bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF ACCESS TO FINANCE ON FINANCIAL PERFOMANCE OF PROCESSING SMES IN KITUI COUNTY, KENYA
Authors: Mbuva Muli Dickson , Wachira Kevin 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The SMEs play critical role in creating job opportunities and growth of the economy. Currently, the rate at which the new firms formed have stagnated and those with less than 5 years are closing down is very high. This has triggered research on the financial performance of the SMEs especially in areas with high levels of poverty since most studies concentrate on developed economies and urban centres. This study investigated the effect of access to finance on financial performance of processing SMEs in Kitui County.
Methodology: Descriptive research design was applied to conduct the study. The target population was the 25 processing SMEs in Kitui County where for each firm; the Chief Executive Officer, the finance manager and the Chief accountant were considered as respondents giving rise to a total of 75 respondents. An interview and Semi- structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the respondents. The data was inspected for completeness, accuracy, reliability and consistency then analysed using SPSS Version 20 Software. Descriptive statistics such as mean, and the standard deviation were computed to describe the data collected. Moreover, inferential statistics at 95% confidence level were used.
Results: The findings of the study indicated that financial performance positively correlated with the access to finance. The findings were supported by the literature reviewed by the study. With reference to the findings, various recommendations were made.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: To start with, the study recommended financial institutions to create favourable policies to enable SMEs access loans easily. Secondly, the study recommended government to offer incentives and funding to SMEs at a lower cost to boost their financial performance. Finally, the study recommended more studies to identify other factors that influenced the financial performance of SMEs in Kenya.
EFFECT OF MOBILE MONEY SERVICES ON KENYA’S FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Authors: Wakaba Vincent , Wepukhulu Dr. Joshua Matanda 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The main objective was to determine the effect of Key mobile money services on financial inclusion in Kenya.
Materials and Methods: The study adopted a census research design. The target population was limited to the 4 firms (Safaricom, Airtel, Equity and Telkom) providing mobile money services in Kenya. The study relied on secondary data. The study review period was between 2013 and 2018. Descriptive statistical approaches, regression and correlation analysis was used to analyze secondary data. Data was analyzed quantitatively by use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientist) V21 program.
Results: The study established that the Mobile money deposit services, Mobile money saving services, Agency banking services and Mobile bill payment services positively and significantly affected Kenya’s financial inclusion.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that the providers of mobile money services should increase accessibility of these services to citizens since their continued usage leads to positive and significant growth of Kenya’s financial inclusion. The providers can achieve this by encouraging many citizens to be their agents in offering the services. Availability of many agents acting on behalf of the mother company in various parts of the country increases the levels of access of the financial services.
Key words: Deposit Services, Saving Services, Agency Banking Services, Mobile Money Financial Inclusion
Correlation of Human and Horse Heart Rates During Equine-Assisted Therapy Sessions with At-Risk Youths: A Pilot Study
Authors: Drinkhouse Macy , Birmingham Sheri SW , Fillman Robyn , Jedlicka Holly 
Published: September 2020

Minimal research has been done to examine the cause of the positive results of animal-assisted therapy. This study examines the correlation between horse and human heart rate, an involuntary stress response, which may allow the mechanisms of potential therapeutic benefits to be further understood. Horse and human heart rates were recorded during equine-assisted therapy sessions, compared, and the significance of human/horse heart rate correlation was documented. Results indicate that each incidence of correlating changes in the heart rates appeared to be the result of external stimuli. Findings are discussed and recommendations for future trials with controlled environments are made.
The Black Box Module for Low-Level Fluorescence Detection Targeting Optogenetic Studies
Authors: Maret Elizabeth , Diagne Mohamed 
Published: September 2020

