Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE INFORMATION-CONTENT OF EARNINGS, REVENUES, AND EXPENSES

In this paper we model risk-adjusted returns at earnings announcements as a function of unexpected revenues and unexpected expenses, in order to test for the information content of the components of earnings as well as for their incremental information content over earnings. We use Value Line (VL) forecasts of earnings and revenues as a proxy for the market's expectation of these numbers and as a basis for the market's expectation of expenses. We find both revenues and expenses have information content that is incremental to earnings. We also model riskadjusted returns as a function of earnings and revenues to compare our findings with previous research that used a martingale model to derive expected revenues. Consistent with previous research, we find no incremental information content in revenues in this formulation. However, we find information content in both earnings and revenues when expectations are taken from VL forecasts. Wilson [1986] found that investors used the earnings and revenues released at the preliminary announcement date to forecast the accruals and funds subsequently disclosed in the annual report or 10-K. However, he found no evidence of information content for revenues at this date. Wilson used prior periods' revenues, cash from operations, current and noncurrent accruals, and capital expenditures to predict revenues. Using
Prediction of antidepressant response to milnacipran by norepinephrine transporter gene polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE With a multitude of antidepressants available, predictors of response to different classes of antidepressants are of considerable interest. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether norepinephrine transporter gene (NET) and serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) polymorphisms are associated with the antidepressant response to milnacipran, a dual serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. METHOD Ninety-six Japanese patients with major depressive disorder were treated with milnacipran, 50-100 mg/day, for 6 weeks. Severity of depression was assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment. The method of polymerase chain reaction was used to determine allelic variants. RESULTS Eighty patients completed the study. The presence of the T allele of the NET T-182C polymorphism was associated with a superior antidepressant response, whereas the A/A genotype of the NET G1287A polymorphism was associated with a slower onset of therapeutic response. In contrast, no influence of 5-HTT polymorphisms on the antidepressant response to milnacipran was detected. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that NET but not 5-HTT polymorphisms in part determine the antidepressant response to milnacipran.
Can the prostate risk calculator based on western population be applied to asian population?

We developed a Korean Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (KPCRC) for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy using clinical and laboratory data from a Korean male population (http://pcrc.korea.ac.kr). We compared its performance to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing and the Prostate Risk Calculator 3 (PRC 3) based on data from the Dutch part of European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), which predicts biopsy results for previously unscreened men.
The ergonomics of learning: educational design and learning performance

The application of ergonomics/human factors (E/HF) principles and practices, and the implementation of ergonomics programmes, have achieved proven success in improving performance, productivity, competitiveness, and safety and health in most occupational sectors. However, the benefits that the application of E/HF science might bring to promoting student learning have yet to be widely recognized. This paper deals with the fundamental purpose of education – student learning – and with the question of how the ergonomic design of the learning environment influences learning performance. The underlying premise, embodied in the quote below, is that student learning performance to a substantial degree is context specific – influenced and specialized in relation to specific design factors in the learning environment. The basic scientific question confronting learning ergonomics is which design characteristics in the learning environment have the greatest influence on variability in learning performance. Practically, the basic challenge is to apply this scientific understanding to ergonomic interventions directed at design improvements of learning environments to benefit learning. This paper expands upon these themes by addressing the origins and scope of learning ergonomics, differing perspectives on the nature of learning, evidence for context specificity in learning and conclusions and research implications regarding an ergonomics perspective on learning.
Treatment of non-resectable and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors: experience with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a third level hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND Stromal tumors of the digestive tract are uncommon malignant diseases, are subclassified as leiomyosarcomas and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) depending on the molecular expression of tyrosine kinase receptor KIT (CD117). GISTs represent 1% of malignant tumors affecting this anatomical site. Localized tumours diseases are reasonably well controlled by surgical resection and several criteria define the need for adjuvant therapy. In the case of metastatic disease a poor prognosis has been reported with systemic treatment based on chemotherapy. Recently, significant advances have been shown since tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were introduced, with median overall survival close to 5 years. Unfortunately in Mexico, even though the therapy has been long used there are no published data of the experience in the treatment of these tumors. METHODS We used an electronic data base to obtain clinical, radiological and histological data of patients diagnosed with GIST and treated in the oncological center of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, patients were subclassified by stage, symptoms at diagnosis as well as the initial and subsequent systemic treatment. Finally we made an analysis for progression free survival and overall survival identifying prognostic factors. RESULTS We obtained information of 71 patients with metastatic, non-resectable or recurrent GIST, treated with a TKI, we observed a predominant relation for women (60.4%) with median age of 58 years. Stage at diagnosis was predominantly metastatic (46.5%), most frequently affected sites were lung, liver and retroperitoneum. Median progression free survival was 30.6 months and overall survival was 81.3 months. All patients were initially treated with imatinib at a dose of 400 mg per day. Treatment was well-tolerated in most cases. CONCLUSIONS Metastatic GIST evaluated in our center shows a different affection in gender and age, and our population shows a different response to TKIs, compared to those reported in other series with superior overall survival. Poor prognosis is associated with lung affection. Biological studies will be started for the molecular evaluation of these tumors.
DNA methyltransferase-3a interacts with p53 and represses p53-mediated gene expression

