Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Research of Impacts of Review System on Online Shoppers' Intention Based on TAM

Based on 287 samples collected from four universities, as well as three virtual communities of online shops in China, the author analyzed the impacts of review system on online shopping intention. A model reflecting characteristics of e-commerce based on TAM was created. Four features of review system (Quality, Quantity, Accuracy, and Interactive) were chose as independent variables, while Usefulness, Ease of use, and Trust were chose as intermediate variables, and Intention was the dependent variable. 9 hypotheses were proved while 12 were presented. The results show that Quality, Quantity have significant influences on Usefulness of review system, while Quality, Interactive have significant influences on both Ease of use of review system and the Trust of online shoppers toward review system. This research also proved that Usefulness, Ease of use, and Trust of review system have significant impacts on online shoppers' intention for transaction online. The implication of this research for e-retailers is that they should use review system of their online shops effectively, thus improve customers' online shopping intention.
Learning curves of elite car racers

This work is focused on racing cars driver’s training. Nine different tracks are considered and six drivers. Each driver drives on every track and performs consecutive trial sessions on each track; each session is made of various laps, and lap times are fitted using an exponential model, yielding an estimate of the initial performance, the learning constant, and the asymptotic performance. According to results, the learning curve varies significantly among pilots and among tracks; all pilots reach their session asymptotic performance in less than nine laps. The asymptotic performance in consecutive trial sessions improves significantly, and it is strongly correlated to the initial session performance (r2 > 0.99). As a conclusion, it is more profitable to perform separated sessions made of few laps (less than 10) rather than performing a smaller number of longer sessions. Whenever the initial lap time stops decreasing systematically, trial sessions should end because the asymptotic performance is not likely to improve further.
Prospect Theory and the Demand for Insurance

We examine the effect of prospect theory preferences on the demand for insurance to determine whether such preferences can explain the choice of low deductibles observed in the market. Prospect theory implies individuals make decisions by evaluating gains and losses relative to a reference point, where utility is concave over gains and convex over losses; furthermore, losses are weighed more heavily than gains in this setting. We incorporate such preferences in the utility function for an individual and investigate various reference points for an individual making insurance purchasing decisions. We find that prospect theory can explain several phenomena observed in insurance markets: the preference for low deductibles for mandatory insurance, the lack of demand for nonmandatory insurance like catastrophe insurance, and the over-demand to insure small losses as seen with the purchasing of warranties. ∗Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, 206 Brooks Hall, Athens, GA 30602, Tel: +1-706-5423578, Fax: +1-706-542-4295, email: deckles@uga.edu †Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, 619 Alter Hall, 1801 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122, Tel: +1-215-204-6826, Fax: +1-215-204-4712, email: jacqueline.wise@temple.edu
Unpacking the relationship between probationers with serious mental illnesses and probation officers: A mixed-methods examination

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between a sample of 98 probationers with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and probation staff in three programs: mental health court, specialized mental health probation, and standard probation. Probationers in the mental health court rated the quality of their relationships with probation officers higher than did those in standard probation. Qualitative analyses highlight caring as a bedrock relational factor upon which other relationship dimensions rest, and the important role of support in developing and maintaining therapeutic relationships. Findings shed light on the importance of relational experiences in the context of probation supervision for people with SMI.
Electrocardiographic Findings in Acutely and Chronically T. cruzi-infected Mice Treated by a Phenyl-Substituted Analogue of Furamidine DB569

Aromatic diamidines have been successfully used to combat a wide range of parasites that cause important human infections. Recently we reported that a N-phenyl-substituted analogue of furamidine (DB569) exerts a micromolar trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. Since DB569 also reduces the cardiac parasitism and increases the survival rates of T. cruzi-infected mice, our present aim was to analyze the potential protection of DB569 in the development of altered cardiac electrical conduction system during acute and chronic T. cruzi infection. In our experimental model of acute infection (Swiss mice inoculated with Y strain of T. cruzi), the prevailing disorder observed in electrocardiogram (ECG) analyses was sinus bradycardia. This ECG alteration was reverted in acutely infected mice treated with DB569. Interestingly, the DB569 treatment reduced significantly the numbers of CD8+ T cells in the cardiac infiltration. In addition, the noticed protection of DB569 in the ECG findings of acutely-infected animals was further extended to the chronic infection. Our data suggest that the reversion to and further maintenance of normal ECG profile in the DB569-treated infected animals may be associated with the reduced cardiac CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration and parasitism that might be ultimately contributing to their increased survival rates.
Rumination, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempts: A Meta-Analytic Review

