Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Real Options Component of Firm Market Value: The Case of the Technological Corporation

This paper tests whether stock prices reflect investor's expectations regarding the value of real options. The analysis is implemented based on a sample of 391 high-tech companies listed on main OECD stock markets during the period December 1994 through December 2000. Results confirm the predicted relation between the fraction of a firm's market value not accounted for by its assets-in-place, and a series of variables that are assumed to disclose its real options value, variables such as research and development activity, risk and skewness of stock returns, and size. The results are robust even after controlling for valuation date, sub-industry, country, and alternative measures of risk.
The growth factors involved in flexor tendon repair and adhesion formation

Flexor tendon injuries remain a significant clinical problem, owing to the formation of adhesions or tendon rupture. A number of strategies have been tried to improve outcomes, but as yet none are routinely used in clinical practice. Understanding the role that growth factors play in tendon repair should enable a more targeted approach to be developed to improve the results of flexor tendon repair. This review describes the main growth factors in tendon wound healing, and the role they play in both repair and adhesion formation.
Comptonization and reflection of X-ray radiation and the X-ray- radio correlation in the chi-states of GRS 1915+105

We present a comprehensive X-ray study of four years of pointed RXTE observations of GRS 1915+105 in the χ-state. We interpret the behavior of the hard power law tail spectrum as coming from inverse Compton scattering of soft disk photons on a thermally dominated hybrid corona above the accretion disk. GRS 1915+105 shows a strong, variable reflection amplitude. As in other BHC and in Seyfert galaxies, a correlation between the power law slope and the reflection was found. Also, the radio fluxes at 2.25GHz and 15GHz correlate with the power law slope, thus revealing a connection between the outflowing matter and the comptonizing region in the χ-states.
Title GDF-15 plasma levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with subclinical coronary artery disease Permalink

Background: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a cytokine associated with cardiovascular mortality, increases during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, but any role in stable COPD is unknown. We tested associations between GDF-15 and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, in COPD subjects free of clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of COPD participants (GOLD stages 2–4) in the COPDGene cohort without CVD at enrollment, using baseline CAC (from non-EKG-gated chest computed tomography) and plasma GDF-15 (by custom ELISA). We used multinomial logistic modeling of GDF-15 associations with CAC, adjusting for demographics, baseline risk (calculated using the HEART: Personal Heart Early Assessment Risk Tool (Budoff et al. 114:1761-1791, 2006) score), smoking history, measures of airflow obstruction, emphysema and airway disease severity. Results: Among 694 participants with COPD (47% women, mean age 63.6 years) mean GDF-15 was 1,304 pg/mL, and mean CAC score was 198. Relative to the lower GDF-15 tertile, higher tertiles showed bivariate association with increasing CAC score (mid tertile odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29, 2.51; higher tertile OR 2.86, CI 2.04, 4.02). This association was maintained after additionally adjusting for baseline CVD risk, for co-morbidities and descriptors of COPD severity and impact, markers of cardiac stress (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin T) and of inflammation (Interleukin-6), and in subgroup analysis excluding men, diabetics, current smokers or those with limited ambulation. Conclusions: In ever-smokers with COPD free of clinical CVD, GDF-15 contributes independently to subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00608764. Registered 28 January 2008.
Brain energetics (thought needs food)

Purpose of reviewAlmost 15 years after its initial proposal, the astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis still occupies the center stage in research on brain energetics. Recent developments have provided further evidence for its validity and have extended its application to different areas of neuroscience. Recent findingsDescription of cell-specific metabolic characteristics have reinforced the view that a prominent conversion of glucose into lactate takes place in astrocytes, whereas neurons preferentially take up and oxidize lactate over glucose-derived pyruvate. Indeed, specific mechanisms are activated by glutamatergic activity to favor such a net lactate transfer between the two cell types. Moreover, demonstration in vivo of the existence and implication of the astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis for particular neurophysiological processes is beginning to appear. SummaryBrain energetics has undertaken its revolution. A new concept based on metabolic compartmentalization between astrocytes and neurons is establishing itself as the leading paradigm that opens new perspectives in areas such as functional brain imaging and regulation of energy homeostasis.
Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Genotyping of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Strains and Its Relationship with Host Specificity, Serotyping, and Phage Typing

