Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The determinants of electronic payment systems usage from consumers’ perspective

Abstract Electronic Payment Systems (EPS) have been improving individuals’ quality of life through providing ease of payment for online transactions. The effects of trust and security on the use of EPS have long been recognised in e-commerce literature. However, very few studies have examined these two concepts from the viewpoint of users. This study has developed a conceptual model to examine the determinants of perceived security and trust as well as the impact of perceived security and trust on the use of EPS. A sample of 299 respondents was analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM); the findings indicate that both perceived security and trust have a significant influence on EPS use. Technical protection and past experience have been found to be the common determinants of perceived security and trust. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed in light of the study’s limitations and suggestions for further research indicated.
Binding of murine immunoglobulin to human tissues after immunotherapy with anticolorectal carcinoma monoclonal antibody

An anticolorectal carcinoma antibody, 17–1A, that is of gamma 2a isotype and has been used in previous immunotherapy trials, binds to an antigen on most human colon tumors. This antigen is destroyed by the fixative and embedding procedures employed for routine histologic evaluation of tissues. It can be demonstrated by the avidin/biotin‐labelled peroxidase complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase technique on briefly fixed, frozen sections of fresh human tissues. With this assay technique, the antibody is found to bind in vitro to both human colonic carcinoma and normal gastrointestinal epthelia. Tissues removed from patients having received the 17–1A antibody intravenously in an immunotherapy trial show bound antibody 1–2 after administration. This is no longer evident 3 weeks later though the antigen is present on the cell surface and is still capable of binding antibody in vitro.
Do board characteristics and risk management disclosure have any effect on firm performance? Empirical evidence from Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between board characteristics, risk management disclosure and performance of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. Data were obtained from the annual accounts and reports of the 15 DMBs listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) covering 2012 to 2016. For the purpose of testing the relationship between the dependent variable (return on asset [ROA]) and the explanatory variables in this study, Random Effect (RE) regression model was employed. The study finds that board size, board composition, and risk management disclosure have a significant positive effect on ROA, whereas, board meeting has a significant negative influence on ROA. Moreover, the study documents that board expertise has a negative, but an insignificant association with ROA. The finding of this study is essential to both corporate authorities and other corporate stakeholders in Nigeria. The study concludes by providing an agenda for future research in a similar domain.
Fertility changes in Latin America in periods of economic uncertainty

We explored the relation between fertility and the business cycle in Latin America. First, we used aggregate data on fertility rates and economic performance for 18 countries. We then studied these same associations in the transitions to first, second, and third births with DHS individual data for ten countries. The results show that in general, childbearing declined during economic downturns. The decline was mainly associated with increasing unemployment rather than slowdowns in the growth of gross domestic product, although there was a positive relationship between first-birth rates and growth. While periods of unemployment may be a good time to have children because opportunity costs are lower, in fact childbearing was reduced or postponed, especially among the most recent cohorts and among urban and more educated women. The finding is consistent with the contention that, during this particular period in Latin America, income effects were dominant.
An unscented Kalman filter based hybrid state estimator considering conventional and PMU measurements

An unscented Kalman filter based dynamic state estimator (DSE) is described in this paper. The measurements are assumed to be comprising of conventional as well as PMU measurements. Actual or estimated conventional measurements are combined with PMU measurements at each instant of arrival of complete set of PMU measurements, before running the DSE. This enables the execution of the DSE at a faster rate, that is equal to the arrival of PMU measurements. The proposed algorithm is applied on IEEE 14 bus and New England 39 bus test systems.
Effects of Disorder on the Pressure-Induced Mott Transition in κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Cl

We present a study of the influence of disorder on the Mott metal-insulator transition for the organic charge-transfer salt κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl. To this end, disorder was introduced into the system in a controlled way by exposing the single crystals to X-ray irradiation. The crystals were then fine-tuned across the Mott transition by the application of continuously controllable He-gas pressure at low temperatures. Measurements of the thermal expansion and resistance show that the first-order character of the Mott transition prevails for low irradiation doses achieved by irradiation times up to 100 h. For these crystals with a moderate degree of disorder, we find a first-order transition line which ends in a second-order critical endpoint, akin to the pristine crystals. Compared to the latter, however, we observe a significant reduction of both, the critical pressure p c and the critical temperature T c . This result is consistent with the theoretically-predicted formation of a soft Coulomb gap in the presence of strong correlations and small disorder. Furthermore, we demonstrate, similar to the observation for the pristine sample, that the Mott transition after 50 h of irradiation is accompanied by sizable lattice effects, the critical behavior of which can be well described by mean-field theory. Our results demonstrate that the character of the Mott transition remains essentially unchanged at a low disorder level. However, after an irradiation time of 150 h, no clear signatures of a discontinuous metal-insulator transition could be revealed anymore. These results suggest that, above a certain disorder level, the metal-insulator transition becomes a smeared first-order transition with some residual hysteresis.
Understanding effects of topical ingredients on electrical measurement of skin hydration

