Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does venture capital Quan Zi affect stock mispricing: Evidence from Chinese listed companies

Chinese traditional culture is characterized by "Quan Zi" culture with a "differential order pattern". As a special informal institutional arrangement, "Quan Zi" plays an important role in the capital market. This paper investigates how Venture Capital Quan Zi affects the stock mispricing of invested companies. Using the syndicate investment data of China’s venture capital institutions from 2009 to 2019, this study documents that Venture Capital Quan Zi significantly increases the positive deviations of stock prices of Quan Zi-backed firms but has no obvious influence on the negative deviations, showing an asymmetric effect on stock mispricing. In addition, this effect is dynamic. Stock mispricing significantly increased in the lock-up period and the following year, but then gradually weakened. Mechanism tests suggest that, on the one hand, Venture Capital Quan Zi increases a company’s earnings manipulation, thus raising investors’ expectations to push up stock prices. On the other hand, Venture Capital Quan Zi boosts the stock price through market reaction channels, increasing institutional investors’ shareholdings, positive media coverage and stock liquidity. This paper has high theoretical and applied value to guide the orderly competition of capital and the supervision of institutional investors.
The Discussion about the Paper“The Analysis of Global Convergence and Computational Efficiency for Genetic Algorithm”

Paper [1]points out that GA with proportional reproduction,adaptive crossover and mutation probability(AGA)meets the condition of elitist preserved GA(EGA)and concludes AGAs global convergence from EGAs global convergence conclusion.At the same time,its considered the Markov chain AGA generates is inhomogeneous. More normative definition of EGA is given and the essence of EGA global convergence is indicated.It illuminates AGA isnt one kind of EGA and its convergence analysis cannt follow the conclusion of EGAs.On the basis of it,AGAs inability to converge globally is proved.Finally,the genetic operation of AGA is analyzed carefully.It shows AGA can be described as a homogeneous Markov chain.
Generative Models as an Emerging Paradigm in the Chemical Sciences

Traditional computational approaches to design chemical species are limited by the need to compute properties for a vast number of candidates, e.g., by discriminative modeling. Therefore, inverse design methods aim to start from the desired property and optimize a corresponding chemical structure. From a machine learning viewpoint, the inverse design problem can be addressed through so-called generative modeling. Mathematically, discriminative models are defined by learning the probability distribution function of properties given the molecular or material structure. In contrast, a generative model seeks to exploit the joint probability of a chemical species with target characteristics. The overarching idea of generative modeling is to implement a system that produces novel compounds that are expected to have a desired set of chemical features, effectively sidestepping issues found in the forward design process. In this contribution, we overview and critically analyze popular generative algorithms like generative adversarial networks, variational autoencoders, flow, and diffusion models. We highlight key differences between each of the models, provide insights into recent success stories, and discuss outstanding challenges for realizing generative modeling discovered solutions in chemical applications.
Risk of second primary lung cancer in patients with thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis based on big population studies

Abstract Background: Previous studies have revealed that the number of cancer survivors developing a second primary malignancy is increasing, especially among thyroid cancer patients, and lung cancer is still the main cause of cancer death. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk of second primary lung cancer (SPLC) in patients with thyroid cancer. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases up to November 24, 2021, for relevant research and merged the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to evaluate the risk of developing SPLC in patients with thyroid cancer. Results: Fourteen studies involving 1,480,816 cases were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled result demonstrated that thyroid cancer patients may have a higher risk of SPLC than the general population (SIR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.36, P < 0.01, I2 = 81%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis stratified by sex indicated that female patients may have a markedly higher risk of SPLC than male patients (SIR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.40–1.94, P < 0.01, I2 = 75%, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Thyroid cancer patients are more likely to develop SPLC than the general population, especially women. However, other risk factors must be investigated, and more prospective studies are needed to confirm our results. Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: No. CRD42021285399.
Endothelium and Subendothelial Matrix Mechanics Modulate Cancer Cell Transendothelial Migration

Cancer cell extravasation, a key step in the metastatic cascade, involves cancer cell arrest on the endothelium, transendothelial migration (TEM), followed by the invasion into the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) of distant tissues. While cancer research has mostly focused on the biomechanical interactions between tumor cells (TCs) and ECM, particularly at the primary tumor site, very little is known about the mechanical properties of endothelial cells and the subendothelial ECM and how they contribute to the extravasation process. Here, an integrated experimental and theoretical framework is developed to investigate the mechanical crosstalk between TCs, endothelium and subendothelial ECM during in vitro cancer cell extravasation. It is found that cancer cell actin‐rich protrusions generate complex push–pull forces to initiate and drive TEM, while transmigration success also relies on the forces generated by the endothelium. Consequently, mechanical properties of the subendothelial ECM and endothelial actomyosin contractility that mediate the endothelial forces also impact the endothelium's resistance to cancer cell transmigration. These results indicate that mechanical features of distant tissues, including force interactions between the endothelium and the subendothelial ECM, are key determinants of metastatic organotropism.
Scanner‐Independent MyoMapNet for Accelerated Cardiac MRI T1 Mapping Across Vendors and Field Strengths

