Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative consumption: determinants of satisfaction and the likelihood of using a sharing economy option again

Collaborative consumption, often associated with the sharing economy, takes place in organized systems or networks, in which participants conduct sharing activities in the form of renting, lending, trading, bartering, and swapping of goods, services, transportation solutions, space, or money. In this paper, a framework on the determinants of choosing a sharing option is developed and tested with two quantitative studies by applying partial least squares path modeling analysis. In study 1, users of the B2C car sharing service car2go (N = 236), and in study 2, users of the C2C online community accommodation marketplace Airbnb (N = 187) are surveyed. The results reveal the satisfaction and the likelihood of choosing a sharing option again to be predominantly explained by determinants serving users' self-benefit. Utility, trust, cost savings, and familiarity were found to be essential in both studies, while service quality and community belonging were identified solely in study 1. Four proposed determinants had no influence on any of the endogenous variables. This applies to environmental impact, internet capability, smartphone capability, and trend affinity. Finally, research and managerial implications are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active Participation in Problem Solving Virtual Communities: a Learning Perspective

Active participation of members is considered essential to the success of virtual communities. We incorporated the Adaptive Structuration Theory and Expectancy-Value Theory to propose a conceptual model in explaining active participation in problem solving virtual communities from a learning perspective. In this model, learning orientation and learning expectancy were identified as predictors of active participation according to Expectancy-Value Theory. We further analyzed the influence of structural feature (community adaptivity) and structural spirits (leadership and conflict management) based on Adaptive Structuration Theory and suggested that they would affect active participation through learning expectancy. The theoretical model presented in this article provided a fresh perspective on problem solving virtual community and we hope the findings would suggest important implications for the design and management of problem solving virtual communities.
Conserving (not preserving) culture: Avoiding the damage to culture of veiled moralism in HIV education

Language mechanisms in much HIV discourse insist that a Western-based moralism dominates. These mechanisms include: the use of strategic absences of information about the moral grounding of texts; and slippages of meaning, where one word is used to refer to many meanings. A common slippage of meaning is the use of the word ‘polygamy’ to refer to a range of behaviours, thus hiding low HIV risk sexual practices (polyfidelity) under the same umbrella as high risk practices (promiscuity) and advocating their general removal. Another dubious method of achieving a moral position is to take a true premise and use it to advance a false conclusion. For example, the true premise that wife inheritance in its historical form is an HIV risk does not automatically lead to the conclusion that wife inheritance ‘must’ be eradicated. This is only one possible conclusion. Another, more culturally sensitive, conclusion could be that wife inheritance should be embarked upon, as should all sexual relationships, in a context of HIV tests, and safer sexual practice. I argue that moralism (such as ‘wife inheritance is morally wrong’) cloaked as science (the claim that science ‘proves’ the moral position that wife inheritance is wrong) is a threat to traditional culture and discriminates against up-holders of traditional lifestyles. Drawing primarily from my experience of HIV education in a development setting in Southern Africa, I offer a weak (realist) moral relativism as an alternative to, on the one hand, the positivist-based, absolutist morality which threatens to destroy traditional cultures in the name of HIV education and, on the other hand, extreme cultural relativism in which ‘anything goes’. Possibly, HIV educators have not done enough to include some traditional safer sex practices in their professional inventory of acceptable behaviours, such as hlobonga (thigh sex) and polygamy interpreted as polyfidelity. My hope is that by being more respectful of traditional culture, whilst encouraging cultural change where necessary, HIV education will register greater success in achieving safer sexual practice. This article will be particularly useful for writers and researchers tasked with achieving behavioural change and/or tasked with writing educational materials on HIV in the Southern African context.
CRITICISM AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of intimate partner support and criticism to health, but less is known about how these behaviors are regulated and expressed in relationships. The present research examines individual differences and social cognitive processes that may shape support and criticism in romantic relationships. Chapter 1 describes a study designed to test gender differences in intimate partner support. Forty college couples engaged in recorded, laboratory interactions. Using videorecall methods, participants and independent observers rated each partner’s behavior at periodic intervals within interactions. Results indicated that, compared to men on average, women sought more support but received the same amount of support. According to participants’ ratings, women were also more responsive to partners’ varying support needs over the course of an interaction, whereas observers’ data indicated no gender differences in partners’ responsiveness. Findings are discussed in light of previous research on gender differences and methods for behavior measurement. Chapter 2 describes two studies designed to test a dual-process model of criticism and social support in young adults’ romantic relationships. Evidence indicates that intentions play a limited role in guiding social behavior, particularly for behaviors that are well-practiced in stable contexts. The studies hypothesized that individuals’ behavioral intentions would predict their future criticism and support of romantic partners, but that intentions would be a stronger predictor in newer (versus longer lasting) relationships. Study 1 employed daily diary methods to capture actions in everyday life (N = 79 individuals), whereas Study 2 used video recall procedures to measure actions during focused laboratory discussions (N = 50 couples). Results were consistent across studies. Individuals’ intentions predicted their subsequent behavior, but partners in newer (versus older) relationships were more likely to carry out their support intentions. Although the expected pattern of results was found for support, the intention-behavior relationship for criticism was not moderated by relationship length. Implications for intervention and directions for future research are discussed. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Psychology First Advisor Dianne L Chambless Second Advisor Paul Crits-Christoph This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/224 Third Advisor Jonathan Baron
Proteomic analysis of the bacterial pathogen Bartonella henselae and identification of immunogenic proteins for serodiagnosis