Genome stability maintenance is regulated by both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. DNA methylation is the predominant epigenetic mechanism in regulation of gene expression and in suppression of mobile DNA elements from random integration in the genome. The importance of DNA methylation in tumorigenesis has been demonstrated in cancer cells which harbor global genomic DNA hypomethylation and regional hypermethylation at CpG islands of tumor suppressor genes. DNA methylation is mediated by a class of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) involved in de novo methylation of genomic DNA and in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns during replication. Global genomic DNA demethylation induced by 5-Aza-deoxycytidine activates the p53 signaling pathway and induces apoptosis, suggesting that DNA methylation mediated by Dnmts is associated with p53 signaling in maintaining genome stability. In this report, we show that Dnmt3a interacts with p53 directly and represses p53-mediated transactivation of the p21 gene. It was found that trans-repression by Dnmt3a does not require the methyltransferase activity implying that transcriptional repression does not involve promoter silencing through DNA methylation by Dnmt3a. Finally, the activity of Dnmt3a in vivo was demonstrated when this enzyme was overexpressed in a breast cell line in which Dnmt3a repressed p21 upregulation following DNA damage. The results presented in this study provide new understanding of tumor promotion as mediated by Dnmt3a through its interaction with p53, and suppression of the p53-mediated transcription of tumor suppressor genes. Given that the expression of Dnmts is increased in certain cancers, it is likely that increased Dnmts could block the transactivation function of p53 following its induction by chemotherapeutic drugs resulting in chemoresistance. The use of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor would therefore restore the p53 tumor suppression function and the utilization of such an inhibitor in combination with DNA damage agents might be an effective therapy for certain cancers.
What Affects Students’ Computer and Information Literacy around the World? – An Analysis of School and Teacher Factors in High Performing Countries

