Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Underlying the Adoption of Online Banking by Mexican Consumers

Although Mexico is considered one of the most important emerging markets in global business, there is little knowledge about the adoption of internet banking in Mexico. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors underlying the adoption characteristics of internet (online) banking by Mexican consumers, which will benefit both academics and financial institutions. The paper uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches for research methodology. The qualitative method is used to gain insight into how consumers value online banking by interviewing both adopters and non-adopters of internet banking (hereafter IB). Then, a questionnaire is developed to include thirty-nine questions. The paper utilizes Factor Analysis to identify the characteristics of the adoption and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to examine the differences between adopters and non-adopters’ attitudes toward some attributes of the adoption. The results from Factor Analysis suggest eight characteristics of the adoption, namely difficulty, trust, compatibility, third party concerns, human contact, social influence, security, and computer proficiency. Analysis of Variance shows that adopters and non-adopters differed on their attitudes toward four attributes of the adoption: difficulty, trust, compatibility and human contact. Comparing the attitudes of adopters and non-adopters with the issues of security and third party concerns, the study found no significant differences. An interesting finding was that human or physical contact was considered important for non-adopters, showing the weakness of online banking. A discussion of the results and the implications for bank managers were included in the study.
A pseudoelastic model for mechanical twinning on the microscale

A pseudoelastic model for the simulation of deformation twinning on the microscale is develope and coupled with a crystal plasticity model for crystallographic slip. The material parameters are adopted to $\{10\bar 1 2\}\langle \bar 1 0 1 1 \rangle$ twinning and basal glide in a magnesium alloy. Special attention is drawn to the energy invariance of conjugate twin systems that emerges when twinning is treated elastically. The model is tested in three characteristic FE simulations, namely a simple shear test parallel and inclined to a twin system and an elongation test of a notched band. The slip‐twin interaction is studied, as well as the practical implications of the strain energy invariance. Some characteristics of twinning could be reproduced. The most important observations are that the load drop at the twin nucleation, the cusp shape of the twin tip in the absence of slip and the kink patterns that evolve in slip‐twin interaction could be simulated.
Intermountain freshwater mollusks, USA (Margaritifera, Anodonta, Gonidea, Valvata, Ferrissia): geography, conservation, and fish management implications

Abstract Field collections at more than 2900 sites and the examination of many museum collections and literature allowed me to map the historical and current distribution of several freshwater molluscan faunal groups in the Intermountain region of the United States (Great Basin, Colorado River drainage basin, and upper Snake River sub-basin). Historical and current records show that Margaritifera falcata, Anodonta californiensis, and Ferrissia rivularis have drainage-specific distributions, while Valvata utahensis has a specific drainage pattern, and V. californica (new combination) has a dispersed pattern. Shell morphometric data of Valvata and Ferrissia show extensive shell variation between and within populations. Current surveys show that these molluscan populations have been reduced since the colonization by European descendants over the last 150 years. Margaritifera falcata was found to be extirpated from eastern California, Nevada, and Utah and was common in only 1 stream. Anodonta californiensis populations of 10 or more individuals occurred in only 2 of 13 drainages, as well as in 1 isolated spring. Valvata californica was extirpated in 7 of 10 lakes. Ferrissia rivularis was very rare in 6 of 12 drainages. Range declines among these fauna are thought to be related to alterations of habitat caused by grazing, irrigation, and urbanization, as well as the intensive management of sport fish in these waters.
Recent Advances in p 53 Research and Cancer Treatment

TP53, encoding p53, is one of the most famous tumor suppressor genes. The majority of human cancers demonstrate the inactivation of the p53 pathway. Mutant p53 not only, no longer, functions as a tumor suppressor but can also exert tumorpromoting effects. The basic function of p53 is to respond to cellular stress. We herein review the recent advances in p53 research and focus on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and senescence in response to stress. We also review the clinical applications of p53-based therapy for human cancer.
University Students' Constructions of 'Flourishing' in British Higher Education: An Inductive Content Analysis

The potential to flourish as a student has emerged as a topic of debate amid the current period of economic transition in British Higher Education (HE). The present study sought to explore the concept of 'flourishing' as it is constructed by students in British HE. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to 222 students across two post-1992 (former polytechnic) British universities to elicit written qualitative data on their understandings of 'flourishing' and 'flourishing at university', and of their characterisations of 'flourishing' and 'non-flourishing' students. Data was content analysed using an inductive approach. Prominent categories emerging from the data sets constructed 'flourishing' primarily as self-actualisation (personal growth, potential realisation) and success. However, engagement (both academic and social) emerged as a significant facet of 'flourishing at university'. The 'flourishing student' was characterised as academically and socially engaged, committed to learning, and oriented towards personal growth. Conversely, the 'non-flourishing' student emerged as having a general sense of lacking, a disengaged attitude towards academic work, and a lazy/withdrawn outlook. Results provide inductively derived support for four components of Wellbeing Theory - positive emotions, engagement, relationships, and achievement (Seligman, 2011) and allow generic understandings of 'flourishing' to be contextualised within a HE setting. Further implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed with regard to the findings.
Effects of crop residue burning on aerosol properties, plume characteristics, and long‐range transport over northern India

