Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adolescents’ Market Segmentation: Using CSI as a Tool

Purpose of this article: The study aims to examine the adolescents’ decision-making style and shopping orientation using consumer style inventory (CSI) as a segmentation tool. It proposes that adolescents’ decision-making styles are quite different from the adult consumers. Here, the researchers develop a typology that is based on the dimensions of CSI and its ability to predict the homogeneous cluster. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on the clustering of adolescents on the basis of their decision-making styles. The study was carried out in India. A sample of 215 students has been taken. Factor analysis, cluster analysis which is followed by discriminant analysis, has been used in the study. Findings: The article provides a significant segmentation of adolescents’ market on the basis of their decision-making style. And at last in this article, we conclude that the adolescents have different decision-making styles than the adult consumers. Six out of eight dimensions of the Sproles and Kendall (1986) are relevant to the Indian adolescents. On the basis of these traits/styles, the adolescents are grouped into three different clusters, which are homogeneous and identifiable in nature. Originality/value: This article fulfils an identified need to study about the adolescents and how they have been clustered into different segments. The CSI is used as segmentation tool. This is the first study to segment the Indian adolescents market on the basis of their decision-making styles.
A nanoscale three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation of electron-beam-induced deposition with gas dynamics

A computer simulation was developed to simulate electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID). Simulated growth produced high-aspect-ratio, nanoscale pillar structures by simulating a stationary Gaussian electron beam. The simulator stores in memory the spatial and temporal coordinates of deposited atoms in addition to the type of electron, either primary (PE), back-scattered (BSE), or secondary (SE), that induced its deposition. The results provided in this paper apply to tungsten pillar growth by EBID on a tungsten substrate from WF6 precursor, although the simulation may be applied to any substrate–precursor set. The details of the simulation are described including the Monte Carlo electron–solid interaction simulation used to generate scattered electron trajectories and SE generation, the probability of molecular dissociation of the precursor gas when an electron traverses the surface, and the gas dynamics which control the surface coverage of the WF6 precursor on the substrate and pillar surface. In this paper, three specific studies are compared: the effects of beam energy, mass transport versus reaction-rate-limited growth, and the effects of surface diffusion on the EBID process.
The effects of age and death awareness on intentions for healthy behaviours

Terror management theory (TMT) suggests that people are motivated to distance themselves from death. One way of doing this is to report greater intentions to engage in health-promoting behaviours following increased awareness of mortality, also referred to as a proximal defense. Older adults’ comparatively fewer remaining years and greater likelihood of having significant health problems may result in greater intentions to promote health following mortality reminders, but little is known about their proximal defenses and existing results are inconsistent. The current study examined how older (60–89 years) and younger (18–30 years) adults’ intentions for future healthy behaviours were influenced by a death reminder (immediately and after a delay) compared to a control condition. Older adults (60–89 years) indicated greater overall intention to engage in healthy behaviours than younger adults (18–30 years). A two-way interaction revealed that regardless of age, participants engaged in proximal defenses immediately following a death reminder by distancing themselves from death via greater healthy intentions. After a period of delay, participants exhibited a reversal of this pattern, indicating lower intention to engage in healthy behaviours in the mortality condition compared to control. Results are discussed from the perspectives of TMT and terror management health model.
Randomized controlled pilot study of customized pamphlets to promote physical activity and symptom self-management in women with multiple sclerosis

Objective: Investigate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a customized print-based intervention to promote physical activity and symptom self-management in women with multiple sclerosis. Design: A randomly allocated two-group repeated measures design, with a delayed-treatment contact group serving as the control. Participants were randomized to receive the intervention immediately (n =14) or receive it at week 12 (n =16). Outcome measures were administered at weeks 1, 12, and 24. Setting: Community-based in metropolitan area. Subjects: Thirty women with multiple sclerosis. Intervention: Prescribing a home-exercise program and following up with customized pamphlets, which are matched to participants’ stage of readiness to change physical activity behavior and physical activity barriers (e.g. encouraging self-management of symptoms). Main Measures: Physical Activity and Disability Survey-revised, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, SF-12, Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Scale, and 6-minute walk test. Results: Intent-to-treat analyses using mixed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were conducted on (1) physical activity levels and (2) health and function outcomes. The mixed MANOVAs for physical activity levels and health and function outcomes indicated significant improvements in the immediate group compared with the delayed group (i.e. condition by time interaction was significant, Wilks’ λ = 0.59, F2, 27 = 9.31, P = 0.001 and Wilks’ λ = 0.70, F4, 25 = 2.72, P = 0.052, respectively). The intervention had moderate to large effect sizes in improving physical activity levels (d = 0.63 to 0.89), perceptions of physical function (d = 0.63), and 6-minute walk test (d=0.86). Conclusion: This pilot study indicates that a customized print-based intervention shows promise in improving physical activity levels and health and function in women with multiple sclerosis.
Fitness and fertility among Kalahari !Kung.

