Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENETIC SYSTEMS OF BLOOD GROUPS IN HORSES.

ALTHOUGH there are numerous reports on blood groups in horses, there is still relatively little information on the genetics of equine blood groups. The studies of PODLIACHOUK (1957, 1958) are undoubtedly the most extensive and, like those of FRANKS (1962), have the advantage of being contemporaneous. Utilizing naturally occurring isoagglutinins as her main source of blood-typing reagents, PODLIACHOUK described ten blood factors (A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K) peculiar to horses and mules but apparently not found in asses. She concluded that none of the genes controlling those ten blood factors are alleles. Although she observed a strong association between blood factors A and F, that association was attributed to linkage. FRANKS, utilizing antisera from transplacentally isoimmunized mares as a source of blood-typing reagents, detected 11 equine blood factors which he designated by the numbers 1 through 11. He observed that 1,2, 5 , 8 and 11 were associated both in distribution and inheritance, and attributed the association to close linkage of the causative genes. He also mentioned that the genes for 6 and 10 belong to the A-F system described by PODLIACHOUK, but he made no statement relative to the inheritance of 3,4 and 7. In view of the extensive allelism associated with the control of blood groups in such species as man, cattle, chickens and sheep, the question has arisen whether multiple alleles might also be involved in the control of some of the blood groups in horses. Several years ago we undertook a program to develop our own battery of equine blood-typing reagents, one of the objectives being the use of those reagents in exploring for evidence of multiple alleles. We succeeded in developing 16 specifically different equine blood-typing reagents which are described in a foregoing report ( STORMONT, SUZUKI and RHODE 1964). As pointed out in that report, our 16 reagents have been compared in parallel tests with 11 reference reagents provided by PODLIACHOUK and HESSELHOLT. Six of our reagents had equivalents among the 11 reference agents. The corresponding blood factors were therefore named in accordance with the international standards. They are A, (or A), C, D, H, . T and K. The blood factors identified by our ten remaining reagents were given names which would not confuse them with previously described equine blood factors. They are A,, A’, PI, P,, P’, Q, R, s, T and U. The purpose of the present report is primarily that of elucidating the genetic systems to which these 16 blood factors belong.
Future Smart Crops for paddy fallow agri-food systems in Southeast Asia

Food security, as defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, is the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Over the coming decades, a changing climate, growing global population, increasing incomes, changes in food choices, rising food prices, and environmental stressors, such as increased water scarcity and land degradation, will have significant yet uncertain impacts on food security. There are different aspects having direct links to meeting food security at the global level, including globalization of markets.
Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Microglia in Brain Homeostasis and Proteopathy

Brain aging is central to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), although the mechanisms by which it occurs at protein or cellular levels are not fully understood. Alzheimer's disease is the most common proteopathy and is characterized by two unique pathologies: senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the former accumulating earlier than the latter. Aging alters the proteostasis of amyloid-β peptides and microtubule-associated protein tau, which are regulated in both autonomous and non-autonomous manners. Microglia, the resident phagocytes of the central nervous system, play a major role in the non-autonomous clearance of protein aggregates. Their function is significantly altered by aging and neurodegeneration. This is genetically supported by the association of microglia-specific genes, TREM2 and CD33, and late onset Alzheimer's disease. Here, we propose that the functional characterization of microglia, and their contribution to proteopathy, will lead to a new therapeutic direction in Alzheimer's disease research.
Developing Organizational Capacity for Change: The Role of Leader and Trust in the Indonesian Healthcare and Social Security Agency

This quantitative study aims to investigate the influence of servant leadership on organizational capacity for change, mediated by trust in the leader. A total of 222 employees from the Indonesian Healthcare and Social Security Agency have participated in this study. Data were obtained by means of questionnaires and then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results of this study show that servant leadership has a significant influence on the organizational capacity for change. In addition, servant leadership also has a significant influence on trust in leaders. However, trust in leaders does not have a significant influence on the organizational capacity for change. Thus, this study also finds that trust in leaders does not mediate the relationship between servant leadership and organizational capacity for change.
Assessment of an Interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in haemodialysis patient.