In cardiac T1 mapping, a series of T1‐weighted (T1w) images are collected and numerically fitted to a two or three‐parameter model of the signal recovery to estimate voxel‐wise T1 values. To reduce the scan time, one can collect fewer T1w images, albeit at the cost of precision or/and accuracy. Recently, the feasibility of using a neural network instead of conventional two‐ or three‐parameter fit modeling has been demonstrated. However, prior studies used data from a single vendor and field strength; therefore, the generalizability of the models has not been established.
Visualizing Cerebral Small Vessel Degeneration During Aging and Diseases Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cerebral small vessel disease is a major contributor to brain disorders in older adults. It is associated with a much higher risk of stroke and dementia. Due to a lack of clinical and fluid biomarkers, diagnosing and grading small vessel disease are highly dependent on magnetic resonance imaging. In the past, researchers mostly used brain parenchymal imaging markers to represent small vessel damage, but the relationships between these surrogate markers and small vessel pathologies are complex. Recent progress in high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging methods, including time‐of‐flight MR angiography, phase‐contrast MR angiography, black blood vessel wall imaging, susceptibility‐weighted imaging, and contrast‐enhanced methods, allow for direct visualization of cerebral small vessel structures. They could be powerful tools for understanding aging‐related small vessel degeneration and improving disease diagnosis and treatment. This article will review progress in these imaging techniques and their application in aging and disease studies. Some challenges and future directions are also discussed.
Fluoroscopically guided repositioning of peripherally inserted central catheter in patients failing ultrasound-guided-only placement: a retrospective five-year study

Background Ultrasound (US)-guided-only insertion at the bedside is safe and improves the success rates of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). However, PICC insertion procedures remain challenging for special cases. Purpose To show that fluoroscopically guided tip repositioning, for failed US-guided PICC placement, safely led to satisfactory positioning in difficult cases and, importantly, improved success rates of PICC placements. Material and Methods A retrospective study of 1560 patients who underwent US-guided PICC placement were performed. Patients who failed US-guided PICC placement were transferred to the interventional radiology department for fluoroscopically guided tip repositioning. Baseline characteristics as well as insertion-related factors were collected. All data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results In total, 37 (2.4%) patients who failed US-guided PICC placement accepted fluoroscopically guided adjustment or re-insertion. Of these 37 patients, 32 were enrolled. We observed no significant differences between right and left arm PICC access (P > 0.05), even though a higher percentage of PICCs were inserted into left arms (56.3%). The basilic vein (65.6%) was the most common insertion site. Only four patients experienced slight angiospasm (3.1%) and venous thrombosis (9.4%). US-guided PICC insertion failures were primarily due to line tip malposition (84.4%). All patients successfully underwent fluoroscopically guided tip repositioning, which resulted in optimal catheter tip positioning. PICC lines were adjusted in most patients (n=28, 87.5%) Conclusion Malposition was the primary issue causing US-guided PICC insertion failure. Fluoroscopically guided tip repositioning safely and efficaciously led to satisfactory positioning in difficult cases; thus, we recommend this method for patients failing US-guided PICC placement.
Which Types of Stress Are Associated With Accelerated Biological Aging? Comparing Perceived Stress, Stressful Life Events, Childhood Adversity, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

ABSTRACT Objective Stress and stressful events are associated with poorer health; however, there are multiple ways to conceptualize and measure stress and stress responses. One physiological mechanism through which stress could result in poorer health is accelerated biological aging. This study tested which types of stress were associated with accelerated biological aging in adulthood. Methods Studying 955 participants from the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, we tested whether four types of stress assessed from ages 32 to 45 years—perceived stress, number of stressful life events, adverse childhood experiences, and posttraumatic stress disorder—were associated with accelerated biological aging. Results Higher levels of all four measures of stress were significantly associated with accelerated aging in separate models. In a combined model, more perceived stress and more stressful life events remained associated with faster aging, and the stress measures explained 6.9% of the variance in aging. The magnitudes of the associations between the four measures of stress and biological aging were comparable to associations for smoking and low education, two established risk factors for accelerated aging. People with high levels of perceived stress, numerous adverse childhood experiences (4+), high stressful life event counts, or posttraumatic stress disorder were aging an additional estimated 2.4 months, 1.1 additional months, 1.4 months, and 1.4 months per year, respectively. Conclusions Assessing stress, particularly perceived stress, could help identify people at risk of accelerated aging. Intervening to treat stress or the health-relevant sequelae of stress could potentially slow the rate at which people are aging, improving their health as they age.
Adenosine-ADORA2A Promotes Ang-Induced Angiogenesis in Intrauterine Growth Restriction Placenta via the Stat3/Akt Pathway

