Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrition transition and its relationship to the development of obesity and related chronic diseases

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has also increased substantially in the nutritional transition countries, and the health burden of obesity‐related complications is growing. The introduction of fast‐food chains and Westernized dietary habits providing meals with fast‐food characteristics seems to be a marker of the increasing prevalence of obesity. The mechanisms involved are probably that the supply of foods is characterized by large portion sizes with a high energy density, and sugar‐rich soft drinks. The high energy density of foods is partly brought about by a high dietary fat content, and it has been shown that even in a Chinese population the increase from about 15% to 20% in the proportion of calories from fat is sufficient to explain some weight gain in the population. In addition, fast food from major chains in most countries still contains unacceptably high levels of industrially produced trans fatty acids that have powerful biological effects, and contribute to type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. New evidence also suggests that a high intake of trans fat may produce abdominal obesity, an important factor in the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The optimal diet for the prevention of weight gain, obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes is fat‐reduced, without any industrially produced trans fatty acids, fibre‐rich, high in low energy density carbohydrates (fruit, vegetables and whole grain products) and with a restricted intake of energy‐containing drinks.
An empirical study on non-Muslim’s packaged halal food manufacturers

Purpose This study aims to investigate the determinant factors that consumers may consider in buying halal packaged food produced by non-Muslim manufacturers. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a seven-constructs-based model. Halal awareness, Islamic brand and product ingredients are used as the pre-determined factors for measuring consumer’s purchase intention. Findings The hypotheses which were tested using partial least squares have revealed that halal awareness and product ingredients have significantly influenced Muslims’ intention to buy halal packaged food that are produced by non-Muslim manufacturers. The findings show that the religious belief, exposure and certification/logo are potential sources of Muslim awareness about halal packaged food from non-Muslim manufacturers. Research limitations/implications This research is also not exempted from its limitations. The data collected for the current study investigate general purchase toward halal products. It would be interesting if future researchers examine consumers’ purchase intention toward specific halal products for specific product categories. A comparative study is also worthy of being steered, as such a study is beneficial for producers and marketers of the halal industry. Practical implications As an overall implication, this study will provide a valuable and important information for non-Muslim halal packaged food manufacturers in identifying the appropriate strategy to fulfill the needs and wants of Muslim consumers at best. It is sufficed to suggest that the Muslim community has adopted halal food from non-Islamic brands as part of their lifestyle choice. Clearly, this gives implications to non-Muslim halal food producers. Thus, it is critical for food manufacturers to increase the level of awareness toward halal products by providing sufficient and interesting information, especially on halal certification. Hence, the manufacturer must take the opportunity to do intensive promotion to encourage more consumers to purchase their products. Originality/value This paper examines consumer purchase intention toward non-Muslim packed food manufactures in Saudi Arabia. It is critical for non-Muslim packed halal food manufacturers to increase the level of awareness toward halal products by providing sufficient and interesting information, especially on halal certification.
CD4 + T CELL MATTERS IN TUMOR IMMUNITY

CD4 + T cells have been shown to be able to affect tumor growth through both direct and indirect means. In addition, a requirement has been demonstrated for CD4 + T cells in the regulation and induction of T cell memory, and CD4 + suppressor T cells have been identified, stressing a role for CD4 + T cells in the induction and maintenance of antitumor immune responses. A review of the involvement of CD4 + T cells at different stages of tumor immunity is provided, and based on these data we discuss how CD4 + T cell response induction could be incorporated into tumor immunotherapy strategies. dendritic cells suppressor T cells T cell memory CD4 + T cells tumor immunology
Control of Directors’ Compensation in Spanish Companies: Corporate Governance and Firm Performance

Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to examine the hypothesized effects of board characteristics and performance on directors’ compensation in the Spanish corporations, whose corporate governance is a special example of a unitary board system. Methodology/approach – In order to test the influence of a set of factors on directors’ compensation levels, we have developed several models based on linear panel data regression. The sample included 76 listed companies on the Spanish computerized trading system or Continuous Market for the period 2004–2009. Findings – The control mechanisms, like board characteristics and performance and their effect on the level of directors’ compensation, depend on the types of director (executive, independent and proprietary). Research limitations/implications (if applicable) – This study has certain limitations mainly related to problems associated with obtaining information. The methodology should be complemented by other types of analyses, such as the influence of the characteristics of the board on the remuneration structure in a greater level of disaggregation. Practical implications (if applicable) – The results of this research chapter give reasons to regulators and investors to be aware of the importance of the board's characteristics as corporate control mechanisms over the directors’ remuneration and the necessity of connection between directors’ compensation and the firm's performance. Originality/value of paper – Firstly, descriptive empirical evidence on the level of directors’ compensation is provided within a unitary board system for different types of directors. Secondly, an ample panel data set enables the examination of a set of determinants using panel data methods which control for unobserved firm heterogeneity. Finally, the perspective is extended from executive director compensation to other types of directors, such as proprietary or independent, which are very important features of the Spanish board structure.
Structure of MurF from Streptococcus pneumoniae co‐crystallized with a small molecule inhibitor exhibits interdomain closure

In a broad genomics analysis to find novel protein targets for antibiotic discovery, MurF was identified as an essential gene product for Streptococcus pneumonia that catalyzes a critical reaction in the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan in the formation of the cell wall. Lacking close relatives in mammalian biology, MurF presents attractive characteristics as a potential drug target. Initial screening of the Abbott small‐molecule compound collection identified several compounds for further validation as pharmaceutical leads. Here we report the integrated efforts of NMR and X‐ray crystallography, which reveal the multidomain structure of a MurF–inhibitor complex in a compact conformation that differs dramatically from related structures. The lead molecule is bound in the substrate‐binding region and induces domain closure, suggestive of the domain arrangement for the as yet unobserved transition state conformation for MurF enzymes. The results form a basis for directed optimization of the compound lead by structure‐based design to explore the suitability of MurF as a pharmaceutical target.
Inconsistent Responding in a Criminal Forensic Setting: An Evaluation of the VRIN-r and TRIN-r Scales of the MMPI–2–RF

ABSTRACT Criminal forensic evaluations are complicated by the risk that examinees will respond in an unreliable manner. Unreliable responding could occur due to lack of personal investment in the evaluation, severe mental illness, and low cognitive abilities. In this study, 31% of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011) profiles were invalid due to random or fixed-responding (T score ≥ 80 on the VRIN–r or TRIN–r scales) in a sample of pretrial criminal defendants evaluated in the context of treatment for competency restoration. Hierarchical regression models showed that symptom exaggeration variables, as measured by inconsistently reported psychiatric symptoms, contributed over and above education and intellectual functioning in their prediction of both random responding and fixed responding. Psychopathology variables, as measured by mood disturbance, better predicted fixed responding after controlling for estimates of cognitive abilities, but did not improve the prediction for random responding. These findings suggest that random responding and fixed responding are not only affected by education and intellectual functioning, but also by intentional exaggeration and aspects of psychopathology. Measures of intellectual functioning and effort and response style should be considered for administration in conjunction with self-report personality measures to rule out rival hypotheses of invalid profiles.
HIV RNA viral Load and CD4+ T-cell Counts in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women with and without Treatment Discontinuation in Early Pregnancy