BACKGROUND The accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in haemodialysis patients remains elusive. Impaired immune function associated with chronic kidney failure causes a high number of anergic tuberculin skin tests (TST). Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release assays (IGRAs) measuring the INF-gamma secretion of tuberculosis specific T-cells have several advantages over the TST but their significance in dialysis patients is currently uncertain. METHODS This study examines the test-performances of the QuantiFERON Gold InTube (QFT-GIT) in a cohort of 39 haemodialysis (HD) patients and 52 healthy individuals. RESULTS INF-gamma secretion in HD patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls, however, mitogen-anergic QFT-GIT results were only found in 2.5% of HD-patients. INF-gamma secretion was independent of duration of HD treatment, dialysis quality and nutritional status. The QFT-GIT showed a closer association with TB risk factors as a proxy for past exposure to TB than the TST. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the QFT-GIT is a valid alternative to the TST. Together with the survey of TB risk factors, it may help to diagnose LTBI more accurately in HD-patients.
Cryo‐electron microscopy of cell division in Staphylococcus aureus reveals a mid‐zone between nascent cross walls

Cryo‐electron microscopy of frozen‐hydrated thin sections permits the observation of the real distribution of mass in biological specimens allowing the native structure of bacteria to be seen, including the natural orientation of their surface layers. Here, we use this approach to study the fine ultrastructure of the division site, or septum, of Staphylococcus aureus D2C. Frozen‐hydrated sections revealed a differentiated cell wall at the septum, showing two high‐density regions sandwiched between three low‐density zones. The two zones adjacent to the membrane appeared as an extension of the periplasmic space seen in this organism's cell envelope and showed no distinguishing structures within them. Immediately next to these were higher‐density zones that corresponded to nascent cross walls of the septum. Unexpectedly, a rather broad low‐density zone was seen separating cross walls in the septum. This mid‐zone of low density appeared inflated and without visible structures in isolated cell walls, which showed only the high‐density zones of the septum. Here, we suggest that frozen‐hydrated thin sections have captured a highly fragile septal region, the mid‐zone, which results from the dynamic action of autolysis and actively separates daughter cells during division. The two zones next to the membranes are periplasmic spaces. Immediately next to these are the growing cross walls composed of peptidoglycan, teichoic acid and protein.
Factors limiting the flow of food innovation ideas from modern food retailers to local food suppliers in Tanzania

Abstract This paper explores factors that constrain the flow of innovation ideas among downstream actors in the food value chain in Tanzania. Prior focus was on the improvement of products, but the influence of downstream actors has received little attention from the researchers in Africa. Qualitative method was deemed to be adequate and advantageous because the study was on understanding the challenges of innovation flow among downstream actors in the food value chain in Tanzania. Food suppliers were selected from international or local retailers using contact information of the processers provided on the packaging. The empirical findings of this study indicate that trade credit, government requirements, counterfeit products, consumers’ preference and lack of skilled staff limit the flow of innovation in the food value chain in Tanzania.
An Application of Extreme Value Theory as a Risk Measurement Approach in Frontier Markets

In this paper, we consider the application of Extreme Value Theory as a risk measurement tool. The Value at Risk, for a set of indices, from six Stock Exchanges of Frontier markets is calculated using the Peaks over Threshold method and the performance of the model index-wise is evaluated using coverage tests and loss functions. Our results show that “fattailedness” alone of the data is not enough to justify the use of EVT as a VaR approach. The structure of the returns dynamics is also a determining factor. This approach works fine in markets which have had extremes occurring in the past thus making the model capable of coping with extremes coming up (Colombo, Tunisia and Zagreb Stock Exchanges). On the other hand, we find that indices with lower past than present volatility fail to adequately deal with future extremes (Mauritius and Kazakhstan). We also conclude that using EVT alone produces quite static VaR figures not reflecting the actual dynamics of the data. Keywords—Extreme Value theory, Financial Crisis 2008, Frontier Markets, Value at Risk.
PENGARUH CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PERUSAHAAN

