Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary intake after smoking cessation among weight-concerned women smokers.

Weight gain typically accompanies smoking cessation, and women smokers concerned about postcessation weight gain are prone to substantial gain. Little is known about the ways in which cessation affects dietary composition. Understanding postcessation changes in dietary composition may inform the design of smoking cessation interventions to address postcessation weight gain. Participants were women smokers concerned about postcessation weight gain enrolled in a randomized trial and assigned to either bupropion or placebo and to either standard cessation intervention or standard intervention plus components to address weight concerns. Women completed three, 24-hr food recall interviews at baseline, and at 1 and 6 months following a targeted quit date. At 6 months, 22% of women were abstinent and had gained 3.6 (±2.7) kg, compared to 0.91 (±2.0) kg for women who continued to smoke, p = . 42. Abstinent women reported significantly higher energy intake and consumed a smaller percentage of fat across assessment points than did those who continued to smoke. Intervention was not associated with differential weight gain or change in percent of calories from protein, fat, or carbohydrates. This study is the first documentation of energy and macronutrient intake during smoking cessation treatment using a validated 24-hr dietary recall methodology. Although cessation was associated with overall increases in energy intake among women, neither bupropion nor weight concerns treatment affected energy or macronutrient intake. Future research to understand the relation between cessation and dietary intake needs to replicate and extend these findings to elucidate how, if at all, smoking cessation affects dietary intake.
Disparities in Penile Cancer.

BACKGROUND Although penile cancer is a rare malignancy in developed nations, racial and socioeconomic differences exist in the incidence of the disease and its associated survival-related outcomes. METHODS A search of the literature was performed for research published between the years 1990 and 2015. Case reports and non-English-language articles were excluded, instead focusing specifically on large, population-based studies. RESULTS The incidence of penile cancer is higher in Hispanic and African American men compared with whites and Asians. Men with penile cancer also appear to have a distinct epidemiological profile, including lower educational and income levels, a history of multiple sexual partners and sexually transmitted infections, and lack of circumcision with the presence of phimosis. African American men presented at a younger age with a higher stage of disease and worse survival rates when compared with white men. Rates of cancer-specific mortality increased with age, single marital status, and among those living in regions of lower socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS An understanding of sociodemographical differences in the incidence and survival rates of patients with penile cancer can help advance health care policy changes designed to improve access and minimize disparities in cancer care for all men alike.
Calcium-regulated DNA Binding and Oligomerization of the Neuronal Calcium-sensing Protein, Calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3*

Calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3, a member of the recoverin branch of the EF-hand superfamily, interacts with presenilins, serves as a calcium-regulated transcriptional repressor, and interacts with A-type potassium channels. Here we report physicochemical characterization of calcium binding, oligomerization, and DNA binding of human calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3. Equilibrium Ca2+ binding measurements indicate that the protein binds 3 Ca2+ with a dissociation constant of 14 μm and a Hill coefficient of 0.7. Dynamic light scattering and size exclusion chromatography show that the Ca2+-bound protein exists as a dimer at protein concentrations lower than 150 μm and forms a tetramer at concentrations above 200 μm. The Ca2+-free protein is a tetramer in the concentration range 20–450 μm. Isothermal titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering indicate that the Ca2+-free protein tetramer binds endothermically (ΔH = +25 kcal/mol) to four molecules of DNA derived from the downstream regulatory element (DRE) of either the prodynorphin or c-fos genes. One DRE molecule binds tightly to the protein with a dissociation constant (K d ) of 75 nm, and the other three bind more weakly (K d = 640 nm). No significant DNA binding was observed for the Ca2+-bound protein. The N-terminal protein fragment (residues 1–70) binds nonspecifically to DRE in a Ca2+-independent manner, whereas a C-terminal fragment containing the four EF-hands (residues 65–256) binds DRE (K d = 200 nm) in a Ca2+-regulated and sequence-specific fashion. The C-terminal fragment is a tetramer in the Ca2+-free state and dissociates into dimers at saturating Ca2+ levels.
Priming of neutrophil respiratory burst activity by lipopolysaccharide from Burkholderia cepacia

