Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of tourists' local food consumption value on attitude toward local food, food destination image, and behavioral intention

IV LIST OF TABLES . XII LIST OF FIGURES . XIV LIST OF APPENDICES . XV CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Chapter introduction . 1 1.2 Tourists’ local food consumption value, attitude toward local food, food destination image, and behavioral intention: A brief introduction . 1 1.3 Problem statement . 2 1.4 Research objectives . 4 1.5 Overall structure of the thesis. 4 1.6 Research significance . 6 1.7 Definition of key terms . 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 12 2.1 Chapter introduction . 12 2.2 Globalization and food in tourism . 12 2.2.1 History of food globalization . 12 2.2.2 Effect of globalization on food in a destination . 16 2.3 Tourists’ food consumption . 19 2.3.1 Food in tourism . 19 2.3.2 Definition of food tourism . 23 2.3.3 Tourists’ typology based on local food attitude . 27 2.3.4 Previous studies on food in tourism . 36 2.4 Consumer value theory. 42 2.4.1 Importance of consumer value . 42 2.4.2 Definition of consumer value . 44 2.4.3 Dimensions of consumer value . 47 2.4.4 Studies on consumption value theory . 67 2.5 Attitude toward local food. 74 2.5. 1 Definition of attitude . 74 2.5. 2 Dimensions of attitude . 75 2.5. 3 Previous studies on attitude toward food . 77 IX 2.6 Food destination image . 79 2.6. 1 Destination image . 79 2.6. 2. Previous studies on food destination images . 80 2.7 Behavioral intention . 84 2.7. 1 Definition of behavioral intention . 84 2.7. 2 Dimension of behavioral intention . 85 2.7. 3 Studies on behavioral intention . 85 2.8 Different cultural background as moderator . 88 2.9 Food related tourism in Hong Kong . 91 2.10 Research gap . 93 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH MODEL AND HYPOTHESES . 96 3.1 Chapter introduction . 96 3.2 Development of the tourists’ local food consumption value scale. 96 3.3 Proposal of hypotheses . 97 3.3.1 Relationship between consumption value and attitude toward local food . 97 3.3.2 Relationship between attitude toward local food and food destination image . 104 3.3.3 Relationship between attitude toward local food and behavioral intention . 106 3.3.4 Relationship between food destination image and behavioral intention . 108 3.3. 5 Moderating effect of cultural background on structural equation model . 109 3.4 Proposed conceptual framework . 111 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY . 114 4.1 Chapter introduction . 114 4.2 Scale development of tourists’ local food consumption value . 114 4.3 Specification of items and domains of the construct. 117 4.4 Generation of a pool of items and determination of the format for measurement . 118 4.5 Experts’ review of the initial pool of items . 124 4.5. 1 Amendments in taste/quality value items . 127 4.5. 2 Amendments in health value items . 128 4.5. 3 Amendments in price value items . 129 4.5. 4 Amendments in emotional items . 130 4.5. 5 Amendments in prestige value items . 131 4.5. 6 Amendments in interaction value . 133 4.5. 7 Amendments epistemic value items . 133
Optimal control of a high efficiency low distortion 6-level hybrid multilevel motor drive

The paper deals with optimal design and control of electric drives. A hybrid multilevel inverter drive structure is proposed in order to reduce converter switching losses and motor switching induced losses. Analysis demonstrates that low order harmonics may be generated by these type of converters when employing inappropriate control approaches. It proposes a control approach that features low tracking distortion over full range of operating points, during transients and inverter capacitor voltage imbalances, while minimizing switching losses. Proposed multilevel inverter control scheme is integrated into an MPC control scheme that optimally controls the drive.
[Evaluating type I interferon-inducible gene expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.].

