jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Shifting Whiteness: A Life History Approach to U.S. White Parents of "Biracial" or Black" Children

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

This research examines how the experiences of parenting ?biracial? or ?black? children have affected the beliefs of white parents who have published books and essays regarding their situations. The participating parents claim that because of their relationship with their children of African descent their self-understandings, including their own sense of their racial identity, are altered. They now speak of themselves as ?not quite white,? ?black by proxy,? or as a ?bridge? (between the races). My dissertation, ?Shifting Whiteness: A Life History Approach to U.S. White Parents of ?Biracial? or ?Black? Children,? explores how such parents talk about and conceptualize their experiences, including the implications of these parents? claims of racial identity transformation. This dissertation posits that the white parents? shift in attitudes and beliefs reflects their vivid engagement with the racism and racial experiences that their children endure. The discord between the parents? claim of racial transformation and their continued benefiting from white privilege is also examined. Consideration of the parents? shifts provides a better understanding of racial beliefs and transformations at the individual, micro-level, which contributes to society?s general knowledge about the conception of race. Understanding white parents? decisions to write about their identity transformations as?to use Michael Omi and Howard Winant?s (1994) phrase?a ?racial project,? I investigate its aims and limits, exploring which racial projects are presented by this group of U.S. white parents of biracial and black children. John L. Caughey?s (1994) approach to how individuals operate with ?cultural traditions? and ideas of ?border crossing? also provide theoretical frameworks. Tools of analysis include ethnographic life history methods, textual analysis, critical race theory, and intersectional analysis. My research method involves complementing a close reading of the writings of these authors that are white and parents with qualitative ethnographic life history interviews that gather detailed information from each of these individuals. I treat their publications together with my transcribed interviews as case studies through which I compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the belief changes and shifting that these informants have undergone, as well as their current constructions of race.
Austroterobia maldica Narendran & Das

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Austroterobia maldica Narendran & Das (Figs 1, 2 in Narendran & Das 2000: 320) A. maldica Narendran & Das, 2000: 319 –321; holotype possibly in ZSIK, not examined. Diagnosis. Both sexes: head with at most slight metallic reflections; legs pale yellow; inner margins of eyes not sinuate; gena conspicuously depressed at mouth corner; malar sulcus slightly indicated; POL about 1.3× OOL; toruli closer to median ocellus than to ventral margin of clypeus; scape not reaching median ocellus; basal two teeth of right mandible large and wide apart; notauli deep only in anterior third of mesoscutum; marginal vein more than 8× as long as broad (Narendran & Das 2000). Austroterobia maldica most closely resembles the newly described A. achterbergi (Figs 1–10). For main differences between the two species, see the remarks section of the latter species. Distribution. India (Narendran & Das 2000). Biology. Reared from Icerya sp. (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) on Mango tree (Narendran & Das 2000). Remarks. Noyes (2016) stated that “ According to Narendran (pers. comm., 17th May 2004) the primary type of this species is deposited in Western Ghats Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Calicut, Kerala ”. However, according to Sureshan (pers. comm., 13th October 2016), the holotype could not be found in that collection.
Simulation of Radar Track Based on Data Mining Techniques

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

In order to make radar target track simulation more realistic in simulation test-bed of C3I system, a new method which utilizes data mining techniques based on historical radar data is proposed. This method includes two stages: The first is “filtering separation - piecewise fitting - feature clustering. In this stage, the radar historical data is divided into the actual true track and noise. Through computing the second-order discrete curvature, the actual true track is decomposed into several segments, such as straight line and arc, which are fitted with multinomial subsequently. On this basis, after analyzing the characteristic vector of radar historical data, the clustering database can be established; the second is “feature association-track recombination”. The track in pre-deigned air scenario is segmented by the second-order discrete curvature. After the correlative feature information of the segmented scenario is searched, matched and associated with the information in clustering database, a new track will be restructured by using this output results. This method is very available for its effective and successful application in simulation test-bed of C 3 I system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i7.2823 Full Text: PDF
P138 Delays in cholecystectomy after bile duct clearance: another consequence of Covid-19?

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Introduction

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is frequently performed as a therapeutic procedure for the treatment of choledocholithiasis. After biliary tract gallstones have been cleared at ERCP, cholecystectomy is often indicated to prevent further complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to delays and cancellations of non-urgent surgery. We sought to assess whether such delays were associated with readmission with biliary symptoms.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of consecutive ERCPs performed over a 6-month period in 2019 in a high volume centre. Recorded variables included patient demographics, procedure characteristics, response to therapy and follow up data. Time to cholecystectomy and readmission data was analysed. Comparison between means was made using the paired t-test.

