Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rational Attention Allocation Over the Business Cycle

The question of whether and how mutual fund managers provide valuable services for their clients motivates one of the largest literatures in finance. One candidate explanation is that funds process information about future asset values and use that information to invest in high-valued assets. But formal theories are scarce because information choice models with many assets are difficult to solve as well as difficult to test. This paper tackles both problems by developing a new attention allocation model that uses the state of the business cycle to predict information choices, which in turn, predict observable patterns of portfolio investments and returns. The predictions about fund portfolios’ covariance with payoff shocks, cross-fund portfolio and return dispersion, and their excess returns are all supported by the data. These findings offer new evidence that some investment managers have skill and that attention is allocated rationally.
EFFECT OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS ON PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECTOR IN KENYA: A CASE OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY

The study focused on analyzing the effect of public procurement regulations on procurement performance. In addressing the latter, the research established the effect of transparency in procurement process, competitive bidding, professionalism and quality sourcing on procurement performance as the specific objectives of the study. The literature review introduced various dimensions on effect of public procurement regulations on procurement performance which included background of the study, theoretical literature, conceptual framework, empirical literature, critique of existing literature, summary and research gap. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population was composed of 160 staff Rural Electrification Authority Kenya. A stratified random sampling technique to ensure representativeness was employed to select a sample of 62 respondents from 160 staffs of REA using Slovin’s formula n=N/ (1+Ne²). Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were used to analyze the gathered. The quantitative data generated was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics feature in SPSS to generate information which was presented using tables, charts, frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics to make predictions or inferences about a population from observations and analyses of a sample. The regression model was used to show the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. The findings of the study indicated that there is lack of compliance with Public Procurement Regulation in public sector leading to poor procurement performance. The study recommended that public entities should draft procurement policies that are compatible with procurement regulations and all employees should be made aware of the formulated policies to ensure compliance.
Impact of Entrepreneurship on Economic Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in Assam

Entrepreneurship development through micro enterprise is an important factor for development of a nation.The movement of entrepreneurship promotion and development in the past few decades has gone a long way in North East India, particularly in the state of Assam.Moreover, North East is seen as a region where more women are involved in income generating activity than women of the other parts of the country.Women play an important role in the development of our country. Therefore, entrepreneurship development among women is a global issue. It is important for development of a family and social progress. This investigation was carried out in the state of Assam. Data were collected through interview method usingstructured interview schedule for selecting the sample of 120 women entrepreneurs engaged in the area of food processing and preservation.
Green Supply Chain Management Practices in Automobile Industry: An Empirical Study

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) has emerged as new management strategy for automobile organizations to become more environmental friendly, cost effective and competitive. The aim of this study is to review the literature of GSCM Practices and find out the common GSCM practices amongst the automobile and auhto-component organization in Madhya Pradesh (India). The data came from survey of 10 organizations. From the literature, we have found 26 GSCM Practices. According to the survey results, some practices are at the best stage but most are on the primary stage. So, we have found that there are opportunities for business to adopt more environmental friendly operations.
Spasmolytic and antidiarrhoeal properties of the Yucatec Mayan medicinal plant Casimiroa tetrameria

The Maya of the Yucatán peninsula commonly use the leaves of Casimiroa tetrameria for treating gastrointestinal disorders, notably diarrhoea and dysentery, as well as gastrointestinal cramps. The phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of 13 compounds: eight polymethoxylated flavonoids (two as minor components with a main constituent), four flavonoid glycosides and one furanocoumarin. In this study we used two well‐established models in order to assess the gastrointestinal effects of C. tetrameria extracts and isolated compounds: the USSING‐chamber, a pharmacological model for diarrhoea, and the isolated guinea pig ileum, a model for modulatory effects on ileum contraction. Extracts and the class of polymethoxylated flavonoids showed strong inhibitory effects in both models, which provides ex‐vivo evidence for the use of this botanical drug in the treatment of several gastrointestinal problems, most notably diarrhoea. The crude extract, polymethoxylated flavonoid‐rich fractions and the polymethoxylated flavonoids tested showed prominent antisecretory activity. Polymethoxylated flavonoid‐rich fractions also inhibited the histamine‐induced contractions in the guinea pig model. The effects are not due to a single compound, but to a large number of structurally related compounds that all contribute to the effect.
Retrieval of atmospheric CO2 with enhanced accuracy and precision from SCIAMACHY: validation with FTS measurements and comparison with model results

