Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactions between supermarket proximity and educational attainment predict likelihood of overweight and obesity in Cambridgeshire , UK

We aimed to examine associations between supermarket proximity and education, with body weight, overweight and obesity. Also, we examined the magnitude and excess risk of overweight and obesity associated with poorest supermarket access and lowest education combined, relative to those with greatest supermarket access and highest education. This was a population based, cross sectional study, using individual level participant data and objectively measured supermarket proximity. Adults participated in the Fenland Study, Cambridgeshire, UK (n=9702, aged 29-64 years), and provided home addresses. Major chain supermarket locations were provided by local authorities. Supermarket proximity was calculated as the shortest street network distance from home address to nearest supermarket. Proximity was divided into tertiles. Educational attainment groups were: lowest (≤11 years of education), middle (11-13 years) and highest (>13 years). Main outcome measures were measured body mass index; overweight and obesity body mass index cut-offs as defined by the World Health Organization. In adjusted multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression models, participants living farthest away from a supermarket had higher body mass index (β coefficient=0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.81; P<0.001) and odds of obesity (odds ratio 1.27, 1.11 to 1.44), relative to those living closest, with evidence of dose-response associations. Lower education was also independently associated with higher body mass index and odds of obesity. Those least educated and living farthest away from their nearest supermarket were 4.29 (3.20 to 5.76) times more likely to be obese, relative to those highest educated and living closest. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) for obesity was 0.37, suggesting positive additive interaction between education and supermarket proximity. Results for overweight were similar. Poorer supermarket access and lower education were independently associated with higher body weight and greater likelihood of overweight and obesity, and in combination, with a fourfold greater likelihood of being obese. Evidence of additive interaction suggests excess risk of overweight and obesity associated with having both poor supermarket access and low education. These findings contribute to our understanding of observed and continued socioeconomic inequalities in weight status in the UK.
THE SEARCH FOR A SUPERIOR ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE SYNERGISTIC COMBINATIONS TO PREVENT OXIDATIVE DAMAGE

THE SEARCH FOR A SUPERIOR ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE SYNERGISTIC COMBINATIONS TO PREVENT OXIDATIVE DAMAGE Amy Marie Clement Department of Microbiology and Molecular Master of Science One of the matchless ironies of the human body is its requirement for the highly reactive oxygen molecule, which has been clearly implicated in many diseases and the aging processes. Oxidants produced by metabolic processes damage cells by starting chemical chain reactions including oxidation of DNA and proteins as well as lipid peroxidation. Damage to DNA can cause mutations and lead to cancer if not reversed by DNA repair mechanisms. Damage to proteins causes enzyme inhibition, denaturation and protein degradation. Lipid peroxidation can cause cell lysis as well as creating mutagenic and carcinogenic by-products. The human body contains antioxidants and enzymes that together work to prevent oxidative damage to cellular components. By and large antioxidants either prevent these reactive oxygen species from being formed or remove them before they cause damage. There are many theories currently that tout the superior nature of diverse antioxidant combinations. One such theory is by Dr. Lester Packer of The University of California at Berkley. Dr. Packer puts forth the hypothesis that there is a superlative combination of five antioxidants that have the ability to “recharge” one another both in the blood plasma and intracellularly. This would result in a greater quality of antioxidant protection for an extended time. The current study evaluates Dr. Packer’s theory of antioxidant combination from his book The Antioxidant Miracle. The decay rate of the antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, lipoic acid, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10 alone and in combination were determined using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay. The majority of the antioxidants retained activity for longer periods of time when tested alone, rather than in combination as Dr. Packer’s theory would suggest. The assay was also preformed (using the same antioxidants and combinations) on oxidatively damaged Raji cancer cells. Cell viability and uptake of antioxidants into the cytoplasm were monitored. Finally, a variety of multivitamins were subjected to the ORAC assay and their antioxidant capacity compared to that of the “Packer Combination”. The results suggest that multivitamins are superior antioxidants than the Packer ratio listed in The Antioxidant Miracle.
Everyday problem solving

Within the cognitive aging literature, everyday problem-solving research has gained momentum as proponents point to the value added by using such an approach (see Allaire & Marsiske, 2002). Comments This chapter is published as Margrett, J. A. , Allaire, J. A. , fs Neely, T. , **Daugherty, K. , & **Weatherbee, S. (2010). Everyday problem solving. In J. Cavanaugh & C. Cavanaugh (Eds.), Aging in America: Volume 1 Psychological Aspects, 79-101. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishing. Posted with permission. This book chapter is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/hdfs_pubs/66
DNA Nano Devices as a Biased Random Walk Process: A Case Study of Isothermal Ratchet?

