Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing the number of required dimensions in exploratory factor analysis

While maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis (EFA) provides a statistical test that k dimensions are sufficient to account for the observed correlations among a set of variables, determining the required number of factors in least-squares based EFA has essentially relied on heuristic procedures. Two methods, Revised Parallel Analysis (R-PA) and Comparison Data (CD), were recently proposed that generate surrogate data based on an increasing number of principal axis factors in order to compare their sequence of eigenvalues with that from the data. The latter should be unremarkable among the former if enough dimensions are included. While CD looks for a balance between efficiency and parsimony, R-PA strictly test that k dimensions are sufficient by ranking the next eigenvalue, i.e. at rank k + 1, of the actual data among those from the surrogate data. Importing two features of CD into R-PA defines four variants that are here collectively termed Next Eigenvalue Sufficiency Tests (NESTs). Simulations implementing 144 sets of parameters, including correlated factors and presence of a doublet factor, show that all four NESTs largely outperform CD, the standard Parallel Analysis, the Mean Average Partial method and even the maximum likelihood approach, in identifying the correct number of common factors. The recommended, most successful NEST variant is also the only one that never overestimates the correct number of dimensions beyond its nominal α level. This variant is made available as R and MATLAB code as well as a complement incorporated in a Microsoft Excel file.
Climate envelope models suggest spatio-temporal co-occurrence of refugia of African birds and mammals

Aim Studies investigating the theory of tropical refugia for vertebrates have previously focused on a handful of species or a single taxonomic group. We sought to identify the potential location of cross-taxonomic refugia of African birds and mammals in the Last Glacial Maximum, and used historic climate data to hindcast the location of past ranges of species based on their current distributions. Location Mainland sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Using current distributions of 537 mammal and 1265 bird species, we modelled the past distribution of species, taking advantage of recently available reconstructions of climate for the Last Glacial Maximum. Modelled historical ranges were verified individually using standard techniques for evaluating the precision of bioclimatic envelope models. Potential refugia were identified as those areas with a higher overlap of climatically suitable ranges (i.e. levels of species richness) than expected based on randomizing of the modelled past climatically suitable ranges in the sub-Saharan domain and on the level of resource availability (by modelling past species richness patterns as would be expected given the water– energy theory). Results Our models show that during the Last Glacial Maximum areas of high concentration of climatically suitable ranges of birds and mammals tend to aggregate, more than can be accounted for random placement of ranges and resource availability (ecological processes), in the same six areas: Upper Guinea, the Cameroon Highlands, the Congo Basin, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Angola–Namibia area and the south-east part of South Africa. Main conclusions The unusually high aggregation of predicted suitable ranges for birds and mammals in six relatively small geographical areas corresponds to the location of some of the previously suggested refugia. We interpret this – and the similarity of patterns obtained for both birds and mammals – as a strong indication of the existence of refugia in those areas. The results also illustrate the usefulness of bioclimatic envelope models, coupled randomization techniques and macroecological models, for the reconstruction of geographical distribution patterns in the past.
Prevalence and Risk Factor of Brucellosis in Dromedaries in Selected Pastoral Districts of Afar, Northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 813 camels from 63 herds in selected Afar pastoral areas from May 2012 to February 2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with camel brucellosis. Serum sample were collected and screened for brucellosis using Rose Bengal Plate Test followed by Complement Fixation Test of positive samples for confirmation. The herd level seroprevalence was 17.46% and varied significantly among different herd sizes (χ2=8.84; P 0.05) with the prevalence of brucellosis. The present study suggests that Brucella infection is the likely cause of abortion in camel and small ruminants were the probable source of Brucella infection for camels in the study. On the other hand, based on the observation of the author, none of the camel herdsmen knew the disease and the prevailing habit of consumption of raw camel milk and the man-animal close contact in Afar pastoral area demonstrate the potential role of brucellosis as a zoonosis in the area. Therefore, improving management practices, public awareness, economic and zoonotic importance of the disease can assist disease prevention. Keywords: Afar pastoral, Brucellosis, Camels, Prevalence, Risk factors, zoonosis
Power of AFIs to detect CFA model misfit: (518442013-419)

