Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and the Value Relevance of Annual Reports for Listed Banks in Kenya

This study investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and value relevance of annual reports for listed banks in Kenya. To do so, the study used content analysis and financial analysts’ perception to quantify corporate social responsibility disclosure, included by banks in their annual reports. The sample comprised of the annual reports of ten banks listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) over the entire period from year 2010 to year 2015. The study focused on banks due to additional regulation by the Central Bank of Kenya, (CBK). A survey research design was adopted. The study used both primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through survey questionnaires administered on respondents who were financial analysts at a total of sixty one Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) licensed firms (investment banks, stock brokers, fund managers and investment advisers) as at 30 April 2016. Secondary data was obtained from the corporate action register and handbook by the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the daily market statistics from the NSE data and annual reports released by the banks. Content analysis program ATLAS.ti 8, OneLook dictionary and Ms Excel 2007 were used for content analysis. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 and Stata 13. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for analysis. The results revealed that corporate social responsibility disclosure had a positive and significant relationship with value relevance of annual reports which was measured by the average market price per share, (MPS). This study therefore concluded that corporate social responsibility disclosure in annual reports of listed banks in Kenya affect the value relevance of the annual reports. The study recommends an expanded role of the auditor in reviewing the corporate social responsibility disclosure and other accounting narratives. Currently in accounting reporting, the auditor is not obligated to formally audit accounting narratives. Instead, an auditor reviews the accounting narratives to ascertain if the narratives are consistent with the financial statements. The study also recommends more guidelines and regulations in relation to non-financial disclosures to ensure that firms put clearer information in the hand of investors.
Accelerating magnetic resonance imaging by unifying sparse models and multiple receivers

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an increasingly versatile diagnostic tool for a variety of medical purposes. During a conventional MRI scan, samples are acquired along a trajectory in the spatial Fourier transform domain (called k-space) and the image is reconstructed using an inverse discrete Fourier transform. The affordability, availability, and applications of MRI remain limited by the time required to sample enough points of k-space for the desired field of view (FOV), resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). GRAPPA, an accelerated parallel imaging method, and compressed sensing (CS) have been successfully employed to accelerate the acquisition process by reducing the number of k-space samples required. GRAPPA leverages the different spatial weightings of each receiver coil to undo the aliasing from the reduction in FOV induced by undersampling k-space. However, accelerated parallel imaging reconstruction methods like GRAPPA amplify the noise present in the data, reducing the SNR by a factor greater than that due to only the level of undersampling. Completely separate from accelerated parallel imaging, which capitalizes on observing data with multiple receivers, CS leverages the sparsity of the object along with incoherent sampling and nonlinear reconstruction algorithms to recover the image from fewer samples. In contrast to parallel imaging, CS actually denoises the result, because noise typically is not sparse. When reconstructing brain images, the discrete wavelet transform and finite differences are effective in producing an approximately sparse representation of the image. Because parallel imaging utilizes the multiple receiver coils and CS takes advantage of the sparsity of the image itself, these methods are complementary, and a combination of these methods would be expected to enable further acceleration beyond what is achievable using parallel imaging or CS alone. This thesis investigates three approaches to leveraging both multiple receiver coils and image sparsity. The first approach involves an optimization framework for jointly optimizing the fidelity to the GRAPPA result and the sparsity of the image. This technique operates in the nullspace of the data observation matrix, preserving the acquired data without resorting to techniques for constrained optimization. While this framework is presented generally, the effectiveness of the implementation depends on
Simultaneous active sensitization to multiple chemicals

Case Report A 39-year-old non-atopic caretaker in a school of design developed hand and face dermatitis in 1988, 3 weeks after having used an epoxy resin glue. Patch testing revealed allergy to diglycidylether bisphenol A type epoxy resin (DGEBA-ER; πππ). Other substances in the European standard series, a fragrance series, and a plastic and glues series were negative. Thereafter, she avoided epoxy resin exposure and remained symptomless. In 1996, she had 2 episodes of severe dermatitis on her face and eyelids, neck and upper chest, and upper arms. Patch testing was performed according to the recommendations of the ICDRG with 2 days occlusion with a modified European standard series (without DGEBA-ER), an epoxy resin series, a fragrance series and a turpentine series. Brominated epoxy resin, which contains DGEBA-ER (1), was the only substance that elicited an allergic patch test reaction. However, after 10–20 days, the patient developed 3 further patch test reactions. On retesting 2 months later, the patient had a πππ reaction to KathonA CG (200 ppm), a πππ reaction to phenylglycidyl ether (0.25%) and a ππ reaction to diaminodiphenylmethane (0.5%) (all allergens from Chemotechnique Diagnostics AB, Malmö, Sweden; readings on D 2, 3 and 4; Fig. 1). Later, a work site visit was performed; it became evident that epoxy resin glues had caused the patient’s episodes of dermatitis.
Dynamic CREB family activity drives segmentation and posterior polarity specification in mammalian somitogenesis

