Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect Of Ownership Structure On Profitability Performance Of Listed Food And Beverage Firms In Nigeria : A Panel Data Approach

The study aims to examine the nexus between equity ownership structure –cum managerial, institutional and blockholder and profitability performance, of food and beverage firms in Nigeria. The methodology was based on an ex-post factor research design using secondary panel data approach with different regression estimators. A sample size of fifteen from the thirty-nine firms was selected purposively based on companies that have complete information during the period 2007–2016. The data obtained were on ownership structure proxy by managerial ownership (MANOWN), institutional ownership (INSTOWN) and block holder ownership (BLOCOWN). Data was also obtained on firm performance constructed by return on assets (ROAs) and return on equity (ROEs), firm size measured by total assets (TAs) and leverage measured by total debts (TDs). This study employed multiple regression analysis of the Panel Least Square Method using E-Views 7.1. The findings showed that managerial ownership, institutional ownership and block-ownership have positive significant impact on returns on assets and equity, which suggest that equity ownership structure play significant role in determining the profitability of listed food and beverages firms in Nigeria. The study contributes to existing literature by presenting one of the very recent findings while 1 Department of Business Administration, Nile University of Nigeria, Abbas.ibrahim@nileuniversity.edu. ng 2 Department of Business Administration, Nile University of Nigeria, Abbas.ibrahim@nileuniversity.edu. ng IJSS, 2019, Volume 3, Issue 15, p. 32-62. 33 simultaneously testing the validity of recent local and international methodologies, in order to inform policy change. The study recommends that in order to sustain and improve performance, regulatory measures are to be taken by the security and exchange commission to enhance financial profitability and further sustain it through ownership structure as part of governance policy in the industry.
FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES OF PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN THIKA SUB-COUNTY: INSIGHTS FOR STRATEGIC HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT BY MURAYA AGNES MWONJORIA UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY SPRING 2014 FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES OF PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITI

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . vi DEDICATION . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS . xi CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the Problem . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 6 1.3 Purpose of the Study . 7 1.4 Research Questions . 7 1.5 Importance of the Study . 8 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study . 9 1.7 Definition of Terms. 9 1.8 Chapter Summary . 10 CHAPTER TWO . 11 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 11 2.
Ukrainian settlement in Paraguay

Ukrainian settlement in Paraguay was insignificant until the mid-1930s, when immigrants from the Second Republic of Poland began to arrive in considerable numbers. Most of the newcomers were Orthodox from Volhynia, but there emerged in Paraguay a strong Protestant movement among the settlers. A minority were Greek Catholics from Galicia. Most settled in the province of Itapuá across the Paraná River from Misiones, Argentina, where Ukrainians had settled before 1914. This paper examines the religious, economic, social and historical geography of Ukrainian settlement in Paraguay and compares it with Ukrainian settlement elsewhere in the Diaspora. It also considers the evolution of the cultural landscape of Ukrainian settlement in Paraguay.
MODULAR SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RISK ANALYSIS CONSIDERING UNCERTAINTIES OF BASIC INPUT PARAMETERS

For the study area of Central Europe, an intensity-oriented damage and loss prediction model is developed and being adapted to regional seismic risk. The procedures implemented in the model are structured in a modular system, and therefore in a transparent way. The paper refers to the modification of the tools of risk analysis to account for the uncertainties and the scatter of basic input parameters. Results are presented for the strongest earthquake in Central Europe over the last 50 years, the September 03, 1978 Albstadt (Germany) earthquake (ML = 5.7; IEMS = 7.5). The evaluation of the existing building stock and its vulnerability is considered in more detail. The identification of the predominant building types, the assignment of their most likely or probable vulnerability classes and the formulation of correlations between these classes and the distribution of damage grades are regarded as the innovative key elements of the whole intensity-based procedure. Damage scenarios are related to the recent earthquake comparing the hypothetically predicted and the observed shaking effect. Damage is given in terms of fractiles replacing the commonly used mean damage grade.
One-flipped-spin sector of the Hubbard model: A search for non-Fermi-liquid behavior.