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has become a primary tool in scale development and measure evaluation in psychological and organizational research (Hinkin, 1998). While there are several methods of evaluating CFA model fit, the excessive sensitivity of the chi-square statistic has led to the development and application of many approximate fit indices (AFIs; see Marsh, Bella, and Hau, 1996). Previous simulation studies have indicated that reasonable assurance of adequate model fit may be found when some fit indices are meet or exceed particular values. A recent such study by Hu and Benter (1999) has been enormously influential, cited over 2000 times (as of September 10, 2007), to the extent that Barrett (2007) has recently stated that this work has become the “bible” of the “Golden Rules” of fit. In their simulation work, Hu and Bentler (1999) simulated several types of model misspecification in order to derive their suggested AFI values that indicate acceptable fit. These misspecifications included improperly specified covariances among latent factors and improperly constrained factor loadings (i.e., erroneously omitting cross-loadings). Despite the sizable nature of their simulations, they failed to investigate the effect of model misspecification due to an unmodeled latent factor. In this study, we simulate a number of models with a misspecified factor structure in which an additional latent variable is omitted, to evaluate behavior of both the chi-square statistic and AFIs.
Efectos de un programa perceptivo-motor en la respuesta de reacción en mayores

Diversos trabajos han mostrado que se puede reducir el tiempo de reaccion en los mayores con la practica de actividad fisica (Hunter et al., 2001) e incluso igualar al de los jovenes (Light et al., 1996). 52 hombres y mujeres de la ciudad de Melilla distribuidos en dos grupos de estudio: un grupo control (n=26 ; M = 68,56 anos) que participa en actividades fisicas genericas y un grupo experimental (n=26 ; M =67,32 anos) que ha participado en las mismas actividades mas un programa de entrenamiento especifico para la mejora del equilibrio, ajuste postural y tiempo de reaccion. Los resultados no muestran diferencias significativas en el postest ni en la prueba de transferencia, pero los sujetos del grupo experimental alcanzan mejores desempenos en las dos variables de estudio (Tiempo de reaccion simple - TRs y tiempo de inicio del movimiento - TIm) ( GE TRs M = .55 ; TIm M =. 53 ; GC TRs M =.60 ; TIm M =. 64). Por subgrupos de estudio, las mujeres del subgrupo 60-70 anos participantes en el programa obtuvieron resultados significativamente mejores que el resto de subgrupos considerados. PALABRAS CLAVES: Tiempo de Respuesta, Programa sensorio –motor, Calidad de Vida, Mayores ABSTRACT According to several studies, physical activity can reduce the reaction time of elderly people (Hunter et al., 2001) and even make it equal to that of young people (Light et al., 1996). This project included 52 men and women from the City of Melilla distributed in two groups of study: a Control Group (n=26; M =68, 56 years old) taking part in generic physical activities, and an Experimental Group (n=26; M =67, 32 years) undertaking these same activities and also a specific training programme designed to improve balance, postural adjustment and reaction time. The results do not show significant differences either in the post-test or in the transfer test. However, the subjects from the experimental group achieved better performances on the two study variables (simple reaction time or sRT and initial movement time iMT) ( EG sRT M =.55; iMT M =.53; CG sRT M =.60; iMT M =.64). In the per-subgroup analysis, the women of the 60-70-years-old subgroup who participated in the programme obtained significant better results than the subjects of the other subgroups. KEY WORDS: Response time, Sensory-motor program, Quality of life, Elderly people
A new physical method to assess handle properties of fabrics made from wood-based fibers

In this work, the handfeel of fabrics made of wood-based fibers such as viscose, modal and Lyocell was investigated in relation to cotton fabrics applying the Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA) method in comparison to other classical methods. Two different construction groups of textile were investigated. The validity of TSA in assessing textile softness of these constructions was tested. TSA results were compared to human hand evaluation as well as to classical physical measurements like drape coefficient, ring pull-through and Handle-o-meter, as well as a newer device, the Fabric Touch Tester (FTT). Physical methods as well as human hand assessments mostly agreed on the softest and smoothest range, but showed different rankings in the harder/rougher side fabrics. TSA ranking of softness and smoothness corresponded to the rankings by other physical methods as well as with human hand feel for the basic textile constructions.
Pulmonary tuberculosis and some underlying conditions in Golestan Province of Iran, during 2001-2005

Context: Pulmonary tuberculosis has been a major health problem in Golestan province of Iran. Aims: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the frequency of coexisting medical conditions and their effects on some epidemiologic factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Setting and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Demographic information, time of admission in the hospital and coexisting medical conditions (diabetes, chronic renal failure/hemodyalysis, corticosteroids consumption and malignancies) were extracted from the patient's file. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables. Results: Two hundred forty three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during 5 years were studied. Out of all, 162 cases (66.7%) did not have any co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus was found to be the most prevalent condition (23.05%) followed by chronic renal failure, corticosteroid consumption and malignancy ranking second, third and forth in the list (5.8%, 2.5% and 2 respectively). The mean age of the patients was 50.15±19 years old. In the group without co morbidities, male/female ratio was 1.41/1, but co morbidity with diabetes was significantly more prevalent in females (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest screening of tuberculosis in patients with chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus in our area. Also for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes screening should be considered essential.
Altered search speed and growth: social versus independent foraging in two pelagic juvenile fishes