: This paper presents findings based on the IEA-study ICILS 2013 (International Computer and Information Literacy Study, 2010-2014) which investigates the computer and information literacy (CIL) of secondary school students in 21 countries. Students’ CIL is measured by computer-based tests in live-software environments. In addition, representative data of contexts in which students develop CIL are gathered by student, teacher and school questionnaires. By means of multilevel path analyses, this contribution focuses on teacher-and school-related factors contributing to students’ acquisition of CIL. For a selection of high performing countries findings reveal differences and similarities in supporting and hindering factors such as school leadership, teachers’ professional development and appropriateness of IT-equipment. Finally, data about the national contexts are applied to frame the findings and to discuss how schools can support students’ skills to participate in the 21 st century.
Evaluation of a new oscillometric blood pressure monitor in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of a new veterinary oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor in anesthetized dogs. STUDY DESIGN Assessment was made to determine how closely indirect measurements were associated with direct measurements, and if there were statistically significant differences between the measurements by site. ANIMALS Six mongrel dogs weighing 27.8 +/- 2.9 kg. METHODS Dogs were anesthetized with thiopental and maintained with isoflurane, which was delivered with controlled ventilation. Direct pressure measurements were obtained via a percutaneously placed arterial catheter. A range of systolic arterial pressures (SAP) were achieved by changing the isoflurane concentrations. Sites of cuff placement for indirect measurements were identified as metacarpus, metatarsus, and anterior tibial. RESULTS At pressures below 80 mm Hg, indirect systolic measurements averaged 4 +/- 3 mm Hg, higher than the direct values. At normal and high levels, indirect systolic measurements underestimated direct values by 18 +/- 6 and 23 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively. Diastolic and mean pressure measurements followed the same trend, with indirect values being lower than the direct arterial pressures. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure measurements differed by cuff-placement site. CONCLUSIONS When analyzed by site and level, indirect systolic and mean arterial blood pressures during hypotension were essentially the same as direct pressures. However, at pressures within the normal or high range, indirect measurements underestimated the direct pressures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Noninvasive blood pressure measurements with a new oscillometric monitor provided an excellent means of detecting arterial hypotension in anesthetized dogs. The metatarsal site for cuff placement was slightly better than the metacarpal or anterior tibial site, considering that the regression line was closest to complete equality between the indirect and direct measurements for SAP.
Diabetes Mellitus in Egypt: Risk Factors and Prevalence

Major sociodemographic changes have occurred in Egypt to promote the development of noncommunicable diseases. We have performed a cross‐sectional, population‐based survey of persons ≥ 20 years of age in Cairo and surrounding rural villages to describe the prevalence of diabetes risk factors, diagnosed diabetes, previously undiagnosed diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance by age, sex, rural and urban residence, and socioeconomic status (SES). In the survey, we identified 6052 eligible households: 76% of household respondents completed a household examination and 72% of selected household respondents subsequently completed a medical examination. Exercise was assessed by questionnaire; adiposity by measurement of height, weight, and girths; and diabetes by history and 2‐h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. In rural areas, 52% of persons ≥ 20 years of age were sedentary, 16% were obese, and 4.9% had diabetes. In lower SES urban areas, 73% were sedentary, 37% were obese, and 13.5% had diabetes. In higher SES urban areas, 89% were sedentary, 49% were obese, and 20% had diabetes. The combined prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the Egyptian population ≥ 20 years of age was estimated to be 9.3%. Approximately half the diabetes was diagnosed and the other half was previously undiagnosed. The prevalence of diabetes in Egypt is high, and the gradient in risk factors and disease from rural to urban areas and in urban areas from lower to higher SES suggest that diabetes is a major, emerging clinical and public health problem in Egypt.
Influence of biological, experiential and psychological factors in wine preference segmentation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS We sought to determine the influence of selected biological, experiential and psychological variables on self-reported liking and consumption of wine in a sample of 329 Ontario wine consumers. METHODS AND RESULTS Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups, representing plausible market segments: wine lovers; dry table wine likers/sweet dislikers; and sweet wine likers/fortified dislikers. These groups differ in level of wine expertise, wine adventurousness, alcohol intake, bitterness from 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), and several demographic variables. PROP hypo-tasters (n=113) and PROP hyper-tasters (n=112) differed in liking scores for nine of the 11 wine styles [ANCOVA, P(F)<0.05]. When wines were grouped according to their dominant sensory properties (dry, sweet, carbonation and heat), liking scores for PROP hyper-tasters were higher than those of PROP hypo-tasters for all classes. Scores also varied with age, expertise and gender for some products. Effect sizes (eta-squared) were generally greatest for age, and those for PROP responsiveness were of similar magnitude as those for gender. As expected, wine consumption frequency was higher for men and experts, and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS Age is the most robust and consistent driver of wine liking and intake of the variables examined. Taste phenotype also contributes significantly to variation in wine liking. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Ontario wine consumers fall into one of three wine liking clusters, which differ in experiential, biological, psychological and demographic features that can be targeted through branding and marketing strategies.
Transthoracic Coronary Flow Data at Rest Predict High-Risk Stress Tests

