Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Occupational and Environmental Risk Factors of Self-Reported Asthma: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Seven Chinese Cities

Objective: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, few data on occupational and environmental risk factors of asthma are available, particularly in Asian adults. Based on a national cross-sectional survey, we assessed the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 9974 participants aged 15 years and over in seven Chinese cities were selected using a stratified four-stage random sampling. All participants were interviewed face-to-face in their homes using a standardized self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to determine various risk factors for asthma. Results: The prevalence of self-reported lifetime asthma was 2.46% among the entire adult population, 3.02% among males and 1.93% among females. The prevalence varied by age group, ethnicity, marital status, education, and floor space per person (p < 0.05). After adjusting for socio-demographic variables and smoking, we found independent occupational and environmental determinants of asthma, including a clearance-related job (OR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.07–4.89), occupational exposure to industrial or occupational poisonous gas (OR = 4.21, 95%CI: 2.43–7.30), having large amounts of carpet in the workplace (OR = 2.61, 95%CI: 1.20–5.69) and using coal for cooking (OR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.26–5.57). Conclusions: Asthma is a serious public health problem in China. Our study provides important updated information on the prevalence of asthma and its associated risk factors, which may help us better understand the epidemiology of asthma and prevent this disorder.
Incorporation of new information into prefrontal cortical activity after learning working memory tasks

The ability to learn new tasks requires that new information is integrated into neural systems that already support other behaviors. To study how new information is incorporated into neural representations, we analyzed single-unit recordings from the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region important for task acquisition and working memory, before and after monkeys learned to perform two behavioral tasks. A population-decoding analysis revealed a large increase in task-relevant information, and smaller changes in stimulus-related information, after training. This new information was contained in dynamic patterns of neural activity, with many individual neurons containing the new task-relevant information for only relatively short periods of time in the midst of other large firing rate modulations. Additionally, we found that stimulus information could be decoded with high accuracy only from dorsal PFC, whereas task-relevant information was distributed throughout both dorsal and ventral PFC. These findings help resolve a controversy about whether PFC is innately specialized to process particular types of information or whether its responses are completely determined by task demands by showing there is both regional specialization within PFC that was present before training, as well as more widespread task-relevant information that is a direct result of learning. The results also show that information is incorporated into PFC through the emergence of a small population of highly selective neurons that overlay new signals on top of patterns of activity that contain information about previously encoded variables, which gives insight into how information is coded in neural activity.
A non-main-sequence secondary in SY Cancri

Simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of the Z Cam type dwarf nova SY Cancri were used to obtain absolute flux calibrations. A comparison of the photometric calibration with a wide slit spectrophotometric calibration showed that either method is equally satisfactory. A radial velocity study of the secondary star, made using the far red NaI doublet, yielded a mass ratio q = 0.68; this is very different from the value of 1.13 quoted in the literature. Using the new lower mass ratio, and constraining the mass of the white dwarf to be within reasonable limits, then leads to a mass for the secondary star that is substantially less than would be expected for its orbital period if it satisfied a main-sequence mass-radius relationship. We find a spectral type of M0 that is consistent with that expected for a main-sequence star of the low mass we have found. However, in order to fill its Roche lobe, the secondary must be significantly larger than a main sequence star of that mass and spectral type. The secondary is definitely not a normal main-sequence star.
Increased Expression and Activity of the Transcription Factor FOXO1 in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

OBJECTIVE—Nonalcoholic fatty liver, affecting 34% of the U.S. population, is characterized by hepatic insulin resistance, which is more marked in the presence of steatohepatitis, and frequently precedes hyperglycemia. The molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between fatty liver and insulin resistance are still undergoing definition and have not been evaluated in humans. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance and the expression and regulation of forkhead box–containing protein O subfamily-1 (FOXO1), a transcription factor that mediates the effect of insulin on the gluconeogenic genes PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6PC). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—FOXO1, PEPCK, and G6PC mRNA levels were evaluated in 84 subjects: 26 with steatohepatitis, 28 with steatosis alone, 14 with normal liver histology without metabolic alterations, and 16 with hepatitis C virus chronic hepatitis, of whom 8 were with and 8 were without steatosis. Protein expression and regulation of FOXO1 and upstream insulin signaling were analyzed in a subset. RESULTS—Expression of PEPCK was higher in steatohepatitis compared with steatosis alone and normal liver, and it was correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. FOXO1 mRNA levels were higher in steatohepatitis, correlated with PEPCK and G6PC mRNA and with HOMA-IR. FOXO1 upregulation was confirmed at protein levels in steatohepatitis and, in the presence of oxidative stress, was associated with decreased Ser256 phosphorylation, decreased Akt1, and increased Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1 activity. Consistently, immunohistochemistry showed increased FOXO1 expression and nuclear localization in steatohepatitis. FOXO1 mRNA levels correlated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis activity score and were modulated by drugs counteracting hepatic lipogenesis. CONCLUSIONS—FOXO1 expression and activity are increased in patients with steatohepatitis, and mRNA levels are correlated with hepatic insulin resistance.
Kant's theory of experience