Prior studies have demonstrated that juvenile walleye pollock Theragra cl? alcogramma forage socially in schools for spatially and temporally clumped food, but forage more independently for spatially and temporally dispersed food. One advantage of social foraging is that fish in schools may be able to locate more food clumps than fish foraging individually. However, data also indicate that walleye pollock swim faster when foraging socially. CVe conducted laboratory experiments to evaluate the effect of food distribution upon the energetic foraglng costs lncurred by juvenile walleye pollock and sablefish Anaplopoma fimbna. We predicted that when given identical rations, fish receiving clumped food would swim faster, expending more energy, and therefore grow more slowly than fish receiving dispersed food After 2 wk under these 2 foraging regimes, juvenile walleye pollock receiving clumped food swam 50% faster, but experienced 19% lower growth, than walleye pollock receiving dispersed food. Sablefish demonstrated only a weak swim speed response, with no difference in growth between food distributions. Our results demonstrate that although social foraging may increase encounter rates with food, in some specles there may also be an energetic cost for this behavior, which will have a n influence upon energet~c efficiency, potentially affecting growth and survival.
Workplace-Based Practicum: Enabling Expansive Practices

Effective pre-service teacher education integrates theoretical and practical knowledge. One means of integration is practicum in a school workplace. In a time of variable approaches to, and models of, practicum, we outline an innovative model of school immersion as part of a teacher preparation program. We apply Fuller and Unwin's (2004) expansive and restrictive conceptual framework of workplace learning to a case study of an immersive practicum experience to discuss themes of participation, personal development and institutional arrangements in relation to school-based practicum. Enablers and constraints are identified for our immersion model of workplace-based practicum. Based on the data analysis a number of implications for structuring an expansive practicum learning experience are outlined.
Consumer confidence and economic growth: case studies of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago

This study examined the causal link between consumer confidence and GDP in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the context of the vector autoregression (VAR) methodology. The interest rate and exchange rate were also included in the model as control variables. In the case of Jamaica, remittances were included due to its importance in the economy. The study argued that consumer confidence indices can be useful in economic forecasting, policymaking and business planning in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. This usefulness is, however, built on the assumption that the index leads (or causes) aggregate economic conditions.
Exploring Information Seeking Behavior of Farmers’ in Information Related to Climate Change Adaptation Through ICT (CHAI)

In Tanzania, agriculture sector is known for employing more than 70% of the total population. Agriculture sector faces many challenges including climate change. Climate change causes low productivity in agriculture; low productivity is caused due to poor implementation of agricultural policies and strategies. This poor implementation of policies has also caused many farmers to be not competent in climate change adaptation. Over the years, provisions of agricultural advice and extension were provided by various approaches, including training and visit extension, participatory approaches, and farmers’ field schools. However, provision of agricultural advisory and extension service is inefficient. Also, in most cases the usage of most agricultural innovations and technologies developed is limited. A literature review indicates that the main reasons given by Tanzanian farmers for not using improved technology are not lack of knowledge or skill, but rather that the technologies do not contribute towards improvements (e.g., the technologies are not profitable or they imply to high risk). Thus, agricultural extension service needs to be geared towards teaching farmers how to develop innovative and cost effective technologies that are contextualized. Limited numbers of agricultural extension staff and less interactivity of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as radio and television, have been mentioned to be among the factors limiting the provision of agricultural advisory and extension services to the majority of farmers in Tanzania. The advancements in ICTs have brought new opportunities for enhancing access to agricultural advisory and extension service for climate change adaptation. In Tanzania, farmers and other actors access agricultural information from various sources such as agricultural extension workers and use of various databases from Internet Services Providers. Also there are different web – and mobile – based farmers’ advisory information systems to support conventional agricultural extension service. These systems are producing bulk amounts of data which makes it difficult for different stakeholders to make an informed decision after data analysis. This calls for the need to develop a tool for data visualization in order to understand hidden patterns from massive data. In this study, a semi-automated text classification was developed to determine the frequently asked keywords from a web and mobile based farmers’ advisory system called UshauriKilimo after being in use for more than 2 years by more than 700 farmers.
Determinants of Trade Union Membership in Western Germany: Evidence from Micro Data, 1980-2000

