Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Neurobiobanking and Stroke Genomic Research in Africa: A Study Protocol of the African Neurobiobank for Precision Stroke Medicine ELSI Project

The ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of emerging neurobiobanks and data resources are unclear in an African scientific landscape with unique cultural, linguistic, and belief systems. The overarching goal of the African Neurobiobank for Precision Stroke Medicine–—ELSI Project is to identify, examine, and develop novel approaches to address ELSI issues of biobanking and stroke genomic research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To accomplish the goal we will (1) explore knowledge, attitude, perceptions, barriers, and facilitators influencing ELSI issues related to biobanking and stroke genomic research; (2) use information obtained to craft a community intervention program focused on ELSI issues; and (3) build capacity and careers related to genomics and biobanking for effective client/community engagement while enhancing regulatory, governance, and implementation competences in biobanking science in SSA. A community-based participatory research and mixed-methodological approach, focused on various levels of the social ecological model, will be used to identify and examine relevant ELSI issues. Contextual intervention tools, platforms, and practices will be developed to enhance community understanding and participation in stroke biobanking and genomics research activities while facilitating enduring trust, and equitable and fair utilization of biobanking resources for genetic and trans-omics research. A concurrent capacity building program related to genetic counseling and biobanking will be implemented for early career researchers. The huge potential for neurobiobanking and genomics research in Africa to advance precision medicine applicable to stroke and other neurological disorders requires addressing ELSI challenges while building sustainable research, career, and regulatory capacities in trans-omics and biobanking science.
How much fear is in anxiety?

The selective breeding for extreme behavior on the elevated plus-maze (EPM) resulted in two mouse lines namely high-anxiety behaving (HAB) and low-anxiety behaving (LAB) mice. Using novel behavioral tests we demonstrate that HAB animals additionally exhibit maladaptive escape behavior and defensive vocalizations, whereas LAB mice show profound deficits in escaping from approaching threats which partially results from sensory deficits. We could relate these behavioral distortions to tonic changes in brain activity within the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in HAB mice and the superior colliculus (SC) in LAB mice, using in vivo manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) followed by pharmacological or chemogenetic interventions. Therefore, midbrain-tectal structures govern the expression of both anxiety-like behavior and defensive responses. Our results challenge the uncritical use of the anthropomorphic terms anxiety or anxiety-like for the description of mouse behavior, as they imply higher cognitive processes, which are not necessarily in place.
SREBP1 drives KRT80-dependent cytoskeletal changes and invasive behavior in endocrine resistant ERα breast cancer

Approximately 30% of women diagnosed with ERα breast cancer relapse with metastatic disease following adjuvant treatment with endocrine therapies1,2. The connection between acquisition of drug resistance and invasive potential is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the type II keratin topological associating domain (TAD)3 undergoes epigenetic reprogramming in cells that develop resistance to aromatase inhibitors (AI), leading to keratin 80 (KRT80) upregulation. In agreement, an increased number of KRT80-positive cells are observed at relapse in vivo while KRT80 expression associates with poor outcome using several clinical endpoints. KRT80 expression is driven by de novo enhancer activation by sterol regulatory element-binding protein 14 (SREBP1). KRT80 upregulation directly promotes cytoskeletal rearrangements at the leading edge, increased focal adhesion maturation and cellular stiffening, which collectively promote cancer cell invasion. Shear-wave elasticity imaging of prospective patients shows that KRT80 levels correlate with stiffer tumors in vivo. Collectively, our data uncover an unpredicted and potentially targetable direct link between epigenetic and cytoskeletal reprogramming promoting cell invasion in response to chronic AI treatment.
The Mediating Role of Perceived Value on the Relationship between Service Quality and Loyalty: The Private Banking Case in Myanmar:

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of service quality on loyalty and the mediating effect of perceived value on the relationships between service quality dimensions and loyalty of private bank users in Myanmar. Specifically, this study emphasized five dimensions of service quality, perceived value and loyalty. The quantitative research approach was used to investigate 489 valid responses collected via a questionnaire survey from the users of a private bank in Myanmar. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data. This study found that three dimensions of service quality, reliability, assurance, and empathy positively and significantly impact on loyalty and perceived value mediates the relationship between each dimension of service quality and loyalty. However, tangibles and responsiveness dimensions of service quality did not find to have significant effect on loyalty of bank customers. The findings could contribute to the service loyalty context in the aspect of service quality and loyalty. Moreover, the findings could be applied to the development of strategies to make customers satisfied and remain with the company and sustain their loyalty.
Comprehensive Development of Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicle

