bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Analysts’ Cash Flow Forecasts Improve Their Target Price Accuracy?
Authors: Hashim Noor A. , Strong Norman C. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe literature on the usefulness of analysts’ cash flow forecasts is unsettled, with Call et al. (), Mohanram (), and Radhakrishnan and Wu () providing evidence in favor of their usefulness, and Givoly et al. (), Bilinski (), and Ecker and Schipper () questioning this. Target prices provide a good setting to test the usefulness of cash flow forecasts because they are an ultimate output of an analyst's valuation process to which cash flow forecasts are an input. Moreover, studying the effect of cash flow forecasts on target prices is more relevant for assessing their usefulness than is studying their effect on earnings‐forecast accuracy, as the accuracy of target prices requires a comparison with market prices, which are less subject to management influence than reported earnings. By improving an analyst's understanding of unexpected accruals and permanent earnings, a cash flow forecast can increase an analyst's target price accuracy and signal an analyst's superior forecasting ability. We examine whether, conditional on their earnings forecasts, analysts’ cash flow forecasts improve their target price accuracy. We find that when analysts issue cash flow forecasts, their target price accuracy increases. We also find that this accuracy increases with the accuracy of their cash flow forecasts. Finally, we find that this increased target price accuracy is greater for more challenging‐to‐value firms. Our study provides confirmatory evidence of the usefulness of analysts’ cash flow forecasts.
Environmental enrichment and drug value: a behavioral economic analysis in male rats
Authors: Yates Justin R. , Bardo Michael T. , Beckmann Joshua S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRats raised in an enriched condition (EC) show decreased stimulant self‐administration relative to rats reared in an isolated condition (IC). However, few studies have examined the behavioral mechanisms underlying this environment‐induced difference in self‐administration. Because economic demand for drugs of abuse predicts addiction‐like behavior in both humans and animals, we applied a behavioral economic analysis to cocaine self‐administration data in EC and IC rats. During cocaine self‐administration, the dose decreased across blocks of trials (0.75–0.003 mg/kg/inf), which allowed for a determination of demand intensity and demand elasticity. Demand intensity did not differ between EC and IC rats; however, cocaine was more elastic in EC rats relative to IC rats (i.e. EC rats were less willing to respond for cocaine as the unit price increased). When EC rats were placed in an isolated condition, demand elasticity decreased, whereas elasticity increased for IC rats placed in an enriched condition. Additionally, we applied behavioral economic analyses to previously published self‐administration data and found that our results replicate past findings with cocaine and methylphenidate. To determine if differences in demand elasticity are specific to drug reinforcement, a separate group of rats was tested in sucrose or saccharin self‐administration. Results showed that sucrose and saccharin were more elastic in EC rats relative to IC rats, and demand intensity was lower for saccharin in EC rats relative to IC rats. Overall, drug and nondrug reinforcers are more elastic in EC rats, which may account for the protective effects of environmental enrichment against stimulant self‐administration.
Comorbid “treatable traits” in difficult asthma: Current evidence and clinical evaluation
Authors: Tay T. R. , Hew M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe care of patients with difficult‐to‐control asthma (“difficult asthma”) is challenging and costly. Despite high‐intensity asthma treatment, these patients experience poor asthma control and face the greatest risk of asthma morbidity and mortality. Poor asthma control is often driven by severe asthma biology, which has appropriately been the focus of intense research and phenotype‐driven therapies. However, it is increasingly apparent that extra‐pulmonary comorbidities also contribute substantially to poor asthma control and a heightened disease burden. These comorbidities have been proposed as “treatable traits” in chronic airways disease, adding impetus to their evaluation and management in difficult asthma. In this review, eight major asthma‐related comorbidities are discussed: rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux, obstructive sleep apnoea, vocal cord dysfunction, obesity, dysfunctional breathing and anxiety/depression. We describe the prevalence, impact and treatment effects of these comorbidities in the difficult asthma population, emphasizing gaps in the current literature. We examine the associations between individual comorbidities and highlight the potential for comorbidity clusters to exert combined effects on asthma outcomes. We conclude by outlining a pragmatic clinical approach to assess comorbidities in difficult asthma.
