Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Settling in with Social Media The role of social media during international students' freshmen year in the Netherlands

International students start a new life in a new country with a new social network. Social media has the potential to aid this process. This study explores the role of social media in the settling-in phase of international freshmen in the Netherlands, offering a broad approach of the different ways in which university students use social media, as this approach seems absent from earlier research. The goal of this study was to distinguish the choice for and use of social media platforms, as well as look for possible cultural differences. This was done using a theoretical framework of the accumulation of social capital, Uses and Gratifications theory, one’s social (student) identity, and cultural values. Five focus groups existing of international students in the Netherlands were formed. The results revealed four themes: convenience, socializing, risk reduction and barriers. Convenience was understood as the practicality and ease that social media brought during the settling-in process. Regarding socializing, face-to-face contact was preferred, yet social media was seen as a tool to make it easier. Social media was also used to reduce risk and gain a sense of comfort. Barriers existed in social media use in terms of differences in platform preferences and dealing with homesickness. No strong differences were found among cultural values.
A comparison between broiler chicken carcasses with and without visible faecal contamination during the slaughtering process on hazard identification of Salmonella spp.

Aims: A comparison of the prevalence of Salmonella in chicken carcasses with and without visible faecal contamination during commercial slaughter practice was made. The relationship between Enterobacteriaceae, coliform and Escherichia coli counts and Salmonella status was also evaluated to establish the likelihood of using these groups as ‘index’ organisms to predict the presence of pathogen. Methods and Results: Samples were removed immediately after evisceration, after the inside–outside shower and after chilling from the processing line for microbiological analysis. Of the carcasses visibly uncontaminated with faeces after the evisceration step 20% harboured salmonellas and 20·8% of the visibly contaminated carcasses were positive for the pathogen. When E. coli, coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae were used as predictor variables the error rates ranged from 33·3 to 60% for both sample types. Conclusions: There was no indication that any of the groups of organisms analysed could predict the incidence of salmonellas on the samples studied. Positive results for the pathogen were obtained at every tested step of the slaughtering process regardless of whether or not faecal contamination was present. Significance and Impact of the Study: The present study demonstrated that carcasses not visibly contaminated with faeces carried Salmonella as well as the visibly contaminated carcasses.
Simultaneous EEG and MEG source reconstruction in sparse electromagnetic source imaging

Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) have different sensitivities to differently configured brain activations, making them complimentary in providing independent information for better detection and inverse reconstruction of brain sources. In the present study, we developed an integrative approach, which integrates a novel sparse electromagnetic source imaging method, i.e., variation‐based cortical current density (VB‐SCCD), together with the combined use of EEG and MEG data in reconstructing complex brain activity. To perform simultaneous analysis of multimodal data, we proposed to normalize EEG and MEG signals according to their individual noise levels to create unit‐free measures. Our Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that this integrative approach is capable of reconstructing complex cortical brain activations (up to 10 simultaneously activated and randomly located sources). Results from experimental data showed that complex brain activations evoked in a face recognition task were successfully reconstructed using the integrative approach, which were consistent with other research findings and validated by independent data from functional magnetic resonance imaging using the same stimulus protocol. Reconstructed cortical brain activations from both simulations and experimental data provided precise source localizations as well as accurate spatial extents of localized sources. In comparison with studies using EEG or MEG alone, the performance of cortical source reconstructions using combined EEG and MEG was significantly improved. We demonstrated that this new sparse ESI methodology with integrated analysis of EEG and MEG data could accurately probe spatiotemporal processes of complex human brain activations. This is promising for noninvasively studying large‐scale brain networks of high clinical and scientific significance. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Number, causes and destinations of horses leaving the Australian Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries.

OBJECTIVE Significant proportions of horses leave the Australian Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries, which has ramifications for both the economic sustainability and the public perception of racing. The aim of this study was to quantify potential horse wastage, describe the destinations of exiting horses and identify risk factors for horses going to these destinations. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to 1258 selected Thoroughbred and 981 Standardbred trainers, with response rates of 30% and 32%, respectively. The survey investigated the role of various risk factors for wastage, including horse age, sex and number of years in training. The destination of departing horses was also examined in relation to these risk factors. RESULTS Total horse exit rates for the 2002-03 official race year were 39.7% and 38.7% for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries, respectively. Reasons for leaving included 'poor performance/slow' (36.5% Thoroughbreds, 35.2% Standardbreds), 'illness/injury' (31.0%, 27.1%), 'to breed' (9.4%, 10.1%), 'unsuitable temperament/behaviour' (6.4%, 6.4%) and 'other' (16.8%, 21.2%). Statistically significant (P < 0.001) risk factors influencing the destinations of both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing horses included whether the trainer owned the horses, sex, age and reasons for leaving. In addition, some factors were specific to one breed or the other. CONCLUSIONS Improved behaviour training and early identification of the causes of poor performance could assist in reducing wastage.
The Impact of Dividend Policy on Stock Price Volatility: A Case Study of Selected Firms from Textile Industry in Pakistan

