Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demand for tourism in Malaysia by tourists from four major industrial countries - a panel data analysis

The fact that tourism industry can play an important role in generating growth for an economy has been widely accepted by political authorities in many countries. The relevant issue then is, what moves the growth of tourism sector in a particular economy? The present study examines the significant influence of some selected factors towards inbound tourists from four major industrial countries; namely, the U.S, the U.K, Germany and Japan to Malaysia. Based on the sample period of eleven years (ranging from 1994 to 2004), the data are analyzed by employing the panel data econometric technique. Results of the study indicate that the level of income in the tourists’ country of origin, price of tourism in the substitute destination (the Philippines) and the “Malaysia…Truly Asia” global campaign, are significantly influential in determining the flow of international tourists from the four countries in the sample into Malaysia.
Fast estimation of power spectral density of ISI/ICI interferences for ADSL modem

A simple time domain matrix description of the intersymbol and interchannel interference (ISI/ICI) existing in multicarrier modulation schemes with guard interval is presented; it is exploited for the design of two fast algorithms for computation of the ISI/ICI power spectral density. The discussion is carried out for an ADSL modem with a general guard interval, including cyclic prefix and trailing zeros as special cases. The proposed algorithms can be utilized for estimation of the modem bitrate, for example during optimization of the time equalization (TEQ) filter.
Numerical processing efficiency improved in children using mental abacus: ERP evidence utilizing a numerical Stroop task

This study examined whether long-term abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training improved numerical processing efficiency and at what stage of information processing the effect appeard. Thirty-three children participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups at primary school entry, matched for age, gender and IQ. All children went through the same curriculum except that the abacus group received a 2-h/per week AMC training, while the control group did traditional numerical practice for a similar amount of time. After a 2-year training, they were tested with a numerical Stroop task. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and event related potential (ERP) recording techniques were used to monitor the temporal dynamics during the task. Children were required to determine the numerical magnitude (NC) (NC task) or the physical size (PC task) of two numbers presented simultaneously. In the NC task, the AMC group showed faster response times but similar accuracy compared to the control group. In the PC task, the two groups exhibited the same speed and accuracy. The saliency of numerical information relative to physical information was greater in AMC group. With regards to ERP results, the AMC group displayed congruity effects both in the earlier (N1) and later (N2 and LPC (late positive component) time domain, while the control group only displayed congruity effects for LPC. In the left parietal region, LPC amplitudes were larger for the AMC than the control group. Individual differences for LPC amplitudes over left parietal area showed a positive correlation with RTs in the NC task in both congruent and neutral conditions. After controlling for the N2 amplitude, this correlation also became significant in the incongruent condition. Our results suggest that AMC training can strengthen the relationship between symbolic representation and numerical magnitude so that numerical information processing becomes quicker and automatic in AMC children.
The efficiency of the European banking groups and its determinants

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to measure and compare the efficiency change of French, German, Italian, Spanish and UK banking groups in a context of financial crisis, over the period 2006-2010; second, it attempts to analyse the internal and environmental determinants of banking groups efficiency. Design/methodology/approach - – In this paper the efficiency is estimated by a two-stage semi-parametric procedure. In the first stage, we build a common production frontier across countries using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) (Debreu, 1951; Farrell, 1957). To further analyse the efficiency changes over years we use the Malmquist total factor productivity index, based on DEA technique. In the second stage, in order to determine the factors that impact on bank efficiency, the authors perform a bootstrapped truncated regression model with discretionary inputs as independent variables, following Simar and Wilson (2007). Findings - – The empirical results show that overall the “large” banking groups are more efficient than the “small” ones. However the Malmquist total factor productivity analysis highlights that during the crisis, in particular between 2007 and 2009, unless Britain, in all countries the small banks show a better cost performance than the larger ones. In general, the authors find a moderate efficiency convergence between countries and between large and small banking groups. As regards the determinants of banking groups efficiency, we find that more liquid, less capitalized banking groups and those more oriented towards the traditional activity of lending are more efficient. Practical implications - – The authors find a positive and high statistically significant relationship between both long- and short-term liquidity degree and the cost efficiency of the banking groups. The policy implication of this result is very significative also in the light of the new banking regulation introduced by Basel III that imposes new rules to strengthen the liquidity risk management. Social implications - – The authors find that the macroeconomic environment variables have some impact on efficiency: the higher the debt and the GDP per capita of the country the lower the bank’s efficiency. Originality/value - – Unlike the most literature on this topic, that usually considers individual banks even if they belong to the same financial conglomerate, the authors analyse only banking groups. In particular, the authors consider all banking groups belonging to the most industrialized European countries in a context of financial crisis and cross-border aggregation movements. Furhermore the authors compare cross-country cost performance of small and large groups, considering the loan loss provisions as an additional input in order to correct the efficiency score for credit risk.
“SmartMonitor” — An Intelligent Security System for the Protection of Individuals and Small Properties with the Possibility of Home Automation

