Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance and dividend strategy: lessons from Australia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of corporate governance on the dividend payout (DP) in Australia where DP remains high and corporate governance system has recently been strengthened. Design/methodology/approach A self-constructed governance indexes over 2001-2013 is used for the random effect panel Tobit model to investigate the effect of corporate governance on cash dividend. Two different versions of the indexes and the traditionally emphasized governance elements such as board structure are also used for the robustness checks. Findings Estimation results report that a positive effect of governance, combined with size of firm and profitability, on DPs. In contrast, financial distress and the global financial crisis, respectively, have negative effect on dividend policy. Further examinations imply that the positive effect of governance is attenuated by growth opportunities while intensified by firm free cash flow and the franked dividend policy. Originality/value The sample period and the governance indexes in this paper, respectively, are the longest and the most comprehensive among existing studies on Australian case. This paper also combined the traditional governance-dividend theme with corporate tax, particularly the unique franked dividend tax system.
Susceptibility Distribution to Essential Oils of Salmonella enterica Strains Involved in Animal and Public Health and Comparison of the Typhimurium and Enteritidis Serotypes.

To determine the distribution of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of essential oils (EOs) of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), oregano (Origanum vulgare), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and red thyme (Thymus zygis) against Salmonella enterica, double serial dilutions of each EO were challenged with 85 Salmonella strains belonging to 23 serotypes of animal origin. The results showed the bactericidal character of the EOs tested against S. enterica, highlighting the oregano with MIC50 and MBC50 of 3.12 × 10-4 g/mL, and MIC90 and MBC90 of 6.25 × 10-4 g/mL. When comparing the Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis serotypes susceptibility, we observed a significantly higher sensitivity of Typhimurium to clove and Enteritidis to cinnamon. In addition, Typhimurium isolates with significantly higher MIC and MBC values for all the EOs tested were found, suggesting the existence of a possible resistance profile. The results of this study provide relevant data for the potential of EOs as antibacterials, although they highlight the need to continue bacterial sensitivity distribution studies and consider the differences detected for future in vivo studies.
A Guide to Teaching in the Active Learning Classroom

This book examines a particular type of classroom organization known as the “active learning classroom. ” This type of classroom is not a lecture hall, but rather, is a room where there is no clear front or back, where students sit in movable chairs around round tables that facilitate group work shared with the larger group via screens. The very organization of the classroom forces the professor to have their back to at least some of the students all the time. This type of classroom interaction seems to be designed for larger class sizes, helping to transform a large lecture hall of students into a classroom where teacher and student interaction, as well as student-to-student interaction, is maximized. These types of classrooms have been shown to have a positive impact on students’ grades, which could be attributed to the room configuration inhibiting certain negative activities while encouraging positive ones. Active learning classrooms provide four main advantages: “immersion learning, the social dimension of learning, collaborative learning, and the performance aspect of teaching and learning” (16). Teaching in an active learning classroom is no longer just transmission of knowledge but a collaborative effort engaging the students for better and more long-term retention of knowledge.
Levels of v5 and v6 CD44 splice variants in serum of patients with colorectal cancer are not correlated with pT stage, histopathological grade of malignancy and clinical features.

AIM This study was designed to compare the levels of v5 and v6 splice variants of CD44 evaluated using ELISA test in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer in different stages of progression of the disease estimated in pT stage according to WHO score, histopathological grade of malignancy and some clinicopathological features. METHODS The serum obtained from 114 persons with colorectal adenocarcinomas was examined using ELISA method. pT stage and grade of malignancy of the tumour were examined in formalin fixed and paraffin embedded materials obtained during operation. RESULTS Only the level of CD44 v5 in the serum of patients before operation with G2 pT4 tumour was lower than that in other probes and the difference was statistically significant. We did not find any other correlations between the level of v5 and v6 CD44 variants and other evaluated parameters. CONCLUSION The level of CD44 v5 and v6 estimated by ELISA test in the serum can not be used as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.
Effects of storage type and time on DNA amplification success in tropical ungulate faeces

