Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance strategies of Malaysian international contractors during boom and recession periods

ABSTRACT The performance of Malaysian international contractors has been deteriorated due to different factors including fluctuations of the global economy. Previous studies highlighted strategies for international contractors to sustain business such as diversification of product and region, localization, joint ventures and entry time. However, the influence of these strategies on contractors’ performance has not been studied extensively. The purpose of this paper is to identify strategies of the international Malaysian contractors and determine the influence of these strategies on their performance during different periods of economic fluctuations. The data of this study was collected from the records of 452 overseas construction projects completed between 1993 and 2016, which covered five periods of booms and recessions. Based on the regression analysis, the results showed that localization influences contractors’ performance during boom periods. Joint venture with home-country contractors may have a positive impact during both boom and recession periods. Product diversification has a positive influence during one recession period. The findings of this study provide an insight for contractors to make critical decisions pertaining to their long-term survival and growth in the international market.
Sub-3 ns pulse with sub-100 µA switching of 1x–2x nm perpendicular MTJ for high-performance embedded STT-MRAM towards sub-20 nm CMOS

A novel perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is developed that can be switched using pulse widths of around 1 ns and currents of less than 100 μA. This paper presents the first demonstration in novel achievement of fast switching, low power operation and size scalability of write current down to 16 nm diameter MTJ. This MTJ satisfies retention which is typically required in cache memory. Measurement results show that our proposed MTJ can open a path to embedded STT-MRAM in sub-20 nm CMOS generation.
Does Manager Ability Influence Prospectus Earnings Quality and IPO Underpricing?

Prior literature suggests that manager ability influences several factors, including financial reporting quality, key to the bargaining power of an issuing firm during their initial public offering (IPO). However, we also know that high ability managers are better able to engage in and conceal opportunistic behavior which may dampen any positive effects their abilities have in the IPO process. Given the conflicting affect that managerial ability may have on financial reporting and firm performance in the IPO setting, we examine the impact of manager ability on prospectus earnings quality and IPO underpricing. We find that IPO firms with high ability managers tend to have better earnings quality and are less underpriced than firms with low ability managers. We also find preliminary evidence that equity ownership strengthens the relationship between manager ability and IPO underpricing. Our findings are consistent with the streams of literature suggesting that better managers produce higher quality earnings and raise more capital during the IPO to invest in future growth opportunities if they are closely monitored. These findings should be useful to issuing firms considering hiring high caliber managers, investors in evaluating IPO firms, and researchers in examining the influence of human capital on IPO underpricing.
Nerolidol, an Antiulcer Constituent from the Essential Oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

In this study, the antiulcerogenic effect of essential oil from Baccharis dracunculifolia was evaluated using the model of acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The ulcerative lesion index (ULI) was significantly reduced by oral administration of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg which reduced the lesions by 42.79, 45.70 and 61.61%, respectively. The analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from B. dracunculifolia by GC showed that this was composed mainly of mono- and sesquiterpenes and the majority compound was nerolidol. Therefore, antiulcerogenic activity of nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was investigated using ethanol-, indomethacin- and stress-induced ulcer models in rat. In the stress-induced ulcer model, a significant reduction of the ULI in animals treated with nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) was observed, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 41.22, 51.31, 56.57 and 53.50% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. Regarding ethanol- and indomethacin- induced ulcer models, it was observed that the treatment with nerolidol (250 and 500 mg/ kg) significantly reduced the ULI in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). The dose of 50 mg/kg reduced the parameters analyzed but this was not statistically significant. In the ethanol-induced model percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.20, 52.63, 87.63 and 50.87% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 30 mg/kg of omeprazol (positive control), respectively. In indomethacin-ulcer the percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.69, 40.80, 51.02 and 46.93% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/ kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. The results of this study show that nerolidol displays antiulcer activity, as it significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced in different animal models. However, further pharmacological and toxicological investigations, to delineate the mechanism(s) of action and the toxic effects, are required to allow the use of nerolidol for the treatment of gastric ulcer
Effect of Intellectual Capital on Performance of Firms Listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange

This study assesses the effect of intellectual capital on performance of firms listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange. Three specific objectives were formulated to determine the extent to which intellectual capital affects corporate performance. From the specific objectives, hypotheses were also formulated and to test the hypotheses a sample of forty (40) companies were selected from 213 companies listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange using multi-phases sampling method. The study applied Ex-post Facto Research Design and made use of secondary data sourced from annual reports and accounts of sampled firms and Nigeria Stock Exchange Fact Book. Pulic 1998 Value Added Intellectual Capital Co-efficient (VAIC) model which enable the determination of specific effects of the components of intellectual capital (Human Capital Efficiency (HCE), Structural Capital Efficiency (SCE) and Capital Employed Efficiency (CEE) was adopted and transformed into ordinary least square approach and a multiple regression performed to test the hypotheses at 5% level of significance using E-view statistical software (version 8.0). The analysis of the test shows that Intellectual Capital affects significantly, Company Process measured by ADM/OPA and market to Book value ratio of companies listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange whereas there was no significant effect of Intellectual Capital on Asset Turnover (ATO) . The study therefore recommends among other factors that corporate management should endeavour to provide adequate and conducive working environment, good welfare package reviewing the performance and engaging on regular training and development programmes which will automatically increase the efficiency and productivity of the workforce. Key w ords: Intellectual Capital, Firms Performance, Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Cell Population Changes in the Intestinal Epithelium of the Rat following Starvation and Protein-Depletion∗

Summary In rats starved for periods up to 10 days or fed a protein-free diet for periods up to 11 weeks, the number of cells per crypt of the small intestine declined steadily. During this time, however, with the exception of the rats kept on a protein-free diet for 11 weeks, the number of cells per crypt synthesizing DNA and dividing remained the same as in the control crypts, thus resulting in an increase in the labeling and mitotic indices in the experimental animals. The hypoplasia in the crypts, despite the fact that there were a constant number of cells per crypt undergoing proliferative activity was due to the inhibitory effect of the dietary regimes on the generation cycle time. The synthetic and the mitotic phases of the cycle are inhibited to the greatest extent.
Towards mobile learning deployment in higher learning institutions: a report on the qualitative inquiries conducted in four universities in Tanzania

Over the past two decades, mobile learning (m-learning) has been a purposeful area of research among educational technologists, educators and instructional designers whereby doubts and controversies over its relevancy and applicability have been keenly addressed. This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of m-learning deployment in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs). Specifically, we examine the potential of m-learning for HLIs in Tanzania and the challenges that hinder successful m-learning deployment. We adopt a comparative qualitative case study design in which four HLIs in Tanzania were purposefully selected. The study uses a combination of design science research approach and qualitative methods including grounded theory, document reviews, and observation. The respondents included university lecturers, students and ICT experts, who were selected for the interviews through theoretical sampling. The transcripts were loaded, coded and analyzed in NVIVO software. The results indicate that mobiles (smartphone, tablets, laptops, feature-phones etc.) are widely used in the HLIs. Stakeholders perceive that m-learning deployment is important and useful because it improves the quality of the learning experience. The results further indicate that there are financial, pedagogical, technological, infrastructural, individuals – and policy – related challenges that hinder successful deployment of m-learning in HLIs in Tanzania, such as limited network coverage, some students´ inability to afford mobiles, lack of qualified staff for preparation of mobile content and administration, gaps in the existing policies, and faulty course design. However, our results show that participants are optimistic about the potential of m-learning in the HLIs of Tanzania. They expect that m-learning will improve access to learning resources, teacher-student and student-student interaction without being restricted by time or place. Thus, m-learning is considered to have the potential to address issues of crowded classrooms, expertise, access to learning materials, flexibility of the learners as well as remote connectivity. We recommend that HLIs should prioritize m-learning and commit resources to the success of the related projects. We also recommend that the governments and stakeholders provide policy interventions, subsidize mobile technologies, expand network coverage, build capacity within and outside HLIs, and improve digital literacy by integrating ICT education at all levels of education.
Exposure variability: concepts and applications in occupational epidemiology.

BACKGROUND Standard approaches to assessing exposures for epidemiologic studies tend to concentrate resources on obtaining detailed data for each study participant at the expense of characterizing within-person variability. METHODS This paper presents some basic, generalizeable concepts concerning exposure and its variability, describes methods that can be used to analyze, describe, and understand that variability, and reviews related implications for the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Insufficient attention to the balance of within- and between-person variation in exposure can reduce the efficiency of measurement efforts and attenuate estimates of exposure-disease association. Exposure variability should consequently be considered carefully in the planning, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiologic studies. Greater attention to these matters can lead to more meaningful characterization of exposure itself, and, most importantly, improve the chances that epidemiologic studies can identify and accurately characterize health hazards.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an overview

