Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin are related to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects

AIM To determine a potential relationship between serum undercarboxylated (ucOC) concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and healthy subjects (HS). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 subjects classified into two groups, 70 with T2D and 70 HS. Medical history and physical examination with anthropometric measurements were obtained from all subjects. Body fat percentage was determined by bioelectrical impendency analysis. Serum ucOC concentration was determined by enzyme immunoassay, while serum levels of insulin and hsCRP were obtained using high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment-IR. Lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-c), low density lipoproteins (LDL-c), very low-density lipoproteins] was determined by spectrophotometry and standard formulas when applicable. RESULTS The T2D patient group showed significantly higher values of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), current smoking, and alcohol use when compared to the HS group (P < 0.05). We observed a significantly lower serum ucOC concentration in T2D than in HS (1.5 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). In the whole study population, ucOC concentration was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.236, P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose (r = -0.283, P < 0.01) and HDL-c (r = -0.255, P < 0.05); and positively correlated with LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (r = 0.306, P < 0.05) and TC/HDL-c ratio (r = 0.284, P < 0.05). In the T2D group, serum ucOC concentration was inversely correlated with BMI (r = -0.310, P < 0.05) and body-fat percentage (r = -0.311, P < 0.05), and positively correlated with DBP (r = 0.450, P < 0.01). In HS group a positive correlation between serum levels of ucOC and SBP (r = 0.277, P < 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION Serum ucOC is a potential marker for cardiovascular risk in Mexicans because it is related to adiposity parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile.
Identifying Your Customers in Social Networks

Personal social networks are considered as one of the most influential sources in shaping a customer's attitudes and behaviors. However, the interactions with friends or colleagues in social networks of individual customers are barely observable in most e-commerce companies. In this paper, we study the problem of customer identification in social networks, i.e., connecting customer accounts at e-commerce sites to the corresponding user accounts in online social networks such as Twitter. Identifying customers in social networks is a crucial prerequisite for many potential marketing applications. These applications, for example, include personalized product recommendation based on social correlations, discovering community of customers, and maximizing product adoption and profits over social networks. We introduce a methodology CSI (Customer-Social Identification) for identifying customers in online social networks effectively by using the basic information of customers, such as username and purchase history. It consists of two key phases. The first phase constructs the features across networks that can be used to compare the similarity between pairs of accounts across networks with different schema (e.g. an e-commerce company and an online social network). The second phase identifies the top-K maximum similar and stable matched pairs of accounts across partially aligned networks. Extensive experiments on real-world datasets show that our CSI model consistently outperforms other commonly-used baselines on customer identification.
The Role of Caregiver Disruption in the Development of Juvenile Sexual Offenders

In the last decade, it has been recognized that juveniles commit as much as 20% of all sexual offenses in the United States (DOJ, 2004). Research that attempts to understand why young people commit sex crimes points to an array of family factors that may uniquely contribute to the development of sexual offending over and above general juvenile delinquency. This study specifically examines disrupted caregiving, or receiving insufficient or substitute care, as a potential moderator in the relationship between offense status and caregiver-child relationship quality. Four distinct moderators were tested: gender of caregiver, biological relationship between caregiver and child, number of times the youth has changed caregivers, and child maltreatment history. Results indicate that juvenile sexual offenders have particularly poor relationships with their primary caregivers, and that caregiver gender, biological relationship between caregiver and child, and child maltreatment history act as moderators. Thus, while juvenile sexual offenders in general have poor relationships with their caregivers, those with male caregivers and those who have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, have relationships that are even worse. In contrast, sexual offenders raised by nonbiological caregivers showed better relationship quality than did youth raised by their biological parents. These findings suggest opportunities for early intervention, before caregiving is disrupted. Furthermore, additional supports may be offered to youth whose family structures suggest that they may be at increased risk.
Hair Loss Diagnosis Using Artificial Neural Networks

Hair is an appendage of the skin that plays an important role in the beauty of people's face. Daily averages of 50 to 80 hairs are shed naturally. Various factors are effective in hair loss. In this paper using the eight influence attributes of gender, age, genetic factors, surgery, pregnancy, Zinc deficiency, iron deficiency, anemia and the use of cosmetics, the amount of hair loss is predicted. This work has been performed using artificial neural networks. 60 percent of the collected data was used for train, 20 percent for validation and the remaining 20 percent is used for testing the neural networks. For this, various training algorithms has been used. The result of the implementation of these algorithms has been compared. It seems that neural networks can
Mangroves in peril: unprecedented degradation rates of peri-urban mangroves in Kenya

