Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Adherence to Healthy Eating Patterns in a Population of Children and Adolescents: Evidence on the Mediterranean Diet in the City of Mataró (Catalonia, Spain)

Despite its benefits, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is being abandoned or not adopted by young generations in most Mediterranean countries. In Spain, up to 69% of the child and adolescent population has been found to have suboptimal adherence to the MD. The aim of this study was to analyze which factors are associated with an optimal adherence to the MD in school-age children and adolescents from Mataró, Spain. A cross-sectional study was performed on 1177 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years from Mataró. The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED index) was used to evaluate adherence to a MD. We found that over 59% of subjects showed suboptimal adherence to a MD, with this prevalence being higher for secondary school than for primary school children. The factors positively associated with following an optimal MD were the mother’s education level, children at the primary school level, the absence of distractions at breakfast, and regular physical activity. The availability of spending money was negatively associated with the likelihood of optimal adherence to a MD. Future research should study more in-depth the possible causality between the factors studied and adherence to a MD.
An apically located hybrid guanylate cyclase–ATPase is critical for the initiation of Ca2+ signaling and motility in Toxoplasma gondii

Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa actively move through tissue to initiate and perpetuate infection. The regulation of parasite motility relies on cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, but how these kinases are activated remains unknown. Here, using an array of biochemical and cell biology approaches, we show that the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii expresses a large guanylate cyclase (TgGC) protein, which contains several upstream ATPase transporter-like domains. We show that TgGC has a dynamic localization, being concentrated at the apical tip in extracellular parasites, which then relocates to a more cytosolic distribution during intracellular replication. Conditional TgGC knockdown revealed that this protein is essential for acute-stage tachyzoite growth, as TgGC-deficient parasites were defective in motility, host cell attachment, invasion, and subsequent host cell egress. We show that TgGC is critical for a rapid rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] and for secretion of microneme organelles upon stimulation with a cGMP agonist, but these deficiencies can be bypassed by direct activation of signaling by a Ca2+ ionophore. Furthermore, we found that TgGC is required for transducing changes in extracellular pH and [K+] to activate cytosolic [Ca2+] flux. Together, the results of our work implicate TgGC as a putative signal transducer that activates Ca2+ signaling and motility in Toxoplasma.
Proximity Soundings of Severe and Nonsevere Thunderstorms in Central Europe

AbstractThe environments of severe and nonsevere thunderstorms were analyzed using 16 421 proximity soundings from December 2007 to December 2013 taken at 32 central European stations. The soundings were assigned severity categories for the following hazards: hail, wind, tornado, and rain. For each of the soundings, parameters were calculated representing the instability, vertical wind profile, and moisture of the environment. The probability of the various hazards as a function of CAPE and 0–6-km bulk shear (DLS) is quite different for each of the hazards. Large hail is most likely for high CAPE and high DLS, a regime that also supports severe wind events. A second severe wind regime exists for low CAPE and very high DLS. These events are mostly cold season events. Storms with significant tornadoes occur with much higher DLS than storms with weak or no tornadoes, but with similar CAPE. The 0–1-km bulk shear (LLS) does not discriminate better than DLS between weak and significant tornadoes. Heavy rain eve.
A Novel Approach to the Solar Interior-Atmosphere Eigenvalue Problem

In this paper we introduce a new approach to study the interaction of solar eigenoscillations, with particular emphasis on the f-mode, with random inhomogeneities caused by flows and magnetic field near the solar surface. We present an initial value method to derive a general dispersion relation for a class of models where the magnetic atmosphere is overlying an arbitrary static solar interior. In these models the interior part is treated parametrically and does not need to be specified before we obtain the dispersion relation. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, an analytical solution of the dispersion relation is given for an incompressible interior with constant density.
A langmuir multi-probe system for the characterization of atmospheric pressure arc plasmas

It is well known that the use of Langmuir probes in `high' pressure plasmas (atmospheric and above) is extremely difficult due to the high degree of collisionality. In addition, electric arcs used in industry are highly non-homogeneous. In particular the degree of ionization varies from zero at the arc edges to values close to full ionization near the axis. Existing probe theories are therefore inappropriate. The `traditional' use of the characteristic curve for arc temperature and particle density mapping is time consuming and also leads to errors due to the collisional nature of the discharge. Existing probe theories are examined with respect to the application at high pressure and in this, the first of a series of papers, an interpretation based on different assumptions is presented. A simple apparatus for the study of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding arcs is described permitting data collection over short time periods (~0.1 s) for operating currents in the range 50-150 A. Difficulties encountered with probe applications are discussed highlighting the need for further theoretical developments. The axial electric field is given by the derivative of the measured potential with respect to the axial position and shown to be in agreement with previous estimations. Results are discussed with reference to the sparse previous publications concerned with high pressure arc plasmas.
On the origin of compact radio sources. The binary black hole model applied to the gamma-bright quasar PKS 0420-014

