Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Fearful to Trustful – How Perceived Risk Dimensions in E-Commerce Differentiate between Consumers

Abstract The need to segment the market for e-commerce in terms of risk is without doubt of great importance, from a theoretical, but mainly from a managerial point of view. This is why the present study derives a typology of consumers based on six dimensions of perceived risk in online shopping (product, financial, delivery, privacy, social and psychological) and links the resulting risk profiles to several outcome variables. The study is one of the few that offers a new perspective on perceived risk, identifying a two-factor structure: situational risk and individual risk. These two factors were used in a cluster analysis, where four segments were identified: careful consumers, fearful consumers, suspicious consumers and trustful consumers. To offer valuable information for practitioners, these segments are compared in terms of intentions to buy online, online shopping frequency, trust in e-commerce, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness of e-commerce. One interesting finding is that suspicious and trustful consumers do not differ in terms of buying intention, even though the difference between them in terms of perceived risk is significant. Implications and further research directions are identified.
Enriched job design, high involvement management and organizational performance: The mediating roles of job satisfaction and well-being

The relationship between organizational performance and two dimensions of the ‘high performance work system’ – enriched job design and high involvement management (HIM) – is widely assumed to be mediated by worker well-being. We outline the basis for three models: mutual-gains, in which employee involvement increases well-being and this mediates its positive relationship with performance; conflicting outcomes, which associates involvement with increased stress for workers, accounting for its positive performance effects; and counteracting effects, which associates involvement with increased stress and dissatisfaction, reducing its positive performance effects. These are tested using the UK’s Workplace Employment Relations Survey 2004. Job satisfaction mediates the relationship between enriched job design and four performance indicators, supporting the mutual gains model; but HIM is negatively related to job satisfaction and this depresses a positive relationship between HIM and the economic performance measures, supporting a counteracting effects model. Finally, HIM is negatively related to job-related anxiety–comfort and enriched job design is unrelated to it.
Models of Coronal Mass Ejections: A Review with A Look to The Future

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are a major transient input of mass and energy into the solar wind. We review some of the past and present concepts that influence the development of models of coronal mass ejections, both for CME initiation and CME evolution and propagation in the solar wind. We use the flux cancellation model to illustrate present research on CMEs. Primarily for convenience, modeling of CME propagation has usually been treated separately from the initiation problem. We suggest that future computational modeling of interplanetary CMEs is likely to emphasize the need to study coronal initiation and solar wind propagation together.
Entropy and variational principle for one-dimensional lattice systems with a general a priori probability: positive and zero temperature

We generalize several results of the classical theory of thermodynamic formalism by considering a compact metric space $M$ as the state space. We analyze the shift acting on $M^{\mathbb{N}}$ and consider a general a priori probability for defining the transfer (Ruelle) operator. We study potentials $A$ which can depend on the infinite set of coordinates in $M^{\mathbb{N}}$. We define entropy and by its very nature it is always a non-positive number. The concepts of entropy and transfer operator are linked. If $M$ is not a finite set there exist Gibbs states with arbitrary negative value of entropy. Invariant probabilities with support in a fixed point will have entropy equal to minus infinity. In the case $M=S^{1}$, and the a priori measure is Lebesgue $dx$, the infinite product of $dx$ on $(S^{1})^{\mathbb{N}}$ will have zero entropy. We analyze the Pressure problem for a Hölder potential $A$ and its relation with eigenfunctions and eigenprobabilities of the Ruelle operator. Among other things we analyze the case where temperature goes to zero and we show some selection results. Our general setting can be adapted in order to analyze the thermodynamic formalism for the Bernoulli space with countable infinite symbols. Moreover, the so-called $XY$ model also fits under our setting. In this last case $M$ is the unitary circle $S^{1}$. We explore the differentiable structure of $(S^{1})^{\mathbb{N}}$ by considering a certain class of smooth potentials and we show some properties of the corresponding main eigenfunctions.
The Empirical Research on Independent Technology Innovation, Knowledge Transformation and Enterprise Growth

In order to reveal the incentive functions of independent technology innovation duringthe process of knowledge transformation, the structure equation modeling (SEM) is used inthe paper. By the choice of research elements, research hypotheses, establishment of researchmodel and model checking, the SEM can effectively reveal the correlation between independenttechnology innovation, knowledge transformation and enterprise growth of the technologyventure enterprises in Guangdong Province. For illustration, 500 questionnaires are distributed,374 questionnaires return, the returns ratio is 87%, which satisfy the requirement thatthe questionnaire returns-ratio is not lower than 20% in the data investigation. The empiricalresults show that model fitting work well, and the model has high convergence validity. The researchconclusions provide a realistic theory reference for the implementation of independenttechnological innovation strategies and knowledge transformation strategies for the purpose ofenterprise growth in Guangdong high-tech venture enterprises.
Combining Monte Carlo Transport and Level Set Surface Evolution for Modeling Vapor Phase Deposition of Thin Films over Sub-Micron Features

