Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis Rule Extraction from Patient Data for Chronic Kidney Disease Using Machine Learning

This research study employed a machine learning algorithm on actual patient data to extract decision making rules that can be used to diagnose chronic kidney disease. The patient data set entails a number of health-related attributes or indicators and contains 250 patients positive for chronic kidney disease. The C4.5 decision tree algorithm was applied to the patient data to formulate a set of diagnosis rules for chronic kidney disease. The C4.5 algorithm utilizing 3-fold cross validation achieved 98.25% prediction accuracy and thus correctly classified 393 instances and incorrectly classified 7 instances for a total patient count of 400. The extracted rule set highlighted the need to monitor serum creatinine levels in patients as the primary indicator for the presence of disease. Secondary indicators were pedal edema, hemoglobin, diabetes mellitus and specific gravity. The set of rules provides a preliminary screening tool towards conclusive diagnosis of the chronic kidney disease by nephrologists following timely referral by the primary care providers or decision-making algorithms.
Same-Sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey

The news that same-sex couples lived in nearly every county of the United States marked one of most reported on statistics from the release of Census 2000 data. Since then, policy debates focusing on marriage and partnership rights for same-sex couples have led academics and policy-makers alike to use these data in hopes of gaining a more complete and accurate understanding of this population (e.g., Gates and Ost 2004; Congressional Budget Office 2004; Badgett and Sears 2005). The release of new data from the American Community Survey (ACS) this month offers the first opportunity to update what we have learned and to assess possible changes in the geographic and demographic characteristics of same-sex couples.
The Impact of Governmental Signals on Environmental Morale: a 'behavioural' approach

Possible ways to enhance environmental sustainability involve encouraging people to change their life-style towards more eco-conscious behaviour using information campaigns and price-based instruments. This introduces the questions of 1) how Governments should efficiently incentivise people to behave environmentally friendly (e.g. nudging vs mandatory policies); and, 2) how people react to different policy measures according to their underlying motivations. The purpose of this analysis is to shed light on these particular aspects of policy design and to analyze the conditions under which ethical considerations – i.e. environmental morale – matter in environmental contexts.
Panelists' Performances and Strategies in Paper-Based and Computer-Based Projective Mapping

Projective Mapping has recently attracted a lot of attention and the main sensory data acquisition software packages have developed interfaces to collect projective mapping data. However, the comparison between paper and computer based projective mapping has never been reported. The objectives of this research were to 1) compare the consensus maps and panelists' performances for paper and computer based projective mapping and 2) analyze the panelists' strategies while performing either tasks. In the first part of the study, 32 panelists were asked to perform both paper and computer based projective mapping on 8 beer samples. In a second part of the study, 10 panelists were asked to repeat the tasks whilst “thinking aloud” their strategy. There was no significant difference in panelists' performance as assessed by the People Performance Index (PPI) between the paper and computer tasks. The consensus maps obtained were similar with respect to sample groupings, RV coefficients and variation explained by the first 2 dimensions. Individual panelists adopted similar strategies on paper and computer but strategies differed greatly between panelists.
Which cusp up fl ow events can possibly turn into out fl ows ?

Two sequences, before and after magnetic noon, respectively, of poleward moving auroral forms with associated upflows situated above the European Incoherent Scatter Svalbard Radar allowed close study of ion upflow dynamics. We find that flux intensity is correlated with plasma temperature and that upflowing plasma undergoes acceleration proportional to the slope of the velocity profile and to the velocity at each altitude. The potential for upflows to lift thermal plasma to regions where broadband extremely low frequency electric field activity can cause nonthermal acceleration leading to outflow is examined. Equations for estimating the travel time of upflowing plasma are presented. We find that around 40% of the observed upflow profiles with a unit number flux greater than 1 × 10m 2 s 1 can transport plasma from 500 to 800 km altitude in less than 10min, approximately the typical lifetime of pulsed upflow events. Almost all such profiles can transport plasma from 600 to 800 km in the same time span. Typical transport times for other altitude ranges are also presented. Post magnetic noon the background electron density was somewhat higher than prenoon due to transport of EUV-enhanced plasma, and the postnoon ion flux was somewhat weaker than prenoon.
Impact of Exotic Tree Plantations on Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics in Abandoned Farmland Soils of Southwestern Ethiopia