This paper presents a comprehensive development of a dynamic wireless power transfer (WPT) system for the charge of the battery onboard an electric vehicle (EV). The development starts from the assessment of the electrical specifications of the dynamic WPT system, goes through the design of its power stages, and concludes with its validation. In the design step, the structure of the coupling set, layout of the coils, configuration of the conversion stages and topology of the compensation networks are illustrated, as well as electrical sizing of the power stage components. In the validation step, the setup of a dynamic WPT system is described, and the results of experimental tests carried out with the pickup moving along the track are given.
BotDetector: An extreme learning machine‐based Internet of Things botnet detection model

The development of artificial intelligence has brought new methods for botnet detection. For better performance, deep learning (DL) is more and more widely employed to botnet detecting. The existing DL‐based botnet detection methods require lots of computing resources and running time. While in the real Internet of Things (IoT) environment, real‐time and low computing consumption are much needed. Therefore, the DL‐based methods seem to be powerless in real‐time IoT scenarios. For these reasons, this article proposes a botnet detection model based on extreme learning machine, named BotDetector, which can directly obtain network stream files and quickly learn without data processing to extract botnet traffic characteristics. Experiments show that BotDetector has a good performance, which can identify botnets accurately with great reduction the time consumption and resource consumption. Furthermore, BotDetector has strong applicability in real IoT scenes.
Analisis Kointegrasi Bursa Efek Indonesia, Malaysia dan Singapura: Pendekatan Pair-Case dan Multivariate

This study aims to examine the stock market cointegration between Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), Malaysian Stock Exchange (Bursa Malaysia) and Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX). The weekly stock indexes covering January 2013 to December 2018 are analyzed using the Johansen testing approach with the Vectorautoregresiv (VAR) framework. This study uses a pair-case and multivariate manner. The results show that multivariate analysis does not show any cointegration between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Singapore Stock Exchange. However, cointegration exists between the Malaysian and Singapore capital markets. These results confirm that the same results of bivariate analysis do not always support multivariate testing. https://doi.org/10.26905/jmdk.v8i1. 3538
Extracellular matrix regulates morphogenesis and function of ciliated sensory organs in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cilia and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are signaling organelles that play important roles in human health and disease. In C. elegans and mammals, the Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) gene products polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 localize to both cilia and EVs, act in the same genetic pathway, and function in a sensory capacity, suggesting ancient conservation. Hence, the nematode offers an excellent system in which to address central questions regarding the biology of cilia, EVs, and the polycystins. We discovered an unexpected role of the mec-1, mec-5, and mec-9 genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) components. We determined that these ECM encoding genes regulate polycystin localization and function, ciliary EV release, cilia length, dendritic morphology, and neuron-glia interactions. Abnormal ECM and fibrosis are observed in ciliopathies such as ADPKD, nephronophthisis, and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. Our studies reveal multifaceted roles for ECM proteins in the ciliated nervous system of the worm and provide a powerful new in vivo model to study the relationship between ECM, the polycystins, and ciliopathies.
Accuration detection and recognition of vehicle plate numbers for high speed using QR code

QR Code is becoming popular and extensive adoption in international especially in Japan and Korea. Recent statistic from several agencies revealed that more than 96% people who are using QR Code scanning to visit Internet accounts. The main purpose of created QR Code is a scanning item from the warehouse and now moving forward to use on newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, advertisement, store websites address, content information and miscellaneous data. Yet, most companies are still confused about the concept of QR Code even though they follow the market trend spending using QR Code. Conversely, This paper, we propose a movement object system recognition using QR code attached to a windshield. The experiment was done by recording a video file, while the car was moving at various speeds. From the experiment results, the identification success rate of 100 percent was achieved when the car moving less than 30 kilometers per hour. At the speed of 60 kilometers per hours, the identification of rate is 30 percent successful. This paper enhances the contrast of the grayscale image by transforming the values using Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE).
Microsatellite Analysis of Genetic Variation in Intraspecific Hybrids and Self-Breds of Steelhead Trout and Golden Rainbow Trout

