Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth performance, meat quality, and gut microflora of broiler chickens fed with cranberry extract.

Cranberry fruit components have been reported to have antimicrobial activities against a variety of pathogenic bacteria and to be beneficial for human health. Studies on their effects are very limited in animals and especially in chickens. This study investigated the effect of feed supplementation with a commercial cranberry fruit extract (CFE) on the performance, breast meat quality, and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens. Twelve hundred male 1-d-old broiler chicks were allocated randomly to CFE treatments at 0, 40, 80, or 160 mg/kg of feed from d 0 to 35. Cloacal and cecal samples were collected weekly to evaluate the influence of treatments on the intestinal population of generic Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus spp. , and Lactobacillus spp. At d 35, BW were 1.62, 1.60, 1.61, and 1.64 kg for the control birds and birds fed 40, 80, and 160 mg of CFE/kg of feed, respectively. Feed intake ranged from 2.7 to 2.8 kg and feed efficiency from 1.8 to 1.9 g of feed/g of BW. However, the treatment effects on bird performance were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mortality rate tended to be lower (P = 0.09) in birds fed 40 mg of CFE/kg of feed. Feed supplementation with CFE did not significantly alter any broiler meat properties evaluated when compared with the control diet (P > 0.05). At d 28, the populations of Enterococcus spp. in cecal and cloacal samples were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in birds receiving CFE at 160 mg/kg of feed than the other groups. No significant differences were noted between the control and the treatment groups for general health and intestinal integrity (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that more studies are needed to investigate potential beneficial effects of CFE or its derivatives in broiler production.
Description logics of minimal knowledge and negation as failure

We present description logics of minimal knowledge and negation as failure (MKNF-DLs), which augment description logics with modal operators interpreted according to Lifschitz's nonmonotonic logic MKNF. We show the usefulness of MKNF-DLs for a formal characterization of a wide variety of nonmonotonic features that are both commonly available inframe-based systems, and needed in the development of practical knowledge-based applications: defaults, integrity constraints, role, and concept closure. In addition, we provide a correct and terminating calculus for query answering in a very expressive MKNF-DL.
Variability and Correlated Noise in the Discharge of Neurons in Motor and Parietal Areas of the Primate Cortex

We analyzed the magnitude and interneuronal correlation of the variability in the activity of single neurons that were recorded simultaneously using a multielectrode array in the primary motor cortex and parietal areas 2/5 in rhesus monkeys. The animals were trained to move their arms in one of eight directions as instructed by a visual target. The relationship between variability (SD) and mean of the discharge rate was described by a power function with a similar exponent (∼0.57), regardless of the cortical area or the behavioral condition. We examined whether the deviation from mean activity between target onset and the end of the movement was correlated on a trial-by-trial basis with variability in activity during the hold period before target onset. In both cortical areas, for about a quarter of the neurons, the neuronal noise of these two periods was positively correlated, whereas significant negative correlations were seldom observed. Overall, neurons with higher signal correlation (i.e., similar directional pattern) showed higher noise correlation in both cortical areas. On the other hand, when the data were divided according to the distance between the electrode tips from which the neurons were recorded, a consistent relationship between the signal and noise correlations was found only for pairs of neurons recorded through the same electrode. These results suggest that nearby neurons with similar directional tuning carry primarily redundant messages, whereas neurons in separate cortical columns perform more independent processing.
The Effects of a Vocally Fatiguing Reading Task and Hydration Intervention on Voice

The aims of this study were to a) investigate the precise changes in voice during two consecutive reading tasks, b) measure any changes to that same voice after oral hydration interventions following each task, and c) gain insight into the onset and progression of the fatigue as the individual spoke at their normal loudness and pitch throughout the experiment. Within a single experimental session, nine college-aged participants (3 male and 6 female) read aloud (in their normal loudness and pitch) during two 30-minute blocks with hydration and breaks in between. It was hypothesized that acoustic voice measures would decline from the beginning to the end of each reading session, and that drinking water would effect an immediate, transient change in voice that would be masked with continued sustained voice use.
Enhancing Preparedness and Satisfaction of Caregivers of Patients Discharged from an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Using an Interactive Website

