Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meiotic chromosome pairing in the normal human female

The synaptonemal complexes of oocytes from 16–22 week human fetuses were spread using detergent, and silver‐stained for examination by light microscopy. Zygotene chromosome synapsis generally begins at the telomeres, without obvious prealignment, and proceeds towards the centromeres. Synapsis is not synchronous and longer bivalents may sometimes be completely paired before shorter ones. At pachytene, when pairing is usually complete, some regions presumed to correspond to the heterochromatic blocks of chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 may remain unpaired. Residual univalents are uncommon, and little interlocking is evident at this stage. Desynapsis indicating the beginning of diplotene frequently begins at the telomeres, although there is a general relaxation of pairing throughout the bivalents which become increasingly diffuse as diplotene proceeds. The total synaptonemal complex complement length at pachytene in the female is 519 μm, which is about twice that found in the human male. The implications of these results for genetic mapping are discussed.
The use of accounting information for factory closure and income creation: the case of the South Seas Development Company, 1937–1944

ABSTRACT This study presents an additional important case clarifying the role of accounting in reconciling the dilemma faced by Japanese special companies in choosing between pursuing profits as a private entity and responding to the national interest under the conditions of the Second World War. The focus is placed on the transformations that occurred in the accounting practices adopted by the South Seas Development Company (SSDC), a special company heavily committed to Japan’s territory management in Micronesia during the inter-war period. The study demonstrates that the SSDC’s management initially used accounting information, such as segment profitability, to make economic decisions for the purpose of selecting its business centres, in response to the ‘South Construction Project’ requested by the Japanese army. However, subsequent to the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941, the nature of accounting information used was transformed in order for the SSDC to be able to manipulate accounting income to secure an acceptable level of dividends to respond to the demands of shareholders.
Susceptibility of lung epithelial cells to alkylating genotoxic insult

Alkylation is one of the most common types of DNA damage that can lead to mutations and cancer. Lung is the primary target organ of airborne alkylators such as ethylene oxide (EO). However, the ability of EO to cause lung cancer has not been clearly demonstrated yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of lung cells to alkylating DNA insult by detecting EO‐mediated DNA damage with the alkaline comet assay in human lung epithelial cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and keratinocytes. The susceptibility of these cell types toward the alkylating insult induced by EO was compared against the oxidative DNA insult induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Due to the volatility of EO, its active concentrations were monitored by gas chromatography during exposure and were found to decrease significantly in a time‐dependent manner. EO induced a statistically significant genotoxic effect at the lowest concentration used (16.4 µM) in lung epithelial cells and in lymphocytes, while in keratinocytes, a genotoxic effect was not detected until 55.5 µM EO. However, lung epithelial cells demonstrated increased resistance to oxidative insult. In fact, oxidative DNA damage detectable by endonuclease treatment was minimal in lung cells compared with the other cell types. These results suggest an increased sensitivity of lung epithelial cells toward the alkylating effects of EO, which was not observed for oxidative DNA damage. Our findings point out the importance of DNA alkylation and the possible role of EO on the induction of lung cancer. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:682–689, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Determinants of Firm Growth in Nigeria

This study investigates the factors that influence the growth rate of firms in Nigeria with a sample of 94 publicly listed firms during the period 1994-2005. The theoretical/analytical framework rested on the optimal firm size growth theory. It offers the most practical approach. The empirical methodology combines descriptive/statistical with econometric analysis. The significant determinants of the firmsâ€™ growth rates include the firmsâ€™ previous growth rates, size, age, capital intensity, financial constraints, management efficiency, and the extent of vertical integration. However, the significance of these factors depends on how the growth of firm is defined and/or measured as well as the estimation methods.
Remogliflozin etabonate, a selective inhibitor of the sodium‐dependent transporter 2 reduces serum glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Aims: Remogliflozin etabonate (RE) is the pro‐drug of remogliflozin (R), a selective inhibitor of renal sodium‐dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) that improves glucose control via enhanced urinary glucose excretion (UGE). This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of repeated doses of RE in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Focus on Teacher Education: Race and Identity: Crafting Counter-Stories With Early Childhood Educators of Color

