Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cat Housing in Rescue Shelters: A Welfare Comparison Between Communal and Discrete-Unit Housing

Cats living long-term (over one month) in shelters were assessed for behavioural indicators of stress, using a stress scoring method in combination with behavioural observation. It is hypothesised that because of the inappropriate social grouping of unrelated adult cats and group instability, communal housing creates more stress than discrete-unit housing. Seventy-two cats were observed: 36 were housed communally with unfamiliar conspecifics, and 36 were housed in discrete units, either alone or with other previously familiar conspecifics. The mean stress score was greater in communal housing than in discrete-unit housing. Stress scores range from 1 to 7, with 1 indicating no stress experienced, and 7 indicating extreme stress. Individual scores showed that cats in discrete units, in comparison to those in communal housing, gained a significantly higher percentage of observations in the score 2 category, indicating that no stress was being experienced. Cats in communal housing gained a significantly higher percentage in the score 4 category (stressed). Score 5 was found exclusively in communal housing, but only in 2% of instances. Extreme stress was not found in cats housed under either condition. Cats in the different types of housing differed in their frequencies of hiding, play, sleeping/resting in close contact with one another, and agonistic behaviour. There was no difference between housing types in frequency of eating, drinking, grooming, and toilet use. In this study, cats housed communally experienced moderately higher levels of stress than cats housed in discrete units. Further research is recommended to determine the effect on stress levels of longer shelter residence time and of changes in group size and/or density.
Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Iron Deficiency Anemia in Primary School Children

Background: many other studies were done to evaluate the effect of oral lactoferrin administration on iron deficiency anemia. Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of lactoferrin supplementation on primary school children having iron deficiency anemia. Patients and Methods: Prospective cohort study was conducted on 94 patients with iron deficiency anemia. They were 58 females and 36 males. Their ages range from 6 years to 12 years with mean age of 8.4 years. In the period between October 2018 and January 2019. Each child was submitted to full history taking, complete clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood count, Serum ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity. Results: oral administration of bovine lactoferrin (BLf) significantly increases the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum ferritin and total iron after thirty days of the treatment. BLf is a more effective and safe alternative than elemental iron for treating iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: lactoferrin is a better substitute for elementary iron in treatment of iron deficiency.
Effectiveness of user-curated filtering as coping strategy for information overload on microblogging services

Effectiveness of User-Curated Filtering as Coping Strategy for Information Overload on Microblogging Services We are living in an increasingly global and connected society with information creation increasing at exponential rates. The research sets out to help solve the problem of mitigating the effects of information overload in order to increase the novelty of our interactions in the digital age. Online social-networks and microblogging services allow people across the world to take part in a public conversation. These tools have inherent constraints on how much communication can feasibly occur. Become too connected and a user will receive too much information to reasonably process. On Twitter (a microblogging service), lists are a tool for users to create separate feeds. The research determines whether lists are an effective tool for coping with information overload (abundance of updates). Using models of sustainable online discourse and information overload on computer-mediated communication tools, the research found that lists are an effective tool to cope with information overload on microblogging services. Quantitatively, individuals who make use of lists follow more users and when they start using lists they increase the amount of information resources (following other users) at a greater rate than those who do not use lists. Qualitatively, the research also provides insight into the reasons why people use lists. The research adds new academic relevance to ‘information overload’ and ‘online sustainability’ models previously not used in the context of feed-based online CMC tools, and deepens the understanding and importance of usercurated filtering as a way to reap the benefits from the increasing abundance of information in the digital age. ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
OPTIMIZING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES USING RECOVERY STRATEGIES AMONG JUNIOR CYCLISTS

Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 2(1 ): 1–10, 2014 - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a two week reduction in training load on selected physiological and performance among junior cyclist. Twenty seven male junior cyclists (age= 16.6±0.7 years, height=165.6±6.1 cm, weight= 54.1±8.1 kg) were matched into either the control group (n=13) or the experimental group (n=14) using their initial VO2max values. Both groups followed a 12-week progressive endurance training program and subsequently, the experimental group (EXP) engaged in a two week tapering (recovery via a reduction in training loads) phase. The control group continued with their normal training routine. A simulated 20 km time trials performance and a graded exercise test on cycle ergometer were performed before and after endurance training and after the two week tapering protocol. Following the conclusion of the two week intervention or no intervention program both groups undertook a TT20km. Results showed no significant difference in the TT20km performance. Compared to the CON group, the EXP group showed significant changes in all the selected physiological variables tested, p<0.05. We conclude that a reduction in training loads can enhance recovery and benefit subsequent exercise sessions and competitions. Keywords: Junior cyclists, reduced training workload, exercise performance
The Case for Being Automatic: Introducing the Automatic Linear Modeling (LINEAR) Procedure in SPSS Statistics

