Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Established and Potential Mediating Variables in the Child's Understanding of Advertising Intent : Towards a Research Agenda

This paper aims to explore in detail the issue of advertising intent, with particular reference to the child. The literature review examines the importance of age and cognitive and social development in this field and considers whether or not children can distinguish between television programming and advertising. What the literature review illustrates is that research studies thus far have conflicting viewpoints on these areas. Within the research to date, there are also a number of important issues which do not seem to be addressed. Most notably, there is little research which considers the impact of advertising upon children, from the child's perspective. This paper thus proposes an exploratory framework which aims to consider the established and potential mediating variables in the child's understanding of advertising intent.
Foreign professionals in Finland and the importance of Finnish language skills (Available on Internet)

This qualitative study attempts to increase the understanding for foreign professionals in Finland and the place the Finnish language has in their lives. Finland is characterised by distinct circumstances, which makes it a particularly interesting context to study: English is widely spoken in the whole population, Finnish is considered a difficult language to learn, and there are two official languages. Fourteen participants from ten different Western countries were interviewed for the study. Only three of them spoke Finnish on an above-basic level. In addition, a subsample of five native English-speakers was compared to the other participants. The findings reveal that Finnish skills are not necessary for satisfactory adjustment to life in Finland among the particular group of foreigners. However, this does not suggest that language skills are trivial. Already basic skills are beneficial for relationships with Finns. Indeed, host country language skills appear to be most important in social situations, which is further shown in the rather surprising position of Swedish among the foreign professionals. In addition, the study indicates that a good Finnish proficiency is highly valued by employers, even when Finnish is not necessary for the task itself. Thus, finding a job without fluent Finnish is generally considered very difficult. The study contributes to the existing knowledge on host country language learning by pointing on the importance of society’s expectations, as well as possibly important personal and psychological motives. Further, the study shows that the benefit/cost ratio of learning the host country language cannot be assumed to be linear.
Factors Affecting Sustainable Rice Farming:The Case of Rice Farmers in the Mazandaran Province, Iran

In recent years, the production of high-yielding rice varieties in the Mazandaran province due to lack of attention in the environmental issues, has led to undesirable consequences. According to the key role of the farmers in the performanceof the sustainable agriculture principles, and the importance of their sustainability practices, the present study aimed to identify the factors affecting sustainability behavior of farmers regarding high-yielding rice varieties farming in the Mazandaran province. This study is based on survey method and statistical sample is selected 270 rice farmers of Amol, Babol and Sari counties in this province. Data were collected using questionnaire. The most important findings of the study shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between the managerial features, putting the value of the reference group opinions, sustainability attitudes, access to educational-extension and communicational factors, access to inputs and feasibility of sustainable agriculture methods, and farmers’ behavior regarding sustainability. Based on the results, feasibility of sustainable agriculture methods, access to educational-extensionand communicational factors, managerial features, putting the value of the reference group opinions and sustainability attitudes, explain 49% of sustainability behavior variations. Some recommendations have been provided based on the findings.
Barriers to management of cardiovascular risk in a low-resource setting using hypertension as an entry point

Objective Assess capacity of health-care facilities in a low-resource setting to implement the absolute risk approach for assessment of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients and effective management of hypertension Design and setting A descriptive cross-sectional study in Egbeda and Oluyole local government areas of Oyo State in Nigeria in 56 randomly selected primary- (n = 42) and secondary-level (n = 2) health-care and private health-care (n = 12) facilities. Participants One thousand consecutive, known hypertensives attending the selected facilities for follow-up, and health-care providers working in the above randomly selected facilities, were interviewed. Results About two-thirds of hypertensives utilized primary-care centers both for diagnosis and for follow-up. Laboratory and other investigations to exclude secondary hypertension or to assess target organ damage were not available in the majority of facilities, particularly in primary care. A considerable knowledge and awareness gap related to hypertension and its complications was found, both among patients and health-care providers. Blood pressure control rates were poor [28% with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mmHg] and drug prescription patterns were not evidence based and cost effective. The majority of patients (73%) in this low socio-economic group (mean monthly income US$73) had to pay fully, out of their own pocket, for consultations and medications. Conclusions If the absolute risk approach for assessment of risk and effective management of hypertension is to be implemented in low-resource settings, appropriate policy measures need to be taken to improve the competency of health-care providers, to provide basic laboratory facilities and to develop affordable financing mechanisms.
Region-Specific Fat Mass and Muscle Mass and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Men and Women

