Exploring the Semantic-Inconsistency Effect in Scenes Using a Continuous Measure of Linguistic-Semantic Similarity.

Viewers use contextual information to visually explore complex scenes. Object recognition is facilitated by exploiting object-scene relations (which objects are expected in a given scene) and object-object relations (which objects are expected because of the occurrence of other objects). Semantically inconsistent objects deviate from these expectations, so they tend to capture viewers' attention (the semantic-inconsistency effect). Some objects fit the identity of a scene more or less than others, yet semantic inconsistencies have hitherto been operationalized as binary (consistent vs. inconsistent). In an eye-tracking experiment (N = 21 adults), we study the semantic-inconsistency effect in a continuous manner by using the linguistic-semantic similarity of an object to the scene category and to other objects in the scene. We found that both highly consistent and highly inconsistent objects are viewed more than other objects (U-shaped relationship), revealing that the (in)consistency effect is more than a simple binary classification.

Exploring hidden diversity: Molecular insights into the Leporinus species of the rivers of the Brazilian states of Maranhão and Piauí.

The present study delved into the world of hidden diversity by examining specimens identified as Leporinus piau from the river basins of the northern Brazilian states of Maranhão and Piauí. Using genetic analyses that combined data from three mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker, the study identified two well-supported groups, reinforcing the findings of previous publications. The first group, found in samples from the Itapecuru, Mearim, Turiaçu, and Pericumã basins, in Maranhão, appears to represent a relatively ancient diversification and the possibility of concealed cryptic diversity. The second group, comprising specimens from the Parnaíba (Piauí) and Mearim (Maranhão) basins, appears to have resulted from a more recent process of diversification and has a close relationship with Leporinus friderici from the type locality. Our findings not only confirm the existence of a complex scenario of cryptic diversity in the genus Leporinus from the study basins but also underscore the taxonomic inconsistencies within this group of fish. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the species diversity of the Maranhão and Piauí basins, which are critical regions for the conservation of Amazonian fish, providing valuable insights for the sustainable management and conservation of these fish.

Assessing the inconsistency of microplastic measurements in foods and beverages.

The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the food chain has gained substantial recognition as a pressing concern, highlighting the inevitability of human exposure through ingestion of foodborne MPs, coupled with the release of MPs from plastic packaging. However, there are notable disparities in the reported numbers of MPs in foods and beverages, warranting a thorough investigation into the factors contributing to these discrepancies. Table salt is one of the major sources of MPs, and there was an approximately hundred-fold difference between the reviewed studies that reported the highest and lowest number of MPs. In addition, more noticeable discrepancies were discovered between studies on MPs released from teabags. One study reported that approximately 15 billion MPs were released into a cup of tea from a single teabag, whereas another research paper found only approximately 106.3 ± 14.6 MP/teabag after brewing. This comprehensive review focuses on the inconsistencies observed across studies examining MPs, shedding light on the plausible factors underlying these variations. Furthermore, the review outlines areas in analytical procedures that require enhancement and offers recommendations to promote accuracy and standardization in future research efforts, such as employing analytical methods capable of confirming the presence of MPs, using appropriate filter sizes, considering representative sample sizes when extrapolation is involved, and so on. By pinpointing the detection processes leading to the inconsistent results observed in MP studies, this comparative analysis will contribute to the development of reliable analytic methods for understanding the extent of microplastic contamination in the human food chain.

Greater sleep variability is associated with higher systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes.

Sleep irregularity and variability have been shown to be detrimental to cardiometabolic health. The present pilot study explored if higher day-to-day sleep irregularity and variability were associated with systemic inflammation, as assessed by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, in type 2 diabetes. Thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 54.3 years, 54.3% female) who were not shift-workers participated. The presence of diabetic retinopathy was determined. The standard deviation of sleep duration and sleep midpoint across all recorded nights were used to quantify sleep variability and regularity, respectively, assessed by 14-day actigraphy. The presence and severity of sleep apnea were assessed using an overnight home monitor. Low-density lipoprotein, haemoglobin A1C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were collected. Multiple regression analysis using natural-log-transformed values was performed to establish an independent association between sleep variability and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Twenty-two (62.9%) patients had diabetic retinopathy. The median (interquartile range) of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was 2.4 (1.4, 4.6) mg L-1 . Higher sleep variability was significantly associated with higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.342, p = 0.044), as was haemoglobin A1C (r = 0.431, p = 0.010) and low-density lipoprotein (r = 0.379, p = 0.025), but not sleep regularity, sleep apnea severity or diabetic retinopathy. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher sleep variability (B = 0.907, p = 0.038) and higher HbA1c (B = 1.519, p = 0.035), but not low-density lipoprotein, contributed to higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In conclusion, higher sleep variability in patients with type 2 diabetes who were not shift-workers was independently associated with higher systemic inflammation, conferring increased cardiovascular risk. Whether sleep interventions to reduce sleep variability can reduce systemic inflammation and improve cardiometabolic health should be investigated.

