Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scotland's Science Strategy: an Exercise in Concurrent Power?

3 INTRODUCTION 3 ENGAGING USERS IN THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS 5 CREATION OF THE SCOTTISH SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SSAC) 8 MAKING CONNECTIONS 9 CONCLUSIONS 12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 13 REFERENCES 14 INNOGEN Working Paper 34 June 2005 Catherine Lyall 3 ABSTRACT Devolution presented the Scottish Executive with the prospect of developing an integrated and inclusive approach to Scotland’s research and innovation strategy by co-ordinating the roles of policy-makers in different government departments and agencies and involving policy targets across the science base and technology-based industry in the policy-making process. Instead, the model promoted by the Executive continues to be one of “academic push” rather than “industry pull” and this paper seeks to demonstrate that the thrust of the Scottish Executive’s science policy document, A Science Strategy for Scotland, from inception, to consultation, to publication, and then to implementation has been on the public sector and on supporting the science base in Scottish universities, without reflecting sufficiently on the need to develop greater capacity on the demand-side in order to foster a vibrant technology-based economy. This apparent adherence to an outdated way of thinking about innovation means that Scotland has so far failed to optimise the opportunities offered by devolution in terms of shared policy competences for science and innovation between and within levels of governance and between policy-makers and policy targets.
Investigation of Co-genotoxic Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields In Vivo

Abstract Verschaeve, L. , Heikkinen, P., Verheyen, G. , Van Gorp, U. , Boonen, F. , Vander Plaetse, F. , Maes, A. , Kumlin, T. , Mäki-Paakkanen, J., Puranen, L. and Juutilainen, J. Investigation of Co-genotoxic Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields In Vivo. Radiat. Res. 165, 598–607 (2006). We investigated the possible combined genotoxic effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (900 MHz, amplitude modulated at 217 Hz, mobile phone signal) with the drinking water mutagen and carcinogen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX). Female rats were exposed to RF fields for a period of 2 years for 2 h per day, 5 days per week at average whole-body specific absorption rates of 0.3 or 0.9 W/kg. MX was given in the drinking water at a concentration of 19 μg/ml. Blood samples were taken at 3, 6 and 24 months of exposure and brain and liver samples were taken at the end of the study (24 months). DNA damage was assessed in all samples using the alkaline comet assay, and micronuclei were determined in erythrocytes. We did not find significant genotoxic activity of MX in blood and liver cells. However, MX induced DNA damage in rat brain. Co-exposures to MX and RF radiation did not significantly increase the response of blood, liver and brain cells compared to MX exposure only. In conclusion, this 2-year animal study involving long-term exposures to RF radiation and MX did not provide any evidence for enhanced genotoxicity in rats exposed to RF radiation.
45 GHz silicon MESFETs on a 0.15 µm SOI CMOS process

Fully integrated MESFETs have been shown to work on multiple commercial silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) CMOS processes without changing a step in the process flow [1–3]. The unique features of the MESFET including depletion mode operation, breakdown voltages in excess of 50 V, and easy to adjust, but well controlled threshold voltages have given the designers a cost-free way to achieve certain circuit design solutions that were previously cost inefficient or difficult to implement on their respective processes [2,4]. Until now, silicon MESFET based circuit applications were limited in very high frequency applications due to either the technology they were designed on and/or key layout rules that affected the gate length, Lg, of the MESFETs but not the MOSFETs. The highest SOI MESFET fT reported was ∼10 GHz which was associated with an Lg = 0.4 µm on a 0.35 µm SOI CMOS process [1,2]. The devices presented in this abstract were designed on a 0.15 µm process and represent the most aggressive scaling yet for SOI MESFETS. Devices with fT ≫ 45 GHz and Lg = 0.15 µm were achieved.
A Switch Migration-Based Decision-Making Scheme for Balancing Load in SDN

Elastic scaling and load balancing with efficient switch migration are critical to enable the elasticity of software-defined networking (SDN) controllers, but learning how to improve migration efficiency remains a difficult problem. To address this issue, a switch migration-based decision-making (SMDM) scheme is put forward that could be made aware of the load imbalance by a switch migration trigger metric; the migration efficiency model for this scheme is built to make a tradeoff between migration costs and the load balance rate. An efficiency-aware switch migration algorithm based on greedy method is designed to utilize the migration efficiency model and thus guide the choice of possible migration actions. We implement a proof of the scheme and present a numerical evaluation using Mininet emulator to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposal.
ANALYSING SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR: A CASE OF TSHWANE MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH AFRICA

