Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Government Ownership and Value of Listed Firms in Kenya: A Panel Data Evidence

This study examines the relationship between government ownership and performance of listed firms on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The quadratic term of government ownership is included in the model to test for the effect of increasing government ownership levels on performance. We use panel data techniques on 102 firm-year observations between 2003 and 2013 for all the listed firms in which the government directly owns some shares. We find no relationship between government ownership and performance at lower levels of government ownership. We find a negative relationship between government ownership and performance at higher levels of government ownership. We estimate, through differentiation of the Tobin’s Q model, that government ownership has a negative effect on performance when government ownership exceeds 41%. The study concludes that lower government ownership levels do not affect firm performance but as the ownership rises, government ownership has a detrimental effect on firm performance. We provide implications of these results for policy and practice.
The Sports Management Toolkit

1. Introduction 2. Understanding the Current Environment: The SWOT Analysis 3. Commencing the Plan: SMART objectives and Key Performance Indicators 4. Managing Risk: What if? 5. Who Will Do the Work? Identifying the People Requirements 6. Appraising the Organization's Portfolio: What Strategic Business Units Should we Focus on? 7. Critical Path Networks: Completing Projects on Time 8. Identifying Where we Make Money: Planning for Profit 9. Appraising Investment Opportunities 10. Case Study: The Great North Run
HIV-1 Group O Resistance Against Integrase Inhibitors

Background:HIV-1 group O (HIV-O) is a rare variant that is characterized by a high number of natural polymorphisms in the integrase coding region that may impact on susceptibility to integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and on the emergence of resistance substitutions. We previously reported that HIV-O is more susceptible to RAL than HIV-1 group M (HIV-M). Methods:The aim of this study was to assess pathways of resistance to INSTIs in group 0 variants. Accordingly, we selected for resistance to each of raltegravir (RAL), elvitegravir (EVG), and dolutegravir (DTG) in cord blood mononuclear cells using HIV group O subtypes A and B, an HIV-O divergent isolate, and HIV-1 group M (subtype B, which served as a reference). Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on the pCOM2.5 HIV group 0 infectious clone to ascertain the impact of INSTI resistance substitutions at positions Q148R, N155H, and R263K within integrase on susceptibility to INSTIs and infectiousness. Results:Cell culture selections of group O variants yielded similar patterns of resistance to RAL, EVG, and DTG as observed for subtype B. In the DTG selections, subtype B yielded S153Y, whereas a natural S153A polymorphism sometimes led to A153V in group O. The pCMO2.5/Q148R and pCMO2.5/N155H variants displayed far higher levels of resistance to DTG (>1000 FC) than was seen for group M viruses. Conclusions:HIV-O harboring Q148R and N155H shows higher resistance to DTG compared with HIV-M subtype B.
Debt capacity of tangible assets: What is collateralizable in the debt market?

Starting with Titman and Wessels (1988), capital structure studies have consistently controlled for the effect of an aggregate measure of tangible assets, including land, building, machinery & equipment, capital leases, and plant & equipment in progress, on leverage. They usually report a positive relation between this aggregate measure of tangibility and leverage. We find that this positive link subsists however mainly for "hard" tangible assets, namely land and building, after any specific source of endogeneity is carefully addressed, which is consistent with the view that tangible assets differ in terms of redeployability, contractibility and speed of depreciation. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we report that "hard" tangible assets and leverage are directly linked only for credit constrained firms, while tangibility and leverage are separate decisions for credit unconstrained firms.
Owner-manager motives and the growth of SMEs in developing countries: Evidence from the furniture industry in Tanzania

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the motives of individuals in Tanzania to start their own businesses on the one hand and the growth of their firms on the other hand. Design/methodology/approach – A survey method was used to gather data from 300 small business owners and managers located in selected cities in Tanzania. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyse the relationship between the motivation to start an own business on the one hand and firm growth on the other hand. Three indicators for growth, namely, employment, sales and assets, were used to measure growth. Findings – The results suggest that that pull factors are more important to start the businesses than push factors. This contradicts the common opinion and previous research that push factors are more important than pull factors in developing countries. Furthermore, the study found that pull factors are positively related to firm, whereas push factors are negatively related to firm growth. Research .
Measurement of Information System Project Success in German Organizations

The measurement of information system project success (ISPS) is yet an unsolved problem. This work analyzes the way companies in Germany measure the success of their IS projects. It contains 12 semi-structured in-depth expert interviews with project managers and other decision makers to analyze (1) their subjective views on and (2) their companies' actual measurement of ISPS. Although the participants consider further success dimensions, the companies almost exclusively rely on the traditional criteria of time, cost, and quality. This study provides a new perspective on ISPS and shows that it is mainly a matter of measurability to use further success dimensions.
Differences in CT perfusion maps generated by different commercial software: quantitative analysis by using identical source data of acute stroke patients.

