Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting obesity from four eating behaviors

v Introduction. 1 SNACKING. 3 EATING BEYOND SATIETY . 3 NIGHT EATING . 4 HUNGER . 5 EXPECTANCIES . 5 LEARNING THEORY. 6 PRESENT STUDY. 8 HYPOTHESES . 9 Method . 10 PARTICIPANTS. 10 MEASURES . 11 Body Mass Index . 11 Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire . 11 Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale . 12 Eating Beyond Satiety Questionnaire . 13 Snacking Questionnaire . 14 Hunger Questionnaire . 14 Night Eating Scale . 15 Brewer et al. (2003) Measures . 15 ii Eating Expectancies Inventory. 15 Self-Reported Cue Reactivity Questionnaire . 16 PROCEDURE . 17 Results . 18 HYPOTHESIS 1 . 18 HYPOTHESIS 2 . 22 HYPOTHESIS 3 . 25 HYPOTHESIS 4 . 26 HYPOTHESIS 5 . 27 Discussion. 29 LIMITATIONS. 35 FUTURE RESEARCH . 36 References. 38 Appendices. 44 APPENDIX A: PAFFENBARGER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE. 45 APPENDIX B: EATING DISORDER DIAGNOSTIC SCALE . 48 APPENDIX C: EATING BEYOND SATIETY QUESTIONNAIRE . 50 APPENDIX D: SNACKING QUESTIONNAIRE . 52 APPENDIX E: HUNGER QUESTIONNAIRE. 53 APPENDIX F: NIGHT EATING SCALE. 54 APPENDIX G: BREWER ET AL. (2003) ITEMS . 55 APPENDIX H: EATING EXPECTANCIES INVENTORY. 56 APPENDIX I: SELF-REPORTED CUE REACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE . 59 APPENDIX J: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION. 62 About the Author.End Page
PRELIMINARY STUDIES FOR THE USE OF BIOLUMINESCENT BACTERIA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS BIOSENSORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

In the last decades the European countries increased the policies related to environmental pollution, in order to improve water quality and people health. To date, environmental monitoring is mainly based on “spot-sampling”, or on the assessment of certain biomarkers in specific contexts. Research in recent years, however, has revealed several limitations of these methods, such as the inability of a detailed evaluation over time, and the difficulty in determining the bioavailable portion of pollutants, which is the effectively toxic fraction. To overcome such drawbacks bio-based monitoring methods, which include assays based on whole cells, are under development. Whole cell systems are suitable for environmental monitoring, where the source and nature of the pollutants cannot be predicted, for this reason these biosensors can act as a Biological Early Warning System or BEWS, which will subsequently be supported by more specific actions and analysis. Microorganisms represent a good opportunity for low cost, long life, pH and temperature adaptable, in addition to the ability to detect a broad spectrum of chemicals, an ability which can be further improved by using genetic engineering. In this work preliminary tests were made using a Vibrio fischeri strain, in order to obtain a useful long-term biosensing element coupled to wireless devices to create a wireless BEWS network, making feasible the idea of a continuous environmental monitoring.
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF DISEASE-CAUSING ORGANISMS IN THE WHITE-CLAWED CRAYFISH AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS PALLIPES COMPLEX FROM STREAMS OF NORTHERN ITALY

