Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation into the impact of Shari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship on the accuracy of IPO management earnings forecasts

Purpose Islam stresses on the practice of transparency and sufficient disclosure particularly when it concerns the ethical identity of Islamic institutions. This is to make sure that the activities conducted in business adhere to Shari’ah principles. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Shari’ah-compliant status on the accuracy of initial public offering (IPO) earnings forecasts and to investigate the effect of the existence of Muslim directors on IPO companies’ board of directors on the accuracy of earnings forecasts. Design/methodology/approach This study makes use of absolute forecast error as a proxy for earnings forecast accuracy. As obtained from the list of Shari’ah-compliant securities established by the Shari’ah Advisory Council of the Malaysian Securities Commission, the study sample comprised 190 Shari’ah-compliant and non-compliant IPOs. The collected data were analyzed through univariate analysis and ordinary least squares regression. Findings The initial findings show that during the study period, the earnings forecasts of Malaysian IPOs are accurate to some level, although such level is still unsatisfactory. The findings also showed that Shari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship do not positively affect the accuracy of IPO earnings forecasts. Practical implications The findings of the study provide some implications for regulators, financial analysts, investors and users of financial statements, particularly those desirous of investing in Islamic capital market. Originality/value The present study provides a new and far-reaching contribution into the debate about the earnings forecasts disclosure in the context of Islamic ethical perspective. In addition, this study is considered as the first study to extend IPO literature by examining the impact of Shari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship on the accuracy of management earnings forecasts disclosed in the IPO prospectus.
Functional Analysis in Type Ia Group B Streptococcusof a Cluster of Genes Involved in Extracellular Polysaccharide Production by Diverse Species of Streptococci*

Several species of streptococci produce extracellular polysaccharides in the form of secreted exopolysaccharides or cell-associated capsules. Although the biological properties and repeating unit structures of these polysaccharides are diverse, sequence analysis of the genes required for their production has revealed a surprising degree of conservation among five genes found in the capsule gene cluster of each of several polysaccharide-producing streptococci. To determine the function of these conserved genes, we characterized a series of isogenic mutants derived from a wild-type strain of type Ia group B Streptococcus by selectively inactivating each gene. Inactivation of cpsIaE resulted in an acapsular phenotype, consistent with previous work that identified the cpsIaE product as the glycosyltransferase that initiates synthesis of the polysaccharide repeating unit. Mutants incpsIaA, cpsIaB, cpsIaC, orcpsIaD produced type Ia capsular polysaccharide, but in reduced amounts compared with the wild type. Analysis of the mutant polysaccharides and of capsule gene transcription in the mutant strains provided evidence that cpsIaA encodes a transcriptional activator that regulates expression of the capsule gene operon. Mutants in cpsIaC or cpsIaD produced polysaccharide of reduced molecular size but with an identical repeating unit structure as the wild-type strain. We conclude that CpsA to -D are not required for polysaccharide repeating unit biosynthesis but rather that they direct the coordinated polymerization and export of high molecular weight polysaccharide.
The role of TIPS for the treatment of portal hypertension: effects and efficacy.

In patients with variceal bleedings TIPS is effective even if the portal pressure is reduced only partially and the reduction does not reach the threshold of 12 mmHg. Since the post-TIPS pressure gradient is closely correlated to the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy, higher gradients should be favoured in patients with a higher risk of hepatic encephalopathy, e.g. patients > age 65 years, Child-class C patients, and active alcoholics. An 8 mm diameter-shunt is probably the adequate size for most of these patients. Regarding patients with ascites, the effect of TIPS is partially due to an improvement of renal blood flow and function. The reasons for this are unknown. The systemic hemodynamic effects of the TIPS are probably not the cause since the shunt did not result in an improvement of the arterial filling and peripheral resistance. The experimentally proven hepatorenal baro-reflex may be an explanation.
Expression of genes encoding receptors for IgG (FcRIII) and for C3b/C4b (Crry) in rat sciatic nerve during development and wallerian degeneration

