Your search

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency returns show higher volatility than equity, bond, and other asset classes. Increasingly, researchers rely on machine learning techniques to forecast returns, where different machine learning algorithms reduce the forecasting errors in a high-volatility regime. We show that conventional time series modeling using ARMA and ARMA GARCH run on a rolling basis produces better or comparable forecasting errors than those that machine learning techniques produce. The key to achieving a good forecast is to fit the correct AR and MA orders for each window. When we optimize the correct AR and MA orders for each window using ARMA, we achieve an MAE of 0.024 and an RMSE of 0.037. The RMSE is approximately 11.27% better, and the MAE is 10.7% better compared to those in the literature and is similar to or better than those of the machine learning techniques. The ARMA-GARCH model also has an MAE and an RMSE which are similar to those of ARMA.

The Guandacol Formation corresponds to glacial episode 4 of the "Late Paleozoic Ice Age" in western Gondwana. It represents the final glaciation of westernmost Gondwana and the beginning of deglaciation that swept across the supercontinent throughout the rest of the Paleozoic. A succession of transitional sedimentary facies associations characterizes the eastern outcrops of the Guandacol Formation. These facies associations are interlayered with several deposits of mass-transport complexes (MTC) and present the occasional opportunity to conduct a deep-time analysis of the effect of tectonism in what is interpreted to be glacially-influenced deposits. Six sedimentary facies associations were recognized in the lower part of the Guandacol Formation. Facies association 1 (interbedded diamictites, sandstones, and mudstones) overlies MTC 1 and is interpreted as sedimentation into a marine glacially-influenced outwash fan. Facies association 2 (ponded interbedded sandstones, mudstones, and diamictites) was deposited as subaqueous underflows/turbidites and debris flows covering the irregular paleotopography of MTC 2. Facies association 3 (white medium- to coarse-grained sandstones and conglomerates) represents a small deltaic system. Facies association 4 (rhythmites with dropstones and sandstones) was deposited in a partially ponded water body resulting from the collapse and paleotopography of MTC 3. Facies association 5 (coarsening-upward cycles of mudstones and sandstones) was deposited in prodelta to delta front environments. Finally, facies association 6 (conglomerates, sandstones, and mudstones) corresponds to the subaerial deltaic platform. The evolution of depositional environments suggests three glacially-linked stages: Stage 1 — Initial retreat of the nearby ice masses (facies association 1); Stage 2 — Further retreat of glaciers and the progressive decoupling between ice masses and sea (facies associations 2 and 3); and Stage 3 — Postglacial sedimentation dominated by deltaic progradation during highstand conditions (facies associations 4 to 6). The importance of the paleogeographic context is emphasized in which the tectonism triggered recurrent events of MTC that continually modified the topography and sedimentary patterns, interrupting and complicating the stratigraphy of the interpreted glacial and postglacial sedimentation.

The chapter “Considering Emerging Complementary and Alternative Treatments“delves into the diverse landscape of non-mainstream interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The discourse navigates through the historical evolution, current status, and future prospects of complementary and alternative medicine treatments. The narrative acknowledges the dichotomy between scientifically validated practices and those emerging from anecdotal and preliminary evidence. Key topics include vitamin and mineral supplementation, dietary interventions, secretin administration, chelation therapy, neurofeedback, sensory-based therapies, and facilitated communication. Each treatment is critically evaluated for its empirical support, safety, and clinical utility. The chapter emphasizes the necessity for rigorous research methodologies and balanced clinical perspectives in assessing these interventions. By providing a comprehensive overview, it aims to inform clinicians, researchers, and caregivers about the potential benefits and pitfalls of CAM treatments, fostering informed decision making in the therapeutic management of ASD. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Evidence-based practice guidelines use specific rubrics to first evaluate the quality of individual outcome research studies and then the overall strength of the evidence, ultimately generating recommendations for clinical and educational practice. This chapter reviews the methodologies used across three different types of guidelines spanning health and education, by comparing recommendations related to practices for addressing sleep problems. The review reveals that these guidelines share many features, with some differences suggesting areas of improvement. More fundamental differences between biomedical and psychosocial practices, as well as specific challenges of community-based practices, suggest other opportunities for improvement in the design of outcome research and in the development of practice guidelines. This chapter concludes by discussing how to close other gaps in guideline development by emphasizing focused practices instead of comprehensive treatment programs (CTPs), integrating research findings from related populations, developing recommendations for program and policy leaders, and imagining reviews that potentially offer more individualized recommendations. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