The study aims at investigating the relationship between dividend payout and the stock price of listed companies in Karachi Stock Exchange and to establish the extent of the relationship between them. The data were collected from Karachi Stock Exchange from 2003 to 2008. Five firms from textile industry were selected purposively. Stock price was dependent variable while the independent variable was dividend payout ratio. The size of firm, earning volatility and growth were selected as controlled variables. Multiple regression model was employed to explore the relationship of dependent with independent variables. Results showed that overall models were good fit showed by coefficient of determination values. Dividend payout ratio was significantly affecting the stock price. Other variables sowed mixed results in some models were found significant.
The Holistic Processing Account of Visual Expertise in Medical Image Perception: A Review

In the field of medical image perception, the holistic processing perspective contends that experts can rapidly extract global information about the image, which can be used to guide their subsequent search of the image (Swensson, 1980; Nodine and Kundel, 1987; Kundel et al., 2007). In this review, we discuss the empirical evidence supporting three different predictions that can be derived from the holistic processing perspective: Expertise in medical image perception is domain-specific, experts use parafoveal and/or peripheral vision to process large regions of the image in parallel, and experts benefit from a rapid initial glimpse of an image. In addition, we discuss a pivotal recent study (Litchfield and Donovan, 2016) that seems to contradict the assumption that experts benefit from a rapid initial glimpse of the image. To reconcile this finding with the existing literature, we suggest that global processing may serve multiple functions that extend beyond the initial glimpse of the image. Finally, we discuss future research directions, and we highlight the connections between the holistic processing account and similar theoretical perspectives and findings from other domains of visual expertise.
Molecular basis of disorders of human galactose metabolism: past, present, and future.

Molecular cloning and characterization of all three human galactose-metabolic genes have led to the identification of a number of mutations which result in three forms of galactosemia which are caused by kinase (GALK), transferase (GALT), or epimerase (GALE) deficiency. We review here recent developments in the molecular characterization of all three disorders of human galactose metabolism. Recent progress in the biochemical and/or structural analyses of the GALT and GALE proteins has complemented human mutational studies. Interestingly, genotype/phenotype correlations have been modest as in some other Mendelian disorders. We discuss possible reasons for this apparent paradox. Finally, we note the panethnic nature of galactosemia and suggest a hypothesis for it.
Concise Review: Spermatogenesis in an Artificial Three‐Dimensional System

Culture of spermatogonial stem cells has been performed under a variety of conditions. Most featured two‐dimensional systems, with different types of sera, conditioned media, feeder layers, and growth factors. Some have used three‐dimensional (3D) matrices produced from gelatin, collagen, or other material. In spite of their increasingly sophisticated composition, however, complete spermatogenesis in vitro has not yet been achieved. In the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis occurs in an environment where cells are embedded in a 3D structure with specific niches regulating each stage of germ cell maturation mediated by hormones and paracrine/autocrine factors. We have recently reported achievement of complete in vitro spermatogenesis of mouse testicular germ cells in a 3D culture system featuring a soft agar matrix. This review discusses the advantages of the 3D culture system for studying the spermatogenic process in its entirety. Also discussed are the steps necessary to expand the applicability of the 3D culture system to human germ cell development and determine the functionality of culture‐produced spermatozoa for generating offspring. STEM CELLS2012;30:2355–2360
Texture- and object-related automated information analysis in histological still images of various organs.

