Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SAVINGS AND CREDIT CORPORATIVE SOCIETIES: A CASE STUDY OF KITE SACCO SOCIETY LIMITED KISUMU CITY, KENYA

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of corporate governance practices on financial performance of Saccos; a case of KITE Sacco society in Kisumu city. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess the effects of board composition, establish the effects of number of non-executive directors and determine the influence of SACCO leadership on the financial performance of KITE SACCO society. The study was guided by a self-conceptualized framework with corporate governance practices as independent variables and financial performance of Saccos as the dependent variable. It adopted causal research design with all the 19 targeted staff members of the Sacco forming the sample size . The study used both primary and secondary data. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire to the Board of the Sacco, and staff members was used to collect primary data. Secondary data was collected through content analysis. Validity and reliability of the instrument was checked using expert reviews. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation was employed to analyze the data and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation. Presentation was done by the use of tables and charts. The study revealed that board composition is the most prevailing factor that affects financial performance at KITE Sacco (0.658, p 0.01) and strongly affects Sacco leadership (0.053, p<0.05). The study concludes that board composition is the most prevailing factor that affects financial performance at KITE Sacco and as well affects the Sacco leadership. Also, the study showed that existence of non-executive directors within the Sacco positively affects financial performance but weakly affects board composition and strongly affects KITE Sacco leadership. These findings may assist KITE Sacco leadership identify how various aspects of corporate governance practices (board composition, existence of non-executive directors) affect their operations as well as ensure that the breakdown of spending across projects is clear, and accounting records properly maintained. Further, the study may provide information to potential and current scholars in regard to the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of SACCO societies.
Effect of botanical insecticides on the growth and silk production of Ambagoan and Lakhimpur strains of eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini (Boisduval).

Castor, Ricinus communis L. (Malpighiales : Euphorbiaceae) is an important non-edible oilseed crop, the leaves of which also serve as primary food plant of eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval. A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of botanical insecticides viz., Neem oil and Karanj oil on the growth and silk production of plain white and brick red strains of eri silkworm during Kharif and Rabi, 2011-12 at Ericulture Laboratory of RARS, Palem. The experiment was conducted with 50 larvae per treatment with five treatments of botanicals and an untreated control. During fourth instar least larval weight of 0.38g was recorded in the plain white strain of eri silkworm larvae that were fed with karanj oil (5mL/lit) treated leaves followed by the larvae fed with 2 mL/lit karanj oil (0.46 g) and 10 mL/lit neem oil (0.5g). In brick red strain the weight of the larva was significantly higher compared to the plain white strains and this strain has shown some resistance to karanj oil treatment. Effective rate of rearing (ERR) varied from 76.84 to 89.9% in plain white strains, whereas in brick red strains it ranged from 79.88% to 91.46%. Comparatively shorter larval duration was recorded in brick red strains than plain white strains. In plain white strains, significantly higher weight was recorded in the cocoons formed out of worms fed with 3mL/lit neem oil (1.89g) and 2 mL/lit karanj oil (1.82g) treated leaves. In brick red strains, higher shell weight of 0.64g was recorded with control treatment closely followed by 2 ml/lit karanj oil (0.50g) treatment showing its loss of efficacy. The treatmental differences were significant with respect to fecundity and non significant differences were noticed with hatching per cent.
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus: A Causal Factor in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

