Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Investigation for Determining of the Relation Between Personal Financial Risk Tolerance and Demographic Characteristic

Financial risk tolerance is one of the key elements that should be considered in making investment decisions for both investment managers and investors. According to its importance, understanding and measuring of financial risk tolerance is not a simple topic. Therefore measuring of financial risk tolerance and determining of the factors that affect financial risk perceptions of individual investors have been interest of research and discussion for long yerars. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between financial risk tolerance and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, number of children, income and total net assets. In the analysis of data from nearly 1,100 university students, logistic regression analysis, and t-test and ANOVA analysis were used. Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, department and working in a job were significant predictors of financial risk tolerance. Results of t-test and ANOVA analysis indicated that gender, department, working in a job, monthly personal income, monthly family’s total income and total net assets were significant in differentiating individuals into risk tolerance levels, although age, marital status and number of children had no significant effect on financial risk tolerance.
Board Gender Diversity and its Effect on Firm Financial Performance: A Panel Study of Top 500 ASX Listed Firms

The corporate governance literature reports mixed evidence on the relationship between board diversity and firm performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between board gender diversity and firm financial performance, and to investigate if a business case can be established for the appointment of women on corporate boards. Data for the top 500 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed firms for the period 2005 through 2010 are used. Various panel data models of firm performance and control factors that are traditionally found to affect firm performance are estimated. Results indicate that after controlling for likely relevant factors, the proportion of women on boards of directors tends to have a positive effect on firm performance.
Symptom experiences and coping strategies among multi- ethnic solid tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND This study was performed to assess patient symptoms prevalence, frequency and severity, as well as distress and coping strategies used, and to identify the relationships between coping strategies and psychological and physical symptoms distress and demographic data of cancer patients. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved a total of 268 cancer patients with various types of cancer and chemotherapy identified in the oncology unit of an urban tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected using questionnaires (demographic questionnaire, Medical characteristics, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) and Brief COPE scales and analyzed for demographic, and disease-related variable effects on symptom prevalence, severity, distress and coping strategies. RESULTS Symptom prevalence was relatively high and ranged from 14.9% for swelling of arms and legs to 88.1% for lack of energy. This latter was the highest rated symptom in the study. The level of distress was found to be low in three domains. Problem-focused coping strategies were found to be more commonly employed compared to emotion-focused strategies, demonstrating significant associations with sex, age group, educational levels and race. However, there was a positive correlation between emotion-focused strategies and physical and psychological distress, indicating that patients would choose emotion-focused strategies when symptom distress increased. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that high symptom prevalence rates and coping strategies used render an improvement in current nursing management. Therefore development of symptoms management groups, encouraging the use of self-care diaries and enhancing the quality of psycho- oncology services provided are to be recommended.
Diversity of behaviour during novel object tests is reduced in pigs housed in substrate-impoverished conditions

Modern intensive farming conditions lack the diversity of substrates present in more natural environments and offer young animals fewer opportunities for interaction. Evidence exists that this may affect the organization of interactive patterns of behaviour, but shifts in behavioural diversity have not been measured directly. We investigated the effect of the substrate in the home pen on the diversity of behaviour in young growing pigs, Sus scrofa. Over 5 months, 26 pigs were housed singly in either substrate-impoverished (SI) or substrate-enriched (SE) conditions. Once every month we recorded the behaviour of these pigs in detail both in the home pens and in two novel object tests. In addition, we calculated the diversity of behaviour shown by SI and SE pigs in the home pen and in the novel object tests, using a relative behavioural diversity index. In the two novel object tests, SI pigs were less mobile than SE pigs and focused their behaviour on particular substrates. In addition, SI pigs showed less diverse behaviour than SE pigs. Our results show that the less diverse behaviour of SI pigs previously recorded in their home pens persists under novel conditions, supporting the hypothesis that substrate-impoverished housing conditions structurally affect the organization of behaviour in young growing pigs. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Substance Abuser Impulsivity Decreases with a Nine-Month Stay in a Therapeutic Community