Northern blots were used to examine the expression of genes encoding receptors for IgG (FcRIII) and for C3b/C4b (Crry) in rat sciatic nerve during development and Wallerian degeneration. Steady state levels of FcRIII (1.4 kb) and Crry (1.9 and 2.1 kb) mRNAs were higher in adult rat nerves than in 6 day and 21day postnatal rat nerves, indicating that the expression of these receptors is developmentally regulated. The FcRIII and Crry cDNA probes also hybridized with total RNA from 3 day old rat Schwann cells and from adult rat peritoneal macrophages. The size of the FcRIII mRNA expressed by cultured Schwann cells (1.6 kb) differed from that expressed by peritoneal macrophages (1.4 kb); the two may be splice variants of one transcript or products of related genes. Peritoneal macrophages contained approximately 100 times higher FcRIII mRNA levels than Schwann cells. In contrast, steady state levels of both 1.9 and 2.1 kb Crry mRNAs were similar in cultured Schwann cells and macrophages. Nerve transection induced a generalized increase in the level of sciatic FcRIII mRNA (1.4 kb) 3 days post‐surgery, whereas he level of Crry mRNA was increased only in the nerve segment immediately to the cut. The increase of FcRIII mRNA that occurred in Wallerian degeneration was most likely due to infiltration of macro‐phages, as FcRIII mRNA‐positive macrophages were demonstrated in the degenerating nerves by in situ hybridization. FcRIII mRNA‐positive macrophages were not found in normal nerve. The functions of FcRIII and Crry in peripheral nerves are uncertain, but they may be of significance in phagocytosis, antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and in local immune regulation.
An analysis of PLAG1 and HMGA2 rearrangements in salivary duct carcinoma and examination of the role of precursor lesions

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) often arises in pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Putative precursors, including low‐grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma (LGCCC) and ductal carcinoma in‐situ (DCIS), are more controversial. Rearrangement of PLAG1 or HMGA2 is seen in 50–70% of PAs, but this has not been investigated in SDC. Using a large collection of SDCs from a single institution, we aimed to study these genes by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH), and to correlate the presence of precursor lesions/intraductal proliferations with gene alterations.
The relationship of daily mood and stressful events to symptoms in juvenile rheumatic disease.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was 3-fold: 1) to assess the feasibility of a daily diary for use with children with juvenile rheumatic disease (JRD), 2) to describe daily variation in mood, stressful events, and symptoms in children with JRD, and 3) to examine the extent to which daily mood and daily stressful events predict daily symptoms in children with JRD. METHODS Twelve children with JRD completed a daily booklet for 7 days. The daily booklet included measures of daily mood, daily stressful events, daily symptoms, and daily function. The children also completed a visual analog scale for pain and the Children's Depression Inventory. RESULTS Subjects showed good compliance with scheduled completion and return of the daily diaries. Results indicated that children with JRD showed variability in daily mood, frequency of daily stressful events, and daily symptoms across days. Multilevel fixed effects models showed that more negative daily mood and more daily stressful events significantly predicted increased reports of fatigue, stiffness, and cutting back on daily activities. Negative daily mood also correlated with increases in daily reported pain. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that daily diary research is both feasible and potentially informative in children with JRD. Our data emphasize the need for further investigation into the role of daily mood and daily stressful events on disease course in JRD.
Clinical significance of infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae blood isolates with inducible AmpC β-lactamase.

