Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimality principles explaining divergent responses of alpine vegetation to environmental change

Recent increases in vegetation greenness over much of the world reflect increasing CO2 globally and warming in cold areas. However, the strength of the response to both CO2 and warming in those areas appears to be declining for unclear reasons, contributing to large uncertainties in predicting how vegetation will respond to future global changes. Here, we investigated the changes of satellite‐observed peak season absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (Fmax) on the Tibetan Plateau between 1982 and 2016. Although climate trends are similar across the Plateau, we identified robust divergent responses (a greening of 0.31 ± 0.14% year−1 in drier regions and a browning of 0.12 ± 0.08% year−1 in wetter regions). Using an eco‐evolutionary optimality (EEO) concept of plant acclimation/adaptation, we propose a parsimonious modelling framework that quantitatively explains these changes in terms of water and energy limitations. Our model captured the variations in Fmax with a correlation coefficient (r) of . 76 and a root mean squared error of . 12 and predicted the divergent trends of greening (0.32 ± 0.19% year−1) and browning (0.07 ± 0.06% year−1). We also predicted the observed reduced sensitivities of Fmax to precipitation and temperature. The model allows us to explain these changes: Enhanced growing season cumulative radiation has opposite effects on water use and energy uptake. Increased precipitation has an overwhelmingly positive effect in drier regions, whereas warming reduces Fmax in wetter regions by increasing the cost of building and maintaining leaf area. Rising CO2 stimulates vegetation growth by enhancing water‐use efficiency, but its effect on photosynthesis saturates. The large decrease in the sensitivity of vegetation to climate reflects a shift from water to energy limitation. Our study demonstrates the potential of EEO approaches to reveal the mechanisms underlying recent trends in vegetation greenness and provides further insight into the response of alpine ecosystems to ongoing climate change.
Polls, Context, and Time: A Dynamic Hierarchical Bayesian Forecasting Model for US Senate Elections

Abstract We present a hierarchical Dirichlet regression model with Gaussian process priors that enables accurate and well-calibrated forecasts for U.S. Senate elections at varying time horizons. This Bayesian model provides a balance between predictions based on time-dependent opinion polls and those made based on fundamentals. It also provides uncertainty estimates that arise naturally from historical data on elections and polls. Experiments show that our model is highly accurate and has a well calibrated coverage rate for vote share predictions at various forecasting horizons. We validate the model with a retrospective forecast of the 2018 cycle as well as a true out-of-sample forecast for 2020. We show that our approach achieves state-of-the art accuracy and coverage despite relying on few covariates.
The Destiny of Movies’ Box Office Performance in China: An Expectation–Evaluation Model

Abstract This article constructs an expectation-evaluation-performance model to investigate the effect of word-of-mouth on movie box office performance in China. The findings indicate that online rating score positively affects the total box office revenue through influencing the resilience of its life cycle. Specifically, 1 unit increase of the rating score would make the decay index 73.5% higher on average, positively contributing to relevant revenue increase from the opening base. We also find that the impacts of expectation and rating vary among different genres, with larger influence among sci-fi, action, or comedy movies.
FinTech Lending, Social Networks, and the Transmission of Monetary Policy

One of the main channels through which monetary policy stimulus affects the real economy is mortgage borrowing. This channel, however, is weakened by frictions in the mortgage market. The rapid growth of financial technology-based (FinTech) lending tends to ease these frictions, given the higher quality services provided under this new lending model. This paper establishes that the role of FinTech lending in the monetary policy transmission is further amplified by consumers’ social networks. I provide empirical evidence for this network effect using county-level data and novel identification strategies. A 1 pp increase in the FinTech market share in a county’s socially connected markets raises the county’s FinTech market share by 0.23-0.26 pps. Moreover, I find that in counties where FinTech market penetration is high, the pass-through of market interest rates to borrowers is more complete. To quantify the role of FinTech lending and its network propagation in the transmission of monetary policy shocks, I build a multi-region heterogeneous-agent model with social learning that embodies key features of FinTech lending. The model shows that the responses of consumption and refinancing to a monetary stimulus are 13% higher in the presence of FinTech lending. Almost half of this improvement is accounted for by FinTech propagation through social networks.
Prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population exposed to arsenic in Argentina.

