Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dried poultry waste for cows grazing low-quality winter forage.

Two trials conducted in 1996-97 measured BW and body condition score changes of cows fed different sources of degradable intake protein, including dried poultry waste and soybean meal, while grazing low-quality winter forages. In Trial 1, 60 spring-calving cows (5 yr; 555 kg) were used in an individual supplementation trial. Cows were gathered three times a week, sorted into individual pens, and fed their respective supplement. Cows grazed dormant native Sandhills winter range (common pasture) and were assigned to one of six supplemental treatments: 1) no supplement, 2) urea, 3) 22% dried poultry waste + urea, 4) soybean meal, 5) 22% dried poultry waste + soybean meal, or 6) 44% dried poultry waste. All supplements were based on wheat middlings and soybean hulls and were formulated to contain 44% CP. Thirty-six cows were selected randomly (six per treatment) for a 5-d measurement of forage intake from December 16 through December 20, 1996. Cows receiving supplements gained more weight (P < 0.001) and maintained greater body condition (P < 0.001) than unsupplemented cows. Cows receiving urea gained less (P < 0.10) than cows receiving a source of natural protein, but body condition remained similar. No differences were found in daily forage or total organic matter intake (P > 0.10). In Trial 2, cows grazed corn residues. Forty-eight spring-calving cows were group-fed supplements in one of six 4-ha paddocks. Cows received supplements containing either soybean meal or dried poultry waste that were the same as the soybean meal and 44% dried poultry waste supplements fed in Trial 1; gains were not different (P > 0.10). Under the economic conditions that existed at the time of these experiments, the supplement containing dried poultry waste resulted in a savings of $. 04 per cow per day and a total savings of $3.20 per cow over an 80-d period. Feeding a supplement containing dried poultry waste resulted in performance similar to that when feeding a more conventional supplement containing soybean meal.
Provable non-convex projected gradient descent for a class of constrained matrix optimization problems

We propose a simple and scalable non-convex method for low-rank PSD matrix problems with a generic (strongly) convex objective $f$, and additional matrix norm constraints. Such criteria appear in quantum state tomography and phase retrieval applications, among others. However, without careful design, existing methods quickly run into time and memory bottlenecks, as problem dimensions increase. To remedy these shortcomings, we propose the Projected Factored Gradient Descent (ProjFGD) algorithm, that operates on the low-rank factorization of the variable space. Such factorization imputes non-convexity in the optimization; nevertheless, we show that our method favors local linear convergence rate in the non-convex factored space, for a class of convex norm-constrained problems. We build our theory on a novel descent lemma, that extends recent results on the unconstrained version of the problem. Our findings are supported by empirical evidence on quantum state tomography and sparse phase retrieval applications.
3D Kidney Segmentation from Abdominal Images Using Spatial-Appearance Models

Kidney segmentation is an essential step in developing any noninvasive computer-assisted diagnostic system for renal function assessment. This paper introduces an automated framework for 3D kidney segmentation from dynamic computed tomography (CT) images that integrates discriminative features from the current and prior CT appearances into a random forest classification approach. To account for CT images' inhomogeneities, we employ discriminate features that are extracted from a higher-order spatial model and an adaptive shape model in addition to the first-order CT appearance. To model the interactions between CT data voxels, we employed a higher-order spatial model, which adds the triple and quad clique families to the traditional pairwise clique family. The kidney shape prior model is built using a set of training CT data and is updated during segmentation using not only region labels but also voxels' appearances in neighboring spatial voxel locations. Our framework performance has been evaluated on in vivo dynamic CT data collected from 20 subjects and comprises multiple 3D scans acquired before and after contrast medium administration. Quantitative evaluation between manually and automatically segmented kidney contours using Dice similarity, percentage volume differences, and 95th-percentile bidirectional Hausdorff distances confirms the high accuracy of our approach.
Coordination-Artifacts Suiting: When Plans are in the Midst of Ordering Systems

This paper addresses the received understanding of the status of plans in cooperative work-that is, artefacts that anticipate future ways of performing activities, to challenge the received understanding of the plan's capacity to anticipate interdependencies as an immutable feature of plans. We propose conceptualizing the plan's capacity to anticipate interdependencies at work as an emergent, distributed and artifact-mediated activity that might be uncovered studying plans, planning and the plans application as work objects and activities occurring within a multiplicity of coordinative artifacts and protocols. This way we can expand our knowledge on how the plans anticipation is maintained in changing environments to support work coordination and we might support designers of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) -- efforts for the design of CSCW systems.
XMM-NEWTON VIEW OF THE MULTIPHASE WARM ABSORBER IN SEYFERT 1 GALAXY NGC 985

