MANAGEMENT’S PERCEPTION OF STOCK DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION IN AN EMERGING CAPITAL MARKET: THE CASE OF KUWAIT

The purpose of this study is to investigate perceptions of top managers of Kuwaiti companies regarding factors the affect their companies’ decision to distribute stock dividend ( SD ). A questionnaire listing 32 reasons that could explain companies’ decisions to declare SDs was distributed to a sample of 120 randomly selected top managers from 100 Kuwaiti companies and 73 responses were received (representing a 61% response rate ). Participants were classified according to: ( 1 )business sector ( investment, real estate, banking, service, and industrial ) and ( 2 ) size of SDs ( small ( less than 25% ) and large ( 25% or more )). Nonparametric statistical tests were employed to analyze the data.Stock Dividends, Importance Ratings, Trading Liquidity, Institutional Investors

Synthesis, cloning and expression of a novel pre-miniproinsulin analogue gene in Escherichia coli

In the present study, a novel pre-miniproinsulin analogue was designed to have a short 9 residue sequence replacing the 35 residue C-chain, one lysine and one arginine added to the C-terminus of the B-chain in combination with glycine and arginine substitution at A21 and B29, respectively, and a 16-residue fusion partner comprising the pentapeptide sequence (PSDKP) of the N-terminus of human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 6 histidine residues for Ni2+ chelated affinity purification and a pentapeptide ending with methionine for ease of chemical cleavage fused at the N-terminus. Homology modeling of the designed protein against miniproinsulin (protein databank file 1 efeA) as a template showed that the distance between the α-carbons of the C-terminus of the B-chain and the N-terminus of the A-chain did not change; the root-mean-square deviation of the backbone atoms between the structures of modeled miniproinsulin and miniproinsulin template was 0.000 Å. DNA sequencing of the synthesized gene showed 100% identity with theoretical sequence. The gene was constructed taking into account the codon preference of Escherichia coli (CAI value 0.99) in order to increase the expression rate of the DNA in the host strain. The designed gene was synthesized using DNA synthesis technology and then cloned into the expression plasmid pET-24a(+) and propagated in E. coli strain JM109. Gene expression was successful in two E. coli strains: namely JM109(DE3) and BL21(DE3)pLysS. SDS–PAGE analysis was carried out to check protein size and to check and optimize expression. Rapid screening and purification of the resulting protein was carried out by Ni–NTA technology. The identity of the expressed protein was verified by immunological detection method of western blot using polyclonal rabbit antibody against insulin

Analysis of a Fractional-Order Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation with Nonlocal Fractional-Order Integro-Differential Condition

Here, we center on the solvability of a fractional-order quadratic functional integro-differential equation with a nonlocal fractional-order integro-differential condition in the class of continuous functions. The maximal and minimal solutions will be discussed. The continuous dependence of the solutions on a few parameters will be examined. Finally, the problems of conjugate orders and integer orders, and some other problems and remarks will be discussed and presented

Qualitative Study for a Delay Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation of Arbitrary (Fractional) Orders

Symmetry analysis has been applied to solve many differential equations, although determining the symmetries can be computationally intensive compared to other solution methods. In this work, we study some operators which keep the set of solutions invariant. We discuss the existence of solutions for two initial value problems of a delay quadratic functional integro-differential equation of arbitrary (fractional) orders and its corresponding integer orders equation. The existence of the maximal and the minimal solutions is proved. The sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the solutions is given. The continuous dependence of the unique solution on some data is studied. The continuation of the arbitrary (fractional) orders problem to the integer order problem is investigated

On the De Blasi Measure of Noncompactness and Solvability of a Delay Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation

Quadratic integro-differential equations have been discussed in many works, for instance. Some analytic results on the existence and the uniqueness of problem solutions to quadratic integro-differential equations have been investigated in different classes. Various techniques have been applied such as measure of noncompactness, Schauder’s fixed point theorem and Banach contraction mapping. Here, we shall investigate quadratic functional integro-differential equations with delay. To prove the existence of solutions of the quadratic integro-differential equations, we use the technique of De Blasi measure of noncompactness. Moreover, we study some uniqueness results and continuous dependence of the solution on the initial condition and on the delay function. Some examples are presented to verify our results

