Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of demonetization on diffusion of mobile payment service in India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of the behavioral intention and adoption of mobile payment services like m-wallets and m-banking by users in India. This is done by examining the diffusion of mobile payment technology within an extended framework of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The study attempts to extend the UTAUT model further by introducing three more constructs, namely- perceived cost, perceived risk and demonetization effect and analyzes the impact of demonetization that happened in India from November 8, 2016 to December 30, 2016 on the mobile payment service adoption process. Demonetization event is a case in point to assess whether forced adoption breaks the normal diffusion process or lends support to the same in the long term.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted in order to gauge the intention behind the adoption of mobile payment modes by users in India. The questionnaire was administered online solely and 880 responses were received within a period of 20 days from February 3, 2017, to February 23, 2017, using Google Forms as a medium. Usable responses were 640. The study adopted partial least square based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique to analyze the relation between latent variables: performance expectation, effort expectation, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived cost, perceived risk, demonetization effect, behavioral intention and usage. For this purpose, SmartPLS3.0 software was used to create path diagrams and calculate estimate the significance of factor loadings using the bootstrap technique.FindingsThe key results indicates that behavioral intention, demonetization and facilitating conditions have a positive and significant impact on the adoption of mobile payment services in India. Overall, Model 3, which was extended UTAUT model, was observed to be a better model in explaining the antecedents of behavioral intention and usage. In addition to UTAUT antecedents, perceived cost and perceived risk proved to have additional explanatory power as antecedents of behavioral intention. Age acts as a moderating variable consistently across three models, implying that younger users give more importance to effortless interface of mobile payment services and get more influenced by peers and society that shapes their intention to use mobile payment services.Originality/valueIt is first of its kind attempt to assess the role of Demonetization in examining the antecedents of behavioral intention and adoption of mobile payment services by users in India under an extended UTAUT model. This study comprehensively examined the impact of forced adoption of mobile payment services by users in India in a natural setting provided by demonetization event that took place in India by conducting a primary survey right itself in the month of February, 2017 to get first hand response from the Indian users.
Transcription Factors CysB and SfnR Constitute the Hierarchical Regulatory System for the Sulfate Starvation Response in Pseudomonas putida

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas putida DS1 is able to utilize dimethyl sulfone as a sulfur source. Expression of the sfnFG operon responsible for dimethyl sulfone oxygenation is directly regulated by a σ54-dependent transcriptional activator, SfnR, which is encoded within the sfnECR operon. We investigated the transcription mechanism for the sulfate starvation-induced expression of these sfn operons. Using an in vivo transcription assay and in vitro DNA-binding experiments, we revealed that SfnR negatively regulates the expression of sfnECR by binding to the downstream region of the transcription start point. Additionally, we demonstrated that a LysR-type transcriptional regulator, CysB, directly activates the expression of sfnECR by binding to its upstream region. CysB is a master regulator that controls the sulfate starvation response of the sfn operons, as is the case for the sulfonate utilization genes of Escherichia coli, although CysBDS1 appeared to differ from that of E. coli CysB in terms of the effect of O-acetylserine on DNA-binding ability. Furthermore, we investigated what effector molecules repress the expression of sfnFG and sfnECR in vivo by using the disruptants of the sulfate assimilatory genes cysNC and cysI. The measurements of mRNA levels of the sfn operons in these gene disruptants suggested that the expression of sfnFG is repressed by sulfate itself while the expression of sfnECR is repressed by the downstream metabolites in the sulfate assimilatory pathway, such as sulfide and cysteine. These results indicate that SfnR plays a role independent of CysB in the sulfate starvation-induced expression of the sfn operons.
Combined Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation for Patients With End-Stage Nephropathy Caused by Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation is widely accepted as an optimal therapeutic option for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and end-stage renal disease, but the indication for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still controversially discussed. Methods Twenty-one T2DM recipients of a first combined pancreas-kidney graft performed at our center during a 9-year period were retrospectively analyzed with regard to demographic characteristics; cardiovascular risk factors; surgical, immunological, and infectious complications; and patient and graft survivals and compared with T1DM recipients (n=195) and 32 T2DM patients who received a kidney transplant alone (KTA) during the same period. Results Patient survival at 1 and 5 years was 96.9% and 91.6% for the T1DM group, 90.5% and 80.1% for the T2DM group, and 87.1% and 54.2% for the T2DM KTA group, respectively (P<0.001). Actuarial pancreas graft survival for SPK recipients at 1 and 5 years was calculated to be 92.6% and 80.7% for the T1DM group and 81.0% and 75.9% for the T2DM group, respectively (P=0.19). Kidney allograft survival at 5 years was 83.6% for T1DM, 80.4% for T2DM, and 52.7% for T2DM KTA (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for donor and recipient age, secondary complications of diabetes, body mass index, waiting time, cold ischemic time, delayed graft function, and coronary risk factors showed that differences did not remain statistically significant. Conclusion Favorable results can be achieved with SPK transplantation in type 2 diabetics with a low coronary risk profile. A high cardiac death rate impacts results of KTA and calls for stringent selection.
The structure of bronchial plugs in mucoid impaction, bronchocentric granulomatosis and asthma

