Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human responses to upright tilt: a window on central autonomic integration

1 We examined interactions between haemodynamic and autonomic neural oscillations during passive upright tilt, to gain better insight into human autonomic regulatory mechanisms. 2 We recorded the electrocardiogram, finger photoplethysmographic arterial pressure, respiration and peroneal nerve muscle sympathetic activity in nine healthy young adults. Subjects breathed in time with a metronome at 12 breaths min−1 (0.2 Hz) for 5 min each, in supine, and 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 deg head‐up positions. We performed fast Fourier transform (and autoregressive) power spectral analyses and integrated low‐frequency (0.05‐0.15 Hz) and respiratory‐frequency (0.15‐0.5 Hz) spectral powers. 3 Integrated areas of muscle sympathetic bursts and their low‐ and respiratory‐frequency spectral powers increased directly and significantly with the tilt angle. The centre frequency of low‐frequency sympathetic oscillations was constant before and during tilt. Sympathetic bursts occurred more commonly during expiration than inspiration at low tilt angles, but occurred equally in expiration and inspiration at high tilt angles. 4 Systolic and diastolic pressures and their low‐ and respiratory‐frequency spectral powers increased, and R‐R intervals and their respiratory‐frequency spectral power decreased progressively with the tilt angle. Low‐frequency R‐R interval spectral power did not change. 5 The cross‐spectral phase angle between systolic pressures and R‐R intervals remained constant and consistently negative at the low frequency, but shifted progressively from positive to negative at the respiratory frequency during tilt. The arterial baroreflex modulus, calculated from low‐frequency cross‐spectra, decreased at high tilt angles. 6 Our results document changes of baroreflex responses during upright tilt, which may reflect leftward movement of subjects on their arterial pressure sympathetic and vagal response relations. The intensity, but not the centre frequency of low‐frequency cardiovascular rhythms, is modulated by the level of arterial baroreceptor input. Tilt reduces respiratory gating of sympathetic and vagal motoneurone responsiveness to stimulatory inputs for different reasons; during tilt, sympathetic stimulation increases to a level that overwhelms the respiratory gate, and vagal stimulation decreases to a level below that necessary for maximal respiratory gating to occur.
The U.S. Subprime Mortgage Crisis: Issues Raised and Lessons Learned

The subprime mortgage crisis ranks among the most serious economic events affecting the United States since the great depression of the 1930s. This study analyzes key issues raised by the crisis at three levels: (i) issues directly and specifically relating to subprime mortgage lending; (ii) issues relating to the securitization of subprime mortgages; and (iii) issues affecting financial markets and institutions. These issues are fundamental to risk bearing, sharing, and transfer in financial markets and institutions around the world. Many of the issues raised by the U.S. subprime crisis also apply to high-risk loan markets in developing countries. The framework applied in the paper analyzes subprime mortgage lending as a major financial market innovation. Although conditions were conducive for subprime lending to arise as a financial innovation, financial innovations are necessarily risky undertakings, all the more so when they create new classes of risky loans and securities. The lessons learned from the crisis can thus be usefully applied to issues of the growth and development of emerging economies, as well as pointing the way to the design of new and efficient policies for subprime lending in the developed economies.
Description and Validation of a Measure of Received Support Specific to HIV

Validation data are described for the Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV Positive or Have AIDS. This inventory was developed specifically for use with individuals who are HIV-positive to assess three types of received support (instrumental, informational, emotional) for each of four dimensions: whether support is received or wanted, satisfaction with support, and source of the support. It was validated in the context of a larger cross-sectional study of 120 adults with HIV who completed a set of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency coefficients, and evidence of construct validity for the original inventory are presented. An improved, revised version based on the validation data for the original one is also briefly described, but not tested.
Key Indicators towards the Implementation of Green Government Procurement in Malaysia

Green issue is considered as one of the worldwide issues. Many countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan and European Union countries have been actively adopting the sustainable green living concept in their normal lives. Since government is considered as the main purchaser in a country, it represents a large proportion of total public spending in both developed and developing countries. One of the initiatives that already been taken in Malaysia is the implementation of green government procurement (GGP). It has been recognized as an effective tool in minimizing the environmental impacts and can be determined as the government's commitments in sustaining the environment that can be emulated by the society as a whole. However, there is no specific policy, regulation and legal framework that has been implemented in regards to GGP since GGP is a very new concept in Malaysia. GGP has been outlined in Chapter 6 in 10th Malaysian Plan under valuing the nation's environment endowment and the New Economic Model under ensuring sustainability of growth. This research is undertaken due to there is no specific guideline or framework that can be used or referred by the procurement officers in implementing GGP practices in their organizations by using the proposed model. Three main indicators that been involved are familiarity with policies, organisational initiatives and supplier availability that leads to the implementation of the GGP practices in the organization. These indicators hopefully will be useful for the regulators and policy makers, statutory bodies, government linked companies (GLCs) and suppliers in managing the GGP practices.
Measuring Microfinance Access: Building on Existing Cross-Country Data

