Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile Instant Messaging for Customer Service Interaction - Preparation of a Model-based Approach Exploring Behavioral Intention

Mobile Instant Messaging (IM) has become a main tool for communicating with friends and family. Recent efforts are now exploring IM use in business-to-customer communication. To this end, particularly customer service settings are given a high priority. A clear understanding of the relevant customer perspective is, however, still missing. Consequently, this paper reports on a study evaluating people’s behavioral intention of adopting mobile IM for customer service interaction. We used an integrated research model based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Parasuraman’s Technology Readiness Index. A total of 154 questionnaires were analyzed. Results indicate only small effects of technology-related personality traits on the cognitive dimensions of the TPB. Concerning TPB-internal relations, Attitude and Subjective Norm were found to have significant influences on Behavioral Intention. In summary, however, the study indicates that people’s intention to adopt mobile IM for customer service interaction is only slightly positive.
Density and Surface Tension of Liquid Ternary Ni–Cu–Fe Alloys

The density and surface tension of liquid Ni–Cu–Fe alloys have been measured over a wide temperature range, including the undercooled regime. A non-contact technique was used, consisting of an electromagnetic levitator equipped with facilities for optical densitometry and oscillating drop tensiometry. At temperatures above and below the liquidus point, the density and surface tension are linear functions of temperature. The concentration dependence of the density is significantly influenced by a third-order (ternary) parameter in the excess volume. The surface tensions are rather insensitive to substitution of the two transition metals Ni, Fe against each other and depend only on the copper concentration. By numerically solving the Butler equation, the surface tension of the ternary system can be derived from the thermodynamic potentials EG of the binary phases (Ni–Cu, Fe–Cu, Ni–Fe) alone.
Questioning the `Evidence' of Risk that Underpins Evidence-led Youth Justice Interventions

In this article, I evaluate the Risk Factor Prevention Paradigm (RFPP) as employed in risk-focused research and risk assessment in the Youth Justice System in England and Wales and elsewhere. This paradigm has been criticized as theoretically and methodologically flawed, static, limited in scope and subject to political manipulation. Criticisms are explicated and evaluated, then counter-balanced with discussions of the methodological robustness and empirical successes of the paradigm. I conclude by recommending that quantitative risk-focused research is supplemented with routine qualitative consultation of neglected stakeholders (youth justice practitioners, young people) and that evidence of risk is interpreted, utilized and disseminated in a more valid, realistic manner.
Dynamics of lithospheric thinning and mantle melting by edge‐driven convection: Application to Moroccan Atlas mountains

Edge‐driven convection (EDC) forms in the upper mantle at locations of lithosphere thickness gradients, e.g., craton edges. In this study we show how the traditional style of EDC, a convection cell governed by the cold downwelling below an edge alternates with another style of EDC, in which the convection cell forms as a secondary feature with a hot asthenospheric shear flow from underneath the thicker lithosphere. These alternating EDC styles produce episodic lithosphere erosion and decompression melting. Three‐dimensional models of EDC show that convection rolls form perpendicular to the thickness gradient at the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary. Stagnant‐lid convection scaling laws are used to gain further insight in the underlying physical processes. Application of our models to the Moroccan Atlas mountains region shows that the combination of these two styles of EDC can reproduce many of the observations from the Atlas mountains, including two distinct periods of Cenozoic volcanism, a semicontinuous corridor of thinned lithosphere under the Atlas mountains, and piecewise delamination of the lithosphere. A very good match between observations and numerical models is found for the lithosphere thicknesses across the study area, amounts of melts produced, and the length of the quiet gap in between volcanic episodes show quantitative match to observations.
The Forces that Shape Caveolae

Caveolae are Ω-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane, found in many types of cells[1]. Caveolae are enriched in cholesterol, and have a membrane composition similar to that of lipid rafts[2]. In addition, caveolae show a high concentration of the protein caveolin, a hairpin-structured membrane protein possessing a hydrophobic domain (32 amino acids (AA)), flanked by two hydrophilic terminii (N-terminal: 101 AA, C-terminal: 43 AA)[3]. Both terminii of caveolin extend from the cytosolic side of the membrane, conferring a strong asymmetrical structure to the caveolar domain. The goal of the present chapter is to give an overview of the possible physical effects that can stem from both these characteristics of caveolae, namely the composition difference with the rest of the plasma membrane (“raft-aspect”) and their patent asymmetry (“hairy-aspect”).
Lipid and mercury profiles of 61 mid-trophic species collected off south-eastern Australia

