Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploration of the associations of touch-screen tablet computer usage and musculoskeletal discomfort.

BACKGROUND Tablet users may be at high risk of developing physical discomfort because of their usage behaviors and tablet design. OBJECTIVE Investigate the usage of tablets, variations in head and neck posture associated with different tablet tilt angles, and the association of tablet use with users' musculoskeletal discomfort. METHODS A survey of users' subjective perceptions conducted by questionnaire and measurements of users' postures by a 3D Motion analysis system was used to explore the effects of tablet use. RESULTS The questionnaire results indicated that over half of the participants reported physical discomfort after using tablets, with the most prevalent discomfort in the neck and shoulders, and more intensity of discomfort for the back although only few participants experienced it. Chi-squared tests indicated that significantly more participants who tended to use tablet computers to play games reported having musculoskeletal discomfort after using a tablet. In addition, preferences for tablet tilt angles varied across tasks (reading and game playing). The results from the 3D motion analysis revealed that head and neck flexion angles were significantly reduced when the tablets were positioned at relatively steep tilt angles. Neck flexion angle was significantly higher in game playing. CONCLUSIONS These data add information regarding to the usage of tablet and its associations with physical discomfort (significantly more participants who tended to use tablet computers to play games reported having musculoskeletal discomfort after using a tablet). Steep tilt angles (such as 60°) may cause tablet users to decrease their head and neck flexion angles, which could lead to a more neutral, effortless, and ergonomically correct posture. Maintaining proper neck posture during active activities such as game playing is recommended to avoid neck discomfort.
Impact of temperature on performance in two species of South African dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum and B. occidentale

SUMMARY Temperature is an extrinsic factor that influences reptile behavior because of its impact on reptile physiology. Understanding the impact of temperature on performance traits is important as it may affect the ecology and fitness of ectothermic animals such as reptiles. Here, we examined the temperature dependence of performance in two species of South African dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion): one adapted to a semi-arid environment and one to a mesic environment. Ecologically relevant performance traits were tested at different temperatures to evaluate their thermal dependence, and temperature–performance breadths for 80% and 90% of each performance trait were calculated. Our results show distinct differences in the thermal dependence of speed- versus force-related performance traits. Moreover, our results show that the semi-arid species is better adapted to higher temperatures and as such has a better chance of coping with the predicted increases in environmental temperature. The mesic area-adapted species seems to be more sensitive to an increase in temperature and could therefore potentially be threatened by the predicted future climate change. However, further studies investigating the potential for acclimation in chameleons are needed to better understand how animals may respond to future climate change.
Migration et mutation des rapports familiaux

La proportion de femmes dans la population migrante turque totale ne cesse d’augmenter depuis les annees soixante. L’observation des comportements de ces migrantes dans les pays hotes ouest-europeens aboutit a l’analyse de changements significatifs dans la perception et l’action des femmes en situation migratoire. Nous tentons ici de souligner les processus de socialisation des migrantes de Turquie, en montrant les continuites et les ruptures avec les rapports sociaux de sexe et les modes de mobilisation de ces femmes dans la societe turque. Nous nous demandons dans quelle mesure l’insertion socio-economique dans le pays de residence et l’evolution des relations hommes/femmes interagissent. Nous verrons ainsi de quelle facon l’impact de la migration sur les femmes (meres et filles) influe sur leurs statuts social et familial, sur leurs roles, leurs perceptions et leurs valeurs.
Tests for Skewness, Kurtosis, and Normality for Time Series Data

We present the sampling distributions for the coefficient of skewness, kurtosis, and a joint test of normality for time series observations. We show that when the data are serially correlated, consistent estimates of three-dimensional long-run covariance matrices are needed for testing symmetry or kurtosis. These tests can be used to make inference about any conjectured coefficients of skewness and kurtosis. In the special case of normality, a joint test for the skewness coefficient of 0 and a kurtosis coefficient of 3 can be obtained on construction of a four-dimensional long-run covariance matrix. The tests are developed for demeaned data, but the statistics have the same limiting distributions when applied to regression residuals. Monte Carlo simulations show that the test statistics for symmetry and normality have good finite-sample size and power. However, size distortions render testing for kurtosis almost meaningless except for distributions with thin tails, such as the normal distribution. Combining skewness and kurtosis is still a useful test of normality provided that the limiting variance accounts for the serial correlation in the data. The tests are applied to 21 macroeconomic time series.
Ordeal Mechanisms and Training in the Provision of Subsidized Products in Developing Countries