Genetic diversity of the hybrids and inbreds of Steelhead trout and golden rainbow trout, altogether four populations, was studied based on 15 polymorphic microsatellite locus. Two hundred and forty individuals (sixty individuals per one population) were collected from the Yudu hill aquaculture experimental station of Beijing Fisheries Research Institute, Beijing, China. The genetic variation of the hybrids and inbreds of Steelhead trout and golden rainbow trout were all relatively high. The mean observed heterozygosity value of YJ, YY, JJ and JY were respectively 0.6600, 0.7733, 0.7822, and 0.6533. The mean Fis and Fit value were respectively (-0.5065, -0.6037, -0.5728, -0.4620) and (-0.3857, -0.5272, -0.4987, -0.4069), showing an average excess of heterozygote proportion. The mean Fst value was respectively 0.0802, 0.0477, 0.0471, and 0.0376. The mean genetic distance between JJ and YY was the closest (0.0097), next to YJ and YY (0.0655), and that between JY and YY was the most distant (0.1096). The dendrogram showed JY and YJ firstly clustered together, and then they clustered together with the inbred offspring (JJ and YY). Duo to Fst (little genetic differentiation) and Nm (the Nm values of 15 locus > 1), JY was a finer variety the two hybrids of Steelhead trout and golden rainbow trout. Our data offer supporting evidence that inbreeding depression of Steelhead trout and golden rainbow trout involves multiple related genes, favoring partial dominance over dominance.
DoA Prediction Based Beamforming with Low Training Overhead for Highly-Mobile UAV Communication with Cellular Networks

In supporting communications with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as aerial user equipments (aUEs) in cellular systems, the current beamforming schemes based on channel state estimation are facing severe challenges from the pilot contamination effect, especially in 5G and future networks where the cell size becomes small and the user density is high. Beamforming schemes based on signal direction of arrival (DoA) are regarded as a highly promising alternative to solve this problem. However, to achieve optimal performance for DoA-based beamforming, the error to DoA estimation during pilot signal intervals, caused by the high mobility of UAVs, must be addressed. In the meantime, the training overheads of traditional DoA estimation algorithms must be reduced to save the bandwidth for data communication. This paper investigates uplink beamforming performance enhancement based on signal DoA estimation to support UAV-cellular network communication. We propose a novel DoA estimation algorithm to predict angle variations during the intervals, which achieves high precision even when UAVs are at high mobility. The prediction process requires no pilot signals and enables timely adjustment of the steering vector when calculating the beamforming weight vector. The proposed algorithm contributes to the realisation of a beamforming scheme with real-time steering vector updates, which simultaneously maintains high beamforming gains and low training overheads. Simulation results show that, compared with the conventional DoA-based beamforming scheme, the proposed method yields more accurate DoA estimation output and higher gains. Furthermore, simulation experiments also suggests that applying the proposed scheme can reduce up to 100 pilot signal transmissions per second.
Culture and innovation in the international context: a literature overview

The ecosystem perspective on innovation and business are becoming critical for organizational innovation, but there is a lack of theoretical consistency concerning the terminology of innovation ecosystem. To remedy this research gap, we introduce the innovation ecosystem in the international business (IB) context and enrich the research about innovation ecosystems. To fulfill our research goals, we conducted a systematic literature review of articles published in ABS journals during the period 1991–2018. Based on a systematical review of a total of 100 articles, we identified thematic differences within the literature related to how culture influences innovation in the IB context (e.g. antecedent/driver, output and commercialization of innovation) and proposed the concept of an innovation ecosystem. In addition, our study also finds that cultural factors run through every link of the innovation ecosystem in the IB context, which lays out the future research agenda.
Towards Safer and More Sustainable Ways for Exploiting Nuclear Power

Future electricity systems are challenged by deep decarbonization and concurrently increasing demand and there are growing concerns that renewables cannot shoulder this alone. Starting from the proven principle of diversity, we argue for keeping the nuclear option open or even for expanding its use. However, the perspectives are dim for the current technology as safety concerns and social aversion remain as fundamental problems. While looking for future revolutionary safe and more sustainable nuclear concepts we first review the main characteristics of civil nuclear energy, as well as its safety records and technical progress. We then list the key requirements for innovative nuclear systems designs which are less dependent on active safety systems and human performance as well as social stability. This allows us to provide a concept by concept comparison and assessment of existing and novel technologies and designs including different coolants and neutron spectra. The results indicate a high potential for far-reaching improvements compared to most advanced LWRs, although none of the candidate concepts meets all requirements convincingly, yet, helium cooled, small modular reactors (HTR-PM) come closest. We end by stressing the need for future research and development, and keeping human capital and know-how in nuclear energy; we call for an urgent increase in government and international RD&D funding by the order of a few hundreds of billions of USD per year, which will likely lead to breakthroughs that will restart productivity growth in severely affected stagnating modern economies.
The role of procurement procedures in environmental management: A case study of classified hotels in Mombasa County, Kenya

