Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How do entrepreneurs obtain financing? An evaluation of available options and how they fit into the current entrepreneurial ecosystem

ABSTRACT Given the high visibility of venture capital and private equity (VC/PE) in business news, entrepreneurs may be misled on the role and relative size of this financing model. In reality however, VC/PE is quite difficult to obtain, particularly for young entrepreneurs. With this in mind, I assess seven popular models for financing that may be of interest to entrepreneurial students. These seven models include: self-funding/bootstrapping; friends, family, and colleagues; banks; accelerators; angel investors; peer-to-peer (P2P) lending; and crowdfunding. Each model is summarized and evaluated for their advantages and disadvantages. A discussion of relevant resources for each model is also provided.
Psychiatric symptoms in male cannabis users not using other illicit drugs.

AIM To assess the prevalence of DSM-III-R axes I and II disorders and the severity of psychiatric symptoms in cannabis users who did not use other illicit drugs. DESIGN Cross-sectional psychiatric examination of subjects with different patterns of cannabis use: cannabis dependence, abuse and occasional use. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and thirty-three cannabis users identified through random urine testing of draftees to the Italian army and interviewed after 2-5 days of abstinence from drug use. MEASUREMENTS The subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index and the 20-item revised Toronto Alexithymia Scale and were then interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. FINDINGS The prevalence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders varied with the pattern of cannabis use: 83% of subjects with DSM-III-R cannabis dependence, 46% of those with DSM-III-R cannabis abuse and 29% of occasional users received at least one DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnosis. The severity of depressive, anxious and alexithymic symptoms increased progressively with the degree of involvement with cannabis. CONCLUSIONS In this sample of young men, the risk of associated psychiatric disabilities varied with the pattern of cannabis use. Chronic use of cannabis was associated with a high prevalence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders.
Shelf Versus Traditional Seasoned Equity Offerings: The Impact of Potential Short Selling

Traditional seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) elicit short selling from traders trying to increase offering discounts. Such short selling is more difficult for shelf offerings because the time between their announcement and issuance tends to be shorter. We predict and find that firms with higher short-selling potential (SSP) are more likely to choose shelf over traditional SEOs. This result is robust to alternative proxies for SSP and other sensitivity tests. Further analysis suggests that shelf issuers aim to mitigate the threat of manipulative short selling. Our findings add to a growing literature showing that short selling has a real impact on corporate finance decisions.
Chemical Structures of Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide Type 39 (CPS39), CPS47F, and CPS34 Characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Their Relation to CPS10A

ABSTRACT Structural characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (CPS) is a prerequisite for unraveling both antigenic and genetic relationships that exist between different serotypes. In the current study, comparative structural studies of S. pneumoniae CPS serogroup 10 (CPS10) were extended to include genetically related S. pneumoniae CPS34, CPS39, and CPS47F. High-resolution heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the published structure of CPS34 and, in conjunction with glycosyl composition analyses, revealed the following repeat unit structures of the other serotypes, which have not been previously characterized: Common and unique structural features of these polysaccharides, including different positions of O-acetylation, were unambiguously associated with specific genes in each corresponding cps locus. The only exception involved the gene designated wcrC, which is associated with the α1-2 transfer of Gal pyranoside (Galp) to ribitol-5-phosphate in the synthesis of CPS10A, CPS47F, and CPS34 but with α1-1 transfer of Gal to ribitol-5-phosphate in the synthesis of CPS39. The corresponding gene in the cps39 locus, although related to wcrC, more closely resembled a previously identified gene (i.e., wefM) of Streptococcus oralis that is associated with α1-1 transfer of Galp to ribitol-5-phosphate. These and other recent findings identify linkages from α-Galp to ribitol-5-phosphate and from this residue to adjacent Gal furanoside (Galf) as important sites of CPS structural and genetic diversity.
Modelling altered revenue function based on varying power consumption distribution and electricity tariff charge using data analytics framework

