Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intention to Use E-Banking in a Newly Emerging Country: Vietnamese Customer's Perspective

E-banking is seen as the newest delivery channel for banking services in many developed countries and is believed to have a significant impact on the bank market. It is contended that e-banking is providing numerous opportunities for banks and non-bank financial institutions to add a low cost distribution channel to their existent distribution channels in order to better serve their customers by offering high quality products and services. Little research on factors influencing the intention to use e-banking has been implemented in newly emerging countries such as Vietnam. Thus, this study has, based on an extensive literature review on e-banking benefits for both banks and their customers and relevant theories on innovation adoption, proposed a comprehensive model of e-banking intention to use by customers in Vietnam. Based on the structural equation modeling technique, both linear and non-linear effects were tested. The results show that subjective norms, perceived ease of use, trust, and perceived benefit were statistically significant in directly influencing intention to use e-banking. In addition, subjective norms, perceived ease of use, and trust were statistically significant in indirectly influencing intention to use e-banking via perceived benefit. Practical implications and future studies were also discussed.
Altered Default Mode Network on Resting-State fMRI in Children with Infantile Spasms

Infantile spasms (IS) syndrome is an age-dependent epileptic encephalopathy, which occurs in children characterized by spasms, impaired consciousness, and hypsarrhythmia. Abnormalities in default mode network (DMN) might contribute to the loss of consciousness during seizures and cognitive deficits in children with IS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in DMN with functional connectivity (FC) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), the two methods to discover the potential neuronal underpinnings of IS. The consistency of the two calculate methods of DMN abnormalities in IS patients was also our main focus. To avoid the disturbance of interictal epileptic discharge, our testing was performed within the interictal durations without epileptic discharges. Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 13 patients with IS and 35 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. FC analysis with seed in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) was used to compare the differences between two groups. We chose PCC as the seed region because PCC is the only node in the DMN that directly interacts with virtually all other nodes according to previous studies. Furthermore, the ALFF values within the DMN were also calculated and compared between the two groups. The FC results showed that IS patients exhibited markedly reduced connectivity between posterior seed region and other areas within DMN. In addition, part of the brain areas within the DMN showing significant difference of FC had significantly lower ALFF signal in the patient group than that in the healthy controls. The observed disruption in DMN through the two methods showed that the coherence of brain signal fluctuation in DMN during rest was broken in IS children. Neuronal functional impairment or altered integration in DMN would be one neuroimaging characteristic, which might help us to understand the underlying neural mechanism of IS. Further studies are needed to determine whether the disturbed FC and ALFF observed in the DMN are related to cognitive performance in IS patients.
Knee constraint effects of bipedal walking by Visual-lifting Approach

Recently, a lot of biped robots are being investigated and developed. Although humans walk with their knees extending, humanoid robots walk with their knees bending. Walking with their knees bending has advantages that it is not needed to consider the complex models such as toe and heel, and the area of bottom of foot can increase to keep walking stable. However, walking with knees extending can reduce energy and be closed to natural walking. Moreover, length of stride can also increase when knee is full extended. Therefore, it is necessary to make humanoid robot with knee constraint to extend the knee in walking. In this paper, we make humanoid robot with human's knees structure which has a constraint of knee joint angle motion through simulation and investigated its influence to humanoid walking.
Human Capital Disclosures in the Corporate Annual Reports: A Study on Financial Institutions of Bangladesh

The main objective of this article is to examine the nature and extent of human capital (HC) disclosures in the corporate annual reports of the financial institutions of Bangladesh. For this purpose, the research has examined the annual report of 20 companies (financial institutions) listed on Dhaka Stock Exchange, Bangladesh. This study uses the comprehensive content analysis framework of items (HC disclosures), form, location and number of sentences to measure the nature and extent of HC disclosures. The study finds that 90% of selected companies voluntarily disclose HC in their annual reports, where ‘training and development’ has been found to be highest reported item. Notably this study has revealed that one company reports separate statement on HC accounting & monetarily measures the value of HC (all employees). Findings of our study also indicate that three companies have reported separate section for disclosing HC. Furthermore, this study finds that all financial institutions (disclosing companies) disclose HC qualitatively where 55.6% companies disclose quantitatively. On average 33 sentences are used to report HC. The companies of the developing countries like Bangladesh can use the HC disclosure index developed in this study as a model to improve their HC disclosure practices.
Stochastic Analysis of Stock Market Price Models: A Case Study ofthe Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)

In this paper, stochastic analysis of the behaviour of stock prices is considered using a proposed log- normal distribution model. To test this model, stock prices for a period of 19 years were taken from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for simulation, and the results reveal that the proposed model is efficient for the prediction of stock prices. Better accuracy of results via this model can be improved upon when the drift and the volatility parameters are structured as stochastic functions of time instead of constants parameters.
Mesotheliomas of tunica vaginalis testis of Fischer 344 (F344) rats treated with acrylamide: a light and electron microscopy study.

