Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wide temperature range operation of 10-/40-Gbps 1.55-μm electroabsorption modulator integrated DFB laser

10-Gb/s 80-km and 40-Gb/s 2-km SMF transmissions with low power penalty over wide temperature range are demonstrated with a 1.55-μm InGaAlAs EAM-integrated DFB laser. These devices are suitable for use as 10-/40-Gb/s uncooled light sources.
Gene expression proﬁling in peripheral blood cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in response to anti-TNF- (cid:1) treatments

Gene expression proﬁling in peripheral blood cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in response to anti-TNF- treatments. efﬁcacy of anti-TNF- (cid:1) therapies highlights the role of TNF- (cid:1) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism of action of these agents is poorly understood at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of anti-TNF- (cid:1) treatment on the global gene expression proﬁle in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of responder RA patients. Changes in gene expression were determined using oligonucleotide microarrays (25,341 genes) in PBMCs obtained before and after 12 wk of treatment with either etanercept or adalimumab from responder RA patients. Two hundred ﬁfty-one genes displayed signiﬁcant changes (false discovery rate (cid:2) 0.1%) in expression level (178 upregulations with mean fold change (cid:3) 1.5 and 73 downregulations with mean fold change (cid:3) (cid:4) 1.50) after 12 wk of treatment. Importantly, the expression of several genes, including those coding for the calcium binding proteins S100A12 and A8, CD14 antigen, Selectin P, or ribosomal protein L39, reported to be upregulated in RA patients, were found to be decreased after anti-TNF- (cid:1) treatment. Globally, inﬂammation, immune response, apoptosis, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial oxido-reduction were the most affected pathways in response to anti-TNF- (cid:1) treatment. The obtained gene expression signature in PBMCs provides new information to better understand the mechanisms of action of anti-TNF- (cid:1) treatment in RA patients.
Understanding the Phenomenon of Binge-Watching—A Systematic Review

Binge-watching is a relatively new behaviour pattern whose popularity has been increasing since 2013, ultimately to become one of the most popular ways of spending free time, especially among young people. However, there is still a dearth of research on this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to present the current understanding and psychological conditions of binge-watching, as provided in the research papers published between 2013 and 2020. This systematic review, including 28 articles, addresses different approaches to defining this behaviour, diverse motivations, personality traits, and risks of excessive binge-watching. Its results imply that there are two perspectives in understanding binge-watching. The first is related to entertainment, positive emotions, cognition, and spending free time. However, the second perspective emphasises the negative outcomes of excessive binge-watching and symptoms of behavioural addiction. There is undoubtedly a need for further research to be conducted on diversified populations to reach more profound understanding of binge-watching behaviour patterns.
Correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in FABP4 and meat quality and lipid metabolism gene expression in Yanbian yellow cattle

FABP4 is a candidate gene for carcass and meat quality traits in livestock and poultry. However, the effects of FABP4 have not been examined in the Yanbian yellow cattle, an economically important local cattle breed in China. In this study, we characterized single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FABP4 in this cattle breed and their associations with meat quality traits. Six SNPs (referred to as SNP1–6) were identified in FABP4 by direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The six SNPs were significantly correlated with meat quality traits. In particular, the GG and GA genotypes of SNP1 were significantly associated with water and fat contents and GG and AA genotypes of SNP1 were significantly associated with protein contents (P < 0.05). The fat content and marbling in heterozygous individuals at SNP2–6 were significantly higher than those in wild-type or mutant individuals (P < 0.05), while protein content was significantly higher in wild-type and mutant individuals than in heterozygous individuals (P < 0.05). A gene expression analysis indicated that the lipid metabolism-related genes FABP4, PPARγ, ANGPTL4, and LPL show similar expression patterns with respect to FABP4 genotypes, with the highest levels in wild-type individuals and the lowest levels in mutants. In conclusion, FABP4 SNPs can be used for marker-assisted selection in Yanbian yellow cattle breeding.
Validation of Autoantibody Assays in Type 1 Diabetes: Workshop Programme