In this paper we develop a model that examines fertility and childhood mortality patterns and their relationship to environmental variables. Interactions among environmental variables can account for different fertility patterns and different mixes of these variables can produce similar patterns of fertility. Our model attempts to quantify the idea that there is a trade-off between producing a few children likely to survive to reproductive age and producing a greater number of children with lower chances for survival. The optimum mix of these strategies depends on environmental characteristics. We use the model to make predictions about fertility and mortality patterns among two Bushmen populations of southern Africa--the Ghanzi and Ngamiland ! Kung--using data collected by Harpending in 1967-1968. The results do not support explanations of the low fertilities observed among ! Kung Bushmen women, in whom it is thought that fitness is maximized by limiting fertility, and show no relationship between mortality and family size in either ! Kung population. Instead, the number of offspring reaching reproductive age in both populations increases as their completed family size increases. We examine the effects of sex, birth order, and paternal investment on mortality. No sex ratio differences and no differences in mortality by sex or birth order are present. Infant mortality among women who married more than once is significantly higher than among women who married once, suggesting that paternal care has a significant effect.
The Contribution of Resurgent Sodium Current to High-Frequency Firing in Purkinje Neurons: An Experimental and Modeling Study

Purkinje neurons generate high-frequency action potentials and express voltage-gated, tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels with distinctive kinetics. Their sodium currents activate and inactivate during depolarization, as well as reactivate during repolarization from positive potentials, producing a “resurgent” current. This reopening of channels not only generates inward current after each action potential, but also permits rapid recovery from inactivation, leading to the hypothesis that resurgent current may facilitate high-frequency firing. Mutant med mice are ataxic and lack expression of the Scn8a gene, which encodes the NaV1.6 protein. In med Purkinje cells, transient sodium current inactivates more rapidly than in wild-type cells, and resurgent current is nearly abolished. To investigate how NaV1.6-specific kinetics influence firing patterns, we recorded action potentials of Purkinje neurons isolated from wild-type and med mice. We also recorded non-sodium currents from Purkinje cells of both genotypes to test whether the Scn8a mutation induced changes in other ion channels. Last, we modeled action potential firing by simulating eight currents directly recorded from Purkinje cells in both wild-type and med mice. Regular, high-frequency firing was slowed in med Purkinje neurons. In addition to disrupted sodium currents, med neurons had small but significant changes in potassium and leak currents. Simulations indicated that these modified non-sodium currents could not account for the reduced excitability of med cells but instead slightly facilitated spiking. The loss of NaV1.6-specific kinetics, however, slowed simulated spontaneous activity. Together, the data suggest that across a range of conditions, sodium currents with a resurgent component promote and accelerate firing.
Theoretical analysis of the orthogonality factor in WCDMA downlinks

Wideband code-division multiaccess (WCDMA) downlink transmission is prone to self interference caused by the loss of orthogonality between the spreading codes due to multipath fading. The degree of loss of orthogonality in downlink WCDMA is usually measured in terms of the orthogonality factor (OF) which is directly related to the level of intra-cell interference. This paper presents accurate theoretical analysis of the OF over generalized fading channels. New exact expressions of the average OF are derived for full and partial RAKE receivers over arbitrarily correlated multipath fading channels.
Excitable properties in astrocytes derived from human embryonic CNS stem cells