We present an analysis of a new XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 985. The European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) spectra present strong residuals to a single power-law model, indicating the presence of ionized absorbing gas and a soft excess. A broadband fit to the EPIC and RGS spectra shows that the continuum can be well fitted with a power law (Γ ≈ 1.57) and a blackbody component (kT ≈ 0.09 keV). The RGS can be modeled either with two or three absorption components. In the two absorber model the low-ionization one, with log U ≈ . 05 and log NH ≈ 21.08, accounts for the presence of the Fe M-shell unresolved transition array (Fe vii–xiii), and the high-ionization component (log U ≈ 1.31 and log NH ≈ 21.99) is required by the presence of several Fe L-shell transitions. The data suggest the presence of a third ionized component with higher ionization, so that the Fe L-shell absorption features are produced by two different components (one producing absorption by Fe xvii–xx, and the other absorption by Fe xx–xxii). However, the presence of the third absorbing component cannot be detected by means of an isolated absorption line in a significant way, so we consider this detection only as tentative. Interestingly, all ionization components have similar kinematics (with outflow velocities ∼ 280 km s−1). In addition, whether two or three absorbers are considered, the components appear to be in pressure balance within 1σ. These results give further support to the idea that warm absorbers in active galactic nuclei consist of a two- or three-phase medium. We note that, while in the model with only two absorbers one of them (the high-ionization component) lies on an unstable branch of the thermal equilibrium curve, in the model with three absorbers all of the components lie on stable branches of the curve. This gives further plausibility to a multiphase absorber.
Numerical Solution of n-th Order Fuzzy Linear Differential Equations by Homotopy Perturbation Method

This paper targets to investigate the numerical solution of n th order fuzzy differential equations with fuzzy environment using Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM). Triangular fuzzy convex normalized sets are used for the fuzzy parameter and variables. Obtained results are compared with the existing solution depicted in term of plots to show the efficiency of the applied method.
Synthesis of prosodic attitudinal variants in German backchannel ja

Feedback utterances are an important part of any dialog be- tween humans. When two or more persons talk, they use short backchannel utterances to signal understanding and interest in the conversation. Surprisingly little is known about the rela- tionship between the accompanying prosody and the meaning of feedback perceived by the dialog partner. We present a study of 12 synthesized German ja (yes) interjections that shows the influence of prosodic features on emotional and pragmatic per- ception of this kind of feedback. Listeners perceived utterances as bored, hesitant, or happy and agreeing depending on the prosodic parameters used for synthesis.
Protein and Site Specificity of Fucosylation in Liver-Secreted Glycoproteins

Chronic liver diseases are a serious health problem worldwide. One of the frequently reported glycan alterations in liver disease is aberrant fucosylation, which was suggested as a marker for noninvasive serologic monitoring. We present a case study that compares site specific glycoforms of four proteins including haptoglobin, complement factor H, kininogen-1, and hemopexin isolated from the same patient. Our exoglycosidase-assisted LC–MS/MS analysis confirms the high degree of fucosylation of some of the proteins but shows that microheterogeneity is protein- and site-specific. MSn analysis of permethylated detached glycans confirms the presence of LeY glycoforms on haptoglobin, which cannot be detected in hemopexin or complement factor H; all three proteins carry Lewis and H epitopes. Core fucosylation is detectable in only trace amounts in haptoglobin but with confidence on hemopexin and complement factor H, where core fucosylation of the bi-antennary glycans on select glycopeptides reaches 15–20% intensity. These protein-specific differences in fucosylation, observed in proteins isolated from the same patient source, suggest that factors other than up-regulation of enzymatic activity regulate the microheterogeneity of glycoforms. This has implications for selection of candidate proteins for disease monitoring and suggests that site-specific glycoforms have structural determinants, which could lead to functional consequences for specific subsets of proteins or their domains.
Dynamics of Immune Reconstitution and Activation Markers in HIV+ Treatment-Naïve Patients Treated with Raltegravir, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine

Background The dynamics of CD4+ T cell reconstitution and changes in immune activation and inflammation in HIV-1 disease following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are incompletely defined and their underlying mechanisms poorly understood. Methods Thirty-nine treatment-naïve patients were treated with raltegravir, tenofovir DF and emtricitabine. Immunologic and inflammatory indices were examined in persons with sustained virologic control during 48 weeks of therapy. Results Initiation of ART increased CD4+ T cell numbers and decreased activation and cell cycle entry among CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, and attenuated markers of coagulation (D-dimer levels) and inflammation (IL-6 and TNFr1). These indices decayed at different rates and almost all remained elevated above levels measured in HIV-seronegatives through 48 weeks of viral control. Greater first and second phase CD4+ T cell restoration was related to lower T cell activation and cell cycling at baseline, to their decay with treatment, and to baseline levels of selected inflammatory indices, but less so to their changes on therapy. Conclusions ART initiation results in dynamic changes in viral replication, T cell restoration, and indices of immune activation, inflammation, and coagulation. These findings suggest that determinants of T cell activation/cycling and inflammation/coagulation may have distinguishable impact on immune homeostasis. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00660972
An agent-based simulation of a Tuberculosis epidemic: Understanding the timing of transmission

