Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Trust, Perceived Risk and Behavioral Intention for Technology Acceptance in Banking Services

Consisting of many members empirical studies on internet banking services (IBS) adoption have focused on perceived risk or trust or behavioral intention; but rarely have they combined these concepts and used empirical evidence to investigate the relationship. This study aims to contribute to this field by looking simultaneously at the roles of trust, perceived risk, and behavioral intention on consumers’ IBS usage intention. An integrated model explaining the interrelationships among trust, perceived risk and behavioral intention is developed for technology acceptance and internet banking. The research was conducted on a sample of 432 young Chinese consumers who can be classified as IBS early adopters. The quantitative findings are enhanced by the analysis of extensive qualitative data providing unique insights into this market. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between trust, perceived risk and that both are crucial in explaining the technology acceptance and internet banking behavioral intention. Furthermore, trust in the bank is fundamental not only to reducing risk perceptions of IBS in general but also to building trust in the banks’ competence in terms of IBS activity. This research adds value to existing studies of online banking, which largely focus on trust, risk and intention separately. In addition, it enables us to contribute to the current literature on the emerging Chinese IBS market, which is largely under-researched.
Assessing the Viability of Reintroduction of Locally Extinct Migratory Fish Brycon orbignyanus: Successful Growth, Dispersal and Maturation

The reintroduction of threatened fish species in areas where wild populations have been depleted due to anthropogenic impacts is an increasingly popular conservation tool and mitigation policy. Despite the importance of fish reintroduction for conservation purposes, little is known about its efficiency. Here, we assessed the viability of reintroduction of the endangered migratory fish, Brycon orbignyanus, in an area of the Upper Uruguay River basin where the species has not been reported for more than 30 years. We released 4000 yearling juveniles in the Pelotas River in 2014 and maintained 400 juveniles in captivity as a control population. After three years, a total of 13 individuals was recaptured, of which, 10 were considered sexually mature with first maturation being recorded in animals larger than 42 cm in total body length. The age–length comparison with a control population growth curve showed that recaptured fish were slightly bigger than those in captivity. Furthermore, important ecological attributes as schooling behavior and dispersal capacity were recorded for all recaptured individuals. Combined, our results suggest that the re-establishment of a self-sustained population of locally extinct species B. orbignyanus in the Pelotas River may be successful if sustained over time and supported by conservation policies.
Performance evaluation of smart glove applied to experimental rig to control human hand tremor for Parkinson disease

This paper focuses on the development of an experimental rig which was designed as an apparatus to induce vibration along the model of hand-arm to simulate the human postural tremor and proposed a smart glove incorporated with piezoelectric actuator for effective control over the tremor produced by the experimental rig. Intra Vernacular (IV) Training arm is used to represent the human hand-arm and two DC motors with unbalance masses are used as the source of excitation. Thus, this creates a quivering hand-arm model which represents the behavior of postural tremor phenomenon. The quantification assessment of human hand tremor and the experimental rig are measured and recorded at the palm. In this paper, the experimental results are divided into two parts; actual human hand tremor and model hand-arm tremor. Both experiments were done by wearing the glove to evaluate the effectiveness of the glove in reducing hand tremor. The displacement and acceleration are measured and recorded on the model using light-weight accelerometer and laser displacement sensor respectively. A piezoelectric actuator is employed as the main active element for the compensation of the disturbances. The results are considered as raw data that can be used for further analysis of human tremor especially for Parkinson's disease patients, which can later be used to assist in developing control strategies that is needed as an input for the piezoelectric actuator or in the design of a device that can suppress the hand tremor vibration. The presented system is notable for simplicity and low cost.
An analysis of the seismic activity of Popocatépetl Volcano, Mexico, associated with the eruptive period of December 2002 to February 2003: Looking for precursors

Since it reactivated in 1994, Popocatépetl volcano has undergone cycles of formation and destruction of several lava domes. This surface activity is generally associated with increasing seismic activity before the explosions that destroy the domes. A comprehensive analysis of seismic records from November 2002 to February 2003 is carried out in order to identify precursors of a series of explosive events. Daily numbers of volcano-tectonic earthquakes and long-period events, as well as daily tremor duration, are obtained. Spectral features of the LP events and tremor are also calculated and high-frequency precursory signals of the LPs are studied. No clear variations of these characteristics of the seismicity can be detected before the eruptions. RSAM calculations show that, besides small fluctuations related to the explosions, the rate of seismic energy released is quite stable during the studied period. Minor short-lived variations of RSAM levels are observed before only five of eighteen eruptions, with no accelerating release of energy. It is thus quite difficult to identify reliable seismic precursors during the eruptive sequence. This situation is probably related to the open state of the system and has important implications on future risk assessment regarding this volcano.
Outline of the various MPPT methods used for photovoltaic power control

