Stories of Change from the Connected Communities Inclusive Broadband Project: Research Evaluation of a Universal Basic Services Experiment

This report provides a qualitative research evaluation of the first phase of the Connected Communities Inclusive Broadband project launched in June 2020 by Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association (HARCA) in partnership with LETTA Trust Schools, Tower Hamlets Council, East End Community Foundation, and Internet provider Community Fibre. The project which will run for two years, is currently targeting 100-200 low-income households in Poplar, Tower Hamlets London borough. Each household family participating in the project is being provided with free broadband Internet connection, a Google Chromebook digital device, and basic information and communications technology (ICT) training and support. The Institute for Global Prosperity at UCL was invited to support Poplar HARCA to research and evaluate the impacts of the first phase of the project. The objective of the research is to collect ‘stories of change’ through personal accounts exploring the expectations and short-term impacts of the project. The findings of this research are intended for both policy, academic and wider public audiences, and will serve to build evidence for a system of Universal Basic Services (UBS) a radical, yet feasible and sustainable policy framework proposal developed by IGP’s Social Prosperity Network (SPN) to re-design a welfare system fit for the 21st century. This study, and the SPN, are part of IGP’s Prosperity Co-Lab (ProCol) UK initiative whose work is focused on rethinking prosperity and the future of the welfare state through citizen-led research and cross-sectoral collaborations

Oblique propagation of arbitrary amplitude electron acoustic solitary waves in magnetized kappa-distributed plasmas

The linear and nonlinear properties of large amplitude electron-acoustic waves are investigated in a magnetized plasma comprising two distinct electron populations (hot and cold) and immobile ions. The hot electrons are assumed to be in a non-Maxwellian state, characterized by an excess of superthermal particles, here modelled by a kappa-type long-tailed distribution function. Waves are assumed to propagate obliquely to the ambient magnetic field. Two types of electrostatic modes are shown to exist in the linear regime, and their properties are briefly analyzed. A nonlinear pseudopotential type analysis reveals the existence of large amplitude electrostatic solitary waves and allows for an investigation of their propagation characteristics and existence domain, in terms of the soliton speed (Mach number). The effects of the key plasma configuration parameters, namely, the superthermality index and the cold electron density, on the soliton characteristics and existence domain, are studied. The role of obliqueness and magnetic field are discussed.Comment: Submitted to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusio

Dust-ion-acoustic shock waves in a five component dusty plasma with positive and negative ions

The properties of dust-ion-acoustic (DIA) shock waves in a multi-ion dusty plasma containing Maxwellian distributed electrons, inertial positive and negative ions, immobile positively and negatively charged dust particles have been investigated. The standard reductive perturbation method is employed to derive the Burgers equation, which admits shock waves solution. It is observed that the DIA shock structures associated with positive and negative potential shock are formed depending on the plasma parameters (e.g. number densities ratio of electron-to-positive ion, negative ion-topositive ion, negative dust-to-positive ion, etc.) in such a five component multi-ion dusty plasma. The critical value, above (below) which positive (negative) polarity shock waves are formed, is analysed numerically. The relevance of our results to defferent interstellar space plasma situations are discussed

OneGAN: Simultaneous Unsupervised Learning of Conditional Image Generation, Foreground Segmentation, and Fine-Grained Clustering

We present a method for simultaneously learning, in an unsupervised manner, (i) a conditional image generator, (ii) foreground extraction and segmentation, (iii) clustering into a two-level class hierarchy, and (iv) object removal and background completion, all done without any use of annotation. The method combines a Generative Adversarial Network and a Variational Auto-Encoder, with multiple encoders, generators and discriminators, and benefits from solving all tasks at once. The input to the training scheme is a varied collection of unlabeled images from the same domain, as well as a set of background images without a foreground object. In addition, the image generator can mix the background from one image, with a foreground that is conditioned either on that of a second image or on the index of a desired cluster. The method obtains state of the art results in comparison to the literature methods, when compared to the current state of the art in each of the tasks.Comment: To be published in the European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV) 202

Advancing algorithmic bias management capabilities in AI-driven marketing analytics research

Algorithms in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) constantly transform customer behaviour, marketing programs, and marketing strategies in industrial markets. However, algorithms often fail to perform as expected due to various data, model, and market biases. Motivated by this challenge, this study presents a framework of algorithmic bias management capabilities for industrial markets that contribute to customer equity in terms of value, brand and relationship equity. Drawing on the dynamic capability theory, this study fills this gap by conducting a literature review, thematic analysis, and two rounds of surveys (n=200 analytics professionals and n=200 business customers) in the financial service industry in Australia. The findings show that algorithmic bias management capability consists of three primary dimensions (data, model, and deployment capabilities) and nine subdimensions. These findings have important implications for scholars and managers interested in developing algorithmic bias management capabilities to influence customer equity in industrial markets

The TIGR Gene Indices: clustering and assembling EST and known genes and integration with eukaryotic genomes

