Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Analysis of the factors that disrupt dietary habits in the elderly: A case study of a Japanese food desert

In this study, we analysed the factors that disrupt the healthy eating habits of the elderly in a suburban city centre in Japan. It was estimated that 49% of the elderly residents in the study area, many of whom were concentrated in the city centre, had poor nutritional condition. Our multilevel analysis indicated that weak ties with family and the local community had a strong effect on a large proportion of the nutritionally depleted elderly residents. Previously, the issue of food deserts was considered to be mainly a problem that affected areas where small neighbourhood shopping areas had closed, thereby making shopping physically difficult for people without private cars. However, our study shows that reduced intimacy in people’s relationships also increases the risk of the presence of food deserts.
The Impact of Economic Globalization on the Shadow Economy in Egypt

This study examines the economic globalization and the shadow economy nexus in Egypt. Using time series data from 1976 to 2013, the impulse response analysis shows that the response of the shadow economy in Egypt to positive shocks in economic globalization is negative and statistically significant for the first three years following the shock. This finding is obtained by controlling for several intermediary channels in globalization-shadow economy nexus such as education, government spending, industrial production, and labor force participation. Our results show the importance of promoting economic globalization by reducing the costs of doing business and trade in dealing with sizable shadow economy in Egypt.
The erythrocyte receptor for the channel‐forming toxin aerolysin is a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein

The plasma membrane of rat erythrocytes contains a 47‐kDa glycoprotein that binds the channel‐forming toxin aerolysin with high affinity and accounts for the sensitivity of these cells to the toxin. The receptor was purified so that its N‐terminal sequence could be determined after Western blotting. The sequence did not match any sequences in the databases, indicating that the receptor is a novel erythrocyte surface protein. However, it exhibited considerable homology to the N‐termini of a group of membrane proteins that are thought to be involved in ADP‐ribosyl transfer reactions. A common property of these proteins is that they are attached to plasma membranes by C‐terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. The aerolysin receptor was shown to be anchored in the same way by treating rat erythrocytes with phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C. This caused the selective release of the receptor and a reduction in the rodent cells’ sensitivity to aerolysin. Human and bovine erythrocytes were shown to contain an aerolysin‐binding protein with similar properties to the rat erythrocyte receptor. Proteins with GPI anchors are thought to have unusually high lateral mobility, and this may be an advantage for a toxin, such as aerolysin, which must oligomerize after binding to become insertion competent.
Do Informal Microfinance Loans Meet the Financial Needs of Rural Dwellers?

Rural dwellers may not patronise formal microfinance institutions (MFIs) as much as they participate in informal microfinance because MFIs may not find the patronage of the rural people profitable enough for their business (World Bank, 2000). The MFIs could find it difficult to understand the economic pattern of rural people and unable to develop products and services to meet their needs. The educational attainment of rural poor may be another impediment in having formal MFIs in rural areas. Microfinance programs that lay emphasis only on lending will likely be unable to benefit the teeming poor who may wish to save but do not necessarily wish to borrow (Buckley, 1997). This is what cooperative societies do by encouraging members to first cultivate a regular saving habit whether the member intends to borrow in future or not (Oluyombo, 2010). Members must save regularly over a stated period of time before loan is given based on the amount of saving the member has with the cooperative. Larocque et al. (2002) reported that the rural people are unable to patronise the formal banking system in Burkina Faso due to requirements for opening an account which most rural dwellers are not eligible to meet. Hence, they are cut off from the banking system. Banking services are majorly targeted at the high valued end of the market in Tanzania due to financial viability considerations of the banks that can be achieved in such locations (Sizya, 2001).
Comparison of different cellular models measuring in vitro the whole human serum cholesterol efflux capacity

