Search Bias Quantification: Investigating Political Bias in Social Media and Web Search

Users frequently use search systems on the Web as well as online social media to learn about ongoing events and public opinion on personalities. Prior studies have shown that the top-ranked results returned by these search engines can shape user opinion about the topic (e.g., event or person) being searched. In case of polarizing topics like politics, where multiple competing perspectives exist, the political bias in the top search results can play a significant role in shaping public opinion towards (or away from) certain perspectives. Given the considerable impact that search bias can have on the user, we propose a generalizable search bias quantification framework that not only measures the political bias in ranked list output by the search system but also decouples the bias introduced by the different sources—input data and ranking system. We apply our framework to study the political bias in searches related to 2016 US Presidential primaries in Twitter social media search and find that both input data and ranking system matter in determining the final search output bias seen by the users. And finally, we use the framework to compare the relative bias for two popular search systems—Twitter social media search and Google web search—for queries related to politicians and political events. We end by discussing some potential solutions to signal the bias in the search results to make the users more aware of them.publishe

Acute intermittent porphyria with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and neurological crisis, successfully treated with haemodialysis

We report a 35 years old male, a case of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) and neurological crisis for its rarity. Since specific parenteral medication (hemin) was not available, patient was empirically treated with haemodialysis with satisfactory outcome

Event by Event Analysis of High Multiplicity Events Produced in 158 A GeV/c 208 Pb- 208 Pb Collisions

An extensive analysis of individual high multiplicity events produced in 158 A GeV /c 208Pb- 208Pb collisions is carried by adopting different methods to examine the anomalous behavior of these rare events. A method of selecting the events with densely populated narrow regions or spikes out of a given sample of collision events is discussed.Employing this approach two events with large spikes in their eta- and phi- distributions are selected for further analysis. For the sake of comparison, another two events which do not exhibit such spikes are simultaneously analyzed. The findings suggest that the systematic studies of particle density fluctuations in one- and two-dimensional phase-spaces and comparison with those obtained from the studies of correlation free Monte Carlo events, would be useful for identifying the events with large dynamical fluctuations. Formation of clusters or jet like phenomena in multihadronic final states in individual events is also discussed and the experimental findings are compared with the independent particle emission hypothesis by carrying out Monte Carlo simulations

Pattern of macrovascular disease phenotypes amongst newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in a rural institute in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: The objective of current study was to determine the proportion of Macrovascular Disease (MVD) phenotypes amongst newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in our institute by dividing the cases into sub-groups according to the MVD sites involved (NMVD - no macrovascular disease; NSCS - non-significant carotid stenosis; CBVD - cerebrovascular disease; CAD - coronary artery disease; PAD - peripheral artery disease; PVD - polyvascular disease) and studying the anthropometric, clinical and laboratory parameters in each group.Methods:The study included a cohort of 136 newly diagnosed patients with T2 DM. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were included in analyses. Standardized procedures were used to assess the risk factors of associated metabolic syndrome (MetS).Results:The proportion of patients with MVD was 27.94% amongst the participants in the study. The majority of patients with MVD were in the CAD group (15.44%). Age, male sex and smoking history were independent risk factors in the CAD and PAD groups (P <0.01). A low HDL-C value was an independent risk factor in the CAD and PVD group P = 0.03). Very high frequencies of MetS were observed in the PAD and PVD groups (90% and 91.7% respectively). Prevalence of PVD was three times more common in males as compared to that in females. All patients with PAD had associated CAD also.Conclusion: This study projects a high proportion of MVD amongst newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics in rural sub-population in Uttar Pradesh. High rates of mortality and morbidity in these patients due to macroangiopathy warrant early screening of MVD to ensure timely preventive and therapeutic measures.

Estimates of growth, mortality, recruitment pattern and MSY of important resources from the Maharashtra coast

Based on the data collected from the year 1987 - 1991 the growth, mortality and recruitment pattern of eighteen species of fish, two species of cephalopods and four species of penaeid prawns have been presented in the present communication_ The total mortality coefficient, (Z) varied from lowest of 1.20 for O.cuvieri to a highest of 10.78 for P.stylifera. The natural mortality coefficient, (M) varied from 0.52 for T. thalassinus to 3.44 for S.crassicornis. The average annual yield of eighteen species of fish, four species of prawns and two species of cephalopods are 65,083, 38,404 and 11,373 tons as against the MSYof 83,023, 72,460 and 10,475 tons respectively. The MSY estimated for the total fish stock is 1,77,753t where as the present yield is 1,14,859t. This indicates that higher yield can be obtained by increasing the effort

Marine Fish Calendar. 11. Bombay

There are three major fish landing centres in Bombay, namely Sassoon Dock, Versova and New Ferry Wharf. Catch data from Sassoon Dock are made use of in the preparation of this marine fish calendar. Data used for this calendar are the annual and monthly averages of the catches of the three year period from 1983 to '85 for the three major gears

