Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Business intelligence systems and bank performance in Ghana: The balanced scorecard approach

Abstract Business intelligence (BI) systems has been widely publicised as providing immense benefits to organisations that have implemented it. Yet, very few studies have empirically evaluated these assertions theoretically. The main aim of this study is to empirically evaluate the impacts of adopting BI systems on organisational performance of banks. A conceptual model was developed using the balanced scorecard. Data were collected through hand-administered survey questionnaires from the universal banks in Ghana where 130 samples from executives were analysed through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that BI Systems indeed have a positive significant effect on the learning and growth, internal process and customer performances of the banks. However, the findings proved that the adoption of BI systems does not directly lead to the financial performance of the banks, but rather through the indirect effects of learning and growth, internal process and customer performances thus confirming the core premise of the balanced scorecard. A major practical implication from the study is that vendors can capitalise on the findings to promote their BI products.
EFFECTS OF SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIERS FOR HOSPITALS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of supplier development practices on performance of pharmaceutical suppliers for hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya.Methodology: The study employed descriptive research design. The target population for the study was all the pharmaceutical suppliers in Nairobi City County, which were 243. The sample size for the study was 93 pharmaceutical distributors for Nairobi County private and public hospitals. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The data was presented using tables, graphs and charts.Results: The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between supplier training, information sharing, management support, strategic partnership and performance of pharmaceutical suppliers for hospitals in Nairobi City County.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the findings, the study recommended that both pharmaceutical distributors and hospitals should invest resources in training pharmaceutical suppliers; there should be better cooperation between the hospitals and pharmaceutical suppliers; both the hospitals and the pharmaceutical suppliers’ management should establish a good working relationship; and the government should provide strategic support to the pharmaceutical suppliers. Finally, the study recommended that similar studies should be conducted in other Counties for comparison purposes.
Nitrogen cycling in the Barents Sea-Seasonal dynamics of new and regenerated production in the marginal ice zone

The uptake rates of nitrate, ammonium, and urea were measured with a 15N technique during seven cruises in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) in the Barents Sea in 1984-1988. The results from all the cruises were pooled to obtain means for the prebloom, bloom, transition, and postbloom periods. New production-nitrate uptake as percent of total uptake-was high (92-96%) during the prebloom and bloom periods and decreased thereafter. Regenerated production- summed ammonium + urea uptake as percent of total uptake-increased through the bloom cycle and was at its maximum (75-93%) during the postbloom period. New production (as percent of the total) was higher in the ice-filled parts than in the icefree parts, especially during the postbloom period. Nitrate uptake rates, however, were highest (9-25 nM h- I) in open and ice-free parts during the bloom and transition period. Mean growth rate of phytoplanktonnitrogen was 0.5 doubling d-l during the bloom and ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 doubling d-l after the bloom. We hypothesize that primary production in the MIZ is not nutrient limited but is proportional to phytoplankton standing stocks. Primary production in Arctic waters is characterized by a marked seasonality. Primary production increases during the spring as light availability increases and the water column stabilizes. Nutrient levels are maximal in the winter and decrease rapidly during the spring bloom. The concomitant depletion of surface nitrate and reduction of primary production has led to the hypothesis that primary production becomes nitrogen-limited during the Arctic summer (Harrison and Cota 1991). Zooplankton abundance also varies seasonally and follows the same pattern as primary production with a 2-3-week lag period (Skjoldal et al. 1987). Grazing by Calanoid copepods consumes 5-20% of primary production in spring and 65-90% in summer (Eilertsen et al. 1989). In addition, grazing by microzooplank
Aalborg Universitet Customer satisfaction with retail banking services in Ghana

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Quarterly Financial Reports and the Stock Price Reaction at the Warsaw Stock Exchange

