Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of fertilization and polyspermy in serotonin‐spawned eggs of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Eggs isolated from animals spawned with 10−3 M serotonin were inseminated with sperm concentrations ranging from 103–106 sperm/ml. Multiple sperm attached to the surface of the egg and sperm incorporation occurred within 3 min postinsemination (PI). Sperm mitochondria, centrioles, and flagellum were also incorporated. Incorporation was essentially complete by 6 min PI. In the egg cortex, the sperm head rotated 180°, and a rapid translocation of the sperm through the cytoplasm towards the egg interior began by 5–6 min PI. In heavily polyspermic inseminations, translocations of the sperm were either minimal or nonexistent. In monospermic eggs, nuclear decondensation occurred after translocation was complete, beginning by 9–10 min PI. A male pronucleus began to develop in the cytoplasm by 21 min PI and enlarged to 20 μm before fusing with the female pronucleus. Oscillation of the egg cytoplasm and mitotic spindle apparatus was observed immediately prior to cleavage. Cleavage occurred at 60 min PI. Sperm incorporation and pronuclear formation were confirmed with fluorescent and confocal microscopy using the DNA‐specific dyes Hoescht 33342 and 7‐aminoactinomycin D. In sperm concentrations >104 sperm/ml, 26–76% of the eggs exhibited polyspermy. The high incidence of polyspermy suggests that rapid, effective blocks to polyspermy were not present or were ineffective in a significant proportion of serotonin‐spawned eggs. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of myosmine, cotinine and nicotine in human toenail, plasma and saliva

Myosmine is a minor tobacco alkaloid with widespread occurrence in the human diet. Myosmine is genotoxic in human cells and is readily nitrosated and peroxidated yielding reactive intermediates with carcinogenic potential. For biomonitoring of short-term and long-term exposure, analytical methods were established for determination of myosmine together with nicotine and cotinine in plasma, saliva and toenail by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Validation of the method with samples of 14 smokers and 10 non-smokers showed smoking-dependent differences of myosmine in toenails (66 ± 56 vs 21 ± 15 ng g−1, p <0.01) as well as saliva (2.54 ± 2.68 vs 0.73 ± 0.65 ng ml−1, p <0.01). However, these differences were much smaller than those with nicotine (1971 ± 818 vs 132 ± 82 ng g−1, p <0.0001) and cotinine (1237 ± 818 vs <35 ng g−1) in toenail and those of cotinine (97.43 ± 84.54 vs 1.85 ± 4.50 ng ml−1, p <0.0001) in saliva. These results were confirmed in plasma samples from 84 patients undergoing gastro-oesophageal endoscopy. Differences between 25 smokers and 59 non-smokers are again much lower for myosmine (0.30 ± 0.35 vs 0.16 ± 0.18 ng ml−1, p <0.05) than for cotinine (54.67 ± 29.63 vs 0.61 ± 1.82 ng ml−1, p <0.0001). In conclusion, sources other than tobacco contribute considerably to the human body burden of myosmine.
Chronic hepatitis B--care delivery and patient knowledge in the Torres Strait region of Australia.

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians. This article reports the findings of two studies in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area (T&NPA) of Queensland in Australia. The aim of the first study was to assess CHB care delivery, the second assessed CHB patient knowledge about the condition. METHODS A pathology database search (1997-2009) identified a cohort of potential CHB patients in T&NPA. A file audit assessed care delivery for a random sample of 83 CHB patients. A survey assessed knowledge of 42 CHB patients. RESULTS A total of 365 hepatitis B positive patients were identified. There are gaps in patient review, monitoring, follow up and specialist referral. Patients had limited knowledge about CHB and measures to reduce its health impact. DISCUSSION Chronic hepatitis B affects a substantial number of Indigenous adults in the T&NPA. There is limited adherence to clinical guidelines. Improved uptake of clinical guidelines adapted for remote areas, incorporation of CHB into systematic chronic disease care, and culturally appropriate patient education resources and programs are needed.
CEA and CA-19.9 Serum Tumor Markers as Prognostic Factors in Patients with Locally Advanced (Unresectable) or Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis

the MICs of both isolates were 0.12 mg/L. Therefore, the strain grown in the presence of 6 mg/L of amphotericin B did not represent a true resistant mutant. In conclusion, all 107 C. lusitaniae clinical isolates tested were shown to be in vitro susceptible to amphotericin B. C. lusitaniae isolates were tolerant to the polyene. The phenomenon of tolerance was found to be highly influenced by the environment. In addition, the acquired resistance was shown to be transient.
Determinants of Accounting-based Performance: Evidence from Bursa Malaysia

