julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Long-Run Performance Evaluation of Journalists' Stock Recommendations
2009-05-01

Long-Run Performance Evaluation of Journalists' Stock Recommendations This paper evaluates the long-run performance of buy and sell recommendations issued by journalists at German Personal Finance Magazines for the first time. We find evidence for journalists providing significant investment value with their recommendations on the sell side since sell recommendations contain high investment value for readers. In contrast, buy recommendations generally contain only little investment value. However, we find that journalists' predictive abilities differ with respect to specific types of buy recommendations. On the one hand, buy recommendations on value stocks and stocks with a positive performance prior to the publication date are associated with significant investment value for readers. On the other hand, executing buy recommendations on stocks listed at the Neuer Markt would have resulted in serious losses for private investors. (JEL G11, G14)
The use of FDG-PET/CT for detection and therapy monitoring of granulocytic sarcoma: Initial results
2009-05-01

1686 Objectives Granulocytic sarcomas (GS) are rare extramedullary manifestations of myeloid leukemia. Diagnosis and monitoring of extramedullary disease is often impossible with routine clinical and laboratory examinations and imaging of GS based on morphology is challenging. The potential role of combined functional and morphologic imaging with FDG-PET/CT to date is unclear. We present first results of the use of FDG-PET/CT in the management of GS. Methods Retrospective analysis of 18 FDG-PET/CT studies in 10 patients with histologically proven GS. The results of FDG-PET/CT were compared with histology, additional imaging including the integrated contrast enhanced CT and clinical follow-up. Results FDG-PET/CT detected 52 GS. All GS showed an increased FDG-uptake with a mean SUVmax and SUVavg of 5.1 and 3.4. GS was multifocal in 8/10 patients. In 5 of 10 patients FDG-PET/CT detected previously unknown manifestations. These were interpreted as benign, did not have a pathologic correlation in CT or were located outside the field of view of prior examinations. The detection of additional manifestations of GS changed the therapeutic regimen from local irradiation to systemic chemotherapy in one patient. Changes in FDG-uptake after therapy correlated with the clinical outcome in all 5 patients with examinations before and after chemotherapy. In all 3 patients with follow-up examinations recurrent GS was detected by FDG-PET/CT. Conclusions FDG-PET/CT can detect untreated and recurrent GS by its increased FDG-uptake and had a higher detection rate than CT alone. Changes in FDG-uptake correlated with the response to treatment. Therefore FDG-PET/CT is a promising diagnostic tool for the management of patients with GS.
Doping In Fitness-sports - A Five Year Follow-up Study
2009-05-01

Doping in sports is a problem that should not be underestimated; neither in competitive nor recreational but particularly not in fitness sports. PURPOSE: In a five year follow up study, we examined to what extent the use of doping substances and illicit drugs by fitness center athletes has changed since the study in 2002. METHODS: A total of 438 members of 84 of the fitness studios which were part of the 2002 study were questioned using an anonymous questionnaire. Athletes were questioned about their use of doping substances, their sources of information, and suppliers. RESULTS: The prevalence of doping decreased by 2.7% to a total of 10.8%. In contrast to this, the use of illicit drugs increased by 8.4% to a total of 24.3%. Anabolic androgenic steroids, used by 76.6%, remained the most commonly used doping substance. The number of athletes who received doping substances through the health care system decreased by 11.9% to 36.2%. The main sources of supply named were other athletes (59.6%) and the black market outside the fitness center (57.4%). Reasons for using doping substances were still primarily body styling and increasing strength. Athletes reported that their sources of information were mainly physicians (45.7%) and the internet (40.0%). While only 0.3% of the questioned athletes reported having had legal problems due to doping, 6.5% reported legal problems related to illicit drugs. CONCLUSION: Our results show a simultaneous reduction of doping substance use and an increase of illicit drug use, despite the observation that the number of athletes reporting legal problems as a result of their use of illegal substances is more than 20 times higher. A stricter law regarding the use of doping substances, therefore, does not look promising. Rather, based on their specialized knowledge, sports physicians and pharmacists should take on the responsibility of educating athletes about the possible harmful consequences of using doping substances. The decrease in the number of doping substances obtained through the health care system appears to be a step in the right direction.
Low Intensity Strength Training In Women With Type 2 Diabetes: Effect On Hba1c And Lipids
2009-05-01

