Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hostile Attitudes Predict Elevated Vascular Resistance During Interpersonal Stress in Men and Women

Objective: Existing research indicates that hostility is associated with enhanced blood pressure responses during social stress, but little is known about the hemodynamic patterns underlying these blood pressure increases, particularly in women. The present study examined hemodynamic responses to a low-anger interpersonal stressor, testing the hypotheses that hostile individuals show enhanced vascular responses and that low hostile individuals show enhanced myocardial responses. Methods: Eighty undergraduate men and women were categorized as high or low in hostility on the basis of median splits of Cook-Medley Hostility Scale scores. Participants discussed a controversial topic with a confederate who disagreed with them, and hemodynamic responses were assessed with impedance cardiography. Results: High hostile individuals exhibited greater increases in diastolic blood pressure and total peripheral resistance and smaller increases in cardiac output during an interpersonal stressor than did low hostile individuals. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate increases were greater among high hostile relative to low hostile females and comparable among low and high hostile males. Affective responses and task perceptions were generally similar for high and low hostile participants, but the relationship between task perception and hemodynamic responses varied on the basis of hostility level. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hostility in both men and women is associated with heightened vascular and dampened cardiac responsivity to interpersonal stress that is not deliberately anger provoking. Moreover, they indicate that the associations between task perception and hemodynamic responses vary between high and low hostile individuals.
The Quality of Chimpanzee T-Cell Activation and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Susceptibility Achieved via Antibody-Mediated T-Cell Receptor/CD3 Stimulation Is a Function of the Anti-CD3 Antibody Isotype

ABSTRACT While human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is associated with hyperimmune activation and systemic depletion of CD4+ T cells, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in sooty mangabeys or chimpanzees does not exhibit these hallmarks. Control of immune activation is thought to be one of the major components that govern species-dependent differences in the disease pathogenesis. A previous study introduced the idea that the resistance of chimpanzees to SIVcpz infection-induced hyperimmune activation could be the result of the expression of select sialic acid-recognizing immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectin (Siglec) superfamily members by chimpanzee T cells. Siglecs, which are absent on human T cells, were thought to control levels of T-cell activation in chimpanzees and were thus suggested as a cause for the pathogenic differences in the course of SIVcpz or HIV-1 infection. As in human models of T-cell activation, stimulation had been attempted using an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) (UCHT1; isotype IgG1), but despite efficient binding, UCHT1 failed to activate chimpanzee T cells, an activation block that could be partially overcome by MAb-induced Siglec-5 internalization. We herein demonstrate that anti-CD3 MAb-mediated chimpanzee T-cell activation is a function of the anti-CD3 MAb isotype and is not governed by Siglec expression. While IgG1 anti-CD3 MAbs fail to stimulate chimpanzee T cells, IgG2a anti-CD3 MAbs activate chimpanzee T cells in the absence of Siglec manipulations. Our results thus imply that prior to studying possible differences between human and chimpanzee T-cell activation, a relevant model of chimpanzee T cell activation needs to be established.
Audit committee effectiveness: reflections from the UAE

This study focuses on an essential mechanism of corporate governance, the audit committee. The main objective of this research is to understand the perceptions and attitudes toward audit committees in the UAE context and to extend our understanding of what really determines the effectiveness of audit committees. To reach the objective of this research, a questionnaire is designed to target four groups of respondents: members of audit committees, external auditors, university academics, and governmental regulators. The questionnaires are used to examine the respondents' perceptions as for the importance given by them to a number of factors that are believed to increase the effectiveness of audit committees. In this regard, four factors are examined in the questionnaires: independence of audit committees' members, number of meetings, financial expertise, and size of the committee. Results showed that the most important character of audit committee effectiveness is the independence of audit committee members.
[Association of C1019T polymorphism in the connexin 37 gene and coronary artery disease in Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between the connexin 37 (CX37) C1019T polymorphism and the susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) in northern Han population of China. METHODS A total of 514 CAD patients and 400 healthy controls diagnosed by angiography were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS The genotype frequencies of CC, TC and TT in the CX37 C1019T polymorphism was 22.37%, 53.31% and 24.32% in CAD patients, 17.75%, 46.50% and 35.75% in the controls respectively (P = 0.0007). The frequency of the CX37 C allele in CAD patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (49.03% vs 41.00%, OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.15 - 1.66, P = 0.0006). The frequency of the C allele carriers (CC + TC) was 75.68% in the CAD group and 64.25% in the control group (P = 0.0002). Compared with the TT homozygote, the CAD risk was significantly increased in the carriers of C allele (CC + TC) (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.30 - 2.30). Subsequent stratified analysis revealed that the frequency of C allele was significantly higher in the male CAD patients than in the male controls (49.37% vs 39.60%, OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.18 - 1.89, P = 0.0009). The CAD risk was nearly two-fold increased in the carriers of C allele (CC + TC) than in the TT homozygote (95% CI = 1.38 - 2.78). However in the female population, there was no difference in the CAD risk between the carriers of (CC + TC) type and the TT homozygote (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION The C allele in the CX37 gene might be associated with the susceptibility to CAD and potentially plays an important role in the manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis among Chinese.
Uneasy Street: The Anxieties of Affluence