The RNA viruses hepatitis C virus and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (or human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1), and the DNA viruses hepatitis B virus, high-risk human papillomaviruses, human herpes virus-8 (Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus) and Epstein Barr virus are acknowledged as carcinogenic to humans. Human polyomaviruses have oncogenic potentials in cell cultures and animal models, but their role in human cancer remains controversial. In 2008, a new polyomavirus member discovered in Merkel cell carcinoma tissue was concordantly named Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Subsequent epidemiologic studies have shown that viral DNA is present in approximately 80% of Merkel cell carcinomas investigated and MCPyV positive Merkel cell carcinoma have a higher virus load than non-malignant tissues. In addition, the patients have higher viral antibody levels than controls. Moreover, the viral genome seems monoclonally integrated in the primary tumour and in metastatic cells, and expresses a truncated version of the major oncoprotein, large T-antigen. This C-terminal truncated large T-antigen retains its DnaJ and retinoblastoma binding domains, which are necessary for transformation of cells in vitro, but lacks its DNA helicase activity so that it cannot sustain viral DNA replication. These observations suggest that MCPyV can contribute to Merkel cell carcinoma pathogenesis and may therefore add a new virus to the list of human cancer viruses. Here we present information on the biology of polyomaviruses with special focus on MCPyV, review the role of MCPyV in Merkel cell carcinoma, and discuss the molecular mechanisms by which this virus may induce cancer.
Is there a human capital effect on real estate

Sustainable development represents an important goal for emerging economies. The main engine for this development is innovation, which is generated by human capital accumulation. The purpose of this paper is to explore how human capital is affecting real estate, both residential and office. Our hypothesis is that there are structural changes in how current real estate buildings are being developed in order to be correlated with current expectations and needs from the new generation of employees.
Internet Banking Adoption in South Africa: The Mediating Role of Consumer Readiness

The recent rapid development of Internet banking (IB) around the world is not without certain challenges. For instance while a majority of banking SSTs (Self Service Technologies, e.g. ATMs and debit cards) have been well received by the South African market, consumers seem sceptical towards Internet banking. This paper seeks to test various conceptual frameworks of consumer adoption patterns of IB with the view of a framework with the greatest explanatory power for the South African market. To achieve the stated objective of a framework for IB adoption in South Africa, this paper suggests an approach not yet undertaken, according to the literature review conducted, within the South African retail banking industry â€“ investigating a comparison of the predictive efficacy of two common groupings of variables most cited in the consumer behaviour literature as important determinants of adoptive behaviour in SSTs. These are: perceptions of innovation characteristics and consumer readiness (CR) variables. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is the consideration of this gap within the body of knowledge around South African consumersâ€™ IB adoption behaviour. Through a descriptive quantitative analysis of 1516 large sample size, innovation characteristics as consumerâ€™s perceptions (complexity, perceived risk notably) or views (endogenous variables) were found with greatest predictive power over IB adoption, in the South African consumer market context. This finding is therefore for marketers (particularly in South Africa) a set of useful tools that can be relevant to promote the adoption of IB.
Activity patterns of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus in relation to the lunar cycle

This paper reports a study which examined whether the diel activity pattern of lapwings varies cyclically in relation to moonphase during the non-breeding season (July to February). The main aim of the study was to test the model proposed by Spencer (1953) that Lapwings feed by day and roost at night during most of the lunar month, except for a few days around full moon, when the pattern is reversed. A lunar rhythm of the type proposed by Spencer was detected during winter but not in summer, while the evidence for its existence in autumn was equivocal. In winter, the lunar rhythm was interrupted by low temperature, dense cloud or heavy rain at night, which suggests that the behaviour is opportunist and not endogenous. The nature and adaptive significance of the link between the daily activity pattern of Lapwings and the lunar cycle are discussed.
Further Studies on the “Nonabsorbable” Protective Property in Serum from Rats Infected with Cysticercus Crassicollis

Experiments described in a previous report (1) indicated that the serum of rats infected with C. crassicollis contained two types of functional antibodies. The first type, detectable within one week both in infected and in artificially immunized animals, brought about the destruction of larvae before encystment and was referred to as “early” immunity. The second type, detectable only after several weeks of infection, and not at all in artificially immunized animals, was responsible for a marked increase in the destruction of larvae after encystment and was referred to as “late” immunity. Since the nonabsorbable protective property, as well as the late immunity reaction, was found (2) to appear only in infected animals several weeks after infection, some relationship between these two reactions was suggested. Under the previously prescribed experimental conditions no measure of the late immunity was obtainable because the methods which were used, produced complete early immunity, i.e., no parasites were present.
Growth performance of pigs fed diets with and without tylosin phosphate supplementation and reared in a biosecure all-in all-out housing system

