Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF SELECTED FIRMS CHARACTERISTICS ON CAPITAL STRUCTURE DECISIONS OF FIRMS LISTED AT THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE

Abstract Purpose - Capital structure choice remains a crucial decision alongside the vital choices intended by a corporate since they have a high consequence on the value and the cost of the company. Therefore this study main focus was to examine the effects of selected firms characteristics on the capital structure decisions of companies registered at the Nairobi Stock exchange. Methodology - The study adopted a descriptive research design and used secondary data. The collected data was analyzed with the help of the SPSS software version 23 and presented with the help of frequency distributions, computation of mean and standard deviation. The association between the research variables was presented in a correlation matrix and a regression model. Findings - Firm size showed greatest influence on the company choice of capital structure among the firms followed by asset structure, profitability and liquidity. Further, the regression model also generated adjusted R squared value of 0.692 that is to mean 69.2% of the variations in financing options can be well illustrated by variations in the firm size, asset structure, profitability and liquidity. The findings from the study indicated an affirmative correlation among firm’s size and the financing options. The findings also revealed an affirmative association among assets structure against the source of financing. The findings from the research also showed that there is undesirable association among the firm’s profitability and source of financing of the firms listed at the NSE while a negative relationship among liquidity and the principal investment was exhibited in the research findings. This leads to a conclusion that rise in company size resulted to a rise in the investment structure of a firm therefore increase in demand to increase the capital base by seeking more financing. The study also found out that an increase in asset structure resulted in an increase in capital structure while an increase in profitability levels resulted in decrease in capital structure; increase in in liquidity levels led to a decrease in capital structure of the firms listed at the NSE. Implications – The study findings emphasize that firms should understand the specific characteristics that influence choice of their respective capital structure in order to opt for the best financing option. The study also further suggested that similar studies should be carried out every three to five years to find out the significance of firm characteristics on choice of capital structure of firms listed at the NSE Value - The findings of the study would be significant to public institutions and other non-listed firms in the choice of financing options and design of capital structure. Policy makers would infer the findings in formulation of relevant capital structure policies.
Role of Gamma Interferon in Chemokine Expression in the Ileum of Mice and in a Murine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Line after Cryptosporidium parvum Infection

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite that infects intestinal epithelial cells and induces inflammation of the intestine. To better understand the inflammatory process occurring during cryptosporidiosis, we investigated in this study the kinetics of chemokine expression in the mucosa of mice by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Our results demonstrate that among the chemokine mRNAs studied, gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG), i-TAC, lymphotactin, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β), and RANTES mRNAs were strongly up-regulated in infected neonate mice, which correlated with the immunofluorescence staining results showing T-cell and macrophage infiltration in the mucosa. Our in vitro data showed that intestinal epithelial cells infected by C. parvum or stimulated by the proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) produce a pattern of chemokine secretion similar to that observed in vivo, suggesting that these cells may take part in the initial production of chemokines. In order to identify the chemokines responsible for the recruitment of the inflammatory cells leading to a protective immune response, we compared the patterns of chemokine expression in a healing neonate mouse model and a nonhealing IFN-γ knockout (GKO) mouse model of cryptosporidiosis. In the absence of IFN-γ, the chemokine response was altered for IP-10, MIG, i-TAC, RANTES, and MIP-1β mRNAs, while the three ELR C-X-C chemokine mRNAs studied (lipopolysaccharide-induced C-X-C chemokine, MIP-2α, and KC mRNAs) were strongly overexpressed. These results are consistent with the neutrophil recruitment observed in the lamina propria of GKO mice at day 9 postinfection but are not consistent with the hypothesis that these cells play an important role in the resolution of the infection. On the contrary, the altered response of chemokines responsible for the recruitment of macrophages and T cells in GKO mice suggests that these two populations may be critical in the development of a protective immune response.
PixE promotes dark oligomerization of the BLUF photoreceptor PixD

Cyanobacteria perceive and move (phototax) in response to blue light. In this study, we demonstrate that the PixD blue light-sensing using FAD (BLUF) photoreceptor that governs this response undergoes changes in oligomerization state upon illumination. Under dark conditions we observed that PixD forms a large molecular weight complex with another protein called PixE. Stoicheometric analyses, coupled with sedimentation equilibrium and size exclusion chromatography, demonstrates that PixE drives aggregation of PixD dimers into a stable PixD10—PixE5 complex under dark conditions. Illumination of a flavin chromophore in PixD destabilizes the PixD10–PixE5 complex into monomers of PixE and dimers of PixD. A crystallographic structure of PixD, coupled with Gibbs free energy calculation between interacting faces of PixD, lends to a model in which a light induces a conformational change in a critical PixD-interfacing loop that results in destabilization of the PixD10–PixE5 complex.
Treatment of hepatitis C-virus-reinfection after liver transplant with silibinin in nonresponders to pegylated interferon-based therapy.