Methods that assess skin hydration based on changes in its electrical properties are widely used in both cosmetic and medical research. However, the devices themselves often give results which are significantly different to each other. Although some work has previously been carried out to try and understand what these devices are actually reading, it was based on a technique for measuring the devices' responses to filter discs impregnated with different liquids, which could in itself be influencing the measurements. Presented here is a new method for measuring the devices' direct responses to different materials and solutions which removes any other confounding effects, thereby providing a clearer insight into their operation.
Altered Dosage and Mislocalization of Histone H3 and Cse4p Lead to Chromosome Loss in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cse4p is an essential histone H3 variant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that defines centromere identity and is required for proper segregation of chromosomes. In this study, we investigated phenotypic consequences of Cse4p mislocalization and increased dosage of histone H3 and Cse4p, and established a direct link between histone stoichiometry, mislocalization of Cse4p, and chromosome segregation. Overexpression of the stable Cse4p mutant, cse4K16R, resulted in its mislocalization, increased association with chromatin, and a high rate of chromosome loss, all of which were suppressed by constitutive expression of histone H3 (Δ16H3). We determined that Δ16H3 did not lead to increased chromosome loss; however, increasing the dosage of histone H3 (GALH3) resulted in significant chromosome loss due to reduced levels of centromere (CEN)-associated Cse4p and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) in kinetochore mutants. These phenotypes were suppressed by GALCSE4. We conclude that the chromosome missegregation of GALcse4K16R and GALH3 strains is due to mislocalization and a functionally compromised kinetochore, respectively. Suppression of these phenotypes by histone Δ16H3 and GALCSE4 supports the conclusion that proper stoichiometry affects the localization of histone H3 and Cse4p and is thus essential for accurate chromosome segregation.
Fish Oil Supplementation Ameliorates Fructose-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia and Insulin Resistance in Adult Male Rhesus Macaques 1 , 2

Fish oil (FO) is a commonly used supplemental source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 2 n–3 (v-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that have been shown to have a variety of health benefits considered to be protective against cardiometabolic diseases. Although the effects of EPA and DHA on lipid metabolism have been extensively studied, not all of the metabolic effects of FO-derived n–3 PUFAs have been characterized. Our laboratory recently showed that a high-fructose diet in rhesusmonkeys induces the features of metabolic syndrome (MetS) similar to those observed in humans. Thus, we specifically wanted to evaluate the effects of FO in rhesus monkeys fed a highfructose diet and hypothesized that FO supplementation would mitigate the development of fructose-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and other cardiometabolic risk factors. In this study, adult monkeys (aged 12–20 y) received either a standard unpurified diet plus 75 g fructose/d (control group; n = 9) or a standard unpurified diet, 75 g fructose/d, and 4 g FO (16% EPA 1 11% DHA)/d (treatment group; n = 10) for 6 mo. Importantly, our results showed that daily FO supplementation in the monkeys prevented fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance as assessed by intravenous-glucose-tolerance testing (P # 0.05). Moreover, FO administration in the monkeys prevented fructoseinduced increases in plasma apolipoprotein (Apo)C3, ApoE, and leptin concentrations and attenuated decreases in circulating adropin concentrations (P# 0.05). No differences between the control and FO-treatedmonkeyswere observed in body weight, lean mass, fat mass, or fasting glucose, insulin, and adiponectin concentrations. In conclusion, FO administration in a nonhuman primate model of diet-induced MetS ameliorates many of the adverse changes in lipid and glucose metabolism induced by chronic fructose consumption. J. Nutr. 144: 5–11, 2014.
A model for treatment effect estimation for randomized experiments on networks

In social and biological networks, the results of experiments are difficult to interpret since outcomes for each observation may not be independent. In this paper, we provide a model and reduced form that can be used to estimate average direct and peer treatment effects on networks. We assume a randomized design over individual treatment assignment and neighboring treatment assignment.
Political Fragmentation and Projected Tax Income : Evidence from Flemish Municipalities

The level of revenues pocketed by a government during the fiscal year often significantly deviates from that projected by this government in its initial budget. Though this difference between actual and projected revenues is not always negligible, little is yet known about what may explain such forecast errors. In the present paper, we analyse whether differences in the level of government fragmentation are useful in explaining local government tax revenue forecast errors – controlling for various other factors. Using data on 242 Flemish municipalities for the period 1992-2002, we found that two-party governments are more optimistic than single-party governments. In contrast to our initial expectations, governments with at least three parties are significantly more careful (or less optimistic) in their revenue projections than singleor two-party governments. JEL-codes: D72, H72, H79
Differential expression patterns of mRNAs for P2X receptor subunits in neurochemically characterized dorsal root ganglion neurons in the rat

