Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branch Transformation Strategies and Competitive Advantage of Commercial Banks in Ongata Rongai Town Kaijado County, Kenya

Significant transformations in both developing and developed economies have happened in the banking sector over the last twenty years. These transformation initiatives in the banking industry are meant to optimize, modernize and reimage the bank through the application of transformation strategies to create competitive advantage for commercial banks. The bank branch is considered as the main tool for accessing customers, increasing market share, attracting new customers, and gaining competitive advantage. Due to the high level of competition in the banking sector in Kenya, banks have been forced to introduce transformative strategies at the branch level. The aim of these transformative strategies is to create loyalty, customer and stakeholder satisfaction and increase market share for competitive advantage. Therefore, branch transformation strategy stresses the application of incremental, disruptive and fundamental changes aimed at reimaging, optimization and modernizing of the branch network through strategic customer centricity, strategic staffing, innovation and operational excellence in order to gain competitive advantages. This research study aimed to determine the effect of the branch transformative strategies on the competitive advantages of commercial banks in Ongata Rongai Town, Kenya. The specific objectives of this study included determining the relationship between customer-centric, innovation, strategic staffing, operational excellence strategies and competitive advantage. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View Theory, Michael Porter’s Generic Strategies Model, and Lean Six-Sigma Model. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The population consisted of all the seventeen commercial banks operating in Ongata Rongai Town, Kenya. The study used census. The respondents were fifty-one top managers working at the seventeen commercial banks in Ongata Rongai Town, Kenya. The study used primary qualitative data. The data was collected using questionnaires. The data collected was evaluated using ANOVA. The study established that customer-centric, innovation, and operational excellence strategies had a positive and statistically significant effect on the competitive advantage of the seventeen commercial banks operating in Ongata Rongai Town, Kenya. Strategic staffing was found to have a positive but statistically insignificant effect on competitive advantages. The study recommended that commercial banks enhance the use of customer-centric, innovation, and operational excellence strategies as this will lead to increased competitiveness. The study further recommends that commercial banks should review their strategic staffing framework to make it more effective.
Simulation numérique de la collection des charges induites par un ion lourd dans une diode silicium

Lorsqu'un ion lourd energetique traverse un dispositif a semi-conducteur, il genere une grande densite de paires electrons-trous le long de sa trace. Les porteurs libres ainsi crees vont perturber le fonctionnement du dispositif, particulierement s'ils se trouvent au voisinage d'une zone de charge d'espace. Nous presentons les techniques numeriques utilisees pour ce type de simulation, puis les resultats de simulation d'ion lourd traversant une jonction pn au silicium que nous comparons aux resultats experimentaux proposes dans la litterature. A l'aide de ces simulations, nous proposons une description du phenomene d'aspiration de charges apparaissant dans la diode lors de la collection des charges generees
In Silico Analysis of Regulatory Elements of the Vitamin D Receptor

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear transcription factor that controls gene expression. Its impaired expression was found to be related to different diseases. VDR also acts as a regulator of different pathways including differentiation, inflammation, calcium and phosphate absorption, etc. but there is no sufficient knowledge about the regulation of the gene itself. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic factors regulating the VDR may facilitate the improvement of strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with dysregulation of VDR. In the present investigation, a set of databases and methods were used to identify putative functional elements in the VDR locus. Histone modifications, CpG Islands, epigenetic marks at VDR locus were indicated. In addition, repeated sequences, enhancers, insulators, transcription factor binding sites and targets of the VDR gene, as well as protein-protein interactions with bioinformatics tools, were reported. Some of these genetic elements had overlapped with CpG Islands. These results revealed important new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the VDR gene regulation in human cells and tissues.
The translatome of adult cortical axons is regulated by learning in vivo