OBJECTIVE To explore the expression levels of interferon-inducible genes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to validate these gene expressions as potential biomarkers for the differentiation of disease flare and infection. METHODS Peripheral blood was obtained from 48 SLE, 16 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 26 normal controls, and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA. Real-time PCR technique was used to determine the gene expressions of MX1, OASL, OAS1, ISG15 and LY6E at transcription level. Univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression model were applied to analyze 5 related factors for infection or activity. RESULTS (1) The expression levels of MX1, OASL, OAS1, ISG15, and LY6E mRNA in SLE patients were significantly increased as compared with normal controls (P all < 0.01), while the expression levels of OASL, OAS1, ISG15 and LY6E mRNA in SLE patients were also higher than those in RA patients (P all < 0.05). (2) There were no significant difference between male and female patients of the 5 gene expression in SLE patients. (3) By logistic regression analysis, ISG15 and LY6E were independent risk factors for active SLE patients (P < 0.01), OASL expression was an independent risk factor for SLE patients with infection (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION All the 5 interferon inducible genes are highly expressed in SLE patients, in which ISG15 and LY6E are independently associated with disease flare, while OASL may be helpful for the evaluation of infection in SLE patients.
Cyclopiazonic acid induces accelerated progress of meiosis in pig oocytes

Summary In mammalian oocytes, calcium plays an important role in the regulation of meiotic maturation. In our study, we used the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of calcium-dependent ATPases, to mobilise intracellular calcium deposits during in vitro maturation of pig oocytes. The CPA treatment of maturing oocytes significantly accelerated the progress of their maturation. Oocytes entered the CPA-sensitive period after 21 h of in vitro culture. A very short (5 min) exposure to CPA (100 mM) is sufficient to accelerate maturation and it seems that accelerated maturation can be triggered by a transient elevation of intracellular calcium levels. The effect of CPA is not mediated through the cumulus cells, because maturation is accelerated by CPA treatment even in oocytes devoid of cumulus cells. Culture of oocytes with the calcium channel blocker verapamil (concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 mM) blocked the progress of oocyte maturation beyond the stage of metaphase I. This block can be overcome by the mobilisation of intracellular calcium deposits after CPA treatment (100 nM). The microinjection of heparin (20 pl, 50.1 mg/;ml), the inhibitor of inositol triphosphate receptors, before CPA treatment prevented the acceleration of oocyte maturation. This indicates that CPA mobilises the release of calcium deposits through inositol trisphosphate receptors. On the other hand, the microinjection of procaine (20 pl, 200 nM) or the microinjection of ruthenium red (20 pl, 50 mM), both inhibitors of ryanodine receptors, did not prevent accelerated maturation in CPA-treated oocytes. If present in pig oocytes, ryanodine receptors evidently play no part in the liberation of calcium from intracellular stores after CPA treatment.
A Real-Time In-vivo Method for Studying the Percutaneous Absorption of Volatile Chemicals

Abstract Realistic estimates of percutaneous absorption following exposures to solvents in the workplace, or through contaminated soil and water, are critical to understanding human health risks. A method was developed to determine dermal uptake of solvents under non-steady-state conditions using real-time breath analysis in rats, monkeys, and humans. The exhaled breath was analyzed using an ion-trap mass spectrometer, which can quantitate chemicals in the exhaled breath stream in the 1–5 ppb range. The resulting data were evaluated using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to estimate dermal permeability constants (Kp) under various exposure conditions. The effects of exposure matrix (soil versus water), occlusion versus non-occlusion, and species differences on the absorption of methyl chloroform, trichloroethylene, and benzene were compared. Exposure concentrations were analyzed before and at O.5-hour intervals throughout the exposures. The percentage of each chemical absorbed and the corresponding Kp were estimated by optimization of the PBPK model to the medium concentration and the exhaled-breath data. The method was found to be sufficiendy sensitive for animal and human dermal studies at low exposure concentrations over small body surface areas, for short periods, using non-steady-state exposure conditions.
High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein: A predicative marker in severe asthma

Background and objective: Serum levels of high‐sensitivity CRP (hs‐CRP) are associated with asthma but the relationship between higher levels of hs‐CRP and the degree of asthma severity remains unclear. This study investigated whether hs‐CRP is associated with asthma severity as well as with other clinical indices of asthma activity (pulmonary function, total serum IgE, and peripheral blood eosinophil counts).
Thiazolidinediones Inhibit Albumin Uptake by Proximal Tubular Cells through a Mechanism Independent of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma

Background: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor which exerts multiple effects on target cell function. A variety of PPARγ ligands are known, including the antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs). There is evidence that suggests that these drugs may improve metabolic parameters, proteinuria, and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes. Method: We investigated the potentially beneficial effects of TZDs in opossum kidney proximal tubular cells, focussing particularly on protein handling. Results: Three TZDs, ciglitazone, rosiglitazone, and troglitazone, all inhibited FITC-albumin uptake by cells in a dose-dependent manner in the absence of cell cytotoxicity or effects on binding. In contrast, the structurally unrelated PPARγ ligand 15d-PGJ2 had no effect on albumin uptake. In cells overexpressing PPARγ or treated with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, no alterations in the inhibitory effects of TZDs were observed. All TZDs reduced cholesterol synthesis, and supplementation of cells with non-sterol precursors of cholesterol, mevalonate, farnesol, and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, reversed the effects of TZDs. Conclusions: TZDs inhibit albumin uptake and cholesterol synthesis in proximal tubular cells independently of PPARγ. Depletion of cholesterol precursors by TZDs is at least partially responsible for reduced albumin uptake. These results support a new role for TZDs to combat progressive proteinuric renal disease.
Multiple sclerosis

Objective: To evaluate markers of axonal damage in CSF and serum of patients with different subtypes of MS in relation to measures of disease progression on MRI. Methods: In 51 patients with MS (21 relapsing-remitting, 20 secondary progressive, 10 primary progressive), levels of heavy and light neurofilaments (NfH and NfL) and antibodies to neurofilaments (anti-NfL and -NfH) as well as the total immunoglobulin G (IgG) were analyzed. MRI analysis included T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense, and gadolinium enhancing lesions and markers of cerebral atrophy (ventricular and parenchymal fractions). Results: For the total group, correlations were found between the anti-NfL index and the parenchymal fraction (PF) (r = −0.51, p < 0.001), T2 lesion load (r = 0.41, p < 0.05), ventricular fraction (r = 0.37, p < 0.05), and T1 lesion load (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). For the anti-NfH index, a correlation was found with the PF (r = −0.39, p < 0.05). No correlations were found between the IgG index and MRI measures. Conclusions: Intrathecal production of anti-NfL antibodies may serve as a marker of tissue damage, particularly axonal loss, in MS.
Characteristics and preliminary observations of the influence of electromyostimulation on the size and function of human skeletal muscle during 30 days of simulated microgravity.

During 30 days (d) of bedrest, the practicality of using electromyostimulation (EMS) as a deterrent to atrophy and strength loss of lower limb musculature was examined. An EMS system was developed that provided variable but quantifiable levels of EMS, and measured torque. The dominant leg of three male subjects was stimulated twice daily in a 3-d on/1-d off cycle during bedrest. The non-dominant leg of each subject acted as a control. A stimulator, using a 0.3 ms monophasic 60 Hz pulse waveform, activated muscle tissue for 4 s. The output waveform from the stimulator was sequenced to the knee extensors (KE), knee flexors (KF), ankle extensors (AE), and ankle flexors (AF), and caused three isometric contractions of each muscle group per minute. Subject tolerance determined EMS intensity. Each muscle group received four 5-min bouts of EMS each session with a 10-min rest between bouts. EMS and torque levels for each muscle action were recorded directly on a computer. Overall average EMS intensity was 197, 197, 195, and 188 mA for the KE, KF, AF, and AE, respectively. Overall average torque development for these muscle groups was 70, 16, 12, and 27 Nm, respectively. EMS intensity doubled during the study, and average torque increased 2.5 times. Average maximum torque throughout a session reached 54% of maximal voluntary for the KE and 29% for the KF. Reductions in leg volume, muscle compartment size, cross-sectional area of slow and fast-twitch fibers, strength, and aerobic enzyme activities, and increased leg compliance were attenuated in the legs which received EMS during bedrest. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Direct Role of ChREBP·Mlx in Regulating Hepatic Glucose-responsive Genes*