Roles of histone H3.5 in human spermatogenesis and spermatogenic disorders
Authors: Shiraishi K. , Shindo A. , Harada A. , Kurumizaka H. , Kimura H. , Ohkawa Y. , Matsuyama H. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryHistone H3.5 (H3.5) is a newly identified histone variant highly expressed in the human testis. We have reported the crystal structure, instability of the H3.5 nucleosome and accumulation around transcription start sites, mainly in primary spermatocytes, but its role in human spermatogenesis remains poorly understood. Testicular biopsy specimens from 30 men (mean age: 35 years) with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction and 23 men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) were included. An H3.5‐specific mouse monoclonal antibody recognizing an H3.5‐specific synthetic peptide was generated, and immunohistological staining for H3.5 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed on Bouin's solution‐fixed sections. Expression and localization of H3.5 were compared with patient background, germinal stage, and PCNA expression. In testes of patients with normal spermatogenesis, differentially expressed H3.5 was specifically localized in either spermatogonia or preleptotene/leptotene‐stage primary spermatocytes, especially during germinal stages VI–X. In NOA testes, mRNA expression of H3.5 (H3F3C) was significantly reduced compared with other H3 histone family members, and expression of H3.5 was significantly lower than that in OA. Additionally, the number of H3.5‐positive germ cells was higher in hypospermatogenesis or late maturation arrest than in early maturation arrest in NOA testes (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was observed between H3.5 and PCNA expression (p < 0.05) but not TUNEL‐positive cells, and expression of H3.5 was enhanced after hCG‐based salvage hormonal therapy. Different from other testis‐specific histones, which are often expressed during the histone‐to‐protamine transition during meiosis, H3.5 was expressed mainly in immature germ cells. H3.5 may play roles in DNA synthesis, but not apoptosis, and its expression is regulated by gonadotropins, indicating that such epigenetic regulations are important in normal spermatogenesis and spermatogenic disorders.
Monotone polynomials using BUGS and Stan
Authors: Manderson A. A. , Cripps E. , Murray K. , Turlach B. A. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWe present methods to fit monotone polynomials in a Bayesian framework, including implementations in the popular, readily available, modeling languages BUGS and Stan. The sum‐of‐squared polynomials parameterisation of monotone polynomials previously considered in the frequentist framework by Murray, Müller & Turlach (2016), is again considered here, due to its superior flexibility compared to other parameterisations. The specifics of our implementation are discussed, enabling end users to adapt this work to their applications. Testing was undertaken on real and simulated data sets, the output and diagnostics of which are presented. We demonstrate that Stan is preferable for high degree polynomials, with the component‐wise nature of Gibbs sampling being potentially inappropriate for such highly connected models. All code discussed here, and sample scripts that show how to use it from R, is freely available at https://github.com/hhau/BayesianMonPol.
Gender‐Specific Association Between ABCC2 ‐24C>T SNP and Reduction in Triglycerides in Chilean Patients Treated With Atorvastatin
Authors: Prado Yalena , Arencibia Alberto , Zambrano Tomás , Salazar Luis A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStatins are the first‐line therapy prescribed to lower plasma cholesterol levels. Although being safe and showing several beneficial cholesterol‐independent pleiotropic effects, a significant variability regarding statin's therapeutic goals has been abundantly documented, but less understood. We aimed to investigate the influence of the ABCC2 ‐24C>T single nucleotide polymorphism on Chilean hypercholesterolaemic individuals treated for 4 weeks with 10 mg/day atorvastatin. A total of 127 individuals medicated with atorvastatin 10 mg/day/4 weeks were included. Lipid profiles were determined before and after drug administration by conventional assays. Genotyping of the ABCC2 rs717620 SNP (‐24C>T) was performed with TaqMan® Drug Metabolism Genotyping Assays. As expected, atorvastatin reduced TC, LDL‐C and TG concentrations (p < 0.05). Also, HDL‐C levels were increased (p < 0.05). Minor allele frequency for the rs717620 was 0.232. Overall, atorvastatin response was not associated with the ABCC2 rs717620 SNP (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, in male individuals carrying the ‐24T allele, we observed an attenuated reduction in both TG values and the TG/HDL‐C ratio after 10 mg/day atorvastatin. This study indicates that TG levels and the TG/HDL‐C ratio are affected by the rs717620 SNP in Chilean males but not female individuals after atorvastatin treatment.
