Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial discrimination in the sharing economy : evidence from online experiments

Racial discrimination in the sharing economy is a topic drawing increasing attention. The short-term rental company Airbnb implemented several initiatives aiming to limit discrimination on its platform. Yet, it did not solve the issue and the users’ social responsibility involved in the peer-to-peer service adds complexity to the case. Recent studies assessed racial discrimination in the sharing economy, and more particularly on Airbnb. This thesis analyses discrimination based on host’s ethnicity in Airbnb’s services with data from 2 online experiments in the aim to understand who discriminates, why do people discriminate and what service triggers discriminatory outcomes. Data analysis provided cross-cultural insights between Norway and Belgium. Right-wingers and individuals with a high level of perceived outgroup threat appeared to discriminate against the outgroup host. Oppositely, left-wingers and individuals with a low level of perceived outgroup threat appeared to discriminate in favor the outgroup host. Results showed that people discriminate based on their self-connection with the apartment. In the home swap service context, the self-other overlap was also a basis for discrimination. Finally, three nudges to tackle racial discrimination on Airbnb are suggested: encouraging mutual reviews, rating the accuracy of accommodation’s pictures, and increasing information about the host. Further research is needed to assess their power in reducing implicit bias in the decision process.
Dissecting the Phenotypic Components of Crop Plant Growth and Drought Responses Based on High-Throughput Image Analysis[W][OPEN]

A framework for high-throughput analysis of phenotypic traits from nondestructive plant imaging is used to dissect phenotypic components of barley growth and crop performance. Significantly improved crop varieties are urgently needed to feed the rapidly growing human population under changing climates. While genome sequence information and excellent genomic tools are in place for major crop species, the systematic quantification of phenotypic traits or components thereof in a high-throughput fashion remains an enormous challenge. In order to help bridge the genotype to phenotype gap, we developed a comprehensive framework for high-throughput phenotype data analysis in plants, which enables the extraction of an extensive list of phenotypic traits from nondestructive plant imaging over time. As a proof of concept, we investigated the phenotypic components of the drought responses of 18 different barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars during vegetative growth. We analyzed dynamic properties of trait expression over growth time based on 54 representative phenotypic features. The data are highly valuable to understand plant development and to further quantify growth and crop performance features. We tested various growth models to predict plant biomass accumulation and identified several relevant parameters that support biological interpretation of plant growth and stress tolerance. These image-based traits and model-derived parameters are promising for subsequent genetic mapping to uncover the genetic basis of complex agronomic traits. Taken together, we anticipate that the analytical framework and analysis results presented here will be useful to advance our views of phenotypic trait components underlying plant development and their responses to environmental cues.
Notice of RetractionThe U.S. quantifying tools of the forest carbon sink and its enlightenment to China

The contribution of the forest carbon sink to the reduction of global warming has been well-acknowledged. The calculation method of the forest carbon sink is fundamental and significant for the future work of the forest carbon management and carbon credit trading, etc. The article firstly took the U.S. as an example and intended to review the principal quantifying tools of the forest carbon sink of the U.S. Then the article summarized the feature appeared among the tools which might shed some light for the future research on this issue. In the end of the paper, some suggestion was put forward over the domestic forest carbon sink issue in China.
A dual vertical Hall latch with direction detection

A chopped vertical Hall sensor for detecting the speed and motion direction of magnetic encoder wheels is presented. It achieves low offset and low noise even in the case of the low intrinsic sensitivity and high voltage dependency of offset common to the vertical Hall devices. It features a combination of spinning and stacking techniques together with mixed sampled and continuous time processing, capable of reaching 36μT switching noise at 25°C and typical 0.25mT offset in a temperature range from -40 °C to 150 °C. Additionally, it employs sensitivity compensation of mechanical stress for reducing packaging influences on the sensor. This allows switching point measurement at wafer level, based on injecting current in an integrated wire on chip.
Isolation and expression of a porcine lactoferrin gene.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the spatial and temporal expression of a porcine lactoferrin (LTF) gene. ANIMALS 4 female and 4 male Large White pigs. PROCEDURES We examined LTF expression in various organs excised from the pigs, using northern blot hybridization with a porcine LTF cDNA probe. Antibodies against porcine LTF were raised in rabbits and were used along with immunohistochemical staining to localize the LTF protein. RESULTS High amounts of porcine LTF mRNA were detected in the secreting mammary gland and epididymis. This distribution is consistent with that of porcine LTF examined by immunohistochemistry. In female pigs, porcine LTF mRNA concentration increased remarkably in the ductal cells of the lactating mammary gland then significantly decreased at day 21 after parturition. Furthermore, specific staining for LTF was observed in the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract of female pigs, but not in the uterus, ovaries, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, muscles, heart, brain, lungs, or liver of postpartum female pigs, or in the testes of male pigs. CONCLUSIONS Gene expression of porcine LTF is closely related to lactation in the mammary gland. Distribution of LTF in the epididymis suggests that LTF may have a regulatory role in development of the reproductive tract of male pigs.
Interaction-Free Quantum Optical Fredkin Gates in $\chi^{(2)}$  Microdisks