ABSTRACT Fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) analysis was applied to 276 Campylobacter jejuni strains and 87 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from humans, pigs, cattle, poultry, and retail meats to investigate whether certain FAFLP genotypes of C. jejuni and C. coli are associated with a particular host and to determine the degree of association between FAFLP-defined genotypes and heat-stable serotypes and/or phage types. Within C. coli, the poultry strains clustered separately from those of porcine origin. In contrast, no evidence of host specificity was detected among C. jejuni strains. While C. coli strains show host specificity by FAFLP genotyping, C. jejuni strains that are genotypically similar appear to colonize a range of hosts, rather than being host adapted. Some serotypes and/or phage types (C. jejuni serotype HS18, phage type PT6, and serophage type HS19/PT2 and C. coli HS66, PT2, and HS56/PT2) were the most homogeneous by FAFLP genotyping, while others were more heterogeneous (C. jejuni HS5 and PT39, and C. coli HS24 and PT44) and therefore poor indicators of genetic relatedness between strains. The lack of host specificity in C. jejuni suggests that tracing the source of infection during epidemiological investigations will continue to be difficult. The lack of congruence between some serotypes and/or phage types and FAFLP genotype underlines the need for phenotypic testing to be supplemented by genotyping. This study also demonstrates how, in general, FAFLP generates “anonymous” genetic markers for strain characterization and epidemiological investigation of Campylobacter in the food chain.
Determinants of Nigeria-China Bilateral Trade in Manufacturing Products

In the recent times, there has been an increasing spread of trade tentacles of China into the hinterland of many developing nations of the world. The need to secure resources to meet the development aspiration of her country made China to increasingly forged formidable trade ties with almost all African countries, especially Nigeria, in the area of manufacturing products. While these realities have proved to be beneficial to the trading partners, there is still skepticism about the benefits of such trade relations to Nigeria. There is a perceived dis-proportionality in the quantum of bilateral inflow of manufacturing products between Nigeria and China. This study therefore addressed these concerns by applying gravity model to analyze the determinants of bilateral trade relation in manufacturing products between Nigeria and China for the period of 1995 to 2012. Thus, from the stylized facts, we find evidence of increasing influx of China manufactured products into Nigeria while that of Nigeria outflow to them is of low magnitude. This paper therefore recommended the diversification of economic base of Nigeria crucial for a more beneficial China-Nigeria bilateral trade in manufactures.
Feasibility of sack potato production as a new technique used in some urban parts of Zimbabwe

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility of sack potato production in some parts of Zimbabwe. Study Design: The study utilised two instruments for data collection, namely questionnaires and structured interviews. Methodology: The first questionnaire for the producers of sack potato was distributed to fifty respondents. It enquired about personal information, inputs and adherence to best practices, technicalities, viability and sustainability of the technique. Another questionnaire reaching twenty respondents targeting consumers, was also effected focusing on product quality, acceptability and consumer perspective of sack potatoes. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS. 16). Place and Duration of the Study: Data was collected in parts of Harare and surrounding areas for a duration of six months. Results: Most respondents were in the age range, 25-55 years, which is the most economically Short Research Article Masvodza and Mapuwei; JAERI, 2(3): 201-208, 2015; Article no.JAERI. 2015.020 202 active group in the farming industry in Zimbabwe. Low yields were cited by 25% of respondents as a major limitation encountered with sack potatoes. These low yields were reportedly a result of lack of technical knowledge by 16.7% of the sample as most of them were new to the field. Another 16.7% reported labour problems especially in filling the sacks while some observed land degradation, 8.3%, when soil was collected in the forests for sale to potato producers and yet some experienced water shortages, 8.3%. Other limitations identified were high soil media costs as well as lack of access to the right type of soil by 8.3% of the sample, while 8.3% reported that the bucket system of watering was strenuous. Another 8.3% especially those at early stages of planting reported that there were no problems at all with the technique. Conclusions: Sack potato production in Zimbabwe may still require more research before full implementation. The feasibility of large scale commercial production and the optimum size of the sack or container also needs investigation so as to avoid unnecessary wastage of resources. There might be cases of misrepresentation of potential yield performance of sack potatoes in Zimbabwe.
Reception of Japanese Captions: A Comparative Study of Visual Attention between Native Speakers and Language Learners of Japanese.