In 2010, Energy Commission (EC) had introduced Incentive Based Regulation (IBR) to ensure sustainable Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry (MESI), promotes transparent and fair returns, encourage maximum efficiency and maintains policy driven end user tariff. To cater such revolutionary transformation, a sophisticated system to generate policy driven electricity tariff structure is in great need. Hence, this study presents a data analytics framework that generates altered revenue function based on varying power consumption distribution and tariff charge function. For the purpose of this study, the power consumption distribution is being proxy using proportion of household consumption and electricity consumed in KwH and the tariff charge function is being proxy using three-tiered increasing block tariff (IBT). The altered revenue function is useful to give an indication on whether any changes in the power consumption distribution and tariff charges will give positive or negative impact to the economy. The methodology used for this framework begins by defining the revenue to be a function of power consumption distribution and tariff charge function. Then, the proportion of household consumption and tariff charge function is derived within certain interval of electricity power. Any changes in those proportion are conjectured to contribute towards changes in revenue function. Thus, these changes can potentially give an indication on whether the changes in power consumption distribution and tariff charge function are giving positive or negative impact on TNB revenue. Based on the finding of this study, major changes on tariff charge function seems to affect altered revenue function more than power consumption distribution. However, the paper concludes that power consumption distribution and tariff charge function can influence TNB revenue to some great extent.
The mediating effect of dividend payout on the relationship between internal governance and free cash flow

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the mediating effect of dividend payout on the relationship between internal governance mechanisms (board of directors and ownership structure) and the free cash flow level.Design/methodology/approachLinear regression models are used to investigate such relationships applying data from a sample of 207 non-financial firms listed on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ stock markets between 2009 and 2016. To test the significance of mediating effect, the author uses the Sobel test.FindingsThe author finds a partial mediation effect of dividend on the relationship between both board independence and managerial ownership and the level of free cash flow. The results confirm the major role of outside directors in corporate governance. This governance mechanism contributes to the protection of shareholders’ interests through a generous dividend policy. However, the author finds that large managerial shareholdings increase the level of free cash flow through lower dividend payouts. This result suggests that powerful managers follow their preference of retaining excess cash to their own interests.Practical implicationsThis paper offers insights to policy-makers of emerging economies interested in the development of the corporate governance. This study provides guidance for firms in the construction and implementation of their own corporate governance policies.Originality/valueThe main contribution of the present paper is to examine the dividend payout as a potential mediating variable between internal governance mechanisms and free cash flow. Moreover, it highlights the issue of efficient management of substantial funds inSharia-compliant and non-Sharia-compliant firms.
Sphingosine Modulates Myocyte Electrophysiology, Induces Negative Inotropy, and Decreases Survival After Myocardial Ischemia

Contractility studies in isolated feline myocytes have demonstrated that sphingosine, a metabolite stimulated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) binding, decreases intracellular calcium release and depresses inotropic activity. This study investigated the electrophysiologic effects of sphingosine in isolated cat myocytes as well as the cardiodynamic consequence of TNF, sphingosine, and its metabolic precursors in vivo. In cat myocytes, sphingosine markedly decreased action potential duration, lowered action potential plateau, and inhibited L-type calcium current (I Ca-L ). After administration of TNF, sphingomyelin, C2-ceramide, or sphingosine, only C2-ceramide and sphingosine depressed cardiac function in normal rats. Negative inotropic effects of C2-ceramide were attenuated by N-oleoylethanolamine (NOE), a ceramidase inhibitor that blocks sphingosine formation. Rats pretreated with NOE before undergoing 30 min of acute regional myocardial ischemia followed by 150 min of reperfusion exhibited improved survival. Most deaths could be attributed to acute pump failure accompanied by bradycardia. Myocardial infarct size and peak serum TNF were not different between NOE- and vehicle-treated groups (3,908 ± 1097 pg/ml and 3,027 ± 846 pg/ml, respectively). These results indicate that sphingosine exerts direct inhibitory effects on the action potential and I Ca-L in isolated feline myocytes, consistent with previously reported sphingosine activity on I Ca-L in isolated rat myocytes. The in vivo study suggests that reducing sphingosine production with N-oleoylethanolamine attenuates cardiodepression and can improve overall survival after ischemic injury. Clearly, agents that modulate sphingosine production limit cardiodepression and may provide a therapeutic benefit in clinical conditions of myocardial inflammatory injury.
Perforation repair with mineral trioxide aggregate: a modified matrix concept.

