Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Information Literacy Skills on Academic Staff Research Productivity in Nigerian Federal Universities

The study examined the influence of information literacy skills on academics research productivity in federal universities in Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. Multistage sampling technique was used to select one thousand one hundred and fifty-seven (1,057) academic staff members from federal universities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. The instruments used for data collection were: Information Literacy Skills Acquisition Scale (α= 0.83), Information Literacy Skills Scale (α= 0.92) and Research Productivity of Academic Scale (α=0.91). Eight hundred and seventy-three (873) copies of questionnaire were completed, returned and used in the study which represent (83%) response rate. Three research questions were answered and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result shows that the academic staff acquires information literacy skill mostly through attending workshops/seminars, self-taught, assistance from other colleagues, trial and error, guidance from library staff and faculty/departmental training. Also, the analysis establishes the fact that the research productivity of the academic staff in Nigerian federal universities is higher in journal publications, technical reports, conference papers, working papers and occasional papers. However, the research productivity of the academic staff in Nigerian federal universities is lower in textbook publications, monographs, patents and certified inventions. The finding, however, shows that the mean scores of each of the seven components tested under the information literacy skills is higher than the mid-point scores of 2.5 on a scale of five. Therefore academics in Nigerian federal universities possessed high information literacy skills based on the overall mean scores. Information literacy is considered an important element in educational and professional settings in particular, the academic environment. The result of this research study has raised some implications for implementation of information literacy skills programmes to improve quality and quantity of academics research productivity in Nigerian universities.
Market efficiency in developing countries: a case study of the nairobi stock exchange

This study extends evidence on the efficiency of stock markets in developing countries using data from the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). Previous evidence from studies on stock markets in developing countries, and NSE in particular, is inconclusive. In many cases, the findings have not supported the random walk hypothesis and are therefore not consistent with efficiency in the weak-form. The key question investigated is whether successive share price returns on the Nairobi Stock Exchange are independent random variables so that price returns cannot be predicted from historical price returns. This study uses the traditional random walk methodology of serial correlation and runs tests as applied by Fama (1965), Cooper (1982), and Taylor (1986) rather than the newer methodologies of variance ratios [Lo and MacKinlay (1988)] and of regression [Jegadeesh (1990)]. These techniques are used for reasons of triangulation in research and for their intuitive appeal. They remain appropriate tools for testing the weak-form EMH despite challenge from newer methodologies. In their use, nevertheless, the study recognises and deals with two largely ignored issues in their application to EMH tests in emerging markets: the quality and quantity of data, and the depth of analysis of the market microstructure. The quality and quantity of data are improved through the creation of a computer database. The study then analyses all three price series on the exchange: The Bid, Ask and Transaction prices. The findings suggests that with proper control over the quality of the data and the use of a larger number of data observations, the random walk model can be a good description of successive price returns in an emerging stock market. This has been shown to hold irrespective of whether bid, ask, or transaction returns are used. This is contrary to most of the earlier evidence that the random walk model does not apply in such markets. The results obtained are therefore consistent with the weak-form of the EMH.
Fundamental Issues in Strategy: A Research Agenda

How do firms behave? Why are firms different? What are the functions of the headquarters unit in a multibusiness firm? What determines success or failure in international competition? In Fundamental Issues in Strategy, twenty-two prominent scholars collectively address these four fundamental questions to examine strategic management's intellectual roots and to strengthen the field's theoretical foundations. They take a comprehensive look at the "intellectual backbone" of the field of strategy, raising important issues that demand further research. The result is a compelling reexamination of strategic management that urges scholars to refocus their efforts now - and sets a research agenda for the coming decade. The editors, Richard P. Rumelt, Dan E. Schendel, and David J. Teece, organized this project specifically to encourage focus on fundamental questions of strategy; call for a significant increase in the sophistication, rigor, and scholarly quality of strategy research; demonstrate a fruitful interaction between strategy researchers and discipline-based scholars; and show the tremendous potential of the intersection of basic disciplines and strategy for gaining new insights and improving management practice and organizational performance. Indeed, by focusing on fundamental questions, the contributors reveal that disciplines like economics, organizational sociology, and political science as well as research on strategic management can - and should - shed new light on this important field. Fundamental Issues in Strategy is the product of a conference jointly sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation through its consortium "Competitiveness and Cooperation, " The John M. OlinFoundation, UCLA Center for International Business Education and Research, and the Strategic Management Society. It frames a complete and original statement about the future of strategic management - and establishes a foundation for future growth and development in the field of strategy.
Effect of Prenatal Hypoxia in Transgenic Mouse Models of Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction

