Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between corporate social responsibility practices and financial performance of firms in the manufacturing, construction and allied sector of the Nairobi Securities exchange

Literature provides conflicting results on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice and firm financial performance with some studies showing a positive relationship (Waddock & Graves, 1997; Cheruiyot, 2010), others negative (Cordeiro & Sarkis, 1997; Wagner et al, 2002) and still others showing that there is no relationship between the two variables (McWilliams & Siegel, 2000; Aragon & Lopez, 2007). It is with this background that this study sought to establish the relationship between corporate social responsibility practice and financial performance of firms listed in the manufacturing, construction and allied sector of the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Although the study was meant to be a census survey, non-availability of complete data for some of the companies resulted in only 10 out of the 14 companies in the sector being studied. Secondary data was obtained from the audited financial reports of the companies for the period from 2007 to 2011. Corporate social responsibility score was obtained using content analysis of reports of the companies on various components of corporate social responsibility as reported in their audited financial reports. A multiple regression model was established to determine the relationship between the two variables. Control variables of manufacturing efficiency and capital intensity were also introduced in the regression model. The results indicated the existence of a relationship between the independent variables (corporate social responsibility score, manufacturing efficiency and capital intensity) used in the model and the dependent variable (return on assets) with a correlation coefficient of 0.870. The results of the study also showed that there was an insignificant positive relationship between corporate social responsibility practice and financial performance. Financial performance and manufacturing efficiency was found to have a significant linear inverse relationship.
Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae in childhood: lack of demonstrable benefit in young Australian children.

A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of a 14-valent Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide vaccine, with saline as placebo, was performed on 1,273 healthy children six to 54 months of age. Different dosage regimens were used for children younger and older than two years of age. The vaccine was well tolerated. Follow-up continued for two years, during which time 95% of mothers submitted diaries of their children's respiratory-tract and otic symptoms. Data from diaries and medical and hospital case notes failed to reveal consistent or significant benefits in those who received the vaccine. In the first 16 months after immunization, recipients of placebo experienced an average of 0.69 episodes of otitis media per child, compared with 0.63 in recipients of vaccine (P = .6). Recipients of vaccine had no consistent reduction in days of respiratory morbidity, antibiotic consumption, hospitalization, or visits to a physician, when compared with recipients of placebo.
Long-Term Evolution of a Long-Term Evolution Model

Abstract This paper reviews the 25-plus year history of significant developments of the GENESIS shoreline response model. Topics discussed are line sources and sinks of sand, representation of shore-normal structures including natural sand bypassing, wave transmission by and shoreline response to shore-parallel structures, seawalls, migrating longshore sand waves, seasonal variation by cross-shore sand transport, sand transport due to tidal and wind-generated currents, preservation of the regional shape of the shoreline, and the interaction between the beach berm and the dunes behind it. Such developments have been done in a consistent way, based on thorough literature reviews, beta testing, comparison to beach behavior, and quality control. The challenges have been not only to represent the features themselves, but to be consistent to the basic assumptions of shoreline modeling theory. Through these added capabilities, GENESIS has evolved to meet the challenges of modern, multi-scale, long-term coastal engineering applications.
Pharmacogenetics and Genomics Association between microRNA-196 A 2 and microRNA-146 A polymorphisms and progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis

Background/Aim: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been implicated in mechanisms underlying various types of cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reports have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA-196A2 and microRNA-146A genes may contribute to risk of progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to cirrhosis and HCC. This study aims to examine the effect of microRNA-196A2 and microRNA146A polymorphisms on progression of HBV infection to cirrhosis and/or HCC in HBV patients in the Malaysian population. Study design: This study consists of 423 chronic HBV patients without cirrhosis and HCC and 103 chronic HBV patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or with cirrhosis and HCC. The microRNA-196A2 SNPs (rs12304647 and rs11614913) and microRNA-146A (rs2910164) were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Results: The genotype distribution in chronic HBV without either cirrhosis or HCC, relative to chronic HBV patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or with cirrhosis and HCC, revealed that rs12304647 has a protective effect from the development of HCC (OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.15 0.89, ρ=0.027). However, rs11614913 and rs2910164 were not significantly associated with progression of the HBV infection. Conclusion: In summary, rs12304647 was associated with a reduced risk of progression to HCC especially in patients with chronic HBV infection.
Evaluation of background parenchymal enhancement on breast MRI: a systematic review

