Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Value-based Management Tools on the Performance of Firms Listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange

The purpose of this paper was to determine the role of value-based management tools namely the Balanced scorecard and selected organizational factors on the performance of firms listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The paper also highlighted the characteristics of the managers who had implemented value-based management tools in their organizations. The research was based upon a Descriptive Survey of the Heads of Departments or top managers of firms registered at the Nairobi Securities Exchange and who are based at Mombasa. Data from the questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The model used in the study was Multiple Regression Analysis; y= a+¦Â1 X1 + ¦Â2 X2+ ¦Â3 X3 + e. The study found out that there was a positive relationship between the use of the Balanced scorecard and firms performance. It however found out that the Balanced Scorecard was used by companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange to a fairly low extent. Majority of the companies that had implemented VBM tools were larger companies which had employed young managers below the age of 35 years. The study found out that the lower application of the Balanced Scorecard by companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange could be a major contributing factor to the poor performance of these companies.
Agency costs and corporate philanthropic disaster response: the moderating role of women on two-tier boards – evidence from People's Republic of China

Prior research evidence shows that strategic and managerial utility motivation explains corporate philanthropic contribution efficiently in western countries. An important question arises, however, regarding whether the corporate philanthropic contribution model is equally appropriate for all types of corporate social responsibility (CSR) (e.g. donation) in all business settings (e.g. Chinese listed firms' philanthropic responses to disaster). In this paper, we consider the unique two-tier board structure of Chinese listed firms and argue that firms with women on the board of directors (BOD) and the supervisory board (SB) are able to challenge this model. Data collected from Chinese listed firms' philanthropic responses to disaster extended the finding that the agency theory with moderators explains corporate philanthropic disaster response much better in the Chinese context. Specifically, the relationship between agency costs and corporate philanthropy (e.g. the likelihood of donation and extent of corporate contributions) weakens in listed firms with a higher vs. lower number of women on the SB. However, women on BODs do not have a similar effect. This constructive replication provides the first examination of the moderating role of women on BODs and SBs on corporate philanthropic behavior. In addition, the findings have important managerial implications for how to enact CSR.
Asexual reproduction in nonmarine ostracods

Asexual reproduction has evolved repeatedly in nonmarine ostracods and takes a variety of forms from ancient asexuals to species in which sexual and asexual lineages coexist. Clonal diversity is highly variable. There is evidence that some of this diversity is maintained by ecological differentiation. Hybridization between asexual females and males, of the same or related species, contributes to clonal diversity. Molecular data suggest that some clonal lineages are surprisingly old (more than 5 Myr). In the ancient asexual Darwinula stevensoni, from a lineage that has apparently been without sex for more than 100 Myr, a remarkable lack of sequence variation in ITS1 may be explained by occasional automixis, gene conversion or somatic recombination, or by efficient DNA repair. Overall, the ostracods provide an excellent system in which to study the evolution of reproductive modes.
Conflict, collaboration, fuzzy jurisdictions and partial settlements. Accountants, lawyers and insolvency practice during the late 19th century

Abstract Inter-professional conflict over insolvency work in Victorian England and Wales is often considered a formative instance of jurisdictional competition between accountants and lawyers. The paper explores this episode in the context of Abbott's theory of The System of Professions. It is shown that the Bankruptcy Act, 1869 disturbed inter-professional relations and unleashed competition between accountants and lawyers for insolvency work. However, the resultant hostility was substantially conducted through the professional media and did not engage unified occupational communities. In everyday practice accountants and lawyers maintained relations of mutual dependency rather than conflict. Some elements of a jurisdictional settlement between accountants and lawyers over bankruptcy work was achieved during the 1870s and 1880s through an intellectual division of labour, judicial decision making and organisational change. However, these forms of settlement seldom proved conclusive and statutory changes effectively perpetuated inter-professional competition for insolvency work into the 20th century.
Scaling metabolic rate fluctuations