Background Several recent studies have reported the opportunity to diagnose significant narrowing of the coronary arteries without stress testing using local flow acceleration. Purpose To define how often patients with increased coronary flow velocities at rest (≥ 0.70 m/s) have a positive exercise echocardiography test. Material and Methods A total of 150 patients scheduled for exercise echocardiography were studied using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in order to assess coronary artery flow velocity before exercise. Pulsed wave Doppler registered blood flow velocity placed on the color signal. The maximal diastolic velocity of coronary flow was measured. Results Of participants, 16% had a velocity of more than 0.70 m/s in the left main/proximal left anterior/proximal left circumflex arteries (LM/pLAD). A significant correlation was observed between the value of the maximal velocity in LM/pLAD and the ejection fraction at the peak of exercise (r ≈ –0.39, P < 0.0001); between the value of the maximal velocity in LM/pLAD and index of wall motion abnormalities (IWMA) at the peak of exercise (r ≈ 0.44, P < 0.0001); and between the value of the maximal velocity in LM/pLAD and dIWMA (r ≈ 0.41, P < 0.0001). Afterwards, severe ischemia in stress echocardiography tests was observed in this group. The average IWMA of these tests was found to be 2.3. Sixty-two angiograms were available for comparison with Doppler data. Conclusion There is a significant correlation between the value of the maximal velocity in LM/pLAD/pLCx at rest and the severity of wall motion abnormalities during exercise tests.
Interpersonal Problem Solving in Preschool and First Grade: Developmental Change and Ecological Validity

Examined problem-solving strategies, their correlation with multiple-informant ratings of behavior problems and social competence, and developmental change over a 2-year period. Shure's (1999) model targets children's production of alternative solutions to interpersonal problems. Others have found that solution quality correlates more highly with adjustment. Children (N = 208, M age = 60 months) completed the Preschool Interpersonal Problem Solving (PIPS) task in Head Start and again 2 years later. Many children achieved substantial gains in problem-solving skill as measured by PIPS. The prosocial or forceful quality of children's responses correlated with observational, caregiver, and teacher ratings of behavior problems and social competence. Quality of response appeared more important than solution quantity in predicting ecologically valid behaviors, implying that interventions should concentrate on response content more than quantity.
Effects of black currant anthocyanins on intraocular pressure in healthy volunteers and patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of oral administration of black currant anthocyanins (BCACs) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in both healthy subjects and patients with glaucoma. METHODS (1) A placebo-controlled, double-masked, crossover study (n=12) was conducted, during which BCACs (50 mg/day) or placebos were orally administered to 12 healthy subjects once daily for 4 weeks. (2) A total of 21 glaucoma patients (BCACs, n=12; placebo, n=9) treated with a single antiglaucoma medication who had participated in a previous study (a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, Ophthalmologica 2012) were selected and analyzed. Systemic blood pressure, pulse rates, IOP, and Humphrey visual-field mean deviation (MD) (program 30-2, SITA standard) were evaluated. RESULTS (1) A statistically significant decrease in the mean IOP was observed at 2 weeks (P=0.002, paired t-test) and 4 weeks (P=0.039, paired t-test) from the baseline in BCAC-treated healthy subjects. This decrease, however, was not observed in the placebo group. In addition, at 2 weeks after the baseline, changes were also statistically significant between the groups (P=0.027, paired t-test). (2) Intergroup and between-group analyses revealed statistically significant decreases in mean IOP in the glaucoma patients taking BCACs (P=0.027, paired t-test; P=0.024, unpaired t-test) at 24 months after the baseline. In addition, mean changes of MD deterioration were significantly less in BCAC glaucoma patients administered with BCACs at 12 months (P=0.017, Mann-Whitney U test) and 18 months (P=0.050, Mann-Whitney U test) after the baseline. No clinically significant changes were observed in systemic blood pressure or pulse rates in either trial. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that oral administration of BCACs may induce a beneficial decrease in IOP levels in healthy subjects as well as in patients with glaucoma.
RNA interference of metastasis‐associated gene 1 inhibits metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells in a C57BL/6 mouse model

