Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of trust in consumer acceptance of E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia

1.0 Introduction The increase in the availability of technologies has opened the doors to businesses to sell their products and services online to a larger customer base. The adaptation of such technologies is a global phenomenon. However, there is a huge gap in developing nations coming forward to adapt to these technologies. There are various factors that influence the trust factors in such technologies. For instance, when transacting online, there is an increase in the perceived risks for both the customers and the merchants. The customers are afraid to share payment and personal details online as they do not trust the merchant enough to carry out business transactions. Furthermore, there is a lack of personal touch as provided by traditional commerce channels. Therefore electronic commerce requires that trust is understood and evaluated from the point of view of commercial relationships and its role in the acceptance of the technology. Despite technological advancements and improved security infrastructure, these alone are not enough to create trust in the minds of the customers. This paper aims at investigating the adaptation of e-commerce technologies and developing a trust framework by using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework for E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia.
The role of zinc in the interplay between pathogenic streptococci and their hosts

Recent studies on pathogenic streptococci have revealed that zinc is a pivotal metal ion in their interaction with the host. In these streptococci, systems exist that ensure optimal use of zinc from the surrounding milieu, as well as export of zinc when concentrations exceed tolerance levels. Zinc uptake is of crucial importance for the virulence of streptococci, whereas elevated zinc levels induced in the host during infection are detrimental for these pathogens. The expression or activity of a number of putative surface proteins and virulence factors depends on zinc. Moreover, several metal sensor proteins that mediate the transcriptional response to zinc in streptococci have recently been characterized. A number of components of zinc‐ and other metal ion‐acquisition systems are suitable as protective antigens and may be future targets for the development of new vaccines, thus providing opportunities for the development of novel therapies. This review will discuss the recent advancements in the important field of metal ion biology in relation to the virulence of pathogenic streptococci, with a central focus on zinc homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Effect of Cassava Value Addition on the Income Generation of Farm Households in Etinam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study was conducted on the effect of cassava value addition on the income generation of households in Etinam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were sampled through multi-stage random sampling technique. Primary data were collected from the respondents with structured questionnaire. Data generated were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentage, frequency counts and factor analysis. The result showed the major cassava value addition activities and the value added products of the farm households to include garri (100%), fufu (100%), cassava flour (80%), livestock feed (60%) and tapioca (54.17%). Value added products of the industrial use processed by cassava value addition were ethanol (26.67%), starch (36.67%) glucose syrup (13.33%) and cassava adhesive (15%). Result on income differentials due to value addition showed that equal quantities of raw cassava tubers processed to garri yielded N5,000 gain as a return to value addition; N3,500 for fufu; N7,700 for cassava flour and N4,150 for ethanol, etc. However, the major constraints to cassava value addition in the area were categorized into market and information, institutional and economic, and infrastructural and labour factors. It was concluded that cassava value addition has positive influence on the income generation of farm households in the study area. Domestically, cassava value added food products yielded higher income to the households than industrial cassava value added products due to their over reliance on local markets for the marketing of the products. It was recommended among others, that producers should be linked to efficient marketing information systems suitable for their value addition activities.
Stock Market Driven Acquisitions Versus the Q Theory of Takeovers: The UK Evidence

Using a sample of UK mergers and acquisitions from 1985–2004, we show that equity over‐valuation appears to play an important role in the determination of financing method. Our results are broadly consistent with those theories based upon market over‐valuation driving mergers and their financing, rather than a Q-theory explanation. In some contrast to the US results of Dong et al. (2006) we find that proxies for over-valuation appear to be the more persuasive explanation for acquisition financing behaviour in the UK. Given the evidence in favour of valuation effects, we argue that a treatment effects model is necessary in investigating the long-run performance of acquirers. Taken together with results from a univariate analysis, such a model reveals some modest support for the Shleifer and Vishny (2003) hypothesis.
Risk factors analysis of cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

Objective: To explore risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis of PTMC. Methods: Clinical pathological data of 169 PTMC patients in thyroid gland surgery in affiliated hospital of Guizhou medical university from January, 2014 to March, 2016 were given retrospective analysis. Results: 169 cases were given preventive central compartment lymph node clean, of which, 54 cases (32%) had central compartment lymph metastasis. Multiple factors analysis showed that age (OR=1.512, 95% CI: 1.231-1.795, P<0.05), multifocal tumor (OR=2.912, 95% CI: 2.134-3.702, P<0.05), out of envelope (OR=3.818, 95% CI: 1.716-8.494, P<0.05) were independent factors of central compartment lymph metastasis. 30 cases were given central compartment lymph node and lymph node clean in lateral cervical area, of which, 18 cases had lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical area. Multiple factors analysis showed that tumor out of envelope (OR=3.72, 95% CI: 1.693-4.852, P<0.05) was high risk factor of lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical area. 11 cases (6.5%) had central compartment lymph node and lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical area. Out of envelope (OR=2.578, 95% CI: 2.072-3.211, P<0.05) and multifocal tumor (OR=3.229, 95% CI: 1.530-6.814, P<0.05) were high risk factors of central compartment lymph node and lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical area. The sensitivity and specificity of cervical lymph node B ultrasound with high resolution on central compartment lymph node metastasis were 14.8% and 96.5% respectively, lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical area were 94.4% and 83.3% respectively. Conclusion: Age, multifocal tumor, extrathyroidal invasion are risk factors of PTMC cervical lymph node metastasis. High frequency neck ultrasound examination could be used as a preoperative assessment approach of PTMC lymph node metastases.
Mergers and acquisitions: a review. Part 1

