bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A learning style classification approach based on deep belief network for large-scale online education
Authors: Zhang Hao , Huang Tao , Liu Sanya , Yin Hao , Li Jia , Yang Huali , Xia Yu
Published: May 2020

With the rapidly growing demand for large-scale online education and the advent of big data, numerous research works have been performed to enhance learning quality in e-learning environments. Among these studies, adaptive learning has become an increasingly important issue. The traditional classification approaches analyze only the surface characteristics of students but fail to classify students accurately in terms of deep learning features. Meanwhile, these approaches are unable to analyze these high-dimensional learning behaviors in massive amounts of data. Hence, we propose a learning style classification approach based on the deep belief network (DBN) for large-scale online education to identify students’ learning styles and classify them. The first step is to build a learning style model and identify indicators of learning style based on the experiences of experts; then, relate the indicators to the different learning styles. We improve the DBN model and identify a student’s learning style by analyzing each individual’s learning style features using the improved DBN. Finally, we verify the DBN result by conducting practical experiments on an actual educational dataset. The various learning styles are determined by soliciting questionnaires from students based on the ILS theory by Felder and Soloman (1996) and the Readiness for Education At a Distance Indicator. Then, we utilized those data to train our DBNLS model. The experimental results indicate that the proposed DBNLS method has better accuracy than do the traditional approaches.
Effects of undigested protein-rich ingredients on polarised small intestinal organoid monolayers
Authors: Kar Soumya K. , van der Hee Bart , Loonen Linda M. P. , Taverne Nico , Taverne-Thiele Johanna J. , Schokker Dirkjan , Smits Mari A. , Jansman Alfons J. M. , Wells Jerry M.
Published: May 2020

Here, we describe the use of monolayers of intestinal epithelial cells derived from intestinal organoids and transcriptomics to investigate the direct effects of dietary protein sources on epithelial function. Mechanically dissociated 3D organoids of mouse duodenum were used to generate a polarized epithelium containing all cell types found in the tissue of origin. The organoid-derived cell monolayers were exposed to 4% (w/v) of ‘undigested (non-hydrolysed)-soluble’ fraction of protein sources used as feed ingredients [soybean meal (SBM) and casein], or alternative protein sources (spray dried plasma protein, and yellow meal worm), or controls for 6 h prior to RNA isolation and transcriptomics. All protein sources altered expression of unique biological processes in the epithelial cells. Exposure of intestinal organoids to SBM downregulated expression of retinol and retinoid metabolic processes as well as cholesterol and lipid biosynthetic pathways, consistent with the reported hypotriglyceridaemic effect of soy protein in vivo. These findings support the use of intestinal organoids as models to evaluate complex interactions between dietary ingredients and the intestinal epithelium and highlights some unique host effects of alternative protein sources in animal feed and potentially human food.

Graphical abstract

Schematic representation of the study. 3-dimensional organoids were generated from mouse duodenum (1). The organoids were subsequently dissociated into single cells (2) and grown as 2-dimensional polarised monolayers (3). Polarized monolayers of organoid cells were exposed to different protein sources [CAS, SBM, SDPP, YMW, or medium control (MC)] for 6 h (4) and further processed for imaging (5) gene expression (6), and biochemical assays (7), to investigate the effects of undigested protein sources on the duodenal epithelium.
Initial evidence on the relationship between the coronavirus pandemic and crime in the United States
Authors: Ashby Matthew P. J.
Published: May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial changes in the daily activities of millions of Americans, with many businesses and schools closed, public events cancelled and states introducing stay-at-home orders. This article used police-recorded open crime data to understand how the frequency of common types of crime changed in 16 large cities across the United States in the early months of 2020. Seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) models of crime in previous years were used to forecast the expected frequency of crime in 2020 in the absence of the pandemic. The forecasts from these models were then compared to the actual frequency of crime during the early months of the pandemic. There were no significant changes in the frequency of serious assaults in public or (contrary to the concerns of policy makers) any change to the frequency of serious assaults in residences. In some cities, there were reductions in residential burglary but little change in non-residential burglary. Thefts of motor vehicles decreased in some cities while there were diverging patterns of thefts from motor vehicles. These results are used to make suggestions for future research into the relationships between the coronavirus pandemic and different crimes.
Pearls of experience for safe and efficient hospital practices in otorhinolaryngology—head and neck surgery in Hong Kong during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Cho Ryan H. W. , Yeung Zenon W. C. , Ho Osan Y. M. , Lo Jacky F. W. , Siu Alice K. Y. , Kwan Wendy M. Y. , To Zion W. H. , Chan Anthony W. H. , Chan Becky Y. T. , Fung Kitty S. C. , Abdullah Victor , Tong Michael C. F. , Ku Peter K. M.
Published: May 2020