Rumination has been implicated as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts, yet the literature to date has not been synthesized. We conducted a meta-analysis of the association between rumination and both suicidal ideation and attempts to consolidate the existing literature (k = 29). Results indicated that the relationships between global rumination (k = 13; Hedge's g = .74, p < .001, 95% CI [.45, 1.04]), brooding (k = 12; Hedge's g = .63, p < .001, 95% CI [.35, .90]), and reflection (k = 12; Hedge's g = .38, p = .002, 95% CI [.10, .65]) with suicidal ideation were significant. Associations between global rumination (k = 3; Hedge's g = .26, p < .001, 95% CI [.08, .44]) and brooding (k = 4; Hedge's g = .47, p = .004, 95% CI [.02, .91]) and suicide attempts were significant, but reflection (k = 4; Hedge's g = .09, p = .646, 95% CI [−.54, .72]) was unrelated. However, given the limited studies included in suicide attempt analyses—and the exclusive use of cross-sectional designs and heterogeneity with regard to samples and measures—these parameters should be taken with caution. Generally, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and year of publication were not moderators, and there was little evidence for publication bias across effects, with the exception of the effect of global rumination on suicidal ideation. Several future research directions are discussed.
Identification of a Novel PNMA-MS1 Gene in Marsupials Suggests the LTR Retrotransposon-Derived PNMA Genes Evolved Differently in Marsupials and Eutherians

Two major gene families derived from Ty3/Gypsy long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons were recently identified in mammals. The sushi-ichi retrotransposon homologue (SIRH) family comprises 12 genes: 11 in eutherians including Peg10 and Peg11/Rtl1 that have essential roles in the eutherian placenta and 1 that is marsupial specific. Fifteen and 12 genes were reported in the second gene family, para-neoplastic antigen MA (PNMA), in humans and mice, respectively, although their biological functions and evolutionary history remain largely unknown. Here, we identified two novel candidate PNMA genes, PNMA-MS1 and -MS2 in marsupials. Like all eutherian-specific PNMA genes, they exhibit the highest homology to a Gypsy12_DR (DR, Danio rerio) Gag protein. PNMA-MS1 is conserved in both Australian and South American marsupial species, the tammar wallaby and grey short-tailed opossum. However, no PNMA-MS1 orthologue was found in eutherians, monotremes or non-mammalian vertebrates. PNMA-MS1 was expressed in the ovary, mammary gland and brain during development and growth in the tammar, suggesting that PNMA-MS1 may have acquired a marsupial-specific function. However, PNMA-MS2 seems to be a pseudogene. The absence of marsupial orthologues of eutherian PNMA genes suggests that the retrotransposition events of the Gypsy12_DR-related retrotransposons that gave rise to the PNMA family occurred after the divergence of marsupials and eutherians.
Monetary Policy and Stock Prices in a DSGE Framework

Is the Federal Reserve at all concerned with stock market performance, as the observation of its recent conduct might seem to suggest? Is there a theoretical scope for such a concern? This paper addresses both questions, presenting and estimating a small structural model that provides a theoretical rationale for looking at equity prices in conducting Monetary Policy. The focus is on the effects that stock market’s booms and busts might have on consumption: a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model of the business cycle is set up, in which consumer prices are sticky and an explicit role for equity prices is allowed for in the household optimization problem. An augmented forward-looking Taylor Rule that controls for stock prices accounts for the behavior of the policy maker. Maximum likelihood estimates of the structural parameters are computed through Kalman Filtering. The empirical evidence found does not provide a strong support to the view that the Federal Reserve has reacted to stock prices misalignments, suggesting that the ”wealth effect” channel by itself might not be sufficient to rationalize a possible concern in equity prices beyond their role in predicting future inflation and output dynamics. Moreover, analysis of the conditions for determinacy reveals that a positive reaction to stock prices, within this framework and under common assumptions about the sensitivity of demand to real interest rates, would imply multiple stable equilibria. In such a case, a revision in the expectations by itself would suffice to generate endogenous and persistent fluctuations. JEL classification: C22, E32, E52
Ability Grouping and Differentiated Instruction in an Era of Data-Driven Decision Making

Despite data-driven decision making being a ubiquitous part of policy and school reform efforts, little is known about how teachers use data for instructional decision making. Drawing on data from a qualitative case study of four elementary schools, we examine the logic and patterns of teacher decision making about differentiation and ability grouping. We find that district and school policies conditioned teachers’ decision making through mandated time for instructional differentiation, curricular tools, and online program adoption. Educators used various strategies reflecting different logics, types of data used, and sources of decision making. Implications for theory and research are discussed.
Early Complications Following Cemented Modular Hip Hemiarthroplasty