This article reviews the new Automatic Linear Modeling (LINEAR) procedure in SPSS 21.0 and introduces it as a new analytical tool for researchers who regularly use linear regression. To that end, the article uses benchmark applications to examine two of its main features: 1) automatic data preparation and 2) automatic subset selection. Additionally, the article discusses limitations of the LINEAR procedure, ways to improve it, and the model ensemble capability of the procedure as a possible topic for future research. The article concludes with a summary of discussions. raditionally, linear regression modeling in the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is carried out using the REGRESSION procedure, which is capable of fitting linear models and computing a variety of model fit statistics. However, this aspect of the program also has limitations:  Limited to the stepwise method only with no capability of conducting all-possible-subsets regression  Limited in terms of optimality statistics for variable selection and existing criteria are in the form of significance tests prone to Type I/II errors  Unable to automatically identify and handle outlying cases  Unable to conduct model ensemble to improve predictions  Unable to interact with the SPSS Server program to work with very large data
The Application of Moderated Hierarchical Regression to The Pond Ecotourism Development in Taiwan

It is difficult to maintain long-term tourism development if without local residents 'supporting, and without understanding residents' attitudes and opinions. This paper is a case study that sets out to explore the extent to which the pond residents of Taoyuan have attitudes and behavior intentions towards pond ecotourism ventures for sustainable development. The investigation of the attitudes and behavior intentions of the pond community residents was carried out using a questionnaire as research tool that was drawn up specifically for the needs of this study, and moderated hierarchical regression analysis. We investigated how two primary types of psychological philosophies, subjective norm and perceived difficulty, influence the relationship between the attitudes and behavior intentions. Significant findings were determined for these relationships. Age of pond resident doesn’t affect to these relationships. The moderating effects of subjective norm and perceived difficulty showed that in some cases with certain attitudes, the inclusion or exclusion of subjective norm and perceived difficulty might cause worse or better behavior intention. Moreover, pond ecotourism development implications were also identified in this study.
Detection Theory: A User's Guide

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: Basic Detection Theory and One-Interval Designs. The Yes-No Experiment: Sensitivity. The Yes-No Experiment: Response Bias. The Rating Experiment and Empirical ROCs. Alternative Approaches: Threshold Models and Choice Theory. Classification Experiments for One-Dimensional Stimulus Sets. Part II: Multidimensional Detection Theory and Multi-Interval Discrimination Designs. Detection and Discrimination of Compound Stimuli: Tools for Multidimensional Detection Theory. Comparison (Two-Distribution) Designs for Discrimination. Classification Designs: Attention and Interaction. Classification Designs for Discrimination. Identification of Multidimensional Objects and Multiple Observation Intervals. Part III: Stimulus Factors. Adaptive Methods for Estimating Empirical Thresholds. Components of Sensitivity. Part IV: Statistics. Statistics and Detection Theory. Appendices: Elements of Probability and Statistics. Logarithms and Exponentials. Flowcharts to Sensitivity and Bias Calculations. Some Useful Equations. Tables. Software for Detection Theory. Solutions to Selected Problems.
Serum Biomarkers that Stimulate the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cascade in Relation to Recurrent Coronary Events Following an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: The intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade regulates intracellular processes that modulate cardiovascular disease progression. We explored the time-course of serum biomarkers that stimulate the MAPK-cascade in post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, prior to a recurrent coronary event. Methods: BIOMArCS is a high-frequent repeated blood sampling study in post-ACS patients. We performed a nested case-control study selecting the 45 patients who experienced a recurrent event (cases) and 2 matched event-free controls per case during 1-year follow-up. Olink Proteomics ’immunoassay was used to measure 25 serum biomarkers. Results are expressed in the arbitrary Normalized Protein eXpression (NPX) unit on the 2log-scale. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to examine time-courses and differences between cases and controls. Results: Mean age was 66 ± 12 years and 80% were men, with no differences between cases and controls. Early cases had significantly higher levels of ANG-1 (difference 0.95 NPX (95%CI 0.36-1.54), PAR-1 (difference 0.50 NPX (95%CI 0.22-0.77) and BMP-6 (difference 0.55 NPX (95%CI 0.21-0.90) than controls. No differences in biomarker levels were observed between late cases and matching controls. In particular, in cases, no increase was observed prior to the moment of the recurrent event. Conclusion: Patients with an early recurrent coronary event after an index-ACS had higher levels of ANG-1, PAR-1 and BMP-6 than patients who remained event-free.
Autogenerating microsecond solvers for nonlinear MPC: A tutorial using ACADO integrators

Nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) allows one to explicitly treat nonlinear dynamics and constraints. To apply NMPC in real time on embedded hardware, online algorithms as well as efficient code implementations are crucial. A tutorial‐style approach is adopted in this article to present such algorithmic ideas and to show how they can efficiently be implemented based on the ACADO Toolkit from MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). Using its code generation tool, one can export tailored Runge–Kutta methods—explicit and implicit ones—with efficient propagation of their sensitivities. The article summarizes recent research results on autogenerated integrators for NMPC and shows how they allow to formulate and solve practically relevant problems in only a few tens of microseconds. Several common NMPC formulations can be treated by these methods, including those with stiff ordinary differential equations, fully implicit differential algebraic equations, linear input and output models, and continuous output independent of the integration grid. One of the new algorithmic contributions is an efficient implementation of infinite horizon closed‐loop costing. As a guiding example, a full swing‐up of an inverted pendulum is considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Research on OLSR Routing Protocol Based on Android System and Its Implement

OLS R routing protocol is an active routing protocol , which is suitable for mobile Ad Hoc network and an optimized classical link-state routing algorithm. The paper presents a general design scheme to apply OLS R routing protocol on Android, which is based on the deep analysis of the principle of OLS R routing protocol. In this paper, we first make an overview on Ad hoc. S econd, the processes of realizing OLS R routing protocol about each module are introduced. Lastly, we show the implementation of OLS R protocol based on Android S ystem, establish controlled topology network and make detailed testing and verification. The result shows that the implementation is correct and feasible.
A Study on Acoustic Modeling of Pauses for Recongnizing Noisy Conversational Speech

This paper presents a study on modeling interword pauses to improve the robustness of acoustic models for recognizing noisy conversational speech. When precise contextual modeling is used for pauses, the frequent appearances and varying acoustics of pauses in noisy conversational speech make it a problem to automatically generate an accurate phonetic transcription of the training data for developing robust acoustic models. This paper presents a proposal to exploit the reliable phonetic heuristics of pauses in speech to aid the detection of varying pauses. Based on it, a stepwise approach to optimize pause HMMs was applied to the data of the DARPA SPINE2 project, and more correct phonetic transcription was achieved. The cross-word triphone HMMs developed using this method got an absolute 9.2% word error reduction when compared to the conventional method with only context free modeling of pauses. For the same pause modeling method, the use of the optimized phonetic segmentation brought about an absolute 5.2% improvements. key words: Conversational speech recognition, noisy speech, Hidden Markov Model, inter-word pause, context dependent HMMs, duration analysis, prosodic phrase boundary.
Evaluation of Messages to Promote Intake of Calcium-Rich Foods in Early Adolescents

Parental practices influence intake of calcium-rich foods and beverages (CRFB) in adolescents. This study aimed to test two posters promoting such parental practices for comprehension, cultural and personal relevance, and ability to motivate parents to encourage CRFB intake. Interviews were conducted with 14 Hispanic and 6 Asian parents to evaluate two posters entitled “Good play starts with calcium” and “Strong families start with good nutrition. ” Responses were reviewed for themes. For “Good play,” both racial/ethnic groups of parents understood the message to provide CRFB. Only Hispanics, however, recognized the connection between calcium and strong bones. For “Strong families,” both groups had difficulty understanding that foods pictured were calcium rich. Both posters were considered culturally and personally relevant; however, not all respondents indicated motivation to provide CRFB. Modifications are needed to emphasize the connection between images and taglines and calcium intake for use in a future intervention to improve CRFB-promoting practices.
Reliable multicast protocol design choices

Many of the applications that will be hosted on the Marine Corps Tactical Data Network (TDN) require data to be delivered reliably from one or more senders to many receivers. Reliable multicast protocols are better suited for this one-to-many communication than conventional transport layer unicast protocols. The reliable multicast protocols that are deployed on the tactical internet must make the best use of its scarce bandwidth, respond properly to the expected high bit error rates, and be able to contend with its inevitable disruptions. Because different types of applications that require reliable one-to-many communications make different demands on the underlying transport layer reliable multicast protocol, more than one protocol will probably be fielded on the tactical internet. The protocol selected to support a particular type of application should be the one best suited for the tactical environment. The protocol design choices explained in this paper may be used to identify those reliable multicast protocols which meet the requirements of a particular type of application. This same taxonomy may also be used to determine which of these protocols is better suited for the tactical internet.
Developing Experts' Points of View on Local-Global Approaches to Data and Data Representations

