Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sheep Farmers’ Perception of Welfare and Pain Associated with Routine Husbandry Practices in Chile

Simple Summary Lambs are simultaneously subjected to several routine husbandry practices that cause pain. One of the main factors that limit the use of analgesics in lambs is the difficulty in pain recognition by sheep farmers. This study aimed to determine how husbandry practices are carried out in Chilean farms, the sheep farmers’ perception of animal welfare and pain, and the factors that affect them, as well as the level of agreement among farmers in the recognition of pain associated with these practices. Farmers were invited to participate in a workshop and they were asked through a survey about their sociodemographic information, how husbandry practices are being performed in their farms, and were asked to score the intensity of pain associated to seven of these practices. Castration and tail docking were perceived as the most painful practices and farmers agreed among them that these routine husbandry practices cause severe pain to animals. Several factors were associated with the farmers’ pain perception, such as the method used for the specific husbandry practices and the farmers’ educational level. In general, routine husbandry practices were carried out without using analgesics and with painful methods despite the agreement among farmers regarding the recognition of pain associated with these procedures. Abstract Considering the public concern about the welfare of farm animals during routine husbandry practices, this study aimed to determine how husbandry practices are carried out in Chilean farms, sheep farmers’ perceptions of animal welfare and pain, and factors that affect them, as well as the level of agreement among farmers in the recognition of pain associated with these practices. Using a self-administered survey, participants were asked about their sociodemographic information, how husbandry practices are carried out in their farms, and their pain perception for seven of these common husbandry procedures using a numerical rating scale (0 to 10). A total of 165 farmers completed the survey and perceived castration and tail docking as the most painful practices in lambs (median pain score 10 vs. 8, p < 0.05). Pain perception was associated with the method used for the specific husbandry practices, the farmers’ educational level, the farm size, and flock size (p < 0.05). There was a fair to good level of agreement beyond chance (p < 0.05) in the recognition of pain associated with the most painful practices. In general, husbandry practices are not carried out in young animals, use painful methods, without using analgesics, which may have a negative impact on animal welfare.
Discovery and Quantification of Nonhuman Proteins in Human Milk

The question whether and which nonhuman peptides or proteins are present in human milk was raised many decades ago. However, due to cross-reactivity or nonspecific antibody recognition, the accuracy of detection by immunochemical methods has been a concern. Additionally, the relative low-abundance of nonhuman peptides/proteins in the complex milk sample makes them a challenging target to detect. Here, by deep proteome profiling, we detected several nonhuman peptides, which could be grouped as nonhuman proteins. We next estimated their concentration in human milk by combining data-dependent shotgun proteomics and parallel reaction monitoring. First, we fractionated human milk at the protein level and were able to detect 1577 human proteins. Additionally, we identified 109 nonhuman peptides, of which 71 were grouped into 36 nonhuman proteins. In the next step, we targeted 37 nonhuman peptides and nine of them could be repeatedly quantified in human milk samples. Peptides/proteins originating from bovine milk products were the dominant nonhuman proteins observed, notably bovine caseins (α-S1-, α-S2-, β-, κ-caseins) and β-lactoglobulin. The method we present here can be expanded to investigate more about nonhuman peptides and proteins in human milk and give a better understanding of how human milk plays a role in allergy prevention.
New Methodology for Railway Infrastructure Evaluation and its Impact