In a second case study, Joseph Bosco Bangura writes on the role of Pentecostalism in economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. While it is frequently argued that religiosity can impede “progress” of various types, this author makes a positive case for the impact of Pentecostalism on Africa’s economic future. He asserts that it can promote entrepreneurship, hard work, and have a positive impact on family structure issues. He also states that Pentecostalism stresses hope, and that hope can spur a movement out of poverty. There are three other papers in the case-study section. Jack Barentsen examines the role of hope in leadership, positing that leaders can be “harbingers of hope” (153). A particular focus of this paper is how the vision of hope that a leader expresses may include or exclude groups or categories of people—which is particularly relevant given the current fractured political situation in the United States. A second paper explores the role of hope in social entrepreneurship, particularly in regard to social exclusion; author Pavel Chalupnicek suggests that scholars who examine social entrepreneurship have given short shrift to the idea of hope, perhaps because they tend to emphasize the related idea of empowerment. Finally, H. H. Drake Williams III tackles the rather unexpected topic of torture, contrasting a Stoic posture with one that emphasizes hope in Christ, as expressed in the letters of the early church father Ignatius. I will admit that when I first picked up Driven by Hope, I was somewhat skeptical of what it might include. However, although it ranges quite widely, I found this volume to be quite thought-provoking. In a world that often seems short on hope, and that focuses on the negative, it is genuinely refreshing to read about hope and its relation to economics. As a professor of economics at a place called Hope College, I especially appreciate the book’s focus on hope as an important factor in our economic activity. We can remember the words of 1 Timothy 6:17 (NASB): “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ”
Clinical predictors for a high risk for the development of diabetes mellitus in the early puerperium in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify which maternal, antepartum, or neonatal clinical parameters were predictive for a high risk of diabetes mellitus in the puerperium in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus and to calculate the associated diabetes mellitus rates and odds ratios. STUDY DESIGN One thousand six hundred thirty-six women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test within 1 to 4 months of delivery. Demographic, historic, and antenatal glycemic parameters and neonatal outcome parameters were tested by univariate and multivariate logistic regression for risk of postpartum diabetes mellitus. Continuous variables were divided into quartiles that compared the upper to lower quartile adjusted odds ratio and prevalence of diabetes mellitus. RESULTS Postpartum diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 230 women (14.1%) according to the American Diabetes Association criteria (1997). No maternal demographic or neonatal parameters were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus. The final model of independent predictors in decreasing significance included the highest fasting plasma glucose level during pregnancy, any fasting plasma glucose level of > or = 105 mg/dL (class A(2)), the area under the curve of pregnancy oral glucose tolerance test, gestational age at diagnosis, previous gestational diabetes mellitus history, and 50-g glucose challenge test results. The fasting plasma glucose level was the best discriminator, with a 21-fold (95% CI, 4.6-96.3) increased odds ratio comparing the 4th quartile (fasting plasma glucose level, >121 mg/dL; diabetes mellitus rate, 36.7%) to 1st quartile (fasting plasma glucose level, < 95 mg/dL; diabetes mellitus rate, 0.5%). The presence of previous gestational diabetes mellitus or current class A(2) gestational diabetes mellitus approximately doubled the odds ratio for diabetes mellitus. The odds ratio increased 3- to 4-fold when the area under the curve was > or = 33.36 min small middle dot g/dL (4th quartile) or the glucose challenge test was > or = 155 mg/dL (2nd-4th quartiles) and decreased > 50% if gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed at > 27 weeks (3rd-4th quartile). CONCLUSION During pregnancy, the highest fasting glucose level, followed by the severity of glucose intolerance, and earlier gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis were the best predictors for postpartum diabetes mellitus. Diabetic education should begin during pregnancy, especially for women who are identified to be at a high risk when they are highly motivated and under medical care.
Maternal recognition of pregnancy in swine. I. Minimal requirement for exogenous estradiol-17 beta to induce either short or long pseudopregnancy in cycling gilts.