The structure of bronchial plugs was examined in 12 lobectomy specimens from patients with bronchocentric granulomatosis and mucoid impaction, two bronchial biopsies from patients with mucoid impaction, sections from one postmortem showing evidence of mucoid impaction and bronchocentric granulomatosis as well as aspergilloma with tissue invasion and from post‐mortems on eight patients who had died during a persisting exacerbation of their asthma. In both mucoid impaction and asthma eosinophils were arranged in layers within the mucus, but the pattern of lamination was different in the two groups. In asthma the layers of eosinophils appeared as whorls and eddies. In mucoid impaction the lamination was parallet to the circumference of the plug and the eosinophils were tightly compacted and appeared degenerate; fungal elements were found in all cases and were more readily seen among the eosinophils than in the mucus. The histological appearance of even small fragments of such plugs is diagnostic of allergic bronchopulmonary fungal disease with mucoid impaction. In all our cases bronchocentric granulomatosis appears to have been a complication of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with mucoid impaction. The clusters of inspissated eosinophils so typical of the peripheral lesion of bronchocentric granulomatosis appear to be fragments of the mucus plugs formed in the larger bronchi.
Predictors of intention to quit tobacco among construction site workers in Delhi, India

Background: Information on predictors of quitting behavior among construction site tobacco users is scarce in India. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the intention of tobacco users toward quitting and its predictors with reference to sociodemographic profile. Methodology: A community-based, observational study was conducted on adult 172 construction site workers in a university campus of Delhi. Data were collected by an interview using the WHO-adopted, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate logistic regression model were used to identify the predictors. Results: Of the 172 users, 73% had intention to quit. More than half of smokers (56.5%) and 81% of smokeless tobacco users intended to quit. Majority of the tobacco users who intended to quit were literate (75.0%), started tobacco use >15 years of age (75.4%), occasional tobacco users (78.9%), and less dependent on nicotine (74.4%). Conclusions: Suitable plan for quitting keeping in mind this vulnerable group of workers should be developed depending on the literacy, type of tobacco used, and nicotine dependency.
Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Adipocyte‐Derived Stem Cells in Rat

Diabetes mellitus affects the adipose tissue and mesenchymal stem cells derived from the adipose stroma and other tissues. Previous reports suggest that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is involved in diabetic complications, at the same time playing an important role in the maintenance of stem cells. In this study, we used rats transgenic for human islet amyloid polypeptide (HIP rats), a model of type 2 diabetes, to study the effect of diabetes on adipocyte‐derived stem cells, referred to as dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. Our results show that BMP4 expression in inguinal adipose tissue is significantly increased in HIP rats compared to controls, whereas matrix Gla protein (MGP), an inhibitor of BMP4 is decreased as determined by quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence. In addition, adipose vascularity and expression of multiple endothelial cell markers was increased in the diabetic tissue, visualized by immunofluorescence for endothelial markers. The endothelial markers co‐localized with the enhanced BMP4 expression, suggesting that vascular cells play a role BMP4 induction. The DFAT cells are multipotent stem cells derived from white mature adipocytes that undergo endothelial and adipogenic differentiation. DFAT cells prepared from the inguinal adipose tissue in HIP rats exhibited enhanced proliferative capacity compared to wild type. In addition, their ability to undergo both endothelial cell and adipogenic lineage differentiation was enhanced, as well as their response to BMP4, as assessed by lineage marker expression. We conclude that the DFAT cells are affected by diabetic changes and may contribute to the adipose dysfunction in diabetes. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2821–2828, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pleural mesothelioma: sensitivity and incidence of needle track seeding after image-guided biopsy versus surgical biopsy.