Purpose - – This paper aims to review the relevant literature on mergers and acquisitions in an attempt to provide a comprehensive account of what we know about mergers and which parts of the puzzle are still incomplete. Design/methodology/approach - – This literature review consists of three key sections. The first part of this paper summarises the literature on the cyclical nature of mergers referred to in the literature as merger waves. The second section reviews the causes and consequences of takeovers; it first reviews the causes, or drivers, of acquisitions, while focusing on the fact that acquisitions happen in waves and then reviews the consequences of takeovers, with a predominant focus on the impacts of mergers on the economic performance of acquirers. The third part of the review summarises the theories as well as previous empirical studies on determinants of announcement returns and post-acquisition performance of combined firms. Findings - – Merger activity demonstrates a wavy pattern, i.e. mergers are clustered in industries through time. The causes suggested for this fluctuating pattern include industry and economy-level shocks, mis-valuation and managerial herding. Market reaction to announcement of acquisitions is, on average, slightly negative for acquirer stocks and significantly positive for target stocks. The combined abnormal return is positive. These findings have been consistent over several decades of investigation. The prior research also identifies a number of factors that are related to performance of acquisitions. These factors are categorised and reviewed in five different groups: acquirer characteristics, target characteristics, bid characteristics, industry characteristics and macro-environment characteristics. Originality/value - – This review illustrates a number of issues. Prior research is heavily biased towards gains to acquirers and factors that affect these gains. It is also biased towards finding sources of value creation through mergers, despite the fact that several theories suggest that mergers can be value-destroying. In fact, value destruction is often attributed to managers’ self-interest (agency problem) and mistakes (hubris). However, the mechanisms through which mergers destroy value are rarely addressed. Aside from that, the possibility of simultaneous creation and destruction of value in acquisitions is not often considered. Finally, after several decades of investigation, a key question is not completely answered yet: “What are the sources of value in mergers and acquisitions? ”
Sociodemographic determinants of self-reporting mental health problems in Indonesian urban population

Studies have found that mental health problems are more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural ones, including in Indonesia. About 6% of Indonesian people report having mental health problems, and 1.7 out of every thousand residents are diagnosed with a psychiatric problem. This study examines the sociodemographic determinants of reporting mental health problems among Indonesia’s general population living in urban areas. One thousand forty participants aged 17 years and over answered sociodemographic questions (i.e., residence, gender, age, education level, income, marital status) and completed the EQ-5D-5L. Their responses to the Anxiety/Depression item of the EQ-5D-5L (no problem vs. any level of problem) were the dependent variable sociodemographic factors were the explanatory variables. About one-third (35.37%) of the participants reported experiencing problems with anxiety/depression. Logistic regression found that marital status was significantly associated with reporting any problems of anxiety/depression in the EQ-5D-5L: single/divorced participants were 58% more likely to report that they suffered from anxiety/depression in comparison to their married counterparts. These results highlight the importance of social support; that is, having a spouse or extended family member whom one can count on for help when facing a problem is essential, regardless of one’s gender, age, educational level, or income.
Pseudomonas syringae BetT Is a Low-Affinity Choline Transporter That Is Responsible for Superior Osmoprotection by Choline over Glycine Betaine

