Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Bottom of the Pyramid to Bottom LineTranslating user understanding into social, environmental and business outcomes

This project investigates how a close understanding of human activity can inform the design of culturally and contextually sustainable innovations for subsistence markets. Building on existing literature related to poverty alleviation initiatives and using a mainly ethnographic research approach, this project attempted to understand the cultural and contextual challenges to the substitution of unhealthy and unsustainable biomass as cooking fuels by cleaner and competitive cooking alternatives in Kitintale, an urban slum in Kampala, Uganda. This project suggests that everyone’s choice is shaped by a triad of forces – daily living circumstances, evolutionary aspirations and cultural references – and that the weight assigned to each of the forces varies according to the immediacy of needs, access to resources and capacity to plan for the future experienced by individuals in different contexts. Moreover, it concludes that, while the living circumstances faced by impoverished groups might be a valid arrangement to generally describe contextually vulnerable groups, cultural references and evolutionary aspirations might be entirely different depending on the geographic and historic background of the group for which a solution is being designed.
What keeps Islamic mobile banking customers loyal?

Purpose This study aims to find important factors of Malaysian Islamic banking customers’ loyalty or continuance intention to use Islamic mobile banking services. Design/methodology/approach The primary data are collected from the survey administered to 250 customers in the Klang Valley and the analysis is conducted using partial least squares (PLS). Findings Based on the findings, continuance intention of using Islamic mobile banking services was found to be depended on the usability of mobile banking services, customer service provided by Islamic banks towards mobile banking services, customer satisfaction on mobile banking services and trust of customers towards mobile banking services. In addition, the mediating effect of Islamic mobile banking services continuance adoption is significantly influenced by customer satisfaction and trust. Research limitations/implications The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations, and interpretation of the results and conclusion cannot be as generalised. In addition, as the respondents of this study are existing customers who have used Islamic mobile banking services at least once, relying on the perception of one key informant might imply cognitive biases. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the customers’ continuance intention in using Islamic mobile banking services. Practical implications By understanding these continuance intention factors amongst the customers, it would help the industry player particularly Islamic banking to plan and strategise appropriate policies and support necessary programmes on diversifying and promoting financial transaction using mobile banking services amongst their existing and potential customers. Originality/value This paper offers an additional literature on Islamic mobile banking, especially from the Malaysian context. There is a lack of study that focuses on loyalty towards Islamic mobile banking services. The paper is considered to be the first attempt to examine the factors that influence Malaysian Islamic banking customers’ loyalty or continuance intention to use Islamic mobile banking services.
Cognitive Abilities in Children with Reading Disabilities and Controls: A Follow-Up Study

Seventy children with reading disabilities and 75 control children who had been administered an extensive psychometric test battery were given a follow-up test approximately 4 years later. An independent sample of 35 children with reading disabilities and 22 control children were administered the same test battery on three occasions over an average interval of 8.6 years. When measures of reading performance, symbol-processing speed, and spatial reasoning were subjected to a mixed-model multivariate analysis of variance, significant effects due to group (reading disabled vs. control), time (initial test session vs. follow-up), and their interaction were found for both samples. Although children with reading disabilities manifested deficits at each age, the rate of improvement in measures of reading and spatial reasoning across age was highly similar for the affected and control groups. However, with regard to symbol-processing speed, differences between the groups were greater at the later ages. In general, results of this study demonstrate that reading disability tends to persist into young adulthood.
The impact of currents harmonics over the voltage transformers from a power group

The paper presents the influence of a distorting element (D) from a power group over the lifetime of some test voltage transformers (T). D is a three phase rectifier fully controlled with thyristors and T are used to monitor the power group and measure the voltages across the main generator terminals. One presents the structure of the monitored power group's components, focusing on the electric quantities that disturb the operation of T. A short description of the complex data acquisition system specially conceived for this purpose is provided. Recorded quantities corresponding to the voltages and currents from the main generator terminals are presented. Data corresponding to the currents recorded at the excitation transformer terminals are also analyzed. The recorded quantities are processed and the voltage/current harmonic components are presented as graphs or tables. One determined various categories of powers flowing through the main generator and respectively through the primary winding transformer. The power flow is distinctly considered along fundamental and respectively along higher harmonics. Significant conclusions are drawn with respect to their influence over the voltage transformers.
Once Is Not Enough: Properties and Implications of Management Forecast Updates

