Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The wettability of composite resinous filling materials.

The adhesive properties of the composite resins Adaptic®, Addent 12®, Blendant®, Dakor® DFR®, and TD 71® and of the non-composite resin Sevriton Simplified® have been studied by measurements of contact angles between solid surfaces of the resins and drops of six different test liquids.The results indicate that all the materials studied have low energy surfaces with very similar critical surface tensions. An analysis of variance showed the presence of statistically significant differences between the recorded angles of the different materials. These differences were, however, found to be smaller and probably have no appreciable effect on the adhesive properties of the studied materials.The inorganic phases of the composite resins were not found to have any influence on wettability.The free surface energy of all the resins studied was consisted of generally both van der Waal's dispersion forces and polar forces and/or hydrogen bonds.The influence on the retention of resinous fillings of the shrinkage during.
Determinants of Commercial Banksâ€™ Return on Asset: Panel Evidence from Malaysia

This paper attempts to investigate the possible macroeconomic factors that influence the profitability of domestic and foreign commercial banks in Malaysia. For this purpose, an unbalanced panel dataset of 16 commercial banks were used and tested using panel data regression technique over the period of 2004-2011. To get the differences of external determinants between domestic and foreign banks, all the samples were then split according to their ownership, resulting in two sub-samples of 8 domestic and 8 foreign banks. The result indicates that all the external factors namely inflation, interest rate and GDP have a positive impact on all commercial bankâ€™s return on assets while stock market development influence bankâ€™s profit negatively. Similar result was also shown by the two sub samples except that interest rate appears to influence foreign bankâ€™s profit positively but shows no impact on domestic bankâ€™s performance.
Is Takeover Bid Resistance Futile

We investigate management’s motives for rejecting initial takeover bids, and identify the wealth effects of this decision for target shareholders. Contested initial bids are negatively correlated with the relative quality of initial offer premiums and uncorrelated with the presence of target classified boards. The likelihood of higher follow-on offers is decreasing in initial offer quality, but higher when target firms have a classified board and when target CEO’s have a greater proportion of their personal wealth tied to the close of a transaction. Positive long-run returns to the shareholders of firms that do not ultimately close a transaction suggest that target managers, on average, realize significant performance gains in the absence of a change-in-control event. Our evidence on forced CEO turnover indicates that CEOs who err in failing to close high quality offers realize significant personal costs. Overall, our results provide support for a price improvement motive in contested takeover bids.
Competition Through Innovation: Atms in Italian Banks

This paper reports results from a study of location, ownership, and acquisitions of automated teller machines (ATMs) by a sample of large Italian banks between 1991 and 1995. The sample banks had 85% of Italian banking assets. Data are collected at the provincial level for each bank. The underlying model is recursive; a bank is presumed to make branching decisions (analyzed in a separate paper) and then, conditional on branching decisions, decisions about ATMs. Several sets of cross-sectional data are studied using OLS and Tobit models yielding the following results: 1) The logarithm of ATMs in a province is related positively to the logarithms of interest-bearing deposits and GDP and negatively to the logarithm of population, as was predicted from a variation of Baumol's transactions demand for cash model; 2) The number of a bank's ATMs in a province is related positively to the numbers of its branches and deposit accounts, a province's per capita GDP, the bank's deposits, and the bank's number of employees per branch in the province and negatively to the bank's share of a province's branches; 3) Changes in a bank's ATMs in a province are positively related to changes in the number of its branches and those of competitors; and 4) Concentration indices of ATMs, branches, deposits, and loans decreased at the provincial level between 1991 and 1995.
Predictors of Career Success among Government Employees

Many researchers have advocated that managing career is an important aspect to be concentrated for achieving career success. In this direction, this study investigates the roles of human capital and motivation on achieving career success among government employees. Data were collected from 159 employees working in Kingdom of Bahrain and were analyzed with the help of a series of hierarchical regression analysis. It is found that motivational variables, not employee’s human capital, have associations with career exploration activities. Self-exploration has positive association with objective and subjective career success. Interaction effect between number of hours worked and environment exploration was also found significant on number of promotions received by employees.
Implementation Strategies of the University of Ghana Distance Education Programme

