Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to adopting ICT and e-commerce with SMEs in developing countries : an exploratory study in Sri Lanka

Research indicates that e-commerce offers a promising way for organizations to meet challenges of an ever-changing environment. However, the few available studies related to SMEs in developing countries reveal that they lag behind and are skeptical about adopting the technologies irrespective of their effectiveness. Literature reveals many significant reasons contributing towards this reluctance. The various factors identified as causes for the reticence can be broadly classified as Internal Barriers and External Barriers. Internal Barriers can be resolved within the organization by the organization itself, while External Barriers need to be addressed either by government intervention or by collaboration of SMEs. This paper presents a model for barriers to adoption of ICT and e-commerce, collected from the available literature and the results of an exploratory pilot studies and subsequent survey. In addition to the barriers facing SMEs, this research identifies the relevant support required by SMEs in a developing country, Sri Lanka. The methodology and initial issues found in the study are also discussed. Keyword: E-commerce, SMEs, adoption, developing countries, factors, barriers, model
Star Formation in the Infrared Space Observatory Atlas of Bright Spiral Galaxies

We investigate star formation along the Hubble sequence using the Infrared Space Observatory Atlas of Bright Spiral Galaxies. Using mid-infrared and far-infrared flux densities normalized by K-band flux densities as indicators of recent star formation, we find several trends. First, star formation activity is stronger in late-type (Sc–Scd) spirals than in early-type (Sa–Sab) spirals. This trend is seen both in nuclear and disk activity. These results confirm several previous optical studies of star formation along the Hubble sequence but conflict with the conclusions of most of the previous studies using IRAS data, and we discuss why this might be so. Second, star formation is significantly more extended in later type spirals than in early-type spirals. We suggest that these trends in star formation are a result of differences in the gas content and its distribution along the Hubble sequence, and it is these differences that promote star formation in late-type spiral galaxies. We also search for trends in nuclear star formation related to the presence of a bar or nuclear activity. The nuclear star formation activity is not significantly different between barred and unbarred galaxies. We do find that star formation activity appears to be inhibited in low ionization nuclear emission regions and transition objects compared with H II galaxies. The mean star formation rate in the sample is 1.4 M⊙ yr-1, based on global far-infrared fluxes. Combining these data with CO data gives a mean gas consumption time of 6.4 × 108 yr, which is ∼5 times lower than the values found in other studies. Finally, we find excellent support for the Schmidt law in the correlation between molecular gas masses and recent star formation in this sample of spiral galaxies.
Sleep disturbances in survivors of the Nazi Holocaust.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD Sleep disturbances are commonly reported by victims of extraordinary stress and can persist for decades. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that survivors of the Nazi Holocaust would have significantly more and different sleep problems than depressed and healthy comparison subjects and that the severity of the survivors' problems would be correlated with length of time spent in a concentration camp. Forty-two survivors, 37 depressed patients, and 54 healthy subjects of about the same age, all living in the community, described their sleep patterns over the preceding month on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a self-rating instrument that inquires about quality, latency, duration, efficiency, and disturbances of sleep, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. RESULTS The survivors had significantly greater sleep impairment than the healthy comparison subjects, as measured by all subscales of the index, but had less impairment than the depressed patients except on the sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction subscales. However, for specific items within these subscales, survivors had significantly more frequent awakenings due to bad dreams and had less loss of enthusiasm than the depressed subjects. Sleep disturbances and frequency of nightmares were significantly and positively correlated with the duration of the survivors' internment in concentration camps. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that for some Holocaust survivors, impaired sleep and frequent nightmares are considerable problems even 45 years after liberation.
Double-Blind , Randomized , Placebo-Controlled Study Bosentan Therapy in Patients With Eisenmenger Syndrome : A Multicenter

Copyright © 2006 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online 72514 Circulation is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106. 630715 2006;114;48-54; originally published online Jun 26, 2006; Circulation Randomized Trial of Endothelin Antagonist Therapy-5 (BREATHE-5) Investigators Berger, Andrea Lauer, Eleonora Chiossi, Michael Landzberg and for the Bosentan Nazzareno Galiè, Maurice Beghetti, Michael A. Gatzoulis, John Granton, Rolf M.F. Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Bosentan Therapy in Patients With Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Multicenter, http://circ.ahajournals. org/cgi/content/full/114/1/48 located on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
Cardiovascular responses to dynamic exercise with acute anemia in humans.