AIM To present a modified matrix concept for repair of root perforations using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). SUMMARY Root perforations may occur during preparation of endodontic access cavities or during post-space preparation. The perforation creates the potential for an inflammatory reaction in the periodontal ligament. A concept for the repair of root perforations is presented using a matrix of resorbable collagen. This matrix reconstructs the outer shape of the root and facilitates the adaptation of MTA. The indications for the use of MTA are discussed. Two clinical cases of 5-year successful root perforation repair using the technique are presented. KEY LEARNING POINTS Long-term perforations with periodontal inflammation can be successfully treated with MTA. Matrices for MTA placement can be developed with commercially available collagen. Infection control within the root canal and at the perforation site is required for satisfactory perforation repair and healing.
The alpha and gamma tocopherol levels in serum are influenced by the dietary fat quality.

BACKGROUND Alpha tocopherol in serum is thought to be of importance in protecting lipids against oxidation and low serum levels of alpha tocopherol has been suggested to increase the risk for coronary heart disease. However, low levels of gamma, rather than alpha, tocopherol have been found in patients with manifest coronary heart disease and in populations with a high incidence of coronary heart disease. AIM The aim of this study was to determine the tocopherol concentrations in serum after two diets with identical nutrient content but with different fat quality, enriched in butter and rapeseed oil-based fats, respectively. METHOD Twenty moderately hyperlipidemic, healthy subjects (six females and 14 males) participated in this double-blind cross-over study, where two isoenergetic diets were given in a randomized order during two 3-week periods, interrupted by a wash-out period of 3-4 weeks. RESULTS The lipid-corrected serum concentrations of alpha and gamma tocopherol increased during the diet rich in rapeseed oil (by 7 and 23%, respectively) compared with on the baseline diet (P < 0.001), while these concentrations decreased (by 5 and 37%, respectively, P < 0.01) during the diet rich in saturated fat. The ratio between alpha and gamma tocopherol decreased significantly during the rapeseed oil diet (-23%, P < 0.01) and increased (+46%, P < 0.001) during the butter diet. CONCLUSION Alpha and gamma tocopherol levels in serum are influenced by the type of fat used in the diet. The most unexpected finding is that the lipid-adjusted gamma tocopherol concentration significantly decreased by 37% during a diet rich in saturated fat with an increased ratio between alpha and gamma tocopherol, similar to the situation found in CHD patients.
Antagonistic Action of a 25-Carboxylic Ester Analogue of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Is Mediated by a Lack of Ligand-induced Vitamin D Receptor Interaction with Coactivators*

A 25-carboxylic ester analogue of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1α,25-(OH)2D3), ZK159222, was described as a novel type of antagonist of 1α,25-(OH)2D3signaling. The ligand sensitivity of ZK159222, in facilitating complex formation between 1α,25-(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR) on a 1α,25-(OH)2D3 response element (VDRE), was approximately 7-fold lower when compared with 1α,25-(OH)2D3. However, ZK159222 was not able to promote a ligand-dependent interaction of the VDR with the coactivator proteins SRC-1, TIF2, and RAC3, neither in solution nor in a complex with RXR on DNA. Functional analysis in HeLa and COS-7 cells demonstrated a 10–100-fold lower ligand sensitivity for ZK159222 than for 1α,25-(OH)2D3 and, most interestingly, a potency that was drastically reduced compared with 1α,25-(OH)2D3. A cotreatment of 1α,25-(OH)2D3 with a 100-fold higher concentration of ZK159222 resulted in a prominent antagonistic effect both in functional in vivo and in in vitroassays. These data suggest that the antagonistic action of ZK159222 is due to a lack of ligand-induced interaction of the VDR with coactivators with a parallel ligand sensitivity, which is sufficient for competition with the natural hormone for VDR binding.
Mutational Analysis of SDCCAG8 in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Patients with Renal Involvement and Absent Polydactyly