This study aims to examine the determinants of accounting-based performance of 531 non-financial Malaysian listed companies over the period 2004 to 2012.System generalized method of moments reveals that both prior risk-taking behavior and size are found to be important determinants of performance.A significant positive influence of prior risk-taking behavior on performance implies that risk-averse managers are cognitively influenced by their capability in handling risky investments in the past; consequently enhance confidence in their ability to manage profitable investments. The result appears to support the capital asset pricing model implication.Meanwhile, a significant positive size-performance relationship suggests that investors and fund managers should focus on larger companies as they can have better stock performance.
Impact of Corporate Control on Corporate Value: Evidence from Nairobi Securities Exchange

This study aimed at determining the impact of corporate control on corporate value of Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firms. The paper tested the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between corporate control and corporate value improvement as indicated by ROA and Tobin Q. Agency theory is the anchoring theory. The study applied census survey for sixty-four firms listed at the NSE. The time frame of analysis is five years between 2013 and 2017. Out of the 64 listed companies targeted, 58 were analyzed forming 90% of the population. Corporate control index was developed as proxy measures of variables. The study applied census survey given that the population of firms listed at the NSE is not large. Regression analysis and correlation analysis were applied to test the hypotheses. The results of descriptive statistics revealed a significant positive relationship between the variables. The study findings were in line with previous research findings and also provided further insight on the impact of self-determining variable, corporate control on the corporate value. Analyst and investors may apply findings to identify crucial control mechanism in financial markets. The findings can also be useful for policies evaluation and development. The study has also applied important mechanism in CCI to examine the effect of corporate control on corporate value which has provided new insight on the relationship thereby enriching the result.
Perceived price and service quality as mediators between price fairness and perceived value in business banking relationships

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test perceived price and service quality as mediators between price fairness and perceived value in service encounters between micro-enterprises and their banks.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a self-administered and internet-based questionnaire conducted in the banking industry. The sample consists of 381 micro-enterprises in South Africa that employ one or two staff members.FindingsThe findings of this paper provide evidence for both theory and practice that perceived price and service quality influence the relationship between business banking customers’ perception of price fairness and the value of the service offered.Research limitations/implicationsThe measurement and structural properties reported are satisfactory. This paper confirms the hypothesized relationships in the tested research model, and rejects a tested rival model. Limitations are reported, and suggestions for further research are provided.Practical implicationsThis paper offers banking executives guidance in managing the pricing structure of their services, and highlights the value of offering greater transparency with regards to service charges and interest rates.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to insights into the mediating effects of perceived price and service quality between price fairness and perceived value in business relationships between micro-enterprises and their banks.
Rapid Detection and Differentiation of Wild-Type and Three Attenuated Lapinized Vaccine Strains of Classical Swine Fever Virus by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction

A simple one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was developed based on T-rich insertions in the viral genome for simultaneous detection and differentiation of wild type and vaccine strains of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV). The CSFV-specific primers were designed to contain the sequences of the T-rich insertion sites that exist uniquely in the 3' nontranslated regions (3′ NTR) of the genome of lapinized CSFV vaccine strains. By using a one-step RT-PCR or a nested PCR followed by an agarose gel electrophoresis or a multicapillary electrophoresis, the wild-type and lapinized vaccine strains of CSFV in clinical samples could be detected and accurately distinguished. These assays can be applied to at least 3 attenuated lapinized vaccine strains, lapinized Philippines Coronel (LPC), hog cholera lapinized virus (HCLV), and Chinese strain (C strain). The detection limit of the wild-type virus was 6.3 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose)/ml for RT-PCR and 0.63 TCID50/ml for nested PCR. In previous studies, notable T-rich insertions of 12–13 nucleotides (nt) were found in the 3′ NTR of the genome of lapinized vaccine strains of CSFV. However, this study discovered that 2 T-rich insertions, 42 and 36 nt in length, are present in the viral genome of lapinized vaccine strains LPC/PRK (primary rabbit kidney) and LPC/TS (Tam-Sui), respectively. These T-rich insertions of 12, 36, and 42 nt length increases the size of PCR fragments, which are favorable genetic markers for rapid detection of and differentiation between wild-type and different lapinized vaccine strains of CSFV.
Malaria: an update on current chemotherapy

Introduction: Chemotherapy of malaria has become a rapidly changing field. Less than two decades ago, treatment regimens were increasingly bound to fail due to emerging drug resistance against 4-aminoquinolines and sulfa compounds. By now, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) constitute the standard of care for uncomplicated falciparum malaria and are increasingly also taken into consideration for the treatment of non-falciparum malaria. Areas covered: This narrative review provides an overview of the state-of-art antimalarial drug therapy, highlights the global portfolio of current Phase III/IV clinical trials and summarizes current developments. Expert opinion: Malaria chemotherapy remains a dynamic field, with novel drugs and drug combinations continuing to emerge in order to outpace the development of large-scale drug resistance against the currently most important drug class, the artemisinin derivatives. More randomized controlled studies are urgently needed especially for the treatment of malaria in first trimester pregnant women. ACTs should be used for the treatment of imported malaria more consequently. Gaining sufficient efficacy and safety information on ACT use for non-falciparum species including Plasmodium ovale and malariae should be a research priority. Continuous investment into malaria drug development is a vital factor to combat artemisinin resistance and successfully improve malaria control toward the ultimate goal of elimination.
Assignment of Immunoglobulin G1 and G2 Concentrations to Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharides 3, 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F in Pneumococcal Reference Serum 89-SF

