Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Efficient Market Hypothesis of Fama and Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance

The role of bias in investor's decision making is no more a subject of debate. Empirical evidence supporting the influence of bias amongst investors is growing since the 1980s. This paper is an attempt to understand the concept of cognitive dissonance given by Festinger 11 (1957) which laid the foundation for the study of investor bias. It discusses Eugene Fama's Efficient Market Hypothesis which is all pervasive in finance literature and the challenges it confronts from the growing field of Behavioural finance. The paper reviews earlier empirical studies on cognitive bias amongst the representative agents, to understand the influence of bias and irrationality among investors. The first section of the paper gives the theoretical background to efficient market hypothesis and the concept of cognitive dissonance. The second section discusses the implications of bias on the investor's decision making, followed by a review of studies to support the claim. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for investors to understand the influence of bias and prevent themselves from succumbing to psychologically induced errors.
A circuit-based approach for electro-thermal modeling of lithium-ion batteries

A two-dimensional electro-thermal model has been developed to provide a tool that can be used to gain a better understanding of dynamic behaviour of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The model incorporates an equivalent circuit model (ECM) and a coupled electro-thermal model to simulate the non-uniform heat generation rate, the temperature distribution, and the voltage response of the Li-ion cell across variety of operating conditions. The ECM is comprised of two resistance-capacitance (RC) networks, one sires resistor, and one voltage source that are all function of state-of-charge (SOC) and temperature (T). Hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) test is applied to extract the ECM parameters at different ambient temperature. The simulations results of the cell model under constant current discharge tests show a good agreement with the experimental data at different environmental temperature. The developed model can be employed for battery thermal management system (BTMS) and battery management system (BMS) design with a light computational demand.
Linear Mixed Models with Flexible Distributions of Random Effects for Longitudinal Data

Summary. Normality of random effects is a routine assumption for the linear mixed model, but it may be unrealistic, obscuring important features of among‐individual variation. We relax this assumption by approximating the random effects density by the seminonparameteric (SNP) representation of Gallant and Nychka (1987, Econometrics55, 363–390), which includes normality as a special case and provides flexibility in capturing a broad range of nonnormal behavior, controlled by a user‐chosen tuning parameter. An advantage is that the marginal likelihood may be expressed in closed form, so inference may be carried out using standard optimization techniques. We demonstrate that standard information criteria may be used to choose the tuning parameter and detect departures from normality, and we illustrate the approach via simulation and using longitudinal data from the Framingham study.
ATAD3 gene cluster deletions cause cerebellar dysfunction associated with altered mitochondrial DNA and cholesterol metabolism

Mitochondrial DNA dysfunction causes a range of neurological diseases. Desai, Frazier et al. show that deletions in the ATAD3 gene cluster create chimeric proteins that are associated with cerebellar defects, mitochondrial DNA disorganisation and perturbed cholesterol homeostasis. The findings link mitochondrial DNA, cholesterol, and brain development and function.
The Effects of Implicit Color Preference and Implicit Racial Preference on Implicit Attitude Towards the Ad

=. 53, p<. 001). Consistent with a full mediation model, the relationship between CFC-I and credit card debt became non-significant (? =.04, p=.74) when compulsive buying was entered into the model (Baron & Kenny 1986). A Sobel (1982) test further confirmed that the reduction in the relationship between CFC-I and credit card debt was significant (z=3.63, p<.001). In summary, findings offer support for H2-H3 and partial support for H1.
Of heart and kidney: a complicated love story

The multiple connections that exist between the cardiovascular system and the kidney lead to a complex cardiovascular and renal medicine relationship. It is well established in the literature that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of CKD in the general population is about 7%, comparable with the prevalence of diabetes. The main causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension, worldwide. The prevalence of CVD in the CKD population ranges between 7 and 85% according to the CKD stage and type, and the patient diagnosed with CKD has a higher risk of dying of CVD than of starting renal replacement therapy. There are some particular aspects of CVD in CKD patients that differ from the general population, making its prevention and treatment a challenge for both cardiologists and nephrologists.
The Present Distribution and Predicted Geographic Expansion of the Floodwater Mosquito Aedes sticticus in Sweden