Background: Increased mortality risk at low body mass index values is well established for older persons. It is, however, unclear how the underlying body mass components (fat and muscle mass – FM and MM, respectively) are associated with mortality in old age. Objective: This study aimed to examine the mortality risk of four body composition measures (appendicular skeletal MM, leg, arm and trunk FM) with 12-year mortality in community-dwelling older men and women. As a secondary objective, the influence of cancer, obstructive lung disease, smoking and previous weight loss on these associations was examined. Methods: Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a random population-based cohort study (55–85 years) in the Netherlands. Body composition was determined in 1995–1996 by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The present study included 477 community-dwelling persons aged ≧65 years who were followed until 2007 for their vital status. Results: Twelve-year mortality rates were 133/242 (55%) in men and 92/235 (39%) in women. Since most associations were U- or J-shaped, only observations below the sample mean were included to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) per one SD lower value. Adjusted for height, age and each other, lower appendicular skeletal MM [HR 1.59 (95% CI: 1.04–2.42)] and lower leg FM [1.68 (1.04–2.72)] in men and lower trunk FM [1.61 (1.02–2.53)] in women were associated with an increased mortality risk. Associations attenuated and became statistically nonsignificant in men after adjustment for cancer, obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking and in women after additional adjustment for previous 3-year weight change. Conclusions: In older men, lower MM and lower leg FM are associated with an increased mortality risk, while in older women only lower trunk FM is associated with an increased risk. The causality of these associations is debated. Suggested sex differences deserve further study.
Managerial Incentives, Market Power, and Bank Risk-Taking

We investigate the effects of managerial incentives and market power on bank risk-taking for a sample of 212 large U.S. bank holding companies over the period 1997-2004 (comprising 1,534 observations). Bank managers have incentives to prefer less risk, while bank shareholders prefer higher risk, and market power is the centerpiece of any bank regulation. However, the literature is inconclusive regarding the effects of managerial incentives and market power on bank risk-taking. Our results reveal a U-shaped relationship between bank risk-taking and CEO ownership (a proxy for managerial incentives) and between bank risk-taking and charter value (a proxy for market power). Particularly, we find that bank risk-taking initially decreases and then increases with both CEO ownership and charter value. These convex relations are robust for various bank risk-taking proxies, different estimation approaches to account for endogeneity, and several bank-specific control variables.
Robust Measures of Consumer Brand Beliefs

Three measures of consumers’ beliefs about different attributes of competitive brands of packaged goods—free choice, scaling, and ranking—are found to place the brands in the same relative positions on each attribute dimension. In addition, gradients by the recency or frequency of claimed brand usage that have been observed previously in free-choice belief data now are found also in the scaling and ranking data.
An Information Search Cost Perspective for Designing Interfaces for Electronic Commerce

This research helps Web developers apply knowledge on information search costs to the design of Web sites that sell consumer products or services. The goal of the research is to predict how subtle changes in the user interface design influence information search costs. With an empirical study, the authors compare 1411 choices subjects made regarding a business to patronize using paper and electronic telephone directories. The choices were contingent on information search costs imposed by the different media. By providing a theoretical basis for predicting differences in information search costs, the authors help designers create more effective Web sites for achieving their marketing objectives.
Binocular 3D Object Recovery Using a Symmetry Prior

We present a new algorithm for 3D shape reconstruction from stereo image pairs that uses mirror symmetry as a biologically inspired prior. 3D reconstruction requires some form of prior because it is an ill-posed inverse problem. Psychophysical research shows that mirror-symmetry is a key prior for 3D shape perception in humans, suggesting that a general purpose solution to this problem will have many applications. An approach is developed for finding objects that fit a given shape definition. The algorithm is developed for shapes with two orthogonal planes of symmetry, thus allowing for straightforward recovery of occluded portions of the objects. Two simulations were run to test: (1) the accuracy of 3D recovery, and (2) the ability of the algorithm to find the object in the presence of noise. We then tested the algorithm on the Children’s Furniture Corpus, a corpus of stereo image pairs of mirror symmetric furniture objects. Runtimes and 3D reconstruction errors are reported and failure modes described.
DSP Wavelet-Based Tool for Monitoring Transformer Inrush Currents and Internal Faults

This paper proposes a wavelet-based technique for monitoring nonstationary variations in order to distinguish between transformer inrush currents and transformer internal faults. The proposed technique utilizes a small set of coefficients of the local maxima that represent most of the signal's energy: only one coefficient at each resolution level is utilized to measure the magnitude of the variation in the signal. The data is processed while sliding through a Kaiser window and the technique has been applied in the laboratory as well as with simulated data, producing excellent results.
Systematic Review of Nontumor Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant Outcomes