This paper seeks to analyse the socio-economic factors that adversely affect African entrepreneurial activities in the tourism sector in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered from a sample size of n=311 African entrepreneurs working in the tourism sector. Some of the variables on which data was gathered were as follows: business networks with other tourist operators, degree of competition, geographical location, duration of operation, degree of entrepreneurial skills that are helpful for tourism, category of business, category of entrepreneurial skills, average number of visitors per month, profit made in 2012, size of business, capital, market share, business networks, financial collaterals, level of education, and degree of support from Government agencies. Data analysis was performed by using methods such as cross-tab analysis, log-linear analysis and factor analysis. The study was designed in order to test the veracity of assertions made by Marshall (1923), Arrow (1962), Romer (1986) and Porter (1990) popularly known as the (MARS Model) in which it is argued that competition among tourism operators leads to greater innovation and growth in the industry. Additional data was gathered by conducting in-depth interviews with 4 key officials who were responsible for tourism activities at the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Results obtained from log-linear analysis showed that there was a statistically significant association between degree of competition from rival operators and financial viability, thereby corroborating the assertions made in MAR theories and by Porter (1990). Results obtained from factor analysis showed that the viability of African entrepreneurs in the tourism industry of Gauteng Province was significantly and adversely affected by the degree of competition from rival operators, poor networking ability, lack of entrepreneurial skills, low capital, and geographical location. The study found that African entrepreneurs in the tourism industry of Gauteng Province lagged behind their white counterparts significantly in terms of networking ability, capital and entrepreneurial skills. In addition, 82% of the 311 African entrepreneurs who participated in the study lacked suitable skills due to their poor and irrelevant academic and vocational background, and that 59% of entrepreneurs had received little or no assistance in terms of mentoring or training opportunities by South African Government agencies.
A comparison of the validity of GHQ-12 and CHQ-12 in Chinese primary care patients in Manchester

Synopsis The present study compares the efficacy of the GHQ-12 and the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ–12) in Cantonese speaking Chinese primary-care patients living in Greater Manchester, using relative operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. We did not find that the Chinese version offered any advantage over the conventional version of the GHQ in this population. Stepwise discriminant analysis however confirmed the value of individual items in the former pertaining to specific somatic symptoms and interpersonal relationships in differentiating cases from non-cases. Information biases, arising from the lack of a reliability study on the second-stage case identifying interview and the unique linguistic characteristics of the Chinese language may have affected the overall validity indices of the questionnaires. The study also examines the effects of using different criteria to define a case, and shows that with increasing levels of severity, there is an improvement in the diagnostic performance of the two questionnaires as reflected by areas under ROC curves and traditional validity indices. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed. The scoring method proposed by Goodchild & Duncan-Jones (1985) when used on these questionnaires had no demonstrable advantage over the conventional scoring method.
Phlebotomy site haemolysis rates vary inversely with workload

Preanalytical factors comprise up to 84.5% of laboratory errors (1). The most common type of preanalytical error leading to sample rejection is haemolysis (2). Measurement of the haemolysis index (HI) using automated clinical chemistry systems can reliably identify unsuitable specimens. Lippi et al. and Soderberg et al. have recently described how it can be used as a marker of the overall preanalytical quality of blood samples (3, 4). We describe how a similar approach can be used in a hospital setting for internal benchmarking purposes. Tan Tock Seng Hospital Biochemistry Laboratory provides laboratory testing for all inpatients, outpatients and emergency department patients at a 1400 bed acute care hospital. The hospital does not handle paediatric, cardiac surgery or obstetric/gynaecology cases. Cases of in vivo haemolysis are very rare (-1–2/year) and have not been identified in any outpatient sample. The laboratory uses the Beckman-Coulter Power Processor laboratory automation system and performs automatic serum index measurement, including HI, on every serum sample using 1 DXc-800 and 2 LX-20 PRO clinical chemistry analysers. HI measurement uses direct spectrophotometry at multiple wavelengths to calculate a semiquantitative HI graded on a scale of 0–10. HI results are automatically uploaded from the instrument to the laboratory information system and stored as part of the specimen record. No specimen is rejected preanalytically due to sample haemolysis. The hospital uses Becton Dickinson SST II Advance evacuated blood tubes as the standard sample type. Blood is collected using 22 G straight needles in needle holders. There are mandatory phlebotomy training and competency assessment sessions for nursing staff. Medical staff learns phlebotomy informally during their undergraduate attachments on the wards. In the emergency department, both medical
The effectiveness of forensic auditing in detecting, investigating, and preventing bank frauds