ii Acknowledgements . v Note on Sources and Translations . vi General Introduction . 1 0.1 The Viewpoint of Empirical Realism . 1 0.2 Experience and Empirical Knowledge . 3 0.3 Experience, Sensation, and the Representation of Objects . 13 0.4 Locating Kant Among the Isms . 19 0.5 Intuition and Perception . 24 Part I Sensibility and Sensation . 33 1.1 The Internal Structure of Sensibility . 34 1.1.1 The Basic Model . 35 1.1.2 The Supplemented Model . 40 1.1.3 Naturalness and Semantic Normativity . 46 1.1. 4 Naturalness and Passivity . 51 1.1. 5 Two Conceptions of Sensation . 56 1.1. 6 The Reproductive Imagination . 64 1.1. 7 The Complex Model: A Summary Description and Diagram . 72 1.2 Consciousness and Sensibility . 75 1.2.1 The Problem: Two Kinds of Consciousness. 77 1.2.2 The Solution: The Parasitic Nature of Thin Consciousness . 79 Part II Understanding and Experience . 85 2.1 The Internal Structure of the Understanding . 86 2.1.1 A Note on Imaginative Synthesis . 90 2.1.2 A Two-Stage Model of Conceptual Synthesis . 97 Kant’s Theory of Experience iv 2.1.2.1 Stage I: Schematic Categorisation . 97 2.1.2.2 Stage II: Empirical Determination . 104 2.1.3 Kant’s Weak Non-Conceptualism . 111 2.1. 4 Experience and Reason . 118 2.1. 4.1 Judgemental Structure and Rational Ground . 118 2.1. 4.2 Rational Ground and the Spectrum Conception . 123 2.1. 4.3 Semantic Normativity Again . 128 2.1. 4. α Section Appendix: The Logical Space of Reasons. 133 2.1. 5 Constraint Level I: World-Experience . 141 2.1. 5.1 Conceptual Functions . 141 2.1. 5.2 Spontaneity Again . 149 2.1. 6 Constraint Level II: Experience-Thought . 154 2.1. 6.1 Learning Concepts From Experience . 154 2.1. 6.2 Arguments From Nurture and From Nature . 161 2.2 Non-Veridicality . 165 2.2.1 Naïve Realism . 166 2.2.1.1 Defining the View . 166 2.2.1.2 Intuition Again . 169 2.2.1.3 More Systematic Problems . 178 2.2.2 Hallucination and Illusion . 184 Conclusion . 192 Citations Index . 198 Bibliography . 201 Kant’s Theory of Experience
Associations between Peer Relationships and Depressive Symptoms

Popularity and friendship are distinct constructs within the domain of peer relationships, and each is related to children's adjustment. The current study extended earlier research by testing whether the relations of popularity and friendship quality to depressive symptoms are moderated by age and gender. Participants (166 fifth graders, 156 eighth graders) completed rating scales about peers to assess popularity and self-report questionnaires to assess friendship quality and depressive symptoms. Friendship quality and popularity were correlated significantly, but the magnitude of the association was small Although friendship quality and popularity each made an independent contribution to predicting depressive symptoms, the association between popularity and symptoms of depression was stronger for girls than for boys. Possible explanations for the differing associations for boys and/or girls are discussed.
PILOT STUDY OF TEACHER BURNOUT IN GEORGIAN CONTEXT

Modern schools have multiple demands to teachers causing prolonged stress often resulting in professional burnout. Research on teacher burnout is conducted at various countries of the world. Taking into account the significance of such research, two pilot research studies were conducted in Georgia. The objectives of the studies were to test the hypothesis that the majority of Georgian teachers are experiencing high burnout and simultaneously to test the adopted translated instruments for measuring burnout and proactive coping strategies. The first study surveyed 85 subjects and the second study - 193 subjects. For conducting pilot surveys an abridged version of Maslach–Burnout Self Test in combination with Greenglass’s 4 point-scale Proactive Coping Inventory and Maslach Educators Survey (MBI-ES) translated into Georgian language were used. The results of the first pilot study, in contrary to the hypothesis expecting to identify high burnout among Georgian teachers, showed that teachers have little signs of burnout and have high and moderate coping skills. In the second pilot study the hypothesis was partially confirmed in the Emotional Exhaustion aspect of burnout. For Emotional Exhaustion subscale the majority of the surveyed teachers showed moderate and high burnout. Teachers showed high scores on Personal Accomplishment subscale and low burnout on Depersonalization subscale. Key words: burnout, coping, distress, stress, teacher.
Students, Peers and Teacher's Strategies As a Measure of Effective Classroom Assessment and the Value of Triangulation

