Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rural communities in nutritional transition: emergence of obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia as public health problems in three kampungs in Bagan Datoh, Perak.

This paper highlights the marked presence of nutritional disorders in a sample (190 males, 237 females, aged 18-80 years) obtained from the adult population in three kampungs i.e. Pasang Api, Sungai Nipah Baroh and Sungai Balai Darat, in the Mukim of Bagan Datoh, Perak in 1992. All subjects (except pregnant females) were measured for blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference from which the body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratios (WHR) were calculated. A random blood sample was obtained by finger-prick from each subject and analysed for total cholesterol (TC) and glucose, using the Reflotron compact analyser. Elevated means for BMI and WHR indicated that obesity (BMI ≥30.0) was a serious public health problem in these three kampungs, affecting about 5% of males and 14% of females. Another 24% of males and 46% of females had an overweight problem (BMI 25.0-29.9), indicating that on the average, about half the adult population in these kampungs were either overweight or obese. This contrasted with the situation a decade ago in similar-type kampungs in the Peninsula where underweight was the major nutritional disorder in adults, especially males. Overall, there was a shift of an underweight problem to one of overweight, as exemplified by increments of 2.0 to 3.0 BMI units in the adult population, with the phenomenon being more marked in the females. Hypertension (21%) and hyperglycaemia (6.5%) affected the males and females approximately equally. Female adults had higher mean plasma TC compared to males (204 versus 199 mg/dl); these means were some 20 mg/dl (0.52 mmol/L) higher than the corresponding means for adults in similar rural communitites in the early eighties, and approximate the corresponding means for present-day urban adults. The above findings serve to emphasise the nutritional transition undergoing in the rural communities in the Peninsula, viz, the marked emergence in these rural communities of nutritional disorders normally associated with affluent populations.
A New Method for Quantification of Islets by Measurement of Zinc Content

The ability to quantify the yield of pancreatic islet tissue after isolation is important for interlaboratory comparisons and for the assessment of islet yield prior to clinical transplantation. Because pancreatic islets contain a much higher concentration of zinc than other tissues, we investigated the analysis of zinc as a measure of islet tissue yield. Rat islets of standard diameter 250 μm were handpicked into samples containing 10–80 islets. The zinc content was measured by EAAS and showed a linear correlation with islet number. A zinc binding fluorescent dye, TSQ, was investigated as a way of simplifying the zinc measurement for routine use. Samples of 10–80 islets of 250 μm were sonicated in 3 ml zinc-free water, 0.18 fimol TSQ was added, and the TSQ-zinc fluorescence was measured at 480 nm. A linear correlation was observed. Exocrine contamination up to 50% barely affected the results. Islet zinc content also was shown to be correlated linearly with islet number for freshly isolated human islets. Measurement of zinc by TSQ fluorescence is a rapid, cheap, and objective measure of islet tissue content.
Superior anti‐suicidal effects of electroconvulsive therapy in unipolar disorder and bipolar depression

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been believed to reduce suicidal tendencies in patients with affective disorders; however, ECT recipients, who constitute the most severely ill and suicidal patients, are not eligible to participate in head‐to‐head randomized controlled trials. Large‐scale studies are required to investigate the anti‐suicidal effects of ECT vs psychopharmacotherapy.
DNA damage tolerance in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in mice

Significance The DNA damage response entails both DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance (DDT). DDT enables replicative bypass of fork-stalling DNA lesions and structures. Although DNA repair is known to be key in maintaining stem cells and tissue homeostasis, the contribution of DDT in stem cell maintenance remained to be defined. Using DDT-deficient PcnaK164R/K164R mice we here reveal a critical role of DDT in maintaining hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Defective DDT results in progressive impairment of HSCs, identifying DDT as a key player in preserving HSC fitness and prohibiting premature aging. DNA damage tolerance (DDT) enables bypassing of DNA lesions during replication, thereby preventing fork stalling, replication stress, and secondary DNA damage related to fork stalling. Three modes of DDT have been documented: translesion synthesis (TLS), template switching (TS), and repriming. TLS and TS depend on site-specific PCNA K164 monoubiquitination and polyubiquitination, respectively. To investigate the role of DDT in maintaining hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors, we used PcnaK164R/K164R mice as a unique DDT-defective mouse model. Analysis of the composition of HSCs and HSC-derived multipotent progenitors (MPPs) revealed a significantly reduced number of HSCs, likely owing to increased differentiation of HSCs toward myeloid/erythroid-associated MPP2s. This skewing came at the expense of the number of lymphoid-primed MPP4s, which appeared to be compensated for by increased MPP4 proliferation. Furthermore, defective DDT decreased the numbers of MPP-derived common lymphoid progenitor (CLP), common myeloid progenitor (CMP), megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor (MEP), and granulocyte-macrophage progenitor (GMP) cells, accompanied by increased cell cycle arrest in CMPs. The HSC and MPP phenotypes are reminiscent of premature aging and stressed hematopoiesis, and indeed progressed with age and were exacerbated on cisplatin exposure. Bone marrow transplantations revealed a strong cell intrinsic defect of DDT-deficient HSCs in reconstituting lethally irradiated mice and a strong competitive disadvantage when cotransplanted with wild-type HSCs. These findings indicate a critical role of DDT in maintaining HSCs and progenitor cells, and in preventing premature aging.
Functional Nausea in Children

