Download or read book Ripple XRP vs SWIFT written by StoryBuddiesPlay and published by StoryBuddiesPlay. This book was released on 2024-05-18 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the fast-paced world of global business, smooth and efficient international payments are crucial. Yet, traditional methods like SWIFT can be slow and expensive. Enter Ripple, a blockchain-based technology promising to revolutionize cross-border transactions. This comprehensive guide dives deep into SWIFT vs Ripple, comparing their functionalities, advantages, and limitations. Unveiling the Titans: SWIFT: The Established Powerhouse: We explore the global reach and secure messaging system of SWIFT, the dominant player for decades. Ripple: The Blockchain Challenger: Discover how Ripple's innovative technology leverages blockchain for near-instantaneous settlements and potentially lower fees. Speed vs. Cost: A User's Dilemma The Race Against Time: Learn how Ripple's lightning-fast transactions can significantly reduce processing times compared to SWIFT's multi-day wait. The Cost Equation: We analyze the fee structures of both systems, highlighting potential cost savings with Ripple's fixed fees. Security and Transparency: Building Trust Fort Knox Security: Explore the robust security measures employed by both SWIFT and Ripple to ensure the safety of your transactions. Transparency Under the Microscope: We compare the level of visibility offered by each system, considering the trade-off between security and user access. Beyond Traditional Payments: Exploring Potential More Than Just Money Transfers: Delve into the potential use cases of Ripple beyond standard payments, such as streamlining trade finance and supply chain management. The Future Unfolds: We analyze how SWIFT and Ripple might co-exist or compete, considering the impact of emerging innovations like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Open Banking APIs. Demystifying the Unknown: Glossary: (Optional) Gain a clear understanding of key financial technology terms used throughout the guide. References: (Optional) Explore a curated list of resources for further reading on Ripple, SWIFT, and the future of international payments. Make informed decisions about your international money transfers. Read this comprehensive comparison of SWIFT vs Ripple and discover the future of global finance!