In optogenetics, genetic labeling by enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) indicates transfected neurons expressing light-gated channel proteins, Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and Halorhodopsin (NpHR) for millisecond timescale optical manipulation of neurons. However, poor spatial understanding of transfection relative to probing is responsible for blind stimulation in complex mammalian systems and necessitates histological analysis of brain tissue. Repeatable optogenetic studies on well-trained and valuable subjects are therefore impossible. We report here the Black Box Module as a novel fluorescence detection system targeting EYFP emission and used in conjunction with a co-axial waveguide “optrode.” Results of the Black Box Module’s fluorescence detection performance in a bench-top environment simulating EYFP fluorescence with rhodamine 6g are presented. We show the Box’s filtration system to be sensitive to the EYFP-like fluorescence of rhodamine and its concentration dependent emissions behaviors. We anticipate these results to be the initial foundation in integrating the Box into optogenetic studies as a tool for locating areas of ChR2 and NpHR transfection.
ACTH Enhances Lipid Accumulation in Bone-marrow derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells undergoing Adipogenesis
Authors: Rhodes Thomas J. , Pazienza Michelle , Evans Jodi F. 
Published: September 2020

ACTH is a major hormone of the stress axis or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It is derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) the precursor to the melanocortin family of peptides. POMC produces the biologically active melanocortin peptides via a series of enzymatic steps in a tissue-specific manner, yielding the melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSHs), corticotrophin (ACTH) and ?-endorphin. The melanocortin system plays an imperative role in energy expenditure, insulin release and insulin sensitivity. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells circulate in the blood stream and as progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into many cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Here we examine the effects of ACTH on the mouse D1 bone-marrow derived MSC. ACTH significantly increased lipid accumulation during the adipogenic differentiation of D1 cells in a concentration- dependent manner. ACTH also shifts the temporal pattern of D1 adipogenic differentiation to the left i.e. differentiation occurs earlier with ACTH treatment. No significant differences in protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?2), a regulating transcription factor of adipogenesis were found. Therefore the effects of ACTH are suggested to be mediated by an alternative pathway. Overall the results indicate a connection between increased adipose deposition and the elevated circulating ACTH associated with stress.
Yeast Ssu72 Protein as a Mediator of Gene Loop Formation at Bidirectional Promoters
Authors: Lopez Kevin Jose , Henderson Jeffrey Odell 
Published: September 2020

Research over the past ten years has revealed that bidirectional promoters are a common feature of eukaryotes from yeast to metazoans. Gene loops are three-dimensional structures that inhibit divergent transcription at bidirectional promoters. Ssu72, a multifunctional protein phosphatase, has been identified as a key component in directing gene loop formation. Molecular genetic characterization first identified Ssu72 as a component of the transcription initiation complex through an interaction with TFIIB. More recently, Ssu72 has been shown to inhibit divergent transcription by simultaneously binding to both promoter and terminator elements. Here, we describe the path of Ssu72 research from its discovery as a transcriptional regulatory protein to its role in the maintenance of transcriptional memory and repression of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Finally, we consider the role of Ssu72 and gene loops in human health.
A critical look at the terms feminism, Feminism, and womanism and the applicability, or not, of each in conversation with Toni Morrison’s First and Last Novels The Bluest Eye and Home
Authors: Malotra-Gaudet Lauren 
Published: September 2020

For the purpose of this paper lower-case-f feminism is used as the umbrella term for the organized activity in support of women's rights and interests founded in the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. Hegemonic Feminism, aka Radical Feminism, has historically left out women who face issues alongside oppression based on gender, namely women of colour. Capital-F Feminism represents this hegemonic Feminism. Alice Walker’s womanism creates a type of feminism specifically for black women and women of colour. In this paper I explore and contrast three different types of feminism, hegemonic “Feminism” and “womanism”, to show how Toni Morrison’s first and last novels The Bluest Eye and Home are definitely womanist texts but are not necessarily considered feminist under the constraints of hegemonic Feminism. I look at the differences between the three terms to show how these novels can and do slip through the cracks and are not labeled as “feminist” texts because they do not comply with “Feminism.” Through plot and character examples I show how these novels are womanist, and because of that they are not able to be considered examples of Feminist texts and are therefore not regarded as canonical Feminist literature, though they do exemplify feminist principles, themes and ideals.
Online Banner Adverts: More Than The Final Click
Authors: Burgess Donavan 
Published: September 2020