The incidence of spontaneous mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis testis, documented to be 1.3% in Fischer 344 rats can be increased by long term exposure to acrylamide. The light microscopic and electron microscopic features of tumors developing spontaneously in control animals were compared with those that developed in acrylamide treated animals to determine whether the tumors in the experimental group have any distinctive characteristics. The experimental group comprised three subgroups, i.e. animals exposed to acrylamide in three doses 0.1, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg/day over a period of 104 weeks. A total of 35 tumors were examined--7 in control group, 9 in low-dose group, 8 in mid-dose group and 11 in the high-dose group. Most tumors measured less than 1 cm in diameter in aggregate and approximately one-third of all tumors were of microscopic size, less than 5 mm in diameter. All tumors were classified as epithelial mesotheliomas. Three distinct microscopic patterns were recognized (papillary, tubular or solid). All tumors had papillary features, and focally showed some tubular or solid components. No ultrastructural differences were found between tumors of the four groups of animals. It was concluded that the tumors that developed in the tunica vaginalis testis of acrylamide treated animals do not differ morphologically from those that developed spontaneously in control animals. Cellular uniformity, small size of lesions and the absence of perotoneal seeding and metastasis suggests that the mesotheliomas of tunica vaginalis testis of Fischer 344 rats in this study were benign and equivalent to human benign mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis or adenomatoid tumors.
Performance analysis and evaluation of IEEE 802.11e EDCF

Recently, the IEEE 802.11 working group has announced a new distributed access mechanism called Enhanced DCF (EDCF) to provide service differentiation among traffic classes defined as access category. With the increasing demand for supporting Quality of Service (QoS) in IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs, the EDCF is now attracting many researchers' attention due to its practical worth as a standard mechanism. In this paper, we focus on the analytical approach to evaluate the performance of the EDCF. An analytical model is presented to estimate the throughput of the EDCF in saturation (asymptotic) conditions by substantially revising and extending the analytical model developed by Bianchi for the performance analysis of the DCF. Extensive simulation studies based on the NS-2 simulator have been carried out for the validation of the analysis, and they show that it estimates the throughput of the EDCF accurately. By utilizing the analytical model, we evaluate the performance of the EDCF. Specifically, we concentrate on discovering the characteristics of the EDCF parameters, such as CWmin, CWmax and AIFS, in the way that they influence on the performance of the EDCF. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable variational approximations of boundary value problems for Willmore flow with Gaussian curvature

We study numerical approximations for geometric evolution equations arising as gradient flows for energy functionals that are quadratic in the principal curvatures of a two-dimensional surface. Beside the well-known Willmore and Helfrich flows we will also consider flows involving the Gaussian curvature of the surface. Boundary conditions for these flows are highly nonlinear, and we use a variational approach to derive weak formulations, which naturally can be discretized with the help of a mixed finite element method. Our approach uses a parametric finite element method, which can be shown to lead to good mesh properties. We prove stability estimates for a semidiscrete (discrete in space, continuous in time) version of the method and show existence and uniqueness results in the fully discrete case. Finally, several numerical results are presented involving convergence tests as well as the first computations with Gaussian curvature and/or free or semi-free boundary conditions.
A High-Fat Diet Increases Adiposity but Maintains Mitochondrial Oxidative 1 Enzymes without Affecting Development of Heart Failure 2 with Pressure Overload