Download or read book Ripple and Stablecoins written by Mohanty Debajani and published by BPB Publications. This book was released on 2019-09-20 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Step-by-step guide to learn Ripple and explore $155 trillion+ market on international remittanceKey features a- Know the inefficiencies of banks in international remittance and how Ripple can helpa- Learn Ripple's architecture and its product offerings such as xCurrent, xRapid, and xViaa- Acquire development skills on Ripple's XRP ledgera- Understand and apply all the features of XRP ledger, such as direct and partial payments, escrows, checks, micropayments, and feesa- Learn to integrate XRP ledger with your traditional and Blockchain-based solution in trade finance, e-auction, money market, swaps, and morea- Learn operation of Stablecoins and how to implement them in Islamic bankinga- Know the wide spectrum of acceptance of Ripple across the globeDescriptionThe book is written for all IT professionals. It starts with the loopholes existing in the banking as well as payment industry, especially in the international remittance space, that have led to the invention of Bitcoin, a Blockchain product, followed by Ethereum, and finally Ripple. The book focuses on Ripple's architecture and the different open source and enterprise products offered by Ripple, which have been widely adopted by the global payment industry today. For developers, there are adequate examples covering Ripple's development APIs with different features such as instant payment, partial payment, escrow, checks, and micropayment. In later chapters, the book reviews different use cases on money market, e-auction, trade finance, swaps, etc., which will help you greatly to use Ripple and create new business models for international trading. In last few chapters, the book focuses on some of the leading Stablecoins such as JPM Coin, Libra, and Tether that are threatening to disrupt the finance industry. Use cases on tokenization and Stablecoins are discussed, especially in Islamic banking, which is an area less travelled by industry leaders. Finally, the book elaborates how Ripple has invaded the global market and lists the major players in this space so far. What will you learnBy the end of the book, readers will have enough information on the right usage of Ripple to create value for their business models by eliminating age-old, lengthy, expensive payment channels with frictionless commerce for smoother execution of business processes. Business scenarios and solutions are provided, along with flowcharts, diagrams, and sample codes, that stakeholders can refer to and further enhance, as per their respective business need, and deploy them in live projects. The best and unique part of the book is that all the examples are written in Java, which most readers understand.Who this book is for Influencers, customers, decision makers, or developers - this book would be very useful for any reader who is eager to learn the industry's vision on Ripple, or the use cases that can benefit from Ripple and crypto adoption, or wish to develop applications connected to the rippled server for upgrading their payment mechanism. Table of contents1. Evolution of Payments Systems2. Ripple Architecture3. Development With RippleNet and XRP4. Use Case: Micropayments5. Use Case: Instant Security Settlement iStock Market6. Use Case: Settlement for Intraday Trading in Money Market7. Use Case: Derivatives and Swaps8. Use Case: Trade Finance9. Stablecoins10. Use Case: Islamic Banking11. Banks of TomorrowAbout the authorDebajani Mohanty is a solution architect who has been involved in large-scale projects and has built many scalable enterprises for B2B and B2C products, right from conceptualization to marketing, in varied domains such as travel, e-governance, e-commerce, and BFSI. Writing complex technical articles in an easy-to-understand language and with high readability is her forte that has earned her close to fifteen thousand followers on social media.Debajani has authored the bestseller Blockchain from Concept to Execution by BPB publications, one of the few books in the IT industry that has been translated to other international languages such as German and Chinese. She has also written Ethereum for Architects and Developers and R3 Corda for Architects and Developers, published by Apress and Springer Nature, which have been well received by the industry.Debajani is a global Blockchain pioneer and leader who has architected many unique products that are in the pilot and production phase in India as well as the international market. Also, she has been awarded and appreciated by business leaders in the world. She is a mentor at Amity University Online and has been a keynote speaker at PACT Forum (Philadelphia, USA), NASSCOM, UNICOM, Amity, and many other prestigious events.Debajani is a women's rights activist and was felicitated by Nobel Peace prize winner Mr. Kailash Satyarthi with the prestigious Aarya award for her outstanding contributions to women empowerment in the field of literature.Her twitter: https://twitter.com/debimr75Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debajanimohantypmp/

Download or read book Imagine there s no currency written by Alessandro Raffelini and published by Youcanprint. This book was released on 2019-03-19 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagine there's no currency is a novel about the future of money. The Novel unfolds in the heart of an emerging economy, burdened by the dangers of hyperinflation and the looming prospect of other economic challenges. In a not-so-distant future, the global economy had been ravaged by hyperinflation, wars, and human folly. Only a handful of powerful states held sway over the rest, enjoying economic dominance and privileges. The majority of the world's population languished in poverty, while money had lost its value... It all began when an enigmatic scientist named Dr. Carter made an astonishing breakthrough... In this book, my aim is to provide a comprehensive explanation of the cryptosystem and blockchain technology. I delve deeply into the intricacies of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies, offering readers an in-depth understanding of these innovative concepts. Through this exploration, you will acquire a profound understanding of the current intricate landscape and the potential future developments in both the realms of money and technology. Moreover, I will share my visionary perspective on alternative monetary and economic model about the future of money. Years ago, I had the first insight that gave life to an innovative theory, imagining a possible "market" coexistence between cryptocurrencies and traditional fiat currencies, promoting the creation of potential alternative economic areas. This theory is based on the observation of the lack of a key variable in the Keynesian memory function of money, namely the technological innovation related to money produced precisely by Blockchain and cryptocurrencies. By adding this variable and more, I intuited that, consequently, monetary systems would move endogenously toward alternative equilibrium points between currency and cryptocurrencies with effective functionalities, such as Bitcoin, which I have always considered a possible new form of decentralized money and a potential supranational fractional reserve (optimal points of coexistence equilibrium). From here, I developed a new function of the demand for money and conducted various macroeconomic considerations for the creation of alternative digital systems in specific economic areas, which could coexist with traditional ones, but expanding economic opportunities for various reasons.