The impact of exotic tree plantations in Ethiopia on soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nutrients and decomposition processes was analysed and factors contributing to differences in SOC sequestration identified using the CO2Fix model. Forest clearing followed by continuous cultivation for 75 years reduced total SOC by 43% (75.4 Mg ha-1), and forest-derived SOC by 73% (128.4 Mg ha-1) within 0-50 cm depth. Total N decreased by 38% (6.8 Mg ha-1) and base cations and available P were significantly decreased within 0-20 cm depth, while δ15N increased within 0-10 cm depth. Farmland afforestation led to net SOC accretion of 69.6 Mg ha-1 (63.3 Mg ha-1 tree-derived) under Cupressus lusitanica and 29.3 Mg ha-1 (24.2 Mg ha-1 tree-derived) under Pinus patula stands after 20 years. Afforestation with Eucalyptus grandis on an area with pasture plus cropping restored SOC stocks to pre-deforestation levels. Total N increased by 5.7 Mg ha-1 under C. lusitanica and 2.0 Mg ha-1 under P. patula (0-50 cm soil depth). After afforestation, δ15N decreased more in surface layers with C. lusitanica than with P. patula. Afforestation had little impact on available P and exchangeable Mg++. Exchangeable K+ increased significantly (0-30 cm depth) under C. lusitanica and P. patula, while Ca++ increased significantly (0-5 cm depth) only under C. lusitanica. The δ15N pattern in E. grandis soil reflected residual effects of C4 organic matter from pasture. Leaf litter decomposed in the order C. lusitanica> native forest> E. grandis~ P. patula, whereas fine roots decomposed in order P. patula> native forest> C. lusitanica~ E. grandis. SOC sequestration under the exotic trees might be explained by the higher leaf litter decomposition transferring fresh C to mineral soil and lower fine root decomposition, which occurs directly in mineral soil. The CO2Fix model confirmed that total litter input and proportion of fine woody litter explained differences in SOC. Increasing degree of litter decomposition decreased extractives concentration, holocellulose concentration and O-alkyl C spectral regions, and increased spectral regions of alkyl, methoxyl, aromatic and phenolic C and proximate lignin concentration. Fast-growing trees can thus influence SOC and nutrient status within 20 years through their litter input and litter mineralisation rate.
Joint games and compatibility

We introduce the concepts of joint games and compatibility. In a joint game, members of the grand coalition have the option to split and participate in different underlying games, thereby maximizing their total worths. In order to determine whether the grand coalition will remain intact, we introduce the notion of compatibility of these games. A set of games is compatible if the core of the joint game is non-empty. We find a necessary and sufficient condition for compatibility.
Examining the Health and Energetic Impacts of Climate-Induced Prey Shifts on Beluga Whales Using Community-Based Research

The loss of seA ice due to climAte chAnge is altering the structure of Arctic marine ecosystems. Sea ice plays a critical role in the life histories of many Arctic marine mammals that use ice as foraging habitat, a platform for raising young, and protection from predators (Moore and Huntington, 2008). Declines in sea ice are predicted to bring challenges to ice-associated and ice-obligate marine mammals, such as alterations in prey abundance and migration routes, as well as increases in human activities. As long-lived species with low reproductive rates, Arctic marine mammals may not be able to adapt to the rapid pace of environmental change. Whether climate change will have negative impacts on sea-ice associated marine mammals is uncertain because there is insufficient baseline information on their diet, population dynamics, and physical condition (Burek et al., 2008). Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are the most abundant Arctic odontocetes with a circumpolar distribution and are a potential indicator species for the effects of climate change. The eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga population is one of Canada’s largest, with an estimated 39 258 individuals (Harwood and Smith, 2002; Laidre, 2007). During the spring, the EBS population migrates from the Bering Strait to summer and reproduce in the Mackenzie Delta estuary and eastern Beaufort Sea. The beluga whale is a sea-ice-associated marine mammal, and the EBS population selects habitat on the basis of sea ice concentrations: nursing females with young calves select coastal habitat, large males inhabit ice-covered areas, and medium-sized males and females with older calves use mixed ice-covered habitat (Loseto et al., 2006). Since EBS belugas use marine, estuarine, coastal, and deep-water habitats, they are considered a sentinel species for changes in the Mackenzie Delta and the overall health of the Beaufort Sea ecosystem. Some of the predicted effects of climate change are shifts in the distribution, abundance, and composition of prey communities (Litzow et al., 2006). The “junk food hypothesis” attributes declines in productivity of marine mammals to a switch from highto low-quality prey (gross energy density) and has been linked to nutritional stress and the decline of Arctic marine mammal populations, such as the Alaskan stellar sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) (Rosen and Trites, 2000). Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) has been identified as a major prey species for the EBS beluga population (Loseto et al., 2009) and is an important lipid-rich prey to several marine mammal and seabird species (Welch et al., 1993; Harter et al., 2013). Since it is a sea-ice-associated fish, Arctic cod is predicted to reduce Examining the Health and Energetic Impacts of Climate-Induced Prey Shifts on
Formulation of Nutritionally Superior and Low Cost Seaweed Based SoupMix Powder