ABSTRACT Chronic nausea is a highly prevalent, bothersome, and difficult-to-treat symptom among adolescents. When chronic nausea presents as the predominant symptom and is not associated with any underlying disease, it may be considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder and named “functional nausea. ” The clinical features of functional nausea and its association with comorbid conditions provide clues to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. These may include gastrointestinal motor and sensory disturbances, autonomic imbalance, altered central nervous system pathways, or a combination of these. This review summarizes the current knowledge on mechanisms and treatment strategies for chronic, functional nausea in children.
Identification, cloning, and nucleotide sequence of a silent S-layer protein gene of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 which has extensive similarity with the S-layer protein gene of this species

The bacterial S-layer forms a regular structure, composed of a monolayer of one (glyco)protein, on the surfaces of many prokaryotic species. S-layers are reported to fulfil different functions, such as attachment structures for extracellular enzymes and major virulence determinants for pathogenic species. Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, which originates from the human pharynx, possesses such an S-layer. No function has yet been assigned to the S-layer of this species. Besides the structural gene (slpA) for the S-layer protein (S-protein) which constitutes this S-layer, we have identified a silent gene (slpB), which is almost identical to slpA in two regions. From the deduced amino acid sequence, it appears that the mature SB-protein (44,884 Da) is 53% similar to the SA-protein (43,636 Da) in the N-terminal and middle parts of the proteins. The C-terminal parts of the two proteins are identical except for one amino acid residue. The physical properties of the deduced S-proteins are virtually the same. Northern (RNA) blot analysis shows that only the slpA gene is expressed in wild-type cells, in line with the results from sequencing and primer extension analyses, which reveal that only the slpA gene harbors a promoter, which is located immediately upstream of the region where the two genes are identical. The occurrence of in vivo chromosomal recombination between the two S-protein-encoding genes will be described elsewhere.
Inhibition of the glutamate transporter and glial enzymes in rat striatum by the gliotoxin, ocaminoadipate

1 The effect of the gliotoxic analogue of glutamate, ocaminoadipate, on the high affinity transport of D‐[3H]‐aspartate into a crude striatal P2 preparation, and on the activity of two enzymes of which glutamate is the substrate has been examined. 2 The L‐isomer of ocaminoadipate competitively inhibited the transport protein, with a Ki value of 192 μm, whereas the D‐isomer of ocaminoadipate was ineffective. The potent convulsant, L‐methionine‐S‐sulphoximine, was also without effect on the activity of the gluatmate transport protein. 3 L‐αAminoadipate was a competitive inhibitor of both glutamine synthetase, and γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase, with Ki values of 209 μm and 7 mm respectively. Once again, the D‐isomer of ocaminoadipate was a far weaker inhibitor of either enzyme. 4 The results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of action of ocaminoadipate in causing toxicity of glial cells.
Parallelizing and optimizing overlapping community detection with speaker-listener Label Propagation Algorithm on multi-core architecture

Scaling up algorithms or applications in data mining studies for massive datasets to improve the computing performance is becoming crucial since we've stepped into Big Data era. For community detection, which is one of the most important topics in data mining, numerous algorithms were proposed for a better exploration of the complex networks in real world and researchers keep working on improving their computing performance by parallel programming. Speaker-listener Label Propagation Algorithm (SLPA) is a sequential linear time algorithm for overlapping community detection. In this work, we proposed a new approach to parallelize and optimize SLPA. We make it more efficient through reducing the computational complexity of one of its computing kernels and providing with a better way to get memory access during parallel execution. Evaluation of abundant experiments demonstrates our implementation's better scalability on multi-core CPUs than prior work.
Propensity Score Matching with Time‐Dependent Covariates

Summary In observational studies with a time‐dependent treatment and time‐dependent covariates, it is desirable to balance the distribution of the covariates at every time point. A time‐dependent propensity score based on the Cox proportional hazards model is proposed and used in risk set matching. Matching on this propensity score is shown to achieve a balanced distribution of the covariates in both treated and control groups. Optimal matching with various designs is conducted and compared in a study of a surgical treatment, cystoscopy and hydrodistention, given in response to a chronic bladder disease, interstitial cystitis. Simulation studies also suggest that the statistical analysis after matching outperforms the analysis without matching in terms of both point and interval estimations.
Reproducibility and validity of a self-administered physical activity questionnaire.