About half of managers’ forecasts of annual earnings issued in recent years are updated regularly (i.e., updated every quarter), while only about 10% are not updated. Consistent with the dynamic disclosure theory that anticipation of future updates can affect earlier disclosure choices, we find that the properties of initial forecasts and earlier updates vary systematically with future updates. Most of regular updaters’ initial forecasts are pessimistic and revised upward subsequently. In contrast, non-updaters tend to issue optimistic initial forecasts, consistent with prior findings on managers’ long-horizon forecasts. Analysts appear to recognize the differential biases in initial forecasts and react less strongly to initial bad news forecasts from regular updaters than from other firms. Moreover, regular updaters are more (less) timely in disclosing bad (good) news to the market than other firms, consistent with regular updates facilitating timely release of bad news. Our findings suggest that updates are important in management forecast research.
Radiative Thermal Diffusivity and Conductivity of the Upper Mantle

Olivine comprises >60% of the upper mantle, making it the dominant control on heat transport through the lithosphere. Accurate estimates of the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity are important to modeling geotherms, estimating lithospheric thickness, determining the depth range of melt generation, etc. Diffusivity and conductivity result from lattice vibration and radiative transport of thermal energy and depend upon temperature. New estimates of the radiative contribution to thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity are made from the difference between previous experiments on olivine samples with Mg# ∼0.9. Thermal diffusivity can be expressed as
Oil Companies Performance and Environmental Accounting Reporting in Nigeria

This study was conducted to examine the nature of relationship existing between environmental accounting reporting and Oil companies’ performance in Nigeria. Eleven (11) quoted oil companies were randomly selected from the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The secondary data used were from the audited financial statements of the Oil companies. Environmental accounting reporting was measured by the costs of air pollution, water pollution, land degradation,
Quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Serum CRP values were determined by the ICS rate nephelometric method in 18 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, 12 cases of healed pulmonary tuberculosis, 31 normal persons and in 26 cases with other pulmonary bacterial infections. The study revealed the following information. (A) The means±SD of CRP values in patients with active tuberculosis, healed tuberculosis, other bacterial infections and in normal persons were 15.41±8.77, 6.61±3.32, 228±63 and 1.42±0. 95μg/ml, respectively. (B) The ranges of serum CRP values in patients with active tuberculosis, healed tuberculosis, other bacterial infections and in normal persons were 5-32, 3-10, 110-340 and 0-3μg/ml, respectively, by the principle of the 95 percentile. (C) A significant difference (p＜0.01) of CRP values occurred between patients with active and healed tuberculosis. (D) An 83% sensitivity and 75% specificity in the differentiation between patients with active and healed tuberculosis occurred by setting 7μg/ml as a cut off value, thus, it is inferred that a CRP value of 7μg/ml may be suggested as a cut off value for making decisions about when to stop anti-tuberculosis drugs. (E) A significant difference (p＜0.01) of CRP values occurred between patients with active tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. The ranges of CRP values in these two groups did not overlapped, thus, it is inferred that differential diagnosis between patients with active tuberculosis and other bacterial infections can be made by a range of CRP value in the 95 percentile. (F) No significant difference of CRP values among the four active tuberculosis groups (exudative-fibrotic pattern, cavity, pneumonia and effusion) (H＝2.2, NS) was evident. (G) No relationships were found to exist between CRP values and ESR (rs＝0.28, NS) or CRP values and leukocyte counts (rs＝0.63, NS).
A Stochastic Model for CD 4 + T Cell Proliferation and Dissemination Network in Primary Immune