OBJECTIVES Hepatitis C-virus-persistence after orthotopic liver transplant leads to reduced patient and graft survival compared to other indications. Current interferon-based antiviral therapy of hepatitis C-virus-infection posttransplant provides a sustained response rate of 30% to 40%. This study, performed in an hepatitis C-virus-reinfected liver transplant population, examines the antiviral effect of intravenously administered silibinin, recently reported to exhibit strong antiviral properties in the natural setting of hepatitis C-virus-related liver disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four patients after orthotopic liver transplant with hepatitis C-virus-recurrence, previously having not responded to peg-interferon-ribavirin therapy, were treated with intravenous silibinin and additionally, after the 10th day, with standard interferon-based therapy. Aminotransferases and hepatitis C-virus-RNA were measured during treatment. RESULTS All patients demonstrated normalization of liver enzymes and significant decline of hepatitis C-virus-RNA measured at day 10 (mean 2.8 logarithmic levels: 1.7, 2.3, 2.9, and 4.3) during silibinin monotherapy. One patient cleared hepatitis C-virus-RNA under silibinin monotherapy and another patient eliminated hepatitis C virus under subsequent interferon-based therapy. No adverse effects were observed during silibinin application. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous silibinin is an effective therapeutic approach for treating hepatitis C-virus-reinfection after liver transplant and should be evaluated further.
Electrical Characteristics of Germanium $\hbox{n}^{+}/ \hbox{p}$ Junctions Obtained Using Rapid Thermal Annealing of Coimplanted P and Sb

Highly activated n-type dopant is essential for n<sup>+</sup> /p germanium diodes which will be in use for source/drain regions in Ge n-MOSFETs as geometry scaling proceeds. Rapid thermal annealing of coimplanted P and Sb in Ge has provided n-type dopant activation beyond 1 × 10<sup>20</sup> cm<sup>-3</sup>. However, there are limited reports on the electrical characteristics of these junctions. This letter has investigated the temperature-dependent diode I-V characteristics and contact resistance of metal-n<sup>+</sup> Ge contacts. Well-behaved n<sup>+</sup> /p Ge diodes (I<sub>on</sub>/I<sub>off</sub> >; 10<sup>5</sup> and η <; 1.2) and significantly reduced contact resistance (ρ<sub>c</sub> ~ 8 × 10<sup>-7</sup> Ω · cm<sup>2</sup>) have been demonstrated.
Multilevel policy implementation: exploring organisational coordination – the case of the German Swimming Federation’s national training framework implementation

ABSTRACT National governing bodies of sport depend on the collaboration of their member organisations. However, regional entities and local sports clubs possess high degrees of autonomy, and their goals may differ from the national objectives. This paper examines the nature of multilevel policy implementation, aiming to foster an understanding of the underlying coordination mechanisms across organisational levels. For this purpose, a conceptual framework based on Willke’s distinction of regulative media (i.e. power, money, knowledge) is introduced. The paper investigates multilevel policy implementation by using a single case study, comprising data from organisational documents and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that not only local sports clubs, but also regional governing bodies, play a crucial role as intermediaries in the implementation context. The paper shows that pressure (i.e. authority without power), although a common code of practice, does not foster policy implementation. Lack of congruence between the numerous decentralised funding authorities’ objectives handicaps the multilevel synchronisation of implementation efforts. Moreover, the absence of binding communication channels across organisational levels is identified as prejudicial for a knowledge-based regulation of multilevel policy implementation. Furthermore, the analysis uncovers the complexity of policy implementation, identifying manifold interrelations of the regulative media.
Influence of Green Economic Development through Local Wisdom, Economic Potential, and Role of Dairy Cooperative in Pasuruan

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influences of green economic development through local wisdom, economic potential, the role of dairy cooperatives in Pasuruan. This research sample number of 120 members of dairy cooperatives in Pasuruan. Sampling by using proportional random sampling. Research questionnaire used as an instrument of primary data collection. Data analysis technique used is the analysis generalized structured component analysis. The variables used in this study, includes the construction of a green economy development, local wisdom, economic potential, and the role of dairy cooperatives. The results showed green economic development is influence by local wisdom, economic potential, and the role of dairy cooperatives.
Scanning electron microscopy investigations on bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate treated Mycobacterium cells