Strength training for patients with type 2 diabetes has reached evidence level A. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of low dose strength training in women with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We included 15 women in the training (T) and 6 in the control group (C). Before training, the patients were tested for HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides as well as for strength on a rowing machine, abdomen crunch machine, leg press, chest press and back extension. Patients then completed 12 weeks of training two times a week for 60 minutes with an intensity of about 50% of 1 - RPM. The intensity of the strength training was increased by 10% every 4 weeks. HbA1c was reduced from 7.02 ± 0.77 in T to 6.61 ± 0.73 (p<0.001) and from 7.05 ± 0.65 to 6.88 ± 0.32 in C. RESULTS: Cholesterol remained constant at 197 mg/dl, triglycerides were reduced from 146 ± 43 to 134 ± 56 mg/dl, LDL remained nearly constant with 130 ± 39 and 132 ± 42 mg/dl, HDL rose from 37 ± 9.9 to 46 ± 9.3 (p<0.001). The risk indicator LDL/HDL decreased (p<0.05). Bodyweight and waist circumference were slightly reduced as well as triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfolds. No changes were found in C. Strength increased on the rowing machine by 63%, and abdominal crunches by 62%, leg press by 82%, chest press by 62% and back extensions by 57%, which were all highly significant. C showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose strength training has beneficial effects on carbohydrate metabolism and also on increasing HDL. Strength training for large muscle groups should be recommended for diabetic women.
The Contributors
2009-05-01

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Ranking Methods for the Prediction of Frequent Top Scoring Peptides from Proteomics Data
2009-05-02

Proteomics facilities accumulate large amounts of proteomics data that are archived for documentation purposes. Since proteomics search engines, e.g. Mascot or Sequest, are used for peptide sequencing resulting in peptide hits that are ranked by a score, we apply ranking algorithms to combine archived search results into predictive models. In this way peptide sequences can be identified that frequently achieve high scores. Using our approach they can be predicted directly from their molecular structure and then be used to support protein identification or perform experiments that require reliable peptide identification. We prepared all peptide sequences and Mascot scores from a four year period of proteomics experiments on Homo sapiens of the Proteome Center Tuebingen for training. To encode the peptides MacroModel and DragonX were used for molecular descriptor computation. All features were ranked by ranking-specific feature selection using the Greedy Search Algorithm to significantly improve the performance of RankNet and FRank. Model evaluation on hold-out test data resulted in a Mean Average Precision up to 0.59 and a Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain up to 0.81. Therefore we demonstrate that ranking algorithms can be used for the analysis of long term proteomics data to identify frequently top scoring peptides.
Antagonism of the mammalian target of rapamycin selectively mediates metabolic effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition and protects human malignant glioma cells from hypoxia-induced cell death
2009-05-04

Although inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor is a plausible therapy for malignant gliomas that, in vitro, enhances apoptosis, the results of clinical trials have been disappointing. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that integrates starvation signals and generates adaptive responses that aim at the maintenance of energy homeostasis. Antagonism of mTOR has been suggested as a strategy to augment the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition by interfering with deregulated signalling cascades downstream of Akt. Here we compared effects of antagonism of mTOR utilizing rapamycin or a small hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing to those of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition or combined inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor and mTOR in human malignant glioma cells. In contrast to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition, mTOR antagonism neither induced cell death nor enhanced apoptosis induced by CD95 ligand or chemotherapeutic drugs. However, mTOR inhibition mimicked the hypoxia-protective effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition by maintaining adenosine triphosphate levels. These in vitro experiments thus challenge the current view of mTOR as a downstream target of Akt that mediates antiapoptotic stimuli. Under the conditions of the tumour microenvironment, metabolic effects of inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor, Akt and mTOR may adversely affect outcome by protecting the hypoxic tumour cell fraction.
Otoferlin interacts with myosin VI: implications for maintenance of the basolateral synaptic structure of the inner hair cell
2009-05-05