Although it is widely believed that astrocytes lack excitability in adult tissue, primitive action potential‐like responses have been elicited from holding potentials negative to −80 mV, in cultured and injury‐induced gliotic rodent astrocytes and in human glia under pathological conditions such as glioblastomas and temporal lobe epilepsy. The present study was designed to investigate the properties of astrocytes (identified by immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein) derived from multipotent human embryonic CNS stem cells and cultured for 12–25 days in differentiating conditions. We describe here for the first time that brief (1 ms) current pulses elicit spikes from a resting potential (VREST) of ≈ −37 mV and, more interestingly, that spontaneous firing can be occasionally recorded in human astrocytes. A voltage‐clamp study revealed that in these cells: (i) the half‐inactivation of the tetrodotoxin (TTX)‐sensitive Na+ channels is around VREST; (ii) the delayed rectifier K+ current is very small; (iii) the ever‐present transient outward A‐type K+ channels are paradoxically capable of inhibiting the action potentials elicited from a negative membrane potential (−55 to −60 mV); and (iv) inwardly rectifying currents are not present. The responses predicted from a simulation model are in agreement with the experiments. As suggested by recent studies, the decrease of Na+ channel expression and the changes of the electrophysiological properties during the postnatal maturation of the CNS seem to exclude the possibility that astrocytes may play an excitable role in adult tissue. Our data show that excitability and firing should be considered an intrinsic attribute of human astrocytes during CNS development. This is likely to have physiological importance because the role of astrocytes during development is different from the [K+]o‐buffering role played in adult CNS, namely the glutamate release and/or the guiding of migrating neurons.
A gesture system for graph visualization in virtual reality environments

As virtual reality (VR) hardware technology becomes more mature and affordable, it is timely to develop visualization applications making use of such technology. How to interact with data in an immersive 3D space is both an interesting and challenging problem, demanding more research investigations. In this paper, we present a gesture input system for graph visualization in a stereoscopic 3D space. We compare desktop mouse input with gesture input with bare hands for performing a set of tasks on graphs. Our study results indicate that users are able to effortlessly manipulate and analyze graphs using gesture input. Furthermore, the results also show that using gestures is more efficient when exploring the complicated graph.
Screening process of Shariah-compliant companies: The relevance of financial risk management

In complying with the issue of Shariah, it important to review on Shariah companies whether different levels of companies’ uncertainties (risks) provides similar or contradict outputs on the level of compliance. this study examines the level of Islamic Shariah compliance for public listed companies in Malaysia based on their financial risk ratios and enterprise risk management (ERM). The final sample of this study consists of newly listed Shariah-compliant companies and Shariah-non compliant companies listed in Bursa Malaysia. The financial risk ratios and ErM measurements follow the guidelines set by the dow Jones Islamic Market (dJIM) Index and CoSo framework respectively. the results of this study suggest most companies were in compliance with the interest income requirement. however, many of the companies did not meet the liquidity and debt levels which have been suggested under the dJIM guideline. For Shariah companies, the level of ErM practices were significantly related to the liquidity and debt levels. This study proposes for more harmonized general criteria for an Islamic Capital Market (ICM) Index for Shariah screening process.
SVM Intrusion Detection Model Based on Compressed Sampling

Intrusion detection needs to deal with a large amount of data; particularly, the technology of network intrusion detection has to detect all of network data. Massive data processing is the bottleneck of network software and hardware equipment in intrusion detection. If we can reduce the data dimension in the stage of data sampling and directly obtain the feature information of network data, efficiency of detection can be improved greatly. In the paper, we present a SVM intrusion detection model based on compressive sampling. We use compressed sampling method in the compressed sensing theory to implement feature compression for network data flow so that we can gain refined sparse representation. After that SVM is used to classify the compression results. This method can realize detection of network anomaly behavior quickly without reducing the classification accuracy.
Dynamic Benchmarking of Mass Transit Systems in the United States Using Data Envelopment Analysis and the Malmquist Productivity Index

For more than five decades, the federal, state, and local governments have subsidized mass transit systems through sales, gasoline, and property taxes with an expectation that it would improve mobility to low-income citizens, reduce carbon footprints and traffic congestion, and facilitate regional economic growth. However, in times of financial crisis and chronic government budget deficits, the inefficient use of a mass transit system can increase public outcry over the wasteful spending of government funds and taxpayers’ monies. To find ways to utilize mass transit systems more efficiently across the United States, this paper aimed to identify the benchmark transit practices that every mass transit system can emulate and then continuously improve its performance. To achieve these goals, this paper analyzed the multiple years of past performances of 262 mass transit agencies in the United States using data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity index and then provided practical guidelines for enhancing mass transit efficiency.
Analysis of crystal structures of aspartic proteinases: On the role of amino acid residues adjacent to the catalytic site of pepsin‐like enzymes