This study intends to gain an exploratory insight into the behaviours of young adults (18-25) which affect their responses to online banner adverts. By utilising the consumer-controlled focus of the Interactive Advertising Model and incorporated functional behaviours of the internet motives and modes as the pivot of the study, enabled the ability to facilitate a core behavioural understanding of the targeted cohort as well as key associated factors. In addition, brief, yet constructive recommendations in relation to this study are presented for the business community.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles more strongly affect bacteria compared to algae in stream ecosystems
Authors: Hough Zachary J. , Walters Hannah S. , Bechtold Heather A. 
Published: September 2020

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a novel nano-particulate contaminant found in surface waters. Nano-TiO2 is commonly used in numerous pharmaceutical and personal care products ranging from make-up to pill casings, and is an additive in food and household products. Despite the commercialized use of TiO2, its increased presence in surface waters, and toxic effects on stream organsims, little information exists on how nano-TiO2 affects stream ecosystems as a whole. We examined the effect of various concentrations (0.5 - 3 mg/L) of nano-TiO2 on stream ecosystems by measuring the response of algal and microbial communities to acute (12 hr) and chronic (22 day) exposures. We measured gross primary production (GPP), community respiration (CR), and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations on intact algae from a local stream.We expected metabolic function of both algal and microbial components of the benthic biofilm to decline with exposure due to sensitivities to metal oxides. However, we found exposure to any of the concentrations of nano-TiO2 tested caused CR to decrease compared to controls, but, GPP either increased or stayed the same as our controls. We found algal chl a concentraions to increase in the high exposure treatment. Since nano-TiO2 had a negative effect on the microbes, we hypothesized that either autotrophs were released from microbial competition and increased chl a production, or that shading from TiO2 particles may have caused increased chl a production. Additional studies investigating the effects of higher concentrations and longer exposure times to these compounds are warranted.
The Impact of Antebellum Slavery on Contemporary Income Inequality
Authors: Del Cid Javier E. , Tanoh Dominick , Sexton Ian N. , Takeda Haruna , Sommers Paul Martin 
Published: September 2020

The authors relate county-level data on the population of slaves in the antebellum South to present-day county-level Gini ratios on income inequality. Outside the five Deep Southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, the intensity of slavery in 1860 is associated with a lower degree of income inequality. Inside these same five states in counties where the population of slaves accounted for more than 71 percent of the county’s total population in 1860, there is evidence of a strong positive relationship between slavery and contemporary income inequality.
Emphasis of University Supervisor Feedback to Teacher Candidates
Authors: Vertemara Valentina , Flushman Tanya 
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the emphasis of the feedback that university supervisors give to teacher candidates. Specifically, we seek to understand the relation of praise versus area of growth and how the emphasis relates to the focus of feedback. Data included coded observation reports from eight university supervisors. The three main findings were: praise feedback had a significantly higher amount than area of growth feedback, feedback emphasized certain skills over others, and a significant portion of feedback was neutral in nature. These findings have implications for teacher preparation and the process for providing written feedback to teacher candidates. They include thoughtful consideration of the nature of constructive and comprehensive feedback in teacher preparation and the importance of candidates receiving a variety of feedback across the pedagogical skills necessary to be an effective teacher.
Primer Server - A web application to design primers for the amplification of unique DNA targets in complex genomes
Authors: Shibamoto Takao , Wimalanathan Kokulapalan , Unger-Wallace Erica , Vollbrecht Erik 
Published: September 2020