Otoferlin has been proposed to be the Ca(2+) sensor in hair cell exocytosis, compensating for the classical synaptic fusion proteins synaptotagmin-1 and synaptotagmin-2. In the present study, yeast two-hybrid assays reveal myosin VI as a novel otoferlin binding partner. Co-immunoprecipitation assay and co-expression suggest an interaction of both proteins within the basolateral part of inner hair cells (IHCs). Comparison of otoferlin mutants and myosin VI mutant mice indicates non-complementary and complementary roles of myosin VI and otoferlin for synaptic maturation: (i) IHCs from otoferlin mutant mice exhibited a decoupling of CtBP2/RIBEYE and Ca(V)1.3 and severe reduction of exocytosis. (ii) Myosin VI mutant IHCs failed to transport BK channels to the membrane of the apical cell regions, and the exocytotic Ca(2+) efficiency did not mature. (iii) Otoferlin and myosin VI mutant IHCs showed a reduced basolateral synaptic surface area and altered active zone topography. Membrane infoldings in otoferlin mutant IHCs indicated disturbed transport of endocytotic membranes and link the above morphological changes to a complementary role of otoferlin and myosin VI in transport of intracellular compartments to the basolateral IHC membrane.
Navigator respiratory‐triggered diffusion‐weighted imaging in the follow‐up after hepatic radiofrequency ablation—initial results
2009-05-05

Abstract Purpose To evaluate diffusion alterations after hepatic radiofrequency (RF) ablation using a navigator respiratory‐triggered diffusion‐weighted imaging (NRT‐DWI) sequence with regard to potential diagnostic information for detection of local tumor progression (LTP). Materials and Methods One hundred forty‐eight consecutive follow‐up magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of 54 patients after hepatic RF ablation were reviewed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of ablation zones and liver parenchyma were assessed using a single‐shot echoplanar imaging sequence with the NRT technique. ADC values of ablation zones and adjacent signal alterations identified in NRT‐DWI were analyzed with regard to LTP. Results Mean ADC values of ablation zones (119.9 ± 30.5 × 10 −5 mm 2 /sec) and liver (106.3 ± 21.2 × 10 −5 mm 2 /sec) differed significantly ( P = 0.0003). No evident changes in ablations' ADC values over time could be identified. ADC values obtained from the entire ablation zone did not significantly differ regarding the presence of LTP. In 58 examinations, hyperintense areas in the periphery of the ablation zone were detected on the NRT‐DWI. Corresponding ADC values were significantly lower in patients with LTP (102.1 ± 22.4 versus 130.8 ± 47.6 × 10 −5 mm 2 /sec; P = 0.0124). Conclusion NRT‐DWI is useful in the follow‐up imaging after RF ablation. ADC‐based evaluation of signal alterations adjacent to the ablation zone may contribute to the identification of LTP and nontumoral posttreatment tissue changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Restoration of shoulder abduction function by direct muscular neurotization with the phrenic nerve fascicles and nerve grafts: A case report
2009-05-05

Abstract In this report, we describe the first case of using the partial phrenic nerve transfer and direct muscular implantation into the deltoid muscle for restoration of the shoulder function and stability. A patient suffering from the partial brachial plexus injury with absent axillary nerve underwent reconstructive surgery by an end‐to‐end nerve coaptation using two fascicles of the phrenic nerve and two autologous nerve grafts, and direct implantation of nerve grafts into the deltoid muscle. Eighteen months after the procedure, we found a functioning biceps with 90° elbow flexion against gravity and 40° shoulder abduction with satisfactory shoulder stability. Electrophysiology revealed reinnervation potentials in the deltoid and biceps muscle. This case demonstrates a satisfactory result after using transfer of the partial ipsilateral phrenic nerve in combination with muscular implantation to restore shoulder abduction and stability. We recommend the described techniques in cases without other reconstructive options. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.
Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT): Association with other adipose tissue compartments and insulin sensitivity
2009-05-06