Autoantibodies to islet-cell antigens are important markers of diabetes-related autoimmunity, and have provided fundamental insights into the natural history of type 1 diabetes. They also form the basis for classification of type 1 diabetes and can be used to identify those most likely to require insulin treatment. The main application to date has however been the identification of unaffected individuals at increased risk of type 1 diabetes, and two recent large multicentre intervention trials in family members of people with type 1 diabetes have clearly demonstrated the accuracy with which this can be achieved by autoantibody testing alone. Concordance between results from different laboratories is essential for comparison of studies, and consistency of results within a single laboratory is increasingly important for recruitment into intervention studies and for longitudinal studies of the early natural history of type 1 diabetes. Immunology and Diabetes Workshop (IDW) and Immunology of Diabetes Society (IDS) workshop and proficiency programmes have been running since 1985 with the aim of evaluating and improving assay performance and comparability between laboratories, and the Diabetes Autoantibody Standardisation Program (DASP) was established as a collaboration between the IDS and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1999. The only markers considered in the first workshop were islet cell antibodies (ICA) detected by indirect immunofluorescence, but insulin autoantibodies and then autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and the protein tyrosine phosphatase IA-2 were subsequently added to the program. The number of laboratories has steadily increased; 26 laboratories took part in the first workshop on the standardisation of ICA in 1985, and 139 assays from 56 laboratories were evaluated in the 2nd DASP proficiency evaluation in 2002. Each evaluation involved the blinded testing of samples from newly diagnosed patients and controls; the two most recent sets have included coded sera from 50 patients and 100 controls, allowing much fuller analysis than is generally possible in smaller quality control exercises. In this review we will highlight some of our experiences that may be applicable to other autoimmune disease.
Focal Prefrontal Seizures Induced by Bilateral ECT

Introduction It has been proposed that the greater efficacy of bilateral (BL) over right unilateral (RUL) electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at low stimulus intensity is due to differences in site of seizure initiation. We hypothesized that focal prefrontal seizures are more common with BL than RUL administration. Method Records were reviewed of the 1,007 ECT treatments of 84 consecutive patients randomized to RUL or BL electrode placement. Results Eight events were identified in which there was an electroencephalographic seizure without motor manifestation. All of these events occurred at titration sessions and with BL stimuli (p = 0.002). These events were more likely to occur later in the course of treatment. Discussion We suggest that BL ECT may induce focal seizures in prefrontal areas and that these seizures are more likely to occur later in the treatment course.
7 Bioluminescence Applications in Preclinical Oncology Research

In vitro studies have offered vast insight into much of cancer biology, however, it is widely accepted that cell based assays are unable to provide a complete picture when attempting to understand the dynamic nature of cancer as it behaves in situ. Critical processes to cancer progression such as angiogenesis, metastasis and response to treatment, rely on complex interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. To overcome this challenge, xenografts have been widely used to study cancer biology within the context of a whole organism since as early as the 1950’s. These models rely on use of murine (syngeneic) and human (allogeneic) tumor cell lines injected subcutaneously into a rodent host. The subcutaneous animal model has been a valuable tool in the study of cancer and has directly led to the validation of many of the anticancer agents which benefit patients today. Subcutaneous tumor models are easy to implement and monitor due to the accessibility of the tumor tissue. Evaluation of subcutaneous tumors involves calliper measurements of tumor size (width, length and/or height), which are then used to define tumor volume. However, like cell-based assays, subcutaneous tumor models have proven to be poor predictors of therapeutic activity in patients and this is likely due to the reliance on cell lines which when inoculated subcutaneously develop tumors that poorly mimic the biological behaviour of human disease. Cancers arise slowly and evolve into a heterogeneous structure both in terms of cellular composition (host cells and tumor cells) and microenvironment (vascularization and transient regions of hypoxia and nutrient stress). Subcutaneous xenografts are implanted in microenvironments that will be remarkably different from the tissue of origin. This means subcutaneous tumor cells do not receive the same signals from the stroma that influence immunity, angiogenesis and metastasis; all factors that impact tumor progression and response to therapeutic interventions. Although the initiators and drivers of tumors in humans remain poorly understood, it is generally accepted that following initiation, endogenous disease progresses into a primary tumor which in time can invade surrounding tissues. The latter process involves both extravasation and intravasation
Self-Benefit versus Other-Benefit Marketing Appeals: Their Effectiveness in Generating Charitable Support

Despite the growing need, nonprofit organization marketers have not yet fully delineated the most effective ways to position charitable appeals. Across five experiments, the authors test the prediction that other-benefit (self-benefit) appeals generate more favorable donation support than self-benefit (other-benefit) appeals in situations that heighten (versus minimize) public self-image concerns. Public accountability, a manipulation of public self-awareness, and individual differences in public self-consciousness all moderate the effect of appeal type on donor support. In particular, self-benefit appeals are more effective when consumers’ responses are private in nature; in contrast, other-benefit appeals are more effective when consumers are publicly accountable for their responses. This effect is moderated by norm salience and is related to a desire to manage impressions by behaving in a manner consistent with normative expectations. The results have important managerial implications, suggesting that rather than simply relying on one type of marketing appeal across situations, marketers should tailor their marketing message to the situation or differentially activate public self-image concerns to match the appeal type.
How Can Electronic Commerce in Developing Countries Attract Users from Developed Countries? a Comparative Study of Thailand and Japan