The Bremen Optimal Estimation differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) (BESD) algorithm for satellite based retrievals of XCO_2 (the column-average dry-air mole fraction of atmospheric CO_2) has been applied to Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY) data. It uses measurements in the O_2-A absorption band to correct for scattering of undetected clouds and aerosols. Comparisons with precise and accurate ground-based Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) measurements at four Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) sites have been used to quantify the quality of the new SCIAMACHY XCO_2 data set. Additionally, the results have been compared to NOAA's assimilation system CarbonTracker. The comparisons show that the new retrieval meets the expectations from earlier theoretical studies. We find no statistically significant regional XCO_2 biases between SCIAMACHY and the FTS instruments. However, the standard error of the systematic differences is in the range of 0.2 ppm and 0.8 ppm. The XCO_2 single-measurement precision of 2.5 ppm is similar to theoretical estimates driven by instrumental noise. There are no significant differences found for the year-to-year increase as well as for the average seasonal amplitude between SCIAMACHY XCO_2 and the collocated FTS measurements. Comparison of the year-to-year increase and also of the seasonal amplitude of CarbonTracker exhibit significant differences with the corresponding FTS values at Darwin. Here the differences between SCIAMACHY and CarbonTracker are larger than the standard error of the SCIAMACHY values. The difference of the seasonal amplitude exceeds the significance level of 2 standard errors. Therefore, our results suggest that SCIAMACHY may provide valuable additional information about XCO_2, at least in regions with a low density of in situ measurements.
Revenue Sharing in Professional Sports Leagues as a Hedge for Exchange Rate Risk

Professional sports leagues that feature teams in different countries with different currencies are exposed to exchange rate uncertainty and risk. This is particularly evident for three professional sports leagues that feature teams in the United States and Canada. We construct a simple model of a profit-maximizing team that earns its revenue in one currency and meets its payroll obligations in a second currency and participates in a league-imposed revenue sharing plan. Team profit can increase or decrease due to movements in the exchange rate based on a simple condition. Revenue sharing reduces the exposure to exchange rate uncertainty and risk. Hedging is possible for a single team by adjusting its payroll, but not likely. Some elementary calculations suggest this previously unrecognized benefit of revenue sharing is substantial for baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays.
The relationship between human resource practices and employee retention in private organisations with special reference to Jebel Ali international hospital in Dubai

In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has dramatically achieved into a global phase with the influence of foreign collaborations and innovations, facilitated by the development of the digital and robotic technologies. As with many organizations worldwide, staff retention problems affect organizational production and performance. Managers face the challenges to remove the retention problems in the stage of enhancing competition in the world market. It is against this background that this research will look into employee retention problems within the cross cultural scenario of the UAE. This study brings into focus the extent to which human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational culture in the UAE affect employee retention in private organizations. The purpose of this study is to identify HR practices and other factors such as job satisfaction, organizational commitments that affect employee retention in the UAE with emphasis on private organization, in Dubai.
The Informational Effects of Tightening Oil and Gas Disclosure Rules

We exploit two regulatory shocks to examine the informational effects of tightening pre-existing mandatory disclosure rules. Canadian Rule NI 51-101 and the US "Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting" introduced a quasi-identical tightening of the rules governing oil and gas reserve disclosures in Canada and the US at different times. Both in Canada and the US, we document significant changes in firms' reporting outcomes when the new regulation is introduced. We also find that the reserve disclosures filed under the new regulations are more closely associated with stock price changes and with decreases in bid-ask spreads. Our findings are robust to controlling for other confounding factors such as time trends, other information disclosed simultaneously, financial reporting incentives, mispricing and monitoring efforts.
Varicella-zoster virus: isolation and propagation in human melanoma cells at 36 and 32 degrees C

Cell lines derived from human malignant melanoma tumors are susceptible to infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Within 5 days after inoculation of vesicular fluid, cytopathic changes appeared in melanoma cell monolayer cultures that were incubated at either 36 or 32 degrees C. The VZV isolates at the two temperatures were serially propagated by passage of trypsin-dispersed infected cells. A plaque assay was developed utilizing melanoma cell monolayers overlaid with nutrient medium containing carboxymethylcellulose. By this assay method, the growth cycle of a VZV isolate propagated at 36 degrees C was studied and compared with that of another VZV isolate grown at 32 degrees C. With equivalent infected-cell inocula at a ratio on one inoculum cell to eight uninfected cells, the yield of cell-free virus at an incubation temperature of 32 degrees C was slightly higher than at 36 degrees C, although the peak occurred 60 h, rather than 36 h, postinfection. It was also found that the titer of low-passage VZV propagated at 36 degrees C was 0.5 to 1 log higher when assayed at 32 degrees C rather than at 36 degrees C.
Effects of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on expression of TGF-β1, CD68 and MCP-1 in type 2 diabetic nephropathy rat