OBJECTIVE. To determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in a rural population exposed to arsenic (As) in drinking water in the province of Tucumán, Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 352 adult inhabitants participated. Consumption of arsenic in drinking water was measured. Blood pressure, smoking, risk and harmful alcohol consumption, salt intake, physical activity, body mass index, glycemia and dyslipidemia were evaluated. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham score. RESULTS. The population was divided into Exposed Group (EG) n=90 and Non-Exposed Group (NEG) n=262. The prevalence of hypertension was 48.9 and 51.1% in each group, respectively; for smoking it was 31.1 and 39.7%; for risky alcohol consumption, 22.2 and 17.9%; for harmful alcohol consumption, 36.6 and 36.6%; for salt intake, 100 and 100%; for physical activity, 16.7 and 18.7%; for being overweight, 43.3 and 43.9%; for obesity, 25.5 and 25.6%; for diabetes, 24.4 and 32.8%; and for dyslipidemia, 58.9 and 66.4%. The scores for low, moderate, or high-risk were 50; 21.1; and 28.9% in the EG, and 54.6; 19.1 and 26.3% in the NEG, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Exposure to As does not affect the prevalence of CRFs. We identified a rural population in a vulnerable condition with high CRFs. The National Risk Factor Survey does not reflect what happens in rural areas. The Framingham scale is consistent with the found CRFs. The implementation of health promotion policies is required to improve the prognosis of suffering cardiovascular events in the short and medium term.
The psychological underpinnings of young pedestrians' deliberate rule-breaking behaviour at pedestrian railway crossings: a cross-sectional study utilising the theory of planned behaviour

School children continue to be disproportionally represented in train-pedestrian collisions. Although this is often thought to be the result of deliberate rule violations, scant research has been conducted into the determinants of rule-breaking behaviour at pedestrian railway crossings among this cohort. The current study used a Theory of Planned Behaviour model, including a sensation-seeking construct, to investigate the underpinnings of young pedestrians' railway violations. In total, 119 participants under the age of 18 completed a questionnaire assessing the standard Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control), demographic variables (age and gender), sensationseeking tendencies and deliberate violations at level crossings. In an attempt to gain further insight into the origins of rule breaking, an additional question was incorporated about whether participants had ever made a mistake at a railway level crossing. Regression analyses revealed support for the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting intention, in that subjective norm and attitude, but not perceived behavioural control, significantly predicted intention to violate railway pedestrian rules. Gender (being male) was also found to significantly predict intention, although age and sensation seeking did not. Overall, the final model accounted for 65% of the variance in intentions to deliberately break the rules at railway pedestrian crossings. Results also provided preliminary support for the notion that young pedestrians are more likely to deliberately violate the rules rather than make errors while using railway level crossings. Overall, findings suggest that intentional rule breaking is influenced by attitudinal and normative factors and is most problematic among males. Directions for future research as well as remedial efforts to discourage intentional violations are discussed.
Persistent phrenic nerve palsy after atrial fibrillation ablation: Follow‐up data from The Netherlands Heart Registration

Persistent phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is an established complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, especially during cryoballoon and thoracoscopic ablation. Data on persistent PNP reversibility is limited because most patients recover <24 h. This study aims to investigate persistent PNP recovery, freedom of PNP‐related symptoms after AF ablation and identify baseline variables associated with the occurrence and early PNP recovery in a large nationwide registry study.
Antibacterial Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Some Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants in Sokoto Metropolis

Leaves of Ocimum basilicum, Leptadania hastata and Momordica balsamina are locally used by traditional birth attendants at pre and post-partum. The present study investigates the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts against isolates of L. monocytogenes. Standard microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify the bacteria. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, terpinoids and glycosides in the studied extracts. MIC of the extract of M. balsamina shows a total inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. No isolate was inhibited at concentration lower than 125µg/mL of M. balsamina extract. MIC of the extract against L. hastata was observed at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. O. basilicum extract inhibited the growth of the isolates at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. The MBC of the extracts, was between 5,000-0.61µg/mL were used, however, no antibacterial activity was observed on the bacterium with any of the three plants extracts at all concentration levels (0.61-5000πg/mL). The leaf extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory activity but lack bacteriocidal effects on L. monocytogenes. It was recommended that further studies on the preparation, effective doses and side effects of these extracts in animal models are warranted.
The effects of sinusoidal leading edge of turbine blades on the power coefficient of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT)