Comparative investigation of steroid transforming activity and ultrastructural changes of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (BEHP, phthalate) treated Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B‐3805 cells was carried out. Transformation of β‐sitosterol into androstenedione (AD) and androstadienedione (ADD) was performed in phthalate medium by resting cells preincubated in the organic solvent for a period from 3 to 24 h. It was observed that a preincubation greater than 12 h leads to the development of dense formations on the cells surface, reduction in the cell turgor, disruption in the cell walls, and formation of zones with reduced electron density. The preincubation for 24 h causes deeper changes in the cell ultrastructure but the treated cells retain their steroid transforming activity, allowing up to 80% of the substrate to be converted into AD and ADD. A preincubation of the resting Mycobacterium cells in BEHP for 6 h might be recommended as it leads to an achievement of stoichiometrical transformation of the substrate into AD and ADD and slightly higher initial rate of the reaction performed. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcium Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet

Calcium: What is it? What is the recommended intake for calcium? What foods provide calcium? Helping hints for meeting your calcium needs What affects calcium absorption and excretion? Calcium's role in health and disease prevention When can a calcium deficiency occur? Is there a health risk of too much calcium? Calcium and Medication Interactions Supplemental sources of calcium References Reviewers
Efficacy of lamivudine in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative/hepatitis B virus DNA-positive (precore mutant) chronic hepatitis B. Lamivudine Precore Mutant Study Group.

This placebo controlled, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lamivudine in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative/hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-positive chronic hepatitis B. Patients were randomized to receive 100 mg lamivudine orally once daily for 52 weeks (n = 60) or placebo for 26 weeks (n = 65). Patients who were HBV DNA positive at week 24 were withdrawn at week 26. The primary efficacy endpoint was loss of serum HBV DNA plus normalization of alanine transaminase (ALT) at week 24. A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving lamivudine (63%) had a complete response at week 24 compared with patients receiving placebo (6%) (P <.001). Secondary efficacy parameters included histological response from baseline to week 52 in the lamivudine-treated patients. At week 52, 60% of lamivudine-treated patients with liver biopsy specimens available showed histological improvement (>/=2-point reduction in Knodell necro-inflammatory score), 29% showed no change, and 12% worsened. In a ranked assessment of pretreatment and post-treatment biopsy pairs 11% improved, 86% showed no change, and 2% worsened in fibrosis. At week 52, 27% of patients receiving lamivudine had YMDD (tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate amino acid motif of HBV polymerase) variant HBV. The incidence of adverse events and laboratory abnormalities was similar in both groups. In conclusion, lamivudine treatment results in a significant virological and biochemical improvement compared with placebo, induces an improvement or no change in histology in most patients, and is well tolerated. The response to lamivudine therapy in HBeAg-negative patients is similar to the response reported in previous studies of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.
Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical, International, and Contextual Perspective

One of the most exciting recent developments in theology has been an unprecedented interest in the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, Veli-Matti Karkkainen describes this phenomenon as a "pneumetalogical renaissance. " But such discussion should be informed, he contends, by two overarching principles. First, we must acknowledge the variety of approaches to the experience of the Holy Spirit ecumenically: "No church can claim a monopoly on the Spirit, and no tradition is specifically 'spirited. '" Second, talk about the Spirit must always be contextual and therefore culture-specific: "The spirit of God . indwells believers and creation in specific and tangible ways. " Working from this perspective, the book introduces readers to pneumatology, the theology and spirituality of the Holy Spirit, in current international theology. As such, the work offers a biblical, historical, and theological assessment of the Third Person of the Trinity. However, unlike most textbooks on pneumatology, Karkkainen takes a fresh, innovative approach. Rather than focusing on any single topic, his aim is to chart the various territories of contemporary writings and reflections on pneumatology. Consequently, the volume examines various theological and denominational understandings of the Spirit (all major Christian traditions are reviewed), assesses key contemporary theologians of the Spirit (e.g., Pannenberg, Moltmann, and Pinnock), and inquires into several contextual approaches (e.g., liberation, feminist, and green). These distinctives and the emphasis on the contemporary global scene make this a unique volume. An up-to-date survey of the most noteworthy and theologically pregnant orientations to the Spirit in the worldwide ecumenical and intercultural scene, this work will guide readers in discerning the Holy Spirit's activity at the beginning of the third millennium. --discusses ecumenical, international, and contextual pneumatologies --ecumenical emphasis ranges from Eastern Orthodox to Pentecostal/charismatic --international scope gives voice to African and Latin American perspectives --covers major pneumatologies --provides a comprehensive bibliography
Network structure of cerebral cortex shapes functional connectivity on multiple time scales