The ionotropic purine receptors, P2X receptors, are composed of an assembly of multiple P2X subunits. At present, seven subunits have been cloned and named “P2X1–7. ” We examined the precise distribution of mRNAs for these subunits in the rat lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) using riboprobes and characterized their expression among some neuronal subpopulations by ISHH and immunohistochemistry. P2X1 was not expressed by DRG neurons. P2X2 mRNA was preferentially expressed by neurofilament (NF)‐200 negative small‐sized neurons expressing Ret, but not TrkA or TrkC mRNAs. P2X3 mRNA was mainly expressed by NF‐200‐negative neurons. Most P2X3‐positive neurons had Ret mRNA, and about a half of them coexpressed TrkA and TRPV1 mRNAs. P2X4 was the most ubiquitous subunit, evenly distributing among all examined neuronal subpopulations. P2X5 and P2X6 were expressed by about half of the neurons, and most of these neurons were NF‐200‐positive. P2X7 mRNA‐expressing neurons were quite rare. We further examined the coexpression of all pairs of P2X2‐P2X6 mRNAs in DRG neurons and found that: 1) P2X4 was always present in combination with the other subunits. 2) All TrkC neurons had three subunits, P2X4, P2X5, and P2X6, and made up 32% of the total neurons. 3) 12.5% of the total neurons had both P2X2 and P2X3. 4) 12.9% of the neurons had both P2X3 and P2X5. We determined the neuronal subpopulation‐specific distribution of P2X subunits in the DRG. These findings suggest possible combinations of subunits of native P2X receptor in DRG neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 481:377–390, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation between cerebral MRI abnormalities and mental retardation in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of inherited disorders due to lysosomal enzyme deficiencies which lead to multi‐organ accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Some forms of MPS disorders are characterized by various degrees of mental retardation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the primary imaging technique to detect CNS alterations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between white matter (WM) alterations and the presence of mental retardation. We analyzed 20 patients with different forms of MPSs, 11 with mental retardation and 9 with a normal cognitive function; all of them underwent brain MRI and received a score on the basis of the alterations (WM alterations; perivascular, subarachnoid, and ventricular space enlargement; abnormalities of the basal ganglia, of the corpus callosum and of the atlanto‐axial joint). All patients with mental retardation presented severe WM alterations, while only five out of the nine subjects without mental retardation showed certainly WM abnormalities. As far as the other cerebral abnormalities are concerned, no difference between the two groups has been found. These data seem to show that there is a significant correlation between the presence of WM alterations and mental retardation. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of two items on self-rated health

Self-rated health is a compound measure of physical and psychological health, and a strong predictor of mortality [1–7]. Self-rated health is also associated with other factors such as age, sex, education, marital status, and personal traits [8]. Different social groups have differential morbidity, and the interpretation of the concept of health may differ. Self-rated health is also associated with many psychological, behavioural, social, and environmental factors [9]. Self-rated health can be measured by single-item measures, including non-comparative measures with five or seven alternatives, age-comparative, or timecomparative items. The number of response alternatives and the wording used differ across studies. The most common single-item asks: ‘‘How would you rate your general health status? ’’ Self-rated health with five alternative answers has been widely applied in prospective studies on morbidity and mortality. Only a few studies have been published using seven alternatives [10,11]. A previous study made a comparison between the five-alternative, seven-alternative, and age-comparative items, and concluded that they show a similar assessment of health [12]. Another study found that to some extent age-comparative and the five and seven alternative items predict mortality differently, the greatest differences being related to age [13]. In most studies the self-rated health items are dichotomized. In this study the two dichotomized self-rated health items with five and seven alternatives (denoted SRH-5 and SRH-7 when dichotomized) are compared according to the prevalences (%) of poor self-rated health they yield, and according to their relation with self-rated items from the same survey on specific self-rated physical and psychological health.
Relationship between the increased cell surface α7 nicotinic receptor expression and neuroprotection induced by several nicotinic receptor agonists