How downplaying or exaggerating crime severity in a confession affects perceived guilt.

This study investigates how judgments of guilt are influenced by factual errors in confessions that either amplify or downplay the severity of the crime. Participants read a confession statement and police report in which either the confession was consistent with the police report, the suspect admitted to a worse crime or the suspect admitted to a lesser crime. Mediation analyses showed that, compared to consistent confessions, both types of directional errors reduced judgments of guilt. Inconsistencies that made the suspect look better - but not those that made the suspect look worse -also increased judgments of guilt via a direct effect. Confessions that contain errors that appear to exaggerate the severity of the crime prompt no higher judgments of suspect guilt; however, errors in confessions that are perceived to downplay the severity of the crime can prompt an increased perception of suspect guilt compared to a consistent confession.

[Comparative evaluation of results of laboratory researches of milk in Kuzbass while carrying out control and surveillance measures for identifying false].

Milk is one of the main products of the consumer basket, a source of nutrients, and has specific characteristics due to its chemical and microbiological composition. Falsification of dairy products against the background of an increase in production cost dictates the need for quality control and sanitary and epidemiological supervision in the framework of protecting consumer rights and human well-being. The aim of the work is a comparative assessment of the results of laboratory studies of milk sold in retail of the Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass) during detection of falsification. Material and methods. In this work, using capillary electrophoresis, chromatography, voltammetry, spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods, the organoleptic parameters, fatty acid composition of cow's milk fat, mass fraction of fatty acid versus total fatty acids, the presence of vegetable fats in the fat phase, the ratio of the mass fractions of methyl fatty acid esters, acidity, mass fraction of dry skim milk residue (DSMR), density, phosphatase presence, mass fraction of fat, protein, purity group, presence of starch, soda, preservatives, the level of pesticides, aflatoxin M1, presence of antibiotics (penicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline group), microbiological indicators (total plate count, colifoms, pathogenic microorganisms, including salmonella, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes). The objects of research were coded samples of drinking pasteurized milk with various fat content, manufactured by enterprises of the Kemerovo Region, Moscow Region, Kazakhstan, Altai Territory. Results and discussion. In total, for 2017-2019, 258 samples of pasteurized drinking milk were studied, of which 11 samples did not meet the requirements of regulatory documents on physical-chemical and organoleptic quality indicators. In 11 rejected samples, the mass fraction of protein was underestimated by 25-50%, the DSMR by 8-13%, the density by 1-2%. In all inappropriate samples, deviations were established in the fatty acid composition of cow's milk fat and the proportion of vegetable fats in the fat phase (the proportion of phytosterols in the total sterol content). Increased acidity was detected in 1 sample. For one sample, the excess of the permissible negative deviation of the net content from the nominal quantity was determined. Thus, over three years, the share of products that do not meet the requirements of regulatory documents in terms of quality indicators, identified during laboratory tests, amounted to 4.3%. There were no inconsistencies with the regulatory requirements regarding the presence of phosphatase, purity group, the presence of starch, soda and preservatives. According to safety indicators (content of toxic elements, pesticides; aflatoxin M1 mycotoxin; absence of antibiotics, microbiological indicators) it was found that all samples met the requirements of Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 021/2011 "On food safety". Violation of the requirements for information on labeling was established for 15% of tested samples of dairy products. Conclusion. According to the results of the control and supervision measures in 2017-2019, 11 milk samples were rejected. At the same time, inconsistencies regarding mandatory labeling requirements were detected in 15% of samples, exceeding permissible negative deviations from the nominal volume was found in 0.3% of samples. Non-compliance for a number of indicators (density, acidity, etc.) was found in 4.3% of samples. There were no inconsistencies with the requirements of Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 021/2011 "On food safety".