One flipped spin in the spin-polarized sector of the Hubbard model away from half-filling is considered. Aspects other than stability of the Nagaoka solution or viability of the Gutzwiller approximation (considered previously by other authors) are focused on. It is argued that understanding the phase-coherence properties of the flipped spin may be a good starting point in an attempt to prove or disprove the violation of the Fermi-liquid-like behavior in the two-dimensional (2D) Hubbard model, an outcome that has been strongly advocated by P. W. Anderson
Implementation and Evaluation of Internet Connectivity for Mobile Ad hoc Networks

We describe how we have implemented and evaluated ways to provide robust Internet connectivity for mobile ad hoc networks. In such dynamic networks, the occurrence of multiple gateways, high mobility and lack of consistent addressing put new demands on the strategies to move data between the ad hoc network and the Internet. With individual node mobility, a network wide shared state in the form of a default route might not be the most efficient strategy. Nodes might need to select their own gateway depending on their mobility and topological placement in the network. This can be achieved by using source routing or tunneling. We have implemented a system which combines AODV and Mobile IP and that uses tunneling to select gateways on a per flow basis. We compare this to using default routes and show the flexibility and efficiency of the tunneling approach by extensive evaluation in simulation. Based on this result we have implemented a real prototype system using LinkSys routers that combines Mobile IP and AODV with tunneling. A version of this prototype was successfully demonstrated at MobiCom 2004.
INVESTIGATION OF BASE-ISOLATOR TYPE SELECTION ON SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF STRUCTURES INCLUDING STORY DRIFTS AND PLASTIC HINGE FORMATION

Seismic base isolation is an earthquake resistant design method that is based on decreasing the seismic demand instead of increasing the seismic capacity. In this paper, the effect of using two different types of seismic isolators in decreasing the base shear and story shears of structure has been investigated. Four structural models with 2, 5, 8 and 12 stories for three cases including fixed-base, lead-rubber isolator and friction pendulum isolator with different stiffness have been modeled. All models have been analyzed under earthquake characteristics of Manjil, Naghan, Tabas and Elcentro using a nonlinear finite element program. The results indicate that by using lead-rubber isolators, maximum displacements of stories in low-rise structures have been increased in comparison with fixed-base model. In contrast, in majority of cases, applying the FPS isolators doesn't guarantee the displacement requirement. Also by using isolators, number of cycles related to displacement response would be decreased especially in models with lower stories. In short base isolated structures, the decrease in plastic hinge formation percent of elements is much more than in fixed-base structures. With regards to the results that are mainly based on Iranian earthquakes characteristics, it could be concluded that seismic isolation is a useful method if being applied in short structures. Finally by comparing the hysteretic responses of structural models in three explained cases, it is revealed that the greater the design period of isolator, the higher level of energy dissipation by isolation system.
SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITY OF PIPER ADUNCUM FRUIT AND TEPHROSIA VOGELII LEAF EXTRACTS AGAINST THE CABBAGE HEAD CATERPILLAR , CROCIDOLOMIA PAVONANA

One of the strategies for increasing the biological activity of botanical insecticides is through the synergistic mixtures of plant extracts. In order to assess the insecticidal joint action of both Piper aduncum (Pa) fruit and Tephrosia vogelii (Tv), leaf extract mixtures were assayed on the cabbage head caterpillar, Crocidolomia pavonana. This study was conducted at Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia, from October 2010 to August 2011. Pa fruit and Tv leaf powder were extracted using ethyl acetate (1:8 w/v) through maceration done four times for Pa fruit, and three times on Tv leaf. Pa and Tv extracts, and the mixture of both extracts were assayed through leaf-feeding of the second-instar larvae of C. pavonana with a 48 h feeding treatment. The mixtures were tested at three concentration ratios, i.e. 1:5 (Pa:Tv), 1:1, and 5:1 (w/w). Based on a comparison of LC50 at 72 h after treatment, mixtures of both P. aduncum and T. vogelii extracts at ratios of 1:5, 1:1, and 5:1 were 3.0, 3.1, and 4.3 times more toxic than P. aduncum extract, respectively. Meanwhile, the same mixtures of both plant extracts at the same ratios of 1:5, 1:1, and 5:1, was 2.4, 2.5, and 3.4 times were more toxic than T. vogelii extract, respectively. Based on the independent joint action model, P. aduncum and T. vogelii extract mixtures at the three concentration ratios showed a strong synergistic effect on C. pavonana larvae, at both LC50 and LC95 levels, in which the 5:1 mixture was the most synergistic. Thus, the use of synergistic Pa and Tv extract mixtures was more effective than individual Pa or Tv extracts in controlling C. pavonana.
Protective effect of methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of Synsepalum dulcificum (Danielli) on lead-acetate-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats

The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract and flavonoid-rich leaf extract of Synsepalum dulcificum on lead-acetate-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats. Forty-five animals were distributed into nine groups with five animals apiece. Group 1 served as the control and was given only distilled water throughout the course of the study. Group 2 served as the lead-induced group and was administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate. Groups 3–8 were co-administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate and various doses of the extracts. Group 9 was administered 40 mg/kg vitamin C in addition to 50 mg/kg lead-acetate. The study lasted for 14 days. Standard procedures were used to evaluate the hematological indices, serum total protein, urea, creatinine, as well as marker enzymes in liver and kidney of the animals. Malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-s-transferase activities were also estimated in the tissues. The results showed that the extracts, especially the high doses, significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the harmful effects of lead administration in the liver and kidney as well as in the hematological indices. The extract could, therefore, be considered as having protective effect on lead-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats.
The effect of environmental factors on infection of blueberry fruit by Colletotrichum acutatum