VLBI monitoring of PKS 0420{014 at 3.6 cm performed during the period 1989.32{1992.48 reveals superluminal jet components in a strongly curved jet. We present a binary black hole model capable of simulta- neously explaining the flux-density variations and the motions of jet components on helical trajectories in active galactic nuclei. From VLBI observations we derive the characteristics of the parsec-scale jet of PKS 0420{014. Moreover, we use the optical light curve of the quasar PKS 0420{014 over the time span 1989.67{1993.93 to deter- mine the characteristics of the binary black hole system. We propose that galactic and extragalactic radio sources with jets are due to the existence of binary systems. Extragalactic binary systems are the results of mergers and provide a natural explanation why only a small fraction of quasars are radio sources and why extragalactic radio sources are associated with elliptical galaxies. These binary systems will be one of the primary targets for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).
Combined therapeutic effects of HIFU, GnRH-a and LNG-IUS for the treatment of severe adenomyosis

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the combined efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for the treatment of severe adenomyosis. Method: Four hundred and sixty-six patients with adenomyosis admitted to the Department of Gynecology of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital underwent HIFU treatment, and then were consecutively administered with GnRH-a 1 d, 1 month and 3 months after HIFU treatment. The uterine size was then measured with ultrasound or MRI 2–4 weeks after three cycles of GnRH-a injection. The LNG-IUS was then inserted when the uterine length less than 9 cm. The visual analog scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS), menstrual volume score, uterus volume, MRI, serum levels of hemoglobin and CA125 were measured at pre and 3-, 6-, 12-month post-HIFU. Results: Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia significantly relieved after combined treatment with HIFU, GnRH-a and the LNS-IUS. The uterine volume shrank and returned to its normal size. The serum CA-125 level was reduced to the normal level after the combined treatment. Conclusions: The combined therapeutic regimen of HIFU, GnRH-a and LNS-IUS is safe, effective and efficient for curing severe adenomyosis.
Real-time detection of respiration rate with non-contact mode based on low-end imaging equipment

Standard instrumentation for the assessment of respiration rate is large and based on invasive method, and not suitable for daily inspection. An optical, simple and non-contact measurement method to detect human respiration rate using lowend imaging equipment is discussed. This technology is based on the visible light absorption of blood, which contains many important physiological information of the cardiovascular system. The light absorption of facial area can be indirectly reflected to gray value of the corresponding area image. In this paper, we acquire the respiration rate through the video signal captured by low-end imaging equipment. Firstly, the color CCD captures the facial area below the eyes and every frame of the video can be separated into three RGB channels. The blue channel is extracted as the research object. Then, we calculate the mean gray value for each image and draw the mean gray curve along the time. Fourier transform can get the frequency spectrogram of the graph, which is filtered through the Fourier filter. The extreme point is the value of the respiratory rate. Finally, an available interface program is designed and we have some volunteers tested. The correlation coefficient between the experimental data and the data provided by a reference instrument is 0.98. The consistency of the experimental results is very well. This technology costs so low that it will be widely used in medical and daily respiration rate measurement.
Relationship between Intellectual Capital and Corporate Profitability

This study aims to empirically evaluate the partial effect of Intellectual Capital Profitability. This research is quantitative, with hypotheses derived using the Resources-Based Theory and supported by prior studies employing the same variables. Listed Property and Real Estate Companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange are the focus of this study. Value Added Capital Employed (VACA), Value Added Human Capital (VAHU), Structural Capital Value Added (STVA), and Profitability are research variables (ROI). The data utilized is secondary data published in the company's financial statements. 168 samples were collected from 42 property and real estate companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Data analysis utilizing descriptive statistical techniques and panel data regression with the assistance of eviews. In addition, to maintain the normality of the data, the Classical Assumption test is employed in this study. The findings indicated that Intellectual Capital with VACA, VAHU, and STVA assessments positively and statistically significant impact on Profitability (ROI) in Property and Real Estate companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The profitability of the company can be increased by optimizing Intellectual Capital. Intellectual Capital that cannot be optimized will have a negative impact on the company's profitability.
Bayesian Analysis of Cancer Rates From SEER Program Using Parametric and Semiparametric Joinpoint Regression Models