Purpose: Research indicates a need for improved caregiver preparation to provide care following a patient's discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The aim of this project was to test the use of web‐based resources to enhance the preparedness and satisfaction of such caregivers. Methods: A website was provided to caregivers with resources and e‐mail access to a rehabilitation nurse practitioner. Care recipients had the following diagnoses: stroke, amputation, trauma/orthopedic, brain injury or debility. Preparedness for caregiving was assessed before utilization of the website and after discharge. Satisfaction of the resources was assessed after discharge. Measures included the Preparedness for Caregiver Scale and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Seventy caregivers completed the predischarge preparedness tool. Thirty returned both tools postdischarge. Findings: Analysis of pre–post test data indicated increased preparedness to provide care after resource use, no increase meeting the caregiver's personal needs, and satisfaction with the resources provided. The caregivers of brain‐injured patients reported less preparation as caregivers than those who cared for patients with other diagnoses. Although high interest was reported in using e‐mail with the nurse practitioner, the resource was not utilized. Clinical Relevance: This preliminary study supports the clinical relevance of Internet resources to improve caregiver preparation. With shortened hospital stays, providing applicable and evidence‐based websites and other online services for caregivers can complement other healthcare services. More research focused on preparing caregivers and supporting personal caregiver needs is needed to evaluate the impact on overall rehabilitation outcomes.
Organic Activists: Undocumented Youth Creating Spaces of Acompañamiento

ABSTRACT Our research brings attention to undocumented youth activism as a space controlled by marginalized youth. We discuss the case study of a youth-led grassroots group in Texas to explore how undocumented youth engage a pedagogy of acompañamiento through activism. We worked with undocumented youth activists as allies over the past seven years and recently began to research how undocumented youth create networks of support and solidarity. Specifically, we look at relationships among active members, document acts of civil disobedience, and reflect with youth on their activism to understand the ways in which they transform their illegality into humanity. This research extends the work by Sepúlveda (2011) and Tomlison & Lipsitz (2013) emphasizing the ways in which undocumented youth accompany each other as they create networks of caring and extend notions of kinship among immigrants and allies.
Development of a Gene-Centered SSR Atlas as a Resource for Papaya (Carica papaya) Marker-Assisted Selection and Population Genetic Studies

Carica papaya (papaya) is an economically important tropical fruit. Molecular marker-assisted selection is an inexpensive and reliable tool that has been widely used to improve fruit quality traits and resistance against diseases. In the present study we report the development and validation of an atlas of papaya simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We integrated gene predictions and functional annotations to provide a gene-centered perspective for marker-assisted selection studies. Our atlas comprises 160,318 SSRs, from which 21,231 were located in genic regions (i.e. inside exons, exon-intron junctions or introns). A total of 116,453 (72.6%) of all identified repeats were successfully mapped to one of the nine papaya linkage groups. Primer pairs were designed for markers from 9,594 genes (34.5% of the papaya gene complement). Using papaya-tomato orthology assessments, we assembled a list of 300 genes (comprising 785 SSRs) potentially involved in fruit ripening. We validated our atlas by screening 73 SSR markers (including 25 fruit ripening genes), achieving 100% amplification rate and uncovering 26% polymorphism rate between the parental genotypes (Sekati and JS12). The SSR atlas presented here is the first comprehensive gene-centered collection of annotated and genome positioned papaya SSRs. These features combined with thousands of high-quality primer pairs make the atlas an important resource for the papaya research community.
Functional MRI study of thalamic and cortical activations evoked by cutaneous heat, cold, and tactile stimuli.

Positron emission tomography studies have provided evidence for the involvement of the thalamus and cortex in pain and temperature perception. However, the involvement of these structures in pain and temperature perception of individual subjects has not been studied in detail with high spatial resolution imaging. As a first step toward this goal, we have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to locate discrete regions of the thalamus, insula, and second somatosensory cortex (S2) modulated during innocuous and noxious thermal stimulation. Results were compared with those obtained during tactile stimulation of the palm. High resolution functional images were acquired on a 1.5 T echospeed GE MR system with an in-plane resolution of 1.7 mm. A modified peltier-type thermal stimulator was used to deliver innocuous cool and warm and noxious cold and hot stimuli for 40-60 s to the thenar eminence of normal male and female volunteers. Experimental paradigms consisted of four repetitions of interleaved control and task stimuli. A pixel by pixel statistical analysis of images obtained during each task versus control (e.g., noxious heat vs. warm, warm vs. neutral temperature, etc.) was used to determine task-related activations. Painful thermal stimuli activated discrete regions within the lateral and medial thalamus, and insula, predominantly in the anterior insula in most subjects, and the contralateral S2 in 50% of subjects. The innocuous thermal stimuli did not activate the S2 in any of the subjects but activated the thalamus and posterior insula in 50% of subjects. By comparison, innocuous tactile stimulation consistently activated S2 bilaterally and the contralateral lateral thalamus. These data also demonstrate that noxious thermal and innocuous tactile-related activations overlap in S2. The data also suggest that innocuous and noxious-related activations may overlap within the thalamus but may be located in different regions of the insula. Therefore, we provide support for a role of the anterior insula, S2, and thalamus in the perception of pain; whereas the posterior insula appears to be involved in tactile and innocuous temperature perception. These data demonstrate the feasibility of using fMRI for studies of pain, temperature, and mechanical stimuli in individual subjects, even in small regions such as thalamic nuclei. However, the intersubject variability should be considered in future single subject imaging studies and studies that rely on averaged group responses.
Result Optimal Translation Sequence of a New Definition Form of Rough Communication