ABSTRACT: The mass emergence of floodwater mosquitoes, in particular Aedes sticticus and Aedes vexans, causes substantial nuisance and reduces life quality for inhabitants of infested areas and can have a negative impact on the socio-economic conditions of a region. We compared the previous, present, and predicted geographic distribution of Ae. sticticus in Sweden. Previous records from the literature until 1990 list the species in three out of 21 Swedish counties. Beginning in 1998, studies show that the present distribution of the species covers 11 counties, with highest abundances in an east-west belt in Central Sweden. Using climate data from the present and predicted climate scenarios, the expected distribution of Ae. sticticus in 2020, 2050, and 2080 could be modelled using GIS. As variables, mean temperatures and cumulative precipitation between May and August and degree slope were chosen. The predicted geographic distribution of Ae. sticticus will continue to increase and include 20 out of 21 Swedish counties. The expected temperature rise will increase the suitable area towards the northern part of Sweden by 2050. Some non-suitable areas can be found along the south-east coast due to insufficient amount of precipitation in 2050 and 2080. Modelling the expected distribution of a species using predicted climate change scenarios provides a valuable tool for risk assessments and early-warning systems that is easily applied to different species and scenarios.
Submacular predominantly hemorrhagic choroidal neovascularization: resolution of bleedings under anti-VEGF therapy

Purpose To report the visual and morphological outcomes following intravitreal bevacizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with submacular, predominantly hemorrhagic, lesions. Methods Retrospective study of patients with a follow-up after 1 year. All eyes with submacular hemorrhages larger than 50% of the total lesion size and received only anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) monotherapy (intravitreous administration of 1.25 mg bevacizumab, PRN). The primary endpoint was the change in hemorrhage size and time to resolution, in association with the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The eyes were grouped based on the size of the hemorrhage: group A (≥1 to <4 disc area [DA]), group B (≥4 to <9 DA), and group C (≥9 DA). Results Forty-six consecutive eyes were included. The mean area of the hemorrhage was 6 DA at baseline. Eyes with smaller bleeding (group A) had better chances of stabilized or improved vision. Complete resolution of the hemorrhage was seen in 96% of the eyes within 1 year. The mean BCVA increased from 0.81 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70–0.92) (Snellen 20/125) at baseline to 0.75 logMAR (95% CI: 0.62–0.88) (20/125) after 1 year (P=0.11). BCVA improved (one or more ETDRS [Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study] lines) in 57% of the eyes (13/23) in group A; 53% (8/15) in group B; and 38% (3/8) in group C. Conclusion Many of the eyes with hemorrhagic lesions showed stabilization or improvement of the mean BCVA after treatment within 1 year. Anti-VEGF treatment can be considered as a useful treatment option in eyes with hemorrhages secondary to nAMD.
Mind the gap: The timeline as a narrative frame for personal content

This paper presents initial findings from a deployment of Timecard, a system for the production of personal timelines. The data reveal that, far from being a neutral structure for the organisation of personal content, the timeline carries a particular set of conventions that encourage balance and that communicate precision. Yet these two values are at odds with each other. Creating a coherent timeline can mean omitting accurate content, as well as including that which is ambiguous. Resolving this mismatch is a challenge for design.
Systemic peptide-mediated oligonucleotide therapy improves long-term survival in spinal muscular atrophy

Significance Splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has quickly become a clinical reality, but without an effective delivery system, the practicalities of delivering SSO therapy efficiently might preclude its widespread use. Our peptide-conjugated SSOs are being designed for clinical trials for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here, we report advanced phosphorodiamidate oligomer (PMO) internalizing peptide (Pip) peptides that effectively deliver SSOs bodywide and at doses an order-of-magnitude lower than required by naked SSOs in a mouse model of SMA. Furthermore, our peptide-SSO is able to deliver to the CNS of adult mice. This study thus presents an oligonucleotide showing activity in the CNS following a systemic route with peptide delivery. The development of antisense oligonucleotide therapy is an important advance in the identification of corrective therapy for neuromuscular diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Because of difficulties of delivering single-stranded oligonucleotides to the CNS, current approaches have been restricted to using invasive intrathecal single-stranded oligonucleotide delivery. Here, we report an advanced peptide-oligonucleotide, Pip6a-morpholino phosphorodiamidate oligomer (PMO), which demonstrates potent efficacy in both the CNS and peripheral tissues in severe SMA mice following systemic administration. SMA results from reduced levels of the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein because of loss-of-function mutations in the SMN1 gene. Therapeutic splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) modulate exon 7 splicing of the nearly identical SMN2 gene to generate functional SMN protein. Pip6a-PMO yields SMN expression at high efficiency in peripheral and CNS tissues, resulting in profound phenotypic correction at doses an order-of-magnitude lower than required by standard naked SSOs. Survival is dramatically extended from 12 d to a mean of 456 d, with improvement in neuromuscular junction morphology, down-regulation of transcripts related to programmed cell death in the spinal cord, and normalization of circulating insulin-like growth factor 1. The potent systemic efficacy of Pip6a-PMO, targeting both peripheral as well as CNS tissues, demonstrates the high clinical potential of peptide-PMO therapy for SMA.
CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE-C and -D Are the Primary Genes Involved in Lignin Biosynthesis in the Floral Stem of Arabidopsisw⃞

