Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic issue management by tea exporting companies in Kenya

This study was geared towards establishing the strategic issue management practices by tea exporting companies in Kenya while identifying the factors that influence strategic issue management practices. The research design used was a census cross-sectional survey. The population consisted of all tea exporting companies in Kenya who are members of EATTA. The total population was sixty seven members and out o f these, thirty five responded representing a 52.2% response rate. The study used questionnaires as the main method of data collection. The primary data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of frequency tables, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings were presented in form of tables and figures. The relationship o f the elements was investigated using chisquare test. The study found out that majority o f tea exporting companies are owned by locals and most have been in the tea exporting business for over ten years, a period considered adequate enough for them to have mastered the dynamics o f the business. Further, it was realized that a majority of the respondents consider the businesses external environment to be dynamic hence always changing and that the changes were new, and had not experienced before. It was established that the onus of implementation, monitoring and management o f strategic issues in the companies fell on the higher management levels according to a majority of the respondents.
Rural Families' Perspectives on having a Child with Cancer

The goal of this study was to explore and describe the experience of being or having a child with cancer in a rural geographic area. An exploratory, descriptive study was conducted that used semistructured, in-depth, tape-recorded interviews as the primary data collection method. Ten rural families who each had a child with cancer formed the sample. Data were analyzed with qualitative analysis procedures. Families' descriptions revealed that their experiences were fraught with challenges that were due to living a great distance from the cancer treatment center. Descriptions of their experiences are presented in this report. Recommendations for health care professionals, particularly pediatric oncology nurses, to assist rural families in coping with their challenges are also offered.
Latency-Associated Peptide of Transforming Growth Factor β Enhances Mycobacteriocidal Immunity in the Lung duringMycobacterium bovis BCG Infection in C57BL/6 Mice

ABSTRACT Latency-associated peptide of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) (LAP) was used to determine whether in vivo modulation of TGF-β bioactivity enhanced pulmonary immunity to Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection in C57BL/6 mice. LAP decreased BCG growth in the lung and enhanced antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and gamma interferon mRNA expression. Thus, susceptibility of the lung to primary BCG infection may be partially mediated by the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β.
Analisis Pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan, Lokasi Dan Harga Terhadap Kepuasan Nasabah Melalui Keputusan Pembelian Sebagai Variabel Intervening Pada Penjualan Logam Mulia Emas

To improve customer satisfaction, the company required the efforts of every management in all outlets PT Pegadaian (Persero) throughout Indonesia to improve service quality. The results showed that the indirect effect of service quality on customer satisfaction through purchasing decisions influence positively and significantly. The direct effect of the location of the customer satisfaction is a positive, but not significant. Indirect effect on location about customer satisfaction through the purchase decision is negative and insignificant. The direct effect on customer satisfaction rates are positive, but not significant. Indirect influence of price on customer satisfaction through positive and significant purchase decisions. Direct influence on the purchase decision is positive and significant. Keywords: Quality of Service, Location, Price, Customer Satisfaction, Purchase Decision, Precious Metals Gold
Symptom Specificity and Bodily Reactions During Psychiatric Interview

IN spite of the enormous recent advances in the field of psychosomatics (6) many details concerning the chain of events leading from stress to symptom remain obscure. There is a principle which we have called "symptom specificity" whose validity has been more or less assumed by writers in this field. This principle states that in psychiatric patients presenting a somatic complaint, the particular physiologic mechanism of that complaint is specifically susceptible to activation by stressful experience. Objective evidence bearing on the general validity of this principle was obtained in a previous investigation by Malmo and Shagass (2), who employed the method of group, or cross-sectional, study of symptom-related physiologic activity under controlled stress. The main purpose of the present study was to obtain further data concerning the applicability of the principle of symptom specificity through use of a completely different experimental approach, with emphasis upon individual, or case study, rather than group study. Malmo and Shagass (2) took recordings from 74 psychiatric patients in a controlled experimental stress situation, consisting of a standard series of painful stimulations, presented by a Hardy-Wolff thermal stimulator. Patients were classified with respect to the presence or absence in the clinical history of 1) cardiovascular complaints, and 2)
Lymphoma in patients treated with anti-TNF: results of the 3-year prospective French RATIO registry