ABSTRACT We describe standardization of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2 concentrations of antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (Pnc PS). The ELISA uses a human pneumococcal reference serum pool, lot 89-SF, as a reference. IgG1 and IgG2 concentrations were assigned to antibodies to Pnc PS serotypes 3, 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F in 89-SF by ELISA using affinity-purified monoisotypic IgG1 and IgG2 preparations. The sum of IgG1 and IgG2 concentrations in 89-SF agrees well with the previously assigned IgG concentrations. The IgG1 and IgG2 values in 89-SF were used to measure antibodies to Pnc PS 6B, 14, and 23F in adult pre- and postimmunization sera and the sum of IgG1 and IgG2 concentrations correlated well with the IgG values. Furthermore, the IgG2/IgG1 ratio did not affect the detection of IgG1, the isotype usually represented by a lower concentration.
Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Risk of Fractures

Treatment with systemic corticosteroids is known to increase the risk of fractures but little is known of the fracture risks associated with inhaled corticosteroids. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large UK primary care database (the General Practice Research Database [GPRD]). Inhaled corticosteroid users aged 18 years or older were compared with matched control patients and to a group of noncorticosteroid bronchodilator users. Patients with concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids were excluded. The study comprised 170,818 inhaled corticosteroid users, 108,786 bronchodilator users, and 170,818 control patients. The average age was 45.1 years in the inhaled corticosteroid, 49.3 years in the bronchodilator, and 45.2 years in the control groups. In the inhaled corticosteroid cohort, 54.5% were female. The relative rates (RRs) of nonvertebral, hip, and vertebral fractures during inhaled corticosteroid treatment compared with control were 1.15 (95% CI, 1.10–1.20), 1.22 (95% CI, 1.04–1.43), and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.22–1.85), respectively. No differences were found between the inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilator groups (nonvertebral fracture RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.94–1.06). The rates of nonvertebral fractures among users of budesonide (RR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85–1.07) and fluticasone propionate (RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.71–1.49) were similar to the rate determined for users of beclomethasone dipropionate. We conclude that users of inhaled corticosteroids have an increased risk of fracture, particularly at the hip and spine. However, this excess risk may be related more to the underlying respiratory disease than to inhaled corticosteroid.
The Role of Religiosity, Halal Awareness, Halal Certification, and Food Ingredients on Purchase Intention of Halal Food

Halal becomes the lifestyle of Muslim consumers in the world. As the Muslim population increasing, the awareness on consuming halal food also improving. This paper aims to examine the influence of religiosity, halal awareness, halal certification, and food ingredients on purchase intention of halal food among Indonesian Muslim consumers. Convenience sampling was used as the sampling method of this study. This research consisted of 205 respondents. The data are collected by questionnaire which are analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results of this study revealed that religiosity, halal awareness, halal certification and food ingredients have significantly positive effect on purchase intention of halal Food. This study indicates that consuming halal food is primary need for Muslim. Therefore, company should acquire halal certification in order to provide halal food for Muslim’s needs. This study contributed for the research literature, government, food manufacturers and marketers to develop strategies related with halal food.
Late-glacial and Holocene European pollen data

ABSTRACT The European Pollen Database (EPD) is a community effort to archive and make available pollen sequences from across the European continent. Pollen sequences provide records that may be used to infer past vegetation and vegetation change. We present here maps based on 828 sites from the EPD giving an overview of changes in postglacial pollen assemblages in Europe over the past 15,000 years. The maps show the distribution and abundance of 54 different pollen taxa at 500 year intervals, supported by new age-depth models and associated chronological uncertainty analysis. Results show the individualistic patterns of spread of different pollen taxa, and provide a standardized dataset for further analysis, defining a spatial context for the study of past plant and vegetation changes and other aspects of environmental history in Europe.
Sharia mutual funds performance in Indonesia