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic originated in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare an official global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. In Hong Kong, clinicians and other healthcare personnel collaborated closely to combat the outbreak of COVID-19 and minimize the cross-transmission of disease among hospital staff members. In the field of otorhinolaryngology—head and neck surgery (OHNS) and its various subspecialties, contingency plans were required for patient bookings in outpatient clinics, surgeries in operating rooms, protocols in wards and other services. Infected patients may shed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) particles into their environments via body secretions. Therefore, otolaryngologists and other healthcare personnel in this specialty face a high risk of contracting COVID-19 and must remain vigilant when performing examinations and procedures involving the nose and throat. In this article, we share our experiences of the planning and logistics undertaken to provide safe and efficient OHNS practices over the last 2 months, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that our experiences will serve as pearls for otolaryngologists and other healthcare personnel working in institutes that serve large numbers of patients every day, particularly with regard to the sharing of clinical and administrative tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact of dead time on quantitative 177Lu-SPECT (QSPECT) and kidney dosimetry during PRRT
Authors: Desy Alessandro , Bouvet Guillaume F. , Frezza Andrea , Després Philippe , Beauregard Jean-Mathieu
Published: May 2020

Background

Dead time may affect the accuracy of quantitative SPECT (QPSECT), and thus of dosimetry. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of dead time on 177Lu-QSPECT and renal dosimetry following peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) of neuroendocrine tumours.

Methods

QSPECT/CT was performed on days 1 and 3 during 564 personalized 177Lu-octreotate cycles in 166 patients. The dead-time data for each scanning time point was compiled. The impact of not correcting QSPECT for the dead time was assessed for the kidney dosimetry. This was also estimated for empiric PRRT by simulating in our cohort a regime of 7.4 GBq/cycle.

Results

The probability to observe a larger dead time increased with the injected activity. A dead-time loss greater than 5% affected 14.4% and 5.7% of QSPECT scans performed at days 1 and 3, respectively. This resulted in renal absorbed dose estimates that would have been underestimated by more than 5% in 5.7% of cycles if no dead-time correction was applied, with a maximum underestimation of 22.1%. In the simulated empiric regime, this potential dose underestimation would have been limited to 6.2%.

Conclusion

Dead-time correction improves the accuracy of dosimetry in 177Lu radionuclide therapy and is warranted in personalized PRRT.
Role of molecular biomarkers in glioma resection: a systematic review
Authors: Li Lianwang , Wang Yinyan , Li Yiming , Fang Shengyu , Jiang Tao
Published: May 2020

New discoveries based on genetic and epigenetic evidence have significantly expanded the understanding of diffuse gliomas. Molecular biomarkers detected in diffuse gliomas are not only potential targets for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, but are also able to guide surgical treatment. Previous studies have suggested that the optimal extent of resection of diffuse gliomas varies according to the expression of specific molecular biomarkers. However, the specific guiding role of these biomarkers in the resection of diffuse gliomas has not been systemically analyzed. This review summarizes several critical molecular biomarkers of tumorigenesis and progression in diffuse gliomas and discusses different strategies of tumor resection in the context of varying genetic expression. With ongoing study and advances in technology, molecular biomarkers will play a more important role in glioma resection and maximize the survival benefit from surgery for diffuse gliomas.
Performance and cost-benefit analysis of Isa Brown layers on different management systems
Authors: Okedere Daniel Adeolu , Ademola Peace Queen , Asiwaju Priscilla Mofifoluwa
Published: May 2020

Background

Few literatures exist on the performance and cost implication of birds reared on different management system. The cost benefit analysis of rearing Isa Brown layers on three different management systems was evaluated in a 9 (9)-week feeding trial. One hundred and forty-four (144) points of lay (19 weeks old) Isa-Brown chickens were procured from a reputable farm in Osun state. The birds were placed on three (3) treatments (battery cage, deep litter, and free range) of three (3) replicates and sixteen (16) birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds reared on conventional cages were arranged into three birds per cage unit. Birds on deep litter were kept on wood shavings, in which perches, laying nests, feeders, and drinkers were provided. Hens on free range management system were kept in a large area of land camped using planks and hexagonal wire mesh which was partitioned into various replicates. Sheds were provided for the birds to protect them from harsh weather conditions, and perches, laying nests, feeders, and drinkers were also provided. The birds on all the treatments (battery cage, deep litter and free range) were given the same diet, and the study period lasted for sixty-five days. The weight gain per bird, percentage weight gain, hen day production (HDP), egg mass index, and feed conversion ratio were determined. At the end of the experiment, these records were used to evaluate economic indices.

Results

The result showed that only the feed intake and total feed intake were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by management systems in all the parameters measured for performance. The daily feed intake, total feed intake total cost of feed consumed, quantity of egg produced per bird, revenue generated from eggs, production cost, net benefit, cost-benefit ratio, and percentage cost of production were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by management systems. Birds kept on deep litter system recorded the highest (48.87) number of eggs produced. The cost of construction was recorded to be highest in battery cage system while construction of free range facilities was at the minimum. Revenue generated from egg sold was highest (₦1384.56) in deep litter system while free range recorded the least significant (p< 0.05) (₦1301.44) value. Total cost of producing table eggs was significantly (p< 0.05) highest (₦2251.54) in battery cage, while free range had the least (₦2074.88) cost of production. Free range birds recorded the highest (₦326.56) net benefit, while the least (₦195.24) net benefit was obtained in battery cage.