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the methods used for background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) evaluation on breast MRI. Methods: Studies dealing with BPE assessment on breast MRI were retrieved from major medical libraries independently by four reviewers up to 6 October 2015. The keywords used for database searching are “ background parenchymal enhancement ” , “ parenchymal enhancement ” , “ MRI ” and “ breast ” . The studies were included if qualitative and/or quantitative methods for BPE assessment were described. Results: Of the 420 studies identified, a total of 52 articles were included in the systematic review. 28 studies performed only a qualitative assessment of BPE, 13 studies performed only a quantitative assessment and 11 studies performed both qualitative and quantitative assessments. A wide heterogeneity was found in the MRI sequences and in the quantitative methods used for BPE assessment. Conclusion: A wide variability exists in the quantitative evaluation of BPE on breast MRI. More studies focused on a reliable and comparable method for quantitative BPE assessment are needed. Advances in knowledge: More studies focused on a quantitative BPE assessment are needed. quantitative on two-dimensional MRI slices, automated quantitative on three-dimensional MRI volumes, semi-automated quantitative on two-dimensional MRI slices and semi-automated quantitative on three-dimensional MRI
Giant axonal neuropathy: An inborn error of organization of intermediate filaments

Light microscopic examination of cultured skin fibroblasts from three patients with giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) revealed large aggregates of intermediate filaments (IF). However, electrophoretic analysis of these cells showed normal amounts of vimentin, the fibroblast IF subunit protein. The isoelectric point and peptide mapping of vimentin were identical to controls. Moreover, vimentin was synthesized and phosphorylated at a normal rate. These findings demonstrate that GAN is an inborn error of the organization of IF and suggest that the basic genetic defect in GAN does not involve primarily the IF subunit proteins.
The Influence of Surface Roughness and Conditioner on The Shear Bond Strength of Glass Ionomer Cement to Dentin

Aim. To investigate the influence of surface roughness and conditioner on the shear bond strength (SBS) of glass ionomer cement (GIC) to dentin. Materials and methods. Thirty-six dentin specimens were created by grinding the buccal/lingual surfaces of extracted sound human premolars using wet No.1000-grit rotary abrasive paper, until a smooth and flatteneddentin surfacewasobtained. The specimens were then randomly divided into 4 groups. Group (G) 1: GIC was inserted without any pretreatment. G 2: conditioner was applied prior to inserting GIC. G3: dentin surface was roughened by scratching three times using rough diamond burs, rinsed and dried, and GIC was then inserted. G.4: same procedures as to group 3, but conditioner was applied prior to inserting GIC. The SBS was measured after 24 hours using a universal testing machine, and statistically analyzed using One Way ANOVA. Results. The highest score was found in group 4 (mean: 5.71 ± 1.08 Mpa), and the lowest score was in group 1 (mean: 3.12 ± 0.22 Mpa). However, regarding influence of surface roughness, the rough dentin, even revealed higher scores, but were not statistically different from the smooth ones. Meanwhile the conditioned dentin significantly recordedhigher scores than the unconditioned ones, with the significance level of G1:G2 and G3:G4 being 0.002 and 0.010, respectively (P< 0.05). Conclusion. Shear bond strength of GIC to dentin canbe increased by application of conditioner, but not by surface roughness.
Single‐ and Multiple‐Dose Pharmacokinetics of Pirfenidone, an Antifibrotic Agent, in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