In the last few years, educational systems worldwide have experienced a paradigm shift from the traditional synchronous mode to incorporate the asynchronous mode. The main reason for this addition is because a lot of students are either working or having family responsibilities that will not permit them to be full-time students. This study, therefore, explores the implementation strategies that were used to establish the University of Ghana Distance Education Programme. The study is an explorative qualitative design that employs the use of two sets of open-ended interview guides to seek information from respondents who participated in the study. The participants of the study included all past coordinators of the programme as well as the centre organisers. All participants were purposively selected. However, their participation was voluntary. Findings from the study indicated that there was a time span of twelve years from the planning to the implementation of the programme. In spite of the delays, it was revealed that good communication with stakeholders and good structures were employed, making the implementation of the programme a success and also making the future of the programme brighter,as it is now moving into the use of web tools to meet the expectations of the current cohort of prospective university students.
Effects of bfp Mutations on Biogenesis of Functional Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Type IV Pili

ABSTRACT Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli expresses a type IV fimbria known as the bundle-forming pilus (BFP) that is required for autoaggregation and localized adherence (LA) to host cells. A cluster of 14 genes is sufficient to reconstitute BFP biogenesis in a laboratory strain of E. coli. We have undertaken a systematic mutagenesis of the individual genes to determine the effect of each mutation on BFP biogenesis and LA. Here we report the construction and analysis of nonpolar mutations in six genes of thebfp cluster, bfpG, bfpB,bfpC, bfpD, bfpP, andbfpH, as well as the further analysis of a previously described bfpA mutant strain that is unable to express bundlin, the pilin protein. We found that mutations inbfpB, which encodes an outer membrane protein;bfpD, which encodes a putative nucleotide-binding protein; and bfpG and bfpC, which do not have sequence homologues in other type IV pilus systems, do not affect prebundlin expression or processing but block both BFP biogenesis and LA. The mutation in bfpP, the prepilin peptidase gene, does not affect prebundlin expression but blocks signal sequence cleavage of prebundlin, BFP biogenesis, and LA. The mutation in bfpH, which is predicted to encode a lytic transglycosylase, has no effect on prebundlin expression, prebundlin processing, BFP biogenesis, or LA. For each mutant for which altered phenotypes were detected, complementation with a plasmid containing the corresponding wild-type allele restored the wild-type phenotypes. We also found that association of prebundlin or bundlin with sucrose density flotation gradient fractions containing both inner and outer membrane proteins does not require any accessory proteins. These studies indicate that many bfp gene products are required for biogenesis of functional type IV pili but that mutations in the individual genes do not lead to the identification of new phases of pilus assembly.
Cryptography: A Comparative Analysis for Modern Techniques

Cryptography plays a vital role for ensuring secure communication between multiple entities. In many contemporary studies, researchers contributed towards identifying best cryptography mechanisms in terms of their performance results. Selection of cryptographic technique according to a particular context is a big question; to answer this question, many existing studies have claimed that technique selection is purely dependent on desired quality attributes such as efficiency and security. It has been identified that existing reviews are either focused only towards symmetric or asymmetric encryption types. Another limitation is found that a criterion for performance comparisons only covers common parameters. In this paper, we have evaluated the performance of different symmetric and asymmetric algorithms by covering multiple parameters such as encryption/decryption time, key generation time and file size. For evaluation purpose, we have performed simulations in a sample context in which multiple cryptography algorithms have been compared. Simulation results are visualized in a way that clearly depicts which algorithm is most suitable while achieving a particular quality attribute.
Relationships between maternal and child cardiovascular risk factors: ethnic differences and lack of influence of physical activity.

OBJECTIVES To obtain information about the relationship between cardiovascular and diabetic risk factors of mothers and their children and to determine whether these relationships differ by physical activity or ethnicity. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING The Texas site of the Studies of Child Activity and Nutrition Program. PATIENTS A 1986 to 1989 triethnic sample (European American, African American, and Hispanic) of 133 mothers and their 6- to 7-year-old children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Maternal and child fasting insulin levels; total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; triglyceride levels; waist circumference; systolic and diastolic blood pressures; height; weight; and body mass index. Maternal physical activity was assessed by means of a 7-day recall. Child physical activity was assessed by heart rate monitoring. Correlational methods were used to describe the relationships among metabolic risk factors and physical activity; chi2 tests of independence were used to examine the relationships between ethnic groups. RESULTS Body mass index and waist circumference were significantly (P<.05) associated among Hispanic mothers and their children, but not in other ethnic groups. Insulin, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly associated among African American mothers and their children, but not in other ethnic groups. Maternal and child physical activity were not significantly associated with any of the risk variables or each other. CONCLUSION The relationships between the risk factors of mothers and children differed by ethnicity, but not by physical activity.
P3 and provoked aggressive behavior