Background Fu5AH rat hepatoma cells and cAMP (cyclic AMP)‐pretreated J774 mouse macrophages are commonly used as models for SR‐BI (scavenger receptor class B type I) and ABCA1 (ATP binding cassette transporter 1)‐mediated free cholesterol efflux to whole serum, respectively. However, the responsiveness of Fu5AH, control or cAMP pretreated J774 cells to the various lipids and HDL (high‐density lipoprotein)‐parameters from both normo‐ and dyslipidaemic subjects has never been compared within the same study.
The use of English language outside the classroom

Abstract This article presents a study which aimed to explore in what ways Armenian EFL students use their English language knowledge outside the classroom. The study involved 38 EFL learners of different English proficiency levels, ages, and genders. Data were collected using surveys and in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that most of the Armenian EFL learners use English out of the class very often, especially with social media, listening to songs, watching movies and clips, as well as travelling and searching on the Internet. Based on the findings, specific recommendations are offered to bring the students’ interests into the classroom.
Corporate Name Change and the Market Valuation of Firms: Evidence from an Emerging Market

Abstract Investors’ responses to a firm’s name change and the determinants of their response are scantly explored areas in the field of behavioral finance. Based on a sample of 415 Indian firms from 2005 to 2014, this study suggests that investors respond positively to the announcement of firm name changes. Furthermore, the study indicates that when firms do not indicate geographical specificity in the name and have a specific rather than generic name, then the firm will experience greater abnormal returns. Also, when firm names are fluent and are associated with the owner’s family name, again, abnormal returns generated are positive. Nevertheless, as a firm ages and investors gain more information about it, then abnormal returns due to name change decrease.
Multiple-Input Configuration of Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter for Power Flow Control in Combinational Battery Storage

This paper proposes a multiple-input configuration of isolated bidirectional dual active bridge dc–dc converter (MIBDC) for power flow control in combinational battery storage. It can be operated in an independent source or combinational source mode of operation to control the power transfer, with the capability of bidirectional power flow and smoother transition. The proposed configuration has the benefits of reduction in circulation power and peak current stress in an independent mode of operation, which enhances the efficiency of dual active bridge converter. It also offers a wide range of power transmission as compared to the conventional IBDC. The proposed configuration can also be used with unequal voltage level sources by connecting them in series on multi-input side. The operation and investigation of the proposed configuration are presented in detail. In addition, the strategy of power flow control with multiple-input sources is discussed. The operation of the proposed MIBDC has been verified through simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC and experimentally demonstrated using ARM LPC 2148 processor.
Families' Health-Related Social Problems and Missed Referral Opportunities

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to characterize (1) families' cumulative burden of health-related social problems regarding access to health care, housing, food security, income security, and intimate partner violence; (2) families' experiences regarding screening and referral for social problems; and (3) parental acceptability of screening and referral. METHODS. We surveyed 205 parents of children who were 0 to 6 years of age and attended 2 urban pediatric clinics for a well-child visit using a self-administered, computer-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included previously validated questions about health-related social problems and new questions about screening and referral in the past 12 months. RESULTS. A total of 205 (79%) of 260 eligible families participated. Eighty-two percent of families reported ≥1 health-related social problem; 54% experienced problems in ≥2 social domains. Families experienced similar types and frequencies of problems despite demographic differences between clinics. One third of families reported no screening in any domain in the previous 12 months. Of 205 families, 143 (70%) identified at least 1 need for a referral; 101 (49%) expressed ≥1 unmet referral need. Of families who reported receiving referrals, 115 referrals were received by 79 families; of the referrals made, 63% (73 of 115) led to contact with the referral agency, and 82% (60 of 73) of the referral agencies were considered helpful. A computer-based system in a pediatrician's office for future screening and referral for health-related social problems was deemed acceptable by 92% of parents. CONCLUSIONS. Urban children and families reported a significant burden of health-related social problems yet infrequent pediatric screening or referral for these problems. Of families who reported receiving referrals, a majority contacted the recommended agencies and found them helpful. This study also demonstrates the feasibility of using a computer-based questionnaire to identify health-related social problems in a routine outpatient clinic setting.
Urban size and KIBS vertical disintegration: the case of Milan