Considering the current energy situation, electricity generation & demand, acute energy crises, green house effect, global climate control, constricted available non-renewable energy sources had created immense need for giving stress over the contingencies regarding transforming & maximum utilization of power generated via renewable energy sources against power generation from non-renewable sources so as to conserve the environmental equilibrium along with escalating human demands / needs. Amongst all renewable energy sources available with us, solar energy is a imperative & readily available untapped resource in tropical countries like ours. Solar energy can be transformed to useful electric energy through PV solar cells. However, being dynamic solar irradiance & temperature, the main interruption for the penetration and reach of solar PV systems is their low efficiency & hefty capital cost. Therefore, to trounce such issues, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for solar arrays is indispensable in PV system. The non linear behaviour of PV system as well as variations of MPPT with solar irradiation & temperature resulted in MPPT mechanism a tedious one. To date a range of methods for MPPT are projected & implemented. In this paper a study of various methods with its pros & cons along with algorithms are presented.
A Neural Network Predictive Model of Pipeline Internal Corrosion Profile

Internal corrosion is a crucial issue for the safe operation of oil&gas pipelines. This is a phenomenon due to interaction of different mechanisms. Water and electrochemistry, protective scales, flow velocity, steel composition and localized bacteria attacks are relevant. Despite the large number of models proposed in literature, the corrosion process is very complex and rarely reproduced by existing models. For this reason, an artificial neural network (ANN) based model is investigated, with the aim to correctly predict the presence of metal loss and corrosion rate along a pipeline. In this paper, a case study is considered, based on real field data. The model integrates the geometrical profile of a real pipeline, flow simulations and the most important deterministic corrosion models. It is shown that the ANN model outperforms the deterministic ones.
Notes on Importance Sampling and Policy Gradient

Consider the problem of estimating Ex∼p[f(x)] for distribution p ∈ ∆(X ) and function f : X → R. If we can sample x ∼ p, the standard Monte-Carlo estimate is f(x), and averaging such estimates over multiple i.i. d. samples of x will give us an accurate estimate of Ex∼p[f(x)]. This is particularly useful if it is easy to sample from p but difficult to calculate the integral in Ex∼p[f(x)]. Now what if we cannot sample from p, but have access to x ∼ q for some other distribution q ∈ ∆(X )? It turns out that, if p is fully supported on q, that is, for all x ∈ X where p(x) > 0 we have q(x) > 0, then the following importance weighted estimator also gives an unbiased estimate of Ex∼p[f(x)]: p(x) q(x) f(x). (1)
POTENTIAL DENSITY DEPENDENCE IN WILD TURKEY PRODUCTIVITY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Observations in recent years by state agency biologists in the southeastern United States that are members of the Southeast Wild Turkey Working Group (SEWTWG) have indicated region-wide declines in productivity indices of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo; hereafter, turkey). Concerned that productivity declines were indicative of general large scale population declines, we initiated a study to assess productivity and population trends in the southeastern United States based on historical data collected by SEWTWG member states. Our goals were to summarize and analyze trends in demographic parameters temporally and spatially and generate hypotheses to account for observed declines in productivity. Thirteen states provided historical records (range: 17–54 years) of annual productivity, which we used to evaluate reproductive trends. We used a combination of spring harvest data (range: 8–52 years) and data from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey (BBS; 1966–2011) to quantify trends in turkey population sizes. Because of wide discrepancies in data collection methodology and availability across states, we characterized productivity and population trends for individual states and made biological inferences based on similarities observed across the region. At the state level, our results suggested that productivity has declined concomitant with increasing or stabilizing population sizes. Declines in productivity indices appeared to be best characterized by historical increases in number of females observed without broods. However, brood size appeared to have remained relatively stable. A subsequent literature review suggested a historical trend of increasing annual female survival rates. This led us to hypothesize that productivity may be limited in a density dependent manner. Specifically, we posit that productivity is mediated through site dependent regulation: as population density increases, availability of good quality nesting habitat becomes a limiting factor and a greater percentage of the hen population is forced to attempt to nest in poor quality nesting habitat, thus reducing per capita reproductive success. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 11:329–351
Structural Bioinformatics for Protein Engineering