The Issue Many teacher education programs incorporate and include multicultural education, defined as courses, workshops, and modules that aim to expose students to other cultures (Ladson-Billings, 2000. Yet we do not often see programs that confront “issues of racism in a deliberately anti-racist framework . . . even when our conceptions of race are more embedded and fixed than ever before” (p. 211). An anti-racist framework positions racism as a normal part of American life (Bogdan & Biklen, 2007), existing in society and therefore influencing institutions like schools (Lee, 1985). The theorists’ writing about identity development and race argue that in order for educators to be prepared to effectively teach diverse students, they must first identify and understand their own racial identities and worldviews (Carter & Goodwin, 1994; Hammerness et al., 2005; Howard, 1999; McAllister & Irvine, 2000). Studies employing racial identity models, however, focus primarily on researching predominantly white teachers, understanding whiteness as it relates to privilege and their teaching in multiracial schools (Howard, 1999; Lawrence & Tatum, 1997; Marx & Moss, 2011; McAllister & Irvine, 2000; Pennington, Brock, & Ndura, 2012). Although the literature mentions participants of color at times, their stories unfortunately are not usually analyzed or included in discussions except in explaining how white participants develop their racial identities (Pennington et al., 2012). The few studies that concentrate on teachers of color do not specifically focus on early childhood educators (Berry, 2005; Clark & Flores, 2001; Lynn, 2002). In my experience, there is often a dominant discourse in early childhood settings that strays away from discussing certain topics with young children. As Jonathan Silin (1995) describes, the argument of innocence is often used as a way to avoid difficult discourse in early childhood settings. As an educator of color with experience in many different early learning environments, I notice conversations around race and identity are not only avoided with children but often in adult-only spaces as well. I am, therefore, interested in the experiences of early childhood teachers of color, specifically in regard to how they develop their racial identity. Ellen Riojas Clark and Belinda Bustos Flores (2001) remind us that for minority teachers, in particular, the responses to Who am I? and What can I do? are embedded in one’s ethnic identity, which is a part of one’s self-concept. I would therefore argue that one’s identity as self and one’s racial identity are intertwined and influence one’s identity as an educator. This perspective is supported by a multicultural methodology that “views racial identity development as part of the pedagogical mission within the classroom, and encourages teachers to constantly engage in self-critique and growth” (Ng, 2003, p. 5).
Radial multigradient‐echo DCE‐MRI for 3D Ktrans mapping with individual arterial input function measurement in mouse tumor models

The purpose of this study was to provide proof of concept for a new three‐dimensional (3D) radial dynamic contrast enhanced MRI acquisition technique, called “Radial Entire Tumor with Individual Arterial input function dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI” (RETIA dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI), which allows for the simultaneous measurement of an arterial input function in the mouse heart at 2 s temporal resolution and coverage of the whole tumor. Alternating 2D and 3D projections contribute to the 2D heart image or 3D tumor data with a 3‐cm field of view. Sixty‐four 2D images of the heart are obtained during acquisition of each 3D tumor dataset. In a pilot study, global Ktrans and ve values were measured in four mice, in a respiratory motion‐animated subcutaneously implanted breast tumor model. This technique is expected to be most useful for the characterization of microvasculature in motion‐animated orthotopic tumors. Magn Reson Med 70:823–828, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fedspeak: Who Moves U.S. Asset Prices?

This paper examines the financial market impact of different types of Federal Reserve communications on several U.S. asset prices (Treasury rates, stock prices, and the euro–U.S. dollar exchange rate) using an intraday event-study analysis. I construct a new database of over 2,200 Federal Reserve events for the period 2001–12. I document that some Federal Reserve events, such as the release of FOMC statements and minutes, the Chairman’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress, and his speeches, significantly increase both the volatility of U.S. asset prices and their trading volume. In contrast, speeches by the other members of the Board of Governors (including the Vice Chair) and by regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents do not significantly move U.S. asset prices. Finally, I find that, with the notable exception of FOMC statements, no other Federal Reserve event is associated with positive and statistically significant pre-announcement returns.
Dual isotope myocardial perfusion SPECT in the detection of coronary artery disease: comparison of separate and simultaneous acquisition protocols.

A time-saving dual isotope acquisition protocol was carried out for the simultaneous assessment of stress and rest myocardial perfusion, and the diagnostic value of the technique was evaluated using coronary angiography results as a reference. Fifty-five patients undergoing coronary angiography before surgery were included in the study. Stress tests were applied, either with a treadmill (25 patients) or dobutamine infusion (30 patients in 5-40 micrograms/kg/min doses). All patients received 3 mCi of thallium-201 at rest. Stress tests were applied 30 minutes later, and at peak stress 7 mCi of 99mTc-MIBI was administered. A dual isotope SPECT study was carried out one hour after the administration of 99mTc-MIBI. Tracer doses were optimised with phantom studies, and the down-scatter of each radioisotope on the other data was investigated. In 30 patients, 10 minutes after the 201Tl injection a separate rest 201Tl acquisition was also performed, to compare the data with dual acquisition. 201Tl rest imaging SPECT data was evaluated by segmental analysis according to coronary artery regions. In 55% of the segments stress defects were observed. Similar results were obtained for the detection of defect reversibility; i.e. stress MIBI/rest 201Tl (75%) and stress MIBI/simultaneous 201Tl (78%). The overall sensitivity and specificity of simultaneous dual isotope SPECT with respect to coronary angiography results were 88% and 84%, respectively. A good correlation and no significant difference was observed between the two acquisition methods. However, the simultaneous acquisition protocol has many advantages, i.e. halving the acquisition time, shortening the overall decision-making time, and decreasing unmatched stress-rest artifacts.
Risk of falls and motor vehicle collisions in glaucoma.