Significance The segmented axial skeleton of vertebrates is composed of an interlinked framework of vertebrae and ribs. During embryogenesis, vertebral precursors known as somites form sequentially from a progenitor tissue known as the presomitic mesoderm to foreshadow the metamerism of the axial skeleton. We have discovered that the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) family of transcription factors operates in combination with Notch and Wnt signaling to instruct the timely scission of presomitic mesoderm into somites with proper anterior/posterior polarities. Thus, the CREB family represents a new and important molecular integrator in axial skeleton development. Our work has potential implications to spinal disorders such as scoliosis. The segmented body plan of vertebrates is prefigured by reiterated embryonic mesodermal structures called somites. In the mouse embryo, timely somite formation from the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) is controlled by the “segmentation clock,” a molecular oscillator that triggers progressive waves of Notch activity throughout the PSM. Notch clock activity is suppressed in the posterior PSM by FGF signaling until it crosses a determination front at which its net activity is sufficiently high to effect segmentation. Here, Notch and Wnt signaling directs somite anterior/posterior (A/P) polarity specification and boundary formation via regulation of the segmentation effector gene Mesoderm posterior 2. How Notch and Wnt signaling becomes coordinated at this front is incompletely defined. Here we show that the activity of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) family of transcription factors exhibits Wnt3a-dependent oscillatory behavior near the determination front and is in unison with Notch activity. Inhibition of CREB family in the mesoderm causes defects in somite segmentation and a loss in somite posterior polarity leading to fusions of vertebrae and ribs. Among the CREB family downstream genes, several are known to be regulated by Wnt3a. Of those, we show that the CREB family occupies a conserved binding site in the promoter region of Delta-like 1, encoding a Notch ligand, in the anterior PSM as a mechanism to specify posterior identity of somites. Together, these data support that the CREB family acts at the determination front to modulate Wnt signaling and strengthen Notch signaling as a means to orchestrate cells for somite segmentation and anterior/posterior patterning.
Maternal psychological stress/depression and low birth weight. Is there a relationship?

The high incidence of low birth weight (birth weight 1 Despite a decrease in the neonatal mortality rate during the last decade, the incidence of low birth weight has changed little during that time. 2 Because it is still not understood why mothers are having low-birth-weight infants, new research directions are clearly indicated. We believe that further study of the relationship between maternal psychological stress and/or depression and low birth weight is needed in populations at risk of psychological stress, depression, and low birth weight. Psychological stress is defined as "a particular relationship between the person and his or her environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her well-being. " 3 Animal 4,5 and human 6,7 studies suggest a relationship between maternal stress and low birth weight, but the
The Impact of Online Live Broadcasting on Consumer Online Shopping Decision: From the Perspective of Behavioral Economics

In the traditional online shopping mode, consumers expense a lot of mental cost in order to get enough commodity information, which leads to the decline of consumer shopping utility. The online live broadcasting mode improves the shortterm utility of consumer shopping by reducing the mental cost of searching for commodity information and enhancing the visceral factors of consumers. Based on the behavioral economics theory, this paper analyzes the consumer purchase preference by adding the mental cost and visceral factors into the consumer utility function, and establishes the agent-based simulation model to study the interaction between the mental cost and the visceral factors through simulation experiments. Both mental cost and visceral factors have significant influence on consumer purchase rate, but mental cost has more influence on consumers' online shopping choice than visceral factors. Increasing commodity Information acquisition Speed can significantly increase the rate of consumer purchases. Keywords—Behavioral economics; Online live broadcasting; Consumer decision-making; Mental cost; Visceral factors
Model-based long-term electricity generation system planning under uncertainty

Within this paper a stochastic linear mixed-integer model for power plant investment planning under uncertainty is presented. Technical constraints relating to thermal power plants are implemented to better determine their operational flexibility. Modeled with a scenario recombining tree, uncertain wind power generation is explicitly considered in the unit commitment planning. In order to investigate the enhanced impact of heat supply on the electricity market due to increasing capacity of combined heat and power units, district heating systems are incorporated. Modeling results for the German electricity market are discussed regarding the significant influence of uncertainty on investment decisions.
Patient and Technique Survival and Factors Affecting Mortality on Peritoneal Dialysis in Turkey: 12 Years’ Experience in a Single Center

