Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study of heuristics for anticipating prices

PurposeThis research explores how investment and central bankers cope with strategic uncertainty when they anticipate prices. The uncertainty originates from others' decisions and their consequences, and cannot be meaningfully reduced to risk. The authors postulate that, in order to cope with this type of uncertainty, bankers use simple rules, also called heuristics. This study aims to identify such heuristics and the psychological processes that underlie them.Design/methodology/approachThe authors interviewed 22 managers of teams tasked to anticipate prices, in two leading investment and central banks. The primary data came from in-depth, semi-structured interviews lasting 30–60 min, supplemented by our observations during the on-site visits, emails and phone calls when preparing the interviews, and reports published by the banks. Data were coded and heuristics were induced over multiple rounds by multiple researchers.FindingsBankers (1) construct simple game representations of markets, (2) make inferences to gauge opponents, (3) become alert when they see too much agreement and (4) communicate coherent narratives. Heuristics (1)–(3) are employed when the pace of decision-making is fast, whereas (4) is used for longer time scales. In sum, bankers exhibit reciprocal bounded rationality, wherein interaction partners are mutually aware of and adapted to the fundamental uncertainty of the task and their limited resources.Originality/valueHeuristics for anticipating prices have not been studied empirically outside the lab. The findings may help integrate conceptualizations of heuristics in the simple-rules and fast-and-frugal-heuristics research programs and improve market efficiency.
Validation of the Chinese Version of the Patient’s Communication Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (PCSS) in Outpatients After Total Hip Replacement

Background: Among older people in the world, older patients’ communication has become a public health issue of vital importance. Such communication could be improved by different interventions. However, a means of measuring patient’s communication confidence in these measures has not been established in China. This study is aimed at translating and introducing the Patient’s Communication Self-Efficacy Scale for communication between doctors and patients after total hip replacement. Method: (1) A questionnaire was completed after a consultation by 167 patients (mean age = 70.04 years; SD: 6.3 years; females/males: 94/73). Translation of the original English version PCSS into the Chinese; (2) Validation of the final Chinese version of the PCSS. Measurement indexes included item generation, reliability testing, construct validity and test–retest reliability. To actualize the above test, we used SPSS 19.0 software and LISREL 8.7. We build the Bayesian Network Model of the Chinese version of the PCSS and determined predictive variables. Result: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Chinese version of the PCSS has fit a three-dimensional model. Meanwhile, the Chinese version of the PCSS has high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient 0.929) and test–retest reliability (Kappa coefficient 0.761). Analysis using Bayesian networks shows that the important predictors are education (0.4207), PEPPI 3(0.3951), and PCSS 1(0.1139). The connections between PCSS 3 and other variables do not indicate causality, conditional dependencies or inter-relatedness. Conclusion: This is the first study to validate the Chinese version of the PCSS in outpatients after total hip replacement. Our results confirmed that the Chinese version of the scale has high internal consistency, construct validity and test–retest reliability. And the patient–doctor interaction and education are important predictors of patient’s communication self-efficacy. the therapeutic conti- nuum. Patient satisfaction, acceptability, quality of life, compliance, persistence and their role in developing new therapeutic modalities and compounds to optimize clinical outcomes for existing disease
Middle Pleistocene IRSL age of the upper Blackwater Draw Formation, Southern High Plains, Texas and New Mexico, USA

A pilot study has yielded the first infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) age from the upper part of the eolian Blackwater Draw Formation near its type locality in the Southern High Plains of Texas. The age on potassium feldspar is 294 ± 32 ka (50°C IRSL) and 347 ± 40 ka (290°C post-IR IRSL) and averaged 300 to 350 ka. Both ages are significantly earlier than previously reported thermoluminescence (TL) ages. A Middle Pleistocene age of the upper Blackwater Draw Formation is consistent with its mature argillic soil Bt horizon and the overprint of a well-developed calcic soil Bk horizon. The deposition of the Blackwater Draw Formation also pre-dates the Mescalero sand sheet of southeastern New Mexico, a late Pleistocene component of which has been miscorrelated with the Blackwater Draw. The tendency to regard all red eolian sands in the region as the Blackwater Draw Formation may be mistaken, overlooking younger red eolian sand bodies with less mature soil development.
Three Studies in Synthetic Biology