Computation and amplification processes based on Networks of Chemical Reactions are at the heart of our understanding of the regulation and error correction of life systems. The recent advances in DNA nanotechnology, with the creation of the modular structures origamis and the development of dynamical networks using the toe hold mediated strand displacement, open fertile areas to construct Hierarchical Cascades of Chemical Reactions with an increasing complexity inspired from systems in biology. DNA strands have the great advantage to design autonomous and homogeneous Networks of Chemical Reactions leaving aside companion chemical reactions as it occurs in biological systems. In the present paper, we use the Fokker Planck equation to extract predictions that address a wider class of systems beyond the case of diluted solutions. We introduce the concept of toehold strength and output strength that leads to an exponential square dependence of the toehold strength divided by the output strength on the escape rate and the probability for the output strand to leave the gate. We highlight the influence of the boundary conditions that may have an important consequence in confined environment when modular structures like origamis are employed.
Hypertension in pregnant women: a view from the perspective of the European recommendations 2018

The problem of arterial hypertension (HTN) in pregnant women is very important due to its high prevalence and severity of consequences for the mother and fetus. In Russia, hypertension is diagnosed in 5–30% pregnant women, with the increasing trend in the past decades. HTN is a risk factor for complications, both for the mother, the fetus and newborn, so HTN remains the leading cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality. HTN in pregnant women is a signifcant predictor of cardiovascular disease in the future. It is also a social problem considering the increase in the cost of treatment, i.e. related to the repeated hospitalizations after childbirth. In 2018, new European recommendations on cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy and European recommendations on HTN (the latter ones include special sections devoted to hypertension in pregnant women) were published. These recommendations provide the latest data on the classifcation, diagnosis and treatment of HTN in pregnant women. Currently, methyldopa is still the frst-line drug for the treatment of HTN in pregnant women, which has proved to be an effective and safe medication in pregnant women.
Deposition and characterization of laser-ablated silicon

DEPOSITION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LASER-ABLATED SILICON by Wenwen Luo Laser ablation is a powerful thin film deposition and material processing technology. In the Nonlinear Nanostructure Lab at NJIT, silicon films deposited by laser ablation have been studied for the potential applications in nonlinear optoelectronic devices. The previous studies have suggested that the deposited silicon has a hexagonal symmetry, being a polymorph of silicon that previously has been obtained only at very high pressure. This thesis is part of the continuous study and characterization of this new structure. The objective of the research was to gain better understanding of the hexagonal silicon properties as well as the mechanism that lead to hexagonal silicon formation. The laser ablation of the silicon nanostructure was done with nanosecond pulsed 532 nm ultraviolet laser in vacuum chamber. Different substrates of quartz and aluminum-coated quartz were used. The ablated silicon film consists of a smooth featureless matrix embedded with crystalline droplets. The micro-Raman spectra measurements revealed that the droplets have a hexagonal symmetry. The topographical properties were studied with combination of scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. And its mechanical properties were investigated by nanoidentation using scanning force microscope. The effects of annealing were studied under different temperature and annealing ambient. The annealing conditions that convert the hexagonal silicon to cubic diamond silicon were established. Based on the study, a tentative mechanism of forming the hexagonal silicon was proposed. DEPOSITION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LASER-ABLATED SILICON
Organizational Learning and Corporate Diversification Performance

This study investigates the role of organizational learning on the valuation effects of corporate diversification. The empirical findings suggest that corporate diversification reduces shareholders' wealth. However, consistent with the absorptive capacity viewpoint of organizational learning, diversification performance depends on repetitive and accumulative experiences that relate to a firm's prior diversification activity and/or a firm's experience in operating in multiple-business segments. Specifically, single-business firms that diversify once demonstrate significant value reduction. In contrast, multi-business firms that diversify once do not demonstrate value reduction, while single/multi-business firms that diversify multiple times demonstrate value creation. Findings also reveal that performance is conditional on the mode of diversification since internal growth diversification shows higher valuation effects than diversifications through acquisitions. These findings contribute to the literature by affirming the importance of organizational learning, a cognitive and behavioral perspective, in explaining the valuation effect of corporate diversification.
Diagnosis of the Content of Selected Heavy Metals in the Soils of the Pałuki Region Against their Enzymatic Activity