The purpose of this study is to analyze the learning processes of seventh grade students working through a carefully designed Statistics Curriculum (SC) in a computerized environment. The study has two parts. In part I, we follow at a very fine level of detail, the ways in which two 13-year-old students began to make sense of data and data representations, as well as adopt and exercise the habits and points of view that are common among experts. In particular, we focus on the ways they started to develop global views (and tools to support them) of data and data representations on the basis of their previous knowledge and different kinds of local observations. In part II we analyze an assessment task administered to 80 seventh grade students two weeks after the end of the SC. The goal is to provide a quantitative indication of the extent and scope of the phenomena identified in the first part. In the light of the analyses, we propose a description of what it may mean to learn EDA, and draw educational implications.
Is Multiple-Column Online Text Better? It Depends!

Summary: This study investigated the effects of multi-column displays and justification on reading performance and satisfaction of an online narrative passage. Participants read a short story displayed in one of six formats (one, two, or three columns, in either a full or left-justified format). Results showed a significant column x justification interaction with reading speed significantly faster for the two-column full-justified text than for onecolumn full-justified, and significantly faster for one-column left-justified than for one-column full-justified or three-column full-justified text. Posthoc analyses indicate that the faster readers may have benefited most from the two-column justified format.
Machine learning and bioinformatics

For many applications where expensive updating of transactions is frequently required, it is desirable to develop incremental and decremental machine learning algorithms, which can efficiently compute the updated decision function when data points are appended or deleted. An incremental and decremental kernel discriminant analysis (KDA) and an incremental and decremental least squares support vector machine (SVM) have been introduced. The proposed incremental and decremental KDA avoids updating the computationally expensive eigenvalue decomposition (EVD), which would be necessary when we wish to design an incremental and decremental classifier by KDA based on the EVD. Gene expression data often contain missing expression values. Effective missing value estimation methods are needed since many algorithms for gene expression data analysis require a complete matrix of the gene expression data. The local least squares imputation method (LLSimpute) has been proposed, which exploits local similarity structures in the data as well as least squares optimization process. The proposed LLSimpute method shows the best performance among imputation methods tested on various data sets and percentages of missing values. The identification of discriminant genes is also one of the most fundamental steps in microarray gene expression data analysis to suggest representative genes to be explored in medical research. A multiclass gene selection method based on generalized linear discriminant analysis has been designed for classification of cancer subtypes. Four genes are proposed for subtype classification of leukemia, which yield only one misclassification during leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV), and nine genes are suggested for subtype classification of small round blue cell tumor, which produce complete classification in the LOOCV test. Furthermore, a three-stage framework for gene expression data analysis regarding continuous phenotypes has been introduced by L 1-norm support vector regression as well. Finally, a protein secondary structure prediction method, i.e., SVMpsi, has been developed to improve the current level of prediction accuracy of SVM approach by incorporating PSI-BLAST PSSM profiles. For the first time, SVM has been successfully applied to protein solvent accessibility prediction with a three-dimensional local descriptor as an intermediate step for the prediction of protein tertiary structure.
Characterization of Clinical and Histological Rejection of Male Genital Tissues using a Novel Microsurgical Rat Penile Transplantation Model.

BACKGROUND Penis transplantation represents an exciting new avenue for restoration of male urogenitalia. However, little is known about the specific immunological features of penile transplants, limiting their application in complex urogenital reconstruction. To properly study this emerging form of transplantation, adequate preclinical models are a necessity. The purpose of this study is to establish a clinical and histological rejection classification of urogenital tissue transplants using a new rat heterotopic penile transplant model that includes preputial skin. METHODS Syngeneic and allogeneic heterotopic penile transplantations were performed on Lewis and Brown Norway rats using a new model designed by our group. Grafts were clinically and histologically monitored at postoperative days (POD) 3-30. RESULTS Six syngeneic and 25 allogeneic transplants were performed. All syngeneic and tacrolimus-treated grafts survived until endpoint. Allogeneic graft rejection is shown to follow a 4-stage clinical progression with all untreated allografts developing epidermal sloughing at POD7 and fully rejecting between POD14-16. Histological samples were used to develop a specific 4-grade rejection classification analogous to the 2007 Banff Criteria for skin-containing allografts. CONCLUSIONS Graft skin and urethral lining tissue are first rejection targets followed by tunica albuginea and corpora cavernosa in a distal to proximal pattern. We established a robust and reproducible murine model to study the immunobiology of male genital tissue in the context of transplantation and developed a novel 4-grade clinical and histological rejection scale based on graft skin and urethral lining as the main targets of rejection.