ABSTRACT The literature shows that market size favours firms’ vertical disintegration because it reduces transaction and knowledge coordination costs. The existing evidence is based primarily on cross-sectional data and on the manufacturing sector, with little or no attention is given to longitudinal data and services. This paper estimates the effect of urban size on the purchase of service inputs by knowledge-intensive business service firms located in the metropolitan region of Milan. Relying on a rich panel dataset, and adopting different econometric techniques to overcome endogeneity, we find a positive and statistically significant effect of increased urban population on the degree of KIBS vertical disintegration only when urban size is measured at the province level. We also find that this effect holds particularly in the case of traditional professional- rather than technology-related activities.
“Breast Is Best”: Knowledge Among Low-Income Mothers Is Not Enough

The beliefs of low-income mothers regarding breastfeeding compared to formula feeding, according to feeding method, were investigated. Interviews were conducted with 154 women who were assigned to one of two groups. Four health benefits of breastfeeding were rated significantly higher than for infant formula within both the breastfeeding (BF) and formula-feeding (FF) groups. Breastfeeding was seen as less convenient than formula feeding by the FF group (x= 2.3 ± 1.7 versus 3.8 ± 1.5 for formula feeding and breastfeeding, respectively; P< .001). Both groups rated formula feeding as more likely to enable others to help in infant care, easier in terms of the mother's time control, and less likely to tie the mother down than breastfeeding. The findings show that, despite formula-feeding mothers' beliefs in the health benefits of breastfeeding, they perceive that it limits their activities. Therefore, breastfeeding promotion must address not only benefits but also lifestyle issues.
Proteasomal Degradation of Human CYP1B1: Effect of the Asn453Ser Polymorphism on the Post-Translational Regulation of CYP1B1 Expression

Allelic variations in CYP1B1 are reported to modulate the incidence of several types of cancer. To provide a mechanistic basis for this association, we investigated the impact of nonsilent allelic changes on the intracellular levels and post-translational regulation of CYP1B1 protein. When transiently expressed in COS-1 cells, either in the presence or absence of recombinant cytochrome P450 reductase, the cellular level of the CYP1B1.4 allelic variant (containing a Ser at the amino acid position 453; Ser453) was 2-fold lower compared with the other four allelic CYP1B1 proteins (containing Asn453), as analyzed by both immunoblotting and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity. This difference was caused by post-translational regulation; as in the presence of cycloheximide, the rate of degradation of immunodetectable and enzymatically active CYP1B1.4 was distinctly faster than that of CYP1B1.1. Pulse-chase analysis revealed that the half-life of CYP1B1.4 was a mere 1.6 h compared with 4.8 h for CYP1B1.1. The presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 [N-benzoyloxycarbonyl (Z)-Leu-Leuleucinal] increased the stability not only of immunodetectable CYP1B1, but also—unexpectedly given the size of the proteasome access channel—increased the stability of enzymatically active CYP1B1. The data presented herein also demonstrate that CYP1B1 is targeted for its polymorphism-dependent degradation by polyubiquitination but not phosphorylation. Our results importantly provide a mechanism to explain the recently reported lower incidence of endometrial cancer in individuals carrying the CYP1B1*4 compared with the CYP1B1*1 haplo-type. In addition, the mechanistic paradigms revealed herein may explain the strong overexpression of CYP1B1 in tumors compared with nondiseased tissues.
Functional consequences of single:double ring transitions in chaperonins: life in the cold