ABSTRACT The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae derives better osmoprotection from choline than from glycine betaine, unlike most bacteria that have been characterized. In this report, we identified a betaine/carnitine/choline family transporter (BCCT) in P. syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 that mediates the transport of choline and acetylcholine. This transporter has a particularly low affinity (Km of 876 μM) and high capacity (V max of 80 nmol/min/mg of protein) for choline transport relative to other known BCCTs. Although BetT activity increased in response to hyperosmolarity, BetT mediated significant uptake under low-osmolarity conditions, suggesting a role in transport for both osmoprotection and catabolism. Growth studies with mutants deficient in BetT and other choline transporters demonstrated that BetT was responsible for the superior osmoprotection conferred to P. syringae by choline over glycine betaine when these compounds were provided at high concentrations (>100 μM). These results suggest that P. syringae has evolved to survive in relatively choline-rich habitats, a prediction that is supported by the common association of P. syringae with plants and the widespread production of choline, but genus- and species-specific production of glycine betaine, by plants. Among the three putative BCCT family transporters in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and six in Pseudomonas putida, different transporters were predicted to function based on similarity to Escherichia coli BetT than to P. syringae BetT. Functional P. putida and P. aeruginosa transporters were identified, and their possession of a long C-terminal tail suggested an osmoregulatory function for this tail; this function was confirmed for P. syringae BetT using deletion derivatives.
Survey: Foreground Segmentation of Live Videos Using Boundary Matting Technology

: In this paper we to propose interactive methodology to extract foreground segmentation of objects from input videos using Boundary Matting Technology. Given an initial segmentation for the primary associated frame of a first and last video sequence, our objective is to propagate the segmentation from the middle frame in the sequence. Video frames are 1st divided into super pixels. As a final step the initial segmentation boundaries are improved to get an accurate object boundary. We then exploit these object boundaries in associate application for matting these videos. Here an effective algorithm for segmentation and then matting them is done accordingly which processes live videos with fuzzy boundaries. In our algorithm we generate Support Vector Machine (SVM’s) and also algorithm which models local color distribution for both foreground and background video frames.
Thickness-Dependent Properties of Polyzwitterionic Brushes

This paper describes detailed studies on the controlled synthesis of poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (polyMEDSAH) from initiator-modified gold surfaces and the properties of these brushes as a function of grafting density and thickness. Improved control over polymerization was achieved by preforming the catalytically active complex to ensure that the monomers did not coordinate to the catalyst. We observed an intriguing transition thickness (hcrit) in which the polyMEDSAH brushes switched from hydrophilic to hydrophobic due to the strong inter- and intrachain associations. We studied this transition as a function of the rate of polymerization and grafting density and found that both factors strongly influence the value of hcrit. Faster grown polyMEDSAH brushes have higher hcrit values, and brushes grown from higher grafting density have higher hcrit value. These observations suggest that the hcrit is governed by the density of the brushes, the polymer chain length, .
The number of solutions of the Erdős-Straus Equation and sums of k unit fractions

Abstract We prove new upper bounds for the number of representations of an arbitrary rational number as a sum of three unit fractions. In particular, for fixed m there are at most ${\cal O}_{\epsilon }(n^{{3}/{5}+\epsilon })$ solutions of ${m}/{n} = {1}/{a_1} + {1}/{a_2} + {1}/{a_3}$. This improves upon a result of Browning and Elsholtz (2011) and extends a result of Elsholtz and Tao (2013) who proved this when m=4 and n is a prime. Moreover, there exists an algorithm finding all solutions in expected running time ${\cal O}_{\epsilon }(n^{\epsilon }({n^3}/{m^2})^{{1}/{5}})$, for any $\epsilon \gt 0$. We also improve a bound on the maximum number of representations of a rational number as a sum of k unit fractions. Furthermore, we also improve lower bounds. In particular, we prove that for given $m \in {\open N}$ in every reduced residue class e mod f there exist infinitely many primes p such that the number of solutions of the equation ${m}/{p} = {1}/{a_1} + {1}/{a_2} + {1}/{a_3}$ is $\gg _{f,m} \exp (({5\log 2}/({12\,{\rm lcm} (m,f)}) + o_{f,m}(1)) {\log p}/{\log \log p})$. Previously, the best known lower bound of this type was of order $(\log p)^{0.549}$.
Planning process influences on sustainability in Ohio township plans

This study examines planning process influences on plan sustainability scores for 46 township plans in Central Ohio, in the Midwestern Region of the United States. Townships face many similar development challenges as exurban communities along with cultures and economies which straddle urban and rural perspectives. The empirical analysis shows that participation breadth is positively related to sustainability scores, while the use of the sustainability concept in the planning process is negatively related to sustainability scores. Based on the findings, we suggest that communities preparing a comprehensive plan should encourage participation by a variety of groups in the planning process. Future research should examine the manner in which the sustainability concept is incorporated into the planning process to better assess its influence.
Revolution remixed? The emergence of Open Content Film-making as a viable component within the mainstream film industry