Few studies have investigated the clinical features and outcomes for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacter spp. , Citrobacter spp. , Serratia spp. , and Morganella morganii (ECSM) bloodstream infections. This study was performed to investigate the clinical features and outcomes for ESBL-producing ECSM bloodstream infections. Patients with ECSM bloodstream infection were enrolled from October 2006 to March 2008. Of 124 patients with ECSM bacteremia, 30 cases (24.2%) were ESBL-producing isolates. Immunosuppressive drugs use within 30 days (p=0.028), indwelling device at the time of bacteremia (p=0.042) and antibiotics use within 3 months (p=0.022) were independently associated with ESBL production in multivariate analysis. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 19.4% (24/124). When the 30-day mortality rate was evaluated, no significant difference was found between the ESBL group (16.6%; 5/30) and non-ESBL group (20.2%; 19/94). Hospitalization was longer in the ESBL group than in the non-ESBL group (65.4±92.8 vs. 32.9±37.8 days, respectively; p=0.007). The recent use of antibiotics (especially broad-spectrum cephalosporins and other β-lactam antibiotics) was an important risk factor for ESBL among ECSM bacteremia. ESBL production of ECSM isolates was not significantly associated with mortality but ESBL-producing organisms have an important impact on the duration of hospital stay and subsequent medical cost.
Novice and experienced foreign languages teacher's sense of efficacy and promoting citizenship education

This study explored novice and experienced teacher’s self-efficacy beliefs and sense of promoting citizenship education among foreign language teachers working at University of Pula. Data were collected through a survey administered to 74 teachers. A modified version of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran and Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) was used to assess efficacy for management, engagement, and instructional strategies. A questionnaire was designed for the purpose of appraising the teachers’ sense of promoting citizenship education. Results indicated that teachers’ efficacy for instructional strategies was higher than efficacy for management and engagement. Results also showed differences between novice and experienced teachers in the areas of instructional strategy, classroom management, and student engagement. To shed light on the teachers’ sense of promoting citizenship education, there was non-significant difference between novice and experienced teachers. The findings provide implications for foreign language teacher preparation as well as professional development.
Impaired Production of Interferon-&ggr; and Tumor Necrosis Factor-&agr; but not of Interleukin 10 in Whole Blood of Patients with Sepsis

It has been demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine response in patients with sepsis differ from the normal host, yet this has not been controlled for the presence of underlying disease. We studied the ability of LPS and killed gram-negative bacteria (GNB) to induce tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&agr; and interleukin (IL) 10, and of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to induce interferon (IFN)-&ggr;, in whole blood from patients with sepsis (SP, n = 20), patients with matched underlying disease and without sepsis (control patients, n = 20), and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 20). LPS-induced TNF-&agr; production was lower in SP (median = 638 pg/mL) compared with control patients (4060 pg/mL;P = 0.003), and control patients production was lower compared with HV (5329 pg/mL;P < 0.001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced TNF-&agr; production was lower in SP (1443 pg/mL) than in control patients (7319 pg/mL;P < 0.05), and was not different between control patients and HV (6612 pg/mL;P = 0.6). IFN&ggr; production was lower in SP (948 pg/mL) compared with control patients (5516 pg/mL;P < 0.001), and the control patients production was lower compared with HV (11,282 pg/mL;P < 0.001). IL-10 production was not different among the three groups. Down-regulation of TNF-&agr; production in patients with sepsis, although not restricted to them, was more pronounced with LPS than with GNB. Although the presence of underlying disease may be involved in the regulatory mechanisms of host response, the use of controls with matched underlying diseases provides strong evidence for the septic condition in the down-regulation of inflammatory response in patients with sepsis.
Prognostic and clinicopathological value of p53 expression in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Background The prognostic value of p53 expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had been investigated in previous studies; however, the results remain inconsistent. This study was performed to investigate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of p53 protein expression in RCC. Materials and Methods Literature was identified from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane database, which investigated the relationships between p53 expression and outcomes. Hazard ratios (HRs) for survival outcomes and odds ratios (ORs) for clinical parameters associated with p53 were extracted from eligible studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value. The fixed-effects model was used if there was no evidence of heterogeneity; otherwise, the random-effects model was used. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's funnel plots and Egger's regression test. Results A total of 2,013 patients from 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that p53 positive expression is associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.17, 95% confidence [CI]: 1.51–3.13) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19–2.12) in RCC. In addition, p53 positive expression was closely correlated with TNM stage (III/IV vs. I/II: OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.05–6.00), Fuhrman grade (III/IV vs. I/II: OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.24–2.63), and distant metastasis (M1 vs. M0: OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.16–2.49), but not related to lymph node involvement (N1 vs. N0: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.80–2.18), primary tumor stage (pT3/pT4 vs. pT1/pT2: OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.88–1.53), and sex (n = 2, male vs. female, OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.70–1.68). Conclusions This study suggests that p53 positive expression is correlated with poor prognosis and advanced clinicopathological features in patients with RCC, which indicates that p53 is a potentially effective therapeutic target.
Brexit or Corbyn?: Campaign and Inter-Election Vote Switching in the 2017 UK General Election

