Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyst Coverage and Two Puzzles in the Cross Section of Returns

We examine a stylized version of Miller's (1977) hypothesis as the explanation of the puzzling ndings of both Chordia, Subrahmanyam and Anshuman (2001) and Ang, Hodrick, Xing and Zhang (2006). Identifying stocks that are prone to disagreement by using low analyst coverage produces results that are strongly consistent with the model's predictions.The low returns to high return volatility stocks are corrections of optimistic mispricing that arises because information arrivals generate disagreement among traders. Disagreement also implies a negative relation between returns and shocks to trading volume. The abnormal returns to a trading strategy based on idiosyncratic return volatility are explained by the returns to a strategy based on turnover volatility, suggesting that the same economic forces underlie both relations as the model predicts.
Infections complicating mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine, in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, the incidence of infections, the importance of nosocomial infections, and the epidemiologic factors associated with cutaneous and visceral infections. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective inception cohort study at a university medical center referral clinic. PATIENTS Three hundred fifty-six patients with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence rates for specific infections, and multivariate risk ratios for demographic and clinical factors associated with infection. RESULTS Cutaneous bacterial infection was most common (17.0 infections per 100 patient-years), followed by cutaneous herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus infection (3.8 infections per 100 patient-years), bacteremia (2.1 infections per 100 patient-years), bacterial pneumonia (1.7 infections per 100 patient-years), and urinary tract infection (1.4 infections per 100 patient-years). Twenty-seven percent of herpesvirus infections disseminated on the skin but none disseminated to internal organs. Pneumonia or bacteremia was present in 88% of patients who died of infection. Only three patients had invasive fungal or protozoal infection. Nosocomial infections accounted for 19% of cutaneous bacterial infections, 59% of bacteremias, 62% of pneumonias, and 88% of infections leading to death. By logistic and Cox regression, the presence of extracutaneous involvement with lymphoma was the most important independent risk factor for recurrent bacterial skin infection (risk ratio [RR], 12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 120), disseminated herpesvirus infection (RR, 28; 95% CI, 2.7 to 290), bloodstream infection (RR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.7 to 18), and death from infection (RR, 15; 95% CI, 3.6 to 64). CONCLUSIONS Community-acquired bacterial skin infections are a common cause of morbidity in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome but are usually treated without hospital admission. Bacteremia and pneumonia, which are usually nosocomial, are the major infectious causes of death. Advanced disease stage, independent of corticosteroids and other therapies, is the most important risk factor for both cutaneous and systemic infections.
Narcolepsy and A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination

Epidemiological data from several European countries suggested an increased risk of the chronic sleep disorder narcolepsy following vaccination with Pandemrix™, an AS03-adjuvanted, pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza vaccine. Further research to investigate potential associations between Pandemrix™ vaccination, A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza infection and narcolepsy is required. Narcolepsy is most commonly caused by a reduction or absence of hypocretin produced by hypocretin-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus, and is tightly associated with HLA-II DQB1*06:02. Consequently, research focusing on CD4+ T-cell responses, building on the hypothesis that for disease development, T cells specific for antigen(s) from hypocretin neurons must be activated or reactivated, is considered essential. Therefore, the following key areas of research can be identified, (1) characterization of hypothetical narcolepsy-specific auto-immune CD4+ T cells, (2) mapping epitopes of such T cells, and (3) evaluating potential mechanisms that would enable such cells to gain access to the hypothalamus. Addressing these questions could further our understanding of the potential links between narcolepsy and A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination and/or infection. Of particular interest is that any evidence of a mimicry-based mechanism could also explain the association between narcolepsy and A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza infection.
WHITE PAPER, European transport policy for 2010 : time to decide

Four years period is a rather short time to evaluate the success of transport policy and its implementation. Many outcomes of the policies can not really be seen to be effective on that time. This holds true also for policy evaluation projects like INDIC, ASSESS or TRANSFORUM. Furthermore, this kind of assessment projects should be made more public and participatory than today, to really contribute to the policy formulation.
The longitudinal muscle of rat ileum as a sensitive monoreceptor assay for bradykinin B1 receptors