“SmartMonitor” is an intelligent security system based on image analysis that combines the advantages of alarm, video surveillance and home automation systems. The system is a complete solution that automatically reacts to every learned situation in a pre-specified way and has various applications, e.g., home and surrounding protection against unauthorized intrusion, crime detection or supervision over ill persons. The software is based on well-known and proven methods and algorithms for visual content analysis (VCA) that were appropriately modified and adopted to fit specific needs and create a video processing model which consists of foreground region detection and localization, candidate object extraction, object classification and tracking. In this paper, the “SmartMonitor” system is presented along with its architecture, employed methods and algorithms, and object analysis approach. Some experimental results on system operation are also provided. In the paper, focus is put on one of the aforementioned functionalities of the system, namely supervision over ill persons.
Thermal Tachyons and the "g"-Theorem

We give a pedagogical introduction to Affleck and Ludwig's g-theorem, distinguishing its applications in field theory vs string theory. We clarify the recent proposal that the vacuum degeneracy $g$ of a noncompact worldsheet sigma model with a continuous spectrum of scaling dimensions is lowered under renormalization group flow while preserving the central charge. As an illustration we argue that the IR stable endpoint of the relevant flow of the worldsheet RG induced by a thermal tachyon in the type II string is the noncompact supersymmetric vacuum with lower $g$. Note Added (Sep 2005).
Proteomic Analysis of a Poplar Cell Suspension Culture Suggests a Major Role of Protein S-Acylation in Diverse Cellular Processes

S-acylation is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins known to be involved in membrane targeting, subcellular trafficking, and the determination of a great variety of functional properties of proteins. The aim of this work was to identify S-acylated proteins in poplar. The use of an acyl-biotin exchange method and mass spectrometry allowed the identification of around 450 S-acylated proteins, which were subdivided into three major groups of proteins involved in transport, signal transduction, and response to stress, respectively. The largest group of S-acylated proteins was the protein kinase superfamily. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-activating protein receptors, band 7 family proteins and tetraspanins, all primarily related to intracellular trafficking, were also identified. In addition, cell wall related proteins, including cellulose synthases and other glucan synthases, were found to be S-acylated. Twenty four of the identified S-acylated proteins were also enriched in detergent-resistant membrane microdomains, suggesting S-acylation plays a key role in the localization of proteins to specialized plasma membrane subdomains. This dataset promises to enhance our current understanding of the various functions of S-acylated proteins in plants.
Modeling the Relationship Between EDI Implementation and Firm Performance Improvement With Neural Networks

This paper examines a number of electronic data interchange (EDI) usage and implementation factors and their role in improving a firm's efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. Unlike other studies in the literature that use exclusively linear models, we apply nonlinear neural networks to model the relationship between performance improvement and a set of predictor variables of EDI usage and supply chain coordination activities. A variable selection method is employed to identify key factors to predict a firm's operational excellence due to EDI implementation. In addition, a bootstrap resampling scheme is used to evaluate the robustness of the results.
Inhibition of PI3K-Akt Signaling Blocks Exercise-Mediated Enhancement of Adult Neurogenesis and Synaptic Plasticity in the Dentate Gyrus

