Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Actionable Auditing Revisited

Although algorithmic auditing has emerged as a key strategy to expose systematic biases embedded in software platforms, we struggle to understand the real-world impact of these audits and continue to find it difficult to translate such independent assessments into meaningful corporate accountability. To analyze the impact of publicly naming and disclosing performance results of biased AI systems, we investigate the commercial impact of Gender Shades, the first algorithmic audit of gender- and skin-type performance disparities in commercial facial analysis models. This paper (1) outlines the audit design and structured disclosure procedure used in the Gender Shades study, (2) presents new performance metrics from targeted companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and Megvii (Face++) on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) as of August 2018, (3) provides performance results on PPB by non-target companies such as Amazon and Kairos, and (4) explores differences in company responses as shared through corporate communications that contextualize differences in performance on PPB. Within 7 months of the original audit, we find that all three targets released new application program interface (API) versions. All targets reduced accuracy disparities between males and females and darker- and lighter-skinned subgroups, with the most significant update occurring for the darker-skinned female subgroup that underwent a 17.7--30.4% reduction in error between audit periods. Minimizing these disparities led to a 5.72--8.3% reduction in overall error on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) for target corporation APIs. The overall performance of non-targets Amazon and Kairos lags significantly behind that of the targets, with error rates of 8.66% and 6.60% overall, and error rates of 31.37% and 22.50% for the darker female subgroup, respectively. This is an expanded version of an earlier publication of these results, revised for a more general audience, and updated to include commentary on further developments.
Click-through rate prediction model based on LightGBM and DeepFM

Aiming at the problems of information overload and insufficient personalized service in multi-service system, a click-through rate prediction model based on LightGBM and DeepFM (LGDF) for multi-service systems is proposed. The LGDF model is based on the framework of LightGBM and DeepFM model. Firstly, LightGBM gradient lifting decision tree is added to the model to perform high-order combination feature transformation and fusion extraction on the features in the original dataset to obtain effective integer result vectors. Then, the integer result vector generated by LightGBM tree prediction is spliced with the original data set to form the new dataset. Finally, the new dataset is used as the input of the DeepFM model to learn the combination relationship of high-order and low-order features between the data. The proposed model is verified on the public dataset Criteo, and the experimental results show that the proposed model LGDF has higher accuracy than other classical models.
Mission Capability Assessment of CubeSats Using a Miniature Ion Thruster

The successful miniaturization of many spacecraft subsystems make CubeSats attractive candidates for evermore-demanding scientific missions. A three-cell CubeSat employing the miniature xenon ion thruster, which features high efficiency and impulse capability, yields a unique spacecraft that can be optimized for a variety of missions ranging from significant inclination changes in a low Earth orbit to lunar transfers. A nominal configuration of a high-ΔV CubeSat has a dry mass of approximately 6.3 kg, including a 0.75 kg payload, margins, and contingencies. Depending on the thruster and propellant tank configuration, this CubeSat is capable of delivering mission ΔV values from 1000 to over 7000 m/s, enabling low-Earth-orbit inclination change missions and lunar missions. A parametric analysis on a three-cell high-ΔV CubeSat bus revealed that a range of payload volumes (up to nearly 1.4 units) and masses (up to nearly 6 kg) can be accommodated depending on the ΔV requirements and mission type. Additionall.
Research on the post-purchase behaviour tendency of the product quality to customers in fast-selling marketing

Abstract Based on an analysis of the influence of the quality of fast-selling products on customers’ shopping behaviour, this paper discusses the research on the influence of various factors on customers’ shopping behaviour. According to modern scientific methods and literature, theoretical research and social factor analysis, from three angles, namely corporate image, product/service image, and consumer image, six important indicators, such as corporate image, product style and value, consumer characteristics, user’s buying feeling, corporate philosophy and corporate values, are determined, which are the key factors that influence people’s choice behaviour. Considering the key factors in the quality of fast-selling products and the weight of their influence on users’ choice behaviour, according to the development trend of the fast-selling-product industry, this paper provides appropriate guidance on shaping and ensuring the quality of enterprises’ products. Suggestions on image-building and maintenance of fast-selling products are as follows: the image-building of fast-selling products must pay attention to quality, the shaping of brand culture and the practice of brand image communication management.
Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variants in an In Silico Genomic Comparison Study with the Original Wuhan Strain and WHO-Recognized Variants of Concern