Oral health‐related behaviours do not mediate the effect of maternal education on adolescents' gingival bleeding: A birth cohort study
Authors: Peres Marco A. , Nascimento Gustavo G. , Peres Karen G. , Demarco Flavio F. , Menezes Ana B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo test whether maternal education has a direct effect on gingival bleeding in adolescents aged 12 and to assess whether oral health behaviours over time mediate that association.MethodsTwo oral health studies nested in the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study were carried out in participants aged 6 (n = 359) and 12 years (n = 339). The proportion of teeth with bleeding on probing (BOP) and the median number of teeth with gingivitis at age 12 were recorded. Maternal education at birth was the exposure. Toothbrushing frequency and dental visit at ages 6 and 12 years were investigated as mediators of the association between maternal education at birth and gingival bleeding. Time‐varying family income through childhood and adolescence was included as later confounder. Paternal education was taken as baseline confounder. The controlled direct effect (CDE) of maternal education at child's birth on gingival bleeding at age 12 was estimated using marginal structural models (MSM). Additionally, path analysis was employed to estimate standardized direct, indirect and total effects of maternal education at birth on gingival bleeding.ResultsAdjusted analyses using MSM showed that adolescents whose mothers had <8 years of education had 3.82 higher risk of having teeth with gingival bleeding above the median (rate ratio RR 3.82; 95% CI: 1.68‐8.19). Low maternal education doubled the proportion of gingival bleeding at age 12 not mediated by dental visit and toothbrushing frequency (RR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.52‐2.60). Path analysis revealed that maternal education had a direct effect on gingival bleeding independently of the mediators.ConclusionsThe pattern of oral health behaviours does not explain the association between mother's education and adolescent's gingival bleeding. Individual‐based approaches focused on oral health‐related behaviours tend to fail to prevent gingival bleeding.
Core information set for informed consent to surgery for oral or oropharyngeal cancer: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Main B.G. , McNair A.G.K. , Haworth S. , Rooshenas L. , Hughes C.W. , Tierney P. , Donovan J.L. , Thomas S.J. , Blazeby J.M. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo develop a core information set for informed consent to surgery for oral/oropharyngeal surgery. A core information set is baseline information rated important by patients and surgeons and is intended to improve patients' understanding of the intended procedure.DesignA mixed‐methods study. Systematic reviews of scientific and written healthcare literature, qualitative interviews and observations, Delphi surveys, and group consensus meetings identified information domains of importance for consent.SettingA regional head and neck clinic in the United Kingdom. Questionnaire participants were recruited from around theUK.ParticipantsPatients about to undergo, or who had previously undergone, surgery for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Healthcare professionals involved in the management of head and neck cancer.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome was a core information set.ResultsSystematic reviews, interviews and consultation observations yielded 887 pieces of information that were categorised into 87 information domains. Survey response rates were 67% (n = 50) and 71% (n = 52) for patient and healthcare professional groups in round one. More than 90% responded in each group in the second round. Healthcare professionals were more likely to rate information about short‐term or peri‐operative events as important while patients rated longer term issues about survival and quality of life. The consensus‐building process resulted in an agreed core information set of 13 domains plus two procedure‐specific domains about tracheostomy and free‐flap surgery.ConclusionThis study produced a core information set for surgeons and patients to discuss before surgery for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Future work will optimise ways to integrate core information into routine consultations.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology for parotid lesions, can we avoid surgery?
Authors: Shkedy Y. , Alkan U. , Mizrachi A. , Shochat T. , Dimitstein O. , Morgenstern S. , Shpitzer T. , Bachar G. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveSalivary gland neoplasms are rare tumours, with most arising in the parotid gland. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a common method for preoperative evaluation of parotid masses, although its usefulness is controversial. This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of FNAC in a large cohort of patients, with emphasis on diagnosis of benign tumours and especially Warthin tumour which can be managed conservatively.Study DesignRetrospective case series with chart review.SettingTertiary medical centre.Subjects and MethodsFrom 1991 to 2014, all patients 18 or older with both preoperative FNAC and postoperative pathology report were included. Patients with a history of head and neck malignancy or chronic sialoadenitis and patients who had undergone prior oncological treatment were excluded.Results470 patients were available for analysis. Overall accuracy was 82.6%. Positive predictive value (PPV) varied between 88.6% and 94.3% for pleomorphic adenoma and 77.1%‐100% for Warthin tumour, with values varying depending on different characteristics of patients (eg age, smoking status). For pathologically proven malignant tumours, the FNAC diagnosis was benign or non‐diagnostic in 26% of the cases.ConclusionFine‐needle aspiration cytology has limited utility in confirming a benign diagnosis of a parotid mass for most patients, although for some subpopulations, the PPV may be high enough to defer surgery.