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Cancer incidence and mortality rates measure the progress against cancer; these rates are obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all cancers, whereas prostate cancer has the highest number of new cases among males. In this article, we analyze the incidence rates of these two cancers, as well as colon and rectal cancer. The NCI reports trends in cancer age-adjusted mortality and incidence rates in its annual report to the nation and analyzes them using the Joinpoint software. The location of the joinpoints signifies changes in cancer trends, whereas changes in the regression slope measure the degree of change. The Joinpoint software uses a numerical search to detect the joinpoints, fits regression within two consecutive joinpoints by least squares, and finally selects the number of joinpoints by either a series of permutation tests or the Bayesian information criterion. We propose Bayesian joinpoint models and provide statistical estimates of the joinpoints and the regression slopes. While the Joinpoint software and other work in this area assumes that the joinpoints occur on the discrete time grid, we allow a continuous prior for the joinpoints induced by the Dirichlet distribution on the spacings in between. This prior further allows the user to impose prespecified minimum gaps in between two consecutive joinpoints. We develop parametric as well as semiparametric Bayesian joinpoint models; the semiparametric framework relaxes parametric distributional assumptions by modeling the distribution of regression slopes and error variances using Dirichlet process mixtures. These Bayesian models provide statistical inference with finite sample validity. Through a simulation study, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed parametric and semiparametric joinpoint models and compare the results with the ones from the Joinpoint software. We analyze age-adjusted cancer incidence rates from the SEER Program using these Bayesian models with different numbers of joinpoints by employing the deviance information criterion and the cross-validated predictive criterion. In addition, we model the lung cancer incidence rates and the smoking rates jointly and explore the relation between the two longitudinal processes.
A Semi-analytic Criterion for the Spontaneous Initiation of Carbon Detonations in White Dwarfs

Despite over 40 years of active research, the nature of the white dwarf progenitors of SNe Ia remains unclear. However, in the last decade, various progenitor scenarios have highlighted the need for detonations to be the primary mechanism by which these white dwarfs are consumed, but it is unclear how these detonations are triggered. In this paper we study how detonations are spontaneously initiated due to temperature inhomogeneities, e.g., hotspots, in burning nuclear fuel in a simplified physical scenario. Following the earlier work by Zel’Dovich, we describe the physics of detonation initiation in terms of the comparison between the spontaneous wave speed and the Chapman–Jouguet speed. We develop an analytic expression for the spontaneous wave speed and utilize it to determine a semi-analytic criterion for the minimum size of a hotspot with a linear temperature gradient between a peak and base temperature for which detonations in burning carbon–oxygen material can occur. Our results suggest that spontaneous detonations may easily form under a diverse range of conditions, likely allowing a number of progenitor scenarios to initiate detonations that burn up the star.
Dose board characteristics influence integrated reporting quality? Empirical evidence from an emerging market

Abstract Although scholars and practitioners are recently showing a growing interest in integrated reporting, investigating the variables affecting the integrated reporting quality in Malaysia has not been examined and is still unexplored. This paper aims to fill this gap, by exploring the influence of board of directors’ characteristics on integrated reporting quality in Malaysia. The board’s characteristics considered are size, independence, expertise, gender diversity, and activity, as hypothesized by the agency theory. A total of 64 companies were analyzed from 2017 to 2020, for a total number of 173 integrated reports. The findings highlight that IRQ is positively related to the board size, gender diversity and activity of the board. This study’s finding adds to the current literature in numerous ways, and it contributes to the intensive scientific debate on integrated reporting. Furthermore, it is the first study that investigates such a relationship in Malaysia.
Star formation in early-type galaxies in the Coma cluster

We have obtained multifiber spectra of 125 early-type galaxies in the Coma cluster of galaxies, using the Hydra bench spectrograph on the 4 m telescope at Kitt Peak. The sample selection was based on both color and morphology, care being taken to exclude intermediate and late-type spirals. Surprisingly, a large fraction (about 1/3) of all galaxies in a field located approximately 40' SW of the center of the cluster exhibits enhanced Balmer absorption lines or emission lines, indicative of recent star formation or nuclear activity. In contrast, very few such galaxies are found in the central field of the cluster. Those galaxies with abnormal spectra cover a range in luminosity down to B ≃ 19 (M B ≃ − 15)
Influence of genotype and processing on bioactive compounds of Ethiopian specialty Arabica coffee