Background: Substance abuse continues to be a major public health problem. Keeping substance abusers in treatment is a challenge, and researchers continue to investigate ways to increase retention. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity in substance abusers and length of stay in the context of therapeutic community. Methods: The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale– 11 (BIS-11) was used to assess impulsivity in 138 substance abusers at admission and at nine months in a therapeutic community. Results: Impulsivity significantly decreased in subjects who completed nine months in the therapeutic community. Legal stipulation increased length of stay, on average, by three months. On admission, female participants were on average more impulsive than their male counterparts. Conclusion: Impulsivity decreased in subjects who remained in therapeutic community for nine months although self-reported impulsivity at baseline did not seem to be associated with retention. Scientific Significance: Therapeutic community factors contribute to a decrease in self-reported impulsivity and these factors might be enhanced to increase retention in therapeutic community.
Requirements for feedback to save energy: A comparison between professionals in small to medium sized enterprises and consumers

A lot of research has been done with consumers about features of successful feedback on saving energy, but little has been done for professionals. Therefore this study examines whether the literature on feedback for consumers is also applicable for professionals in small to medium sized enterprises [SME’s]. Also, user characteristics of these professionals and their opinions towards potentially user engagement raising concepts are examined. To achieve these goals semi-structured interviews with fifteen professionals within SME’s and fifteen consumers were conducted. The results mostly show similarities in features for feedback but differences in the requirements for these features. Also, new relevant features were found. Further, professionals and consumers have similar motivations, and professionals are positive about concepts that may raise user engagement. This study adds new information about feedback for SME’s to the literature and concludes that the literature on consumers is applicable for professionals when considering the relevant features for feedback. However, when designing a feedback system, the literature is not applicable due to a lot of differences in the requirements for these features.
Efficient allocation of LTE downlink spectral resource to improve fairness and throughput

For the current generation of cellular communication systems, long‐term evolution (LTE) has been the major protocol to support high‐speed data transmission. It is critical to allocate downlink spectral resource in LTE, namely, resource blocks (RBs), but the issue is not well addressed in the standard. Therefore, the paper develops an efficient RB allocation algorithm with 4 mechanisms to improve both fairness and throughput in LTE. For fairness concern, our RB allocation algorithm uses a resource‐reservation mechanism to prevent cell‐edge user equipments from starvation, and a credit‐driven mechanism to keep track of the amount of resource given to each user equipment. For throughput concern, it adopts both weight‐assignment and RB‐matching mechanisms to allocate each RB to a packet according to its flow type and length. Through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed RB allocation algorithm can significantly increase both throughput and fairness while reducing packet dropping and delays of real‐time flows, as compared with previous methods.
Comparative in vitro activity of ceftriaxone against anaerobic bacteria

The in vitro activity of ceftriaxone was compared with those of other recently introduced beta-lactam antimicrobial agents (cefoperazone, cefotaxime, and moxalactam) and with those of cefoxitin, clindamycin, and metronidazole against 227 strains of anaerobic bacteria. The data obtained in this investigation suggest that ceftriaxone, like a majority of the new beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, may be of limited value in the treatment of serious infections involving anaerobic bacteria.
The effect of metformin on mean platelet volume in dıabetıc patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Metformin, the most commonly used antidiabetic, also has an antiatherogenic effect. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is increased in patients with high thrombogenic activation and also at risk for atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of metformin on MPV values in newly diagnosed type II DM patients on metformin monotherapy. In this study, 60 newly diagnosed type II DM patients (45 females, 15 males), who had applied to the Kocaeli University School of Medicine Endocrinology outpatient clinic, and 47 healthy individuals (35 females, 12 males) were included. The two groups have similarity for age, sex and body mass index. The patients with additional disease, nephropathy, smoking and using drugs that may affect the MPV were excluded. At baseline and 6 months after metformin treatment, patient demographics and laboratory values were compared. MPV was higher among type II DM patients than the control group (p < 0.001). After 6 months of metformin treatment, MPV values were significantly decreased (p < 0.001). HbA1c and mean platelet mass were also significantly decreased (p = 0.022 and 0.001, respectively). There was no correlation between MPV and HbA1c values (r = −0.13, p = 0.926). Metformin, which has been shown to exhibit antiatherogenic effect through positive effects on cholesterol levels, inflammatory markers and vascular adhesion molecules, decreased MPV values that appear to play a crucial role at the beginning of atherosclerosis development. We conclude that our result may contribute to the explanation for antiatherogenic effect of metformin.
Key factors for a successful implementation of a customer relationship management technology in the Tunisian hotel sector