Objective: To describe cases of lymphoma associated with anti-TNF therapy, identify risk factors, estimate the incidence and compare the risks for different anti-TNF agents. Methods: A national prospective registry was designed (Research Axed on Tolerance of bIOtherapies; RATIO) to collect all cases of lymphoma in French patients receiving anti-TNF therapy from 2004 to 2006, whatever the indication. A case–control analysis was conducted including two controls treated with anti-TNF per case and an incidence study of lymphoma with the French population was used as the reference. Results: 38 cases of lymphoma, 31 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (26 B cell and five T cell), five Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and two Hodgkin’s-like lymphoma were collected. Epstein–Barr virus was detected in both of two Hodgkin’s-like lymphoma, three of five HL and one NHL. Patients receiving adalimumab or infliximab had a higher risk than those treated with etanercept: standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 4.1 (2.3–7.1) and 3.6 (2.3–5.6) versus 0.9 (0.4–1.8). The exposure to adalimumab or infliximab versus etanercept was an independent risk factor for lymphoma in the case–control study: odds ratio 4.7 (1.3–17.7) and 4.1 (1.4–12.5), respectively. The sex and age-adjusted incidence rate of lymphoma was 42.1 per 100 000 patient-years. The SIR was 2.4 (95% CI 1.7 to 3.2). Conclusion: The two to threefold increased risk of lymphoma in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy is similar to that expected for such patients with severe inflammatory diseases. Some lymphomas associated with immunosuppression may occur, and the risk of lymphoma is higher with monoclonal-antibody therapy than with soluble-receptor therapy.
Short‐term separation from groups by male Japanese macaques: Costs and benefits in feeding behavior and social interaction

To expand our understanding of fission–fusion behavior and determine its variability among primates, studies of both individual‐based and group‐based fission–fusion are necessary. We conducted a parallel tracking study of male and female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) during the non‐mating season to clarify the general features of separate ranging by males of this species, an example of fission–fusion behavior, and to reveal its associated costs and benefits. Males frequently engaged in short‐term separate ranging, leaving the company of females and ranging on their own for periods averaging 68 min in duration. However, the males did not venture outside the group's home range. When ranging separately from the group, males spent more time feeding, particularly on fruit, stayed longer in each feeding tree, and fed at a lower rate than when ranging with the group. These behavioral changes suggest that males can avoid within‐group feeding competition by ranging alone. However, this behavior was also associated with higher traveling costs, and these separated males were more vulnerable to intergroup competition and had fewer opportunities for social interaction. The frequency of separate ranging was lower when highly clumped food plant species were the main food source. Lower‐ranked males, who received more aggression when ranging with the group, exhibited a higher frequency of separate ranging. This behavioral flexibility with respect to group cohesion may allow males to reduce the costs of group living without completely losing the benefits. Specifically, by ranging alone, males may acquire sufficient feeding time without being disturbed by other group members. Conversely, when ranging with the group, males can access grooming partners and advantages in intergroup competition. Am. J. Primatol. 76:374–384, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Practice and play in the development of German top-level professional football players

Abstract This study examined the developmental sporting activities of 52 German football first Bundesliga professionals (including 18 senior national team members) and 50 fourth to sixth league amateur players. They reported their volumes of organised football practice/training, including its “microstructure” (proportions of physical conditioning, skill exercises and playing forms), non-organised leisure football play and engagement in other sports through their career, respectively. Analyses revealed that the Bundesliga professionals performed moderate amounts of organised football practice/training throughout their career. They accumulated 4264 (mean value) hours over ~16 years before debuting in 1st Bundesliga; senior National Team debut was preceded by 4532 hours (mean) over ~17 years. Within the “microstructure” of organised practice/training, the proportion of playing forms developed from ~52% (childhood) to ~45% (adolescence) and ~40% (adulthood) and physical conditioning from ~13% to ~14% and ~23%. Outside organised involvement, these players engaged in extensive non-organised leisure football play making ~68%, ~54% and ~9% of all football involvement. Subsuming organised and non-organised football, ~86% (childhood), ~73% (adolescence) and ~43% (adulthood) of all activity was game play (exclusive matchplay). National Team differed from amateurs in more non-organised leisure football in childhood, more engagement in other sports in adolescence, later specialisation, and in more organised football only at age 22+ years. Relative to numerous other studies, these players performed less organised practice, particularly less physical conditioning, but greater proportions of playing activities. The findings are discussed relative to the significance of playing forms and variable involvements and are reflected against the deliberate practice and Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) frameworks.
Multilateral Development Bank Ratings and Preferred Creditor Status

This paper analyzes influences on the credit standing of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), specifically the quality, diversification and single name concentration of their portfolios, and on the market practice known as Preferred Creditor Status (PCS), whereby sovereigns that default on other debt rarely fail to meet their obligations to MDBs. The paper examines how rating agencies assess MDB ratings, focusing in particular on how Standard & Poor's assesses capital as part of its MDB rating process. The results are compared with those implied by an industry-standard, ratings-based Credit Risk Model (CRM). Applying these methodologies to one specific MDB, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the paper shows that S&P's approach is highly conservative in its evaluation of single name concentration risk and makes insufficient allowance for PCS. Calibrating the CRM with risk-neutral distributions, the paper examines the effect of PCS on MDB funding rates and compares model-implied funding spreads with those observed in the market.
Relapse of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Is It a Continuum of Disease?

The recurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in 20 to 50% of patients who survive their initial episode, is not only a challenge to manage clinically, but brings to light our lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Recurrence may occur close to apparent hematologic remission or remotely, months later. Given that surveillance of TTP relies on surrogate measures such as hematologic recovery, normalization of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and resolution of clinical signs, it is plausible that some recurrences are actually a continuum of disease. Standardizing definitions for remission, exacerbation, and relapse are important for consistency of patient management and interpreting the medical literature. When TTP recurs, several adjuncts to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) have been used, including splenectomy, vincristine, and rituximab. Although it would seem intuitive that more severe disease would predict a greater likelihood of relapse, the degree of thrombocytopenia at presentation, the persistence of schistocytosis at discontinuation of TPE, the elevation of LDH, and the length of time to attain clinical remission are not reliable indicators of the clinical outcome of any individual TTP patient. Measurement of ADAMTS13 activity and its inhibitor offer new promise for prognostic and pathophysiologic significance; however, more extensive scientific investigation is needed.
Longitudinal Study of Escherichia coliO157:H7 Dissemination on Four Dairy Farms in Wisconsin

ABSTRACT A 14-month longitudinal study was conducted on four dairy farms (C, H, R, and X) in Wisconsin to ascertain the source(s) and dissemination of Escherichia coli O157:H7. A cohort of 15 heifer calves from each farm were sampled weekly by digital rectal retrieval from birth to a minimum of 7 months of age (range, 7 to 13 months). Over the 14 months of the study, the cohort heifers and other randomly selected cattle from farms C and H tested negative. Farm R had two separate periods of E. coli O157:H7 shedding lasting 4 months (November 1995 to February 1996) and 1 month (July to August 1996), while farm X had at least one positive cohort animal for a 5-month period (May to October 1996). Heifers shed O157:H7 strains in feces for 1 to 16 weeks at levels ranging from 2.0 × 102 to 8.7 × 104 CFU per g. E. coli O157:H7 was also isolated from other noncohort cattle, feed, flies, a pigeon, and water associated with the cohort heifers on farms R and/or X. When present in animal drinking water, E. coli O157:H7 disseminated through the cohort cattle and other cattle that used the water source. E. coli O157:H7 was found in water at <1 to 23 CFU/ml. Genomic subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that a single O157:H7 strain comprised a majority of the isolates from cohort and noncohort cattle, water, and other positive samples (i.e., from feed, flies, and a pigeon, etc.) on a farm. The isolates from farm R displayed two predominant XbaI restriction endonuclease digestion profiles (REDP), REDP 3 and REDP 7, during the first and second periods of shedding, respectively. Six additional REDP that were ≥89% similar to REDP 3 or REDP 7 were identified among the farm R isolates. Additionally, the REDP of an O157:H7 isolate from a heifer on farm R in 1994 was indistinguishable from REDP 3. Farm X had one O157:H7 strain that predominated (96% of positive samples had strains with REDP 9), and the REDP of an isolate from a heifer in 1994 was indistinguishable from REDP 9. These results suggest that E. coli O157:H7 is disseminated from a common source on farms and that strains can persist in a herd for a 2-year period.
PENGARUH NPF, CAR, DAN EVA TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PERUSAHAAN PERBANKAN SYARIAH DI BEI

This research is meant to find out the influence of Non Performing Financing, Capital Adequacy Ratio, and Economic Value Added to the profitability of Syariah banking companies which are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange during the 2010 until 2014 periods. The population is 12 syariah banking companies. The research type is the quantitative research which has been done by using secondary data in the form of financial statement of the syariah banking companies. After the purposive sampling has been carried out, 6 companies have been obtained as samples. The analysis technique has been done by using classic assumption and multiple linear regressions analysis by using SPSS 20.Based on the result of the research it has been found that Non Performing Financing variable has significant influence to the profitability of the company and the t test shows that its significance value is smaller than 0.05 which is 0.049. The Capital Adequacy Ratio variable has significant influence to the profitability of the company in syariah banking companies; It has been proven by the t test which shows the significance value which is smaller than 0.05 that is 0.046. Meanwhile, the Economic Value Added variable does not have any influence to the profitability of the company and the significance value which has been obtained by the t test is greater than 0.05 which is 0.587. The Capital Adequacy Ratio variable has dominant influence to the profitability of the company; it has been proven by the partial determination coefficient (R2) which is greater than the NPF and EVA variable which is 38.1%. Keywords: Non Performing Financing (NPF), Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Economic Value Added (EVA), Profitability.
Changes in the Islamic Banking Industry Pre and Post the Financial Crisis