This paper deals with market reaction to announcements of quarterly earnings. We observe if information content of quarterly reports is accordingly reflected in stock prices, as theoretically implied by the Efficient Market Hypothesis. We focus on the small emerging market in Poland, and search for the post-announcement drift of abnormal returns, similar to the one observed on well-developed and mature world markets. We propose a relatively rare method of statistical verification of obtained results, tailored for specific characteristics and limitations resulting from conducting this kind of event studies on the small emerging market. The clearest finding of the paper is the significant post-announcement drift of negative abnormal returns in a group of companies that unexpectedly reported highly disappointing quarterly earnings.
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The measurement of local temperature in nanoscale volumes is becoming a technological frontier. Photoluminescent nanoparticles and nanocolloids are the natural choice for nanoscale temperature probes. However, the influence of a surrounding liquid on the cryogenic behavior of oxidized Si-nanocrystals (Si-NCs) has never been investigated. In this work, the photoluminescence (PL) of oxidized Si-NCs/alcohol based nanocolloids is measured as a function of the temperature and the molecule length of monohydric alcohols above their melting–freezing point. The results unveil a progressive blue shift on the emission peak which is dependent on the temperature as well as the dielectric properties of the surrounding liquid. Such an effect is analyzed in terms of thermal changes of the Si-NCs bandgap, quantum confinement and the polarization effects of the embedding medium; revealing an important role of the dielectric constant of the surrounding liquid. These results are relevant because they offer a general insight to the fundamental behavior of photoluminescent nanocolloids under a cooling process and moreover, enabling PL tuning based on the dielectric properties of the surrounding liquid. Hence, the variables required to engineer PL of nanofluids are properly identified for use as temperature sensors at the nanoscale.
DIVERGENCE AND CONVERGENCE IN EARLY EMBRYONIC STAGES OF METAZOANS

The early stages of organogenesis in metazoans differ drastically between higher order taxa such as phyla and classes. The segmented germ band stage in insects, the nauplius stage of crustaceans, and the neurula/pharyngula stage in vertebrates are examples of this diversification. In striking contrast with this divergence, is the similarity of these stages within these taxa, i.e., within insects, crustaceans, and vertebrates. The early stages of organogenesis, or phylotypic stages, have, thus, remained very similar in most species since the evolutionary origin of the taxa. These phylotypic stages are considerably more similar to each other than to the earlier stages of cleavage and gastrulation. Cleavage and gastrulation stages display not only great variability, but also striking examples of apparent convergence among species in different phyla, for example in the many cases of epiblastic cleavage in yolk-rich eggs. This leads to the paradoxical situation that the overall similarity of cleavage and gastrulation stages is in general higher among metazoans than of the early stages of organogenesis, but within phyla and classes the situation is the reverse. We discuss data on cleavage, gastrulation, and early organogenesis and evaluate possible causes for conservation, homoplasy, and diversification in an attempt to throw light on this paradoxical situation. In addition, we discuss a hypothesis that has been proposed to explain the diversity of early stages of organogenesis at the level of metazoans and the similarity within many phyla and classes.
Atopic Dermatitis and Allergen Hypersensitivity: State of the Art

The current growing enthusiasm for atopic dermatitis is clearly reflected in the range of current attitudes on the subject. What are considered to be its protean manifestations are frequent challenges to the pediatrician and other specialists working with children. AD may occur not only in man, but also in other vertebrates. However, it must be assumed that AD has always been an affection of our species. Hippocrates (460-370 BC) reported urticaria and gastrointestinal upset following cow’s milk ingestion. Lucretius (98-55 BC) wrote that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Galen (131219) described allergy to goat’s milk. At the turn of this century the first description of acute shock due to CM allergy (CMA) and fatal CMA were published. In his pioneer studies of food allergy (FA), Schloss was the first to evaluate skin tests for the diagnosis of FA. Since then, a vast array of symptoms and disorders has been attributed to FA, many of which occur with other conditions. In addition to this, the lack of a single, practical diagnostic test has contributed to the polarization of the scientific controversy between those who believe in and those who deny FA existence. Terminology has also been confusing. A correct use of definitions is necessary for a proper epidemiologic evaluation of the conditions and an accurate diagnostic and therapeutic approach. While this concept was fundamentally correct, it was also too easily weakened by ignoring this prerequisite to be fully acceptable, and this led to an equally disordered use of the term hypersensitivity, since allergy had become a word used to embrace all possible forms of adverse reactions. AD is associated with patchy, characteristically distributed areas of cutaneous eczema, with intense itching and subsequent lichenification of the skin. Cutaneous automic dysfunction (increased vasoconstriction) and xerosis (dryness of the skin) commonly occur in the affected children. In addition, profound immunological dysregulation with various immune alterations has been described in affected children. Most children produce IgE antibodies to a number of food and inhalants allergens, at the point that a minuscule offending quantity can trigger a reaction by skin contact or by inhalation.
Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Oral Medications and / or Insulin Treatment With Novel Galactomannan Derivative Reduces 2-Hour Postprandial Glucose Excursions in