Neutrophil activation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease in Burkholderia cepacia-colonized cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. As bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are potent immunostimulatory molecules, we investigated the role of B. cepacia LPS in neutrophil activation processes. LPS extracted from a highly transmissible and virulent strain of B. cepacia (J2315) was found to increase neutrophil surface expression of the beta2 integrin, complement receptor 3, and to prime neutrophil respiratory burst responses to the neutrophil-activating agent fMet-Leu-Phe. By contrast, LPS extracted from a nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from a patient with CF showed little or no priming activity. As B. cepacia is currently being developed as a biocontrol agent for large-scale agricultural release, we compared LPS molecules from a range of bacterial strains for their proinflammatory ability. Priming activity was demonstrated in LPS extracts from all B. cepacia strains tested, with one environmental strain, J2552, showing the highest activity. These findings indicate (i) that B. cepacia LPS may contribute to the inflammatory nature of B. cepacia infection in CF patients, both by promoting increased neutrophil recruitment and by priming neutrophil respiratory burst responses, and (ii) that environmental strains of B. cepacia may have considerable inflammatory potential in susceptible individuals.
Student Performance in their First Postsecondary Accounting Course: Does High School Accounting Matter?

This study examines an issue that confronts most instructors in the first financial accounting course at the postsecondary level, that is, some students have had a high school accounting course, while others have not. Specifically, this study investigates the effect a high school accounting course has on student performance in their first postsecondary level financial accounting course (midterm examinations and course grades). The results suggest this relationship is significant and positive, yet must be interpreted carefully. For example, scholastic aptitude, time management skills, and other intrinsic values also play an important role in student achievement.
Diversity control approach to ant colony optimization for unit commitment problem

This paper presents a new method to solve the constrained unit commitment problem by applying ant colony optimization (ACO) based on the diversity control approach. The pheromone updating rule is modified to control the diversification by adopting a simple mechanism for random selection in ACO. The proposed method is tested on the 10-unit test system with a scheduling time horizon of 24 hours. The numerical results show an economical saving in the total operating cost when compared to the previous literature results. Moreover, two types of the proposed diversity control technique have the features of easy implementation and a better convergence rate superior to a standard ACO.
Sphenoid Encephaloceles: Disease Management and Identification of Lesions Within the Lateral Recess of the Sphenoid Sinus

Objectives Encephaloceles usually involve herniation of frontal lobe tissue through an anterior cranial fossa defect into the ethmoid sinus or nasal cavity. Encephaloceles can also result from temporal lobe herniation through a middle fossa defect into the sphenoid sinus. Within the sphenoid, encephaloceles are thought to occur most commonly in the central or midline aspect of the sinus. Lateral sphenoid encephaloceles, especially within the lateral aspect of the sphenoid sinus when the sphenoid sinus has pneumatized extensively into the pterygoid recess, are considered exceedingly rare. The objectives of the study were to review our experience with sphenoid encephaloceles to understand the relative frequency and the locations in which they occur within the sphenoid sinus and to report our experience in caring for patients with this condition.
Gendered Politics and Economic Policy Making:The Case of Public Expenditures on Family Allowances

Parliament is the place where elected politicians make laws to set the policy direction of countries. The failure of the involvement of different voices such as gender, race, ethnicity and class in policy-making may prove the existence of an unequality in political decisions. Regarding gender, there has been a sufficient amount of empirical evidence in the literature that women and men may have different policy preferences. Their common argument is that women are more likely than men give priority to public policies related to their traditional roles as care givers to children in the family. Public spending on family allowances is one of the family-specific social policies that play an important role in helping families for the childcare and the child rising. This paper, therefore, have analyzed the relationship between female political representation in the OECD parliaments and the resource allocation towards public spending on family allowances. Overall findings are driven by the fact that the fraction of female parliamentarians over the thirty years across OECD countries have not been sufficient for a possible gender effect in policy-making on family allowances. In fact, the fraction of female politicians is above a certain threshold (30%) shows a significantly different allocation of public spending on family allowances. In other words, women’s representation may need to reach a certain critical mass threshold to make an impact on the policy decision process.
PROFITABILITAS DAN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PADA PERUSAHAAN HIGH DAN LOW PROFILE

This study aimed to examine the effect of profitability is proxied by the return on assets on corporate social responsibility company of high and low profile. Samples were selected using purposive sampling method and acquired 68 companies categorized high profile and low profile of 129 companies categorized. Testing the hypothesis in this study was done by using simple linear regression analysis and Mann - Whitney test. This study was the first to obtain results, there is a difference between the profitability of the company high profile and low profile. Secondly, there is a difference in the company's CSR disclosure of high-profile and low profile. Third, proxy profitability with return on assets has positive effect on the company's CSR high and low profile.
Effects of diet acidification and xylanase supplementation on performance, nutrient digestibility, duodenal histology and gut microflora of broilers fed wheat based diet