A randomized, dose‐escalating study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple oral doses of pirfenidone, a promising antifibrotic agent, in 48 healthy Chinese volunteers. The effects of sex and food on the pharmacokinetics of pirfenidone were also evaluated. Pharmacokinetics was determined from serial blood samples obtained up to 12 hours after administration of single 200‐, 400‐, or 600‐mg doses of pirfenidone and after multiple doses of 400 mg administrated 3 times daily (tid). Plasma levels of pirfenidone and areas under the curve were found to be proportional to dose. Pirfenidone was rapidly absorbed (tmax = 0.33–1 hours) and cleared (t1/2 = 2–2.5 hours). Pharmacokinetic parameters after multiple doses were similar to those after single doses. Food had a significant effect (P < .01) on the extent of absorption (AUC0‐∞ = 37.4 ± 15.4 mg·h/L [fed] vs 46.6 ± 16.8 mg·h/L [fasted]), rate of absorption was considerably (P < .001) prolonged (tmax = 1.5 ± 0.4 hours [fed] vs 0.7 ± 0.2 hours [fasted]), and peak concentrations were significantly (P < .001) decreased (Cmax = 9.2 ± 2.9 mg/L [fed] vs 13.0 ± 1.8 mg/L [fasted]). No significant sex differences were noted for pharmacokinetic variables. Pirfenidone was well tolerated. These results support a tid regimen of pirfenidone for the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Concomitant intake of food will reduce the rate and extent (about 20%) of absorption, which is associated with better tolerability of pirfenidone.
Sofosbuvir for previously untreated chronic hepatitis C infection.

BACKGROUND In phase 2 trials, the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir was effective in previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2, or 3 infection. METHODS We conducted two phase 3 studies in previously untreated patients with HCV infection. In a single-group, open-label study, we administered a 12-week regimen of sofosbuvir plus peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in 327 patients with HCV genotype 1, 4, 5, or 6 (of whom 98% had genotype 1 or 4). In a noninferiority trial, 499 patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3 infection were randomly assigned to receive sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks or peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. In the two studies, the primary end point was a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of therapy. RESULTS In the single-group study, a sustained virologic response was reported in 90% of patients (95% confidence interval, 87 to 93). In the noninferiority trial, a sustained response was reported in 67% of patients in both the sofosbuvir-ribavirin group and the peginterferon-ribavirin group. Response rates in the sofosbuvir-ribavirin group were lower among patients with genotype 3 infection than among those with genotype 2 infection (56% vs. 97%). Adverse events (including fatigue, headache, nausea, and neutropenia) were less common with sofosbuvir than with peginterferon. CONCLUSIONS In a single-group study of sofosbuvir combined with peginterferon-ribavirin, patients with predominantly genotype 1 or 4 HCV infection had a rate of sustained virologic response of 90% at 12 weeks. In a noninferiority trial, patients with genotype 2 or 3 infection who received either sofosbuvir or peginterferon with ribavirin had nearly identical rates of response (67%). Adverse events were less frequent with sofosbuvir than with peginterferon. (Funded by Gilead Sciences; FISSION and NEUTRINO ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01497366 and NCT01641640, respectively.).
Measurement and reproducibility of strength and voluntary activation of lower‐limb muscles

Accurate measurement of muscle strength and voluntary muscle activation is important in the assessment of disorders that affect the motor pathways or muscle. We designed a multipurpose system to assess the variability and reproducibility of isometric torque measurements obtained during maximal voluntary efforts of the knee flexor, knee extensor, ankle dorsiflexor, and ankle plantarflexor muscles on each side. It used two isometric myographs mounted on an adjustable frame. Measurements of maximal voluntary torque (range, 25–188 Nm) displayed low variability within a testing session and over five testing sessions (coefficient of variation range, 5–11%). We used the same equipment to measure voluntary activation of the triceps surae muscles. Voluntary activation, measured with a sensitive twitch interpolation method, increased with increasing voluntary contraction torque (P < 0.001) and was very high during maximal efforts (mean, 97.8 ± 2.1%; median, 98.5%). Furthermore, measurements of voluntary activation during maximal efforts were reproducible across testing sessions with very little variability (coefficient of variation, <2%). The myograph system and the testing procedures should allow accurate measurement of strength and voluntary drive in longitudinal patient studies. Muscle Nerve 29: 834–842, 2004
Virus-Induced Intranuclear Antigen in Cells Transformed by Papovavirus SV40.∗