Galactomannan is an insoluble polysaccharide that has been shown to reduce postprandial excursions. We assessed the impact of a novel galactomannan derivative (PAZ320) on the magnitude of 2-hour postprandial glucose excursions in individuals with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with oral medication and/or insulin. Investigators recently reported findings from a single-center, open-label, prospective study that evaluated the efficacy of PAZ320 in 24 subjects with type 2 diabetes who were treated with oral antidiabetic agents and/or insulin. End points included adverse events and area under the curve during 3-hour postprandial glucose excursion (gAUC). Subjects consumed a test meal without PAZ320 at baseline and then ingested low-dose (8 g) and high-dose (16 g) PAZ320 with test meals at subsequent intervention visits. A post hoc analysis was conducted to determine changes in 2-hour postprandial glucose excursions. Among the 20 subjects for whom data were available for all clinic visit test meals, 15 (75%) responded to low-dose, high-dose, or both medication dosages. Low-dose responders (n = 8) experienced clinically significant improvements in 2-hour postprandial glucose excursions from baseline excursions compared with nonresponders (–28.00 ± 25.97 mg/dL vs 23.42 ± 11.45 mg/dL, P = .005). Similar differences were seen in high-dose responders (–28.82 ± 24.26 vs 33.89 ± 20.56 mg/dL, P < .0001). PAZ320 was shown to be safe in all patients studied and effective in controlling postprandial glucose in a large portion of the study population. Additional studies are needed to determine its long-term effects on HbA1c and to further define which subpopulation(s) may respond to PAZ320 therapy.
Power formula for Cope's rule

Relative maximum body size (the ratio of maximum body size to the size of first species) in a radiating clade is a power function of diversity, so that relative maximum size increases approximatively with the square root of diversity. Thus, relative maximum body size increases at a decreasing rate with diversity. This relates to the whole spectrum of organisms of different complexity and ecology, from foraminiferans to vertebrates.
Physico-Chemical Changes of Frozen Chicken Burger Formulated with Some Spices and Herbs

The main objective of the present study was to examine the visibility of using natural spices and herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram and black seeds) to help chicken burger industry to improve physical properties and extend the shelf life of chicken burger. Two concentrations of these spices (0.5 and 1%) were emp loyed on chicken burger stored at 18℃for 6 months. Study indicated that, there were slight decreases in pH values, water holding capacity (W.H.C) and cooking yield in all treat ments throughout the frozen storage period. Furthermore, during storage the drip loss, cooking loss and shrinkage was progressively increased by the extending of storage in all treat ments. Meanwhile, treat ments which had spices and herbs at levels 1% showed slight increase in pH values, water holding capacity (W.H.C) and cooking yield compared with control and treatments which had spices and herbs at level 0.5%. Also, the results appeared that control sample was recorded the highest percentage of drip loss, cooking loss and shrinkage than other treatments. Furthermore, the treatments containing spices and herbs at level 0.5% had higher drip loss, cooking loss and shrinkage than those treatments containing spices and herbs at level 1%.
fragile sites arising under replication stress Large transcription units unify copy number variants and common

P<P Published online November 4, 2014 in advance of the print journal. Manuscript Accepted manuscript is likely to differ from the final, published version. Peer-reviewed and accepted for publication but not copyedited or typeset; accepted Open Access Open Access option. Genome Research Freely available online through the License Commons Creative . http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ as described at available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution 4.0 International license), , is Genome Research This manuscript is Open Access.This article, published in
Transformation and Products Distribution of Moso Bamboo and Derived Components During Pyrolysis

Transformation and products distribution of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) and its derived components during pyrolysis were investigated by thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TG-FTIR) and analytical pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) techniques. The pyrolysis of moso bamboo was generally an integrated result of the decomposition of its several derived components by examining the degradation process parameters and pyrolysis kinetics. The main peaks of the infrared (IR) spectrum for gases released at the highest intensity were assigned to be CO2, CO, CH4, H2O, acids, aldehydes, aromatics, ethers, and alcohols. Pyrolysis temperature played an important role in the products distribution of moso bamboo by affecting the products' yield and secondary cracking of heavy compounds. 500 °C was an inflection point for product release during moso bamboo pyrolysis. Further cracking of aromatic compounds and furans into lighter products was observed with increasing pyrolysis temperature.
The Risks and Benefits of Current Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer and Future Possibilities in Advanced Imaging and Targeted Therapy: A Review

