Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting food insecurity among urban poor in Thailand

Modernisation has resulted in a growing urban population as people migrate from rural areas in search of education and work. With these transitions the gap between the rich and the poor has increased. A number of poor people struggle with job insecurity and with low incomes due to low skill and education. In addition unemployment cuts in income and profits price increases and reductions in purchasing power may have adverse effects on basic human needs leading to food insecurity more extensive malnutrition and poor physical and mental health. These people try to support their families by finding extra work spending less and eating less. Acute or chronic health conditions in one member of the family may result in major costs for all family members leading to more burdens on the family and society. The transitions therefore have raised issues concerning public awareness of food insecurity. The key issues include: (i) an increase in the urban poor population; (ii) economic resource constraint that is worsened; and (iii) limitation of research on food insecurity in the context of the economic constraints among urban poor in Thailand. (excerpt)
Social Mobility, Life Chances, and the Early Years

It is widely agreed that the early years are a particularly important time for efforts to increase social mobility, because a good deal of inequality is already apparent by the time children start school, and because children's development may be less amenable to change after they enter school. But it is less clear how much policies can reduce inequality in the early years, or what policies might be most effective, given the multiple influences on development in the early years and given the complex effects of policies. In this paper, I review what we know from research about what affects development in the early years and examine the current UK policy framework in light of that research. I then make recommendations for priorities for next steps to improve social mobility and other desired outcomes in the early years and thereafter.We know a good deal from research about what quality means, and about what types of experiences are best for children. The research points to some clear next steps in early years policy. These include: extending paid parental leave to 12 months; offering a more flexible package of supports to families with children under the age of 2 or 3; providing high-quality centre-based care to 2 year olds, starting with the most disadvantaged; and providing a more integrated system of high-quality care and education for 3 to 5 year olds.
Methods of assessment of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in humans: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The availability of reliable biomarkers of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) status is a prerequisite for linking dietary n-3 LCPUFA status to clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the usefulness of different biomarkers of n-3 LCPUFA status in healthy humans. DESIGN We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE (Ovid), and Cochrane databases from inception to September 2007 for human intervention studies in which n-3 LCPUFA status changed after > or =2 wk of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation. We used formal inclusion/exclusion criteria and applied standard procedures for data extraction, validity assessment, and meta-analysis. RESULTS We included 41 studies (34 randomized controlled trials and 7 before-after studies) reporting on 18 different biomarkers. The data allowed specific evaluation of biomarkers of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) status in response to supplementation. There were sufficient data to determine that plasma DHA, plasma phospholipid DHA, plasma triacylglycerol DHA, plasma cholesteryl ester DHA, plasma nonesterified DHA, erythrocyte DHA, erythrocyte phospholipid DHA, and platelet DHA were all effective biomarkers of DHA status and that plasma phospholipid EPA was an effective marker of EPA status. Plasma phospholipid DHA appears to be a good marker of DHA status in adult men and women irrespective of DHA baseline status or supplementation dose, but its usefulness in other population subgroups is unclear. CONCLUSION There appears to be a range of useful biomarkers of DHA status in humans, but further research is needed to characterize which work best in particular population subgroups.
The Effect of Internal Capital Markets on Corporate Investment: Evidence from the Asian Financial Crisis