Objective: This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in type 2 diabetic nephropathy rats. Methods: There were 30 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that were randomly divided into 3 groups: the normal control group (NC group, n=10), the diabetic nephropathy model group (T2DN model group, n=10), and the diabetic nephropathy group treated with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (vD3-T2DN group, n=10). After 15 weeks, the changes of renal tissues morphology, renal function, and 24 h urinary protein quantification were measured. The expressions of Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), CD68 and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal cortex were also detected by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The weight of rats were significantly decreased in T2DN model group and vD3-T2DN group than in NC group (P<0.05) at the end of 15th week, while the blood glucose, 24 h urinary protein and triglyceride were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of TGF-β1, CD68 and MCP-1 in T2DN model group and vD3-T2DN group were significantly higher than in NC group (P<0.01). Compared with NC group, the triglyceride (P<0.01) and serum creatinine (P<0.05) were significantly higher in T2DN model group. In vD3-T2DN group, the expression of TGF-β1, CD68 and MCP-1, the content of 24 h urinary protein (P<0.01), and triglyceride (P<0.05) were significantly than in T2DN model group. Conclusion: Through repressing the expression of TGF-β1, CD68 and MCP-1, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can inhibit invasion of macrophages to protect kidney of T2DN rats.
Nonmonotonic logic - context-dependent reasoning

1 Introduction. - 2 Rudiments of logic and set theory. - 3 General default theories. - 4 Normal default theories. - 5 Representation theory for default logic. - 6 Logic programming and nonmonotonic reasoning. - 7 Modal logic. - 8 Stable theories. - 9 Modal nonmonotonic logics. - 10 Nonmonotonic logic of pure necessitation and autoepistemic logics. - 11 Topics in modal nonmonotonic logic. - 12 Relations among nonmonotonic formalisms. - 13 Complexity of some forms of nonmonotonic reasoning. - References.
Producer and wholesaler attitudes to bull beef.

The properties surveyed averaged 1852 ha in size with over 50 per cent of the land area classified as pasture improved. Carrying capacity averaged 1 beast/ 2 ha with a tendency for the proportion of cattle to be higher on lower carrying capacity properties. The majority of properties reared Hereford or Angus stock to slaughter at 15-30 months. Only a small proportion (16%) of producers had raised bulls for beef; 70 per cent of these finding the enterprise economically "successful". These producers tended to have higher carrying capacities (0.46 vs O-35 beasts/ha) and a greater proportion of improved pasture than those who had not found bull-beef production a viable enterprise.
Optimization for Maximizing Sum Secrecy Rate in MU-MISO SWIPT Systems

In this paper, we consider the sum secrecy rate maximization problem in multiuser multiple-input single-output (MU-MISO) systems in the presence of multiple energy harvesters (EHs) which also have potential to wire-tap the information users (IUs). To facilitate delivering secure information to the IUs and increase the total harvested energy by the EHs simultaneously, we optimize the transmit beamforming vectors to direct the information signals toward the IUs and artificial noise (AN) toward the EHs. We assume that each EH relies on itself to decode the information signal intended for an individual IU. Therefore, the corresponding problem is to maximize the worst-case sum secrecy rate under transmit power and energy harvesting constraints. The problem is optimally solved by transforming it into a convex iterative program using a change of variables, semi-definite relaxation (SDR), and linearization of quadratic terms. We prove that rank-one optimal solutions for the IUs beamforming covariance matrices can be obtained from the optimal relaxed unconstrained solution. Also, we provide three suboptimal solutions based on null space projection and power control of the beamforming vectors for the low and high harvested energy constrained regions. A special case of cooperative EHs in which the EHs can collaboratively cancel the signal of all IUs except the one they intend to eavesdrop is also investigated, and the optimal solution is derived in a comparable way as in noncooperative EHs case. Our simulation results reveal an understanding of how the tradeoff between the AN and information signal can jointly improve both the sum secrecy rate and the total harvested energy. We also show that, within the low total harvested energy region, the suboptimal solution in which the AN is projected in the null space of the IUs channels outperforms the suboptimal solution which ignores AN alignment at the IUs, and vice versa over the high total harvested energy region; and the suboptimal solution that combines both of them achieves close to optimal performance.
A comparative study of radiographic results using HEALOS collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration versus local bone graft in the same patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion.