The study aims to measure each Sharia mutual fund performance and compare with market performance in Indonesia. Sharia mutual fund investment instruments in Indonesia have positive developments over the period from 2012 to 2017. These positive developments add to the option of investment instruments for public, especially investors who put forward the principles of Sharia. This research was conducted so that the public could have scientific information about Sharia mutual funds that have the best performance. The study found consistent results regarding Sharia mutual funds with the best performance on Sharpe and Jensen measurement methods. The best performing Sharia mutual fund by using those methods was PNM Syariah, while the lowest-performing mutual fund was PNM Amanah Syariah if measured by using Sharpe Index and PNM Ekuitas Syariah if measured by using Jensen Alpha. Different results were found when Sharia mutual fund performance was measured using Treynor Ratio Information Ratio, where the best Sharia mutual fund performance was by Manulife Syariah Sectoral Amanah mutual fund while the lowest performance was by Cipta Syariah Equity mutual fund. This findings are expected to be useful for Sharia-based investors.
Impact Analysis of Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) on Indonesian Tuna Exports to Major Destination Countries

Currently, international trade is hampered in both tariff and non-tariff measures. Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) are likely applied by some major trading countries. The NTM policy mostly applies Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT). Tuna commodity is one of Indonesian potential exports facing NTM barriers. Indonesia has exported its tuna to a number of major destinations including China, Japan, Thailand, United States, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. This study aims to analyze the export performance and NTMs impact on the Indonesian tuna export commodity. The methods used included descriptive analysis through inventory approach (coverage ratio and frequency index) and regression analysis of gravity model panel data from the period of 2009 – 2013 with the cross sectional data of the six major destination countries. The results show that United States as a country imposing the highest NTMs and frozen tuna is the most affected commodity group by NTM effects. The gravity model estimation results show that SPS and TBT affect tuna fish exports with positive coefficients of 0.011 and 0.015 respectively.Keywords: gravity model, NTM, SPS, TBT, tuna fish
An Empirical Study on M&A Performance: Evidence from Horizontal Mergers and Acquisitions in the United States

Synergy theory holds that horizontal mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are conducted to obtain economies of scale. Horizontal M&A help companies restructure assets and resources, thereby improving the efficiency of management. Technology diffusion from the same industry help companies complement each other in R&D and improve product quality and efficiency. In addition, horizontal M&A can eliminate duplicate labor and achieve efficient use of equipment, thereby reducing fixed production costs. Scholars have made fruitful researches on the motives of horizontal M&A, and tend to agree that companies can profit from horizontal M&A. There are mixed results of empirical research on the effect of horizontal M&A, and cases of M&A failure occur from time to time. Whether horizontal M&A can achieve the desired results of managers? This paper chooses the horizontal M&A events between 1995 and 2005 when both sides of M&A are listed companies in the United States. Event study method is used to compare the volatility of stock prices in the event window of each participant to test the short-term performance of horizontal M&A. The empirical results of this paper show that the stock market in the United States has responded about a week before the announcement date of horizontal M&A due to the lack of standardization of information disclosure or inadequate regulatory means. Horizontal M&A enhance the shareholder wealth of the targets in the short term, while cause loss of shareholder wealth of the bidders on the announcement day of M&A.
The Impact of Economic Partnership Agreements between ECOWAS and the EU on Niger

Abbreviations and Acronyms: ACP: African Caribbean Pacific; BCEAO: Central Bank of West Africa; CAPED: Analysis and Economic Development Forecast Unit; ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States; CEMAC: Central African Economic and Monetary Community; CET: Common External Tariff; CFAF: African Financial Community Franc; ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States; EPADP: Economic Partnership Agreement Development Programme; EPAs: Economic Partnership Agreements; EU: European Union; FTA: Free Trade Area; HS: Harmonized System; MFN: Most Favored Nation; NEPAD: New Partnership for the Development of Africa; WAEMU: West African Economic and Monetary Union; WTO: World Trade Organizations
Innovation Responses of Japanese Firms to Chinese Import Competition

This paper examines innovation response of a panel of Japanese firms to the intensified import competition from China for the period 1994-2009. We build a comprehensive firm-level dataset linking innovation activities including patenting and research and development (R&D) merged to cross-industry measures of Chinese import competition. Carefully accounting for a simultaneity bias between innovation and importing and the possible heterogeneous effects across firms, it is found that firms filed for more patents in response to increased import competition from China. However, this effect is only evident for a group of globally engaged firms. At the same time, Chinese import competition has adversely affected the quality of innovation as measured by citations. Overall, firms with a more domestic market focus are the ones who have felt most of the Chinese import competition, which is also reflected in their declined R&D efforts.
Long-Term and Intergenerational Effects of Education: Evidence from School Construction in Indonesia

We study long-term and intergenerational effects of the 1970’s Indonesian school construction program. Exploiting variation across birth cohorts and districts in number of schools built suggests that 43 years later men are more likely to work formally, outside agriculture, and migrate, and men and women have better marriage market outcomes. Households with exposed women have higher living standards and pay more taxes. Mother's program exposure leads to increased schooling for her children, with larger effects in secondary and tertiary education. Cost-benefit analyses indicate school construction leads to higher tax revenues and improved living standards offsetting construction costs within 18–54 years.