This paper provides new evidence on the relationship between internal capital markets and corporate investment by exploiting an exogenous event and an unique empirical setting. We do so by comparing the investment behavior of Korean business group (chaebol) firms with non-chaebol Korean firms in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Our empirical methodology employs a difference-in-differences matching estimator to ensure that chaebol and non-chaebol firms in the control group are as similar as possible along observable dimensions other than chaebol membership. The matching estimator also accounts for time-invariant, firm-specific effects. In addition, we conduct a battery of placebo and other related tests to evaluate alternative explanations that rely on endogenous selection of firms into chaebol, and demand effects that may differentially affect chaebol and control firms following the crisis. The results show that chaebol firms invest significantly more than non-chaebol firms in the control group in the aftermath of the crisis. This difference in investment behavior does not hold for normal periods, including a recession year. Chaebol firm post-crisis investment is positively associated with variables that proxy for the availability of internal capital markets, including industry diversification within a chaebol and chaebol liquidity. Chaebol firms with greater investment opportunities increased investment the most in the aftermath of the crisis, a pattern that is not observed in the control group. Finally, we find that chaebol firm profitability increased relative to control firms in the years following the crisis. Overall, our results suggest that Korean chaebol were able to use their internal capital markets to mitigate negative effects of the Asian crisis on corporate investment.
Tri-county comprehensive assessment of risk factors for sporadic reportable bacterial enteric infection in children.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for childhood sporadic reportable enteric infection (REI) caused by bacteria, specifically Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, or Shigella (REI-B). METHODS Matched case-control study. Case patients aged <19 years who were reported to 3 Washington State county health departments and matched control subjects were interviewed from November 2003-November 2005. Matched odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by using conditional logistic regression. Population attributable risk percentages were calculated for exposures associated with infection. RESULTS Two hundred ninety-six case patients were matched to 580 control subjects. Aquatic recreation was the most important factor associated with all REI-Bs studied (beach water exposure [OR for Salmonella infection, 28.3 {CI, 7.2-112.2}; OR for Shigella infection, 14.5 {CI 1.5-141.0} or any recreational water exposure [OR for Campylobacter infection, 2.7 {CI, 1.5-4.8}; OR for Escherichia coli O157 infection, 7.4 {CI, 2.1-26.1}]). Suboptimal kitchen hygiene after preparation of raw meat or chicken (OR, 7.1 [CI, 2.1-24.1]) and consumption of food from restaurants were additional risks for Campylobacter infection. Infection with Salmonella was associated with the use of private wells as sources of drinking water (OR, 6.5 [CI, 1.4-29.7]), and the use of residential septic systems was a risk for both Salmonella (OR, 3.2 [CI, 1.3-7.8]) and E. coli (OR, 5.7 [CI, 1.2-27.2]) O157 infection. CONCLUSIONS Overall, non-food exposures were as important as food-related exposures with regard to their contributions to the proportion of cases. Infection prevention efforts should address kitchen hygiene practices and non-food exposures, such as recreational water exposure, in addition to food-consumption risks.
Application of microwave and RF in food processing, microorganisms and pest control

Microwave treatments have been used in drying of almonds and pistachios, and in hazelnuts roasting. Radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave are promising technologies to be applied in the AgroFood sector and at industry level. RF energy has been used as a means to rapidly heat nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) to control post-harvest insects, in a rapid process able to maintain the quality and sensorial properties of nuts. Several food productions, such as dried fruits, ham, sausages, and cheese, are subject to mite infestation and contamination with bacteria and fungi. The excessive presence of mites induces a change in sensory properties and lowers the quality of stored foods. In addition, in the drying process, RF and microwave treatments reduce rapidly the moisture content and contribute to inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in lipid peroxidation, ensuring not only an extension of shelf-life, but also preserving the sensory properties and quality of the food productions during storage.
Evaluation of runoff, peak flow and sediment yield for events simulated by the AnnAGNPS model in a belgian agricultural watershed

The AnnAGNPS model, widely utilized as a practical tool for addressing erosion problems and land use planning, was implemented in a small agricultural watershed located in central Belgium, to assess its prediction capacity of runoff, peak flow and sediment yield in humid temperate conditions. Model performance was evaluated at the event scale by using a database reporting hydrological, geomorphologic and land use data collected during a 2‐year period. Seventeen events were modelled and compared with the corresponding observations at the watershed outlet.
Volatility Transmission from S&P 500 to the Bucharest Stock Exchange Indexes

This paper approaches the volatility transmission from the New York Stock Exchange to an emerging market, Bucharest Stock Exchange. In our investigation we employ daily values of Standard and Poor 500 Index from New York Stock Exchange and of six main indexes from Bucharest Stock Exchange. The volatility transmission from Standard and Poor 500 to the Romanian capital markets indexes is revealed by a GARCH model. We perform our analysis for two periods: the first one, from January 2000 to December 2006 corresponds to the last stage of the Romania’s transition to a market economy, while the second, January 2007 to June 2014 was affected by the adhesion to European Union and by the global crisis. Our results suggest that the volatility transmission intensity increased from the first to the second period.
Length -Weight / Girth Relationship and Condition Factor of the Periwinkle Tympanotonus fuscatus, (Cerithidae: Gastropoda) of the Cross River, Nigeria

Morphometric parameters as well as the condition factor of the periwinkle; Tympanotonus fuscatus were investigated in 1,500 specimens obtained at Esuk Nsidung, Calabar from fishermen who fished the Cross River estuary, Nigeria. The length-weight, girth-length and weight-girth relationships were positively correlated. The calculated “b” for length-weight relationship was 2.05 which was significant < 3(t=1.05, df = 2, 55, P<0.02) while those calculated for weight-girth and length–girth relationships were 0.30 and 0.67 respectively. This species is not overexploited in the South East of Nigeria. Condition factor estimated for the specimen was 0.28. The implications of these results in relation to the fisheries of the species in the Cross River estuary are discussed.
Reserve Management and Sovereign Debt Cost in a World with Liquidity Crises

