Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public private partnership in the power sector of Ghana: Has it delivered as expected?

ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM 2 1.2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 3 1.3 STUDY OBJECTIVES 4 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 5 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY 5 1.6 ORGANISATION OF THESIS 6 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 8 2.0 INTRODUCTION 8 2.1 CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION: PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE 8 The Concept and Peculiarity of Public Private Partnership 13 2.1.1 Classification of PPP 16 2.1.2 Optimistic and Pessimistic Frontiers of PPP 18 2.1.3 2.2 PRACTICING RHETORIC: THE CASE OF PPP IN ELECTRICITY PROVISION 21 Independent Power Producers in Developing Countries 24 2.2.1 2.3 DEVELOPING THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 26 Partnership Agreement and Collaborative Processes 27 2.3.1 The Theory of Collaborative Advantage 28 2.3.2 The Need to Integrate Related Theories (Resource Dependence) 34 2.3.3 An Empirical Study 35 2.3. 4 2.4 EXAMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP 37 Dependent Variable (Effectiveness of the Partnership) 38 2.4. 1 Independent Variables (Elements of Partnership Functioning) 39 2.4. 2 2.5 CONCLUSION 43 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 45 3.0 INTRODUCTION 45 3.1 RESEARCH APPROACH 45 3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN 47 3.3 AREA OF STUDY 48
On-Site Availability of Legionella Testing in Acute Care Hospitals, United States

We surveyed 399 US acute care hospitals regarding availability of on-site Legionella testing; 300 (75.2%) did not offer Legionella testing on site. Availability varied according to hospital size and geographic location. On-site access to testing may improve detection of Legionnaires disease and inform patient management and prevention efforts. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(7):898–900
The Debt-Equity Choice When Regulatory Thresholds are Based on Equity Values: Evidence from SOX 404

When larger market values of equity result in being subject to costly regulation, firms have incentives to shift their sources of financing toward debt and away from equity. We use the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) as a setting to provide evidence of such incentives. Smaller firms were granted several reprieves and eventually exempted from the internal control audit requirements of SOX Section 404, which many consider the most costly and onerous aspect of SOX. Using a difference-in-differences design, we show that relative to control firms, firms just below the regulatory threshold have increased propensities to issue debt, decreased propensities to issue equity, and increased leverage levels in the post-SOX period. These results are consistent with firms altering their financing choices to maintain their exempt status and demonstrate an economic consequence of regulatory regimes that are tiered by equity values.
Resting MAPK expression in chronically trained endurance runners

ABSTRACT Purpose: There is a paucity of research investigating the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in chronically trained (CT) athletes. Thus, it is unclear how MAPK may contribute to performance and muscle adaptation in CT subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine MAPK total protein, and phosphorylated expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38-MAPK (p38) between untrained, and chronically trained runners. Methods: Tissue samples were analysed from sedentary (SED; n = 5) controls and chronically trained runners (CT; n = 5). Resting muscle biopsy samples were analysed for total-MAPK – and ratio of phosphorylated/total (p-MAPK) – ERK1/2, JNK, and p38-MAPK via western blotting. Mann–Whitney U tests and effect sizes were utilized to determine differences in total MAPK protein content and phosphorylation status between SED and CT subjects. Results: There was no difference in total-MAPK expression between SED and CT (p > .05). p-p38-MAPK tended to be greater for CT compared to SED (p = .07). There were moderate effect sizes of decreased pERK/total-ERK (d = −0.69) and increased pJNK/total-JNK (d = 0.54) in CT compared to SED. There was a positive correlation between p-p38-MAPK/total-MAPK and the percentage of type I fibres (r = 0.73, p = .016). Conclusion: Contrary to previous studies, chronic endurance training does not greatly influence total MAPK protein expression in chronically trained runners. However, resting phosphorylation of p38-MAPK may contribute to enhanced oxidative metabolism at chronically trained levels. These alterations are likely involved in the different physiological adaptations that occur following long-term training or at highly competitive levels.
Investment Valuation: Tools and Techniques for Determining the Value of Any Asset