Mice lacking endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS− /−) or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT−/−) exhibit a preeclampsia-like phenotype and fetal growth restriction. We hypothesized that a hypoxic insult would result in a more severe phenotype. Pregnant eNOS−/−, COMT−/− and control (C57BL/6J) mice were randomized to hypoxic (10.5% O2) or normal conditions (20.9% O2) from gestational day 10.5 to 18.5. Hypoxia increased the blood pressure in all genotypes and proteinuria in C57BL/6J and eNOS−/− mice. Fetal survival was significantly reduced following hypoxia, particularly in eNOS−/− mice. Birth weight was decreased in both C57BL/6J and COMT−/− mice. Placentas from COMT−/− mice demonstrated increased peroxynitrite. Despite similar hypoxia-induced effects on maternal blood pressure and proteinuria, eNOS−/− embryos have a decreased tolerance to hypoxia. Compared to C57BL/6J, COMT−/− mice exhibited less severe changes in proteinuria and fetal growth when exposed to prenatal hypoxia. This relative resistance to prenatal hypoxia was associated with a significant increase in placental levels of peroxynitrite.
Learning a Multi-View Stereo Machine

We present a learnt system for multi-view stereopsis. In contrast to recent learning based methods for 3D reconstruction, we leverage the underlying 3D geometry of the problem through feature projection and unprojection along viewing rays. By formulating these operations in a differentiable manner, we are able to learn the system end-to-end for the task of metric 3D reconstruction. End-to-end learning allows us to jointly reason about shape priors while conforming geometric constraints, enabling reconstruction from much fewer images (even a single image) than required by classical approaches as well as completion of unseen surfaces. We thoroughly evaluate our approach on the ShapeNet dataset and demonstrate the benefits over classical approaches as well as recent learning based methods.
Real exchange rates and structural breaks

Cointegration tests often fail to detect the existence of long-term relationships such as purchasing power parity for two reasons: (i) these tests have low power and (ii) structural shocks can alter the long-run real exchange rate. In this paper, the long-run movements of five exchange rates relative to the US Dollar and five European exchange rates relative to the Deutsche Mark are investigated. In particular, corrected cointegration tests are applied, which take into account the possibility of a structural break at an unknown date. Empirical evidence is found that structural changes can be responsible for most exchange rate deviations from their equilibrium, defined by purchasing power parity or a generic monetary model.
The Balanced Scorecard: A New Zealand Perspective

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC), first introduced by Kaplan and Norton in 1992, is described as a comprehensive performance measurement system as well as a strategic management tool. Over the past decade, the BSC has attracted increasing attention in mainstream management accounting research. A review of the literature identifies five main areas of criticism relating to the BSC. Using particularly Norreklit’s (2000, 2003) criticisms of the BSC’s assumptions, this research gained views (using both a pilot and follow up survey of New Zealand companies) on the number and titles of perspectives in the BSC; the existence and understanding of cause‐and‐effect relationships; whether or not the BSC was perceived as a strategic control model; the number of performance measures and perceptions of the ability to judge performance based on those measures; and the credibility and effectiveness of the BSC as a management solution. The findings show that the BSC is not used extensively by the firms studied but those that do use it take full advantage of the BSC’s flexibility, using broader perspective names, as needed, to incorporate the desired aspects of organisational performance. There appears to be no concern over whether the cause‐and‐effect relationships meet a set of academic criteria relating to empirical verification and logical independence. However, Norreklit’s (2000) criticism that the BSC fails to increase strategy awareness finds some support. The findings also contradict the suggestion that the BSC necessitates an excessive number of performance measures which could be detrimental to managerial performance evaluation. Finally, the criticism that the BSC is merely a trend, popularised by management consulting firms, is also not supported.
Behavioral Influences in Non-Ferrous Metals Prices

