Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Test of the Impact of Overconfidence and Gender on Trading Activity

We perform an asset market experiment in order to investigate whether overconfidence induces trading. We investigate three manifestations of overconfidence: calibration-based overconfidence, the better-than-average effect and illusion of control. Novelly, the measure employed for calibration-based overconfidence is task-specific in that it is designed to influence behavior. We find that calibration-based overconfidence does engender additional trade, though the better-than-average also appears to play a role. This is true both at the level of the individual and also at the level of the market. There is little evidence that gender influences trading activity. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Examining cultural competence in pediatric hearing loss services: A survey

ABSTRACT Efforts to improve cultural competence in pediatric hearing loss services should be informed by evidence of how culture can affect services, yet there is a paucity of research in the field of audiology. The aim of this study was to gain insight into practitioners’ experiences with offering early hearing loss services to minority culture families. Specifically, the objective was to examine possible barriers and facilitators to improving cultural competence in early hearing loss services by exploring the perspectives of the providers of care from across Canada. A survey, informed by our previous studies, was disseminated to practitioners providing hearing loss services. Responses to all survey questions were analyzed descriptively. Open-ended questions were analyzed with simple content analysis. Results indicate practitioners reported barriers at each stage of service delivery: during diagnoses, amplification discussions, language assessments, and interventions. Practitioners also described various strategies used to facilitate culturally competent care. Findings stemming from this study can be used to inform practitioners seeking to provide culturally competent care.
Synthetic transactivation screening reveals ETV4 as broad coactivator of hypoxia-inducible factor signaling

The human prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) proteins 1–3 are known as cellular oxygen sensors, acting via the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) α-subunits. PHD2 and PHD3 genes are inducible by HIFs themselves, suggesting a negative feedback loop that involves PHD abundance. To identify novel regulators of the PHD2 gene, an expression array of 704 transcription factors was screened by a method that allows distinguishing between HIF-dependent and HIF-independent promoter regulation. Among others, the E-twenty six transcription factor ETS translocation variant 4 (ETV4) was found to contribute to PHD2 gene expression particularly under hypoxic conditions. Mechanistically, complex formation between ETV4 and HIF-1/2α was observed by mammalian two-hybrid and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. HIF-1α domain mapping, CITED2 overexpression and factor inhibiting HIF depletion experiments provided evidence for cooperation between HIF-1α and p300/CBP in ETV4 binding. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed ETV4 and HIF-1α corecruitment to the PHD2 promoter. Of 608 hypoxically induced transcripts found by genome-wide expression profiling, 7.7% required ETV4 for efficient hypoxic induction, suggesting a broad role of ETV4 in hypoxic gene regulation. Endogenous ETV4 highly correlated with PHD2, HIF-1/2α and several established markers of tissue hypoxia in 282 human breast cancer tissue samples, corroborating a functional interplay between the ETV4 and HIF pathways.
The Use of Sub-Mental Ultrasonography for Identifying Patients with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective This study aimed to explore the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and pharyngeal parameters using sub-mental ultrasonography (US), and investigate the accuracy of US for identifying severe OSA patients. Methods One hundred and five consecutive referrals for suspected OSA were enrolled. The diameters of the retro-glossal (RG) and retro-palatal (RP) regions were measured via sub-mental US upon expiration during tidal breathing, forced inspiration, and Müller maneuver (MM). Independent factors associated with severe OSA identified from two-thirds of randomly-selected patients (model-development group) were used to construct a model for predicting severe OSA. The accuracy of the model was validated in the remaining one-third of patients (validation group). Results Fifty severe OSA patients, 30 with mild-moderate OSA, and 25 without OSA were enrolled. Compared to non-OSA and mild-moderate OSA patients, those with severe OSA had narrower RP diameter in all three maneuvers. Using the prediction model constructed with changes of RP diameters at MM and neck circumference, the independent predictors of severe OSA in the model-development group had 100% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Conclusion Sub-mental US can accurately discriminate the severity of OSA and be used to identify patients with severe OSA. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00674076
Order in driven vortex lattices in superconducting Nb films with nanostructured pinning potentials

Driven vortex lattices have been studied in a material with strong pinning, such as Nb films. Samples in which natural random pinning coexists with artificial ordered arrays of defects (submicrometric Ni dots) have been fabricated with different geometries (square, triangular and rectangular). Three different dynamic regimes are found: for low vortex velocities, there is a plastic flow regime in which random defects frustrate the effect of the ordered array; then, for vortex velocities in the range 1-100 m/s, there is a sudden increase in the interaction between the vortex lattice and the ordered dot array, independent on the geometry. This effect is associated to the onset of quasi long range order in the vortex lattice leading to an increase in the overlap between the vortex lattice and the magnetic dots array. Finally, at larger velocities the ordered array-vortex lattice interaction is suppressed again, in agreement with the behavior found in numerical simulations.
Visual cues can be sufficient for triggering automatic, reflexlike spatial updating