Nowadays, television programmes are not only accessed through a conventional TV set; they can be viewed through streaming services on the internet, smartphones, and tablets to name but a few media. For language learners, this development has opened up opportunities for accessing authentic materials in foreign languages outside of the classroom. Studies have shown that the simultaneous presentation of aural and visual information in captioned audiovisuals in a foreign language has the potential to improve language learners’ listening skills (Mitterer & McQueen, 2009). Recent research has prompted extension of this discussion to online language learning behaviour and to analyses of what information learners attend to while watching captioned programmes (Vanderplank, 2015). This doctoral research seeks to contribute to this new perspective and explores actual viewing behaviour of native speakers and language learners of Japanese while watching a captioned Japanese variety show through the use of eye-tracking and questionnaires. This paper discusses the context and methodology of this study as the data analysis is in its initial phase. It is hoped that the results will deepen our understanding of language learners’ reception of Japanese captions and make suggestions as to how such authentic material can complement Japanese language learning.
to Finance for Innovators in the UK ’ s Environmental Sector Journal Item

Technological improvements are seen as one of the best solution in countering the environmental impacts of economic activity. Yet, the success of firms, especially SMEs, in the environmental sector is dependent on the presence of appropriate external financing to support their innovative activity. In an attempt to understand the circumstances surrounding the financing of 330 UK SME firms from the environmental sector between 2007-2010, we investigate the relationship between different types of innovation activity and sources of external finance. We observe a clear division of labour between the three external sources of finance, namely, banks, VC and government and identify that finance gap affects environmental SMEs with early stage and less applied research projects. We discuss the challenges for UK environmental SME to engage in innovative activity and call for an increased government support in order to support innovative SMEs with early stage projects and to instil confidence in the private investors by signalling long term commitment.
Correlation between Self-Efficacy Perception and Teaching Performance: The Case of Mexican Preschool and Primary School Teachers

Self-efficacy (SE) is a key factor of the teaching-learning process success. While literature on SE and its dimensions is rich in the field of education, still there is a lack of studies aiming to explore teachers’ SE in contrast with their actual teaching skills and their characteristics. For this reason, this study aims to respond to the following research questions: are there differences between perceived SE and actual teaching performance in preschool and primary school teachers? Which sources of SE can be considered as significant predictors of teachers’ SE? This work employs a quantitative approach based on the observational method. Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale and classroom observation frameworks were used to collect data from a sample of 24 teachers. Results show that there are high inconsistencies between self-judgments and actual teaching performance (p > .05). Experienced and medium experienced teachers show higher scores than novice teachers in several dimensions of SE (p .05). Resource support is found as the only significant predictor of SE in our sample of teachers (p < .001; p2 = .733). Our research suggests that teachers may have a distorted perception of their in-class performance, which could drive to lower quality of the teaching-learning process. Therefore, in the future, professional training programs should focus on promoting a more realistic understanding and awareness of teachers’ actions in the classroom as the first step of any intervention aiming to increase teaching quality.
Neuronal depletion of calcium-dependent proteins in the dentate gyrus is tightly linked to Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive deficits

Transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor proteins (hAPP) and amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) in neurons develop phenotypic alterations resembling Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in AD and hAPP mice are largely unknown. We have identified two molecular alterations that accurately reflect AD-related cognitive impairments. Learning deficits in mice expressing familial AD-mutant hAPP correlated strongly with decreased levels of the calcium-binding protein calbindin-D28k (CB) and the calcium-dependent immediate early gene product c-Fos in granule cells of the dentate gyrus, a brain region critically involved in learning and memory. These molecular alterations were age-dependent and correlated with the relative abundance of Aβ1–42 but not with the amount of Aβ deposited in amyloid plaques. CB reductions in the dentate gyrus primarily reflected a decrease in neuronal CB levels rather than a loss of CB-producing neurons. CB levels were also markedly reduced in granule cells of humans with AD, even though these neurons are relatively resistant to AD-related cell death. Thus, neuronal populations resisting cell death in AD and hAPP mice can still be drastically altered at the molecular level. The tight link between Aβ-induced cognitive deficits and neuronal depletion of CB and c-Fos suggests an involvement of calcium-dependent pathways in AD-related cognitive decline and could facilitate the preclinical evaluation of novel AD treatments.
Beyond Accounting: Inequality, Sorting and Labor Supply in West Germany

In this paper, we measure the effect of the association of female and earnings on inequality across couple households in West Germany from 1986 to 2010 by assigning couples randomly to each other and predicting labor supply choices. This allows quantifying the extent of sorting in earnings potential rather than observed earnings which result from both productivity and labor supply coordination in couples. Constructing counterfactuals based on observed earnings might be misleading since labor supply is affected by the household context. Using German microdata as well as a behavioral microsimulation model we find that the impact of observed sorting on earnings inequality among couples turned from equalizing to disequalizing in recent years, but is rather weak. However, after correcting for the effect of labor supply choices, we find that sorting in productivity has a much larger impact on observed earnings inequality.
The cross-bridge cycle and skeletal muscle fatigue