We present novel “interaction-free” realizations of quantum optical Fredkin gates that do not rely on direct physical coupling between the target light (signal) and the control light (pump). The interaction-free feature of such gates allow to overcome the fundamental limits of photon loss and quantum-state decoherence imposed by the signal-pump coupling. This advantage, together with the low inherent quantum-noise level in χ(2) microdisks, gives rise to substantially improved performance over the existing Fredkin-gate designs. Explicitly using lithium-niobate mircrodisks, we present two kinds of interaction-free Fredkin gates, a phase gate and an optical-path gate, both of which are designed with telecom-band applications in mind. For both gates, the threshold pump peak power to achieve a gate contrast >;100 and a signal loss <;10% is hundreds of microwatts for practical parameters of the devices.
The neurovegetative complaints questionnaire in the maastricht aging study: Psychometric properties and normative data

Objectives: Neurovegetative and somatic symptoms (such as headaches, heart palpitations and dizziness) have a high prevalence. These symptoms are often indicative for ‘masked depression’ or ‘depression without sadness’, especially in older adults. At present, no instrument exists which enables the assessment of these symptoms. This study presents a questionnaire which assesses neurovegetative and somatic complaints, as well as reactive emotional complaints: the ‘Neurovegetative Complaints Questionnaire’ (NCQ). Methods: The factor structure, internal consistency and validity of the NCQ were evaluated in a very large sample of 1105 healthy subjects aged 24–81 years from the Maastricht Aging Study. The effects of age, sex and educational level on the NCQ measures were established to provide demographically corrected normative data. Results: Two constructs underlay the responses to the NCQ items, i.e. the neurovegetative/somatic and reactive/emotional complaints factors (eigenvalues were 4.63 and 1.65, respectively, 33.0% of the variance was explained, Pearson's r between both factors equalled 0.448). Internal consistency of both scales was acceptable (i.e. Cronbach's α = 0.74 and 0.71, respectively) and convergent validity was sufficient (Pearson's r = |0.387 – 0.499|). Females and older participants were characterised by more neurovegetative/somatic and reactive/emotional complaints compared to males and younger people. Demographically corrected regression-based norms were provided for use in research and clinical settings. Conclusions: The NCQ is a psychometrically sound questionnaire that is specifically aimed at assessing neurovegetative/somatic and reactive/emotional complaints, symptoms that often are indicative for a ‘masked depression’.
A groupware-supported inspection process for active inspection management

Inspection is an important approach to reduce defects in software engineering artifacts. However, research and practice show that the performance of manual inspections fluctuates considerably. Based on experiences we gained in large-scale controlled inspection experiments we propose a concept for improved inspection management relying on (a) the transparent collection of detailed data on the actual inspection process and (b) groupware support for the flexible combination of inspection process modeling and data-driven process analysis. We expect an automated approach to be of versatile help both for researchers who use it for monitoring controlled experiments and for practitioners who may use it as part Of their infrastructure for inspection management and transparent data collection.
Attenuation of allograft rejection by intragraft inhibition of class II transcativator in high responder rat liver transplantation