Complex ecological and economic systems show fluctuations in macroscopic quantities such as exchange rates, size of companies or populations that follow non-Gaussian tent-shaped probability distributions of growth rates with power-law decay, which suggests that fluctuations in complex systems may be governed by universal mechanisms, independent of particular details and idiosyncrasies. We propose here that metabolic rate within individual organisms may be considered as an example of an emergent property of a complex system and test the hypothesis that the probability distribution of fluctuations in the metabolic rate of individuals has a “universal” form regardless of body size or taxonomic affiliation. We examined data from 71 individuals belonging to 25 vertebrate species (birds, mammals, and lizards). We report three main results. First, for all these individuals and species, the distribution of metabolic rate fluctuations follows a tent-shaped distribution with power-law decay. Second, the standard deviation of metabolic rate fluctuations decays as a power-law function of both average metabolic rate and body mass, with exponents −0.352 and −1/4 respectively. Finally, we find that the distributions of metabolic rate fluctuations for different organisms can all be rescaled to a single parent distribution, supporting the existence of general principles underlying the structure and functioning of individual organisms.
The Impact of Lotteries on State Education Expenditures: Does Earmarking Matter?

In this paper, we estimate the impact of earmarking lottery revenue to education as opposed to filtering lottery revenue through a state's general fund. A unique facet of this investigation is the comparison of states with lottery revenue earmarked for spending on K-12 education and states with lotteries for general funds. This approach enables us to investigate the effect of state lottery revenues on education and other budgetary components in a more controlled environment by mitigating lottery preference differences across states. Consistent with previous research, we find that earmarking lottery proceeds for K-12 education has little or no impact on actual state K-12 funding. We also find that lottery revenue does seem to increase K-12 funding in states that deposit the revenues into their general funds.
Developing and Adapting Simulations through Six points of Variance: An Example of Teaching Applied Game Theory through International Negotiations

The essay describes a new way to evaluate variation among simulations through six distinct categories. The six points involve the content of the simulation, the integration of the simulation with other aspects of the course, the length of a simulation, the strictness of rules, the interaction among students during the simulation, and assessment techniques. The essay assesses the benefits and costs of the simulation and course design through student feedback and instructor evaluation. In addition, the essay uses these six points of variation as a framework to explain a sample simulation integrated with course objectives, goals, lecture material, two short research essays, and other class activities designed to teach game theory applied to current international problems. The simulation uses current world issues to help students incorporate class content, game theoretic modeling, and strategic interaction into an international negotiation conducted in class.
ABNORMALITIES OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW DISTRIBUTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA

Twenty patients with chronic schizophrenia were studied, m e younger group (four women and seven men, mean age 25 years) and one older group (nine women, mean age 61 years) with a mean duration of the disease of 5 years and 40 years respectively. All patients showed classical symptoms of schizophrenia with cognitive and emotional disturbances. The younger patients were well preserved intellectually. A11 the older o n e showed advanced deterioration with autism, bizarre behavior, symptoms of catatonia, ongoing hallucinations, etc. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured with the lS8Xenon method in the dominant hemisphere at rest and during attempts at mental activation, using a computer operated 32-detector type of equipment. Both groups showed normal mean rCBF variables. In the older group, and to some extent in the younger one, significant correlations were established between the mean hemisphere flow level and the degree of psychosis (rated with the Rockland and Pollin scale (RP-scale)). The regional rCBF distribution was by and large normal in the younger group with a predominance of high flows in frontal regions. In the older patients, another pattern was found with relatively low flows frontally, and, in many cases, relatively high flows occipito-temporally. This “hypofrontal” rCBF pattern in the deteriorated schizophrenics differed not only from the pattern found in the non-psychotic, neurologically normal reference group but afso from a group of older patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The flow level in occipito-temporal parts of the hemisphere in the schizophrenics correlated positively to the degree of cognitive disturbance rated with the RP-scale. Psychological testing with Raven’s matrices in the younger group gave by and large normal flow augmentations within expected hemisphere regions. In the most autistic older patients, only very slight flow changes, if any at all, were recorded postcentrally in connection with a simple picture test. Some of the older patients with whom contact was established, did, however, show fairly normal rCBF changes during this test. The “hypofrontal” rCBF distribution pattern at a normal flow level found in older deteriorated schizophrenics indicates that an abnormally low level of activity may prevail within the frontal lobe in such patients. Some similarities between the emotional defects, the speech and motor abnormalities seen in chronic schizophrenia, and symptoms found in patients with frontal lobe lesions are pointed out.
Socialinių paslaugų poreikis kaimo seniūnijos bendruomenėje