Purpose – This study aims to show the contribution of the determinants of customer relationship management (CRM), namely, customer-centric organizational culture and customer-centric management system, in explaining CRM performance. The moderating role of employee support has also been examined. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was administered to 406 CRM users in 15 four- and five-star hotels in Tunisia. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings – The results show that a consumer-centric managerial system positively affects CRM technology. Managerial system contributes to have an efficient CRM technology implemented that provides sales force with customer information, competitor information, leads for cross-sell/up-sell opportunities, tracks product availability and measures customer loyalty. These dimensions are negatively affected by a consumer-centric organizational culture. CRM technology once implemented with an adapted consumer-centric vision will enhance the CRM .
Inflammatory status and endothelial function in asymptomatic and symptomatic peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, it is unknown whether PAD severity influences inflammatory status and endothelial function, which play a major role in atherosclerosis. Accordingly, we measured brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and plasma levels of several inflammatory markers in 15 control subjects, and 19 asymptomatic and 19 symptomatic PAD patients. Each symptomatic patient was matched to an asymptomatic patient for age, sex, risk factors, presence of cardiovascular disease, and pharmacological treatments. Asymptomatic patients had similar inflammatory profiles as controls, but lower median FMD (11.7% vs 8.5%, p < 0.01). Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients had higher median C-reactive protein (1.5mg=l vs 6.0 mg=l, p < 0.05) and interleukine-6 (1.5 pg=ml vs 3.5 pg=ml, p < 0.05), and lower FMD (8.5% vs 5.1%, p < 0.01). In the 38 PAD patients, the ankle=brachial pressure index correlated positively with FMD (p < 0.01), and negatively with C-reactive protein (p < 0.05), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05). Thus, in PAD, endothelial function and inflammatory status are related to the severity of the circulatory impairment. This finding may contribute to the explanation of the increasingly poor prognosis with increased PAD severity.
Factors influencing the decisions to buy and consume functional food

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the most important characteristics of functional foods and the motives behind its consumption. Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected in the direct interview. The sample (n=200) consisted of 137 women and 63 men at the age of 18-60 years. The research tool was a questionnaire divided into four sections. The first one included quality attributes. The second one included healthful properties, functional components and carriers. The third one concerned the motives for purchasing functional food and included the consequences and values. In the fourth section the participants were asked about gender, age and education. Findings – Among the quality attributes the research reveals six principal components package of information on healthful properties and nutritional value of the product, attributes of taste, health and safety, practical packaging, freshness, purity and naturalness. In terms of health benefits, two components were distinguished pr.
Sustaining motivational interviewing: a meta-analysis of training studies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous research indicates that motivational interviewing (MI) skills decline over time among participants in training workshops when post-workshop feedback and coaching are not provided. This study explored moderators of skill retention among trainees learning MI mainly for substance use disorder treatment in real-world treatment settings, including workshop enhancements and type and dose of post-workshop feedback and coaching. METHODS A meta-analysis of training studies was conducted with studies that reported MI skills using observational measures and that included trainees from real-world agency settings. Standardized change scores were calculated to indicate the magnitude of pre-post training change in MI skills; standardized change scores from post-training to 3 and 6+ months follow-up were calculated to indicate the sustainability of training gains over time. Effect sizes were aggregated using random effects models. RESULTS Twenty-one papers that reported the effects of MI training on agency staff were included in this review. Across studies, training yielded gains in MI skills (d = 0.76). Studies that did not include feedback and/or coaching reported eroding skills over a 6-month follow-up (d = -0.30), whereas post-workshop feedback/coaching sustained skills (d = 0.03). Effects of post-workshop feedback/coaching were moderated by frequency, duration and length of training. Moreover, studies reporting low levels of attrition from training protocols showed small increases in skills over the 6-month follow-up period (d = 0.12), whereas studies with high attrition showed skill erosion (d = -0.29). CONCLUSIONS On average, three to four feedback/coaching sessions over a 6-month period sustain skills among trainees for motivational interviewing, mainly for substance use disorder treatment. However, high rates of attrition from feedback/coaching contributes to post-workshop skill erosion.
R1441C mutation in LRRK2 impairs dopaminergic neurotransmission in mice