The paper is focused on the evaluation of the economic efficiency of investment projects in the area of railway structures in the Czech Republic. The economic evaluation of projects of the transport structures including the railway structures has in recent years undergone through significant changes resulting into the final form of the united resort methodology of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, which from the methodological point of view covers the economic evaluation of all projects of transport structures. The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the impact of methodological changes in the financial and the economic evaluation of projects of railway structures. New methodological approaches can have the influence on economic results of monitored investments. The attention is paid to all aspects influencing the economic efficiency of the projects, especially the issues of investment and operational costs, costs for the trains operation and whole society benefits in the form of time savings, savings resulting from externalities a savings resulting from increased safety on railway are solved. From the methodological point of view, the paper is focused on the comparison of the approach to economic evaluation according to the previous methodologies specialised exactly on projects in the railway infrastructure with the approach according to the new methodology. The new resort methodology unifies specific parts of the analysis for all types of transport constructions and at the same time defines partial methodological approaches intended for particular transport modes. Within the previous methodologies the “transition methodology” valid from the half of 2016 to the acceptation of new resort methodology in November 2017 is also considered. In the frame of research works, the identified differences are also analysed. Impacts of methodological changes are presented on the case study of the model railway construction, from which the significant decrease of values of criterial indicators declaring lower economic efficiency is evident. Impacts are solved individually for particular parts of the financial and the economic analysis. From the case study is evident that all aspects included in the economic evaluation result to the decrease of the total economic efficiency of the investment project on the railway connected with the changes in methodology, however the changes in travel time savings and savings on externalities are the most important.
The epidemiology of herpes simplex virus infections in adolecents.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and -2) infections are common among adolescents. HSV-1 can cause either oral or genital infections whereas HSV-2 causes predominantly genital herpes. Therefore HSV-2 seroprevalence can be used as a marker of genital herpes. As in adults genital infections in adolescents are often unrecognized; consequently the magnitude of the problem of genital herpes in adolescents is under-appreciated. The prevalence of HSV infections in adolescents varies widely with geographic location and sexual behaviours. Throughout the world females are at greater risk for HSV-2 infections than are heterosexual males. For both genders a greater number of sexual partners is associated with an increased risk of acquiring HSV-2 infection. Among groups for which the partner pool has a high HSV-2 seroprevalence however any exposure can place an individual at risk for HSV-2 infection. Thus efforts to control HSV infection (e.g. vaccination behavioural modification) probably will not be maximally effective unless implemented prior to sexual initiation in the pre-teen years. (authors)
Itraconazole-loaded micelles based on linear-dendritic poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (ε-caprolactone)

Abstract A copolymeric micelle formulation of itraconazole (ITR-M) was prepared using linear-dendritic monoallyloxy poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (ε-caprolactone) (APEG-PCL) as drug carrier materials. DL and EE values of ITR-M were 5.70 ± 0.12% and 91.30 ± 1.90%, respectively. The micelle formulation enhanced the ITR solubility up to 30.42 μg/mL. In vitro release of ITR from the ITR-M was mainly drug diffusion process followed by the copolymer’s degradation. ITR-M showed similar anti-Candida albicans activity to that of crude ITR although its release of ITR was slow and continuous. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the ITR-M could improve tissue distribution of ITR. In conclusion, APEG-PCL could be a potential carrier in the development of antifungal drug delivery system.
Emotion Feedback During Computer-mediated Collaboration: Effects on Self-Reported Emotions and Perceived Interaction

Emotions play a crucial role in collaboration. They help to make inferences about the partner and can strongly influence task performance. Due to limitations of emotional cues in computer-mediated collaboration (CMC), the collaborative process can be impacted. In this study, we report on the effect of an Emotion Awareness Tool (EAT) designed to facilitate the sharing of emotions between partners, on the perceived emotions after collaboration and the perceived quality of the interaction. Results showed that the EAT stimulated participants to engage in a mutual modeling of emotions. In the EAT condition, the perceived amount of time spent on emotion modeling process was positively correlated to the perceived intensity of positive emotions after collaboration. The EAT increased the perceived degree of transactivity, but only for women. This study provides a first step in exploring the effect of emotion awareness in CMC tasks including a comparing approach for its gender-specific relevance.
Trends in use of prescription stimulants in the United States and Territories, 2006 to 2016

Background Stimulants are considered the first-line treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the US and they are used in other indications. Stimulants are also diverted for non-medical purposes. Ethnic and regional differences in ADHD diagnosis and in stimulant use have been identified in earlier research. The objectives of this report were to examine the pharmacoepidemiological pattern of these controlled substances over the past decade and to conduct a regional analysis. Methods Data (drug weights) reported to the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System for four stimulants (amphetamine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and methamphetamine) were obtained from 2006 to 2016 for Unites States/Territories. Correlations between state level use (mg/person) and Hispanic population were completed. Results Amphetamine use increased 2.5 fold from 2006 to 2016 (7.9 to 20.0 tons). Methylphenidate use, at 16.5 tons in 2006, peaked in 2012 (19.4 tons) and subsequently showed a modest decline (18.6 tons in 2016). The consumption per municipality significantly increased 7.6% for amphetamine and 5.5% for lisdexamfetamine but decreased 2.7% for methylphenidate (all p < .0005) from 2015 to 2016. Pronounced regional differences were also observed. Lisdexamfetamine use in 2016 was over thirty-fold higher in the Southern US (43.8 mg/person) versus the Territories (1.4 mg/person). Amphetamine use was about one-third lower in the West (48.1 mg/person) relative to the Northeastern (75.4 mg/person, p < .05) or the Midwestern (69.9 mg/person, p ≤ .005) states. States with larger Hispanic populations had significantly lower methylphenidate (r(49) = -0.63), lisdexamfetamine (B, r(49) = -0.49), and amphetamine (r(49) = -0.43) use. Conclusions Total stimulant usage doubled in the last decade. There were dynamic changes but also regional disparities in the use of stimulant medications. Future research is needed to better understand the reasons for the sizable regional and ethnic variations in use of these controlled substances.
Anti-inflammatory effect of fucoxanthin on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Abstract The anti-inflammatory activities of fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid derived from the macroalgae and microalgae, have been demonstrated in the previous studies. However, the effect of fucoxanthin on ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease, was still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of fucoxanthin on dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Fucoxanthin at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day significantly protected against DSS-induced gradual loss of body weight, exhibited inhibitory effects on the DSS-induced increase of disease activity index and colon shortening. Moreover, fucoxanthin treatment resulted in a marked amelioration of the histological damage in the colon, and reduced the colonic PGE2 levels in colitic mice. In addition, the DSS-induced overexpressions of inflammation-related molecules including COX‐2 and NF-κB were significantly decreased in fucoxanthin-treated mice. These finding suggested that the use of fucoxanthin provides a new and attractive alternative to control UC. Graphical Abstract
Cloud Services Brokerage for Mobile Ubiquitous Computing