The cost-effectiveness of policies providing welfare-enhancing products for free or at highly subsidized prices is often compromised by the fact that many individuals do not use the products provided. The cost-effectiveness of these distribution programs can thus be improved by either targeting products to individuals more likely to use the product being provided or by increasing usage among those receiving the product. In this paper we present the results of a field experiment testing two policy instruments designed to improve the cost-effectiveness of a program to distribute free eyeglasses to myopic children in rural China. We first study how well an ordeal mechanism—imposing a non-monetary cost on recipients to acquire a product—targets the provision of eyeglasses to those who would use them and saves program resources by screening out those who would not. Our second intervention aims to increase uptake and usage by providing a training program on the benefits of eyeglasses and addressing misinformation that contributes to low levels of usage. We test how both of these approaches independently and jointly affect the cost-effectiveness of the program and overall usage of eyeglasses. Our results imply that both interventions improve cost-effectiveness relative to pure free distribution without compromising the primary policy goal of increasing overall usage. Combining the two interventions, however, provides no additional benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness or increasing usage relative to either intervention alone.
Effect of Culture Conditions on the Production of an Extracellular Protease by Bacillus sp. Isolated from Soil Sample of Lavizan Jungle Park

Soil samples of Tehran jungle parks were screened for proteolytic Bacilli. Among eighteen protease producers one of the isolates obtained from Lavizan park, in north east of Tehran, was selected for further experimental studies. This isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. strain CR-179 based on partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. Various nutritional and environmental parameters affected protease production by Bacillus sp. strain CR-179. Protease production by this Bacillus cultivated in liquid cultures reached a maximum at 24 h, with levels of 340.908 U/mL. Starch and maltose were the best substrates for enzyme production while some pure sugars such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose could not influence production of protease. Among various organic nitrogen sources corn steep liquor, which is commercial, was found as the best substrate followed by yeast extract, whey protein, and beef extract. The optimal pH and optimal temperature of enzyme production were 8.0 and 45°C, respectively. Studies on enzymatic characterization revealed that crude protease showed maximum activity at pH 9.0 and 60°C, which is indicating the enzyme to be thermoalkaline protease.
Pair Housing of Dairy Calves and Age at Pairing: Effects on Weaning Stress, Health, Production and Social Networks

The early social environment can influence the health and behaviour of animals, with effects lasting into adulthood. In Europe, around 60% of dairy calves are reared individually during their first eight weeks of life, while others may be housed in pairs or small groups. This study assessed the effects of varying degrees of social contact on weaning stress, health and production during pen rearing, and on the social networks that calves later formed when grouped. Forty female Holstein-Friesian calves were allocated to one of three treatments: individually housed (I, n = 8), pair-housed from day five (P5, n = 8 pairs), and pair-housed from day 28 (P28, n = 8 pairs). From day 48, calves were weaned by gradual reduction of milk over three days, and vocalisations were recorded as a measure of stress for three days before, during and after weaning. Health and production (growth rate and concentrate intakes) were not affected by treatment during the weaning period or over the whole study. Vocalisations were highest post-weaning, and were significantly higher in I calves than pair-reared calves. Furthermore, P28 calves vocalised significantly more than P5 calves. The social network of calves was measured for one month after all calves were grouped in a barn, using association data from spatial proximity loggers. We tested for week-week stability, social differentiation and assortment in the calf network. Additionally, we tested for treatment differences in: coefficient of variation (CV) in association strength, percentage of time spent with ex-penmate (P5 and P28 calves only) and weighted degree centrality (the sum of the strength of an individual’s associations). The network was relatively stable from weeks one to four and was significantly differentiated, with individuals assorting based on prior familiarity. P5 calves had significantly higher CV in association strength than I calves in week one (indicating more heterogeneous social associations) but there were no significant treatment differences in week four. The mean percentage of time that individuals spent with their ex-penmate after regrouping decreased from weeks 1–4, though treatment did not affect this. There were also no significant differences in weighted degree centrality between calves in each rearing treatment. These results suggest that early pair-rearing can allow calves the stress buffering benefits of social support (and that this is more effective when calves are paired earlier) without compromising health or production, and sheds light on the early development of social behaviour in cattle.
A constraints-led perspective to understanding skill acquisition and game play: a basis for integration of motor learning theory and physical education praxis?

