Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE IN KENYA’S PUBLIC SECTOR: A SURVEYOF SELECTED NATIONAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES

Corporate governance has become an issue of global significance. Globally, the public sector plays a central role in socio-economic development but the sector has however been affected by globalization, public sector reforms, regional and international partnerships among other factors. Kenya’s public sector organizations need good governance in order to realize efficiency and better service delivery as enshrined in Vision 2030 that envisages new structure of governance that can only be achieved in an environment of good corporate governance practices. The general objective of this study was to investigate the influence of corporate governance practices on performance in Kenya’s public sector. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively while inferential statistics employed regression analysis to test hypotheses. The target population in this study comprised of selected government offices and respondents was senior management employees working in those ministries. An appropriate sample was determined through stratified random sampling approach. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. The analysis was done using SPSS. The results were presented using tables and corresponding narratives. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between leadership skills and performance. The study thus rejected the first null hypothesis and revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between leadership skills and performance in Kenya’s public sector. It was also established that risk management is a significant predictor of performance. The study thus rejected the second null hypothesis and revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between Risk management and performance in Kenya’s public sector. A positive and significant relationship between transparency and performance was further established, hence rejecting the third null hypothesis and confirming that there is a positive relationship between transparency and performance in Kenya’s public sector. A positive and significant relationship was also
Motor neuron syndrome after electric shock

Presented here are 17 individuals with motor neuron disease that followed a severe electric shock. All were under the age of 45 when their motor disorder began. Five developed the illness within 24–36 months of the electrical accident and 12 not until decades later. In 14 cases only a single, but severe, shock had been received while in three others multiple, but substantial, jolts of electricity had been sustained. All 17 were males and all but one are still alive.
DIVERGENCE IN GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE BETWEEN EARNING AND NON-EARNING MANIPULATING FIRMS AND ADHERENCE DEFICIENCY: AN ANALYSIS OF BURSA MALAYSIA’S PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES

This paper examines whether corporate governance compliance differs between earning and non-earning manipulating firms and the area of compliance deficiency in view of an improvement in corporate governance codes of best practices. Governance compliance was measured using corporate governance index based on ‘ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard’ (ACGSC). Samples of earnings manipulating firms were identified using the M-score model, matched against non-earnings manipulating firms by year and sector classification within 2012 and 2013, subsequent to issuance of ACGSC and Malaysian Codes of Corporate Governance 2012 (MCCG 2012). Differences in corporate governance compliance were analysed using ‘independent samples t-test’, ‘Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test’, and ‘Chi-Square test’. The result revealed “corporate governance compliance in aggregate”, and specific governance areas of “stakeholders’ whistleblowing and protection”, “timely release of quality annual report”, and “boards’ appointment and remuneration criteria” were significantly different between earning and non-earning manipulating firms. Furthermore earning manipulating firms tend to have deficient governance compliance compared to opposite. This study implicates firms to adopt full compliance of corporate governance codes mainly in areas of “stakeholders’ whistleblowing and protection”, “timely release of quality annual report”, and “board members appointment and remuneration criteria” to overcome potential earnings manipulation scheme.
Evaluation of erectile dysfunction with color Doppler sonography.

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of Color Doppler Sonography in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from 5-6-2002 to 2-9-2003. All consecutive patients presenting with erectile dysfunction and undergoing penile color Doppler evaluation with injection PGE1 20 mcg were included in this study. RESULTS A total of 70 patients with an age range of 24-70 years (mean 41 +/- 12.25 years) were included in the study. A normal response was noted in 45 (psychogenic) cases. Vasculogenic causes were observed in 23 patients, 12 with arterial insufficiency and 11 with venous leak. Peyronie's disease was diagnosed in 2 patients. CONCLUSION Color Doppler evaluation of erectile dysfunction is an effective method for differentiating psychogenic and vasculogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Purification of a Novel Protein (ps20) from Urogenital Sinus Mesenchymal Cells with Growth Inhibitory Properties in Vitro(*)