Major histocompatibility complex‐II (MHC‐II) plays an important role in graft rejection and class II transactivator (CIITA) is the key regulator for MHC‐II expression. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of intragraft inhibition of CIITA in attenuating liver transplant rejection. Three plasmids containing small hairpin RNA (shRNA) against rat CIITA (pCIITA‐shRNA) and one control plasmid of pHK‐shRNA were constructed. In vitro dendritic cell (DC) transfection and liver transfection via portal vein in donor rats (n = 8) by shRNA plasmids were performed to confirm the inhibitory effect of pCIITA‐shRNA on CIITA expression. It showed that expressions of CIITA and MHC‐II were significantly inhibited by pCIITA‐shRNA in both DC in vitro and liver of donor rats in vivo (p < 0.05 vs. control pHK‐shRNA treatment). pCIITA1‐shRNA was proved to be the best inhibitor among three pCIITA‐shRNAs and then used in high‐responder rat liver transplantation model (DA donors‐to‐Lewis recipients). Transplant groups (n = 16/group) include untreated recipients transplanted with donor liver graft pretreated with either saline, or pHK‐shRNA, or pCIITA1‐shRNA. Cyclosporine‐treated (10 mg/kg, im, day 0–7) recipients transplanted with unmodified liver grafts were used as no rejection control. The results showed that the recipient rats survived significantly longer in pCIITA1‐shRNA‐treated group with markedly attenuated liver graft rejection (p < 0.05 vs. saline and pHK‐shRNA‐treated groups). Furthermore, significantly decreased intragraft expressions of CIITA, MHC‐II, IL‐2, and IFN‐γ were found in pCIITA1‐shRNA‐treated group (p < 0.05 vs. saline and pHK‐shRNA‐treated groups). This study suggests that intragraft inhibition of CIITA could be a novel strategy for attenuating graft rejection in liver transplantation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:52–59, 2015.
Antihypertensive effects of dietary protein and its mechanism

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Individuals with hypertension are at increased risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Both genetic and lifestyle factors, particularly diet, have been attributed an important role in the development of hypertension. Reducing dietary sugar and salt intake can help lower blood pressure; similarly, adequate protein intake may also attenuate hypertension. Observational, cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiological studies, and controlled clinical trials, have documented significant inverse associations between protein intake and blood pressure. Human and animal studies have shown that specific amino acids within proteins may have antihypertensive effects. Cysteine, glutathione (a tripeptide), glutamate and arginine attenuate and prevent alterations that cause hypertension including insulin resistance, decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, altered renin angiotensin system function, increased oxidative stress and formation of advanced glycation end products. Leucine increases protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and improves insulin resistance by modulating hepatic gluconeogenesis. Taurine and tryptophan attenuate sympathetic nervous system activity. Soy protein helps lower blood pressure through its high arginine content and antioxidant activity exhibited by isoflavones. A diet containing an ample amount of protein may be a beneficial lifestyle choice for individuals with hypertension; one example is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which is low in salt and saturated fat; includes whole grains, lean meat, poultry, fish and nuts; and is rich in vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products, which are good sources of antioxidant vitamins, minerals and fibre. Including an adequate supply of soy in the diet should also be encouraged.
Anthropometric Characteristics and Nutritional Profile of Young Amateur Swimmers

Martínez, S, Pasquarelli, BN, Romaguera, D, Arasa, C, Tauler, P, and Aguiló, A. Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional profile of young amateur swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 1126-1133, 2011-The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional and anthropometric profiles of young swimmers belonging to semiprofessional teams. Thirty-six caucasian adolescent swimmers (22 boys and 14 girls) participated voluntarily in the study. Anthropometric data, dietary intake, and blood parameters were determined. Female swimmers had greater values of triceps, suprailiac, and abdominal skinfolds. Endomorphic somatotype was twofold greater in girls compared with in boys. Energy intake and protein intake per kilogram of body weight were significantly greater in boys compared to in girls. On the other hand, girls had significantly greater polyunsaturated fatty acid intake compared that of boys. Energy intake of boys and girls was below their requirements. In contrast, protein intake doubled the requirements of the study population. Furthermore, inadequate intake of carotenes, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and folic acid was found in both boys and girls; girls also had inadequate intake of iron and calcium. Plasma levels of iron, vitamins C and E, and carotenes were similar in male and females swimmers, and they were within the normal range. In conclusion, young swimmers participating in the present study had differences between sexes in somatotypes. Adolescent swimmers had low average total energy intakes, excessive protein intake, and lower intake of several micronutrients in both sexes.
Evaluation of IS200-PCR and Comparison with Other Molecular Markers To Trace Salmonella enterica subsp.enterica Serotype Typhimurium Bovine Isolates from Farm to Meat