242,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually, rendering it the most common noncutaneous cancer and the second highest cause of cancer death among men [1]. However, the majority of prostate cancers are indolent in progression, and the risk of cancer-specific mortality is just 3.7% [1,2]. The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer are largely inconsistent, and the advent of PSA screening has contributed to overdiagnosis and overtreatment [3,4]. Overdiagnosis can be defined as the detection of prostate cancer during screening that would not have been clinically diagnosed throughout a man’s lifetime in the absence of screening [5]. PSA testing can identify disease 6 to 13 years before it presents clinically, and therefore overdiagnosis is a substantial consequence, especially because prostate cancer is generally diagnosed in older men [2,5,6]. 10-56% of tumors never lead to clinical symptoms, and detection of prostate cancer during autopsy studies has been reported as high as 60-70% [7,8].
structuration leading to an automatic summary system : RAFI p Abderra ® h Lehmam *

The automatic text summary concerns the language industries. This work proposes a system automatically and directly transforming a source text into a reduced target text. The system deals exclusively with scienti®c and technical texts. It is based on the identi®cation of speci®c expressions allowing an evaluation of the relevance of the sentence concerned, which can then be selected for the elaboration of the summary. The procedure consists in attributing a score to each sentence of the text and then eliminating those having the lowest scores. To produce the RAFI system (automatic summary based on indicative fragments), we resorted to the linguistic means of discourse analysis and the computing capacity of data processing instruments. This system could be adapted to Internet. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Community in the North Sea Proteorhodopsin-Producing Microbial Strain Representative of the FlavobacteriumProteorhodopsin Gene by a Constitutive Expression of the

Published Ahead of Print 19 March 2010. 10.1128/AEM.02971-09. 2010, 76(10):3187. DOI: Appl. Environ. Microbiol. Wagner-Döbler Thorsten Brinkhoff, Heribert Cypionka and Irene Jacobs, Mario Kollenberg, Gunnar Gerdts, Antje Wichels, Thomas Riedel, Jürgen Tomasch, Ina Buchholz, Jenny Community in the North Sea Proteorhodopsin-Producing Microbial Strain Representative of the Flavobacterium Proteorhodopsin Gene by a Constitutive Expression of the
Health literacy and social capital: what role for adult literacy partnerships and pedagogy?

This paper makes the case for adult literacy (including numeracy) practitioners to play a greater role in health literacy initiatives in Australia. The paper draws on data from a national research project that investigated adult literacy partnerships and pedagogy viewed from a social capital perspective. The primary purpose of the project was to produce guidelines on how to deliver integrated adult literacy and numeracy programmes using a social capital approach. Prior experience of partnerships was explored through a review of the literature and an environmental scan of adult literacy providers using an email survey and follow-up interviews. An in-depth case study of a health literacy partnership was trialled using action research. Partnerships between adult literacy and health organisations in Australia were found to be largely ad hoc and rarely documented. To enable sustainable health literacy programmes, partnerships are needed across the three interlinked organisational levels – micro, meso and macro, and in particular the latter, which is currently almost completely absent. The conceptual frameworks outlined for health literacy partnerships and social capital pedagogy in this paper are new and potentially of value to policy makers, researchers and practitioners in the fields of health and literacy.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding after the very low-calorie diet : Is it easier

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a bariatric surgical procedure that is worldwide accepted. However, it can be very difficult in super obese patients with body mass index (BMI) > 50. Much interest has been paid recently in performing the LAGB operation after an initial programmed weight loss with the use of the very low-calorie diet (VLCD). Aims: We sought to analyze the impact of the VLCD on the technical difficulties during the LAGB. Settings and Design: Randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods: We evaluated prospectively, the technical difficulties for a single, dedicated bariatric surgeon during the LAGB in two groups of patients – patients operated on after 6 weeks on a VLCD diet (Group A, n = 5) and patients on no diet (Group B, n = 5). The two groups had similar BMI during the operation. The technical difficulties for five-key steps during the LAGB were graded by three individuals who were blinded with regard to the patient group. (1 = first surgeon, 2 = second surgeon, 3 = observer). Statistical methods: Cumulative values for each step and BMI level in the two groups were analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: All three independent observers’ grading of technical difficulties were found lower in Group A (P < 0.05) overall, as well as for each BMI value. Conclusion: Preoperative weight reduction with the VLCD made the LAGB technically