To elucidate the role of amino acid residues adjacent to the catalytic site of pepsin‐like enzymes, we analyzed and compared the crystal structures of these enzymes, their complexes with inhibitors, and zymogens in the active site area (a total of 82 structures). In addition to the water molecule (W1) located between the active carboxyls and playing a role of the nucleophile during catalytic reaction, another water molecule (W2) at the vicinity of the active groups was found to be completely conserved. This water molecule plays an essential role in formation of a chain of hydrogen‐bonded residues between the active site flap and the active carboxyls on ligand binding. These data suggest a new approach to understanding the role of residues around the catalytic site, which can assist the development of the catalytic reaction. The influence of groups adjacent to the active carboxyls is manifested by pepsin activity at pH 1.0. Some features of pepsin‐like enzymes and their mutants are discussed in the framework of the approach.
Varifocal virtuality: a novel optical layout for near-eye display

Augmented reality (AR) has recently gained momentum in the form of a variety of available optical see-through near-eye displays (NEDs) such as the Meta 2and the Microsoft Hololens. These devices are a big step forward towards Sutherland's vision of an ultimate display [Sutherland 1968]. The device we demonstrate attempts to deal with the main limitations of current devices. First, the graphics images are at a constant virtual distance for the eyes' accommodation mechanism, while the vergence of the two eyes working in concert places the virtual object(s) at a distance other than the accommodation distance. This vergence-accommodation conflict is one of the main problems in many AR and VR systems [Kress and Starner 2013]. The second limitation is achieving a wide FOV with compact optics. Cakmakci et al. [2006] contend that achieving a wide field-of-view (FOV) is the major optical design challenge in AR NEDs.
Regulation of epithelial barrier function by the inflammatory bowel disease candidate gene, PTPN2

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 (PTPN2) has been identified as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) candidate gene. However, the mechanism through which mutations in the PTPN2 gene contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD has not been identified. PTPN2 acts as a negative regulator of signaling induced by the proinflammatory cytokine, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ). IFN‐γ is known not only to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD), but also to increase permeability of the intestinal epithelial barrier. We have shown that PTPN2 protects epithelial barrier function by restricting the capacity of IFN‐γ to increase epithelial permeability and prevent induction of expression of the pore‐forming protein, claudin‐2. These data identify an important functional role for PTPN2 as a protector of the intestinal epithelial barrier and provide clues as to how PTPN2 mutations may contribute to the pathophysiology of CD.
Compact microstrip branch-line coupler with unequal power division

A brief overview of modern methods of miniaturization of microstrip devices is presented. A compact design of the directional coupler, which divides the power with the ratio 1:2, is implemented on a substrate with a relative permittivity ε = 4.4 and thickness h = 1 mm. The proposed layout has a considerably smaller size than the traditional design by using lowpass filters having the same phase differences as the replaced segments. The prototype was manufactured and its parameters were measured. The proposed method of miniaturization has allowed reducing the coupler size by 66% in comparison to standard design.
Farmers' attitudes, perceptions and the management of field boundary vegetation on farmland

Boundary vegetation is an important resource for farmland wildlife, for biodiversity and as a landscape component. However, the management of such areas has been generally neglected over recent years. This paper draws on the findings from two studies of farmers' and others' perceptions of field boundary management, to suggest ways of ameliorating this. The studies used complementary techniques - a detailed questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. Management of field boundaries varied, depending on the way farmers perceived and valued them and on a range of external influences. While commercial aspects generally dominated field boundary management, both farmers, professionals and the wider public also appreciated hedgerows as landscape or countryside features. The study suggests it may be useful to build on or influence these attitudes to maintain or enhance the conservation value of field boundary vegetation.
Three Levels of Metric for Evaluating Wayfinding

Three levels of virtual environment (VE) metric are proposed, based on: (1) users' task performance (time taken, distance traveled, and number of errors made), (2) physical behavior (locomotion, looking around, and time and error classification), and (3) decision making (i.e., cognitive) rationale (think aloud, interview, and questionnaire). Examples of the use of these metrics are drawn from a detailed review of research into VE wayfinding. A case study from research into the fidelity that is required for efficient VE wayfinding is presented, showing the unsuitability in some circumstances of common metrics of task performance such as time and distance, and the benefits to be gained by making fine-grained analyses of users' behavior. Taken as a whole, the paper highlights the range of techniques that have been successfully used to evaluate wayfinding and explains in detail how some of these techniques may be applied.