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations and lipid composition data, including fatty acid profiles, for 61 midtrophic species (fish, cephalopods, crustaceans) collected from continental slope waters off south-east Australia were examined. Overall, Hg concentrations were greatest in fish (0.01–0.30 μg g ww) (with highest content found in barracouta (Thyrsites atun) and whiptails (Coelorinchus fasciatus)), compared with cephalopods (0.01 and 0.17 μg g ww) and crustaceans (<0.04 μg g ww). Lipid composition varied between species and within habitat (mesopelagic, bathypelagic and benthic). Mean total lipid content ranged from 0.5 to 13.2% ww, and in most species was dominated by triacylglycerols and phospholipids. In fish and squid, fatty acids were generally dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, whereas crustaceans were higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Multidimensional scaling analyses separated species into groupings according to their fatty acid composition that could be interpreted with taxonomic, trophic and habitat information. Discriminant function analyses indicated the most influential (predictor) fatty acids for each group. Biochemical profile classifications can be used in wider trophodynamic studies to understand contaminant transfer, trophic relationships and community dynamics in marine environments.
Molecular and physiological regulation of adiponectin exocytosis in white adipocytes

In this thesis we have investigated the mechanisms of white adipocyte regulated exocytosis in health and disease, with a special focus on adiponectin. We have applied a combination of electrophysiological membrane capacitance measurements, biochemical measurements of released adipokines and gene expression analysis. Our work hypothesis was that since white adipocytes are endocrine cells, secretion of adipocyte hormones should be regulated in a way resembling how hormone secretion is controlled in other endocrine cell types. In paper I we show that adipocyte exocytosis is triggered by cAMP via activation of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac). cAMP triggers secretion of a readily releasable pool of vesicles in a Ca-independent manner. However, a combination of Ca and ATP augments exocytosis via a direct effect on the release process and by recruitment of new releasable vesicles. We further demonstrate that recorded membrane capacitance increases can be largely correlated to release of adiponectin containing vesicles and that the regulation of adiponectin exocytosis is similarly controlled in primary human subcutaneous adipocytes. In paper II we show that the Ca/ATP-dependent maturation of adiponectin vesicles is a temperature-dependent step and thus reduced by cooling. We suggest that the temperature-dependent effects reflect the need of ATP hydrolysis in order to provide energy for recruitment of new releasable vesicles as well as for phosphorylation of exocytotic proteins. Our study provides important mechanistic information about the regulation of white adipocyte stimulus-secretion coupling. In paper III we show that adiponectin exocytosis is physiologically stimulated via adrenergic signalling chiefly involving catecholamine activation of β3-adrenergic receptors. We also demonstrate that Epac1 is the isoform expressed in white adipocytes. We moreover show that adrenergic stimulation of adiponectin exocytosis is disturbed in adipocytes isolated from obese/type-2 diabetic mice and that the disruption is due to a low abundance of β3-adrenergic receptors in combination with a reduced expression of Epac1.
Investigation of temporal change in heartbeat in transition of sound and music stimuli

Music is widely believed as one of the most effective media forms that effect on human psycho-physiologically. Many people expect the effects of music and uses music pieces in various situations. For example, relaxation effect of music is used in change in personal mind in daily life, creation of sedative atmosphere in a home, and therapeutic purposes. Oppositely, parts of music pieces excite people in disco and party. These various effects of music have been investigated in many previous studies. Especially, relaxation effects of music were investigated from various view points with psycho-physiological experiments. Although many previous studies investigated the effects, the effects have not been clarified at all. One of the reasons of that is existence of many music factors; melody, tempo, harmony, rhythm, etc. Anyway, investigations of music and its effects will contribute to theoretical use of music for therapy and so on. This chapter aims to investigate the temporal change in heartbeat intervals in a transition between different sound stimuli. Heartbeat is one of the most important physiological indices and is often used as physiological index to investigate the effect of music and sound stimuli, because the heartbeat reflects autonomic nervous activity [Pappano, 2008] of a listener and is easy to measure. Furthermore, a device measuring electrocardiogram is generally cheaper than devices measuring other physiological indices such as electroencephalogram. Although many previous studies have investigated the effect of music and sound with heartbeat interval as physiological index, very few previous studies have investigated the change in heartbeat in the transition of different stimulus; most of the previous studies have observed average of heartbeat intervals a certain range in preand post-listening sound stimulus. Observing temporal change in heartbeat is important and contributes to improvement of exposure method of music and sound to the listeners. For example, time intervals eliciting effect of music and sound and decreasing the effect are important information to determine the time length to exposure them to the listeners. The experimental method in the present study is set by referring to our previous study [Fukumoto et al., 2009]. As further investigations, we newly add No-sound stimulus to relaxation music piece (Air by Bach), white noise, which are music and sound stimuli employed as sound stimuli in the previous study. In the listening experiment of our previous study, two min relaxing music piece and white noise were employed as the different sound stimuli, and these sound stimuli were played twice alternately after five min rest. The alternate exposure of different sound stimuli is also employed in the present study.
Random walks on free products

