Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Innovation on The Performance of Commercial Banks in Nakuru Central Business District

Kenyan commercial banks have continued to use huge investments in innovations and Training of manpower to handle new technologies. The fast-changing competitive environment, globalization, economic changes, regulation, privatization and the like demands that commercial banks are run efficiently and effectively by continuously engaging in innovations. The relationship between the growing investment in bank innovations and bank financial performance in Kenya needs to be studied. If an organization is not capable of introducing innovations on an ongoing basis, it risks that it will lag behind and the initiative will be taken over by other entities. The main objective of the study was to establish the effect of financial innovations on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to; find out the impact of mobile technology on financial performance of commercial banks, to examine the effect of agent banking on financial performance of commercial banks, to find out the effect of internet banking on financial performance of commercial banks and to investigate the effects of banc assurance on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Population of study comprised of 45 commercial banks employees from 9 banks that use mobile banking, agent banking, internet banking and banc assurance in Nakuru. These banks are Cooperative bank, Kenya Commercial bank, Equity bank, Family bank, Chase bank, National Bank of Kenya, NIC bank, consolidated bank and DTB. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires which was carried out in commercial banks in Nakuru town and was evaluated using explanatory research design while a questionnaire was used to gather primary data. Secondary data was obtained from Central Bank of Kenya and banking survey manuals. The research adopted census technique where every element in the population was included; hence the population was 45. The analysis of the quantitative data was done using statistical package of social science (SPSS) software version 21. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationship between bank innovations and financial performance among commercial banks in Kenya. In addition, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the direction and magnitude of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.
Monitoring and controlling reproduction in captive common marmosets on the basis of urinary oestrogen metabolites

Non-invasive methods for routine monitoring of reproductive states and reproduction control in large colonies of captive Callithrix jacchus have been developed. Immunoactive urinary oestrone-3-conjugates (E1C) were measured during non-conception cycles (n=5) and pregnancy (n=7). Using plasma progesterone levels to time ovulation, ovulation was quantitatively estimated by a) calculating the first E1C rise and b) by establishing an E1C threshold. Ovulation was thus defined as taking place 4 days preceding a) the first rise of E1C above follicular-phase levels, or b) a concentration 4≥. 5 µg E1/mg creatinine. Early pregnancy could be determined after day 20 by continued luteal-phase levels of E1C. Secondly, the luteolytic effect of cloprostenol, injected over a wide range of doses and between days 1 and 64 after ovulation/conception, was analysed. Luteolysis was achieved when cloprostenol was administered after day 5 post-ovulation; the luteolytic effect was found not to be dose-dependent. The success of cloprostenol treatment was 87% as confirmed by endocrine monitoring. The methods described are effective and minimize intervention, and are therefore suitable for long-term applications, particularly in combination with behavioural studies.
When the Visit to the Emergency Department is Medically Nonurgent: Provider Ideologies and Patient Advice

It is estimated that more than half of pediatric hospital emergency department (ED) visits are medically nonurgent. Anecdotal impressions suggest that ED providers castigate medically nonurgent visits, yet studies on such visits are scarce. This study explored the perspectives of 26 providers working in the EDs of two urban hospitals regarding medically nonurgent pediatric ED visits and advising parents or guardians on appropriate ED use. Three provider ideologies regarding the appropriateness of medically nonurgent ED use were identified and found to be linked to particular communication strategies that providers employed with ED users: restrictive, pragmatic, and all-inclusive. The analysis resulted in the development of a typology of provider ideological orientations toward ED use, distinguished according to different orientations toward professional dominance.
Sensitivity of serum concentration of cartilage biomarkers to 21‐days of bed rest

The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) would decrease and serum levels of tumor‐necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) would increase in response to bed rest (BR) and that these changes are unaffected by the intake of potassium bicarbonate or whey protein. Seven and nine healthy male subjects participated in two 21‐day 6° head down tilt crossover BR‐studies with nutrition interventions. Serum samples were taken before, during, and after BR and biomarker concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. MMP‐3 during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p < 0.001). MMP‐3 increased significantly from 14 to 21 days of BR (+7%; p = 0.049). COMP during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p < 0.001). MMP‐3 and COMP returned to baseline within 1 day after BR. MMP‐9 on day 3 of BR was significantly lower than at baseline (−31%; p < 0.033) and on days 3, 5, and 14 of BR significantly lower than at the end of and after BR (reduction greater 35%; p < 0.030). The nutritional countermeasures did not affect these results. The observed changes in cartilage biomarkers may be caused by altered cartilage metabolism in response to the lack of mechanical stimulus during BR and inflammatory biomarkers may play a role in changes in biomarker levels. Clinical relevance: Immobilization independently from injury can cause altered cartilage biomarker concentration. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1465–1471, 2018.
In vitro susceptibility to infection with SIVcpz and HIV‐1 is lower in chimpanzee than in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells *

This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the susceptibility of chimpanzee versus human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to infection with SIVcpz and HIV‐1 non‐syncitium inducing primary isolates. The results demonstrate clearly that chimpanzee PBMCs have a lower capacity to support viral replication as compared to human PBMCs. There was no experimental evidence that this difference was due to a lower availability of target cells for viral infection (PBMCs positive for CD4 and CCR5 molecules) or to a differential susceptibility to apoptosis (PBMCs positive for CD4 and CD95 molecules). A lower capacity of chimpanzee PBMCs to support SIVcpz and HIV‐1 replication in vitro is related to a post‐entry barrier to virus replication. J. Med Virol. 67:301–311, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Purification of a Protective Antigen from a Saline Extract of Pasteurella multocida

It has been shown previously that soluble material extracted from Pasteurella multocida P-1059 by a 2.5% NaCl solution protects turkeys from generalized septicemia at a subsequent challenge exposure to the organism. In the present study, a protective antigen was purified from the crude soluble material by chromatographic methods. Four protein peaks were obtained by gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. The protective antigen was detected only in the first peak fraction, which contained a substantial amount of carbohydrate. The peak 1 fraction was adsorbed onto DEAE-cellulose and eluted by a linear gradient of NaCl. Fractions corresponding to a single protein peak were pooled and passed through an immunoadsorbent column to remove any possible serum component originating from the growth medium. The purified antigen had a carbohydrate/protein ratio of 1.5 and formed a single precipitin line with rabbit antiserum against the crude material in gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis analyses. The antigen produced antibodies in rabbits and turkeys which formed a single precipitin line against the crude material. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis, the purified antigen showed three protein bands, corresponding to molecular weights of 44,000, 31,000, and 25,000, and one carbohydrate band. The carbohydrate band did not correspond to any of the three protein bands. Upon isoelectric focusing gel analysis, the purified antigen showed two bands (pI = 3.5 to 4.0 and 4.5 to 5.5), but the two bands were antigenically identical by isoelectric focusing crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The 50% protective dose of the purified antigen was between 10 and 50 μg of protein in trials where two doses were given at 14-day intervals to 10- to 20-week-old turkeys.
Beneficial Effects of Appropriate Sleep Duration on Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stress Severity in a Healthy Population in Korea

Background Recently, several institutions, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society, and the National Sleep Foundation, have made consensus recommendations concerning appropriate sleep duration for adults. Although numerous studies conducted in Western populations have provided evidence of the harmful effects of short or long sleep duration on mental health, it is still unclear whether these consensus recommendations are appropriate in Korean culture. Methods Data from 1,892 subjects with no history of medical or psychiatric diagnoses were selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2014. Subjects were divided into seven groups based on their sleep duration (≤4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and ≥10 hours). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and perceived stress severity was evaluated using a Likert-type scale. Group differences in depressive symptoms and severity of stress were analyzed using an analysis of covariance. Results Depressive symptoms in subjects with sleep duration of ≤4 hours (5.7±5.9) or 5 hours (3.4±3.9) were higher than in subjects with a sleep duration of 7 (2.2±2.9) or 8 hours (2.2±2.9) (corrected P<0.05). Furthermore, subjects with a short sleep duration (5 hours or below) had greater perceived stress severity than subjects with a sleep duration of 7 or 8 hours (corrected P<0.05). Conclusion Our results suggest that maintaining an appropriate sleep duration as found in the recent consensus recommendation is important for mental health, even in healthy subjects without any medical or psychiatric illnesses, in Korea.
Left Ventricular Strain Examination of Different Aged Adults with 3D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

The purpose of this study was to identify traits of the left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circular strain (GCS), and global area tracking (GAT) with three‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE), and to determine the relationship between strain and age in healthy adults of different ages. A total of 153 volunteers were divided into young adult, middle‐aged, and elderly groups, and examined with echocardiography to obtain general data and live two‐dimensional (2D) images of the apical four‐chamber view, which were assembled to obtain the full volume view of the LV. The images were then analyzed with 3DSTE software. Compared with the young adult and middle‐aged groups, elderly adults demonstrated lower GLS, GRS, GCS, and GAT. Significant differences were not noted in GLS, GRS, and GCS between the young adult and middle‐aged groups; however, the GAT of the middle‐aged group was lower than that of the young adult group. The longitudinal strain (LS), radial strain (RS), and area tracking (AT) of 16 LV segments of the young adult group decreased gradually in level from the mitral valve to the apex, and increased in circular strain (CS). The LS, RS, CS, and AT of the middle‐aged group also decreased gradually. The LS, RS, CS, and AT of the elderly people were highest from the mitral valve to the apex level and lowest at the papillary muscle. The results of this study demonstrated that LV GLS, GRS, GCS, and GAT decrease with age.
Substance P plasma concentration during the LH preovulatory surge of the menstrual cycle in the human.