Aerosol emissions from biomass burning are of specific interest over the globe due to their strong radiative impacts and climate implications. The present study examines the impact of paddy crop residue burning over northern India during the postmonsoon (October–November) season of 2012 on modification of aerosol properties, as well as the long‐range transport of smoke plumes, altitude characteristics, and affected areas via the synergy of ground‐based measurements and satellite observations. During this period, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images show a thick smoke/hazy aerosol layer below 2–2.5 km in the atmosphere covering nearly the whole Indo‐Gangetic Plains (IGP). The air mass trajectories originating from the biomass‐burning source region over Punjab at 500 m reveal a potential aerosol transport pathway along the Ganges valley from west to east, resulting in a strong aerosol optical depth (AOD) gradient. Sometimes, depending upon the wind direction and meteorological conditions, the plumes also influence central India, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal, thus contributing to Asian pollution outflow. The increased number of fire counts (Terra and Aqua MODIS data) is associated with severe aerosol‐laden atmospheres (AOD500 nm > 1.0) over six IGP locations, high values of Ångström exponent (>1.2), high particulate mass 2.5 (PM2.5) concentrations (>100–150 µgm−3), and enhanced Ozone Monitoring Instrument Aerosol Index gradient (~2.5) and NO2 concentrations (~6 × 1015 mol/cm2), indicating the dominance of smoke aerosols from agricultural crop residue burning. The aerosol size distribution is shifted toward the fine‐mode fraction, also exhibiting an increase in the radius of fine aerosols due to coagulation processes in a highly turbid environment. The spectral variation of the single‐scattering albedo reveals enhanced dominance of moderately absorbing aerosols, while the aerosol properties, modification, and mixing atmospheric processes differentiate along the IGP sites depending on the distance from the aerosol source, urban influence, and local characteristics.
From mass communication to new media: a network perspective

The purpose of this article is to determine the structural form of new online media, with network theory as the main framework of analysis. We argue that this form is a consequence of the shifting of the fixed positions of emission and reception that characterize classical media at a fundamental level. Based on technological, economic, legislative and social aspects, we show that the historical evolution which led to new media may be described by the concept of indifferentiation. This concept characterizes the historical transition between mass media and new media, but also the transition between so called web 1.0 web 2.0. This is a well-known dynamic within the theory of complex systems. Recently, a similar dynamic occurred in the structure of new media. We use these results as a basis to show that the form of new media is identical to that of space of networks, in the sense that this expression is acquired from modern network theory. We then show the social dynamic that determines this form of new media. We conclude that the evolution of new media simultaneously introduces and accelerates a process of social indifferentiation
Ala67Thr Mutation in the Human Polio Virus Receptor (PVR) Gene inPost-Polio Syndrome Patients

Poliovirus (PV) has been implicated in the etiology of poliomyelitis. Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivor years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the polio virus. DNA polymorphisms in the poliovirus receptor gene (PVR) are associated with persistent poliovirus infection. In the present study we have presented clinical and demographic characteristics of the PPS individuals who were affected initially by poliomyelitis and later developed PPS. We have also attempted to find out whether mutation in the PVR gene allows poliomyelitis patients to progress for PPS. PVR mutation was studied in 110 cases of PPS and 200 normal controls. In PVR exon 2, the Ala67Thr mutation was detected in 45.46% of progressive PPS and 10% of control subjects. The frequency of the mutation was significantly higher in patients with PPS than in controls. Changes in the PVR gene may result in slowly progressive cytopathic effects that may lead to progression of PPS.
Reopening modes of a collapsed elasto-rigid channel