Marine ecosystems are experiencing unprece- dented degradation rates higher than any other ecosystem on the planet, which in some instances are up to 4 times those of rainforests. Mangrove ecosystems have especially been im- pacted by compounded anthropogenic pressures leading to significant cover reductions of between 35 and 50 % (equiv- alent to 1-2 % loss pa) for the last half century. The main ob- jective of this study was to test the hypothesis that peri-urban mangroves suffering from compounded and intense pres- sures may be experiencing higher degradation rates than the global mean (and/or national mean for Kenya) using Mom- basa mangroves (comprising Tudor and Mwache creeks) as a case study. Stratified sampling was used to sample along 22 and 10 belt transects in Mwache and Tudor respectively, set to capture stand heterogeneity in terms of species com- position and structure in addition to perceived human pres- sure gradients using proximity to human habitations as a proxy. We acquired SPOT (HRV/ HRVIR/ HRS) images of April 1994, May 2000 and January 2009 and a vector man- grove map of 1992 at a scale of 1: 50 000 for cover change and species composition analysis. Results from image clas- sification of the 2009 image had 80.23 % overall accuracy and Cohen's kappa of 0.77, thus proving satisfactory for use in this context. Structural data indicate that complexity in- dex (CI) which captures stand structural development was higher in Mwache at 1.80 compared to Tudor at 1.71. From cover change data, Tudor lost 86.9 % of the forest between 1992 and 2009, compared to Mwache at 45.4 %, represent- ing very high hitherto undocumented degradation rates of 5.1 and 2.7 % pa respectively. These unprecedentedly high degradation rates, which far exceed not only the national mean (for Kenya of 0.7 % pa) but the global mean as well, strongly suggest that these mangroves are highly threatened due to compounded pressures. Strengthening of governance regimes through enforcement and compliance to halt ille- gal wood extraction, improvement of land-use practices up- stream to reduce soil erosion, restoration in areas where nat- ural regeneration has been impaired, provision of alternative energy sources/building materials and a complete morato- rium on wood extraction especially in Tudor Creek to allow recovery are some of the suggested management interven- tions.
When pride meets envy: Is social superiority portrayal in luxury advertising perceived as prestige or arrogance?

This paper draws on the theoretical underpinnings of envy and pride in examining the effectiveness of social superiority portrayal in luxury advertising. Across two studies, benign (malicious) envy led consumers to perceive social superiority portrayal as an expression of authentic (hubristic) pride and, in turn, increased (reduced) luxury perception and positive brand attitude. These findings were replicated for both dispositional (Study 1 and 2) and state feeling of envy (Study 2), regardless of whether envy was self-reported or manipulated. These findings were found to be consistent in a comparison between luxury and premium brands. Taken together, this paper is the first to examine: (1) consumer responses toward social superiority portrayal in luxury advertising, (2) the interactive effect of envy and pride perceptions on luxury perception and brand attitude, and (3) the effectiveness of using social superiority portrayal as an advertising strategy for luxury and premium brands.
Tidal Venuses: triggering a climate catastrophe via tidal heating.

Traditionally, stellar radiation has been the only heat source considered capable of determining global climate on long timescales. Here, we show that terrestrial exoplanets orbiting low-mass stars may be tidally heated at high-enough levels to induce a runaway greenhouse for a long-enough duration for all the hydrogen to escape. Without hydrogen, the planet no longer has water and cannot support life. We call these planets "Tidal Venuses" and the phenomenon a "tidal greenhouse. " Tidal effects also circularize the orbit, which decreases tidal heating. Hence, some planets may form with large eccentricity, with its accompanying large tidal heating, and lose their water, but eventually settle into nearly circular orbits (i.e., with negligible tidal heating) in the habitable zone (HZ). However, these planets are not habitable, as past tidal heating desiccated them, and hence should not be ranked highly for detailed follow-up observations aimed at detecting biosignatures. We simulated the evolution of hypothetical planetary systems in a quasi-continuous parameter distribution and found that we could constrain the history of the system by statistical arguments. Planets orbiting stars with masses<0.3 MSun may be in danger of desiccation via tidal heating. We have applied these concepts to Gl 667C c, a ∼4.5 MEarth planet orbiting a 0.3 MSun star at 0.12 AU. We found that it probably did not lose its water via tidal heating, as orbital stability is unlikely for the high eccentricities required for the tidal greenhouse. As the inner edge of the HZ is defined by the onset of a runaway or moist greenhouse powered by radiation, our results represent a fundamental revision to the HZ for noncircular orbits. In the appendices we review (a) the moist and runaway greenhouses, (b) hydrogen escape, (c) stellar mass-radius and mass-luminosity relations, (d) terrestrial planet mass-radius relations, and (e) linear tidal theories.
Understanding the culture of antimicrobial prescribing in agriculture: a qualitative study of UK pig veterinary surgeons