Sio darbo tikslas – nustatyti ir įvertinti socialinių paslaugų poreikį Merkinės seniūnijos bendruomenėje. Tyrimo objektas – Merkinės seniūnijos bendruomenės gyventojų socialiniai poreikiai. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Apžvelgti socialinių paslaugų kaime organizavimo teorinius aspektus; 2. Atskleisti socialinių paslaugų sampratą ir esme, klasifikavimą bei socialinių paslaugų teikimo principus; 3. Apžvelgti socialinių centrų teikiamas paslaugas bei teisinį socialinių paslaugų reglamentavimą Lietuvoje; 4. Istirti Merkinės seniūnijoje teikiamas socialines paslaugas bei sioje seniūnijoje esancio socialinių paslaugų centro teikiamas socialines paslaugas; 5. Isanalizuoti socialinių paslaugų poreikį Merkinės seniūnijos bendruomenėje, poreikių teikimo tobulinimo galimybes. Tyrimo metodai: - mokslinės literatūros ir Lietuvos Respublikos įstatyminės bazės analizė; - anketinė apklausa; - statistinių duomenų analizė; apibendrinimas. Merkinės seniūnijoje socialiniai poreikiai dažniausiai kyla tokioms pagrindinėms socialinėms paslaugoms: finansinėms (70 proc.), psichologinėms (45 proc.), materialinėms (30 proc.). Merkinės seniūnijoje dažniausiai rūpinamasi identifikuoti, kokios asmeniui reikalingos paslaugos is teikiamų seniūnijoje socialinių paslaugų tinklo, ir įvertinti jų apimtį, taciau, vertinant paslaugų kokybe, dažnai neatsižvelgiama į tai, jog paslauga nebuvo veiksminga ir efektyvi. Seniūnijoje turėtų būti akcentuojama kaimo gyventojų savybių, vertybių, lūkescių, požiūrių, netgi mąstymo. [toliau žr. visą tekstą]%%%%The object of this master work is to establish and appreciate the demand of social services in the Merkine village’s community. The object of analysis is: The social demands to residents of Merkine. The task of analysis: 1. To review the theory aspects of organization of social services in the village. 2. To detect conception and essence of social services, their classifications and principles. 3. To review the services which are affording the social centre, also to review the legal regulation of social services in Lithuania. 4. To analysis the social services which are affording in the department of Merkine. 5. To analysis the demand of social services and theirs affording possibilities in the village’s community of Merkine. The methods of analysis: - Analysis of nonfictions and the law of Lithuania republic - The survey of questionnaire - Statistically analysis - Generalization In the Village of Merkine, people have the social demands to those basic social services: services of finance (70%), psychologies (45%) and material (30%). In the village of Merkine usually are take care to identify what services are more needed the persons from the social services network and to assess the extent of social services. However, in assessing the quality of services often ignores the fact that the service was not effective and efficient. In the department should be emphasized in the rural population characteristics, values, expectations, attitudes and ways of thinking the total. [to full text]
Searching for seasonal patterns in exchange traded funds' trading characteristics