42 43 A high fat diet can increase adiposity, leptin secretion, and plasma fatty acid concentration. In 44 hypertension, this scenario may accelerate cardiac hypertrophy and development of heart failure, 45 but could be protective by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and expression 46 of mitochondrial oxidative enzymes. We assessed the effects of a high-fat diet on the 47 development of left ventricular hypertrophy, remodeling, contractile dysfunction, and the activity 48 of mitochondrial oxidative enzymes. Mice (n = 10-12/group) underwent transverse aortic 49 constriction (TAC) or sham surgery and were fed either a low-fat diet (10% of energy intake as 50 fat) or a high-fat diet (45% fat) for 6 weeks. The high-fat diet increased adipose tissue mass and 51 plasma leptin and insulin. Left ventricular mass and chamber size were unaffected by diet in 52 sham animals. TAC increased left ventricular mass (~70%), and end systolic and diastolic areas 53 (~100 and ~45%, respectively) to the same extent in both dietary groups. The high-fat diet 54 increased plasma free fatty acid concentration and prevented the decline in the activity of the 55 mitochondrial enzymes medium chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD) and citrate 56 synthase that was observed with TAC animals on a low-fat diet. In conclusion, a high-fat diet 57 did not worsen cardiac hypertrophy or left ventricular chamber enlargement despite increases in 58 fat mass and insulin and leptin concentrations. Further, a high-fat diet preserved MCAD and 59 citrate synthase activities during pressure overload, suggesting that it may help maintain 60 mitochondrial oxidative capacity in failing myocardium. 61 62
Acute and Chronic Complications in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Treated with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers radiation therapy directly to the tumor bed at the time of surgery. Minimal data are available regarding IORT complications in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) using the Xoft® Axxent eBx® System. 146 patients with pure DCIS received X‐ray based IORT therapy using the Xoft® Axxent eBx® System at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian between June 2010 to April 2016 and were accrued to an IORT data registry study. The protocols were approved by the institutional review board and met the guidelines of their responsible governmental agency. Data were collected at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and thereafter yearly. Acute complications were defined as those occurring within the first month. Chronic complications were those that persisted beyond 6 months. Acute complications were observed in 18% of patients and included hematomas that required drainage, an infection treated with antibiotics, and erythema. Chronic complications were observed in 12% of patients and included a seroma, fibrosis and hyperpigmentation. The majority of acute and chronic problems were mild (Grade I). If Grade I erythema, fibrosis, and hyperpigmentation are not included, only 11/146 patients (7.5%) had significant complications. The rate of acute and chronic complications from X‐ray IORT in DCIS patients was low compared to historical toxicity rates observed in DCIS patients treated with whole breast irradiation. Our data indicate that X‐ray IORT can be utilized safely in patients diagnosed with DCIS.
Identification of somatic genetic alterations in ovarian clear cell carcinoma with next generation sequencing

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is the most refractory subtype of ovarian cancer and more prevalent in Japanese than Caucasians (25% and 5% of all ovarian cancer, respectively). The aim of this study is to discover the genomic alterations that may cause OCCC and effective molecular targets for chemotherapy. Paired genomic DNAs of 48 OCCC tissues and corresponding noncancerous tissues were extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin embedded specimens collected between 2007 and 2015 at Tohoku University Hospital. All specimens underwent exome sequencing and the somatic genetic alterations were identified. We divided the cases into three clusters based on the mutation spectra. Clinical characteristics such as age of onset and endometriosis are similar among the clusters but one cluster shows mutations related to APOBEC activation, indicating its contribution to subset of OCCC cases. There are three hypermutated cases (showing 12‐fold or higher somatic mutations than the other 45 cases) and they have germline and somatic mismatch repair gene alterations. The frequently mutated genes are ARID1A (66.7%), PIK3CA (50%), PPP2R1A (18.8%), and KRAS (16.7%). Somatic mutations important for selection of chemotherapeutic agents, such as BRAF, ERBB2, PDGFRB, PGR, and KRAS are found in 27.1% of OCCC cases, indicating clinical importance of exome analysis for OCCC. Our study suggests that the genetic instability caused by either mismatch repair defect or activation of APOBEC play critical roles in OCCC carcinogenesis.
Impact of Traditional Chinese Culture on Business-to-Business Relationship Marketing and Service Firm Performance

ABSTRACT Purpose: This work addresses the mixed findings in relationship marketing studies regarding the importance of traditional culture-level (i.e., interpersonal) relationships on service firm outcomes. Methodology/approach: This article leverages customer relationship marketing (CRM) theory to advance a framework for understanding the causal relationship between the Chinese cultural worldview and relationship marketing in order to better predict firm performance. Findings: The author suggests that five major Chinese cultural characteristics—iren-qing, wa-pao, mianzi, chaxu-geju, and collectivism—can qualify the business-to-business (B-to-B) relationship building process and impact the effectiveness of interpersonal and/or group relationships on service firm outcomes. Research implications: The study’s framework suggests that Chinese cultural characteristics, universal concepts manifest in the activities of Chinese society and organizations, have a positive effect on customer relationship marketing. Chinese culture characteristics can be used to generate excellent relationships with customers and thus create a consumer preference for certain companies and drive service marketing repurchase. Originality/value/contribution: This study’s theoretical framework (a) distinguishes between Chinese cultural characteristic and relationship marketing relationships; (b) suggests that Chinese cultural characteristics and customer relationship marketing have a positive and substantial effect on service firm performance and that Chinese cultural characteristics are related to customer relationship marketing in their effect on service firm performance; and (c) provides managerially relevant guidelines for strategic sales planning.
A COMPARISON OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PERFORMANCE FOR VARYING COMBINATIONS OF INITIAL ABILITY.