Five experiments were conducted to determine the minimal requirement for estradiol-17 beta (E2) injections to induce either short pseudopregnancy (SPP) or long pseudopregnancy (LPP) in cycling gilts. In experiments 1 through 5, E2 was injected i.m. on combinations of days between 11 and 25 days postestrus. Exogenous E2 on Days 12 and 13 or on Days 12 through 19 was optimal for induction of SPP or LPP, respectively. The duration of E2-induced diestrus was clearly demarcated between SPP (n = 73, duration 23-35 days) and LPP (n = 23, duration > 50 days). A sixth experiment was conducted to determine the minimum dose of intrauterine E2 required to induce SPP, and these gilts received intrauterine infusions of 0, 4, 40, or 400 micrograms E2 per 24 h on Days 12 and 13 postestrus. Pseudopregnancy was induced in 0 of 12, 1 of 4, 1 of 11, and 4 of 7 gilts in the treatment groups, respectively. These data suggest that uterine exposure alone is not sufficient to induce SPP. The present results indicate that the optimal signal for inducing LPP in unmated cycling gilts, and perhaps also for maternal recognition of pregnancy in mated gilts, may occur in two phases with continuous exposure to E2 being required from Day 12 to Days 17-19.
Modulation of gastrointestinal function by MuDelta, a mixed µ opioid receptor agonist/ µ opioid receptor antagonist

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE Loperamide is a selective µ opioid receptor agonist acting locally in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as an effective anti‐diarrhoeal but can cause constipation. We tested whether modulating µ opioid receptor agonism with δ opioid receptor antagonism, by combining reference compounds or using a novel compound (‘MuDelta’), could normalize GI motility without constipation.
Modeling of SRAM Standby Current by Three-Parameter Lognormal Distribution

Measurements reveal that SRAM standby currentfollows a lognormal distribution where a location parameter is introduced, in addition to the well-known scale and shape parameters. The location parameter sets a threshold, indicating that the sample value must be bounded above by some non-zero minimum. This is of tremendous importance for the modeling of the SRAM standby current, since in the probability plot, the threshold leads to downward sloping trends at both ends which match the measurements fairly well. Further, it is shown that the three-parameter lognormal distribution remains valid for a standby current reduction scheme in a sleep mode by source line self bias.
Predicting Network Effectiveness? An analysis of local collaborative networks to prevent and counter radicalization.

An analysis of local collaborative networks to prevent and counter radicalization. The networks are assessed by using reputable and new theories on networks effectiveness. Addiotionally, the comprehensiveness of the approach taken towards the social problem of radicalization is been examined. The thesis provides new insights for research on network effectiveness, recommendations for collaborative networks in general and the approach taken to prevent and counter radicalization.
Variations in infant and childhood vitamin D supplementation programmes across Europe and factors influencing adherence

Background Nutritional rickets is a growing global public health concern despite existing prevention programmes and health policies. We aimed to compare infant and childhood vitamin D supplementation policies, implementation strategies and practices across Europe and explore factors influencing adherence. Methods European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Bone and Growth Plate Working Group members and other specialists completed a questionnaire on country-specific vitamin D supplementation policy and child health care programmes, socioeconomic factors, policy implementation strategies and adherence. Factors influencing adherence were assessed using Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient. Results Responses were received from 29 of 30 European countries (97%). Ninety-six per cent had national policies for infant vitamin D supplementation. Supplements are commenced on day 1–5 in 48% (14/29) of countries, day 6–21 in 48% (14/29); only the UK (1/29) starts supplements at 6 months. Duration of supplementation varied widely (6 months to lifelong in at-risk populations). Good (≥80% of infants), moderate (50–79%) and low adherence (<50%) to supplements was reported by 59% (17/29), 31% (9/29) and 10% (3/29) of countries, respectively. UK reported lowest adherence (5–20%). Factors significantly associated with good adherence were universal supplementation independent of feeding mode (P = 0.007), providing information at neonatal unit (NNU) discharge (P = 0.02), financial family support (P = 0.005); monitoring adherence at surveillance visits (P = 0.001) and the total number of factors adopted (P < 0.001). Conclusions Good adherence to supplementation is a multi-task operation that works best when parents are informed at birth, all babies are supplemented, and adherence monitoring is incorporated into child health surveillance visits. Implementation strategies matter for delivering efficient prevention policies.
Exploring the Relationship Between Tourism Development, Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of Tunisia