The 2017 UK General Election saw the collapse of UKIP and an unusually influential campaign that saw Labour improving from a likely historic defeat to almost pulling level with the Conservatives, denying Theresa May a parliamentary majority. We argue that the election should be understood in two phases: first from 2015 to the start of the election campaign, and second the campaign itself. The former period was characterised by strong switching along Brexit lines, with 2015 UKIP voters defecting heavily to the Conservatives following the outcome of the EU Referendum, which had enabled the Conservatives to make credible promises on immigration. Concurrently, many 2015 Labour supporters had defected to other parties or were undecided. The campaign then saw Labour winning voters from all sources, but particularly from previously undecided voters. While campaign vote flows were not as strongly related to Leave/Remain votes, 2015–2017 switching as a whole was heavily influenced by the EU referendum choices. We conclude that 2017 was indeed a ‘Brexit election’, but the campaign is better understood as a general rise in support for Labour resulting from Corbyn's appeal relative to that of Theresa May, particularly among the party’s own 2015 voters who had defected before the campaign.
Greater diversity of HIV DNA variants in the rectum compared to variants in the blood in patients without HAART

The gut‐associated lymphoid tissue represents the largest reservoir of HIV‐1. Improving knowledge of this reservoir by studying the diversity of viral population is a key step towards understanding the pathogenesis and dynamics of HIV. Obtaining samples is difficult and little information is available on gut viral quasispecies during the course of infection in humans. The aim of this study was to characterize rectal viral strains and their diversity and to investigate the relationships between the rectal tissue reservoir and viral variants in the blood. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on the env sequences for rectal HIV DNA, blood HIV DNA, and HIV RNA clones, with maximum‐likelihood and neighbor‐joining methods on seven patients. Genetic diversity was assessed. Higher diversity of HIV DNA clones was noted in the rectum compared to blood in four out of five patients without HAART. Viral diversity was present in the rectum from time of the primary infection. Similar degrees of diversity were observed in the rectum and blood during HAART. Rectal and blood HIV variants were interspersed partially or totally in the seven patients. A certain number of rectal HIV DNA clones were clustered together in six patients. These results suggest that variants in the rectum were more heterogeneous than variants in the blood from patients without HAART, probably because the activated milieu of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue may provide an improved environment for viral replication, and indicate exchange of viral populations between blood and rectal tissues, reflecting the dynamics of HIV during course of infection. J. Med. Virol. 83:1499–1507, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CD155 on Human Vascular Endothelial Cells Attenuates the Acquisition of Effector Functions in CD8 T Cells

Objective—CD155 is a cell surface protein that has recently been described to exert immune regulatory functions. We have characterized the expression of CD155 on human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and examined its role in the regulation of T-cell activation. Methods and Results—CD155 was expressed on resting human vascular ECs and was upregulated in an interferon-&ggr; (IFN&ggr;)–dependent manner. When the function of CD155 in regulating T-cell activation was examined, antibody-mediated neutralization of CD155 did not affect CD8 T-cell proliferation in response to stimulation with ECs. However, neutralization of CD155 activity or small interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of CD155 expression in ECs increased expression of IFN&ggr; and cytotoxic effector function in activated CD8 T cells. Conclusion—CD155 is an IFN&ggr;-inducible immune regulatory protein on the surface of human ECs that attenuates the acquisition of effector functions in CD8 T cells.
A Phase I–II study of sequential administration of topotecan and oral etoposide (toposiomerase I and II inhibitors) in the treatment of patients with small cell lung carcinoma