Objectives The use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals has been linked with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial populations, with consequences for animal and public health. This study explored the underpinning drivers, motivators and reasoning behind prescribing decisions made by veterinary surgeons working in the UK pig industry. Methods A qualitative interview study was conducted with 21 veterinary surgeons purposively selected from all UK pig veterinary surgeons. Thematic analysis was used to analyse transcripts. Results Ensuring optimum pig health and welfare was described as a driver for antimicrobial use by many veterinary surgeons and was considered a professional and moral obligation. Veterinary surgeons also exhibited a strong sense of social responsibility over the need to ensure that antimicrobial use was responsible. A close relationship between management practices, health and economics was evident, with improvements in management commonly identified as being potential routes to reduce antimicrobial usage; however, these were not always considered economically viable. The relationship with clients was identified as being a source of professional stress for practitioners due to pressure from farmers requesting antimicrobial prescriptions, and concern over poor compliance of antimicrobial administration by some farmers. Conclusions The drivers behind prescribing decisions by veterinary surgeons were complex and diverse. A combination of education, improving communication between veterinary surgeons and farmers, and changes in regulations, in farm management and in consumer/retailer demands may all be needed to ensure that antimicrobial prescribing is optimal and to achieve significant reductions in use.
Consumer engagement in online brand communities: the moderating role of personal values

Purpose Despite growing recognition of the importance of consumer engagement with new technologies, a gap remains in terms of understanding the antecedents, consequences and moderators of online consumer engagement (OCE). This paper aims to address this gap by exploring the relationship between personality traits, OCE, perceived value and the moderating role of personal values. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical framework anchored in the extant OCE literature is tested through a study of 559 users of two distinct firm-hosted online brand communities (FHOBCs). Findings Findings suggest that three personality traits – extraversion, openness to experiences and altruism – are positively correlated with OCE. OCE is related to two types of perceived value, namely, social value and aesthetic value. The personal values of conservation and self-enhancement moderate the relationships between the three identified personality traits and OCE. Research limitations/implications Future research into OCE should consider the application of this study’s conceptual framework across different cultures to account for the fast-changing nature of online communities. Practical implications Understanding how personality traits drive OCE and what value consumers receive from engagement in online communities can help managers to better segment and evaluate consumers. Engagement and levels of activity within these online communities can be improved accordingly. Originality/value This study’s contribution to the OCE literature is threefold. First, the study provides new insights regarding personality traits as antecedents of consumer engagement with FHOBCs. Second, the study reveals the first insights into the role of personal values in the relationship between personality traits and OCE. Specifically, conservation and self-enhancement emerged as moderators of the relationship between three personality traits (extraversion, openness to experiences, altruism) and OCE. Third, the study yields support for perceived value types (social value and aesthetic value) that emerge as consequences of consumer engagement in FHOBCs.
An empirical study of the personality characteristics of internet sex offenders

Abstract The present study evaluated the personality characteristics and psychopathology of internet sex offenders (ISOs) using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2) to determine whether ISO personality profiles are different to those of general sex offenders (GSOs; e.g. child molesters and rapists). The ISOs consisted of 48 convicted males referred to a private sex offender treatment facility for a psychosexual risk assessment. The GSOs consisted of 104 incarcerated non-internet or general sex offenders. Findings indicated that ISOs scored significantly lower on the following scales: L, F, Pd and Sc. A comparison of the MMPI-2 scores of the ISO and GSO groups indicated that ISOs are a heterogeneous group with considerable within-group differences. Current findings are consistent with the existing literature on the limited utility of the MMPI-2 in differentiating between subtypes of sex offenders.
Exotic rational elliptic surfaces without 1–handles

Harer, Kas and Kirby have conjectured that every handle decomposition of the elliptic surface E.1/2;3 requires both 1‐ and 3‐handles. In this article, we construct a smooth 4‐manifold which has the same Seiberg‐Witten invariant as E.1/2;3 and admits neither 1‐ nor 3‐handles by using rational blow-downs and Kirby calculus. Our manifold gives the first example of either a counterexample to the Harer‐Kas‐ Kirby conjecture or a homeomorphic but nondiffeomorphic pair of simply connected closed smooth 4‐manifolds with the same nonvanishing Seiberg‐Witten invariants. 57R55; 57R65, 57R57, 57N13
A PPR protein in the PLS subfamily stabilizes the 5′-end of processed rpl16 mRNAs in maize chloroplasts