When building synthetic gene regulatory networks, the complexity that can be achieved is limited by the number of different transcription factors (TFs) available. To build truly complex circuits we would require many TFs with binding sequences orthogonal to one another and also to the chassis' native TFs. Ideally these TFs would have a range of strengths to allow tuneable control of gene expression. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are modular proteins that can be designed to predictably bind any desired DNA sequence. TALEs can therefore be exploited to create synthetic transcription factors. We assembled a TALE, using a custom TALE kit, specific to the lac operator sequence. We created an expression plasmid with our TALE expressed from the inducible araBAD (PBAD) promoter, and a reporter plasmid with the lac operator sequence between the lacUV5 promoter and a sfGFP reporter gene. Cells containing the TALE expression plasmid had up to a 50-fold reduction in fluorescence compared to cells with the reporter plasmid only. This reduction was similar to that achieved with the wild type LacI repressor protein expressed from the same plasmid. The reduction increased with increasing concentrations of arabinose, which induces the PBAD promoter. The results strongly suggest that our TALE successfully binds the lac operator sequence, repressing expression of GFP. Our long-term goal is to produce a library of orthogonal, synthetic repressor and activator TFs, built de novo utilising TALEs as the DNA binding domain and pairs of alpha helical coiled-coils to mediate protein-protein interactions.
Chemical Reaction Equilibrium Behaviors of an Oxy-Thermal Carbide Furnace Reaction System

The oxy-thermal carbide furnace chemical reaction equilibrium system is analyzed in this study with a thermodynamic model. Previous studies have shown that the formation temperature and reaction process mechanism of calcium carbide (CaC2) are controversial in the presence of Ca vapor. Therefore, this study investigates the oxy-thermal carbide furnace chemical reaction equilibrium system in the presence of Ca vapor, and the ΔG–T diagram is spontaneously utilized to predict the formation temperature and the order of reaction in CaC2. Then the four-stage reaction mechanism is proposed. CaC2 yield and selectivity at various operating conditions are analyzed by performing a detailed investigation on the chemical reaction equilibrium limitation effect of the reaction system at different temperatures, pressures, and C addition. The shifting mechanism of chemical reaction equilibrium and the optimum operation conditions for the carbide manufacturing are obtained by comparing CaC2 yield and selectivity at differen.
Coordination between growth and stress responses by DELLA in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha


Plant survival depends on the optimal use of resources under variable environmental conditions. Among the mechanisms that mediate the balance between growth, differentiation and stress responses, the regulation of transcriptional activity by DELLA proteins stands out. In angiosperms, DELLA accumulation promotes defense against biotic and abiotic stress and represses cell division and expansion, while loss of DELLA function is associated with increased plant size and sensitivity towards stress1. Given that DELLA protein stability is dependent on gibberellin (GA) levels2, and GA metabolism is influenced by the environment3, this pathway is proposed to relay environmental information to the transcriptional programs that regulate growth and stress responses in angiosperms4,5. However, DELLA genes are also found in bryophytes, whereas canonical GA receptors appeared only in vascular plants6–10. Thus, it is not clear whether these regulatory functions of DELLA predated or emerged with typical GA signaling. Here we show that, as in vascular plants, the only DELLA in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha also participates in the regulation of growth and key developmental processes, and promotes the tolerance towards oxidative stress. Moreover, part of these effects is likely caused by the conserved physical interaction with the MpPIF transcription factor. Therefore, we suggest that the role in the coordination of growth and stress responses was already encoded in DELLA from the common ancestor of land plants, and the importance of this function is justified by its conservation over the past 450 M years.
Qinghai Hoh Xil 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment SITE INFORMATION Country : China Inscribed in : 2017 Criteria : ( vii ) ( x )

Qinghai Hoh Xil, located in the northeastern extremity of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round. The site’s geographical and climatic conditions have nurtured a unique biodiversity. More than one third of the plant species, and all the herbivorous mammals are endemic to the plateau. The property secures the complete migratory route of the Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammals that are endemic to the plateau. © UNESCO
Isole Eolie ( Aeolian Islands ) 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment SITE INFORMATION Country : Italy Inscribed in : 2000 Criteria : ( viii )