ABSTRACT In order to improve the aerodynamic performance of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT), a sinusoidal shape is applied to turbine blade. In this study, four types of modified blades were chosen based on variations in amplitude and wavelength of protuberance along the leading edge. Compared with the baseline model, the power coefficients (Cp) of HAWT with modified blades were improved, especially at low tip speed ratios. At low wind speed (V = 6 m/s), blades with short wavelength obtain significant improvement in Cp compared with the baseline model. As wind speed increases, this improvement decreases. In addition, turbine blade with large amplitude and long wavelength obtains better Cp values at higher wind speeds than lower ones, which have a great potential to be more superior at relatively higher wind speeds.
Confounds, Causality, and Sexual Orientation: The Implications of a Population-Level Study of Sibling Characteristics and Same-Sex Attraction

ABSTRACT Representative samples, and especially population samples, are coveted sources of high-quality data in psychological science. In their recent article, Ablaza et al. (2021) used a population sample of marriages and registered partnerships in the Netherlands to examine the relationships between sibling characteristics and sexual orientation. We discuss the implications of this work for understanding the fraternal and sororal birth order effects on male and female same-sex attraction, and how both relate to maternal reproduction. The causal assumptions of these findings are explored, as well as the necessity of population-level data, and whether the data presented by Ablaza et al. are truly representative of the Dutch population.
Byproducts (Flour, Meals, and Groats) from the Vegetable Oil Industry as a Potential Source of Antioxidants

The present study presents the use of photochemiluminescence assay (PCL) and 2,2 diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods for the measurement of lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity (ACL) of 14 different byproducts obtained from the vegetable oil industry (flour, meals, and groats). The research showed that the analyzed samples contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds between 1.54 and 74.85 mg gallic acid per gram of byproduct. Grape seed flour extract had the highest content of total phenolic compounds, 74.85 mg GAE/g, while the lowest level was obtained for the sunflower groats, 1.54 mg GAE/g. DPPH values varied between 7.58 and 7182.53 mg Trolox/g of byproduct, and the highest antioxidant capacity corresponded to the grape seed flour (7182.53 mg Trolox/g), followed by walnut flour (1257.49 mg Trolox/g) and rapeseed meals (647.29 mg Trolox/g). Values of ABTS assay of analyzed samples were between 0 and 3500.52 mg Trolox/g of byproduct. Grape seed flour had the highest value of ABTS (3500.52 mg Trolox/g), followed by walnut flower (1423.98) and sea buckthorn flour (419.46). The highest values for FRAP method were represented by grape seed flour (4716.75 mg Trolox/g), followed by sunflower meals (1350.86 mg Trolox/g) and rapeseed flour (1034.92 mg Trolox/g). For CUPRAC assay, grape seed flour (5936.76 mg Trolox/g) and walnut flour (1202.75 mg Trolox/g) showed the highest antioxidant activity. To assess which method of determining antioxidant activity is most appropriate for the byproducts analyzed, relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) was calculated. Depending on the RACI value of the analyzed byproducts, the rank of antioxidant capacity ranged from −209.46 (walnut flour) to 184.20 (grape seed flour). The most sensitive methods in developing RACI were FRAP (r = 0.5795) and DPPH (r = 0.5766), followed by CUPRAC (r = 0.5578) and ABTS (r = 0.4449), respectively. Strong positive correlations between the antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble compounds measured by PCL and other methods used for determining antioxidant activity were found (r > 0.9). Analyses have shown that the different types of byproducts obtained from the vegetable oil industry have a high antioxidant activity rich in phenolic compounds, and thus their use in bakery products can improve their nutritional quality.
Garcinia kola treatment exhibits immunomodulatory properties while not affecting type 1 diabetes development in an experimental mouse model

Objective T cells orchestrate an inflammatory response that destroys pancreatic insulin-producing β cells during the development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). Garcinia kola Heckel (GK) is a plant widely exploited in West African traditional medicine. Some of the therapeutic effects of GK nut’s extract (GKE) have been suggested to be due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Since GKE has never been investigated in a T1D experimental model, nor in the T cells’ context, we aimed to determine whether GKE exhibits antidiabetic properties and affects T cells by its anticipated anti-inflammatory action. Methods The effect of aqueous GKE (aGKE) ingestion, 100 mg/kg daily by drinking water over the period of 6 weeks, has been tested in a low-dose streptozotocin-induced (LDSTZ) mouse model of autoimmune T1D. T cells were studied in vitro and in vivo in mice treated by aGKE. Results The results showed that aGKE treatment, which started a week before induction of disease, neither delayed the development of T1D, nor reduced glycemia severity. Interestingly, aGKE treatment did affect T cells and their function, significantly decreasing the frequency of helper (TH) and cytotoxic (TC) T cells, while elevating the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and suppressing IL-2. Conclusion In conclusion, our results did not confirm the antidiabetic property of GKE, while suggesting its therapeutic exploration in TH2-dependent pathologies that benefit from an aggravated TH1 response, such as allergies.
Signal Processing and Extensive Characterization Method of Heart Sounds Based on Wavelet Analysis