Three hundred and eighty-four pigs, mean initial live weight of 20.8 kg, were assigned randomly to groups of 24 (12 females, 12 castrated males). Each group was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments consisting of the same commercial barley-based diet, with or without the addition of tylosin phosphate. The barn where the animals were housed operates as an all-in all-out facility, and all pigs arrived on the same day as part of a group of 960 pigs. No new pigs were introduced into the facility during the period of this trial and pigs were sent to market over a 4-week period upon achieving a live weight of 110 kg. The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the trial and when they left the facility for slaughter. Feed consumption and incidence of disease, mortality, or both were recorded daily. At slaughter, carcass backfat depth over the last rib, 6.5 cm ventral to the dorsal midline (P-2 site); loin depth; carcass weight; predicted lean yield; and grade index were recorded. The sow herd supplying pigs to the unit was known to be free of the major swine diseases such as swine influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), necroproliferative enteritis, and ascarids. A strict biosecurity protocol was employed to minimize the risk of introducing disease organisms into the unit. Prior to this study, no subtherapeutic antibiotics had been used in this facility. Tylosin phosphate supplementation had no significant effect on final weight, days on test, total gain, and daily gain. In both treatments, the pigs reached a mean market weight of 110.2 kg within 94.1 days, resulting in daily gains of the order of 950 grams per day. Due to the design of the trial, it was difficult to measure significant feed consumption effects. Feed consumption and conversion appeared to be similar for pigs in both treatment groups. At slaughter, tylosin phosphate supplementation appeared to significantly increase lean muscle content of the carcass as measured by loin muscle depth (P = 0.04). Mortality rates and the number of underweight pigs sent to market were low for this trial. Mortality was similar for both treatments; however, more of the control pigs than of the tylosin phosphate fed pigs were underweight when sent to market. From the results of this study, it appears that pigs of fast growing genotypes fed adequate diets and housed in a biosecure environment do not require dietary tylosin phosphate supplementation in order to maximize growth. There is some indication that tylosin phosphate supplementation may improve lean content of the carcass in pigs housed in such an environment.
Study of genetic variability and heritability over extended dates of sowing in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The genetic variability and heritability of fourteen quantitative characters involving20 cultivars of wheat were evaluated. All characters showed the considerable amount ofvariability in all three extended dates of sowing. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficientof variation was observed for grain yield per plant, grain yield per plot, productive tillers perm2, grains per spike, Biological yield per plant, harvest index and moderate for plant height,flag leaf length, width and test weight. The high heritability coupled with high geneticadvance was observed for the characters plant height, productive tillers, spike length and testweight in all three dates of sowing. Thus these traits could be used effectively for theimprovement of high yielding varieties of wheat for early, timely and late sown conditions.
Developmental response of the beneficial predator Podisus maculiventris to change in dietary ascorbic acid concentration

We report here the effects of a range of ascorbic acid concentrations (0.07, 0.3, 3.0, and 30.0 g l−1) in artificial diets on growth rates, adult weights, fecundity, and survival over two generations of the predatory stink bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Overall, a dietary level of 3.0 g l−1 gave the shortest developmental times over two generations. The likelihood of egg hatch at one ascorbic acid concentration compared to another concentration suggested that egg hatch increased as the concentration of ascorbic acid increased from 0.07 to 3.0 g l−1 and then declined from 3.0 to 30.0 g l−1. The combination of the maximum egg oviposition at 0.3 and 3.0 g l−1, egg hatch at 3.0 g l−1, and survival at 0.07 and 0.3 g l−1 suggests an overall superior performance at a concentration between 0.3 and 3.0 g l−1. Depletion of ascorbic acid below 3.0 g l−1 or addition of ascorbic acid above 3.0 g l−1 lowered the likelihood of egg hatch, which became more pronounced in the second generation. This is consistent with previously published information for phytophagous insects.
Effects of interaction between Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and root-knot nematodes on Dolichos bean (Lablab niger Medik.) plants.