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare the sensitivity of image-guided core-needle biopsy, thoracoscopy, and thoracotomy in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and to retrospectively determine the incidence of needle track seeding after these procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was not required. The study included 100 consecutive patients (81 men, 19 women; average age, 65.8 years) with pathologically proved malignant pleural mesothelioma who were treated between 1994 and 2002. A total of 23 core-needle biopsies were performed in 22 patients, and 11 of these biopsies were coupled with fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A coaxial technique was used, and biopsy was performed with fluoroscopic (12 biopsies), computed tomographic (10 biopsies), or ultrasonographic (one biopsy) guidance. Sixty-nine patients underwent surgical biopsy in the form of thoracoscopy (n = 51) and/or thoracotomy (n = 21). Patients were followed up clinically for any evidence of needle track seeding after image-guided or surgical procedures. The sensitivity of diagnostic procedures and the incidence of needle track seeding as a result of intervention were calculated. RESULTS Sensitivity was 86% for image-guided core-needle biopsy, 94% for thoracoscopy, and 100% for thoracotomy. The incidence of needle track seeding was 4% for image-guided core-needle biopsy and 22% for surgical biopsy. CONCLUSION Image-guided core-needle biopsy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma has a lower incidence of needle track seeding than surgical biopsy and has a high sensitivity for diagnosis.
Experimental Study on TCP Enhancement Interest in Ad Hoc Networks

As TCP performance over ad hoc networks is degraded, many enhancements have been proposed in the literature. We classify them as: intra layer, under layer and cross layer enhancements. We examine by simulation the interest to optimize the flow control mechanism and analyze that, compare to the routing protocol impact, the flow control one over the performance is marginal. Simulation results of a cross layer method, which is representative of enhancements recently proposed, are then examined. The cross layer mechanism is based on a freezing process triggered by a route failure event. With this type of optimization, the performance gain can be important but it is strongly dependent on the network mobility and in some cases it can work worst than TCP. From the TCP optimization analysis it appears that a mobile oriented self adaptive mechanism would be profitable.
Does diving damage the brain?: MR control study of divers' central nervous system

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of cerebral white matter changes on MR imaging in healthy elderly compressed air divers with a long diving history in comparison with control subjects who have never dived. Material and Methods: The investigation employed 59 experienced elderly divers and 48 control subjects matched for age, body mass index, alcohol and smoking history. MR studies included a fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequence and T1- and T2-weighted pre- and postcontrast images in axial orientation of the whole brain to localize white matter changes. Results: MR images did not show any morphologic abnormalities in the brains of divers. Both groups - divers and controls - did not differ significantly with respect to white matter changes of the brain. Conclusion: No increased prevalence of cerebral white matter changes in compressed air divers compared with a healthy worker sample of similar age were found. Thus, extensive compressed air diving may not necessarily be related to radiological changes on MR.
Mesh-covered (Roadsaver) stent as a new treatment modality for symptomatic or high-risk carotid stenosis

Introduction Prevention of periprocedural stroke has a crucial role in carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedures. Aim To assess retrospectively 30-day safety and effectiveness of 41 procedures of internal and common carotid artery stenting using the Roadsaver double nitinol layer micromesh stent in 40 non-consecutive patients with symptomatic or high-risk carotid artery stenosis. Material and methods The patients were men (n = 31) and women (n = 9); mean age was 67.8 ±7.9 years. Femoral access was used in 39 cases, whereas radial access was used in 2. Proximal (n = 27) or distal (n = 14) embolic neuroprotection was used. Results The Roadsaver stents (nominal diameter 7, 8 or 9 mm, length 25 or 30 mm) were implanted successfully in all cases. One minor stroke occurred after common carotid artery intubation with a guiding catheter (before stent deployment) and one transient postprocedural ischemic attack (TIA) of the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was observed. Internal/common carotid artery stenosis severity was evaluated by duplex Doppler. Maximal peak systolic velocity (PSV) before CAS was in the range: 2.0–7.0 m/s, mean: 3.9 ±1.0 m/s, at 24–48 h after stenting mean PSV was 1.1 ±0.4 m/s (p < 0.05), and at 30 days 1.1 ±0.3 m/s (p < 0.05). Maximal end-diastolic velocity (EDV) was 0.85–3.5 m/s, mean 1.4 ±0.5 m/s, at 24–48 h after stenting mean EDV was 0.3 ±0.1 m/s (p < 0.05), and at 30 days 0.4 ±0.1 m/s (p < 0.05). No restenosis or thrombosis was observed. Angiographic stenosis decreased from 82.9 ±9.1% (range: 61–97%) to 19.3 ±7.3% (range: 0–34%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The CAS using the Roadsaver stent seems to be safe and effective. Further studies involving larger patient populations and longer follow-up are needed.
Effects of co-occurring cannabis use disorders on the course of bipolar disorder after a first hospitalization for mania.