Our previous studies have characterized mesenchyme-derived proteins to identify biologically active proteins and novel markers for stromal cell paracrine action relative to stromal-epithelial interactions. Previous reports have characterized properties of a growth inhibitory activity (to bladder and prostatic epithelial cells), secreted by U4F fetal rat urogenital sinus mesenchymal cells, not cross-reactive with antibodies to known cytokines, and provisionally termed UGIF. The present study reports the characterization, purification, and biological properties of a 20-21-kDa protein responsible for UGIF activity. The 20-21-kDa protein (termed ps20) was purified to near homogeneity, the amino-terminal sequence was determined, and biological properties were characterized in vitro. Amino-terminal sequence analysis indicated no direct matches or regions of homology with known proteins. Purified ps20 induced a linear and saturable inhibition of thymidine incorporation in PC-3 prostatic carcinoma cells (half-maximal activity at 2.6 nM), inhibited cell proliferation (increased population doubling time from 19.8 to 25.8 h), and induced a 210% stimulation in the synthesis of secreted proteins. These data suggest that ps20 may be a candidate paracrine effector protein and may play a role in stromal-epithelial cell interactions in the prostate gland.
An evaluation of specialized community-based residential supports for people with challenging behaviour

This study explored the effects of relocation from institutional to specialized community-based residential provision for six men with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour and for a comparison group of six men with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour who were already living in specialized communitybased residential provision. Relocation was associated with: (1) a significant increase in participants’ domestic activity skills; (2) a decrease in the observed occurrence of some problem behaviours; (3) an increase in quality of life; and (4) an increase in engagement and staff contact. The community group, however, also showed some improvements over time, most notably in their levels of engagement in meaningful activity and staff contact. The implications of these results for service provision and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Pharmacokinetics of Ciprofloxacin in Healthy Mexican Volunteers

Summary Ciprofloxacin (CAS 85721-33-1) is a gyrase inhibitor used against a wide number of bacteria which develops a very low bacterial resistance. Its pharmacokinetics has been extensively studied using two main methods, liquid chromatography and microbiological assay. The pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin administered orally was evaluated in healthy Mexican volunteers after a dose of 500 mg. Ciprofloxacin was assayed from plasma by a specific HPLC method reading absorbance at 280 nm. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to reported values, including a previous study on Mex-ican healthy volunteers with the microbiological assay. AUC was 12.11 mg h/l, Cmax 2.44 mg/l, tmax 0.79 h and half-life 3.8 h. tmax was slightly shorter than those in other studies. Ciprofloxacin presented no adverse reactions and can be dosed to people with Amerindian origin in the same dose regimes as prescribed to Caucasians in order to achieve minimal inhibitory concentrations against a wide range of microbial pathogens.
Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic modelling of the sorption of metals from aqueous solution by a silica polyamine composite

Batch sorption studies were conducted to assess the potential of a phosphonated silica polyamine composite (BPAP) to remove metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, U and Zn) from mine waters. The metal adsorption showed a good Langmuir isotherm fit. Ni and Mn fitted both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The activation energies ( Ea) of Co, Mg and Ni ranged between 5 and 40 kJ∙mol-1, signifying physisorption while U showed a chemisorption type of adsorption (with Ea > 50 kJ∙mol -1 ). Cu and Fe on the other hand gave negative Ea values, indicating their preference to bind to low-energy sites. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best correlation of the experimental data, except for Mg and Ni for which the pseudo-first-order model and the Elovich model gave a better fit, respectively. Adsorption was almost constant over a wide pH regime and increased with time. Adsorption increased with concentration of the metals with the exception of Co, Fe and Ni which displayed about a 40% drop at a concentration of 200 mg∙l-1. Desorption experimental data gave poor results except for U which showed 99.9% desorption.
Clinical Development of PD-1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy for Gastrointestinal Cancers: Facts and Hopes

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most deadly malignancies. Although serial incremental survival benefits have been made with cytotoxic chemotherapy with metastatic disease, a plateau of achievement has been reached. Applying modern integrative genomic technology, distinct molecular subgroups have been identified in GI cancers. This not only highlighted the heterogeneity in tumors of each primary anatomical site but also identified novel therapeutic targets in distinct molecular subgroups and might improve the yield of clinical success. Molecular characteristics of tumors and their interaction with the tumor microenvironment would further affect development of combination therapy, including immunotherapy. Currently, immune checkpoint blockade attracts the most intense research, and the successful integration of these novel agents in GI cancers in the treatment paradigm requires an in-depth understanding of the diverse immune environment of these cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 23(20); 6002–11. ©2017 AACR.
Time for new financing instruments? A market-oriented framework to finance environmentally friendly practices in EU agriculture