Background: In order to design appropriate environments for performance and learning of movement skills, physical educators need a sound theoretical model of the learner and of processes of learning. In physical education, this type of modelling informs the organisation of learning environments and effective and efficient use of practice time. An emerging theoretical framework in motor learning, relevant to physical education, advocates a constraints-led perspective for acquisition of movement skills and game play knowledge. This framework shows how physical educators could use task, performer and environmental constraints to channel acquisition of movement skills and decision-making behaviours in learners. From this viewpoint, learners generate specific movement solutions to satisfy the unique combination of constraints imposed on them, a process which can be harnessed during physical education lessons. Aims: In this paper the aim is to provide an overview of the motor learning approach emanating from the constraints-led perspective, and examine how it can substantiate a platform for a new pedagogical framework in physical education: nonlinear pedagogy. We aim to demonstrate that it is only through theoretically valid and objective empirical work of an applied nature that a conceptually sound nonlinear pedagogy model can continue to evolve and support research in physical education. We present some important implications for designing practices in games lessons, showing how a constraints-led perspective on motor learning could assist physical educators in understanding how to structure learning experiences for learners at different stages, with specific focus on understanding the design of games teaching programmes in physical education, using exemplars from Rugby Union and Cricket. Findings: Research evidence from recent studies examining movement models demonstrates that physical education teachers need a strong understanding of sport performance so that task constraints can be manipulated so that information–movement couplings are maintained in a learning environment that is representative of real performance situations. Physical educators should also understand that movement variability may not necessarily be detrimental to learning and could be an important phenomenon prior to the acquisition of a stable and functional movement pattern. We highlight how the nonlinear pedagogical approach is student-centred and empowers individuals to become active learners via a more hands-off approach to learning. Conclusions: A constraints-based perspective has the potential to provide physical educators with a framework for understanding how performer, task and environmental constraints shape each individual's physical education. Understanding the underlying neurobiological processes present in a constraints-led perspective to skill acquisition and game play can raise awareness of physical educators that teaching is a dynamic ‘art’ interwoven with the ‘science’ of motor learning theories.
A new version of PRT software for sibling groups reconstruction with comments regarding several issues in the sibling reconstruction problem

Pedigree reconstruction using genotypic markers has become an important tool for the study of natural populations. The nonstandard nature of the underlying statistical problems has led to the necessity of developing specialized statistical and computational methods. In this article, a new version of pedigree reconstruction tools (PRT 2.0) is presented. The software implements algorithms proposed in Almudevar & Field (Journal of Agricultural Biological and Environmental Statistics, 4, 1999, 136) and Almudevar (Biometrics, 57, 2001a, 757) for the reconstruction of single generation sibling groups (SG). A wider range of enumeration algorithms is included, permitting improved computational performance. In particular, an iterative version of the algorithm designed for larger samples is included in a fully automated form. The new version also includes expanded simulation utilities, as well as extensive reporting, including half‐sibling compatibility, parental genotype estimates and flagging of potential genotype errors. A number of alternative algorithms are described and demonstrated. A comparative discussion of the underlying methodologies is presented. Although important aspects of this problem remain open, we argue that a number of methodologies including maximum likelihood estimation (COLONY 1.2 and 2.0) and the set cover formulation (KINALYZER) exhibit undesirable properties in the sibling reconstruction problem. There is considerable evidence that large sets of individuals not genetically excluded as siblings can be inferred to be a true sibling group, but it is also true that unrelated individuals may be genetically compatible with a true sibling group by chance. Such individuals may be identified on a statistical basis. PRT 2.0, based on these sound statistical principles, is able to efficiently match or exceed the highest reported accuracy rates, particularly for larger SG. The new version is available at http://www.urmc. rochester.edu/biostat/people/faculty/almudevar.cfm.
Phonemic Awareness Contributes to Text Reading Fluency: Evidence From Eye Movements

Abstract. Although phonemic awareness is a known predictor of early decoding and word recognition, less is known about relationships between phonemic awareness and text reading fluency. This longitudinal study is the first to investigate this relationship by measuring eye movements during picture matching tasks and during silent sentence reading. Time spent looking at the correct target during phonemic awareness and receptive spelling tasks gauged the efficiency of phonological and orthographic processes. Children's eye movements during sentence reading provided a direct measure of silent reading fluency for comprehended text. Results indicate that children who processed the phonemic awareness targets more slowly in Grade 2 tended to be slower readers in Grade 3. Processing difficulty during a receptive spelling task was related to reading fluency within Grade 2. Findings suggest that inefficient phonemic processing contributes to poor silent reading fluency after second grade.
A Genetic Programming Hyper-Heuristic Approach for Evolving Two Dimensional Strip Packing Heuristics