Download or read book Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain written by Ravi Sarathy and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2022-10-11 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How companies can gain strategic advantage by developing blockchain capabilities. Blockchain is far more than cryptocurrency. Regarded for a decade as complex and with limited application, blockchain has now matured to be on the verge of fully realizing its disruptive potential. In Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain, business strategy expert Ravi Sarathy shows how companies can gain competitive advantage by developing and deploying blockchain capabilities. Sarathy explains what makes blockchain unique, including its capacities to eliminate intermediaries, guard against hackers, decentralize, and protect privacy. Presenting examples drawn from such sectors as finance, supply chains, computer services, consumer products, and entertainment, he describes how executives can strategically assess blockchain’s applicability to their business. After outlining blockchain’s technological features—and its technological obstacles—Sarathy describes disruptive technologies already happening in the financial services market with the emergence of decentralized finance, or DeFi, arguing that a wave of innovation might be positioning DeFi as blockchain’s “killer app.” He also explores, among many other uses, a blockchain application that addresses chronic supply chain problems, pilot blockchain programs aimed at facilitating cross-border payments, and the use of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that allow digital art to be collected and traded. And he outlines a path for organizations that includes establishing a business case for applying blockchain, evaluating enterprise cost-benefits, and preparing the organization to develop the requisite knowledge and people skills while overcoming resistance to change. Business leaders should invest, explore and experiment with blockchain now, positioning their organizations to be first in their fields, ahead of both rising startups and late-to-the game incumbent peers.

Download or read book Commercializing Blockchain written by Antony Welfare and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2019-07-29 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The accessible, non-technical guide to applying and benefiting from blockchain technology. Blockchain has grown at an enormous rate in a very short period of time. In a business context, blockchain can level the playing field between small and large organisations in several ways: Exact copies of the immutable, time-stamped data is held by all parties, all transactions can be viewed in real time, data blocks are cryptographically linked, all raw materials are traceable and smart contracts ensure no middle-men, ease of audit and reduced friction. The trust, transparency, security, quality and reduced costs of blockchain make it a game-changing technology that crosses sectors, industries and borders with ease. Even though the technologies are ready for adoption, businesses remain largely unaware of their full potential and effective implementation. End users require accurate and up-to-date information on the practical applications of blockchain — Commercializing Blockchain provides it. A practical and easy-to-understand guide to blockchain, this timely book illustrates how this revolutionary technology can be used to transform governments, businesses, enterprises and entire communities. The author draws from his experience with global retailers, global technology companies, UCL Centre for Blockchain technologies, the government of the UK, Retail Blockchain Consortium and many other sources to present real-world case studies on the use and benefits of blockchain. Topics include financial transactions, tokenisation, identity management, supply chain transparency, global shipping and freight, counterfeiting and more. Provides practical guidance for blockchain transactions in business operations Provides practical guidance for blockchain transactions in business operations Demonstrates how blockchain can add value and bring increased efficiency to commercial operations Covers all of the essential components of blockchain such as traceability, provenance, certification and authentication Requires no technical expertise to embrace blockchain strategies Commercializing Blockchain: Strategic Applications in the Real World is ideal for enterprises seeking to develop and deploy blockchain technology, particularly in areas retail, supply chain and consumer goods.