This study aims to analyze the effect of corporate governance as measured by the variables of the board of commissioners, the proportion of independent members of the board of commissioners, the number of board of commissioners and audit committee meeting on the profitability of the company as measured by return on equity (ROE). The population used in this study is a manufacturing company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2013-2016. Sampling technique used in this research is purposive sampling method and obtained 48 samples. This study uses secondary data from annual reports obtained from Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) in the period 2013-2016. The method of analysis used to analyze data is multiple regression. Based on the results of hypothesis testing in this study, it is evident that (1) the size of the board of commissioners has a positive effect on the profitability of the company. (2) the proportion of independent members of the board of commissioners positively affects the profitability of the company. (3) the board of commissioners meeting positively affect the profitability of the company. (4) audit committee negatively affect the profitability of the company.
An Appraisal of Artisanal Fishery Enterprises in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI: 10.15580/GJAS.2018. 10.082118119 This study appraised the artisanal fishery enterprises in Andoni L.G. A of Rivers State. A survey method involving random sampling technique was used in selecting 100 artisanal fishing folks for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 100 artisanal fisher men and women which were randomly administered. Percentage, mean and multiple regression were used for analyses of data. The result shows that the mean age of respondents was 37 years, while the mean house hold size is 7 and that majority (58%) of fishing folks were experienced in the fishing enterprise. The result also showed that most of the respondents (45%) had primary education and also majority of respondents (93%) never had access to credit facilities to enable them purchase fishing crafts and gears whose prices have gone beyond the reach of an average fisherman. The findings of this study further showed that artisanal fishing enterprise in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State is profitable. The regression analysis also revealed that the output of individual fishing households is significantly influenced by variables, namely, capital, labour, operating costs, fishing experience and education. The study also showed that the fishing folks had never received extension service which should have exposed them to better fishing techniques and training. It is therefore recommended that relevant agencies, public and private should encourage this fishing folks by providing the needed capacities to boost fish production to curb hidden hunger and promote food security. Submitted: 21/08/2018 Accepted: 24/08/2018 Published: 15/11/2018
The Association between Corporate Governance and Disclosure of Audit Committee Characteristics: A Conceptual Model for the Saudi Listed Companies

Corporate governance has become common issues and the numbers of issues have increase gradually since the last two decades. Good corporate governance plays crucial part in developing better linkages in the organization which includes the vital role in the organization such as board members, managers, stakeholders and stockholders. Good practices of corporate governance not only can be seen in well-developed and business-oriented, but it also will promote organization events and enhance organization abilities in accessing all the sources. Besides, this practice will encourage organization in developing the values of business and systems controlled in facing any risk during the process of creating better organization. In achieving status of good status of corporate governance, a good organization should have good practices in the governance and disclosure also broad knowledge it is crucial elements for successful organization in the world. However, most of Arab Saudi listed companies have the foundation of good governance knowledge and this practice is one of the best elements for increasing and maintaining organization efficiency especially Index listed company. Nevertheless, previous studies on corporate governance always highlighted on controversial results on corporate governance impacts on the efficiency of company. However, this paper will be highlighted on factors that contribute corporate governance which include committees of board audit, the size of audit, independence, compensation and the frequency of meeting. On top of that, the result of this study will offer more suggestions for further research on the linkages between corporate governance and company also Saudi listed company disclosure in Saudi Arabia context. In aligned on the results, it will offer the implications on authority regulators, policymakers and shareholders with effective implication of best practices and information disclosure on corporate governance.
Chondrogenesis Mediated by PPi Depletion Promotes Spontaneous Aortic Calcification in NPP1−/− Mice

Objective—We recently linked human arterial media calcification of infancy to heritable PC-1/nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (NPP1) deficiency. NPP1 hydrolyzes ATP to generate PPi, a physicochemical inhibitor of hydroxyapatite crystal growth. But pathologic calcification in NPP1 deficiency states is tissue-restricted and in perispinal ligaments is endochondral differentiation–mediated rather than simply a dystrophic process. Because ectopic chondro-osseous differentiation promotes artery calcification in atherosclerosis and other disorders, we tested the hypothesis that NPP1 and PPi deficiencies regulate cell phenotype plasticity to promote artery calcification. Methods and Results—Using cultured multipotential NPP1−/− mouse bone marrow stromal cells, we demonstrated spontaneous chondrogenesis inhibitable by treatment with exogenous PPi. We also demonstrated cartilage-specific gene expression, upregulated alkaline phosphatase, decreased expression of the physiological calcification inhibitor osteopontin, and increased calcification in NPP1−/− aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Similar changes were demonstrated in aortic SMCs from ank/ank mice, which are extracellular PPi–depleted because of defective ANK transmembrane PPi transport activity. Moreover, NPP1−/− and ank/ank mice demonstrated aortic media calcification by von Kossa staining, and intra-aortic cartilage-specific collagen gene expression was demonstrated in situ in NPP1−/− mice. Conclusions—NPP1 and PPi deficiencies modulate phenotype plasticity in artery SMCs and chondrogenesis in mesenchymal precursors, thereby stimulating artery calcification by modulating cell differentiation.
Effect of Financial Literacy and Parental Socialization on Students Savings Behavior of Bangladesh

