ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
Young peoples’ entrance to the workplace : Introduction to occupational health and safety

Negative outcomes of a poor work environment are more frequent among young workers. The aim of the current study was to study former pupils’ conditions concerning occupational health and safety by investigating the workplaces’, safety climate, the degree of implementation of SWEM and the their introduction programs. Four branches were included in the study: Industrial, Restaurant, Transport and Handicraft, specialising in wood. Semi-structured dialogues were undertaken with 15 employers at companies in which former pupils were employed. They also answered a questionnaire about SWEM. Former pupils and experienced employees were upon the same occasion asked to fill in a questionnaire about safety climate at the workplace. Workplace introduction programs varied and were strongly linked to company size. Most of the former pupils and experienced employees rated the safety climate at their company as high, or good. Employers in three of the branches rated the SWEM implemented at their workplaces to be effective. The Industry companies, which had the largest workplaces, gave the most systematic and workplace introduction for new employees. There are no results from this study explaining the fact that young workers have a higher risk for workplace accidents.
Growth, Fabrication and characterization of InGaN/GaN-based blue, green and yellow LEDs on Si with nanotechnology

InGaN/GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on Si have generated intensiveresearch interest due to silicon’s low cost, large size availability and good thermal conductivity. However, GaN grown on Si normally suffers from large dislocation density and tensile stress due to the huge mismatch in the lattice constant and thermal expansion coefficient between GaN and Si. This thesis focuses on developing high-quality and crack-free InGaN/GaN-based blue, green and yellow LEDs with embedded SiO2 nanorods. GaN buffers were firstly optimized using a source flow ratio modulation method and an AlN/AlGaN superlattice interlayer. After optimization, crystalline quality, surface morphology and stress status were all improved. Moreover, light output power (LOP) was improved by 66% for InGaN/GaN blue LEDs. To further enhance the internal and external quantum efficiencies, high density SiO2 nanorods with an average diameter of less than 400 nm were fabricated on 2 μm thick GaN buffers and embedded into LED structures through nanoscale epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Two simple and non-lithographic methods for SiO2 nanorod fabrication were developed and compared in this work. With SiO2 nanorods surface coverage of 30%, 5 μm thick crack-free InGaN/GaN-based blue LEDs were grown with smooth surfaces. The LOP was raised by 40% compared to those without nanocomponents. The LED structures with embedded SiO2 nanorods were also extended to emit longer wavelength to fill the “green gap”. For 505 nm green LEDs, the optical power was as high as 0.65 mW at 20 mA. Moreover, for the first time, yellow InGaN/GaN MQW LEDs on Si substrates were demonstrated whose LOP and peak wavelength were 31 μW and 565 nm at 20 mA current injection. Low temperature characteristics of green and yellow LEDs were also described and discussed. In the last section of this thesis, a method to remove light absorptive Si substrates and fabricate vertical LEDs was described, in which the LOP was enhanced by 30% over planar LEDs on Si.
Potential for Genetic Discrimination in Access to Insurance: Is There a Dark Side to Increased Availability of Genetic Information?

This article addresses the reliance on genetic information as part of the private insurance industry’s practice of risk segmentation whereby underwritingdecisions are based on risk information about individuals and groups as compared to the general population. The author argues that there are a number of concerns regarding reliance on genetic information in insurance underwriting, including uncertainty about what constitutes genetic information and the predictive value thereof, possible conflicts with human rights values, potential reductions in access to insurance, and the legal and ethical obligations of individuals who undergo testing, health professionals, and insurers. This article reviews the solutions that have been adopted in other jurisdictions and concludes that the use of genetic information is consistent with standard insurance industry practices. However, it is recommended that a legislative framework be established in Canada to regulate the use of genetic information.
Self-Supervised EEG Representation Learning with Contrastive Predictive Coding for Post-Stroke Patients