1. The objective of this experiment was to study the influences of xylanase and citric acid on the performance, nutrient digestibility, digesta viscosity, duodenal histology, and gut microflora of broilers fed on a wheat based diet. 2. The experiment was carried out as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two concentrations of xylanase (0 and 200 mg/kg) and three concentrations of citric acid (0, 20 and 40 g/kg). A total of 408 one-day-old chickens with similar body weight were distributed into 24 pens with 17 birds/pen. Each dietary treatment was given to 4 replicate pens from 0 to 24 d of age. To determine the apparent nutrient digestibility, chromic oxide (3 g/kg) was added to the diets as an indigestible marker. 3. Xylanase significantly increased body weight gain at 24 d of age by 1·4% and improved gain-to-feed (G:F) by 3·6%. The inclusion of 40 g/kg citric acid decreased feed intake and body weight gain by 15·4% and 11·8%, respectively. The inclusion of 20 g/kg of citric acid decreased feed intake, but it did not affect body weight gain of broilers at 24 d of age. The inclusion of 20 and 40 g/kg citric acid improved G:F by 3·8 and 4·3% respectively. Xylanase significantly decreased the viscosity of digesta and improved retention of DM, CP, and energy. 4. Xylanase and citric acid did not have any effect on the histo-morphology of the duodenum and intestinal microbial population. 5. In conclusion, citric acid at 20 g/kg decreased feed intake, did not have a negative effect on body weight gain, and improved G:F. Xylanase decreased digesta viscosity, increased nutrient retention and consequently improved performance of broilers fed on a wheat based diet.
Structured hypocaloric diet is more effective than behavioral therapy in reducing metabolic syndrome in Mexican postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the effects of a lifestyle intervention using a behavioral therapy (BT) approach with the effects of a cardioprotective structured hypocaloric diet on metabolic syndrome in Mexican postmenopausal women. MethodsThis study is a randomized clinical trial (2006-2009) of Mexican postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) who were recruited from the Postmenopause Clinic of the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City. Women were assigned to one of two groups—group 1 (structured hypocaloric diet; n = 63): energy restriction (−300 to −500 kcal/d) emphasizing cardioprotective dietary changes; and group 2 (BT; n = 55): goal setting, problem-solving, and stimulus control to achieve cardioprotective dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Metabolic syndrome prevalence, as well as weight, waist circumference, fat mass, and fasting biochemical markers (glucose and lipid profile), were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. Metabolic syndrome risk (relative risk and absolute risk reduction), mean differences between groups, and logistic regression were evaluated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 17.0. ResultsA total of 118 women were studied (mean [SD] age, 53.81 [6.43] y). No baseline differences were observed between groups. At the end of the study, a higher reduction in metabolic syndrome prevalence was observed in group 1 (−38.1%) compared with group 2 (−12.7%; relative risk, 0.237; 95% CI, 0.092-0.608; P = 0.003). The effect was maintained even when adjusted by age, hormone therapy and antihypertensive drug use. ConclusionsA cardioprotective structured hypocaloric diet is more effective than the BT approach in reducing metabolic syndrome after 6 months of intervention. Both strategies have positive effects on different individual cardiovascular risk factors.
Regulation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication in Human T Lymphocytes by Nitric Oxide

ABSTRACT Addition of nitric oxide (NO) donors to mitogen-activated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cultures produced a significant increase in virus replication, and this effect was not associated with a change in cell proliferation. This effect was only observed with T-tropic X4 or X4R5 virus but not with R5 virus. Moreover, HIV-1 replication in mitogen-stimulated cultures was partially prevented by the specific inhibitors of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO donors also enhanced HIV-1 infection of the human T-cell lines, Jurkat and MT-2. We have also observed that NO leads to an enhancement of HIV-1 replication in resting human T cells transfected with a plasmid carrying the entire HIV-1 genome and activated with phorbol ester plus ionomycin. Thus, in those cultures NO donors strongly potentiated HIV-1 replication in a dose-dependent manner, up to levels comparable to those with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation. Furthermore, iNOS inhibitors decreased HIV-1 replication in HIV-1-transfected T cells to levels similar to those obtained with neutralizing anti-TNF-α antibodies. Moreover, HIV-1 replication induced iNOS and TNF-α transcription in T cells and T-cell lines. Interestingly, NO donors also stimulated long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription whereas iNOS inhibitors partially blocked TNF-α-induced LTR transcription. Therefore, our results suggest that NO is involved in HIV-1 replication, especially that induced by TNF-α.
The Role of Higher Education in Social Mobility