Recently, companies are adopting Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) to efficiently deliver enterprise services to users (or consumers) on their personalized devices. MCC is the facilitation of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, notebooks, and smartwatches) to access virtualized services such as software applications, servers, storage, and network services over the Internet. With the advancement and diversity of the mobile landscape, there has been a growing trend in consumer attitude where a single user owns multiple mobile devices. This paradigm of supporting a single user or consumer to access multiple services from n–devices is referred to as the Ubiquitous Cloud Computing (UCC) or the Personal Cloud Computing. In the UCC era, consumers expect to have application and data consistency across their multiple devices and in real time. However, this expectation can be hindered by the intermittent loss of connectivity in wireless networks, user mobility, and peak load demands. Hence, this dissertation presents an architectural framework called, Cloud Services Brokerage for Mobile Ubiquitous Cloud Computing (CSB-UCC), which ensures soft real–time and reliable services consumption on multiple devices of users. The CSB-UCC acts as an application middleware broker that connects the n-devices of users to the multi-cloud services. The designed system determines the multi-cloud services based on the user’s subscriptions and the n-devices are determined through device registration on the broker. The preliminary evaluations of the designed system shows that the following are achieved: 1) high scalability through the adoption of a distributed architecture of the brokerage service, 2) providing soft real-time application synchronization for consistent user experience through an enhanced mobile-to-cloud proximity-based access technique, 3) reliable error recovery from system failure through transactional services re-assignment to active nodes, and 4) transparent audit trail through access-level and context-centric provenance.
Zika Virus Epidemic in Brazil. II. Post-Mortem Analyses of Neonates with Microcephaly, Stillbirths, and Miscarriage

Introduction: The recent Zika virus(ZIKV) epidemic in Brazil was characterized by a range of different clinical presentations, particularly microcephaly, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and death. In this context, we determined the causal relationship between fatal microcephaly cases and ZIKV infection. Methods: Twelve fatal cases of neonates, whose mothers were infected with ZIKV during pregnancy, were examined; cases included nine neonatal deaths due to microcephaly, one miscarriage, and two stillbirths. Tissue samples were obtained from all cases at necropsy and were submitted for virological investigation (RT-qPCR and virus isolation) and/or histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and immunohistochemical assay for the detection of ZIKV antigens. Results: ZIKV antigens and/or ZIKV RNA were detected in tissue samples of all 12 cases examined. ZIKV was recovered in one case. Results of the virological and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as the anatomic abnormalities and histopathologic changes observed at necropsy on the 12 fatal cases, are presented. Conclusions: Data from these 12 cases provide strong evidence of the causal relationship between ZIKV and congenital disease in fetuses of women who were infected with the virus during pregnancy.
FAKTOR IBU YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PRAKTIK PEMBERIAN ASI EKKLUSIF DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS PAMOTAN