Local translation can support memory consolidation by supplying new proteins to synapses undergoing plasticity. Translation in adult forebrain dendrites is an established mechanism of synaptic plasticity and is regulated by learning, yet there is no evidence for learning-regulated protein synthesis in adult forebrain axons, which have traditionally been believed to be incapable of translation. Here we show that axons in the adult rat amygdala contain translation machinery, and use translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) with RNASeq to identify mRNAs in cortical axons projecting to the amygdala, over 1200 of which were regulated during consolidation of associative memory. Mitochondrial and translation-related genes were upregulated, whereas synaptic, cytoskeletal, and myelin-related genes were downregulated; the opposite effects were observed in the cortex. Our results demonstrate that learning-regulated axonal translation occurs in the adult forebrain, and support the likelihood that local translation is more a rule than an exception in neuronal processes.
A COMPARISON OF CAUSALITY ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR SUSPECTED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare six causality assessment (CA) tools for suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported in hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital in India. Methods: Intensive ADR monitoring was performed in indoor patients of two randomly selected medicine units. A detailed case report of each suspected ADR (n=120) was provided to six independent experts for CA using either visual analog scale (VAS) or WHO-UMC scale. Investigator assessed causality using Naranjo’s scale, Koh et al. scale, the French method, and Karch and Lasagna scale. Similar causality categories from these scales were coded for correlation. Agreement among experts and that between various CA tools were analyzed using Cohen’s kappa and Fleiss kappa. Reasons for disagreements among different scales were evaluated. Results: A variation was observed in the total number of drugs suspected to cause ADR by experts and investigator. “Likely” and “Plausible” causality were suggested frequently by experts using VAS whereas “Possible” causal association was frequent according to experts using the WHO-UMC scale and also by the investigator using algorithms except Koh et al. scale. None to the slight agreement was observed among experts who used VAS (k=0.117), whereas a substantial agreement was observed among experts using the WHO-UMC scale (k=0.707). A substantial agreement was observed between Karch and Lasagna scale and the French method (k=0.740). Both scales demonstrated moderate agreement with Naranjo’s scale. Disagreement among the WHO-UMC scale, the French method, and Karch and Lasagna scale were associated with polypharmacy, serious ADRs, non-availability of laboratory data, and skin and subcutaneous tissue ADRs. Conclusion: A higher inter-rater agreement with the WHO-UMC scale suggests its utility for CA of suspected ADRs in indoor patients. The French method and Karch and Lasagna scale can be used for CA in hospitalized patients as an adjunct to Naranjo’s scale. Factors associated with disagreement should be considered at the time of reporting ADRs and evaluating causality.
The influence of titanium dioxide surface chemistry on osteogenic stem cell selection

Micro structured, high surface energy titanium (Ti) has been shown to be an effective substrate for osseointegration of an implant with surrounding bone tissue. The aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that the enhanced osteogenic differentiation and function of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) in response to modified Ti surfaces is caused by a selection event within the population. The first cell type capable of producing new bone on an implant after placement are the MSCs which circulate in the bloodstream and are recruited to the site of tissue damage. The reservoirs of these cells are heterogeneous in nature, consisting of a mixture of cells with varying differentiation abilities. In order to utilise these cells and to reduce the chance of unwanted events during regenerative therapies, the selection of a subset of cells that is truly multipotent is required. The behaviour of the cells is altered by the modifications to the Ti surfaces and this underpins the differences seen in clinical performance. Stem cells from various tissues have been used to seed modified Ti surfaces in order to analyse these changes in cell behaviour. Combined with subsequent expansion, selected cells could be used for regenerative or bone engineering applications. The outer atoms of Ti form a stable, passive surface oxide layer that serves as a substrate for the formation of an osseous bond between tissue and fixture. Initial interactions occur between adhesion proteins on bone cell surfaces and the metal oxide layer. I discuss the contribution of van der Waals forces on molecular chemistry at the TiO2 [110] surface. The nano-roughened, hydrophilic surface of Ti has been attributed to improved biocompatibility. Spectroscopic and computational techniques demonstrate that the UV induced hydrophilic conversion of Ti occurs through surface hydroxyl group reorganisation. This enhances the adsorption effect of peptide adhesion domains. Thus, altered chemical interactions between simple molecules and the crystal surface determines the differential cellular osteogenic response to rough, hydrophilic Ti surfaces, through the increased expression of extra cellular matrix (ECM) adhesion components.
Incorporating uncertainty in spatial structure for viability predictions: a case study of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus)

Dennis, B. , Munholland, P.L. & Scott, J.M. (1991). Estimation of growth and extinction parameters for endangered species. Ecol. Monogr. 61, 115–143. Gonzalez-Suarez, M. , McCluney, K.E. , Aurioles, D. & Gerber, L.R. (2006). Incorporating uncertainty in spatial structure for viability predictions: a case study of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus). Anim. Conserv. 9, 219–227.
Nonlinear Robust Control of a Stewart Parallel Robot