A total of 99 live and 3 dead white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex were collected during the summer and autumn of 2003 from one creek in Emilia Romagna region and four watercourses in Friuli Venezia Giulia region (Northern Italy) for experimental breeding and health status monitoring. Fifty-one animals from the Bidente River were maintained in tanks for breeding, and restocking, while another 30 specimens (27 living and 3 dead) were examined in the laboratory to evaluate their health status. Parasitological surveys were carried out on gills; mycological examinations on the exoskeleton (the walking legs and the abdomen); bacteriological examinations of inoculations from the haemolymph, and histopathological analysis on full transverse and sagittal sections of cephalothorax and abdomen.In the branchial-chambers, the gill filaments and the exoskeleton were observed for ectocommensal peritrich protozoans Epystilis spp. and Cothurnia sieboldii. In crayfish sampled from five streams and rivers, Branchiobdella italica, B. astaci, B. parasita and B. hexodonta were isolated. Heavily damaged gills in the presence of branchiobdellid cocoons were observed in the crayfish found dead in Orvenco creek.Hyaline and dematiaceous hyphomycetes were frequently observed and Fusarium spp. and Saprolegnia sp. were isolated from cuticular lesions.Mortalities occurred in two tanks, after 2 and 4 weeks respectively, in the adult crayfish coming from Bidente River utilized for breeding, with approximately a 23.5% cumulative mortality rate. In both cases the crayfish were weak, anorexic and lethargic. Four and eight moribund samples respectively, coming from the two breeding tanks in which the mortalities occurred, underwent examination. In the first case the mortalities were attributed to Thelohania-like organisms and in the second case the mortalities were associated with enteric bacteria Citrobacter freundii.
Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy in Brazil after Inflation Targeting

After strong currency crisis, in January 1999, Brazil implemented flexible exchange rate regime combined with inflation targeting. Some economists believe that emerging markets do not allow the exchange rate to float as much they had announced and therefore they suffer from the fear of floating. However, in this article there is evidence to believe that central banks in the emerging markets care about inflation ratter than exchange rate. The remarkable result found in this article is that the aggressiveness of the interest rate reaction to inflation explains far more the current monetary and exchange rate policy in Brazil than the idea of the fear of floating.
The prevalence of academic procrastination and its association with medical students’ well-being status

Purpose: Academic procrastination or putting off doing a task until tomorrow has been a common disorder among students. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of academic procrastination among Sabzevar medical students and examine the relation between academic procrastination and well-being status in this population. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 498 students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences. The inclusion criterion required participants to be undergraduate students. We used a stratified random sampling method to collect the data. Students filled out the Procrastination Assessment Scale-Student (PASS) and the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Results: Students completed 400 questionnaires (response rate of 80%). The percentage of participants who were female, single, and resident in a dormitory were 76%, 78%, and 67% respectively. The mean score of the WHO-5 well-being index were 58.4 ± 20.7 (ranging from 0 to 100). Results showed that 34.8%, 37.1%, 49.9%, 13.8%, 27.6%, and 44.4% of the participants procrastinated most of the times or always in the first to sixth domains of the scale respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean procrastination score of depressed and non-depressed students. Conclusion: low well-being status and academic procrastination were both common and interrelated. University teachers should consider low well-being status when their students frequently procrastinate their tasks. Screening of low well-being status and proper intervention is recommended to improve both students’ mental health and academic achievements.
The Welfare Gains of Financial Liberalization: Capital Accumulation and Idiosyncratic Risks

From a simple (theoretical) growth argument, financial integration enables capitalscarce countries to raise capital inflows with positive effects on investment and on the speed of convergence. Gourinchas and Jeanne (2006) show in a standard neoclassical growth model with complete markets that although financial openness increases welfare, its effects are limited. We investigate this issue further by considering an incomplete markets economy with two types of borrowing constraints. We show that the
Food and Nutritional Security in Bangladesh: Going beyond Carbohydrate Counts

The progress towards achieving household nutritional food-security in Bangladesh has remained slow. So far the food security is cereal-based (mainly rice) and food basket has not yet diversified towards high nutritive/ quality food. This article has examined the expenditure inequalities in the dietary pattern and incidence of poverty in Bangladesh by using household income, expenditure and food consumption survey data. Results have shown wide-spread inequalities in income and expenditure distribution. Among food items, the inequalities have been found very low for cereals and high for livestock and horticulture commodities and various types of fish species in both rural and urban areas. The analysis of food poverty, its depth and severity has revealed a typical hidden poverty that could not be brought up by analyzing economic poverty. The food poverty has been found high for pulses, horticulture and livestock commodities among both economically rich and poor households. Fish, livestock, horticulture and pulses sectors should be accorded high priority to diversify the dietary pattern towards high quality food and improve the nutritional food-security of households in Bangladesh.
The Use of Language Learning Strategies through Smartphones in Improving Learner Autonomy in EFL Reading among Undergraduates in Saudi Arabia