Inconsistencies with formulas for the standard error of the standardized mean difference of repeated measures experiments.

There are inconsistencies between the formulas for the variance of standardized mean difference (SMD) in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and the variance reported in other sources. Instead of the variance appropriate for the SMD of a crossover experiment, the Cochrane Handbook uses the variance appropriate for a pre-test post-test experiment. This means that if there is a non-negligible time period effect, the formula reported by the Handbook will underestimate both the effect size and its variance. In addition, the formula for the standard error of SMD reported in the Cochrane Handbook (in section 23.2.7.2) is inconsistent with the variance derived from the variance of the related t-test. Even if the period effect is negligible, the Cochrane Handbook formula is biased toward underestimates. The difference between the estimates from the two formulas will be small if either the correlation between the repeated measures, or the magnitude of the SMD estimate, is small, or if the sample size is large. However, it can be can be quite substantial in other circumstances.

Quality control and integration of genotypes from two calling pipelines for whole genome sequence data in the Alzheimer's disease sequencing project.

The Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 584 subjects from 111 multiplex families at three sequencing centers. Genotype calling of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertion-deletion variants (indels) was performed centrally using GATK-HaplotypeCaller and Atlas V2. The ADSP Quality Control (QC) Working Group applied QC protocols to project-level variant call format files (VCFs) from each pipeline, and developed and implemented a novel protocol, termed "consensus calling," to combine genotype calls from both pipelines into a single high-quality set. QC was applied to autosomal bi-allelic SNVs and indels, and included pipeline-recommended QC filters, variant-level QC, and sample-level QC. Low-quality variants or genotypes were excluded, and sample outliers were noted. Quality was assessed by examining Mendelian inconsistencies (MIs) among 67 parent-offspring pairs, and MIs were used to establish additional genotype-specific filters for GATK calls. After QC, 578 subjects remained. Pipeline-specific QC excluded ~12.0% of GATK and 14.5% of Atlas SNVs. Between pipelines, ~91% of SNV genotypes across all QCed variants were concordant; 4.23% and 4.56% of genotypes were exclusive to Atlas or GATK, respectively; the remaining ~0.01% of discordant genotypes were excluded. For indels, variant-level QC excluded ~36.8% of GATK and 35.3% of Atlas indels. Between pipelines, ~55.6% of indel genotypes were concordant; while 10.3% and 28.3% were exclusive to Atlas or GATK, respectively; and ~0.29% of discordant genotypes were. The final WGS consensus dataset contains 27,896,774 SNVs and 3,133,926 indels and is publicly available.

"Our girls need to see a path to the future" --perspectives on sexual and reproductive health information among adolescent girls, guardians, and initiation counselors in Mulanje district, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Malawi has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates worldwide; at 141 births/1000 girls it is 3-fold higher than the global average. Adolescent pregnancy contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes, school dropout, and poverty. In preparation for an information, education, and communication (IEC) intervention to reduce unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls, formative research was conducted to understand how and what sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information is shared with girls in southern, rural Malawi, and perceptions of such information among key informants. METHODS: Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participant groups: adolescent girls (n = 18), mothers/female guardians (M/FGs) of adolescent girls (n = 12), and leaders of initiation rites (n = 10). Interviews were conducted in 15 villages. Data were analyzed and coded using Dedoose 7.5. RESULTS: Participants widely acknowledged both the health risks and the general social unacceptability of early childbearing, yet adolescent pregnancy is common in the region. Respondents also acknowledged the importance of female school completion and the norm that pregnancy usually marks the end of a girl's education. Unprotected transactional sex was reported to be common and driven by poverty. Initiation rites were described as prevalent and often encourage girls to practice sex at puberty. Contraceptives, and even condoms, were reportedly discouraged for adolescents due to concerns about inappropriateness for nulliparous and young girls and misconceptions about side effects. Adolescent respondents also noted barriers to accessing condoms and contraceptives. M/FGs were described as gatekeepers to SRH information and services, and many parents reported delaying SRH discussions until after sexual debut due to concerns about encouraging sexual activity. Adolescent and M/FG participants expressed a desire for role models or "outside experts" to provide SRH education and to promote an alternate vision to adolescent motherhood. CONCLUSION: To improve SRH outcomes for adolescent girls, it is critical to engage key stakeholders and create an enabling environment so that girls can effectively act on the IEC they receive. Initiation counselors remain entrenched information sources; efforts to provide them with training on accurate SRH messaging could leverage an existing channel. Engaging parents, especially mothers, is crucial to encourage earlier SRH education and to gain their acceptance of adolescent access to SRH services. Also important is mobilizing the broader community of influencers in support of girls' SRH and vision for a healthier future. Sensitization messages focusing on the health, educational and economic benefits of preventing early pregnancy may overcome misconceptions about and barriers to contraceptive use. Finally, fostering girls' aspirations for school completion and jobs and other income generating opportunities via role models can encourage an alternative to adolescent motherhood. Ultimately, poverty and gender inequity reduction is critical for long-lasting impact on the SRH of adolescent girls in the region.