This paper investigates the seasonal characteristics of exchange traded funds (ETFs) return, risk, tracking error and volume and reveals the existence of a strong November effect in performance. On the other hand, this study finds that the well-known January effect does not affect the performance of ETFs. Moreover, this paper demonstrates that a semi-strong seasonality effect on ETFs' risk exists in November and that ETFs achieve their best index replication in this month. The combination of substantial average performance and low average risk and tracking error signals an opportunity for investors to gain sufficient returns by exposing themselves in modest or low volatility and tracking failure. A straightforward relationship between risk and tracking error is also revealed. Finally, the study indicates that the trading activity of ETFs is lacking in any seasonal pattern but there is some evidence on the direct conjuncture between risk and volume. This connection implies that ETF investors sell their shares when their investments in ETFs are over risky.
THE ACTION OF GANGLIONIC BLOCKING DRUGS ON THE SYNAPTIC RESPONSES OF RAT SUBMANDIBULAR GANGLION CELLS

1 The effects of tubocurarine, hexamethonium and trimetaphan on the synaptic currents of rat submandibular ganglion cells have been measured at 20°C by means of a two‐microelectrode voltage‐clamp system. The aim was to distinguish between the receptor‐blocking and channel‐blocking actions of those drugs, and to test for possible selectivity of action on the ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ acetylcholine‐operated channels. 2 Tubocurarine had no effect on the amplitude of evoked synaptic currents (e.s.cs) or miniature synaptic currents (m.s.cs), except at concentrations exceeding 20 μm. The slow component of the e.s. c. was shortened by tubocurarine, this effect becoming more marked as the cell was hyperpolarized. The timecourse of m.s.cs, which have no slow component, was unaffected. 3 Hexamethonium (2–30 μm) caused a voltage‐dependent reduction of e.s. c. amplitude, and voltage‐dependent shortening of both fast and slow components of the e.s. c. M.s.cs were also shortened. 4 Trimetaphan (2–10 μm) reduced the amplitude of e.s. cs and m.s.cs. Neither component of the e.s. c. was shortened by trimetaphan; however, the slow component was reduced in amplitude more than the fast component, so that the overall duration of the e.s. c. appeared to be reduced. At higher concentrations (15–25 μIM) trimetaphan clearly shortened the fast component. 5 It is concluded that tubocurarine acts selectively on the slow ionic channels, the association rate constant being 2.8 × 106 m−1 s−1 at −80mV. Hexamethonium acts on both fast and slow channels, the association rate constants, at — 80 mV, being respectively 5.3 × 106 m−1 s−1 and 1.3 × 107 m−1 s−1. With both drugs, the association rate constant increases if the cell is hyperpolarized, this effect being more pronounced with hexamethonium than with tubocurarine. 6 The marked voltage‐dependent reduction of e.s. c. amplitude by hexamethonium cannot be accounted for by open channel block, and requires an additional mechanism, the nature of which is discussed. 7 Trimetaphan, at low concentrations, acts in a way consistent with receptor block, and shows a degree of selectivity for the slow component of the e.s. c. 8 In an appendix, the effect of temporal dispersion of the time of opening of ionic channels on the amplitude and time‐course of the composite synaptic response is analysed. It is concluded that the shortening of the time‐constant of the e.s. c. decay by hexamethonium cannot, by itself, account for the drug's effect on e.s. c. amplitude.
Action of Polylysine on Some Ascites Tumors in Mice.∗

Summary Synthetic polypeptides of lysine, of glutamic acid, of valine and lysine, of leucine and lysine, and commercial protamine sulfate were tested against tetraploid Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss mice. Only the synthetic polypeptides of lysine inhibited ascites tumor development. Up to 27% of mice treated with polylysine survived for 100 days apparently free from tumor. Mice that died after 3 to 4 weeks usually did so from metastatic solid tumors or solid tumors at site of implant. Polylysine also had a marked inhibitory activity against the diploid strain of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and TA3 ascites carcinoma in Swiss and BAFl mice, respectively. Survival time of some BAFl mice was increased to 86 days, while 10% of Swiss mice survived 100 days with no sign of tumor. On cytological analysis, mitotic arrest at prophase was found. The nucleic acid and protein content/cell remained unchanged.
Inhibition of mitochondrial fission preserves photoreceptors after retinal detachment

