Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AFFECTING SERVICE DELIVERY IN DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF WAJIR COUNTY

Purpose: The main aim of the research was to investigate the extent to which performance management practices affect service delivery in devolved governments in Kenya, specifically the county government of Wajir. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive, correlation design that was carried out as a survey with the target population of the study being the 172senior, middle and lower level managers in each department of Wajir County Government. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 120 respondents from the 13 departments. The study utilized both primary and secondary data. Data will be analyzed using both descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The analyses data was presented graphically by visual aids such as charts and figures. The inferential statistics was carried out using SPSS version 20 where regression analysis was carried out. Results: The results show that reward systems have a significant effect on service delivery in Wajir County. The study also found that training has a significant effect on service delivery at Wajir County Government. Furthermore, there search established that target setting has a significant effect on service delivery at Wajir County Government. Lastly the study proved that performance measurement system has a significant effect on service delivery at Wajir County Government Policy recommendation: The study recommended that the County Government to come up with ideal competitive terms that can attract skilled workforce and qualified as well as competent staffs, especially so is that County Government need to be organizing regularly workshops as well as seminars to impart knowledge and skills to the workforce. The study recommended that in order to enhance service delivery, the County Governments must consider adopting several job contingency measures, reward mechanism, fringe benefits and providing bonuses to the civil servants, especially so is the advice given to managers to formulate clear reward systems to make sure that employees are remunerated accordingly which goes a long way in motivating them to keep on working for government rather than being absorbed in private sector.
Peptide Mimetics of Gamma Interferon Possess Antiviral Properties against Vaccinia Virus and Other Viruses in the Presence of Poxvirus B8R Protein

ABSTRACT We have developed peptide mimetics of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) that play a direct role in the activation and nuclear translocation of STAT1α transcription factor. These mimetics do not act through recognition by the extracellular domain of IFN-γ receptor but rather bind to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor chain 1, IFNGR-1, and thereby initiate the cellular signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that these mimetics would bypass the poxvirus virulence factor B8R protein that binds to intact IFN-γ and prevents its interaction with the receptor. Human and murine IFN-γ mimetic peptides were introduced into an adenoviral vector for intracellular expression. Murine IFN-γ mimetic peptide was also expressed via chemical synthesis with an attached lipophilic group for penetration of cell plasma membrane. In contrast to intact human IFN-γ, the mimetics did not bind poxvirus B8R protein, a homolog of the IFN-γ receptor extracellular domain. Expression of B8R protein in WISH cells did not block the antiviral effect of the mimetics against encephalomyocarditis or vesicular stomatitis virus, while the antiviral activity of human IFN-γ was neutralized. Consistent with the antiviral activity, the upregulation of MHC class I molecules on WISH cells by the IFN-γ mimetics was not affected by B8R protein, while IFN-γ-induced upregulation was blocked. Finally, the mimetics, but not IFN-γ, inhibited vaccinia virus replication in African green monkey kidney BSC-40 cells. The data presented demonstrate that small peptide mimetics of IFN-γ can avoid the B8R virulence factor for poxviruses and, thus, are potential candidates for antivirals against smallpox virus.
Myopia and earnings management strategies

In this study, we investigate how country-level myopia affects managers’ willingness to engage in earnings management and choice of earnings management strategy. Using a comprehensive dataset of 47 countries for the time period from 2003 to 2015, we find that firms in short-term oriented cultures engage in more real earnings management, while firms in long-term oriented cultures rely on earnings management through accruals manipulation. Furthermore, we find a larger discontinuity around earnings benchmarks in longterm oriented cultures suggesting that utilization of AM enables benchmark beating with high precision.
Semi‐automated International Cartilage Repair Society scoring of equine articular cartilage lesions in optical coherence tomography images

BACKGROUND Arthroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising tool for the detailed evaluation of articular cartilage injuries. However, OCT-based articular cartilage scoring still relies on the operator's visual estimation. OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that semi-automated International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scoring of chondral lesions seen in OCT images could enhance intra- and interobserver agreement of scoring and its accuracy. STUDY DESIGN Validation study using equine cadaver tissue. METHODS Osteochondral samples (n = 99) were prepared from 18 equine metacarpophalangeal joints and imaged using OCT. Custom-made software was developed for semi-automated ICRS scoring of cartilage lesions on OCT images. Scoring was performed visually and semi-automatically by five observers, and levels of inter- and intraobserver agreement were calculated. Subsequently, OCT-based scores were compared with ICRS scores based on light microscopy images of the histological sections of matching locations (n = 82). RESULTS When semi-automated scoring of the OCT images was performed by multiple observers, mean levels of intraobserver and interobserver agreement were higher than those achieved with visual OCT scoring (83% vs. 77% and 74% vs. 33%, respectively). Histology-based scores from matching regions of interest agreed better with visual OCT-based scoring than with semi-automated OCT scoring; however, the accuracy of the software was improved by optimising the threshold combinations used to determine the ICRS score. MAIN LIMITATIONS Images were obtained from cadavers. CONCLUSIONS Semi-automated scoring software improved the reproducibility of ICRS scoring of chondral lesions in OCT images and made scoring less observer-dependent. The image analysis and segmentation techniques adopted in this study warrant further optimisation to achieve better accuracy with semi-automated ICRS scoring. In addition, studies on in vivo applications are required.
Nutrient intake and gastric cancer in Mexico