This concluding chapter summarizes how the field has advanced, the current state of evidence-based practices, unique insights derived from systematic reviews of practices and programs, and directions for the future. We note major gains since the first attempts in the early 1990s to provide information on evidence-based practices, including more sophisticated research methods for meta-analytic studies and systematic reviews. The emergence of very high-quality reviews of rigorous outcome research over the past 15 years has accelerated interest in evidence-based practices. At the same time, controversies surrounding questions of research design, study selection, the potential bias relative to cultural and racial factors, persistent gaps in research on adults and those with more significant levels of disability, and other areas remain to be addressed. We note some area of active discussion, e.g., relative to whether or not to screen and the need to help community-based professionals responsible for tailoring evidence-based practices to the many different individuals and settings they serve. If we are able to reconcile the researcher’s desire for experimental rigor with the flexibility required for outcome studies conducted in community-based settings, we might begin to demonstrate the kinds of population impacts needed to justify more substantial funding and policy changes. Several areas of additional research are outlined. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

The handbook examines the empirical status of interventions and treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It offers an insightful and balanced perspective on topics ranging from the historical underpinnings of autism treatment to the use of psychopharmacology and the implementation of EBPs. The book reviews the conceptualization of evidence-based practices (EBPs) as well as considerations for implementing such practices across settings. In addition, it describes emerging treatments – though they cannot yet be considered evidence-based – that have produced limited but highly promising results. The book also describes treatments and therapies that have been proved ineffective. It explores ways in which EBPs can be applied in inclusive school settings, pedatric settings, in-patient treatment progams, and college-based programs for transition-aged youth. The volume describes outcomes from the development of EBP guidelines at the national level (in Scotland) and, more broadly, in the United States and outlines how such guidelines can be adapted to offer more individualized intervention. Key areas of coverage include: Comprehensive treatment models, including early intensive behavioral intervention, pivotal response treatment, Early Start Denver Model, and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions. Focal treatments addressing the core deficits of ASD and its co-occuring conditions. Social skills, communication, and the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) practices for teaching new skills and decreasing challenging behaviors. Sensory-based interventions, psychopharmacology, cognitive behavior therapy, and parent education programs (e. g., Project ImPACT). The Handbook of Evidence-Based Practices in Autism Spectrum Disorder is an invaluable resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and all professionals working in the fields of developmental, clinical child, and school psychology, pediatrics, social work, behavior analysis, allied health sciences, public health, child and adolescent psychiatry, early childhood intervention, and general and special education. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

When we published our first volume, the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had already begun to gain strength around the world, and it has since shown no signs of abating. Multiple organizations and groups have now produced EBP guidelines concerning the treatment and/or identification of ASD. However, the resulting definitions continue to vary in important ways across professions and sometimes even within their subdivisions. A universal definition of EBP remains elusive. While these conclusions drawn from the previous edition of this book still hold true, we are nonetheless encouraged by the growth in interest in EBP and by the dramatic increase in the number of high-quality research studies over the past 15 years and so are excited to offer this updated and expanded handbook. This chapter serves as an introduction to the current state of affairs with respect to evidence-based practices in autism spectrum disorders. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Tacit knowledge is more precious as compared to explicit, as it is the intellectual property of the knower and resides in one’s mind. A major part of our knowledge is tacit, which is either lost or not recorded/ captured. In the late 1950s, the term “tacit knowledge” appeared in the literature and received the attention of the researchers. However, a majority of the studies pertaining to tacit knowledge (TK) have primarily focused on non-educational contexts, despite the fact that pragmatic knowledge holds paramount importance within academic settings. This study is designed to examine the tacit knowledge process from capturing to sharing in an academic setting. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey research method was adopted to conduct this research, and data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Postgraduate students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, were the study population. The findings revealed that cognitive skills enable and motivate individuals to capture tacit knowledge, and the positive capturing behavior leads to better handling and more sharing of tacit knowledge, whereas technical skills enable them to better handle tacit knowledge, which ultimately leads to wise utilization of tacit knowledge, and social skills help them in capturing, keeping, and use of tacit knowledge. The study argues that tacit knowledge flow is depending on a certain set of skills and behavior. The findings of the study will be supportive of higher academic institutions as they are the powerhouse of knowledge creation. © This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply 2024.

The purpose of this research is to explore the decision processes that underlie the gender gap in entrepreneurial investments. The present research explores how gender congruence with a sex-typed business opportunity influences anticipated reactions from others who may provide or withhold support and resources, how these affect the assessed probability of venture success and the amount the entrepreneur is willing to invest (WTI) in the opportunity.,A theoretical model is presented and empirically tested via path analysis. A pilot and an experimental study model explore how gender congruence influences entrepreneurial investment decisions. The experimental study uses a repeated measures design examining the experimental effects two sex-typed business opportunities crossed with participant gender (gender congruence) on anticipated others’ reactions, assessed probability of venture success and investment amount (WTI).,Gender congruence of a business opportunity influences anticipated others’ reactions, whether they will be supportive or not, of pursuing the opportunity. This in turn influences the estimated probability of success of the venture and the amount the prospective entrepreneur is willing to invest in it. These socio-cognitive decision processes reinforce the gender gap in entrepreneurship since participants anticipate less access to others’ support for gender incongruent opportunities. Although the mediational model indicates most proposed relationships and paths are invariant across genders, the exception was that women did not report higher WTI for the gender congruent venture.,The research applies the latest thinking in social psychology on gender norm violations to entrepreneurship, measuring how anticipated reactions from others are a factor in predicting estimates of venture success probability and self-investments.