We hypothesized that reducing arterial O2 content ([Formula: see text]) by lowering the hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) would result in a higher blood flow, as observed with a low [Formula: see text], and maintenance of O2 delivery. Seven young healthy men were studied twice, at rest and during two-legged submaximal and peak dynamic knee extensor exercise in a control condition (mean control [Hb] 144 g/l) and after 1-1.5 liters of whole blood had been withdrawn and replaced with albumin {mean drop in [Hb] 29 g/l (range 19-38 g/l); low [Hb]}. Limb blood flow (LBF) was higher ( P < 0.01) with low [Hb] during submaximal exercise (i.e., at 30 W, LBF was 2.5 ± 0.1 and 3.0 ± 0.1 l/min for control [Hb] and low [Hb], respectively; P < 0.01), resulting in a maintained O2 delivery and O2 uptake for a given workload. However, at peak exercise, LBF was unaltered (6.5 ± 0.4 and 6.6 ± 0.6 l/min for control [Hb] and low [Hb], respectively), which resulted in an 18% reduction in O2 delivery ( P < 0.01). This occurred despite peak cardiac output in neither condition reaching >75% of maximal cardiac output (∼26 l/min). It is concluded that a low CaO2 induces an elevation in submaximal muscle blood flow and that O2 delivery to contracting muscles is tightly regulated.
An improvement on face recognition rate using local tetra patterns with support vector machine under varying illumination conditions

Varying illumination condition make face recognition a challenging issue. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for solving this problem by performing three steps: (1) illumination normalization that normalizes the images using pre-processing chain of Gamma Correction, Difference of Gaussian and Contrast Equalization; (2) local tetra patterns (LTrPs) for texture based face representation; and (3) Support Vector Machine (SVM) for classification. The experimental results shows that face recognition rate of proposed system is improved from 97.9%, 97% and 99% to 99.34% as compared with LDP using Histogram Intersection, LBP using Chi-square, and LTP using Euclidean Distance respectively on Extended Yale-B database.
XMM-Newton observations of the Lockman Hole IV: spectra of the brightest AGN ,

This paper presents the results of a detailed X-ray spectral analysis of a sample of 123 X-ray sources detected with XMM-Newton in the Lockman Hole field. This is the deepest observation carried out with XMM-Newton with more that 600 ks of good EPIC-pn data. We have spectra with good signal to noise (>500 source counts) for all objects down to 0.2−12 keV fluxes of ∼5 × 10 −15 erg cm −2 s −1 (flux limit of ∼6 × 10 −16 erg cm −2 s −1 in the 0.5− 2a nd 2−10 keV bands). At the time of the analysis, we had optical spectroscopic identifications for 60% of the sources, 46 being optical type-1 AGN and 28 optical type-2 AGN. Using a single power law model our sources’ average spectral slope hardens at faint 0.5−2 keV fluxes but not at faint 2−10 keV fluxes. We have been able to explain this effect in terms of an increase in X-ray absorption at faint fluxes. We did not find in our data any evidence for the existence of a population of faint intrinsically harder sources. The average spectral slope of our sources is ∼1.9, with an intrinsic dispersion of ∼0.28. We detected X-ray absorption (F-test significance ≥95%) in 37% of the sources, ∼10% in type-1 AGN (rest-frame NH ∼ 1.6 × 10 21 −1.2 × 10 22 cm −2 )a nd∼77% (rest-frame NH ∼ 1.5 × 10 21 −4 × 10 23 cm −2 ) in type-2 AGN. Using X-ray fluxes corrected for absorption, the fraction of absorbed objects and the absorbing column density distribution did not vary with X-ray flux. Our type-1 and type-2 AGN do not appear to have different continuum shapes, but the distribution of intrinsic (rest-frame) absorbing column densities is different among both classes. A significant fraction of our type-2 AGN (5 out of 28) were found to display no substantial absorption (NH < 10 21 cm −2 ). We discuss possible interpretations to this in terms of Compton-thick AGN and intrinsic Broad Line Region properties. An emission line compatible with Fe Kα was detected in 8 sources (1 type-1 AGN, 5 type-2 AGN and 2 unidentified) with rest frame equivalent widths 120−1000 eV. However weak broad components can be easily missed in other sources by the relatively noisy data. The AGN continuum or intrinsic absorption did not depend on X-ray luminosity and/or redshift. Soft excess emission was detected in 18 objects, but only in 9 (including 4 type-1 AGN and 4 type-2 AGN) could we fit this spectral component with a black body model. The measured 0.5− 2k eV luminosities of the fitted black body were not significantly different in type-1 and type-2 AGN, although the temperatures of the black body were slightly higher in type-2 AGN (� kT� = 0.26 ± 0.08) than in type-1 AGN (� kT� = 0.09 ± 0.01). For 9 sources (including 1 type-1 AGN and 3 type-2 AGN) a scattering model provided a better fit of the soft excess emission. We found that the integrated contribution from our sources to the X-ray background in the 2−7 keV band is softer ( Γ= 1.5−1.6) than the background itself, implying that fainter sources need to be more absorbed.
On identity of Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst, 1801) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae) in Indian waters