Anthracnose fruit rot of blueberries caused by Colletotrichum acutatum is a serious problem in humid blueberry-growing regions of North America. In order to develop a disease prediction model, environmental factors that affect mycelial growth, conidial germination, appressorium formation and fruit infection by C. acutatum were investigated. Variables included temperature, wetness duration, wetness interruption and relative humidity. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth was 26°C, and little or no growth was observed at 5 and 35°C. The development of melanized appressoria was studied on Parafilm-covered glass slides and infection was evaluated in immature and mature blueberry fruits. In all three assays, the optimal temperature for infection was identified as 25°C, and infections increased up to a wetness duration of 48 h. Three-dimensional Gaussian equations were used to assess the effect of temperature and wetness duration on the development of melanized appressoria (R = 0 89) on Parafilm-covered glass slides and on infection incidence in immature (R = 0 86) and mature (R = 0 90) blueberry fruits. Interrupted wetness periods of different durations were investigated and models were fitted to the response of melanized appressoria (R = 0 95) and infection incidence in immature (R = 0 90) and mature (R = 0 78) blueberry fruits. Additionally, the development of melanized appressoria and fruit infection incidence were modelled in relation to relative humidity (R = 0 99 and 0 97, respectively). Three comprehensive equations were then developed that incorporate the aforementioned variables. The results lay the groundwork for a disease prediction model for anthracnose fruit rot in blueberries.
Evaluation of Pentaclethra macrophylla ( Benth . ) early development from seed under different growth conditions

This study investigated the effects of different sowing media on Pentaclethra macrophylla (Benth.) seedlings growth. The study was laid out in 3×3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with sowing medium and watering regime as the two factors. The three sowing media used were sterilized river-sand, topsoil and a mixture of both. The watering regimes were: early morning, twice daily (i.e. morning and evening) and evening. Twelve trays were assigned to each treatment (sowing medium) making 36 trays for the experiment. Eight seeds were sown in each of the trays. Number of seedlings that germinated from each germination tray was recorded. After five weeks of germination, seedling height, collar diameter, leaf area and leaf number were measured and counted on each of the seedlings. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (i.e. factorial experiment). The highest seedling emergence of 28.1% was obtained under the mixture of sterilized river-sand and topsoil. This was followed by the 27.1% in sterilized river-sand. The least germination percentage (17.7%) was recorded in topsoil. The result revealed that watering in the evening was the best for the propagation of P. macrophylla. There were significant variations among the mean seedling heights, collar diameters, leaf areas and leaf numbers under different sowing media and watering regimes (P<0.05). The interaction effects of sowing media and watering regimes on seedling mean heights, collar diameters, leaf areas and leaf number were also significant (P<0.05). The follow-up test results further showed that sterilized river-sand supported the best growth with the highest mean value of 18.8±2.7cm in seedling height, 22.6±4.2 cm 2 in leaf area and 1.84±0.6 cm in collar diameter. Watering in the evening yielded the best result with means of 15.7±1.3 cm, 22±4and 22.7±3.6cm 2 in seedling height, leaf number and leaf area respectively.
Social Support and Adherence among Hypertensive Patients

Adherence to prescribed medical regimen plays a key role in sustaining health and well-being of individuals with hypertension. Among various factors social support seems to have a significant influence on adherence. With this background, this study was carried out with the following objectives(1) to find out the role of gender in social support and adherence (2) to explore the relationship between social support and adherence and (3) to find out the effect of social support on adherence among hypertensive patients. Utilizing between subjects design, one hundred and fifty (75 men, 75 women) hypertensive patients were recruited from various hospitals in Mizoram, India and were administered the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and Compliance Scale for hypertensive patients. Data were analysed using independent t test, Pearson r and simple regression. Independent t test indicated a significant gender difference in social support and adherence. A significant positive correlation was noticed between social support and adherence. Social support predicted a significant proportion of variance in adherence among hypertensive patients. The findings illuminate the role of social support in adherence to medical regimen. Psychosocial interventions to optimize social support in enhancing the adherence among patients with hypertension are of great importance in health care management.
Association of the ecto‐ATPase NTPDase2 with glial cells of the peripheral nervous system