Language learning strategies (LLS) and learner autonomy (LA) are believed to achieve a sustainable long-life learning process leading to a more reading competence (O’malley & Chamot, 1990; Oxford, 1990). LA is a pedagogical imperative inasmuch as language is largely an autonomous activity (Kumaravadivelu, 2006). This study examines the improvement of LA through the explicit use of LLS in EFL reading in a mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) environment among English as a foreign language (EFL) readers enrolled in Preparatory Year program at Najran University in Saudi Arabia. To this end, a questionnaire adapted from Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), was administered to 32 students to measure their reading strategy use mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context. The data analysis revealed moderate averages (60%) of LLS (memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies) among EFL undergraduates in EFL reading context. Consequently, these results may restrain the improvement of LA in virtual learning environments, mostly teacherless platforms, where learners need to have these strategies to help them control and manage their own language learning in almost independent learning settings, freedom in time, place, access to resources, and material choices. It is recommended that LA be improved through a strategy use instruction mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context.
Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Toddlerhood and Cognitive Ability among Malaysian Adolescents

Background: Secondhand Smoke (SHS) exposure has been reported to cause a number of adverse health effects. Although studies have been conducted to identify the link between SHS exposure and cognitive functioning of children, its relationship is still unclear. This study aimed to identify the association of prenatal and postnatal SHS exposure with cognitive ability among adolescents. Methods: A total of 370 adolescents aged 13-14 years old in two states in Malaysia participated in this study. A modified Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire was used to assess exposure to SHS. Parental-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on parental smoking and prenatal SHS exposure. Cognitive ability was objectively measured using Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability. Results: 75.4% and 24.6% adolescents were identified to have cognitive ability categorized as high (>90marks) and low (≤90marks), respectively. From the logistic analysis adjusting for confounders, adolescents with SHS exposure in toddlerhood (≤2years old) were three times more likely to have lower cognitive ability compared to those without exposure (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), 2.89; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.21-6.83). School absenteeism was associated with lower cognitive ability. Conclusion: Exposure to SHS during toddlerhood was linked to lower cognitive ability among adolescents. The findings of this study emphasize the need for preventing involuntary toddlerhood SHS exposure from parents and indirectly encourage home smoking restriction practices among Malaysian citizens.
The evolution of mode-2 nonlinear internal waves over the northern Heng-Chun Ridge south of Taiwan

Abstract. Two research cruises were conducted from the R/V OCEAN RESEARCHER 3 during 05–16 August 2011 to study the generation and propagation of high-frequency nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) over the northern Heng-Chun Ridge south of Taiwan. The primary study site was on top of a smaller ridge about 15 km wide by 400 m high atop the primary ridge, with a sill depth of approximately 600 m. A single mooring was used in conjunction with shipboard observations to sample the temperature, salinity and velocity structure over the ridge. All the sensors observed a profusion of mode-2 NLIWs. Some of the waves were solitary, while others had as many as seven evenly spaced waves per packet. The waves all exhibited classic mode-2 velocity structure with a core near 150–200 m and opposing velocities in the layers above and below. At least two and possibly three most common propagation directions emerged from the analysis, suggesting multiple generation sites near the eastern side of the ridge. The turbulent dissipation due to overturns in the wave cores was very high at order 10−4–10−3 W kg−1. The energy budget suggests that the waves cannot persist very far from the ridge and likely do not contribute to the South China Sea transbasin wave phenomenon.
Role of environmental factors on phytoplankton bloom initiation under landfast sea ice in Resolute Passage, Canada