Background Physical exercise has been shown to increase adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and enhances synaptic plasticity. The antiapoptotic kinase, Akt has also been shown to be phosphorylated following voluntary exercise; however, it remains unknown whether the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is involved in exercise-induced neurogenesis and the associated facilitation of synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus. Methodology/Principal Findings To gain insight into the potential role of this signaling pathway in exercise-induced neurogenesis and LTP in the dentate gyrus rats were infused with the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 or vehicle control solution (icv) via osmotic minipumps and exercised in a running wheel for 10 days. Newborn cells in the dentate gyrus were date-labelled with BrdU on the last 3 days of exercise. Then, they were either returned to the home cage for 2 weeks to assess exercise-induced LTP and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, or were killed on the last day of exercise to assess proliferation and activation of the PI3K-Akt cascade using western blotting. Conclusions/Significance Exercise increases cell proliferation and promotes survival of adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus. Immediately after exercise, we found that Akt and three downstream targets, BAD, GSK3β and FOXO1 were activated. LY294002 blocked exercise-induced phosphorylation of Akt and downstream target proteins. This had no effect on exercise-induced cell proliferation, but it abolished most of the beneficial effect of exercise on the survival of newly generated dentate gyrus neurons and prevented exercise-induced increase in dentate gyrus LTP. These results suggest that activation of the PI3 kinase-Akt signaling pathway plays a significant role via an antiapoptotic function in promoting survival of newly formed granule cells generated during exercise and the associated increase in synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus.
Domestic Debt and Sovereign Defaults

This paper examines how domestic holdings of government debt affect sovereign default risk and government debt management. I develop a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with both external and domestic debt that endogenously generates output contraction upon default. Domestic holdings of government debt weaken investors' balance sheets and induce a contraction of credit and output upon default. I calibrate the model to the Argentinean economy and show that the model reproduces key empirical moments. Introducing domestic debt also yields relevant normative implications. While domestic debt is crucial to determining the risk of default, the efficient internal-external composition of debt cannot be achieved without government intervention. Pigouvian subsidies can restore efficiency.
Exploiting Is/It Projects' Potential - Towards A Design Theory For Benefits Management

Despite organizations’ substantial investments in information systems and information technology (IS/IT), the successful realization of appropriate benefits is still often considered a major organizational challenge. Benefits management (BM) aims at resolving this issue and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although several papers have been published in this domain, they mainly focus on descriptive research endeavors. Prescriptive research dealing with design science for holistic BM is still scarce. At the same time, BM approaches in practice are still immature and are often unsuccessfully implemented. These gaps motivate our research, which aims at developing a design theory that represents the core aspects of effective BM implementations. Based on an exploratory field study, we first analyze the issues that inhibit BM implementations in practice. We find that BM often suffers from unclear accountability for benefits realization and organizational resistance to change. Based on our findings, we inductively derive a set of meta-requirements that ultimately lead to eight design principles and testable propositions explaining how these principles tackle the challenges associated with BM. Finally, in two iterative design cycles, we conduct interviews with subject-matter experts to validate and refine our design principles. Our research helps organizations locate, understand, and correct flaws in their BM implementation. Moreover, our design theory extends the nascent body of knowledge on BM.
Evaluating citizens' readiness to embrace e-government services

To encompass the multi-dimensional nature of e-government systems the current study presents a framework of citizens' adoption of e-government services by integrating technology acceptance and information systems success literature along with citizens' attitudinal beliefs. In the proposed framework, it has been posited that the qualities of e-government websites such as perceived system quality, perceived information quality and perceived service quality influence adoption of e-government services, by citizens, directly and indirectly through perceived ability to use, perceived functional benefit, trust in the medium, trust in the government and user satisfaction. We have used Structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses. We find evidence that the effect of perceived information quality and perceived system quality on adoption of e-government services is totally mediated by perceived ability to use, perceived functional benefit, trust in medium, trust in government and user satisfaction. Moreover, we find significant effect of gender, education level, experience with internet and with e-government websites on citizens' adoption of e-government services. We expect that in developing countries, the findings will be useful for practitioners and implementers of e-government. These will help them in designing and implementing policies and strategies which will increase the adoption rate of e-government services. This will also help reduce confusions in the minds of citizens regarding e-government adoption.
The plasma free space optical model for ubiquitous systems

The Plasma Model for free space-based optical communication in ubiquitous systems is proposed. The Plasma Model provides various operations including dispersion, redirection, retransmission, unicast, multicast and broadcast in potentially long distance sector regions. Details of the model are presented and discussed including technology feasibility. Applications to distributed algorithm development and cluster spacecraft/satellite systems are described. Advantages and disadvantages with typical Radio Frequency based communication are also presented. Collectively, we show that our model, though simple, is an effective alternative to develop a system that compares favorably with either conventional RF wireless systems, or, with other free space optical systems that require precise calculation of receiver locations.
Prospective study of fruit and vegetable consumption and incidence of colon and rectal cancers.