Cellular signaling via extracellular nucleotides appears to play a major role in the functioning of the peripheral nervous system. Information regarding the functional characterization of nucleotide P2 receptors or their expression pattern has been accumulating rapidly; however, very little is known regarding the distribution of ecto‐nucleotidases in the periphery. The extracellular level of nucleotides is controlled by ecto‐nucleotidases, whereby the three membrane‐bound members of the ecto‐nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E‐NTPDase) family are of special functional importance. Using enzyme histochemistry and immunostaining, we demonstrate that NTPDase2 is associated with nonmyelinating Schwann cells of the rat sciatic nerve, whereas NTPDase1 is restricted to blood vessel walls. NTPDase2 immunoreactivity was detected from embryonic day E18 onward, suggesting that immature Schwann cells express the enzyme. With the onset of myelination, NTPDase2 immunoreactivity remained associated solely with nonmyelinating Schwann cells. NTPDase2 was absent from perisynaptic Schwann cells but was associated with fibroblasts covering the endplate at some distance. In addition, NTPDase2 immunoreactivity was associated with the satellite glial cells in dorsal root ganglia and sympathetic ganglia, and with the enteric glia surrounding the cell bodies of ganglionic neurons of the myenteric and the submucous plexus. In contrast to NTPDase1, NTPDase2 preferentially hydrolyzes nucleoside triphosphates over nucleoside diphosphates and thus can act either in inactivating or in producing P2 receptor ligands. Our results suggest that NTPDase2 plays an important role in the control of nucleotide‐mediated activation of peripheral neurons or glia and in the dialogue between these two cell types. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shortening the security parameters in lightweight WSN applications for IoT - lessons learned

The Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are important part of Internet of Things. And one of the important requirements of WSN is to ensure that the data exchanged within these networks is secured. Since WSNs consist of resource constrained devices, it is crucial to investigate new, lightweight security solutions, which ensure fast computations, reduced energy consumption and desired level of security. This paper proposes using cryptographic algorithms based on Elliptic Curves, but with reduced key lengths, what makes them suitable for WSN. For this new idea, the security analysis was performed and the application areas were proposed.
Analysis of Flow Performances Through Annular Curved Diffusing Duct Using CFD

Abstract. Curved annular diffusers are an integral component of the gas turbine engines of high-speed aircraft. These facilitate effective operation of the combustor by reducing the total pressure loss. The performances of these diffusers depend on their geometry and the inlet conditions. In the present investigation the distribution of mean velocity, static pressure and total pressure are experimentally studied on an annular curved diffuser of 30° angle of turn with an area ratio of 1.356. The experimental results then numerically validated with the help of Fluent and then a series of parametric investigations are conducted with same centre line length and inlet diameter but with different area ratios varying from 1.2 to 3.50.
Anesthesia for Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Comparison between Combined Spinal Epidural Anesthesia and Combined General Epidural Anesthesia

Background Several anesthesiologic regimens can be used for open radical retropubic prostatectomy. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the combined general epidural anesthesia and the combined spinal epidural anesthesia with regard to availability, efficacy, side effects, and perioperative time consumption in a high-volume center. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed by querying the electronic medical records of 1207 consecutive patients from the database of our online documentation software. All patients underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy from 01/2008 to 08/2011 and met the study criteria. Linear and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify differences in parameters such as time consumption in the operating unit, hemodynamic parameters, volume replacement, and catecholamine therapy. Results 698 (57.8%) patients have been undergoing open radical retropubic prostatectomy under combined spinal epidural anesthesia and 509 (42.2%) patients by combined general epidural anesthesia. Operating unit (p <0.0001) and post-anesthesia care unit stay (p <0.0001) as well as total hospital stay (p <0.0001) were significantly shorter in the combined spinal epidural anesthesia group. In addition, this group had reduced intraoperative volume need (p <0.0001) as well as lower need of catecholamines (p <0.0001). Conclusions This retrospective study suggests that the combined spinal epidural anesthesia seems to be a suitable and efficient anesthesia technique for patients undergoing open radical retropubic prostatectomy. This specific approach reduces time in the operation unit and length of hospital stay.
High-Performance Solution-Processed Zinc–Tin-Oxide Thin-Film Transistors Employing Ferroelectric Copolymers Fabricated at Low Temperature for Transparent Flexible Displays

The use of the charge-screening method to obtain high-performance solution-processed zinc-tin-oxide (ZTO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) for transparent flexible displays is investigated. The proposed ZTO TFTs employing solution-processed ferroelectric, poly (vinylidenefluoride-co- trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) copolymer exhibit excellent switching characteristics, including a shift in the threshold voltage toward 0 V and a decrease in the OFF-state current and the sub-threshold swing. The long-term stability of ZTO/PVDF-TrFE TFTs against electrical bias combined with visible-light illumination at 60 °C is also demonstrated. The proposed method is based on an all-solution-process that was carried out below 100°C except the metal deposition, and this allows the ZTO TFT matrix to be integrated into transparent display backplanes on flexible substrates.