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are a large family of helical-repeat proteins that bind RNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Precise RNA targets and functions have been assigned to only a small fraction of the >400 members of the PPR family in plants. We used the amino acid code governing the specificity of RNA binding by PPR repeats to infer candidate-binding sites for the maize protein PPR103 and its ortholog Arabidopsis EMB175. Genetic and biochemical data confirmed a predicted binding site in the chloroplast rpl16 5′UTR to be a site of PPR103 action. This site maps to the 5′ end of transcripts that fail to accumulate in ppr103 mutants. A small RNA corresponding to the predicted PPR103 binding site accumulates in a PPR103-dependent fashion, as expected of PPR103's in vivo footprint. Recombinant PPR103 bound specifically to this sequence in vitro. These observations imply that PPR103 stabilizes rpl16 mRNA by impeding 5′→3′ RNA degradation. Previously described PPR proteins with this type of function consist of canonical PPR motifs. By contrast, PPR103 is a PLS-type protein, an architecture typically associated with proteins that specify sites of RNA editing. However, PPR103 is not required to specify editing sites in chloroplasts.
Transfer in L2 and L3 acquisition of generic interpretation

The role of transfer from the first language (L1) in second language (L2) acquisition is well-documented (Dechert & Raupach 1989; Ellis 2006; Gass & Selinker 1992; Odlin 1989; Schwartz & Sprouse 1996, among many others). Cross-linguistic transfer is also attested in third language (L3) acquisition. Unlike in L2-acquisition, however, transfer in L3-acquisition can have different sources. Transfer may occur only, or predominantly, from the L1 to the L3 (Bouvy 2000; Leung 2006). Alternatively, transfer may occur only, or predominantly, from the L2 to the L3 (Bardel and Falk 2007; Bohnacker 2006; Hammarberg 2001; Rothman and Cabrelli Amaro 2010). It is also possible that properties of both the L1 and the L2 transfer to the L3 (Flynn, Vinnitskaya and Foley 2004). And finally, it is possible that what matters is not order of acquisition, but rather, which language (the L1 or the L2) is structurally closer to, or perceived as being structurally close to, the L3 (de Angelis and Selinker 2001; Cenoz 2003; Foote 2009; Montrul, Dias and Santos 2011; Singleton and O’Laoire 2006). Most prior studies of L3-acquisition have focused on the lexicon (Ringbom 2001; Singleton and O’Laoire 2006), morphosyntax (Leung 2006), or narrow syntax (Bardel and Falk 2007). The goal of our study is to examine what transfers in the L3-acquisition of a purely semantic phenomena: plural NP interpretation.
BPS ansatzes as electric form-factors.

We argue that BPS ansatzes, entering manifestly vacuum BPS monopole solutions to equations of motion in the (Minkowskian) non-Abelian Higgs model play the role of some electric form-factors and that this implies (soft) violating the CP-invariance of the mentioned model, similar to taking place in the Euclidian Yang-Mills (YM) theory with instantons, generating the $\theta$-term in the appropriate effective Hamiltonian.
D Epartement Des Sciences Economiquess Economics Department Advertising and Prices as Signals of Quality in a Regime of Price Rivalry Universit E D U Q U Ebec a M O N Tr Eal

This paper reexamines the debate as to whether rms use price or advertising to signal quality and whether advertising has pro-or anti-competitive eeects. We s h o w t h a t t h e signaling theory strongly predicts that advertising signals quality if price rivalry prevails, in contrast to single-rm models. Under price rivalry, price signaling prevails for suucient inter-brand quality diierences; combined price-advertising signals must be used when this diierence shrinks. From a welfare point of view, advertising leads to lower prices for both the high and low qualities. Finally, w e analyze advertising signals in the form of variable rather than xed dissipative costs. Abstract This paper reexamines the debate as to whether ¯rms use price or advertising to signal quality and whether advertising has pro-or anti-competitive e®ects. We show that the signaling theory strongly predicts that advertising signals quality if price rivalry prevails, in contrast to single-¯rm models. Under price rivalry, price signaling prevails for su±cient inter-brand quality di®erences; combined price-advertising signals must be used when this di®erence shrinks. From a welfare point of view, advertising leads to lower prices for both the high and low qualities. Finally, we analyze advertising signals in the form of variable rather than ¯xed dissipative costs.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA SELF-LEADERSHIP DENGAN KETERIKATAN KERJA PADA DRIVER OJEK ONLINE

Work engagement is an important aspect that a person must have to improve his performance. A person who has a work attachment will have a high dedication to his work and a focus on working. One of the factors that can affect work engagement is self-leadership, person with self-leadership can direct themselves to improve their performance. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-leadership with employee engagement. The subject of this research is the drivers of online motorcycle ojek in the city of Lombok Mataram, amounting to 299 people taken by purposive sampling technique. Data collection methods in this study were Unterk Work Engagement Scale (UWES) scale to measure work attachment and Self-Leadership Quisionaire (SLQ) scale to measure self-leadership. Data analysis method used in this research is product moment correlation method from Karl Pearson. The results of the analysis found that there was a positive and highly significant correlation between self-leadership and work attachment to the online motorcycle drivers. The contribution of self leaderip tied to the attachment of work by 25% .