It has been common practice in scientific studies to assume negligible phytoplankton production when the ocean is ice-covered, due to the strong light attenuation properties of snow, sea ice, and ice algae. Recent observations of massive under-ice blooms in the Arctic challenge this concept and call for a re-evaluation of light conditions prevailing under ice during the melt period. Using hydrographic data collected under landfast ice cover in Resolute Passage, Nunavut, Canada between 9 May and 21 June 2010, we documented the exponential growth phase of a substantial under-ice phytoplankton bloom. Numerous factors appeared to influence bloom initi- ation: (1) transmitted light increased with the onset of snowmelt and termination of the ice algal bloom; (2) initial phytoplankton growth resulted in the accumulation of biomass below the devel- oping surface melt layer where nutrient concentrations were high and turbulent mixing was rela- tively low; and (3) melt pond formation rapidly increased light transmission, while spring-tidal energy helped form a surface mixed layer influenced by ice melt — both were believed to influ- ence the final rapid increase in phytoplankton growth. By the end of the study, nitrate+nitrite was depleted in the upper 10 m of the water column and the under-ice bloom had accumulated 508 mg chl a m �2 with a new production estimate of 17.5 g C m �2 over the upper 50 m of the water column. The timing of bloom initiation with melt onset suggests a strong link to climate change where sea ice is both thinning and melting earlier, the implication being an earlier and more ubiquitous phytoplankton bloom in Arctic ice-covered regions.
Testing for separability of space–time covariances

Separable space–time covariance models are often used for modeling in environmental sciences because of their computational benefits. Unfortunately, there are few formal statistical tests for separability. We adapt a likelihood ratio test based on multivariate repeated measures to the spatio–temporal context. We apply this test to an environmental monitoring data set. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and analysis of a twin-tube hydraulic shock absorber

In this paper, a physical and mathematical model was created for a twin-tube hydraulic shock absorber, using oil as the working medium. To analyze the model, methods of numerical integration were incorporated. The effect of the amplitude and frequency of the excitation, as well as the parameters describing the flow rate of oil through the valves, were examined. The basic characteristics of the damping force were obtained.
The Impact of Business-Cycle Fluctuations on Private-Label Share

This study investigates the cyclical dependence of private-label success in four countries. The results show that private-label share behaves countercyclically. Moreover, asymmetries are present in both the extent and speed of up- and down-ward movements in private-label share over the business cycle. Finally, part of private-labels’ share gain during contractions is found to be permanent.
Extending the Mbh–σ diagram with dense nuclear star clusters

Four new nuclear star cluster masses, Mnc, plus seven upper limits, are provided for galaxies with previously determined black hole masses, Mbh. Together with a sample of 64 galaxies with direct Mbh measurements, 13 of which additionally now have Mnc measurements rather than only upper limits, plus an additional 29 dwarf galaxies with available Mnc measurements and velocity dispersions σ, an (Mbh + Mnc)–σ diagram is constructed. Given that major dry galaxy merger events preserve the Mbh/L ratio, and given that L / σ 5 for luminous galaxies, it is first noted that the observation Mbh / σ 5 is consistent with expectations. For the fainter elliptical galaxies it is known that L / σ 2 , and assuming a constant Mnc/L ratio (Ferrarese et al.), the expectation that Mnc / σ 2 is in broad agreement with our new observational result that Mnc / σ 1.57±0.24 . This exponent is however in contrast to the value of �4 which has been reported previously and interpreted in terms of a regulating feedback mechanism from stellar winds. Finally, it is predicted that host galaxies fainter than MB � 20.5 mag (i.e. those not formed in dry merger events) which follow the relation Mbh / σ 5 , and are thus not ‘pseudobulges’, should not have a constant Mbh/Mhost ratio but instead have Mbh / L 5/2 host . It is argued that the previous near linear Mbh–L and Mbh–Mspheroid relations have been biased by the sample selection of luminous galaxies, and as such should not be used to constrain the co-evolution of supermassive black holes in galaxies other than those luminous few built by major dry merger events.
R&D cooperation in SMEs: the direct effect and the moderating role of human capital