BACKGROUND Frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in many observational studies. METHODS We prospectively investigated the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and the incidence of colon and rectal cancers in two large cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (88 764 women) and the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study (47 325 men). Diet was assessed and cumulatively updated in 1980, 1984, 1986, and 1990 among women and in 1986 and 1990 among men. The incidence of cancer of the colon and rectum was ascertained up to June or January of 1996, respectively. Relative risk (RR) estimates were calculated with the use of pooled logistic regression models accounting for various potential confounders. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS With a follow-up including 1 743 645 person-years and 937 cases of colon cancer, we found little association of colon cancer incidence with fruit and vegetable consumption. For women and men combined, a difference in fruit and vegetable consumption of one additional serving per day was associated with a covariate-adjusted RR of 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98-1.05). A difference in vegetable consumption of one additional serving per day was associated with an RR of 1.03 (95% CI = 0.97-1.09). Similar results were obtained for women and men considered separately. A difference in fruit consumption of one additional serving per day was associated with a covariate-adjusted RR for colon cancer of 0.96 (95% CI = 0.89-1.03) among women and 1. 08 (95% CI = 1.00-1.16) among men. For rectal cancer (total, 244 cases), a difference in fruit and vegetable consumption of one additional serving per day was associated with an RR of 1.02 (95% CI = 0.95-1.09) in men and women combined. None of these associations was modified by vitamin supplement use or smoking habits. CONCLUSIONS Although fruits and vegetables may confer protection against some chronic diseases, their frequent consumption does not appear to confer protection from colon or rectal cancer.
Cinnamaldehyde Attenuates Cataractogenesis via Restoration of Hypertension and Oxidative Stress in Fructose-Fed Hypertensive rats

Objectives: Several studies have revealed that systemic hypertension is strongly associated with cataractogenesis. However, the pathophysiology and treatment is often unclear. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cataractogenic effect of cinnamaldehyde (CA), a natural organic compound, in rats with fructose-induced hypertension. Methods: The rats were divided into six groups. For six weeks, the normal group received a suspension of 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose (10 mL/kg/day, p.o.) while five other groups received a 10% (w/v) fructose solution in their drinking water to induce hypertension. By the end of the third week hypertension had been induced in all the animals receiving fructose. From the beginning of the fourth week to the end of the sixth week, one of those five groups (control) continued to receive only 10% (w/v) fructose solution, one group (standard) received ramipril (1 mg/kg/day, p.o.) plus 10% (w/v) fructose solution, and three groups (experimental) received CA at doses of 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg/day p.o. , plus 10% (w/v) fructose solution. Blood pressure was measured weekly using a non-invasive blood pressure apparatus. After six weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and the anti-cataractogenic effects on the eye lenses were evaluated. Results: Administration of fructose elevated both the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures, which were significantly reduced by CA at all dose levels. In the control group, a significant increase in the malonaldehyde (MDA) level and decreases in the total protein, Ca2+adenosine triphosphate (ATP)ase activity, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels, as compared to the normal group, were observed. Administration of CA at all doses significantly restored the enzymatic, non-enzymatic, antioxidants, total protein, and Ca2+ATPase levels, but decreased the MDA level, as compared to the control group. Conclusion: The present study revealed that CA modulated the antioxidant parameters of the serum and lens homogenates in hypertension-induced cataractogenic animals.
Y2 Isochrones with an Improved Core Overshoot Treatment

Convective core overshoot affects stellar evolution rates and the dating of stellar populations. In this paper, we provide a patch to the Y2 isochrones with an improved treatment of convective core overshoot. The new tracks cover the transition mass range from no convective core to a fully developed convective core. We compare the improved isochrones to CMDs of a few well-observed open star clusters in the Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Finally, we discuss future prospects for improving the treatment of core overshoot with the help of asteroseismology.