Reflecting Voter Preferences in U.S. Presidential Primaries Using Ranked-Choice Election Systems

This paper assesses the effectiveness of various ranked-choice voting systems, as compared to the current plurality system, in reflecting aggregate voter preferences in United States presidential primary elections. Survey data, gathered in February 2020 by FairVote, elicited the ranked preferences of a random sample of likely Democratic primary voters for eight remaining candidates in the election at that point. I use these data to estimate a model of voter preferences and to simulate various election outcomes, including a simple plurality election and various types of ranked-choice elections. Voter preferences, which are analyzed using a multinomial logit choice model, inform the social welfare for the voting population that each candidate provides. Using these estimates of social welfare for each candidate, I assess how each ranked-choice election system compares to the current plurality system and which systems best reflect aggregate voter preferences. I also evaluate each system on the basis of various desirable criteria for practical application. I find that certain RCV mechanisms provide, in some instances, higher social utility for the voting population and that they meet desirable criteria better than does the simple plurality mechanism.Bachelor of Scienc

Awareness About Various Disinfecting Agents Against Coronavirus in Chennai Population

To evaluate the awareness about various disinfectants used against the corona virus among the Chennai population. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected and killed lots of people around the world. This led to the broad use of various types of disinfectants in order to control the public spread of the highly contagious virus. coronavirus can be inactivated by washing hands with soap and water and alcohol based hand rub. The transmission could not be prevented by the usual standards of hand hygiene, practised in the household this must be improved by the use of liquid soap dispensers and alcohol based hand-wash. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was prepared, and circulated through an online survey link, among the Chennai population within the age group of 25-30 years.The results were analysed using statistical analysis. Demographic information,Knowledge, attitude, practice were the output variables. The data analysis was done using SPSS software. From the cross-sectional study conducted among the Chennai population it is evident that most of the people are aware about COVID-19, and the various disinfectants used against it. Most of them find alcohol based hand rubs more effective than washing hands with soap and water. The increased awareness about the disinfectants and methods used will help to contain the spread of the virus

Evaluation of clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters in macrocytic anemia

Background: Macrocytosis is a common finding encountered in automated coulters and evaluation of clinical, biochemical and haematological parameters in macrocytic anemias will provide a clue to diagnosis. This study was done to evaluate the clinical and laboratory parameters in macrocytic anemias and their utility in differentiating megaloblastic and non-megaloblastic anemia.Methods: 100 patients presenting with macrocytosis were taken in to study. A detailed clinical history and physical examination was done in all cases. CBC, biochemical investigations, peripheral blood examination and reticulocyte count was done in all cases and Vitamin B12 and folate levels, bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy in some cases. After evaluation, a provisional diagnosis was made and patients with megaloblastic anaemia was given vitamin B12 and folic acid treatment and followed up after 2 weeks and 1 month.Results: Primary bone marrow disorders were the most common cause of macrocytosis (46%). The other causes in decreasing order of frequency were megaloblastic anaemia (38%), hemolytic anemia (6%), drug induced (5%), alcoholism and liver disease (4%) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (1%). There was a significant difference in the mean values of MCV and serum LDH between megaloblastic and non – megaloblastic macrocytosis. When serum LDH >1345.2 IU/L or MCV>121fl (criterion values of ROC curve) with reticulocyte count <2% was taken as criteria, the sensitivity was 92.1% and specificity was 93.5% for diagnosing megaloblastic anemia.Conclusions: Systematic evaluation of macrocytosis will help us to distinguish megaloblastic and non – megaloblastic macrocytosis. The blood and biochemical parameters especially CBC, RC, and serum LDH along with supporting clinical features help us in diagnosing megaloblastic anemia in a setup where vitamin and metabolite levels are difficult to obtain.