PURPOSE To investigate the risk of falls and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS The sample comprised 48 patients with glaucoma (mean visual field mean deviation [MD] in the better eye = -3.9 dB; 5.1 dB SD) and 47 age-matched normal control subjects, who were recruited from a university-based hospital eye care clinic and are enrolled in an ongoing prospective study of risk factors for falls, risk factors for MVCs, and on-road driving performance in glaucoma. Main outcome measures at baseline were previous self-reported falls and MVCs, and police-reported MVCs. Demographic and medical data were obtained. In addition, functional independence in daily living, physical activity level and balance were assessed. Clinical vision measures included visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, standard automated perimetry, useful field of view (UFOV), and stereopsis. Analyses of falls and MVCs were adjusted to account for the possible confounding effects of demographic characteristics, medications, and visual field impairment. MVC analyses were also adjusted for kilometers driven per week. RESULTS There were no significant differences between patients with glaucoma and control subjects with respect to number of systemic medical conditions, body mass index, functional independence, and physical activity level (P > 0.10). At baseline, 40 (83%) patients with glaucoma and 44 (94%) control subjects were driving. Compared with control subjects, patients with glaucoma were over three times more likely to have fallen in the previous year (odds ratio [OR](adjusted) = 3.71; 95% CI, 1.14-12.05), over six times more likely to have been involved in one or more MVCs in the previous 5 years (OR(adjusted) = 6.62; 95% CI, 1.40-31.23), and more likely to have been at fault (OR(adjusted) = 12.44; 95% CI, 1.08-143.99). The strongest risk factor for MVCs in patients with glaucoma was impaired UFOV selective attention (OR(adjusted) = 10.29; 95% CI, 1.10-96.62; for selective attention >350 ms compared with </=350 ms). CONCLUSIONS There is an increased risk of falls and MVCs in patients with glaucoma.
Analysis of the Role of IL-21 in Development of Murine B Cell Progenitors in the Bone Marrow

IL-21 plays a key role in the late stage of B cell development, where it has been shown to induce growth and differentiation of mature B cells into Ig-secreting plasma cells. Because IL-21R has also been reported on bone marrow (BM) B cell progenitors, we investigated whether IL-21R influenced earlier stages of B cell development. IL-21R is functional as early as the pro-B cell stage, and the strength of receptor-mediated signaling increases as cells mature. The addition of IL-21 to B cell progenitors in cell culture resulted in the accelerated appearance of mature B cell markers and was associated with the induction of Aid, Blimp1, and germline transcripts. We also found that stimulation of both IL-21R and CD40 was sufficient to induce the maturation of early B cell progenitors into IgM- and IgG-secreting cells. Consistent with a role for IL-21 in promoting B cell differentiation, the number of B220+CD43+IgM− pro-B cells was increased, and the number of mature IgMhiIgDhi cells was decreased in BM of IL-21R–deficient mice. We also report in this paper that IL-21 is expressed by BM CD4+ T cells. These results provide evidence that IL-21R is functional in B cell progenitors and indicate that IL-21 regulates B cell development.
The TerraSAR-X Satellite

TerraSAR-X is a versatile synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite with active phased array antenna technology and represents the backbone of the German national radar Earth observation mission. With its large variety of different SAR imaging modes and its high operational flexibility, TerraSAR-X ideally serves the scientific community and users from the industrial sector and governmental institutions. The innovative satellite system design combines the rich experience from past German and European SAR space missions like X-SAR, SRTM, ERS 1 and 2, and Envisat combined with state-of-the-art Earth observation bus technology as used, e.g., on the CHAMP and GRACE satellites.
Influence of School Physical Facilities on Students' Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Makueni County, Kenya