Background information. MTA1 (metastasis‐associated gene 1) has been reported to be overexpressed in cancers with high potential to metastasize. Studies of the molecular mechanisms revealed that MTA1 plays an important role in the process of metastasis of many types of cancer. However, the role of MTA1 in melanoma development is unclear.
Moderate-Level Resistance to Glycopeptide LY333328 Mediated by Genes of the vanA and vanB Clusters in Enterococci

ABSTRACT Three of five natural plasmids carrying a wild-typevanA gene cluster did not confer LY333328 glycopeptide resistance on Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 (MIC = 2 μg/ml). The two remaining plasmids conferred resistance to the drug (MIC, 8 μg/ml). The vanB gene cluster did not confer resistance to LY333328, since this antibiotic was not an inducer. Mutations in the vanSB sensor gene that allowed induction by teicoplanin or constitutive expression of thevanB cluster led to LY333328 resistance (MIC, 8 to 16 μg/ml). Overproduction of the VanH, VanA, and VanX proteins ford-alanyl-d-lactate (d-Ala-d-Lac) synthesis andd-Ala-d-Ala hydrolysis was sufficient for resistance to LY333328 (MIC, 16 μg/ml). Mutations in the hostd-Ala:d-Ala ligase contributed to LY333328 resistance in certain VanA- and VanB-type strains, but the MICs of the antibiotic did not exceed 16 μg/ml. Addition ofd-2-hydroxybutyrate in the culture medium of mutants that did not produce the VanH d-lactate dehydrogenase led to incorporation of this d-2-hydroxy acid at the C-terminal ends of the peptidoglycan precursors and to LY333328 resistance (MIC, 64 μg/ml). The vanZ gene of the vanA cluster conferred resistance to LY333328 (MIC, 8 μg/ml) by an unknown mechanism. These data indicate that VanA- and VanB-type enterococci may acquire moderate-level resistance to LY333328 (MIC ≤ 16 μg/ml) in a single step by various mechanisms.
Interaction between 2-Ethoxybenzoic Acid (EBA) and Eugenol, and Related Changes in Cytotoxicity

The liquid of 2-ethoxybenzoic acid cements is composed of 2-ethoxybenzoic acid and eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol). Recently, eugenol was reported to produce radicals at a higher pH, which consequently directly damages cells. We examined here whether eugenol radicals are generated from the mixture of eugenol/calcium hydroxide, and also whether 2-ethoxybenzoic acid or acetylsalicylic acid scavenges radicals, using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Radicals were generated from the mixture of eugenol/calcium hydroxide in 50% dimethylsulfoxide solution. The radical intensity of eugenol in 50% dimethylsulfoxide with 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.5) was dose-dependently reduced by 2-ethoxybenzoic acid, whereas it was enhanced by acetylsalicylic acid. Next, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of eugenol on 2-ethoxybenzoic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, or calcium hydroxide on human pulp fibroblasts or a human submandibular gland cancer cell line. The cytotoxicity of EBA was decreased, whereas that of acetylsalicylic acid was increased by eugenol. In contrast, that of calcium hydroxide was not affected by eugenol. Human pulp fibroblast but not human submandibular gland cells showed a high resistance against calcium hydroxide. The generation of eugenol radicals in the liquid of 2-ethoxybenzoic acid cements caused by oxidation may be suppressed by 2-ethoxybenzoic acid.