Problem: Article: Cats often try to mask their clinical signs when they are sick. As attentive a pet owner as you may be, you may not immediately notice when your cat is feeling unwell. Unfortunately, masking illness can make cancer detection difficult.  The later the cancer is diagnosed by your veterinarian, the costlier and more aggressive the treatment may be.  A new lump or bump is an easily visible sign of potential cancer.  Clinical signs may vary based on the location of the tumor. For example, a gastrointestinal cancer would cause such symptoms as vomiting and diarrhea.  With skin cancer, you may see redness and irritation, along with a lump or bump.  Be mindful that your cat’s cancer may not produce any clinical signs initially, and then cause a sudden appearance of clinical signs. Take your cat to your veterinarian as soon as you start to notice clinical signs. You may not suspect cancer, but your veterinarian can run various diagnostic tests to determine why your cat is ill. When it comes to cancer, early detection and diagnosis are key.  Diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may run include imaging (e.g., x-rays, ultrasound), blood work, and a biopsy.  Be aware that biopsies are not always conclusive.  Your veterinarian may also want to test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), both of which have been associated with cancer in cats (especially FeLV).  The diagnostic tests can help to assess your cat’s overall health and her ability to undergo cancer treatment, as well as determine how advanced the cancer is. If the diagnostic tests reveal that your cat has cancer, talk with your veterinarian about how to move forward. He or she will understand that you will have a lot of questions and concerns about treating your cat’s cancer. For example, ask about the cost of cancer treatment, which could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.  You can also ask what may have caused your cat’s cancer. Keep in mind that feline cancer often has unknown causes. Some causes that are known include FeLV and repeated sun exposure (especially in white-headed cats).  Consider getting a second opinion from a veterinary oncologist. Different veterinarians have different approaches to cancer treatment, so it may help to learn the perspectives of several veterinarians regarding your cat’s cancer treatment.  A veterinary oncologist may have knowledge of treatment options that your own veterinarian may not be aware of.
Summary: Observe your cat’s clinical signs. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Talk with your veterinarian.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The key statistics for finding a pitcher's WAR rating are:  Earned Run Average: Compare the pitcher's ERA to the league average.  Defensive adjustment: Determine the defensive capabilities of the team that played behind the pitcher, compared to the rest of the league, and apply that figure to the pitcher's rating. This is done by comparing the fielding rating of each of the team's position players to the league average and applying that sum to the rating. Fielding Independent Pitching: F.I.P. is a tally of the 3 categories pitchers control entirely: strikeouts, walks and home runs. F.I.P., combined with average innings per start, yields a figure that represents the number of runs a pitcher must save to qualify for a win. Find the pitcher's F.I.P. and compare it to the league average.  Pitcher's winning percentage above replacement: To find the pitcher's winning percentage, calculate the average number of innings per start. This number expresses how many runs the pitcher must save to qualify for a win. Subtract the league-average F.I.P. from the pitcher's F.I.P. and divide that result by the runs-saved number. This result will be expressed as a percentage. Add .500 to this figure to get the pitcher's winning percentage. Use a .380 winning percentage as the benchmark for comparison. Subtract the pitcher's winning percentage from this figure to get the result. Take the pitcher's adjusted winning percentage above replacement and multiply it by the number of innings pitched. Divide that product by 9 to render a number that expresses how many wins the pitcher is worth.

SUMMARY: Compile a pitcher's statistics in several categories and compare each to the league average. Find the pitcher's WAR rating.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: The scoring rubric should break potential points into several categories. Award points for each category based on the notes you took during the debate. Typical categories for assessment ask you consider if the competitor:  Directly addressed the topic. Understood the basic issue. Clearly explained their position. Made a convincing case, complete with specific evidence. Explained the other side’s weaknesses. Responded directly to the other side’s critique. Used appropriate body language, volume, speed, and diction. Was courteous to the other side. Competitors and schools look to your feedback as a way to learn and coach participants. As a judge, you should model decorum, courtesy, and clarity when writing your feedback. The language of your feedback should also be inclusive. For example:  Avoid feedback like “The competitor’s presentation was boring and seemed pointless. It seems to me like they’ve never even studied the basics of American government.” Instead, offer the critique more constructively: “For future debates, I recommend focusing on making delivery more animated to underscore main points. A review of Congressional argumentation procedure may also be useful.” Likewise, avoid unnecessary exclusions of gender, age, and other aspects of identity. For example, rephrase “I always advise a young competitor that he should should observe experienced competitors in action” as “I always advise participants to closely observe other competitors in action.” After you have completed scores for each category of the rubric, you can tally up to get the final score. Determine the winner according to the highest score. Double-check that your feedback is complete, and turn the ballots in to the tournament organizer. Keep in mind that the organizer may also ask you to give an oral critique or to disclose the results.
Summary:
Check the rubric against your flow sheet. Style your feedback consciously. Complete the ballot and turn it in.