One of the valuable methods of cardiac valve diagnosis can be performed by auscultation. We proposed a signal processing and extensive characterization method based on wavelet analysis to investigate important characteristics of heart sounds of normal and pathologic systolic murmur human subjects. Time-scale maps yielded by wavelet transform calculation were solved using magnitude thresholding operation and centre of gravity to restrict temporal and frequency-related of valvular activities. From our experimental results, temporal and frequency-related parameters of S1, S2, and their components could be characterized precisely. Application of our method was adequate to characterize the heart sounds objectively, clearly, systematically, and comprehensively. The method was considered valuable to explain mechanisms of cardiac valves functions. We expected that the method would be helpful for clinical diagnosis as well as developing of heart sound modelling and educational purpose. Next topic of our study was addressed for classification of the heart sounds.
Illuminating the lineage-specific diversification of resin glycoside acylsugars in the morning glory (Convolvulaceae) family using computational metabolomics

Abstract Acylsugars are a class of plant defense compounds produced across many distantly related families. Members of the horticulturally important morning glory (Convolvulaceae) family produce a diverse subclass of acylsugars called resin glycosides (RGs), which comprise oligosaccharide cores, hydroxyacyl chain(s), and decorating aliphatic and aromatic acyl chains. While many RG structures are characterized, the extent of structural diversity of this class in different genera and species is not known. In this study, we asked whether there has been lineage-specific diversification of RG structures in different Convolvulaceae species that may suggest diversification of the underlying biosynthetic pathways. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was performed from root and leaf extracts of 26 species sampled in a phylogeny-guided manner. LC–MS/MS revealed thousands of peaks with signature RG fragmentation patterns with one species producing over 300 signals, mirroring the diversity in Solanaceae-type acylsugars. A novel RG from Dichondra argentea was characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, supporting previous observations of RGs with open hydroxyacyl chains instead of closed macrolactone ring structures. Substantial lineage-specific differentiation in utilization of sugars, hydroxyacyl chains, and decorating acyl chains was discovered, especially among Ipomoea and Convolvulus—the two largest genera in Convolvulaceae. Adopting a computational, knowledge-based strategy, we further developed a high-recall workflow that successfully explained ~72% of the MS/MS fragments, predicted the structural components of 11/13 previously characterized RGs, and partially annotated ~45% of the RGs. Overall, this study improves our understanding of phytochemical diversity and lays a foundation for characterizing the evolutionary mechanisms underlying RG diversification.
A New Era of Midnight Mergers: Antitrust Risk and Investor Disclosures

Antitrust authorities search public documents to discover anticompetitive mergers. Thus, investor disclosures may alert them to deals that would otherwise escape scrutiny, creating disincentives for managers to divulge transactions. We study this behavior in publicly traded US companies. First, we estimate a regression discontinuity that exploits mandatory disclosure thresholds stipulated by securities law. We find that releasing information to investors poses antitrust risk. Second, we present a method for measuring undisclosed merger activity that relies on financial accounting reporting requirements. We find that undisclosed mergers total $2.3 trillion between 2002 and 2016.
The Political Legacies of Rebel Rule: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Côte d’Ivoire

How does exposure to rebel rule affect citizens’ political attitudes after armed conflicts end? We combine original survey data from Côte d’Ivoire with a natural experiment based on the arbitrary location of a ceasefire boundary to estimate the effects of exposure to rebel rule by the Forces Nouvelles (FN) on Ivorians’ sense of democratic citizenship. Our findings show that individuals in communities ruled by the FN held more negative attitudes about local government institutions 7 years after the reunification of the country, held weaker commitments to civic obligations, and were more likely to condone extralegal actions. The effects of rebel rule are larger than the effects of extreme lived poverty and appear among both rebel coethnics and non-coethnics. Using qualitative and survey evidence, we propose three theoretical mechanisms to explain why exposure to rebel rule weakened citizen-state relations: disrupted norms of compliance with state-like authorities, the formation of local self-help institutions leading to negative assessments of the redeployed state, and resentment due to unmet expectations of economic recovery. Our study informs debates about the links between war, citizenship, and statebuilding.