The demand for dried instant soups is increasing to their ease of use. In particular, the boom in healthy and functional foods, there is general preference for healthy soup prepared using vegetables, legumes, cereals and mushrooms. Dried instant soup has long shelf life because it is a dried food and frequently has its effective tasting time period set for a relatively long time. This study was conducted to develop a nutritious instant vegetable soup mixture incorporated with cereals, legumes and seaweed extracts such as agar or carrageenan use and was to replace of pectin. The agar and carrageenan area industrial food substitute enrich with protein, minerals, vitamins and amino acid which improve the overall nutritive values and viscosity of the soup. Organoleptic evaluation was conducted to select best combination of ingredients of vegetables, cereals, legumes and preservatives. In addition to that Ulva powder and seaweed extracts (agar or carrageenan) were incorporated in different percentages and was evaluated for the sensory attributes to optimize and compare physical chemical and sensory parameters with commercial vegetable soup mixture. The data rank some test revealed that best soup mixture were evaluated by sensory attributes one commercial available and two formulated soup mixtures with contain 80% vegetables, 10% grain, 3.5% legumes, 2.5% dried Ulva powder with 3% agar agar or 2% carrageenan and preservatives. The soup formulas have highest viscosity (698 cps, 766 cps, 951cps), water activity (0.618, 0.586, 0.437), crude protein (9.3%, 7.2%, 1.7%), carbohydrate (64.54%, 61.3%, 51.32%), iodine value and (0.35, 0.32, 0 mg/l) respectively in agaragar incorporated soup, carrageenan incorporated soup and commercial vegetable soup mixture. The total bacterial counts, total fungal counts and water activity were at the acceptable levels for consumption. The low levels of yeast and mould counts were detected in all the samples during the storage period. This two formulated products can be introduced to the commercial market as alternative medicinal heath food.
Factors Affecting the Financial Performance of the Firms during the Financial Crisis: Evidence from Turkey

This study investigates the factors that affect the firm performance during the international financial crisis which also affected Turkish economy. Sample of 140 non-financial firms from Borsa Istanbul has been investigated for the financial crisis period of 2008. Market-to-book ratio has been taken as the measure of performance in the study whereas eleven financial ratios have been taken as independent variables. A factor analysis has been applied on independent variables and categorized them into four categories. Then multiple regression analysis has been applied by taking the factor scores of our four factors. Results of the study suggest that liquidity of the firm affects the firm’s market value positively whereas high leverage inversely affects the firm performance during crisis.
GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY GIS MODELS IN THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS UNDER CLIMATE AND LAND COVER CHANGES

Water resources are facing nowadays with two main problems: climate change and land cover variation. Their influences on environment and water resources have been evidenced worldwide. In this work, we have applied a complex methodology based on Geographical Information System (GIS) to combine the spatial information of several parameters that allow to obtain the groundwater vulnerability under climate and land cover modifications. The spatial analysis performed in this paper includes the aquifers, water availability, load pollution index, and infiltration map raster grids data of Carpathian Mountains area, from Central Europe. The analysis presented in this study follow three periods, which include 30 years climate data models of 1961-1990 (1990s), 2011-2040 (2020s), and 2041-2070 (2050s). Land cover projections forecast future changes in artificial areas, agriculture areas, and forest areas for 2020s and 2050s. For both periods (2020s and 2050s), the very low vulnerability class area is reduced while the high class appears on a large area. The worst scenario is forecasted for 2050s (high vulnerability class increase up to 2.41% of the whole study area) and is mainly due to agriculture. These findings evidence the negative impact of land cover and climate changes on the groundwater resources in the Carpathians Mountains area. The original maps carried out in this work together with the concise methodology integrated in GIS may be a useful tool for the water resources management and future strategies plans of this region.
Late Pleistocene Megafaunal Deposits on the Isthmus of Panama and Their Paleoenvironmental Implications

Two megafaunal deposits were discovered next to the villages of La Trinidaita and Llano Hato during an archaeological survey on the Azuero Peninsula of Panama. The fossil sites were found near other localities first reported in 1957 by Smithsonian paleontologist Lewis Gazin. Bones at La Trinidaita and Llano Hato rested in tight horizontal clusters at the bottom of ancient creeks and ponds. The remains appear to have been buried rapidly by thick deposits of fine clay when environmental conditions were wetter and cooler than today. Animals identified at La Trinidaita and Llano Hato include Cuvieronius tropicus, Eremo- therium sp. , and some turtles. Radiocarbon-dated charcoal fragments associated with the bones gave con- temporaneous dates of 44,840 ± 700 and 47,040 ± 900 14 C yr B.P. These dates indicate that carcasses accumu- lated during the Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3) interstadial. Because other fossils were not found above or below these principal deposits, it is argued that the MIS3 environment was especially favorable for sup- porting large browsers and mixed-feeders and preserving their bones on the landscape. These environmental and taphonomical characteristics likely disappeared as the climate of the lowland Neotropics became drier in response to the following arid glacial advance. During this time, C4 plants dominated the landscape and may have forced gomphotheres and giant ground sloths to abandon the dry Pacific lowlands and follow the rising tree-lines. Such large-scale range re-organization may have caused animals to abandon some regions of lower Central America during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Does social support moderate between job autonomy and job satisfaction