This study explores the effect of financial literacy and parental socialization on savings behavior of university going students of Bangladesh. Savings is one of the crucial wheels of economic growth and university students are the future peddler of that wheel. Not only that, total number of university students are 872891 which is a handsome amount. So their savings habit is very significant for the economy. On the other hand recently student’s loan is very available but due to lack of financial knowledge students spend improperly and can’t save. But students are unaware of the effect of different factors which influence their savings behavior. Though a lot of study has focused on this problem in outside countries, it is still untouched in Bangladesh. So determining the effect of factors in savings behavior of the students of Bangladesh is momentous. This is a quantitative research consisting of 130 sample size where the primary data has been collected through face to face interaction by using self-administered structured questionnaire. In this paper savings behavior has been used as dependent and parental socialization and financial literacy have been used as independent variables. Descriptive statistics has been used to generalize demographic information. Pearson Correlation and multiple regression analysis tools are used to investigate the effects or relationship and both of them found good relation with parental socialization and moderate relation with financial literacy. In multiple regression analysis, F test found significant relationship. All these findings are very important because it will help the loan provider to develop policies to penetrate the young savers and parents will be conscious about fostering their child to save from their childhood.
Effect of modest weight loss on changes in cardiovascular risk factors: are there differences between men and women or between weight loss and maintenance?

The aim of this work was to determine whether the effects of weight loss on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors are comparable in men and women and whether the long term impact of modest weight loss is as great as the initial response. Changes in CHD risk factors were examined at 6 month intervals in 159 moderately overweight subjects who were participating in an 18 month behavioral weight loss program. Men experienced greater decreases in blood pressure, triglycerides, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and greater increases in HDL-cholesterol with weight loss than women. Most of these gender differences were removed by adjusting for baseline values and changes in BMI. After these adjustments, improvements in WHR at 18 months were shown to be greater in women than in men. Participants (n = 39) who lost 4.5 kg or more from baseline to 6 months (mean weight loss of 11.8 kg or 13% of initial body weight) and maintained this weight loss within +/- 2.3 kg had significant long term improvements (through 18 months) in triglycerides, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, WHR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting and 2 h insulin. Changes in HDL-cholesterol, the HDL:Total cholesterol ratio, and WHR actually increased between 6 and 18 months and improvements in all other parameters were maintained over time. Men have greater improvements in CHD risk factors with weight loss than women, but this gender difference appears to derive from differences in CHD risk factors at baseline and differences in weight loss. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topical timolol maleate combined with oral propranolol in treatment for nasus externus infantile hemangiomas : a retrospective study of 17 cases

The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical timolol maleate combined with oral propranolol for nasus externus infantile hemangiomas. Between March 2012 and May 2014, propranolol was given orally to 17 infants with proliferating hemangiomas in a dose of 1.0-1.5 mg/kg/day in our department and dipped topically a small amount of 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops with medical cotton swabs on hemangiomas lesion area of the children twice a day by every 12 hours. There were 6 males and 11 females aged from 2 months to 11 months with a median of 5.4 months. The lesions were located in the nasus externus region, and measured 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm-2.5 cm × 2 cm in volume. The therapy duration was planned for 6-8 months or the two drugs were stopped when complete regression of lesions was obtained. The therapeutic outcomes and safety were assessed by the changes of color, size of tumor, and adverse effects throughout the course of treatment. The mean therapy duration was 22.8 weeks ranged from 3 to 8 months. Of 17 the patients, 13 demonstrated excellent response, 3 showed good response, and 1 displayed moderate response. No major collateral effects were observed. Oral propranolol combined with topical timolol maleate might be used as the first-line treatment selection in the treatment of nasus externus infantile hemangioma.
Assessment of the effect of cigarette smoking on regional brain volumes and lesion load in patients with clinically isolated syndrome

Purpose: Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, disease progression and clinical disability. We detected the effects of smoking on regional brain volumes and lesion load in patients with clinically isolated syndrome using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods: Smoker patients (n = 16), smoker healthy controls (n = 13), non-smoker patients (n = 17) and non-smoker healthy controls (n = 14) underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neocortical volumes were measured. Lesion load was calculated in terms of number and volume of white matter hyperintensities. Results: Smoking was associated with increased gray matter volumes in several regions of the brain. A tendency towards greater lesion load in smoker patients was found. Smoking duration was significantly negatively correlated with intracranial volume and left hemisphere cortical gray matter volume. There was no relationship between regional brain volumes and clinical disability scores, lesion load duration of the disease and degree of smoking exposure. Conclusions: Clinically isolated syndrome related regional brain atrophy might vary in extent and severity with smoking. Despite increased lesion load, less cortical and deep gray matter damage with a possible neuroprotective effect occurs in smoking.