Bartonella henselae is a slow growing, fastidious and facultative intracellular pathogen causing cat scratch disease and vasculoproliferative disorders. To date, knowledge about the pathogenicity of this human pathogenic bacterium is limited and, additionally, serodiagnosis still needs further improvement. Here, we investigated the proteome of B. henselae using 2‐D SDS‐PAGE and MALDI‐TOF‐MS. We provide a comprehensive 2‐D proteome reference map of the whole cell lysate of B. henselae with 431 identified protein spots representing 191 different proteins of which 16 were formerly assigned as hypothetical proteins. To unravel immunoreactive antigens, we applied 2‐D SDS‐PAGE and subsequent immunoblotting using 33 sera of patients suffering from B. henselae infections. The analysis revealed 79 immunoreactive proteins of which 71 were identified. Setting a threshold of 20% seroreactivity, 11 proteins turned out to be immunodominant antigens potentially useful for an improved Bartonella‐specific serodiagnosis. Therefore, we provide for the first time (i) a comprehensive 2‐D proteome map of B. henselae for further proteome‐based studies focussed on the pathogenicity of B. henselae and (ii) an integrated view into the humoral immune responses targeted against this newly emerged human pathogenic bacterium.
Magnetic resonance imaging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using magnetite particles coated with anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor antibody

A highly specific and effective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent was prepared by coating super‐paramagnetite particles with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs), which are over‐expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The preparation maintained both the immuno‐reactivity of the MAbs and the full relaxing capability of the magnetite particles. The particles of this EGFR‐specific contrast agent are 13.2 ± 1.9 nm in size, and thus, it is assumed that they are smaller than capillary pores and, hence, able to escape scavenging by reticulo‐endothelial system cells. The EGFR‐specific T2‐relaxing ability of this contrast agent was ascertained first in vitro, using the EGFR‐expressing cell line TE8 and the EGFR‐deficient cell line H69. The results in athymic rats bearing TE8 or H69 tumors revealed that the agent has EGFR‐specific MRI contrast capacity in vivo. The electron‐microscopic findings in TE8 tumor‐bearing rats revealed that the magnetite particles had been taken up by their lysosomes. In conclusion, immuno‐specific MRI using magnetite particles coated with MAbs against EGFR appears to be useful in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Int. J. Cancer 75:626–634, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An efficient and scalable re-authentication protocol over wireless sensor network

Although wireless sensor network is considered as one of promising technologies for ubiquitous computing environment, more researches for re-authentication of mobile nodes in wireless sensor network are required due to user mobility, one of important properties in ubiquitous computing environment. As the citizens in a city can be mobile user in wireless sensor network and the resource of the sensor nodes is limited, scalability of re-authentication is important. In other words, re-authentication with less communication cost should be proposed. In this paper, we suggest an efficient method of membership verification for re-authentication of mobile node and show the performance analysis of our membership verification. Using this method, we propose an efficient and scalable reauthentication protocol over wireless sensor network. Also, we provide performance and security analysis of our protocol.
Polyethylene glycol precipitation as a screening method for macroprolactinemia.