Background We investigated patient and technique survival and factors affecting mortality in Turkish peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Patients and Methods This was a retrospective study. 423 PD patients were included. The demographic, clinical, and biochemical data were collected from the medical records. Clinical outcomes were mortality and technique failure. Results Mean age at the start of PD was 46.0 ± 14.3 years and mean PD duration was 37.1 ± 28.3 (median: 30, range: 4 – 137) months. Diabetes mellitus was the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (35.2%), followed by hypertension (14.7%). There were 89 (21.0%) deaths. 25 (5.9%) patients received a kidney transplant, 74 (17.4%) patients were transferred to hemodialysis. Estimation of technique survival by Kaplan–Meier was 96.1%, 83.2%, 67.6%, 45.8%, and 33.6% at 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years. Technique failure was associated with peritonitis rate [relative risk (RR): 3.22, p < 0.001] and peritoneal Kt/V urea (RR: 0.38, p = 0.001) in the Cox proportional hazards model analysis. Estimation of patient survival by Kaplan–Meier was 96.9%, 83.8%, 68.8%, 50.2%, and 40.7% at 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years, respectively. In the Cox proportional hazards model analysis, age (RR: 1.01, p = 0.05), transfer to PD from hemodialysis (RR: 1.84, p = 0.03), comorbid cardiovascular disease (RR: 1.90, p = 0.004), serum creatinine level (RR: 0.75, p < 0.001), total Kt/V urea (RR: 0.34, p < 0.001), peritonitis rate (RR: 1.87, p < 0.001), and dialysate-to-plasma creatinine ratio (RR: 6.49, p = 0.04) predicted mortality. Conclusions Even though we cannot conclude with certainty that survival rates in Turkish patients are better than those in the United States and Europe, our results seem to suggest this and warrant further studies adjusted for more extensive demographic features and comorbidities. The factors affecting mortality in Turkish PD patients are similar to other populations.
Investigating Player Salaries and Performance in the National Hockey League

This thesis examines salary structure types (hierarchical or compressed) as predictors of team performance in the National Hockey League (NHL). Additionally, an analysis of goalie statistics is completed in order to determine what, if any, performance measures relate to salary. Data in this research were collected from the 2005-06 season up to the 2010-11 season. Salary inequality/equality (Gini coefficient) was used in a regression analysis to determine if it was an effective predictor of team performance (n = 178) (winning percentage). The results indicated that a hierarchical salary structure increased team performance, although the amount of variability explained was very small. Another regression analysis was completed to determine if any goalie performance measures (n = 245) were effective predictors of individual salary. A regression analysis was employed and indicated that goalie performance measures predicted 19.8% of variance to salary. The only statistical significant variable was games played. PLAYER SALARIES AND PERFORMANCE iii
Inhibition of heme oxygenase‐1 by zinc protoporphyrin IX reduces tumor growth of LL/2 lung cancer in C57BL mice

Heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 is a key player reducing cytotoxicity and enhancing protumoral effects of nitric oxide (NO). We examined zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) IX, an HO‐1 inhibitor, to affect tumor growth of LL/2 mouse lung cancer cells. ZnPPIX reduced HO‐1 expression and HO activity in LL/2 cells, whereas cobalt PPIX (CoPPIX), an HO‐1 activator, increased both. LL/2 cells treated with sodium nitropurusside, an NO donor, showed growth inhibition dose‐dependently, which was enhanced by ZnPPIX cotreatment, but was reduced by CoPPIX. In mice tumors, ZnPPIX decreased HO‐1 expression. LL/2‐tumors were found in 88% (7/8) vehicle‐treated mice, whereas tumors were found in 38% (3/8) and 25% (2/8) mice treated with 5 and 20 μg/mouse ZnPPIX, respectively (p = 0.0302). Tumor growth was inhibited dose‐dependently by ZnPPIX. Vascular endothealial growth factor concentration in tumors was reduced by ZnPPIX (p = 0.0341). Microvessel density (MVD) in ZnPPIX‐treated tumors was lower than that in vehicle‐treated tumors (p = 0.0362). Apoptotic cell count in ZnPPIX‐treated tumors was higher than that in vehicle‐treated tumors (p = 0.0003). In contrast, CoPPIX treatment increased HO‐1 expression, enhanced tumorigenicity and MVD and reduced apoptosis. From these findings, inhibition of HO‐1 by ZnPPIX provides relevant antitumoral effects. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute Ischemic Stroke Management: Medical Management