Tuberculosis (TB) transmission is a key factor for disease-control policy, but the timing and distribution of transmission and the role of social contacts remain obscure. We develop an agent-based simulation of a TB epidemic in a single population, and consider a hierarchically structured contact network in three levels, typical of airborne diseases. The parameters are adopted from the literature, and the model is calibrated to a setting of high TB incidence. We model the dynamics of transmission at the individual level, and study the timing of secondary infections from a single source throughout the duration of the disease. We compare the patterns of transmission among different networks and discuss implications. Sensitivity analysis of outputs indicates the robustness of the results to variations in the parameter values.
Sophisticated Sincerity: Voting Over Endogenous Agendas

The empirical findings on whether or not legislators vote strategically are mixed. This is at least partly due to the fact that to establish any hypothesis on strategic voting, legislators' preferences need to be known, and these are typically private data. I show that under complete information, if decision making is by the amendment procedure and if the agenda is set endogenously, then sophisticated (strategic) voting over the resulting agenda is observationally equivalent to sincere voting. The voting strategies, however, are sophisticated. This fact has direct implications for empirical work on sophisticated voting.
Assessing A New IT Service Model, Cloud Computing

Recently we have witnessed a new kind of IT advancement. It is a phenomenon where various types of IT capabilities are centralized into data centers to ensure that such resources are available wherever and whenever they are needed. Cloud computing is the latest version of IT service practice that reflects such new trends in IT. Although cloud computing is considered a paradigm shift of IT service design and delivery in IS communities and generates large amounts of interest from business entities, few studies have examined this new IT and business environment. To better understand the organizational application of cloud computing, this study aims both to investigate economic payoffs from cloud computing investment and explore cloud computing adoption within the firm. This study is one of the first of its kinds to assess this new IT service model (i.e., cloud computing) using empirical validation. The proposed study can make contributions to the IS literature by (1) extending the boundary of the IS literature by reflecting the new trend of the IT industry; (2) continuing the debate about business value of IT; and (3) establishing a theoretical framework for cloud computing adoption, which can be applied to further studies on cloud computing.
Performance of Serum Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Invasive Aspergillosis in Febrile, Neutropenic Patients: A Multi-State Model

Background The performance of serum biomarkers for the early detection of invasive aspergillosis expectedly depends on the timing of test results relative to the empirical administration of antifungal therapy during neutropenia, although a dynamic evaluation framework is lacking. Methods We developed a multi-state model describing simultaneously the likelihood of empirical antifungal therapy and the risk of invasive aspergillosis during neutropenia. We evaluated whether the first positive test result with a biomarker is an independent predictor of invasive aspergillosis when both diagnostic information used to treat and risk factors of developing invasive aspergillosis are taken into account over time. We applied the multi-state model to a homogeneous cohort of 185 high-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Patients were prospectively screened for galactomannan antigenemia twice a week for immediate treatment decision; 2,214 serum samples were collected on the same days and blindly assessed for (1->3)- β-D-glucan antigenemia and a quantitative PCR assay targeting a mitochondrial locus. Results The usual evaluation framework of biomarker performance was unable to distinguish clinical benefits of β-glucan or PCR assays. The multi-state model evidenced that the risk of invasive aspergillosis is a complex time function of neutropenia duration and risk management. The quantitative PCR assay accelerated the early detection of invasive aspergillosis (P = .010), independently of other diagnostic information used to treat, while β-glucan assay did not (P = .53). Conclusions The performance of serum biomarkers for the early detection of invasive aspergillosis is better apprehended by the evaluation of time-varying predictors in a multi-state model. Our results provide strong rationale for prospective studies testing a preemptive antifungal therapy, guided by clinical, radiological, and bi-weekly blood screening with galactomannan antigenemia and a standardized quantitative PCR assay.
From Context to Distance: Learning Dissimilarity for Categorical Data Clustering