Introduction : Hemiarthroplasty is the recommended treatment for displaced, intracapsular, femoral neck fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the early complications following insertion of the JRI Furlong cemented hemiarthroplasty, a contemporary, modular, double tapered, polished prosthesis. Method : A series of 459 consecutive patients (May 2006 - June 2009) treated with a JRI hemiarthroplasty with a minimum of one-year (1-4years) follow-up were evaluated. Data collected retrospectively from clinical records and hospital databases included patient demographics, mortality, deep infection, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and any requirement for revision or complications related to the prosthesis. Results : Full data were available for 429 of 459 (93%), partial data for 30 (7%). Average age was 83 years (52-100), 76% were female. One-year mortality was 24%. Intraoperative fractures occurred in 17 patients (3.7%). There were two intraoperative deaths. There were nine early deep wound infections (2%). There were two revisions to total hip replacement (THR), four patients required conversion to THR and one underwent an excision arthroplasty procedure. Discussion : Early surgical outcomes for the JRI hemiarthroplasty prosthesis are equivalent or superior to other major hemiarthroplasty prostheses previously reported however, there was a high intraoperative fracture rate of 3.7%. We recommend using a stem one size smaller than the final broach in fragile, osteoporotic bone. No patients re-presented with aseptic loosening or stem failure.
On the use of COSMO/SkyMed data and Weather Models for interferometric DEM generation

Abstract This work experiments the potentialities of COSMO/SkyMed (CSK) data in providing interferometric Digital Elevation Model (DEM). We processed a stack of CSK data for measuring with meter accuracy the ground elevation on the available coherent targets, and used these values to check the accuracy of DEMs derived from 5 tandem-like CSK pairs. In order to suppress the atmospheric signal we experimented a classical spatial filtering of the differential phase as well as the use of numerical weather prediction (NWP) model RAMS. Tandem-like pairs with normal baselines higher than 300 m allows to derive DEMs fulfilling the HRTI Level 3 specifications on the relative vertical accuracy, while the use of NWP models still seems unfeasible especially for X-band.
A Simple and efficient saliency detector for background subtraction

In this paper we present a simple and computationally efficient method for detecting visually salient areas. The proposed method is based on searching image segments whose intensity values are more accurately described by the intensity distribution of the object compared to the distribution of the surrounding area. The practical implementation applies a sliding window approach, where the distributions of the objects and surroundings are estimated using semi-local intensity histograms that are efficiently evaluated using integral histogram approach. The introduced approach requires no training and no additional segmentation algorithms. Saliency detection can be used in background subtraction and we show that the proposed method is especially effective in the case where the scene is highly dynamic or the camera is not still. Furthermore using our approach we are able to detect also targets that are not moving. Comparisons with state-of-the-art saliency detectors and background subtraction techniques indicate that the introduced approach results in high performance and accuracy, outperforming the reference methods.
Chapter 10 : Preference Elicitation in Combinatorial Auctions Tuomas Sandholm and

1 Motivation and introduction The key feature that makes combinatorial auctions (CAs) most appealing is the ability for bidders to express complex preferences over collections of items, involving complementarity and substitutability. It is this generality that makes providing the input to a CA extremely difficult for bidders. In effect, each bidder must provide her valuation function over the space of all bundles of items. More precisely, with m items for sale, there are 2 − 1 bundles over which a bidder may have to provide bids. Requiring all of this information from all bidders is undesirable for several reasons. First, determining one’s valuation for any specific bundle can be computationally demanding (Sandholm, 1993, 2000; Parkes, 1999b; Larson and Sandholm, 2001), thus requiring this computation for exponentially many bundles is impractical. Second, communicating exponentially many bids can be prohibitive (e.g., w.r.t. network traffic). Finally, agents may prefer not to reveal their valuation information for reasons of privacy or long-term competitiveness (Rothkopf et al., 1990). Several approaches have been proposed for addressing the problem. Ascending CAs—see, for example, Parkes (1999a), Wurman and Wellman (2000), Ausubel and Milgrom (2002), Parkes (Chapter 2), and Ausubel and Milgrom (Chapter 3)—provide one means of minimizing the information requirements on bidders by posting prices (sometimes implicitly) on all bundles and ask-
Educational Inputs and Outcomes Before the Transition from Communism

Conventional wisdom suggests that the stocks of human capital were one of the few positive legacies from communism. However, if factories under communism were so inefficient, why would the education system not have been? Using the education production function approach and new data on educational inputs and outcomes from 1960 to 1989, we find evidence suggesting that the official human capital stocks figures were 'over-estimated' during the communist period. In other words, we find that the official human capital stock numbers are significantly higher than those predicted not only in relation to countries at similar levels of development, but also on the basis of educational systems with comparable features and efficiency levels.
Erythropoietin Does Not Enhance Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis Following Exercise in Young and Older Adults