In the last decade, the analysis of bronchial biopsies and lung parenchyma obtained from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients compared with those from smokers with normal lung function and non‐smokers has provided new insights on the role of the different inflammatory and structural cells, their signalling pathways and mediators, contributing to a better knowledge of the pathogenesis of COPD. This review summarizes and discusses the lung pathology of COPD patients with emphasis on inflammatory cell phenotypes that predominate in different clinical conditions. In bronchial biopsies, a cascade of events takes place during progression from mild‐to‐severe disease. T lymphocytes, particularly CD8+ cells and macrophages are the prevalent inflammatory cells in the lung of healthy smokers and patients with mild COPD, while total and activated neutrophils predominate in severe COPD. The number of CD4+, CD8+ cells and macrophages expressing nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), STAT‐4 and IFN‐γ proteins as well as endothelial adhesion molecule‐1 in endothelium is increased in mild/moderate disease. In contrast, activated neutrophils (MPO+ cells) and increased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity develops in severe COPD. In bronchial biopsies obtained during COPD exacerbations, some studies have shown an increased T cell and granulocyte infiltration. Regular treatment with high doses of inhaled glucocorticoids does not significantly change the number of inflammatory cells in bronchial biopsies from patients with moderate COPD. The profile in lung parenchyma is similar to bronchial biopsies. ‘Healthy’ smokers and mild/moderate diseased patients show increased T lymphocyte infiltration in the peripheral airways. Pulmonary emphysema is associated with a general increase of inflammatory cells in the alveolar septa. The molecular mechanisms driving the lymphocyte and neutrophilic prevalence in mild and severe disease, respectively, needs to be extensively studied. Up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory transcription factors NF‐κB and STAT‐4 in mild, activated epithelial and endothelial cells in the more severe disease may contribute to this differential prevalence of infiltrating cells.
The Role of Hosting Providers in Web Security: Understanding and Improving Security Incentives and Performance via Analysis of Large-scale Incident Data

In theory, hosting providers can play an important role in fighting cybercrime and misuse. This is because many online threats, be they high-profile or mundane, use online storage infrastructure maintained by hosting providers at the core of their criminal operations. However, in practice, we see large differences in the security measures taken by hosting providers. Some providers implement an array of actions to protect their customers. Others lack even the capacity to detect cybercrime, are negligent of cybercrime, or even willfully facilitate it. This book answers a series of questions that collectively aim to understand the underlying differences in security incentives and policies of hosting providers: How do we define a hosting provider? How are they distributed? To what extent do their individual properties or security measures affect the volume of incident in their networks? We expect this book to provide useful insights for hosting providers about the effectiveness of their security policies and to serve as a an input for development of evidence-based policies by the government.
Farmland, Farm Credit and Agricultural Output Growth in Kano State, Nigeria: the Moderating Role of Murabahah Finance as a Proposed Framework

The objective of this paper is to propose a model to examine the moderating role of Murabahah finance on farmland, farm credit and agricultural output. Since, agriculture is the science and act of soil utilization, animals and forestry management in respect of food and raw materials for human satisfaction as well as poverty control and economic growth. On the other hand, the Kano state agricultural output is declining all with the socio-economic role of the output in the state economy. This paper proposes a model consider to be used by the ministry of agriculture and financial institutions in Kano state, Nigeria in order to overcome such issues. In addition, this paper introduces Murabahah finance as a new variable into the model and potential moderating variable. Also, this paper used a conceptual methodological approach.
Dysplastic neutrophils on peripheral blood smear -hematological finding in HIV infection"

Introduction: Our aim was to identify the haematological manifestations (Peripheral smear) of altered haematopoiesis resulting from HIV infection . Review the pathogenesis of the haematological manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Method: Blood was collected in a sterile EDTA containing tube and processed following our established laboratory protocol and by universal precaution as per the guideline of National aids control organization (NACO, India). A complete blood counting including HB%, PCV, Red cell indices ,platelet count and total white cell count and differential was done by Automated blood cell counter analyzer of all the patient on antiretroviral therapy. The all cell count indices including WBC count with differential and platelet count, was further confirmed by manual oil immersion smear study method. Peripheral smears study was done with field A and B Stain and Leishman stain. Result: In our 300 study cases, 291 case (97.00% n=300) show presence of detached nuclear fragment, in case of females 109 case (97.32% n=112) while in males182 cases (96.80% n=188) show detached nuclear fragment. Least common significant finding of our study is neutropenia. In our study 14 cases (4.6%) n=300 shows Neutropenia in which 10 cases are males (5.31%,n=188) and 4 cases are females (3.57% n=112) Conclusion : In our study detached nuclear fragment is most common finding of dysplastic neutrophils and least common finding is Neutropenia . (Presence of Detached Nuclear Fragment >CytoplasmicVacuolation,> ToxicGranulation/Dohlebody, >Hypo granularity and occasional Pelger huet form>Left Shift>Neutropenia)
Update in Perioperative Medicine 2012

Abstract Perioperative medicine is an increasing area of research focus that brings together internists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and hospitalists. A medical team approach to ensure the best possible patient outcomes has fostered collaborative strategies across areas of patient care. We review 8 seminal articles in the field of perioperative medicine. Each article was published in either 2011 or 2012 and adds to care strategies in the areas of perioperative cardiac medicine, pulmonary care, blood transfusion decision making, and medication management.
Murine Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells induce immunologic tolerance in vivo.