The definitive source of information on all topics related to investment valuation tools and techniques Valuation is at the heart of any investment decision, whether that decision is buy, sell or hold. But the pricing of many assets has become a more complex task in modern markets, especially after the recent financial crisis. In order to be successful at this endeavor, you must have a firm understanding of the proper valuation techniques. One valuation book stands out as withstanding the test of time among investors and students of financial markets, Aswath Damodaran'sInvestment Valuation. Now completely revised and updated to reflect changing market conditions, this third edition comprehensively introduces investment professionals and students to the range of valuation models available and how to chose the right model for any given asset valuation scenario. This edition includes valuation techniques for a whole host of real options, start-up firms, unconventional assets, distressed companies and private equity, and real estate. All examples have been updated and new material has been added. Fully revised to incorporate valuation lessons learned from the last five years, from the market crisis and emerging markets to new types of equity investments Includes valuation practices across the life cycle of companies and emphasizes value enhancement measures, such as EVA and CFROI Contains a new chapter on probabilistic valuation techniques such as decision trees and Monte Carlo Simulation Author Aswath Damodaran is regarded as one of the best educators and thinkers on the topic of investment valuation This indispensable guide is a must read for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of investment valuation and its methods. With it, you can take the insights and advice of a recognized authority on the valuation process and immediately put them to work for you.
Targeted Overexpression of Vav 3 Oncogene in Prostatic Epithelium Induces Nonbacterial Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer

Our previous study revealed that Vav3 oncogene is overexpressed in human prostate cancer, activates androgen receptor (AR), and stimulates growth in prostate cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to further determine the potential role of Vav3 in prostate cancer development in genetically engineered mouse model. We generated Vav3 transgenic mice by targeted overexpression of a constitutive active Vav3 in the prostatic epithelium. We found that overexpression of Vav3 led to development of mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer at the age of as early as 3 months. The AR signaling axis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling were elevated in the prostate glands of Vav3 transgenic mice. In addition to prostate cancer, Vav3 transgenic mice developed significant nonbacterial chronic prostatitis in the prostate gland with notable infiltration of lymphomononuclear cells (monocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells), which was associated with elevated incidence of prostate cancer. DNA microarray and signaling pathway analysis revealed that the top diseases and disorders were inflammatory diseases and cancer of the prostate gland in Vav3 transgenic mice. In vitro analysis showed that overexpression of Vav3 in prostate cancer cells enhanced nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB) activity, implicating an underlying mechanism of innate inflammatory response induced by elevated Vav3 activity. These data showed that Vav3 overexpression in the prostate epithelium enhanced both the AR signaling axis and NF-KB–mediated pathway, which potentially contributed to the development of nonbacterial prostatitis and prostate cancer. [Cancer Res 2008;68(15):6396–406]
Like Fibrin, (DD)E, the Major Degradation Product of Crosslinked Fibrin, Protects Plasmin from Inhibition by α2-antiplasmin

Summary Plasmin generation is localized to the fibrin surface because tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen bind to fibrin, an interaction that stimulates plasminogen activation over a hundred-fold. To ensure efficient fibrinolysis, plasmin bound to fibrin is protected from inhibition by α2-antiplasmin. (DD)E, a major soluble degradation product of cross-linked fibrin that is a potent stimulator of t-PA, compromises the fibrin-specificity of t-PA by promoting systemic activation of plasminogen. In this study we investigated whether (DD)E also protects plasmin from inhibition by α2-antiplasmin, facilitating degradation of this soluble t-PA effector. (DD)E and fibrin reduce the rate of plasmin inhibition by α2-antiplasmin by 5- and 10-fold, respectively. Kringle-dependent binding of plasmin to (DD)E and fibrin, with Kd values of 52 and 410 nM, respectively, contributes to the protective effect. When (DD)E is extensively degraded by plasmin, yielding uncomplexed fragment E and (DD), protection of plasmin from inhibition by α2-antiplasmin is attenuated. These studies indicate that (DD)E-bound plasmin, whose generation reflects the ability of (DD)E to stimulate plasminogen activation by t-PA, has the capacity to degrade (DD)E by virtue of its resistance to inhibition. This provides a mechanism to limit the concentration of (DD)E and maintain the fibrin-specificity of t-PA.
Does Audit Firm Size Matter? The Effect of Audit Firm Size Measured by Audit Firm Revenues, Number of Offices, and Professional Headcounts on Audit Quality and Audit Fees