The present study compares the effect of three storage media (silica, RNAlater®, ethanol) and time to extraction (1 week, 1 month and 3 months) on mitochondrial and nuclear marker amplification success in faecal DNA extracts from a sympatric community of small to medium‐sized Central African forest ungulates (genera Cephalophus, Tragelaphus, Hyemoschus). The effect of storage type and time on nuclear DNA concentrations, genotyping errors and percentage recovery of consensus genotypes was also examined. Regardless of storage method, mitochondrial and nuclear amplification success was high in DNA extracted within the first week after collection. Over longer storage periods, RNAlater yielded better amplification success rates in the mitochondrial assay. However, samples stored on silica showed (i) highest nuclear DNA concentrations, (ii) best microsatellite genotyping success, (iii) lowest genotyping errors, and (iv) greatest percentage recovery of the consensus genotype. The quantity of nuclear DNA was generally a good predictor of microsatellite performance with 83% amplification success or greater achieved with sample DNA concentrations of ≥ 50 pg/µL. If faecal DNA samples are to be used for nuclear microsatellite analyses, we recommend silica as the best storage method. However, for maximum mitochondrial amplification success, RNAlater appears to be the best storage medium. In contrast, ethanol appeared inferior to the other two methods examined here and should not be used to store tropical ungulate faeces. Regardless of storage method, samples should be extracted as soon as possible after collection to ensure optimal recovery of DNA.
Immunosuppression and Post-transplant Hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND Post-transplant diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in solid organ transplantation. The main underlying pathophysiological mechanism of PTDM is pancreatic beta cell dysfunction in the context of insulin resistance, but the relative importance of each of these important components of glycemic metabolism is under intense debate. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to January 15, 2015. We selected systematic reviews and meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials. When no such reports were found for a given topic or drug, observational studies were included in the assessment. RESULTS There are agents with known diabetogenic effects: corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors including tacrolimus and cyclosporine, as well as the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (sirolimus and everolimus). The association between the use of induction agents and PTDM is very scarce. No diabetogenic effects have been found with the use of azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and its derivatives. CONCLUSION Immunosuppression is the major modifiable risk factor for development of PTDM but risk versus benefit analysis is required to balance risk of developing PTDM versus rejection. Caution is advisable in immunosuppressant adjustments in the event that PTDM develops based on current evidence. Physicians should choose and use immunosuppression regimens shown to have the best outcome for patient and graft survival, irrespective of PTDM risk.
Shoulder pain in wheelchair athletes

Shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome is a com mon and disabling problem for the wheelchair athlete. In this study we investigated the role of shoulder strength imbalance as a factor for the development of this syndrome. Nineteen paraplegic male athletes underwent clinical and isokinetic examination of both shoulders with peak torque values measured in abduc tion, adduction, and internal and external rotation. Twenty athletic, able-bodied men without shoulder problems were tested as controls. Ten (26%) of the paraplegic athletes had rotator cuff impingement syn drome. The results of the isokinetic testing demon strated that 1) the paraplegics' shoulders were stronger than the controls in all directions (P < 0.05); 2) the strength ratio of abduction:adduction was higher for paraplegic athletes (P < 0.05); 3) paraplegics' shoulders with rotator cuff impingement syndrome were weaker in adduction and external and internal rotation than the paraplegic athletes without impingement syndrome (P < 0.05); and 4) paraplegics' shoulders with rotator cuff impingement syndrome had higher abduc tion:adduction and abduction:internal rotation strength ratios than the shoulders of paraplegics without im pingement syndrome (P < 0.05). We concluded that shoulder muscle imbalance, with comparative weak ness of the humeral head depressors (rotators and adductors), may be a factor in the development and perpetuation of rotator cuff impingement syndrome in wheelchair athletes.
Customer satisfaction and loyalty factors of Mobile Commerce among young retail customers in Croatia

Mobile technology has begun to transform the way young retail consumers shop, allowing them more intermediate control over purchasing process. With competition accelerating in retail industry, mobile devices have been used widely in delivering value-added services. Hence, mobile commerce is likely to make a strong influence on business activities, consumer behavior, as well as national and global markets. The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors influencing customer satisfaction and loyalty in mobile commerce by empirically-based research questionnaire. Based on previous literature, the paper builds sets of customer satisfaction and loyalty constructs for mobile commerce. Significant constructs and their relationships are examined by m-commerce satisfaction model employing structural equation model. Research findings indicate that all constructs significantly affect Smartphone customers’ satisfaction, except for the price. Furthermore, satisfaction has moderately strong influence on Smartphone customer’ loyalty. The implication of this research to researchers and practitioners is discussed.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the "brain-specific" proteins 14-3-2 and S-100.