“Spatial updating” refers to the process that automatically updates our egocentric mental representation of our immediate surround during self-motions, which is essential for quick and robust spatial orientation. To investigate the relative contribution of visual and vestibular cues to spatial updating, two experiments were performed in a high-end Virtual Reality system. Participants were seated on a motion platform and saw either the surrounding room or a photorealistic virtual model presented via head-mounted display or projection screen. After upright rotations, participants had to point “as accurately and quickly as possibl ” to previously learned targets that were outside of the current field of view (FOV). Spatial updating performance, quantified as response time, configuration error, and pointing error, was comparable in the real and virtual reality conditions when the FOV was matched. Two further results challenge the prevailing basic assumptions about spatial updating: First, automatic, reflexlike spatial updating occurred without any physical motion, i.e., visual information from a known scene alone can, indeed, be sufficient, especially for large FOVs. Second, continuous-motion information is not, in fact, mandatory for spatial updating---merely presenting static images of new orientations proved sufficient, which motivated our distinction between continuous and instant-based spatial updating.
Some extremal problems in geometry IV

A toy vehicle is provided for use in a toy vehicle game including an endless track defining at least two parallelly extending vehicle lanes in which two or more toy vehicles are adapted to be operated. The toy vehicle includes a reversible rotary drive motor and a transmission operatively engaged between the motor and two drive wheels for rotating one or the other of the drive wheels in response to the direction of rotation of the drive motor, thereby biasing the car against one or the other of the side walls of the track to guide the vehicle along its path of travel in one or the other of the lanes. The vehicle is used on a track which includes electrical contact strips which supply power to the drive motor of the vehicles through current collectors mounted thereon. A control system permits the operators to separately and independently control current to the contact strips and also to selectively reverse the polarity of the current so that the operators can vary the speed of their associated vehicles and cause the vehicles to move from one lane to the other.
Biomass fuel use and risk of cataract: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: There is an increasing recognition of the putative association between the use of biomass fuels and the risk of cataracts. However, the exact strength of this association is currently unknown. Our aim was to synthetically quantify the association between biomass fuel use and cataract. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology: Using results from the MEDLINE®, Scopus®, Web of Science® and Google® searches, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of the published studies. We also conducted subgroup meta-analyses, meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses to determine the contribution of potential confounders to between-study heterogeneity which was measured by the tau-squared and I statistics. Summary effect sizes (SES) were estimated using the DerSimonian and Laird method and the 95% Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(1): 382-394, 2014 383 confidence intervals (CI) and 95% prediction intervals (PI) were also estimated. Publication bias was examined using funnel plots and Egger’s test. Results: In spite of significant between-study heterogeneity (I 70%, p=8.1x10), biomass fuel use was associated with a significantly increased risk of cataract (SES 2.12; 95% CI 1.61-2.80; 95% PI 0.88-5.09). Age-, genderand other methodological differences did not significantly contribute to between-study heterogeneity but Indian studies showed a statistically significant association between biomass fuel use and cataract. Statistically homogeneous studies (n = 8) showed an SES of 2.01 (95% CI and PI 1.67-2.41). Conclusion: Synthetic evidence from observational studies indicates that biomass fuel use may increase the risk of cataract. Public health initiatives aimed at avoidance of biomass fuel use may reduce the burden of cataracts especially in settings where biomass fuels are commonly used.
Social Geography II: Islamophobia, transphobia, and sizism

Different forms of discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion have been central concerns for social geography for over 50 years now. Some forms of prejudice are historically resistant, long-lasting and have featured in social geography for many decades (such as racism and sexism); others have emerged more recently within social geography debates as well as in the wider society and are less well understood. In this second progress report on social geography, I explore recent research about Islamophobia, transphobia and sizism that demonstrates that each of these forms of prejudice is worthy of further study and analysis in their own right by social geographers and scholars in related fields. I argue that it would be productive to investigate areas of connection and solidarity across and within these different prejudices and others in order to be able to resist multiple forms of discrimination, intolerance and hate.
Policing wildlife: perspectives on criminality in wildlife crime

This article presents green criminology research on wildlife law enforcement in the UK, an area of insecurity both about its place within criminal justice and about how it should be resourced and laws enforced. Wildlife crime predates the Government’s Big Society in being primarily driven by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who shape the public policy and police response to wildlife crime. NGOs frequently argue for a strengthened wildlife enforcement regime with tougher sentences for wildlife offenders. Yet this article contests the perception of inadequate wildlife laws and the need for a more punitive regime, arguing that inherent enforcement problems undermine an otherwise adequate legislative regime. It offers a new typology of offenders, arguing that changes to legislation and a more punitive regime are inadequate solutions to address wildlife crime levels unless the existence of different types of offender and criminal behaviour are recognised and addressed in policy and enforcement practice.
Distinct Mitotic Segregation Errors Mediate Chromosomal Instability in Aggressive Urothelial Cancers

