure, was -38.8 +/- 2.9 mV (n = 5), suggesting that a mixed cationic current underlies inward rectification in HMs. 3. The voltage dependence of Ih activation was determined from tail current relaxations that followed a family of voltage steps to different membrane potentials. Normalized tail current amplitudes were well-fitted with a single Boltzman function with a half-activation at -79.8 +/- 0.7 mV and slope factor = 5.3 +/- 0.3 (n = 8). 4. Time constants of Ih activation and deactivation were voltage-dependent. Activation proceeded more quickly with larger hyperpolarizing voltage steps; time constants averaged 389, 181, and 134 ms at -69, -82, and -95 mV, respectively (n = 6). Ih deactivated during depolarizing voltage steps from hyperpolarized holding potentials. Deactivation was faster with larger depolarizing steps; time constants averaged 321, 215, and 107 ms at -80, -71, and -62 mV, respectively (n = 4). 5. Ih was sensitive to extracellular cesium but relatively insensitive to extracellular barium. The current amplitude near half-activation (approximately -84 mV) was almost completely blocked (to 11% of control) by Cs+ (3 mM, n = 3) but was reduced to only 85 and 60% in 0.5 (n = 2) and 2 mM Ba2+ (n = 3), respectively. 6. There was a marked increase in the amplitude of Ih during postnatal development of HMs. Measured near half-activation, Ih was approximately 10-fold larger in adult (> or = P21; n = 20) than in neonatal HMs (< or = P8; n = 7). Input conductance (GN) was only threefold higher in the same sample of HMs. There were no apparent differences in the voltage dependence or Erev of Ih between neonatal and older HMs. These results suggest that the increased amplitude of Ih results from an increase in Ih current density. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Loss of Asthma Control in Inner City Children with Asthma after Withdraw of Asthma Controller Medication

To determine what percentage of inner-city children with asthma would lose asthma control when taken off asthma controllers, a retrospective analysis was performed on inner-city asthmatic children who achieved asthma control in an asthma specific disease management program. Once disease control was achieved patients had stepwise reduction of asthma controllers based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Expert Review Panel (EPR) 2 guidelines. In patients who were taken off all controllers, probability of maintaining asthma control at the first visit after cessation of these medications was significantly lower compared to patients kept on inhaled corticosteroids. We conclude that cessation of asthma controllers in previously well controlled inner-city asthmatic children results in loss of asthma control in a significant number of these patients. Data support recommendations from national asthma guidelines to step down controller therapy, but clinical monitoring is important to reduce impairment due to loss of control.
Migraine, White Matter Hyperintensities, and Subclinical Brain Infarction in a Diverse Community: The Northern Manhattan Study