Background In pregnant women taking antiretroviral treatment at conception treatment may be transiently stopped for safety concerns. Limited data are available on the consequences of such discontinuations. Methods We used data from a national study to compare different treatment pathways during pregnancy. Overall, 321 women were evaluated and classified into three groups: women not on treatment at conception and who started treatment during pregnancy (starters; n=91); women on treatment at conception who temporarily discontinued treatment during first trimester (discontin-uers; n=114); and women on treatment at conception who maintained treatment (continuers; n=116). Results At conception, the three groups had similar CD4+ T-cell counts (499, 495 and 470 cells/mm3, respectively; P>0.10); starters had significantly higher median HIV RNA levels at conception (5,690 copies/ml) compared with both continuers (58 copies/ml, P<0.001) and discontinuers (49 copies/ml, P<0.001). Continuers maintained undetectable HIV RNA at all pregnancy trimesters, while discontinuers showed at first and second trimester transient negative effects on HIV (4,776 and 386 copies/ml, respectively) and CD4+ T-cell levels (376 and 392 cells/mm3, respectively), which were reversed at last trimester (52 copies/ml and 432 cells/mm3, respectively). No significant differences were observed among the groups in HIV RNA and CD4+ T-cell counts at third trimester, preterm delivery, low birth weight or mode of delivery. The number of cases of HIV transmission and birth defects were too limited to allow comparisons. Conclusions Early discontinuation of antiretroviral treatment in pregnancy produces transient virological and immunological effects without precluding the achievement of a good viral suppression at the end of pregnancy; no clinical consequences were observed.
Calcium‐dependent mitochondrial function and dysfunction in neurons

Calcium is an extraordinarily versatile signaling ion, encoding cellular responses to a wide variety of external stimuli. In neurons, mitochondria can accumulate enormous amounts of calcium, with the consequence that mitochondrial calcium uptake, sequestration and release play pivotal roles in orchestrating calcium‐dependent responses as diverse as gene transcription and cell death. In this review, we consider the basic chemistry of calcium as a ‘sticky’ cation, which leads to extremely high bound/free ratios, and discuss areas of current interest or controversy. Topics addressed include methodologies for measuring local intracellular calcium, mitochondrial calcium buffering and loading capacity, mitochondrially directed spatial calcium gradients, and the role of calcium overload‐dependent mitochondrial dysfunction in glutamate‐evoked excitotoxic injury and neurodegeneration. Finally, we consider the relationship between delayed calcium de‐regulation, the mitochondrial permeability transition and the generation of reactive oxygen species, and propose a unified view of the ‘source specificity’ and ‘calcium overload’ models of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐dependent excitotoxicity. Non‐NMDA receptor mechanisms of excitotoxicity are discussed briefly.
Mosaicism in Vacuolating Cytotoxin Alleles of Helicobacter pylori

Approximately 50% of Helicobacter pylori strains produce a cytotoxin, encoded by vacA, that induces vacuolation of eukaryotic cells. Analysis of a clinically isolated tox strain (Tx30a) indicated secretion of a 93-kDa product from a 3933-base pair vacA open reading frame. Characterization of 59 different H. pylori isolates indicated the existence of three different families of vacA signal sequences (s1a, s1b, and s2) and two different families of middle-region alleles (m1 and m2). All possible combinations of these vacA regions were identified, with the exception of s2/m1 (p < 0.001); this mosaic organization implies that recombination has occurred in vivo between vacA alleles. Type s1/m1 strains produced a higher level of cytotoxin activity in vitro than type s1/m2 strains; none of 19 type s2/m2 strains produced detectable cytotoxin activity. The presence of cagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A) was closely associated with the presence of vacA signal sequence type s1 (p < 0.001). Among patients with past or present peptic ulceration, 21 (91%) of 23 harbored type s1 strains compared with 16 (48%) of 33 patients without peptic ulcers; only 2 (10%) of 19 subjects harboring type s2 strains had past or present peptic ulcers (p < 0.005). Thus, specific vacA genotypes of H. pylori strains are associated with the level of in vitro cytotoxin activity as well as clinical consequences.
Proximal Events in Signaling by Plasma Membrane Estrogen Receptors*

