Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new physical performance classification system for elite handball players: cluster analysis

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify different cluster groups of handball players according to their physical performance level assessed in a series of physical assessments, which could then be used to design a training program based on individual strengths and weaknesses, and to determine which of these variables best identified elite performance in a group of under-19 [U19] national level handball players. Players of the U19 National Handball team (n=16) performed a set of tests to determine: 10 m (ST10) and 20 m (ST20) sprint time, ball release velocity (BRv), countermovement jump (CMJ) height and squat jump (SJ) height. All players also performed an incremental-load bench press test to determine the 1 repetition maximum (1RMest), the load corresponding to maximum mean power (LoadMP), the mean propulsive phase power at LoadMP (PMPPMP) and the peak power at LoadMP (PPEAKMP). Cluster analyses of the test results generated four groupings of players. The variables best able to discriminate physical performance were BRv, ST20, 1RMest, PPEAKMP and PMPPMP. These variables could help coaches identify talent or monitor the physical performance of athletes in their team. Each cluster of players has a particular weakness related to physical performance and therefore, the cluster results can be applied to a specific training programmed based on individual needs.
Gendered Processes in Hospice Palliative Home Care for Seniors With Cancer and Their Family Caregivers

There has been limited investigation into the processes that shape gender (in)equities in hospice palliative home care. As part of a larger critical ethnographic study, we examined how and why gender relations occur in this context. Using a critical feminist lens, we conducted in-depth interviews with clients living with terminal cancer, their family caregivers and primary nurses; observations of agency home visits; and review of institutional documents. A gender-based analysis revealed that gender enactments of Regulating Gender Relations were legitimized through ideological processes of Normalizing Gender Relations and Equalizing Gender Relations. (Re)produced through institutional discourses of individualism and egalitarianism, these gendered processes both advantaged and disadvantaged men and women in hospice palliative home care. Findings suggest that to promote equity, health care providers and policy makers must attend to gender as a prevalent social determinant of health and health care. Implications for policy, practice, education, and research are discussed.
An Approach for Using CMMI in Agile Software Development Assessments: Experiences from Three Case Studies

Software development organizations are increasingly interested in the possibility of adopting agile development methods. Organizations that have been employing the Capability Maturity Model (CMM/CMMI) for making improvements are now changing their software development processes towards agility. By deploying agile methods, these organizations are making an investment the success of which needs to be proven. However, CMMI does not always support interpretations in an agile context. Consequently, assessments should be implemented in a manner that takes the agile context into account, while still producing useful results. This paper proposes an approach for agile software development assessment using CMMI and describes how this approach was used for software process improvement purposes in organizations that had either been planning to use or were using agile software development methods.
Interdependence of Nonoverlapping Cortical Systems in Dual Cognitive Tasks

One of the classic questions about human thinking concerns the limited ability to perform two cognitive tasks concurrently, such as a novice driver's difficulty in simultaneously driving and conversing. Limitations on the concurrent performance of two unrelated tasks challenge the tacitly assumed independence of two brain systems that seemingly have little overlap. The current study used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure cortical activation during the concurrent performance of two high-level cognitive tasks that involve different sensory modalities and activate largely nonoverlapping areas of sensory and association cortex. One task was auditory sentence comprehension, and the other was the mental rotation of visually depicted 3-D objects. If the neural systems underlying the two tasks functioned independently, then in the dual task the brain activation in the main areas supporting the cognitive processing should be approximately the conjunction of the activation for each of the two tasks performed alone. We found instead that in the dual task, the activation in association areas (primarily temporal and parietal areas of cortex) was substantially less than the sum of the activation when the two tasks were performed alone, suggesting some mutual constraint among association areas. A similar result was obtained for sensory areas as well.
Instinctive and Cognitive Reasoning: A Study of Response Times

Lecture audiences and students were asked to respond to virtual decision and game situations at gametheory.tau. ac.il. Several thousand observations were collected and the response time for each answer was recorded. There were significant differences in response time across responses. It is suggested that choices made instinctively, that is, on the basis of an emotional response, require less response time than choices that require the use of cognitive reasoning.
OS-Caused Large JVM Pauses: Investigations and Solutions