Clustering data described by categorical attributes is a challenging task in data mining applications. Unlike numerical attributes, it is difficult to define a distance between pairs of values of a categorical attribute, since the values are not ordered. In this article, we propose a framework to learn a context-based distance for categorical attributes. The key intuition of this work is that the distance between two values of a categorical attribute Ai can be determined by the way in which the values of the other attributes Aj are distributed in the dataset objects: if they are similarly distributed in the groups of objects in correspondence of the distinct values of Ai a low value of distance is obtained. We propose also a solution to the critical point of the choice of the attributes Aj. We validate our approach by embedding our distance learning framework in a hierarchical clustering algorithm. We applied it on various real world and synthetic datasets, both low and high-dimensional. Experimental results show that our method is competitive with respect to the state of the art of categorical data clustering approaches. We also show that our approach is scalable and has a low impact on the overall computational time of a clustering task.
Optimal Surveys for Weak Lensing Tomography

Weak-lensing surveys provide a powerful probe of dark energy through the measurement of the mass distribution of the local Universe. A number of ground-based and space-based surveys are being planned for this purpose. Here, we study the optimal strategy for these future surveys using the joint constraints on the equation-of-state parameter w n and its evolution w a as a figure of merit by considering power spectrum tomography. For this purpose, we first consider an 'ideal' survey which is both wide and deep and exempt from systematics. We find that such a survey has great potential for dark energy studies, reaching 1σ precisions of 1 and 10 per cent on the two parameters, respectively. We then study the relative impact of various limitations by degrading this ideal survey. In particular, we consider the effect of sky coverage, survey depth, shape measurement systematics, photometric redshift systematics and uncertainties in the non-linear power spectrum predictions. We find that, for a given observing time, it is always advantageous to choose a wide rather than a deep survey geometry. We also find that the dark energy constraints from power spectrum tomography are robust to photometric redshift errors and catastrophic failures, if a spectroscopic calibration sample of 10 4 -10 5 galaxies are available. The impact of these systematics is small compared to the limitations that come from potential uncertainties in the power spectrum, due to shear measurement and theoretical errors. To help the planning of future surveys, we summarize our results with comprehensive scaling relations which avoid the need for full Fisher matrix calculations.
Mina53 as a Potential Prognostic Factor for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: We previously identified mina53, a novel Myc target gene. Here we investigated whether mina53 is related to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a disease with poor prognosis. Experimental Design: Mina53 expression was suppressed in ESCC cell lines by a RNA interference method to investigate whether Mina53 is involved in cell proliferation. Expression of Mina53 was investigated by Western blotting in tissue sections from patients with ESCC. Immunohistochemical analysis of Mina53 was carried out and compared with that using anti–Ki-67 antibody. Finally, the level of Mina53 expression was compared with the length of survival of patients with ESCC. Results: Reduction of mina53 expression by RNA interference suppressed cell proliferation in ESCC cell lines. Western blot analysis of surgically resected ESCC specimens indicated that the expression of Mina53 in tumors was increased compared with that in adjacent nonneoplastic tissues in all four specimens examined. When formalin-fixed specimens from 52 patients with ESCC were stained immunohistochemically, it was found that Mina53 was highly expressed in 83% of specimens. Anti-Mina53 antibody stained tumors more efficiently than antibody against Ki-67, a cell proliferation biomarker, in some cancer specimens. Patients with high expression of Mina53 had shorter survival periods, whereas the expression level of Ki-67 in ESCC showed no relationship to patient outcome. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that expression of Mina53 is a characteristic feature of ESCC and suggest that immunostaining by anti-Mina53 antibody may be useful as a potential prognostic indicator.
Associations between fetal testosterone and pro–social tendencies, anxiety and autistic symptoms in Williams syndrome: a preliminary study

Objective: Fetal testosterone (fT) has organizational effects on the developing human nervous system and can be reliably estimated by the ratio between the length of the second and fourth digits — 2D:4D. Previous studies reported altered patterns of fT in some developmental disabilities (e.g. ASD) relative to typically developing individuals (TD). Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by exacerbated empathy and social approach and heightened anxiety. Recent reports also highlight the co-occurrence of significant levels of autistic symptoms. Despite constituting an interesting model to study androgenic contributions to social behavior, no studies have sought to explore fT in WS. The main aims of this preliminary study were two-fold: (a) to compare 2D:4D in WS and TD; (b) to analyze the pattern of associations between 2D:4D and hypersociability, affective and cognitive empathy, anxiety and autistic symptoms in WS. Methods: 2D:4D were measured from digital scans of the ventral surface of the right hand. Hypersociability, empathy, anxiety and autistic symptoms were obtained from parental reports. Results: There were no significant differences in 2D:4D between WS than TD. In WS lower fT (higher 2D:4D) was significantly associated with hypersociability and affective empathy, as well as marginally associated with anxiety/depression scores. In contrast, cognitive empathy was marginally and negatively associated with 2D:4D, while levels of autistic symptoms were unrelated with this measure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that fT may be implicated in the emergence of several cardinal features of WS, namely hypersociability, affective empathy and anxiety, but not in ASD symptoms.