bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION IN COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA
Authors: Olaka Mr. Habil , Lewa Prof. Peter , Kiriri Dr. Peter 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to investigate the influence of strategic leadership on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya. The seven critical components of strategic leadership studied were strategic direction, core competencies, human capital, social capital, corporate culture, ethical practices and strategic controls. More specifically, the study investigated the influence of these components on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design whose target population was the top management team in the commercial banks in Kenya. The instrument of data collection was tested for reliability using the Cronbach alpha test and for validity using the KMO and Bartlett’s test. Statistical analysis was then carried out on the data collected.Findings: The study finds that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between effective implementation of strategy with only two of the strategic leadership actions which are ‘determining strategic direction’ and ‘establishing balanced organization controls’. The study recommends that the leadership and in particular the CEO to focus his energies on providing the strategic direction of the organization if it is to achieve its strategic objectives of remaining competitive in the market. Similarly establishing a balance between strategic and financial controls has a direct influence on the implementation of strategy. A strategic leader creates wealth by striking a balance between the constraining influence of financial controls and the long term focus of the strategic controls.
FACTORS INFLUENCING STRATEGIC RESPONSES TO EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT BY DEPOSIT TAKING SACCOS IN NAIROBI COUNTY: A STUDY OF UNAITAS SACCO
Authors: Abdow Salat Khalif , Ogollah Dr. Kennedy 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing strategic responses to external environment by deposit taking SACCOS in Nairobi County: a study of Unaitas Sacco.Methodology: The research adopted case study research design. The target population of the study was 11 directors and 600 employees of Unaitas Sacco. The sample size consisted of 61 (10% of the target population) directors and employees of Unaitas Sacco. Stratified random sampling was used in the study to select the one director and the 60 employees of Unaitas Sacco. The study used primary data. The data collection instruments that were used in this study were the interview guide and questionnaire. The qualitative analysis was done using content analysis. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Results were presented in form of tables and charts. Particular statistics in factor analysis was scale plot and commonalities.Results: The study found that reference to past strategy organization external dependence, consideration of level of risk and Organizational Culture greatly influences the choice of strategic response. In addition managerial competence, organizational structure and control processes, time available and availability of resources also greatly influence the choice of strategic responseUnique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that Unaitas to invest more in the latest technology and start agency banking as a strategy of expanding its market share and product differentiation.
Increasing Diversity of Japanese Language Teachers: Approaches to Teaching-Related Professional Development for College Students in North America
Authors: Ohta Amy Snyder 
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this article is to share approaches to raise undergraduate student awareness and understanding of Japanese foreign language (JFL) teaching careers, which might increase the number and diversity of our students who become teachers. These strategies, presented with examples from the Japanese program at <Institution Name>, are presented in order of ease of implementation, including 1) advisement to provide a space to consider JFL teaching as a possible career and to share share accurate information about JFL teaching opportunities and qualifications 2) guest lectures by local JFL teachers, 3) instructional units related to Japanese teaching and learning, 4) a new Japanese teaching-related internship program where students can get experience helping in a JFL classroom, and 5) courses on Japanese applied linguistics, including a newly-developed course on foreign language teaching methods featuring JFL in North American and EFL in Japan.
Milton and the Search for Meaning
Authors: Danielson Dennis 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
Many who face death and loss struggle to make sense of God, of issues of fairness and justice, and of the world. For Milton, too, questions of theodicy, right and wrong, and cosmology are integral with a search for meaning. His epic project of asserting and observing Providence—by engaging readers dramatically and poetically as well as philosophically—still encourages us, allowing for distance of time and sensibility, to pursue our individual and collective quests for meaning: perhaps even to discern and articulate a more coherent, if not yet polished, “cosmic syntax.”
Afscheidsinterview met mr. W.A.M. van Schendel, oud-voorzitter van de strafkamer van de Hoge Raad
Authors: Herbrink D.J. (Douwe) 
Published: September 2020