In contrast to the decreasing trends observed in most countries, gastric‐cancer mortality has remained at about the same level in Mexico throughout the last 40 years. As part of a study carried out in the metropolitan area of Mexico City, an assessment of nutrient intake and gastric cancer is presented here. The study population comprised 220 cases of gastric cancer and 752 population‐based controls. Our results showed 70 to 80% reduction in the risk of developing this tumor, associated with the intake of polyunsaturated fat, fiber and vitamin E; and this effect was independent of the histological type of the tumor (i.e., intestinal or diffuse). On the other hand, an increased risk of gastric cancer was related to the consumption of saturated fat (ORQ4vs.Q1 = 4.37, 95% CI 1.89–10.12) and, cholesterol (ORQ4vs.Q1 = 2.39, 95% CI 1.23–4.64), but such effects were restricted to the intestinal type of gastric cancer. In the whole study population, mono‐unsaturated fat intake increased the risk for gastric cancer, and a marginally significant increasing trend was observed for protein consumption. The findings from this study add information about the role of specific nutrients in the etiology of gastric cancer. Int. J. Cancer 83:601–605, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mediating role of female migration on social entrepreneurship activity

Social entrepreneurial firms exist within environments that are often severely resource constrained. The purpose of this study is to investigate several macro-level factors that can stimulate or impede the emergence of social entrepreneurship. Although little prior research on how these determinants impact social entrepreneurship has been conducted, this study reveals that several crucial macro-level variables appear to be related to social entrepreneurship. Unlike previous studies, this study employs enhanced variables designed to capture local perceptions as well as secondary data inputs. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression techniques were used to understand their effects on social entrepreneurial activity. The results reveal that a country’s governance and female migration are related to the level of social entrepreneurial activity. In addition, positive female migration serves as an important mediating role between governance and increased levels of social entrepreneurial activity. Moreover, implications for understanding the role of macro-level factors on social entrepreneurship as well as the study’s limitations are discussed.
Starting Off on the Wrong Foot : An Analysis of Mate Value , Commitment and Partner “ Baggage ” in Romantic Relationships

People sometimes enter relationships that involve pre-existing challenges, or relational “baggage. ” Such negative characteristics potentially lower partner resource value and challenge the relationship. This study examined how baggage and mate value are associated with other relational communication features, e.g., commitment, attachment, acquaintance. Baggage was coded into 10 recognizable categories based on participants’ 300 descriptions of significant flaws or drawbacks they perceived in partners when they entered the relationship. Reports of partner baggage were inversely related to partner mate value and commitment, although women reported consistent levels of partner baggage across relationship types, men reported less baggage as relationships developed. Baggage reports were not related to level of loneliness, attachment style, or how well individuals knew their partners.
Do lenders extract rents when financing bankrupt firms?

We present strong evidence of supra-competitive pricing of debtor-in-possession (DIP) loans to large firms in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Over-collateralized and with super-priority, strong covenants, rollups, and debtor-funded monitoring costs, these loans are almost risk-free. Nonetheless, loan spreads average 600 basis points, which is 60% higher than leveraged-loan ("junk"') spreads charged the same firms within three years before bankruptcy filing. While prepetition lenders have a strong bargaining position when supplying DIP loans, spreads are no lower when DIP loans are supplied by new lenders. Junior claimants often contest DIP-loan terms in court - to little avail.
Erythema infectiosum in a village primary school: clinical and virological studies.

In a questionnaire response to an outbreak of erythema infectiosum in a village primary school, 55 (46%) of the 121 pupils reported an illness with rash. Three of the 12 members of staff also developed a rash. Onset in most affected children was indicated by the classical ;slapped cheek' appearance of erythema infectiosum with subsequent spread of the rash to the extremities. However, in 17 (35%) of 49 children who provided additional clinical data, the rash spread either in the reverse direction or not at all. Nineteen children (39%) reported recurrence of the rash.Serological studies confirmed that human parvovirus was the cause of the outbreak. Forty-six (44%) of 104 children investigated had significant levels of virus-specific immunoglobulin (lg)M and/or lgG antibodies consistent with recent infection. Most infections occurred in older children. Human parvovirus infection was also confirmed in five of the 12 adults. These studies revealed a substantial number of subclinical episodes - 14 (22%) of 64 subjects who remained well had serological evidence of recent infection with human parovovirus. Significantly, 43 individuals (37% of those investigated) remained seronegative despite frequent exposure to infection within the school. This finding, together with the observed temporary interruption of the outbreak which coincided with school holidays substantiates the view that human parvovirus has a relatively low infectivity and requires close person-to-person contact for its transmission.
Should we be afraid of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in obstetrics?