BACKGROUND The reproducibility and validity of self-administered questionnaires on physical activity and inactivity were examined in a random (representative) sample of the Nurses' Health Study II cohort and a random sample of African-American women in that cohort. METHODS Repeat questionnaires were administered 2 years apart. Past-week activity recalls and 7-day activity diaries were the referent methods; these instruments were sent to participants four times over a 1-year period. RESULTS The 2-year test-retest correlation for activity was 0.59 for the representative sample (n = 147) and 0.39 for the African-American sample (n = 84). Correlations between activity reported on recalls and that reported on questionnaire were 0.79 and 0.83 for the representative and African-American samples, respectively. Correlations between activity reported in diaries and that reported on questionnaire were 0.62 and 0.59, respectively. Test-retest coefficients for inactivity were 0.52 and 0.55, respectively. Correlations between inactivity reported in diaries and that reported on questionnaire were 0.41 and 0.44, respectively. CONCLUSION The simple, short questionnaires on activity and inactivity used in the Nurses' Health Study II are reasonably valid measures for epidemiological research.
Achieving a long-run equilibrium in the dynamic GTAP model

A dynamic version of the GTAP model became available in 2012. The dynamic version known as GDyn, introduced partial adjustment mechanisms for capital accumulation and a dynamic accounting of capital-finance and related income flows between regional households and firms, and a global trust. In long-run equilibrium, the model rates of return are to be equal and constant over time. In practice, illustrative results presented with the release of GDyn show the equilibrium conditions are not satisfied. This paper confirms this model property. It finds that this gives rise to model instability which limits the use of GDyn for the analysis of economic growth within a neoclassical framework. To achieve model stability and overcome this limitation, modelling of rates of return and capital-finance flows is further developed within the GDyn framework to satisfy the stated longer-run neoclassical equilibrium conditions. Results of the revised model demonstrating a stable, long-run equilibrium are reported together with an illustrative policy simulation of a productivity improving technological change in a medium-sized open economy. Some key areas for further research are identified.
The Balkans and Non-Military Security Threats – Quality Comparative Analyses of Resilience Capabilities Regarding Hybrid Threats

The contemporary security environment indicates non-conventional, asymmetric and hybrid security threats as potentially the most accurate threats to global and regional security. Conflict risks in the regional frame strongly depend on strategically aimed non-military, but hybrid acts. The great powers mostly attempt to achieve their own interests’ goals in fulfillment of self-orientated strategic dominance. The Balkan region is a crossroads of strongly exposed interest spheres of regional as well as global powers. The article aims to determine areas of influence in the Balkan States that could become targets of predominantly non-military but hybrid influences. Multi-Value Quality Comparative Analyses (mvQCA) of state power, stability and resilience capacities were used in the research. The methodology used was based on the approach with multi-valued sets of variables and conditions. A theoretical framework was based on contemporary theories of state power and hybrid warfare concept. Used databases were brought together from generated open source databases of approved international academic or think-tank organisations. Based on a hypothesis regarding hybrid security threats, a theoretical framework of understanding of power and analysing a wide spectra of databases, the article aims to contribute a rational and objective understanding of two main indicators: the potential to become a target and the resilience capacities of countries in the face of hybrid security threats. Its findings indicate that most countries in the Balkan region are potentially under unarmed influences and have very low resilience capabilities against possible hybrid influences. The conclusions reached help to clarify that the Balkan States are vulnerable to hybrid security threats.
Bridging citizen and stakeholder perspectives of sustainable mobility through practice-oriented design

Abstract Transitions toward more sustainable mobility are necessary and involve changes in complex constellations of mobility-related practices. To understand opportunities for moving in this direction, there is a need to explore both the consumption side of sustainable mobility practices and the perspective of stakeholders that provide products, services, infrastructures, and policies required for such practices. This article contributes to a discussion of critical aspects of sustainable mobility practices in relation to the responsibilities and concerns of stakeholders with power to influence these practices. We present four sets of design concepts for supporting car-free living which were formulated and co-created based on a practice-oriented analysis of a one-year study of three families in Stockholm, Sweden that replaced their cars with light electric vehicles. The design concepts bring forward elements of sustainable mobility with a focus on: trying out new mobility practices, cycling infrastructure, child-friendly public transport, and transporting stuff. Furthermore, we discussed the concepts with public and private sector stakeholders and examined their interests in particular practices. Also considered are how the responsibilities of different stakeholders may clash. Finally, we suggest that practice-oriented design concepts can support discussions and increased knowledge about responsibilities and potential conflicts related to sustainable practices, as well as provide means for supporting learning about sustainable practices among decision makers.
Twitter and Election Campaigns: Measuring Usage in Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Election