Objective The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was initially developed for patients with deafness as a result of neurofibromatosis type 2. ABI indications have recently extended to children with congenital deafness who are not cochlear implant candidates. Few multi-institutional outcome data exist. Herein, we aim to provide a systematic review of outcomes following implantation of the ABI in pediatric patients with nontumor diagnosis, with a focus on audiometric outcomes. Data Sources PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Review Methods A systematic review of literature was performed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) recommendations. Variables assessed included age at implantation, diagnosis, medical history, cochlear implant history, radiographic findings, ABI device implanted, surgical approach, complications, side effects, and auditory outcomes. Results The initial search identified 304 articles; 21 met inclusion criteria for a total of 162 children. The majority of these patients had cochlear nerve aplasia (63.6%, 103 of 162). Cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in up to 8.5% of cases. Audiometric outcomes improved over time. After 5 years, almost 50% of patients reached Categories of Auditory Performance scores >4; however, patients with nonauditory disabilities did not demonstrate a similar increase in scores. Conclusion ABI surgery is a reasonable option for the habilitation of deaf children who are not cochlear implant candidates. Although improvement in Categories of Auditory Performance scores was seen across studies, pediatric ABI users with nonauditory disabilities have inferior audiometric outcomes.
Modelling parasite dissemination: host cell subversion and immune evasion by Toxoplasma gondii

Protozoan parasites belong to the most widespread and devastating human pathogens. Their ability to manipulate host responses and establish infection in their hosts continues to puzzle researchers. Recent developments of experimental model systems are contributing to the discovery of new aspects of the biology of parasite dissemination. Here, we review current knowledge on strategies utilized by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii to disseminate and establish infection in its host. Recent findings have revealed intricate mechanisms by which this obligate intracellular protozoan sequesters cellular functions of the immune system to assure propagation. These mechanisms include the hijacking of migratory leucocytes, modulation of migratory properties of infected cells and rapid transfer of parasites between different leucocyte populations by cytotoxicity‐induced parasite egress. Collectively, Toxoplasma strikes a delicate balance, assuring efficient dissemination and establishment of asymptomatic lifelong infection in its host while protecting its intracellular entity and limiting host pathology.
A simplified parabolic interpolation based reversible data hiding scheme

Interpolation based reversible data hiding (IRDH) schemes have showed great promises for better rate-distortion performance with a set of unique advantages over the other types of reversible data hiding schemes. Performance of an IRDH scheme depends both on the interpolation technique used for image up-sampling and the embedding process. An improved interpolation technique thus would also improve the performance of an IRDH scheme. In this paper, a simplified IRDH scheme is presented based on parabolic interpolation. Particularly, parabolic interpolation is applied to up-sample an entire input image rather than applying it block-wise. Additionally, consideration of the one directional (i.e., either horizontal, vertical or diagonal) neighborhood pixels helps simplify the up-sampling process. These modifications significantly reduce the up-sampling computational complexity and inter-block visual artifacts retaining high embedding capacity, which becomes evident while compared with the recently proposed IRDH schemes.
The Reflex Nature of Release of Antidiuretic Hormone upon Common Carotid Occlusion in Vagotomized Dogs.∗

Summary In vagotomized dogs, there was no increase in plasma ADH concentration following (A) common carotid occlusion if the carotid sinuses had been denervated, or (B) occlusion of external and internal carotid arteries above the bifurcation. Hence the release of ADH in vagotomized dogs during common carotid occlusion was a reflex phenomenon due to the alteration in the state of excitation of receptors in the carotid sinus area and the ensuing changes in afferent impulses traveling in the sinus nerves. In vagotomized dogs, occlusion of common carotid arteries above and below the thyrocarotid junction caused similar increases in plasma ADH, indicating that the nerves of the thyrocarotid junction do not play a significant role in such ADH release.
The effects of e-CRM on customer-bank relationship: the case of Thailand

This research examines and measures the outcomes of implementing an electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) system in the Thai banking industry in terms of customers’ perspectives. Because customers cannot directly perceive most e-CRM implementations, a literature review and interviews with experts in the Thai banking industry were used to develop a new construct called ‘customer-based service attributes’ to measure e-CRM outcomes from customers’ perspectives. A full-scale field survey of 684 customers of Thai commercial banks was then conducted. A service attribute model and a model that combined relationship quality and outcomes were constructed, and their validity and reliability were confirmed. The result shows that overall customer-bank relationship quality, trust, and satisfaction have a statistically significant correlation to e-CRM implementation. A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrates that age, occupation, home location, frequency of bank branch use, and income influence both the customer-bank relationship quality and the outcomes of e-CRM implementation.
An evaluation of footwear worn at the time of fall-related hip fracture.