PURPOSE To examine the variability in the qualitative and quantitative results of computed tomographic (CT) perfusion imaging generated from identical source data of stroke patients by using commercially available software programs provided by various CT manufacturers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. CT perfusion imaging data of 10 stroke patients were postprocessed by using five commercial software packages, each of which had a different algorithm: singular-value decomposition (SVD), maximum slope (MS), inverse filter (IF), box modulation transfer function (bMTF), and by using custom-made original software with standard (sSVD) and block-circulant (bSVD) SVD methods. Areas showing abnormalities in cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT), and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were compared with each other and with the final infarct areas. Differences among the ratios of quantitative values in the final infarct areas and those in the unaffected side were also examined. RESULTS The areas with CBF or MTT abnormalities and the ratios of these values significantly varied among software, while those of CBV were stable. The areas with CBF or MTT abnormalities analyzed by using SVD or bMTF corresponded to those obtained with delay-sensitive sSVD, but overestimated the final infarct area. The values obtained from software by using MS or IF corresponded well with those obtained from the delay-insensitive bSVD and the final infarct area. Given the similarities between CBF and MTT, all software were separated in two groups (ie, sSVD and bSVD). The ratios of CBF or MTTs correlated well within both groups, but not across them. CONCLUSION CT perfusion imaging maps were significantly different among commercial software even when using identical source data, presumably because of differences in tracer-delay sensitivity.
Creating Usable Policies for Stronger Passwords with MTurk

People are living increasingly large swaths of their lives through their online accounts. These accounts are brimming with sensitive data, and they are often protected only by a text password. Attackers can break into service providers and steal the hashed password files that store users’ passwords. This lets attackers make a large number of guesses to crack users’ passwords. The stronger a password is, the more difficult it is for an attacker to guess. Many service providers have implemented password-composition policies. These policies constrain or restrict passwords in order to prevent users from creating easily guessed passwords. Too lenient a policy may permit easily cracked passwords, and too strict a policy may encumber users. The ideal password-composition policy balances security and usability. Prior to the work in this thesis, many password-composition policies were based on heuristics and speculation, rather than scientific analysis. Passwords research often examined passwords constructed under a single uniform policy, or constructed under unknown policies. In this thesis, I contrast the strength and usability of passwords created under different policies. I do this through online, crowdsourced human-subjects studies with randomized, controlled password-composition policies. This result is a scientific comparison of how different password-composition policies affect both password strength and usability. I studied a range of policies, including those similar to policies found in the wild, policies that trade usability for security by requiring longer passwords, and policies in which passwords are system-assigned with known security. One contribution of this thesis is a tested methodology for collecting passwords under different policies. Another contribution is the comparison between password policies. I find that some password-composition policies make more favorable tradeoffs between security and usability, allowing evidence-based recommendations for service providers. I also offer insights for researchers interested in conducting larger-scale online studies, having collected data from tens of thousands of participants.
Effect of Exogenous and Endogenous Nitric Oxide on the Airway and Tissue Components of Lung Resistance in the Newborn Piglet

Despite widespread reports of the vasodilatory actions of nitric oxide(NO), little is known of the relaxant effect of NO on newborn airways or lung parenchymal structures. We studied the effects of inhaled NO at 20, 40, and 80 ppm on lung (Rl), tissue (Rti), and airway (Raw) resistance in 13 2-5-d-old anesthetized, ventilated, open-chested piglets. Rl was measured from transpulmonary pressure and air flow. Rti was measured by alveolar capsules, and Raw was calculated as the difference between Rl and Rti. Any given concentration of inhaled NO (20, 40, or 80 ppm) significantly decreased Rl (p< 0.001), Rti (p < 0.001), and Raw (p< 0.05). In addition, blockade of endogenous NO with 30 mg/kg Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) given i.v. in 12 piglets significantly increased Rti and Rl with variable changes in Raw, and caused a decrease in dynamic compliance. Readministration of NO to eight piglets induced a significant decrease in Rl and Rti at 20 and 80 ppm, whereas Raw significantly decreased only at 80 ppm. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased after exposure to inhaled NO and increased after L-NAME administration. Systemic arterial pressure was unaffected by inhaled NO but increased after L-NAME administration. Our results indicate that Rl, Raw, and Rti are reduced by exogenous NO, suggesting NO-mediated airway smooth muscle relaxation throughout the newborn lung. In contrast, blockade of endogenous NO significantly increases only Rti, suggesting a physiologic role for endogenous NO in regulation of peripheral contractile elements. We speculate that NO-mediated modulation of resistance in pulmonary parenchyma may serve to regulate the balance of ventilation and perfusion and resultant gas exchange in the lungs during early postnatal development.
Rumination and Avoidance as Predictors of Prolonged Grief, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress in Female Widowed Survivors of War