The Aeolian Islands provide an outstanding record of volcanic island-building and destruction, and ongoing volcanic phenomena. Studied since at least the 18th century, the islands have provided the science of vulcanology with examples of two types of eruption (Vulcanian and Strombolian) and thus have featured prominently in the education of geologists for more than 200 years. The site continues to enrich the field of vulcanology. © UNESCO
Comparison of Mental Health Symptom Changes from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 by Sex or Gender: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Women and gender-diverse individuals face disproportionate socioeconomic burden during COVID-19. We compared mental health symptom changes since pre-COVID-19 by sex or gender. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, medRxiv, and Open Science Framework December 31, 2019 to March 22, 2021 for studies that reported mental health outcomes prior to and during COVID-19 by sex or gender. We conducted restricted maximum-likelihood random-effects meta-analyses. Results: All 11 included studies (9 unique cohorts) compared females or women to males or men; none included gender-diverse individuals. Continuous symptom change differences were not statistically significant for depression (standardized mean difference [SMD]= 0.15, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.39; 3 studies, 4,159 participants; I2=77%) and stress (SMD= -0.09, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.02; 3 studies, 1,217 participants; I2=0%), but anxiety (SMD= 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.26; 3 studies, 4,028 participants; I2=34%) and general mental health (SMD= 0.15, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.18; 2 studies, 15,590 participants; I2=0%) worsened more among females or women than males or men. There were no significant differences in changes in proportion above a cut-off: anxiety (difference= 0.00, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.02; 2 studies, 6,684 participants; I2=0%), depression (difference= 0.12, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.28; 1 study, 217 participants), general mental health (difference= -0.03, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.04; 3 studies, 18,985 participants; I2=94%), stress (difference= 0.04, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.18; 1 study, 217 participants). Interpretation: Mental health outcomes did not differ or were somewhat worse among women than men.
Empirical evaluation of the sensitivity of background incidence rate characterization for adverse events across an international observational data network

Background Background incidence rates are routinely used in safety studies to evaluate an association of an exposure and outcome. Systematic research on sensitivity of rates to the choice of the study parameters is lacking. This study investigates the influence of study parameter choices on background rates of adverse events. Methods We used 12 electronic health record and administrative claims data sources to calculate incidence rates of 15 adverse events. We examined the influence of age, race, sex, database, time-at-risk start event and duration, season and year, prior observation and clean window. For binary comparisons we calculated incidence rate ratios and performed random-effect model meta-analysis. Results We observed a wide variation of background rates. The population characteristics had the largest impact with rates varying up to a factor of 1,000 across age groups. Even after adjusting for age and sex, the study showed residual bias due to the other parameters. Anchoring on any type of healthcare encounter yielded higher incidence when compared to anchoring on a random date, especially for short time-at-risk. The rates were highly variable across databases. Conclusion Background rates were highly sensitive to demographic characteristics of population, so comparing background to observed rates requires age, sex and race adjustment, and even with these adjustments, variability remains high among databases. Incidence rates were highly influenced by the choice of the time-at-risk start and duration and less influenced by secular or seasonal trends. All of the above choices are important when generating or interpreting incidence rates in the context of vaccine safety studies.
Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has gravely affected several aspects of national and global society, including education. Given the risk it poses, the Government of Uganda (GOU) adopted and recommended face mask use as one of the preventive measures to limit its transmission in communities. However, there is limited data on the levels of face mask usage and associated factors among students in schools in Uganda. This study aimed at assessing the face mask usage and associated factors among students in schools in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted among 423 students in schools in rural Eastern Uganda. Multi-stage sampling method was employed in the selection of study participants. The data was collected by trained data collectors using structured questionnaires pre-installed on ODK enabled smart phones. The data entered was cleaned using Excel 2016 and exported to Stata14.0 statistical software (Statacorp, College station, Texas, USA) for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed using 95% CI (confidence interval). Variables with p-value < 0.20 and those with literature backup evidence were included in the multivariable model. Variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. This study revealed that less than three quarters (62.3%) wore face masks correctly. Results: Almost all, 98.9% of the participants mentioned that they wore face masks due to fear of missing classes and 49.0% disagreed that they were vulnerable to COVID-19. Students in boarding schools (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.05-2.47), those who believed that they were vulnerable to COVID-19 (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.11-2.10), and those who disagreed that masks are uncomfortable (AOR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.06-2.46) were more likely to wear facemasks correctly. Conclusion: This study revealed that more than a third of the students did not wear face masks correctly. Correct wearing of face masks was associated with being in a boarding school, belief that they were susceptible to COVID-19, and disagreeing that masks were uncomfortable. This therefore highlights the need for sensitization programmes in academic institutions in order to improve the perceptions of students toward COVID-19 and face masks, and consequently increase correct face mask usage in schools.
Sexual Minority Behavioral Health Outcomes: The Role of Social Stressors and Self-Regulation

SEXUAL MINORITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTCOMES: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL STRESSORS AND SELF-REGULATION Zane Ballard, B.A. Marquette University, 2020 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals have been shown to experience significantly more negative health outcomes than do heterosexuals. The current study examined the effects of identity authenticity on problematic alcohol and drug use and sexual compulsivity. The current study also tested whether this relationship between identity authenticity and negative behavioral health outcomes is mediated by selfregulation depletion, as well as internalized homonegativity and rejection sensitivity. Identity authenticity was associated with self-regulation depletion, internalized homonegativity, problematic alcohol use, and sexual compulsivity. Identity authenticity did not predict rejection sensitivity or problematic drug use. Evidence supports the role of self-regulation depletion in mediating the effects of identity authenticity on problematic alcohol use, and rejection sensitivity predicted variance in alcohol use contrary to the expected direction. Self-regulation depletion mediated the effects of identity authenticity on sexual compulsivity. Internalized homonegativity also accounted for significant variance in sexual compulsivity and mediated the effects of identity authenticity. These results suggest that self-regulation effectiveness may offer an additional account of negative behavioral outcomes among sexual minorities beyond sexual minority stress as presently conceptualized.
Impacts of heat stress on blood metabolic in different periods of lactation and pregnancy in Holstein cows