Vieira et al. (1) used the Wallac Delfia immunofluorometric assay to demonstrate that macroprolactin is a common cause of apparent hyperprolactinemia, and this confirms our experience (2) and that of others (3). However, their data validating the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation as a screening method for detecting macroprolactinemia are substantially different than ours (2) and appear to be inconsistent. They suggest that a recovery of >65% of serum prolactin (PRL) after PEG precipitation indicates the absence of macroprolactin; however, their Fig. 1⇓ shows that samples giving such recoveries contained 10–40% high-molecular weight PRL as determined by gel filtration chromatography. Furthermore, the data shown in Fig. 1⇓ of the recovery of PRL after PEG precipitation and the proportion of PRL present as the high-molecular …
Perceived Attractiveness and Personality Attributes: A Gender and Racial Analysis

Subjects rated 12 female body shapes with respect to their physical attractiveness, and the extent to which they would be expected to possess various personality characteristics. The shapes were varied using 3 levels of overall weight and 4 levels of body shapeliness. The sample was modified to control for socioeconomic factors and results are based on 297 undergraduates from Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic racial backgrounds. Loglinear analyses revealed that men and women, regardless of racial background, rated shapely underweight females as most physically attractive, sexy, and ideal for a woman, followed by normal weight figures of similar proportion. African Americans, women in particular, judged the shapely normal weight figures more favorably than the other subjects. Multidimensional scaling and subsequent frequency analyses showed that those figures judged as most attractive, sexy, and ideal were also expected to be fairly emotionally stable, and most successful and interpersonally competitive, but least faithful, kind, and family-oriented. Overweight female shapes, while rated as least physically attractive, sexy, and emotionally stable, were expected to be most family-oriented, kind, and faithful. Shapely normal weight figures were judged to be attractive and sexy, and were assumed to possess a moderate amount of the personality traits in question. The results suggest that Caucasian and Hispanic subjects prefer shapely underweight women, while African Americans, particularly women, find shapely underweight and shapely normal weight women to be physically appealing. African American women also rate shapely normal weight women favorably with respect to personality traits. This perceptual difference may help inoculate them from developing eating disturbances and account for the low prevalence rate of eating disorders in African Americans compared to women of other racial backgrounds. It is suggested that future research identify those beliefs, values or behaviors that seem to inoculate African American women from developing eating disorders. Once identified, mental health professionals may facilitate their development in those women who are likely to have eating problems.
Suppression of 9-cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase, Which Encodes a Key Enzyme in Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis, Alters Fruit Texture in Transgenic Tomato1[W][OA]

Cell wall catabolism during fruit ripening is under complex control and is key for fruit quality and shelf life. To examine the role of abscisic acid (ABA) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit ripening, we suppressed SlNCED1, which encodes 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ABA. To suppress SlNCED1 specifically in tomato fruits, and thus avoid the pleiotropic phenotypes associated with ABA deficiency, we used an RNA interference construct driven by the fruit-specific E8 promoter. ABA accumulation and SlNCED1 transcript levels in the transgenic fruit were down-regulated to between 20% and 50% of the levels measured in the control fruit. This significant reduction in NCED activity led to a down-regulation in the transcription of genes encoding major cell wall catabolic enzymes, specifically polygalacturonase (SlPG), pectin methyl esterase (SlPME), β-galactosidase precursor mRNA (SlTBG), xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (SlXET), endo-1,4-β-cellulose (SlCels), and expansin (SlExp). This resulted in an increased accumulation of pectin during ripening. In turn, this led to a significant extension of the shelf life to 15 to 29 d compared with a shelf life of only 7 d for the control fruit and an enhancement of fruit firmness at the mature stage by 30% to 45%. In conclusion, ABA affects cell wall catabolism during tomato fruit ripening via down-regulation of the expression of major catabolic genes (SlPG, SlPME, SlTBG, SlXET, SlCels, and SlExp).
Optimization of an automatic counting system for the quantification of Staphylococcus epidermidis cells in biofilms

Biofilm formation is recognized as the main virulence factor in a variety of chronic infections. In vitro evaluation of biofilm formation is often achieved by quantification of viable or total cells. However, these methods depend on biofilm disruption, which is often achieved by vortexing or sonication. In this study, we investigated the effects of sonication on the elimination of Staphylococcus epidermidis cell clusters from biofilms grown over time, and quantification was performed by three distinct analytical techniques. Even when a higher number of sonication cycles was used, some stable cell clusters remained in the samples obtained from 48‐ and 72‐h‐old biofilms, interfering with the quantification of sessile bacteria by plate counting. On the other hand, the fluorescence microscopy automatic counting system allowed proper quantification of biofilm samples that had undergone any of the described sonication cycles, suggesting that this is a more accurate method for assessing the cell concentration in S. epidermidis biofilms, especially in mature biofilms.
Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Üst Biliş Düzeylerinin Çeşitli Değişkenler Açısından incelenmesi