Cognitive and biological processes play a role in human aggression. However, relatively little is known about the neural correlates of cognitive processes in aggressive individuals, particularly as they unfold during an aggressive encounter. We investigated whether the P3 event-related potential (ERP) discriminates aggressive versus nonaggressive individuals during a provocative, aggressive encounter. Forty-eight participants (23 men and 25 women) were classified as aggressive or nonaggressive based on self-reported life history of aggression. Aggressive behavior was assessed using a modification of a well-validated laboratory task during which the participant and a fictitious opponent ostensibly delivered and received noise blasts of low, medium, and high intensity. Provocation was manipulated by altering the level of noise set by the opponent. Aggression was defined as the number of high-intensity noise blasts the participant set for the opponent. As predicted, P3 amplitude in response to provocation differed as a function of aggressive history. Nonaggressive individuals showed enhanced P3 when provoked by the opponent relative to low provocation, but this effect was absent in aggressive individuals. The results suggest that aggressive individuals engage fewer neural processing resources in response to provoking social cues, which may reflect aberrant cognitive and emotional processes.
Baseline Comorbidities Enhance the Risk of Treatment-Induced Depression in HCV-Infected Men

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with clinical depression,a condition that is aggravated on interferon-based therapy. In HCV infection, men often appear more resilient to depression than women. However, men are subject to depression in diseases that tend to be comorbid in HCV-infected. Aim. This study examined whether HCV-infected men with baseline comorbidities were more or less susceptible to depression prior to and on treatment. Methods. Patients with chronic HCV infection preparing to begin treatment participated (n = 37). The presence of baseline comorbidities was determined by pretreatment medication regimes. Depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory prior to and following 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of interferon therapy. Results. At baseline, cohorts with (n = 16) and without (n = 21) comorbidities had equivocal demographics and infection characteristics. Comorbidities did not associate with baseline depression. However, on treatment, men with baseline comorbidities demonstrated an elevated risk for the onset of de novo depression (odds ratio = 19.25; confidence interval = 1.41, 582.14; p = .008). This was not observed for women. Baseline comorbidities did not alter the need for treatment discontinuations or the ability to achieve a sustained viral response. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that baseline comorbidities render men more susceptible to interferon treatment–induced depression.
Frozen orbits around Europa

Low-altitude, near-polar orbits are very desirable for scientific missions to study the natural satellites of the planets of the Solar System, such as Europa, that is one of the natural satellites of Jupiter. The problem is analyzed considering that an artificial satellite is orbiting Europa and that this spacecraft is perturbed by the nonuniform distribution of mass of the planetary satellite (J2, J3, C22) and by the gravitational attraction of the third-body. We present an analytical theory using the averaged model and applications were done by performing numerical integrations of the analytical equations developed. Using the averaged method, several frozen orbits were obtained. Some of them has low inclination, low altitude and long lifetime. Numerical simulations are performed using the software Mercury, to compare the results obtained using the analytical theory.
Psychiatric aspects of chronic palliative care: Waiting for death

Abstract This article emphasizes the shifting paradigm of palliative care from cancer patients to vital organ failure in chronic diseases. It offers a view about a type of palliative care for patients reaching the pre-terminal phase of a chronic illness. Unlike cancer patients, time is not as sharply delineated and physical pain is not a major factor, but psychological distress is often a major component of the clinical condition. Starting from the perspective of a psychiatric consultant on medical and surgical wards, I present short clinical vignettes to introduce a discussion about psychological manifestations in patients with chronic vital organ failure. The objective is to help patients find meaning to the last stage of their life. To that effect, four key sensitive areas are presented for clinicians to assess end-of-life coping: pressure on character organization, the management of hope, mourning problems, and ill health as a screen for psychological distress.
Economic impact and policy implications from urban shared transportation: The case of Pittsburgh’s shared bike system