Afscheidsinterview met mr. W.A.M. van Schendel, voormalig vicepresident in de Hoge Raad
Na bijna twintig jaar raadsheer in de Hoge Raad te zijn geweest is Van Schendel per 1 september 2020 met pensioen gegaan. Zijn afscheid wil NTS niet onopgemerkt voorbij laten gaan. In dit interview passeren achtereenvolgens de volgende onderwerpen de revue: civiel recht in het strafrecht, de vordering benadeelde partij, rechtsbescherming, de geen belang redenering, ambtshalve cassatie, de ‘billijke rechter’, de zichtbaarheid van de Hoge Raad in de trias politica en de levenslange gevangenisstraf.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Thai Minced Fish Paste (Surimi) Using Life Cycle Assessment Methodology
Authors: Phungrassami Harnpon , Usubharatana Phairat 
Published: September 2020

Environmental impacts of fishery production have resulted in increased concern and awareness. Thailand, as one of the largest global fish exporters, faces challenges related to environmental problems caused by fishery processes. Here, the environmental impact of Thai surimi production was estimated based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, focusing specifically on two Thai surimi products made from goatfish and ponyfish caught within the southern region of Thailand. Three impact categories where explored: global warming, acidification and eutrophication. Life cycle impacts were calculated for one kg of product using both mass and economic allocations. Results of this study indicated that goatfish has lower impacts than ponyfish for all the impact categories. Fuel consumption during the fishery phase and electricity consumption during processing were the main parameters leading to most of the considered environmental impacts. The value of Global Warming Potential(GWP) ranged within 1.3‒3.0 kg CO2eq for goatfish and 2.2‒7.1 kg CO2eq ponyfish depending on the allocation method. The acidification impact of goatfish and ponyfish were revealed at 3.2‒7.3 gSO2eq and 12.7‒39.7 gSO2eq, respectively. The eutrophication of goatfish and ponyfish were 0.7‒1.6 gPO4eq and 2.5‒8.1 gPO4eq, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of fuel consumption, electricity consumption, product yield and allocation method were evaluated.
The Importance of Tea in the Correlation between Caffeine and Health
Authors: Başaran Burhan 
Published: September 2020

This study aims to examine the studies on the correlation between caffeine intake of individuals and health and to emphasize the importance of tea for health. Caffeine is a substance contained in many foods we frequently consume in our daily diets such as tea, coffee, cola, and energy drinks and is generally known for its stimulant nature. That is why consumers take caffeine into their bodies throughout their lives. The European Food Safety Authority states that daily intake of 400 mg (about 5.7 mg/kg bw for 70 kg) caffeine from all sources does not create any concern for adults. There is no complete consensus about whether caffeine consumption causes various ailments in individuals or whether it has a protective effect against contracting various diseases. The literature review has revealed that coffee and tea in adults and tea, soft, and energy drinks in children and adolescents play an important role in caffeine intake. Tea is a plant that is especially rich in phenolic compounds and has many benefits for human health. Therefore, for conscious consumers, tea is different from other drinks due to caffeine and phenolic compounds and is thought to do more good than harm to people.
Recent Progress in Activity-Based Travel Demand Modeling: Rising Data and Applicability
Authors: Tajaddini Atousa , Rose Geoffrey , M. Kockelman Kara , L. Vu Hai 
Published: September 2020

Over 30 years have passed since activity-based travel demand models (ABMs) emerged to overcome the limitations of the preceding models which have dominated the field for over 50 years. Activity-based models are valuable tools for transportation planning and analysis, detailing the tour and mode-restricted nature of the household and individual travel choices. Nevertheless, no single approach has emerged as a dominant method, and research continues to improve ABM features to make them more accurate, robust, and practical. This paper describes the state of art and practice, including the ongoing ABM research covering both demand and supply considerations. Despite the substantial developments, ABM’s abilities in reflecting behavioral realism are still limited. Possible solutions to address this issue include increasing the inaccuracy of the primary data, improved integrity of ABMs across days of the week, and tackling the uncertainty via integrating demand and supply. Opportunities exist to test, the feasibility of spatial transferability of ABMs to new geographical contexts along with expanding the applicability of ABMs in transportation policy-making.
Five new species of Caliscelidae (Insecta, Hemiptera) from Mexico and Panama, with additional redescriptions of little-known species
Authors: De Freitas Abner S. , Dietrich Christopher H. , Takiya Daniela M. 
Published: September 2020

