Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Customer Segmentation: The Concepts of Trust, Commitment and Relationships

Few studies have emphasized a service firm’s customer based for segmentation purposes in identifying weak or strong relationships in a consumer’s mass marketing context of services. The research contributes to an understanding of how high or low levels of trust and of commitment can be used to differentiate customers in terms of active, use of the service regularly, and passive use of the services only occasionally. The empirical study was based on a customer sample of a Nigeria processing laboratory using direct marketing (DM) and on-line activities as marketing tools. A mail survey (n =4,130) was used and multiple items were applied to seven constructs. A-t test for an independent sample was used to access whether the two customer groups were statistically different. The results are that active customer differs significantly on 22 of the 27 measured items. Consequently active customers are more rational, with high levels of trust and of commitment, and passive customers are less rational. A theoretical and managerial implication is to use the chosen constructs (i.e. indicators) as segmentation variables of a firm’s customer’s base in developing strategy for long term customer relationship.
LEARNING TO LAUGH (AUTOMATICALLY): COMPUTATIONAL MODELS FOR HUMOR RECOGNITION

Humor is one of the most interesting and puzzling aspects of human behavior. Despite the attention it has received in fields such as philosophy, linguistics, and psychology, there have been only few attempts to create computational models for humor recognition or generation. In this article, we bring empirical evidence that computational approaches can be successfully applied to the task of humor recognition. Through experiments performed on very large data sets, we show that automatic classification techniques can be effectively used to distinguish between humorous and non‐humorous texts, with significant improvements observed over a priori known baselines.
Trustworthiness Tendency Incremental Extraction Using Information Gain

Computational trust systems are getting popular in several domains such as social networks, grid computing and business-to-business systems. However, the estimation of the trustworthiness of agents is not trivial in scenarios where the existing trust evidences are scarce. We propose an online, situation-aware trust model that uses the information gain metric to dynamically extract tendencies of failure of target agents, improving the process of selection of partners in a relevant way. Experimental results presented in this paper show that our proposal outperforms other trust approaches in contextual scenarios.
Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Protein Kinase B Pathway and on Caerulein-Induced Cytokine Production in Isolated Mouse Pancreatic Acinar Cells

We have shown earlier that mouse pancreatic acinar cells produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. It is noteworthy that recent evidence indicates that H2S has anti-inflammatory effects. To date, the mechanism by which H2S directly reduces inflammation has not been elucidated. In the present study, we hypothesized that H2S inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines by activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. Pancreatic acinar cells were treated with the H2S donor, sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (5, 10, and 30 μM). To better understand the effect of H2S in inflammation, pancreatic acinar cells were stimulated with caerulein after the addition of NaHS (5, 10, and 30 μM). We observed that H2Sat the 5 μM concentration down-regulates the activation of NF-κB and degradation of IκBα. However, H2S(5 μM) activates PI3K as reflected by AKT phosphorylation. We found that H2S-mediated activation of PI3K in caerulein-treated acinar cells correlated with the down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, whereas phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases was unchanged. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride] abolished the H2S-mediated activation of AKT and increases tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β levels in caerulein-treated acinar cells. These findings indicate that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays a negative role in NaHS-treated pancreatic acinar cells and suggest a role for H2S in the PI3K/AKT pathway in acute pancreatitis.
Running spectral index from shooting-star moduli

We construct an inflationary model that is consistent with both large non-Gaussianity and a running spectral index. The scenario of modulated inflation suggests that modulated perturbation can induce the curvature perturbation with a large non-Gaussianity, even if the inflaton perturbation is negligible. Using this idea, we consider a multi-field extension of the modulated inflation scenario and examine the specific situation where different moduli are responsible for the perturbation at different scales. We suppose that the additional moduli (shooting-star moduli) is responsible for the curvature perturbation at the earlier inflationary epoch and it generates the fluctuation with n>1 spectral index at this scale. After a while, another moduli (or inflaton) takes the place and generates the perturbation with n<1. At the transition point the two fluctuations are comparable with each other. We show how the spectral index is affected by the transition induced by the shooting-star moduli.
A study of the dating and sexual challenges faced by HIV positive people.