Insulin degludec overdose may lead to long‐lasting hypoglycaemia through its markedly prolonged half‐life
Authors: Uchida J. , Oikawa Y. , Katsuki T. , Takeda H. , Shimada A. , Kawai T. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundOverdose of insulin often causes long‐lasting severe hypoglycaemia. Insulin degludec has the longest duration of action among the available insulin products; thus, an overdose of insulin degludec can lead to long‐lasting hypoglycaemia. In the present paper, we report the case of a woman with long‐lasting hypoglycaemia attributable to insulin degludec overdose and markedly prolonged insulin degludec half‐life.Case reportA 64‐year‐old woman with Type 2 diabetes receiving insulin therapy was taken to an emergency department because of disturbed consciousness 21 h after self‐injection of 300 units of insulin degludec (4.34 units/kg). Her plasma glucose level was 2.3 mmol/l. She received repeated intravenous boluses of dextrose for 43 h with continuous intravenous dextrose infusion, but no improvement in long‐lasting hypoglycaemia or consciousness was observed. Considering the possibility of adrenal insufficiency, intravenous dexamethasone was administered, and her plasma glucose levels subsequently remained above 5.5 mmol/l without intravenous dextrose boluses. She gradually regained consciousness. A total of 34 h after the overdose, her plasma immunoreactive insulin levels were markedly increased and then gradually declined over ~400 h. The insulin degludec half‐life was 40.76 h.ConclusionAlthough the reported half‐life of insulin degludec in the body is ~25 h when administered in standard doses (0.4–0.8 units/kg), no study has investigated its half‐life after overdose. In the present case, the half‐life of insulin degludec was ~1.6 times longer than that observed with standard doses, probably leading to long‐lasting hypoglycaemia. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of unexpected long‐lasting severe hypoglycaemia resulting from insulin degludec overdose.
Effects of an energy‐restricted low‐carbohydrate, high unsaturated fat/low saturated fat diet versus a high‐carbohydrate, low‐fat diet in type 2 diabetes: A 2‐year randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tay Jeannie , Thompson Campbell H. , Luscombe‐Marsh Natalie D. , Wycherley Thomas P. , Noakes Manny , Buckley Jonathan D. , Wittert Gary A. , Yancy William S. , Brinkworth Grant D. 
Published: November 2017

AimTo examine whether a low‐carbohydrate, high‐unsaturated/low‐saturated fat diet (LC) improves glycaemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsA total of 115 adults with T2D (mean [SD]; BMI, 34.6 [4.3] kg/m2; age, 58 [7] years; HbA1c, 7.3 [1.1]%) were randomized to 1 of 2 planned energy‐matched, hypocaloric diets combined with aerobic/resistance exercise (1 hour, 3 days/week) for 2 years: LC: 14% energy as carbohydrate, 28% as protein, 58% as fat (<10% saturated fat); or low‐fat, high‐carbohydrate, low‐glycaemic index diet (HC): 53% as CHO, 17% as protein, 30% as fat (<10% saturated fat). HbA1c, glycaemic variability (GV), anti‐glycaemic medication effect score (MES, calculated based on the potency and dosage of diabetes medication), weight, body composition, CVD and renal risk markers were assessed before and after intervention.ResultsA total of 61 (LC = 33, HC = 28) participants completed the study (trial registration: http://www.anzctr.org.au/, ANZCTR No. ACTRN12612000369820). Reductions in weight (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]; LC, −6.8 [−8.8,−4.7], HC, −6.6 [−8.8, −4.5] kg), body fat (LC, −4.3 [−6.2, −2.4], HC, −4.6 [−6.6, −2.7] kg), blood pressure (LC, −2.0 [−5.9, 1.8]/ −1.2 [−3.6, 1.2], HC, −3.2 [−7.3, 0.9]/ −2.0 [−4.5, 0.5] mmHg), HbA1c (LC, −0.6 [−0.9, −0.3], HC, −0.9 [−1.2, −0.5] %) and fasting glucose (LC, 0.3 [−0.4, 1.0], HC, −0.4 [−1.1, 0.4] mmol/L) were similar between groups (P ≥ 0.09). Compared to HC, the LC achieved greater reductions in