Purpose: Chromosomal instability (CIN) is believed to have an important role in the pathogenesis of urothelial cancer (UC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether disturbances of mitotic segregation contribute to CIN in UC, if these processes have any effect on the course of disease, and how deregulation of these mechanisms affects tumor cell growth. Experimental Design: We developed molecular cytogenetic methods to classify mitotic segregation abnormalities in a panel of UC cell lines. Mitotic instabilities were then scored in biopsies from 52 UC patients and compared with the outcome of tumor disease. Finally, UC cells were exposed in vitro to a telomerase inhibitor to assess how this affects mitotic stability and cell proliferation. Results: Three distinct chromosome segregation abnormalities were identified: (a) telomere dysfunction, which triggers structural rearrangements and loss of chromosomes through anaphase bridging; (b) sister chromatid nondisjunction, which generates discrete chromosomal copy number variations; and (c) supernumerary centrosomes, which cause dramatic shifts in chromosome copy number through multipolar cell division. Chromosome segregation errors were already present in preinvasive tumors and a high rate mitotic instability was an independent predictor of poor survival. However, induction of even higher levels of the same segregation abnormalities in UC cells by telomerase inhibition in vitro led to reduced tumor cell proliferation and clonogenic survival. Conclusion: Several distinct chromosome segregation errors contribute to CIN in UC, and the rate of such mitotic errors has a significant effect on the clinical course. Efficient tumor cell proliferation may depend on the tight endogenous control of these processes.
Notes from the field: outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus at a large public university in Delaware, April-May 2009.

BACKGROUND In late April 2009, the first documented 2009 pandemic influenza A (pH1N1) virus infection outbreak in a university setting occurred in Delaware, with large numbers of students presenting with respiratory illness. At the time of this investigation, little was known about the severity of illness, effectiveness of the vaccine, or transmission factors of pH1N1 virus infection. We characterized illness, determined the impact of this outbreak, and examined factors associated with transmission. METHODS Health clinic records were reviewed. An online survey was administered to all students, staff, and faculty to assess influenza-like illness (ILI), defined as documented or subjective fever with cough or sore throat. RESULTS From 26 April-2 May 2009, the health clinic experienced a sharp increase in visits for respiratory illness, with 1080 such visits among a total of 1430 student visits, and then a return to baseline visit levels within 2 weeks. More than 500 courses of oseltamivir were distributed, and 24 cases of influenza A (pH1N1) virus infection were confirmed. Of 29,000 university students and faculty/staff, 7450 (30%) responded to the survey. ILI was reported by 604 (10%) of the students and 73 (5%) of the faculty/staff. Travel to Mexico (relative risk [RR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-4.7) and participation in "Greek Week" activities (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.8) were associated with ILI. Recipients of the 2008-2009 seasonal influenza vaccine had the same risk of ILI as nonrecipients (RR, 1.0). Four (3%) of the students with ILI were hospitalized; there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS pH1N1 spread rapidly through the University of Delaware community with a surge in illness over a 2-week period. Although initial cases appear to be associated with travel to Mexico, a rapid increase in cases was likely facilitated by increased student interactions during Greek Week. No protective effect from receiving seasonal influenza vaccine was identified. Although severe illness was rare, the outbreak caused a substantial burden and challenge to the university health care system. Preparedness efforts in universities and similar settings should include enhancing health care surge capacity.
No . 10 / 2014 Analysis of a drift-di usion model with velocity saturation for spin-polarized transport in semiconductors

A system of drift-diffusion equations with electric field under Dirichlet boundary conditions is analyzed. The system of strongly coupled parabolic equations for particle density and spin density vector describes the spin-polarized semi-classical electron transport in ferromagnetic semiconductors. The presence of a nonconstant and nonsmooth magnetization vector, solution of the Landau-Lifshitz equation, causes the diffusion matrix to be dependent from space and time and to have in general poor regularity properties, thus making the analysis challenging. To partially overcome the analytical difficulties the velocity saturation hypothesis is made, which results in a bounded drift velocity. The global-in-time existence and uniqueness of weak solutions is shown by means of a semi-discretization in time, which yields an elliptic semilinear problem, and a quadratic entropy inequality, which allow for the limit of vanishing time step size. The convergence of the weak solutions to the steady state, under some restrictions on the parameters and data, is shown. Finally the higher regularity of solutions for a smooth magnetization in two space dimensions is shown through a diagonalization argument, which allows to get rid of the cross diffusion terms in the fluid equations, and the iterative application of Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequalities and a generalized version of Aubin lemma.
A Study of the Etiology of Referred Otalgia