Dating and sexual relations are basic processes in the lives of most human beings. However, dating and sexual relationships in HIV positive peoples’ lives are fraught with challenges. Limited knowledge of these challenges is recorded. Studies focusing on the challenges of serodiscordance, ARVS, adherence, side effects of ARVS, condoms, reproduction, disclosure and stigma are plentiful, however studies addressing dating and sexual challenges of HIV positive people are sadly lacking. The study described and explored the dating and sexual challenges faced by HIV infected people. The systems and ecosystems approach provided the theoretical framework for the study. A descriptive and exploratory design was chosen for this study. Purposive and snowball sampling was utilised to access respondents for this study. Data was collected qualitatively, using semi-structured interviews with 12 HIV positive respondents. The interviewed lasted between 1 to 2 hours. This study found that People living with HIV (PLHIV) experience many challenges in their dating and sexual lives. The challenges varied amongst the respondents. The challenges were divided into the following themes: disclosure; stigma; rejection and discrimination; dating options to pursue; serosorting or abstaining; guilt; anger; blame; social disconnection; negative self esteem and fear; physical, medical and psychological factors; impact of ARVS; sexual changes/sexual dysfunction; reproduction; community/society; the media; counselling, awareness and education about dating and sexual relationships; government and the consequences of relationships ending. The study encouraged further research on the topic. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT DECLARATION LIST OF TABLES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DEDICATION ABBREVIATIONS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.
Oscillatory activity within rat substantia gelatinosa in vitro: a role for chemical and electrical neurotransmission

Although rhythmic behaviour of mammalian spinal ventral horn networks has been extensively studied little is known about oscillogenesis in the spinal dorsal horn. The aims of this in vitro study were to record and determine the underlying mechanisms of potassium‐evoked network field oscillations in the substantia gelatinosa of the neonatal rat dorsal horn, a lamina involved in nociceptive processing. Transient pressure ejection of a potassium solution evoked reproducible rhythmic activity in discrete areas of the substantia gelatinosa which lasted for 5–15 s with a single prominent peak in the 4–12 Hz frequency band (7.7 ± 0.1 Hz, n= 60). Oscillations of similar frequency and amplitude were also observed in isolated dorsal horn quadrants. Application of CNQX (10 μm) reduced peak power amplitude and integrated power area (from 4 to 12 Hz) of the power spectrum, whereas d‐AP5 (50 μm) had no effect on the potassium‐evoked rhythm. Bicuculline (30 μm) or strychnine (10 μm) reduced the power amplitude and area. On combination of bicuculline (30 μm) and strychnine (10 μm) the reductions in power amplitude and area were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared with application of either drug alone. The gap junction blockers carbenoxolone (100 μm) or octanol (1 mm) significantly reduced power amplitude and area. Although TTX (1 μm) or a calcium‐free perfusate both caused reductions in the power amplitude and area, potassium‐evoked rhythmic activity persisted. However, this persistent rhythm was further reduced on combination of calcium‐free perfusate with octanol (1 mm) and was abolished using a cocktail of drugs. Blockade of the potassium delayed rectifier current by tetraethylammonium (5 mm) or the hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) by ZD7288 (10 μm) disrupted the synchronization of the potassium‐induced oscillation. The frequency of potassium‐induced rhythms was unaffected by any of the drugs tested. These novel findings demonstrate that transient pressure ejection of potassium evokes oscillatory activity in the substantia gelatinosa in vitro. This rhythm is partly dependent upon various receptors (AMPA/kainate, GABAA and glycine), ion channels (potassium delayed rectifier and Ih) and gap junctions. Oscillatory behaviour in the substantia gelatinosa could potentially play a role in the processing of nociceptive signals.
A Hypothesis Test based Robust Technique for Video Sequence Matching

Video sequence matching is the most crucial step to verify whether a video sequence has been copied from another or not. The video sequence in question is represented by a set of visual descriptors. Based on such descriptors the sequence has to be matched with the sequences present in the database. Thus, sequence matching becomes a crucial task. Furthermore, to evade the verification process, one may incorporate visual distortions in the original sequence to generate the copied version. Again, the copied sequence may be generated by taking few sampled frames or a part of the original sequence. Thus, the task of sequence matching becomes more challenging. In this work, rather than concentrating on the visual descriptors, we have focused on the technique of sequence matching that can sustain the challenges posed. We have proposed a hypothesis test based scheme for sequence matching which has inherent strength to withstand the said attacks considerably. Experimental result also indicates its capability of the scheme in doing so.
A search for strong, ordered magnetic fields in Herbig Ae/Be stars★

