Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN ISLAMIC BANKS

Corporate governance refers to policies and mechanisms related to how the company is directed and controlled and looks at the Board of Directors and their characteristics for example. The focus of this study will be to investigate the relationship of corporate governance and financial performance for Islamic Banks. The corporate governance variables and financial data was collected using the Orisis database and looking through annual reports of the banks from 2013 to 2017. The sample comprised 12 listed Islamic banks from different countries and used a panel data approach with a set of 60 firm-year observations. The corporate governance variables selected included, board size, CEO duality, board independence and Shariah Supervisory Board size to test their effect of a firm’s performance measured by ROA and ROE. Other firm level characteristics such as size and age of the banks were included to reduce the amount of external influence throughout the study. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Matrix, Generalised Least Squared (GLS) regression and the Random Effect Model. The concluding results proved that there was a positive relationship between some corporate governance variables and a firm’s performance. Board size was reported as the most significant factor which affects financial performance as measured by ROA. However, interestingly CEO duality was also noted to be a significant factor which affected performance. This was seen for both performance measures; ROA and ROE. The remaining independent variables and control variables showed no significant correlation to a firm’s performance and that there must be external factors which explain performance. The results showed that corporate governance was a necessary consideration for improved performance.
Distribution of emm genotypes and superantigen genes of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated in Japan, 1994–9

The purpose of this study was to examine characteristic profiles of Streptococcus pyogenes clinical isolates isolated in Japan during 1994–9. Genotyping of the M protein (emm typing) revealed that emm types 12 and 28 were the most common among 316 isolates. Most of the emm12 isolates were isolated from mucosa, while emm58 and emm89 were from skin. Moreover, the emm3 isolates were dominant in invasive infections. The distribution of 6 superantigen genes showed that all isolates harboured the mf gene and many had the speG gene. Invasive isolates were shown to have the ssa gene at a higher rate (76%) than noninvasive (37%). The distribution of superantigens was significantly different between emm types, but not between isolation sites. These results suggest that the distribution of emm types is related to isolation site, whereas superantigen distribution is related to clinical features of S. pyogenes infections.
Employee's Satisfaction with Pay: The Case of UK Fast Food Restaurant Employees

The issue of pay satisfaction has for a long time been the centre of numerous investigations by researchers. However there are no studies relating to pay level satisfaction of the UK fast food restaurants employees. This study investigates pay level satisfaction among the UK large “high volume” fast food and small “low” volume fast food stores employees. Using questionnaire methodology, the study found that fifty-seven percent of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with their pay. The result of the three-ways analysis of variance (ANOVA) also revealed that female employees also expressed more satisfaction with their pay than their male counterparts. When job position was compared in relation to pay, the result reveals that while store staffs are generally unhappy with their pay, senior managers are most unhappy.
Sources of Economic Growth in South Korea: An Application of the ARDL Analysis in the Presence of Structural Breaks — 1980-2005 *

The primary objective of this paper is to examine the major determinants of GDP growth in South Korea emphasizing the importance of investment, trade and human capital, using quarterly time series data covering the period 1980Q1 to 2005Q3. The time series properties of the data are, first, analyzed using the Zivot-Andrews (1992) model. The empirical results derived indicate that there is insufficient evidence against the null hypothesis of unit roots for all of the variables under investigation. Second, the Gregory-Hansen (1996) cointegration technique, allowing for the presence of potential structural breaks in the data, is applied, and is found to reject the null hypothesis of no cointegration relationship in favour of the existence of at least one cointegration relation in the presence of single structural breaks in the system. By applying these methodologies we find that most of the endogenously determined structural breaks coincide with the gradual effects of the Asian crisis on the Korean economy. Taking into account the resulting endogenously determined structural breaks the error correction version of the ARDL procedure is then employed, to specify the short- and long-term determinants of economic growth in the presence of structural breaks. Based on the preliminary empirical findings obtained we conclude that, in the long-term, policies aimed at promoting various types of physical and human capital, and trade openness, have improved Korea’s economic growth. More specifically, the empirical results show that while the effects of physical and human capital as well as exports are highly significant, as expected, total imports were found to be non significant, and this could be due to compositional changes away from the importation of capital goods to consumer goods as Korean standards of living have improved. It was also found that the speed of adjustment in the estimated models is relatively high and had the expected significant and negative sign.
Pharmacokinetic interaction between TMC114/ritonavir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in healthy volunteers.