ABSTRACT We observe that the actual system of support to agriculture in Europe neglects many of the existing and potential interactions in the financing chain and, for this reason, remains scarcely participated in by institutional investors. In an attempt to overcome this issue, this paper provides a theoretical framework for a market-oriented financing of agriculture in the EU, with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. In more detail, the paper identifies the conditions for implementing a comprehensive originate-and-distribute securitisation mechanism for environmental loans backed by a general public guarantee. The discussion provided allows the identification of the main gaps between the target financing infrastructure and the instruments currently available in the market. In this respect, two elements would deserve a specific implementation. First, an integrated policy programme able to leverage the public spending though a balance of grants (which should support only unprofitable environmentally friendly practices) and external credit enhancer in the securitisation mechanism. Second, a specialised data set able to provide reliable environmental and financial performance indicators on different environmentally friendly investments to farmers, intermediaries and institutional investors.
Surgical Stimulation Induces Changes in Brain Electrical Activity during Isoflurane/Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia: A Topographic Electroencephalographic Analysis

Background:The aim of this study was to investigate topographic changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) power and frequency induced by abdominal surgery during anesthesia with 0.6% or 1.2% isoflurane in 66% nitrous oxide. Methods:Forty-six patients (aged 41 ± 13 yr) scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were studied. The trachea of each patient was intubated and the lungs ventilated. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: anesthesia was maintained with 0.6% (group 1, n = 12; group 2, n = 11) or 1.2% end-tidal isoflurane (group 3, n = 12; group 4, n = 11) in 66% nitrous oxide. Data were recorded over 20 min. Groups 1 and 3 were studied without surgery (as controls). In groups 2 and 4 recording was started 6 min before skin incision. The EEG was acquired via 17 scalp electrodes placed in standard International 10–20 locations (reference C2). Absolute and relative power densities were calculated in selected frequency bands. EEG maps of spectral power densities were coded according to a continuous color spectrum. Results:During baseline recordings, alpha activity was dominant at frontal areas in groups 1 and 2. In comparison, in groups 3 and 4, delta and theta activities were dominant at frontal leads. In group 2, the start of surgery resulted in increases in delta activity and decreases in alpha activity that were most dominant frontally (delta +181% and alpha −61%, F3). The delta shift was attenuated at 1.2% isoflurane (group 4, delta +44%, F3), but decreases in alpha activity (-53%, F3) were comparable to those in group 2. The EEG response in all frequency bands was attenuated at parietotemporal recording sites at both isoflurane concentrations. Conclusions:The current data demonstrate graded EEG responses induced by abdominal surgery during anesthesia with 0.6% or 1.2% isoflurane in 66% nitrous oxide. Spatial heterogeneities in absolute spectral power densities were reflected by color changes in the EEG maps. The topographic EEG analysis indicates that these changes were most dominant at frontal areas. The increases in delta and decreases in alpha activities may be related to intraoperative “paradoxical” electro-physiologic arousal phenomena.
Crowdfunding for Video Games: Factors that Influence the Success of and Capital Pledged for Campaigns

ABSTRACT Crowdfunding has become an important funding method for video game developments in the United States. Interestingly, video game crowdfunding projects have significantly lower success rates compared to other product categories. Recognizing this challenge, this study examines factors influencing the success of crowdfunding campaigns for video games. The analysis of 447 crowdfunding campaigns suggests that human capital, geography, media choice, and the intensity of media use influence the success of crowdfunding for video games.
Effect of Nutrition Information disclosure on a restaurant menu and consumer food choice

EFFECT OF NUTRITION INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ON A RESTAURANT MENU AND CONSUMER FOOD CHOICE Sarah Malik Advisors: Dr. Anne Wilcock University of Guelph, 2013 Dr. Vinay Kanetkar In order to better inform Canadians about the high level of calories, fat and sodium in most restaurants, policy makers and health advocates have suggested that nutritional information be added on the menu. But, before consumers can read this information there are other cues that bias calorie perceptions. These cues create certain expectations about the healthfulness of the menu items. For example, restaurants create “health halos” in which consumers are led to believe that their options are healthy when in reality they may not be (Wansink & Chandon, 2006). Do consumers notice this incongruence? Would their choices differ when nutritional values differed from expectations? The main objective of this research was to examine if calories, fat and sodium on a restaurant menu influence consumers to make healthier food choices. The moderating role of expectations about a restaurant’s food drawn from the expectation-disconfirmation paradigm was also examined to determine if consumer food choice differs when nutrition information is incongruent to expectations. Lastly, consumers’ sensitivity to price was studied when calories, fat and sodium were present. Undergraduate students (n=240) from the University of Guelph in a between and within-subjects design responded to three surveys. Discrete choice experiments were used with different levels of calories, fat and sodium to study the effect of these attributes on menu item choice. Findings indicate that nutrition information does lead to healthier choices when expectations are positively disconfirmed but not when they are negatively disconfirmed and when objective information is provided. Further, participants’ reported calories and fat to be more important than sodium. From a health, nutrition and policy maker’s standpoint, this finding is indicative of the fact that consumers do use calories, fat and sodium information on a menu, albeit, selectively.
Relations of Sex, Age, Perceived Fitness, and Aerobic Activity with Social Physique Anxiety in Adults Sixty Years and Older