Stroke patients are prone to fatigue during the EEG acquisition procedure, and experiments have high requirements on cognition and physical limitations of subjects. Therefore, how to learn effective feature representation is very important. Deep learning networks have been widely used in motor imagery (MI) based brain-computer interface (BCI). This paper proposes a contrast predictive coding (CPC) framework based on the modified s-transform (MST) to generate MST-CPC feature representations. MST is used to acquire the temporal-frequency feature to improve the decoding performance for MI task recognition. EEG2Image is used to convert multi-channel one-dimensional EEG into two-dimensional EEG topography. High-level feature representations are generated by CPC which consists of an encoder and autoregressive model. Finally, the effectiveness of generated features is verified by the k-means clustering algorithm. It can be found that our model generates features with high efficiency and a good clustering effect. After classification performance evaluation, the average classification accuracy of MI tasks is 89% based on 40 subjects. The proposed method can obtain effective feature representations and improve the performance of MI-BCI systems. By comparing several self-supervised methods on the public dataset, it can be concluded that the MST-CPC model has the highest average accuracy. This is a breakthrough in the combination of self-supervised learning and image processing of EEG signals. It is helpful to provide effective rehabilitation training for stroke patients to promote motor function recovery.
Study of muons from ultra-high energy cosmic ray air showers measured with the Telescope Array experiment

学位の種別: 課程博士 審査委員会委員 : （主査）東京大学教授 坂本 宏, 東京大学准教授 横山 将志, 東京大学教授 諸井 健夫, 東京大学准教授 吉越 貴紀, 国立天文台教授 水本 好彦
The Triple Burden of Coal Burning: Assessing its Effect on Animal Welfare, the Environment, and Human Health in Benadir Region, Somalia from a One Health Perspective

Abstract         Using coal as an energy source has significant implications for animal welfare, environment, and human health. The burning of coal has been associated with a triple burden that affects animal welfare, the environment, and human health. This study evaluates the specific effects of coal burning in Somalia using a one-health approach. The one-health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of these three domains and emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by coal burning, highlighting the importance of adopting a holistic approach to mitigate associated risks. This study used a descriptive design. Quantitative data collection methods were also used in this study. Under a descriptive research design, the researcher used more of a survey that included self-administered questionnaires for respondents to ensure complete coverage of the study area and the study problem on the triple burden of coal burning, assessing its effect on animal welfare, the environment, and human health in Somalia from a single health perspective. The study sample consisted of 384 respondents. This study used structured questionnaires to capture quantitative data from residents of Deynile, Kahda, Karaan, Yaqshiid, Hiliwaa, and Dharkenley in the Benadir Region, Somalia. Microsoft Excel was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize the data. Qualitative data were analyzed as they emerged from the study. The analyzed data were then presented as tables for easy interpretation. This study concluded that coal burning negatively affects the environment. In addition, the study concluded that coal burning affected animal welfare in Somalia and that the majority experienced health issues caused by coal burning. Furthermore, the study concluded that one health approach aimed to safeguard human and animal health sustainably. Overall, this study concluded that coal burning negatively affected animal welfare, the environment, and human health in Somalia from a single health perspective.
Building Climate-Resilient Development Pathways Through Drought Adaptation in Vulnerable Pastoral Systems of Botswana

Projected climate change indicates that drought intensity will increase across much of the Global South, intensifying water stress in semi-arid regions. In Botswana, rising temperatures and increasingly variable rainfall are exacerbating drought conditions, particularly for livestock-based systems that depend on reliable grazing and water resources. This study was conducted in the Lake Ngami basin, Botswana, a predominantly pastoral community, to examine the adaptation and resilience of pastoralists to drought and climate change. The study examines the extent to which current coping strategies and institutional frameworks in the Lake Ngami basin contribute to long-term climate resilience among pastoral communities. It also assesses combinations of Climate-Resilient Development Pathways (CRDPs) that are most critical for enabling a transition from reactive coping to proactive and sustainable adaptation. We utilized in-depth community interviews, focus group discussions, and policy content analysis guided by the Climate-Resilient Development Pathways (CRDPs) framework to gather and analyze data using thematic analysis. Key findings indicated that droughts, intensified by factors like El Niño, have negatively affected the community’s livelihood, including grazing systems, access to water, and livestock productivity. The effectiveness of coping strategies was assessed through triangulation of thematic frequency, participant narratives of livelihood recovery, and analysis of policy implementation gaps. Pastoralists employed coping methods such as herd reduction, seasonal migration, and informal alternative livelihoods, but these were largely ineffective in promoting long-term resilience. While seasonal mobility provided short-term relief through access to distant grazing areas, forced livestock sales and herd reduction reduced herd size, weakening households’ long-term recovery capacity and increasing vulnerability. Institutional support programs such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and the National Committee on Climate Change were found not adequate to build the necessary long-term pastoralists’ resilience. The study emphasizes that enhancing climate resilience in dryland pastoral systems necessitates combining traditional knowledge with improved infrastructure, climate information, and inclusive governance in comprehensive CRDPs.
The right to health, the TRIPS agreement and the public health safeguards to encourage the universal access to essential medicines