Enzymes required for de novo lipogenesis are induced in mammalian liver after a meal high in carbohydrates. In addition to insulin, increased glucose metabolism initiates an intracellular signaling pathway that transcriptionally regulates genes encoding lipogenic enzymes. A cis-acting sequence, the carbohydrate response element (ChoRE), has been found in the promoter region of several of these genes. ChREBP (carbohydrate response element-binding protein) was recently identified as a candidate transcription factor in the glucose-signaling pathway. We reported that ChREBP requires the heterodimeric partner Max-like factor X (Mlx) to bind to ChoRE sequences. In this study we provide further evidence to support a direct role of Mlx in glucose signaling in the liver. We constructed two different dominant negative forms of Mlx that could dimerize with ChREBP but block its binding to DNA. When introduced into hepatocytes, both dominant negative forms of Mlx inhibited the glucose response of a transfected ChoRE-containing promoter. The glucose response was rescued by adding exogenous wild type Mlx or ChREBP, but not MondoA, a paralog of ChREBP that can also form a heterodimer with Mlx. Furthermore, dominant negative Mlx blocked the induction of glucose-responsive genes from their natural chromosomal context under high glucose conditions. In contrast, genes induced by the insulin and thyroid hormone-signaling pathways were unaffected by dominant negative Mlx. Mlx was present in the glucose-responsive complex of liver nuclear extract from which ChREBP was purified. In conclusion, Mlx is an obligatory partner of ChREBP in regulating lipogenic enzyme genes in liver.
Quantitative, Image-Based Phenotyping Methods Provide Insight into Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Plant Disease1[OPEN]

Novel, image-based phenotyping methods enhance characterization of plant-pathogen interactions. Plant disease symptoms exhibit complex spatial and temporal patterns that are challenging to quantify. Image-based phenotyping approaches enable multidimensional characterization of host-microbe interactions and are well suited to capture spatial and temporal data that are key to understanding disease progression. We applied image-based methods to investigate cassava bacterial blight, which is caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). We generated Xam strains in which individual predicted type III effector (T3E) genes were mutated and applied multiple imaging approaches to investigate the role of these proteins in bacterial virulence. Specifically, we quantified bacterial populations, water-soaking disease symptoms, and pathogen spread from the site of inoculation over time for strains with mutations in avrBs2, xopX, and xopK as compared to wild-type Xam. ∆avrBs2 and ∆xopX both showed reduced growth in planta and delayed spread through the vasculature system of cassava. ∆avrBs2 exhibited reduced water-soaking symptoms at the site of inoculation. In contrast, ∆xopK exhibited enhanced induction of disease symptoms at the site of inoculation but reduced spread through the vasculature. Our results highlight the importance of adopting a multipronged approach to plant disease phenotyping to more fully understand the roles of T3Es in virulence. Finally, we demonstrate that the approaches used in this study can be extended to many host-microbe systems and increase the dimensions of phenotype that can be explored.
Chronic Stress Modulates the Immune Response to a Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine

Objective Influenza and pneumonia account for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in older individuals. Previous studies have shown that spousal caregivers of patients with dementia have poorer antibody and virus specific T cell responses to an influenza virus vaccine relative to noncaregiving control subjects. This study tested the hypothesis that stress can also significantly inhibit the IgG antibody response to a pneumococcal bacterial vaccine. Method We measured antibody titers of current caregivers, former caregivers, and control subjects after vaccination with a pneumococcal bacterial vaccine. Results Caregivers showed deficits relative to controls and former caregivers in their antibody responses to vaccination. Although the groups did not differ before vaccination or in the rise in antibody 2 weeks or 1 month after vaccination, current caregivers had lower antibody titers 3 and 6 months after vaccination than either former caregivers or controls. Conclusions These data, the first evidence that chronic stress can inhibit the stability of the IgG antibody response to a bacterial vaccine for pneumonia, provide additional evidence of health risks associated with dementia caregiving.
Familial clustering of hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVES To assess the degree of relationship among individuals with hemangiomas and to evaluate the relative risk (RR) for family members of individuals with hemangiomas. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. SETTING Utah Population Database. PARTICIPANTS Data sets of individuals of different ages with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for hemangiomas were created from sources having medical records linked to the Utah Population Database. Controls were selected who matched cases for sex, birth year, and birthplace inside vs outside of Utah. Ten controls were selected per case, and sampling was performed without replacement. Kinship analysis tools were used to identify pedigrees having excess individuals with hemangiomas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Using conditional logistic regression analysis, RR for hemangiomas among several kinship classes was determined. RESULTS Identified were 2514 distinct cases 12 years or younger with ICD-9 code 228.01, and the RR for sibs in this group was significantly increased (RR, 2.52; P < .001). Seventy-three founder families had 5 or more affected descendants with cluster P values ≤ . 01; familial standardized incidence ratios ranged from 1.64 to 9.50. Family sizes ranged from 546 to 22 291 descendants. CONCLUSIONS Sibs have increased RR for infantile hemangiomas, suggesting a potential genetic contribution to this likely multifactorial disease. Identification of large families with distantly related individuals will be helpful for future shared segment identification analyses.
Is There Evidence of an Information and Communication Technology Labour Shortage in the Canadian Labour Force Survey?