Most Americans expect the nation's colleges and universities to promote the goal of social mobility to make it possible for anyone with ability and motivation to succeed. But according to Robert Haveman and Timothy Smeeding, income-related gaps both in access to and in success in higher education are large and growing. In the top-tier colleges and universities, almost three-quarters of the entering class is from the highest socioeconomic quartile. The pool of qualified youth is far greater than the number admitted and enrolled; hence America's top colleges could enroll more moderate- and low-income students without lowering their selection standards. Higher-income parents make enormous efforts to ensure their children's academic success, while children of poor parents begin the "college education game" later and with fewer resources. Students in poor and minority neighborhoods are less well prepared academically; ill prepared to select colleges, apply for admission, and secure acceptance; and poorly informed about the cost of attending college and the availability of needs-based financial aid. Sharply rising college prices during the 1980s and 1990s, together with the growing inequality of family income, have raised the cost of attending college far more for low-income students than for well-to-do students. Financial aid has risen more slowly, and the share targeted on low-income students has been falling. The authors offer bold policy recommendations to increase educational opportunities for low- and middle-income students. These involve the development of financing structures that will increase access for students from lower-income families. Public institutions could price tuition close to real costs and use added revenues to provide direct student aid for students from low-income families. Federal subsidies to students who attend wealthy institutions could be capped, with the savings redirected to students attending less well-endowed schools, both public and private. Finally, federal and state governments could redirect to lower-income students the financial support they now provide colleges and universities.
Effects induced by living mulch on rhizosphere interactions in organic artichoke: The cultivar's adaptive strategy

Abstract The plant root apparatus and the surrounding micro-environment is strongly influenced by specific abiotic and biotic conditions which occur in the plant rhizosphere system. The hypothesis of the reported research was that, in an organically managed horticultural system, the use of living mulch (LM) promotes the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization among neighboring roots, because of the coexistence of different plants roots in confined soil spaces. This effect determines nutrient uptake optimization, although roots belong to different plant species. In the reported 2-yr field experiment (2012–2013), two Italian artichoke cultivars [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.), Jesino cv. and Mazzaferrata cv. ] were intercropped with a LM mixture of plant species and compared with a no LM control. Every year, the effect of LM on artichoke root morphology and AMF colonization was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, in order to assess abiotic and biotic rhizosphere interactions, as affected by artichoke cultivars. Also the artichoke yield, the soil available phosphorus (P) and rhizosphere P were determined. Results showed that the LM did not reduce yield of both the artichoke cultivars, when compared with the no LM ones. Furthermore, LM has: (i) induced structural changes in artichoke roots by proliferation of root hairs resulting in an increase of effective absorbing surface; (ii) promoted the rhizosphere mycorrhizal infection which improved P uptake. The modified rhizosphere interactions were found to be cultivar-dependent, being recorded only in Jesino artichoke.
Interleukin-10 may protect against progressing injury during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

UNLABELLED Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and ischemic stroke is one of its most common and devastating manifestations. Proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in the progression of the irreversible ischemic lesions. The presence of anti-inflammatory mediators may prevent secondary ischemic injury. OBJECTIVES 1) To assess the relationship between stroke severity and the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-10; and 2) To analyze the neurological outcome after 72 h of ischemic stroke onset and expression of interleukins. METHOD We measured the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-10 in 26 patients with acute stroke. Neurological impairment was scored using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale within the first 72 h after stroke onset. Thirty healthy subjects were analyzed as controls. RESULTS Patients with IL-10 <925.0 pg/mL presented with neurological deterioration within the first 72 h. CONCLUSION IL-10 may protect against ischemic injury during the acute phase of stroke.
Modelling the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, organizational integration, and programme performance in local sustainability

ABSTRACT Empirical analyses testing the impacts of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) remain lacking in public sector research despite strong normative expectations for public managers to foster a culture of innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, and accountability in their organizations. Drawing data from a nationwide survey of the US local governments, this research uses structural equation modelling to examine relationships between EO, organizational integration processes, and performance in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) programme. The study finds that EO positively influences programme performance, but does so indirectly by enhancing knowledge sharing, interorganizational collaboration, and performance information use. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Stationary States of an Aggregation Equation with Degenerate Diffusion and Bounded Attractive Potential

We investigate stationary solutions of a non-local aggregation equation with degenerate power-law diffusion and bounded attractive potential in arbitrary dimensions. Compact stationary solutions are characterized and compactness considerations are used to derive the existence of global minimizers of the corresponding energy depending on the prefactor of the degenerate diffusion for all exponents of the degenerate diffusion greater than one. We show that a global minimizer is compactly supported and, in case of quadratic diffusion, we prove that it is the unique stationary solution up to a translation. The existence of stationary solutions being only local minimizers is discussed.