Complexity of animal breeding choice making.

The last decades of developments in animal breeding, genetics, genomics and data recording technologies have allowed the evaluation of larger numbers of animal and animal traits than ever before. This should help make animal breeding choices more informed, but it also makes them far more complex. This complexity may be overwhelming farmers, thus compromising realization of potential genetic gain in livestock industries. However, the effect of complexity of animal breeding choices on farmers' selection of animals has received very little theoretical consideration to date. This paper reviews the theoretical principles of complex decisions, contextualizes the findings to the field of animal breeding, and analyses how farmers and the animal breeding industry are currently dealing with complexity. According to the findings of the analyses of complex decisions in other fields, the complexity of animal breeding choices is likely to lead to farmers using conscious or unconscious simplifying strategies (heuristics) to handle such complexity. When these heuristics are ineffective, poor selection decisions and a potential loss of genetic progress can be expected. Further, studies using survey experiments to understand farmer behaviour and selection preferences may be compromised by the complexity of the survey´s choice tasks. Thus, while many animal breeding industries recognize the complexity of animal breeding choices for farmers and attempts are made to assist farmers in their choice making, the effectiveness of these attempts is not well quantified and understood. We discuss three areas of research that could be key to disentangling how, and by how much, animal breeding choice complexity affects farmers' decisions.

Replication of Psycholinguistic Experiments and the Resolution of Inconsistencies.

Non-exact replications are regarded as effective tools of problem solving in psycholinguistic research because they lead to more plausible experimental results; however, they are also ineffective tools of problem solving because they trigger cumulative contradictions among different replications of an experiment. This paper intends to resolve this paradox by putting forward a metatheoretical model that clarifies the criteria with the help of which various aspects of the effectiveness of the problem solving process can be differentiated and evaluated. The key point is the reconstruction of the relationship between original experiments and their non-exact replications by introducing the concept of 'experimental complex' and analysing the problem solving strategies that the researchers apply. The workability of the proposed metatheoretical model is illustrated with the help of three case studies.

The Impact of State and Trait Anger on Processing of Evidential Inconsistencies.

The courtroom can be an emotional place, and these emotions may impact on a juror's ability to process and evaluate evidence. This study investigated the effects of mock-jurors' state and trait anger on the detection of evidential inconsistencies. Community members eligible for jury duty (N = 123) were randomly assigned to hear one of four audio trials differing in evidence consistency and emotion-inducing content. State anger increased endorsement of guilty verdicts, and angry mock-jurors were more careful processors of evidence, detecting more inconsistencies and recalling significantly more trial details. The results lend support to motivational theories of emotional influence on information processing.

Sexual Health questions included in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study: an international methodological pilot investigation.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes the methodological developments of the sexual health items included in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study since their mandatory inclusion in the study in 2002. The current methodological, ethical and pedagogical challenges in measuring young people's sexual health behaviours are discussed along with the issues associated with the sexual health items introduced to the HBSC study in 2002. The development and piloting of new cross-national items for use in the 2013/14 HBSC data collection are presented and discussed. METHODS: An international pilot study was undertaken to determine the impact of these proposed changes. Questionnaires and classroom discussion groups were conducted in five pilot countries in 2012/2013 (France, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Romania) with a total of 612 school-aged children (age M = 15.55 years, SD = 0.95). RESULTS: The majority of participants in each country provided positive feedback about the appropriateness of the questions. Some small cross-national differences were found in the self-reported quantitative data relating to the appropriateness of the questions (χ2 = 22.831, df = 9, p = .007, V = .117). Qualitative feedback suggests that for the vast majority of students the phrasing and age-targeting of the questions were considered appropriate. With the exception of a small number of respondents who commented on the clarity and/or personal nature of the content, no specific issues with the questions were identified. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide guidance on the answerability (including the extent of missing and inconsistent data), understandability, acceptability (including in different cultures) and relevance of questions to potential participants. The findings from the pilot study suggest that in general, the questions are understandable, acceptable, and of a high priority to the target population, and that the simplification has significantly reduced the proportion of missing data. The new developments thus enhance the capacity of the questions to measure cross-nationally, sensitive aspects of young people's sexual behaviour. These questions were included in the 2013/2014 round of the HBSC survey and will continue to be used to monitor trends in adolescent sexual health and behaviours, and to inform and influence health services and health education policy and practice at local, national and international levels.