Summary Hamsters bearing virus-free tumors induced by cells transformed in vitro or in vivo by papovavirus SV40 produce circulating antibody capable of reacting with intranuclear antigens synthesized by SV40-transformed cells. The reaction is particulate and does not involve the nucleolus. All cells in transformed cultures, regardless of whether they are of hamster or of human origin, synthesize the antigen. We wish to acknowledge the able technical assistance supplied by Myron Katz.
Linear Hashing with Partial Expansions

A new method for organising dynamic files is presented and its performance is analysed. The scheme is a generalization of W. Litwin's linear (virtual) hashing. The amount of storage space allocated to the file grows and shrinks in a simple fashion according to the number of records actually stored in the file. The storage utilisation is controlled and constantly kept equal to a threshold selected by the user. Because no index or other form of access table is used, retrieval of a record requires only one access in most cases. The analysis reveals that an average search length in the range 1.1 - 1.2 accesses can easily be achieved, even for storage utilisations as high as 85-90 per cent.
Numerical methods based on additive splittings for hyperbolic partial differential equations

We derive and analyze several methods for systems of hyperbolic equations with wide ranges of signal speeds. These techniques are also useful for problems whose coefficients have large mean values about which they oscillate with small amplitude. Our methods are based on additive splittings of the operators into components that can be approximated independently on the different time scales, some of which are sometimes treated exactly. The efficiency of the splitting methods is seen to depend on the error incurred in splitting the exact solution operator. This is analyzed and a technique is discussed for reducing this error through a simple change of variables. A procedure for generating the appropriate boundary data for the intermediate solutions is also presented.
THE DYNAMICS OF FUNDAMENTALS IN CURRENCY CRISIS IN INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA

Kesan makroekonomi fundamental ke atas tekanan pasaran (MP) ditafsir menggunakan model generasi ketiga berasaskan jangkaan ‘adaptif’ Dusenberry. Hasil kajian ini tekal dengan anggapan umum bahawa fundamental makroekonomi yang lemah telah mengakibatkan serangan ke atas matawang negara–negara Asia. Walau bagaimanapun, variabel makroekonomi serta dinamik variabel tersebut yang membawa kepada krisis agak berbeza di Malaysia dan Indonesia. Serangan spekulatif terhadap rupiah berlaku dalam keadaan makroekonomi yang lemah manakala tekanan terhadap Ringgit Malaysia dikaitkan dengan pertumbuhan kredit, defisit fiskal dan kadar pertukaran benar. Kesimpulannya, fundamental yang mempengaruhi jangkaan pasaran dan seterusnya tekanan pasaran (MP) mungkin sama tetapi dinamik yang membentuk jangkaan pasaran amat berbeza. Oleh yang demikian, anggapan bahawa ekonomi Asian mempunyai ciri–ciri yang sama sehingga mengakibatkan krisis matawang 1997 mungkin tidak benar. Kata kunci: krisis matawang; Indonesia; Malaysia; fundamental The impact of selected macroeconomic fundamentals on the market pressure (MP) is assessed using the third generation models based on ‘Dusenberry’ adaptive expectations. The findings are consistent with the general belief that weak macroeconomic fundamentals had triggered the speculative attacks against the Asian currencies. However, the macroeconomic variables and their dynamics that set the groundwork for a currency crisis differ considerably in Malaysia and Indonesia. A speculative attack against the Rupiah occurred in a generalized state of macroeconomic weakness while domestic credit growth, the fiscal balances–GDP ratio and the real exchange rate exerted strong influence on the exchange market pressure for Malaysia. In conclusion, while there are some common fundamentals matter for shifting market expectations and hence, market pressure in both countries, the dynamics that formed market expectations are divergent. Therefore, the belief that the Asian economies had the same characteristics that triggered the currency crisis in 1997 may be incorrect. Key words: currency crisis; Indonesia; Malaysia; fundamentals
Effect of withdrawal of somatostatin plus GH‐releasing hormone as a stimulus of GH secretion in obesity