The origin of magnetic fields in intermediate- and high-mass stars is fundamentally a mystery. Clues towards solving this basic astrophysical problem can likely be found at the pre-main-sequence (PMS) evolutionary stage. With this work, we perform the largest and most sensitive search for magnetic fields in PMS Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars. We seek to determine whether strong, ordered magnetic fields, similar to those of main-sequence Ap/Bp stars, can be detected in these objects, and if so, to determine the intensities, geometrical characteristics, and statistical incidence of such fields. 68 observations of 50 HAeBe stars have been obtained in circularly polarized light using the FORS 1 spectropolarimeter at the ESO VLT. An analysis of both Balmer and metallic lines reveals the possible presence of weak longitudinal magnetic fields in photospheric lines of two HAeBe stars, HD 101412 and BF Ori. Results for two additional stars, CPD-53 295 and HD 36112, are suggestive of the presence of magnetic fields, but no firm conclusions can be drawn based on the available data. The intensity of the longitudinal fields detected in HD 101412 and BF Ori suggest that they correspond to globally ordered magnetic fields with surface intensities of order 1 kG. On the other hand, no magnetic field is detected in 4 other HAeBe stars in our sample in which magnetic fields had previously been confirmed. Monte Carlo simulations of the longitudinal field measurements of the undetected stars allow us to place an upper limit of about 300 G on the general presence of aligned magnetic dipole magnetic fields, and of about 500 G on perpendicular dipole fields. Taking into account the results of our survey and other published results, we find that the observed bulk incidence of magnetic HAeBe stars in our sample is 8-12 per cent, in good agreement with that of magnetic main-sequence stars of similar masses. We also find that the rms longitudinal field intensity of magnetically detected HAeBe stars is about 200 G, similar to that of Ap stars and consistent with magnetic flux conservation during stellar evolution. These results are all in agreement with the hypothesis that the magnetic fields of main-sequence Ap/Bp stars are fossils, which already exist within the stars at the PMS stage. Finally, we explore the ability of our new magnetic data to constrain magnetospheric accretion in Herbig Ae/Be stars, showing that our magnetic data are not consistent with the general occurrence in HAeBe stars of magnetospheric accretion as described by the theories of Konigl and Shu et al.
A control-theoretic perspective on the design of distributed agreement protocols

We provide a control-theoretic perspective on the design of distributed agreement protocols. First, we explore agreement-protocol analysis and design for a network of agents with single-integrator dynamics and arbitrary linear observations. One key contribution of our work is the analysis of protocols for networks with quite general observation topologies, including with multiple observations made by each agent. Another contribution is the development of techniques for agreement law design - i.e., for assignment of the dependence of the agreed-upon value on the initial states of the agents. Second, we explore agreement in a quasi-linear model with a stochastic protocol, which we call the controlled voter model. We motivate our study of this model, develop tests for whether agreement is achieved, and consider design of the agreement law. Finally, we provide some further thoughts regarding our control-theoretic perspective on agreement, including ideas for fault-tolerant protocol design using our approach.
Swelling activation of K-Cl cotransport in LK sheep erythrocytes: a three-state process

K-Cl cotransport in LK sheep erythrocytes is activated by osmotic swelling and inhibited by shrinkage. The mechanism by which changes in cell volume are transduced into changes in transport was investigated by measuring time courses of changes in transport after osmotic challenges in cells with normal and reduced Mg concentrations. When cells of normal volume and normal Mg are swollen, there is a delay of 10 min or more before the final steady-state flux is achieved, as there is for swelling activation of K-Cl cotransport in erythrocytes of other species. The delay was shown to be independent of the extent of swelling. There was also a delay after shrinkage inactivation of cotransport. Reducing cellular Mg concentration activates cotransport. Swelling of low-Mg cells activates cotransport further, but with no measurable delay. In contrast, there is a delay in shrinkage inactivation of cotransport in low-Mg cells. The results are interpreted in terms of a three-state model: [formula see text] in which A state, B state, and C state transporters have relatively slow, intermediate, and fast transport rates, respectively. Most transporters in shrunken cells with normal Mg are in the A state. Swelling converts transporters to the B state in the rate-limiting process, followed by rapid conversion to the C state. Reducing cell Mg also promotes the A-- >B conversion. Swelling of low-Mg cells activates transport rapidly because of the initial predominance of B state transporters. The results support the following conclusions about the rate constants of the three-state model: k21 is the rate constant for a Mg-promoted process that is inhibited by swelling; k12 is not volume sensitive. Both k23 and k32 are increased by swelling and reduced by shrinkage; they are rate constants for a single process, whereas k12 and k21 are rate constants for separate processes. Finally, the A-->B conversion entails an increase in Jmax of the transporters, and the B-->C conversion entails an increase in the affinity of the transporters for K.
Impaired Autoregulation of Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration Rate in the Isolated Dog Kidney Depleted of Renin