This study put the effectiveness of Twitter on the radar in Southeast Nigeria with regard to the 2015 presidential electioneering campaigns of the two leading candidates. The need existed to understand if the online platform used by the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP) and challenger Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC), as part of a complimentary media strategy, was effective in shaping voter behaviour in that part of the country. Data generated from 200 respondents showed that although Twitter provided the information needed via voters‘ interaction with political candidates, it did not significantly alter voter interest nor affect voting decision. Voters could not recall their use of Twitter as a factor in casting their ballot owing to post election time lapse.
Proteinase-Activated Receptor-2 Promotes Allergic Sensitization to an Inhaled Antigen through a TNF-Mediated Pathway1

The reason why particular inhaled Ags induce allergic sensitization while others lead to immune tolerance is unclear. Along with a genetic predisposition to atopy, intrinsic characteristics of these Ags must be important. A common characteristic of many allergens is that they either possess proteinase activity or are inhaled in particles rich in proteinases. Many allergens, such as house dust mite and cockroach allergens, have the potential to activate the proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2. In this study, we report that PAR-2 activation in the airways at the same time as exposure to inhaled Ags induces allergic sensitization, whereas exposure to Ag alone induces tolerance. BALB/c mice were administered OVA with a PAR-2 activating peptide intranasally. Upon allergen re-exposure mice developed airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, as well as OVA-specific T cells with a Th2 cytokine profile when restimulated with OVA in vitro. Conversely, mice given OVA alone or OVA with a PAR-2 control peptide developed tolerance. These tolerant mice did not develop airway inflammation or airway hyperresponsiveness, and developed OVA-specific T cells that secreted high levels of IL-10 when restimulated with OVA in vitro. Furthermore, pulmonary dendritic cell trafficking was altered in mice following intranasal PAR-2 activation. Finally, we showed that PAR-2-mediated allergic sensitization was TNF-dependent. Thus, PAR-2 activation in the airways could be a critical factor in the development of allergic sensitization following mucosal exposure to allergens with serine proteinase activity. Interfering with this pathway may prove to be useful for the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases.
Police Contact and the Legal Socialization of Urban Teens

Contemporary American policing has routinized involuntary police contacts with young people through frequent, sometimes intrusive investigative stops. Personal experience with the police has the potential to corrode adolescents’ relationships with law and skew law-related behaviors. We use the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to estimate how adolescents’ experiences with the police shape their legal socialization. We find that both personal and vicarious police contact are associated with increased legal cynicism. Associations are present across racial groups and are not explained by teens’ behaviors, school settings, or family backgrounds. Legal cynicism is amplified in teens reporting intrusive contact but diminished among teens reporting experiences characterized by procedural justice. Our findings suggest that aggressive policing risks weakening teens’ deference to law and legal authorities.
Does Culture Matter for Corporate Philanthropic Giving?

ABSTRACT This article explores cultural influence on corporate philanthropic giving, employing the case of merchant guilds culture in China and it further investigates the moderating effect of the types of corporate ownership. Our evidence suggests that merchant guilds culture can facilitate the extent and likelihood of corporate philanthropic giving, which is in accordance with the intuition that merchant guilds culture, which is rooted in Confucianism culture of China, has generally been associated with altruism. Consistent with our second prediction, we find that the relationship between merchant guilds culture and corporate philanthropic giving is more pronounced for privately owned firms than state-owned firms. These results are robust to several sensitivity checks, including using alternate variables to proxy for merchant guilds culture and corporate charitable giving, controlling for media coverage, and checking for potential endogeneity issues. This article provides a new perspective on the domestic culture through an empirical model that responds to a strong concern placed on merchant guilds culture and corporate philanthropic giving.
Fully Automated Electrothermal Simulation Using Standard CAD Tools

This contribution presents a novel simulation tool for the electrothermal analysis of solid-state devices and circuits in both static and transient conditions. The code relies on an effective analytical approach to describe the 3D thermal process, and exploits the engine of the commercial software ADS (Advanced Design System) to consistently solve the electrical and thermal networks. Features like model accuracy, lack of convergence problems, low time/memory requirements, flexibility and user friendliness make the proposed software a good alternative to SPICE-like and fully numerical tools for the optimization of both reliability and performance of state-of-the-art devices/circuits