The study dwelt on the effectiveness of forensic auditing in detecting, investigating, and preventing bank frauds. The study sought to find out to what level the forensic auditors are able to fulfill this mandate and investigate problems that hinder forensic auditors to make progress in their operations in developing countries. It also established the role of forensic auditing in banking operations. Questionnaires, personal interviews, and document review are the methods that were used to obtain data for this study. A sample of thirty forensic auditors was used from thirteen commercial banks, four building societies, and four audit firms in Zimbabwe. It was found that the forensic auditing departments suffer from multiple challenges, amongst them being the lack of material resources, technical know how, interference from management, and unclear recognition of the profession. Types of bank fraud were identified. The internationally recognized audit procedures used in detecting and investigating these frauds were discussed. In conclusion, forensic auditors must be capacitated materially and technically to improve their effectiveness. In addition, the forensic auditors should create a constituted body that serves their interests and regulate the activities just like any other profession.
behaviors on the perceived credibility of web-based information The role of site features, user attributes, and information verification

Data from 574 participants were used to assess perceptions of message, site, and sponsor credibility across four genres of websites; to explore the extent and effects of verifying web-based information; and to measure the relative influence of sponsor familiarity and site attributes on perceived credibility.The results show that perceptions of credibility differed, such that news organization websites were rated highest and personal websites lowest, in terms of message, sponsor, and overall site credibility, with e-commerce and special interest sites rated between these, for the most part.The results also indicated that credibility assessments appear to be primarily due to website attributes (e.g. design features, depth of content, site complexity) rather than to familiarity with website sponsors. Finally, there was a negative relationship between self-reported and observed information verification behavior and a positive relationship between self-reported verification and internet/web experience. The findings are used to inform the theoretical development of perceived web credibility.
Changes of Mitochondrial DNA Content in the Male Offspring of Protein‐Malnourished Rats

Abstract: Nutritional deprivation of the fetus and infant is associated with susceptibility to the development of impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes in adult life. Quantitative changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) seem to be associated with type 2 diabetes, but the effect of protein malnutrition on mtDNA content is not known. This study investigated the effects of protein malnutrition in fetus and early life on mtDNA content and glucose‐insulin metabolism in adult life. Male offspring of dams fed a low‐protein (LP) diet (8% casein) during pregnancy and lactation were weaned onto either a control (18% casein) diet (recuperated group, R) or a LP diet, and they were compared with the control group (C). The mtDNA content in the liver was lower in the R and LP groups than in the C group at 5 weeks of age, but higher in the R and LP groups than in the C group at 15 weeks of age. The mtDNA content in skeletal muscle and pancreas was significantly lower in the R and LP groups than in the C group at 25 weeks of age. Fetal‐malnourished rats showed decreased pancreatic β‐cell mass and reduced insulin secretory responses to glucose load, but no differences in glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. Our findings imply that protein malnutrition in utero causes changes in mtDNA content, impaired β‐cell development, and insulin secretion, which may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in later life.
Pinus afforestation in South Brazilian highlands: Soil chemical attributes and organic matter composition

In the last three decades, exotic tree species are being introduced in the natural pastures of the highlands located at the northeastern part of Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil. This alteration of land use may impart drastic changes in the soil attributes. In this context, this work aimed to evaluate the impact of Pinus taeda afforestation on soil chemical attributes and organic matter (SOM) composition in Leptosols from Campos de Cima da Serra, RS. Soil samples under eight year old (Pi8) and 30 year old (Pi30) Pinus plantations and under native pasture (NP) were studied. Contents of exchangeable cations and of micronutrients and soil pH were determined. The SOM composition was investigated by means of elemental analyses and FTIR spectroscopy. The soil under pasture had a higher content of nutrients and of SOM in comparison to Pinus soils, reflecting the higher input and decomposition rate of the below ground added residue in the grassland environment. The SOM in pasture soils showed a higher content of carbohydrate and of structures derived from microbial metabolism. Besides the depletion of nutrients and of SOM, Pinus afforestation affected the SOM quality: following afforestation, the proportion of chemically recalcitrant structures and of carboxylic groups increased, whereas N-containing groups decreased.
Exploring Complex Decision Making Units: A New Approach

Though the concept of a multiperson decision making unit (DMU) has been widely accepted in principle, very few empirical studies have surveyed all members of the DMU. In those few studies which have surveyed multiple decision participants, data were collected via “snowball” personal interviews. In a single-stage snowball a known member of the DMU is asked to provide a list of other persons involved in the decision making process. That list is used for a subsequent study. Multiple-stage snowballing involves asking all of the respondents in the first stage who else was in the DMU, then those in the second stage, and so on. Exhaustive snowballing involves continuing the process until no new DMU members are generated. As snowball personal interveiws are an extremely expensive method of collecting data, large-scale DMU research has been financially impractical for most empirical studies. A study of 319 DMUs was designed to assess the feasibility of snowballing by telephone and to ascertain the impact of exhaustive versus single-stage snowballing on the nature of the resultant DMU.
European Sovereign Systemic Risk Zones