The effect of renin depletion on autoregulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate was examined in an isolated perfused kidney preparation. Group 1 dogs received a normal-sodium diet, group 2 dogs received deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and a high-sodium diet, group 3 dogs received DOCA and a sodium-deficient diet, group 4 dogs received a high-sodium diet without DOCA, and dogs in groups 5 and 6 were treated just like dogs in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Renin release was stimulated by decreasing renal arterial pressure to 50 mm Hg. An increase in renal arterial pressure from 100 to 160 mm Hg was associated with an impaired autoregulatory response in kidneys from group 2 dogs and in two kidneys from group 4 dogs; these kidneys exhibited suppressed or absent renin release in response to a decrease in renal arterial pressure. A separate group of experiments demonstrated that DOCA plus a high-sodium diet completely depleted the kidney of renin stores, indicating that decreased renin secretion reflected depletion of renal renin content. Infusing angiotensin II (0.22 ± 0.06 μg/min) into the renal artery of group 2 kidneys did not normalize the autoregulatory response. A decrease in renal arterial pressure from 150 to 50 mm Hg was associated with impaired autoregulation of glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow in kidneys from group 6 dogs; renin secretion was undetectable in these kidneys. All kidneys from groups 1, 3, and 5 and the remaining six kidneys from group 4 exhibited a normal autoregulatory response and normal renin release. In groups 1–3, zonal blood flow was measured using the radiolabeled microsphere technique. Only in group 2 did a significant redistribution of fractional blood flow from the inner to the outer cortex occur. These experiments demonstrate that renin depletion impairs the capacity of the kidney to autoregulate blood flow and glomerular filtration rate; thus the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the renin-angiotensin system participates in the autoregulatory response.
Emotional reactions to losing explain gender differences in entering a
 risky lottery

A gender difference in risk preferences, with women being more averse to risky choices, is a robust experimental finding. Speculating on the sources of this difference, Croson and Gneezy recently pointed to the tendency for women to experience emotions more strongly and suggested that feeling more strongly about negative outcomes would lead to greater risk-aversion. Here we test this hypothesis in an international survey with 424 respondents from India and 416 from US where we ask questions about a hypothetical lottery. In both countries we find that emotions about outcomes are stronger among women, and that this effect partially mediates gender difference in willingness to enter the lottery.
Coastal connectivity and spatial subsidy from a microbial perspective

Abstract The transfer of organic material from one coastal environment to another can increase production in recipient habitats in a process known as spatial subsidy. Microorganisms drive the generation, transformation, and uptake of organic material in shallow coastal environments, but their significance in connecting coastal habitats through spatial subsidies has received limited attention. We address this by presenting a conceptual model of coastal connectivity that focuses on the flow of microbially mediated organic material in key coastal habitats. Our model suggests that it is not the difference in generation rates of organic material between coastal habitats but the amount of organic material assimilated into microbial biomass and respiration that determines the amount of material that can be exported from one coastal environment to another. Further, the flow of organic material across coastal habitats is sensitive to environmental change as this can alter microbial remineralization and respiration rates. Our model highlights microorganisms as an integral part of coastal connectivity and emphasizes the importance of including a microbial perspective in coastal connectivity studies.
Modeling the evolution of continuously-observed networks: Communication in a Facebook-like community

Building on existing stochastic actor-oriented models for panel data, we employ a conditional logistic framework to explore growth mechanisms for tie creation in continuously-observed networks. This framework models the likelihood of tie formation distinguishing it from hazard models that consider time to tie formation. It enables multiple growth mechanisms for network evolution (homophily, focus constraints, reinforcement, reciprocity, triadic closure, and popularity) to be modeled simultaneously. We apply this framework to communication within a Facebook-like community. The findings exemplify the inadequacy of descriptive measures that test single mechanisms independently. They also indicate how system design shapes behavior and network evolution.
Anomalous Hypothalamic Responses to Humor in Cataplexy

Background Cataplexy is observed in a subset of patients with narcolepsy and affects approximately 1 in 2,000 persons. Cataplexy is most often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, which can result in transient, yet debilitating, muscle atonia. The objective of this study was to examine the neural systems underlying humor processing in individuals with cataplexy. Methodology/Principal Findings While undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we showed ten narcolepsy-cataplexy patients and ten healthy controls humorous cartoons. In addition, we examined the brain activity of one subject while in a full-blown cataplectic attack. Behavioral results showed that participants with cataplexy rated significantly fewer humorous cartoons as funny compared to controls. Concurrent fMRI showed that patients, when compared to controls and in the absence of overt cataplexy symptoms, showed pronounced activity in the emotional network including the ventral striatum and hypothalamus while viewing humorous versus non-humorous cartoons. Increased activity was also observed in the right inferior frontal gyri -a core component of the inhibitory circuitry. In comparison, the one subject who experienced a cataplectic attack showed dramatic reductions in hypothalamic activity. Conclusions These findings suggest an overdrive of the emotional circuitry and possible compensatory suppression by cortical inhibitory regions in cataplexy. Moreover, during cataplectic attacks, the hypothalamus is characterized by a marked decrease in activity similar to that observed during sleep. One possible explanation for these findings is an initial overdrive and compensatory shutdown of the hypothalamus resulting in full cataplectic symptoms.