In this paper, the control problem of a Stewart parallel robot is investigated, and a sliding mode control method based on self-tuning sliding mode disturbance compensator and double power reaching law is presented. The presented control method can realize fast regulation of a Stewart parallel robot system, and has good robustness and adaptability towards the system uncertainties. The design of a self-tuning sliding mode disturbance compensator is included in the presented control method. The designed sliding mode disturbance compensator does not need the upper bound information of the system uncertainties, and can accurately estimate the system uncertainties. The double power reaching law can not only ensure fast convergence of the system states, but also maintain the continuity of the sliding mode controller. Lyapunov stability theory is adopted to prove the stability of the closed-loop control system, and the validity of the presented control method is verified by a numerical simulation test.
Impact of Multiple Prostate Biopsies: Risk of Perioperative Complications and Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 2020 C Copyright The Korean Urological Oncology Society and The Korean Prostate Society. All Rights Reserved. Impact of Multiple Prostate Biopsies: Risk of Perioperative Complications and Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy
A Study of Clinical and Laboratory Screening of Thyroid Gland

The disease of the thyroid gland is very common in our country. Though the disease is very common in our country it is often misdiagnosed or neglected thus resulting in a catastrophe for the patient. This study puts in an effort to understand the role of USG in screening the Thyroid Gland. The problem is the abnormalities can be recorded more in the youths which is directly responsible for the health care and economic burden.
Risk Factors Associated to Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Lahore District

Our research aimed to check the impact of some signifi cant risk variables on diabetes growth and the specifi c goal of this study was to evaluate the connection of industrial fi elds with diabetes risk variables. The current research also informs us about the most important risk factor for male and female people with diabetes. A cross-section and convenient sample of 100 people, male and female, without discernment of risk factors and diabetes mellitus (Meta-Analysis on the eff ect of major risk factors on the diabetic patients form Jinnah Hospital Lahore). The risk factors in the general assessment i.e. lack of exercise, kidney problems, high ranges of tests and residence in industrial areas are found to be signifi cant. Assessment of these factors is helpful in early diagnosis and in prognosis of diabetes.
Morfologia do relevo e formações superficiais do ribeirão do Baú, São Bento do Sapucaí, SP

This paper presents the results of a morphological cartographic study carried out in the Ribeirao do Bau basin, Sao Bento do Sapucai municipality, State of Sao Paulo - Brazil. This basin corresponds to a sector of the erosive escarpment of the Campos do Jordao plateau, which is a morphostructural compartment of the eastern part of the Mantiqueira Mountain Ridge. The legend design of the 1:50,000-scale morphological map of the Ribeirao do Bau basin, preliminarily prepared from 1:25,000-scale aerial photographs, took into account the principles established by RCP.77, CNRS, France, for detailed geomorphological cartography. Greater emphasis was given to the morphographic representation, having in mind the diversity and richness of landform features. The correlation between the morphological, slope, and hypsometric maps allowed the individualization of seven morphological compartments for the Ribeirao do Bau basin at the 1:50,000 scale. Among the morphological and morphometric characteristics of the basin, landforms clearly controlled by structural features are represented by ridges and slopes with triangular facets, and the rocky scarped divisors of the Bau-Bauzinho-Ana Chata complex. The convex interfluves are cut by encased valleys, with strangled areas (sills) and rocky outcrops and waterfalls. Erosive amphitheaters, with different sizes and at various levels, model the hillslopes and define zones in the headwaters with specific morphology (rough surfaces) connected to mass movements. Other particular features are the concavities that appear on the hillslopes and terraces, mapped as depressions and concavities with steps. In order to highlight the morphological characteristics of these zones and the hillslope features, a 1:10.000-scale morphological map was prepared from the interpretation of 1:8.000-scale aerial photographs, and complemented by soil investigation via auger surveying and trenching. The results showed that the rough surfaces correspond to deposits related to the erosion of amphitheaters, whereas the depressions and concavities with steps are related to geochemical erosion, which develops from fractures in the subjacent rock mass. The genesis of these morphological features is explained on the basis of models proposed in the literature for hillslope evolution in mountainous areas of Southeastern Brazil.
Abastecimiento de alimentos producidos por la agricultura familiar en la alimentación escolar en Costa Rica: Potencialidades y limitaciones

La alimentacion escolar ha sido considerada como un mecanismo de reconexion entre la produccion de la agricultura familiar y el consumo de alimentos, siendo un punto de encuentro entre la alimentacion publica y el desarrollo sostenible. En ese proceso cobra interes el funcionamiento del Programa de Abastecimiento Institucional (PAI) en el ambito del Programa de Alimentacion y Nutricion del Escolar y del Adolescente (PANEA). El objetivo de este articulo es analizar las principales potencialidades y limitaciones del proceso de abastecimiento de alimentos producidos por familias agricultoras en la alimentacion escolar en Costa Rica. Se realizo una investigacion cualitativa con entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos de discusion con participacion de diversos actores involucrados en dos proyectos piloto (2016- 2018) de la iniciativa Escuelas Sostenibles en las localidades de Frailes de Desamparados y Coto Brus. Como resultado se evidencio que las principales limitaciones radican en la falta de mecanismos que proporcionen un trato diferenciado de abastecimiento de alimentos producidos por familias agricultoras locales. Por su parte, las experiencias potenciales del proceso se expresan en valores que sobrepasan los aspectos economicos, que se presentan en manifestaciones socioculturales y eticas generadas durante el recibimiento de alimentos en los centros educativos, respondiendo a la construccion social de mercados que caracteriza a las compras publicas de alimentos.
The difference of sensory qualities of apple fruit among eight cultivated varieties