During lignin biosynthesis in angiosperms, coniferyl and sinapyl aldehydes are believed to be converted into their corresponding alcohols by cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and by sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD), respectively. This work clearly shows that CAD-C and CAD-D act as the primary genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in the floral stem of Arabidopsis thaliana by supplying both coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols. An Arabidopsis CAD double mutant (cad-c cad-d) resulted in a phenotype with a limp floral stem at maturity as well as modifications in the pattern of lignin staining. Lignin content of the mutant stem was reduced by 40%, with a 94% reduction, relative to the wild type, in conventional β-O-4–linked guaiacyl and syringyl units and incorportion of coniferyl and sinapyl aldehydes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that both xylem vessels and fibers were affected. GeneChip data and real-time PCR analysis revealed that transcription of CAD homologs and other genes mainly involved in cell wall integrity were also altered in the double mutant. In addition, molecular complementation of the double mutant by tissue-specific expression of CAD derived from various species suggests different abilities of these genes/proteins to produce syringyl-lignin moieties but does not indicate a requirement for any specific SAD gene.
Geographic Correlation between Tapeworm Carriers and Heavily Infected Cysticercotic Pigs

Background Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world. Sustainable community-based interventions are urgently needed to control transmission of the causative parasite, Taenia solium. We examined the geospatial relationship between live pigs with visible cysticercotic cysts on their tongues and humans with adult intestinal tapeworm infection (taeniasis) in a rural village in northern Peru. The objective was to determine whether tongue-positive pigs could indicate high-risk geographic foci for taeniasis to guide targeted screening efforts. This approach could offer significant benefit compared to mass intervention. Methods We recorded geographic coordinates of all village houses, collected stool samples from all consenting villagers, and collected blood and examined tongues of all village pigs. Stool samples were processed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for presence of Taenia sp. coproantigens indicative of active taeniasis; serum was processed by enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot for antibodies against T. solium cysticercosis (EITB LLGP) and T. solium taeniasis (EITB rES33). Findings Of 548 pigs, 256 (46.7%) were positive for antibodies against cysticercosis on EITB LLGP. Of 402 fecal samples, 6 (1.5%) were positive for the presence of Taenia sp. coproantigens. The proportion of coproantigen-positive individuals differed significantly between residents living within 100-meters of a tongue-positive pig (4/79, 5.1%) and residents living >100 meters from a tongue-positive pig (2/323, 0.6%) (p = 0.02). The prevalence of taeniasis was >8 times higher among residents living within 100 meters of a tongue-positive pig compared to residents living outside this range (adjusted PR 8.1, 95% CI 1.4–47.0). Conclusions Tongue-positive pigs in endemic communities can indicate geospatial foci in which the risk for taeniasis is increased. Targeted screening or presumptive treatment for taeniasis within these high-risk foci may be an effective and practical control intervention for rural endemic areas.
Physical activity, public health, and aging: critical issues and research priorities.

School of Public Health, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, University of Colorado–Denver Health Science Center. School of Nursing, University of Washington. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. UNC Institute on Aging, University of North Carolina. Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore University Hospital. School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley. Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina.
EFFECTS OF ENDURANCE TRAINING ON ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN TESTIS OF RATS

Male rats were equally divided into trained rest (TR), trained exhaustive exercise (TE), untrained rest (UR), and untrained exhaustive exercise (UE). Endurance training consisted of treadmill running for 1.5 h/d, 5 days a week for 8 weeks reaching the speed of 2.1 km/h at the fortieth week. For acute exhaustive exercise, graded treadmill running was conducted reaching the speed of 2.1 km/h at 95th min, 10% uphill, continued until exhaustion. Testicular tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant potential (AOP) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined. There was a slight decrease, but not significant, in the SOD activity in UE group compared to TE and TR groups. Activity of GSH-Px decreased in the UE group compared to UR, TR and TE groups. Acute exhaustive exercise did not affect testicular tissue GSH-Px activity in trained rats. Testicular tissue GST activity of the UE group was similar to TE group, but lower than UR and TR groups. In UE group, testicular tissue AOP values were lower than UR, TR and TE groups. The oxidative effects of acute exhaustive exercise on the rat testis decreased with endurance training. Endurance training prevents oxidative injuries by eliminating oxygen radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation via preventing decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities.
The diversity of platelet microparticles