Long-lasting photoluminescence in freestanding GaN templates

We studied time-resolvedphotoluminescence(PL) over a temporal range 10−6–103 s in high-purity freestanding GaN templates. Red, yellow, green, blue, and shallow donor–acceptor emission bands can be resolved in the PLspectrum. Observation of luminescence long after the excitation is switched off is a striking feature of our study. The persistent PL observed for all above bands, except for the green band, is primarily attributed to the donor–acceptor-pair-type recombination. An unusually slow, nonexponential decay of radiative transitions from the conduction band to the shallow acceptor was also observed, pointing to some additional mechanism for the persistent PL. Possible role of the surface states in this effect is discussed

Comparison of different phenotypic methods of detection of methicillin resistance in staphylococcus aureus with the molecular detection of mec-a gene

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate accuracy, cost-effectiveness and ease to perform different phenotypic methods i.e. Cefoxitin 30 microg disc, Oxacillin 1microg disc and Oxacillin agar screening plate (6microg/ml ) for early and accurate identification of MRSA by comparing with the detection of mec-A gene in our clinical isolates. DESIGN: A comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Clinical samples submitted in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 1st August to 31st October 2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of 200 clinical samples, conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on 62 pure biochemically identified S. aureus isolates for mec-A gene detection. Phenotypic methods for detecting methicillin sensitivity (Cefoxitin 30 microg disc, Oxacillin 1 microg disc and Oxacillin agar screening plate) were also used according to the recommended incubation time, duration and temperature on the same isolates. RESULTS: Out of 62 isolates of S. aureus, mec-A gene were detected (MRSA) in 32, whereas 30 were mec-A gene negative (MSSA). Cefoxitin disc and agar screening plate correctly identify all MRSA isolates with the sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Single isolate was false, positively detected as sensitive with Oxacillin 1microg disc, due to which, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of this method were reduced to 96.9% and 96.8% respectively, while positive predictive value and specificity remained 100%. CONCLUSION: Comparing different phenotypic methods for MRSA screening in routine microbiology laboratory, Cefoxitin disc and Oxacillin agar screening has better sensitivity and specificity comparative to Oxacillin disc. However, Cefoxitin disc can be preferred especially for small laboratories because it is easy to perform, do not require special technique and media preparation is consequently more cost-effective

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural population of India- a study from Western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Diabetes is a major challenge for a resource-limited country like India. Majority of the patients are diagnosed late in the course of illness with presence of complications. There is limited data on diabetes from rural India. Present study is an attempt to provide data on diabetes in rural India. The overall objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural population above 25 years age in district Etawah and neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh, India.Methods: The study was planned to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in rural community by health camp and door to door approach. Fasting capillary blood glucose was first determined using a glucose meter (SD check code free, SD biosensor Inc. Korea). All the adults were given 75gm of glucose dissolved in 200ml water which was drunk over a period of up to 5 minutes and the 2-hour post load capillary blood glucose was estimated. Diabetic status was confirmed by taking blood samples for fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels in a fluoride vacutainer. Fasting plasma glucose ≥126mg/dl and or 2-hour postprandial glucose ≥200mg/dl were taken as the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis.Results: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the rural population was found to be 8.03%. Prevalence was higher in female population (9.91%) as compared to males (6.79%). 19.74 % of participants over 70 yrs of age were diabetics while diabetes was present only in 2.95% of participants in the age group of 25-39 year. The maximum number of diabetes were in the age group of 50-59 years. 10.04 % of participants were diagnosed to be Prediabetics. 35.77% of the diabetics were newly diagnosed.Conclusions:Present study shows there is high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in rural area of western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Prevalence of hypertension in rural population of Central India

Background: Hypertension is an important public health problem in both rural and urban areas of economically developed as well as developing nations. It is a chronic medical condition and is one of the most common life threatening non-communicable disease. It is an asymptomatic condition, symptoms do not arise unless the complications develop which result in delayed diagnosis and treatment especially among the uneducated and unexplained social groups such as rural population. Present study was an attempt to provide data on hypertension in rural area of central India. The objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in rural population above 18 years of age in Etawah and neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.Methods: The study was planned to determine the prevalence of hypertension in rural community by health camp and door to door approach. BP measurements were made after the subject had rested for at least 5 minutes in a seated position using mercury sphygmomanometer. The first blood pressure measurement was taken after obtaining socio-demographic information from the study subject, while the second was recorded after 5 minutes.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 17%, which was observed to be higher among female i.e. 170 (18.3%) individuals than males 153 (15.8%) individuals. The prevalence of hypertension was observed to be higher among the older individuals. It was found to be 5.26 times higher in older (>50 years) than the younger (<30 years) age group. We found prehypertension in 65.74%, Stage I hypertension in 11.33% and stage II hypertension in 5.69% individuals.Conclusions: Present study showed that high prevalence of hypertension in rural area of Western Uttar Pradesh, Central India