We have raised mouse hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies against bovine brain-specific proteins 14-3-2 and S-100, and we have characterized the antibodies by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods in sections and in tissue cultures of rat brain. One monoclonal antibody to 14-3-2 (E8.F9) has been found to react strongly with bovine 14-3-2 and with rat neuron-specific enolase in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to react weakly with rat nonneuronal enolase. This pattern of specificity is reflected in strong neuronal labeling and occasional weak glial labeling in immunocytochemical preparations. After appropriate tissue fixation, E8.F9 could be shown to be localized primarily to the cytoplasm of neurons; with less adequate fixation nuclear labeling was also seen. A monoclonal antibody to the calcium binding protein S-100 (G12.B8) reacted strongly with bovine S-100 in an ELISA and with the major protein bands in electrophoretically separated S-100. In immunocytochemical preparations G12.B8 labeled the cytoplasm of astrocytes. Both antibodies are of the IgG1 subclass. Because of its specificity, the antibody against the S-100 protein promises to be useful as an immunological marker for astrocytes in the adult animal and in mature tissue cultures of brain cells. Although it has been thought that the generally low levels and relatively late appearance of S-100 during ontogeny may restrict its usefulness as a marker for developing astrocytes, preliminary immunocytochemical evidence indicates that G12.B8 selectively labels radial glial cells and astrocytes or astrocyte precursors as early as, or even earlier than, antibodies against the glial fibrillary acidic protein. The antibody against neuron-specific enolase is likely to be of limited use as a neuronal marker because of its crossreactivity with nonneuronal enolase.
Targeting the AGE‐RAGE axis improves renal function in the context of a healthy diet low in advanced glycation end‐product content

Mouse chow is commonly high in advanced glycation end‐products, known contributors to diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate if targeting of the AGE‐RAGE axis was still effective in the context of a diet low in AGE content, which is more comparable to diets consumed by individuals with type 1 diabetes.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON THE COST OF CAPITAL OF FIRMS LISTED AT THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE, KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of CS on the cost of capital of organizationslisted at the NSE. Kenya.Methodology:The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for this study were the 41 listed companies on the NSE which were drawn from a list of 65 after applying various exclusion and inclusion criteria. A census of 41 firms was therefore used. Secondary Data for the year 2010 to 2014 was collected from the NSE handbook. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics which included means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and panelregression was also used.The results were presented in form of tables, figures, charts, graphs and trend lines.Results: Based on the findings, the study concluded that there was a significant and positive relationship between asset ratio, total equity to debt ratio, total long term debt to total asset ratio and total short term debt to total asset ratio and cost of capital of firms listed in the NSE. These findings imply that an increase in any of the ratios led to an increase in cost of capital.Policy recommendation:Based on the findings the study recommended that firms should pursue optimum capital structure mix, which will ensure minimum cost of capital. They can do this by focusing on those forms of capital that had lower impacts on cost of capital.
Stress fiber-based movement of Shigella flexneri within cells

icsA (virG), a gene located on pWR100, the virulence plasmid of Shigella flexneri serotype 5 (M90T), encodes a 120-kDa outer membrane protein. This protein promotes a random intracellular movement of the bacteria and leads to the infection of adjacent cells by the formation of protrusions. This movement, which involves the nucleation, polymerization, and subsequent polarization of actin, is referred to as the Ics phenotype (intra/intercellular spread). Here we present evidence that a second, distinct form of locomotion is also elaborated by S. flexneri in chicken embryo fibroblasts in which the Ics phenotype is not expressed. Using a combination of phase-contrast microcinematography and confocal microscopy, we have demonstrated that bacteria adopt parallel orientations by interacting with stress fibers. This interaction subsequently results in bacterial movement along the stress fibers themselves. This phenomenon occurs independently of the presence of a phagocytic vacuole which is lysed shortly after entry of the bacteria into the cell. It is expressed by M90T and SC560, its icsA mutant. This movement has been termed organelle-like movement (Olm phenotype) and is thought to account for the early accumulation of bacteria seen near the nucleus.
Hate speech detection in the Indonesian language: A dataset and preliminary study

The objective of our work is to detect hate speech in the Indonesian language. As far as we know, the research on this subject is still very rare. The only research we found has created a dataset for hate speech against religion, but the quality of this dataset is inadequate. Our research aimed to create a new dataset that covers hate speech in general, including hatred for religion, race, ethnicity, and gender. In addition, we also conducted a preliminary study using machine learning approach. Machine learning so far is the most frequently used approach in classifying text. We compared the performance of several features and machine learning algorithms for hate speech detection. Features that extracted were word n-gram with n=l and n=2, character n-gram with n=3 and n=4, and negative sentiment. The classification was performed using Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Bayesian Logistic Regression, and Random Forest Decision Tree. An F-measure of 93.5% was achieved when using word n-gram feature with Random Forest Decision Tree algorithm. Results also show that word n-gram feature outperformed character n-gram.
In situ Effect of Arginine-Containing Dentifrice on Plaque Composition and on Enamel Demineralization under Distinct Cariogenic Conditions