Purpose of reviewPlatelet microparticles are small extracellular vesicles abundant in blood. The present review will introduce the mechanisms underlying the generation of microparticles, and will describe the diverse microparticle subtypes identified to date. The most appropriate methodologies used to distinguish microparticle subtypes will be also presented. Recent findingsBoth the megakaryocytes and platelets can generate microparticles. Circulating microparticles originating from megakaryocytes are distinguished from those derived from activated platelets by the presence of CD62P, LAMP-1, and immunoreceptor-based activation motif receptors. Close examination of platelet activation has shed light on a novel mechanism leading to microparticle production. Under physiologic flow, microparticles bud off from long membrane strands formed by activated platelets. Furthermore, mounting evidence supports the notion of microparticle heterogeneity. Platelet microparticles are commonly characterized by the expression of surface platelet antigens and phosphatidylserine. In fact, only a fraction of platelet microparticles harbor phosphatidylserine, and a distinct subset contains respiratory-competent mitochondria. During disease, the microparticle surface may undergo posttranslational modifications such as citrullination, further supporting the concept of microparticle diversity. SummaryAn appreciation of the microparticle heterogeneity will support their development as potential biomarkers and may reveal functions unique to each microparticle subtype in health and disease.
Predictors of Primary Care Follow-Up After a Pediatric Emergency Visit for Asthma

Objective. Prior studies have reported low rates of follow-up with a primary care provider (PCP) after emergency department (ED) treatment for asthma. We sought to identify predictors associated with PCP follow-up. Methods. As part of a randomized trial we surveyed parents of children aged 2–18 years being discharged after ED asthma treatment. Parents described their child's asthma history and perceived benefits and barriers to making a PCP follow-up visit. Bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine association with completion of a follow-up visit within 4 weeks of the ED visit. Results. A total of 278 subjects (N = 278)were enrolled; 55% saw their PCP within 4 weeks of the ED visit. Baseline factors that were associated with an increased likelihood of follow-up included a recent hospitalization, more than one ED visit for asthma in the past year, the parent's assessment that the child has “very severe” asthma, and current daily use of a controller medication. Parental beliefs that taking daily asthma medications and finding out about the causes of asthma attacks were very important and were also associated with increased PCP follow-up. Parents were less likely to follow up if they reported a lack of convenient appointments or prolonged waits in the PCP office. A multivariable model including clinical factors, parental beliefs, and the study intervention predicted the likelihood of follow-up. Conclusions. Parental beliefs about asthma severity, the benefits of controlling asthma, and organizational barriers to seeing a PCP were associated with follow-up after a pediatric ED visit for asthma.
Detection of non-aligned double JPEG compression with estimation of primary compression parameters

In this paper, we propose a simple yet reliable method to detect the presence of non-aligned double JPEG compression (NA-JPEG). The method is based on a single feature which depends on the integer periodicity of the DCT coefficients when the DCT is computed according to the grid of the previous JPEG compression. Even if the proposed feature is computed relying only on DC coefficient statistics, a simple threshold detector can classify NA-JPEG images with improved accuracy with respect to existing methods and on smaller image sizes. Moreover, the proposed method is able to accurately estimate the quantization step and the grid shift of the primary JPEG compression, which can be used to perform a more detailed analysis of possibly forged images.
Moving on: mobility for early‐career neuroscientists

Matthew S. Grubb, Casper C. Hoogenraad, Lars Schwabe and Guillermina L opez-Bendito Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King’s College London, London, UK Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany Instituto de Neurociencias, CSIC & Universidad Miguel Hern andez, Av. Ram on y Cajal s/n, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
Biomimetically enhanced demineralized bone matrix for bone regenerative applications

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is one of the most widely used bone graft materials in dentistry. However, the ability of DBM to reliably and predictably induce bone regeneration has always been a cause for concern. The quality of DBM varies greatly depending on several donor dependent factors and also manufacturing techniques. In order to standardize the quality and to enable reliable and predictable bone regeneration, we have generated a biomimetically-enhanced version of DBM (BE-DBM) using clinical grade commercial DBM as a control. We have generated the BE-DBM by incorporating a cell-derived pro-osteogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) within clinical grade DBM. In the present study, we have characterized the BE-DBM and evaluated its ability to induce osteogenic differentiation of human marrow derived stromal cells (HMSCs) with respect to clinical grade commercial DBM. Our results indicate that the BE-DBM contains significantly more pro-osteogenic factors than DBM and enhances HMSC differentiation and mineralized matrix formation in vitro and in vivo. Based on our results, we envision that the BE-DBM has the potential to replace DBM as the bone graft material of choice.