For customer-facing Java applications (e.g., online gaming and online chatting), ensuring low latencies is not just a preferred feature, but a must-have feature. Given the popularity and powerfulness of Java, a significant portion of today's backend services are implemented in Java. JVM (Java Virtual Machine) manages a heap space to hold application objects. The heap space can be frequently GC-ed (Garbage Collected), and applications can be occasionally stopped by JVM GC pauses. As a result, ensuring low JVM GC pauses is critical for business applications that have latency SLA (Service Level Agreements). In our production system, we found out that there are some (and large) JVM pauses cannot be explained by application-level activities and JVM activities during GC; instead, they are caused by OS mechanisms. In this work, we investigate the large JVM pauses caused by OS. We characterize various such problems into two scenarios. For both scenarios, we successfully root-cause the reasons and propose solutions. The findings can be used to mitigate the long JVM pauses and enhance JVM implementations. We share the knowledge and experiences in this writing.
The SF-36 health survey: a valid measure of changes in health status after injury.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the criterion validity and responsiveness to changes over time of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) measure. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 775 patients 16 to 78 years treated for an unintentional injury at the hospital or emergency clinic in Drammen, Norway was selected for the study. Data about activity restrictions and health status measured by SF-36 were obtained by a postal questionnaire 6-10 weeks after the injury. A follow up survey was sent 24-28 weeks later to all who reported activity restriction at the time of the first survey. Fifty two of these replied (63%). RESULTS: 469 patients responded to the survey questionnaire and of these, 82 experienced some restriction of activity. These scored lower (p < 0.01) on all eight SF-36 health dimensions (physical functioning, social functioning, role limitation (physical), role limitation (emotional), bodily pain, mental health, vitality, and general health) than the 387 patients without activity restriction. Scores on physical functioning, social functioning, role limitation (physical), bodily pain, and vitality significant improved (p < 0.01) among the 52 patients who were followed up. Scores on the other dimensions, however, showed no significant changes over time. CONCLUSION: The MOS SF-36 appears to be a valid instrument, responsive to changes in health status over time among unintentionally injured adult people. Thus it may be possible to use the SF-36 to describe changes in health due to injury. The applicability of this or similar measures for injured children remains to be established.
Clopidogrel Load for Emboli Reduction in Patients With Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis Undergoing Urgent Carotid Endarterectomy

Background and Purpose— Microembolic signals (MES) on transcranial Doppler are an independent risk factor for recurrent stroke in patients with extracranial symptomatic/asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CARAS). Clopidogrel load (300 mg) combined with dual antiplatelet therapy has been shown to reduce MES in patients with symptomatic CARAS. We sought to determine feasibility of clopidogrel load in decreasing asymptomatic embolization in patients with symptomatic CARAS undergoing urgent carotid endarterectomy within the first 2 weeks from the index event. Subjects and Methods— Consecutive patients with symptomatic CARAS (70%–99%) and presence of MES on 1-hour baseline (<24 hours from the index event) transcranial Doppler monitoring of ipsilateral middle cerebral artery were treated with clopidogrel load followed by clopidogrel (75 mg)±aspirin (100 mg) during the elapsed time period between hospital admission and urgent carotid endarterectomy at 3 tertiary-care stroke centers. Repeat 1-hour transcranial Doppler monitoring was performed the day before surgery. Bleeding complications during surgery and recurrent strokes or transient ischemic attacks during the first month of ictus were prospectively recorded. Results— A total of 11 symptomatic CARAS patients (mean age, 66±7 years; 73% men; 64% acute ischemic strokes) were treated with clopidogrel load followed by dual (67%) or single (33%) antiplatelet therapy. MES count was significantly reduced between baseline (median count, 8 MES/h; interquartile range, 6–19) and repeat transcranial Doppler monitoring (0 MES/h; interquartile range, 0–3; P=0.003). No bleeding complications, recurrent strokes, or transient ischemic attacks were documented. Conclusions— Our pilot observational study provides preliminary nonrandomized data regarding the potential efficacy of clopidogrel load to reduce asymptomatic embolization in patients with symptomatic CARAS before urgent carotid endarterectomy.
Hornerin, a Novel Profilaggrin-like Protein and Differentiation-specific Marker Isolated from Mouse Skin*

A novel mouse cDNA named hornerin was isolated by RNA differential display applied to developing mouse skin. Hornerin, which has 2,496 amino acids, comprises EF-hand domains at the N terminus followed by a spacer sequence and a large repetitive domain, indicating that hornerin is a novel member of the “fused gene”-type cornified envelope precursor protein family. The repetitive domain of hornerin was found to be rich in glycine, serine, and glutamine. Hornerin was expressed in the tongue, esophagus, forestomach, and skin among the adult mouse tissues examined, all of them cornifying stratified epithelium. In the embryonic mouse skin, hornerin mRNA was first detected on gestational day 15.5 in the epidermis coincidentally with the formation of a granular layer. In accordance with this, hornerin was detected in the granular and cornified layers of the mature epidermis. In the granular cells of the epidermis, the hornerin protein was detected in keratohyalin granules together with profilaggrin. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of the mouse skin showed that the hornerin protein was cleaved during the process of epidermal differentiation, indicating possible posttranslational proteolytic processing as is observed in profilaggrin. Differentiation of primary mouse epidermal keratinocytes with 0.12 mmCa2+ resulted in the induction of hornerin. These results indicate that hornerin is structurally as well as functionally most similar to profilaggrin among the family members and possibly plays pleiotropic roles, including a role in cornification.
Hydromagnetic Taylor–Couette flow: numerical formulation and comparison with experiment