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , October 1, 2009; 587 (19): 4705-4716. J. Physiol. T. F. Reardon and D. G. Allen oxygen species Time to fatigue is increased in mouse muscle at 37{degrees}C; the role of iron and reactive [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , October 1, 2009; 107 (4): 1156-1164. J Appl Physiol S. J. Choi and J. J. Widrick Combined effects of fatigue and eccentric damage on muscle power [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , March 1, 2010; 95 (3): 404-410. Exp Physiol R. A. Ferguson Limitations to performance during alpine skiing [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2010; 298 (4): R989-R996. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol M. J. Greenberg, T. R. Mealy, M. Jones, D. Szczesna-Cordary and J. R. Moore on the actomyosin contractile apparatus The direct molecular effects of fatigue and myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2010; 108 (4): 866-874. J Appl Physiol C. Ferguson, H. B. Rossiter, B. J. Whipp, A. J. Cathcart, S. R. Murgatroyd and S. A. Ward power-duration relationship Effect of recovery duration from prior exhaustive exercise on the parameters of the
Identifying risk factors for eggshell contamination by Bacillus cereus group bacteria in French laying farms

Abstract 1. The growth of Bacillus cereus group bacteria often limits the shelf-life of pasteurised liquid egg products and is also a putative toxin producer. This study was performed to better understand the route of contamination by B. cereus in egg products by studying the factors affecting eggshell contamination on-farm. 2. Eggs were collected in warm and cold seasons in 50 conventional laying farms in Western France. Egg surfaces were analysed for the presence of B. cereus group bacteria, environmental measurements were recorded and production practices were identified through a questionnaire filled out by the farmers. 3. A total of 44% of the farms were contaminated by mesophilic and 10% by psychrotrophic B. cereus group bacteria. No significant effect of the season was observed, whatever the thermal type. Several procedures were associated with reduced eggshell contamination by mesophilic bacteria, including the limitation of dust formation from manure and feeding and efficient disinfection of the silo, houses and the sanitary wall between houses. 4. The research highlights the need to promote prevention strategies, from farm to fork, for the control of eggshell and putative subsequent egg product contamination by B. cereus group bacteria.
Paper The Effect of Culture and Power on Cooperation in Common Dilemmas : Implications for Global Resource Management

This study adopted a contextual framework to examine whether an interaction between group culture and economic power influences self-interest in a simulated commons dilemma. Full-time managers enrolled in executive MBA programs in Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, and the United States (U.S.) made decisions in an asymmetric commons dilemma. Relative to managers from the U.S. and Germany, Israeli managers were more likely to follow an individually rational decision-making approach, taking more resources in a high versus low economic power condition. In contrast, managers from Hong Kong in a high economic power condition followed a collectively rational approach, voluntarily taking fewer resources. Egocentrism mediated this interaction effect of group culture and economic power for the Israeli managers who were more egocentric and believed it was fair to harvest more resources in a high power condition. However, egocentrism did not mediate the interaction effect for managers from Hong Kong. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings highlight the importance of studying the proximal effect of group culture on contextual factors, such as economic power asymmetry, that influence cooperation in social dilemmas.
An Assessment of the Effects of Inventory Management Procedures on Performance of Kengen

The scope of inventory management in the 21 Century concerns the fine lines between replenishment lead time, carrying costs of inventory, asset management, inventory forecasting, inventory valuation, inventory visibility, future inventory price forecasting, physical inventory, available physical space for Inventory, replenishment, returns and defective goods, and demand forecasting in East Africa firms are striving to manage this element of Inventory to the best of their knowledge due to the cost implication involved in improper management of Inventory (Lysons& Farrington, 2006). Many organizations have adopted the use of Inventory control procedure as its positive effects are more than the negative ones. Performance of an organization is proved to be increasing with the effectiveness and type of inventory control procedures used. This research therefore critically assessed inventory control procedures of KenGen with a view of other organizations. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of Inventory Management Procedures on performance of KenGen based on the Inventory classification, storage methods, Material codification and Material inspection. The descriptive aspect of the research design was used in establishing the company performance and the analytical research design was used to establish relationship between inventory management procedures and performance of KenGen. The target population of this study was200 workers with a sample size of 133. This study used semistructured questionnaires with both closed and open ended questions to collect primary and secondary data. The filled in and returned questionnaires were coded and entered into a statistical package for sciences Version 22.0. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations as well as regressions analysis was done to establish relationships between the variables of the study and performance of KenGen. Many organizations have adopted the use of stock control procedure as its positive effects are more than the negative ones. Performance of an organization is proved to be increasing with the effectiveness and type of stock control used (Bailey, 2008). This research therefore critically examined stock control procedures of KenGen with a view of other organizations.