Results

We identified 178 ERCP procedures performed during the study period, with adequate dataset available for 163. The median age was 71 years (range 23-101), and 85 patients (52%) were females. Ninety-seven (60%) procedures were performed as inpatients. The most frequent indications were choledocholithiasis (n=97, 60%) and biliary strictures (n=50, 31%). The procedure was abandoned due to patient intolerance or scope failure in 6 (4%)cases; the ampulla was not visualised due to surgery, infiltration or diverticulum in 8 (5%) cases. of the remaining 149 procedures CBD cannulation was successful in 140 (94%). A positive diagnosis of CBD stones was made in 74 (45%) cases. Thirty-three (45%) cases were referred for cholecystectomy; 18 (55%) underwent cholecystectomy, 4 (13%) declined surgery, 4 (13%) were deemed too high risk, and 3 (9%) remain on the waiting list. Mean time to cholecystectomy was 191 days (range 18-838 days). While on the waiting list for cholecystectomy, 5 (15%) patients required readmission with recurrent biliary symptoms - three for recurrent choledocholithiasis, one for acute cholecystitis and one for cholangitis. These patients waited longer for cholecystectomy compared with those that did not require readmission (436 vs 59 days, p<0.0001), with 4 of the 5 (80%) waiting more than 1 year.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that delays in elective cholecystectomy after endoscopic bile duct clearance is associated with patient readmission as a result of biliary pathology. We postulate that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to these delays, and our study highlights the urgent need to direct resources to address waiting times for 'non-urgent' surgery.
Bus fleet management on NTU campus : optimization and improvement of fleet size, routing and scheduling

Field: Decision Sciences (Social Sciences)

The ever increasing of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) population and the continuous transforming of NTU into a better academic institution have lead to the constant changing of the characteristics of NTU shuttle bus network. In view of this, field survey and data collection have been conducted to study the factors that are affecting the current characteristics of NTU shuttle bus network. After understanding better on the current characteristic of NTU shuttle bus network, limited-stop services which involves optimization technique is used to determine the optimal bus fleet size to serve the residents within NTU. Whereas, improvement plans such as travelling through new routing, introducing a bus hub and providing additional shuttle buses are suggested for the off-campus shuttle bus “D” service. Finally, schedule adjustment or synchronization is proposed to better coordinate with the train arrival at Pioneer MRT station to maximize the operational efficiency of shuttle bus “D” service.
Accountability, Estoppel and Bypassing of the Municipal Finance Management Act: A Note on Merifon (Pty) Ltd v Greater Letaba Municipality Trilogy

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Accountability and transparency reinforce the constitutional principles of governance, which constitute equality before the law, separation of powers, legality and the rule of law, which are central to the conception of modern constitutional order. The trilogy of Merifon (Pty) Ltd v Greater Letaba Municipality Limpopo Division, Case No 01/2014 (18 July 2019), Merifon (Pty) Ltd v Greater Letaba Municipality [2021] ZASCA 50 and Merifon (Pty) Ltd v Greater Letaba Municipality [2022] ZACC 25 poses fundamental questions regarding the failure of a municipal manager and incompetent council to comply with statutory prescripts. Although the narrow issue for determination concerned the seller’s reliance on estoppel and the Turquand Rule to hold a municipality to the unlawful and inflated sale of land agreement, the Merifon litigation invites consideration of the practical reality of malfeasance in the local government sphere. In this note the litigation history and the analytical framework as well as the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) are examined. The critical aspects of the three judgments regarding the problematic reliance on estoppel and the Turquand Rule in the face of peremptory prescripts of MFMA are subsequently examined.
α-MSH stimulation contributes to TGF-β1 production via MC1R-MITF signaling pathway in melanoma cell

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that play critical roles in melanoma progression. Although the impact of TGF-β signaling on melanoma progression has been well characterized, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control TGF-β production in melanoma cells. In this study, we describe a novel role for Melanocortin Receptor 1 (MC1R) in the regulation of TGF-β production. MC1R is a cell surface endocytic receptor expressed in melanoma cells and serves as a receptor for α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH). The activation of MC1R with α-MSH resulted in increased levels of TGF-β, which was mediated by ERK1/2 and p38 signaling pathways. Furthermore, Microphthalmia Transcription Factor (MITF), the master regulator of melanocytes, was found to act downstream of MC1R to regulate TGF-β production. Targeting of MC1R-MITF axis was effective to decrease TGF-β production, and resulted in delayed tumor growth of B16 melanoma in vivo. Collectively, these results give new insight into the molecular mechanisms that control TGF-β production in melanoma cells.
Empathy training and bullying among students at boarding school

Field: Psychology (Social Sciences)