Conclusion

It was therefore concluded that free range management system resulted into better profit margin and could however be adopted by small scale farmers in rural areas willing to practice backyard poultry farming.
Optical coherence tomography-based assessment of retinal vascular pathology in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Abdelhak A. , Huss A. , Brück A. , Sebert U. , Mayer B. , Müller H. P. , Tumani H. , Otto M. , Yilmazer-Hanke D. , Ludolph A. C. , Kassubek J. , Pinkhardt E. , Neugebauer H.
Published: May 2020

Background

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a disorder of brain vasculature that causes various structural changes in the brain parenchyma, and is associated with various clinical symptoms such as cognitive impairment and gait disorders. Structural changes of brain arterioles cannot be visualized with routine imaging techniques in vivo. However, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is thought to be a “window to the brain”. Thus, retinal vessel parameters may correlate with CSVD characteristic brain lesions and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (CSF) of the neuropathological processes in CSVD like endothelial damage, microglial activation and neuroaxonal damage.

Methods

We applied OCT-based assessment of retinal vessels, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CSF biomarker analysis in a monocentric prospective cohort of 24 patients with sporadic CSVD related stroke and cognitive impairment. MRI lesions were defined according to the STandards for ReportIng Vascular changes on nEuroimaging (STRIVE). Biomarkers were assessed using commercially available ELISA kits. Owing to the unavailability of an age-matched control-group lacking MRI-characteristics of CSVD, we compared the retinal vessel parameters in CSVD patients (73.8 ± 8.5 years) with a younger group of healthy controls (51.0 ± 16.0 years) by using an age- and sex-adjusted multiple linear regression analysis model.

Results

Among the parameters measured with OCT, the Wall to Lumen Ratio (WLR) but not Mean Wall Thickness (MWT) of the superior branch of the retinal artery correlated significantly with the volume of white matter hyperintensities on MRI (rs = − 0.5) and with CSF-levels of Chitinase 3 like 1 protein (rs = − 0.6), zona occludens 1 protein (rs = − 0.5) and GFAP (rs = − 0.4). MWT and WLR were higher in CSVD than in controls (28.9 μm vs. 23.9 μm, p = 0.001 and 0.32 vs. 0.25, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

In this exploratory study, WLR correlated with the volume of white matter hyperintensities, and markers of vascular integrity, microglial activation, and neuroaxonal damage in CSVD. Further prospective studies should clarify whether retinal vessel parameters and CSF biomarkers may serve to monitor the natural course and treatment effects in clinical studies on CSVD.
Liver biopsy is still needed in liver transplantation recipients: a single center experience
Authors: Abdelsameea Eman , Alsebaey Ayman , Ehsan Nermine , Elrefaey Ahmed , Aboelela Khalid , Ibrahim El-Sayed , Elsabaawy Maha
Published: May 2020

Background

Liver transplantation is a final treatment for decompensated liver disease.

Aim

Description of post-liver transplant histopathology. We enrolled 89 patients divided into two groups according to if they underwent on demand liver biopsy (n = 34; 38.2%) or not (n = 55; 61.8%). Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) assessed the degree of liver dysfunction.

Results

Patient underwent liver biopsy (LB) was 44.65 ± 8.46 years old, mainly males (88.2%) with average MELD of 8.74 ± 4.71. Most patients were positive pre-transplant for HCV (91.2%) and 29.4% had hepatocellular carcinoma on top of hepatitis C. Patients underwent LB had worse liver dysfunction by ALBI score (− 2.62 ± 0.6 vs. − 2.96 ± 0.5; p = 0.014) but comparable MELD. The time till first biopsy was 19.88 ± 11.22 (4-44) months. It was not different statistically with various histopathology (p > 0.05). Histopathology of first biopsy was viral chronic hepatitis (50%), acute rejection (20.6%), steatohepatitis (11.8%), chronic rejection (5.9%), chronic hepatitis (5.9%), biliary obstruction (2.9%), and cytomegalovirus hepatitis (2.9%). Most patients were F1 (38.2%) and A1 (35.3%). The immunosuppressive drug regimen had no impact on the histopathology (p > 0.05). Patients with hepatitis C pre-transplant had in a descending manner the following histological diagnosis (p = 0.001): viral chronic hepatitis 16 (51.6%), acute rejection 7 (22.6%), steatohepatitis 4 (12.9%), chronic rejection 2 (6.5%), biliary obstruction 1 (3.2%), and CMV hepatitis 1(3.2%). Some patients required on demand second (n = 9) and third biopsied (n = 5) that were the same as the first biopsy or completely different.