Revealing inconsistencies between Epworth scores and apnea-hypopnea index when evaluating obstructive sleep apnea severity: a clinical retrospective chart review.

Introduction: A common practice in clinical settings is the use of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to demonstrate the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, several instances were noted where there were discrepancies in the reported severity between Epworth scores and AHI in our patient sample, prompting an investigation into whether OSA severity as demonstrated by AHI or predicted by ESS quantification of sleepiness is primarily responsible for inconsistencies. Methods: Discrepancies were examined between Epworth scores and AHI by categorizing patients into two categories of inconsistency: individuals with either ESS < 10 and AHI ≥ 15 events/h or ESS ≥ 10 and AHI < 15 events/h. The potential influence of sex on these categories was addressed by assessing whether a significant difference was present between mean Epworth scores and AHI values for men and women in the sample. We investigated BMI both by itself as its own respective variable and with respect to the sex of the individuals, along with a consideration into the role of anxiety. Furthermore, we tested anxiety with respect to sex. Results: In the first category of inconsistency the average ESS of 5.27 ± 0.33 suggests a normal level of daytime sleepiness. However, this contrasts with the average AHI of 32.26 ± 1.82 events/h which is indicative of severe OSA. In the second category the average ESS of 14.29 ± 0.47 suggests severe daytime sleepiness, contradicting the average AHI of 9.16 ± 0.44 events/h which only indicates mild OSA. Sex, BMI (both as a variable by itself and with respect to sex), and anxiety (both as a variable by itself and with respect to sex) contributed to observed inconsistencies. Conclusion: The findings of our study substantiate our hypothesis that Epworth scores should be de-emphasized in the assessment of OSA and a greater importance should be placed on measures like AHI. While Epworth scores offer insights into patients' daytime sleepiness levels and the perceived severity of their OSA, the inconsistencies highlighted in our results when compared to AHI-based OSA severity underscore their potential inaccuracy. Caution is advised when utilizing Epworth scores for evaluating OSA severity in clinical settings.

The Pulse of AI: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and its Potential Hazards.

In this editorial, we explore the existing utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) within the healthcare industry, examining both its scope and potential harms if implemented and relied upon on a broader scale. Collaboration among corporations, government bodies, policymakers, and medical experts is essential to address potential concerns, ensuring smooth AI integration into healthcare systems.

Comparing the prevalence of statistical reporting inconsistencies in COVID-19 preprints and matched controls: a registered report.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an exponential increase of publications and preprints about the virus, its causes, consequences, and possible cures. COVID-19 research has been conducted under high time pressure and has been subject to financial and societal interests. Doing research under such pressure may influence the scrutiny with which researchers perform and write up their studies. Either researchers become more diligent, because of the high-stakes nature of the research, or the time pressure may lead to cutting corners and lower quality output. In this study, we conducted a natural experiment to compare the prevalence of incorrectly reported statistics in a stratified random sample of COVID-19 preprints and a matched sample of non-COVID-19 preprints. Our results show that the overall prevalence of incorrectly reported statistics is 9-10%, but frequentist as well as Bayesian hypothesis tests show no difference in the number of statistical inconsistencies between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 preprints. In conclusion, the literature suggests that COVID-19 research may on average have more methodological problems than non-COVID-19 research, but our results show that there is no difference in the statistical reporting quality.

Determining intra-standard-setter inconsistency in the Angoff method using the three-parameter item response theory.