The privileges arising from patent protection on pharmaceutical products often prevent the full realization of the right to health, especially in developing countries with scarce resources. This thesis first identifies the international agreements that have established the right to health in international law, obligations and violations associated with it, the problems encountered in the implementation of human rights on the field, compared with the implementation and sanctions associated with economic rights from the World Trade Organization regulatory framework. A comparative study of the legislative frameworks of both developed and developing countries will reveal to what extent Canada, the United States, the European Union, Brazil, India, and South Africa conformed with patent protection exceptions arising from international patent law to protect public health. Finally, the author identifies the crucial indicators that need to be considered in order to assess the conformity of a given approach with the right to health, before he underscores the temporary character of the relevant WTO measures, and the future stakes concerning an increased access to essential medicines.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE ETHIO-SOMALILAND MOU IN LIGHT OF RECOGNITION, TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which involved Ethiopia's recognition of Somaliland in exchange for leased land for commercial and naval bases, has escalated geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa and raised critical legal questions. Somalia vehemently opposed the deal, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty under the UN charter and AU Constitutive Act. It asserted that Somaliland was part of its territory, alleging the MOU breached international norms. In supporting Somalia, some other states and international organizations condemned Ethiopia's action, insisting on respect for Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Hence the legality of the agreement and its potential implications for the parent state, Somalia, was an issue that was tried to be answered in this study. This study employs doctrinal legal research methodology to analyze international legal frameworks governing state recognition, self-determination, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. It assesses the legality of Ethiopia's recognition of Somaliland as independent and its implication for Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The finding reveals that state recognition remains a contested interplay of legal norms and political discretion. Somaliland fulfills the Montevideo Convention's statehood criteria (permanent population, defined territory, effective government, and diplomatic capacity) and has exercised de facto sovereignty for three decades (since 1991). Consequently, Ethiopia’s recognition constitutes a lawful exercise of sovereign discretion without violating Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The study underscores that international law prioritizes effective statehood over abstract territorial claims in such a context.
Graph Signal Processing Meets Blind Source Separation

In graph signal processing (GSP), prior information on the dependencies in the signal is collected in a graph which is then used when processing or analyzing the signal. Blind source separation (BSS) techniques have been developed and analyzed in different domains, but for graph signals the research on BSS is still in its infancy. In this paper, this gap is filled with two contributions. First, a nonparametric BSS method, which is relevant to the GSP framework, is refined, the Cramér-Rao bound (CRB) for mixing and unmixing matrix estimators in the case of Gaussian moving average graph signals is derived, and for studying the achievability of the CRB, a new parametric method for BSS of Gaussian moving average graph signals is introduced. Second, we also consider BSS of non-Gaussian graph signals and two methods are proposed. Identifiability conditions show that utilizing both graph structure and non-Gaussianity provides a more robust approach than methods which are based on only either graph dependencies or non-Gaussianity. It is also demonstrated by numerical study that the proposed methods are more efficient in separating non-Gaussian graph signals.
Psychopharmacology in children with genetic disorders of epigenetic and chromatin regulation