The emergence of community-acquired-MRSA colonization represents a new, unrecognized reservoir of MRSA within hospitals, potentially increasing the risk for horizontal transmission. Taking into consideration the fact that this type of methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is usually recognized in young, healthy subjects without risk factors, obstetricians should be aware of the hazardous outbreak and detection of CA MRSA dependent infection. Although MRSA is not frequent in pregnant women, vaginal colonization can be detected in routine streptococci B screening. This article summarize the management in colonized and infected woman.
Endogenous choice of minority shareholdings: Effects on product market competition

Non-controlling minority shareholdings in rivals (NCMS) lower the sustainability of collusion under a wide variety of circumstances. Nevertheless, NCMS are sometimes deemed to facilitate collusion, in particular if the level of NCMS is exogenous. The present paper endogenizes firms' choice of NCMS and answers the question: Would colluding firms find it rational to acquire NCMS in rivals? The study of the acquisition reveals that firms have an incentive to acquire NCMS which are accompanied by a shift from collusive to competitive behaviour.
Ileal Impaction in Horses * 3

A cute abdominal pain in horses is often caused by abnormal conditions of the small intestine. ' Simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, and nonstrangulating obstruction are the general categories of small intestinal disorders that require surgical intervention. ' Ileal impaction is the most frequently reported cause of small intestinal, nonstrangulating obstruction in adult horses.24 The condition accounted for 0.5% to 9.3% of total colic cases reported in several surveys, retrospective studies, and individual case reports. '-" In a retrospective report involving surgical diseases of the ileum, ileal impaction accounted for more than 41% of the cases. ''
MicroRNA expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis of dysregulated microRNAs in obstructive sleep apnea patients

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic obstructive sleep disease in clinic. The purpose of our study was to use bioinformatics analysis to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed between OSA patients and healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from OSA patients and healthy controls. To better reveal the sample specificity of differentially expressed microRNAs, supervised hierarchical clustering was conducted. We used the microT-CDS and TargetScan databases to predict target genes of the differentially expressed microRNAs and selected the common genes. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) was used to evaluate many coexpression relationships. Moreover, we used these potential microRNA-target pairs and coexpression relationships to construct a regulatory coexpression network using Cytoscape software. Functional analysis of microRNA target genes was conducted with FunRich. A total of 104 microRNAs that were differentially expressed between OSA patients and healthy controls were identified. Supervised hierarchical clustering was conducted based on the expression of the 104 microRNAs in the OSA patients and healthy controls. Overall, 6621 potential target genes were predicted, and 119 target genes were screened based on coexpression coefficients in the STRING database. A regulatory coexpression network was constructed that included 23 differentially expressed microRNAs and 18 of the most related potential target genes. Metabolic signaling pathways were the most highly enriched category. Differentially expressed microRNAs, such as hsa-miR-485-5p, hsa-miR-107, hsa-miR-574-5p, and hsa-miR-199-3p, might participate in OSA. The target gene CAD might also be closely related to OSA. Our results may provide a basis for the pathogenesis of OSA and the study of disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. However, more experiments are needed to verify these predictions.
Electroencephalographic Characterization of Spike‐Wave Discharges in Cortex and Thalamus in WAG/Rij Rats

Purpose: The waveform of spontaneous spike‐wave discharges (SWD) in the electroencephalogram (EEG) was delineated in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy according to the definitions of clinical electroencephalography. We defined four elements in SWD based on the schema of Weir (1965): Spike 1 and 2, Positive Transient (PT), and Wave. The EEG patterns of generalized type I and local type II SWD in cortical and thalamic areas were analyzed.
Computation of the Q factors for antennas using XeR and XmR modes

We develop a new broadband modal approach to calculating the Q factors for antennas by using the new introduced XeR and XmR modes instead of the conventional characteristic modes. We find that the total Q factor can be represented as a direct superposition of the eigenvalues of the two new kinds of modes, leading to a more concise formula for the total Q.
Effects of aluminum on bone surface ion composition