Estradiol (E2) rapidly stimulates signal transduction from plasma membrane estrogen receptors (ER) that are G protein-coupled. This is reported to occur through the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, similar to other G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we define the signaling events that result in EGFR and ERK activation. E2-stimulated ERK required ER in breast cancer and endothelial cells and was substantially prevented by expression of a dominant negative EGFR or by tyrphostin AG1478, a specific inhibitor for EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Transactivation/phosphorylation of EGFR by E2 was dependent on the rapid liberation of heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF) from cultured MCF-7 cells and was blocked by antibodies to this ligand for EGFR. Expression of dominant negative mini-genes for Gαq and Gαi blocked E2-induced, EGFR-dependent ERK activation, and Gβγ also contributed. G protein activation led to activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9. This resulted from Src-induced MMP activation, implicated using PP2 (Src family kinase inhibitor) or the expression of a dominant negative Src protein. Antisense oligonucleotides to MMP-2 and MMP-9 or ICI 182780 (ER antagonist) each prevented E2-induced HB-EGF liberation and ERK activation. E2 also induced AKT up-regulation in MCF-7 cells and p38β MAP kinase activity in endothelial cells, blocked by an MMP inhibitor, GM6001, and tyrphostin AG1478. Targeting of only the E domain of ERα to the plasma membrane resulted in MMP activation and EGFR transactivation. Thus, specific G proteins mediate the ability of E2 to activate MMP-2 and MMP-9 via Src. This leads to HB-EGF transactivation of EGFR and signaling to multiple kinase cascades in several target cells for E2. The E domain is sufficient to enact these events, defining additional details of the important cross-talk between membrane ER and EGFR in breast cancer.
Stability and Fragmentation of the Activity Rhythm Across the Sleep-Wake Cycle: The Importance of Age, Lifestyle, and Mental Health

The rhythms of activity across the 24-h sleep-wake cycle, determined in part by the circadian clock, change with aging. Few large-scale studies measured the activity rhythm objectively in the general population. The present population-based study in middle-aged and elderly persons evaluated how activity rhythms change with age, and additionally investigated sociodemographics, mental health, lifestyle, and sleep characteristics as determinants of rhythms of activity. Activity rhythms were measured objectively with actigraphy. Recordings of at least 96 h (138 ± 14 h, mean ± SD) were collected from 1734 people (age: 62 ± 9.4 yrs) participating in the Rotterdam Study. Activity rhythms were quantified by calculating interdaily stability, i.e., the stability of the rhythm over days, and intradaily variability, i.e., the fragmentation of the rhythm relative to its 24-h amplitude. We assessed age, gender, presence of a partner, employment, cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, body mass index (BMI), coffee use, alcohol use, and smoking as determinants. The results indicate that older age is associated with a more stable 24-h activity profile (β = 0.07, p = 0.02), but also with a more fragmented distribution of periods of activity and inactivity (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). Having more depressive symptoms was related to less stable (β = −0.07, p = 0.005) and more fragmented (β = 0.10, p < 0.001) rhythms. A high BMI and smoking were also associated with less stable rhythms (BMI: β = −0.11, p < 0.001; smoking: β = −0.11, p < 0.001) and more fragmented rhythms (BMI: β = 0.09, p < 0.001; smoking: β = 0.11, p < 0.001). We conclude that with older age the 24-h activity rhythm becomes more rigid, whereas the ability to maintain either an active or inactive state for a longer period of time is compromised. Both characteristics appear to be important for major health issues in old age.
NuSTAR OBSERVATIONS OF WISE J1036+0449, A GALAXY AT z ∼ 1 OBSCURED BY HOT DUST