Conclusion

Liver biopsy is a useful tool for diagnosis of liver transplantation complications.
An Exploratory Study of Students with Depression in Undergraduate Research Experiences
Authors: Cooper Katelyn M. , Gin Logan E. , Barnes M. Elizabeth , Brownell Sara E.
Published: May 2020

This study explored the undergraduate research experiences of 35 students who identify as having depression. It identified ways that depression affects students’ research experiences and ways that research negatively and positively impacts undergraduate depression.
From Theory to Practice: Implementation of Strategies to Reduce Acute Care Visits in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Daly Bobby , Michaelis Laura C. , Sprandio John D. , Kapke Jonathan T. , Narra Ravi Kishore , Malosh Elizabeth , Zervoudakis Alice , Holland Jessie , Zablocki Melissa
Published: May 2020

Patients with cancer frequently seek acute care as a result of complications of their disease and adverse effects of treatment. This acute care comes at high cost to the health care system and often results in suboptimal outcomes for patients and their caregivers. The Department of Health and Human Services has identified this as a gap in our care of patients with cancer and has called for quality-improvement efforts to reduce this acute care. We highlight the efforts of three centers—a community practice, an academic practice, and a cancer center—to reduce acute care for their patients. We describe the foundational principles, the practice innovation and implementation strategy, the initial results, and the lessons learned from these interventions. Each of the described interventions sought to integrate evidence-based best practices for reducing unplanned acute care. The first, a telephone triage system, led to 82% of calls being managed at home and only 2% being directed to an emergency department (ED) or hospital. The second, a 24-hour continuity clinic, led to a 26% reduction in ED utilization for patients with cancer. The third, a digital symptom monitoring and management program for high-risk patients on active treatment, led to a 17% reduction in ED presentations. There is a need for innovative care delivery models to improve the management of symptoms for patients with cancer. Future research is needed to determine the elements of these models with the greatest impact and how successful models can be scaled to other institutions.
Rewriting a Woman’s Life (Online)
Authors: Enoch Jessica
Published: May 2020

This article explores the pedagogical efficacy and learning outcomes of an archive-based undergraduate research project in which students digitally transcribed a nineteenth-century woman’s diary and then reflected on their transcription work.
Endurance exercise protects agingDrosophilafrom high-salt diet(HSD)-induced climbing capacity decline and lifespan decrease by enhancing antioxidant capacity
Authors: Wen Deng-tai , Wang Wei-qing , Hou Wen-qi , Cai Shu-xian , Zhai Shuai-shuai
Published: May 2020

A high-salt diet(HSD) is a major cause of many chronic and age-related defects such as myocardial hypertrophy, locomotor impairment, and mortality. Exercise training can efficiently prevent and treat many chronic and age-related diseases. However, it remains unclear whether endurance exercise can resist HSD-induced the impairment of climbing capacity and longevity in aging individuals. In here, flies were taken exercise training and fed a HSD from 1-week old to 5-week old. Overexpression or knockdown of salt and dFOXO were built by UAS/Gal4 system. The results showed that a HSD, salt gene overexpression, and dFOXO knockdown significantly reduced climbing endurance, climbing index, survival, dFOXO expression, and SOD activity level, and increased MDA level in aging flies. Inversely, in a HSD aging flies, endurance exercise and dFOXO overexpression significantly increased their climbing ability, lifespan, and antioxidant capacity, but they did not significantly change the salt gene expression. On the whole, current results indicated that a HSD accelerated the age-related decline of climbing capacity and mortality via up regulating salt expression and inhibiting dFOXO/SOD pathway. Increased dFOXO/SOD pathway activity played a key role in mediating endurance exercise resistance to the low salt tolerance-induced impairment of climbing capacity and longevity in aging Drosophila.
Terrestrial acclimation and exercise lead to bone functional response inPolypteruspectoral fins
Authors: Du Trina Y. , Standen Emily M.
Published: May 2020

The ability of bones to sense and respond to mechanical loading is a central feature of vertebrate skeletons. However, the functional demands imposed on terrestrial and aquatic animals differ vastly. The pectoral girdle of the basal actinopterygian fish Polypterus senegalus was previously shown to exhibit plasticity following terrestrial acclimation, but the pectoral fin itself has yet to be examined. We investigated skeletal plasticity in the pectoral fins of Polypterus after exposure to terrestrial loading. Juvenile fish were divided into three groups: a control group was kept under aquatic conditions without intervention, an exercised group was also kept in water but received daily exercise on land, and a terrestrial group was kept in a chronic semi-terrestrial condition. After five weeks, the pectoral fins were cleared and stained with Alcian blue and Alizarin red to visualize cartilage and bone, allowing measurements of bone length, bone width, ossification, and curvature were taken for the endochondral radial bones. Polypterus fin bones responded most strongly to chronic loading in the terrestrial condition. Fish that were reared in a terrestrial environment had significantly longer bones compared to aquatic controls; wider propterygia and metapterygia; more ossified metapterygia and medial radials; and showed changes in propterygial curvature. Exercised fish also had longer and more ossified medial radials compared to controls. Polypterus fin bones exhibit plasticity in response to novel terrestrial loading. Such plasticity could be relevant for transitions between water and land on evolutionary scales, but key differences between fish and tetrapod bone make direct comparisons challenging.
Firm-Level Automation: Evidence from the Netherlands
Authors: Bessen James , Goos Maarten , Salomons Anna , van den Berge Wiljan
Published: May 2020