Tourism is viewed increasingly as an essential sector to local, regional and national reconstruction and development for economies at various scales. However, its contribution on environmental quality degradation is more important. Indeed, any increase in the number of tourism requires amounts of growing energy, which increases CO2 emissions. The objective of this article is to empirically investigate the relationship between tourism development, energy consumption and carbon emissions in Tunisia over the period of 1974-2014.To recognize this relationship, a bonds test of co-integration, ARDL model and Granger Causality Tests have been employed. After having confirmed that the existence of co-integration relationship between energy consumption tourism demand and CO2 emission, the results indicate that tourism has a direct impact and statistically significant effect on the consumption of energy for the future of the Tunisian economy. The short-term results indicate bidirectional causality between energy consumption and emissions of CO2 and also between the consumption of energy and tourism, meanwhile the absence of any causal relationship between the emissions of CO2 and tourism. Tourism affects the quality of the environment indirectly through the consumption of energy. So, the protection measures in the tourism sector should be laid down in Tunisia. Sustainability in the tourism sector is one of the major axis of debate on tourism development integrated in the environment.
Assessing the Land and Vegetation Cover of Abandoned Fire Hazardous and Rewetted Peatlands: Comparing Different Multispectral Satellite Data

Since the 1990s, many peatlands that were drained for peat extraction and agriculture in Russia have been abandoned with high CO 2 emissions and frequent fires, such as the enormous fires around Moscow in 2010. The fire hazard in these peatlands can be reduced through peatland rewetting and wetland restoration, so monitoring peatland status is essential. However, large expanses, poor accessibility, and fast plant succession pose as challenges for monitoring these areas without satellite images. In this study, a technique involving multispectral satellite data was used to identify six land cover classes that meet the requirements for peatland monitoring using the Meschera National Park as the testing area. This park is the largest area of once-exploited and now rewetted peatlands. However, data from one scanner are often insufficient to successfully implement this technique. In this study, we compared the land cover classifications obtained by using data from Spot-5, Spot-6, Landsat-7, Landsat-8, and Sentinel-2 satellites. The Spot-6 data were insufficient, despite having a higher spatial resolution, due to the lack of a shortwave infrared (SWIR) band. The high classification accuracy attained using data from other sensors enabled their combined use to provide an acceptable accuracy in the final product. The classification results were compared using minimum distance Erdas Imagine and the object-oriented ScanEx Image Processor, and the classification accuracy was similar between satellite images, which facilitates the transition from one method to another without quality loss. The proposed and tested approach can be used to analyze the status of abandoned and rewetted peatlands in other locations for the inventory and prioritization of sites for rewetting and restoration, monitoring status changes, and assessing restoration efficacy. The comparability of the data from different sensors allows for the combination of classified images and creates new possibilities for time series analysis.
Diversity of Nitrile Hydratase and Amidase Enzyme Genes in Rhodococcus erythropolis Recovered from Geographically Distinct Habitats

ABSTRACT A molecular screening approach was developed in order to amplify the genomic region that codes for the α- and β-subunits of the nitrile hydratase (NHase) enzyme in rhodococci. Specific PCR primers were designed for the NHase genes from a collection of nitrile-degrading actinomycetes, but amplification was successful only with strains identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis. A hydratase PCR product was also obtained from R. erythropolis DSM 43066T, which did not grow on nitriles. Southern hybridization of other members of the nitrile-degrading bacterial collection resulted in no positive signals other than those for the R. erythropolis strains used as positive controls. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PRS) analysis of the hydratases in the R. erythropolis strains revealed unique patterns that mostly correlated with distinct geographical sites of origin. Representative NHases were sequenced, and they exhibited more than 92.4% similarity to previously described NHases. The phylogenetic analysis and deduced amino acid sequences suggested that the novel R. erythropolis enzymes belonged to the iron-type NHase family. Some different residues in the translated sequences were located near the residues involved in the stabilization of the NHase active site, suggesting that the substitutions could be responsible for the different enzyme activities and substrate specificities observed previously in this group of actinomycetes. A similar molecular screening analysis of the amidase gene was performed, and a correlation between the PRS patterns and the geographical origins identical to the correlation found for the NHase gene was obtained, suggesting that there was coevolution of the two enzymes in R. erythropolis. Our findings indicate that the NHase and amidase genes present in geographically distinct R. erythropolis strains are not globally mixed.