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most important inventions of the 20th century in molecular biology. PCR is a technique to amplify or make in a test tube many copies of a specific DNA region. Miniscule amounts of the genetic material from any organism can now be amplified to identify individuals, manipulate DNA, detect infectious organisms including the viruses that cause AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, detect genetic variations including mutations in genes, and numerous other tasks. PCR primers are short, single-stranded DNAs that define the section of DNA to be amplified. Two primers are used in each PCR reaction, designed so that they bind at flanking locations surrounding the target region. Critically, off-target binding may lead to experimental failure or worse, to misleading results. Thus, potential primers of approximately 20 DNA bases in length, must be examined for off-target binding among, for example, the 3.2 billion DNA bases from all human chromosomes, the human genome. The purpose of our study is to make a user-friendly tool (Primer Server) that can design PCR primers efficiently and accurately as well as visualize the designed primers. Our web-based bioinformatics tool selects optimal primer sequences within the starting material by using a C module called primer3 and then prioritizing and/or eliminating potential primers based on comparison of the primer bases against all bases in the genome using an algorithm called BLAST. This tool has an easy-to-use interface which was designed using Angular2, and an efficient server-side code written in Python. While similar tools exist, our tool is more user-friendly, efficient and uses extensive form validation to minimize errors in the user input. Our tool can be used to design primers that will be used in laboratory experiments to amplify DNA from various organisms, including large, complex genomes such as humans, other animals and plants.
Power Management System Based on Predefined Schedule Using Control App
Authors: Yousif Ali Mohammed Amel Mazhar , Dinesh Maheta Vrajesh 
Published: September 2020

In large organizations devices operating on electrical energy are manually switched and remain ON throughout the day. Most venues are seldom used or used according to predefined schedule. When the energy devices remain ON, even when the venue is not being used, a lot of energy is wasted. The proposed approach suggests development of automatic ON or OFF switching devices to avoid wasting energy for each venue depending on the time table. The proposed project intends to conserve energy consumption by optimizing scheduling of load to optimize utilization. Considering the importance given to energy conservation by the Sultanate of Oman, to save energy, a study on the present prevailing system has been carried out. The results of this study provide an insight to the energy consumed in a sample venue. The project approach has significant improvement to save energy. In order to overcome the energy wasted over manually switching, this project is designed to load devices according to using time by android application. The android application has been designed to gather all essential timetable details of each room. Which connected directly with microcontroller through Wi-Fi communication. According to received data , the signal which received by microcontroller may include ether high voltage or low voltage. The microcontroller detects the voltage and based on the data which received from android application, its activates the relay driver to switch particular relay.
Pocket Braille Keyboard – Reader using Braille Back Service
Authors: Lordson Benhurr James A. , Tawadia Chintan , Mohatram Mohammad , Joseph Neha , Razzak Mohammed Abdul 
Published: September 2020

Major disadvantage of Existing Braille Keyboard is the Cost which is greater than 3500$ and size more than 15 cm. Out of 285 million visually impaired people, not many are able to afford it and it’s hefty to carry around. This project presents the making of Pocket Braille Keyboard-Reader of less cost, around 100$, and more compact in size. Principle technologies used are capacitive touch sensing and MEMs (Micro-Electrical Mechanical systems) for typing and reading respectively, which will be assisting the visually impaired people to interact with the world. Ex: Reading and typing in Braille Language, interacting with SMART phone with NAVIGATION keys on the Keyboard.
Student Self Service System
Authors: Sheeba T , Begum S Hameetha , Al Harthy Ibtisam saif Ali 
Published: September 2020

Nowadays we are living in the era of speed and technology. There are a lot of facilities to make the life easier. This project implements a student self-services system which allow student to be connected with World Wide Web. Student Self Service system provides all services needs to access to register for studying essential information that student will needs throughout their studies at College. The main goal of the project is to develop registration system for students at College. This project allows students in general to register for each semester by their own. The students need to access to the system through internet to register at College. This system is very suitable for student belonging in Muscat College as they can register every semester by their own. Also it saves time and effort for both student and staff. This system is a website application which is developed using ASP.NET framework and the result shows the successful completion of registration process and its related services.
AKUNTABILITAS PEMERINTAHAN DESA DALAM PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN DESA DI KABUPATEN SUMBAWA BARAT
Authors: Zitri Ilham 
Published: September 2020