Abstract:De l’avis de certains, il existe une pénurie persistante et continue de travailleurs spécialisés en technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) au Canada. Les auteurs analysent cette thèse dans le contexte des microdonnées confidentielles de l’Enquête sur la population active du Canada entre 1987 et 2016. Dans les professions liées aux TIC, ces données semblent indiquer une croissance des heures de travail par employé, des heures supplémentaires travaillées et de l’embauche d’employés inexpérimentés du milieu des années 1990 jusqu’au début des années 2000, tendances qui ne persistent cependant pas au-delà de cette période. Certains faits tendent à prouver que le resserrement du marché du travail dans le secteur des TIC aurait été atténué grâce à l’immigration plutôt que qu’à des hausses salariales, ce qui a sans doute émoussé la motivation des résidents canadiens en âge de fréquenter l’université et le collège à acquérir une formation et embrasser une carrière dans le domaine des TIC.Abstract:It has been suggested that there is a persistent and continuing shortage of information and communication technology (ICT) workers in Canada. We examine this claim in the context of confidential microdata from the Canadian Labour Force Survey for 1987–2016. For ICT-related occupations, there are indications of increases in hours per employee, overtime, and junior hiring from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, but these tendencies do not persist beyond this period. There is some evidence that any tightness in the ICT labour market beyond the early 2000s may have been relieved by immigration rather than by wage increases, arguably dulling the incentives for Canadian residents of university and college age to train for and to pursue ICT careers.
Monitoring of health-related quality of life and symptoms in prostate cancer survivors: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Routine symptom and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments can engage patients, give provider feedback, and improve doctor/patient communication. OBJECTIVE We compared the impact of a technology-assisted symptom monitoring system versus usual care on HRQOL and doctor/patient communication in early-stage prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. METHODS Men (N = 94) were on average 62-years old, mostly African American (AA; 61.7%), and 10-19 months post-treatment. They were randomized to symptom monitoring plus feedback (SM + F; n = 49) or usual care (UC; n = 45). SM+F participants completed a 12-item telephoneassisted monitoring intervention. All participants completed a baseline and 2 follow-up interviews. RESULTS Among the SM+F participants, perceptions of the monitoring system were positive: 97.1% endorsed it as easy/very easy to use and 85% felt all patients could benefit from it. At baseline, men reported favorable general and cancer-specific HRQOL and doctor/patient communication, but poorer urinary and sexual function. Although there was no overall impact of the intervention, post hoc exploratory analyses indicated that among AA men, those who received SM+F improved relative to UC on doctor/patient communication (P < .05), general HRQOL (P < .06), and sexual function (P < .05). LIMITATIONS Variability in survivor follow-up care, limited access to eligible participants, and minimal physician training in the use of reports likely decreased physician investment. CONCLUSION Overall, PCa survivors were receptive to this monitoring system. Exploratory analyses suggest that this technology-assisted monitoring system may be of particular benefit to African American men. Additional studies with larger samples, more intervention time-points, and increased physician training are needed to strengthen the intervention's impact.