BACKGROUND a range of footwear features have been shown to influence balance in older people, however, little is known about the relationships between inappropriate footwear, falls and hip fracture. OBJECTIVES to describe the characteristics of footwear worn at the time of fall-related hip fracture and establish whether the features of the shoe influenced the type of fall associated with the fracture. METHODS 95 older people (average age 78.3 years, SD 7.9) who had suffered a fall-related hip fracture were asked to identify the footwear they were wearing when they fell. Footwear characteristics were then evaluated using a standardised assessment form. Information was also collected on the type and location of fall. RESULTS the most common type of footwear worn at the time of the fall was slippers (22%), followed by walking shoes (17%) and sandals (8%). Few subjects were wearing high heels when they fell (2%). The majority of subjects (75%) wore shoes with at least one theoretically sub-optimal feature, such as absent fixation (63%), excessively flexible heel counters (43%) and excessively flexible soles (43%). Subjects who tripped were more likely to be wearing shoes with no fixation compared to those who reported other types of falls [chi(2)=4.21, df=1, P=0.033; OR=2.93 (95%CI 1.03-8.38)]. CONCLUSIONS many older people who have had a fall-related hip fracture were wearing potentially hazardous footwear when they fell. The wearing of slippers or shoes without fixation may be associated with increased risk of tripping. Prospective studies into this proposed association appear warranted.
Attitudes and behaviour towards organic products: an exploratory study

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify consumers' attitudes and behaviour towards organic products in Greece.Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on a non‐probability quota sample of 660 respondents to explore the attitudes and behaviour of Greek consumers towards organic food products.Findings – Greek consumers seem to be informed about environmental and health issues. They seek information about the nutritional value of food and demand more products free from chemical residues. The results show that most consumers associate organic consumption mainly with fruit and vegetables. Although demographics seem to affect attitudes towards organics, their value in explaining actual behaviour is minimal.Research limitations/implications – It is recognized that the data gathered in this study focus on the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The specific area though, is considered to be representative of the total Greek population. The results confirm that health, concern for the environmen.
Frequency of CRM implementation activities: a customer-centric view

Purpose – Customer relationship management (CRM) is considered a means to create competitive advantage for a company, as well as influence organizational performance. Much research has explored CRM users' point of view vis‐a‐vis successful CRM implementation, yet little concern has been shown regarding customers' viewpoints toward these same actions. This is surprising given that one of the beneficiaries of CRM is the customer. This paper aims to report the results of a study that explored the gap between actual bank CRM actions and customers' expectations of those actions in relation to CRM customers' intention to remain in the relationship.Design/methodology/approach – This study explores the gap between actual bank CRM implementation and customers' expectations of those actions in relation to customer retention using a survey method. A research model is presented to illustrate the theoretical relationships of the research.Findings – The findings indicate that an incompatibility exists between the inter.
In Comparative Perspective

The election of Justices to the German Federal Constitutional Court has been described as "less democratic than the papal election". Like most exaggerations, this description contains a kernel of truth. Elections to the Constitutional Court are an oddity in the German legal system since their main characteristics are not clearly determined by a set of legal norms, but rather by layer upon layer of rules of decreasingly binding force, with the most informal usages having achieved the greatest influence. This complex system has attracted intensive criticism: It is heavily influenced, even determined by political parties, shrouded in secrecy, and removed from effective parliamentary control in spite of clear constitutional provisions to the contrary. Thus, a host of alternatives have been developed, some of which look to the U.S. approach of selecting Supreme Court Justices for guidance. However, a simplistic look at the German sys-tem from a U.S. perspective, let alone a straight legal transfer, would ignore the specific adap-tation of the German solution to the German political as well as jurisprudential context, which differs from the American one in many respects. The constitutional status and practical importance of German political parties, the German preoccupation with the neutrality and the nonpolitical character of a constitutional court, as well as a more formalistic approach to law in general all rally in favor of a selection process that follows traditional German lines.  Prof. Dr. Uwe Kischel, LL.M. (Yale), attorney-at-law (New York), Mercator Professor of Public Law, European Law and Comparative Law (North-Eastern Europe), Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.