Given the acknowledged need for a new effort to expand the set of available data on direct access to financial services, including a focus on access by those at low income, Honohan provides a selective review of the diverse sources of data that exist and considers how best to build on them. He proposes a basic framework within which to consider the analysis of the interesting questions: (1) How does access affect poverty and productivity? and (2) What hinders access? The author discusses existing and potential contribution of household and business user surveys, surveys of providers and their regulators, and surveys of experts, and assesses their relative strengths.
Effect of resources and entrepreneurial orientation on growth of small enterprises in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

VII TABLE OF CONTENTS IX CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. General Background of the Study 3 1.2. Statement of the Problem 9 1.3 Basic Research Questions 12 1.4. Research Objectives 12 1.4. 1. General Objectives of the study 12 1.4. 2. Specific objectives 12 1.5. Research hypothesis 13 1.6. Significance (Rational) of the study 14 1.7. Scope and limitation of the study 14 1.8 Ethical consideration and Dissemination 15 CHAPTER TWO: THEORIES ON DETERMINANTS OF GROWTH: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 17 2.1 Stochastic Theory 17 2.2 Jovanovich Learning Model/Theory 18 2.3 Deterministic Approach/Theory 18 2.4. The Industrial Organization (IO) Model 19
Serological evaluation of possible exposure to Ljungan virus and related parechovirus in autoimmune (type 1) diabetes in children

Exposure to Ljungan virus (LV) is implicated in the risk of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes but possible contribution by other parechoviruses is not ruled out. The aim was to compare children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005–2011 (n = 69) with healthy controls (n = 294), all from the Jämtland County in Sweden, using an exploratory suspension multiplex immunoassay for IgM and IgG against 26 peptides of LV, human parechoviruses (HPeV), Aichi virus and poliovirus in relation to a radiobinding assay (RBA) for antibodies against LV and InfluenzaA/H1N1pdm09. Islet autoantibodies and HLA‐DQ genotypes were also determined. 1) All five LV‐peptide antibodies correlated to each other (P < 0.001) in the suspension multiplex IgM‐ and IgG‐antibody assay; 2) The LV‐VP1_31–60‐IgG correlated with insulin autoantibodies alone (P = 0.007) and in combination with HLA‐DQ8 overall (P = 0.022) as well as with HLA‐DQ 8/8 and 8/X subjects (P = 0.013); 3) RBA detected LV antibodies correlated with young age at diagnosis (P < 0.001) and with insulin autoantibodies (P < 0.001) especially in young HLA‐DQ8 subjects (P = 0.004); 4) LV‐peptide‐VP1_31–60‐IgG correlated to RBA LV antibodies (P = 0.009); 5) HPeV3‐peptide‐IgM and ‐IgG showed inter‐peptide correlations (P < 0.001) but only HPeV3‐VP1_1–30‐IgG (P < 0.001) and VP1_95–124‐IgG (P = 0.009) were related to RBA LV antibodies without relation to insulin autoantibody positivity (P = 0.072 and P = 0.486, respectively). Both exploratory suspension multiplex IgG to LV‐peptide VP1_31–60 and RBA detected LV antibodies correlated with insulin autoantibodies and HLA‐DQ8 suggesting possible role in type 1 diabetes. It remains to be determined if cross‐reactivity or concomitant exposure to LV and HPeV3 contributes to the seroprevalence. J. Med. Virol. 87:1130–1140, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-PDZ Domain Protein 1 (MUPP1) Is Concentrated at Tight Junctions through Its Possible Interaction with Claudin-1 and Junctional Adhesion Molecule*

Claudins, most of which end in valine at their COOH termini, constitute tight junction (TJ) strands, suggesting that TJ strands strongly attract PDZ-containing proteins. Indeed, ZO-1, -2, and -3, each of which contains three PDZ domains, were shown to directly bind to claudins. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified ZO-1 and MUPP1 (multi-PDZ domain protein 1) as binding partners for the COOH terminus of claudin-1. MUPP1 has been identified as a protein that contains 13 PDZ domains, but it has not been well characterized. In vitro binding assays with recombinant MUPP1 confirmed the interaction between MUPP1 and claudin-1 and identified PDZ10 as the responsible domain for this interaction. A polyclonal antibody specific for MUPP1 was then generated. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy as well as immunoelectron microscopy with this antibody revealed that in polarized epithelial cells MUPP1 was exclusively concentrated at TJs. Furthermore, in vitro binding and transfection experiments showed that junctional adhesion molecule, another TJ adhesion molecule, also bound to the PDZ9 domain of MUPP1. These findings suggested that MUPP1 is concentrated at TJs in epithelial cells through its binding to claudin and junctional adhesion molecule and that it may function as a multivalent scaffold protein that recruits various proteins to TJs.
The Impact of Dividend Policy on Share Price Volatility in the Malaysian Stock Market