Abstract This study examined independent contributions of rumination and experiential avoidance in predicting symptoms of psychological distress among female widowed survivors of war. A decade after the war in Kosovo, 100 widowed survivors of war completed measures of rumination, experiential avoidance, depression, posttraumatic stress, and prolonged grief. Results showed that both rumination and experiential avoidance significantly predicted the symptom severity of prolonged grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Furthermore, rumination accounted for additional variance above and beyond experiential avoidance and vice versa. Finally, the interaction of rumination and experiential avoidance did not provide significant explanatory power over and above the individual main effects. These findings suggest that rumination and experiential avoidance may be significant factors in understanding and treating psychological distress following exposure to potentially traumatic events and loss due to violence.
The value of social media in CRM : from CRM 1.0 to CRM 2.0

Purpose Through this master’s level thesis, the researcher wants to deeply study CRM and the value of linking social media to it. Specifically, the researcher wants to determine if there is a potential gap between customers’ and companies’ perception of social CRM. Methodology Through the literature review about information systems, CRM, social media and marketing, the researcher gained considerable knowledge to tackle this topic. The researcher used quantitative and qualitative approach to conduct research. Findings Social media add value to CRM and improve companies’ businesses. Social CRM will not replace the classical model of CRM. Most importantly, there is a perception gap between customers’ and companies’ perception of social CRM. Limitations The questionnaire was administered in the Facebook fan page of Bouygues Telecom, which can lead to limitations in terms of sampling representativity. There might be some limitations also in terms of the researcher’s lack of experience in conducting surveys. Practical implications Outcomes and implications for practice resulting from this dissertation are that businesses wanting to adopt social CRM strategies must develop a real social CRM strategy and not contenting themselves of having a presence on social media. Value of paper This dissertation will bring value to everyone who wants first to understand what is CRM, it’s underlying principles and criticisms. And secondly having a wide overview and knowledge of linking social media to CRM practices.
Effect of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on noradrenalin accumulation in hairy roots of Portulaca oleracea L.

Portulaca oleracea L. is a medicinal plant find in Europe and Asia. This plant contains valuable secondary metabolite such as noradrenalin. Naturally the wild plant produce small amount of this secondary metabolites so induction of hairy roots can be useful to increase its production. In our research Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain AR15834 was used to induce hairy roots in the two-week leaf explants of P. oleracea . PCR analysis with specific primers rolB gene was performed to confirm the transgenic hairy roots production. PCR analysis results showed diagnostic bands with size 780 bp related to specific reproduction of rolB gene, so the transgenic hairy roots was confirmed. The effect of two chemical elicitors, salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate, on the production of noradrenalin in P. oleracea hairy roots was examined. Methyl jasmonate was found to increase the production of noradrenalin. The optimal methyl jasmonate dose was between 100um and 200um for hairy roots harvested 48h after elicitation. After 48h of induction with 200um methyl jasmonate, an eightfold increase in the level of noradrenalin was observed in compared with control cultures.
Interactions of Age, Islet Cell Antibodies, Insulin Autoantibodies, and First-Phase Insulin Response in Predicting Risk of Progression to IDDM in ICA+ Relatives: The ICARUS Data Set

Many studies have examined the role of age, islet cell antibodies (ICAs), insulin autoantibodies (IAAs), and first-phase insulin responses (FPIRs) to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) as markers of risk of progression to IDDM, but a large data set is required for the analysis of the interactions between these markers. The Islet Cell Antibody Register Users Study (ICARUS) register includes 456 first-degree relatives with ICA levels ≥5 JDF U confirmed in a reference laboratory, 108 of whom have progressed to IDDM in the course of prospective follow-up. Analysis of this data set confirmed the importance of the loss of FPIR, high ICA titer, coexistence of IAA, and young age in enhancing the risk of progression to the disease. The influence of any given marker of risk is modified by the presence or absence of the other markers. Cox regression analysis performed in a subset of 217 subjects for whom IVGTT, ICA, and IAA data were available showed that risk was most strongly associated with loss of FPIR; IAA and ICA titer contributed equally to the model, while age was also an independent risk determinant.
Development and Use of a Computerized Test, MATH—CPT, to Assess Attention