Using audit firm size measured by audit firm revenues, the number of offices, and professional headcounts, we find that audit firm size measured as continuous variable is positively associated with engagement-level audit quality proxied by discretionary accruals and modified opinions, and is also positively associated with audit fees. The Big 4 audit firms differ considerably in size and their size also measured by revenues, the number of offices, and professional headcounts is significantly associated with the audit quality and audit fee differences across Big 4 auditors. However, we find only limited evidence of the hypothesized relation between associate-to-partner ratio (i.e., human capital leverage) and audit quality, and find no evidence that associate-to-partner ratio is associated with audit fees.
Enterprise Systems and Organizational Agility: A Review of the Literature and Conceptual Framework

The impact of enterprise systems (ES) on organizational agility (OA) is an under-researched area. Given that most organizations are heavily investing on ES infrastructure and the increasing demand for agility, the lack of research on ES and OA is a critical oversight. This article reviews previous literature on information systems in general and ES in particular and organizational agility. The article offers a comprehensive and deepened perspective toward the existing discourses on ES-enabled organizational agility. Using insights from the dynamic capability theory, we propose a conceptual framework that highlights how organizations can exploit ESs to improve their agility in two significant ways―by creating and constantly developing an ES-enabled sensing and responding capability. We also argue that the quality of the ES competence provides the necessary technical and business platform for deploying and exploiting ES in building and rebuilding sensing and responding capabilities. The proposed framework sheds light on three important missing factors in the realm of IT-enabled organizational agility, namely ES competency, the alignment between ES-enabled sensing and responding capability, and environmental dynamism. Our theorizing makes an original contribution to ES and IS research by extending previous works of IT-enabled organizational agility by introducing the three constructs previously mentioned
Autism, affective and other psychiatric disorders: patterns of familial aggregation