In rough communication, because each agent has communication to each other, the concept translated among multi-agents will loss some information, and this results in a less or rougher concept. With different translation sequences the amount of the missed knowledge is varied. A new definition form of rough communication is introduced. In order to get the translation sequence, in which the last agent taking part in new-rough communication gets maximum information, simulated annealing algorithm is used. Analysis and simulation of the algorithm demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Methanolic extract of white asparagus shoots activates TRAIL apoptotic death pathway in human cancer cells and inhibits colon carcinogenesis in a preclinical model

Shoots of white asparagus are a popular vegetable dish, known to be rich in many bioactive phytochemicals reported to possess antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. We evaluated the anticancer mechanisms of a methanolic extract of Asparagus officinalis L. shoots (Asp) on human colon carcinoma cells (SW480) and their derived metastatic cells (SW620), and Asp chemopreventive properties were also assessed in a model of colon carcinogenesis. SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation was inhibited by 80% after exposure to Asp (80 μg/ml). We demonstrated that Asp induced cell death through the activation of TRAIL DR4/DR5 death receptors leading to the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and to cell apoptosis. By specific blocking agents of DR4/DR5 receptors we were able to prevent Asp-triggered cell death confirming the key role of DR4/DR5 receptors. We found also that Asp (80 μg/ml) was able to potentiate the effects of the cytokine TRAIL on cell death even in the TRAIL-resistant metastatic SW620 cells. Colon carcinogenesis was initiated in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injections of azoxymethane (AOM), once a week for two weeks. One week after (post-initiation) rats received daily Asp (0.01%, 14 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water. After 7 weeks of Asp-treatment the colon of rats exhibited a 50% reduction of the number of preneoplastic lesions (aberrant crypt foci). In addition Asp induced inhibition of several pro-inflammatory mediators, in association with an increased expression of host-defense mediators. In the colonic mucosa of Asp-treated rats we also confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects observed in vitro including the activation of the TRAIL death-receptor signaling pathway. Taken together, our data highlight the chemopreventive effects of Asp on colon carcinogenesis and its ability to promote normal cellular homeostasis.
Parenting Capacity Assessment for the Court in a Multifamily Group Setting

Parenting capacity assessment in court evaluations is a particularly complex task, given that it is necessary to consider the vast array of distinct and interrelated aspects and abilities which represent parenting, as well as the elevated number of contextual levels that influence parenting quality. The perspective we want to introduce regards the potentiality of the multifamily group as the elective observational setting in parenting capacity assessment.
Privacy and Integrity are Possible in the Untrusted Cloud

From word processing to online social networking, user-facing applications are increasingly being deployed in the cloud. These cloud services are attractive because they offer high scalability, availability, and reliability. But adopting them has so far forced users to cede control of their data to cloud providers, leaving the data vulnerable to misuse by the providers or theft by attackers. Thus, users have had to choose between trusting providers or forgoing cloud deployment’s benefits entirely. In this article, we show that it is possible to overcome this trade-off for many applications. We describe two of our recent systems, SPORC [13] and Frientegrity [12], that enable users to benefit from cloud deployment without having to trust providers for confidentiality or integrity. In both systems, the provider only observes encrypted data and cannot deviate from correct execution without detection. Moreover, for cases when the provider does misbehave, SPORC introduces a mechanism, also applicable to Frientegrity, that enables users to recover. SPORC is a framework that enables a wide variety of collaborative applications such as collaborative text editors and shared calendars with an untrusted provider. It allows concurrent, low-latency editing of shared state, permits disconnected operation, and supports dynamic access control even in the presence of concurrency. Frientegrity extends SPORC’s model to online social networking. It introduces novel mechanisms for verifying the provider’s correctness and access control that scale to hundreds of friends and tens of thousands of posts while still providing the same security guarantees as SPORC. By effectively returning control of users’ data to the users themselves, these systems do much to mitigate the risks of cloud deployment.
Functional Anatomy of Visual Search: Regional Segregations within the Frontal Eye Fields and Effective Connectivity of the Superior Colliculus