AIM TMC114 is a new HIV protease inhibitor, used in combination with low-dose ritonavir (TMC114/r) as a pharmacokinetic enhancer. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Both antiretrovirals show activity against wild-type and resistant HIV. An open-label crossover study was conducted in HIV - healthy volunteers to investigate the potential for a pharmacokinetic interaction between TMC114/r and tenofovir. METHODS Two groups, each of six volunteers, were evaluated in two consecutive sessions. In session 1, volunteers received TMC114/r (300/100 mg bid) for 7 days, followed by a wash-out period of at least 6 days. In session 2, volunteers received TMC114/r (300/100 mg bid) plus TDF (300 mg qd). RESULTS When TMC114/r and TDF were coadministered, tenofovir plasma concentrations (C(min) and C(max)), and area under the curve (AUC(24 h)) increased by 37%, 24% and 22%, respectively. When TDF and ritonavir were coadministered, TMC114 plasma C(min), C(max) and AUC(12 h) increased by 24%, 16% and 21%, respectively. There were no changes in the urinary excretion of unchanged tenofovir or TMC114 during coadministration. Administration of TMC114/r in HIV- healthy volunteers with or without TDF was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS The interaction between TMC114/r and tenofovir is not clinically relevant and no dose adjustments are required when these drugs are coadministered.
Insight into ethnic flux: Marriage patterns among jews of mixed ancestry in Israel

Increases in ethnic and racial intermarriage in immigrant countries have led to growing proportions of persons of mixed ancestry and backgrounds. The marriage patterns of these persons both reflect and affect the salience and meaning of current forms of ethnicity and race in these societies. This article analyzes the marriage behavior of children of ethnically mixed unions in the Jewish population of Israel. Among persons of mixed ancestry, educational attainment plays a large role in whether they marry Ashkenazim or less economically advantaged Mizrahim. Such patterns suggest that intermarriage in Israel does not necessarily reduce ethnic differences in socioeconomic status or the salience of ethnicity among disadvantaged groups.
Influence of Peer-Model Attributes on Children’s Beliefs and Learning

Schunk, Hanson, and Cox (1987) investigated the effects of peer-model attributes on children's self-efficacy (i.e., perceived capabilities) and skill. Children enrolled in below-grade-level classes for mathematics instruction observed either one or three same-sex peers demonstrating rapid ( mastery model ) or gradual ( coping model ) acquisition of fraction skills, after which they received instruction. Observing a single coping model, multiple coping models, or multiple mastery models led to higher self-efficacy for learning, more rapid problem-solving during the instructional sessions, and higher posttest self-efficacy and skill than did observing a single mastery model. Children who observed coping models (single or multiple) judged themselves similar in competence to the models; children who observed mastery-models judged themselves less competent than the models.
Fostering a Safe Online Culture with Cyberbullying Awareness and Prevention

The worldwide expansion of blogs, TwitterÂ®, wikis, and virtual worlds is rapidly forming a new online culture where instant communication and virtual interaction are easily accessible at our fingertips. These powerful communication technologies are bringing global communities closer than we have ever imagined possible. While the technical affordances of these tools are holding promise to better support our diverse cultures and individual differences, the very same features can also bring in a major negative â€“ cyberbullying. Internet aggression is more detrimental than traditional face-to-face bullying because it is often done anonymously behind computer screens. This makes human rights and equal participation more easily suppressed or violated in the cyberspace. This article focuses on raising awareness about the serious consequences of cyberbullying and suggesting innovative prevention actions, thus contributing to building a safe online culture.
Frequent fliers, school phobias, and the sick student: school health personnel's perceptions of students who refuse school.

BACKGROUND This study explored school personnel's perceptions of school refusal, as it has been described as a "common educational and public health problem" that is less tolerated due to increasing awareness of the potential socioeconomic consequences of this phenomenon. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with school personnel at the middle school (N = 42), high school (N = 40), and district levels (N = 10). The findings focus on emergent themes from interviews with school health personnel (N = 12), particularly those themes related to their perceptions of and role in working with school-refusing students. RESULTS Personnel, especially school health services staff, constructed a typification of the school-refusing student as "the sick student," which conceptualized student refusal due to reasons related to illness. Personnel further delineated sick students by whether they considered the illness legitimate. School health personnel referenced the infamous "frequent fliers" and "school phobics" within this categorization of students. Overarching dynamics of this typification included parental control, parental awareness, student locus of control, blame, and victim status. These typifications influenced how personnel reacted to students they encountered, particularly in deciding which students need "help" versus "discipline," thus presenting implications for students and screening of students. CONCLUSIONS Overall, findings suggest school health personnel play a pivotal role in screening students who are refusing school as well as keeping students in school, underscoring policy that supports an increased presence of school health personnel. Recommendations for school health, prevention, and early intervention include the development of screening protocols and staff training.
The significance and performance of Malaysian listed property companies in international mixed asset portfolio strategies