Purpose: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a renal cytokine that is primarily involved in hematopoiesis while also playing a role in non-hematopoietic tissues expressing the EPO-receptor (EPOR). The EPOR is present in human skeletal muscle. In mouse skeletal muscle, EPO stimulation can activate the AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway, the main positive regulator of muscle protein synthesis. We hypothesized that a single intravenous EPO injection combined with acute resistance exercise would have a synergistic effect on skeletal muscle protein synthesis via activation of the AKT pathway. Methods: Ten young (24.2 ± 0.9 years) and 10 older (66.6 ± 1.1 years) healthy subjects received a primed, constant infusion of [ring-13C6] L-phenylalanine and a single injection of 10,000 IU epoetin-beta or placebo in a double-blind randomized, cross-over design. 2 h after the injection, the subjects completed an acute bout of leg extension resistance exercise to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Results: Significant interaction effects in the phosphorylation levels of the members of the AKT signaling pathway indicated a differential activation of protein synthesis signaling in older subjects when compared to young subjects. However, EPO offered no synergistic effect on vastus lateralis mixed muscle protein synthesis rate in young or older subjects. Conclusions: Despite its ability to activate the AKT pathway in skeletal muscle, an acute EPO injection had no additive or synergistic effect on the exercise-induced activation of muscle protein synthesis or muscle protein synthesis signaling pathways.
The Impact of Mitochondrial DNA and Nuclear Genes Related to Mitochondrial Functioning on the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are the major factors implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. The maintenance of healthy mitochondria is a very complex process coordinated bi-genomically. Here, we review association studies on mitochondrial haplogroups and subhaplogroups, discussing the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also focus on variation in the nuclear genes (NDUFV2, PGC-1alpha, HSPA9, LRPPRC, MTIF3, POLG1, and TFAM encoding NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, mortalin, leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing protein, translation initiation factor 3, mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma, and mitochondrial transcription factor A, respectively) primarily linked to regulation of mitochondrial functioning that recently have been associated with PD risk. Possible interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genetic variants and related proteins are discussed.
A near-IR study of the host galaxies of radio-quiet quasars, radio-loud quasars and radio galaxies

We present the results of a detailed analysis of the host galaxies of powerful AGN as revealed by deep near-infrared imaging. New K-band images have been obtained of a sample of radio galaxies (RGs) selected to match the radio-loud quasar (RLQ) and radio-quiet quasar (RQQ) samples for which comparable images were presented by Dunlop et al. (1993). The images of all three samples have been analyzed using detailed 2-dimensional modelling to extract the parameters of the host galaxies. The low nuclear:host ratios displayed by quasars at 2.2m combined with the consistent depth of our images have enabled us to determine reliably the luminosities, scale-lengths and even morphological type of the vast majority of the host galaxies. In fact tests of the repeatability of our galaxy model tting with increasing nuclear:host ratio indicate that, with ground-based seeing, it is only at near-infrared wavelengths that the properties of quasar host galaxies can be determined with acceptable reliability. The statistical matching of our samples combined with consistent application of the same modelling procedure to all sources have enabled us to perform the most reliable comparison of the host galaxies of RQQs, RLQs and RGs undertaken to date. The picture that emerges is one of relative uniformity, in contrast to the results of several optical studies. We nd that the host galaxies of all three classes of AGN are large luminous galaxies with, on average, very similar luminosities. All of the host galaxies have a K-band luminosity L L ? and all have a half-light radius r 1=2 10 kpc. In addition the host galaxies of all three classes of AGN display a 1=2 ? r 1=2 relation identical in both slope and normalization to that displayed by brightest cluster galaxies. With regard to morphological type we nd that essentially all the radio galaxies and RLQ hosts are best described by a de Vaucouleurs r 1=4 law, but that slightly more than half of the RQQs appear to lie in galaxies which are dominated by an exponential disc. Those RQQs which have elliptical hosts are in general more luminous than those which reside in discs. Our results provide clear support for the uniication of RLQs and RGs via orientation, and suggest that a signiicant fraction of the RQQ population may at least be capable of producing powerful radio emission. Finally, our modelling indicates that the majority of the radio galaxies in our sample contain …
Structural and Optical Properties of Sol-gel Prepared ZnO Thin Film

In this work we have studied the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating process. Zinc acetate dihydrate was used as the precursor material. Thin films of ZnO were prepared on Quartz substrate post annealed at 400oC, 500oC and 600oC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the films showed polycrystalline nature. Scherrer’s formula was used to calculate crystallite size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed granular surface. The refractive index, extinction coefficient and thickness of the films were measured with spectroscopic Ellipsometry. The band gap and Urbach energy were calculated. The photoluminescence measurement revealed UV emission at ~ 380 nm.