Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basic lifestyle advice to individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes: a 2-year population-based diabetes prevention study. The DE-PLAN intervention in the HUNT Study, Norway

Objective Among individuals at high risk for diabetes identified through a population survey, we performed an intervention study with basic lifestyle advice aiming to prevent diabetes. Research design and methods Among 50 806 participants in the HUNT3 Survey (2006–2008), 5297 individuals with Finnish Diabetes Risc Score (FINDRISC ≥15 were invited to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an education session with lifestyle advice, and 2634 (49.7%) attended. Among them, 2380 people without diabetes were included in the prevention study with repeated examinations and education sessions after 6, 12, and 24 months. We examined participation, diabetes incidence, glycemia, and adiposity during follow-up. Results Of 2380 participants, 1212 (50.9%) participated in ≥3 of the four examinations. Diabetes was detected in 3.5%, 3.1%, and 4.0% of individuals at the 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month examinations, respectively, indicating a 10.3% 2-year diabetes incidence. Mean (95% CI) increases from baseline to 2-year follow-up were 0.30 (0.29 to 0.32) percentage points (3.3 (3.2 to 3.5) mmol/mol) for Hemoglobin A1c, 0.13 (0.10 to 0.16) mmol/L for fasting serum-glucose, 0.46 (0.36 to 0.56) mmol/L for 2-hour OGTT s-glucose, 0.30 (0.19 to 0.40) kg/m2 forbody mass index (BMI) (all p<0.001) and −0.5 (-0.9 to −0.2) cm for waist circumference (p=0.004), with broadly similar estimates by baseline age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, BMI, physical activity, and family history of diabetes. Only 206 (8.7%) participants had evidence of >5% weight loss during follow-up; their fasting and 2-hour s-glucose did not increase, and HbA1c increased less than in other participants. Conclusion Basic lifestyle advice given to high-risk individuals during three group sessions with 6-month intervals was not effective in reducing 2-year diabetes risk.
Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease of coconut in Ghana: surveillance and management of disease spread

The Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease (CSPWD), a lethal-yellowing type disease of coconut has been in Ghana since 1932. Aerial and/or ground surveys were undertaken to assess the current status of the disease spread. The survey showed that the spread of the disease for the past 5 years has mainly been the expansion of existing foci. However, new outbreaks were identified at Glidzi in the Volta, Bawjiase and Efutu Breman in Central regions. After the resurgence in the Volta region in 1995, the Woe-Tegbi-Dzelukope corridor has remained endemic, but less aggressive. Pockets of healthy groves remain along all the coastline and inland of known disease zones. Eradication of diseased palms at Ampain focus lying just about 60 km to the Ivorian border, and disease situations on new replanting with MYD × VTT hybrid are discussed.
Ectromelia Virus Affects Mitochondrial Network Morphology, Distribution, and Physiology in Murine Fibroblasts and Macrophage Cell Line

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that participate in numerous processes in response to viral infection, but they are also a target for viruses. The aim of this study was to define subcellular events leading to alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function during infection with ectromelia virus (ECTV). We used two different cell lines and a combination of immunofluorescence techniques, confocal and electron microscopy, and flow cytometry to address subcellular changes following infection. Early in infection of L929 fibroblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages, mitochondria gathered around viral factories. Later, the mitochondrial network became fragmented, forming punctate mitochondria that co-localized with the progeny virions. ECTV-co-localized mitochondria associated with the cytoskeleton components. Mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial fission–fusion, mitochondrial mass, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were severely altered later in ECTV infection leading to damage of mitochondria. These results suggest an important role of mitochondria in supplying energy for virus replication and morphogenesis. Presumably, mitochondria participate in transport of viral particles inside and outside of the cell and/or they are a source of membranes for viral envelope formation. We speculate that the observed changes in the mitochondrial network organization and physiology in ECTV-infected cells provide suitable conditions for viral replication and morphogenesis.
Towards an integrated approach to health and medicine in Africa