The study of the initial phase of the adaptive immune response after first antigen encounter provides essential information on the magnitude and quality of the immune response. This phase is characterized by proliferation and dissemination of T cells in the lymphoid organs. Modeling and identifying the key features of this phenomenon may provide a useful tool for the analysis and prediction of the effects of immunization. This knowledge can be effectively exploited in vaccinology, where it is of interest to evaluate and compare the responses to different vaccine formulations. The objective of this paper is to construct a stochastic model based on branching process theory, for the dissemination network of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. The devised model is validated on in vivo animal experimental data. The model presented has been applied to the vaccine immunization context making references to simple proliferation laws that take into account division, death and quiescence, but it can also be applied to any context where it is of interest to study the dynamic evolution of a population.
Neurogenin3 and Hepatic Nuclear Factor 1 Cooperate in Activating Pancreatic Expression of Pax4*

During fetal development, paired/homeodomain transcription factor Pax4 controls the formation of the insulin-producing β cells and the somatostatin-producing δ cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Targeting of Pax4 expression to the islet lineage in the fetal pancreas depends on a short sequence located ∼2 kb upstream of the transcription initiation site of the PAX4 gene. This short sequence contains binding sites for homeodomain transcription factors PDX1 and hepatic nuclear factor (HNF)1, nuclear receptor HNF4α, and basic helix-loop-helix factor Neurogenin3. In the current study we demonstrate that the HNF1α and Neurogenin3 binding sites are critical for activity of the region through synergy between the two proteins. Synergy involves a physical interaction between the factors and requires the activation domains of both factors. Furthermore, exogenous expression of Neurogenin3 is sufficient to induce expression of the endogenous pax4 gene in the mouse pancreatic ductal cell line mPAC, which already expresses HNF1α, whereas expression of both Neurogenin3 and HNF1α are necessary to activate the pax4 gene in the fibroblast cell line NIH3T3. These data demonstrate how Neurogenin3 and HNF1α activate the pax4 gene during the cascade of gene expression events that control pancreatic endocrine cell development.
Effect size and power in assessing moderating effects of categorical variables using multiple regression: a 30-year review.

The authors conducted a 30-year review (1969-1998) of the size of moderating effects of categorical variables as assessed using multiple regression. The median observed effect size (f(2)) is only . 002, but 72% of the moderator tests reviewed had power of . 80 or greater to detect a targeted effect conventionally defined as small. Results suggest the need to minimize the influence of artifacts that produce a downward bias in the observed effect size and put into question the use of conventional definitions of moderating effect sizes. As long as an effect has a meaningful impact, the authors advise researchers to conduct a power analysis and plan future research designs on the basis of smaller and more realistic targeted effect sizes.
Application of Vanadium-Free Titanium Alloys to Artificial Hip Joints ∗

The application of titanium and its alloys to surgical implants has created much interest recently. Ti–6Al–4V has been used for numerousapplications that require high mechanical properties, however this alloy contains vanadium, which has been proven to be cytotoxic. Twotypes of vanadium-free titanium alloys were developed and applied to artiﬁcial hip joints. As for the cemented type, Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al alloywas adopted because of its high fatigue strength, and its low elastic modulus, which approaches bone elasticity. As for the non-cementedtype, Ti–6Al–2Nb–1Ta–0.8Mo alloy was adopted because of its less decrease of fatigue strength through heat treatments up to 1270K, whichis necessary to create the porous surface to activate the reaction between the implant and the bone. In addition, new coatings and bioactivemethods were applied to the newly developed non-cemented type of prostheses. These hip joints are now successfully being used with excellentclinical results. (Received June 3, 2002; Accepted July 12, 2002)Keywords: titanium alloys, vanadium-free, surgical implants, cytotoxicity, fatigue strength
Factor V Leiden Is not a Risk Factor for Arterial Vascular Disease in the Elderly: Results from the Cardiovascular Health Study