The ability to find targets embedded within complex visual environments requires the dynamic programming of visuomotor search behaviors. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to image subjects while they visually searched for targets embedded among foils. Visuomotor search activated the posterior parietal cortex and the frontal eye fields. Both regions showed a greater number of activated voxels on the right, consistent with the known pattern of right hemispheric dominance for spatial attention. The superior colliculus showed prominent activation in the search versus eye movement contrast, demonstrating, for the first time in humans, activation of this region specifically related to an exploratory attentional contingency. An analysis of effective connectivity demonstrated that the search-dependent variance in the activity of the superior colliculus was significantly influenced by the activity in a network of cortical regions including the right frontal eye fields and bilateral parietal and occipital cortices. These experiments also revealed the presence of a mosaic of activated sites within the frontal eye field region wherein saccadic eye movements, covert shifts of attention, and visuomotor search elicited overlapping but not identical zones of activation. In contrast to the existing literature on functional imaging, which has focused on covert shifts of spatial attention, this study helps to characterize the functional anatomy of overt spatial exploration.
Interner Bericht Specification Techniques for Automatic Performance Analysis Tools

Performance analysis of parallel programs is a time-consuming task and requires a lot of experience. It is the goal of the KOJAK project at the Research Centre Juelich to develop an automatic performance analysis environment. A key requirement for the success of this new environment is its easy integration with already existing tools on the target platform. The design should lead to tools that can be easily retargeted to different parallel machines based on specification documents. This article outlines the features of the APART Specification Language designed for that purpose and demonstrates its applicability in the context of the KOJAK Cost Analyzer, a first prototype tool of KOJAK.
A Virtual Laboratory System with Biometric Authentication and Remote Proctoring Based on Facial Recognition

Virtual laboratories are used in online education, corporate training and professional skill development. There are several aspects that determine the value and effectiveness of virtual laboratories, namely (i) the cost of development which includes the cost of creating the virtual environment and designing and implementing the laboratory exercises, (ii) the benefits brought to the trainees compared with those provided by traditional physical laboratories, and (iii) the operation which includes the communication between trainers and trainees, the authentication and remote proctoring of the trainees, etc. In this paper, a virtual laboratory system with biometric authentication and remote proctoring by employing facial recognition techniques is introduced. The general logic and basic algorithms used to enable biometric authentication and remote proctoring are described. When using this virtual laboratory system, the students log in by scanning their faces with a camera. While performing a laboratory exercise, the students sit in front of the camera and the virtual laboratory system monitors their facial expressions and head motions in order to identify suspicious behaviors. Upon detection of such suspicious behaviors, the system records a video for further analysis by the laboratory administrator. An evaluation of the feasibility of this approach is presented.
Putting eHR into practice : the case of the University of Alicante

Nowadays it is not likely to find any large organization, either public or private, that does not have some sort of computerized information system for their Human Resource Management (HRM) processes. However, not all of them use it successfully and effectively. Lessons need to be extracted, both from theoretical research and case studies in order to show HR managers how to boost the added value of people by integrating an eHRM perspective in their businesses. Strohmeier’s e-HRM [36] framework posits that researchers need to understand the context in which the practitioner works, along with the relationships between the actors affected, the firm's strategies and activities, and the technologies implemented before attempting to determine its consequences and ways to improve HRM performance. Taking this into account, this paper offers an analytical, qualitative view of the e-HRM context, actors, activities and technologies developed by the University of Alicante, comparing the perspectives of the employees and their supervisors, in order to identify which key issues need to be considered prior to undertaking a quantitative research on e-HRM performance. Our main contribution is to find evidence supporting that the most relevant issues to be considered are those of communication, conflict management and trust between employees and supervisors.
Women's decision-making needs related to treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer: a pilot study.

UNLABELLED The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the decision-making needs of women with ovarian cancer related to treatment of recurrent disease. DESIGN A retrospective, cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS Thirteen women were recruited. Eleven women did not report difficulty in making the decision. Five women perceived that they had options. Seven had a passive role in the decision. When considering future decisions, nine women preferred a shared or autonomous role; seven wanted to be presented with options. The role of nurses in providing information was emphasized. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide some beginning direction for an inter-professional decision support approach, as well as implications for future research.
ASPECTS OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL MOTION ANALYSIS OF THE VOLLEYBALL SPIKE IN HIGH LEVEL COMPETITION

The purpose of the study was a three dimensional motion analysis of the volleyball spike from position four during competition. Spikes were analysed at a tournament of the European league. Regarding the jump technique, only few athletes performed the discussed coordination pattern of the impulses within the body. It may be concluded that there exists reserves within the training process concerning the coordination in the takeoff phase even in high level athletes.