Objectives: To measure intra-standard-setter variability and assess the variations between the pass marks obtained from Angoff ratings, guided by the latent trait theory as the theoretical model. Methods: A non-experimental cross-sectional study was conducted to achieve the purpose of the study. Two knowledge-based tests were administered to 358 final-year medical students (223 females and 135 males) as part of their normal summative programme of assessments. The results of judgmental standard-setting using the Angoff method, which is widely used in medical schools, were used to determine intra-standard-setter inconsistency using the three-parameter item response theory (IRT). Permission for this study was granted by the local Research Ethics Committee of the University of Nottingham. To ensure anonymity and confidentiality, all identifiers at the student level were removed before the data were analysed. Results: The results of this study confirm that the three-parameter IRT can be used to analyse the results of individual judgmental standard setters. Overall, standard-setters behaved fairly consistently in both tests. The mean Angoff ratings and conditional probability were strongly positively correlated, which is a matter of inter-standard-setter validity. Conclusions: We recommend that assessment providers adopt the methodology used in this study to help determine inter and intra-judgmental inconsistencies across standard setters to minimise the number of false positive and false negative decisions.

The gut microbiota pathway mechanisms of diabetes.

The contribution of dysbiotic gut microbiota configuration is essential when making reference to the metabolic disorders by increasing energy. It is important to understand that the gut microbiota induced metabolic disease mechanisms and inflammations. Thus it is imperative to have an insight into the state of all chronic subclinical inflammations influencing disease outcomes. However, from the emerging studies, there still exist inconsistencies in the findings of such studies. While making the best out of the reasons for inconsistencies of the findings, this review is designed to make a clear spell out as to the inconsistence of gut microbiota with respect to diabetes. It considered gut-virome alterations and diabetes and gut-bacteriome-gut-virome-alterations and diabetes as confounding factors. The review further explained some study design strategies that will spontaneously eliminate any potential confounding factors to lead to a more evidence based diabetic-gut microbiota medicine. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pro-inflammatory, metabolic endotoxemia and diet/gut microbiota insulin-resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation induced by gut microbiota can trigger pro-inflammatory cytokines in insulin-resistance, consequently, leading to the diabetic condition. While diet influences the gut microbiota, the consequences are mainly the constant high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the circulatory system. Of recent, dietary natural products have been shown to be anti-diabetic. The effects of resveratrol on the gut showed an improved lipid profile, anti-inflammatory properties and ameliorated the endotoxemia, tight junction and glucose intolerance.

Stock market in the age of COVID19: Mere acclimatization or Stockholm syndrome?

We investigate the behavior of stock prices to variations in COVID19 infection rate over time. To study the inter-temporal impact of the pandemic on major stock indexes, we apply factor model, and disaggregate the sample period in three COVID19 waves. We bring interesting evidence on the so-called immune behavior of stock indexes. While no signs of stock market immunity to the disease were confirmed, the opportunities created by the pandemic would help new winners, causing a shift of sectoral gains. Distinguishing the surges from plunges in the COVID19 infections, we observe the behavior of stock indexes towards different scenarios during the pandemic. While the conventional wisdom may lead to an overall probable pessimistic outcome, we find that diversity and speedy adjustment based on new business models resulted in sizable theoretical inconsistencies and asymmetries in the response of stock indexes to the pandemic.

Inconsistency and low transparency were found between core outcome set protocol and full text publication: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess inconsistencies between individual protocols and associated full-text publications in the development of core outcome sets (COSs). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Protocols and subsequent full-text publications were retrieved by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials database from inception to October 1, 2019. We summarized changes in the general and methodological characteristics by comparing the protocols with the full-text publications and reported change as information frequency and proportion. RESULTS: A total of 24 protocols and 32 corresponding full-text publications that encompassed 14 study topics were identified from databases. In the identified initial list of outcomes, five COSs (20.8%) changed the included study type, none of which explained the reasons for these changes. In addition, eight COSs showed inconsistencies between the protocols and full-text publications in the searched databases, of which, only two studies explained the reasons for these changes. Compared with the protocols, three COSs changed the number of Delphi rounds, eight COSs changed the participants (stakeholder groups), and three COSs changed the consensus definition of the Delphi survey. Only two COSs explained the reason for changing the number of Delphi rounds, and none of the studies explained why the participants changed. For the face-to-face consensus meeting, we found that nine COSs changed the participants and none explained the reasons for these changes. CONCLUSION: Our study found many inconsistencies between protocols and the full-text publications concerning COS development. These inconsistencies related to the included study types, databases searched, Delphi surveys, and face-to-face consensus meetings. As it is necessary to publish protocols before developing COSs, transparency regarding any changes to the methods is needed.