Topotecan (9‐dimethylaminomethyl‐10‐hydroxycampthothecin) is a new topoisomerase I inhibitor with promising efficacy in the treatment of patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Combination with a topoisomerase II inhibitor may potentate the therapeutic effect of topotecan, although there has been conflicting preclinical information on the combination. The objectives of this study were to establish the maximum tolerated dose and to determine the efficacy of the sequential combination of intravenous topotecan and oral etoposide in the treatment of patients with SCLC.
Designing quantitative structure activity relationships to predict specific toxic endpoints for polybrominated diphenyl ethers in mammalian cells

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are known as effective flame retardants and have vast industrial application in products like plastics, building materials and textiles. They are found to be structurally similar to thyroid hormones that are responsible for regulating metabolism in the body. Structural similarity with the hormones poses a threat to human health because, once in the system, PBDEs have the potential to affect thyroid hormone transport and metabolism. This study was aimed at designing quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models for predicting toxic endpoints, namely cell viability and apoptosis, elicited by PBDEs in mammalian cells. Cell viability was evaluated quantitatively using a general cytotoxicity bioassay using Janus Green dye and apoptosis was evaluated using a caspase assay. This study has thus modelled the overall cytotoxic influence of PBDEs at an early and a late endpoint by the Genetic Function Approximation method. This research was a twofold process including running in vitro bioassays to collect data on the toxic endpoints and modeling the evaluated endpoints using QSARs. Cell viability and apoptosis responses for Hep G2 cells exposed to PBDEs were successfully modelled with an r2 of 0.97 and 0.94, respectively.
3D volume integral formulation based on facet elements for the computation of AC losses in superconductors

A 3D volume integral formulation based on a generalization of the PEEC method (Partial Element Equivalent Circuit) for the computation of AC losses in the superconducting materials is developed and detailed. This can be achieved by the use of finite element facet interpolation for the current density. Several strengths appear with this approach. The method which is both light (we don't require to mesh the air) and precise, ensures highly the conservation of current and therefore leaves hope for a good performance in solving highly nonlinear problems.
Effects of recombinant dimeric TNF receptor on human inflammatory responses following intravenous endotoxin administration.

Effects of dimeric TNF receptor (p80) Fc (TNFR:Fc) on acute phase responses were evaluated in 18 volunteers given endotoxin (4 ng/kg i.v.). Subjects were randomized to receive either placebo (n = 6), low dose TNFR:Fc (10 mg/m2 i.v., n = 6), or high dose TNFR:Fc (60 mg/m2 i.v., n = 6). TNFR:Fc blocked plasma TNF bioactivity (p = 0.001) and increased, in a dose-ordered fashion, TNF immunoactivity (p < 0.001). TNFR:Fc decreased secondary cytokine levels including IL-1 beta (p = 0.007), IL-8 (p < 0.001), IL-1 receptor antagonist (p < 0.001), granulocyte-CSF (p = 0.03), and growth regulated peptide-alpha (p = 0.001) but not macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha or IL-10. Low dose, but not high dose, TNFR:Fc blunted or delayed the release of epinephrine and cortisol (p < or = 0.026). Despite the absence of plasma TNF bioactivity, high dose TNFR:Fc was less immunosuppressive than low dose TNFR:Fc as measured by cytokine and stress hormone responses. Endotoxin-related symptoms were not altered by TNFR:Fc and the febrile response was delayed but not diminished (p = 0.004). Increases in cardiac index (72 +/- 19%) and heart rate (60 +/- 10%) and decreases in systemic vascular resistance index (47 +/- 7%) were unaltered by TNFR:Fc. These data suggest that the inflammatory response to endotoxin can escape from high levels of circulating TNF-blocking activity and redundant pathways, independent of circulating TNF, can sustain inflammation and clinical responses caused by acute endotoxemia.