ABSTRACT Our previous study of the Open Content Film-making (OCF) community Revolution Postponed? Tracing the development and limitations of open content filmmaking, Information, Communication & Society, (10.1080/1369118X.2018.1464590) had shown how early expectations that Creative Commons (CC) licences would enable a viable alternative to mainstream film production, comparable to free/libre open source software (FLOSS), were challenged, in particular, by the difficulties experienced in establishing viable livelihoods with OCF. A narrative of the apparent failure of OCF may be premature, however. This paper reports on a subsequent study of how OCF practices became adopted as mundane elements in a film production and distribution system that itself has been, and continues to be, dramatically changed by digitisation. These developments broke down the dichotomy that had been drawn between existing commercial practices and visions of a new system of decentralised, non-proprietary, peer production. First, we show that OCF practices are conceptualised by our informants in relation to the mainstream independent film industry. Second, we account for how OCF tools and practices become adopted within the mainstream independent film production/distribution system. These observations highlight that limiting the scope of investigation (e.g., by only undertaking short term ‘snapshot’ studies, limited to particular settings or groups) may yield flawed interpretations based on narrow viewpoints and premature judgements. Instead, we flag the need to extend research – both longitudinally and across a range of settings/viewpoints – applying methodological templates from the Biography of Artefacts and Practices perspective (Hyysalo, 2010; Pollock & Williams, 2008).
Pengaruh Partisipasi Anggaran terhadap Kinerja Manajerial dengan Komitmen Organisasi sebagai Variabel Moderating

Abstract Participatory budget is a managerial approach that is generally considered to improve organizational effectiveness by improving the performance of each member organization individually or managerial performance. However, empirical evidence suggests the existence of uncertainty relations between participatory budgeting with managerial performance. Research objectives were to test the effect of budgetary participation on managerial performance and organizational commitment moderate the relationship between budgetary participation and managerial performance. This study population is rural banks in the district of Jepara with a sample of heads, head of sub-section, chief, section chief and head of the postal service. These research data in the form of a questionnaire given to respondents who delivered directly by researchers in April-May 2009. Variables include the study of Managerial Performance, Budget Participation, and Organizational Commitment. Methods of data by multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the positive effect the Budget Participation on Managerial Performance significant, while the influence of the Organization's commitment to the influence of Budget Participation and Managerial Performance is not significant. Keywords: Budget Participation, Organizational Commitment, Managerial Performance Abstrak Anggaran partisipatif merupakan pendekatan manajerial yang umumnya dinilai dapat meningkatkan efektivitas organisasional melalui peningkatan kinerja setiap anggota organisasi secara individual atau kinerja manajerial. Namun demikian, buktiempirik menunjukkan adanya ketidakjelasan hubungan antara anggaran partisipatif dengan kinerja manajerial. Sehingga hal ini menarik minat para peneliti untuk melakukan penelitian lebih lanjut. Tujuan penelitian untuk menguji pengaruh partisipasi anggaran terhadap kinerja manajerial dan komitmen organisasi yang memoderasi hubungan antara partisipasi anggaran dan kinerja manajerial. Populasi penelitian ini yaitu Bank Perkreditan Rakyat di Kabupaten Jepara dengan sampel Kepala bagian, kepala sub bagian, kepala bidang, kepala seksi dan kepala pos pelayanan. Data penelitian ini berupa kuesioner yang diberikan kepada responden yang diantar langsung oleh peneliti pada bulan April-Mei 2009. Variabel penelitian meliputi Kinerja Manajerial, Partisipasi Anggaran, dan Komitmen Organisasi. Metode Analisis data dengan regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Partisipasi Anggaran berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap Kinerja Manajerial, sedangkan pengaruh Komitmen Organisasi terhadap pengaruh Partisipasi Anggaran dan Kinerja Manajerial adalah tidak signifikan. Kata Kunci: Partisipasi Anggaran, Komitmen Organisasi, Kinerja Manajerial
Role of Marketing Structural Adaptation on Customer Satisfaction : A Case of Zong in Pakistan

the actual objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the marketing structure and customers in Zong Company. The notion not only attracts most of the customers towards the ZONG but also the reputation of ZONG toppled over other cellular networks. In this research, in this research marketing structure has taken a independent and an independent variable customer satisfaction. The target population was the ZONG customers and employees who were attached with Zong from last four years. In this study 300 customers and 50 employees sample was taken on the basis of simple random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from the respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of the respondents. Results of this study explain that there is a strong and positive relationship between structural adaptation and customer satisfaction.
Does Fama-French Three Factor Model Outweigh the CAPM Model? Evidence from the Dhaka Stock Exchange

In this paper we compare the explanatory power of a single index model with the multifactor asset-pricing model of Fama and French (1996) for Dhaka stock exchange for the period of January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. We find that all the three factors have significant determining impact on stock returns. Moreover, the three factor model has higher explanatory power than the CAPM to account for time series variation of stock returns. Our findings show that firm size and book-to-market equity helps to explain the variation in average stock returns in a meaningful manner. In summary, our findings suggest that CAPM beta is not alone sufficient to explain the average expected stock returns in Bangladesh.