The study examined the rate of secondary school students performance in mathematics using self, peer and teachers assessment strategies. It also assessed the impact of the combination of the three strategies with a view of determining the value of Triangulation. The study adopted survey design using pre-test and post-test quasi experiment. The sample size consisted of 60 students in Senior Secondary School Class Two. The instrument was a Mathematics Teacher’s developed items administered to students thrice and assessed at intervals of four weeks of instructions, by teacher, peers and students self assessment strategies. This was followed by a post-test administered and scored by the class teacher. The students scores were recorded and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results revealed that there was a significant linear relationship between students’ performance and peer assessment r=0.632, P 0.05. Since the coefficient for determination in triangulation was the highest, (R=0.49) the study concluded the combination of the three strategies.
Establishing Bedding Requirements during Transport and Monitoring Skin Temperature during Cold and Mild Seasons after Transport for Finishing Pigs

Simple Summary Typically, bedding is used to improve pig comfort and welfare during transport. This study assesses the level of bedding required during transport of finishing pigs in semi-truck trailers. The present study shows that adding more than six bales/trailer of bedding in cold weather and more than three bales/trailer of bedding in mild weather provides no benefit to the pigs. Economic forces would not favor increased bedding with no benefit. Use of infrared thermography may provide a useful tool to indicate when cooling interventions are needed during warm weather. Abstract The broad aim of this study was to determine whether bedding level in the transport trailer influenced pig performance and welfare. Specifically, the objective was to define the bedding requirements of pigs during transportation in commercial settings during cold and mild weather. Animals (n = 112,078 pigs on 572 trailers) used were raised in commercial finishing sites and transported in trailers to commercial processing plants. Dead on arrival (DOA), non-ambulatory (NA), and total dead and down (D&D) data were collected and skin surface temperatures of the pigs were measured by infrared thermography. Data were collected during winter (Experiment 1) and fall/spring (Experiment 2). Total D&D percent showed no interaction between bedding level and outside air temperature in any experiments. Average skin surface temperature during unloading increased with outside air temperature linearly in both experiments (P < 0.01). In conclusion, over-use of bedding may be economically inefficient. Pig skin surface temperature could be a useful measure of pig welfare during or after transport.
La construcción del discurso acerca de la diversidad y sus prácticas

Desentrañar el mundo de los significados de la diversidad o de la diferencia y ver qué se ha querido hacer de ellas es un camino para desenmascarar prácticas, afinar objetivos, tomar conciencia y poder gobernar de forma algo más reflexiva los procesos de cambio, ahora que las reformas educativas enarbolan, entre otros, el eslogan de la diversificación; un programa que concita apoyos de muy variado signo.
An empirical resource for discovering cognitive principles of discourse organisation: the ANNODIS corpus

This paper describes the ANNODIS resource, a discourse-level annotated corpus for French. The corpus combines two perspectives on discourse: a bottom-up approach and a top-down approach. The bottom-up view incrementally builds a structure from elementary discourse units, while the top-down view focuses on the selective annotation of multi-level discourse structures. The corpus is composed of texts that are diversified with respect to genre, length and type of discursive organisation. The methodology followed here involves an iterative design of annotation guidelines in order to reach satisfactory inter-annotator agreement levels. This allows us to raise a few issues relevant for the comparison of such complex objects as discourse structures. The corpus also serves as a source of empirical evidence for discourse theories. We present here two first analyses taking advantage of this new annotated corpus --one that tested hypotheses on constraints governing discourse structure, and another that studied the variations in composition and signalling of multi-level discourse structures.
Identification of appropriate cone length to avoid positive cone margin in high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective To identify key factors for predicting positive cone margin and appropriate cone length. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the margin status of patients who received conization with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, along with other factors such as patient age, parity, preoperative cytology, size of disease, type of transformation zone, and cone length from patient records. Cut-off value of cone length was analyzed in women younger than 40 years old because we design conization with minimum length especially for women who wish for future pregnancy. Cut-off value of cone length was defined as length corresponds to estimated probability of positive cone margin equal to 0.1 by logistic regression analysis with variables selected by stepwise methods. Results Among 300 patients, 75 patients had positive cone margin. Multivariable analysis revealed that squamous cell carcinoma at preoperative cytology (p=0.001), 2 or more quadrant disease (p=0.011), and shorter cone length (p<0.001) were risk factors for positive cone margin. Stepwise methods identified cone length and size of lesion as important variables. With this condition, cut-off value of cone length was estimated as 15 mm in single quadrant disease and 20 mm in 2 or more quadrant disease, respectively. Conclusion We identified the independent risk factors of positive cone margin and identified the cut-off value of cone length to avoid positive cone margin in women younger than 40 years old. Conization should be performed not only according to colposcopic findings including type of transformation zone but size of disease and cone length.
Self-righting, steering and takeoff angle adjusting for a jumping robot