Introduction: Otalgia is one of the complaints which may occur at any age. The etiology of the pain may be in the ear, structures around the ear or other head and neck structures. This is caused by the complex nervous connections in the head and neck areas, the ear, the pharynx and the nose. Since understanding the etiologies of referred otalgia can help in the assessment and treatment of the disease, this research was conducted to identify the etiologies of referred otalgia in patients visiting the ENT Clinic in Gorgan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This prospective research was conducted on patients who visited the ENT Clinic with an earache, but in initial assessments the ear was normal. Patients’ data consisting of sex, age, complaint, the inflicted side, physical findings in the ear, the nose, the throat and head and neck were recorded in a questionnaire. These data were then analyzed with SPSS software. Results: Of 770 patients with otalgia, 94 patients (12.2%) had referred otalgia. Of these patients 27.7% were men and 72.3% were women. The most common etiology of referred otalgia was dental problems (62.8%), and one patient who was being treated for pharyngitis had carcinoma of the base of the tongue. In 47.8% of cases the pain was in the left ear, in 43.4% in the right ear, and in 8.7% it was bilateral. Conclusion: In view of the fact that a significant proportion of the patients who complained of otalgia had no pathologies in the ear, thorough physical examination in adjacent structures especially teeth should be performed and malignancies should be considered as a possible etiology of otalgia.
Intensity of Resistance Exercise Determines Adipokine and Resting Energy Expenditure Responses in Overweight Elderly Individuals

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the time course of leptin, adiponectin, and resting energy expenditure (REE) responses in overweight elderly males after acute resistance exercise protocols of various intensity configurations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Forty inactive men (65–82 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 10/group): control, low-intensity resistance exercise, moderate-intensity resistance exercise, and high-intensity resistance exercise. Exercise energy cost, REE, leptin, adiponectin, cortisol, insulin, lactate, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol were determined at baseline, immediately after exercise, and during a 72-h recovery period. RESULTS Exercise energy cost was lower in high-intensity than in low-intensity and moderate-intensity groups (221.6 ± 8.8 vs. 295.6 ± 10.7 and 281.6 ± 9.8 kcal, P < 0.001). Lactate, glucose, NEFAs, and glycerol concentrations increased (P < 0.001) after exercise and returned to baseline thereafter in all groups. REE increased (P < 0.001) in all groups at 12 h in an intensity-dependent manner (P < 0.05). REE reached baseline after 48 h in the low- and moderate-intensity groups and after 72 h in the high-intensity group. Cortisol peaked in all active groups after exercise (P < 0.001) and remained elevated (P < 0.001) for 12 h. After adjustment for plasma volume shifts, leptin remained unaltered. Adiponectin concentration increased after 12 h and remained elevated for 24 h only in the high-intensity group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Resistance exercise does not alter circulating leptin concentration but does increase REE and adiponectin in an intensity-dependent manner for as long as 48 and 24 h, respectively, in overweight elderly individuals. It appears that resistance exercise may represent an effective approach for weight management and metabolic control in overweight elderly individuals.
A view of dynamics changes in the molten globule-native folding step by quasielastic neutron scattering.

In order to understand the changes in protein dynamics that occur in the final stages of protein folding, we have used neutron scattering to probe the differences between a protein in its folded state and the molten globule states. The internal dynamics of bovine alpha-lactalbumin (BLA) and its molten globules (MBLA) have been examined using incoherent, quasielastic neutron scattering (IQNS). The IQNS results show length scale dependent, pico-second dynamics changes on length scales from 3.3 to 60 A studied. On shorter-length scales, the non-exchangeable protons undergo jump motions over potential barriers, as those involved in side-chain rotamer changes. The mean potential barrier to local jump motions is higher in BLA than in MBLA, as might be expected. On longer length scales, the protons undergo spatially restricted diffusive motions with the diffusive motions being more restricted in BLA than in MBLA. Both BLA and MBLA have similar mean square amplitudes of high frequency motions comparable to the chemical bond vibrational motions. Bond vibrational motions thus do not change significantly upon folding. Interestingly, the quasielastic scattering intensities show pronounced maxima for both BLA and MBLA, suggesting that "clusters" of atoms are moving collectively within the proteins on picosecond time scales. The correlation length, or "the cluster size", of such atom clusters moving collectively is dramatically reduced in the molten globules with the correlation length being 6.9 A in MBLA shorter than that of 18 A in BLA. Such collective motions may be important for the stability of the folded state, and may influence the protein folding pathways from the molten globules.