Abstract This article frames the intersections of medicine and humanities as intrinsic to understanding the practice of health care in Africa. Central to this manuscript, which draws on empirical findings on the interplay between HIV and AIDS and alternative medicine in Zimbabwe is the realisation that very limited research has been undertaken to examine ‘HIV/AIDS patient behaviour’ with respect to choice of therapy on the continent [Bene, M. & Darkoh, M. B. K. (2014). The Constraints of Antiretroviral Uptake in Rural Areas: The Case of Thamaga and Surrounding Villages, Botswana. SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 11(1), 167–177. doi:10.1080/17290376.2014. 972057; Chavunduka, G. (1998). Professionalisation of Traditional Medicine in Zimbabwe, Harare, Jongwe Printers; O’Brien, S. & Broom, A. (2014). HIV in (and out of) the Clinic: Biomedicine, Traditional Medicine and Spiritual Healing in Harare. SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 11(1), 94–104. doi:10.1080/17290376.2014. 938102]. As such, a social approach to health-seeking behaviour questions how decisions about alternative therapies including herbal remedies, traditional healing and faith healing are made. The paper unpacks the realities around how people living with HIV and AIDS – who span different age groups and profess various religious backgrounds, faced with an insurmountable health challenge against a background of limited resources and no cure for the virus – often experience shifts in health-seeking behaviour. Grappling with seemingly simple questions about ‘when, where and how to seek medical attention’, the paper provides pointers to therapy choices and health-seeking behaviour; and it serves as a route into deeper and intense healthcare practice explorations. In conclusion, the paper proposes that medicine and the humanities should engage seriously with those social aspects of HIV and AIDS which call for an integrated approach to healthcare practice in Africa. If combined, medicine and the humanities might achieve what neither would alone.
Impact of Four Week Swimming Exercise with Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation on Fertility Potential in Healthy Rats.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 4 week intensive swimming exercise and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and spermatogenesis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS 40 male rats were randomly assigned to Control (C), Sham (S), Exercise (E) and Exercise + supplement (ES) groups. Exercise training performed for 4 weeks (1session/day, 6days/week). Each session included 180 minutes of swimming. In ES group, alpha-ocopherol was injected at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day. 48 hours after last training session, all rats were killed and gonads of them were removed from their body for histological and biochemical assays. All statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16. P values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Total testicular antioxidant capacity increased significantly in E (P = .003) and ES groups (P = .001) whereas there was no significant difference between C and E group in testicle Malondialdehyde (a lipid peroxidation marker) level (P = .999) and spermatogenesis quality (P = .381). Testicle Malondialdehyde level decreased (P = .009) and spermatogenesis quality was improved significantly in ES group (P = .001). CONCLUSION Alpha-tocopherol supplementation is effective in order to improve spermatogenesis process in athletes who exercise with high intensity.
PURCHASING POWER PARITY INFLUENCE ON REAL EXCHANGE RATE BEHAVIOR IN ROMANIA

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) represents a fundamental concept in exchange rate modeling. The main idea is given by equality between prices in two different countries when expressing in the same currency. This paper aims to analyze the behavior of real exchange rate between EURO and Romanian new leu (RON) under PPP paradigm. We use the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron stationarity tests in order to check real exchange deviations from PPP. Also, we investigate the existence of a connection between long-term between nominal exchange rate and industrial producer price indices from Romania and euro area. The main conclusions of this research highlight that PPP doesn’t holds; real exchange rate stationarity tests doest not confirm the stationarity, thus between the aforementioned three variables it doesn’t exists any equilibrium relation.
Corporate Environmentalism: Motivations and Mechanisms

Corporate environmentalism (CE) pertains to firm-level efforts to reduce pollution and resource use along with protecting natural habitats. Importantly, firms pledge to undertake these actions beyond the requirements of the law. Although historically CE efforts focused on resource conservation, their contemporary focus is on pollution reduction to reduce direct harm to humans and their communities and on the protection of environmental sinks. We review two broad categories of CE: direct CE and indirect CE. Direct CE, whether undertaken unilaterally or collectively, pertains to firms themselves adopting policies that reduce the environmental impact of their activities, or disclosing information about their environmental performance. Indirect CE refers to policies of actors (such as financial institutions) that encourage firms seeking their resources (through loans, venture capital, etc.) to commit to environmental stewardship policies. Three key lessons emerge. First, firm-level characteristics, particular.
Volatile and Persistent Exchange Rates: How Important are Distribution Costs?

This paper studies the role played by distribution costs in shaping exchange rate behavior over the business cycle. We assume, realistically, that transactions on tradable goods require a component of nontradable distribution services. This naturally drives a wedge between retail prices in different countries, leading to deviations from the Law of One Price. We show that with empirically plausible size of distribution costs the model generates highly volatile nominal and real exchange rates and the comovement between these two series. The persistence of exchange rates, however, does not seem to depend on distribution costs.
Physiological, Biochemical and Strength Profile of Indian Cyclists and Boxers-A Comparative Study