An empirical analysis of various waves of the ALLBUS social survey shows that union density fell substantially in West Germany from 1980 to 2000. Such a negative trend can be observed for men and women and for different groups of the workforce. Repeated crosssectional analyses suggest that a number of personal, occupational and attitudinal variables such as sex, occupational status, firm size and political orientation play a role in the unionization process, although the influence of many variables is not robust over time. While the results are consistent with cost-benefit considerations on the sides of employees and unions, individualization theory and social custom theory is not consistently supported by our estimations.
Parenting Styles and Short- and Long-term Socialization Outcomes: A Study among Spanish Adolescents and Older Adults

In this study, the association between parenting styles and short- and long-term socialization outcomes was analyzed using a two-dimensional model of four types of parenting styles. The socialization outcomes analyzed were self-esteem and internalization of social values. Participants were a sample of Spanish adolescents (n = 571) and older adults (n = 527). Results showed that both adolescents and older adults from indulgent families reported equal or even higher self-esteem than those from authoritative households, whereas those from neglectful and authoritarian homes were consistently associated with the lowest levels of self-esteem. Regarding internalization of social values, adolescents and older adults raised in indulgent and authoritative families prioritized self-transcendence values (universalism and benevolence) and conservation values (security, conformity, and tradition) as compared to those from authoritarian and neglectful homes, whereas those from neglectful and authoritarian families showed lower scores in all internalization of social values measures. These results suggest that the combination of high levels of parental warmth and involvement and low levels of strictness and imposition (i.e., indulgent parenting style) is an optimum parenting strategy in the cultural context where the study was conducted, and that the link between parenting styles and socialization outcomes share a common short- and long- term pattern.
Urinary Metabolomic Profiling of Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

With advances in mass spectrometry, gas- and liquid chromatography, it is now feasible to analyze a variety of biofluids for metabolomic changes in a variety of diseases. Recent studies have shown that unique alterations in major metabolic pathways may be present. In this study, the urinary metabolic signature of patients diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) was characterized. Metabolomic analysis identified 368 compounds, with forty-six having a significant difference between the samples from patients with GBM, compared to samples from healthy controls. Random forest analysis separated samples from patients with GBM and healthy controls with a 77% accuracy. Using matched urine samples from patients with GBM undergoing chemoirradiation, comparing their sample before irradiation (pre-RT) and after irradiation (post-RT), several N-acetylated compounds were identified as providing the greatest level of distinction between the pre- and post-RT samples. An accumulation of TCA cycle intermediates indicating changes in the mitochondrial oxidative processes was also observed. In summary, our findings identified 46 compounds that differentiated healthy controls from patients with GBM. These may be useful as diagnostic biomarker candidates and highlight the metabolites associated with the pathophysiology of GBM.
Removal of Hydrogen Sulphide from Water

Problem statement: The concentration of H2S in groundwater is a significant problem in various areas across Canada. Hydrogen sulphide dissolves in ground water imparting undesirable taste and irritating rotten egg smell which makes it unpalatable. Ingestion of sulphides through drinking water can result in stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting. Humans exposed to high concentrations of H2S for prolonged periods show symptoms of gastro-intestinal upset, anorexia, nausea, somnolence, amnesia, loss of consciousness, delirium, hallucinations, difficulty in swallowing, low blood pressure, slowing of heart rate, double vision and epileptiform convulsions. Hydrogen sulphide in blood is rapidly oxidized by molecular oxygen and thus reduces the oxidation power of haemoglobin. Unoxidized hydrogen sulphide can act upon the central nervous system and cause either paralysis or respiratory failure. It is therefore, necessary to have a very low concentration of H2S in the water. Approach: An automatic system for the addition of KMnO4 and removal of hydrogen sulphide from ground water was developed and tested. The system consisted of a freshwater tank, a pump, a chemical storage tank, a solenoid valve, a photocell and electronic circuit, a drainage tank, a filter and a set of valves. It was possible to use a photocell to detect the presence of excess KMnO4 in the system and to control the addition of KMnO4 into the system. Results: The system accomplished complete removal of hydrogen sulphide in the range of 1-30 ppm. The present system utilizes on/off control for the addition of the chemical. The amount of KMnO4 needed as a percentage of the amount used was in the range of 5-28%. Conclusion: The photocell and circuit could be used to add an amount of chemical that is constantly proportional to the amount of hydrogen sulphide in the water. The control of a positive displacement chemical feed pump would be an ideal application for this system. The speed of the pump could be controlled in such a manner that would allow a very small excess amount of potassium permanganate to be maintained in the system.