ABSTRACT Ethiopian specialty coffee is exported to the international market based on the cup quality classification; however, there is limited information on the chemical characteristics. In this study, dry and wet-processed sixteen Ethiopian specialty coffee genotypes were investigated for total polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, caffeine, and trigonelline at different stages using UV-Vis spectrophotometric and Rapid Separation Liquid Chromatographic methods. Cup qualities of green coffee beans and brewed coffee were also assessed by professional cuppers. The results indicated that the bioactive compounds and cup qualities were significantly influenced by genotypes, green bean processing methods, and medium roasted-ground and brewed coffees. It was shown that the percentage of reduction in total polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, caffeine, and trigonelline concentrations were 77.3%, 82.5%, 47.8%, and 70.6%, respectively as the beans are transformed to brew. This study also fills the gap of information on the influence of processes and correlation to cup quality with bioactive compounds.
Modeling Galaxy Formation in Evolving Dark Matter Halos

A simple semianalytic model is used to study the radiative cooling of gas in an evolving distribution of cold dark matter halos. Two related models are used to describe the evolving distribution of collisionless dark matter: the Press-Schechter formalism and a recently developed Monte Carlo model. The Monte Carlo method follows the merging of halos and hence extends the fully analytic treatment in several ways. First, plausible estimates of halo lifetimes are made. Second, the local depletion of the primordial gas is followed in each halo as progressively more gas cools and forms stars. Finally, limits are set on the merging of protogalaxies. It is shown that, in the absence of any form of energy input, an unacceptably large fraction of the baryons will cool and condense in low-mass halos at high redshift. In order to counteract efficient cooling at early times, it is postulated that energy input by supernovae associated with the first stars formed in these halos is sufficient to unbind the gas in halos with circular velocities less than a critical value V(crit). Estimates of the present-day luminosity function calculated using this model suggest V(crit) is about 200 km/s or more, and hence that self-regulating or self-limitingmore » star formation operates even in bright L(asterisk) galaxies. 33 refs.« less
Tourism promotion through vlog advertising and customer engagement behaviours of generation Z

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effectiveness of Vlogs as an advertising tool to promote the tourism sector in Pakistan using Ducoffe’s Advertising Value Model and stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, and its subsequent effect on customer engagement behaviours (CEBs). Data were collected from generation Z through both the online and offline medium, 230 students were approached; 206 questionnaires were usable for analysis. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for model assessment. The results indicated that all the relationships are supported: informativeness, entertainment, credibility and irritation significantly influence advertising value; adverting value influences attitude towards Vlog; and finally, attitude towards Vlog significantly influences electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), positive word-of-mouth (PWOM), customer referral, and destination visit intention. This study is the first in this domain that measures the importance of Vlog advertising value in shaping the attitude of generation Z toward Vlog destination advertising, especially in the context of Pakistan, a developing economy. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings, limitations of the study and suggestions for future research directions are also discussed.
New Insights in the Mid-infrared Bubble N49 Site: A Clue of Collision of Filamentary Molecular Clouds

We investigate the star formation processes operating in a mid-infrared bubble N49 site that harbors an O-type star in its interior, an ultracompact H ii region, and a 6.7 GHz methanol maser at its edges. The 13CO line data reveal two velocity components (at velocity peaks ∼88 and ∼95 km s−1) in the direction of the bubble. An elongated filamentary feature (length >15 pc) is investigated in each molecular cloud component, and the bubble is found at the interface of these two filamentary molecular clouds. The Herschel temperature map traces all these structures in a temperature range of ∼16–24 K. In the velocity space of 13CO, the two molecular clouds are separated by ∼7 km s−1, and are interconnected by a lower-intensity intermediate velocity emission (i.e., a broad bridge feature). A possible complementary molecular pair at [87, 88] km s−1 and [95, 96] km s−1 is also observed in the velocity channel maps. These observational signatures are in agreement with the outcomes of simulations of the cloud–cloud collision process. There are also noticeable embedded protostars and Herschel clumps distributed toward the filamentary features including the intersection zone of the two molecular clouds. In the bubble site, different early evolutionary stages of massive star formation are also present. Together, these observational results suggest that in the bubble N49 site, the collision of the filamentary molecular clouds appears to be operated about 0.7 Myr ago, and may have triggered the formation of embedded protostars and massive stars.
Inflationary Primordial Black Holes as All Dark Matter

Following a new microlensing constraint on primordial black holes (PBHs) with ∼1020–1028 g [H. Niikura et al., arXiv:1701.02151. ], we revisit the idea of PBH as all dark matter (DM). We have shown that the updated observational constraints suggest the viable mass function for PBHs as all DM to have a peak at ≃1020 g with a small width σ≲0.1, by imposing observational constraints on an extended mass function in a proper way. We have also provided an inflation model that successfully generates PBHs as all DM fulfilling this requirement.