diabetes medication use (MES; LC, −0.5 [−0.6, −0.3], HC, −0.2 [−0.4, −0.02] units; P = 0.03), GV (Continuous Overall Net Glycemic Action calculated every 1 hour (LC, −0.4 [−0.6, −0.3], HC, −0.1 [−0.1, 0.2] mmol/L; P = 0.001), and 4 hours (LC, −0.9 [−1.3, −0.6], HC, −0.2 [−0.6, 0.1] mmol/L; P = 0.02)); triglycerides (LC, −0.1 [−0.3, 0.2], HC, 0.1 [−0.2, 0.3] mmol/L; P = 0.001), and maintained HDL‐C levels (LC, 0.02 [−0.05, 0.1], HC, −0.1 [−0.1, 0.01] mmol/L; P = 0.004), but had similar changes in LDL‐C (LC, 0.2 [−0.1, 0.5], HC, 0.1 [−0.2, 0.4] mmol/L; P = 0.85), brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (LC, −0.5 [−1.5, 0.5], HC, −0.4 [−1.4, 0.7] %; P = 0.73), eGFR and albuminuria.ConclusionsBoth diets achieved comparable weight loss and HbA1c reductions. The LC sustained greater reductions in diabetes medication requirements, and in improvements in diurnal blood glucose stability and blood lipid profile, with no adverse renal effects, suggesting greater optimization of T2D management.
Semaglutide, reduction in glycated haemoglobin and the risk of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Vilsbøll Tina , Bain Stephen C. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Lingvay Ildiko , Matthews David , Simó Rafael , Helmark Ida Carøe , Wijayasinghe Nelun , Larsen Michael 
Published: November 2017

AimsTo evaluate diabetic retinopathy (DR) data from across the SUSTAIN clinical trial programme.Materials and methodsThe SUSTAIN clinical trial programme evaluated the efficacy and safety of semaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In SUSTAIN 6, a 2‐year, pre‐approval cardiovascular outcomes trial, semaglutide was associated with a significant increase in the risk of DR complications (DRC) vs placebo. DR data from across the SUSTAIN trials were evaluated, and post hoc analyses of the SUSTAIN 6 data were conducted. These included subgroup analyses to identify at‐risk patients and a mediation analysis with initial change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; percentage‐points at week 16) as a covariate, to examine the role of the magnitude of reduction in HbA1c as an intermediate factor affecting risk of DRC.ResultsThere was no imbalance in DR adverse events across the SUSTAIN 1 to 5 and Japanese trials. The majority of the effect with semaglutide vs placebo in SUSTAIN 6 may be attributed to the magnitude and rapidity of HbA1c reduction during the first 16 weeks of treatment in patients who had pre‐existing DR and poor glycaemic control at baseline, and who were treated with insulin.ConclusionsEarly worsening of DR is a known phenomenon associated with the rapidity and magnitude of improvement in glycaemic control with insulin; the DRC findings in SUSTAIN 6 are consistent with this. Guidance regarding the early worsening of DR is recommended with insulin. Similar recommendations may be appropriate for semaglutide.
Chinese–African encounters in high‐tech sectors: Comparative investigation of Chinese workplace regimes in Ethiopia
Authors: Fei Ding , Samatar Abdi Ismail , Liao Chuan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStudies on China–Africa co‐operation have revealed increasing diversification of China's on‐the‐ground practices in Africa. However, engaged research has yet to examine the situated experiences of Chinese and African individuals whose activities shape and are shaped by Chinese multinationals, especially those in the growing yet underexplored high‐tech sectors. To address this gap, this article investigates the workplace regimes of two Chinese companies in Ethiopia. Using a mixed‐method approach, it articulates the contradictory nature of Chinese investment and its diverse manifestations in work relations between Chinese expatriates and local Ethiopians. Our findings suggest that Chinese and Ethiopian employees are proactive yet constrained agents in exploiting work opportunities for their own economic interests and professional development.