The banking, investment and lending practices adopted by Islamic banks have recently drawn the attention of many researchers and professionals. This is especially after it emerged that these financial institutions that apply the Islamic banking model performed better during the recent global financial crisis in 2008 as compared to their counterparts that employ the conventional banking practices. Islamic banking is a banking system that operates according to Sharia’h laws, which prohibit charging or receiving interests, or investing in products and derivatives that are prohibited in Islam. Instead, the laws encourage profit and loss sharing rather than transfer of risks. The banks provide a number of financial products in different modes that resemble many products in conventional banking. The Islamic banks did relatively well in comparison to their conventional counterparts during the financial crisis. The performance could be largely attributed to the banking system that discourages market speculation and unnecessary risks while advocating for simple financial transactions based on mutual gains from real economic activities. Besides its apparent resilience during the global financial crisis, the Islamic banking model has been associated with the positive economic growth observed in the economies of Malaysia and United Arabs Emirates in the past three decades. There is a necessity for financial institutions, business institutions, regulatory authorities and consumers to look into specific strategies that would constitute desirable features for a stable and effective financial system. The current research sought to trace the development and rationale of the Islamic Banking model as well as identify the most significant and unique characteristics that have facilitated the resilience of the Islamic Banking sector to economic shocks during the recent global recession. Although Islamic banks performed significantly better in the global financial crisis, they were later significantly affected by the depression that hit the real economy for many countries. Certain lending practices and investment management guidelines following Islamic banking principles emerge as being desirable for improving the resilience and effectiveness of commercial banks for sustained economic growth and stability.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with ectopic pregnancy.

Fifty women with ectopic pregnancy and 49 control women with intrauterine pregnancy were interviewed and evaluated for evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Among women with ectopic pregnancy, 14 women were wearing an intrauterine contraceptive device or had a tubal ligation (group A), and 36 women had no readily identifiable risk factors (group B). Group B women had greater total numbers of sexual partners than did control women with intrauterine pregnancy (P less than .005). Group B women more often had C trachomatis antibody than group A (P = .03) and control women (P = .002). Of 27 C trachomatis cultures from fallopian tube tissue from women with ectopic pregnancy, none were positive. Fallopian tube tissue distant from the site of ectopic implantation was available for histopathology of 41 cases. Nine (22%) had extensive subepithelial plasma cell infiltration. All nine were among group B women (P = .06) and all seven with plasma cell salpingitis who were tested for C trachomatis antibody were seropositive (P = .004). It is concluded that a subset of women with ectopic pregnancy were at increased risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease by virtue of their sexual behavior and that women in this subset frequently have serologic evidence of C trachomatis infection and histologic evidence of plasma cell salpingitis. Because few of these women recall having had pelvic infection, the authors speculate that subclinical C trachomatis tubal infection producing plasma cell salpingitis may commonly underly ectopic pregnancy.
Are CEO power, monitoring incentives, and dividends related? Evidence from a regulated industry

The existing literature on CEO entrenchment and dividend policy argues that entrenched managers tend to distribute higher payout ratios to discourage monitoring from minority shareholders. Similarly, in Western Europe dividends dampen expropriation of minority shareholders in group-affiliated firms. But what happens if monitoring from regulatory authorities is in conflict with the interest of minority shareholders? We investigate the role of CEO power on bank dividend policy for a sample of 109 listed banks in Western Europe for the period 2005-2010. We employ three main proxies for CEO power: board duality, CEO tenure, and unforced CEO turnover events. We provide evidence that CEO power is associated with lower dividend payout ratios. External monitoring from a widely-held financial institution has a positive effect on dividend payout ratios, while monitoring from the government has a negative effect on dividend payout ratios. These results support the view that banking regulators are prevalently concerned about the safety of the bank, and powerful bank CEOs can afford to distribute low payout ratios, at the expense of minority shareholders. Entrenched bank CEOs catch two birds with a stone by paying lower dividend payout ratios: They reduce undesired attention from the banking regulators, and increase the amount of excess cash available for private benefits. The results are robust to different econometric techniques, including fixed-effect panel data estimators, and a combination of difference-in-differences with matching techniques.