We present a genetic programming system to evolve reusable heuristics for the two dimensional strip packing problem. The evolved heuristics are constructive, and decide both which piece to pack next and where to place that piece, given the current partial solution. This work contributes to a growing research area which represents a paradigm shift in search methodologies. Instead of using evolutionary computation to search a space of solutions, we employ it to search a space of heuristics for the problem. One of the motivations for this research area is that once a heuristic has been evolved, it can be reused on any new problem instance, meaning that the time consuming evolutionary process need only be run once to obtain a solution to many problem instances. A second motivation is to research methods to automate the heuristic design process. It has been stated in the literature that humans are very good at identifying good building blocks for solution methods, however the task of intelligently searching through all of the potential combinations of these components may be better suited to a computer. With such tools at their disposal, heuristic designers are then free to commit more of their time to the creative process of determining good components, while the computer takes on some of the design process by intelligently combining these components. The contribution of this paper is to show that a genetic programming hyper-heuristic can be employed to automatically generate heuristics which are often better than the human-designed state of the art constructive heuristics, in a very well studied area.
Territorialidades, relações campo-cidade e ruralidades em processos de transformação territorial e autonomia

Neste texto, socializamos algumas das nossas reflexões teórico-metodológicas a partir da nossa prática cotidiana de pesquisa e extensão universitária. Tentamos esclarecer a nossa opção de abordagem territorial considerando as relações campo-cidade, os princípios basilares da agroecologia e algumas das características desta prática produtiva e de vida numa experiência localizada, destacando redes, territorialidades, ruralidades e a importância da partilha, da identidade e da organização política num movimento de desenvolvimento local com autonomia relativa
Influence of a detergent on skin response to methyldibromo glutaronitrile in sensitized individuals

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the combined effect of the preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on the elicitation response of allergic contact dermatitis. 20 volunteers with contact allergy to MDBGN were patch tested with 5 concentrations (10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 p.p.m.) of MDBGN alone and in combination with 0.25% SLS on the upper arms for 24 h. Skin reactions were evaluated by clinical scoring, and data were evaluated by logistic dose–response models. Additionally, evaluation of skin reactions was performed by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin colour. Measurements were obtained at baseline and at D3 and D7. As evaluated by clinical assessment, allergic reactions to MDBGN were elicited at lower concentrations when applied in combination with SLS than when applied alone. The response was augmented by a factor of 6.4. An increased response to combined exposure to SLS and MDBGN as compared with MDBGN alone was confirmed by TEWL and colour measurements. Effects of exposure time and concentration of the detergent are discussed. In conclusion, an augmented response was found after concurrent application of MDBGN and SLS. The response was augmented by a factor of 6.4, with confidence limits of 2.8–14.6 (P < 0.0001). This result is important in relation to the determination of threshold values and the risk assessment of contact allergens in consumer and industrial products, where allergens are often present in combination with surfactants.
The Marketplace of Christianity

This startlingly original (and sure to be controversial) account of the evolution of Christianity shows that the economics of religion has little to do with counting the money in the collection basket and much to do with understanding the background of today's religious and political divisions. Since religion is a set of organized beliefs, and a church is an organized body of worshipers, it's natural to use a science that seeks to explain the behavior of organization—economics—to understand the development of organized religion. The Marketplace of Christianity applies the tools of economic theory to illuminate the emergence of Protestantism in the sixteenth century and to examine contemporary religion-influenced issues, including evolution and gay marriage. The Protestant Reformation, the authors argue, can be seen as a successful penetration of a religious market dominated by a monopoly firm—the Catholic Church. The Ninety-five Theses nailed to the church door in Wittenberg by Martin Luther raised the level of competition within Christianity to a breaking point. The Counter-Reformation, the Catholic reaction, continued the competitive process, which came to include "product differentiation" in the form of doctrinal and organizational innovation. Economic theory shows us how Christianity evolved to satisfy the changing demands of consumers—worshipers. The authors of The Marketplace of Christianity avoid value judgments about religion. They take preferences for religion as given and analyze its observable effects on society and the individual. They provide the reader with clear and nontechnical background information on economics and the economics of religion before focusing on the Reformation and its aftermath. Their analysis of contemporary hot-button issues—science vs. religion, liberal vs. conservative, clerical celibacy, women and gay clergy, gay marriage—offers a vivid illustration of the potential of economic analysis to contribute to our understanding of religion.