Bullying behaviors in educational settings pose a significant challenge, creating a dissonance that hampers the development of a positive and nurturing learning environment. The primary objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of an empathy training model in reducing instances of bullying behavior within a specific educational setting. The study employed an experimental design involving 164 students from boarding schools. Initial assessments were conducted to determine the prevalence of bullying, with findings revealing that 56% of students had experienced victimization, while 32% had engaged in perpetrating bullying behaviors. Subsequently, a targeted intervention was executed, providing empathy training to a subset of 26 students actively involved in bullying. The study's design utilized a pre-test to establish baseline data, implemented the intervention, and concluded with a post-test to assess the effectiveness of the empathy training model. The results of the study indicate a notable reduction in instances of bullying behavior among students who underwent the empathy training intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the overall level of empathy demonstrated by the participants who received the targeted intervention. The outcomes suggest that empathy training holds an effective strategy for mitigating bullying behaviors and fostering a more compassionate and respectful school environment.
Obesity may extend the time required to reach a steady-state 25(OH)D level after initiating vitamin D supplementation

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Obesity is known to influence the circulating 25(OH)D level but less is known about whether it influences the time required to reach a stable 25(OH)D level after initiating vitamin D supplementation. This observational study was done to investigate whether BMI modified the time required to reach a steady-state 25(OH)D level in response to vitamin D supplementation. Participants in the Boston STOP IT study who were treated for 12 mo with 700 IU of vitamin D3 and 500 mg of calcium daily and had 25(OH)D measures at 0, 6, and 12 mo, were included. We assessed the trajectory of 25(OH)D levels by baseline BMI category (normal weight, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 62; overweight and obese, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, n = 105). Baseline 25(OH)D levels were 78 ± 31.3 nmol/L (normal weight) and 74.7 ± 36.5 nmol/L (overweight and obese). In a linear mixed model examining the influence of time and baseline BMI category on change in the mean 25(OH)D level, there was a significant time x BMI group interaction (p = .024. The normal weight participants had reached steady-state 25(OH)D levels by 6 mo whereas 25(OH)D levels continued to rise between 6 and 12 mo in the overweight and obese participants. This analysis suggests that the time required to reach a steady-state 25(OH)D level after initiating vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese adults is greater than the usual 3-mo time point commonly used in clinical practice. A more refined definition of the time course of circulating 25(OH)D response to supplementation is needed in overweight and obese individuals in order to optimize clinical monitoring of vitamin D status.
Defined synthetic microbial communities colonize and benefit field-grown sorghum

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Abstract The rhizosphere constitutes a dynamic interface between plant hosts and their associated microbial communities. Despite the acknowledged potential for enhancing plant fitness by manipulating the rhizosphere, the engineering of the rhizosphere microbiome through inoculation has posed significant challenges. These challenges are thought to arise from the competitive microbial ecosystem where introduced microbes must survive, and the absence of adaptation to the specific metabolic and environmental demands of the rhizosphere. Here, we engineered a synthetic rhizosphere community (SRC1) with the anticipation that it would exhibit a selective advantage in colonizing the host Sorghum bicolor, thereby potentially fostering its growth. SRC1 was assembled from bacterial isolates identified either for their potential role in community cohesion through network analysis or for their ability to benefit from host-specific exudate compounds. The growth performance of SRC1 was assessed in vitro on solid media, in planta under gnotobiotic laboratory conditions, and in the field. Our findings reveal that SRC1 cohesion is most robust when cultivated in the presence of the plant host under laboratory conditions, with lineages being lost from the community when grown either in vitro or in a native field setting. We establish that SRC1 effectively promotes the growth of both above- and below-ground plant phenotypes in both laboratory and native field contexts. Furthermore, in laboratory conditions, these growth enhancements correlate with the transcriptional dampening of lignin biosynthesis in the host. Collectively, these results underscore the potential utility of synthetic microbial communities for modulating crop performance in controlled and native environments alike.
Hydropower Potential at Simly Dam Site, Islamabad, Pakistan: Technical and Economic Review

Field: Energy (Physical Sciences)

Renewable forms of energy are the most widespread focus these days, specifically the use of multiple options for generating alternate resources of energy. Hydropower is the best option known in terms of available renewable energy sources. In Pakistan, hydropower potential is immense, particularly in its existing Indus basin water resources systems. Since going for large hydropower developments is pretty costly and takes a lot of years, therefore, it would be advantageous if small hydropower plants are constructed on various locations having substantial hydropower potential. In this study, the hydropower potential at Simly dam site was investigated firstly for the run of the river scenario and secondly for the flows going to the filtration plant, based on the data for years 2016-20. It was found that in run of the river case, with the availability of 71 m head and 4.78 m3/sec inflow, 2.57 MW power can be generated from this small hydropower development. Similarly, for the second scenario, 0.87 MW power can be produced by utilizing the hydraulic energy of water going towards the filtration plant. When the benefit cost ratio was estimated, the run of the river case was found more suitable with ratio of 1.4. Consequently, it was understood that this small addition to hydropower can help to fulfill 1/6 part of power demand of people living in Islamabad.
Succession trends and ecological status of Crno Lake (Treskavica Mt.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What is the future of Crno lake on Treskavica Mt. in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Field: Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)