Motivated by the reopening mechanics of strongly collapsed airways, we study the steady propagation of an air finger through a collapsed oil-filled channel with a single compliant wall. In a previous study using fully compliant elastic tubes, a ‘pointed’ air finger was found to propagate at high speed and low pressure, which, if clinically accessible, offers the potential for rapid reopening of highly collapsed airways with minimal tissue damage (Heap & Juel Phys. Fluids, vol. 20 (8), 2008, 081702). The mechanism underlying the selection of that pointed finger, however, remained unexplained. In this paper, we identify the required selection mechanism by conducting an experimental study in a simpler geometry: a rigid rectangular Hele-Shaw channel with an elastic top boundary. The constitutive behaviour of this elasto-rigid channel is nonlinear and broadly similar to that of an elastic tube, but unlike the tube, the channel’s cross-section adopts self-similar shapes from the undeformed state to the point of first near wall contact. The ensuing simplification of the vessel geometry enables the systematic investigation of the reopening dynamics in terms of increasing initial collapse. We find that for low levels of initial collapse, a single centred symmetric finger propagates in the channel and its shape is set by the tip curvature. As the level of collapse increases, the channel cross-section develops a central region of near opposite wall contact, and the finger shape evolves smoothly towards a ‘flat-tipped’ finger whose geometry is set by the strong depth gradient near the channel walls. We show that the flat-tipped mode of reopening is analogous to the pointed finger observed in tubes. Its propagation is sustained by the vessel’s extreme cross-sectional profile at high collapse, while vessel compliance is necessary to stabilise it. A simple scaling argument based on the dissipated power reveals that this reopening mode is preferred at higher propagation speeds when it becomes favourable to displace the elastic channel wall rather than the viscous fluid.
Data associated with manuscript: Effect of spacer length on the performance of peptide-based electrochemical biosensors for protease detection

Peptide-based electrochemical biosensors typically consist of a short peptide sequence, labelled with a redox reporter and modified with a thiol-containing moiety to allow immobilisation onto a gold electrode surface. A spacer is often introduced between the thiol group and the peptide with the aim of promoting enzyme accessibility as well as conferring flexibility onto the probe. Herein we report a systematic study of the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based spacer length on the performance of such biosensors in order to gain a deeper understanding of their role and optimise a peptide-based electrochemical sensor. Thus a specific peptide endowed with varying PEG spacers (PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-8 and PEG-12) were synthesised and interrogated by the addition of both a target enzyme (trypsin) and BSA in order to evaluate their analytical performance. An alkyl-based spacer was also assessed in order to compare the effect of the nature of the spacer. All of the proposed probes supported efficient protease detection; however, PEG-6 provided enhanced antifouling properties, which highlights the vital role of the spacer in the design of peptide-based probes.
Study of oxidative/nitrosative stress, non-enzymatic antioxidants and markers of airflow obstruction (fev1 % predicted) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) represents a major health problem. Its prevalence is increasing in worldwide. Oxidative stress is one of the major pathphysiologic hallmarks in the development of COPD. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the markers of oxidative / nitrosative stress (malondialdehyde and NO . ) and the non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C and GSH) with the marker of airflow obstruction (FEV1% predicted) in COPD patients. Study comprised of 185 stable COPD patients were divided into four stages according to GOLD guideline and 60 healthy controls were selected for the comparison. Pulmonary function test was done by using spirometer. Serum levels of MDA, NO . , vitamin E, vitamin C and erythrocyte GSH were estimated by spectrophotometric method. Lung function tests namely FEV1/FVC% ratio and FEV1 % predicted showed significant reduction in COPD patients as compared to healthy controls. Serum level of MDA and NO . shows increasing trend while serum levels of vitamin E, vitamin C and GSH shows decreasing trend across the stages of COPD. We found a significant negative correlation between NO . and MDA with the FEV1% predicted and positive correlation between vitamin C, vitamin E and GSH with FEV1% predicted in different stages of COPD patients. From this study we conclude that as the severity of disease increases FEV1 % predicted decreases. These changes are associated with an increase in oxidative/nitrosative stress and a concomitant decrease in non-enzymatic antioxidants in different stages of COPD patients studied.
Neurotheology: Avoiding a Reinvented Phrenology

Over the past several decades, a number of proposals have been advanced to explain the relationship between human brain functioning and religious experiences and behaviors. In the nineteenth century, phrenologists were also interested in these relationships. A wide variety of positions existed amongst deist and Christian phrenologists and continues in neurotheological writings today. More importantly, some of the conceptual and methodological issues that plagued phrenology may function as a cautionary tale for neurotheological endeavors today, including investigations that are empirical but not scientific, issues related to the relationship between brain and spiritual activities, and the relationship between natural law and spiritual activity.
Both Sides of the Story: Skill-biased Technological Change, Labour Market Frictions, and Endogenous Two-Sided Heterogeneity

This paper presents a stylised framework to examine how skill-biased technological change and labour market frictions affect the relationship between economic expansion and unskilled unemployment. The first part of the analysis focuses on the investment decisions in skill-acquisition and technology adoption activities faced by workers and firms in response to the introduction of an innovative technology. The second part examines how endogenous two-sided heterogeneity in the labour market affects the macroeconomic outcomes in terms of unemployment, technological diffusion, and economic expansion. To conclude, the framework is used to discuss the effects of alternative forms of policy intervention on agents' investment decisions and on the macroeconomic outcomes.
Short communication: Establishment and maintenance of donkey-in-mule pregnancy after embryo transfer in a non-cycling mule treated with oestradiol benzoate and long-acting progesterone