Nicotine and other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists have been shown to exert neuroprotective actions in vivo and in vitro by an as yet unknown mechanism. Even the identification of the subtype of nicotinic receptor(s) mediating this action has not been determined. In neural cell lines, the induction of cytoprotection often requires exposure to nicotine for up to 24 hr to produce a full protective effect. One phenomenon associated with chronic exposure of neural cells to nAChR agonists is the increased expression of nAChRs (upregulation), possibly as a response to desensitization. Because nicotinic receptors desensitize rapidly in the continuous presence of agonist, we investigated whether the neuroprotective actions produced by different nicotinic receptor agonists was related to their ability to induce nicotinic receptor upregulation. Differentiated PC12 cells were preincubated for 24 hr with various nAChR ligands, and the cells were subsequently deprived of both NGF and serum to induce cytotoxicity. Under control conditions cell viability was reduced to 66.5 ± 5.4% of control by trophic factor withdrawal. For those cells pretreated with nicotine (1 nM–100 μM) cell viability increased from 74.2 ± 1.5 to 97.3 ± 4%. The neuroprotective action of nicotine was blocked by co‐treatment with either 5 μM mecamylamine or 10 nM methyllycaconitine (MLA). The high potency blockade by MLA suggested that neuroprotection was mediated through the α7 nicotinic receptor subtype. For the seven agonists examined for neuroprotective activity, only nicotine was capable of evoking a near maximal (near 100% cell viability) neuroprotective action. The next most effective group included epibatidine, 4OHGTS‐21, methycarbamylcholine, and 1,1‐dimethyl‐4‐phenyl‐piperazinium iodide. These least effective group included cytisine and tetraethylammonium. Incubation of differentiated PC12 cells with 10 μM nicotine increased the number of [125I]αbungarotoxin ([125I]αBGTbinding sites by 41% from 82.6 ± 3.67 to 117 ± 10.3 fmol/mg protein). Under similar conditions of incubation, the nicotinic receptor agonist cytisine (that was least effective in terms of neuroprotection) failed to increase the number of [125I]αBGT binding sites. Cells expressing increased levels of cell surface [125I]αBGT binding sites received added neuroprotective benefit from nicotine. Thus the induced upregulation of the α7 subtype of nicotinic receptors during chronic exposure to nicotine may be responsible for the drug's neuroprotective action. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:565–572, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agglomeration as a Driver of the Volume of Electronic Word of Mouth in the Restaurant Industry

While previous research has investigated various drivers of electronic word of mouth (eWOM), the firm's offline competitive environment has not been considered. The authors explore this new horizon and examine the different effects of firms’ geographic concentration, or agglomeration, on the volume of eWOM received. They distinguish three types of agglomeration—density agglomeration (number of firms in the industry in an area), product agglomeration (overlap in product types offered by the firms in the area), and temporal agglomeration (overlap in moment of consumption). The authors develop hypotheses pertaining to the main effects of the three agglomeration types on eWOM volume, which take the form of an inverted U-shape, and the moderating effect of vertical quality differentiation. The authors test the hypotheses on the volume of eWOM generated per month on Yelp for restaurants in Phoenix, generated by 23,526 users for 2,885 restaurants over an eight-year period. The empirical results broadly support the hypotheses.
Neuropeptide Y reduces oral ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring (P) rats following a period of imposed ethanol abstinence.

BACKGROUND Intracerebroventricular infusion of NPY has been shown to reduce ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring (P) rats in a limited access procedure. The purpose of the present investigation was to extend this finding to a two-bottle free-choice continuous access procedure in groups of rats that either did or did not undergo a period of imposed ethanol abstinence and ethanol reinstatement. METHODS In experiment 1, female P rats were given 6 weeks of continuous access to ethanol (8% w/v) and water. Ethanol was removed for a period of 2 weeks during which the rats were surgically implanted with a cannula into the lateral ventricle. Following the ethanol abstinence period and immediately before ethanol reinstatement, rats received a single infusion of either artificial cerebrospinal fluid or NPY (10 microg). Ethanol and water intake was measured at both 4 hr and 24 hr after infusion, and 24-hr intake measures were taken daily for 13 postinfusion days. Experiment 2 was run in parallel with experiment 1, with the exception that rats did not undergo a period of imposed ethanol abstinence. Also, food intake was measured 4 and 24 hr after infusion. RESULTS Following 2 weeks of imposed ethanol abstinence (experiment 1), NPY suppressed ethanol intake through postinfusion day 2. After uninterrupted continuous access to ethanol (experiment 2), NPY suppressed ethanol intake to a lesser extent and this effect lasted only 24 hr. NPY increased food intake at the 4-hr but not the 24-hr measure. CONCLUSIONS Previous findings that central administration of NPY suppresses ethanol intake in P rats are extended by this study to a continuous access procedure, and the effect is amplified following a period of imposed ethanol abstinence. This effect of NPY compares favorably to results obtained with other treatments tested in similar animal models and provides support for a role of NPY in an allostasis model of addiction.