There is limited evidence that arginine-containing fluoridated dentifrices (AFD) have a better anticaries effect than regular fluoridated dentifrices (FD), especially in subjects at a higher risk for caries development. This study aimed to assess the effect of AFD on enamel demineralization and on the microbial and biochemical compositions of biofilm formed under different frequencies of sucrose exposure. It consisted of an in situ split-mouth design, where 12 adult volunteers who used FD for at least 2 months prior to the beginning of this study wore acrylic palatal appliances containing 4 bovine enamel specimens (1 pair at each side of the appliance) during 2 phases of 14 days each. FD slurry (3×/day) and 20% sucrose solution (4× and 8×/day) were dripped on the specimens during the first experimental phase. The same volunteers then used AFD during a 2-month washout period, followed by a second experimental phase where the AFD slurry and sucrose solution were applied onto a new subset of specimens. The percentage of enamel surface hardness loss (%SHL), the lesion depth (LD), the integrated mineral loss (IML), microbial counts on biofilms, the biomass, and inorganic and insoluble extracellular polysaccharide (IEPS) biofilm concentrations were determined. Higher %SHL, biomass, and IEPS and lower fluoride values were found at sucrose 8×/day exposure. Lower IEPS were found in the presence of AFD compared to FD. Similar %SHL, LD, and IML values were found between FD and AFD, irrespectively of the cariogenic challenge. The results suggest that AFD have an anticaries effect similar to that of regular FD.
Unidirectional Loop Network Layout Problem in Automated Manufacturing Systems

In this paper, we address the design of unidirectional loop network layouts for automated manufacturing environments. We show that the problem is NP-complete. Using a workstation interchange argument, we develop dominance relationships for easy identification of local optimal solutions. Our results suggest the need for simple heuristics to solve the problem. We identify cases in which the heuristics perform optimally, and we analyze the worst case behavior of the heuristics. We develop an optimal branch-and-bound procedure that is computationally efficient for medium-sized problems. We also present a decomposition principle helpful for dealing with large workflow matrices. We report computational results on the heuristics and the branch-and-bound procedure. We show that one of the heuristics performs impressively well in terms of solution quality and computational time requirements.
Perceived discrimination among African American adolescents and allostatic load: a longitudinal analysis with buffering effects.

This study was designed to examine the prospective relations of perceived racial discrimination with allostatic load (AL), along with a possible buffer of the association. A sample of 331 African Americans in the rural South provided assessments of perceived discrimination from ages 16 to 18 years. When youth were 18 years, caregivers reported parental emotional support and youth assessed peer emotional support. AL and potential confounder variables were assessed when youth were 20. Latent growth mixture modeling identified two perceived discrimination classes: high and stable, and low and increasing. Adolescents in the high and stable class evinced heightened AL even with confounder variables controlled. The racial discrimination to AL link was not significant for young adults who received high emotional support.
The viability of 25 Gb/s on-board signalling

What package improvements are required for dense, high aggregate bandwidth buses running at data rates beyond 10 Gb/s per pin, and when might optical interconnects on the board be required? We present a study of distance and speed limits for electrical on-board module-to-module links with an eye to answering these questions. Detailed electrical link models have been validated with active, high-speed differential bus measurements utilizing a 16-channel link chip with programmable equalization and a per-channel data rate of up to 11 Gb/s. Electrical signalling limits were then determined by extrapolating our models to higher speeds, and these limits were compared to the results of work on on-board optical interconnects.
Successful Transplantation of Bioengineered Tissue Replacements in Patients with Ocular Surface Disease

Purpose. To bioengineer a corneal surface replacement using ex vivo expanded, cultured corneal epithelial stem cells seeded on a matrix derived from amniotic membrane and use this bioengineered graft to manage difficult ocular surface disease. Methods. Fourteen patients with ocular surface disease unresponsive to standard medical and surgical treatments, including seven patients with presumed limbal stem cell deficiency were chosen for transplantation of a bioengineered composite corneal surface in eye each. Presumed corneal stem cells were harvested from either the patient's or related donor's limbus, expanded ex vivo, and cultivated on a carrier of modified human amniotic membrane. The resulting composite cultured tissue was transplanted to the ocular surface of the diseased eye, from which the abnormal tissue had been surgically removed. Ten patients received autologous grafts, and four received allogeneic grafts. Results. A successful outcome, defined as restoration or improvement of vision, along with maintenance of corneal re-epithelialization and absence or recurrence of surface disease was obtained in 6 of the 10 patients with autologous procedures and in all 4 allogeneic transplants. Follow-up ranged 6–19 months with a mean of 13 months. Conclusions. This novel technique documents that presumed corneal epithelial stem cells can be harvested safely from the limbus, expanded successfully in vitro, and grown on denuded amniotic membrane. The resultant composite cultured tissue can be transplanted and appears to successfully manage eyes with difficult ocular surface disease, including those with stem cell deficiency. This technique minimizes the threat of damage or depletion to the contralateral or donor limbus.