A comparative study of Thailand and Japan investigated how electronic commerce (EC) in developing countries can be used to attract customers from developed countries. Thai and Japanese participants were shown language-appropriate versions of a hotel booking website in Thailand. Perceptions of and trust in the website were assessed, as was the willingness to book a room in the hotel using the website. The Thai participants tended to evaluate the quality of the website more highly and to trust it more than did the Japanese participants. Furthermore, the Thai participants tended to think that the hotel was more responsible for their hotel reservations than was the EC service, and that the content of the website was developed by the hotel rather than by the EC service. Thai participants were more likely to express willingness to reserve a room if they thought that the hotel had developed the website content, whereas the Japanese participantsâ€™ willingness to book a room were greater when they thought that the EC service had developed the content. Based on these results, customization strategies for EC in developing countries to attract customers from developed countries are discussed. To cite this document: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Hitoshi Okada, Nagul Cooharojananone, Vanessa Bracamonte, and Takahisa Suzuki, "How can electronic commerce in developing countries attract users from developed countries? A comparative study of Thailand and Japan", International Journal of Electronic Commerce Studies, Vol.4, No.2, pp. 159-184, 2013. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/ijecs.1105
Beyond artificial intelligence: exploring artificial wisdom

ABSTRACT Background: The ultimate goal of artificial intelligence (AI) is to develop technologies that are best able to serve humanity. This will require advancements that go beyond the basic components of general intelligence. The term “intelligence” does not best represent the technological needs of advancing society, because it is “wisdom”, rather than intelligence, that is associated with greater well-being, happiness, health, and perhaps even longevity of the individual and the society. Thus, the future need in technology is for artificial wisdom (AW). Methods: We examine the constructs of human intelligence and human wisdom in terms of their basic components, neurobiology, and relationship to aging, based on published empirical literature. We review the development of AI as inspired and driven by the model of human intelligence, and consider possible governing principles for AW that would enable humans to develop computers which can operationally utilize wise principles and result in wise acts. We review relevant examples of current efforts to develop such wise technologies. Results: AW systems will be based on developmental models of the neurobiology of human wisdom. These AW systems need to be able to a) learn from experience and self-correct; b) exhibit compassionate, unbiased, and ethical behaviors; and c) discern human emotions and help the human users to regulate their emotions and make wise decisions. Conclusions: A close collaboration among computer scientists, neuroscientists, mental health experts, and ethicists is necessary for developing AW technologies, which will emulate the qualities of wise humans and thus serve the greatest benefit to humanity. Just as human intelligence and AI have helped further the understanding and usefulness of each other, human wisdom and AW can aid in promoting each other’s growth
Sixty-year Study of Incidence of Childhood Ulcerative Colitis Finds Eleven-fold Increase Beginning in 1990s

Background:We sought to define the point at which a recently noted marked increase in the incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) had occurred in children in Victoria, Australia. Methods:A 60-year retrospective review (1950-2009) of children age 16 years or less diagnosed with UC in the state’s major pediatric centers was performed. Results:In all, 342 children were diagnosed with UC (male to female ratio of 1.25:1.0, median age 10.9 years, interquartile range [IQR] 7.0, 13.2). The overall median annual incidence of UC was 0.36/105 children ⩽16 years of age (IQR 0.18, 0.66). The number of reported cases increased by 11-fold during the study period (P < 0.001). This marked increase appeared to occur from the early 1990s and has yet to plateau. Children diagnosed during the last two decades were older at diagnosis (median 10 years vs. 11.6, P < 0.0001), and had higher weight- and height-for-age z scores than those diagnosed during the first 40 years (mean weight-for-age [standard deviation] 1950−1989: −0.80 [1.56] vs. 1990–2009: −0.11 [1.17], P < 0.001; mean height-for-age 1950–1989: −0.50 [1.15] vs. 1990–2009: –0.13 [1.12], P < 0.05). More recently diagnosed children also had more extensive disease (1950–1989: 52% vs. 1990–2009: 71%, P < 0.01). Conclusions:The incidence of UC has increased markedly in Victorian children since 1990. Although some of this change may be attributable to earlier diagnosis, it is unlikely that this can provide a complete explanation for this still-increasing condition.
Segmentation of 3D cardiac ultrasound images using correlation of radio frequency data

Semi-automatic segmentation of the heart muscle in 3D echographic images may substantially support clinical diagnosis of heart disease. Especially in children with congenital heart disease, segmentation should be based on the echo features solely since a priori knowledge on the shape of the heart cannot be used. Segmentation of echocardiographic images is challenging because of the low echogenicity of the myocardium in some regions. High resolution information derived from radio frequency (rf) ultrasound data might be a useful additional feature in these regions. A semi-3D technique was used to determine maximum temporal cross-correlation values from the rf-data. To segment the endocardial surface, maximum cross-correlation values were used as additional external force in a deformable model approach and were tested against and combined with adaptive filtered, demodulated rf-data. The method was tested on pediatric full volume images (Philips, iE33) and evaluated by comparison with contours obtained from manual segmentation.
Cultural Combination and International Acquisition Performance of Multinational Corporations in Nigeria