BACKGROUND Autologous bone harvested from the iliac crest is the gold standard for lumbar spinal fusion. However postoperative donor site pain and morbidity have been reported. Local bone graft is insufficient and contains some soft-tissue attachment. Therefore, Healos (DePuy Spine, Raynham, MA, USA) is currently bone graft substitute that was introduced for spinal fusion with good results but radiographic fusion rate has not been clearly defined yet. OBJECTIVE To assess the radiographic fusion rate of HEALOS with bone marrow aspiration versus autologous bone graft in the same patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD A retrospective radiographic outcome study of radiographic fusion rate from plain radiographs in 55patients indicatedforposterolateral lumbar fusion in Lerdsin General Hospital between April 2005 and December 2006 was done. The patients were implanted with HEALOS collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration and local bone graft on each side of Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion. Twenty-seven patients were included in the present study according to the authors'inclusion criteria. Plain radiographs were collected and radiographic fusion rate was assessed for at least two years follow-up. RESULTS The two years post operative radiographic fusion rate was 29.63% (8/27) in Healos/BMA group and 62.96% (17/27) in LBG group. At three-years follow-up, radiographic fusion rate of 36.84% (7/19) was achieved in the Healos/ BMA group and 78.93% (15/19) in the LBG group. CONCLUSION In the present study, Healos collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration had lower radiographic fusion rate when compared to local bone graft in posterolateral lumbar fusion at two years post operative. The results of the Healos/BMA group was increased fusion rate with time but remained lower than LBG group at three and four years follow-up.
A Review on Pectin: Chemistry due to General Properties of Pectin and its Pharmaceutical Uses

Introduction Pectin is a naturally occurring biopolymer that is finding increasing applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It has been used successfully for many years in the food and beverage industry as a thickening agent, a gelling agent and a colloidal stabilizer. Pectin has been widely studied and published but is difficult to characterize as a model system due to the heterogeneous nature of the polymer. This review will first describe the source and production, chemical structure and general properties of pectin. The methods of gel formation and properties of the gels will then be discussed. Finally, some examples of the pharmaceutical uses of pectin will be given.
Novel models for bacterial colonization and infection of full‐thickness wounds in rats

An animal model is needed to study the pathophysiology of wound infections; however, an animal model that is reproducible and clinically relevant has not previously been available. In addition, an animal model of wound colonization generated in a manner similar to the wound infection model would be useful. Here, we describe new animal models of the wound infection continuum for the characterization of essential host–pathogen relationships. We determined the conditions needed to establish rat models of stable wound colonization and infection, without the use of disturbing factors (e.g., foreign bodies or induction of diabetes mellitus). We found that the age of the rats, bacterial inoculum size, and wound location were important elements in generating reproducible, obvious, spreading wound infections. We inoculated approximately 6‐month‐old rats with 2.06 × 109 or 4.12 × 109 colony‐forming units of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to generate the wound colonization and wound infection models, respectively. Wounds were made 2 cm cranial to the greater trochanter. These clinically relevant and highly reproducible animal models can be used to investigate the mechanisms of wound infection and monitor the effect of therapeutic agents in vivo.
Corporate stakeholder responsiveness? Exploring the state and quality of GRI‐based stakeholder engagement disclosures of European firms

Stakeholder engagement (SE) is recognized as a key process to align firm and stakeholder interests and to identify material content for sustainability reporting (SR). Research on SE quality in an SR context has, however, been largely neglected. This paper investigates the current state and quality of SE within SR within a sample of 55 sustainability reports issued by European firms that used the new Global Reporting Initiative's G4 Guidelines. It will focus on why, how, and with whom firms are involved in SE based on an SE disclosures analysis framework and investigate the extent to which reporting maturity influences the state of SE disclosures and SE quality. While SE seems common practice, many firms are failing to provide full disclosure on how stakeholders have been engaged in defining report content. Less than half of the studied reports contained clear disclosures on how firms had responded to stakeholder concerns. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Information Overload and Cost of Equity Capital

In recent years, corporate filings and their important sections have become thicker and longer. At the same time investors are swamped with information that is available through media, analysts and other sources creating information overload. Using several firm level proxies of information overload and several firm-level proxies of cost of equity capital, we examine in this paper whether information overload affects firms required rate of returns (i.e. financing costs). Based on a sample of 13418 firm-years during the 1993 to 2009 period, we find that information overload significantly and positively affects cost of equity capital. These results are robust to a series of validity checks.