Abstract This study aimed to determine the genetic alterations in the Omicron variants compared to other variants of concern (VOCs) to trace the evolutionary genetics of the SARS-CoV-2 variants responsible for the multiple COVID-19 waves globally. The present study is an in silico analysis determining the evolution of selected 11 VOCs compared to the original Wuhan strain. The variants included six Omicrons and one variant of Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Mu. The pairwise alignment with the local alignment search tool of NCBI Nucleotide-BLAST and NCBI Protein-BLAST were used to determine the nucleotide base changes and corresponding amino acid changes in proteins, respectively. The genomic analysis revealed 210 nucleotide changes; most of these changes (127/210, 60.5%) were non-synonymous mutations that occurred mainly in the S gene (52/127, 40.1%). The remaining 10.5% (22/210) and 1.9% (4/210) of the mutations were frameshift deletions and frameshift insertions, respectively. The frameshift insertion (Ins22194T T22195G) led to frameshift deletion (Δ211N). Only four mutations (C241T, C3037T, C14408T, and A23403G) were shared among all the VOCs. The nucleotide changes among Omicron variants resulted in 61 amino acid changes, while the nucleotide changes in other VOCs showed 11 amino acid changes. The present study showed that most mutations (38/61, 62.3%) among Omicron variants occurred in the S gene; and 34.2% of them (13/38) occurred in the receptor-binding domain. The present study confirmed that most of mutations developed by Omicron variants occurred in the vaccine target gene (S gene). Graphical Abstract
Salient constructs to enhance the acceptance of wearable medical devices: An exploratory research ; Giyilebilir medikal cihazların kabulünü geliştirmek için önemli ögeler

iv ÖZ . v DEDICATION . vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTERS
Green transformational leadership and environmental performance in small and medium enterprises

Abstract This study examines the nexus between green transformational leadership (GTL) and environmental performance (EP), considering the mediating role of green human resource management (GHRM) and green innovation (GI). Besides, we also find the moderating effects of environmental values (EV) between GTL and EP. This study collected data from 110 respondents using a survey questionnaire from small and medium enterprises and employed structural equation modeling. The findings confirm a positive and significant effect of GTL on EP. Furthermore, mediation analysis confirms that GHRM and GI positively mediate between GTL and EP. Moreover, it is also confirmed from structural equation modelling that EV play moderating role between GTL and EP. These results offer valuable recommendations for all stakeholders.
Temporal dynamics and variation in the alfalfa root nodule and rhizosphere microbial communities of coastal sand and lawn soil

ABSTRACT Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa), a leguminous crop, is vital globally for forage, crop rotation, and soil fertility. Though, the microbiome of alfalfa grown in uncultivated land has not been studied yet. Here, we employed the high-throughput 16S rRNA and nifH gene amplicon sequencing to unravel the rhizosphere microbiome and nodules endosymbionts of alfalfa grown in poor lawn and coastal sandy soils. The root nodule of alfalfa of coastal sands and poor lawn soil, Sinorhizobia/Ensifer accounted for 80.599% and 67.727% of the total microbiome, respectively. The class Actinobacteria (except Frankiales) and order Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales, Burkholderiales, Pseudomonas, and Cytophagia were found significantly enriched. Culturable studies displayed the dominance of Bacillus followed by Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, and Streptomyces. Hydroponics studies revealed the efficiency of cultured isolates for nodulation and plant growth attributes. Overall studies decipher the soil indigenous microbiome associated with root nodule and rhizosphere of Alfalfa grown in uncultivated coastal and sandy land.
Organizational affective commitment effects on militaries’ well-being during a deployment: A study of a peacekeeping mission

ABSTRACT Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory, this longitudinal study analyzes the contribution of organizational affective commitment during the preparation phase of a peacekeeping mission (T1) to explain the well-being of soldiers during that mission (T2). A sample of 409 Brazilian army participants in the MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti) was used in two waves – preparation of the troops in Brazil, and their deployment in Haitian territory. The data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. The results supported organizational affective commitment during the preparation phase (T1) positively predicting the general well-being (perception of health and general satisfaction with life) of these soldiers during the deployment phase (T2). The workplace well-being (i.e. work engagement) of these peacekeepers was also found to mediate this relationship. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and limitations and suggestions for future research are presented.
Slow repair: gender and restorative justice in Zimbabwe

This article reports on a ceremony gone awry at Kufunda Village, Zimbabwe, in which women had refused to follow a gendered cultural script of forgiveness and had instead released rather than slaughtered a chicken. They thus reinscribed old symbols with new meanings as a means of contesting patriarchy and beginning a slow process of restorative justice. Kufunda Village was set up as a direct response to conditions of postcolonial modernity in Zimbabwe: the village’s inhabitants see themselves as engaged in a process of learning new ways of inhabiting Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the socioeconomic collapse of the post-2000 era. This paper presents a detailed ethnographic examination of this locally generated example of an invented- tradition-in-process to argue that the refusal of “quick” forgiveness allowed for the development of a slower, more processual form of restorative justice that was seen as being more likely to succeed. I contrast this form of slow change to larger-scale internationally generated models of transitional justice that have been rolled out in the country. I argue that any attempts at restorative justice in Zimbabwe need to recognise justice as a slow, processual and uneven process that needs to incorporate multiple hidden and overt harms.
Cortical Reactivation of Non-Spatial and Spatial Memory Representations Coordinate with Hippocampus to Form a Memory Dialogue