Download or read book Build Your Own Blockchain written by Daniel Hellwig and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-05-02 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a comprehensive introduction to blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Intended as an applied guide for hands-on practitioners, the book includes detailed examples and in-depth explanations of how to build and run a blockchain from scratch. Through its conceptual background and hands-on exercises, this book allows students, teachers and crypto enthusiasts to launch their first blockchain while assuming prior knowledge of the underlying technology. How do I build a blockchain? How do I mint a cryptocurrency? How do I write a smart contract? How do I launch an initial coin offering (ICO)? These are some of questions this book answers. Starting by outlining the beginnings and development of early cryptocurrencies, it provides the conceptual foundations required to engineer secure software that interacts with both public and private ledgers. The topics covered include consensus algorithms, mining and decentralization, and many more. “This is a one-of-a-kind book on Blockchain technology. The authors achieved the perfect balance between the breadth of topics and the depth of technical discussion. But the real gem is the set of carefully curated hands-on exercises that guide the reader through the process of building a Blockchain right from Chapter 1.” Volodymyr Babich, Professor of Operations and Information Management, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University "An excellent introduction of DLT technology for a non-technical audience. The book is replete with examples and exercises, which greatly facilitate the learning of the underlying processes of blockchain technology for all, from students to entrepreneurs.” Serguei Netessine, Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania "Whether you want to start from scratch or deepen your blockchain knowledge about the latest developments, this book is an essential reference. Through clear explanations and practical code examples, the authors take you on a progressive journey to discover the technology foundations and build your own blockchain. From an operations perspective, you can learn the principles behind the distributed ledger technology relevant for transitioning towards blockchain-enabled supply chains. Reading this book, you'll get inspired, be able to assess the applicability of blockchain to supply chain operations, and learn from best practices recognized in real-world examples." Ralf W. Seifert, Professor of Technology and Operations Management at EPFL and Professor of Operations Management at IMD

Download or read book Financial Technology and the Law written by Doron Goldbarsht and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-02-04 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Blockchains and cryptocurrencies, open banking, virtual assets, and artificial intelligence have become the buzzword of this decade. This book focuses on these ‘disruptive’ financial technologies that provide alternatives to the traditional financial services typically offered by regulated financial institutions. Financial technologies are characterized by the innovative ways in which they initiate, support or extend traditional financial services or offer alternative financial pathways and products. However, these financial technologies also pose money laundering and terrorist and proliferation financing as well as cyber security risks that require mitigation. This edited volume addresses a range of regulatory and enforcement challenges related to financial technology and financial crime. The book responds to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in relation to economic development, employment, national security, law enforcement and social well-being. Fostering responsible financial innovation promotes long-term economic growth, inclusion, and improved living standards. This book explores how to promote financial innovation while mitigating risks in a way that ensures financial prosperity and social inclusion.

Download or read book A Beginner s Guide to High Risk High Reward Investing written by Robert Ross and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2022-05-10 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Make the best choices for your money and earn big with this guide to high-risk, high-reward investment strategies including options trading, investing in meme stocks, and the business of cryptocurrency. Your favorite sites are filled with the latest investment trends and stories of other people making bank by making smart moves in the market. But how can you get your own share of the wealth? A Beginner’s Guide to High-Risk, High-Reward Investing can help you make sense of trends, from short selling to cryptocurrency and “meme stock,” breaking down the buzzwords to give you hard facts about the opportunities and risks of fringe investment strategies. With advice from expert Robert Ross, this easy-to-follow investing guide gives you everything you need to determine which high-risk, high-reward investment strategies are the best fit for your portfolio.

Download or read book Xpedition The Journey Begins written by Leon Puah Phen Yi and published by Leon Puah. This book was released on 2021-08-09 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Xpedition: The Journey Begins takes you on an adventure with MEXC Global’s beloved mascot, Matcha, to navigate the ins-and-outs of the crypto and blockchain industry. Matcha carefully deconstructs complicated blockchain topics into bite-sized lessons, or Xpeditions, that can be understood easily and intuitively. With eye-catching infographics complementing well-researched articles, you will build a strong foundation in basic crypto and blockchain concepts, motivating you to explore the industry with confidence.