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the physiological, strength and biochemical profile of Indian national cyclists and boxers. Methodology: 60 national level athletes (30 boxers and 30 cyclists) consented to participate in the study. Their physiological (VO2 max), biochemical (CK, MPO, hs-cRP), Isometric strength at the knee joint and anaerobic performance (average power and maximum height) were assessed. Results and Conclusion: The results indicated the Indian national cyclists had higher VO2 max(57.1 ml min-1kg-1 ) as compared to national boxers (51.13 ml min-1kg-1) whilst, the biochemical markers depicted more muscle damage in cyclists, making them prone to exercise induced muscle injuries.
Do coalitions lead to higher fiscal deficits? A regression discontinuity approach

This paper studies the causal effect of the type of government on fiscal deficits in a panel of Spanish Municipalities. We follow a regression discontinuity design using the variation provided by the fact that the probability of a local government to be a single party-majority changes discontinuously when a party obtains the last seat that allows them to have more than fifty per cent of the seats of the municipality council. We find that majority governments run budgets with a surplus two percentage points greater than that of coalition governments.
Canal Irrigation and Local Social Organization [and Comments and Reply]

Theory linking labor inputs of irrigation agriculture to social organization is briefly reviewed. Labor input is distinguished into five tasks: construction, maintenance, allocation, conflict resolution, and organization of ritual. A sample of world communities is canvassed in search of structural variation. A rationale for studying these phenomena in a local, rather than a society-wide, context is presented. Types of ties of the locality with the larger system are explored. Several propositions about pervasive external linkages with local phenomena are presented. Millon's results, showing no relationship between size of irrigation system and centralization, are challenged. It is found that often irrigation management roles are embedded in other socially powerful roles rather than forming part of a specialized bureaucracy. Conditions for role embeddedness are explored.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SHOE-SURFACE INTERACTION IN TRAIL RUNNING - SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION

The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate different running shoes in various surface conditions in two measurement phases. In the subjective test, fourteen trail runners performed the experiment with three running shoes in distinct surface conditions. Three features, comfort, cushioning and traction, were rated by means of questionnaire. In the objective measurement, a traction tester device was configured to simulate the movement and evaluate the rotational traction of the three shoes on different surfaces. The subjective test showed a significant difference with respect to comfort and cushioning. The objective measurement in dry conditions showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in rotational traction on different surface types; rotational traction in wet conditions was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in dry conditions.
An Empirical Study of the Life-Cycle Hypothesis with Respect to Alumni Donations

It has been shown through the life-cycle hypothesis that as age increases so does consumer spending. We propose to relate this hypothesis to the specific case of charitable contributions at a small liberal arts college. This study is similar to one done previously by James H. Grant and David L. Lindauer (4). However, our model specification and econometric treat ment differ somewhat from their study. Tax treatment of charitable donations plays an important role in the size of donations. Many previous studies have assessed this relationship and found it to be positive.1 Grant and Lindauer go on however to say that more than just income and marginal tax rates determine the level of alumni contributions. The results of their study demonstrate that although the growth rate of alumni donations does eventually become nega tive, this point does not coincide with the retirement age. This suggests that the level of contributions is not entirely dependent on the income profile of the donor. Our results were not consistent with this finding. Instead of a diverging pattern of contribution level, we discovered that the growth rate of donations coincided with the age-income profile and became negative at the retirement age.
Measuring Polarization with Text Analysis: Evidence from the UK House of Commons, 1811–2015

Political scientists can rely on a long tradition of applying unsupervised measurement models to estimate ideology and preferences from texts. However, in practice the hope that the dominant source of variation in their data is the quantity of interest is often not realized. In this paper, I argue that in the messy world of speeches we have to rely on supervised approaches that include information on party affiliation in order to produce meaningful estimates of polarization. To substantiate this argument, I introduce a validation framework that may be used to comparatively assess supervised and unsupervised methods, and estimate polarization on the basis of 6.2 million records of parliamentary speeches from the UK House of Commons over the period 1811–2015. Beyond introducing several important adjustments to existing estimation approaches, the paper’s methodological contribution therefore consists of outlining the challenges of applying unsupervised estimation techniques to speech data, and arguing in detail why we should instead rely on supervised methods to measure polarization.
Religion and Enterprise: An Introductory Exploration

This study argues that religion and enterprise enjoy a complex and interdependent relationship. Analyzing the relationship between society, religion, and enterprise illustrates that religion operates as an environmental munificence factor. Investigating the relationship between the individual religion and enterprise shows that religion affects believers’ entrepreneurial activity, influencing the decision to become an entrepreneur, enterprise management, and the entrepreneur's contact network. Turning to theory, enterprise, and religion, we note that the spectre of Weber still haunts some analyses of the entrepreneurial middle class, and the literature does not clarify the extent of religiosity among entrepreneurs. Using quantitative techniques to study the level of religiosity among a sample of British entrepreneurs we found it to be similar to that of non-entrepreneurial samples. The low levels of religious belief and practice in Britain suggests that religion may not be a significant environmental munificence factor for British entrepreneurship.
KEM-DT: A Knowledge Engineering Methodology to Produce an Integrated Rules Set using Decision Tree Classifiers