Photoreceptor degeneration is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. Separation of neurosensory retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium is a prominent feature preceding photoreceptor degeneration in a variety of retinal diseases. Although ophthalmic surgeries have been well developed to restore retinal structures, post-op patients usually experience progressive photoreceptor degeneration and irreversible vision loss that is incurable at present. Previous studies point to a critical role of mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway in photoreceptor degeneration, but the upstream triggers remain largely unexplored. In this study, we show that after experimental RD induction, photoreceptors activate dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-dependent mitochondrial fission pathway and subsequent apoptotic cascades. Mechanistically, endogenous ROS is necessary for Drp1 activation in vivo and exogenous ROS insult is sufficient to activate Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission in cultured photoreceptors. Accordingly, inhibition of Drp1 activity effectively preserves mitochondrial integrity and rescues photoreceptors. Collectively, our data delineates a ROS-Drp1-mitochondria axis that promotes photoreceptor degeneration in retinal diseased models.
Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 Associates with Microtubules and Dynein during Invasion of Human Intestinal Cells

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni uptake into cultured INT407 cells was analyzed kinetically over a wide range of starting multiplicities of infection (MOI; from 0.02 to 20,000 bacteria/epithelial cell). The efficiency of internalization was the highest at MOI of 0.02 and decreased steadily at higher MOIs, presumably due to reported C. jejuni autoagglutination at higher densities. Total internalizedCampylobacter CFU increased gradually from an MOI of 0.02 to a peak at an MOI of 200 (reaching an average of two bacteria internalized per epithelial cell) and decreased at higher MOIs. The invasion process was apparently saturated within 2 h at an MOI of 200, indicating stringent host cell limitations on this entry process. Furthermore, whereas control Salmonella typhiinvaded all monolayer cells within 1 h, only two-thirds of monolayer cells were infected after 2 h with C. jejuniat MOIs of 200 to 2,000. The percentage ofCampylobacter-infected host cells gradually increased to 85% after 7 h of infection, suggesting that C. jejunientry may be host cell cycle dependent. Direct evidence of the involvement of microtubules in C. jejuniinternalization, suggested previously by biochemical inhibitor studies, was obtained by time course immunofluorescence microscopic analyses. Bacteria initially bound to the tips of host cell membrane extensions containing microtubules, then aligned in parallel with microtubules during entry, colocalized specifically with microtubules and dynein but not with microfilaments, and moved over 4 h, presumably via microtubules to the perinuclear region of host cells. Orthovanadate, which inhibits dynein activity, specifically reduced C. jejuni 81-176 entry, suggesting that this molecular motor is involved in entry and endosome trafficking during this novel bacterial internalization process. Collectively, these data suggest that C. jejuni enters host cells in a targeted and tightly controlled process leading to uptake into an endosomal vacuole which apparently moves intracellularly along microtubules via the molecular motor, dynein, to the perinuclear region.
The EU’s political conditionality in the Western Balkans: towards a more pragmatic approach

The article discusses the nature of the EU’s political conditionality in the Western Balkans, and the effort of the EU to manage the diversity of bilateral agreements in a small space with a mixed record of compliance. The Western Balkan region reveals special trends in the EU’s handling of the strategy of political conditionality, and some creeping contradictions and dangers are beginning to reveal the changing nature and the limits of conditionality. More specifically, the EU (a) is adding further, yet necessary, political conditions and criteria to weaker or more reluctant partners and emphasizes the ‘journey’ rather than the outcome of accession, affecting the credibility of the strategy; (b) is blending together normative, functional and realpolitik claims in the choice of its conditions, affecting the clarity of its intentions; (c) is pursuing, in some cases, a rigorous assessment of compliance and, in other cases, a more adaptable and pragmatic assessment, affecting the consistency of the process. These Western Balkan trends are bound to become more pertinent in future cases, as the EU gets more involved with other more difficult states in its eastern and southern periphery, and where the carrot of membership will be either very distant or irrelevant.