The cpn60 and cpn10 genes from psychrophilic bacterium, Oleispira antarctica RB8, showed a positive effect in Escherichia coli growth at low temperature, shifting its theoretical minimal growth temperature from +7.5°C to −13.7°C [Ferrer, M. , Chernikova, T.N. , Yakimov, M. , Golyshin, P.N. , and Timmis, K.N. (2003) Nature Biotechnol 21: 1266–1267]. To provide experimental support for this finding, Cpn60 and 10 were overproduced in E. coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. Recombinant O.Cpn60 was identical to the native protein based on tetradecameric structure, and it dissociates during native PAGE. Gel filtration and native PAGE revealed that, in vivo and in vitro, (O.Cpn60)7 was the active oligomer at 4–10°C, whereas at > 10°C, this complex was converted to (O.Cpn60)14. The dissociation reduces the ATP consumption (energy‐saving mechanism) and increases the refolding capacity at low temperatures. In order for this transition to occur, we demonstrated that K468 and S471 may play a key role in conforming the more advantageous oligomeric state in O.Cpn60. We have proved this hypothesis by showing that single and double mutations in K468 and S471 for T and G, as in E.GroEL, produced a more stable double‐ring oligomer. The optimum temperature for ATPase and chaperone activity for the wild‐type chaperonin was 24–28°C and 4–18°C, whereas that for the mutants was 45–55°C and 14–36°C respectively. The temperature inducing unfolding (TM) increased from 45°C to more than 65°C. In contrast, a single ring mutant, O.Cpn60SR, with three amino acid substitutions (E461A, S463A and V464A) was as stable as the wild type but possessed refolding activity below 10°C. Above 10°C, this complex lost refolding capacity to the detriment of the double ring, which was not an efficient chaperone at 4°C as the single ring variant. We demonstrated that expression of O.Cpn60WT and O.Cpn60SR leads to a higher growth of E. coli at 4°C (µmax, 0.22 and 0.36 h−1 respectively), whereas at 10–15°C, only E. coli cells expressing O.Cpn60 or O.Cpn60DR grew better than parental cells (–cpn). These results clearly indicate that the single‐to‐double ring transition in Oleispira chaperonin is a wild‐type mechanism for its thermal acclimation. Although previous studies have also reported single‐to‐double ring transitions under many circumstances, this is the first clear indication that single‐ring chaperonins are necessary to support growth when the temperature falls from 37°C to 4°C.
Family Perspectives on Deceased Organ Donation: Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

A major barrier to meeting the needs for organ transplantation is family refusal to give consent. This study aimed to describe the perspectives of donor families on deceased donation. We conducted a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Electronic databases were searched to September 2012. From 34 studies involving 1035 participants, we identified seven themes: comprehension of sudden death (accepting finality of life, ambiguity of brain death); finding meaning in donation (altruism, letting the donor live on, fulfilling a moral obligation, easing grief); fear and suspicion (financial motivations, unwanted responsibility for death, medical mistrust); decisional conflict (pressured decision making, family consensus, internal dissonance, religious beliefs); vulnerability (valuing sensitivity and rapport, overwhelmed and disempowered); respecting the donor (honoring the donor's wishes, preserving body integrity) and needing closure (acknowledgment, regret over refusal, unresolved decisional uncertainty, feeling dismissed). Bereaved families report uncertainty about death and the donation process, emotional and cognitive burden and decisional dissonance, but can derive emotional benefit from the “lifesaving” act of donation. Strategies are needed to help families understand death in the context of donation, address anxieties about organ procurement, foster trust in the donation process, resolve insecurities in decision making and gain a sense of closure.
Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Outcomes in HIV-Infected Patients Enrolled in An Induction/Maintenance Randomized Trial