The differences of sensory qualities among 8 apple varieties were studied by the properties, including moisture content, color difference and texture using color difference meter and texture analyser. These three parameters had a significant effect on the sensory edible qualities of apple. The results showed that, there were great differences on fruit sensory qualities among 8 cultivated apple varieties. Water content of Ralls was the highest; the moisture contents of Orin and Indo were lower. Golden Delicious in color difference was clearly distinguished from other varieties. The hue angles of Golden Delicious, Orin and Indo all showed negative values, while other varieties showed positive values. The chromas of Golden Delicious and Indo were higher than others. In terms of texture, for Ralls, Wangshanhong, Orin and Indo, both fruit flesh hardness and peel hardness were higher, while the two indexes of Gloden Delicious were lower.
3D Image Segmentation of MRI Prostate Based on a Pytorch Implementation of V-Net

Prostatitis is one of the common diseases in adult males. At present, the MRI prostate volumetric medical image analysis mainly relies on the radiologist’s naked eye localization recognition diagnosis, which is easy to be misdiagnosed due to the fatigue of the doctor. Although the traditional technology uses the Support Vector Machine (SVM) to identify the image, it exists. Manual design features are incomplete and detection accuracy is not high. Recently, with the popularity and breakthrough of convolutional neural networks in the field of computer vision and medical image analysis, the author uses the MRI Prostate MR Image Segmentation 2012 combined with the Vnet method to exploit the depth of open source. Learning framework Pytorch, to achieve 3D image segmentation. The experimental results show that the Dice coefficient of the model on the training set reaches 0.9238 that is, the similarity between the image after cutting and the original image of the original label is 0.9238, and the error value is only 6.42, which is fast and automatic and accurate for intelligent target area painting, thus facilitating the doctor. Diagnosing medical imaging work is conducive to alleviating the imbalance of the proportion of doctors and patients in China.
High-Yield Production Process of Influenza Virus-Like Particles in Human Cells Toward Large-Scale Vaccine Manufacturing

Of the fatal infections noted in human history, influenza epidemics and pandemics are among the most ancient. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent infection. However, the current production of influenza vaccines in embryonated chicken eggs has limited capacity during pandemics or high demand seasons, and is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, the seasonal egg-produced vaccines mainly induce humoral response to the Hemagglutinin (HA)/Neuraminidase (NA) dominant antigens, which leads to a lack of crossprotection against other non-matching novel strains. In addition, the vaccines provide low protection in high risk groups (e.g., elderly and young children). Consequently, the industry is moving toward the development of novel, more immunogenic influenza vaccines as well as more efficient production platforms. Virus-like particles (VLPs) constitute a promising alternative as influenza vaccine. They mimic the particulate structure of wild-type viruses while they are noninfectious, non-replicative particles, and the main antigens repetitively displayed on their surface maintain the native conformation. Mammalian cell culture offers several advantages for the production of biopharmaceuticals such as their ability to perform complex post-translational modifications and the high cell densities and productivities reached in suspension culture bioreactors. Up to now, the production of influenza VLPs from mammalian cells has been mostly addressed to study influenza assembly and budding mechanisms but little attention has been paid to its potential use for large-scale manufacturing of VLPs as influenza vaccine candidate. The aim of this thesis was to develop a scalable process to produce large quantities of chimeric influenza Gag-VLPs from stable human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells in suspension culture. First, a HEK-293 cell line stably expressing HA and NA proteins of influenza (subtype H1N1) under the regulation of the inducible cumate system was established. Then, the formation of VLPs was mediated by transient transfection of plasmids encoding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag or M1 influenza matrix protein. Gag protein was fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to facilitate the monitoring of VLPs production. VLP antigenic proteins were produced seven times more efficiently in the presence of Gag, indicating that Gag is a better scaffolding protein than M1 in this context. Subsequently, the production of HA-NA containing VLPs after transient transfection of Gag as scaffold protein was successfully implemented in a 3L controlled stirred tank bioreactor. VLPs were recovered by ultracentrifugation on a sucrose