This paper presents a 9 cm × 7 cm × 12 cm, 154 g jumping robot with self-righting, steering, and takeoff angle adjusting capabilities. The quick energy releasing function of the jumping mechanism is implemented by using an eccentric cam. The self-righting, steering, and takeoff angle adjusting capabilities are achieved by adding a rotatable pole leg. The pole leg can prop up the body of the robot when it falls down. The pole leg can also steer the robot to turn at a step of about 24°. By adjusting the center of mass (COM), the robot can jump at different takeoff angles. Experimental results show that the constructed robot can jump more than 88 cm high at a takeoff angle of 82.7° and it can continuously jump to overcome stairs.
CONET: Controlled data packets propagation in vehicular Named Data Networks

Named Data Networking (NDN) has been recently added to the future Internet family. NDN is basically an extension to the Content Centric Network (CCN) and is expected to support various applications. Those applications are to be supported by the future internet architectures. NDN believes in naming the content rather than using end-to-end device names. Recently, NDN has been adapted into Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) and hence, we name it Vehicular NDN (VNDN). At it's early stage, VNDN faces several challenges such as consumer/provider mobility, Interest/Data forwarding, content caching and so on. Mostly, VNDN relies on the fact that Data is sent back to the consumer via same path the Interest packet was received from. However, we analyzed that it's not true in a VANET and there is lack of discussion about managing the Data flow back to the consumers in the current literature of VNDN. In this paper, we therefore, pursue to control the data flooding/broadcast storm of the conventional VNDN by proposing our scheme “CONET”. The main idea of CONET is to allow the consumer vehicle to start hop counter in the Interest message and upon receiving that interest by any potential provider, to include Time To Live (TTL) value with data messages. The TTL value includes the number of hops, Data packets should travel on its way back to the consumer. Simulation results show that CONET forwards less Copies of Data Messages Processed (CDMP) while achieving similar Interest Satisfaction Rate (ISR) as the basic VNDN. In addition, CONET also minimizes the overall Interest Satisfaction Delay (ISD), respectively.
Stability and Change among Three Generations of Mexican-Americans: Factors Affecting Achievement

One of the largest ethnic sub-groups in the United States consists of the Mexican-Americans. According to the 1960 census, approximately 87 percent of the estimated total Spanish surname group of 3,800,000 resided in the Southwest. The largest concentrations were in California and Texas; nonetheless, in New Mexico Spanish-surname people comprised forty percent of the total population of the state (Burma, 1960).
Timing Foreign Exchange Markets

To improve short-horizon exchange rate forecasts, we employ foreign exchange market risk factors as fundamentals, and Bayesian treed Gaussian process (BTGP) models to handle non-linear, time-varying relationships between these fundamentals and exchange rates. Forecasts from the BTGP model conditional on the carry and dollar factors dominate random walk forecasts on accuracy and economic criteria in the Meese-Rogoff setting. Superior market timing ability for large moves, more than directional accuracy, drives the BTGP’s success. We explain how, through a model averaging Monte Carlo scheme, the BTGP is able to simultaneously exploit smoothness and rough breaks in between-variable dynamics. Either feature in isolation is unable to consistently outperform benchmarks throughout the full span of time in our forecasting exercises. Trading strategies based on ex ante BTGP forecasts deliver the highest out-of-sample risk-adjusted returns for the median currency, as well as for both predictable, traded risk factors.
Intercorrelations among milk production traits and body and udder measurements in Holstein heifers.

Data from 1341 Holstein heifers of 71 sires were used to study heritabilities of and genetic and phenotypic correlations among milk production traits (308-d milk, front and rear half yields), body measurements (heart girth, withers height, body length, and rump length), udder measurements (front teat length and diameter, rear teat length and diameter, teat distance and udder height), and age at first calving. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated by the multitrait restricted maximum likelihood method. Multitrait estimates of heritability ranged from . 37 to . 47 for first lactation yield traits, from . 19 to . 51 for body measurements, and from . 08 to . 41 for udder measurements. Age at first calving averaged 22.3 mo with a heritability estimate of . 11. Milk production traits were all positively correlated with body measurements, suggesting that high producing heifers would be taller, larger, and longer than low producing heifers. Multitrait estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations between udder height and yield traits were all negative, suggesting that high producing heifers tend to have lower udders. Of four body measurements studied, rump length showed the greatest genetic correlations with yield traits. Among six udder measurements, udder height exhibited the highest degree of associations with yield traits. Thus, rump length and udder height merit greater attention for prediction of lactational performance.