The present report records the occurrence of brachyuran crab Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst, 1801) which was identified wrongly as A. floridus (Linnaeus, 1767) in older studies carried out in Indian waters. The details of differences in morphological characters and distribution pattern of both species are given in the report.
Title : A Comparison of Methods to Measure Fitness in Escherichia coli Authors and Affiliations :

In order to characterize the dynamics of adaptation, it is important to be able to quantify how a population’s mean fitness changes over time. Such measurements are especially important in experimental studies of evolution using microbes. The Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) with Escherichia coli provides one such system in which mean fitness has been measured by competing derived and ancestral populations. The traditional method used to measure fitness in the LTEE and many similar experiments, though, is subject to a potential limitation. As the relative fitness of the two competitors diverges, the measurement error increases because the less-fit population becomes increasingly small and cannot be enumerated as precisely. Here, we present and employ two alternatives to the traditional method. One is based on reducing the fitness differential between the competitors by using a common reference competitor from an intermediate generation that has intermediate fitness; the other alternative increases the initial population size of the less-fit, ancestral competitor. We performed a total of 480 competitions to compare the statistical properties of estimates obtained using these alternative methods with those obtained using the traditional method for samples taken over 50,000 generations from one of the LTEE populations. On balance, neither alternative method yielded measurements that were more precise than the traditional method.
Does Environmental Sustainability Play a Role in the Adoption of Smart Card Technology at Universities in Taiwan: An Integration of TAM and TRA

Smart cards are able to store and protect relatively large amounts of data. When applied in universities, they can act as multi-purpose, multi-function and smart ID cards. This would avoid the waste of resources and maintain environmental sustainability. This study proposes a model that integrates Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Reasoned Action into a framework incorporating the notion of environmental concern in order to explore the factors that affect students’ behavioral intention to use University Smart Cards. This study employs a quantitative method for primary data collection via a structured questionnaire for university students. The findings indicated that the perceived usefulness and subjective norm of university smart card systems have the most significant predictive power on potential users’ attitudes and intentions of adopting the card.
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is directed at decreasing insulin resistance and increasing insulin secretion. α-Glucosidase inhibitors slow carbohydrate absorption, resulting in reduced postprandial hyperglycemia; thiazolidinediones increase insulin sensitivity, especially in muscle and adipocytes; metformin decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis; sulfonylureas result in prolonged increases in insulin secretion; and meglitinide causes rapid, short-lived increases in insulin secretion. A survey of 130 pediatric endocrinology practices in the USA and Canada indicated that 48% of children with type 2 DM were treated with insulin and 44% with one or more oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA). Of those treated with OHA, 71% received metformin, 46% sulfonylureas, 9% thiazolidinediones and 4% meglitinide. Similarly, in the three university-based diabetes centers in Florida, 50% of the children with type 2 DM were treated with OHA. Treatment is based on symptoms at presentation. Patients identified on routine testing are often treated with exercise and diet alone. Those who are mildly symptomatic at onset are often started on OHA. Patients with substantial ketosis, ketoacidosis or markedly elevated blood glucose levels are initially treated with insulin, followed by a tapering of the dose and the addition of an OHA after blood glucose control is established and symptoms subside. There are no studies of the efficacy or compliance with treatment for type 2 DM in adolescents. Treatment is currently based on the clinical experience with adults. Controlled clinical trials in children are essential.
Small holder farmers coping strategies to household food insecurity and hunger in Southern Ethiopia

This study has aimed at examining the small holder farmers’ coping strategies to sustained household food insecurity and hunger in Southern Ethiopia (Sidama Zone). In order to collect the required input data, a comprehensive interview schedule was developed. The data were collected from 614 households who were selected through two-stage probability sampling technique. The association of each predicting variable and the dependent variable (coping strategies), controlling for all confounding factors, was examined using the multivariate analysis. The result revealed that about 54% of the households were facing mild to severe food insecurity, and of which, about 19% fall in household hunger category (as measured by Household Hunger Scale) for more than six months of the year. The study further showed that households in the study area employ a range of coping strategies to respond to the high and sustained food insecurity and hunger, ranging from minimizing the number of meals and amount of food consumption to out-migration of household members during chronic food shortage. The findings of the multivariate analysis using multiple regression technique documented that some demographic and socio-economic variable (such as age of the household head, educational status, access to main social service and others) have associations with the number of coping strategies practiced by the households. Finally, few recommendations were given based on the key findings of the study, which includes promoting income-generating activities, enhancing the micro-financing efficiency, creating employment opportunities at local areas to deter unskilled labor migration, on farm diversification and the like. Key words: Climate change, food insecurity, copying strategies, Southern Ethiopia, Sidama Zone
Activities and Programs That Improve Children’s Executive Functions