Artikel ini membahas tentang akuntabilitas pengelolaan keuangan desa pada empat desa di Kabupaten Sumbawa Barat. Adapun metode yang digunakan ialah kombinasi yang menggabungkan kedua metode, teknik yang digunakan adalah wawancara, angket dan dokumentasi. Adapun Hasil dari penelitian ini ialah pemerintah desa masih belum bisa mengelola keuangan desa pada Empat desa yaitu Pertama, Desa Benete Kecamatan Maluk, Kedua, Desa Maluk Kecamatan Maluk, Ketiga yaitu Desa Sekongkang Bawah Kecamatan Sekongkang, dan yang Keempat, ialah Desa Sekongkang Atas Kecamatan Sekongkang. Masalah pertama yang dihadapi desa ialah keterbatasan atau terbatasnya kemampuan perangkat desa dalam pengelolaan keuangan desa ataupun tidak adanya partisipasi dari masyarakat desa yang membuat masalah bertambah banyak.
TINJAUAN TERHADAP TINDAK PIDANA BERDASARKAN UU RI NO. 7 TAHUN 1996 TENTANG PANGAN (Studi Kasus Perkara No. 54/Pid.B/2003/PN.Mdn)
Authors: Nurita Cut , Ridwan Lubis Muhammad 
Published: September 2020

Kegiatan atau proses produksi pangan untuk diedarkan atau diperdagangkan harus memenuhi ketentuan tentang sanitasi pangan, bahan tambahan pangan, residu cemaran, dan kemasan pangan. Hal lain yang patut diperhatikan oleh setiap orang yang memproduksi pangan adalah penggunaan metode tertentu dalam kegiatan atau proses produksi pangan yang memiliki kemungkinan timbulnya risiko yang dapat merugikan atau membahayakan kesehatan manusia, seperti rekayasa genetika atau iradiasi, harus dilakukan berdasarkan persyaratan tertentu. Jenis penelitian penelitian ini menggunakan metode yuridis normatif. Dalam penulisan penelitian ini penulis menggunakan metode telaah pustaka (library research) untuk mentelaah data-data sekunder dan penelitian lapangan (field research) dengan melakukan penelitian ke Pengadilan Negeri Klas I A Medan. Berdasarkan analisis data, maka diperoleh kesimpulan pengguna bahan pangan borax melampaui ambang batas sehingga membahayakan tindak pidana UU No. 7 Tahun 1996 Tentang Pangan dan Permenkes No. 722 Tahun 1988 adalah dengan menggunakan bahan borax untuk tambahan pangan yang dicampur dengan bakso dan setelah dicampur dengan borax lalu bakso dipasarkan atau dijual kepada konsumen. Pertanggungjawaban pelaku dalam perkara No. 54/Pid.B/PN.Mdn adalah dengan menjatuhkan hukum kepada pelaku yang menggunakan bahan pangan borax melampaui ambang batas karena perbuatan tersebut telah memenuhi unsur-unsur Pasal 10 ayat (1) Jo. Pasal 55 b UU No. 7 Tahun 1996 Tentang Pangan Jo. Pasal 3 ayat (1) Bab III Permenkes No. 722 Tahun 1988. Berdasarkan kesimpulan, maka disarankan memberantas atau mencegah mengedarkan bahan pangan yang mengandug zat kimia yang berbahaya bagi kesehatan dengan cara menghukum pelaku kejahatan mengedarkan sediaan farmasi tanpa izin dengan hukuman yang lebih berat. Masyarakat agar tidak segan-segan untuk melaporkan kepada kepolisian bila melihat adanya gejala-gejala tidak baik yang dapat menjurus kepada atau ke arah terjadinya kriminalitas seperti mengedarkan bahan pangan yang mengandung zat atau bahan tambahan makanan yang melampaui batas yang ditetapkan agar dapat secara cepat mencegah terjadinya kejahatan ditengah-tengah masyarakat.