Crno jezero (1675 m a.s.l.) is an alpine lake on Treskavica Mt. in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We investigated the distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in the lake after the standard BAS EN 15460:2009 and orthophotos that were taken by a drone at different heights (124, 80, 50, 20 m). Aquatic macrophytes were sampled on both the longitudinal and vertical profile of the lake, whereby the depth and temperature of water were measured by the Mares Quad dive computer. For the assessment of its ecological status, we used Macrophyte Nutrient Index for Ponds (M-NIP) and QGIS ver. 3.22.13. The most abundant macrophytes were: Equisetum fluviatile, Potamogeton alpinus, P. perfoliatus and Carex rostrata. By comparison of our results with the previous ones originating from 1954, we made a predictive model for the succession dynamics of macrophytic vegetation around the lake. In spite of that, calculated M-NIP classified the ecological status of Crno jezero as good. This research represents an original approach in the investigation of alpine lakes in BiH with the potential to be applied on a national scale as a contribution to global monitoring programs.
The US Way or Huawei? An Analysis of the Positioning of Secondary States in the US-China Rivalry

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Abstract This article examines the determinants of the positioning of secondary states in the US-China conflict over market access for China’s Huawei. Our explanations draw on three branches of realism: balance-of-threat theory, patron-client theory, and Hirschman’s theory on trade relationships and foreign-policy convergence. For the dependent variable, we assemble a new dataset of the attitudes of 70 states toward Huawei’s investment aspirations. We present a series of ordered logit regression models from which three main patterns appear. First, less powerful states seem more acceptive of the Chinese company. Second, those states that rely on US security guarantees tend to be far more rejective of Huawei. Third, whereas trade with China appears to be a factor in the reasonings of other states, trade with the US is not. In sum, the patron-client theory offers the most cogent explanation of the divergence of responses to Huawei.
Ethnic and Gender Differences in Financial Management among College Students

Field: Psychology (Social Sciences)

The paper aims to examine ethnic and gender differences in financial management among college students. Using the stratified sampling method, 2,340 college students from six public and five private colleges were studied. The findings indicate gender differences in financial management, in which female students performed greater financial management than male students. The results revealed significant ethnic differences in financial management, in which Malay students performed greater financial management than Chinese and Indian students.
Longitudinal-flexural wave mode conversion via periodically undulated waveguides with constant and graded profiles

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

Wave mode conversion allows to transform energy from one propagating wave type to another at a boundary where a change in material properties or geometry occurs. Converting longitudinal waves to flexural ones is of particular interest in elasticity due to their significant displacement amplitudes, facilitating detection at the surface for practical applications. Typically, the design of wave conversion devices requires (i) the use of locally resonant structures with a spacing much shorter than the associated wavelengths, or (ii) architected media whose effective properties yield efficient mode conversion at selected frequencies. In both cases, the realization of these devices may incur in fabrication difficulties, thus requiring alternative solutions based on simpler designs that can retain the wave manipulation capabilities of interest. In this paper, we propose the use of single-phase periodically undulated beams to design phononic crystals that achieve wave mode conversion between longitudinal and flexural waves. We derive the corresponding dispersion relations using the plane wave expansion method and demonstrate that the coupling between longitudinal and flexural wave modes can be manipulated using an undulated profile, generating mode veering with inverted group velocities. The wave conversion mechanism is verified both computationally and experimentally, showing good agreement. Our findings indicate a versatile design strategy for phononic crystals with efficient wave conversion property, enabling applications in structural health monitoring, sensing, and non-destructive testing.
A comparison of editions of Martinu's Oboe concerto

Field: Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

This paper includes a compilation of relevant information needed for oboists to prepare a \nsuccessful performance of the Martinů Oboe Concerto. I compare the different available editions \nand point out the differences between them. I analyze errors found in each edition, and where \npossible, offer corrections. I take into account suggestions given by Jiri Tancibudek, the oboist \nfor whom the concerto was composed, so that the performer can choose which variation to play. \nFinally, I mention historical considerations from Martinů’s life that had an impact on his music, \nto be used by the performer as interpretive tools.