In artificial intelligence, knowledge engineering is one of the key research areas in which knowledge-based systems are developed to solve the real-world problems and helps in decision making. For constructing a rule-based knowledge base, normally single decision tree classifier is used to produce If-Then rules (i.e. production rules). In the health-care domain, these machine generated rules are normally not well accepted by domain experts due to knowledge credibility issues. Keeping in view these facts, this paper proposes a knowledge engineering methodology called KEM-DT, which generates classification models of multiple decision trees, transforms them into production rules sets, and lastly, after rules verification and validation from an expert, integrates them to construct an integrated as well as a credible rule-based knowledge base. Finally, in order to realize the KEM-DT methodology, a Data-Driven Knowledge Acquisition Tool (DDKAT) is developed.
Effects of Two Training Programs on Transcriptional Levels of Neurotrophins and Glial Cells Population in Hippocampus of Experimental Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus low-intensity continuous training (LICT) on transcriptional levels of neurotrophic factors and oligodendrocyte/microglia cell loss in a cuprizone (CP) induced animal model of demyelination. Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to six groups: control (C), cuprizone-induced demyelination (CP), interval training (IT), continuous training (CT), IT plus CP (ITCP), and CT plus CP (CTCP). Training programs on the treadmill were performed for four weeks, and then demyelination was induced by feeding mice a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone for five weeks. Animals that received cuprizone showed poorer motor function, lower expression of BDNF, GDNF, NGF, and fewer oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus compared to the control animals. The numbers of oligodendrocyte and microglia cells increased in the ITCP group compared to the CTCP group (P<0.05). Both training programs increased the mRNA levels of BDNF, GDNF and NGF, and the HIIT program was more effective than the LICT program (P<0.05). Both exercise programs prevented the abnormal neurological movements induced by cuprizone. Our results indicated that HIIT versus LICT had a greater neuroprotective effect against multiple sclerosis by improving gene expression for abnormal neurotrophins and cellular loss in the hippocampus.
Automating judgment? Algorithmic judgment, news knowledge, and journalistic professionalism

Journalistic judgment is both a central and fraught function of journalism. The privileging of objectivity norms and the externalization of newsworthiness in discourses about journalism leave little room for the legitimation of journalists’ subjective judgment. This tension has become more apparent in the digital news era due to the growing use of algorithms in automated news distribution and production. This article argues that algorithmic judgment should be considered distinct from journalists’ professional judgment. Algorithmic judgment presents a fundamental challenge to news judgment based on the twin beliefs that human subjectivity is inherently suspect and in need of replacement, while algorithms are inherently objective and in need of implementation. The supplanting of human judgment with algorithmic judgment has significant consequences for both the shape of news and its legitimating discourses.
miR-34a-mediated regulation of XIST in female cells under inflammation

Background Evidence is overwhelming for sex differences in pain, with women representing the majority of the chronic pain patient population. There is a need to explore novel avenues to elucidate this sex bias in the development of chronic inflammatory pain conditions. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder, and the incidence of CRPS is greater in women than in men by ~4:1. Since neurogenic inflammation is a key feature of CRPS, dysregulation of inflammatory responses can be a factor in predisposing women to chronic pain. Methods Our studies investigating alterations in circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in whole blood from female CRPS patients showed significant differential expression of miRNAs between responders and poor responders to ketamine treatment. Several of these miRNAs are predicted to target the long noncoding RNA, X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST). XIST mediates X-chromosome inactivation and is essential for equalizing the expression of X-linked genes between females and males. Based on the well-established role in inflammatory process, we focused on miR-34a, one of the miRNAs predicted to target XIST, and downregulated in CRPS patients responding poorly to ketamine. Results Our in vitro and in vivo models of acute inflammation and data from patients with CRPS showed that miR-34a can regulate XIST under inflammation directly, and through pro-inflammatory transcription factor Yin-Yang 1 (YY1). XIST was significantly upregulated in a subset of CRPS patients responding poorly to ketamine. Conclusion Since dysregulation of XIST can result in genes escaping inactivation or reactivation in female cells, further investigations on the role of XIST in the predominance of chronic inflammatory and pain disorders in women is warranted.