Neuronal dynamics unfolding within the cerebral cortex exhibit complex spatial and temporal patterns even in the absence of external input. Here we use a computational approach in an attempt to relate these features of spontaneous cortical dynamics to the underlying anatomical connectivity. Simulating nonlinear neuronal dynamics on a network that captures the large-scale interregional connections of macaque neocortex, and applying information theoretic measures to identify functional networks, we find structure–function relations at multiple temporal scales. Functional networks recovered from long windows of neural activity (minutes) largely overlap with the underlying structural network. As a result, hubs in these long-run functional networks correspond to structural hubs. In contrast, significant fluctuations in functional topology are observed across the sequence of networks recovered from consecutive shorter (seconds) time windows. The functional centrality of individual nodes varies across time as interregional couplings shift. Furthermore, the transient couplings between brain regions are coordinated in a manner that reveals the existence of two anticorrelated clusters. These clusters are linked by prefrontal and parietal regions that are hub nodes in the underlying structural network. At an even faster time scale (hundreds of milliseconds) we detect individual episodes of interregional phase-locking and find that slow variations in the statistics of these transient episodes, contingent on the underlying anatomical structure, produce the transfer entropy functional connectivity and simulated blood oxygenation level-dependent correlation patterns observed on slower time scales.
Origin and evolution of transporter substrate specificity within the NPF family

Despite vast diversity in metabolites and the matching substrate specificity of their transporters, little is known about how evolution of transporter substrate specificities is linked to emergence of substrates via evolution of biosynthetic pathways. Transporter specificity towards the recently evolved glucosinolates characteristic of Brassicales is shown to evolve prior to emergence of glucosinolate biosynthesis. Furthermore, we show that glucosinolate transporters belonging to the ubiquitous NRT1/PTR FAMILY (NPF) likely evolved from transporters of the ancestral cyanogenic glucosides found across more than 2500 species outside of the Brassicales. Biochemical characterization of orthologs along the phylogenetic lineage from cassava to A. thaliana, suggests that alterations in the electrogenicity of the transporters accompanied changes in substrate specificity. Linking the evolutionary path of transporter substrate specificities to that of the biosynthetic pathways, exemplify how transporter substrate specificities originate and evolve as new biosynthesis pathways emerge.
High performance microwave point-to-point link for 5G backhaul with flexible spectrum aggregation

This paper presents a new design of a high capacity PtP microwave system based on SDR and spectrum aggregation techniques, suitable for 5G backhaul scenarios. The system supports data rates up to 4 Gbps with a high degree of agility and flexibility in the carrier frequency, modulation and bandwidth. It uses up to four carriers, occupying a bandwidth of about 480 MHz within 1 GHz IF spectrum. The architecture of digital and analog parts will be presented with experimental results of EVM and PAPR.
esticide impacts on predator – prey interactions across two levels f organisation

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a short pulse exposure of the pyrethroid lambdacyhalothrin (LC) on the predator and anti-predator behaviour of the same species; Gammarus pulex. Predator behaviour, at the level of the individual, was studied in indoor microcosms using video tracking equipment during simultaneous exposure of the predator (G. pulex) and its prey (Leuctra nigra) during 90 min exposure of 1, 6.6 or 62.1 ng L−1 LC. During an initial 30 min of exposure, the predator and prey organisms were maintained physically separated, and the actual interaction was studied through the subsequent 60 min of exposure. The anti-predator behaviour of G. pulex (drift suppression in response to the presence of brown trout) was studied in outdoor stream channels during a 90 min pulse exposure to LC (7.4 or 79.5 ng L−1) with, or without, brown trout. Based on survival curves for L. nigra we found that the mortality rate for L. nigra significantly decreased during exposure to 6.6 and 62.1 ng L−1 LC (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). We found no significant effects suggesting that G. pulex was repelled by contaminated prey items (P > 0.05). We found that the exposure of G. pulex to 7.4 and 79.5 ng L−1 LC significantly increased drift (from ∼0% to ∼100% in both treatments; P < 0.001) independent of the presence of brown trout (P < 0.05). In other words, the natural anti-predator behaviour of G. pulex was overruled by the stress response to LC exposure increasing G. pulex predation risk from drift feeding brown trouts. Our results show that the anti-predator and predator behaviour of G. pulex were significantly changed during exposure to very low and environmentally realistic LC concentrations and exposure duration. The potential implications for the field scenario are discussed.