Female mules are considered as infertile; however, they could be used as recipients in interspecific embryo transfer. This study reports for the first time how it is possible to obtain the birth of a live Andalusian donkey foal after transfer a donkey embryo to a non-cycling mule. Two non-cycling mules were used as recipients, oestradiol benzoate was administered when donors showed oestrus and long-acting progesterone after ovulation. The mules also received long-acting progesterone every 7 days until 120 days of gestation. One embryo was collected from the two donor jennies and transferred to one of the mules after 5 days of progesterone treatment. Pregnancy was established and maintained after embryo transfer. The pregnant mule carried to term and delivered a live donkey foal after 375 days of pregnancy. In conclusion, non-cycling mules treated with oestradiol benzoate and long-acting progesterone can be successfully used as recipients of donkey embryos, which open new ways for the conservation of endangered donkey species.
Productivity and Subsidies in European Union Countries: An Analysis for Dairy Farms Using Input Distance Frontiers

The major objective of this paper is to examine the association between agricultural subsidies and farm efficiency using data from the European Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for operations specializing on dairy. The analysis covers the 18 year period going from 1990 to 2007 and includes the following seven countries: Denmark; France; Germany; Ireland; Spain; the Netherlands; and the United Kingdom. Separate translog stochastic input distance frontiers are estimated for each country. The key results show high average technical efficiency (TE) ranging from 91.8% to 94.9%, average rates of technological change going from -0.6% to 1.4%, and increasing returns to scale (1.24 to 1.44) across all seven countries. In addition, higher subsidy and hired labor dependence are found to be significantly associated with higher technical inefficiency across all seven countries. Moreover, the latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regime introducing fully decoupled payments has reduced TE in all countries considered except Denmark.
The Mark-Ups in the Spanish Economy: International Comparison and Recent Evolution

This paper estimates the steady state mark-ups of 23 branches of activity in seven developed countries (USA, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain). The empirical methodology departs from the Hall (1988) seminal approach and incorporates the possibility of non-competitive labour markets. Besides, it is used a time varying parameter (TVP) estimation technique in order to compute the evolution of steady state mark-ups. Looking at the constant parameter estimations, it emerges a clear dichotomy between two groups of countries: USA and UK, with the lowest mark-ups, and Japan and Germany, in the other side of the spectrum; Italy and Spain keep an intermediate position. With respect to the bargaining power of trade unions, the dichotomy between Anglo-Saxon countries, where it is almost inexistent, and Central European countries is even more marked. Allowing these parameters to evolve in time, the results are also interesting: there have been increases in mark ups in Italy, France and Germany; on the contrary, in USA, Japan, UK and Spain they have diminished. In the case of the bargaining power of the trade unions, all these countries have shown reductions since 1980, with the only exception of Germany. Finally, the paper finds a quite robust inverse relation between productivity growth, mark ups and the bargaining power of trade unions, although the quantitative effects are moderated.
Forward photon spectrum in 7-TeV pp collisions measured by the LHCf experiment

LHCf is an experiment designed to measure the energy and transverse momentum spectra of very forward neutral particles produced at the Interaction Point 1 of LHC. Its goal is to calibrate the hadron interaction models in air-shower simulations used for ultra-highenergy cosmic-ray (UHECR) experiments, and its results would also be useful to get a glimpse of the physics in inelastic hadronic collisions. LHCf has taken data in 2009-2010 pp runs at 0.9 and 7 TeV. Then the detector was removed from the experimental area. In this paper the forward photon spectrum obtained at 7 TeV will be presented. Results will be discussed compared to the MC models widely used in UHECR physics. Future prospects for the analysis and the data taking at 14 TeV will be also discussed.
Annual Secondary Production of Fungal and Bacterial Decomposers Associated with Standing and Benthic Litt er of the Freshwater Emergent Macrophyte, Typha angustifolia

Fungi and bacteria are significant decomposers of plants within wetlands, but annual secondary production investigations are lacking. Microbial carbon assimilation into biomass and CO2 mineralization may contribute considerably to wetland biogeochemical cycling and energy flow. Naturally-occurring Typha angustifolia detritus was collected to determine annual areal carbon flow through secondary decomposers. Two decay phases, standing-dead and benthic litter, were analyzed concurrently to determine fungal (14C-acetate incorporation) and bacterial (3H-leucine incorporation) production estimates. Gradual collapse of the 2004 cohort standing-dead stocks resulted in lowest litter biomass at study's end while benthic detrital stocks displayed little biomass fluctuation. This study indicates significantly higher fungal production rates within standing litter compared to bacteria. A noteworthy increase in areal production and CO2 mineralization occurred in benthic litter-associated fungi and bacteria. These results provide evidence indicating considerable annual carbon flow from emergent litter to heterotrophic decomposers within both decay phases.