Background. The liability to autism confers a risk for a range of more subtle autistic-like impairments, but it remains unclear whether it also confers a risk for other psychiatric disturbances. Methods. To investigate this, we studied the pattern of familial aggregation of psychiatric disorders in relatives of 99 autistic and 36 Down's probands, using family history and direct interview measures. Results. Family history data showed that motor tics, obsessive–compulsive (OCD) and affective disorders were significantly more common in relatives of autistic probands and that individuals with OCD were more likely to exhibit autistic-like social and communication impairments. Direct interview data confirmed the increased rate of affective disorders (especially major depressive disorder) in the first-degree relatives. There was no evidence to indicate significant co-morbidity between affective disorders and the broadly defined phenotype of autism. Moreover, the characteristics of the probands' and the relatives' that were associated with the liability to familiality of the broader phenotype of autism differed from those that predicted the liability to the familiality of affective disorders. Examination of the onset of affective disorders suggested that the increased risk was not confined to the period following the birth of the child with autism. Conclusions. Overall, the results indicated that OCD, but not affective disorders, may index an underlying liability to autism. They also indicated that the increased risk of affective disorders was not solely the consequence of the stress of raising a child with autism and that further research will be required to clarify the mechanisms involved.
Il-21R Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Il-21 Levels Predict Virological Response to Interferon-Based Therapy in Asian Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background IL-21R polymorphisms have been identified as potential predictors of virological outcomes in Western chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients receiving interferon-based treatment. We aimed to examine the associations of IL-21R genotypes and serum IL-21 levels with virological responses to interferon-based treatment in Asian CHC patients. Methods Genomic and clinical data were collected from 178 consecutive Taiwanese HCV genotype 1 patients who received interferon-based therapy and 72 non-HCV healthy subjects. Among them, serum IL-21 levels, IL-21R and IL-28B genotypes were determined in 124 CHC patients and healthy controls. Results Among patients with IL28B rs8099917 non-TT genotypes, patients with IL-21R rs3093390 CC genotype had a higher sustained virological response rate than those with non-CC genotypes (CC versus non-CC 14/24 versus 0/4; P=0.031). Compared with non-HCV controls, CHC patients had higher serum IL-21 levels (mean ±sd HCV versus non-HCV 377.8 ±780.9 versus 70.5 ±33.2 pg/ml; P=0.001). Patients with sustained virological response had higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels than those without (adjusted OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07, 0.80; P=0.021). Conclusions CHC patients have higher serum IL-21 levels than healthy adults. Higher pretreatment serum IL-21 levels and IL-21R polymorphisms may serve as potential factors predictive of treatment outcomes in CHC patients with interferon-based therapy.
Modelling marine community responses to climate‐driven species redistribution to guide monitoring and adaptive ecosystem‐based management

As a consequence of global climate‐driven changes, marine ecosystems are experiencing polewards redistributions of species – or range shifts – across taxa and throughout latitudes worldwide. Research on these range shifts largely focuses on understanding and predicting changes in the distribution of individual species. The ecological effects of marine range shifts on ecosystem structure and functioning, as well as human coastal communities, can be large, yet remain difficult to anticipate and manage. Here, we use qualitative modelling of system feedback to understand the cumulative impacts of multiple species shifts in south‐eastern Australia, a global hotspot for ocean warming. We identify range‐shifting species that can induce trophic cascades and affect ecosystem dynamics and productivity, and evaluate the potential effectiveness of alternative management interventions to mitigate these impacts. Our results suggest that the negative ecological impacts of multiple simultaneous range shifts generally add up. Thus, implementing whole‐of‐ecosystem management strategies and regular monitoring of range‐shifting species of ecological concern are necessary to effectively intervene against undesirable consequences of marine range shifts at the regional scale. Our study illustrates how modelling system feedback with only limited qualitative information about ecosystem structure and range‐shifting species can predict ecological consequences of multiple co‐occurring range shifts, guide ecosystem‐based adaptation to climate change and help prioritise future research and monitoring.
Manipulating meat quality and composition

Meat quality describes the attractiveness of meat to consumers. The present paper focuses on two major aspects of meat quality, tenderness and flavour. Both aspects of quality can be influenced by nutrition, principally through its effects on the amount and type of fat in meat. In several countries, high levels of intramuscular fat (marbling fat), i.e. above 30 g/kg muscle weight in longissimus, are deemed necessary for optimum tenderness, although poor relationships between fat content and tenderness have generally been found in European studies, where fat levels are often very low, e.g. below 10 g/kg in UK pigs. Muscle lipid may be a marker for red oxidative (type 1) muscle fibres which are found at higher concentrations in tender muscles and carcasses. Nutritional treatment can be used to manipulate the fatty acid content of muscle to improve nutritional balance, i.e. increase the polyunsaturated (PUFA) : saturated fatty acid value and reduce the n−6 : n−3 PUFA value. Increasing PUFA levels may also change flavour because of their greater susceptibility to oxidative breakdown and the generation of abnormal volatile compounds during cooking. This situation particularly applies to the n−3 PUFA which are the most unsaturated meat lipids. In pigs, a concentration of 3 mg α-linolenic acid (18 : 3)/100 mg in muscle and fat tissue fatty acids can easily be achieved by including whole linseed in the diet. This level has led to abnormal odours and flavours in some studies, but not in others. In cattle and sheep, feeding whole linseed raised 18 : 3 concentrations in muscle fatty acids from about 0.7 mg/100 mg to > 1 mg/100 mg. As with pigs, this diet also increased levels of long-chain n−3 PUFA formed from 18 : 3, including eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5). Although this increase led to greater oxidative breakdown of lipids during storage and the generation of large quantities of lipid-derived volatile compounds during cooking, there were no deleterious effects on odour or flavour. When 18 : 3 levels are raised in lamb and beef because of grass feeding, the intensity of the flavours increases in comparison with grain-fed animals which consume and deposit relatively more linoleic acid (18 : 2). In ruminants, very high levels of 18 : 2 produced by feeding protected oil supplements cause the cooked beef to be described as oily, bland or pork-like.
Integrating augmented reality in higher education: A multidisciplinary study of student perceptions

Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that blends physical objects with virtual reality. through the integration of digital and print media, a gap between the “on and offline” worlds are merged, radically shifting student-computer interaction in the classroom. this research examined the results of a multi-case study on the use of the AR platform Aurasma in the higher education classroom with 145 students from three disciplines (education, human Resource Development, and Marketing) who participated in the study. Research methods included data collection of pre-experience and post-experience student surveys regarding students’ experiences using the platform Aurasma for enhancing learning. Findings included primarily positive student attitudes regarding the usability of AR in the classroom setting and insights into how the Aurasma platform facilitated inquiry and understanding of course concepts. Recommendations for future classroom use are given.
Analysis of sperm motility by computer assisted methods, with special consideration of in vitro fertilization

INTRODUCTION For a few years computer assisted cell motion analysis (CMA) has been used for the evaluation of sperm motility. With this method the disadvantages of subjective microscopic analysis may be avoided, and a large number of distinguishing features of sperm movement may be characterized. For these reasons the use of CMA could be of interest in the field of IVF. Firstly, the quality of available semen can be objectively documented. Secondly, movement changes of sperm during capacitation (i.e. hyperactivation) can be recorded. Observations of hyperactivation in hamster sperm were first published by Gwatkin and Andersen (1969) and Yanagimachi (1970a,b); and this was followed by observations in man (Burkman, 1991), cattle (Blottner et al., 1989; Ellington et al., 1991; Pollard et al., 19911, sheep (Cummins, 19821, pig (Toyoda et al., 19861, dog (Mahi and Yanagimachi, 19761, rabbit (Johnson et al., 1981), mouse (Suarez, 1987), guinea pig (Suzuki et al., 1986), and rat (Shalgi and Phillips, 1986). The hyperactivation is seen as an increase in intensity of sperm motility, which can differ in appearance from species to species. The main characteristic is an increased beating frequency of the tail, often referred to as “whishplash” motility, accompanied by a more noticeable lateral movement of the head, both can lead to an increased velocity. In addition, a form of circular motion has been described in some species. Hyperactivation occurs at more or less the same time as the acrosome reaction, it is a completely separate reaction (Suarez et al., 19831, although it is not yet recognized as occurring in all animals (Braun, 1990).
Corporate social responsibility activity reportage on bank websites in Ghana

Purpose – The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has witnessed a resurgence in the management literature in recent years. This might be due to a renewed focus on corporate governance and ethical practices of companies the world over. This current study seeks to focus on how banks operating in Ghana communicate their CSR programmes and intentions via their corporate websites.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework was adapted from the extant literature and was used as the basis of a content analysis of 16 banks in Ghana. This paper adopts a qualitative research approach drawing upon available information from the websites of these 16 banks.Findings – One of the banks that had won the most CSR awards at the Ghana banking awards had the poorest CSR communication content on its corporate website. It was also noted that banks that had never won a CSR award previously seemed to have a better organised structure in respect of their CSR activities on their websites. These findings clear.