A pot experiment was conducted at the nursery of the Environment and Natural Resources Research Institute (ENRRI) in two seasons to evaluate the effects of VAM fungi Glomus sp and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Dolichos bean (Lablab niger). Shoots and roots dry weight and phosphorus content of the plants increased with Glomus sp inoculation and decreased by M. incognita infestation. Glomus sp significantly reduced the number of galls and hence reduced the infestation effect of the nematodes. Mycorrhizal infection percentage was not affected by root-knot nematodes attack. The results indicated the effectiveness of Glomus sp. in reducing nematode infestation. This was more pronounced in plants harvested after nine weeks from sowing in both seasons. Mycorrhizal inoculation, without phosphorus application, significantly increased the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, whereas application of phosphorus (0.5 g/kg soil) significantly reduced the infection percentage of mycorrhiza, although the growth of plants was markedly improved. The application of the nematicide Furadan did not affect mycorrhizal infection. These results concluded that Glomus sp. successfully improved growth and reduced root knot nematodes infestation; therefore, it could be applied as a biofertilizer for Dolichos bean, as well as a biocontrol agent against the root-knot nematode.
Statistical learning in social action contexts

Sensitivity to the regularities and structure contained within sequential, goal-directed actions is an important building block for generating expectations about the actions we observe. Until now, research on statistical learning for actions has solely focused on individual action sequences, but many actions in daily life involve multiple actors in various interaction contexts. The current study is the first to investigate the role of statistical learning in tracking regularities between actions performed by different actors, and whether the social context characterizing their interaction influences learning. That is, are observers more likely to track regularities across actors if they are perceived as acting jointly as opposed to in parallel? We tested adults and toddlers to explore whether social context guides statistical learning and—if so—whether it does so from early in development. In a between-subjects eye-tracking experiment, participants were primed with a social context cue between two actors who either shared a goal of playing together (‘Joint’ condition) or stated the intention to act alone (‘Parallel’ condition). In subsequent videos, the actors performed sequential actions in which, for certain action pairs, the first actor’s action reliably predicted the second actor’s action. We analyzed predictive eye movements to upcoming actions as a measure of learning, and found that both adults and toddlers learned the statistical regularities across actors when their actions caused an effect. Further, adults with high statistical learning performance were sensitive to social context: those who observed actors with a shared goal were more likely to correctly predict upcoming actions. In contrast, there was no effect of social context in the toddler group, regardless of learning performance. These findings shed light on how adults and toddlers perceive statistical regularities across actors depending on the nature of the observed social situation and the resulting effects.
Hubungan Kepadatan Larva Aedes spp. dengan Kejadian Demam Berdarah Dengue di Kelurahan Lubuk Buaya Kecamatan Koto Tangah Kota Padang

