Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Two Plyometric Training Techniques on Muscular Power and Agility in Youth Soccer Players

Thomas, K, French, D, and Hayes, PR. The effect of two plyometric training techniques on muscular power and agility in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 23(1): 332-335, 2009-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two plyometric training techniques on power and agility in youth soccer players. Twelve males from a semiprofessional football club's academy (age = 17.3 ± 0.4 years, stature = 177.9 ± 5.1 cm, mass = 68.7 ± 5.6 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of depth jump (DJ) or countermovement jump (CMJ) training twice weekly. Participants in the DJ group performed drop jumps with instructions to minimize ground-contact time while maximizing height. Participants in the CMJ group performed jumps from a standing start position with instructions to gain maximum jump height. Posttraining, both groups experienced improvements in vertical jump height (p < 0.05) and agility time (p < 0.05) and no change in sprint performance (p > 0.05). There were no differences between the treatment groups (p > 0.05). The study concludes that both DJ and CMJ plyometrics are worthwhile training activities for improving power and agility in youth soccer players.
Perinatal exposure to bisphenol‐A changes N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor expression in the hippocampus of male rat offspring

Bisphenol‐A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental endocrine disrupters with mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist properties. The toxicity of BPA has been extensively evaluated in a variety of tests in rodents, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity. The objective of the present study is to evaluate whether or not perinatal maternal exposure to BPA at 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, and 200 mg/kg/d affects N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) subunits NR1, NR2A, 2B, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) protein expressions of hippocampus in male rat offspring during postnatal development. Western‐blotting analyses showed that perinatal exposure to BPA significantly affected the expression of NMDAR subunits. At the lower doses of 0.05 to 50 mg/kg/d, BPA concentration dependently inhibited the expression of NMDAR subunits. However, at the higher dose (200 mg/kg/d), the effects of BPA on these subunits were different, with a stronger inhibition of NR1 expression and a slighter inhibition of NR2A, 2B expression when compared with those at the lower dosage of BPA. In addition, perinatal exposure to BPA inhibited the expression of ERβ protein, but increased P450arom protein expression in a concentration‐dependent manner, especially during the early postnatal period (the first 1–3 postnatal weeks). No significant influence of BPA on P450arom was observed at postnatal week 8. These data suggest that environmental BPA exposure may affect the development of the brain, enhancing the local biosynthesis of estrogen in the brain, inhibiting ERβ and NMDAR expressions. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:176–181. © 2009 SETAC
Concentration and public policies in the broadcasting industry: the future of television

Tv regulation Concentration and public policies in the broadcasting industry New technologies are deeply transforming the broadcasting industry. What we have seen so far is only the beginning of a long story. Inevitably, industry regulations must adapt, which means that a wide‐ranging rethink of current practices is required. In order to assess the likely evolution of the industry, this article decomposes it into a number of components, from conception of programmes to their broadcasting, including distribution, storage and licensing. Contrary to popular expectations, the analysis suggests that the current high degree of concentration will, if anything, increase. The policy implication is that regulation, so far driven by now obsolete technological constraints, should increasingly emphasize promoting competition. — Massimo Motta and Michele Polo
Emergency preparation in schools: A snapshot of a rural state

Objective To study emergency preparedness in public schools in a rural state. Method Questionnaires were mailed to school nurses registered with the State Department of Education. Data collected included school nurse and staff training, school location, emergency equipment available, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) access. Results Seventy-two percent of the surveys were returned after one or two mailings. They report little emergency training for both school nurses and school staff. Emergency equipment available varies widely: oxygen 20%, artificial airways 30%, cervical collars 22%, splints 69%. Equipment was more likely to be available in communities with populations of less than 200,000. Sixty-seven percent of schools activate EMS for a student and 37% for an adult annually. Eighty-four percent of schools have a less than 10-minute EMS response time. Conclusions EMS activation to schools is a common occurrence. Schools are ill prepared to care for this acuity of student or staff as assessed by equipment and emergency training. Schools in smaller communities, however, are better prepared for emergencies.
Microscale Characterization of Surface Recombination at the Vicinity of Laser-Processed Regions in c-Si Solar Cells

Laser firing processes have emerged as a technologically feasible approach for the fabrication of local point contacts or local doped regions in advanced high-efficiency crystalline-Si (c-Si) solar cells. In this work, we analyze the local impact induced by the laser pulse on the passivation layers, which are commonly present in advanced c-Si solar cell architectures to reduce surface recombination. We use microphotoluminescence (PL) measurements with a spatial resolution of 7 μm to evaluate the passivation performance at the surroundings of laser-processed regions (LPRs). In particular, we have studied LPRs performed on SiCx/Al2O3- and Al2O3- passivated c-Si wafers by an infrared (1064 nm) laser. Micro-PL results show that passivation quality of c-Si surface is affected up to about 100 μm away from the LPR border and that the extension of this damaged zone is correlated with the laser power and to the presence of capping layers. In the final part of the work, the observed decrease in passivation quality is included in an improved 3-D simulation model that gives accurate information about the recombination velocities associated with the studied LPRs.
Political and Industrial Relations Turbulence, Competition and Budgeting in the Nationalised Jute Mills of Bangladesh