Abstract Purpose To quantify intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of the lower leg as well as to investigate associations with other adipose tissue (AT) compartments. The relationship between IMAT and insulin sensitivity was also examined. Materials and Methods Standardized quantification of IMAT was performed in a large cohort ( N = 249) at increased risk for type 2 diabetes in the right calf by T1‐weighted fast spin‐echo imaging at 1.5T (Magnetom Sonata; Siemens Healthcare). Additionally, whole‐body AT distribution was assessed. Insulin sensitivity was determined by glucose clamp. Results Males showed significantly more IMAT than females (2.1 ± 1.1 cm 2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.9 cm 2 ; P &lt; 0.001). IMAT correlated well with other AT depots, especially with visceral AT (VAT; r females = 0.52, P &lt; 0.0001 vs. r males = 0.42, P &lt; 0.0001). Moreover, IMAT showed a negative correlation with the glucose infusion rate (GIR; r females = −0.43, P = 0.0002 vs. r males = −0.40, P = 0.0007). Conclusion Quantification of IMAT is possible by standard MR techniques. AT distribution of the lower leg is comparable to the visceral compartment with males having higher IMAT/VAT but lower subcutaneous AT (SCAT). IMAT seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, as shown by the significant negative correlation with GIR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Anatomy of Object Recognition—Visual Form Agnosia Caused by Medial Occipitotemporal Stroke
2009-05-06

The influential model on visual information processing by Milner and Goodale (1995) has suggested a dissociation between action- and perception-related processing in a dorsal versus ventral stream projection. It was inspired substantially by the observation of a double dissociation of disturbed visual action versus perception in patients with optic ataxia on the one hand and patients with visual form agnosia (VFA) on the other. Unfortunately, almost all cases with VFA reported so far suffered from inhalational intoxication, the majority with carbon monoxide (CO). Since CO induces a diffuse and widespread pattern of neuronal and white matter damage throughout the whole brain, precise conclusions from these patients with VFA on the selective role of ventral stream structures for shape and orientation perception were difficult. Here, we report patient J.S., who demonstrated VFA after a well circumscribed brain lesion due to stroke etiology. Like the famous patient D.F. with VFA after CO intoxication studied by Milner, Goodale, and coworkers (Goodale et al., 1991, 1994; Milner et al., 1991; Servos et al., 1995; Mon-Williams et al., 2001a,b; Wann et al., 2001; Westwood et al., 2002; McIntosh et al., 2004; Schenk and Milner, 2006), J.S. showed an obvious dissociation between disturbed visual perception of shape and orientation information on the one side and preserved visuomotor abilities based on the same information on the other. In both hemispheres, damage primarily affected the fusiform and the lingual gyri as well as the adjacent posterior cingulate gyrus. We conclude that these medial structures of the ventral occipitotemporal cortex are integral for the normal flow of shape and of contour information into the ventral stream system allowing to recognize objects.
OptiTope--a web server for the selection of an optimal set of peptides for epitope-based vaccines
2009-05-06

Epitope-based vaccines (EVs) have recently been attracting significant interest. They trigger an immune response by confronting the immune system with immunogenic peptides derived from, e.g. viral- or cancer-related proteins. Binding of these peptides to proteins from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is crucial for immune system activation. However, since the MHC is highly polymorphic, different patients typically bind different repertoires of peptides. Furthermore, economical and regulatory issues impose strong limitations on the number of peptides that can be included in an EV. Hence, it is crucial to identify the optimal set of peptides for a vaccine, given constraints such as MHC allele probabilities in the target population, peptide mutation rates and maximum number of selected peptides. OptiTope aims at assisting immunologists in this critical task. With OptiTope, we provide an easy-to-use tool to determine a provably optimal set of epitopes with respect to overall immunogenicity in a specific individual (personalized medicine) or a target population (e.g. a certain ethnic group). OptiTope is available at http://www.epitoolkit.org/optitope.
Great Moderation at the Firm Level? Unconditional vs. Conditional Output Volatility
2009-05-06