International acquisitions constitute the most frequently used means through which multinational corporations undertake foreign direct investment, however, majority of these transactions are not successful. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Critical Factors (CFs) of successful cultural combination and international acquisition performance (IAP) of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in Nigeria, that have implemented international acquisition as a strategic imperative in the past one decade. 516 senior and management staff of 13 multinational corporations operating in Nigerian were randomly selected from a business-to-business database maintained by a national list provider. Using Rottig (2007) Five-C’s Framework of successful international acquisition management, factors manifesting International Acquisition Performance were regressed on the critical factors, manifesting successful cultural combinations. Findings based on the survey revealed that successful cultural combinations positively affected international acquisition performance. The results suggests the positive effects of the CFs of successful cultural combinations (Cultural due diligence-β=0.34, p=0.043; Cross-cultural communication-β=0.29, p=0.041; Connection-β=0.31, p=0.028; and Controlβ=0.36, p=0.038) on successful cultural combinations in MNCs operating in Nigeria. In addition, Cultural due diligence, Cross-cultural communication, Connection, and control contributed 38%, 30%, 17% and 17% respectively, towards positive variations in international acquisition performance of MNCs operating in Nigeria during the study period. The model contrived provides predictive implications on improved international acquisition performance, given the activities of CFs manifesting successful cultural combinations. This paper suggests that it is not cultural distance per se, but ineffective management of cultural differences that may be the main reason for the high failure rates of international acquisitions.
The collaboration index: a measure for supply chain collaboration

Purpose – This paper proposes an instrument to measure the extent of collaboration in a supply chain consisting of two members, suppliers and retailers.Design/methodology/approach – The proposed model for collaboration incorporates collaborative practices in information sharing, decision synchronisation and incentive alignment. A collaboration index is introduced to measure the level of collaborative practices. A survey of companies in New Zealand was conducted to obtain data to test and evaluate the collaboration index.Findings – The survey results confirmed the reliability and validity of the proposed collaboration index measure for measuring collaboration. The findings also showed that the collaboration index was positively associated with operational performance.Research limitations/implications – Future research could consider larger sample sizes and cover other industry types.Practical implications – Supply chain participants will be able to measure the extent of their collaboration and seek improve.
An Exploratory Study of the Islamic Credit Card Users’ Satisfaction

The Islamic financial system industry is growing tremendously in Malaysia an the existence of the system in parallel with the existing conventional financial system provide an alternative to Muslim consumer in adhering to religious rules and regulation. The rapid development of the Islamic products' creation in the banking system is comparable but customer satisfaction should not be ignore. The researcher proposed to develop a customer satisfaction model for one of the Islamic banking product (i.e Islamic credit card). Research in customer satisfaction is predominant by the quantitative research, but the qualitative research is also getting attention. This paper is a preliminary investigation in identifying if religion has any relationship with Islamic credit card customers' satisfaction.
Two Stage Comparison of Classifier Performances for Highly Imbalanced Datasets

During the process of knowledge discovery in data, imbalanced learning data often emerges and presents a significant challenge for data mining methods. In this paper, we investigate the influence of class imbalanced data on the classification results of artificial intelligence methods, i.e. neural networks and support vector machine, and on the classification results of classical classification methods represented by RIPPER and the Naive Bayes classifier. All experiments are conducted on 30 different imbalanced datasets obtained from KEEL (Knowledge Extraction based on Evolutionary Learning) repository. With the purpose of measuring the quality of classification, the accuracy and the area under ROC curve (AUC) measures are used. The results of the research indicate that the neural network and support vector machine show improvement of the AUC measure when applied to balanced data, but at the same time, they show the deterioration of results from the aspect of classification accuracy. RIPPER results are also similar, but the changes are of a smaller magnitude, while the results of the Naive Bayes classifier show overall deterioration of results on balanced distributions. The number of instances in the presented highly imbalanced datasets has significant additional impact on the classification performances of the SVM classifier. The results have shown the potential of the SVM classifier for the ensemble creation on imbalanced datasets.
ISLAMIC BANKING AND MONEY DEMAND FUNCTION IN MALAYSIA An Econometric Analysis

The Central Bank of Malaysia is facing unique challenges in transmitting its monetary policies due to Islamic banking, which strictly prohibits the interest payments. This article develops new methodology to calculate the demand for money function in the presence of Islamic banking. It indicates some weaknesses in the existing mechanism and raises thought that would be helpful in revising the monetary related policies in Malaysia.