A proteomic study of human Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer of the skin. The incidence has been quadrupled with a 5-year mortality rate of 46%, presently there is no cure for metastatic disease. Despite the contribution of Merkel cell polyomavirus, the molecular events of MCC carcinogenesis are poorly defined. To better understand MCC carcinogensis, we have performed the first quantitative proteomic comparison of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MCC tissues using another neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid tumor of the lung) as controls. Bioinformatic analysis of the proteomic data has revealed that MCCs carry distinct protein expression patterns. Further analysis of significantly over-expressed proteins suggested the involvement of MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, wnt, and apoptosis signaling pathways. Our previous study and that from others have shown mTOR activation in MCCs. Therefore, we have focused on two downstream molecules of the mTOR pathway, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) and heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNPF). We confirm over-expression of LDHB and hnRNPF in two primary human MCC cell lines, 16 fresh tumors, and in the majority of 80 tissue microarray samples. Moreover, mTOR inhibition suppresses LDHB and hnRNPF expression in MCC cells. The results of the current study provide insight into MCC carcinogenesis and provide rationale for mTOR inhibition in pre-clinical studies

A comprehensive analysis of the naturally occurring polymorphisms in HIV-1 Vpr: Potential impact on CTL epitopes

The enormous genetic variability reported in HIV-1 has posed problems in the treatment of infected individuals. This is evident in the form of HIV-1 resistant to antiviral agents, neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) involving multiple viral gene products. Based on this, it has been suggested that a comprehensive analysis of the polymorphisms in HIV proteins is of value for understanding the virus transmission and pathogenesis as well as for the efforts towards developing anti-viral therapeutics and vaccines. This study, for the first time, describes an in-depth analysis of genetic variation in Vpr using information from global HIV-1 isolates involving a total of 976 Vpr sequences. The polymorphisms at the individual amino acid level were analyzed. The residues 9, 33, 39, and 47 showed a single variant amino acid compared to other residues. There are several amino acids which are highly polymorphic. The residues that show ten or more variant amino acids are 15, 16, 28, 36, 37, 48, 55, 58, 59, 77, 84, 86, 89, and 93. Further, the variant amino acids noted at residues 60, 61, 34, 71 and 72 are identical. Interestingly, the frequency of the variant amino acids was found to be low for most residues. Vpr is known to contain multiple CTL epitopes like protease, reverse transcriptase, Env, and Gag proteins of HIV-1. Based on this, we have also extended our analysis of the amino acid polymorphisms to the experimentally defined and predicted CTL epitopes. The results suggest that amino acid polymorphisms may contribute to the immune escape of the virus. The available data on naturally occurring polymorphisms will be useful to assess their potential effect on the structural and functional constraints of Vpr and also on the fitness of HIV-1 for replication

Seasonal variations in the culturable diversity and population density of the total heterotrophic and pathogenic bacteria, in the coastal waters of the Andaman Sea, India

1600-1607Present study examined the seasonal variations of total heterotrophic and pathogenic bacterial diversity of the coastal waters of the Andaman Sea in the Havelock island. In the non-moonson season, 22 strains of total hetrotrophic bacteria (THB) belonging to 8 genera, were isolated from water. Escherichia (23%) was dominant, followed by Pseudomonas (18%), Vibrio (14%), Enterococcus (14%), Salmonella (9%), Aeromonas (9%), Klebsiella (9%) and Cornebacterium (4%). In the monsoon season, 29 strains of THB belonging to 12 genera, were isolated. Vibrio (14%), Micrococcus (14%) and Klebsiella (14%) were dominant and contributed equally to the percent composition followed by Escherichia (10%), Streptococcus(10%), Enterococcus (10%), Pseudomonas (7%), Aeromonas (7%), Salmonella (4%), Shigella (4%), Flavobacterium (3%) and Staphylococcus (3%). Population density of THB varied from 43 X105 CFU mL-1<span style="font-size:6.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;position:relative;="" top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt;letter-spacing:1.2pt;mso-ansi-language:en-in;="" mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"=""> to 182 X105<span style="font-size:6.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:="" minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;="" mso-text-raise:4.0pt;letter-spacing:3.35pt;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:="" en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"=""> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:="" minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;letter-spacing:-.05pt;mso-ansi-language:="" en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"="">CFU mL-1 in the non-monsoon season. In the monsoon season, it varied from 93 X105 CFU mL-1<span style="font-size:6.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;position:relative;="" top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt;letter-spacing:1.4pt;mso-ansi-language:en-in;="" mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"=""> to 365 X105<span style="font-size:6.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:="" minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;="" mso-text-raise:4.0pt;letter-spacing:1.4pt;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:="" en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"=""> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:="" minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;letter-spacing:-.05pt;mso-ansi-language:="" en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"="">CFU mL-1. In the monsoon, THB diversity including pathogens was higher as monsoon would provide with a favourable microenvironment for the higher growth of THB and pathogenic bacteria.</span