Download or read book FinTech Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development written by David Mhlanga and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2024-09-16 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the significant impact of FinTech on the financial industry and how it could be used to promote legitimate development in the global economy. It takes readers on an engaging tour of the field of FinTech, immersing them in a thorough investigation of the technological advancements, creative business models, and regulatory issues that define the FinTech landscape. The book begins by documenting the rise of FinTech, providing historical context, and highlighting key milestones. It delves into the numerous technologies that have fuelled the FinTech revolution and offers valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of the financial industry and its implications for individuals, businesses, and society. It explores topics such as microfinance, digital lending, social impact investing, and sustainable finance, signalling the ability of FinTech to foster financial inclusion, reduce poverty, and drive sustainable economic growth in developing economies. The book takes into account ethical as well as regulatory considerations, and the importance of striking a balance between innovation and consumer protection. The book offers a comparative regional perspective and provides case studies of successful FinTech organizations from across the world. It concludes by providing an in-depth exploration of future trends and predictions, with a specific focus on emerging technologies such as ChatGPT and their potential impact. This will be a useful reference for researchers, scholars, and students, concerned with the changing dynamics of the industry in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Download or read book Micro Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering written by Devendra Kumar Sharma and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2024 with total page 813 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Zusammenfassung: The book presents high-quality papers from the Seventh International Conference on Microelectronics and Telecommunication Engineering (ICMETE 2023). It discusses the latest technological trends and advances in major research areas such as microelectronics, wireless communications, optical communication, signal processing, image processing, Big Data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sensor network applications. This book includes the contributions of national/international scientists, researchers, and engineers from both academia and the industry. The contents of this book will be useful to researchers, professionals, and students alike

Download or read book FinTech Revolution written by Sofie Blakstad and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-06-06 with total page 405 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a practical guide to the evolving landscape of finance, highlighting how it’s changing our relationship with money and how financial technology, together with macroeconomic and societal change, is rewriting the story of how business is done in developing economies. Financial services companies are trying to become more customer focused, but struggling to help huge customer segments, particularly in developing economies. Alternative financial models and tools are emerging, which are being embraced by consumers and incumbents. In large parts of the developing world, alternative services are leapfrogging traditional finance, meaning more and more people have access to finance without ever needing a bank. Meanwhile, the barriers around financial services companies are crumbling, as they become more reliant on integration with new providers and alternative types of service. Financial products can no longer be viewed in isolation, but as part of a service landscape that supports how people do life. This means rethinking how our businesses are designed, motivated and organised, and letting go of the old ways of thinking about supply and demand. With practical steps businesses and, in particular, financial services organisations need to take to participate in a global service ecosystem, this book will be of interest to financial professionals who work in banking, financial technology, and development finance.

Download or read book The Future Internet written by Bernard Marr and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2023-07-31 with total page 279 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A sneak peek at the future of the internet, from one of the web’s most prescient voices In The Future Internet: How the Metaverse, Web3, and NFTs Will Transform Business & Society, acclaimed futurist, author, and digital strategist Bernard Marr delivers a compelling and engaging discussion of the technologies driving the impending—and ongoing—transformation of the internet, including blockchain, augmented reality (AR), and more. In the book, you’ll explore the risks and opportunities presented by these game-changing techs and how they might impact you, your organisation, and community. The author explains how various sectors will be revolutionised by the future internet, as industries like sports, retail, energy, healthcare, education, and others feel the effects of paradigm-shifting developments in society and technology. He also discusses: Strategies for individuals seeking to leverage the coming changes in technology, employment, and culture The potential impact of the unprecedented combination of blockchain and AR technologies Techniques for getting in on the ground floor of a new internet that places a heavy premium on participation and immersive experiences An essential and incisive exploration of what our tomorrows might bring, The Future Internet is perfect for executives, managers, and other business leaders doing their best to get a head start on tomorrow’s digital economy.