Recent research has identified the presence of behavioral influences on traders in predominantly professionally traded markets such as oil, gold, and foreign exchange. Previous research had largely confined behavioral-based investigations to equity markets due to an assumption that noise traders would drive any influence and these traders were mainly absent from the professionally traded markets. This paper extends this research to the non-ferrous metals markets and demonstrates similar influences on prices. It is shown that psychological price barriers, where there is predictable trading patterns around psychologically important price points, are important. Specifically, lead, zinc, and aluminium alloy, show anomalous price reactions in the days particularly following a breach of a $1,000 price point. There is also evidence presented of negative price clustering before key price barriers. Subperiod tests further indicate that the relevant psychological price point is dependent on average prices. Recognizing the multiple hypothesis testing nature of the study, generalized Bonferroni corrections are implemented to provide a robust control for the possibility of data mining. This represents a first investigation of behavioral influences in non-ferrous metals prices, and suggests these markets are not immune to trader biases influencing the setting of prices.
Fad and Fashion in Shareholder Activism: The Landscape of Shareholder Resolutions, 1988–1998

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The publisher or original authors may retain copyright to the materials. Fad and fashion in shareholder activism: The landscape of shareholder resolutions, 1988-1998
A Further Investigation of the Lead-Lag Relationship in Returns and Volatility between the Spot Market and Stock Index Futures: Early Evidence from Greece

This paper investigates the lead-lag relationship in daily returns and volatilities between price movements of FTSE/ASE-20 futures and the underlying FTSE/ASE-20 cash index of the Athens Stock Exchange. The results suggest that there is a bidirectional causality between spot and futures returns, rejecting the usual result of futures leading spot market. However, spot market seems to play a more important role in price discovery. Volatility spillovers across the two markets are examined by using a bivariate EGARCH(1,1) model. This model is found to capture all the volatility dynamics. The results indicate that the transmission of volatility is bidirectional. Any piece of information that is released by the cash market has an effect on futures market volatility, and vice versa. Nevertheless, the volatility spillover from spot to futures market is slightly stronger than in the reverse direction.
Phase II trial of sorafenib in advanced thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE Given the molecular pathophysiology of thyroid cancer and the spectrum of kinases inhibited by sorafenib, including Raf kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and RET tyrosine kinases, we conducted an open-label phase II trial to determine the efficacy of sorafenib in patients with advanced thyroid carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients with metastatic, iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice daily. Responses were measured radiographically every 2 to 3 months. The study end points included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and best response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS Thirty patients were entered onto the study and treated for a minimum of 16 weeks. Seven patients (23%; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.42) had a partial response lasting 18+ to 84 weeks. Sixteen patients (53%; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.72) had stable disease lasting 14 to 89+ weeks. Seventeen (95%) of 19 patients for whom serial thyroglobulin levels were available showed a marked and rapid response in thyroglobulin levels with a mean decrease of 70%. The median PFS was 79 weeks. Toxicity was consistent with other sorafenib trials, although a single patient died of liver failure that was likely treatment related. CONCLUSION Sorafenib has clinically relevant antitumor activity in patients with metastatic, iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma, with an overall clinical benefit rate (partial response + stable disease) of 77%, median PFS of 79 weeks, and an overall acceptable safety profile. These results represent a significant advance over chemotherapy in both response rate and PFS and support further investigation of this agent in these patients.
Prediction of community integration and vocational outcome 2-5 years after traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in Australia.

OBJECTIVES To predict community integration and vocational outcomes 2-5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN Multivariate correlational design incorporating retrospective data collection and questionnaire follow-up. METHODS Four hundred and forty six patients admitted to a Head Injury Unit between 1991 and 1995 were contacted. Data on predictor variables (demographic, injury severity and functional) were retrieved from hospital records. Community integration and vocational outcome was assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Two hundred and nine patients/carers completed and returned the questionnaires. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, multiple regression and discriminant analysis using SPSS. RESULTS Community integration was predicted by age, disability level and cognition. Length of PTA, cognition, disability levels, GCS, functional status, length of acute stay and prior occupation discriminated those who returned to work. A total of 46.5% returned to work with 74.5% in the same or similar jobs. CONCLUSION Long term outcomes post-TBI can be predicted by demographic, injury severity and functional status variables.
Predictive control with imposed sinusoidal source and load currents of an indirect matrix converter operating at fixed switching frequency