1 Various bradykinin derivatives, acting preferentially at B1 or B2 receptors, were tested in the isolated longitudinal smooth muscle of rat ileum. Experiments were carried out in the presence of chlorpheniramine and atropine (both 1 μm), guanethidine and indomethacin (both 3 μm) and of the peptidase inhibitors (captopril, bestatin and thiorphan, all 1 μm). 2 The rank order of potency was (pD2 values±s.e.mean, n = 5 in parentheses, at 5 h from set‐up): [des‐ Arg9]‐BK (8.27±0.11)≥ [des‐Arg10]‐kallidin (7.67±0.24) > bradykinin (6.69±0.25). The B2 receptor selective agonist, [Hyp3, Tyr(Me)8]‐BK, was approximately 10 fold less active than bradykinin. Contractile responses to all agonists increased with time. The maximal response to the B1 receptor agonist, [desArg9]‐BK at 5 h (94±2%) was significantly (P<0.05) greater than that measured at 2 h (74±2%). 3 The B2 receptor antagonist, D‐Arg[Hyp3, Thi5, D‐Tic7, Oic8]‐BK (Hoe 140, 0.1 μm) did not affect responses to the B1 receptor agonist [des‐Arg9‐BK (0.1 nM‐1 μm) nor those to the B2 receptor agonist, [Hyp3, Tyr(Me)8]‐BK (1 nM‐10 μm). In control experiments performed in the longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea‐pig ileum and rat isolated urinary bladder as bioassays for B2 receptors, the B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 (0.1 μm) antagonized bradykinin‐induced contractions. 4 In the rat isolated ileum the B1 receptor antagonist, D‐Arg[Hyp3, Thi5, D‐Tic7, Oic8, des‐Arg9]‐BK ([des‐Arg10]‐Hoe 140, 0.3–10 μm) competitively antagonized contractile responses to [des‐Arg9]‐BK with an estimated pKB of 6.74±0.08 (Schild plot slope with confidence limits 1.22, (0.70‐1.73) n = 13). In control experiments in the guinea‐pig isolated ileum and rat isolated urinary bladder, [des‐Arg10]‐Hoe 140 (1–10 μm) did not inhibit B2 receptor‐mediated contractile responses. 5 The putative B1 receptor antagonist, [Leu8, des‐Arg9]‐BK, behaved as a partial agonist when responses were determined 2 h from set‐up (pD2 6.43±0.21, n = 5; Emax 30% of that evoked by [des‐Arg9‐BK); at 5 h from set‐up it behaved as a full agonist (pD2 7.48±0.12, n = 5; Emax 90% of that evoked by [des‐ Arg9]‐BK). At this time the response to [Leu8, des‐Arg9]‐BK was antagonized in a concentration‐dependent manner by [des‐Arg10]‐Hoe 140, which at 1 μm and 10 μm, produced dose‐ratios of 6.33±3.66 (n = 4) and 103±40 (n = 4). 6 In view of the rank order of potency of agonists, the antagonist activity by [des‐Arg10]‐Hoe 140 and the lack of antagonist activity of Hoe 140, we conclude that the longitudinal smooth muscle of rat ileum, after histamine, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and prostanoid production blockade, is a sensitive monoreceptor assay for studying the pharmacology of bradykinin B1 receptors. Further the preparation can also be used as a sensitive bioassay to identify partial agonist activity of B1 receptor antagonists such as [Leu8, desArg9]‐BK.
Young women's experiences of intrusive behavior in 12 countries.