ABSTRACT A procedure that uses an original molecular marker (IS200-PCR) and that is based on the amplification of DNA with outward-facing primers complementary to each end of IS200 has been evaluated with a collection of 85Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium isolates. These strains were isolated from a group of 10 cows at different stages: during transportation between the farm and the slaughterhouse, on the slaughter line, from the environment, and from the final product (ground beef). The 85 isolates were characterized by their antibiotic resistance patterns and were compared by IS200-PCR and by use of four other genotypic markers. Those markers included restriction profiles for 16S and 23S rRNA (ribotypes) and amplification profiles obtained by different approaches: random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR, and PCR ribotyping. The results of the IS200-PCR were in accordance with those of other molecular typing methods for this collection of isolates. Five different genotypes were found, which made it possible to refine the hypotheses on transmission obtained from phenotypic results. The genotyping results indicated the massive contamination of the whole group of animals and of the environment by one clonal strain originally recovered from one cow that excreted the strain. On the other hand, a few animals and their environment appeared to be simultaneously contaminated with genetically different strains.
Hypothesis combination for Slovak dictation speech recognition

Combination of multiple speech recognition systems is the most used method for improving speech recognition accuracy. The combination is performed at the feature level or the systems are exchanging informations between each other during decoding process or are combined afterwards using their outputs in form of N-best hypothesis or lattices. This paper provides initial experiments with system combination for Slovak language speech recognition using well known combination tool, the Recognition Output Voting Error Reduction (ROVER) from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Two kinds of scores provided to ROVER are here explored. The first one is based on normalized posterior probabilities and the second one on confidence scores of words in recognized sentence. Also new method for improving the efficiency of combination by smoothing the scores is presented.
The Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Screen (VACCS) project: Linking cervical cancer screening to HPV vaccination in the South-West District of Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa.

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is preventable, but still highly prevalent in South Africa (SA). Screening strategies in the country have been ineffective, and new ways to prevent the disease are needed. OBJECTIVES To investigate the feasibility of linking cervical cancer screening in adult women to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in schoolgirls. METHODS Ten primary schools in the South-West District of Tshwane, Gauteng Province, SA, took part in the study. Cervical cancer and HPV vaccine information was provided to schoolgirls and their parents. Consented schoolgirls were vaccinated and their female parents were invited to participate in self-screening. RESULTS Among 1 654 girls invited for vaccination, the consented and invited uptake rates were 99.4% and 64.0%, respectively. Vaccine completion rates were higher in schools where the vaccination programme was completed in the same calendar year than in those where it was administered over two calendar years. Of 569 adult females invited, 253 (44.5%) returned screen tests; 169 (66.8%) tested negative and 75 (29.6%) positive for any high-risk HPV (hrHPV). There were no differences in level of education, employment status or access to healthcare between women with positive and those with negative screen results. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of HPV vaccination in a primary school-based programme was successful, with high vaccine uptake and completion rates. Self-screening reached the ideal target group, and it is possible to link cervical cancer screening to the cervical cancer vaccine by giving women the opportunity of self-sampling for hrHPV testing. This is a novel and feasible approach that would require some adaptive strategies.
Computer-aided detection of early neoplastic lesions in Barrett’s esophagus

Background and study aims: Early neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus is difficult to detect and often overlooked during Barrett’s surveillance. An automatic detection system could be beneficial, by assisting endoscopists with detection of early neoplastic lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a computer system to detect early neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. Patients and methods: Based on 100 images from 44 patients with Barrett’s esophagus, a computer algorithm, which employed specific texture, color filters, and machine learning, was developed for the detection of early neoplastic lesions in Barrett’s esophagus. The evaluation by one endoscopist, who extensively imaged and endoscopically removed all early neoplastic lesions and was not blinded to the histological outcome, was considered the gold standard. For external validation, four international experts in Barrett’s neoplasia, who were blinded to the pathology results, reviewed all images. Results: The system identified early neoplastic lesions on a per-image analysis with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.83. At the patient level, the system achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 0.86 and 0.87, respectively. A trade-off between the two performance metrics could be made by varying the percentage of training samples that showed neoplastic tissue. Conclusion: The automated computer algorithm developed in this study was able to identify early neoplastic lesions with reasonable accuracy, suggesting that automated detection of early neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus is feasible. Further research is required to improve the accuracy of the system and prepare it for real-time operation, before it can be applied in clinical practice.
Macroeconomic Energy Efficiency Portfolio Model of Indonesia

There has been a decreasing trend in Indonesia’s energy efficiency. Indonesia’s energy efficiency decreased at the annual rate of 1.4 % over the last 27 years from $ 246.23 per million Btus in 1980 to $ 165.51 per million Btus in 2007. In the absence of initiatives by the government as well as the citizens to improve energy efficiency, Indonesia’s energy efficiency will decline gradually in the next 25 years by around 45.51 %. This study attempts to address this policy problem by providing policy recommendations based on in-depth analysis and evaluation of the policy alternatives.