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dividend policy and share price volatility with a focus on consumer product companies listed in Malaysian stock market. For this purpose, a sample of 84 companies from 142 consumer product companies listed in main market of Bursa Malaysia were selected and the relationship between share price volatility with two main measurements of dividend policy, dividend yield and payout ,were examined by applying multiple regression for a period of six years from 2005 to 2010. The primarily regression model was expanded by adding control variables including size, earning volatility, leverage, debt and growth. The empirical results of this study showed significant negative relationship between share price volatility with two main measurements of dividend policy which are dividend yield and dividend payout. Moreover, a significant negative relationship between share price volatility and size is found. Based on findings of this study, dividend yield and size have most impact on share price volatility amongst predictor variables.
Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Academic Motivation

 Abstract— How to motivate students has been a long standing issue with educators. It is argued that Self-efficacy is an important determinant of student's motivation. This research will determine the relationship between academic motivation and Self-efficacy of the student at the undergraduate level. The study works on a two hypotheses i.e. 1). There is an association between self-efficacy and academic motivation. 2). There is a gender difference in self-efficacy and academic motivation of undergraduate students. Data was collected through random sampling method and 135 participants from various Business Schools in Karachi during summer semester 2012-2013 were selected . To assess motivation questionnaire developed by Vallerand's (1989) Achievement Motivational Scale (AMS) was used and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE; Ralf Schwarzer, and Mattias Jerusalem,1995) was administered to assess self-efficacy. For the first hypothesis i.e. there is an association between self-efficacy and academic motivation Pearson Product Moment Correlation was applied. For second hypothesis i.e. there is a gender difference in self efficacy of graduate students, t-test was applied through Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 17. The result suggests that there is a significant correlation between self- efficacy and motivation. However, the findings of second hypothesis showed no gender difference in academic motivation and self- efficacy.
A Framework for the Adoption of Electronic Customer Relationship Management Information Systems in Developing Countries

Managing customer relationships electronically has become one of the most crucial activities organizations are undertaking so as to remain competitive in business. This is more critical, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have limited resources compared to large corporations. However, many Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) information systems have failed to achieve their objectives due to adoption problems. This is partly attributed to the lack of appropriate e-CRM adoption frameworks. A few frameworks that exist are too broad and general to cater for the unique adoption requirements of developing countries such as poor regulations, poor and/or lack of internet connectivity, and poor infrastructure including software and hardware. This study developed a framework for the adoption of e-CRM information systems in developing countries. A cross-sectional research approach involving design science and survey research methods were used. Primary data were gathered from SMEs located in 30 districts of Uganda. A self-administered questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data and refine the requirements for adoption of e-CRM information systems. The key findings from the study indicate that for successful adoptions of e-CRM information systems, there should be user sensitization, training and well established infrastructure. The findings also indicate that there is a need for e-CRM Policy in addition to establishment of organizational websites on which the system should run. Management support and establishment of adequate data security measures were also highlighted as key factors. The most important features of e-CRM information systems were identified as the ability to ensure customer privacy, presence of a Frequently Asked Questions tool, and high speed. In addition, the findings revealed that e-CRM information systems should provide quick ordering services and have bulletin boards. The above requirements were merged with those from empirically tested adoption theories and/or frameworks to develop the e-CRM framework. The physical structure of the framework was borrowed from the Technological Organizational Environment and Management adoption theory. Four contracts of Technological Organizational Environment and Management (TOEM) adoption theory, from which the four constructs of Technological, Organizational, Management and Environmental factors were expounded and incorporated into the new e-CRM framework.
T Cell Activation Leads to Protein Kinase Cθ-Dependent Inhibition of TGF-β Signaling

TGF-β is an ubiquitous cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and prevention of immunopathologies. Under steady-state conditions, TGF-β keeps naive T cells in a resting state and inhibits Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. Because rapid generation of Th1 and Th2 effector cells is needed in response to pathogen invasion, how do naive T cells escape from the quiescent state maintained by TGF-β? We hypothesized that stimulation by strong TCR agonists might interfere with TGF-β signaling. Using both primary mouse CD4+ T cells and human Jurkat cells, we observed that strong TCR agonists swiftly suppress TGF-β signaling. TCR engagement leads to a rapid increase in SMAD7 levels and decreased SMAD3 phosphorylation. We present evidence that TCR signaling hinders SMAD3 activation by inducing recruitment of TGF-βRs in lipid rafts together with inhibitory SMAD7. This effect is dependent on protein kinase Cθ, a downstream TCR signaling intermediary, as revealed by both pharmacological inhibition and expression of dominant-negative and constitutively active protein kinase Cθ mutants. This work broadens our understanding of the cross-talk occurring between the TCR and TGF-β signaling pathways and reveals that strong TCR agonists can release CD4 T cells from constitutive TGF-β signaling. We propose that this process may be of vital importance upon confrontation with microbial pathogens.
Consumer Responses to Perceived Telepresence in the Online Advertising Environment: The Moderating Role of Involvement