Abstract The paper presents the research results for the soils sampled from the area located in the eastern part of the Chodzieskie Lakes, between the Middle Noteć River Valley and the Wełna River Valley, the right tributary of the Warta River. The research involved 7 soil samples from the surface horizons, allocated to the cultivation of various plant species (cereals and vegetable crops). The following were determined in the soil material: the content of phytoavailable forms of selected heavy metals Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe and Mn, active and available to plants phosphorus against the activity of selected oxydo-reduction and hydrolytic enzymes. The soil under the vegetable crops showed a very high richness in phosphorus available to plants, which must have been related to an intensive fertilisation. There were identified relatively low contents of the available forms of the heavy metals investigated, the fact that points to their natural content in soil, which triggered the inhibition of neither the oxydo-reduction nor hydrolytic enzymes. Streszczenie W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań gleb pobranych z terenu leżącego we wschodniej części Pojezierza Chodzieskiego, znajdującego się pomiędzy Doliną Środkowej Noteci, a doliną Wełny, prawego dopływu Warty. Badaniom poddano 7 próbek glebowych pobranych z poziomów powierzchniowych, przeznaczonych pod uprawę różnych gatunków roślin (zboża i warzywa). W materiale glebowym oznaczono zawartość fi todostępnych form wybranych metali ciężkich Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe i Mn, aktywnego oraz przyswajalnego dla roślin fosforu na tle aktywności wybranych enzymów oksydoredukcyjnych i hydrolitycznych. Badana gleba spod roślin warzywnych charakteryzowała się bardzo wysoką zasobnością w fosfor przyswajalny dla roślin, co miało związek najprawdopodobniej z intensywnym nawożeniem. stwierdzono. Stwierdzono stosunkowo niskie zawartości form przyswajalnych badanych metali ciężkich, co świadczy o naturalnej ich zawartości w glebie, która nie spowodowała inhibicji badanych enzymów oksydoredukcyjnych jak i hydrolitycznych
Effect of working capital management on stock return and profitability (elected glassmaking companies of Iran)

Working capital management means the balance between the current assets and liabilities, so that this balance can timely meet the needs of components of working capital management. In this study, the effect of working capital management is investigated on return on stock and profitability of elected glassmaking companies. So, four components, including collection period, inventory turnover period, accounts payable period and cash conversion cycle, are considered as the components of working capital management (independent variable) and their effects on return on stock and profitability (dependent variable) is investigated in forms of four questions. The statistical population of this study is composed of 5 glassmaking companies, including Glass and Gas, Mina glassmaking, Hamadan glass, Takestan glass and Razi glassmaking, that their data had been investigated during 2009 to 2013. The results show that collection period and accounts payable period have a significant effect on efficiency and profitability of the mentioned companies. And also, the inventory turnover and cash conversion cycle have a significant effect on returns on stock.
Terameprocol effect in the proliferation and apoptosis of SMCs in PAH

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and lethal disease, characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature due to excessive cellular proliferation and decreased apoptosis. These alterations lead to increased pulmonary arterial resistance and pressure, culminating in right heart failure. The current treatment is limited, not affording a cure and thus, more research is needed to find new therapeutic targets. In this context, targeting survivin, a molecule that inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation and reported to be increased in PAH, seems promising. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of terameprocol, an antagonist of survivin, in the proliferation and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in PAH. We used the experimental model of PAH induced by monocrotaline (MCT). Wistar rats were injected with MCT (60 mg/kg, sc) to induce the disease and after 21 days, they were euthanized, their heart and lungs were removed and the pulmonary artery from the left upper lobe was dissected. The adventitia and intima were removed from the artery and the smooth muscle cells from the media were isolated through an enzymatic method. The resultant primary cultures of smooth muscle cells were treated with different concentrations of terameprocol. Then, assays were performed to evaluate smooth muscle cell apoptosis (TUNEL assay) and proliferation (BrdU and trypan blue exclusion assays). The results showed that terameprocol inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from rats with MCT-induced PAH, suggesting that survivin pathway can be seen as a new therapeutic target to be explored in PAH.
Preliminary Investigation on the Development of a Lower Extremity Exoskeleton for Gait Rehabilitation: A Clinical Consideration