Smith, John M.S Chem Eng. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology May 2014 Combining Monte Carlo Transport and Level Set Surface Evolution for Modeling Vapor Phase Deposition of Thin Films over Sub-Micron Features Thesis Advisor: Dr. Daniel G. Coronell A hybrid scheme is used to model the vapor phase deposition of thin films at the feature scale. The transport of the chemical species to the substrate surface is modeled with a Collisionless Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. The Level Set Method is used to model the growth of the thin-film on the substrate. The convergence criteria for these methods were not found in literature. The governing equations for the Level Set Method are, in general, non-linear partial differential equations. The coupling of the DSMC Method with the Level Set Method results in a set of non-Gaussian stochastic non-linear partial differential equations. Developing general convergence criteria proved exceedingly difficult, and only qualitative results are presented to support our convergence criteria. Simulation results are in qualitative agreement with experiments and other results from literature.
Biological and ecological characterization of the catfish Cathorops melanopus off the west coast of Campeche, Mexico Caracterización biológica y ecológica del bagre Cathorops melanopus de la costa oeste de Campeche, México

Cathorops melanopus is the most abundant fish on the west coast of Campeche, Mexico. Its distribution is influenced by water temperature, salinity, and transparency, and it is frequently found in river outlets. To analyze the main biological and ecological patterns of this species, from February 2003 to February 2004 a total of 19,048 specimens were collected using a trawl net at 37 sampling stations along the west coast of Campeche. A subsample was formed of 14,446 randomly selected specimens, and each one was measured and weighed (length range = 35–302 mm, mode = 90 mm; weight range = 0.1–224 g, mode = 6 g). The highest mean abundance values were recorded in May (1.24 ind m –2 , 15.31 g m –2 , and 12.26 g ind –1 ), and the lowest in April (0.25 ind m –2 , 2.5 g m –2 , and 9.9 g ind –1 ). The parameters of the weight/length model were a = 1 × 10 –5 and b = 2.96, with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. The relative condition factor showed a major pulse in July (2.1 × 10 –5 ). The female:male ratio was 1:0.69. Of the 159 females collected, 111 had gonads at maturity stages II and III, and only one was in stage IV. The most common food item was unidentified organic matter, which represented 79% of the total stomach content weight and 92.1% of the encountered food types; the second most abundant food item was crustacean remains (4.8% of the total weight and 10% of the encountered contents). Growth parameters were: L∞ = 317.5 mm, K = 0.45, C = 0.7, WP = 0.16, and t0 = 7.5 × 10–12. Total mortality was 1.22, while natural mortality was 0.65. Recruitment patterns showed a significant pulse between July and August, which together contributed 47.65% of the total number of specimens collected.
Analyzing the Impact of Security Protocols on Wireless LAN with Multimedia Applications

The availability and reasonable cost of broadband Internet made it an attractive and favorable option to billions of users worldwide. Being a fast service also encourages its users to use multimedia applications. The performance of such applications in wireless LAN may be highly affected by security protocols. This paper examines the effect of different security protocols on the performance of wireless LAN with multimedia applications. Experiments were performed on a wireless test-bed and the results were analyzed for throughput, delay and jitter for four security settings: disabled security, WEP, WPA1, and WAP2. The experiments were performed under two different scenarios and using multimedia traffic streams. The results revealed a significant degradation in performance when security protocols were enabled in wireless LAN. Specifically, delay and jitter, were significantly increased, both of which are key metrics for multimedia applications. The increase is clearer when a larger number of hosts exist in the network. We finally propose an outline for a solution to obtain strong security in wireless LAN without significant performance degradation. The solution proposes that the security processing at the hosts be conducted by the powerful host processor rather than by the radio card processor. As for the wireless access point, adding ASIC or FPGA processor is suggested for performing the heavy security processing. Keywords-WLAN; WEP; WPA1; WPA2; delay; jitter; multimedia traffic.
The incorporation of an organic soil layer in the Noah-MP Land Surface Model and its evaluation over a Boreal Aspen Forest