Association of ADH1C and ALDH2 genes with alcohol dependence in south Indian Tamilian population: A case control approach

Objectives: Alcohol dependence (AD) poses a serious medical problem&nbsp;and significant public health issue contributing to morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The aim of the study was to establish the allele and genotype frequencies and to&nbsp;test the association of rs698 (ADH1C) and rs671(ALDH2) with the risk of alcohol dependence in south Indian Tamilian population. Methodology:&nbsp;A total of 150 alcohol dependent cases aged between 18- and 65-years fulfilling DSM-V criteria were recruited from the de-addiction centre. Blood donors (n=150) who had a history of alcohol intake with AUDIT score of less than eight were selected for the control group. The alleles were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays by quantitative PCR.&nbsp;Association with alcohol dependence was evaluated with various genetic models using the Chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the effect of covariates.&nbsp;Results: The observed genotype frequency distributions of rs698 and rs671 were in agreement with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (p&gt;0.05).The dominant and allelic genetic model of&nbsp;ALDH2, rs671 between cases and controls showed a statistically significant association of the genetic variant with AD.&nbsp

Molecular structure-associated pharmacodynamic investigation on benzoyl peroxide using spectroscopic and quantum computational tools

The pharmacodynamic activity on the organic structure of benzoyl peroxide has been analysed by molecular spectroscopical tools (IR, Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance and UV–visible). Simultaneously, the results obtained in the experimental process are verified by performing Quantum Gaussian computational calculations with higher-order basis sets. The actual positions of internal compositions and purity of the compound are verified with the observations of fundamental and group frequency of the recorded pattern of the FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra. The chemical environment of different carbons existing in various entities for approving a drug property is keenly identified and distinguished. The energy level degeneracy among different Frontier molecular orbitals is viewed from the orbital overlapping interaction contour. The biological activity of the present compound is emphasized and correlated with the hyperpolarizability profile of the internal coordinate system of a molecular structure arrangement. The involvement of non-bonding molecular orbital for the inducement of drug reactivity is monitored from the observation of cluster electron transitions. The Gibbs energy for chemical reaction with augmented temperature is relatively discussed, and the continuum of chemical reaction is observed

A Study on Skills Gap Beyond COVID

Keeping up with the pace of technological advancement is a challenge for companies of all shapes and sizes. It is increasingly crucial to reskill and upskill in the changing era of innovation, especially post-pandemic (Beyond Covid), and acquiring soft skills is imperative for success in the digital era. The importance of soft skills, like teamwork, communication skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking, is a growing demand, heightened especially during the pandemic while working remotely. Upskilling ensures employees’ skillsets won’t become obsolete. As you reskill your employees, you create a more well-rounded, cross-trained workforce, and increase your team’s effectiveness. (itagroup.com, n.d.) According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the equivalent of 255 million full-time jobs have been lost due to the pandemic, and 1.6 billion informal economy workers lacking a social safety net have been significantly affected. The recovery will be slow; global economic growth is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels only by 2022 or 2023. The pandemic has dramatically accelerated the need for new skills in the workforce, with social and emotional skills high in demand. The proportion of companies addressing empathy and interpersonal skills doubled in 2020, according to our newest McKinsey Global Survey on reskilling. (McKinsey, 2021