The accumulation of large amount of sovereign reserves has fuelled an intense debate on the associated costs. In a world with liquidity crises and strategic default, we model a contracting game between international lenders and a country, which delivers the country's optimal portfolio choice and the cost of sovereign debt: at equilibrium, the sovereign allocates the borrowed resources to either liquid reserves or an illiquid and risky production project. We study how the opportunity cost of hoarding reserves is affected by the financial and technological characteristics of the economy. In line with recent empirical evidence, we find two important results: the cost of debt decreases in the level of reserves if the probability of liquidity shocks is high enough; however the cost of debt increases in reserves when the lenders anticipate that the country has an incentive to default after a liquidity shock. Indeed, we show that the country may choose to retain reserves instead of employing them to inject the liquidity needed to bring the production project to maturity.
The Cocoa Certification Program and Its Effect on Sustainable Cocoa Production in Ghana: A Study in Upper Denkyira West District

The impact of voluntary standards and certification schemes on the sustainability of cocoa production of Ghana was studied in the Upper Denkyira West District (UDW) of Ghana. Three schemes including UTZ Certified, Rainforest Alliance (RA) Certified and Conventional systems of production was used for the study. Soil chemical analyses (pH, Carbon, Organic matter, Available P and Exchangeable K) were carried out in 15 farms under each of the production system. The percent shade trees cover and economic indicators (B/C Ratio, NPV and IRR) per acre size cocoa farm were determined. Keywords: Cocoa, certification systems, UTZ certified, Rainforest Alliance certified, conventional farms
Validation of Self-Reported Veteran Status among Two Sheltered Homeless Populations

Objectives. We assessed the accuracy of self-reported veteran status among sheltered homeless adults to assess the reliability of using self-report to determine the number of veterans in homeless populations and examine whether there are demographic correlates to inaccurate reporting of veteran status. Methods. Records on 5,860 sheltered adults from Columbus, Ohio, and 16,346 sheltered adults from New York City (NYC) were matched with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records. We analyzed the agreement between veteran self-reporting and official records using descriptive measures, diagnostic tests, and logistic regression. Results. The degree of concordance was moderate. Using VA records rather than self-report data to determine veteran status increased homeless veteran prevalence rates by 27% in Columbus and 39% in NYC. Veterans with discordant veteran status (i.e., false positive or false negative) showed lower levels of services use in the VA (both cities) and in the municipal shelter system (NYC only). Younger veterans and women were at higher risk of not being identified as veterans. Conclusion. Administrative records can help to more accurately identify homeless veterans and to connect them to available services and benefits.
Surgical and Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures Among Persons With Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Persons with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) frequently seek surgical and minimally invasive (MI) treatments to improve their appearance, but few studies have evaluated patient characteristics and outcomes. Surgical/MI treatment histories of 200 persons with BDD were cross-sectionally/retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and demographic characteristics of persons who received such treatments (n = 42) were compared to those who had not (n = 158). Outcomes and reasons for nonreceipt of requested procedures were examined. Receivers of surgical/MI treatments reported less severe current BDD symptoms and delusionality than persons who did not receive such treatments. Surgical/MI treatments were more likely than other cosmetic procedures to decrease preoccupation with the treated body part; however, overall BDD severity improved with only 2.3% of treatments. Cost and physician refusal were the most common reasons requested treatment was not received. However, physicians were more likely to provide requested surgical/MI treatment than other types of requested cosmetic treatment, despite the poor longer-term outcome.
Differentiation of bone marrow‐derived stage‐specific embryonic antigen 1 positive pluripotent stem cells into male germ cells