Aluminum induces net calcium efflux from cultured bone. To determine whether aluminum alters the bone surface ion composition in a manner consistent with predominantly cell‐mediated resorption, a combination of cell‐mediated resorption and physicochemical dissolution or physicochemical dissolution alone, we utilized an analytic high‐resolution scanning ion microprobe with secondary ion mass spectroscopy to determine the effects of aluminum on bone surface ion composition. We cultured neonatal mouse calvariae with or without aluminum (10−7 M) for 24 h and determined the relative ion concentrations of 23Na, 27AI, 39K, and 40Ca on the bone surface and eroded subsurface. Control calvariae have a surface (depth ∼6 nm) that is rich in Na and K compared with Ca (Na/Ca = 24.4 + 1.4, mean + 95% confidence limit of counts per second of detected secondary ions, K/Ca = 13.2 + 0.9). Aluminum is incorporated into the bone and causes a depletion of surface Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca = 9.6 + 0.7, K/Ca = 4.9 + 0.4; each p < 0.001 versus control). After erosion (depth ∼50 nm), control calvariae have more Na and K than Ca (Na/Ca = 16.0 + 0.1, K/Ca = 7.5 + 0.1); aluminum again depleted Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca = 4.1 + 0.1, K/Ca = 1.9 + 0.1; each p < 0.001 versus control). Aluminum produced a greater net efflux of Ca (362 ± 53, mean ± SE, nmol/bone/24 h) than control (60 ± 30, p < 0.001). With aluminum, the fall in the ratios of both Na/Ca and K/Ca coupled with net Ca release from bone indicates that aluminum induces a greater efflux of Na and K than Ca from the bone surface and is consistent with an aluminum‐induced removal of the bone surface. This alteration in surface ion concentration and calcium efflux is consistent with that observed when calcium is lost from bone through a combination of cell‐mediated resorption and physicochemical dissolution.
Antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic relatedness of Salmonella serovars isolated from animal-derived dog treats in the USA.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to determine the potential risk of dog treats in transmitting Salmonella to humans in the USA, and to characterize genetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance among the isolates. METHODS A total of 158 dog treats derived from pig ears and other animal parts were randomly collected nationwide and assayed for the presence of Salmonella. The Salmonella isolates were characterized using serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS Forty-one percent (65/158) of samples were positive for Salmonella. Eighty-four Salmonella isolates, comprising 24 serotypes, were recovered from the 65 positive samples. Fourteen samples were contaminated with more than one Salmonella serotype. PFGE analysis of 78 Salmonella isolates yielded 64 patterns. S. Infantis with PFGE patterns indistinguishable from those of strains identified in Canadian outbreaks in 1999 were recovered in several dog treat products. The majority of Salmonella isolates were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested; however, resistance was observed to tetracycline (26%), streptomycin (23%), sulfamethoxazole (19%), chloramphenicol (8%) and ampicillin (8%). Twenty-eight (36%) Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial and 10 (13%) isolates displayed resistance to four or more antimicrobials. Two isolates were identified as S. Typhimurium DT104 with the characteristic penta-resistance phenotype (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline). One S. Brandenburg isolate was resistant to eight antimicrobials. Seven Salmonella isolates also contained class I integrons encoding resistance genes to aminoglycosides, beta-lactam and streptothricin antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS The study indicates that animal-derived dog treats in the USA could be a potential source of animal and human infections with Salmonella, including multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains.
Somatotype and blood pressure of rural South African children aged 6–13 years: Ellisras longitudinal growth and health study

Background: Physique has been useful in assessing the outcome of underlying growth and maturity processes, which leads to a better understanding of variation in child and adult health. However, a high endomorphy rating has been associated with hypertension in adults, posing a serious threat to their health status, while receiving little attention in children. Aim: The study examined the association between somatotypes, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in 6–13-year-old rural children, in Ellisras, South Africa. Subjects: A total of 1902 subjects (980 boys and 922 girls) aged 6–13 years were studied as part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study. Height, weight, four skinfold sites, two breadths, and two girths were measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The Heath–Carter method of somatotyping was used, together with internationally recommended cut-off points for BMI in children. Hypertension, defined as the average of three separate BP readings, where the systolic or diastolic BP is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex, was determined. Results: The prevalence of hypertension ranges from 1 to 5.8% in boys and 3.4–11.4% in girls. The prevalence of overweight ranges from 1.1 to 2.9% in boys and 0.6–4.6% in girls. Systolic BP and BMI showed a significant positive correlation at age 6 years (r = 0.436) and 10–13 years (r = 0.180–0.246 in boys and r = 0.221–0.271 in girls). Diastolic BP showed an insignificant correlation with the BMI and somatotype components in boys and girls. Conclusion: A significant association exists between BP and BMI, and ectomorphy components even after being adjusted for age, gender and height. The need to manage hypertensive individuals is evident in this sample to combat this chronic disease from an early age. Follow-up studies should investigate the relationship between BP and the dietary intake of these children.