CONTEXT Cannabis use disorders commonly co-occur in bipolar disorder; however, the effects of cannabis abuse on outcome have been minimally studied. OBJECTIVE To identify how the sequence of the onsets of a cannabis use disorder and bipolar disorder is associated with the subsequent course of each condition. DESIGN Inception cohort. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENTS Patients (N = 144) were studied who met criteria for bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed), were 12 to 45 years old, and had no previous hospitalizations and minimal previous treatment. Patients were followed up for up to 5 years and included 33 in whom the onset of a cannabis use disorder preceded the onset of bipolar disorder (cannabis first), 36 in whom bipolar disorder onset preceded the onset of cannabis abuse (bipolar first), and 75 with bipolar disorder only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptomatic recovery and recurrence of both conditions and percentage of follow-up time with affective and cannabis use disorder symptoms. RESULTS The cannabis first group exhibited better recovery than the other groups, although when adjusted for potential mediator variables these results did not persist. Cannabis use was associated with more time in affective episodes and with rapid cycling. Most cannabis use disorders remitted immediately after hospitalization, followed by rapid rates of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The effects of the sequence of onsets of bipolar and cannabis use disorders were less pronounced than observed in co-occurring alcohol and bipolar disorders. Aggressive drug abuse treatment immediately after a first psychiatric hospitalization might decrease rates of recurrence and new cases of cannabis use disorder in the course of bipolar disorder.
Increased Expression of RANTES, CCR3 and CCR5 in the Lesional Skin of Patients with Atopic Eczema

Background: Atopic eczema (AE) is a relapsing inflammatory disease based on IgE sensitization and characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia and eosinophil infiltration into the lesional skin. In the patch test reaction of AE by allergens, an increased infiltration of activated eosinophils has been demonstrated peaking at 24–48 h. Regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) is a chemokine that induces eosinophil migration, and CCR3 and CCR5 are the receptors of RANTES. Objective: In order to further clarify the pathomechanisms of eosinophil infiltration in ongoing chronic inflammation in the skin of patients with AE and its relation to disease severity, we examined the expression of RANTES and its receptors CCR3 and CCR5 in challenged and unchallenged lesional skin of AE. Methods: We examined the number of RANTES+ cells, CCR3+ cells, CCR5+cells, activated (EG2+) eosinophils and CD3+ T cells in normal skin of healthy volunteers, and in challenged lesional skin (24 h after mite patch test) as well as unchallenged lesional skin of AE patients by immunohistochemistry. The cellular source of RANTES, CCR3 and CCR5 was analyzed by double immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies to RANTES, CCR3 or CCR5, and antibodies to ECP (EG2) or CD3. Results: The numbers of RANTES+ cells, CCR3+ cells, CCR5+ cells, EG2+ cells and CD3+ cells were all significantly increased in challenged (mite patch-tested) lesional skin of AE patients as compared to those in unchallenged lesional skin and normal skin. The numbers of these cells in unchallenged lesional skin were greater than those in normal skin. The number of EG2+ cells in the unchallenged lesional skin correlated with both the peripheral blood eosinophil count and the SCORAD index. The number of EG2+ cells in challenged lesional skin correlated with the number of CCR5+ cells. Activated eosinophils and T cells expressed RANTES and various proportions of these cells were CCR3+ and CCR5+ in both challenged and unchallenged lesional skin. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that RANTES as well as its receptors CCR3 and CCR5 may play important roles in the orchestration of eosinophil infiltration in ongoing chronic inflammation in AE, and also reflect the severity of disease.
Acute Transverse Myelopathy in Children

ABSTRACT: Twenty-three children with acute transverse myelopathy (ATM) are reviewed. Antecedent minor trauma or exercise was reported in 10 patients. Despite a positive history in 7 patients no preceding infection was documented. Two patients had a history of less severe ATM followed by recovery prior to a second more severe episode. The most common initial symptom was back pain and the most prominent clinical signs were weakness, sensory level and sphincter disturbances. Myelography and CT myelography at presentation was performed to exclude a compressive lesion. Spinal cord enlargement was demonstrated in 6 of 21 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord, performed in one patient, showed enlargement of the cord. Poor prognostic features were severity of weakness at the time of maximum deficit and a delayed onset of recovery. Maximum motor recovery occurred at a mean of 6½ months but did not occur in one patient until 1½ years. Normal or good outcome was obtained in 64%.
Effect of home appliances on power quality of conventional grid

As the demand for power is increasing day by day and with more renewable sources injected to the grid, power quality is being affected not only because of the industrial loads but also by different home appliances operating in isolated and cumulative is a point of concern. In this paper, an experimental analysis on the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), Displacement Power Factor (DPF) and transient current of various devices is carried out in present Indian scenario. A multi-function meter MFMACE-357 is used for measurement of the parameters. From the experiments it is clear that some of the devices like CFLs which draw less power contribute to higher distortion of 32.11%. However it is observed that the combinational loads (excluding personal computers) have THD of 11.57%.