Gait disorder is the inability of one to maintain balance, assume upright position nor the aptitude to initiate and sustain rhythmic stepping. This form of abnormality may originate from cerebellar disease, stroke, spinal injury, cardiac disease or other general conditions that may instigate such disorder. Studies have shown that one’s mobility may be improved with continuous locomotor activity. Conventional rehabilitation therapy is deemed too laborious as well as cost demanding. Rehabilitation robotics have been explored to address the drawbacks of conventional rehabilitation therapy and the increasing demand for gait rehabilitation. Clinical considerations are often taken for granted amongst other design considerations. This paper attempts a review of the clinical considerations as well as reporting preliminary findings on the development of the iMAMS lower extremity rehabilitation exoskeleton.
The determinants of student loan take-up in the United Kingdom: another gaze

This paper makes a comparison and contrast with the work of Johnes (1994). A similar set of survey results are employed to identify the variables which influence undergraduates' decision to take out student loans. In general income factors are not found to be significant. There is evidence that being in debt is influential. This concurs with Johnes' findings, although in this research credit card debts are also found to be a significant influence. The results suggest that marital status has a significant effect on taking out a loan, but the direction of the effect opposes Johnes results.
A Comparison Study of Mechanism : Cu 2 + Adsorption on Different Adsorbents and Their Surface-Modified Adsorbents

The isothermal adsorption kinetics of Cu onto Carbon Black (CB) and Oxidized Carbon Black (OCB) were studied under different solution conditions and compared with bentonite and organic bentonite with the hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA). The adsorption capacities followed the order of OCB > CB > organic bentonite > bentonite, which was consistent with the orders of their surface roughness and specific surface area. The Fourier transmission infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to explore the adsorption mechanism at molecular level. The adsorption process onto CB was physical adsorption. However, with the increase of oxygen-containing functional groups (C=O, C-O, and CNO), the chelation adsorption onto OCB became gradually dominant except physical adsorption. The ion exchange adsorption was the major adsorption mechanism of bentonite. The compounds were introduced into clay interlayer by complexing reaction with Cu, which improved the adsorption capacity of organic bentonite. The results present a significant implication for the environmental fate assessment of heavy metal pollution.
Contract Farming Checklist: a tool for reflection on critical issues in contract farming arrangements in developing countries

opportunities and risks. Investment proposals are frequently based on optimistic assumptions without thoroughly analyzing the probabilities that things may go out of hand. In this checklist we list issues that you need to resolve and anticipate when embarking on contract farming. Further information is available in the “Sense and Sensibilities in Contract Farming: tool for reflection on critical issues in contract farming arrangements in developing countries”.
Revitalizing Ecotourism for a Sustainable Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve

Ecotourism is often perceived as an excellent tool for promoting sustainable development in most of the protected and special areas, including the Biosphere Reserve (BR). In fact, ecotourism can help to revive a declining tourist destination as it preserves nature and support rehabilitation and most importantly, it fits well with the Biosphere Reserve functions of conservation, development and logistics. This article aims to analyse the life cycle of Tasik Chini as an ecotourism destination, by focusing on the following aspects, namely travel engagement, ecotourism approaches and revitalization initiatives. This study utilized a mixed method approach by combining the primary and secondary data in tracing the evolution, development and the existing stage of ecotourism. The study reveals that the four major components which drive ecotourism program/initiatives toward achieving sustainable development are the state of ecotourism in the BR, the targeted segments of the community, the extent of community involvement as well as the supportive infrastructure for ecotourism. As ecotourism in the BR significantly promotes learning and research, smart partnership or collaboration between the stakeholders will help generate true eco-tourists. It is therefore imperative that ecotourism initiatives in the context of the BR is revitalised as it will enable a reflective analysis of the destination’s life cycle. The intervention of credible initiatives can fulfil the real and future roles of ecotourism in sustainable development.
A REVIEW ON ROBUST FACE DETECTIONMETHOD USING GABOR WAVELETS

This paper describes a face detection method using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Gabor filters. This method achieves rotation invariant and extremely high face detection rate using Gabor wavelets. Gabor filters have optimal localization properties in both spatial and frequency domain. By using these desirable characteristics, Gabor filters extract facial features from the local image. These extracted features work as the input to image classifier which is a Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN). This network works on a reduced feature subspace learned by an approach simpler than principal component analysis (PCA). Face classification is currently implemented in software. This study gives an impression of Gabor filters in image processing and emphasis on its characteristics of spatial locality and orientation selectivity.