This paper proposes a novel framework identifying sovereign systemic risk zones. We first explore the cross-dynamics of sovereign CDS in terms of time-changing contagion measures based on copulas and then assemble these measures together with country-specific fundamentals through recursive partitioning, thereby producing important leading indicators and identification of main sovereign systemic risk regimes expressed as regions in CDS spreads. Using data for Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany over the period 2008-2013, we identify three main systemic risk zones (safe, risky, high risky) also assigning specific risk thresholds to the selected leading indicators (unemployment rate, Debt/GDP, inflation, GDP growth, copula-based CDS dependencies).
Exploring purchasing preferences: local and ecologically labelled foods

Purpose – The growing presence of foods that are labelled “locally/ecologically produced” leads to the question of how many consumers consider the impact of their food purchases. Do they value local/ecologically-produced food sufficiently to drive their purchasing behaviour, even if such foods are more costly? Can consumer segments be identified and, if so, what are their characteristics? This paper aims to focus on these questions. Design/methodology/approach – In an exploratory study, the authors surveyed over 400 students from a public university in California asking them to select between apples based on a combination of price, origin and presence/absence of an ecological indicator. The authors collected information on their shopping attitudes, their affinity for international trade and demographic identifiers. Findings – Evidence is found for three consumer segments: the deep green, the price conscious and switchers. The latter are the most prevalent category across demographic and attitudinal indica.
Serum glycan-binding IgG antibodies in HIV-1 infection and during the development of broadly neutralizing responses

Background: The HIV-1 envelope is covered with glycans that provide structural integrity and protect conserved regions from host antibody responses. However, these glycans are often the target of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that emerge in some HIV-infected individuals. We aimed to determine whether antiglycan IgG antibodies are a general response to HIV-1 infection or specific to individuals who develop bNAbs. Methods: IgG binding to glycans was assessed using arrays that contained 245 unique components including N-linked carbohydrates, glycolipids, and Tn-peptides. Sera from 20 HIV-negative and 27 HIV-positive women (including 12 individuals who developed bNAbs) were profiled longitudinally. HIV-1 gp120 proteins were used to compete for binding to the array. Results: Antiglycan IgG antibodies fluctuated over a 3-year period, irrespective of HIV infection. However, HIV-positive individuals had elevated binding to 40 components on the array that included Man8, Man9, Tn-peptides, heat shock protein, and glycolipids. Competition experiments confirmed that a proportion of these glycan-binding IgG antibodies were HIV-1-specific, some of which were higher in individuals who developed bNAbs. Conclusions: HIV-1 infection is associated with elevated levels of IgG antibodies to specific glycans. Furthermore, some antiglycan IgG antibodies were more abundant in individuals with bNAbs, suggesting a unique phenotype that may be informative for HIV vaccine design.
Malaria and pregnancy: the perspective in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of malaria on pregnancy outcome. METHODS A case control study conducted on patients identified by ICD-9 coding system of the hospital medical records. Demographic and clinical data recorded on standardized data sheet and analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software. RESULTS Of the total patients, 67.4% were multigravid and 32.6% were primigravid with 78.6% of patients having platelets < 150,000. Mean haemoglobin was 9.4 gm/dl in patients and 12.2 gm/dl in controls. Plasmodium Vivax was accounted for 55.8%, P. Falciparum for 41.9%, and P. Ovale 2.3% of infections. In all, 48.8% of patients received oral Chloroquine, 16.3% oral Quinine, 30.3% intravenous Quinine, 20.9% of patients received combination treatment with IV Clindamycin, and one each patient received oral Artemether or oral halofantrine. Two patients had an abortion. One of the following complications including, threatened abortion, preterm labour, ARDS or Cerebral malaria, was observed in one patient each. Mean weight of babies born to cases was 2.8 kg (range 1.4-3.8) and of control babies was 3.2 kg (range 2.5-4.0 kg). No congenital malformations were reported. CONCLUSION Plasmodium falciparum sp, moderate parasitic load, haemoglobin < 10 gm/dL, platelet count < 50,000/mm3 and IV quinine with loading dose of 20 mg/kg are identified as few of the potential risk factors for poor outcome in pregnancy.