OBJECTIVE To create algorithms and application tools that can support routine diagnoses of various organs. MATERIALS A generalized algorithm was developed that permits the evaluation of diagnosis-associated image features obtained from hematoxylin-eosin-stained histopathologic slides. The procedure was tested for screening of tumor tissue vs. tumor-free tissue in 1,442 cases of various organs. Tissue samples studied include colon, lung, breast, pleura, stomach and thyroid. The algorithm distinguishes between texture- and object-related parameters. Texture-based information-defined as gray value per pixel measure--is independent from any segmentation procedure. It results in recursive vectors derived from time series analysis and image features obtained by spatial dependent and independent transformations. Object-based features are defined as gray value per biologic object measured. RESULTS The accuracy of automated crude classification was between 95% and 100% based upon a learning set of 10 cases per diagnosis class. Results were independent from the analyzed organ. The algorithm can also distinguish between benign and malignant tumors of colon, between epithelial mesothelioma and pleural carcinomatosis or between different common pulmonary carcinomas. CONCLUSION Our algorithm distinguishes accurately among crude histologic diagnoses of various organs. It is a promising technique that can assist tissue-based diagnosis and be expanded to virtual slide evaluation.
Wi-Fi based indoor location positioning employing random forest classifier

Location positioning in indoor environments is a major challenge. Various algorithms have been developed over years to address the problem of indoor positioning. One of the most cost effective choice for indoor positioning is based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) using existing Wi-Fi networks in commercial and/or public areas. This solution is infrastructure-free and offers meter-range accuracy. In this paper, machine learning approaches including k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), a rules-based classifier (JRip), and random forest have been investigated to estimate the indoor location of a user or an object using RSSI based fingerprinting method. Experimental measurements were carried out using 1500 reference points with received RSSIs of 86 installed APs in the second floor of Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI) building at the University of Windsor. The results indicate that the random forest classifier presents the best performance as compared to k-NN and JRip classifiers with positioning accuracy higher than 91%.
Structural estimation of farmers’ risk and ambiguity preferences: a field experiment

The distinction between risk, where agents assign well-defined probabilities to possible outcomes, and ambiguity, where agents do not, has long been of particular interest. Using a carefully designed field experiment, we elicit information about risk and ambiguity preferences among 197 French farmers and structurally estimate these preferences. We use cumulative prospect theory and a multiple-prior model in order to model risk and ambiguity preferences, respectively. We find that farmers are risk, ambiguity and loss averse, and that probability distortion differs in gains vs. losses, as well as in risk vs. ambiguity. These findings can have important implications for policy design.
Semiparametric regression models for repeated measures of mortal cohorts with non‐monotone missing outcomes and time‐dependent covariates

We propose a semiparametric marginal modeling approach for longitudinal analysis of cohorts with data missing due to death and non‐response to estimate regression parameters interpreted as conditioned on being alive. Our proposed method accommodates outcomes and time‐dependent covariates that are missing not at random with non‐monotone missingness patterns via inverse‐probability weighting. Missing covariates are replaced by consistent estimates derived from a simultaneously solved inverse‐probability‐weighted estimating equation. Thus, we utilize data points with the observed outcomes and missing covariates beyond the estimated weights while avoiding numerical methods to integrate over missing covariates. The approach is applied to a cohort of elderly female hip fracture patients to estimate the prevalence of walking disability over time as a function of body composition, inflammation, and age. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DID PENNSYLVANIA'S STATEWIDE SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING OR PROVIDE TAX RELIEF?

We examine how local school districts respond to statewide education finance reform. Specifically, we evaluate the impact of Pennsylvania's Act 61, which provided additional state aid to districts spending below state-determined adequacy targets (spending shortfall districts), on district tax effort in support of education. We find that high-tax shortfall districts reduced their property tax rates significantly more than districts without spending shortfalls and, as a consequence, did not increase educational spending compared with their no-shortfall counterparts. Our results suggest that state equalization aid for high-taxing districts with spending shortfalls was used for property tax relief rather than for supplementing education spending.
Expression of the Oligodendroglial Lineage‐Associated Markers Olig1 and Olig2 in Different Types of Human Gliomas

Because a specific group of oligodendrogliomas is susceptible to adjuvant therapy, it is important to elucidate the biological characteristics of these tumors. In situ hybridization analyses have revealed that Olig genes are expressed in oligodendroglial lineage cells and are highly expressed in oligodendrogliomas. To clarify whether OLIG is a tumor-specific marker for oligodendrogliomas, we have investigated the expression of Olig transcripts by semiquantitative RT-PCR assay and OLIG2 protein with a new antibody in a variety of glial tumors. The semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed that high levels of expression of Olig1 and Olig2 mRNAs were present in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic astrocytomas, while expression of these mRNAs in grade IV glioblastomas was lower than in grade II and grade III gliomas (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the mean immunopositive proportion of OLIG2 was 82% in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas but only 34% in anaplastic astrocytomas. Therefore, although OLIG2 expression was detected in a range of gliomas not specific for oligodendrogliomas, the expression level in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas was more uniform and intense than that in other glial tumors. In conclusion, combining Olig mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry of OLIG2 enables oligodendrogliomas to be distinguished from glioblastomas and other astrocytic glial tumors.
The effect of intracavernous injection of adipose tissue-derived stem cells on hyperlipidemia-associated erectile dysfunction in a rat model.