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui Mengetahui faktor ibu yang berhubungan dengan praktik pemberian ASI eksklusif di wilayah kerja Puskemas Pamotan Kabupaten Rembang tahun 2012. Jenis penelitian ini Explanatory Research dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Sampel berjumlah 58 ibu menyusui. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuesioner. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat (Chi-Square). Hasil penelitian ini adalah ada hubungan antara pengetahuan ibu (p=0,021), tingkat pendidikan ibu (p=0,001), dan kondisi kesehatan (p=0,013) dengan praktik pemberian ASI eksklusif. Tidak ada hubungan antara pekerjaan ibu (p=0,706) dan umur ibu (p=0483) dalam praktik pemberian ASI eksklusif. Saran untuk ibu sebaiknya lebih aktif mencari informasi tentang pentingnya memberi ASI eksklusif, guna meningkatkan pengetahuan agar dapat menyusui anaknya secara eksklusif. Selain itu diharapkan dapat mengubah persepsi tentang pemberian makanan tambahan saat bayi berusia sebelum 6 bulan itu tidak benar. Bagi pelayanan kesehatan diharapkan memberikan informasi tentang pentingnya memberi ASI eksklusif kepada bayi umur 0-6 bulan.
PD-L1 Expression in Tumor Cells Is an Independent Unfavorable Prognostic Factor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: The immune checkpoint PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 are involved in the induction of immunological tolerance of solid tumors including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of the study was to establish the clinical and prognostic significance of PD-L1 in OSCC. Methods: Tissue microarrays of 125 resected OSCC were stained with two different commercially available PD-L1 antibodies (clones E1L3N and 22C3), alongside PD-1 immunostaining. Results: PD-L1 expression in more than 10% of tumor cells was associated with poorer survival, and established as a clinically relevant cut-off point. This relevant PD-L1 expression was detected in 10% to 15% OSCC specimens depending on the anti-PD-L1 antibody, and showed an inverse correlation with tobacco and alcohol consumption. We consistently found that PD-L1 expression was associated with tumor recurrence and lower disease-specific survival. Multivariate analysis further revealed that neck node metastasis (HR 2.304; P = 0.009) and tumor PD-L1 expression (HR 2.571; P = 0.01) were significant independent factors for poor prognosis. Conclusions: PD-L1 expression in more than 10% of tumor cells was a significant and independent factor of poor prognosis in OSCC. Impact: PD-L1 expression in more than 10% of tumor cells was consistently established as a clinically relevant cut-off point by using two different antibodies. Remarkably, PD-L1 expression emerges as an independent poor prognosis marker in patients with OSCC.
Modeling hair from an RGB-D camera

Creating realistic 3D hairs that closely match the real-world inputs remains challenging. With the increasing popularity of lightweight depth cameras featured in devices such as iPhone X, Intel RealSense and DJI drones, depth cues can be very helpful in consumer applications, for example, the Animated Emoji. In this paper, we introduce a fully automatic, data-driven approach to model the hair geometry and compute a complete strand-level 3D hair model that closely resembles the input from a single RGB-D camera. Our method heavily exploits the geometric cues contained in the depth channel and leverages exemplars in a 3D hair database for high-fidelity hair synthesis. The core of our method is a local-similarity based search and synthesis algorithm that simultaneously reasons about the hair geometry, strands connectivity, strand orientation, and hair structural plausibility. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method using a variety of complex hairstyles and compare our method with prior arts.
The Effects of Solid Modeling and Visualization on Technical Problem Solving.

Technology education and many other fields are placing increased emphasis on problem solving. The Standards for Technological Literacy (STL) state that “Problem solving is basic to technology” (ITEA, 2000, p. 90). Jonassen (2000, p. 63) contends that “most psychologists and educators regard problem solving as the most important learning outcome for life. ” “Problem solving is a critical process skill that involves virtually all aspects of existence” (Wu, Custer, & Dyrenfurth, 1996, p. 56). “Virtually everyone, in their everyday and professional lives, regularly solves problems” (Jonassen, 2000, p. 63). All problems are not the same and must be approached differently than rote or component skills (Westberry, 2003). The fields of Technology and Technology Education place strong emphasis on problem solving and application, as teachers strive to promote technological literacy. Many would contend that technology education and related fields have been teaching and employing problem solving since their inception(McCade, 1990; Todd 1999). Few will argue the importance of problem solving, yet little is known about it. It is unclear how to define problem solving. There are many definitions for problem solving, and it can be conducted through various means (Hill, 1997). To further complicate the matter, problem solving takes on many different meanings, depending on the type of problem or the specific problem being addressed. There is also a myriad of problem solving models and terminology currently in use (Flowers, 2010). STL (ITEA/ITEEA, 2000/2002/2007, p. 5) considers design the primary problem solving approach in technology education. Few, if any, technology education processes have received as much attention in the literature in recent years as problem solving has, particularly design, although design is not the only problem solving method. Custer (1995) considers design a major subset of technical problem solving. One unique aspect of design problems is that the designer “typically, does not know in advance what the goal state will be, although he [sic] usually has criteria to evaluate potential goal states” (Carroll, Thomas, & Malhotra, 1980, p. 143). For teaching problem solving and design, Williams (2000) suggested focusing on activities. The problem and the student