Proteins are amongst the most abundant and functionally diverse macromolecules present in all living cells, and are linear heteropolymers synthesized using the same set of 20 amino acids found in all organisms from the archebacteria to more complex forms of life. By virtue of their vast diversity of amino acid sequences, a single cell may contain a huge variety of proteins, ranging from small peptides to large protein complexes with molecular weights in the range of 103-106 Daltons. Consequently, proteins show impressive diversity in biological function which includes enzyme catalysis, signal transmission via hormones, antibodies, transport, muscle contraction, antibiotics, toxic venom components and many others. Among these proteins, it may be argued that enzymes present the greatest variety and specialization, since virtually all the chemical reactions in the cell are catalyzed by enzymes (Aehle, 2004).
Multiple Sexual Partnerships and their Underlying Risk Influences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract Multiple sexual partners are defined as having more than one sexual partner over a period of time. These can be either serialised partners; one after the other, or simultaneous or concurrent; different sexual partners that overlap in time. Multiple sexual partners have been identified as a likely driver of the spread of HIV in countries with a generalised epidemic because they connect people to a sexual network in which HIV is spread more quickly and the entire community can be affected. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of multiple sexual partnerships and their underlying factors among students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. A study was conducted on 385 students using multistage sampling technique. The data were Analysed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis with SPSS software package version 16.8. Findings show that 49.6% of the students were engaging in sex. About 44.2% sexually active respondents reported having multiple sexual partnerships. Male students were prone to multiple sexual partners compared to females (AOR=3.75; CI: 2.01-6.50). Students staying alone in rented apartments were two times more likely to have multiple sexual partners compared to those living with their parents (AOR=1.01;CI: 0.24-2.26). Findings also show that students who were under peer pressure were five times likely to have multiple sexual partners compared to those who did not have (AOR=4.99;CI: 2.65-8.80). Students who used alcohol were more likely to have multiple sex partners compared to those who never drank (AOR=2.19; CI: 1.01-4.07). Findings suggest that the practice of engaging in multiple sexual partnerships is rampant on campuses and it is influenced by several underlying risk factors. Therefore, intervention programmes addressing multiple sexual partnerships and risk factors should be developed on campuses.
1 Hydrokinetic Energy Assessment in Unregulated 2 River for Hydrokinetic Performance Analysis Studies 3 in East Malaysia 4

Electrification coverage in Sarawak is the lowest at 78.74%, compared to Peninsular 11 Malaysia at 99.62% and Sabah at 82.51%. Kapit, Sarawak with its 88.4% populations located in rural 12 areas and mostly situated along the main riverbanks has great potential to generate electrical 13 energy by hydrokinetic system. Yearly water velocity data is the most significant parameter to 14 perform hydrokinetic analysis study. Nevertheless, the data retrieved from local river databases 15 are inadequate for river energy analysis, thus hindering its progression. Instead, flow rates and 16 rainfall data had been utilised to estimate the water velocity data. This signifies no estimation of 17 water velocity in an unregulated river by using water level data had been made. Therefore, a novel 18 technique of estimating the daily average water velocity data in unregulated rivers is proposed. 19 The modelling of regression equation for water velocity estimation was performed and two 20 regression model equations were generated to estimate both water level and water velocity on-site 21 and proven to be valid as the coefficient of determination values had been R2 = 87.4% and R2=87.9%, 22 respectively. The combination of both regression model equations can be used to estimate 23 long-term time series water velocity data for type-C unregulated river in remote areas. 24
Metrization of pro-morphism sets

Every pair of inverse systems X, Y in a category A, where Y is cofinite, admits a complete (ultra)metric structure on the set pro-A(X,Y ). The corresponding hom-bifunctor is not, generally, an internal Hom. However, there exists a subcategory of pro-A, containing tow-A, for which the hom-bifunctor is an invariant Hom into the category of complete metric spaces. Application to the sets tow-HcANR(X,Y ) yields several new interesting results concerning Borsuk’s quasi-equivalence.
Problems of radiocarbon dating of raised beaches, based on experience in Spitsbergen1

During The summers of 1957 and 1958 the junior author served as glacial geologist with the Swedish Glaciological Expedition to Nordaustlandet (North-East Land), Spitsbergen (Fig. 1). One of the main objectives was to establish an absolute chronology of events leading to the partial deglaciation of this island.
Method of Transosseous Through-and-Through Drainage of Bone Cysts