© Annales de l’institut Fourier, 1991, tous droits réservés. L’accès aux archives de la revue « Annales de l’institut Fourier » (http://annalif.ujf-grenoble.fr/) implique l’accord avec les conditions générales d’utilisation (http://www.numdam.org/conditions). Toute utilisation commerciale ou impression systématique est constitutive d’une infraction pénale. Toute copie ou impression de ce fichier doit contenir la présente mention de copyright.
Group Allegiances and Perceptions of Media Bias

People have a tendency to view media reports of intergroup conflicts as biased against their own group (hostile media perception). However, limited research has been conducted investigating how group membership of the perceiver and group membership of the media source combine to influence perceptions of bias. Muslims and Christians in Indonesia (N = 212) read an article describing inter-religious conflict. The article was attributed either to a Muslim newspaper, a Christian newspaper, or an unidentified newspaper. Results indicated the hostile media perception only among high identifiers. There was also some evidence for the predicted role of newspaper religion in influencing perceptions of bias: the article was seen to be biased in favor of Muslims when attributed to a Muslim newspaper, biased in favor of Christians when attributed to a Christian newspaper, and intermediate when the newspaper was not identified. The effect of newspaper religion was mediated by prior beliefs of bias. Results are discussed in terms of heuristic explanations of bias perceptions in the media.
Foreign policy beliefs and support for Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party

Similar to other recent Canadian elections, foreign policy did not feature prominently in the 2011 federal election campaign. In fact, many doubt Canadian public opinion on international affairs is linked to the actions taken by recent Governments. In this paper, we examine Canadian public opinion toward a range of foreign policy issues and argue that the survey questions measure two latent dimensions —militarism and internationalism. Our survey evidence indicates the existence of an “issue public” which is prepared to endorse military action and is skeptical of human rights and overseas aid programs, and this group is far more supportive of Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Party than other Canadians. The absence of an elite discussion, either among politicians or between media elites, about the direction of Canadian foreign policy does not prevent the Canadian voter from thinking coherently about questions pertaining to this issue domain and employing these beliefs to support or oppose political parties and their leaders.
Glomus intraradices improved salt tolerance in Prosopis alba seedlings by improving water use efficiency and shoot water content

Fil: Scambato, Agustina Azul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas - Instituto Tecnologico Chascomus. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas (sede Chascomus); Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biologia Experimental; Argentina
Motivational Resources and Problems of Nursing Students : Vocational Choice , School Culture and Other Associated Factors

OBjECTıVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between motivational resources and problems of nursing students and their vocational choice and school culture. METhODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at two universities in Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The population of the study consisted of a total of 914 nursing students educating during 2013-2014 academic years. The study was conducted with 662 students. Data were collected by using Student Information Form, Occupational Learning Motivation Scale, and Problems Scale, Vocational Choice in Nursing and School Culture Scale. RESulTS: It was determined that students’ motivation for choosing the vocation was effected by the current perception about the vocation, perception about the future of the vocation, commitment to school, relationships with the teaching staff, structure and organization in the school, gender and family type (p<0.05). CONCluSıON: Institutions providing nursing education should assess their structure and organization, detect their needs for change and improvement in terms of quality research in education and students’ motivation and should create a positive school environment for teaching staff, students and other employees.
Respiration and Dissolution of Iron(III)-Containing Clay Minerals by Bacteria

A quantitative study of microbial clay mineral reduction coupled to the oxidation of organic carbon was carried out using an Fe(III)-reducing bacterium (Shewanella putrefaciens strain MR-1). Total CO2 production, organic acid depletion, and Fe(III) reduction were measured in the same cultures with formate or lactate as the carbon source and clay as the sole electron acceptor. Mean ratios of 1.6:1 and 4.9:1 were observed for structural Fe(III) reduction coupled to formate oxidation and lactate oxidation, respectively. When organic ligands were added under similar culture conditions, the extent of clay reduction was enhanced up to 2-fold in the order of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) > oxalate > citrate > malate. Further, dissolution of the clay mineral structure was inferred as dissolved Fe(II) comprised up to 50% of the total clay-bound Fe reduced in cultures to which organic ligand was added. Here we provide the first direct measurements which show that (1) bacteria may couple the respiration of Fe(III) bou.
Botanical Mixture Stabilizes Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild and Moderate Alzheimerâs Disease

