Emotion recognition in conversation (ERC) faces two major challenges: biased predictions and poor calibration. Classifiers often disproportionately favor certain emotion categories, such as neutral, due to the structural complexity of classifiers, the subjective nature of emotions, and imbalances in training datasets. This bias results in poorly calibrated predictions where the model’s predicted probabilities do not align with the true likelihood of outcomes. To tackle these problems, we introduce the application of conformal prediction (CP) into ERC tasks. CP is a distribution-free method that generates set-valued predictions to ensure marginal coverage in classification, thus improving the calibration of models. However, inherent biases in emotion recognition models prevent baseline CP from achieving a uniform conditional coverage across all classes. We propose a novel CP variant, class spectrum conformation, which significantly reduces coverage bias in CP methods. The methodologies introduced in this study enhance the reliability of prediction calibration and mitigate bias in complex natural language processing tasks.

Using three exogenous shocks to ex ante litigation risk, including federal judge ideology and two influential judicial precedents, we find that lower shareholder litigation risk reduces a firm’s propensity to delist from the U.S. stock markets. The effect is at least partially driven by indirect costs of litigation and that being a private firm can significantly reduce the threat of litigation. Overall, the results suggest that mitigating excessive litigation costs for public firms is crucial to ensure the continued vibrancy of the U.S. stock market.

Objectives: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 2 years, training regarding infection and prevention control (IPC) has become essential in responding promptly to the pandemic. Many healthcare workers from Cho Ray Hospital and provincial hospitals need IPC training; however, human resources and facilities for continuous education and training are lacking. Therefore, IPC e-learning has become necessary for medical staff, and we designed IPC e-learning courses to meet healthcare workers’ needs for efficient, time and cost-saving training to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All medical staff of Cho Ray Hospital were invited to participate in the infection control e-learning study. The software was developed based on the existing lectures from practical infection control protocols. Healthcare workers were asked to study the software and take a test on the their training. Results: We built the e-learning course of IPC for 5,000 participants as well as management software to manage lessons, member data, and test results. After implementation for 2 months in the hospital, 207 participants had taken the exam 2,234 times. Overall, 70.5% of participants were nurses and 14.9% were doctors. Moreover, 66.4% of participants passed the test the first time they took it, and 33.6% took the test a second time. After the second test, the percentage of members who passed the exam was 100%. Conclusions: Building and applying e-learning software for IPC training has brought about efficiency and quality of training, has reduced the use of human resources for training, and has decreased costs. The software application is being expanded to all hospitals in Vietnam.

Objectives: During the COVID-19 surge, our hospital was overloaded due to the increasingly high volume of patients and lack of resources, which resulted in difficulties in complying with infection control and prevention (IPC) practices. In this study, we estimated healthcare-associated infection (HAI) incidence and relevant factors among COVID-19 patients in Hung Vuong hospital. Methods: This study included all SARS-CoV-2–positive adult patients hospitalized between September 1 and October 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of HAI in the acute-care setting was used. Results: Among 773 patients, 21 (2.72%) developed 26 separate HAIs. The cumulative days of hospitalization were 5,607. The incidence of HAI among COVID-19 patients was 4.64 per 1,000 days of hospitalization. The most frequent HAI was clinically defined pneumonia (46.2%), for which the ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rate was 41.9 per 1,000 ventilator days. Among 21 positive cultures, the most frequently isolated microorganisms were pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and escherichia coli. HAIs were significantly associated with the number of central-line days (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.33–2.78), the number of indwelling urinary catheter days (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.05–2.03), the length of administration days (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.07–1.45), antibiotics use prior to HAIs (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01–0.21), and the number of nasal cannula days (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44–0.85). Conclusions: COVID-19 makes patients more vulnerable and may require more invasive procedures, increasing the infection risk by opportunistic pathogens like gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae. Hence, fundamental IPC recommendations should be strongly implemented.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: We are developing the 3D perfusion system for use with patient-derived bacteria to further characterize the mechanism behind bacterial-induced inflammation and cancer. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We previously reported the adherent invasive E. coli NC101 promote colorectal cancer (CRC) in mice. FimH, a mannose-specific adhesin on type 1 fimbriae, is involved in bacterial surface adhesion. Herein, we investigated the role of FimH in E. coli NC101-induced adherence and carcinogenesis in a novel 3D perfusion culture imaging plate. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: E. coli NC101 gene fimH was deleted byï ŲRed Recombinase System. Biofilm formation was assessed by crystal violet and congo red staining. 5 dpf (wild-type strain) zebrafish embryos were infected in 6x107 cfu/ml wild type (WT) or fimH-deleted (ï ,,fimH) E. coli NC101 for 24hr and gut dissected for bacterial culture. A 2D/3D infection culture system for IEC-6 and HT-29 cells was infected for 4 hr and imaged and then DNA damage examined by comet assay, cell cycle andÎ3H2AX accumulation. Germ-free (GF) Il10-/- (colitis) mice were orally gavaged with 108 cfu WT orï ,,fimH E. coli NC101 for 16 weeks. E. coli colonization were quantified by plate culture and qPCR. Lipocalin2 was quantified by ELISA. PCNA and β-catenin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Biofilm formation was reduced by more than 40% (p<0.05) in E. coli NC101ï ,,fimH compared to WT strain. Zebrafish larvae showed a 41% decrease in intestinal colonization ofï ,,fimH compared to WT (p<0.05). E. coli NC101-induced DNA damage was reduced by 67% (p<0.0001) in HT-29 cells infected withï ,,fimH compared to WT strain. Using the 3D infection system, a 46% decrease in yH2AX (p<0.05) and 42% decrease in G2 cell cycle arrest (p<0.05) was observed inï ,,fimH infected IEC-6 cells compared to WT strain. Furthermore, ï ,,fimH infected Il10-/- mice showed decreased colonization (p<0.01), decreased intestinal inflammation (p<0.05), decreased stool lipocalin2 level (p<0.01), and reduction of PCNA positive cells in the intestine (p<0.05) compared to mice infected with WT strain. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Adhesin protein FimH is required by E. coli NC101 to colonize and promote colitis and carcinogenesis both in a 3D perfusion culture and in mice and may serve as potential therapeutic target.