Studying firm-level adjustments is important for understanding the economic effects of workplace automation. So far, emerging firm-level evidence is focused on robotics and the manufacturing sector. In this paper, we document that the adoption of automation technologies extends beyond manufacturing firms. We identify firm-level automation events and show that automating firms experience faster employment and revenue growth than do nonautomating firms. However, around automation events themselves, employment growth slows markedly. Notably, we find that these effects are similar for manufacturing and nonmanufacturing firms, suggesting that an increasing diffusion of automation technology has important consequences for firms and their workers.
Advance Market Commitments: Insights from Theory and Experience
Authors: Kremer Michael , Levin Jonathan , Snyder Christopher M.
Published: May 2020

Ten years ago, donors committed $1.5 billion to a pilot Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to help purchase pneumococcal vaccine for low-income countries. The AMC aimed to encourage the development of such vaccines, ensure distribution to children in low-income countries, and pilot the AMC mechanism for possible future use. Three vaccines have been developed and more than 150 million children immunized, saving an estimated 700,000 lives. This paper reviews the economic logic behind AMCs, the experience with the pilot, and key issues for future AMCs.
Inventor Gender and the Direction of Invention
Authors: Koning Rembrand , Samila Sampsa , Ferguson John-Paul
Published: May 2020

We study whether increasing the share of female inventors leads to more biomedical inventions that focus on the needs of women. After accounting for detailed disease-technology, disease-year, and technology-year fixed effects, we find that a 10 percentage point increase in the share of female inventors in a research area yields 1.2 percentage points more female-focused patents. Notably, this effect only holds for female-led invention teams. Areas with a greater share of female inventors in supporting roles do not produce more female-focused inventions. For gender to impact the direction of invention, it appears that women must occupy positions of power.
How Often Does Active Learning Actually Occur? Perception versus Reality
Authors: Sheridan Brandon J. , Smith Ben
Published: May 2020

Substantial evidence suggests active learning pedagogies are superior to lecturing, but little evidence exists on the prevalence of such methods. Watts and Schaur (2011) find, based on self-reported data, the median instructor lectures 83 percent of the time. We analyze audio recordings of 535 total classes from 30 different instructors to show instructors greatly underestimate how often they use passive learning pedagogies such as lecturing. Survey results show instructors estimate they lecture approximately 78.5 percent of class time; our data reveals the true average is 89 percent. This gap between perception and reality is statistically significant.
Innovation α: What Do IP-Intensive Stock Price Indexes Tell Us about Innovation?
Authors: Corrado Carol , Martin David , Wu Qianfan
Published: May 2020

Patents and other intellectual property (IP) have grown in relative importance in investments and market capitalizations of public firms (e.g., Corrado and Hulten 2010). This paper illustrates the construction of IP-intensive stock price indexes, focusing on a network analysis tool (Martin 2001, Winer et al. 2003, Luse and Martin 2014) that helps pinpoint firms that are most likely to generate value from their intangible assets. The analysis finds that (a) stock price indexes constructed using the tool yield above-average returns and (b) stock prices of US companies in two tech-driven sectors outperform non-US firms despite lower average patent portfolio valuations.
In Praise of Confidence Intervals
Authors: Romer David
Published: May 2020

Most empirical papers in economics focus on two aspects of their results: whether the estimates are statistically significantly different from zero and the interpretation of the point estimates. This focus obscures important information about the implications of the results for economically interesting hypotheses about values of the parameters other than zero, and in some cases, about the strength of the evidence against values of zero. This limitation can be overcome by reporting confidence intervals for papers' main estimates and discussing their economic interpretation.
The Cost of Being Too Patient
Authors: Giuliano Paola , Sapienza Paola
Published: May 2020

We study the cost of being too patient on happiness. We find that the relationship between patience and various measures of subjective well-being is hump-shaped: there exists an optimal amount of patience that maximizes happiness. Beyond this optimal level, higher levels of patience have a negative impact on well-being.
A Proposed Specification Check for p-Hacking
Authors: Brodeur Abel , Cook Nikolai , Heyes Anthony
Published: May 2020

We propose a specification check for p-hacking. More specifically, we advocate the reporting of t-curves and mu-curves--the t-statistics and estimated effect sizes derived from regressions using every possible combination of control variables from the researcher's set--and introduce a standardized and accessible implementation. Our specification check allows researchers, referees, and editors to visually inspect variation in effect sizes, significativity, and sensitivity to the inclusion of control variables. We provide a Stata command that implements the specification check. Given the growing interest in estimating causal effects, the potential applicability of this specification check to empirical studies is large.
Forecasting the Results of Experiments: Piloting an Elicitation Strategy
Authors: DellaVigna Stefano , Otis Nicholas , Vivalt Eva
Published: May 2020