Purpose: To assess for SDCCAG8 mutations in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) subjects with renal involvement and no polydactyly, and to describe phenotypic characteristics of SDCCAG8-related disease. Material and Methods: Five patients (from 4 pedigrees) with clinical diagnosis of BBS, who had retinal and renal involvement and no polydactyly, were assessed. Sequence analysis of SDCCAG8 was undertaken and a detailed clinical review of an affected sibship was performed. Results: A sibship of East Indian origin who carried a putative clinical diagnosis of BBS had compound heterozygous mutations in SDCCAG8 (p.Thr482LysfsX12/p.Asp543AlafsX24). The renal involvement was early and required transplant in both cases. Both were short statured and had asthma since childhood. The younger sister also had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Visual acuity and central fields were preserved in the teenage years in both patients. The optical coherence tomography showed preservation of the retinal lamination at the fovea; fundus autofluorescence demonstrated a perifoveal ring of hyperfluorescence as commonly observed in other forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Full-field electroretinogram revealed rod function to be more severely affected than cone function in both cases. Conclusion: Our results and prior literature suggest that SDCCAG8 could play an important role in presumed BBS patients affected with severe kidney disease and absent polydactyly. This report enhances the phenotypic description of SDCCAG8-related disease.
The Structural Origins of Unearned Status: How Arbitrary Changes in Categories Affect Status Position and Market Impact

Focusing on the categorical nature of many status orderings, we examine the relationship among status, actors’ quality, and market outcomes. As markets evolve, the number of categories that structure them can increase, creating opportunities for new actors to be bestowed status, or it can decrease, dethroning certain actors from their superior standing. In both cases, gains and losses of status may occur without changes in actors’ quality. Because audiences rely on status signals to infer the value of market actors, these exogenously generated status shifts can translate into changes in how audiences perceive actors, resulting in benefits for unearned status gains and costs for unearned status losses. We find support for our hypotheses in a sample of equity analysts at U.S. brokerage firms. Using data on the coveted Institutional Investor magazine All-Star award, we find that analysts whose status increases because of a category addition see corresponding increases in the stock market’s response to their earnings estimates, while those who lose status see corresponding reductions. Our results suggest that the greater weight accorded to high-status actors may be misguided if that status occurs for structural reasons such as category changes rather than because of an actor’s own quality.
Biosynthetic incorporation of tryptophan analogues into staphylococcal nuclease: Effect of 5‐hydroxytryptophan and 7‐azatryptophan on structure and stability