Five new species of Peltonotellini (Caliscelinae) are described and illustrated: Bruchomorpha pseudodorsata sp. nov., Fitchiella brachyrhina sp. nov., Protrocha nigrilutea sp. nov. and P. punctatosa sp. nov. from Mexico, and Fitchiella zahniseri sp. nov. from Panama. Additionally, five previously described species are redescribed based on newly collected specimens: Aphelonema brevata Caldwell, 1945 (proposed original combination), Bruchomorpha decorata Metcalf, 1923, Bruchomorpha mormo Kirkaldy, 1907, Nenema virgata (Doering, 1941) and Protrocha nesolitaria (Caldwell, 1945). Bruchomorpha decorata is recorded from Panama for the first time. Redescriptions provide new information on the distribution of sensory pits and the first detailed descriptions of male and female terminalia for these species.
Genome-wide analysis of PRR gene family uncovers their roles in circadian rhythmic changes and response to drought stress in Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Du Zhaohai , Huo Xuehan , Zhou Juan , Chen Yu , Zhang Jingxia , Pan Ao , Wang Xiaoyang , Wang Furong , Zhang Jun 
Published: September 2020

Background
The circadian clock not only participates in regulating various stages of plant growth, development and metabolism, but confers plant environmental adaptability to stress such as drought. Pseudo-Response Regulators (PRRs) are important component of the central oscillator (the core of circadian clock) and play a significant role in plant photoperiod pathway. However, no systematical study about this gene family has been performed in cotton.

Methods
PRR genes were identified in diploid and tetraploid cotton using bioinformatics methods to investigate their homology, duplication and evolution relationship. Differential gene expression, KEGG enrichment analysis and qRT-PCR were conducted to analyze PRR gene expression patterns under diurnal changes and their response to drought stress.

Results
A total of 44 PRR family members were identified in four Gossypium species, with 16 in G. hirsutum, 10 in G. raimondii, and nine in G. barbadense as well as in G. arboreum. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PRR proteins were divided into five subfamilies and whole genome duplication or segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of Gossypium PRR gene family. Gene structure analysis revealed that members in the same clade are similar, and multiple cis-elements related to light and drought stress response were enriched in the promoters of GhPRR genes. qRT-PCR results showed that GhPRR genes transcripts presented four expression peaks (6 h, 9 h, 12 h, 15 h) during 24 h and form obvious rhythmic expression trend. Transcriptome data with PEG treatment, along with qRT-PCR verification suggested that members of clade III (GhPRR5a, b, d) and clade V (GhPRR3a and GhPRR3c) may be involved in drought response. This study provides an insight into understanding the function of PRR genes in circadian rhythm and in response to drought stress in cotton.
Nanoinsecticidal Efficacy of Ag/Ni Bimetallic Nanoparticles (BMNPs) on Lymphatic Filariasis Vector
Authors: Lamayi Danbature Wilson , Abba Ezra , Shehu Zaccheus , Adam Muhammad Mustapha 
Published: September 2020