Executive functions (EFs; e.g., reasoning, working memory, and self-control) can be improved. Good news indeed, since EFs are critical for school and job success and for mental and physical health. Various activities appear to improve children’s EFs. The best evidence exists for computer-based training, traditional martial arts, and two school curricula. Weaker evidence, though strong enough to pass peer review, exists for aerobics, yoga, mindfulness, and other school curricula. Here I address what can be learned from the research thus far, including that EFs need to be progressively challenged as children improve and that repeated practice is key. Children devote time and effort to activities they love; therefore, EF interventions might use children’s motivation to advantage. Focusing narrowly on EFs or aerobic activity alone appears not to be as efficacious in improving EFs as also addressing children’s emotional, social, and character development (as do martial arts, yoga, and curricula shown to improve EFs). Children with poorer EFs benefit more from training; hence, training might provide them an opportunity to “catch up” with their peers and not be left behind. Remaining questions include how long benefits of EF training last and who benefits most from which activities.
Prevalence and determinants of refractive errors at Sekororo District Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Refractive errors are common eye disorders affecting people of all age groups worldwide.Aim: To determine the prevalence and determinants of refractive errors among patients attending a rural-based optometry clinic from January 2018 to December 2019.Setting: The study was conducted at Sekororo District Hospital in Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study comprising two stratified random samples (2018 and 2019) was conducted based on the clinical records of patients who consulted the clinic. Data were analysed with Statistics or Data Analysis software, STATA ed. 15. Determinants of refractive errors were identified using regression analysis and reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In the 2018 sample, the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in the right eyes was 10% (95% CI: 7.0–14.2), 7.5% (95% CI: 4.5–1.3) and 43.4% (95% CI: 37.6–49.3), respectively. Left eyes had myopia 16.1% (95% CI: 12.2–21.0), hyperopia 7.5% (95% CI: 4.5–1.3) and astigmatism 40.1% (95% CI: 34.5–46.0). For the 2019 sample, the prevalence of myopia in right eyes was 13.3% (95% CI: 9.5–18.3), hyperopia 3.8% (95% CI: 2.0–7.3) and astigmatism 33.8% (95% CI: 28.0–40.1). Left eyes had myopia 17.5% (95% CI: 13.1–23.0), hyperopia 8.1% (95% CI: 5.2–12.4) and astigmatism 26.9% (95% CI: 21.6–33.0). Conclusion: Across the samples (2018 and 2019) and to laterality (right and left eyes), myopia prevalence ranged from 10% to 17.5% while hyperopia ranged from 3.8% to 8.1%. Astigmatism was most prevalent (ranging from 26.9% to 43.4%). Contribution: This article provides useful information about the prevalence of REs in the district hospital setting. The Department of Health Authority may use the results for policy decisions.
Inhibition of Return in the Bayesian Strategy to Active Visual Search

The inhibition of return mechanism in systems based on visual attention allows to generate a sequence of gaze directions (saccades) from saliency data. In this work we propose such a mechanism that seamlessly integrates with the Bayesian Strategy to attention. Taking into account a memory of attended locations, the requirement for consistency constitutes the drive for the generation of saccades. The general probabilistic model of active saliency is introduced, which is applicable to systems based on saliency maps as well as to landmark based systems. The model is further refined and validated in the context of an active visual search task.
Regulation of Immune Responses by the Neonatal Fc Receptor and Its Therapeutic Implications

As a single receptor, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is critically involved in regulating albumin and IgG serum concentrations by protecting these two ligands from degradation. In addition to these essential homeostatic functions, FcRn possesses important functions in regulating immune responses that are equally as critical and are increasingly coming to attention. During the first stages of life, FcRn mediates the passive transfer of IgG across the maternal placenta or neonatal intestinal walls of mammals, thereby conferring passive immunity to the offspring before and after birth. In fact, FcRn is one of the very few molecules that are known to move from luminal to serosal membranes of polarized cells that form epithelial barriers of the lung and intestines. Together with FcRn’s recently explored critical role in eliciting MHC II presentation and MHC class I cross-presentation of IgG-complexed antigen, this renders FcRn capable of exerting broad and potent functions in regulating immune responses and immunosurveillance at mucosal sites. Further, it is now clear that FcRn dependent mucosal absorption of therapeutic molecules is a clinically feasible and potent novel route of non-invasive drug delivery, and the interaction between FcRn and IgG has also been utilized for the acquisition of humoral immunity at mucosal sites. In this review, we begin by briefly summarizing the basic knowledge on FcRn expression and IgG binding, then describe more recent discoveries pertaining to the mechanisms by which FcRn orchestrates IgG related mucosal immune responses and immunosurveillance at host–environment interfaces within the adult organism. Finally, we outline how the knowledge of actions of FcRn at mucosal boundaries can be capitalized for the development and engineering of powerful mucosal vaccination strategies and novel routes for the non-invasive delivery of Fc-based therapeutics.