This paper examines the characteristics of banks and their lending behavior in relation to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and commercial and industrial (C&I) loans to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings show that lenders facing greater risk tended to lend more PPP loans, consistent with the risk-aversion theory. Specifically, banks with a higher loan–deposit ratio, lower overall profitability, poorer loan quality, and higher exposure to risks in business (C&I) loans are characterized by higher PPP loans. C&I loans to all businesses are negatively related to the loan–deposit ratio and loan loss allowance ratio, but are positively linked with the capital ratio. However, we find important differences in C&I lending to small businesses versus large businesses. Furthermore, there is evidence regarding the success of targeting PPP loans towards more productive sectors of the US economy. Using FDIC-defined banks’ lending specializations, we show that banks focused on international lending had a limited role in PPP lending.

The exponential growth of big data, driven by AI and machine learning technologies, underscores the need for an ethical and sustainable approach to data utilization. Using problematization methodology, we consider the assumptions underpinning Big Data and AI and reconsider them from a sensemaking perspective. Big data represents an enactment rather than an objective reality, and organizations play an active role in its adoption and use. Strategizing is driven by plausibility rather than accuracy, and big data generates a retrospection of the past rather than a prediction of the future. A sensemaking perspective serves as reality check for managers, emphasizing the necessity of long-term sustainability and societal well-being. By cultivating experiments for learning communities and incubating innovation, organizations can effectively leverage big data in marketing, fostering transparent, collaborative, ethical, and sustainable data practices. © 2025 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION: Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a unique vertebrate model to examine how liver metabolomes support different reproductive functions. Juvenile sea lamprey prey on other fish species by attaching to their body and feeding on their blood and body fluids. Once reaching adulthood, they cease feeding, migrate to spawning streams and begin their final sexual maturation. During these processes, the male livers produce large quantities of bile acid pheromone precursors to be modified and released via gills, whereas the female livers synthesize vast amounts of vitellogenin (yolk lipophosphoprotein) to be transported to the ovary. OBJECTIVE: We aim to test the hypothesis that the liver metabolic pathways exhibit dramatic changes during sexual maturation of sea lampreys that support their reproductive strategies. METHODS: Liver tissues from prespermiating (PSM) and spermiating (SM) males, and preovulatory (POF) and ovulatory (OF) females were homogenized, extracted and analyzed using the Thermo Q-exactive Orbitrap UPLC/MS/MS. Progenesis QI, Compound Discoverer, and Metaboanalyst were used for alignment, peak picking, deconvolution, and annotation. Data were subjected to analyses such as PCA and PLS-DA, using the SIMCA® software. The glycogen and triglyceride content in liver were also examined to determine levels of stored energy. RESULTS: Overall, we found upregulations of amino acid and fatty acid metabolisms in mature male sea lamprey compared to the immature ones. Although the metabolic differences were comparatively subdued in the sexually immature males and females, amino acid regulation was slightly higher in females. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the metabolic dynamics in sea lamprey livers are consistent with their reproductive strategies.

This study aims to discover the perceived awareness, benefits and suitable strategies of the Pakistani editors of Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized scholarly journals regarding open-access (OA) journal publishing in Pakistan.,A structured questionnaire-based survey method of quantitative research approach was adopted to achieve the study’s objectives by collecting data from the editors of 329 HEC-recognized journals in Pakistan.,The awareness level of the respondents of the Pakistani journals is low regarding the OA concepts, resources and initiatives. The respondents of OA journals have better awareness levels than the respondents of non-OA journals. All the respondents of journals are convinced and have the view that OA journals have wider benefits for the academic community, and they need to flourish. A majority of the respondents are of the view that HEC should sponsor financial resources and technical training for OA journal publishing. The respondents of OA journals are more in favor of supporting OA journal publishing than the respondents of non-OA journals.,This study covered the lists of HEC-recognized journals of 2019. More studies may be conducted based on updated lists of HEC-recognized journals by using different research paradigms such as qualitative or pragmatic research approaches.,To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive study on this phenomenon and is an effort to fill this gap and invigorate the scholarly literature. It may attract the attention of the policymakers, funding bodies, parent institutions of the journals and the HEC to cope with the low awareness level of the Pakistani editors regarding the OA concepts, resources and initiatives; and suitable strategies required to uplift the OA journal publishing paradigm in Pakistan.