The aim of the investigation was to develop a method of treatment of degenerative bone cysts localized in the double-beam segments of the limbs. Materials and Methods. We proposed a method of through-and-through drainage of degenerative bone cysts in double-beam segments of the limbs with the insertion of puncture needles through the unaffected radius. The transosseous introduction of the needles is achieved under a certain angle of osteoperforation: the distal needle — under the 15 to 30o posterior angulation, and the proximal needle — under 15 to 30o anterior angulation. The needles are arranged in the following way: the distal one is placed in the anteroinferior part of the cyst, and the proximal one is placed in the posterosuperior part of the cyst more distally from the enostosis, that apart from secure fixation enables the overall irrigation of the cavity of the pathological focus. The proposed method is applied to 8 patients with localization of the pathological process in the bones of the lower leg and forearm. Transosseous drainage was carried out for 7–10 days with successive change of the perfusion drugs. Results. The needle fixation in all patients was good, the outflow of the therapeutic mixture into the surrounding soft tissues was not observed. During the drainage the patients did not complain, no complications were observed. Conclusion. The transosseous method of through-and-through drainage of bone cysts enables to achieve secure fixation of puncture needles and avoid complications.
Performance analysis of log-optimal portfolio strategies with transaction costs

In this paper we introduce an empirical approximation of the log-optimal investment strategy that guarantees an almost optimal growth rate of investments. The proposed strategy also considers the effects of portfolio rearrangement costs on growth optimality and recommends a suboptimal portfolio for discrete investment periods. We do not assume any parametric structure for the market process, only a first-order Markov property. The model introduced is based on kernel-based agents' (experts') approximation of the maximum theoretical growth rate with transaction costs. Although the optimal solution is theoretically a complex Bellman programming problem, our suboptimal empirical result appears to be attractive for Dow Jones 30 shares. The paper presents a performance analysis where the return of the empirical log-optimal portfolio is compared with passive portfolio counterparts compiled from similar components using the CAPM, the three-factor model and the four-factor model. The proposed methods, in the presence of transaction costs, provide a significant positive abnormal return compared with the preceding equilibrium models, and is even a survivorship bias-free setup.
A HYBRID SYSTEM FOR ANALYSIS AND DETECTION OF WEB-BASED CLIENT-SIDE MALICIOUS CODE

Malicious Web applications are a significant threat to computer security today. They are the main way through which attackers manage to install malware on end-user systems. In order to develop protection mechanisms for these threats, the attacks themselves must be carefully studied and understood. Several systems exist to analyze and detect malicious Web pages, but they leave much to be desired. In this article we propose a system that dynamically analyzes Web pages through a novel technique that combines machine-learning and signature-based identification to detect malicious Web behavior. Our tests show that the proposed system---Browser Attacks Detection (BroAD)---has a better detection rate when compared to existing state-of-the-art systems. The BroAD system also produces more information about the malicious code than those systems, therefore providing a better understanding of the Web malware.
Higher Fatty Acid Composition of Immature Forages as Affected by N Fertilization1

High levels of both N and total higher fatty acids (HFA) in forage have been associated with increasing the grass tetany hazard to grazing cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between forage N, total HFA, and HFA species distribution in several forages. Forage N, ETA, M IAspecies concentration, and total chlorophyll were determined in immature vegetative growth of Agropy,con desertorum (Fisch.) Schult. , Cynodon dactylon L. , Loliutn perenne L. , Trifoliunt repent L. , and Trillcum aestiuson L. established with soil fertility levels up to 500 ppm N in the growth chamber. Forage HFA concentrations were positively and linearly related to forage N levels, but regression coefficients were not the same for all species. The HFA concentrations were as high as 16 mmol COOH/100g DM at 6% total N in first cutting Lolium perenne L. The relative HFA species distribution was the same within a given forage, even though total N concentrations ranged from 2 to 6%. The mean HFA specie concentrations (determined by gas-liquidchromatography relative to mean total HFA concentrations determined by titration) when expressed as percent for the grasses were: C14:0 — 2 q, C16:0 — 13%, C16:1 — 1q, C18:0 plus C18:1 — 1%, C18:2 — 11%, and C18:3 — 67%. The total HFA concentrations were positively correlated with chlorophyll a + b concentrations which was expected, since the HFA of green plants is largely associated with chloroplast membrane.
Identifying working data set of particular loop iterations for dynamic performance tuning

Improving data locality and cache hit rates are key to obtain performance gain in modern computer systems. While loop tiling or blocking is a technique that can enhance spatial and temporal locality of data accesses, it is hard for compilers to fully automate it. This might be because sometimes the number of iterations of a loop is decided at runtime based on the size of input data or static dependency checking is too conservative for such loop transformation. Therefore, currently most of them are done by expert HPC programmers instead of compilers or advanced tools that guide and support them. In this paper, we present a mechanism for identifying the working data set of a particular loop iteration space using a dynamic binary translation system. From preliminary evaluation results using a benchmark program, we demonstrate how we measure the locality of data accesses via our mechanism and how we guide blocking strategies of data accesses. Also, we discuss the applicability of our mechanism to dynamic performance tuning mechanism in a dynamic compiler framework performed by a binary translation system.