Dominantly inherited mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are a common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). The importance of the R1441 residue in the pathogenesis is highlighted by the identification of three distinct missense mutations. To investigate the pathogenic mechanism underlying LRRK2 dysfunction, we generated a knockin (KI) mouse in which the R1441C mutation is expressed under the control of the endogenous regulatory elements. Homozygous R1441C KI mice appear grossly normal and exhibit no dopaminergic (DA) neurodegeneration or alterations in steady-state levels of striatal dopamine up to 2 years of age. However, these KI mice show reductions in amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotor activity and stimulated catecholamine release in cultured chromaffin cells. The introduction of the R1441C mutation also impairs dopamine D2 receptor function, as suggested by decreased responses of KI mice in locomotor activity to the inhibitory effect of a D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole. Furthermore, the firing of nigral neurons in R1441C KI mice show reduced sensitivity to suppression induced by quinpirole, dopamine, or AMPH. Together, our data suggest that the R1441C mutation in LRRK2 impairs stimulated dopamine neurotransmission and D2 receptor function, which may represent pathogenic precursors preceding dopaminergic degeneration in PD brains.
Neonatal Liver Disease Associated with Placental Transfer of Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies

Background: Anti-mitochondrial antibody is the diagnostic hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis. Its role in the aetiology of primary biliary cirrhosis is controversial. Methods: Two cases of neonatal hepatitis seropositive for anti-mitochondrial antibody are described. Anti-mitochondrial antibody Ig isotype and epitopic specificity were investigated by immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassays. Results: In both infants anti-mitochondrial antibody was of the G class, mainly G1 and G3 subclasses, and reacted with two synthetic peptides reproducing major M2 epitopic regions: inner lipoyl domain pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC)-E2162-176 and PDC-E3 binding protein (PDC-E3BP)86-100. One infant also reacted with outer lipoyl domain PDC-E235-49, and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC)-E299-113. An identical pattern of reactivity was present in their mothers, indicating the maternal origin of the antibodies. Anti-mitochondrial antibody disappeared in the infants with the disappearance of the liver pathology. Conclusions: The simultaneous disappearance of hepatitis and anti-mitochondrial antibody in the infants suggests a possible causal link between the two.
Realizing the Potential of Branchless Banking: Challenges Ahead

Being able to make payments conveniently and securely is an essential ingredient in modern life and commerce. It enables economic livelihoods and supports many social relationships, communal support actions, and public welfare programs. Yet most people and micro enterprises in developing countries must rely on physical delivery of cash or actual goods to make payments. This imposes large costs and risks on those beyond the reach of modern payment networks. Access to payment facilities is a major enabler for achieving universal access to finance. In this paper the author further develop a broad vision for financial inclusion sketched out in Mas (2008), where payments can be easily made through an electronic network. What makes visioning such a payments utility possible is the technology author have today, which can be used to bridge distances, close information gaps, contain settlement risks, and generally reduce transaction costs. The author is confident that today's technology can do the job. Now the challenge is to develop attractive services that engage customers and workable business models that enable decentralized, largely private, and institutions to build this payments utility.
The Risk Tolerance of International Investors

Investor confidence and risk tolerance are important concepts that investors are constantly trying to gauge. Yet these concepts are notoriously hard to measure in practice. Most attempts rely on price or return data, but these run into trouble when trying to disentangle whether an observed price change is attributable to a shift in investor confidence or a change in fundamental value. In this paper, we take an alternative approach by looking at the world-wide holdings and trading of risky assets. We model global capital markets as the interaction between large global institutional investors and smaller domestic investors from each country. This permits separation of global price changes into two components, one that reflects changes in demand and fundamentals perceived by all investors, and a second that reflects changes in the relative risk tolerance of institutional investors over and above that of domestics. The latter component, changes in relative risk tolerance of global institutions, is driven by the willingness of these investors to acquire additional assets in each country in proportion to their current holdings. Using our model, we show how data on asset holdings and flows across countries can be used to identify changes in risk tolerance. We then apply this identification scheme to recent data on the global portfolio holdings of institutional investors. The resulting measure of risk tolerance impressionistically accords well with periods of market turbulence and quiescence. It also accounts for a considerable portion of the variation in portfolio holdings and is informative about future returns.