The Malaysian listed property companies (MLPCs) are now penetrating the global market, thus playing a significant role in the country’s economic growth. The property sector in Malaysia is now also able to attract foreign investors which helps to make Malaysia one of the major property investment destinations. Moreover, property investment has proved to be a hedging against inflation as well as financial crises. Consequently, it is important to analyse the significance and performance of MLPCs to identify its added value to mixed asset portfolio. The research aim is to analyse the significance and performance of MLPCs are important to provide strategic investment allocation for investors. This study used the time series data of price indices for all asset classes such as shares, bonds and property. The countries involved in this analysis vary from developed to less emerging property markets. The research methodology has employed several statistical techniques such as risk adjusted performance analysis, correlation analysis and efficient frontiers. In order to assess the level of volatility of MLPCs, advanced statistical techniques have been used; these include: Granger causality test and ARCH family model. This analysis covers a 20 year period from January 1994 to December 2014. The performance of MLPCs has been segmented into three different property markets, namely: Malaysian, Asian and developed countries mixed asset portfolio. The findings have revealed that MLPCs have low performance, less diversification and do not add value within local mixed asset portfolios. However, it shows some hedging benefits during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) period as they were less affected by the GFC. In addition, MLPCs also have low performance and do not add value to the property portfolio of other Asian countries. However, they provide diversification benefits with several Asian countries. With regards to volatility, it was found that Japan could cause MLPCs to become a risky asset. In the context of an international market, MLPCs have inferior risk adjusted performance except during the GFC period. During the GFC, MLPCs outperformed several developed countries which indicated that they were able to show sustainable performance. With regards to volatility, several developed countries caused MLPCs to become a risky asset. Conclusively, MLPCs are seen to be less significant in mixed asset portfolios especially when compared with local, Asian and developed countries portfolio. MLPCs can bring about improvements in order to gain returns and can reduce risk in a portfolio in a certain situation. Nevertheless, MLPCs need to revolutionize in order to become more competitive compared to other assets. This study provided useful information for LPCs players for making more informed investment decision, while understand the implications.
AIS Electronic

This paper presents a new adoption framework i.e. Individual, Technology, Organization and Environment (I-TOE) to address the factors influencing computer-assisted auditing tools (CAATs) acceptance in public audit firms. CAATs are audit technology that helps in achieving effective and efficient audit work. While CAATs adoption varies among audit departments, prior studies focused narrowly on CAATs acceptance issues from the individual perspective and no comprehensive study has been done that focused on both organization and individual standpoints. Realizing this gap, this paper aims to predict CAATs adoption factors using the I-TOE framework. I-TOE stresses on the relationship of Individuals factors (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, hedonic motivation and habit), CAATs Technology (i.e. technology cost-benefit, risk and technology fit), Organization characteristics (i.e. size, readiness and top management), and Environment factors (i.e. client’s AIS complexity, competitive pressure and professional accounting body regulations) towards CAATs acceptance. It integrates both Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 and Technology-Organization-Environment framework. I-TOE provides a comprehensive model that helps audit firms and regulatory bodies to develop strategies and policies to increase CAATs adoption. Empirical study through questionnaire survey will be conducted to validate I-TOE model.
Whole-Body MRI for Metastases Screening: A Preliminary Study Using 3D VIBE Sequences With Automatic Subtraction Between Noncontrast and Contrast Enhanced Images

Objectives:To evaluate 3D Volumetric Interpolated Breath-hold Examination (VIBE) whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) acquisition for the metastases staging. Methods:Thirty-two consecutive patients with solid tumor were examined from head to feet before and after contrast injection. An automatic subtraction occurred between the 2 series of images. WB-MRI was compared with conventional staging techniques (CT, scintigraphy, brain MRI, and whole-body PET in 4 cases). Results:WB-MRI and the reference techniques depicted metastases in 25 patients. WB-MRI depicted more bone lesions in the spine, pelvis, skull, femur, and tibia, whereas scintigraphy detected more rib lesions. WB-MRI depicted 27 cerebral metastases, whereas brain MRI depicted 40 cerebral metastases. WB-MRI depicted a total of 8 hepatic metastases, 8 adrenal lesions, and conventional staging 7 hepatic metastases and 10 adrenal lesions. WB-MRI examination depicted lung metastases in 10 patients, and CT examination in 13 patients. Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that WB-MRI is a feasible and promising technique for tumor staging.
The Effects of External Pressures, Financial Targets and Financial Distress on Financial Statement Fraud