Taylor–Couette flow in the presence of a magnetic field is a problem belonging to classical hydromagnetics and deserves to be more widely studied than it has been to date. In the nonlinear regime the literature is scarce. We develop a formulation suitable for solution of the full three-dimensional nonlinear hydromagnetic equations in cylindrical geometry, which is motived by the formulation for the magnetic field. It is suitable for study at finite Prandtl numbers and in the small Prandtl number limit, relevant to laboratory liquid metals. The method is used to determine the onset of axisymmetric Taylor vortices, and finite-amplitude solutions. Our results compare well with existing linear and nonlinear hydrodynamic calculations and with hydromagnetic experiments.
Native American depopulation, reforestation, and fire regimes in the Southwest United States, 1492–1900 CE

Significance Debates about the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of Native American depopulation after 1492 CE constitute some of the most contentious issues in American Indian history. Was population decline rapid and catastrophic, with effects extensive enough to change even the earth’s atmosphere? Or was depopulation more moderate, with indigenous numbers declining slowly after European colonization? Through a study of archaeology and dendrochronology, we conclude that neither of these scenarios accurately characterizes Pueblo peoples in the Southwest United States. Among the Jemez pueblos of New Mexico, depopulation struck swiftly and irrevocably, but occurred nearly a century after first contact with Europeans. This population crash subsequently altered the local environment, spurring the growth of trees and facilitating the spread of frequent forest fires. Native American populations declined between 1492 and 1900 CE, instigated by the European colonization of the Americas. However, the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of this depopulation remain the source of enduring debates. Recently, scholars have linked indigenous demographic decline, Neotropical reforestation, and shifting fire regimes to global changes in climate, atmosphere, and the Early Anthropocene hypothesis. In light of these studies, we assess these processes in conifer-dominated forests of the Southwest United States. We compare light detection and ranging data, archaeology, dendrochronology, and historical records from the Jemez Province of New Mexico to quantify population losses, establish dates of depopulation events, and determine the extent and timing of forest regrowth and fire regimes between 1492 and 1900. We present a new formula for the estimation of Pueblo population based on architectural remains and apply this formula to 18 archaeological sites in the Jemez Province. A dendrochronological study of remnant wood establishes dates of terminal occupation at these sites. By combining our results with historical records, we report a model of pre- and post-Columbian population dynamics in the Jemez Province. Our results indicate that the indigenous population of the Jemez Province declined by 87% following European colonization but that this reduction occurred nearly a century after initial contact. Depopulation also triggered an increase in the frequency of extensive surface fires between 1640 and 1900. Ultimately, this study illustrates the quality of integrated archaeological and paleoecological data needed to assess the links between Native American population decline and ecological change after European contact.
Fabry-Perot observations of the ionized gas in NGC 3938

The nearly face-on spiral galaxy NGC 3938 has been observed in the $H_\alpha$ line with the TAURUS II Fabry-Perot interferometer at the William Herschel Telescope in order to study the kinematics of the ionized gas. We are able to construct intensity, velocity and velocity dispersion maps for this galaxy. The rotation curve of the galaxy is calculated up to 4.5 radial scale lengths from the galactic centre. The residual velocity field shows very small values with no systematic pattern. The mean velocity dispersion is approximately constant with radius at about 11 km/s as previously reported for the neutral and molecular gas. We have also studied the relation between intensity and velocity dispersion for the ionized gas. We have found that this distribution is compatible with a turbulent gas relaxing to a Kolmogorov type turbulence as the stationary regime. The average dispersion varies with intensity as $\sigma \propto I^{1/8}$ although it becomes much steeper at higher intensities, for which the dispersion is kept almost constant at a value of about 19 km/s.
Dairy Farm Worker Exposure to Awkward Knee Posture During Milking and Feeding Tasks