The present study provides international comparisons of young women's (N = 1,734) self-reported experiences of intrusive activities enacted by men. Undergraduate psychology students from 12 countries (Armenia, Australia, England, Egypt, Finland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Scotland, and Trinidad) indicated which of 47 intrusive activities they had personally experienced. Intrusive behavior was not uncommon overall, although large differences were apparent between countries when women's personal experiences of specific intrusive activities were compared. Correlations were carried out between self-reported intrusive experiences, the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM), and Hofstede's dimensions of national cultures. The primary associations were between women's experiences of intrusive behavior and the level of power they are afforded within the 12 countries. Women from countries with higher GEM scores reported experiencing more intrusive activities relating to courtship and requests for sex, while the experiences of women from countries with lower GEM scores related more to monitoring and ownership. Intrusive activities, many of them constituent of harassment and stalking, would appear to be widespread and universal, and their incidence and particular form reflect national level gender inequalities.
Potential and limitation of mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy for real time analysis of raw milk in milking lines

Real-time information about milk composition would be very useful for managing the milking process. Mid-infrared spectroscopy, which relies on fundamental modes of molecular vibrations, is routinely used for off-line analysis of milk and the purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential of attenuated total reflectance mid-infrared spectroscopy for real-time analysis of milk in milking lines. The study was conducted with 189 samples from over 70 cows that were collected during an 18 months period. Principal component analysis, wavelets and neural networks were used to develop various models for predicting protein and fat concentration. Although reasonable protein models were obtained for some seasonal sub-datasets (determination errors <~0·15% protein), the models lacked robustness and it was not possible to develop a model suitable for all the data. Determination of fat concentration proved even more problematic and the determination errors remained unacceptably large regardless of the sub-dataset analyzed or of the spectral intervals used. These poor results can be explained by the limited penetration depth of the mid-infrared radiation that causes the spectra to be very sensitive to the presence of fat globules or fat biofilms in the boundary layer that forms at the interface between the milk and the crystal that serves both as radiation waveguide and sensing element. Since manipulations such as homogenisation are not permissible for in-line analysis, these results show that the potential of mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy for in-line milk analysis is indeed quite limited.
Impact of seasonal forecast use on agricultural income in a system with varying crop costs and returns: an empirically-grounded simulation

Access to seasonal climate forecasts can benefit farmers by allowing them to make more informed decisions about their farming practices. However, it is unclear whether farmers realize these benefits when crop choices available to farmers have different and variable costs and returns; multiple countries have programs that incentivize production of certain crops while other crops are subject to market fluctuations. We hypothesize that the benefits of forecasts on farmer livelihoods will be moderated by the combined impact of differing crop economics and changing climate. Drawing upon methods and insights from both physical and social sciences, we develop a model of farmer decision-making to evaluate this hypothesis. The model dynamics are explored using empirical data from Sri Lanka; primary sources include survey and interview information as well as game-based experiments conducted with farmers in the field. Our simulations show that a farmer using seasonal forecasts has more diversified crop selections, which drive increases in average agricultural income. Increases in income are particularly notable under a drier climate scenario, when a farmer using seasonal forecasts is more likely to plant onions, a crop with higher possible returns. Our results indicate that, when water resources are scarce (i.e. drier climate scenario), farmer incomes could become stratified, potentially compounding existing disparities in farmers’ financial and technical abilities to use forecasts to inform their crop selections. This analysis highlights that while programs that promote production of certain crops may ensure food security in the short-term, the long-term implications of these dynamics need careful evaluation.
Determinants and Consequences of Information Processing Delay: Evidence from the Thomson Reuters Institutional Brokers’ Estimate System

We present new evidence that highlights the role of information intermediaries in the distribution and processing of earnings estimates in capital markets. We find that the time taken to activate an analyst's earnings forecast in the Thomson Reuters Institutional Brokers’ Estimate System is related to measures of investor demand for timely information processing, processing difficulty, and limited attention. Furthermore, we find that forecast announcement returns are muted and post-announcement drift is magnified for forecasts with longer unexpected activation delay and that market inefficiency is concentrated in neglected stocks and potentially exploitable. Finally, analyzing intraday returns, we find that activations facilitate price discovery.
HHV‐8‐related visceral Kaposi’s sarcoma following allogeneic HSCT: Report of a pediatric case and literature review