This study compares the performance of individuals with that of 2-member groups, the Ss in the groups having varying combinations of ability. The results showed that: (a) Ss improve significantly when working in pair-groups over working as individuals; (b) the group effect is greatest for low-level Ss; (c) Ss working with partners at their same level do not improve over working with partners below their level; (d) Ss working with partners above their level do improve significantly over working with partners at or below their level, but, within the limits considered, the extent that the partner is above does not matter. In comparing the performance of an individual with that of a group, the level of ability of the Ss involved should be described. An area of research which has had a long history is the comparison of individual performance with group performance. Studies in this area have been reviewed by Kelley and Thibaut (1954), Lorge, Fox, Davitz, and Brenner (1958), and most recently by Hare (1962). In general, most studies find that the group performance is superior to that of individuals. These studies have examined the relationship between group and individual
Prevalence of malnutrition, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections among under-five children of Sugali tribe of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Introduction: Over a period, tribal population has migrated to cities in search of livelihood. Data on various health problems of the tribes are sparse. Sugalis constitute the third largest tribe in Andhra Pradesh and have settlements in urban areas. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections (ARI) among under-five children of Sugali tribe living in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh state in South India. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four community blocks/mandals in 2012. A total of 500 Sugali households with under-five were identified. Demographic details, episodes of diarrhea, and ARI among under-five children and treatment/care seeking behavior were collected from mothers/care givers by interview. Nutritional status was assessed using new WHO standards. Results: Of the total 669 children in these 500 households, 343 (51.3%) were girls and 326 (48.7%) were boys. In the last 1 month, 21.4% (18.4-24.6) reported diarrhea and 51.6% (47.7-55.3) reported ARI. The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting among under-five children was 32.7% (29.1-36.4), 18.3% (15.3-21.4), and 38.3% (34.2-41.9), respectively. Majority (70%) sought treatment for illness in modern system of medicine and only few continued with the practice of herbs and traditional medicine. Discussion: Despite living in urban area, the tribal children had high prevalence of malnutrition, diarrhea, and ARI, though lower compared to other tribes in India possibly due to improved access to health care services. Efforts need to be strengthened for social inclusion of tribes into mainstream.
Postmenopausal Bleeding From Unusual Endometrial Polyps in Women on Chronic Tamoxifen Therapy

There are recent reports of postmenopausal bleeding from endometrial polyps in women receiving tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer. We describe four additional patients who presented with vaginal bleeding, and emphasize the pathology. These polyps demonstrated cystically dilated glands in all cases and stromal decidualization in two; in one instance, metastatic breast carcinoma was present in the polyp. The mechanisms by which tamoxifen may affect the development of these polyps are discussed
DSM-5 Further Inflates Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Since the publication of DSM-IV in 1994, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence and medication use unexpectedly increased significantly. In this article, we explore the DSM-5 proposals for ADHD that are likely to further increase its prevalence. We also address the possible harmful consequences of further expansion of this already broad, defined, and inflated DSM category.
INVESTIGATING INNOVATION STRATEGIES OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: MULTIPLE CASE STUDY OF THAI FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING SMEs

The ultimate purpose of this study is to provide appropriate guidelines for enhancing product innovation among Thai small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are involved in food and beverage manufacturing in Thailand. This is achieved by first assessing the current state of product innovation in the new product development (NPD) activities of the SMEs as a precursor to developing the guidelines. The assessment is conducted with a qualitative research strategy guided by a synthesized theoretical framework that integrates several NPD activities and diverse existing product innovation strategies. Focus group, semi-structured interview, and document review methods were utilized for data collection. The context of the data collection is the Thai food and beverage (F&B) SME sector, the latter being represented by 20 case studies sampled from the Thai F&B SME population. The knowledge domains considered for the study are NPD process, product innovation strategies, and food and beverage manufacturing. The findings reveal that the responsibility for NPD rested with top executives. The NPD process adopted by the SMEs consisted of several activities including idea generation, concept development, product design, prototyping, testing and packaging design. The SMEs identified a number of barriers to developing new products, including restrictive regulations from