This paper sought to examine the role of procurement procedures on environmental management. It adopted a cross -sectional descriptive research design that involved collecting and analyzing data of observations about the role of procurement practices on environmental management from a representative sample of managerial staff of classified hotels in Mombasa County, Kenya. The data collected was primary data. It was collected from staff in 69 hotels in Mombasa County, Kenya. The research used stratified random sampling technique where the employees were categorised into seven strata of general/assistant managers, food and beverage managers, executive chef, procurement officers, maintenance managers, receiving managers and housekeepers. From each of the stratum, a random sample was identified. The study employed Yamane‟s formula to determine the sample size. The study determined that procurement procedures influenced environmental management. The study also determined that some of the procurement procedures were perceived to have a greater influence than others. The most influential procurement procedure on environmental management is tendering adverts that attract suppliers offering environmentally friendly products, while the least influential is assessing the impact of suppliers on the environment prior to purchasing .
Växjö Municipality’s Planning Strategy to Increase the Construction of Wooden Multi-Family Buildings

Sweden has a housing shortage, which the Swedish authorities expect to continue until 2025. Producers of wooden multi-family buildings have a relatively small market share in comparison to traditional building materials. The limited capacity to fulfil the increased building demand also restricts the possibilities for development towards innovation, bio-economy and sustainability. The municipalities in Sweden have responsibility for the planning of the building development in their region based on their projected requirements and strategies. Combining this with a desire to develop sustainable building solutions based on wood increases the complexity. Currently, public building developments are achieved through the public procurement act or the land allocation activity, dependent on their development strategy. This normally involves the development of local strategies regarding, for example, design, material choice and geographical development. This study aims to identify drivers that will enable improved market activities related to actions in public building initiatives using wood-based solutions, which is conducted by studying a specific building project managed by the Växjö Municipality in Sweden. The result indicates that improved transparency in the land allocation activity generates possibilities for developers to respond successfully to the requests submitted by the municipalities, and thus, increase the possible use of sustainable building methods using wood. This knowledge improves the understanding of the required strategic development for the companies, the government and the municipalities, to increase the use of sustainable building materials in Swedish multi-family housing projects.
Radiochemical studies of some pile-neutron fission yields of thorium-232

The general features of the mass yield curve in the pileneutron fission of thorium-232 have been determined earlier, particularly by Turkevich and Niday using radiochemical methods; their yield data were accurate to about plus or minus 20 percent. Work was done to determine more accurately the yields of some mass numbers in thorium fission by radiochemical methods. It was hoped that the accuracy would be sufficient to determine radiochemically any fine structure in the yield curve similar to the mass spectrometrically determined fine structure in the thermalneutron fission of uranium-235. In order to obtain greater accuracy with radiochemical methods, a four-pi beta proportional counter was used rather than a GeigerMuller counter. Small counting samples with high specific activities were used to minimize self-absorption corrections. Thin aluminum- coated plastic films were used as sample supports to minimize absorption in the sample holder. The thorium samples, in the form of metal foils, were irradiated in the fast-neutron faculities or the Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois. The fastneutron flux was of the order of 10/sup 13/ neutrons per second per square centimeter. The relative mass yields of mass numbers 89, 91, 99, 141, 143, 144, and 147 were determined by separating and countingmore » strontium- 89 yttrium91, molybdenum-99, cerium-141, praseodymium -143, cerium-144, and neodymium-147. The relative yields of mass numbers 90 and 140 were determined by separating strontium-90 and barium-140 and then milling and counting their daughters, yttrium-90 and lanthanum-140. Published fission product separation procedures were modified for use with one milligram of appropriate carriers. Additional steps were used to ensure removal of the large amount of protactinium- 233 produced in the neutron irradiation of thorium-232. The recoveries of the strontium and barium carriers were found gravimetically; the recoveries of the other carriers were found spectrophotometrically. The mass numbers and their yields relative to mass number 140 were found to be: 89, 1.04 plus or minus 0.06; 90, 1.09 plus or minus 0.06; 91, 0.64 plus or minus 0.04; 99, 0.40 plus or minus 0.03; 140, 1.00; 141, 0.95 plus or minus 0.06; The 91 mass yield was unaccountably low, but the others, including the yields of mass numbers 143 and 147 fit on the smooth yield curve of Turkevich and Niday. These yields are believed accurate to about plus or minus 6 per cent. Within this accuracy, no fine structure was found in these mass regions. (auth)« less