OBJECTIVES In order to determine the exact pattern of plasma Substance P (SP) concentration during the LH preovulatory surge and the functional correlates which could exist between plasma SP, LH, 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and Progesterone, we performed a detailed analysis of changes in plasma SP concentration, during the critical phases of the LH preovulatory surge in the Human. METHODS The experimental study was performed in 21 women between the ages of 26 and 35 years. For each subject, blood samples were taken every 15 min, between 07:00 a.m. and 09:00 a.m. for 3 consecutive days when E2 plasma values reached at last 125 pg/ml. Then, each subject, according to the mean LH value of each day, was classified into one of the following groups: 1) the day before the day of the ascending phase, 2) the day of the ascending phase, 3) The day of the LH surge, 4) the day of the descending phase, 5) the day after the day of the descending phase. RESULTS Mean SP plasma values for the day of the LH peak, the day of the descending phase and the day after the day of the descending phase were all significantly higher than the values of the day of the ascending phase. Overall, there was an almost linear increase for plasma SP values between the day before the day of the ascending phase and the day after the day of the descending phase Also,this linear increase in plasma SP concentration exhibited a positive correlation (p = 0.016) with plasma progesterone concentrations which also started to increase on the day of the ascending phase of the LH surge. CONCLUSIONS Taken together with previous results which have shown that the administration of a SP antagonist reduces both the amplitude and the duration of the preovulatory LH surge in the monkey, the increase in plasma SP concentrations, possibly driven by the rise in serum progesterone concentration, which take place at the time of the preovulatory LH surge, is certainly an important element of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal interactive network necessary for the full development of the preovulatory LH surge in the Human.
Design and development of folate appended liposomes for enhanced delivery of 5-FU to tumor cells

Folate appended sterically-stabilized liposomes (FA–SL) were investigated for tumor targeting. Liposomes were prepared using HSPC, cholesterol and FA–polyethylene glycol (PEG)–SA. The liposomes with polyethylene glycol (PEG) without folic acid which has similar lipid composition were used for comparison. Liposomal preparations were characterized for shape, size and percent entrapment. The average size of liposomes was found to be in range 124–163 nm and maximum drug entrapment was found to be 34.2–40.3%. In vitro drug release from the formulations is obeying fickian release kinetics. Cellular uptake and IC50 values of the FR-targeted formulation were determined in vitro in FR (+) B16F10 melanoma cells. In vitro cell binding of FA–SL exhibits 11-folds higher binding to B16F10 melanoma cells in comparison to SL. In vivo cytotoxicy assay on FR targeted liposomes gave IC50 of 1.87 μM and non-targeted liposomes gave IC50 of 4.02 μM. In therapeutic experiments 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), SL and FA–SL were administered at the dose of 10 mg 5-FU/kg body weight to B16F10 tumor bearing Balb/c mice. Administration of FA–SL formulation results in effective reduction in tumor growth as compared with free 5-FU and SL. Results indicate that folic acid appended SL bearing 5-FU are significantly (P < 0.01) active against primary tumor and metastasis than non-targeted sterically-SL. Thus, it could be concluded that folate coupled liposomal formulations enhanced drug uptake by tumor cells.
Effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged women: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Physical activity is important for preventing weight gain and obesity, but women experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are at high risk of inactivity. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity among women experiencing disadvantage, and the intervention factors (i.e. physical activity measure, delivery mode, delivery channel, setting, duration, use of theory, behavioural techniques, participant age, risk of bias) associated with effectiveness. We conducted a meta‐analysis of controlled trials using random‐effects models and meta‐regression. Seven databases were searched for trials among healthy women (18–64 years), which included a physical activity intervention, any control group, and statistical analyses of a physical activity outcome at baseline and post‐intervention. Nineteen studies were included (n = 6,339). Because of substantial statistical heterogeneity (χ2 = 53.61, df = 18, P < 0.0001, I2 = 66%), an overall pooled effect is not reported. In subgroup analyses, between‐group differences were evident for delivery mode, which modestly reduced heterogeneity (to 54%). Studies with a group delivery component had a standardized mean difference of 0.38 greater than either individual or community‐based delivery. Programs with a group delivery mode significantly increase physical activity among women experiencing disadvantage, and group delivery should be considered an essential element of physical activity promotion programs targeting this population group.
Biosynthesis of anthraquinone derivatives in a Sesamum indicum hairy root culture