INTRODUCTION Hyperlipidemia has been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) via damage to the cavernous endothelium and nerves. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) have been shown to differentiate into endothelial cells and secrete vasculotrophic and neurotrophic factors. AIM To assess whether ADSC have therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia-associated ED. METHODS Twenty-eight male rats were induced to develop hyperlipidemia with a high-fat diet (hyperlipidemic rats, HR). Ten additional male rats were fed a normal diet to serve as controls (normal rats, NR). Five months later, all rats were subjected to ADSC isolation from paragonadal fat. The cells were cultured for 1 week, labeled with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and then injected autologously into the corpus cavernosum of 18 HR. The remaining 10 HR rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). At 2 and 14 days post-transplantation, four rats in the HR + ADSC group were sacrificed for tracking of the transplanted cells. At 28 days post-transplantation, all remaining rats were analyzed for serum biochemistry, erectile function, and penile histology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Erectile function was assessed by intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement during electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. Cavernous nerves, endothelium, and smooth muscle were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in HR than in NR. High-density lipoprotein level was significantly lower in HR than in NR. Mean ICP/mean arterial pressure ratio was significantly lower in HR + PBS than in NR + PBS or HR + ADSC. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive nerve fibers and endothelial cells were fewer in HR + PBS than in HR + ADSC. Smooth muscle content was significantly higher in both HR groups than in NR. CONCLUSIONS Hyperlipidemia is associated with abnormalities in both the nerves and endothelium. Treatment with ADSC ameliorates these adverse effects and holds promise as a potential new therapy for ED.
Effectiveness of Probiotic for Primary Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection: A Single-Center Before-and-After Quality Improvement Intervention at a Tertiary-Care Medical Center

OBJECTIVE To evaluate probiotics for the primary prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among hospital inpatients. DESIGN A before-and-after quality improvement intervention comparing 12-month baseline and intervention periods. SETTING A 694-bed teaching hospital. INTERVENTION We administered a multispecies probiotic comprising L. acidophilus (CL1285), L. casei (LBC80R), and L. rhamnosus (CLR2) to eligible antibiotic recipients within 12 hours of initial antibiotic receipt through 5 days after final dose. We excluded (1) all patients on neonatal, pediatric and oncology wards; (2) all individuals receiving perioperative prophylactic antibiotic recipients; (3) all those restricted from oral intake; and (4) those with pancreatitis, leukopenia, or posttransplant. We defined CDI by symptoms plus C. difficile toxin detection by polymerase chain reaction. Our primary outcome was hospital-onset CDI incidence on eligible hospital units, analyzed using segmented regression. RESULTS The study included 251 CDI episodes among 360,016 patient days during the baseline and intervention periods, and the incidence rate was 7.0 per 10,000 patient days. The incidence rate was similar during baseline and intervention periods (6.9 vs 7.0 per 10,000 patient days; P=.95). However, compared to the first 6 months of the intervention, we detected a significant decrease in CDI during the final 6 months (incidence rate ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4–0.9; P=.009). Testing intensity remained stable between the baseline and intervention periods: 19% versus 20% of stools tested were C. difficile positive by PCR, respectively. From medical record reviews, only 26% of eligible patients received a probiotic per the protocol. CONCLUSIONS Despite poor adherence to the protocol, there was a reduction in the incidence of CDI during the intervention, which was delayed ~6 months after introducing probiotic for primary prevention. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;765–770
Searching Relationships between Tissue Elemental Concentrations and Geographical Distribution of Bigeye Tuna(Thunnus Obesus) from the South Atlantic Ocean

Tunas are at the top of the food chains and have high metabolism and feeding rates, leading to increased metal accumulation in their tissues. Several tools using biological, biochemical and chemical measurements have been used to identify populations, geographic distributions and migrations of fish species in different environments. Elemental composition (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb) was determined in muscle and liver tissues of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) caught in three areas of the south Atlantic Ocean. Concentrations in liver (V, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) point to increased values in specimens captured near the South Africa and South America relatively to the open-ocean areas. The obtained results showed that tissue elemental concentrations in T. obesus from the south Atlantic areas can be used as a natural tag. Due to its role, liver seems to be the best indicator tissue.