Summary Coagulation factor V Leiden is a risk marker for venous thrombosis. For arterial thrombosis no large study to date has included population-based elderly patients. The Cardiovascular Health Study is a longitudinal study of 5,201 men and women over age 65. With 3.4-year follow-up, we studied 373 incident cases of myocardial infarction (MI), angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and 482 controls. The odds ratios for each event with heterozygous factor V Leiden were: MI, 0.46 (95% CI 0.17 to 1.25); angina, 1.0 (95% CI 0.45 to 2.23); stroke, 0.77 (95% CI 0.35 to 1.70); TIA, 1.33 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.55); any outcome, 0.83 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.44). Adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors did not change relationships. In older adults factor V Leiden is not a risk factor for future arterial thrombosis.
Cardiovascular and respiratory responses evoked from the posterior cerebellar cortex and fastigial nucleus in the cat.

1. In both anaesthetized and decerebrate cats the cerebellar cortex (lobules VI, VII, VIII, IX and X) and the fastigial nucleus (f.n.) have been stimulated electrically, and chemically, while recording changes in phrenic nerve discharge, heart rate, arterial blood pressure and renal and femoral blood flow. 2. Stimulation of lobules VI, VII, VIII and Xb failed to elicit any cardiovascular or respiratory changes. Activation of lobule IX (the uvula), and in some preparations sub‐lobule Xa, evoked cardiovascular and respiratory responses consistently. In the anaesthetized cat, electrical stimulation of the uvula evoked apnoea, a small bradycardia and a depressor response associated with vasodilatation in the hindlimb vascular bed. In contrast, stimulation in an equivalent region in a decerebrate preparation elicited an apneustic discharge, a pronounced tachycardia and a rise in arterial pressure with vasoconstriction in both renal and femoral vascular beds. In both the anaesthetized and decerebrate animals the pattern of response elicited by chemical activation was identical to that seen with electrical stimulation. 3. Electrical, or chemical, stimulation after administration of anaesthetic to the decerebrate cat then evoked an identical pattern of response to that seen in the 'intact' anaesthetized animal. This evidence suggests that the reversal in the pattern of the response in an effect of the anaesthetic agent and not the decerebration itself. 4. The only area of the f.n. to produce cardiovascular effects was the rostral region. Electrical stimulation of the rostral f.n. in both anaesthetized and decerebrate preparations inhibited central inspiratory activity and evoked tachycardia, along with a pressor response associated with vasoconstriction in both renal and femoral vascular beds. In contrast, chemical excitation of those sites in the rostral f.n. shown previously to produce pronounced cardiovascular and respiratory changes failed to elicit any changes in the recorded variables. 5. The present evidence suggests that there are two areas in the cat cerebellum which can exert pronounced cardiovascular and respiratory effects. The patterns of response elicited by electrical stimulation of the posterior cortex and rostral f.n. are mediated by two separate cerebellar‐brainstem pathways as judged by the two different effects of anaesthesia on the evoked responses. We suggest that the f.n. may not play a role in the control of the cardiovascular system since chemical excitation of cell bodies of the rostral f.n. failed to elicit the so‐called 'fastigial pressor response'.
ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE AND ARGINASE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ORAL CANCER

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the status of serum nitric oxide and arginase activity in oral cancerous condition. The study consisted of 80 individuals. The subjects were divided into normal individuals and individuals with oral cancer. Blood sample was collected from each subject and serum separated. Nitric oxide concentration was measured as total nitrates and nitrites by the Griess reaction method and arginase activity was estimated by diacetylmonoxime method. The results of this study showed significantly increased levels of nitric oxide and arginase activity in oral cancerous condition when compared to normal individuals. From the study it can be concluded that during carcinogenesis and tumor progression, the level of nitric oxide and arginase activity increases. This could result from a generalized increased nitric oxide synthesis throughout the body of the cancer patient or reflect increased nitric oxide degradation promoted by oxidative stress.
New-Generation Active Videogaming Maintains Energy Expenditure in Children Across Repeated Bouts.