We set up the sharp Trudinger–Moser inequality under arbitrary norms. Using this result and the $L_{p}$ Busemann-Petty centroid inequality, we will provide a new proof to the sharp affine Trudinger–Moser inequalities without using the well-known affine Pólya–Szegö inequality.

For a vibration system, the best designed spring is compliant to a desired vibration mode while it is robust to other undesired modes. There are several types of spring design for displacing the proofmass along the x and y axes, however, very few designs of spring compliant to the z axis are introduced. Therefore, we propose a z axis microactuator in which the suspending spring is designed so that it is only compliant to vibration along the z axis. The suspending spring consists of straight beam stages mechanically coupled with each other via frames which are symmetrically designed around a center plate. The operation characteristics of the microactuator is investigated by theoretical expresses and numerical simulation. The frequency split between the z axis mode and undesired modes can obtain more than 45%. The operation frequency can be modified in a wide range, from 68 kHz to 400 kHz, by changing the dimensional parameters of spring beams. The spring beams can be lengthened to increase displacement in the z axis while the mode cross-talk is still suppressed. Compared to the previously reported researches, the current microactuator shows robustness to undesired vibration modes, which is potential for integration in low mode cross-talk multi-axis micro-stages and low-noise mechanical sensors.

Banks open more branches and make more lending near their CEOs’ childhood hometowns. The effects are stronger among informationally opaque borrowers and among CEOs who spend more time in their childhood hometowns. Furthermore, loans originated near CEOs’ hometowns contain more soft information and have lower ex post default rates, implying that hometown loans are more informed. Hometown lending does not affect aggregate bank outcomes, suggesting that credit is being reallocated from regions located farther away to regions proximate to bank CEOs’ hometowns.

Early detection of breast cancer is required to increase the chances of a successful treatment. However, current breast-imaging systems such as X-Ray mammography, breast ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging have technological limitations so that novel solutions are needed to address this major societal problem. The current paper considers ultra-wideband (UWB) microwave radiation in the frequency band from 1 to 9 GHz. Given by the non-ionizing nature of microwaves frequent check-ups are more feasible. In this work, we propose algorithms for qualitative and quantitative microwave breast imaging for a transmission-based UWB system. Based on numerical and experimental data, the performance of the algorithms has been investigated and compared. Finally, microwave images obtained during an initial patient study are discussed relative to corresponding X-ray images.

In this article, we propose a new nonparametric density estimator derived from the theory of frames and Riesz bases. In particular, we propose the so-called bi-orthogonal density estimator based on the class of B-splines and derive its theoretical properties, including the asymptotically optimal choice of bandwidth. Detailed theoretical analysis and comparisons of our estimator with existing local basis and kernel density estimators are presented. The estimator is particularly well suited for high-frequency data analysis in financial and economic markets.

On 12 July 2016, the Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration issued its final award. China rejected the ruling as “null and void”. The Philippines dismissed it as “a piece of paper” after initially hailing the ruling a “milestone decision”. The reactions of the parties concerned raise important questions about the bindingness, finality, and state compliance with UNCLOS dispute settlement decisions. This paper addresses these questions by dissecting China’s arguments that the award “has no binding force” and by examining the options available for promoting compliance with the award. The paper also considers the broader question of how states generally comply with UNCLOS dispute settlement decisions and evaluates the significance of UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms, including the South China Sea arbitration, in the absence of external enforcement.