In order to investigate the intermediacy of 2-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)anthraquinone (MPAQ), a possible intermediate for the biosynthesis of anthraquinone derivatives in sesame (Sesamum indicum), 2H-labeled MPAQ was administered to a hairy root culture of S. indicum. Efficient conversion of fed MPAQ to 2-[(Z)-4-methylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl]anthraquinone ((Z)-MPDEAQ) was observed. Furthermore, administration experiment with 2H-labeled 2-geranyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone, another possible intermediate, showed that it was converted to MPAQ and (Z)-MPDEAQ. The results clearly demonstrated that these substrates are the actual precursors for the production of (Z)-MPDEAQ. In contrast, neither MPAQ nor 2-geranyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone was converted to anthrasesamone B and 2,3-epoxyanthrasesamone B, other anthraquinone derivatives in the hairy roots, suggesting that these substrates may not be the common precursors in the biosynthesis of anthraquinone derivatives. Biosynthetic pathway of two anthraquinone derivatives (1 and 2) from 2-geranyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone (7) in sesame hairy roots.
Crystal structure of 2-phenylethanaminium 3-carboxyprop-2-enoate

The title molecular salt, C8H12N+·C4H3O4 −, crystallized with two independent cations and anions in the asymmetric unit. The ethanaminium side chains of the cations exhibit anti conformations [C—C—C—N torsion angles = 176.5 (3) and −179.4 (3)°]. In the crystal, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect adjacent anions and cations, and , O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect adjacent anions, generating sheets parallel to (001).
GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND EARNINGS MANAGEMENT IN INDONESIAN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and earnings management (as measured by discretionary current accruals) for Indonesian IPO firms. Previous studies have mainly focused on an examination of the effect of corporate governance on the earnings management of publicly traded firms, whilst this study examines newly listed firms. It employs a modified Jones model to measure earnings management as developed by Tykvova (2006). The hypothesis predicts that Indonesian IPO firms with good corporate governance will engage in less earnings management in the periods prior to the IPO year. The sample consists of 75 IPOs and the results show that the proportion of board of commissioners, public ownership, institutional ownership and managerial ownership constrain the extent of earnings management of IPO firms. This study contributes to the literature in showing that corporate governance mechanism is an important determinant in earnings management practices for Indonesian IPO
The clinical correlation of a new practical MRI method for grading cervical neural foraminal stenosis based on oblique sagittal images.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether each grade in a new system suggested by Park et al. (Park system) to assess cervical neural foraminal stenosis validly correlates with the associated clinical findings and to evaluate the interobserver agreement in grading between two MRI readers. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 166 patients (98 men and 68 women; mean age, 46 years) at our institution who underwent oblique sagittal MRI of the cervical spine. Using the new Park grading system, two radiologists evaluated the MRI findings for the presence and grade of cervical neural foraminal stenosis at the most narrow point. A neurosurgeon assessed the associated clinical manifestations. A positive neurologic manifestation of the cervical neural foraminal stenosis was defined as more than one positive neurologic clinical manifestation combined with more than one positive neurologic sign. Interobserver agreements between the two radiologists were analyzed using kappa statistics. Correlation coefficients (R) to assess the relationship between the grade and neurologic manifestations were calculated with nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman correlation). The relationship between the assigned grade and the clinical manifestations was analyzed several ways: vertebrae level (C4-5, C5-6, or C6-7) and by age group (< 46 years and ≥ 46 years). RESULTS Among patients who were evaluated by each reader to be grade 0, only 19 (17%) and 20 patients (18%) showed positive neurologic manifestations, respectively, with most patients showing negative neurologic manifestations. Among the patients who were grade 2 and 3, one reader found all patients and the second reader found all but one patient (100% and 93%, respectively) to have positive neurologic manifestations. According to the correlation coefficients, each Park grade was moderately correlated with the associated neurologic manifestations, such that higher grades were associated with more severe clinical manifestations. If we consider grade 2 or 3 MRI findings positive for identifying positive neurologic manifestations, the sensitivities and specificities were 39.7% and 99.0% (reader 1) and 39.7% and 99.0% (reader 2), respectively. CONCLUSION The Park system, based on oblique sagittal MRI sections, provides a reliable and reproducible assessment of the severity of cervical neural foraminal stenosis. According to the Park system, grades 2 and 3 are associated with positive neurologic manifestations, and the Park system successfully predicts positive neurologic manifestations at these grades.