Context: Currently, there is no treatment that can stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. We have used transgenic Drosophila melanogaster models and machine learning to develop an eight component botanical mixture (Geneaire™ ReBuilder™) that targets multiple genetic pathways involved in brain aging and dementia that are homologous between Drosophila and humans. Objective: To test the effects of ReBuilder on the cognitive function of subjects diagnosed with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: We recruited 50 subjects with mild to moderate AD to participate in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. During the 12-month pilot study, the subjects were evaluated quarterly on the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study’s Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), and the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB). Results: The addition of ReBuilder to subjects’ existing Namenda and Exelon regimens stabilized cognitive decline in patients with mild AD and slowed cognitive decline in patients with moderate AD. Conclusions: These results were observed in both sexes and in all ages tested. Importantly, no adverse side effects attributable to ReBuilder were reported. The results of this clinical pilot warrant further study of ReBuilder in AD.
Further Unbundling Institutions

This paper analyzes the effects of institutions on economic development, and focuses on separating political institutions from contracting and economic institutions. For a sample of former European colonies, I find that differences in income levels are strongly a ected by political institutions, which regulate political accountability and constrain political elites. There is some evidence for a positive e ect of economic institutions, which protect property rights, but no evidence for positive e ects of contracting institutions, which facilitate contracting among individuals. A decomposition of GDP reveals that political institutions work through the channel of physical and human Capital accumulation. Economic institutions have a positive impact on total factor productivity. To identify and unbundle effects, I exploit exogenous variation in each of the three institutions using instrumental variables based on Colonial history and geographic endowments. The application of a recently developed test for weak instruments in the multiple endogenous variables setting shows that the e ects of institutions can be separated. The paper adds to the literature by identifying the fundamental importance of political institutions for economic development, and provides an inside into the channels through which speci c institutions a ect income levels.
Safe Surgical Dislocation Approach for Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Femoral Head Fractures

As the fractures of femoral head are rare, absolute recommendations for surgical management are difficult to make [1-3]. The choice of surgical approach and procedure was not settled. The majority of these injuries should be treated operatively. Surgical decision and reconstructive options are influenced by patient condition and fracture types [4]. Age of the patient, level of activity, bone quality, and associated comorbidities are important factors [5, 6]. Pipkin classification type II, III, and IV fractures indicated for open reduction and internal fixation in young, active patients [7], but Pipkin type I fractures with displaced fragment treated according to its size and position either excision or fixation (Fig 1) [8]. Figure1. Pipkin Classification of Fracture Head Femur Abstract
NEW FOSSIL PORTUNIDS FROM WASHINGTON, USA, AND ARGENTINA, AND A RE-EVALUATION OF GENERIC AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE PORTUNOIDEA RAFINESQUE, 1815 (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

Abstract New portunoid fossils from southern Argentina and from the west coast of North America permit the reevaluation of the generic and family relationships within the Portunoidea Rafinesque, 1815. It has previously been suggested that the Portunidae and the Geryonidae Colosi, 1923, are closely related families (Manning and Holthuis, 1989). The new fossils suggest that the Geryonidae may in fact be derived from a portunid progenitor, Proterocarcinus Feldmann, Casadío, Chirino-Gálvez, and Aguirre Urreta, 1995, through a process of peramorphosis in which juveniles of the geryonid species Chaceon peruvianus (d'Orbigny, 1842) resemble adults of Proterocarcinus latus (Glaessner, 1933). Examination of several genera within the portunid subfamily Polybiinae Ortmann, 1893, including Imaizumila Karasawa, 1993; Megokkos new genus; Minohellenus Karasawa, 1990; Pororaria Glaessner, 1980; Portunites Bell, 1858; and Proterocarcinus, suggests that the subfamily had an amphitropical distribution early in its history. New taxa reported here include Megokkos new genus and Portunites nodosus new species. New combinations include Chaceon peruvianus (d'Orbigny, 1842), Imaizumila araucana (Philippi, 1887), Megokkos alaskensis (Rathbun, 1926), Megokkos hexagonalis (Nagao, 1932), Megokkos macrospinus (Schweitzer, Feldmann, Tucker, and Berglund, 2000), Minohellenus triangulum (Rathbun, 1926), and Proterocarcinus latus (Glaessner, 1933).
Me and My Group: Cultural Status Can Disrupt Cognitive Consistency

Abstract Yale undergraduates implicitly preferred their university to a competitor. However, implicit preferences for smaller residential colleges (RCs) within the university reflected the status of the RC in the local culture, despite the fact that RC membership was randomly assigned. Consistent with system justification theory, members of lower-status RCs showed depressed implicit ingroup preference. Implicit cognitions related to university adhered to principles of balanced cognitive consistency. However, implicit cognitions related to residential colleges did not show cognitive consistency. These data suggest that although group membership predisposes one to favor the ingroup, implicit ingroup preferences can be attenuated when the ingroup is not culturally valued. Moreover, differences in group status can disrupt the tendency to maintain consistency among self- and group-related cognitions.