Abstract                        Objective             Hundreds of rare genetic variants associated with autism or intellectual disability have been identified, and many impact genes known to have a primary epigenetic/chromatin regulatory function. The objective of this study was to examine and compare behavioural profiles and longitudinal psychotropic treatment patterns in children with epigenetic/chromatin variants, other rare variants impacting neurodevelopment, or no known genetic condition.                                   Methods             Using electronic medical records from a pediatric psychopharmacology program for children with autism or intellectual disability, we compared clinical characteristics, longitudinal psychotropic medication profiles and side effects between those with and without a rare genetic variant, and by variant subtype [epigenetic/chromatin regulation or other variant].                                   Results             A total of 331 children attended 2724 unique medical visits between 2019 and 2022, with a mean of 8 follow-up visits over 3.4 years. Nine children (3%) had variants in epigenetic/chromatin regulatory genes (EC), twenty-three children (7%) had other rare genetic variants (OTH), and the rest had no reported variant (NR, n = 299, 90%). Those with a rare genetic variant (EC or OTH) were more likely to have an intellectual disability and had a greater number of co-occurring physical health conditions (p &lt; 0.01). Overall, 66% of psychotropic medications were continued for ≥ 3 visits, while 26% were discontinued. Rates of psychotropic polypharmacy, medication patterns, behavioural challenges, and co-occurring developmental diagnoses were similar between genetic groups. Analyses uncorrected for multiple comparisons suggested those with genetic variants were more likely to experience drowsiness/sedation as a side effect (EC 33%, OTH 35%, NR 16%, p &lt; 0.05); weight gain as a side effect was also higher in the epigenetic/chromatin group (EC 50% vs OTH 11%).                                   Conclusion             Genetic classification of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) may help anticipate treatment tolerability; additional prescribing considerations may be needed for those with rare variants. Current psychotropic prescribing practices do not differ across rare genetic NDD subgroups.
Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of non-ideal chemical reaction networks

All current formulations of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of open chemical reaction networks rely on the assumption of non-interacting species. We develop a general theory that accounts for interactions between chemical species within a mean-field approach using activity coefficients. Thermodynamic consistency requires that rate equations do not obey standard mass-action kinetics but account for the interactions with concentration dependent kinetic constants. Many features of the ideal formulations are recovered. Crucially, the thermodynamic potential and the forces driving non-ideal chemical systems out of equilibrium are identified. Our theory is general and holds for any mean-field expression of the interactions leading to lower bounded free energies.
Protein structure prediction beyond AlphaFold

DeepMind's AlphaFold recently demonstrated the potential of deep learning for protein structure prediction. DeepFragLib, a new protein-specific fragment library built using deep neural networks, may have advanced the field to the next stage.
Integrating physical activity promotion into UK medical school curricula: testing the feasibility of an educational tool developed by the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine

Background                   At present education on exercise medicine and physical activity (PA) promotion does not feature heavily within the medical curriculum.                                                   Objectives                   The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a self-directed educational tool (Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) exercise prescription booklet) on medical students’ understanding of PA in disease management.                                                   Methods                   Students from 22 UK medical schools were invited to complete a brief online questionnaire before and after being provided access to the FSEM exercise prescription booklet.                                                   Results                   A total of 205 students responded to the open invitation to participate. At baseline 59% of students agreed that PA promotion was an important part of a doctor’s job with 86% agreeing that PA was important in the prevention of disease. However, confidence to prescribe PA and knowledge of chief medical officer’s adult PA guidelines was low. Following use of the FSEM booklet students’ (n=53) knowledge of PA guidelines and confidence to advise patients about PA significantly improved (p&lt;0.05). Correct response answers to case scenarios covering PA in disease management (specifically osteoarthritis and cancer) also improved (32% and 44% increase, respectively, p&lt;0.01).                                                   Conclusion                   Self-guided educational tools have the potential to improve the exercise prescription skills of undergraduate medical students. Future research should compare different methods of delivering education on PA within medical schools to determine the most effective means of integrating PA into the curriculum.
Digital Tools for Anti-Corruption: Technology, Transparency, and Accountability: A Subaltern Perspective

This article examines Digital Tools for Anti-Corruption: Technology, Transparency, and Accountability: A Subaltern Perspective with a focused emphasis on Botswana within the field of Business. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The Right of Indigenous Peoples to Self-determination as a Legal Protection against Land Dispossessions in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government has handed over huge tracts of land to investors by alienating land from indigenous peoples. The thesis examines whether the right to self-determination under the Ethiopian Constitution and international law as incorporated into Ethiopian domestic law can confer on indigenous peoples in Ethiopia protection against land dispossessions. The thesis contends that this right under the relevant laws confers on indigenous peoples in Ethiopia the right to maintain access and ties to, and control over, their land. Thus, it argues that the Ethiopian government’s current practice of dispossessing indigenous groups of their land is contrary to their right to self-determination under the relevant laws.