Sala I, Faraci M, Magnano GM, Sementa A, di Marco E, Garaventa A, Micalizzi C, Lanino E, Morreale G, Moroni C, Castagnola E. HHV‐8‐related visceral Kaposi’s sarcoma following allogeneic HSCT: Report of a pediatric case and literature review. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:E8–E11. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Stoichiometry of hydrological C, N, and P losses across climate and geology: An environmental matrix approach across New Zealand primary forests

Hydrologic losses can play a key role in regulating ecosystem nutrient balances, particularly in regions where baseline nutrient cycles are not augmented by industrial deposition. We used first‐order streams to integrate hydrologic losses at the watershed scale across unpolluted old‐growth forests in New Zealand. We employed a matrix approach to resolve how stream water concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), organic and inorganic nitrogen (DON and DIN), and organic and inorganic phosphorus (DOP and DIP) varied as a function of landscape differences in climate and geology. We found stream water total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) to be dominated by organic forms (medians for DON, 81.3%, nitrate‐N, 12.6%, and ammonium‐N, 3.9%). The median stream water DOC:TDN:TDP molar ratio of 1050:21:1 favored C slightly over N and P when compared to typical temperate forest foliage ratios. Using the full set of variables in a multiple regression approach explained approximately half of the variability in DON, DOC, and TDP concentrations. Building on this approach we combined a simplified set of variables with a simple water balance model in a regression designed to predict DON export at larger spatial scales. Incorporating the effects of climate and geologic variables on nutrient exports will greatly aid the development of integrated Earth‐climate biogeochemical models which are able to take into account multiple element dynamics and complex natural landscapes.
Rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy. The 20th-century worldwide experience of 588 cases.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the outcomes of rudimentary uterine horn pregnancies and to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in patient care. STUDY DESIGN During the period 1900-1999, 588 cases of rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy were identified using both manual and computerized searches of Index Medicus, Excerpta Medica and the Index-Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon-General's Office of the United States Army as well as standard reference tracing. Nine characteristics of each case were evaluated: (1) fetal status at birth, (2) maternal survival, (3) neonatal survival, (4) gestational age at delivery, (5) whether the rudimentary horn ruptured, (6) communication status of the horn with the contralateral hemiuterus, (7) gravidity and parity, (8) side of the horn, and (9) order of the gestation. RESULTS Newborn survival ranged from 0-13% by decade and trended upward. Eighty-five percent of pregnancies occupied noncommunicating horns. Thirty percent of gestations progressed to term or beyond. Fifty percent of pregnant uterine horns ruptured, with 80% of these events occurring before the third trimester. There was no trend in either the incidence or timing of uterine horn rupture during the century. Maternal mortality decreased from 6% to 23% during the first half of the century to < 0.5% currently. Twin pregnancies consisted of 5.3% of cases. CONCLUSION Neonatal survival has improved greatly for rudimentary horn pregnancies, and maternal mortality has decreased significantly. Such pregnancies are now identifiable early in gestation by obstetric imaging studies, and there can be guarded optimism that favorable trends in outcomes will continue into the 21st century.
Microbiota—myeloid cell crosstalk beyond the gut

The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that plays a fundamental role in host physiology. Locally, the gut commensal microbes/host symbiotic relationship is vital for barrier fortification, nutrient absorption, resistance against intestinal pathogens, and the development and maintenance of the mucosal immune system. It is now clear that the effects of the indigenous intestinal flora extend beyond the gut, ranging from shaping systemic immune responses to metabolic and behavioral functions. However, the underlying mechanisms of the gut microbiota/systemic immune system interactions remain largely unknown. Myeloid cells respond to microbial signals, including those derived from commensals, and initiate innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review, we focus on the impact of the gut microbiota on myeloid cells at extraintestinal sites. In particular, we discuss how commensal‐derived signals affect steady‐state myelopoiesis and cellular function and how that influences the response to infection and cancer therapy.
Expression of excitatory amino acid transporter‐2 (EAAT‐2) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in brain macrophages and microglia of SIVmac251‐infected macaques