Abstract. A thick top layer of organic matter is a dominant feature in boreal forests and can impact land–atmosphere interactions. In this study, the multi-parameterization version of the Noah land surface model (Noah-MP) was used to investigate the impact of incorporating a forest-floor organic soil layer on the simulated surface energy and water cycle components at the BERMS Old Aspen site (OAS) field station in central Saskatchewan, Canada. Compared to a simulation without an organic soil parameterization (CTL), the Noah-MP simulation with an organic soil (OGN) improved Noah-MP-simulated soil temperature profiles and soil moisture at 40–100 cm, especially the phase and amplitude (Seasonal cycle) of soil temperature below 10 cm. OGN also enhanced the simulation of sensible and latent heat fluxes in spring, especially in wet years, which is mostly related to the timing of spring soil thaw and warming. Simulated top-layer soil moisture is better in OGN than that in CTL. The effects of including an organic soil layer on soil temperature are not uniform throughout the soil depth and are more prominent in summer. For drought years, the OGN simulation substantially modified the partitioning of water between direct soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration. For wet years, the OGN-simulated latent heat fluxes are similar to CTL except for the spring season when OGN produced less evaporation, which was closer to observations. Including organic soil produced more subsurface runoff and resulted in much higher runoff throughout the freezing periods in wet years.
Cointegration and Causality Analysis of World Vegetable Oil and Crude Oil Prices

Cointegration and Causality Analysis of World Vegetable Oil and Crude Oil Prices Tun-Hsiang (Edward) Yu Center for Agricultural and Rural Development Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011-1070 edyucard@iastate.edu David A. Bessler Department of Agricultural Economics Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843 d-bessler@tamu.edu Stephen Fuller Department of Agricultural Economics Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843 sfuller@tamu.edu
Breathing as user interface for pulmonary rehabilitation : respiration tracking using the Wii remote controller

INTRODUCTION Respiration exercises are an important part of the pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients. Furthermore, there is evidence that showing feedback about their respiration pattern helps them to improve their breathing skills. This study tests the feasibility of monitoring respiration using the Wiimote's infrared camera and showing BPM (breaths per minute) as feedback. A summary of the challenges addressed to achieve such a solution can also be found here. METHODS A prototype was developed in order to study the viability of using the Wiimote to capture the breathing rate for creating applications to provide guidance to patients. RESULTS The system implemented was able to acquire breathing data and provide feedback to the patient consisting in its breaths per minute. It is a non-invasive, low cost system, composed of a normal computer, a Wiimote, some markers and an infrared illuminator. It is also a comfortable solution without wires, batteries or any kind of electronics, the patients only wear passive markers. DISCUSSION Despite the system was able to acquire breathing, it has some important limitations. The user has to be as immobile as it can, otherwise the system will fail. Some other issues found are discussed for future work. Although there exist these problems, the prototype had good outcomes when the subjects were resting of their exercise. They presented less than 15% of maximum error and the RMSE was lower than 6% in all the tests. This study establishes the basis to develop a Wiimote-based system to acquire respiration signals and present feedback or game-based rehabilitation.
Olfactory Mucosa Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Biomaterials: A New Combination to Regenerative Therapies after Peripheral Nerve Injury

The peripheral nerve injury after trauma is a common occurrence in both human and veterinary medicine and has severe consequences for the survival and quality of life of the patients. Despite the continuous efforts and the creation of diverse medical and surgical techniques, the harmful effects of this type of injury are far from being over -come. Regenerative medicine has been growing in the scientific milieu as a new ther - apeutic approach for different situations. Among the cell-based therapies explored, the mesenchymal stem cells are evidenced by their features, versatility and potential applications. The olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cells, components of the olfactory system and identified in the lamina propria , were newly identified and are still undergoing characterization, appearing as a new promise in the regenerative therapy of several tissues but with special emphasis on the nervous system in general and the peripheral nervous system in particular, for which they appear to have special regenerative aptitude.
Diverse Lithologies and Alteration Events on the Rim of Noachian‐Aged Endeavour Crater, Meridiani Planum, Mars: In Situ Compositional Evidence

We report the results of geological studies by the Opportunity Mars rover on the Endeavour Crater rim. Four major units occur in the region (oldest to youngest): the Matijevic, Shoemaker, Grasberg, and Burns formations. The Matijevic formation, consisting of fine‐grained clastic sediments, is the only pre‐Endeavour‐impact unit and might be part of the Noachian etched units of Meridiani Planum. The Shoemaker formation is a heterogeneous polymict impact breccia; its lowermost member incorporates material eroded from the underlying Matijevic formation. The Shoemaker formation is a close analog to the Bunte Breccia of the Ries Crater, although the average clast sizes are substantially larger in the latter. The Grasberg formation is a thin, fine‐grained, homogeneous sediment unconformably overlying the Shoemaker formation and likely formed as an airfall deposit of unknown areal extent. The Burns formation sandstone overlies the Grasberg, but compositions of the two units are distinct; there is no evidence that the Grasberg formation is a fine‐grained subfacies of the Burns formation. The rocks along the Endeavour Crater rim were affected by at least four episodes of alteration in the Noachian and Early Hesperian: (i) vein formation and alteration of preimpact Matijevic formation rocks, (ii) low‐water/rock alteration along the disconformity between the Matijevic and Shoemaker formations, (iii) alteration of the Shoemaker formation along fracture zones, and (iv) differential mobilization of Fe and Mn, and CaSO4‐vein formation in the Grasberg and Shoemaker formations. Episodes (ii) and (iii) possibly occurred together, but (i) and (iv) are distinct from either of these.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION DYNAMICAL MODEL OF THREE-SPECIES FOOD CHAIN WITH LOTKA-VOLTERRA LINEAR FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE

where x is a prey, y is a predator, the predator y preys on x, a1 is the prey growth rate in the absence of the predators, b1 is the capture rate of prey per predator, b2 is the rate at which each predator converts captured prey into predator births and a2 is the constant rate at which death occurs in the absence of prey. They showed that ditrophic food chains (i.e. prey-predator systems) permanently oscillate for any initial condition if the prey growth rate is constant and the predator functional response is linear.
Bael (Aegle marmelos) Extraordinary Species of India: A Review

Bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.) is an indigenous fruit of India belongs to family Rutaceae and it is commonly known as Bengal quince (John and Stevenson, 1979), Bilva, Indian quince, Golden apple, Holy fruit, Bel, Belwa, Sriphal, Stone apple and Maredo in India. Aegle marmelos (L.) tree is held sacred by hindus and offered in prayers of deities Lord Shiva and Parvati and thus the tree is also known by the name Shivaduma (The Tree of Shiva). It has tolerance to arid conditions (Chundawat, 1990) as well as high rainfall. Exploration undertaken in eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining urea of Bihar indicated wide range of variability in thorniness on stem, fruit shape, scull thickness and pulp characteristics. Promising lines in respect to high yield and quality fruits were identified (Rai et al., 1991). The Bael tree has its origin from Eastern ghats and central India. It‟s indigenous to Indian subcontinent and mainly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The tree is also found as a wild tree, in lower ranges of Himalyas up to an elevation of 500 meters. Bael is also found growing along foothills of Himalayas, Uttranchal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and the Deccan Plateau and along the east coast (Sharma et al., 2007). Bael fruit is a sub-tropical, deciduous tree and fruit is globuse with grey or yellowish hard woody shell. Inside this, there is soft yellow or orange colored mucilaginous pulp with numerous seeds. It has numerous seeds, which are densely covered with fibrous hairs and are embedded in a thick, gluey, aromatic pulp (Kaushik et al., 2002). Bael fruit is truly popular for its ability to combat constipation. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 3 (2017) pp. 1870-1887 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Consumer demand for low-alcohol wine in an Australian sample

Background: The aim of this paper is to inform wine producers and marketers of those in the population who are interested in low-alcohol wine by describing the results of an Australian survey. Method: In the present study, 851 adult wine consumers completed an online questionnaire on their purchasing and consumption of wine, demographics, knowledge, and reasons for consuming wine. Reasons for consumption were defined using Brunner and Siegrist’s validated model. Self-reported interest in low-alcohol wine was used to determine the likely maximum possible market size. Results: The majority of respondents considered “low-alcohol wine” to contain around 3%–8% alcohol. Results indicated that those most likely to purchase low-alcohol wine were female and those who drink wine with food. Those who drank wine more frequently showed interest in wine sold in known-dose quantities, such as one standard drink. Reasons for preferring a low-alcohol wine included driving after drinking, to lessen the adverse effects of alcohol, and to consume more without the effects of a higher-alcohol wine. Finally, results pointed to the importance of taste as a driver of consumption. Conclusion: This is the first study to define the opportunity market for low-alcohol wine in Australia agnostic to intervening variables, thus defines the likely upper limit. Further, we showed what consumers currently define as low alcohol. Both of these findings allow wine companies to make a decision on the profitability of the low-alcohol market in Australia.
Effect of Employee Participation on Organizational Performance with Organizational Commitment as a Moderator

The purpose of this study was to find out the impact of employee participation on organizational performance and to find out the moderating effect of organizational commitment on the relationship between employee participation and organizational performance. The study population comprised of 5866 employees of three state corporations namely Mumias Sugar Company, Kenya Power and KenGen. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The findings of the study were that employee participation had a significant effect on organizational performance. The study further showed that affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment moderated the relationship between employee participation and organizational performance.
Mediating the Effect of Gratitude in the Relationship between Forgiveness and Life Satisfaction among University Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of gratitude in the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction. A convenience sample of 396 (234 (59%) females, 162 (41%) males) university students was recruited from a University in Denizli, Turkey. The participants’ ages ranged between 18 and 27 years, with an average of 20.90 years (SD = 1.60). Of the participants, 101 (26%) were freshman, 81 (21%) were sophomores, 114 (29%) were juniors, and 100 (25%) were seniors. The Gratitude Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used for th e data collection. Results showed that gratitude partially mediated the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction. Th e results, limitations and implications of the study were discussed.