The initial management of a patient with suspected stroke necessitates a rapid and focused evaluation. Establishing the time of symptom onset, performing a focused neurologic examination, and interpreting ancillary tests facilitates delivery of acute stroke therapies to eligible patients. This review emphasizes the fundamentals of urgent stroke evaluation and evidence-based acute ischemic stroke therapies. Results from randomized clinical trials of intravenous thrombolysis, glucose management, and blood pressure management in acute ischemic stroke patients will be highlighted. External ultrasound as an adjunct to intravenous thrombolysis and treatment of those patients that wake up with stroke symptoms will also be discussed.
Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus sp. Strain BCP1, a Biodegrader of Alkanes and Chlorinated Compounds

ABSTRACT Rhodococcus sp. strain BCP1 cometabolizes chlorinated compounds and mineralizes a broad range of alkanes, as it is highly tolerant to them. The high-quality draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus sp. strain BCP1, consisting of 6,231,823 bp, with a G+C content of 70.4%, 5,902 protein-coding genes, and 58 RNA genes, is presented here.
Joint channel and power allocation for underwater cognitive acoustic networks

This paper proposes an efficient spectrum manage scheme to fulfill environment-friendly and spectrum-efficient communication for underwater cognitive acoustic networks (UCANs). Due to the frequency-dependent attenuation, the available communication frequencies in water are severely limited. Nevertheless, this precious resource is still underutilized. In this paper, the problem of multiple cognitive acoustic (CA) users sharing available channels and optimal power allocation in underwater acoustic networks are studied. It aims to provide efficient spectrum utilization for CA users while avoiding harmful interference with both natural acoustic systems, such as whale, dolphin, and artificial acoustic systems, like sonar users and other underwater acoustic networks.
Conception et implantation d'un détecteur de contours optimisé sous forme d'un circuit Asic

Dans cette these, nous abordons d'abord le probleme d'extraction de contours d'un point de vue algorithmique. Puis, nous developpons une technique d'acceleration d'un algorithme particulier pour aboutir a sa realisation sous forme d'un circuit ASIC. Nous presentons un nouvel algorithme de detection de contours sous forme de rampe. Cet algorithme que nous avons developpe a ete optimise au sens des trois criteres donnes par Cannv. En effet, tous les travaux cites au premier chapitre, ont montre leurs performances sur un modele de contour ideal bien que dans la realite, les contours ont des fronts de transition plutot lents (images floues). Cet algorithme est implante sous forme d'un filtre a reponse impulsionnelle infinie, stable d'ordre 3. Nous exposons aussi les differentes techniques d'acceleration des filtres numeriques lineaires et invariants (filtres recursifs ou non). Plusieurs solutions ont ete proposees pour l'acceleration des calculs depuis une dizaine d'annees. Cependant, si ces solutions sont adaptees a des implantations type multiprocesseurs, elles demeurent de loin non integrables sur un circuit integre specifique ASIC. Ainsi, nous detaillons une technique de calcul par anticipation tres adaptee a l'acceleration des filtres recursifs et a l'integration du filtre anticipe sous forme d'un ASIC et nous appliquons cette technique de restructuration d'algorithmes a l'algorithme de Rachid Deriche et au nouvel algorithme que nous avons etudie. Enfin, nous presentons la partie consacree au choix de l'algorithme de multiplication. Nous passons en revue certains algorithmes rapides et nous detaillons l'algorithme de Baugh-Wooley. Nous traitons la partie implantation du filtre anticipe (nouvel algorithme) sous forme d'un ASIC sous l'environnement SOLO2030. Puis nous presentons les differents schemas bloc de circuit ainsi que son masque «Layout». Ce circuit a ete realise avec la technologie 1. 2 mm et repond a une frequence de 20 MHz.
Short food supply chain between micro/small farms and restaurants

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the strength and weakness connected to the implementation of a local food logistics services, designed to facilitate and enable the use of local food among restaurants. Design/methodology/approach A total of 60 restaurateurs located in a small Italian city and 100 owners of micro and small-sized farms, located within a 30 km radius from the city, have been interviewed. The collected data have been analysed through descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for differences between gender, production type and business size. Findings The results agree with existing literature: poor communication and an unstructured logistics limit the interaction among actors. However, significant for the purpose, the data show that producers are interested in expanding their market and restaurateurs are interested in a broader supply of local products, and they both open to a logistics service that improves the supply of local food. Research limitations/implications The following exploratory study is based on a sample of farmers and restaurants in a specific area so the results could not be generalised in a national/international context. Practical implications The logistics service objective is the promotion of a sustainable territory development in support of the social economy values. Originality/value The study investigates this issue focussing on a practical solution of local food distribution system among restaurants. The logistics service tends to solve the logistics criticalities maintaining the principles of the short food supply chain.