In this paper a predictive control technique for an indirect matrix converter is proposed. The control strategy allows to impose a sinusoidal waveform in both the input and output current of the converter without any weighting factor in the controller and, at the same time, the operation at fixed switching frequency. Simulation results validate the proposal under both steady and transient states which are also compared with the predictive current control strategy with minimization of the reactive input power.
R‐R interval variation and the sympathetic skin response in the assessment of the autonomic nervous system in leprosy patients

Objectives – The aim of this study was to evaluate possible autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in leprosy patients with the sympathetic skin response (SSR) and the heart rate (R‐R) interval variation (RRIV) measurements which are easy and reliable methods for evaluation of autonomic functions.
Liquidity Constraints and Entrepreneurial Financing in Nigeria: The Fate of Fresh Graduate Entrepreneurs

The paper justifies the establishment of entrepreneurship development centres in Nigerian Universities by showing the relevance of entrepreneurship development programme on overall national development of the country. And then focuses on liquidity constraints which fresh graduate entrepreneurs may likely face in an attempt to establish small businesses of their own, after acquiring entrepreneurship training as part of their overall university training. The paper reiterates the importance of financial market development and personal wealth in driving entrepreneurship in a country. It contends that fresh graduate entrepreneurs cannot escape from liquidity constraints in entrepreneurial financing, due largely to the high level of poverty and the underdeveloped nature of the financial market in Nigeria. For the objective of the entrepreneurship development programme to be achieved, the paper recommends that fresh graduate entrepreneurs and indeed startups should possess five strong-will- powers such as mind power, planning power, people power, knowledge power and gearing power. In addition and more importantly, the government should carry out more vigorous reform in the financial market with a view to bringing it to international standards and also establish a special financial institution solely responsible for giving grants to fresh graduates after their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, to start businesses of their choice.
Can retail investors exploit stock market anomalies?

This article investigates the extent to which small investors can exploit a range of stock market anomalies. The study uses a small number of companies to define both long and short portfolios, and investigates the post-cost profitability of the following strategies: earnings/price, return/assets, price, asset growth, size, dividend/price and overreaction. Transaction cost is estimated when buying underlying shares and when selling short shares with Contracts For Difference (CFDs). Findings show that only the earnings/price strategy can enjoy net gains for small investors showing some evidence against stock market efficiency.
The Shifting Incidence of Involuntary Job Losses from 1968 to 1992

Risks of involuntary job losses among male workers are examined with data spanning 1968 to 1992 from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We find that the incidence of involuntary job losses among prime-age men with strong links to the labor market rose substantially over the period under investigation and about as much for college-educated and older workers as for less educated and less experienced workers. The only labor market group not sharing the burden of higher job-loss risks were government workers. Overall, involuntary job losses were distributed more evenly across skill groups during periods of macroeconomic expansion than during periods of contraction.
Aiming for zero: what makes nations adopt carbon neutral pledges?

Amid widespread inaction in the face of the looming threat of climate change, the leaders of nine nation-states have opted for a bold, seemingly anomalous, course of action by making national carbon neutrality pledges. Because prior research has focused on why states fail to curb emissions, there is a paucity of research on why some states take a different path by committing to drastic emission reductions. This research aims to help fill that gap. First, a content analysis of 252 newspaper articles reveals that New Zealand made the first pledge and eight other states have followed. Second, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis is used to compare political and social conditions in states with carbon neutral pledges to conditions in a randomly selected group of states without such pledges. Pledge states, compared to non-pledge states, have better governance scores on world indices, an abundant presence of global environmental NGOs, and smaller populations. Pledge states also have lower levels of income inequality (measured by Gini coefficients) than non-pledge states. I argue that these conditions (effective governance, abundant NGOs, small population sizes, and egalitarian class structures) facilitate collective action, and thus enabled some states to make carbon neutral pledges.
Differences in the Distribution of Antigen Reactive Cells in the Lymphoid Tissues of the Rat and Mouse

Summary The concentration of tetanus toxoid reactive cells in the spleen is greater than that in thoracic duct lymph in the rat. The relative concentrations of reactive cells are reversed in the mouse. One explanation of these results is that a single reactive cell type is different in the two species. An alternative explanation is that several reactive cell types are present in either species and that differences in antigen processing select out different reactive cell types.