5‐Hydroxytryptophan (5HW) and 7‐azatryptophan (7AW) are analogues of tryptophan that potentially can be incorporated biosynthetically into proteins and used as spectroscopic probes for studying protein‐DNA and protein‐protein complexes. The utility of these probes will depend on the extent to which they can be incorporated and the demonstration that they cause minimal perturbation of a protein's structure and stability. To investigate these factors in a model protein, we have incorporated 5HW and 7AW biosynthetically into staphylococcal nuclease A, using a trp auxotroph Escherichia coli expression system containing the temperature‐sensitive lambda c repressor. Both tryptophan analogues are incorporated into the protein with good efficiency. From analysis of absorption spectra, we estimate ∼95% incorporation of 5HW into position 140 of nuclease, and we estimate −98% incorporation of 7AW. CD spectra of the nuclease variants are similar to that of the tryptophan‐containing protein, indicating that the degree of secondary structure is not changed by the tryptophan analogues. Steady‐state fluorescence data show emission maxima of 338 nm for 5HW‐containing nuclease and 355 nm for 7AW‐containing nuclease. Time‐resolved fluorescence intensity and anisotropy measurements indicate that the incorporated 5HW residue, like tryptophan at position 140, has a dominant rotational correlation time that is approximately the value expected for global rotation of the protein. Guanidine‐hydrochloride‐induced unfolding studies show the unfolding transition to be two‐state for 5HW‐containing protein, with a free energy change for unfolding that is equal to that of the tryptophan‐containing protein. In contrast, the guanidine‐hydrochloride‐induced unfolding of 7AW‐containing nuclease appears to show a non‐two‐state transition, with the apparent stability of the protein being less than that of the tryptophan form.
Impact of Globalisation on Employment in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study analyses the effect of globalisation on employment in Nigeria considering the economic, political and social aspects of globalisation using annual time series data for the period 1970 - 2013. The study uses ARDL bounds testing to examine the short-run and long-run effects. The findings indicate that in the short-run, the economic and social aspects of globalisation are beneficial as they induce an increase in employment rate, although both the two aspects of globalisation have only marginal effect in the short-run, while the political integration shows no effect in the short-run. However, in the long-run, all the three aspects of economic, political and social integration show substantial beneficial impact as they all induce a significant increase in the employment rate.
Financing smallholder agribusiness in Zambia: an economic analysis of the ZATAC model

Financing Smallholder Agribusiness in Zambia: An Economic Analysis of the ZATAC Model. (August 2008) Brian Namushi Mwanamambo, B.Eng., University of Zambia Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Victoria Salin This study investigates the case of a Zambian institution providing credit for smallholder agribusiness commercialization and compares this lender’s model with the major microfinance institutions, to identify specific mechanisms employed by the lender and how these have been adapted to suit seasonal agricultural production credit requirements. Econometric models are developed to examine the influence of key economic factors such as nominal and real interest rates, loan fees, and loan term on the supply of credit by the lender. Other important factors considered relevant in the lender’s market include availability of contract markets for financed production and the type of borrower (cooperative or investor-owned agribusinesses). The study uses loan-level and firm-level loan data aggregated from an electronic loan database of individual loan files kept by the lender. Cross sectional data over three years (2005 – 2007) are used in the study. The study finds that loan fees, loan term and availability of contract markets to borrowers are the key determinants of credit supply. In addition, the study finds that interest rates do not significantly influence the lender’s credit supply decisions, a finding
Associations Between Medical Home Characteristics and Support for Patient Activation in the Safety Net: Understanding Differences by Race, Ethnicity, and Health Status

Background:Few studies have evaluated whether the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) supports patient activation and none have evaluated whether support for patient activation differs among racial and ethnic groups or by health status. This is critical because activation is lower on average among minority patients and those in poorer health. Objective:To assess the association between clinic PCMH characteristics and patient perception of clinic support for patient activation, and whether that association varies by patients’ self-reported race/ethnicity or health status. Participants:A total of 214 providers/staff and 735 patients in 24 safety net clinics across 5 states. Measures:Provider/staff surveys produced a 0–100 score for PCMH characteristics. Patient surveys used the patient activation subscale of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care to produce a 0–100 score for patient perception of clinic support for patient activation. Results:Across all patients, we did not find a statistically significant association between PCMH score and clinic support for patient activation. However, among the subgroup of minority patients in fair or poor health, a 10-point higher PCMH score was associated with a 14.5-point (CI, 4.4, 24.5) higher activation score. Conclusions:In a population of safety net patients, higher-rated PCMH characteristics were not associated with patients’ perception of clinic support for activation among the full study population; however, we found a strong association between PCMH characteristics and clinic support for activation among minority patients in poor/fair health status. The PCMH may be promising for reducing disparities in patient activation for ill minority patients.