Aims: Nanoparticles are gradually gaining wide scientific interest due to their various applications in catalysis, magnetism, medicine, optics, as antibacterial and nanolarvicidal agents. This research aimed at evaluating the larvicidal activity of green synthesized Ag/Ni BMNPs from the aqueous root extract of Borassus aethiopum as the stabilizing agent as well as their spectroscopic investigation using UV-Visible and FT-IR spectroscopy.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Gombe State University between August and December, 2019.
Methodology: In this study, Ag/Ni hybrid bimetallic nanoparticles was synthesized using an eco-friendly method from the secondary metabolites of Borassus aethiopum acting as the reducing agent.
Results: Optical measurements using UV-Vis showed the maximum absorption wavelength at 410nm while the FT-IR result for the root extract showed peaks at 3443.26cm-1, 2929.48 cm-1, 1651.28 cm-1, and 1080.12 cm-1 corresponding to OH stretch, sp3 C-H stretch, C=C stretch and C-O-C stretching respectively. These were replaced in the spectra of the BMNPs with the absence and appearance of some others indicating that they were involved in the capping process. The lethal concentration (LC50) was found to be 5.730, 13.585 and 15.735 mg/L for 1st, 2nd and 3rd/4th instars respectively. Also, the lethal concentration (LC90) was found to be 88.444, 195.689 and 236.889 mg/L for 1st, 2nd and 3rd/4th instars respectively.
Conclusion: The larvicidal bioassay result showed a dose-dependent mortality rates against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae which suggest they can be developed to control the insect population.
Bacteriological Profiles of Pyogenic Wound Infection among Adults with Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern at a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Onwuezobe I. A. , Matthew P. C. , Oyoyo A. O. 
Published: September 2020