Forecasts of experimental results can clarify the interpretation of research results, mitigate publication bias, and improve experimental designs. We collect forecasts of the results of three Registered Reports preliminarily accepted to the Journal of Development Economics, randomly varying four features: (1) small versus large reference values, (2) whether predictions are in raw units or standard deviations, (3) text-entry versus slider responses, and (4) small versus large slider bounds. Forecasts are generally robust to elicitation features, though wider slider bounds are associated with higher forecasts throughout the forecast distribution. We make preliminary recommendations on how many forecasts should be gathered.
Migration, Money Transfers, and Mobile Money: Evidence from Niger
Authors: Aker Jenny C. , Prina Silvia , Welch C. Jamilah
Published: May 2020

Mobile money can reduce the cost of sending remittances as compared with traditional money transfer systems. Despite remittances being a crucial part of the West African economy, mobile money is failing to take off. We use supply and demand data for money transfer services to better understand low mobile money adoption in Niger. Using a modified Becker-DeGroot-Marschak mechanism to elicit willingness to pay, we find that households are willing to pay the cost of sending a transfer via mobile money, with substantial regional variation. This regional variation is correlated with agent density, which suggests that agent infrastructure might be a barrier.
Cashing In (and Out): Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Mobile Money in Malawi
Authors: Aggarwal Shilpa , Brailovskaya Valentina , Robinson Jonathan
Published: May 2020

We present results from a randomized control trial on access to mobile money with 480 entrepreneurs in Malawi. Treated individuals received account opening assistance and basic training on mobile money and were encouraged to save. Withdrawal fees were waived. Seventy-three percent of treatment respondents made at least 1 deposit, and 53 percent made at least 5. Treatment respondents reallocated labor from business to agriculture, and we find some evidence for an increase in expenditures. Evidence suggests that treatment effects were driven in large part by respondents using the accounts for savings.
The Dollar, Bank Leverage, and Real Economic Activity: An Evolving Relationship
Authors: Erik Burcu , Lombardi Marco J. , Mihaljek Dubravko , Shin Hyun Song
Published: May 2020

The interest in how financial conditions affect real economic activity has grown since the great financial crisis (GFC), not least because some of the mechanisms at play in the financial sector may have changed. We shed light on this issue by examining the empirical relationship between global Purchasing Managers' Indices, world trade, and indicators of global financial conditions, with a special focus on the broad dollar index. We show that the influence of the dollar on real economic activity and global trade seems to have increased since the GFC, while that of the VIX has decreased.
Do Immigration Raids Deter Head Start Enrollment?
Authors: Santillano Robert , Potochnick Stephanie , Jenkins Jade
Published: May 2020

We investigate the local deterrence effect of immigration raids on Hispanic Head Start enrollment. Using a nationwide panel of raids from 2006 to 2008, a time of intensified immigration enforcement across communities in the US, we find robust evidence that raids decreased Hispanic Head Start enrollment by around 10 percent. We disentangle this impact and find evidence that this decrease is driven by a deterrence effect rather than a mobility effect, which suggests that families are staying in their communities but not enrolling their children in Head Start.
The Role of Broad-Based Employee Ownership Opportunities in Prisoner Reentry
Authors: Cox Robynn
Published: May 2020

This research investigates the relationship between Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and criminal participation as measured by arrests, conviction, and incarceration among formerly incarcerated individuals. Using the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, I find that formerly incarcerated individuals with ESOP employment are significantly less likely to be arrested, convicted, and incarcerated. This effect likely operates through improvement in labor market outcomes: formerly incarcerated ESOP employees earn approximately 25 percent more in annual income and work roughly 8.8 percent more hours per week than formerly incarcerated workers who are employed but not working for an ESOP firm.
Do Workers Comply with Salary History Bans? A Survey on Voluntary Disclosure, Adverse Selection, and Unraveling
Authors: Agan Amanda , Cowgill Bo , Gee Laura Katherine
Published: May 2020

Salary history bans forbid employers from asking job candidates to disclose their salaries. However, applicants can still volunteer this information. Our theoretical model predicts that the effect of these laws varies by how workers comply. Our survey of Americans in the labor force finds candidates fall into three compliance types: 25 percent always disclose their salary whether asked or not, 17 percent never disclose, and 58 percent comply with the ban. Importantly, compliance type varies by demographics (e.g. always-disclosers are more male, compliers are more female), and workers are more likely to disclose as others do the same, which suggests unraveling.
Non-biological methods for phosphorus and nitrogen removal from wastewater: A gap analysis of reinvented-toilet technologies with respect to ISO 30500
Authors: Trotochaud Lena , Hawkins Brian T. , Stoner Brian R.
Published: May 2020