Abstract We test whether there has been a "Great Moderation" of output volatility at the firm level. The multifactor residual model proposed by Pesaran (2006) is used to isolate the idiosyncratic component of firms' sales growth from macroeconomic developments. This methodology is applied to a balanced panel of about 1,200 German firms covering a 35-year period (1971-2005). Our research has three main findings. First, unconditional firm-level volatility and aggregate output volatility have seen similar downward trends. Second, conditional, idiosyncratic firm-level volatility does not exhibit a downward trend. Third, there is a positive link between growth and volatility at the firm level.
Differential NKG2D binding to highly related human NKG2D ligands ULBP2 and RAET1G is determined by a single amino acid in the α2 domain
2009-05-07

Abstract The activating NK cell receptor NKG2D binds to numerous stress‐induced cell surface glycoproteins with MHC class I‐related ectodomains. In humans, NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) are members of the MHC‐encoded MIC and non‐MHC‐encoded ULBP families of proteins. The redundancy of NKG2DL raises questions about unique features associated with individual NKG2DL. The ULBP family member RAET1G contains an ectodomain highly related to ULBP2, but is unique by virtue of an extended cytoplasmic domain. Since RAET1G is poorly characterized, we studied expression and functional interactions of RAET1G in comparison to ULBP2. RAET1G transcripts were detected in most human tissues with an overall expression pattern similar to ULBP2. However, although ULBP2 strongly binds both NKG2D and the immunoevasive human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein UL16, RAET1G only weakly interacts with NKG2D and does not bind UL16. Differential binding capacities of the two highly related ectodomains are mainly due to a substitution of a conserved amino acid in the α2 domain of RAET1G. In functional terms, the reduced apparent avidity of RAET1G for NKG2D results in a less‐efficient NKG2D down‐regulation and NK degranulation. Altogether, RAET1G, like ULBP2, appears broadly expressed, but exhibits a lower apparent avidity for NKG2D due to a mutation in the center of the MHC‐like fold.
Wnt1 Overexpression Leads to Enforced Cardiomyogenesis and Inhibition of Hematopoiesis in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
2009-05-07

Recent findings emphasized a critical role for the Wnt signaling pathway during the early steps of embryogenesis, including the development of the hematopoietic system and cardiac development. To date, the role of Wnt in promoting or inhibiting development of both tissues was discussed controversially, dependent on species and time point of expression. Differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) recapitulates early stages of mammalian development. In the present study, we generated murine ESC lines overexpressing Wnt1 (Wnt1 ES). When induced to differentiate toward the cardiomyocytic lineage, Wnt1 ES showed a significant increased ability to generate cardiomyocytes when compared with a control ESC (control ES) line. In addition, Wnt1 ES cells were unable to form hematopoietic cells, whereas development of endothelial cells, a cell type closely associated with blood during embryogenesis, was comparable to control ES. Finally, cardiac differentiation was markedly decreased by the addition of the Wnt antagonist Dkk-1 to the culture medium. These findings suggest that Wnt1 may regulate differentiation of immature mesodermal cells in a tissue-specific manner.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Microevolution during Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infection Establishes Clones with Adapted Virulence
2009-05-08

Our findings indicate that clonal expansion of P. aeruginosa strains during microevolution within CF lungs leads to populations with altered but not reduced virulence. These P. aeruginosa clones with adapted virulence play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic infections and may serve to define virulence determinants as targets for novel therapies.
ANALYSIS OF THE NAVIER–STOKES–NERNST–PLANCK–POISSON SYSTEM
2009-05-08

We study a fluid-dynamical model based on a coupled Navier–Stokes–Nernst–Planck–Poisson system. Of special interest are the fluid velocity, concentrations of charged particles ranging from colloidal to nano size and the induced quasi-electrostatic potential, which all depend on an externally applied electrical field. For d ≤ 3, we prove existence and in some cases uniqueness of weak solutions. Moreover, we characterize solutions via energy laws, mass conservation, non-negativity and pointwise bounds. Furthermore, the system enjoys an entropy law. Existence of locally strong solutions is verified.