Background and Purpose— Migraine with aura is a risk factor for ischemic stroke. The goals of this study are to examine the association between migraine and subclinical cerebrovascular damage in a race/ethnically diverse older population-based cohort study. Methods— In the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), we quantified subclinical brain infarctions and white matter hyperintensity volumes among participants with self-reported migraine, confirmed by the International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria. Results— Of 546 study participants with imaging and migraine data (41% men; mean age at MRI, 71±8 years; mostly Hispanic [65%]), those reporting migraine overall had double the odds of subclinical brain infarction (adjusted odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–4.2) when compared with those reporting no migraine, after adjusting for sociodemographics and vascular risk factors. No association was observed between migraine with or without aura and white matter hyperintensity volume. Conclusions— Migraine may be a risk factor for subclinical brain infarction. Prospective studies are needed in race/ethnically diverse populations.
Text messaging to improve resident knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Advances in technology present opportunities to develop and test innovative teaching methods. We sought to evaluate whether text messaging could improve medical resident knowledge in musculoskeletal medicine. METHODS Eleven U.S. family medicine residency programs with a total of 269 residents participated in this randomized, controlled trial. Residents were invited to complete a pretest to assess musculoskeletal medicine knowledge. The residents randomized to the intervention group were then offered to receive text messages termed electronically Generated Educational Messages (eGEMs) three times per week during a 12-week period. The primary outcome was change in pretest and posttest scores among residents in an intervention group (those who received text messages) as compared to a control group (those who did not receive the text messages). Focus groups were conducted to assess resident acceptability and usefulness of text messaging as a teaching tool. RESULTS Sixty-three residents completed the pretests and posttests. The intervention group's score improved from 55% of questions answered correctly to 64%; the control group improved from 56% to 61%. While these pretest/posttest changes each were statistically significant, the difference in improvement between the two groups was not. Focus groups revealed that participants liked the intervention, but suggestions for improvement included ability to tailor the eGEMs. CONCLUSIONS The use of eGEMs as initially developed did not increase resident knowledge based on exam scores. Further study is needed to determine if a more tailored intervention is effective.
Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in children with common variable immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND Children with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have increased susceptibility to infections. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement therapy on the clinical outcome of patients with CVID. METHODS We studied children diagnosed with CVID and treated with IVIG (500 mg/kg every 3 weeks). RESULTS The study population comprised 29 children with CVID (mean [SD] age, 11.8 [6.1] years) with at least 1 year of follow-up before IVIG replacement therapy. Mean follow-up duration was 5.6 (3.5) years (range, 15 months-14 years). During therapy, median serum IgG levels increased from 410 to 900 mg/dL. The mean number of respiratory infections per patient per year decreased significantly from 10.2 to 2.5. The annual number and length of hospital stays decreased significantly from 1.36 to 0.21 and 16.35 to 6.33 days per patient, respectively. The mean annual number of antibiotics used decreased significantly from 8.27 to 2.50 per patient. Twelve patients had developed bronchiectasis before initiation of IVIG; 3 patients were cured of this condition. Age at diagnosis, diagnostic delay, number of respiratory tract infections, and number of antibiotics were found to be significantly higher in patients with bronchiectasis, as was lower B-cell percentage. However, gastrointestinal involvement due to noninfectious causes did not improve significantly after IVIG replacement therapy. CONCLUSION CVID patients treated with IVIG (500 mg/kg every 3 weeks) had satisfactory serum IgG levels, fewer respiratory tract infections, fewer and shorter hospital stays, and reduced antibiotic usage. However, no effect on gastrointestinal involvement was observed. Early IVIG replacement therapy is important in preventing bronchiectasis.
Mechanical strain rapidly redistributes tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Repetitive strain stimulates proliferation and modulates differentiation in human Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells via tyrosine kinase activity. We therefore sought to characterize strain modulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in Caco-2 cells. Immunoblotting for phosphotyrosine demonstrated that repetitive strain (10 cpm, 10% strain) rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of 125-, 70-, 60-, and 50-kDa bands in the soluble fraction by 94+/-31, 145+/-21, 365+/-46, and 1240+/-240%, respectively (p<0.05, n=4). However, strain decreased tyrosine phosphorylated band intensity of the 125-, 70-, 60-, and 50-kDa proteins in the particulate fraction by 81+/-17, 70+/-23, 79+/-7, and 59+/-23%, respectively (p<0.05, n=4). The decreased band intensity in the particulate fraction was not due to decreased tyrosine kinase activity because strain equally increased tyrosine kinase activity in both soluble and particulate fractions. Cyclic strain at a physiologically relevant amplitude and frequency appears to modulate the subcellular distribution of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in human Caco-2 intestinal cells.
Age-Related Patterns in Social Networks among European Americans and African Americans: Implications for Socioemotional Selectivity across the Life Span

Socioemotional selectivity theory contends that as people become increasingly aware of limitations on future time, they are increasingly motivated to be more selective in their choice of social partners, favoring emotionally meaningful relationships over peripheral ones. The theory hypothesizes that because age is negatively associated with time left in life, the social networks of older people contain fewer peripheral social partners than those of their younger counterparts. This study tested the hypothesis among African Americans and European Americans, two ethnic groups whose social structural resources differ. Findings confirm the hypothesis. Across a wide age range (18 to 94 years old) and among both ethnic groups, older people report as many emotionally close social partners but fewer peripheral social partners in their networks as compared to their younger counterparts. Moreover, a greater percentage of very close social partners in social networks is related to lower levels of happiness among the young age group, but not among the older age groups. Implications of findings for adaptive social functioning across the life span are discussed.
Genetic advances of type 2 diabetes in Chinese populations