Cyber technology creates new shopping experiences for consumers and ways of searching for product information that are not possible in traditional advertising contexts. Telepresence, defined as the sense of being present in the remote environment, can simulate direct experience, and is useful for conceptualizing consumers’ experiences in computer-mediated environments. We focus on perceived telepresence in seeking to broaden our understanding of the effects of persuasive communications in the cyber environment. We examine effects of perceived telepresence on consumer responses such as attitude toward the ad, attitude toward the brand, and purchase intention, and also examine how these effects are moderated by consumer involvement. Hypotheses derived from a proposed conceptual model are tested via a laboratory experiment. Data is then analyzed with multi-sample structural analysis. Results show that perceived telepresence significantly affects consumer responses to online advertising and that involvement moderates these effects. Theoretical and managerial implications of the results are discussed.
Do Strategic Corporate M&A Create Value? Evidence from 5th and 6th Merger Waves

Corporate strategic Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) mean focus on growth (e.g. revenue growth) and aim to enhance the firm's competitive position. The academic literature reports however, an extremely high failure rate of strategic M&A – their outcomes are very difficult to forecast and they are extremely risky. Complexity increases even further, if we add the international perspective. At the same time, the empirical evidence states that M&A contribute to one third of the average corporate growth rate. So, how can we make them value-creating? The present study focuses on the analysis of exogenous determinants and their impact on value-creation in strategic acquisitions for growth and explains which factors are relevant for the evaluation of acquirers’ performance. Furthermore, it provides real examples of the value-creating and value-destroying transactions, explaining the strategy behind its success or failure.
Salinity-linked growth in anguillid eels and the paradox of temperate-zone catadromy.

Temperate-zone anguillid eels use both saline (marine or brackish) and fresh waters during their continental phase, but use of fresh waters is paradoxical because on average these fishes grow more rapidly in saline than in fresh waters. Based on data from anguillid eels whose habitat-residency histories had been determined by Sr:Ca otolithometry, superiority of growth rates in saline water is much greater in American eels Anguilla rostrata in north-eastern North America (mean saline:fresh growth rate ratio 2.07) than in European Anguilla anguilla, Japanese Anguilla japonica and shortfinned Anguilla australis eels (range of mean ratios 1.12-1.14). Data from A. rostrata in the Hudson Estuary, U.S.A. , and Prince Edward Island, Canada, were used to test adaptive explanations of catadromous migrations. The hypothesis that lower mortality in fresh water offsets faster growth in saline water was not supported because loss (mortality + emigration ) rates did not vary between saline and fresh zones of the Hudson Estuary. Hypotheses that anguillid eels move to fresh water to escape from larger anguillid eels in saline water or to evaluate habitat quality were not supported by size and age distributions. Catadromy in temperate-zone anguillid eels increases the diversity of occupied habitats and therefore lowers fitness variance caused by environmental fluctuations. Catadromy in temperate-zone anguillid eels could be due to natural selection for maximum geometric mean fitness which is sensitive to fitness variance. Temperate-zone catadromy might also be maladaptive, at least in local areas, due to shifts over time in selective pressures or to inability of panmictic genetic systems to adapt to local conditions.
Maternal high fat diet consumption enhances offspring susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis in mice

Maternal high‐fat diet (HFD) may alter the offspring intestinal immune system, thereby enhancing susceptibility toward inflammatory bowel disease. The objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of maternal HFD on offspring intestinal health using a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis.
THE IMPACT OF FREQUENCY PROGRAMS ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF HOTEL DINER LOYALTY

This study adopts Dick and Basu's (1994) customer loyalty conceptual model as a research framework. It is a comprehensive model of customer loyalty that presents a relationship of two constructs: repeat patronage and relative attitude. The specific aims of this study are to identify a classificatory scheme of loyalty conditions and investigate how a frequency program can shift the attitudinal dimension of members in order to improve loyalty and to gain a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of frequency programs used in the hotel industry in Thailand. A multi-scale items of loyalty measurement from member's perspective was used in accordance with the two dimensional loyalty model developed by Dick and Basu (1994).