Butyric acid has been shown to have suppressive effects on inflammation and diseases related to the intestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether supplementation of two glycerol esters, monobutyrin (MB) and tributyrin (TB), would reach the hindgut of rats, thus having an effect on the caecal profile of SCFA, microbiota composition and some risk markers associated with chronic inflammation. For this purpose, rats were fed high-fat diets after adding MB (1 and 5 g/kg) and TB (5 g/kg) to a diet without any supplementation (high-fat control; HFC). A low-fat (LF) diet was also included. In the liver, total cholesterol concentrations, LDL-cholesterol concentrations, LDL:HDL ratio, and succinic acid concentrations were reduced in rats given the MB and TB (5 g/kg) diets, compared with the group fed the HFC diet. These effects were more pronounced in MB than TB groups as also expressed by down-regulation of the gene Cyp8b1. The composition of the caecal microbiota in rats fed MB and TB was separated from the group fed the HFC diet, and also the LF diet, as evidenced by the absence of the phylum TM7 and reduced abundance of the genera Dorea (similar to LF-fed rats) and rc4-4. Notably, the caecal abundance of Mucispirillum was markedly increased in the MB group compared with the HFC group. The results suggest that dietary supplementation of MB and TB can be used to counteract disturbances associated with a HFC diet, by altering the gut microbiota, and decreasing liver lipids and succinic acid concentrations.

This paper is devoted to time domain numerical solutions of two-dimensional (2D) material interface problems governed by the transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) Maxwell's equations with discontinuous electromagnetic solutions. Due to the discontinuity in wave solutions across the interface, the usual numerical methods will converge slowly or even fail to converge. This calls for the development of advanced interface treatments for popular Maxwell solvers. We will investigate such interface treatments by considering two typical Maxwell solvers – one based on collocation formulation and another based on Galerkin formulation. To restore the accuracy reduction of the collocation finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm near an interface, the physical jump conditions relating discontinuous wave solutions on both sides of the interface must be rigorously enforced. For this purpose, a novel matched interface and boundary (MIB) scheme is proposed in this work, in which new jump conditions are derived so that the discontinuous and staggered features of electric and magnetic field components can be accommodated. The resulting MIB time-domain (MIBTD) scheme satisfies the jump conditions locally and suppresses the staircase approximation errors completely over the Yee lattices. In the discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) algorithm – a popular GalerkinMaxwell solver, a proper numerical flux can be designed to accurately capture the jumps in the electromagnetic waves across the interface and automatically preserves the discontinuity in the explicit time integration. The DGTD solution to Maxwell interface problems is explored in this work, by considering a nodal based high order discontinuous Galerkin method. In benchmark TM and TE tests with analytical solutions, both MIBTD and DGTD schemes achieve the second order of accuracy in solving circular interfaces. In comparison, the numerical convergence of the MIBTD method is slightly more uniform, while the DGTD method is more flexible and robust.

We investigated the electrical conduction and resistance switching mechanisms of TiOx thin films grown on three kinds of bottom electrode at room temperature (an inert Pt, an active Ti and fluorine tin oxide FTO electrodes). The bottom electrode materials strongly affect the I-V characteristics and switching parameters. The I-V characteristic is explained through the presence of interface states in the metal electrode devices (Pt and Ti) and the work function in the metal oxide device (FTO). The Pt device has the smallest VSET and largest switching ratio, while the Ti device shows the largest VSET and smallest switching ratio. XPS data shows non-lattice oxygen in TiOx films. Therefore, the proposed bipolar resistance switching arises from formation and rupture of filament paths, generated by the movement of oxygen vacancies. All devices depict the same electrical conductions, trap-controlled space-charge-limited, FN tunneling and Ohmic conductions for a high resistance state and a low resistance state, respectively. In this study, the rarely reported FN tunneling conduction in published TiOx-based ReRAM device was found, which can be attributed to an influence of the bottom electrode on the electronic distribution in devices.

Indium phosphide semiconductor materials (InP) have various applications in the field of semiconductor optoelectronics because of its advantages. But the making of this material is difficult due to the very weak chemical activity of In element. In this report we present a simple method to synthesize InP nanocrystals from inorganic precursors such as indium chloride (InCl3), yellow phosphorus (P4), reduction agent NaBH4 at low temperature with the aid of ultrasound. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the formed InP nanocrystals were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersed X-ray analysis (EDS), Raman scattering, absorption and photoluminscence (PL) spectroscopy. After the surface treatment of InP nanocrystals with liquid hydrofluoric (HF) acid, the luminescence spectra have an enhanced intensity and consist of the peaks in the region from 500 nm to 700 nm. The intensity of these peaks strongly depends on the concentration and etching time of HF.

The effects of infection with plerocercoids of Spirometra mansonoides on tissue glycogen deposition of rats was determined. Hypophysectomized rats infected for two days had higher liver glycogen concentrations than controls and this effect was greatest after one week. Elevated liver glycogen associated with plerocercoid infection was observed in fed animals both at the beginning and at the end of the light period as well as after an overnight fast. Glycogen phosphorylase (1,4αD glucan: orthophosphate α glucosyltransferase EC 2.4.1.1.) was inhibited but glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) was unaffected in the livers of infected hypophysectomized rats. While this effect is similar to actions of both growth hormone and insulin, plerocercoid infection had no influence on glycogen of cardiac or skeletal muscle at any time. Plerocercoid infection had no effect on the glycogen concentration of any tissue of intact rats.