In recent decades, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in China has increased significantly, underscoring the importance of investigating the etiological mechanisms, including genetic determinants, of the disease in Chinese populations. Numerous loci conferring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been identified worldwide, with most having been identified in European populations. In terms of ethnic heterogeneity in pathogenesis as well as disease predisposition, it is imperative to explore the specific genetic architecture of T2D in Han Chinese. Replication studies of European‐derived susceptibility loci have been performed, validating 11 of 32 loci in Chinese populations. Genetic investigations into heritable traits related to glucose metabolism are expected to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of T2D, and such studies have already inferred some new susceptibility loci. Other than replication studies of European‐derived loci, efforts have been made to identify specific susceptibility loci in Chinese populations using methods such as genome‐wide association studies. These efforts have identified additional new loci for the disease. Genetic studies can facilitate the prediction of risk for T2D and also promote individualized anti‐diabetic treatment. Despite many advances in the field of risk prediction and pharmacogenetics, the pace of clinical application of these findings is rather slow. As a result, more studies into the practical utility of these findings remain necessary.
A Study on Capital Structure and Profitability of Cement Companies in Telangana

Capital is considered to be life-giving force to an economic entity and managing capital one of the most important functions of corporate management. Capital structure defines the short-term financing requirements of a firm which includes maintaining optimum balance of capital components-receivables, inventory and payables-and using the cash efficiently for dayto-day operations. The main objectives of this study are to examine and evaluate the capital structure and profitability analysis in cement Industry units and to examine the management of inventory, profitability position and receivables management. This also finds the relationship between capital efficiency and profitability. An empirical research in financial position of a firm is a concept that is gaining serious attention all over the world because of the current financial turmoil and the state of the world economy. The concern of business owners and managers all over the world is to devise a strategy which will help in maintaining balance in financial position as well as to increase profitability and shareholder's wealth. Profitability is perceived as the debt paying ability of a going concern. It is the ability of a company to meet the short term obligations. Hence, it is of utmost importance to keep a constant eye on financial position of the company as without it the company cannot survive. In this paper a comparative study on the capital structure of three leading cement companies has been done to know the profitability position of the companies. The study covers a period of 5 years (2010–2015)of Ambuja Cements Ltd, Kesoram Cement, Anjani Portland Cement Ltd.
Nestin expression is lost in ventricular fibroblasts during postnatal development of the rat heart and re‐expressed in scar myofibroblasts

Studies have reported that the intermediate filament protein nestin was expressed in various non‐stem/progenitor cells during development, downregulated during postnatal growth and re‐expressed following injury. The present study tested the hypothesis that an analogous paradigm was prevalent for ventricular fibroblasts. In the neonatal rat heart, nestin protein levels were significantly higher than the adult heart and the isolation of cardiac cells revealed a selective expression in ventricular fibroblasts. In adult ventricular fibroblasts, nestin protein expression was markedly lower compared to neonatal ventricular fibroblasts. Following ischemic damage to the rat heart, nestin staining was detected in a subpopulation of scar myofibroblasts (37%) and the percentage of immunoreactive cells was greater than adult ventricular fibroblasts (7%) but significantly lower than neonatal ventricular fibroblasts (86%). Moreover, dissimilar rates of 3H‐thymidine uptake were observed among the fibroblast populations and may be related in part to the disparate percentage of nestin(+) cells. To assess the role of nestin in DNA synthesis, neonatal ventricular fibroblasts were infected with a lentivirus containing a shRNAmir directed against the intermediate filament protein. The partial depletion of nestin expression in neonatal ventricular fibroblasts significantly reduced basal DNA synthesis, in the absence of an apoptotic response. Thus, postnatal development of the rat heart was associated with a selective loss of nestin expression in ventricular fibroblasts and subsequent induction in a subpopulation of myofibroblasts following ischemic injury. The re‐expression of nestin in scar myofibroblasts may represent an adaptive response to enhance their proliferative rate and accelerate the healing process. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 813–820, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.