Na+‐dependent transporters for glutamate (excitatory amino acid transporters, EAATs) clear extracellular glutamate in the brain and prevent excitotoxic neuronal damage. Glutamine synthetase (GS) provides metabolic support for neurones by producing the neurotrophic amino acid glutamine. EAAT and GS expression has recently been demonstrated in macrophages and microglial cells in vitro, and in two models of acute inflammation in vivo. This observation might modify our current understanding of brain inflammation, which considers activated microglia and brain macrophages as the main neurotoxic cells through their production of a variety of neurotoxins, including glutamate. EAAT and GS expression by these cells would entail neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, counterbalancing the deleterious consequences of microglial activation.
Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicines among pharmacy students of a Malaysian Public University

Background:The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is consistently on the rise worldwide. Consumers often consider pharmacists as a major source of information about CAM products and their safety. Due to the limitation of data, it is worth exploring the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of pharmacy students toward CAM. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of pharmacy students regarding the use of CAM in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months among Bachelor of Pharmacy students in a public sector University of Malaysia. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire, comprised four sections, was used to collect the data from 440 participants. Descriptive analysis was used, and Chi-square test was used to test the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: Of 440 questionnaire distributed, 287 were returned giving a response rate of (65.2%). The results showed that 38.6% participants gave correct answers when asked about the use of herbal products with digoxin. Majority of the participants were knowledgeable about supplementary therapy (25.3%) while the lack of knowledge was mostly evident in traditional Chinese medicines (73.7%). Majority of the students were either neutral (49.5%) or disagreed that (42.8%) CAM use is unsafe. Females were more in disagreement to the statements than males (P = 0.007). Majority of students also agreed to use CAM therapies for their health and well-being (51.2%). Conclusion: The study revealed that pharmacy students did not have adequate knowledge of CAM though their attitudes and perceptions were relatively positive.
Compositional Changes in Public Expenditure and Economic Growth: Time Series Evidence from Pakistan

The role of government in achieving economic growth through its fiscal policy, particularly spending policy cannot be overlooked. Investigation of public spending policy and its transmission mechanism to sustainable growth is imperative to the ultimate objective of welfare maximization. This study aims to identify the growth-oriented components of public expenditure as it seems useful to know the contribution of each component of spending towards the objective of economic growth. The study adopts the Kocherlakota and Yi’s (1997) model as modified by Colombier (2008) to carry out the empirical analysis. To this end, ARDL is employed on annual data that ranges from 1973 to 2014 to estimate both the long-run and short-run dynamics between public expenditure composition and economic growth in Pakistan. The results indicate that public development expenditures are growth-oriented, while current expenditures reduce economic growth. Thus sustainable economic growth and sustainable development can only be materialized by changing the composition of public spending in favor of development expenditure. Since Pakistan is in the dire need of infrastructure and energy, therefore, allocation of more funds to Public Sector Development Programs (PSDP) are expected to add directly to growth on one hand and set a crowding-in effect for private investments—thereby enhancing growth indirectly—on the other hand
From vehicle drive cycle to reliability testing of Power Modules for hybrid vehicle inverter

In hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV) the battery, motor and inverter are the core elements of the electric drive train. In the inverter power semiconductors, usually packaged in a module, are used. To qualify such power modules for the use in HEV amongst others Power cycling and Thermal cycling tests have to be performed. These tests mainly ensure the reliability of the module regarding thermal stress conditions over the vehicle lifetime. This paper discusses the requirements on such power semiconductor modules in terms of reliability, and lifetime in HEV. A general approach is presented to evaluate duty cycles and thermal conditions and estimate required test cycles. Based on a water cooled Power module this approach is performed and test cycles are calculated.