The present research describes the development of a new measure of attention, the Mathematics Continuous Performance Test (MATH–CPT), which uses a sequence of simple mathematical questions projected onto a computer screen as visual stimuli. A new approach to testing was developed: it has more complicated stimuli and has an open reaction time allowing participants to react according to individual pace. The development of reliability and validity of the MATH–CPT is described. Discriminant function analysis of 240 normal control participants compared with 63 individuals with ADHD showed correct classification of 91.6% of participants in both groups. The MATH–CPT diagnosed a sample of participants with ADHD better than another CPT-type test, the Test of Variables of Attention. This is an initial step in developing a new measure of attention and to assist with the diagnosis of adolescents and young adults with ADHD.
National strategy for the development of statistics of the Republic of Belarus

The National Strategy for the Development of Official Statistics (NSDS) of the Republic of Belarus is the dynamic framework program of long term development of state statistics, determining the approaches, methods, tools and strategic actions necessary for harmonized and effective information infrastructure of the country and economy. The NSDS contains following components: (i) the target model of the national system of official statistical (NSS) of the country and methods of its dynamic updating; (ii) the roadmap of driving the NSS from the existing statistical system to the directions determined by the target model; (iii) the methods and approaches of anticipating adjustment of the NSS to social, political, economic and technological changes of the country, taking into account its position in globalized, more opened, market - driven economy; (iv) the ways of coherent development of the NSS as an integral part of the information infrastructure of the state, national economy and society; (v) statistical resources (staff, finances, material infrastructure, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)), i.e. all kinds of resources needed for the realization of the framework program; (vi) strategic actions necessary for effective implementing of the program of development of official statistics; and (vii) effective implementing and use of modern ICT for optimizing statistical production processes.
Recovery and Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Surface Water, Using Ultrafiltration and Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC O157:H7) outbreaks have revealed the need for improved analytical techniques for environmental samples. Ultrafiltration (UF) is increasingly recognized as an effective procedure for concentrating and recovering microbes from large volumes of water and treated wastewater. This study describes the application of hollow-fiber UF as the primary step for concentrating EHEC O157:H7 seeded into 40-liter samples of surface water, followed by an established culture/immunomagnetic-separation (IMS) method and a suite of real-time PCR assays. Three TaqMan assays were used to detect the stx1, stx2, and rfbE gene targets. The results from this study indicate that approximately 50 EHEC O157:H7 cells can be consistently recovered from a 40-liter surface water sample and detected by culture and real-time PCR. Centrifugation was investigated and shown to be a viable alternative to membrane filtration in the secondary culture/IMS step when water quality limits the volume of water that can be processed by a filter. Using multiple PCR assay sets to detect rfbE, stx1, and stx2 genes allowed for specific detection of EHEC O157:H7 from strains that do not possess all three genes. The reported sample collection and analysis procedure should be a sensitive and effective tool for detecting EHEC O157:H7 in response to outbreaks of disease associated with contaminated water.
Comparison of milk production costs among EU members

This paper attempts to identify factors which influence the effectiveness of milk production. The basic aim is to compare levels of costs in the dairy industry between Czech and European producers. The average cost per 100 kg ECM milk is determined from data provided by the European Dairy Farmers association (EDF). The total costs per 1 litre of Czech milk producers are on the European average level with high production efficiency. The problem is only in the utilisation of basic production factors, especially land and labour.
Study of glycyrrhizic acid contents from Glycyrrhiza glabra populations in Iran and their relation with environmental factors

Rezaei S, Nejadsattari T, Assadi M, Khavarinejad RA, Mehregan I. 2017. Study of glycyrrhizic acid contents from Glycyrrhiza glabra populations in Iran and their relation with environmental factors. Biodiversitas 18: 212-220. Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) is an important chemical composition of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) from which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose. In this study, the amount of glycyrrhizic acid was determined in populations collected from 11 different locations in Iran (NW to NE) by HPLC method from two varieties of this species; Glycyrrhiza glabra varieties glabra and glandulifera. Our results showed the highest content of glycyrrhizic acid was from Naghadeh (NAQ, NW Iran) population for G. glabra var. glandulifera and Azadshahr population (AZD, NW Iran ) for G. glabra var. glabra. Lowest amounts of glycyrrhizic acid were detected in Jajrood (JAD, N Iran) population for G. glabra var. glandulifera and Hashtrud (HSD, N Iran) population for G. glabra var. glabra. Significant correlations were observed between the amount of glycyrrhizic acid and some morphometric parameters, soil and environmental factors. The amount of glycyrrhizic acid showed positive correlation with phosphorous (P ≤ 0.05 and R = 0.155) and negative correlation with pH (P ≤ 0.01 and R = 0.348) and calcium carbonate (P ≤ 0.01 and R = 0.507). Higher temperature resulted in increasing the amount of glycyrrhizic acid. Based on morphometrical data, the plants with thinner rhizomes would have more glycyrrhizic acid. Our results also showed that glycyrrhizic acid content was not related to taxonomic classification of this species.