Bu arastirmanin temel amaci universite ogrencilerinin algiladiklari ust bilis duzeylerini belirlemek ve ust bilis duzeylerinin cesitli degiskenler acisindan anlamli bir farklilik gosterip gostermedigini ortaya koymaktir Iliskisel tarama modelinde yurutulmus bu arastirmanin orneklemini Kafkas Universitesi Egitim Veteriner Fen Edebiyat ve Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakultelerine devam eden toplam 1745 ogrenci olusturmustur Kayip veriler elendikten sonra arastirmanin orneklemi toplam 1083 ogrenciden olusmustur Arastirmada veri toplama araci olarak sosyo demografik ozelliklerin belirlenmesi amaciyla “Kisisel Bilgi Formu” ve “Ust Bilis 30 Olcegi” kullanilmistir Arastirmanin sonucunda universite ogrencilerinin ust bilis olceginde en yuksek puani bilissel farkindalik alt boyutunda aldiklari gorulmustur Yine elde edilen bulgulara gore ogrencilerin cinsiyetlerine gore ust bilis toplam bilissel guven ve dusunce kontrol ihtiyaci boyutlarinda kiz ogrenciler lehine; ogrenim gordukleri fakultelere gore ise bilissel farkindalik boyutunda Iktisadi Idari Bilimler fakultesi lehine anlamli bir farklilik oldugu gorulmustur Sinif duzeylerine gore incelendiginde ise ust bilis olceginin kontrol edilemezlik ve tehlike boyutunda besinci sinif ortalamasinin dorduncu birinci ikinci ve ucuncu sinif ogrencilerine gore daha dusuk oldugu gorulmustur Anahtar kelimeler: Ust bilis universite ogrencileri dusunme An Investigation Of University Students’ Metacognition Levels In Terms Of Various Variables
Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems

Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet.
A constraint-driven methodology for placement of analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits

Layout design of analog and mixed-signal circuits is often a manual and time-consuming, trial-and-error task. Stringent constraints that must be considered simultaneously are a major reason why layout design is often not automated. To overcome this bottleneck in the design process, we present a new constraint-driven design methodology. We have verified our methodology by applying it to the placement of both analog and mixed-signal circuits. Our approach allows us to verify whether a solution that satisfies all constraints exists prior to the time consuming optimization process. If a solution exists, an initial placement with a maximum constraint robustness is constructed. Next, the initial placement is optimized. Unlike the optimization engines known so far, our implementation is driven not only by the placement objectives, but also by the adaptively weighted constraints. This allows efficient searching in the solution space of the constraints.
Indices of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in apparently healthy Caribbean subjects

Reports from developing countries indicate that a rise in the socioeconomic level is a risk factor for metabolic disorders. We aimed to assess the indices of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance among fairly literate healthy adults in a multidisciplinary institution in Trinidad. The study included 156 volunteers (46 males and 110 females, 17–40 years old). The subjects provided information on age, ethnicity, educational attainment, and occupation in self‐administered, closed‐ended questionnaires. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg), and height (m) were measured. Fasting blood samples were taken for glucose, insulin, and lipid determinations in 78 subjects who volunteered for laboratory measurements. Insulin resistance was determined with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Of the 156 subjects studied, 83% had received tertiary education, and had no previous record of body mass index (BMI); 8% were obese, 17% were overweight, and 27% were underweight. Laboratory measurements in 78 subjects revealed 28% hypercholesterolemia and 20% hyperinsulinemia. There were no significant gender‐related differences in these prevalence rates (P>0.05). The identification of obesity, underweight, hyperinsulinemia, and hypercholesterolemia in this healthy population suggests that screening for the indices of metabolic disorders in a healthy population would be potentially useful for the early identification and treatment of metabolic‐related disorders. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 17:6–11, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Migration and New Media: Transnational Families and Polymedia

How do parents and children care for each other when they are separated because of migration? The way in which transnational families maintain long-distance relationships has been revolutionised by the emergence of new media such as email, instant messaging, social networking sites, webcam and texting. A migrant mother can now call and text her left-behind children several times a day, peruse social networking sites and leave the webcam for 12 hours achieving a sense of co-presence. Drawing on a long-term ethnographic study of prolonged separation between migrant mothers and their children who remain in the Philippines, this book develops groundbreaking theory for understanding both new media and the nature of mediated relationships. It brings together the perspectives of both the mothers and children and shows how the very nature of family relationships is changing. New media, understood as an emerging environment of polymedia, have become integral to the way family relationships are enacted and experienced. The theory of polymedia extends beyond the poignant case study and is developed as a major contribution for understanding the interconnections between digital media and interpersonal relationships.