Studies published in recent years have changed the outlook on sterility and germ cell development by producing gametes from stem cells. In present study, a novel approach on differentiation of bone marrow‐derived stage‐specific embryonic antigen 1 positive (SSEA‐1+) pluripotent stem cells into male germ cells has been addressed. SSEA‐1+ stem cells were separated from murine bone marrow using magnetic‐activated cell sorting (MACS) system and propagated on a feeder layer cells. To evaluate the pluripotency characteristic of the purified cells, they were differentiated toward cells of three germ layers. Later the SSEA‐1+ stem cells were induced to differentiate along male germ cell lineage with retinoic acid. Flowcytometric analysis of SSEA‐1+ stem cells revealed purity of about 62% which increased to 91% after cultivation over feeder cells. Expression of specific transcripts of Oct4, SSEA‐1, Nanog, Dppa3, fragilis, Rex‐1, SOX‐2, and alkaline‐phosphatase and immunofluorescence evaluation of Oct4 and SSEA‐1 expression showed the differentiation of purified stem cells toward the cells of three germ layers. Differentiation potential of purified cells was positively evidenced by expression markers specific for primordial germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogonia including Mvh, fragilis, Dppa3, Stra8, DAZL, Piwil2, β1, and α6‐integrins as well as meiotic‐specific marker SYCP3. Our results showed that SSEA‐1+ pluripotent stem cells are able to differentiate into male germ cells. The results of the present study are encouraging enough to merit further investigation, provide a new hope for those suffering from infertility and introduce a novel platform for research on germ cell development.
Cloning, sequencing, and expression of bacteriophage BF23 late genes 24 and 25 encoding tail proteins

Two bacteriophage BF23 late genes, genes 24 and 25, were isolated on a 7.4-kb PstI fragment from the phage DNA, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Gene 24 encodes a minor tail protein with the expected M(r) of 34,309, and gene 25 located 4 bp upstream of gene 24 encodes a major tail protein with the expected M(r) of 50,329. When total cellular RNA isolated from either phage-infected cells or cells bearing the cloned genes was analyzed by the primer extension method using the primers specific to either gene 25 or gene 24, we identified a possible late gene promoter, designated P25, in the 5'-flanking region of gene 25. This promoter was similar in structure to Escherichia coli promoters for sigma 70. Studies of the translational gene 25- and gene 24-lacZ fusions in the cloned gene system revealed that the promoter P25 was responsible for the expression of both genes 25 and 24 even in the absence of the regulatory genes which were absolutely required for late gene expression in the normal phage-infected cells. These results indicate that the two genes constitute an operon under the control of P25 and that the regulatory gene products of BF23 do not participate directly in specifying the late gene promoter.
The Theory of Development Finance: How Microcredit Programmes Alleviate Credit and Labour Market Segmentation

The book explores the problem of credit market segmentation, a widesprea phenomenon in developming countries, within a theoretical frameowrk based on graphical analysis. It invetigates the causes and effects of this problem, and he impact of possible solutions. Credit market segmentation is an outgrowth of information-related problems and high transactioncosts in lending. It leads to segmentation in labour markets and also results in inefficient factor allocation and highly skewed income distribution patterns. A theoretical impact anaysis shows that microcredit programmes can eliminate the causes and effects of credit market segmentatinand the their impact is much broader than is usually assumed. thid book shudl be requied reading for everyone who is interested in microcredit. Contents: The Theoretical derivation of Credit Market Segmentation--The Impacts of Credit Market Segmentation---Approaches Taken by Successful Small Loan Programmes-impact Analysis of Small Loan Programmes: How They Affect Financial Markets, Labour Markets, Factor Allocation, Income Distributtion and growth.
Ligand-Controlled Proteolysis of the Escherichia coli Transcriptional Regulator ZntR

ABSTRACT Proteases play a crucial role in remodeling the bacterial proteome in response to changes in cellular environment. Escherichia coli ZntR, a zinc-responsive transcriptional regulator, was identified by proteomic experiments as a likely ClpXP substrate, suggesting that protein turnover may play a role in regulation of zinc homeostasis. When intracellular zinc levels are high, ZntR activates expression of ZntA, an ATPase essential for zinc export. We find that ZntR is degraded in vivo in a manner dependent on both the ClpXP and Lon proteases. However, ZntR degradation decreases in the presence of high zinc concentrations, the level of ZntR rises, and transcription of the zntA exporter is increased. Mutagenesis experiments reveal that zinc binding does not appear to be solely responsible for the zinc-induced protection from proteolysis. Therefore, we tested whether DNA binding was important in the zinc-induced stabilization of ZntR by mutagenesis of the DNA binding helices. Replacement of a conserved arginine (R19A) in the DNA binding domain both enhances ZntR degradation and abolishes zinc-induced transcriptional activation of zntA. Biochemical and physical analysis of ZntRR19A demonstrates that it is structurally similar to, and binds zinc as well as does, the wild-type protein but is severely defective in binding DNA. Thus, we conclude that two different ligands—zinc and DNA—function together to increase ZntR stability and that ligand-controlled proteolysis of ZntR plays an important role in fine-tuning zinc homeostasis in bacteria.