The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of external pressures, financial targets and financial distress to the possibility of financial statement fraud. The proxy of financial statement fraud is the Beneish M-Score (1999). I f the M-Score is greater than -2.22, the company is likely to do financial statement fraud. The population of this study is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2014-2016.This study is using secondary data that is the company's annual report. Sample collection method is purposive sampling method, which resulted with 123 companies. Hypotheses testing was done using logistics regression. The results show that external pressure influence the probability of financial statement fraud. While the financial targets and financial distress does not influence t he probability of financial statement fraud. Keywords—financial statement fraud; the beneish m-score; financial distress
Factor Structure of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in Patients With Chronic Pain

ObjectivesTo examine the factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory version II (BDI-II) in patients seeking treatment for chronic pain, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and provide comparative data for use with similar patient populations. In addition, to consider the utility of using BDI-II subscale scores to further inform the management of patients with chronic pain. MethodsPhase I involved analysis of responses to the BDI-II by 1227 patients assessed for a pain management program. The sample data was split into 2 halves. A series of exploratory factor analyses on the first half suggested 2 factors. Confirmatory factor analysis was then used on the second half to confirm goodness-of-fit for this 2-factor solution and compare with a 1-factor solution and factor models presented in the BDI-II handbook derived on student and psychiatric outpatient populations. Comparison was also made of derived factor scores between this pain clinic sample and the normative psychiatric outpatient and student samples. In the second phase, longitudinal data on a further 269 patients who had completed the pain management program was used to examine the amount of variance in pain and disability outcomes accounted for by total BDI-II and 2-factor subscale scores at assessment. ResultsTwo correlated factors incorporating 18 items from the BDI-II gave good goodness-of-fit (0.916). Factor 1 loaded heavily onto negative cognitions about the self plus mood symptoms, factor 2 onto changes in behavior and activity plus low mood. Summed scores on factor 1 from pain clinic patients were very significantly lower than for psychiatric outpatients, indicating less negative cognitions about the self, and very significantly higher than for a student sample. Pain clinic patient scores on factor 2 were very significantly higher than those for both psychiatric outpatients and students, indicating more reporting of behavior change and affective symptoms. Subscale scores accounted for a small but significant amount of variance in both pain and disability at follow-up, with each scale predicting in opposite directions. Total BDI-II scores predicted similar amounts of variance in disability at follow-up, but were not significantly associated with pain at follow-up. DiscussionResults are consistent with studies using previous versions of the BDI in suggesting that 2-factor scores may be more clinically useful in the assessment of patients referred with chronic pain.
Vitamin D status is inversely associated with anemia and serum erythropoietin during pregnancy 1 , 2

Background: Vitamin D and iron deficiencies frequently co-exist. It is now appreciated that mechanistic interactions between iron and vitamin D metabolism may underlie these associations. Objective: We examined interrelations between iron and vitamin D status and their regulatory hormones in pregnant adolescents, who are a group at risk of both suboptimal vitamin D and suboptimal
Standard Symptom- and Sexual History–Based Testing Misses Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in Swingers and Men Who Have Sex With Men

Background Currently, individuals at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are tested extragenitally only if indicated, most often when there is a history of self-reported symptoms or self-reported anal sex. The sensitivity of such selective symptom- and sexual history–based testing for detection of anorectal STD has not been determined. Methods All men having sex with men (MSM) and swingers (heterosexual couples who have sex with other heterosexual couples and their self-identified heterosexual sex partners) attending our STD clinic (consults: n = 1690) from January 2010 until February 2011 were universally tested for urogenital, anorectal, and oropharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections (STD). We compared STD prevalence at anorectal site based on universal versus selective testing. Results Sensitivity of selective symptom- and sexual history–based testing for anorectal STD was 52% for homosexual MSM, 40% for bisexual MSM, 43% for bisexual male swingers, 40% for heterosexual male swingers, and 47% for female swingers. Conclusions Universal testing of STD clinic clients who were MSM and swingers yielded more than half of all anorectal STD infections and is more sensitive for identifying anorectal STD infections compared with selective testing. Universal testing may be a more effective strategy for interrupting the ongoing transmission in high-risk sexual networks.