Self-reported physical activity, and perceived fitness were examined to assess their effects on social physique anxiety in a sample of older individuals (N = 249; M age = 70.4 yr., SD = 8.2). Participants reported their fitness as “average” to “above average. ” There were no significant effects of perceived fitness or age on social physique anxiety scores. The women had significantly higher social physique anxiety scores than the men.
Cost benefit analysis of HIV workplace programmes in Zambia.

This study attempted to answer the question "What are the costs and benefits of workplace HIV and AIDS programmes in Zambia when viewed across several companies? " Seven companies that are part of the Global Development Alliance Programme in Zambia were included in this research. The companies range in size from 350 to 10000 employees and each company has an HIV workplace programme in place. All were within either the mining or agricultural sectors. Four are located primarily in the Copperbelt and are mining-related firms. The agricultural firms were headquartered in three different provinces in the country with productivity in an additional two provinces. Data were collected during the months of May and June 2007 from seven companies. All GDA companies were included in the study. Four of the GDA companies are involved in the mining sector; three in the agricultural sector. Several data collection and analyses methods were used: structured schedules designed to elicit specific cost programme structure and labour structure information cost structural and HIV data obtained from the CHAMPs (GDA technical support partners) databases printed information and staff informal discussions focus group discussions with employees structured interviews with community members and administrators and observations. The study was divided into three main areas: (1) a cost-benefit analysis of the workplace programmes (2) employee and community perceptions of the programme and (3) the programmes impact on nonpermanent employees. (excerpt)
ECONOMIC VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM THE MARKET FOR ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT (MAI): ตัวแปรทางเศรษฐกิจในฐานะตัวชี้วัดของศักยภาพตลาดหลักทรัพย์: กรณีศึกษาตลาดหลักทรัพย์เอ็มเอไอ (MAI)

The primary aim of this research is to investigate the predictive ability of economic variables upon stock market performance in the case of the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) in Thailand during 2002-2013. Using multiple regression analysis with monthly data, the results from this study reveal that the lagged return on the MAI index can be used to predict the MAI index return, in which MAI’s return depends on its past performance in the similar direction. Moreover, it is found that interest rates have a negative impact upon MAI index returns, implying that rising interest rates can be predicted to lessen the performance of the MAI. The results from this study benefit both individual and institutional investors for managing their portfolio effectively when estimating trend movements of the market index. They also provide additional international evidence regarding investment in listed small and medium sized enterprises.
Effects of neonatal status epilepticus on rat brain development

A single, 2-hour episode of status epilepticus induced by flurothyl (1,500 μl) in 4-day-old rats irreversibly curtailed brain weight and brain DNA. Status epilepticus inhibited DNA synthesis but did not increase DNA breakdown and produced no histologic lesions. Rats with status epilepticus showed delayed behavioral milestones and reduced seizure thresholds several weeks after status. After milder convulsions (flurothyl 750 $mUl, bicuculline), brain DNA was curtailed at 7 days but returned to normal at 30 days. These results suggest that, in the immature brain, epileptic seizures too mild to cause cell necrosis can inhibit DNA synthesis and permanently curtail brain DNA content. This may account for the great vulnerability of the immature brain to epileptic seizures.
The profitability of banks in a context of negative monetary policy rates: the cases of Sweden and Denmark

This paper looks at how the profitability of banks in Sweden and Denmark has evolved in the context of negative interest rates. Overall, it finds that profitability has continued to improve, even with negative monetary policy rates. Data and modelbased evidence confirm that the monetary policy transmission to bank lending rates has so far not been impaired, though they point to a downward stickiness in the bank deposit rate. Swedish and Danish banks rely mainly on wholesale funding to finance their activities, and the fall in wholesale funding costs has led to a significant decline in interest expenses, thereby bolstering the resilience of the net interest income margin. All in all, this has created the prerequisites for positive credit supply developments, and possible unintended consequences of negative monetary policy rates, such as a reduction in credit supply, have not materialised. However, according to Sveriges Riksbank and Danmarks Nationalbank, the prevailing low level of interest rates has aggravated financial stability risks stemming from the large exposure of the banking sector to the housing market in both economies, in a context of rapidly rising housing prices and the resultant growing indebtedness of the household sector. JEL Classification: E58