Heat stress (HS) greatly affects sustainable livestock production, thereby affecting the productive performance and welfare of animals. The effect of summer heat on lactating Holstein cows at different lactation, pregnancy phases, and blood metabolism were investigated in this study. Eighteen Holstein cows were selected randomly and housed in the cow farm. Climatic reads and blood parameters were measured. The temperature-humidity index has been designed as a measure of animal comfort and is a simple combination of temperature and humidity. The study showed that heat stress has a significant effect (P ≤ 0.01) on hematological and biochemical parameters. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.01) during lactation. There was a significant increase in creatinine level at 45 days in milk. A significant inverse correlation between HS with milk production and feed intake. So far, it was concluded that certain hematological and biochemical parameters were substantially altered by HS. A negative effect of HS on milk production and feed intake was observed.
The Effect of Mass Flow Rate and Heat Flux on Vertical Two-Phase Flow Regimes in a Small Diameter Tube

In recent years, there has been a rising concentration in investigating and researching the boiling of micro channel flow; since they afford high thermal effectiveness, small size, and low weight. In this paper, the boiling heat transfer was experimentally examined using water as the working fluid in small diameter tubes. Experiments for the flow model were performed using the same Pyrex glass tube test facility. The experiments of heat transfer were carried out using an internal diameter copper tube (10.922 mm). The range of other parameters was varied: mass flow rate (0.008–0.0214kg/s); heat flux (17351–80529W/m2); it has been found that the average coefficient of heat transfer depends on the form of flow pattern. The average heat transfer coefficient increases by about 37% when the flow pattern varied from slug flow to churn flow at a constant mass flow rate of 0.008kg/s. Besides, the heat transfer coefficient (h) in the two-phase flow, is 39%, which is more than that for single-phase flow, when the mass flow rate is 0.0214kg/s, and heat flux) increases from 17351W/m2 to 49105W/m2. Also, when mass flow rate rises from (0.008kg/s) to (0.0166kg/s), the pressure drop increases by about (15%) and increases by about (5%) when the mass flow rate rises from (0.0166kg/s) to (0.0214kg/s). The main regime of flow was a slug, churn, bubbly, dispersed bubbly, and confined bubbly flow.
A study on solid waste generation, composition and management in Sulaimania city, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Municipal solid waste management became a major challenge due to the population growth, change of lifestyle in Sulaimania city, especially since the urban expansion increased from 2003, and when many villages in the countryside had already became a part of the city. The major part of generating solid waste in Sulaimania disposed in the Tanjaro area (an open dumping area southeast of Sulaimania city) without any treatment or proper landfilling. In this research, the compositions of generating solid waste of Sulaimania city and its properties were determined. Also, in this research, it was found that household waste generation is threatening the environment of Sulaimania city due to the huge amount of the produced leachate of solid waste which flowing into the Tanjaro dumping area and ultimately contaminating groundwater, surface and subsurface soil there. This research covered 12 different subzone areas within 5 major zones across the city a covering nearly 300 house samples. Also collected solid waste samples were categorized into the kitchen, plastic, glass, electronic and some other types of solid wastes. The results showed that the number of houses generating more than 2 kg of solid waste per day is higher than those with less than 1kg generated solid waste. It has also been inferred that the highest composition ratio of household solid waste was kitchen type and reached (63.1%) followed by plastic-type solid waste (10.2%), cardboard (5.4%), cans and other metals (2.8%), Glass waste (2.7%) and E-waste (0.1%), other wastes such as textile, nylon, wood and lethal around (15.7%). Besides that, the results showed that the amount of the waste is seasonally changing, for example, the amount of solid waste from April to October is higher than other months due to increasing human activities for producing solid waste. Furthermore, this study covered a survey of the main medical waste from 25 clinics across Sulaimania city and counted the main waste contributed elements of the medical waste that produced. The variation in the generation rate, varied and excuses for this variation clearly stated. Also, the clinic medical waste generation was also investigated for their constituents and quantity and also the possibility of its segregation and ways to dispose of it. All the clinics private and public ones were investigated and studied for having chimneys and the possibilities of air pollution due to the burning of the medical waste.