objectives Somatostatin (SS) may not merely be inhibitory to GH secretion but, under appropriate temporal conditions, may act in a paradoxically positive manner to sensitize somatotroph responsiveness to GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH). SS infusion withdrawal (SSIW) produces a rebound GH rise in humans and increases GHRH‐induced GH release. Theoretically, SSIW leaves the somatotroph cell in a situation of low endogenous SS. In obesity, there is markedly decreased GH secretion. In both children and adults, the greater the body mass index (BMI), the lower the GH response to provocative stimuli. It has been postulated that increased hypothalamic somatostatin secretion is the main mechanism responsible for the blunted GH secretion of obesity. There are no data evaluating GH responsiveness to SSIW plus GHRH in obese adults. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the GH response to SSIW plus GHRH in a group of control subjects and a group of obese patients.
Phylogeography and Molecular Evolution of Potato virus

Potato virus Y (PVY) is an important plant pathogen, whose host range includes economically important crops such as potato, tobacco, tomato, and pepper. PVY presents three main strains (PVY, PVY and PVY) and several recombinant forms. PVY has a worldwide distribution, yet the mechanisms that promote and maintain its population structure and genetic diversity are still unclear. In this study, we used a pool of 77 complete PVY genomes from isolates collected worldwide. After removing the effect of recombination in our data set, we used Bayesian techniques to study the influence of geography and host species in both PVY population structure and dynamics. We have also performed selection and covariation analyses to identify evolutionarily relevant amino acid residues. Our results show that both geographic and hostdriven adaptations explain PVY diversification. Furthermore, purifying selection is the main force driving PVY evolution, although some indications of positive selection accounted for the diversification of the different strains. Interestingly, the analysis of P3N-PIPO, a recently described gene in potyviruses, seems to show a variable length among the isolates analyzed, and this variability is explained, in part, by host-driven adaptation. Citation: Cuevas JM, Delaunay A, Visser JC, Bellstedt DU, Jacquot E, et al. (2012) Phylogeography and Molecular Evolution of Potato virus Y. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37853. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0037853 Editor: Darren P. Martin, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, South Africa Received February 23, 2012; Accepted April 25, 2012; Published May 24, 2012 Copyright: 2012 Cuevas et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant BFU2009-06993 to SFE. JMC was supported by the JAE program from CSIC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: jmcuevas@uv.es ¤ Current address: INRA-CIRAD-Supagro, UMR385 BGPI (Biology and Genetic of Plant-Pathogen Interactions), Montpellier, France
Use and interpretation of common statistical tests in method comparison studies.

We have studied the usefulness of common statistical tests as applied to method comparison studies. We simulated different types of errors in test sets of data to determine the sensitivity of different statistical parameters. Least-squares parameters (slope of least-squares line, its y intercept, and the standard error of estimate in the y direction) provide specific estimates of proportional, constant, and random errors, but comparison data must be presented graphically to detect limitations caused by nonlinearity and errant points. t -test parameters ( bias, standard deviation of difference) provide estimates of constant and random errors, but only when proportional error is absent. Least-squares analysis can estimate proportional error and should be considered a prerequisite to t -test analysis. The correlation coefficient ( r ) is sensitive only to random error, but is not easily interpreted. Values for r, t , and F are not useful in making decisions on the acceptability of performance. These decisions should be judgments on the errors that are tolerable. Statistical tests can be applied in a manner that provides specific estimates of these errors