Background: Abnormal placental angiogenesis is an important cause of fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but its underlying mechanisms and therapies remain unclear. Adenosine and its mediated signaling has been reported to be associated with the development of angiogenesis. However, whether the adenosine-related signaling plays a role in modulating angiogenesis in placenta and the IUGR pregnancy outcomes remains unclear. Methods: The angiogenesis and adenosine signaling expressions in normal and IUGR placentas were detected in different species. And the role of adenosine in regulating IUGR pregnancy outcomes was evaluated using diet-induced IUGR mouse model. Molecular mechanisms underlying adenosine-induced angiogenesis were investigated by in vitro angiogenesis assays and in vivo Matrigel plug assays. Results: Here, we demonstrated poor angiogenesis and low adenosine concentration and downregulated expression of its receptor A2a (ADORA2A [adenosine A2a receptor]) in IUGR placenta. Additionally, the beneficial effects of adenosine in improving IUGR pregnancy outcomes were revealed in a diet-induced IUGR mouse model. Moreover, adenosine was found to effectively improve adenosine signaling and angiogenesis in IUGR mice placenta. Mechanistically, by using angiogenesis assays in vitro and in vivo, adenosine was shown to activate ADORA2A to promote the phosphorylation of Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and Akt (protein kinase B), resulting in increased Ang (angiogenin)-dependent angiogenesis. Conclusions: Collectively, this study uncovers an unexpected mechanism of promoting placental angiogenesis by adenosine-ADORA2A signaling and advances the translation of this signaling as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in IUGR treatment.
The use of car safety seats for children in China: A questionnaire survey based on the theory of planned behavior

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychological characteristics underlying Chinese parents’ behaviors in using child car seats and to understand their decision-making processes. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), three extended variables of perceived accident severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers were introduced. From the perspective of social psychology, the psychological factors that influence parents’ use of child car seats and their interrelationships were explored. Methods A questionnaire was designed to collect data, including information on demographic characteristics, basic components of the TPB, and relevant extension variables. Using on online survey, 585 valid questionnaires were collected. Structural equation modeling was used to calibrate the data, and multiple group analysis was performed on the demographic variables. Results The extended TPB can effectively explain and predict parents’ behaviors when using children’s car seats. The results of the model show that parents’ positive attitudes toward child safety seats (CSSs), others’ recognition of their own use and perceptual control of the use of CSSs increase their willingness to use CSSs. Parents’ willingness to use has a positive impact on the use of CSSs. Additionally, for the three extended variables introduced, perceived benefit significantly promoted parental intention and behavior to use CSS for children; perceived barriers significantly reduced parental use of CSS; and perceived accident severity had no significant effect on parental use of CSS. Conclusions This study established the validity of the extended TPB model in predicting parents’ behaviors in using car seats for their children. In addition, the current findings may provide a theoretical basis for policy development to promote CSS use.
A new iterative initialization of EM algorithm for Gaussian mixture models

Background The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is a common tool for estimating the parameters of Gaussian mixture models (GMM). However, it is highly sensitive to initial value and easily gets trapped in a local optimum. Method To address these problems, a new iterative method of EM initialization (MRIPEM) is proposed in this paper. It incorporates the ideas of multiple restarts, iterations and clustering. In particular, the mean vector and covariance matrix of sample are calculated as the initial values of the iteration. Then, the optimal feature vector is selected from the candidate feature vectors by the maximum Mahalanobis distance as a new partition vector for clustering. The parameter values are renewed continuously according to the clustering results. Results To verify the applicability of the MRIPEM, we compared it with other two popular initialization methods on simulated and real datasets, respectively. The comparison results of the three stochastic algorithms indicate that MRIPEM algorithm is comparable in relatively high dimensions and high overlaps and significantly better in low dimensions and low overlaps.
Structure‐Activity Relationship of Methyl 4‐Aminobenzoate Derivatives as Being Drug Candidate Targeting Glutathione Related Enzymes: in Vitro and in Silico Approaches