Students' discipline is critical to the attainment of positive school outcomes. However, learning institutions have been plagued with cases of students’ unrest which undermine quality education. This study sought to investigate the influence of school physical facilities on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to determine the influence of adequacy of classrooms on students' discipline, to establish the influence of school library facilities on students’ discipline, to establish the influence of science facilities on students' discipline and to determine the influence of adequacy of sports grounds on students' discipline. Descriptive survey design was employed. The target population was 324 principals, 3,865 teachers and 97,200 students in public secondary schools in Makueni County. The sample size of the study was obtained by stratified and simple random sampling procedures. The total sample matrix was 68 principals, 350 teachers and 380 students. Questionnaires, interview guide and observation schedule research instruments were utilized for the study. Test-retest technique of reliability was used to affirm the reliability of the instruments. The reliability coefficient of the instruments was 0.765 for questionnaire for students and 0.814 for questionnaire for the teachers. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in frequency tables. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. From the data analysis, it was found out that adequacy of physical facilities had significant positive relationship at r=+0.78, P=0.002 with levels of students' discipline in public secondary schools in Makueni County. The study recommended that educational stakeholders should expand school physical facilities in order to enhance students’ discipline.
Effect of trehalose accumulation on response to saline stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To examine the effect of trehalose accumulation on response to saline stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we constructed deletion strains of all combinations of the trehalase genes ATH1, NTH1 and NTH2 and examined their growth behaviour and intracellular trehalose accumulation under non‐stress and saline‐stress conditions. Saline stress was induced in yeast cells by NaCl addition at the exponential growth phase. All deletion strains showed similar specific growth rates and trehalose accumulation to their parent strain under non‐stress conditions. However, under the saline stress condition, one single deletion strain, nth1Δ, two double deletion strains, nth1Δ ath1Δ and nth1Δ nth2Δ, and the triple deletion strain nth1Δnth2Δ ath1Δ, all of which carry the nth1Δ deletion, showed increased trehalose accumulation as compared to the parent and other deletion strains. In particular, our statistical analysis revealed that the triple deletion strain showed a higher growth rate under the saline stress condition than the parent strain. Moreover, some deletion strains showed further trehalose accumulation under non‐stress conditions by overexpression of the TPS1 or TPS2 genes encoding the enzymes related to trehalose biosynthesis at the mid‐exponential phase. Such increased trehalose accumulation prior to NaCl addition could improve the growth of these strains under saline stress. Our results indicate that high trehalose accumulation prior to NaCl addition, rather than after NaCl addition, is necessary to achieve high growth activity under stress conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
B10 cells and regulatory B cells balance immune responses during inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer

The ability of B cells to negatively regulate cellular immune responses and inflammation has only recently been described. Hallmark papers from a number of distinguished laboratories have identified phenotypically diverse B‐cell subsets with regulatory functions during distinct autoimmune diseases, including IL‐10‐producing B cells, CD5+ B‐1a cells, CD1d+ marginal zone B cells, and transitional‐2‐marginal zone precursor B cells. Most recently, a numerically rare and phenotypically unique CD1dhiCD5+CD19hi subset of regulatory B cells has been identified in the spleens of both normal and autoimmune mice. CD1dhiCD5+ B cells with the capacity to produce IL‐10 have been named B10 cells as they produce IL‐10 exclusively and are the predominant B‐cell source of IL‐10. Remarkably, B10 cells are potent negative regulators of inflammation and autoimmunity in mouse models of disease in vivo. Herein, our current understanding of B10‐cell development and function is reviewed in the context of previous studies that have identified and characterized regulatory B cells, emerging evidence for B10‐cell regulation of tumor immunity, and the likelihood that B10 cells exist in humans.
Analysis of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) degradation and synthesis in equine joint disease.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is abundant within cartilage; its turnover and/or degradation have been investigated in various equine joint diseases and it has been suggested that COMP fragmentation might be useful for monitoring such conditions. OBJECTIVES To determine whether COMP metabolism is compromised in equine osteoarthritis (OA) and whether COMP degradation is a useful joint marker representing cartilage destruction. HYPOTHESIS A monoclonal antibody (mAb) with a higher affinity for degraded COMP allows discrimination of diseased joints by quantifying COMP levels and fragmentation. METHODS A mAb (clone14G4) was generated against equine cartilage COMP. The NH2-terminal sequence of enzyme-cut COMP fragments recognised by 14G4 was determined, as was the efficiency of binding to COMP (using a generated COMP peptide). COMP concentration and fragmentation were analysed in synovial fluid (SF) from normal horses and those with OA. RESULTS The mAb 14G4 had a higher affinity for the smaller fragments of equine COMP, compared with a mAb (clone 12C4) generated against human COMP. The 14G4 epitope was identified as between C134 and F147. The COMP values in OA (mean +/- s.d. 205.8 +/- 90.9 microg/ml) were significantly higher than in the normal (133.1 +/- 31.5 microg/ml) SF. On the immunoblots of OA sample, the proportions of intact COMP were significantly lower, while smaller fragments ranging from 75 to 290 kDa were higher compared with the normal SF. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE The mAb 14G4 reliably detects COMP degradation as well as synthesis, and fragmentation analysis combined with quantification in SF could be useful to study equine OA.