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among agricultural workers, particularly among dairy farm workers. Specifically, dairy farm workers have been identified as being at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Physical risk factors that may contribute to knee osteoarthritis include awkward postures of the knee, such as kneeling or squatting. The purpose of this study was to quantify exposure to awkward knee posture among dairy farm workers during milking and feeding tasks in two common types of milking facilities (stanchion and parlor). Twenty-three dairy farm workers performed milking and feeding tasks; 11 worked in a stanchion milking facility, and 12 worked in a parlor milking facility. An electrogoniometer was used to measure knee flexion during 30 min of the milking and feeding tasks. Milking in a stanchion facility results in a greater duration of exposure to awkward posture of the knee compared with milking in a parlor facility. Specifically, the percentage of time in ⩾110° knee flexion was significantly greater in the stanchion facility (X = 17.7; SE 4.2) than in the parlor facility (X = 0.05; SE 0.04; p ⩽ 0.05). Similar results were observed with other categories of awkward knee posture in both milking and feeding tasks. This study supports previous findings that working in stanchion milking facility results in greater exposure to awkward knee posture compared with working in a parlor milking facility.
Vaccination Method Affects Immune Response and Bacterial Growth but Not Protection in the Salmonella Typhimurium Animal Model of Typhoid

Understanding immune responses elicited by vaccines, together with immune responses required for protection, is fundamental to designing effective vaccines and immunisation programs. This study examines the effects of the route of administration of a live attenuated vaccine on its interactions with, and stimulation of, the murine immune system as well as its ability to increase survival and provide protection from colonisation by a virulent challenge strain. We assess the effect of administration method using the murine model for typhoid, where animals are infected with S. Typhimurium. Mice were vaccinated either intravenously or orally with the same live attenuated S. Typhimurium strain and data were collected on vaccine strain growth, shedding and stimulation of antibodies and cytokines. Following vaccination, mice were challenged with a virulent strain of S. Typhimurium and the protection conferred by the different vaccination routes was measured in terms of challenge suppression and animal survival. The main difference in immune stimulation found in this study was the development of a secretory IgA response in orally-vaccinated mice, which was absent in IV vaccinated mice. While both strains showed similar protection in terms of challenge suppression in systemic organs (spleen and liver) as well as survival, they differed in terms of challenge suppression of virulent pathogens in gut-associated organs. This difference in gut colonisation presents important questions around the ability of vaccines to prevent shedding and transmission. These findings demonstrate that while protection conferred by two vaccines can appear to be the same, the mechanisms controlling the protection can differ and have important implications for infection dynamics within a population.
US guidelines say blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is not “normal”

New US guidelines on hypertension take a stronger approach, reclassifying “high normal” blood pressure as “pre-hypertension” and calling for aggressive treatment, firstly by changing lifestyle and then with drugs. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, 39 professional, public, and voluntary agencies, and seven federal agencies issued the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7). The report was presented at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in New York last week and is being published in the Journal of the American Medical Association …
The effect of restaurant attributes on customers' expectations and experiences in formal full service restaurants in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of restaurant attributes on customers’ expectations and experiences in formal full service restaurants. The attributes included in this research were food, service and ambience as independent variables and expectations and experiences as dependent variables. The aims were to: (a) assess restaurant attributes that are important for customers’ expectations and experiences, (b) to determine which restaurant attributes had a significant relationship with customers’ expectations and experiences. The questionnaire was based on Markovic, Raspor & Markovic’s (2010) research. In order to meet the surveys’ goals, correlation coefficient and regression analysis were conducted. The results of correlation coefficient reveal that all three restaurant attributes had a significant correlation (p<0.05) with expectations. The strongest correlation with expectations was service (r=0.76). Customers’ experiences showed that all the attributes had a weak to moderate (r≤0.5) positive correlation with customers’ experiences. The strongest correlation with experiences was food (r=0.54). The first regression model showed that all three dining attributes were significantly related (p<0.05) to customers’ expectations. The level of service (t=10.73) was rated as the most important attribute for expectations. The second regression model showed that all three dining attributes were significantly related (p<0.05) to experiences. The second model indicated that respondents rated food (t=7.51) as the most important attribute for experience. The results reveal that although good food is an essential component for customers’ experiences, however, the level of service plays a pivotal role for customers’ expectations in formal full service restaurants.
Limited Attention, Information Disclosure, and Financial Reporting

This paper models firms’ choices between alternative means of presenting information, and the effects of different presentations on market prices when investors have limited attention and processing power. In a market equilibrium with partially attentive investors, we examine the effects of alternative: levels of discretion in pro forma earnings disclosure, methods of accounting for employee option compensation, and degrees of aggregation in reporting. We derive empirical implications relating pro forma adjustments, option compensation, the growth, persistence, and informativeness of earnings, short-run managerial incentives, and other firm characteristics to stock price reactions, misvaluation, long-run abnormal returns, and corporate decisions.