Subject: Does social support moderate between job autonomy and job satisfaction? Key terms: Banking group, job satisfaction, job autonomy, social support The success of the future for South African organisations relies heavily on its leadership, rather than on its management. Transformational leadership is critical to modem business, especially within the South African context. Transformational leadership is essentially about instilling a sense of purpose. in those who are led, and encouraging commitment by empowering employees through growth and development. This enables employees the opportunity to adapt and grow within organizations. The leader promotes change by creating a motivational climate which enhances growth, development, commitment, goal achievement and enjoyment. In order to facilitate the requirements of such an environment the employee needs social support that would enable job autonomy and ultimately job satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of social support between job autonomy and job satisfaction, and to see if job satisfaction of employees in a large banking group can be predicted by their experience ofjob autonomy and social support in the workplace. The study was conducted within one of South Africa's leading financial institutions. In order to achieve the study objectives, data was collected from a sample (n=178) which consisted of employees ranging from junior management (CIT levels) to middle management (MIP levels). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine whether the independent variables hold any predictive value regarding the dependent variable (job satisfaction). The results of the multiple regression revealed that gender had no effect in predicting participants' job satisfaction, indicating that effects for the other variables may operate similarly for males and females. It was found that participants' experience of autonomy, and the support they reveive from colleagues are important in predicting their experiences of job satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of social support (from either colleagues or supervisor), was not supported in this research. This finding indicates that social support does not play a role in the translation of the experience of autonomy in job satisfaction.
Supervised, Individualized Exercise Mitigates Symptom Severity During Cancer Treatment

Introduction: Early detection and advances in treatment options have contributed to a 13% decline in cancer mortality rates since the year 2004, leading to the classification of cancer as a chronic disease. This creates a challenge for health care providers to address the short and long-term effects of current cancer therapy and minimize toxicities. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if exercise training during cancer treatment helped to minimize symptom severity during chemotherapy treatment. Methods: This controlled trial evaluated the effects of individualized exercise therapy in 191 patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Study participants underwent standard prescribed chemotherapy schedules, and were excluded from the study if they had pre-existing cardiac, liver, and bone marrow conditions prior to treatment. Each participant completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-R) questionnaire, and a subjective symptom checklist to gauge the severity of treatment-related side effects related to chemotherapy at the start and conclusion of their treatment regimen. During their treatment, patients participated in a 12-week individualized, supervised exercise program through Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. Results: Twelve weeks of supervised, individualized exercise had a positive impact on fitness parameters as well as symptom severity. Muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance significantly improved from baseline. In addition, overall quality of life, depression, sense of purpose, fear for the future, control over life, fatigue, pain, nausea, and shortness of breath all improved following the exercise intervention. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of individualized exercise improved fitness parameters and mitigated symptoms during chemotherapy treatment.
Insights into the early Eocene hydrological cycle from an ensemble of atmosphere–ocean GCM simulations

Recent studies utilising a range of geochemical proxies have indicated that a significant perturbation to global hydrology occurred at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ∼56 Ma). An enhanced hydrological cycle for the warm early Eocene is also suggested to have played a key role in maintaining high-latitude warmth during this interval. Comparisons of proxy data to General Circulation Model (GCM) simulated hydrology have not widely been made however, and inter-model variability remains poorly characterised despite significant differences in simulated surface temperatures. In this work, we address this by undertaking an intercomparison of GCM-derived precipitation distributions within the EoMIP ensemble (Lunt et al., 2012), which includes previously-published early Eocene simulations performed using five GCMs differing in boundary conditions, model structure and precipitation-relevant parameterisation schemes.
Wellbeing in Bhutan

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is often recommended as a new approach to assessing economic and social development, and the small nation of Bhutan has become known for advocating this measure of quality of life. Little has been published on actual wellbeing outcomes of GNH policy in Bhutan. The current study uses a demographically representative sample to evaluate a variety of measures of quality of life in Bhutan. We compared 11 nations with Bhutan on 4 domains – Psychological, Social, Environmental, and Income and Material wellbeing. We found mixed results concerning Bhutan’s wellbeing. Results from the study indicated that Bhutan ranks first in terms of Environmental wellbeing and ranks moderately high on Social wellbeing. However, it scores fairly low in terms of overall Psychological wellbeing. Thus, like many societies in the world, Bhutan is succeeding in some areas but remains challenged in other domains. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.