Hot dust-obscured galaxies (hot DOGs), selected from Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer’s all-sky infrared survey, host some of the most powerful active galactic nuclei known and may represent an important stage in the evolution of galaxies. Most known hot DOGs are located at , due in part to a strong bias against identifying them at lower redshift related to the selection criteria. We present a new selection method that identifies 153 hot DOG candidates at , where they are significantly brighter and easier to study. We validate this approach by measuring a redshift z = 1.009 and finding a spectral energy distribution similar to that of higher-redshift hot DOGs for one of these objects, WISE J1036+0449 ( ). We find evidence of a broadened component in Mg ii, which would imply a black hole mass of and an Eddington ratio of . WISE J1036+0449 is the first hot DOG detected by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, and observations show that the source is heavily obscured, with a column density of . The source has an intrinsic 2–10 keV luminosity of , a value significantly lower than that expected from the mid-infrared/X-ray correlation. We also find that other hot DOGs observed by X-ray facilities show a similar deficiency of X-ray flux. We discuss the origin of the X-ray weakness and the absorption properties of hot DOGs. Hot DOGs at could be excellent laboratories to probe the characteristics of the accretion flow and of the X-ray emitting plasma at extreme values of the Eddington ratio.
Developing in situ Non-Destructive Estimates of Crop Biomass to Address Issues of Scale in Remote Sensing

Ground-based estimates of aboveground wet (fresh) biomass (AWB) are an important input for crop growth models. In this study, we developed empirical equations of AWB for rice, maize, cotton, and alfalfa, by combining several in situ non-spectral and spectral predictors. The non-spectral predictors included: crop height (H), fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), leaf area index (LAI), and fraction of vegetation cover (FVC). The spectral predictors included 196 hyperspectral narrowbands (HNBs) from 350 to 2500 nm. The models for rice, maize, cotton, and alfalfa included H and HNBs in the near infrared (NIR); H, FAPAR, and HNBs in the NIR; H and HNBs in the visible and NIR; and FVC and HNBs in the visible; respectively. In each case, the non-spectral predictors were the most important, while the HNBs explained additional and statistically significant predictors, but with lower variance. The final models selected for validation yielded an R2 of 0.84, 0.59, 0.91, and 0.86 for rice, maize, cotton, and alfalfa, which when compared to models using HNBs alone from a previous study using the same spectral data, explained an additional 12%, 29%, 14%, and 6% in AWB variance. These integrated models will be used in an up-coming study to extrapolate AWB over 60 × 60 m transects to evaluate spaceborne multispectral broad bands and hyperspectral narrowbands.
Centromeric loss in translocation of centric fusion type in cattle and water buffalo.

Iannuzzi, L. , Di Berardino, D. , Gustavsson, I. , Ferrara, L. and Di Meo, G. P. 1987. Centromeric loss in translocations of centric fusion type in cattle and water buffalo. - Hereditas 106: 73–81. Lund, Sweden. ISSN 0018–0661. Received March 15, 1986 Robertsonian translocations in Podolian and Romagna cattle (Bos taurus L.) and Asiatic river buffaloes (Bubulus bubalis L.) were studied with C, G + C, and R-banding techniques. The investigation demonstrated: (a) presence of one block of constitutive heterochromatin in the q-arm of the cattle translocation chromosome; (b) chromosomes identified as 1 and 25 according to the system used - but presumptively 1 and 29 as earlier described - being involved in the cattle centric fusions, with the centromere region of chromosome 25(29) being lost and that of chromosome 1 being retained; (c) no constitutive heterochromatin in the q-chromosome arm of the bi-armed chromosomes 1 and 5 in the water huffaloes (with retention of the constitutive heterochromatin in their p-arms) and partial losses of centromeric heterochromatin in both arms of chromosomes 2, 3 and 4; (d) presence of a C-positive segment in the telomere region of the p-arm of chromosome 4 in the water buffalo; (e) no bi-armed chromosome common for the two species. Karyotype evolution is discussed and the urgency of an appropriate nomenclature system for cattle and buffalo chromosomes is briefly stressed.
Recent Volcanic Activity at Glacier Peak

Previous reports suggested that Glacier Peak, a volcano in northern Washington State, has been dormant for the past 11,000 years. New radiocarbon dates for volcanic deposits indicate that major volcanic events, such as tephra eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and mudflows traveling tens of kilometers, occurred at least five times in the past 1800 years and nine times in the past 5500 years.