Episodic memory depends on the association of diverse attribute representations that are distributed across the neocortex, and evidence suggests that these attributes are linked, at least initially, by the hippocampus, which orchestrates retrieval and the offline replay of experience during memory consolidation. The dynamics that characterize this hippocampal-cortical dialogue, however, are only partly understood. Although it was originally proposed that replay is initiated in CA3, with the spontaneous emission of sharp-wave ripple (SWR) bursts, increasing evidence suggests that cortex may seed the process with partial information, leading to pattern completion in CA3 and subsequent global reactivation of the episode. A recent study has shown that the secondary motor cortex (M2), among other areas, carries two distinct types of representations: place cell-like activity, which relies on an intact hippocampus for its development, and responses tied to visuo-tactile cues — the ‘attributes’ of the experience, which do not require the hippocampus. Using two-photon Ca2+ imaging, while simultaneously acquiring LFP from the ipsilateral CA1, we assessed the interactions among cortical retrieval of visuo-tactile attributes of previous experiences in a virtual environment, hippocampal SWR, and the cortical reinstatement of the spatial aspects of the same experiences. During rest after the experience, two types of reactivation events occurred, which separately conveyed information about spatial trajectories and visuo-tactile attributes. Reactivation of attribute information preceded that of trajectories in relation to hippocampal SWRs. Furthermore, paired reactivations of cue and trajectory information supported similar features of previous experiences. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cortical retrieval of non-spatial attributes of recent experience seeds hippocampal reactivation of associated spatial sequences, which is followed by retrieval of episodic memory traces.
Activation of β2-Adrenergic Receptors in Microglia Alleviates Neuropathic Hypersensitivity in Mice

Drugs enhancing the availability of noradrenaline are gaining prominence in the therapy of chronic neuropathic pain. However, underlying mechanisms are not well understood, and research has thus far focused on α2-adrenergic receptors and neuronal excitability. Adrenergic receptors are also expressed on glial cells, but their roles toward antinociception are not well deciphered. This study addresses the contribution of β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) to the therapeutic modulation of neuropathic pain in mice. We report that selective activation of β2-ARs with Formoterol inhibits pro-inflammatory signaling in microglia ex-vivo and nerve injury-induced structural remodeling and functional activation of microglia in vivo. Systemic delivery of Formoterol inhibits behaviors related to neuropathic pain, such as mechanical hypersensitivity, cold allodynia and the aversive component of pain, and reverses chronically established neuropathic pain. Using conditional gene targeting for microglia-specific deletion of β2-ARs, we demonstrate that the anti-allodynic effects of Formoterol are primarily mediated by microglia. Although Formoterol also reduces astrogliosis at late stages of neuropathic pain, these functions are unrelated to β2-AR signaling in microglia. Our results underline the value of developing microglial β2-AR agonists for relief from neuropathic pain and clarify mechanistic underpinnings. Graphical Abstract
The neurophysiology of closed-loop auditory 1 stimulation in sleep: a MEG study

Closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS) is a brain modulation technique in which sounds are timed to enhance or disrupt endoge- 10 nous neurophysiological events. CLAS of slow oscillation up-states in sleep is becoming a popular tool to study and potentially 11 enhance sleep’s functions, as it can increase slow oscillations, evoke sleep spindles, and enhance memory consolidation of certain 12 tasks. However, few studies have examined the speciﬁc neurophysiological mechanisms involved in CLAS, in part because of prac- 13 tical limitations to commonly-used tools. To evaluate evidence for possible models of how sound stimulation during brain up-states 14 might generate slow oscillations, we simultaneously recorded electro- and magnetoencephalography in human participants who re- 15 ceived auditory stimulation across sleep stages and neural oscillation phases. The results suggest that auditory information reaches 16 ventral frontal lobe areas via non-lemniscal pathways. From there, a slow oscillation is created and propagated. We demonstrate that 17 while the state of excitability of tissue in auditory cortex and frontal ventral regions shows some synchrony with the EEG-recorded 18 up-states that are commonly used for CLAS, it is the state of ventral frontal regions that is most critical for slow oscillation genera- 19 tion. Our ﬁndings advance models of how CLAS leads to enhancement of slow oscillations, sleep spindles, and associated cognitive 20 beneﬁts, and offer insight into how the effectiveness of brain stimulation techniques can be improved. 21
On collisionless energy absorption in plasmas: Theory and experiment in spherical geometry