A thiol compound, glutathione, is essential for healthy cell defence against xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) are two glutathione‐related enzymes that function in the antioxidant and the detoxification systems. In this study, potential inhibitory effects of methyl 4‐aminobenzoate derivatives on GR and GST were examined in vitro. GR and GST were isolated from human erythrocytes with 7.63 EU/mg protein and 5.66 EU/mg protein specific activity, respectively. It was found that compound 1 (methyl 4‐amino‐3‐bromo‐5‐fluorobenzoate with Ki value of 0.325±0.012 μM) and compound 5 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐nitrobenzoate with Ki value of 92.41±22.26 μM) inhibited GR and GST stronger than other derivatives. Furthermore, a computer‐aided method was used to predict the binding affinities of derivatives, ADME characteristics, and toxicities. Derivatives 4 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐bromobenzoate) and 6 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐chlorobenzoate) were estimated to have the lowest binding energies into GR and GST receptors, respectively according to results of in silico studies.
Investigations of Fluid Behavior in Critical Transition Pipe Flow : Initial Results

Fluid flow behavior in the critical zone between laminar and turbulent has remained a hydrodynamic curiosity since Reynolds’ notable paper in 1883. Over the last 125 years, large efforts have been made in understanding the flow transition from laminar to turbulent states; however, remarkably less focus has been placed on the reverse transition and hysteresis in these transitions. Previous studies have shown that there is an exponential relationship (decay rate) for relaminarization of turbulence when the pipe flow is below the critical number (Re ~2,300). This paper reports initial results of two investigations: a study on the effects of hysteresis as flow is brought through the critical region, and an examination of the time dependant pressure drops (and associated friction factor) of pipe flow in the relaminarization of fully developed turbulent flow. The preliminary results of a hysteresis analysis suggest that there are lower and upper critical Reynolds numbers for the constructed system with smooth walled pipes. During the turbulence decay study, flow starting at completely turbulent Reynolds numbers (Re >5,000) was decreased back within the critical range of flows. A time-pressure relationship was recorded and analyzed, and an initial exponential decay of turbulence was observed, followed by a slow linear decay.
Effect of insulin-like growth factor system on luteinising angiogenesis

Preovulatory follicle growth and the luteal transition require intense angiogenesis. This enables progesterone production to increase sufficiently to support a pregnancy. Inadequate follicular or luteal vascularisation can lead to reduced ovarian function and thus compromise fertility. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and IGF2 regulate multiple ovarian processes and are key links between an animal’s reproductive and metabolic status. This study investigated the role that the IGF system plays in regulating luteinising follicular endothelial cell (EC) networks and progesterone production in vitro. Bovine luteinising follicular angiogenesis cultures were treated with (i) LR3-IGF1 (10 or 100 ng/mL) under basal and angiogenic-stimulated conditions or (ii) IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor (picropodophyllin (PPP); 1 µM) in the presence or absence of LR3-IGF1, IGF2 or combined LR3-IGF1 + IGF2 (10 ng/mL). EC networks were quantified by von Willebrand factor immunohistochemistry. Progesterone production was analysed by ELISA, and cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. LR3-IGF1 had limited effects on EC growth parameters, whilst PPP (P < 0.001) markedly reduced EC growth parameters (by 60–70%). Cell proliferation was slightly increased (by 3–5%) by LR3-IGF1 (P < 0.001). LR3-IGF1 had variable effects on progesterone production, whilst PPP reduced progesterone concentration (P < 0.001) with or without LR3-IGF1 or IGF2 alone or in combination. IGF1 was detected in cell-conditioned media and was increased by LH (50 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). In conclusion, exogenous IGF1 and IGF2 had minimal effects on luteinising follicular angiogenesis and progesterone production, but the inhibitory effect of the IGF1R inhibitor (PPP) suggests that IGF1R signalling is critical for the development of EC networks and progesterone production in luteinising follicular cells. Lay summary The corpus luteum is a part of the ovary responsible for producing the critical pregnancy hormone, progesterone. To fulfil this function, the corpus luteum requires an extensive blood vessel network. Here, we investigated whether an important growth factor known to act on the ovary, insulin like growth factor (IGF) 1, critically regulates the formation of this blood vessel network and progesterone production. Cells from the corpus luteum were cultured with combinations of IGF1, a closely related hormone IGF2 and a chemical which stops both IGF1 and IGF2 from working. Afterwards, we measured the size and pattern of blood vessel networks, the production of progesterone and whether cells increased in number. We found adding IGF1 had limited effects, however stopping IGF1 from working had a very negative impact on both progesterone and on the formation of the blood vessel network. This suggests that cells from the corpus luteum were producing IGF1 and that IGF1/2 are critical for both blood vessel growth and hormone production.