To study the potential immunologic functions of murine Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells (Tdec), we used long term, IL-2-dependent, Tdec lines derived from the skin of C3H mice. Cells of the Tdec lines AU16 or AU4 were conjugated in vitro with the hapten FITC and injected s.c. into the footpad (ifp.) or i.v. into syngeneic recipient mice to assess their ability to induce or inhibit contact hypersensitivity (CHS). FITC-conjugated Tdec were unable to induce CHS after ifp. or i.v. injection. Furthermore, when mice were sensitized epicutaneously with FITC after the injection of FITC-conjugated Tdec, they were unable to mount a CHS response. These results indicated that hapten-conjugated Tdec are capable of inducing tolerance upon ifp. or i.v. injection. In contrast, ifp. injection of normal lymphocytes conjugated with FITC in vitro produced no impairment of the CHS response to FITC, although i.v. injection of these cells, as with that of FITC-conjugated Tdec, induced down-regulation of CHS. The immunologic tolerance induced by FITC-conjugated Tdec was Ag specific, but not H-2 restricted. Immunization with unconjugated Tdec either ifp. or i.v. did not induce tolerance, indicating that unconjugated Tdec by themselves are not suppressive. In addition, Tdec were unable to mediate a local graft-vs-host reaction in an F1 host. These results demonstrate that Tdec can induce immunologic tolerance and suggest that these cells may play a role in the down-regulation of cutaneous immune responses.
Modélisation de lentilles sphériques à gradient d'indice et sources conformes associées

Nombre de travaux anterieurs sur les lentilles spheriques, dont celle de Luneburg, existent. Malgre tout, des nouveautes sont presentees dans cette these. La principale concerne la Methode de Regularisation Analytique appliquee aux antennes imprimees circulaires conformees sur spheres associees a des lentilles a distribution spherique. Plusieurs types d’alimentations sont traites : sondes coaxiales et fentes. Elle met en evidence un certain nombre de resonances, effets de masquage des conducteurs, etc. La methode est par ailleurs rapide et precise, meme pour de grandes structures. D’un point de vue technique, un certain nombre de themes sont traites. Premierement, un materiau leger est caracterise et utilise pour les antennes conformees. De plus, une technique simple de fabrication artificielle du gradient d’indice est proposee et testee. Par ailleurs, afin d’utiliser des lentilles dans le cadre du multifaisceaux, le couplage ainsi qu’un critere de separation de signaux sont etudies. Puis, est realisee une etude experimentale sur le choix de l’antenne primaire associee a la lentille et les effets de la lentille de Luneburg.
Osmotic effects on feline spermatozoa from normospermic versus teratospermic donors.

Effects of osmolality stresses on the sperm of normospermic (>60% normal sperm/ejaculate) versus teratospermic (<40% normal sperm) domestic cats and the normospermic leopard cat and the teratospermic clouded leopard were studied. Spermatozoa were exposed to various anisotonic solutions in a single step or returned to near isotonic conditions in a single step after exposure to anisotonic solutions. The percentage of sperm motility was measured subjectively, and dual fluorescent stains were used to assess membrane integrity by flow cytometry. The percentage of sperm motility declined (P < 0.05) in domestic cat sperm exposed to osmolalities <200 and >450 mOsm. Spermatozoa from all felines underwent marked (P < 0.05) membrane disruption following a hypotonic stress, but sperm from teratospermic donors experienced greater (P < 0.05) membrane disruption in response to decreased osmolality. While feline spermatozoa appeared to be highly resistant to hypertonic (600, 1200, and 2400 mOsm) conditions, with >85% of the cells maintaining intact membranes, severe membrane disruption occurred when cells were returned to isotonicity in a single step. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between a 1- and 5-min exposure to various anisotonic solutions. Similarly, sperm from normospermic and teratospermic domestic cats responded identically after exposure to ionic or nonionic solute. Results demonstrate that: (1) spermatozoa from teratospermic males are more vulnerable to a hypotonic stress than sperm from normospermic counterparts; (2) in response to small deviations in osmolality, feline sperm experience a more rapid decline in motility than membrane integrity; and (3) an abrupt return to isotonicity after a hypertonic stress causes extensive sperm membrane damage regardless of ejaculate quality.