ABSTRACT We analyse the determinants of R&D cooperation for SMEs in Italy. We introduce in the literature human capital as one of the main determinants of R&D cooperation, concentrating on its moderating role, and specifically focusing on the high-tech sector. Using an extremely rich dataset, we improve the literature, building robust explanatory variables, and disaggregating the cooperation by partner. We find that human capital facilitates cooperation, but its moderating role depends on the type of disaggregation and/or the partner.
Finding community solutions to improve access and acceptance of cataract surgery, optical correction and follow up in children in Malawi

Background: Late presentation to the hospital and poor post-operative follow-up after cataract surgery are associated with complications which compromise visual recovery and perpetuate disability among children with cataract. The objectives of the study were to understand the social, psychological and physical consequences of blindness in families, to understand why some parents with blind children access services and others do not, and to explore factors related to decision making within families that prevent access to health care services. Methodology: A mixed methodology quantitative and qualitative community study of blindness in children conducted in southern Malawi to compare “Doers”: families with blind children from the same communities who had attended cataract surgical services with “Non-doers” versus families with blind children from the same communities who had not attended services. Individual, family, community socio-cultural and economic characteristics and other qualitative data on knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs were recorded and analyzed thematically, based on grounded theory. Results: A total of 53 in-depth interviews of parents; 21 in-depth interviews of children; 15 focus group discussions with community members; 62 children’s clinical eye examinations, and 4 case studies were conducted over the study period. Doer families were likely to have a reliable source of income, have better housing and live closer to health centres than non-doer families. Visual acuity among doers was better than non-doers. Conclusion: This research has highlighted reasons why some families who have children with cataract are likely to be delayed to seek surgical intervention. Comprehensive counseling modules targeting such families need to be developed to increase acceptance and access to children’s cataract surgical services.
Rethinking Agency Theory: The View from Law

We draw from legal theory to offer a fundamental rethinking of agency theory along three key dimensions: redefining the principal from shareholders to the corporation, redefining the status of the board from shareholders' agents to autonomous fiduciaries, and redefining the role of the board from monitors to mediating hierarchs. These dimensions contrast with classic agency theory, offering novel conceptions that can inform further theorization and empirical research in corporate governance.
FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDY OF PRECAST COMPOSITE SLAB SPAN SYSTEM

This paper describes a field and laboratory investigation of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Precast Composite Slab Span System (PCSSS) implemented for short to moderate span bridges (20-50ft. range). Advantages of the system include accelerated construction, improved quality control, and reduced impact on the environment compared to cast-in-place (CIP) slab span systems. The field study was conducted on one of the early Mn/DOT implementations over a period of 24 months to investigate the performance of the system relative to design assumptions and the susceptibility of the system to developing reflective cracking. In addition, a two-span laboratory specimen was constructed and load tested to investigate effects of variations in flange thickness, bursting reinforcement, horizontal shear reinforcement, and flange surface treatment.
Regular and Discontinuous Solutions in a Reaction-Diffusion Model for Hair Follicle Spacing

Solutions of a model reaction-diffusion system inspired by a model for hair follicle initiation in mice are constructed and analysed for the case of a one-dimensional domain. It is shown that all regular spatially heterogeneous solutions of the problem are unstable. Numerical tests show that the only asymptotically stable weak solutions are those with large jump discontinuities.
How Old is MVII?—Seaweeds, Shorelines, and the Pre-Clovis Chronology at Monte Verde, Chile

How Old is MVII? —Seaweeds, Shorelines, and the Pre-Clovis Chronology at Monte Verde, Chile Jon M. Erlandson a; Todd J. Braje b; Michael H. Graham c a Department of Anthropology and Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA b Department of Anthropology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA c Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, Moss Landing, California, USA