The aims of the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge (RTTC) include creation of an off-the-grid sanitation system with operating costs of less than US$0.05 per user per day. Because of the small scale at which many reinvented toilets (RT) are intended to operate, non-biological treatment has been generally favored. The RTTC has already instigated notable technological advances in non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS). However, increasingly stringent liquid effluent standards for N and P could limit the deployment of current RT in real-world scenarios, despite the urgent need for these systems. The newly adopted ISO 30500 standards for water reuse in NSSS dictate minimal use of chemical/biological additives, while at the same time requiring a 70% and 80% reduction in total nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. This document provides a brief overview of the mature and emerging technologies for N and P (specifically ammonia/ammonium and orthophosphate) removal from wastewater. At present, the dearth of nutrient removal methods proven to be effective at small scales is a significant barrier to meeting ISO 30500 standards. Closing the gap between RTs and ISO 30500 will require significant investments in basic R&D of emerging technologies for non-biological N and P remediation and/or increased reliance on biological processes. Adaptation of existing nutrient-removal technologies to small-scale NSSS is a viable option that merits additional investigation.
PyOmeroUpload: A Python toolkit for uploading images and metadata to OMERO
Authors: Hay Johnny , Troup Eilidh , Clark Ivan , Pietsch Julian , Zieliński Tomasz , Millar Andrew
Published: May 2020

Tools and software that automate repetitive tasks, such as metadata extraction and deposition to data repositories, are essential for researchers to share Open Data, routinely. For research that generates microscopy image data, OMERO is an ideal platform for storage, annotation and publication according to open research principles. We present PyOmeroUpload, a Python toolkit for automatically extracting metadata from experiment logs and text files, processing images and uploading these payloads to OMERO servers to create fully annotated, multidimensional datasets. The toolkit comes packaged in portable, platform-independent Docker images that enable users to deploy and run the utilities easily, regardless of Operating System constraints. A selection of use cases is provided, illustrating the primary capabilities and flexibility offered with the toolkit, along with a discussion of limitations and potential future extensions. PyOmeroUpload is available from: https://github.com/SynthSys/pyOmeroUpload.
Experience Effect in the Impact of Free Trial Promotions
Authors: Reza Sadat , Ho Hillbun , Ling Rich , Shi Hongyan
Published: May 2020

Although the use of free samples is extensive across industries, the effects of free samples across individuals with varying levels of usage have yet to be systematically examined. The models discussed in the literature consider targeting only the current nonusers of a product. In this research, we examine the question of targeting the current users both analytically and empirically for an experience good. Our analytical discussions highlight the reasons why some current users may be effective targets for free-sample promotions. We then conduct an empirical analysis using a data set on pre- and post-free-sample promotion mobile data usage provided by a telecom firm. The empirical findings are consistent with our analytical results. Specifically, we find the initial usage level to be a key determinant of both the redemption rate of a free-sample offer and the subsequent change in usage owing to free-sample redemption. In our context, the redemption rate increased from the low-percentile users to the high-percentile users. We also find that the change in usage was (weakly) monotonically increasing up to the [Formula: see text] percentile of usage distribution. Beyond the [Formula: see text] percentile, the effect was generally not significant. We discuss the managerial and policy implications of our findings.

This paper was accepted by Juanjuan Zhang, marketing.
How Firms Build Isolating Mechanisms for Knowledge: A Study in Offshore Research and Development Captives
Authors: Srikanth Kannan , Nandkumar Anand , Mani Deepa , Kale Prashant
Published: May 2020

Understanding how firms protect their knowledge from leakage is becoming increasingly important, especially when knowledge is not well protected by legal mechanisms such as patents. The rapid rise in research and development (R&D) activities taking place in offshore locations that only offer weak legal protection for intellectual property provides the ideal context to study this question. Using interview and survey data from captive R&D centers of multinational firms in India, we (1) identify five organizational practices that firms use to protect their knowledge from leaking to competitors in offshore locations, (2) consider whether these practices limit knowledge leakage or limit damage from leaked knowledge, and (3) explore whether they are complements or substitutes.
Acute compartment syndrome in the limb
Authors: Ahluwalia Aashish , Tiwari Kishan , Somashaker Naresh
Published: May 2020

Compartment syndrome of the limb is a true orthopaedic emergency that warrants prompt evaluation and treatment. Acute compartment syndrome of the limb is not uncommon and has the potential to cause devastating morbidity and mortality. Failure to provide urgent surgical intervention once established can lead to irreversible tissue damage within hours of onset.

Compartment syndrome can occur across all limbs, the buttocks and even the abdomen, but this article focuses solely on the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome of the limb. Acute compartment syndrome can have a wide range of causes, with trauma representing approximately 70% of cases.
The Impact of Video Game Plots on the Formation of Destructive Trends and Anxiety in Adolescents
Authors: Karaneuski Konstantin , Mezianaya Kira
Published: May 2020