An investigation of the rf impedance characteristics of a small spherical probe immersed in a laboratory plasma is ongoing in the large Space Physics Simulation Chamber [D. N. Walker et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 65, 661 (1994)] at the Naval Research Laboratory. The data taken are from network analyzer measurements of the reflection coefficient obtained when applying a low level rf signal to the probe which is either near floating potential or negatively dc biased in a low pressure plasma. As is well known, sheaths form around objects placed inside plasmas. The electron density is smaller inside the sheath, and the reduction in density alters the plasma impedance. Surprisingly, the impedance becomes “resistive,” even though the plasma is effectively collisionless, at frequencies below the bulk plasma frequency, thus leading to collisionless energy absorption. This behavior comes directly from Maxwell's equations along with the cold fluid equations. The solutions obtained indicate that this form of plasma res.
Establishment of a novel set of vectors for transformation of the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae

Peridinin-containing dinoflagellate algae have a chloroplast genome formed from plasmid-like minicircles. This fragmented genome has allowed us to develop a genetic modification methodology involving the use of biolistics to introduce artificial minicircles in Amphidinium carterae (Nimmo et al., 2019). The previously reported artificial minicircles were based on native minicircles containing either the psbA or atpB gene. Each artificial minicircle allowed expression of a single selectable marker instead of psbA or atpB. Here, we present two further artificial minicircles for use in transformation of A. carterae. One is based on the petD minicircle, allowing the expression of a single selectable marker. The second is based on the two-gene minicircle originally containing atpA and petB, and allows the dual expression of a selectable marker and a gene of interest. Our research suggest that all of the 20 or so minicircles in A. carterae are suitable for adaptation as artificial minicircles, allowing for the simultaneous introduction of multiple genes.
Unsupervized identification of prognostic copy-number alterations using segmentation and lasso regularization

Identifying copy-number alteration with prognostic impact is typically done in a supervised approach, were candidate regions are user-selected (chomosome arms, oncogenes, etc). Yet CNA events may range from whole chromosome alterations to small focal amplifications or deletions, with no available approach to combine the potential prognostic impact of different aberration ranges. We propose and compare different statistical models to integrate the effects of multi-scale CNA events by exploiting the longitudinal structure of the genome, and assume that the survival distribution follows a Cox-proportional hazard model. These methods are adaptable to any cohorts screened for CNA by genome-wide assays such as CGH-array or whole-genome sequencing technologies, and with sufficient follow-up time. We show that combining a segmentation in the survival odds strategy with a lasso-regularization selection approach provides the best results in terms of recovering the true significant CNA regions as well as predicting survival outcomes. In particular, as shown on a 551 Multiple Myeloma patient cohort, this method allows to refine previously identified regions to exhibit potential novel driver genes.
Functional mRNA delivery to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vivo

Gene correction of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is a promising therapeutic approach for multiple disorders. Current methods, however, require HSC collection from patients, gene correction during ex vivo culture, and re-infusion of corrected HSC into patients conditioned with chemotherapeutic agents. These approaches are complex, and the conditioning creates toxicities. We show that a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) can deliver mRNA encoding a reporter or a gene editing protein to HSC, with one injection transfecting ∼25% of mouse HSC, and repeated doses resulting in higher editing efficiencies. We also demonstrate LNP-driven in vivo mRNA delivery to HSC in non-human primates and humanized mice. These results demonstrate a translatable approach to deliver mRNA encoding therapeutic proteins, or gene correcting tools, to HSC that do not require cell culture or toxic conditioning. One-Sentence Summary LNP can deliver functional mRNA to mouse, non-human primate, and human HSC.
SNARE protein tomosyn regulates dense core vesicle composition but not exocytosis in mammalian neurons

Tomosyn is a large, non-canonical SNARE protein proposed to act as a competitive inhibitor of SNARE complex formation in vesicle exocytosis. In the brain, tomosyn inhibits fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs), whereas its role in the fusion of neuropeptide-containing dense core vesicles (DCVs) is unknown. Here, we addressed this question using a new mouse model allowing conditional deletion of tomosyn (Stxbp5) and its paralogue tomosyn-2 (Stxbp5l), and an assay that detects DCV exocytosis with single vesicle resolution in primary hippocampal neurons. Surprisingly, loss of both tomosyns did not affect DCV exocytosis but resulted in a strong reduction of intracellular levels of many DCV cargos, most prominently brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), granin VGF and prohormone convertase PCSK1. Reduced levels of DCV cargos were paralleled by decreased DCV size and impaired mRNA expression of the corresponding genes. We conclude that tomosyns regulate neuropeptide and neurotrophin secretion via control of DCV cargo production, and not at the step of cargo release. Our findings suggest a differential effect of tomosyn on the two main secretory pathways in mammalian neurons and argues against a conserved role of tomosyn as competitive inhibitor of SNARE complex formation.