OBJECTIVE Active videogames (AVGs) remain popular among 10-15-year-old children. The Xbox 360 Kinect™ from Microsoft (Redmond, WA) represents a new generation of AVGs where body movements are used to control gameplay. The purpose of this study was to measure energy expenditure required to play repeated bouts of six Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect games ("Motion Sports Adrenaline™," "Sonic Free Riders™," "Virtua Tennis 4™," "Kinect Sports™," "Kinect Adventures™," and "Just Dance 3™"). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-seven children (between 10 and 15 years) participated in a repeated-measures experiment, completing five 1-hour sessions (one familiarization and four separate gaming sessions). Three different AVGs were played for 15 minutes during each gaming session in a counterbalanced order. An Actiheart (CamNtech Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom) was used to monitor heart rate and acceleration during gameplay. RESULTS Average energy expended across the six AVGs during 15 minutes of gameplay was 3.0±0.17 metabolic equivalents/minute, significantly higher than resting energy expenditure (P<0.01). Similar levels of energy expenditure were observed between the first and fourth gaming session for all six games, although the energy expenditure between each game over the four sessions was similar. Boys expended more energy than girls within each AVG and across the four gaming sessions. CONCLUSIONS The Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect games in this study were found to elicit moderate-intensity exercise over four gaming sessions, with no decay in energy expenditure over several gaming sessions. Although small differences in the energy expenditure between the six Microsoft Xbox Kinect games were found, they are all likely to contribute toward reduced sitting time in children.
Tear exchange under hydrogel contact lenses: methodological considerations.

PURPOSE To characterize hydrogel lens tear exchange and to apply an optimized method to compare tear exchange of a marketed hydrogel lens to that measured with a prototype silicone hydrogel lens. METHODS Fluorophotometry and a nonpenetrating tracer (70-kDa FITC-dextran) were used with a single extended-wear soft contact lens (EWSCL) material on 11 subjects to characterize tear-exchange kinetics. Twenty to 30 measurements were obtained over a 30-minute period to allow accurate modeling and estimation of the several tear-exchange parameters. Calculated values included tear-replenishment rate (TRR), elimination rate (ER), and the time for 95% of the signal to be eliminated (T(95)). Major experiments were (1) comparison of ER under controlled and physiological conditions, (2) comparison of right and left eyes, (3) repeatability of ER and T(95) on five occasions, and (4) comparison of a marketed lens (oxygen permeability [Dk] 28 x 10(-9) [cm/sec][ml O(2)/ml mm Hg]) to a prototype silicone hydrogel lens (Dk 140 x 10(-9) [cm/sec][ml O(2)/ml mm Hg]). RESULTS Tracer elimination behind a hydrogel contact lens (CL), up to 30 minutes after insertion, was optimally described by double-exponential kinetics. Physiological ER (5-30 minutes after CL insertion) was optimally described by single-exponential kinetics. Overall, physiological ER was 8.8% +/- 3.8% per minute, and T(95) was 31.0 +/- 16.1 minutes (n = 76 and 72 determinations, respectively). Differences between right and left eyes in ER and T(95) were not significant at the 0.05 level. No difference in ER or T(95) was found between habitual and controlled blinking. Mean TRR was 0.67% +/- 0.26% per blink (n = 11 determinations). No differences were shown between ER or T(95) measurements over time. A prototype highly oxygen-permeable silicone hydrogel lens showed higher ER than did a marketed hydrogel lens (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Estimates of postlens tear exchange using a slit lamp fluorophotometer are similar to previously reported rates using similar fluorophotometric techniques. Fluorescent decay behind a hydrogel lens is most precisely described using a double-exponential curve equation and tear exchange may be described using ER, TRR and T(95), although the T(95) may be the least reliable of these measures. The technique appears capable of discriminating between lens types.