Video games are a popular entertainment in many countries, however, among video game users, experts identify people with addictions.
This article presents the results of our studies of the factors affecting the nature of actions within the game framework and the mental state of adolescents. On the basis of source data and our own clinical research, we have created and applied a diagnostic questionnaire to identify preferences in the choice of genres, plots and characters of computer games. One hundred and forty teenagers were examined, seventy males and seventy females.
It has been established that the use of inanimate objects as the main character is directly related to the user's desire for destructive actions within the game framework (p <0.05).
The influence of the act of self-destruction of a computer game hero on the psychological state of a user is studied. The relationship between the high level of personal anxiety and the sign “acceptability of self-destruction in the game” (p <0.05) was established.
It is concluded that restricting the use by children of role-playing computer games with inanimate objects or the self-destruction of heroes, as well as online games for the purpose of entertainment, will help to prevent the formation of negative trends in the mentality of adolescents.
AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA NEUROCIÊNCIA POR MEIO DE PROJETOS DE INCENTIVO À LEITURA NOS PRIMEIROS ANOS DE ESCOLARIZAÇÃO
Authors: Guerino Silvana Costabeber , Carlesso Janaína Pereira Pretto
Published: May 2020

O presente trabalho apresenta uma abordagem sobre as contribuições da Neurociências para à Educação, possibilitando uma melhor compreensão sobre o processo de ler, aprender e guardar saberes (memorização). Em adição, evidencia que as experiências vividas nas etapas iniciais do desenvolvimento humano exercem uma grande influência na estruturação e funcionamento do cérebro, (órgão) onde se dá todo o processo da aprendizagem. Desse modo, as práticas de leitura no âmbito escolar configuram-se numa fonte de incentivos para estimular o cérebro das crianças, e ainda, promover saberes que conduzem a uma postura crítico-reflexiva, extremamente relevante para a formação cognitiva, técnica, emocional, cultural e social.
IR characterization of plant leaves, endemic to semi-tropical regions, in two senescent states
Authors: Barragán R. C. , Castrellon-Uribe J. , Garcia-Torales G. , Rodríguez-Rivas A.
Published: May 2020

We are developing a robust and economic electro-optical remote sensing methodology to monitor the state of health and hydration of trees, endemic to subtropical regions. We measured reflectance spectra with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of three samples of two different oak trees. We find that spectral bands suitable for monitoring the state of the health and senescence of the oak include intervals around 0.9 µm and 1.8 µm. The easiest and the most cost-effective strategy would be to implement an electro-optical remote sensing radiometric system featuring a commercial camera incorporating a traditional charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) detectors and a wideband transmission filter, from about 0.8 to 1 µm.
Tilt (in)variant lateral scan in oblique plane microscopy: a geometrical optics approach
Authors: Kumar Manish , Kozorovitskiy Yevgenia
Published: May 2020

Oblique plane microscopy (OPM) is a single objective light-sheet microscopy that performs three dimensional (3D) imaging by axial scan of the generated light-sheet. Recently, multiple techniques for lateral scanning of the generated light-sheet in OPM have emerged. However, their suitability for geometrically distortion free 3D imaging, which essentially requires a constant tilt light-sheet scan, has not been evaluated. In this work, we use a geometrical optics approach and derive analytical relationship for the amount of tilt variance in planar mirror based scanned oblique plane illumination (SOPi) arrangement. We experimentally validate the derived relationship and use it to arrive at an optimized scanner geometry and to understand its associated limitations. We discuss the effects of scanning on optical aberrations and 3D field of view in optimized, tilt invariant, lateral scanning OPM systems. We also provide experimental strategies enabling precise scanner alignment for tilt invariance, as well as an open source platform for rapid design of new oblique light-sheet microscopes.
In vivo corneal and lenticular microscopy with asymmetric fundus retroillumination
Authors: Weber Timothy D. , Mertz Jerome
Published: May 2020

We describe a new technique for non-contact in vivo corneal and lenticular microscopy. It is based on fundus retro-reflection and back-illumination of the crystalline lens and cornea. To enhance phase-gradient contrast, we apply asymmetric illumination by illuminating one side of the fundus. The technique produces micron-scale lateral resolution images across a 1 mm diagonal field of view in the central cornea. We show representative images of the epithelium, the subbasal nerve plexus, large stromal nerves, dendritic immune cells, endothelial nuclei, and the anterior crystalline lens, demonstrating the potential of this instrument for clinical applications.
Performance analysis of an efficient and stable perovskite solar cell and a comparative study of incorporating metal oxide transport layers
Authors: Ghosh Arnob , Dipta Shahriyar Safat , Nikor Sk Shafaat Saud , Saqib Nazmus , Saha Arnob
Published: May 2020

As poor stability is the primary constraint for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells, improving stability has been the primary focus of recent research works regarding solar cells that make use of perovskite materials. Different metal oxide transport layers are being used with the aim of fabricating stable perovskite solar cells. A stable and efficient solar cell with both metal oxide transport layers (ZnO and

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) and a perovskite (methyl ammonium lead iodide) absorber layer is simulated in this work, and a comparison of performance parameters is made with other transport layers from the literature. The issue of optimization regarding the thickness of the absorber layer and the doping concentration in the absorber and transport layers has been addressed, and the effect of defect concentration at the interface has been investigated. Optimum performance is achieved with an absorber layer of thickness 800 nm. Linear grading is also introduced in the absorber layer by varying the concentration of different halides, which increases the efficiency by approximately 8% owing to the increase in the short circuit current density.