Opinion Cascades and Echo-Chambers in Online Networks: A Proof of Concept Agent-Based Model

In online networks, the polarization of opinions (e.g., regarding presidential elections or referenda) has been associated with the creation of “echo-chambers” of like-minded peers, secluded from those of contrary viewpoints. Previous work has commonly attributed such phenomena to self-regarding preferences (e.g., confirmation bias), individual differences, and the pre-dispositions of users, with clusters forming over repeated interactions. The present work provides a proof of concept Agent-Based Model that demonstrates online networks are susceptible to echo-chambers from a single opinion cascade, due to the spatiotemporal order induced by lateral transmission. This susceptibility is found to vary as a function of degree of interconnectivity and opinion strength. Critically, such effects are found despite globally proportionate levels of opinions, equally rational agents (i.e. absent conformity, confirmation bias or pre-disposition architecture), and prior to cyclical interactions. The assumptions and implications of this work, including the value of Agent-Based Modelling to cognitive psychology, are discussed

Additional file 1: Table A1. of Which early life events or current environmental and lifestyle factors influence lung function in adolescents? – results from the GINIplus & LISAplus studies

Population characteristics of analyzed participants in comparison to the initial study population for the Munich and Wesel study centers. Table A2. Characteristics of lung function parameters of analyzed participants in comparison to all other subjects with valid lung function measurements at age 15 in the Munich and Wesel study centers .Table A3. Coefficients (95% confidence intervals) of regression models with the lowest Mallows’ Cp, determined by best subset selection in the total population. Table A4. Distribution of the frequency of inclusion of each factor in 1000 replication analyses (%). Table A5. Coefficients (95% confidence intervals) of regression models of flow rates adjusted for covariates that remained stable in replication analyses. Table A6. Relative importance of variables in final regression models of flow rates (averaged R2 contribution). (PDF 548 kb

GINIplus: GLI- and LUNOKID-based z-scores of all and of all male and female healthy participants.

<p>GINIplus: GLI- and LUNOKID-based z-scores of all and of all male and female healthy participants.</p

Comparison of the GLI-z-scores (mean and lower limit of normal (LLN)) with these observed in boys from the LUNOKID data.

<p>Comparison of the GLI-z-scores (mean and lower limit of normal (LLN)) with these observed in boys from the LUNOKID data.</p

Description of the lung healthy study populations (LUNOKID and GINIplus).

<p>Further exclusion criteria for sensitivity analyses.</p

Description of study populations (LUNOKID and GINIplus).

<p>Description of study populations (LUNOKID and GINIplus).</p

GLI-z-scores in GINIplus and LUNOKID in all lung healthy children (All) and in subgroups after using stricter exclusion criteria.

<p>GLI-z-scores in GINIplus and LUNOKID in all lung healthy children (All) and in subgroups after using stricter exclusion criteria.</p

LUNOKID: GLI-based z-scores of all and of all male and female healthy children/adolescents grouped by age.

<p>LUNOKID: GLI-based z-scores of all and of all male and female healthy children/adolescents grouped by age.</p

Sixteen new lung function signals identified through 1000 Genomes Project reference panel imputation

Lung function measures are used in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 38,199 European ancestry individuals, we studied genome-wide association of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC with 1000 Genomes Project (Phase 1) imputed genotypes and followed up top associations in 54,550 Europeans. We identify 14 novel loci (P<5x10-8) in or near ENSA, RNU5F-1, KCNS3, AK097794, ASTN2, LHX3, CCDC91, TBX3, TRIP11, RIN3, TEKT5, LTBP4, MN1, AP1S2, and two novel signals at known loci NPNT and GPR126, providing a basis for new understanding of the genetic determinants of these traits and pulmonary diseases in which they are altered