Objective To examine the effect of adherence to therapy on early virological response, later virological failure, and occurrence of adverse events in HIV-infected patients. Design A randomized trial of 3-month induction period of zidovudine/lamivudine/indinavir followed by a maintenance phase of zidovudine/lamivudine/indinavir, zidovudine/lamivudine or zidovudine/indinavir. Main outcomes Adherence was assessed by pill count. In the induction phase, early virological response was defined as plasma HIV-RNA<500 copies/ml at month 2 and in the maintenance phase, virological failure was defined as plasma HIV-RNA >500 copies/ml in two consecutive specimens. Results The median adherence rate was 97% in both induction (n=366) and maintenance phase (n=237). In the maintenance phase, pairwise comparisons showed a lower adherence rate in zidovudine/lamivudine/indinavir versus zidovudine/lamivudine (P=0.03), or versus zidovudine/indinavir (P=0.05). Only 13% of patients had an adherence over the maintenance phase of 80% or lower, while 40% of patients occasionally had an adherence rate of 80% or lower during this phase. Among the 362 patients with documented HIV-RNA at month 2, 86% had an early virological response. Adherence of 80% or greater was the only variable statistically predictive to early virological response (P<0.001), while baseline CD4, baseline HIV-RNA, and adherence of 95% or greater were not associated to virological response. In the maintenance phase, adherence, baseline HIV-RNA, HIV-RNA at month 3 and treatment groups were independently predictive to time to virological failure. Analysis by randomized groups indicated that difficulty in adherence (<80%) was predictive to time to failure (P<0.001) only in both indinavir-containing regimens. Occurrence of two or more severe adverse events (grade 3 and 4) was higher in patients with poor adherence although not statistically associated (P=0.12), while no association was found with minor adverse events. Conclusion Adherence rate was globally lower in patients maintaining the original triple-drug therapy compared with those receiving less intensive regimens. Adherence rate was a time-dependent variable. Adherence to antiviral regimen of 80% or greater was predictive to early virological response, and adherence rate lower than 80% or 95% was predictive to virological failure, especially in indinavir-containing regimens. Occurrence of adverse events was not clearly associated to adherence.
Inclusion of dyad-repeat pattern improves topology prediction of transmembrane β-barrel proteins

UNLABELLED : Accurate topology prediction of transmembrane β-barrels is still an open question. Here, we present BOCTOPUS2, an improved topology prediction method for transmembrane β-barrels that can also identify the barrel domain, predict the topology and identify the orientation of residues in transmembrane β-strands. The major novelty of BOCTOPUS2 is the use of the dyad-repeat pattern of lipid and pore facing residues observed in transmembrane β-barrels. In a cross-validation test on a benchmark set of 42 proteins, BOCTOPUS2 predicts the correct topology in 69% of the proteins, an improvement of more than 10% over the best earlier method (BOCTOPUS) and in addition, it produces significantly fewer erroneous predictions on non-transmembrane β-barrel proteins. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOCTOPUS2 webserver along with full dataset and source code is available at http://boctopus.bioinfo.se/ CONTACT : arne@bioinfo.se SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Ossification of a novel cross-linked porcine collagen barrier in guided bone regeneration in dogs.

BACKGROUND Collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) are used extensively as bioabsorbable barriers. Cross-linking of collagen increases its biodurability and enables the control of its degradation kinetics and barrier function. A novel cross-linking technology was used to produce a porcine type I collagen membrane (GLYM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and degradation kinetics of GLYM compared to a non-cross-linked bilayer type I and III porcine collagen membrane (BCM) in surgically created defects in dogs. METHODS After tooth extraction, two mandibular bilateral critical size defects were created in 12 beagle dogs that were randomly assigned to one of five groups: GLYM + bovine bone mineral (BBM), BCM + BBM, BBM alone, sham-operated, or GLYM alone. Dogs were euthanized after 8, 16, and 24 weeks, and sites were prepared for qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative light microscopy analyses. RESULTS Membrane-protected sites displayed bone filling between the BBM particles with almost complete restoration of the original ridge morphology that increased with time up to 16 weeks and remained unchanged at 24 weeks. Both membranes showed marked degradation within 16 to 24 weeks, with BCM inconsistency that was undetectable in one of four sites at 8, 16, and 24 weeks. Membrane ossification was observed in all GLYM sites and in only one BCM site, which progressed with time to 24 weeks. Bone increased by approximately 1 mm on the lingual side, where the GLYM membrane was in direct contact with bone. CONCLUSIONS Both membranes were safe and effective in supporting bone regeneration in critical size alveolar ridge defects in dogs and completely degraded within 24 weeks with marked BCM inconsistency. In areas of direct contact with bone, all GLYM sites were progressively ossified with time and augmented the original alveolar ridge. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of complete ossification of a collagen barrier membrane in GBR procedures.