Aims: A wide variety of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria either singly or in combination has been implicated in pyogenic wound infection and this has been associated with treatment failures due to antibiotic resistance. This study aims at investigating the agents of pyogenic wound infection and their antibiotic susceptibility.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the only tertiary Teaching Hospital in Uyo, Nigeria and carried out on 136 wound samples.
Place and Duration of Study: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, between April and October, 2018.
Methodology: Aspirated pus or wound swab samples were collected and inoculated on two separate agar plates containing 25% Sheep Blood and incubated aerobically and anaerobically at 37°C for 48 – 72 hours. Identification of isolates was performed following standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: Of the 136 collected wound samples from 76 (55.9%) males and 60 (44.1%) females patients from ages 20 to 70 years and above, 127 (93.4%) had growth of different bacterial isolates totaling 214 in number. Among these were aerobes 132 (61.6%) anaerobes 82 (38.4%). The Gram-negative aerobes had the highest prevalence 81 (37.9%), while the Gram-positive anaerobes 20 (9.4%) was the least prevalent. Staphylococcus aureus, 44 (86.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 24 (29.6%), were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes respectively. Peptococci spp. 8 (40%) and Bacteriodes fragilis 28 (54.9%) were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobes respectively. Some rarely reported pathogens revealed include Acinetobacter iwoffi, Enterobacter cloacae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 1(1.2%) and they showed 100% resistance to all tested antibiotics. The majority of the Gram-positive aerobes 29 (56.9%) were Vancomycin resistant and there was also an increasing prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (45%).
Conclusion: The bacterial agents causing pyogenic wound infection in Uyo comprised of 61.6% aerobes and 38.4% anaerobes. Some rarely reported bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae and A. iwofii implicated in the infections were resistant to all commonly used antibiotics including Imipenem, a reserved antibiotic. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest cause of pyogenic wound infection and up to 45% of them were Methicillin resistant.
Parenting practices, aggressive response evaluation and decision, and social difficulties in kindergarten children: The role of fathers
Authors: Ziv Yair , Arbel Reout 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe association between fathers' parenting characteristics and their preschool children's social information processing (SIP) patterns is an understudied research topic. Hence, the current study aims to bridge this gap by examining whether there are differences between mothers' and fathers' parenting characteristics and their children's SIP patterns as well as their social functioning in school, with a specific focus on children's aggressive response evaluation and decision (RED) and social difficulties in kindergarten. Using a multimethod (self‐reports and direct assessments) multi‐informant (mother, father, child, and teacher) design, we collected data from 115 kindergarten children, their mothers, and their fathers, tapping the parents' perceptions of the relationships with the child and parenting style; the child's aggressively biased RED, and the child's social difficulties in kindergarten. We found that fathers' parenting capacities are associated with children's aggressively biased RED, whereas no such associations were found for mothers. In addition, aggressively biased RED mediated the association between fathers' authoritative parenting style and the child's maladaptive behavior in kindergarten. There were no differences between fathers and mothers in relation to social difficulties in kindergarten, with both parents' authoritative parenting style associated with less social difficulties. However, sex moderated this association in mothers as their authoritative style was associated with social difficulties in boys but not in girls. This difference was not found in fathers. On the other hand, fathers' authoritarian parenting style was associated with aggressive RED in boys but not in girls. The tentative nature of these findings and the need for replications are discussed.
The role of vulnerable environments in support for homegrown terrorism: Fieldwork using the 3N model
Authors: Lobato Roberto M. , Moyano Manuel , Bélanger Jocelyn J. , Trujillo Humberto M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe 3N model of radicalization proposes that violent radicalization is the result of the contribution of needs, networks, and narratives. Although research has mainly been supportive of this perspective, a substantial amount of ground remains uncovered regarding the network component of the model. Within this framework, we examine why individuals living in certain social environments tend to harbor more positive attitudes toward homegrown terrorism than others. Building on prior research, we hypothesized that individuals living in social environments known to be vulnerable (vs. less vulnerable) are more likely to experience a sense of significance loss (i.e., lack of social integration, perceived conflicts between religious groups), find solace in religious social networks (i.e., mosques), and thus adhere to radical narratives (i.e., legitimization of terrorism). A study with 365 young Muslims from different cities in Spain (Almería, Barcelona, Ceuta, and Melilla)supported these predictions. Theoretical and practical implications for the study of violent extremism are discussed.
Baseline neuropsychological profiles in prion disease predict survival time
Authors: Sundaram Saranya E. , Staffaroni Adam M. , Walker Nicole C. , Casaletto Kaitlin B. , Casey Megan , Golubjatnikov Aili , Metcalf Stacy , O’Leary Kelly , Wong Katherine , Benisano Kendra , Forner Sven , Gonzalez Catalan Marta , Allen Isabel E. , Rosen Howard J. , Kramer Joel H. , Geschwind Michael D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveFew studies have captured the neuropsychological profile of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) with neuropsychological testing, and little is known about cognitive predictors of survival. We characterized baseline neuropsychological performance in sCJD and investigated associations with survival.MethodssCJD participants who completed the MMSE (n = 118), 61 sCJD of whom also completed a neuropsychological battery at baseline, and 135 age‐matched healthy controls, were included. Composite scores of global cognition, memory, executive functions, visuospatial, and language were derived. Cox proportional hazard models estimated survival time, controlling for age and education. Additional models adjusted for Barthel Index and PRNP codon 129 polymorphism.ResultssCJD participants performed significantly worse than controls on all cognitive tasks and composites with most showing very large effect sizes. The three tests showing the largest group differences were delayed verbal recall (Hedges’g = 4.08, P < 0.0001), Stroop Inhibition (Hedges’g = 3.14, P < 0.0001), and Modified Trails (Hedges’g = 2.94, P < 0.0001). Memory (95%) and executive functioning (87%) composites were most commonly impaired. Poorer global (HR = 0.65, P < 0.0001), visuospatial (HR = 0.82, P < 0.0001), and memory (HR = 0.82, P = 0.01) composites predicted shorter survival. Visuospatial cognition remained a significant predictor even after adjusting for all other cognitive composites; each standard deviation decrease in visuospatial cognition was associated with an 18% higher chance of death (HR = 0.82, P < 0.003). Global (HR = 0.68, P = 0.03) and visuospatial (HR = 0.82, P = 0.001) composites remained significant predictors after controlling for Barthel Index and codon 129.InterpretationsCJD participants exhibit a broad range of cognitive impairments, with memory and executive functioning deficits in the vast majority. Neuropsychological assessment, particularly of visuospatial abilities, informs prognostication in sCJD.