Although the list of completed genome sequencing projects has expanded rapidly, sequencing and analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) remain a primary tool for discovery of novel genes in many eukaryotes and a key element in genome annotation. The TIGR Gene Indices (http://www.tigr.org/tdb/tgi) are a collection of 77 species-specific databases that use a highly refined protocol to analyze gene and EST sequences in an attempt to identify and characterize expressed transcripts and to present them on the Web in a user-friendly, consistent fashion. A Gene Index database is constructed for each selected organism by first clustering, then assembling EST and annotated cDNA and gene sequences from GenBank. This process produces a set of unique, high-fidelity virtual transcripts, or tentative consensus (TC) sequences. The TC sequences can be used to provide putative genes with functional annotation, to link the transcripts to genetic and physical maps, to provide links to orthologous and paralogous genes, and as a resource for comparative and functional genomic analysis

Airport service performance at Abu Dhabi International Airport

To acquire a significant footing in today’s competitive airport environments, enhancing airport service performance for passengers is essential. This study aims to investigate the relationship between queuing time, prime services, security screening, and service performance at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A quantitative methodology was employed. The sample size for the PLS-SEM analysis and the passengers’ airport service performance was determined to be 230 respondents. The results revealed a significant relationship between queuing time, prime services, security screening, and airport service performance. The findings also demonstrated a significant positive relationship between queuing time and airport service performance (β = 0.193, t = 3.564, p ≤ 0.000), a significant positive relationship between prime services and airport service performance (β = 0.478, t = 9.225, p ≤ 0.000), and a significant positive relationship between security screening and airport service performance (β= 0.227, t = 4.196, p ≤ 0.000). The outcomes are anticipated to support Abu Dhabi International Airport management in making efficient processes to augment airport service accomplishment for passengers from UAE and different countries

Author Correction: The genetic legacy of continental scale admixture in Indian Austroasiatic speakers

This Article contains errors in the Methods section, under subsection ‘Samples collection and genotyping’

Redox Proteomic Identification of HNE-Bound Mitochondrial Proteins in Cardiac Tissues Reveals a Systemic Effect on Energy Metabolism After Doxorubicin Treatment

Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most effective anticancer drugs, is known to generate progressive cardiac damage, which is due, in part, to DOX-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated ROS often induce oxidative protein modifications that result in alteration of protein functions. This study demonstrates that the level of proteins adducted by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, is significantly increased in mouse heart mitochondria after DOX treatment. A redox proteomics method involving two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry and investigation of protein databases identified several HNE-modified mitochondrial proteins, which were verified by HNE-specific immunoprecipitation in cardiac mitochondria from the DOX-treated mice. The majority of the identified proteins are related to mitochondrial energy metabolism. These include proteins in the citric acid cycle and electron transport chain. The enzymatic activities of the HNE-adducted proteins were significantly reduced in DOX-treated mice. Consistent with the decline in the function of the HNE-adducted proteins, the respiratory function of cardiac mitochondria as determined by oxygen consumption rate was also significantly reduced after DOX treatment. Treatment with Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-n-butoxyethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, an SOD mimic, averted the doxorubicin-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions as well as the HNE–protein adductions. Together, the results demonstrate that free radical-mediated alteration of energy metabolism is an important mechanism mediating DOX-induced cardiac injury, suggesting that metabolic intervention may represent a novel approach to preventing cardiac injury after chemotherapy

Evaluation in Mice of a Conjugate Vaccine for Cholera Made from Vibrio cholerae O1 (Ogawa) O-Specific Polysaccharide

Background: Protective immunity against cholera is serogroup specific. Serogroup specificity in Vibrio cholerae is determined by the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Generally, polysaccharides are poorly immunogenic, especially in young children. Methodology Here we report the evaluation in mice of a conjugate vaccine for cholera (OSP:TThc) made from V. cholerae O1 Ogawa O-Specific Polysaccharide–core (OSP) and recombinant tetanus toxoid heavy chain fragment (TThc). We immunized mice intramuscularly on days 0, 21, and 42 with OSP:TThc or OSP only, with or without dmLT, a non-toxigenic immunoadjuvant derived from heat labile toxin of Escherichia coli. Principal Findings We detected significant serum IgG antibody responses targeting OSP following a single immunization in mice receiving OSP:TThc with or without adjuvant. Anti-LPS IgG responses were detected following a second immunization in these cohorts. No anti-OSP or anti-LPS IgG responses were detected at any time in animals receiving un-conjugated OSP with or without immunoadjuvant, and in animals receiving immunoadjuvant alone. Responses were highest following immunization with adjuvant. Serum anti-OSP IgM responses were detected in mice receiving OSP:TThc with or without immunoadjuvant, and in mice receiving unconjugated OSP. Serum anti-LPS IgM and vibriocidal responses were detected in all vaccine cohorts except in mice receiving immunoadjuvant alone. No significant IgA anti-OSP or anti-LPS responses developed in any group. Administration of OSP:TThc and adjuvant also induced memory B cell responses targeting OSP and resulted in 95% protective efficacy in a mouse lethality cholera challenge model. Conclusion: We describe a protectively immunogenic cholera conjugate in mice. Development of a cholera conjugate vaccine could assist in inducing long-term protective immunity, especially in young children who respond poorly to polysaccharide antigens