On the De Blasi Measure of Noncompactness and Solvability of a Delay Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation

Quadratic integro-differential equations have been discussed in many works, for instance. Some analytic results on the existence and the uniqueness of problem solutions to quadratic integro-differential equations have been investigated in different classes. Various techniques have been applied such as measure of noncompactness, Schauder’s fixed point theorem and Banach contraction mapping. Here, we shall investigate quadratic functional integro-differential equations with delay. To prove the existence of solutions of the quadratic integro-differential equations, we use the technique of De Blasi measure of noncompactness. Moreover, we study some uniqueness results and continuous dependence of the solution on the initial condition and on the delay function. Some examples are presented to verify our results

Qualitative Study for a Delay Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation of Arbitrary (Fractional) Orders

Symmetry analysis has been applied to solve many differential equations, although determining the symmetries can be computationally intensive compared to other solution methods. In this work, we study some operators which keep the set of solutions invariant. We discuss the existence of solutions for two initial value problems of a delay quadratic functional integro-differential equation of arbitrary (fractional) orders and its corresponding integer orders equation. The existence of the maximal and the minimal solutions is proved. The sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the solutions is given. The continuous dependence of the unique solution on some data is studied. The continuation of the arbitrary (fractional) orders problem to the integer order problem is investigated

Does usage of monetary incentive impact the involvement in surveys? A systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 randomized controlled trials.

BackgroundSurveys are an effective method for collecting a large quantity of data. However, incomplete responses to these surveys can affect the validity of the studies and introduce bias. Recent studies have suggested that monetary incentives may increase survey response rates. We intended to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of monetary incentives on survey participation.MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to collect studies assessing the impact of monetary incentives on survey participation. The primary outcome of interest was the response rates to incentives: money, lottery, and voucher. We used the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials. We calculated the rate ratio (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using Review Manager Software (version 5.3). We used random-effects analysis and considered the data statistically significant with a P-value ResultsForty-six RCTs were included. A total of 109,648 participants from 14 countries were involved. The mean age of participants ranged from 15 to more than 60 years, with 27.5% being males, 16.7% being females, and the other 55.8% not reported. Our analysis showed a significant increase in response rate in the incentive group compared to the control group, irrespective of the incentive methods. Money was the most efficient way to increase the response rate (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.16,1.35; P = ConclusionMonetary incentives encourage the response rate in surveys. Money was more effective than vouchers or lotteries. Therefore, researchers may include money as an incentive to improve the response rate while conducting surveys

Does usage of monetary incentive impact the involvement in surveys? A systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 randomized controlled trials

Background: Surveys are an effective method for collecting a large quantity of data. However, incomplete responses to these surveys can affect the validity of the studies and introduce bias. Recent studies have suggested that monetary incentives may increase survey response rates. We intended to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of monetary incentives on survey participation. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to collect studies assessing the impact of monetary incentives on survey participation. The primary outcome of interest was the response rates to incentives: money, lottery, and voucher. We used the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials. We calculated the rate ratio (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using Review Manager Software (version 5.3). We used random-effects analysis and considered the data statistically significant with a P-value \u3c 0.05. Results: Forty-six RCTs were included. A total of 109,648 participants from 14 countries were involved. The mean age of participants ranged from 15 to more than 60 years, with 27.5% being males, 16.7% being females, and the other 55.8% not reported. Our analysis showed a significant increase in response rate in the incentive group compared to the control group, irrespective of the incentive methods. Money was the most efficient way to increase the response rate (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.16,1.35; P = \u3c 0.00001) compared to voucher (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.08,1.31; P = \u3c 0.0005) and lottery (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03,1.22; P = \u3c 0.009). Conclusion: Monetary incentives encourage the response rate in surveys. Money was more effective than vouchers or lotteries. Therefore, researchers may include money as an incentive to improve the response rate while conducting surveys