Download or read book Advanced Information Networking and Applications written by Leonard Barolli and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on with total page 526 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Cryptocurrency for Beginners written by Stephen Satoshi and published by scott m ecommerce. This book was released on 2018-07-31 with total page 571 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you’re thinking of buying cryptocurrency in the future, consider this… “If only I’d bought back then” Sound familiar? It probably does. Because when it comes to cryptocurrency, there are so many “if only” or “the one that got away” stories. 7 years ago you could’ve bought 1 Bitcoin for just 10 cents. That same Bitcoin is worth over $8000 today. 100 dollars invested in 2010 would be worth over 8 million dollars today! But now you have an opportunity that’s far from typical. It’s an opportunity to cryptocurrencies, while the prices are down 60% from the start of the year? You’re probably thinking - if prices are down so much, why on Earth would I buy? The answer is, this dip is only temporary. Because it gives institutions like investment banks a chance to load up their own holdings for less. Banks like JP Morgan, who just last year were adamantly against cryptocurrency - but now are offering it as an investment option And the Chicago Board of Exchange who just filed an application to provide the world’s first Bitcoin ETF. Which is why earlier this month, Bitcoin rose 28% in just 4 days. Indicating that the next big boom might just be upon us… In this giant 15 book bundle you will discover: A complete analysis of over 70! different cryptocurrencies (no other book on Amazon comes close) 7 giant cryptocurrency mistakes that are guaranteed to lose you money - and how you can avoid making them A step-by-step guide on how to safely store your newly bought cryptocurrency A secret but completely legal way to buy coins on Coinbase without paying transaction fees (potentially saving you hundreds of dollars per year) How to use cryptocurrency to hedge against your traditional portfolio A coin with game changing technology which will open up partnerships with Fortune 500 companies A fundamental analysis of 7 high growth potential cryptocurrencies that all utilize Ethereum technology How a tiny plastic tube is making investors in this marijuana company very rich The only gaming coin with actual ties to the casino industry (this is vital for future growth) How to legally invest in cryptocurrencies tax free How even a technophobic 90 year old can buy Bitcoin is less than 15 minutes (no more difficult than buying anything else online) …and much, much more! Plus not one, but four free bonuses inside! Including guides on crisis investing and marijuana stocks with profit producing information like The “McDonald’s secret”, which directly relates to the marijuana industry and your chance of profiting How regular folks can legally benefit from holding assets offshore The absolute worst type of stock to have in your portfolio, and one that always plummets during a downturn The one sub-section of the marijuana industry you must be in The “3 Rs” stocks which perform best in a bad market What your broker isn't telling you about airline stocks But aren’t cryptocurrencies risky? Like any investment, they carry certain risks. That’s why this book helps you stay informed and armed with the best knowledge possible - all broken down into easy, digestible language. There is one small thing to bear in mind though… Unless you want another “if only” story - the time is now. Because things move fast in the crypto space, and today’s golden opportunity becomes tomorrows missed opportunity. So if you’re ready to become a part of the world’s fastest growing and most exciting market - scroll up and click “add to cart” to receive your book instantly! P.S. Many cryptocurrency analysts now predict Bitcoin could reach up to $65,000 by the end of the year, and other cryptocurrencies inside this mega bundle could go even higher

Download or read book Digital Gold written by Everly Hartford and published by Nafi Publications. This book was released on 2024-06-20 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Embark on a journey through the world of digital currency with "Digital Gold: Navigating the World of Cryptocurrency." This comprehensive eBook demystifies cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, offering insights into their origins, operations, and transformative potential. Perfect for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike, it covers everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum to investment strategies and security measures. Equip yourself with the knowledge to confidently navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital assets and uncover the future of finance.

Download or read book Security and Privacy in Cyberspace written by Omprakash Kaiwartya and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-08-28 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book highlights the literature and the practical aspects to understand cybersecurity and privacy in various networks and communication devices. It provides details of emerging technologies on various networks by protecting the privacy and security of cyberspace. This book presents state-of-the-art advances in the field of cryptography and network security, cybersecurity and privacy, providing a good reference for professionals and researchers.