During the last years the number of cities that have installed and started operating shared bike systems has significantly increased. These systems provide an alternative and sustainable mean of transportation to the city dwellers. Apart from the energy sustainability benefits, shared bike systems can have a positive effect on residents’ health, air quality and the overall condition of the currently crumbling road network infrastructure. Anecdotal stories and survey studies have also identified that bike lanes have a positive impact on local businesses. In this study, driven by the rapid adoption of shared bike systems by city governments and their potential positive effects on a number of urban life facets we opt to study and quantify the value of these systems. We focus on a specific aspect of this value and use evidence from the real estate market in the city of Pittsburgh to analyze the effect on dwellers’ properties of the shared bike system installed in the city in June 2015. We use quasi-experimental techniques and find that the shared bike system led to an increase in the housing prices (both sales and rental prices) in the zip codes where shared bike stations were installed. We further bring into the light potential negative consequences of this impact (i.e., gentrification) and discuss/propose two public policies that can exploit the impact of the system for the benefit of both the local government as well as the city dwellers.
An analysis of operations‐oriented drivers of customer loyalty for two service channels

Purpose – This study examines customers of grocers who provide both online and traditional in‐store options to determine if there are substantial differences in customer's perceptions of service quality, product quality, product range, and sacrifices made when using a specific channel. By better understanding customer preferences, firms can appropriately match strategy and market expectations.Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from 271 traditional in‐store customers and 1,720 online customers from three grocers. Survey results from these two groups was analyzed using regression analysis consisting of independent variables measuring the sacrifices of using a given channel, and the quality of service, products and product range and dependent variables of behavioral intentions and percent of business given to the grocer.Findings – Online customers have a higher level of satisfaction with their service encounters, but lower levels with the tangible aspects of product quality, range of products a.
Analysis of Consumer Behavior in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area after the Great East Japan Earthquake

: Rolling blackouts and commodity shortages profoundly disturbed the lives of citizens in the Tokyo metropolitan area following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Further, negative images of produce suspected of being contaminated by radioactivity from the nuclear accident continue to plague Japanʼs agricultural sector. This study attempts to assist future disaster management plans by investigating the causes of and factors behind consumer behavior that manifests itself in such problems. A survey of adult female residents of Chiba City conducted in April, 2011, one month following the earthquake, is qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Our findings indicate consumers who are more likely to act problematically by stocking or delaying purchases tended to be younger, full-time housewives, who were unprepared for disasters, but had experienced emergency situations (such as shortages or blackouts), and who felt a sense of concern and anxiety about radioactive contamination at large. A vicious cycle, in which excessive media coverage was focused on the stockpiling behavior of only a minority of consumers, heightened market demands and perpetuated stockpiling, is also noted.
Chief Marketing 'Analytics or Digital' Officer (CMO): Is The 'Big Data' Alone Adequate for Firm’s Customer Retention & Return on Investment?

Excellence in customer experiences is a top priority for the Chief Marketing “Analytics or Digital” Officer (CMO). The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of "Digital Marketing Analytics" [DMA] on firms Return on Investment (ROI) and CMO’s performance in customer retention and acquisitions. The main question addressed by the study is: should the firm CMO engage more resources with social media analytics for customer retention & acquisition. This study used the quality content analysis methodology and relied on the recent marketing research articles, case studies, and digital analytics surveys. The results of the study suggests that the innovative CMO’s that embrace DMA to win the hearts and wallets of customers can influence the broader customer journey from the offer to the post-purchase care stage for continued positive impact on the firms desirable ROI. This research study provides strategic recommendations and directions for the future research.
Examining the Efficiency and the Effectiveness of Islamic and Conventional Banking: Evidence from Indonesia

The paper attempted to shed the light on assessing the efficiency and the effectiveness of the Indonesian Islamic banks in the economy, through comparing the financial determinants of profitability of Islamic and conventional banks in short run. The authors carried out an empirical research as an attempt to find out if there is minor or major discrepancies in the financial factors and determining the types of operations affecting the profit generation of Islamic and conventional banks in Indonesia. The pattern conducted in the present empirical survey relies on monthly data about financial indicators of the banking sector of Indonesia. The data used in the research covered the period March 2010 to July 2011. The empirical investigation of the current paper enabled us to infer that Islamic finance could be considered as source of valuable economic contribution in the finance of developing countries, like bare out from the Indonesian pattern.