Kelurahan Lubuk Buaya merupakan daerah yang paling banyak terjadi kasus Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) pada tahun 2012 dan 2013 yaitu sebanyak 48 dan 36 kasus. Tingginya angka kejadian DBD ini dipengaruhi oleh kepadatan larva Aedes spp . yang t rdapat di wilayah tersebut.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui hubungan kepadatan larva Aedes spp . dengan kejadian DBD di Kelurahan Lubuk Buaya Kecamatan Koto Tangah Kota Padang. Penelitian ini merupakan studi analitik dengan pendekatan kasus kontrol.Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 50 orang. Sampel diambil dengan metode Total Sampling untuk kelompok kasus dan multistage random sampling untuk kelompok kontrol . Data disajikan dalam bentuk tabel distribusi frekuensi dan dianalisis statistik dengan uji chi-square dengan derajat kepercayaan 95%. Dari 50 subyek penelitian, kelompok kasus yang memiliki kepadatan larva ringan 8 orang (32,0%) dan kepadatan larva berat 17 orang (68,0%), sedangkan kelompok kontrol yang memiliki kepadatan larva ringan 16 orang (64,0%) dan kepadatan larva berat 9 orang (36,0%). Uji chi square menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang bermakna (P<0,05) antara kepadatan larva Aedes spp . dengan kejadian DBD di Kelurahan Lubuk Buaya Kecamatan Koto Tangah Kota Padang.
Infectivity of Leishmania infantum treated with amphotericin B plus Phlebotomus salivary gland in BALB/c mice.

Amphotericin B (AMB) has been widely used in visceral leishmaniasis treatment in Europe, namely in Leishmania/HIV co-infections and paediatric cases. However, only few studies on resistance to AMB are available so far. The purpose of this work is to anticipate the possibility of emerging AMB-resistant isolates in nature. BALB/c mice were intradermally (ID) inoculated with L. infantum wild-type strain and AMB in vitro treated parasites in presence or absence of Phlebotomus perniciosus salivary gland. The course of infection was followed-up during 12 weeks. Parasite load and cytokine expression were determined. Specific humoral and cellular responses were also evaluated. Our results confirm that ID inoculation of L. infantum in mice causes visceral infection and all infected mice developed a mixed immune response i.e. pro and anti –inflamatory responses. No significant difference in the parasite load was observed among infected groups, showing that treatment of parasites with AMB and the presence of saliva did not affect their infectivity on the vertebrate host. However, the presence of AMB treated parasites in the skin of infected mice allow to suggest that AMB resistant strains could arise and be transmitted in nature as a result of the use of AMB on human and canine leishmaniasis therapy.
The Growth of Index Investing & Financial Markets

Has the growth of index investing contributed to distortions in equity markets? Over the past eight years, assets under management in index-linked investments has increased five-fold. I study the link between capital flows into index-linked vehicles on three characteristics—price levels, comovement, and liquidity—of equity securities within the underlying index and out-of-index peers. Within the S&P 500 index, I find limited evidence of index-driven changes to these three characteristics. Of the effects that I do find—including changes in security comovement and liquidity characteristics upon index inclusion and deletion—I observe minimal changes in magnitude even as indexlinked assets under management have dramatically increased.
Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants

Nutritional Physiology: Introduction, Definition, and Classification of Mineral Nutrients. Ion Uptake Mechanisms of Individual Cells and Roots: Short Distance Transport. Long-Distance Transport in the Xylem and Phloem and its Regulation. Uptake and Release of Mineral Elements by Leaves and Other Aerial Plant Parts. Yield and the Source-Sink Relationships. Mineral Nutrition and Yield Response. Nitrogen Fixation. Functions of Mineral Nutrients: Macronutrients. Function of Mineral Nutrients: Micronutrients. Beneficial Mineral Elements. Relationship between Mineral Nutrition and Plant Diseases and Pests. Diagnosis of Deficiency and Toxicity of Mineral Nutrients. Plant-Soil Relationships: Nutrient Availability in Soils. Effect of Internal and External Factors on Root Growth and Development. The Soil-Root Interface (Rhizosphere) in Relation to Mineral Nutrition. Adaptation of Plants to Adverse Chemical Soil Conditions. References. Subject Index.
Corynebacteriales ord. nov.

Co.ry. ne.bac. te.ri'a.les. N.L. neut. n. Corynebacterium type genus of order; suff. -ales ending to denote order; N.L. fem. pl. n. Corynebacteriales the Corynebacterium order. Actinobacteria / Actinobacteria / Corynebacteriales Keywords: Corynebacteriales ord. nov.; Corynebacterium; Actinobacteria