Abstract This paper reports an empirical investigation, based on triangulation methods, of how a set of environmental facts affect budgeting characteristics in the nationalised jute mills of Bangladesh. The key factors were derived from intensive fieldwork. Five external factors (political climate, industrial relations, competition, aid agencies and government regulations) were deemed to affect budget-related factors (such as participation, accountability for budget, budget evaluation, budget analysis, interactions among managers and budget flexibility). Data from 38 state-owned jute mills within the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) are used to test the propositions. The analyses of data reveal a significant relationship between environmental factors and budget-related behaviour. Political factors, industrial relations and market competition were major influences on how budgeting systems were perceived. The study shows how political volatility and industrial relations can render the formal systems.
Influence of oxygen impurity in fluorinating mixtures on charge blocking properties of fluorinated surface layer of polyethylene

Polyethylene samples were surface fluorinated by two kinds of F2/N2 mixture, containing 0.04% and 0.2% oxygen by volume, respectively. Infrared analyses do not clearly indicate the presence of oxygen in the surface layer fluorinated by the former, but clearly show that oxygen has been incorporated into the surface layers fluorinated by the latter. Moreover, the amount of fluorine introduced in the fluorinated layer is found to increase with the fluorine partial pressure or fluorination time. Thicknesses of the fluorinated layers are determined by SEM cross section images. Space charge measurements show that the thin fluorinated layer (0.24 μm) without appreciable oxygen can block the charge injection from electrodes very effectively, while the thick fluorinated layer (0.39 μm) with oxygen does not show the effectiveness. In this case, a further thick fluorinated layer is needed to achieve the blocking effect. The permittivity of the fluorinated layers is evaluated by the polar component of surface energy, and the results suggest an increase of the permittivity because of the incorporation of polar groups. Thermally stimulated discharge current measurements reveal different charge trapping properties between the fluorinated layers and a negative influence of oxygen on the decrease in free volume of the surface layer. The decrease in free volume is more important in suppressing the charge injection than the increase in surface layer permittivity and the change in surface trap.
Oviposition by METAMASIUS HEMIPTERUS SERICEUS (COLEOPTERA: DRYOPHTHORIDAE: RHYNCHOPHORINAE)

Abstract Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (Olivier) is a widely distributed weevil in Central and South America, as well as the West Indies. It was introduced into Florida, Miami-Dade County, in 1984. This insect generally is regarded as a secondary pest of sugarcane, bananas, palms and several other tropical plants grown as ornamentals. Larvae bore into stems and petioles, thus weakening the plant and providing a pathway for penetration by fungi or other pests. In addition to investigating the biology, this study was conducted to gather basic information to help optimize culturing efforts for large numbers of M. h. sericeus to be used for mass rearing of potential biological control organisms. After pairing males and females, it took an average of 27.0 days for females to begin oviposition. The oviposition period lasted 56.8 days. Females lived 142.3 days and laid an average of 51.6 eggs. Mean generation time was 63 days. Mean egg production during the oviposition period was 1.1 eggs/day. Egg eclosion averaged 81.3% during the oviposition period.
Social networks and customer involvement in new service development (NSD): the case of www.mystarbucksidea.com.

Purpose – The study aims to use netnography to investigate the role of customers' contributions in social networks for NSD purposes.Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted an exploratory case study methodology to conduct a content analysis of customers' contributions in a social network, namely www.mystarbucksidea. com. Netnography was used for data analysis and interpretation.Findings – The findings reveal that online customers' interactions and dialogues enable customers to share and understand the context of using services, which in turn triggers emotions and cognition that help customers to generate and further enhance ideas for new services. Thus, the variety of customers and the sharing of their diverse roles have a positive influence on enabling participants of online social networks to generate new service ideas.Research limitations/implications – The findings are applicable to the study's context, but future research should try to triangulate and enhance them by conducting studies in other.
U.S. agricultural production under limited energy supplies, high energy prices, and expanding agricultural exports

This study evaluates changes that might come about in U.S. agriculture under energy shortages expressed in terms of prices and supplies. Shifts in production are analyzed among regions and between irrigated and dry land agriculture in the event of limited energy supplies or higher price levels. An examination is made of changes that could arise in cropping technology and crop mixes under these conditions and changes that could occur in resource values and related quantities. Finally, the study of major field crops evaluates a pattern of agriculture consistent with minimizing energy requirements. This report includes the major field crops produced in the United States.
Mentoring and coaching educators in the Singapore education system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the practice of mentoring and coaching in the Singapore education system, to show the difference in philosophy in which these two concepts have been applied and to discuss the issues and challenges involved in their implementation.Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the mentoring and coaching systems in Singapore through literature review and a critical analysis of the mentoring and coaching philosophies and schemes for the different levels of educators.Findings – This paper shows that mentoring and coaching are implemented in many areas of the professional development of educators in Singapore. These include mentoring for trainee teachers, beginning teachers, training school leaders and beginning school leaders; and coaching in the performance management system of all teachers and school leaders. However, there are inherent tensions in having an appraisal connotation in some mentoring and coaching platforms in Singapore and in encouraging cri.
Effects of Localized Back-Surface Defects on Bulk and Front-Channel Conduction of Amorphous InGaZnO TFTs

This paper investigated physical mechanisms underlying the effects of localized back-surface defects (D<sub>loc</sub>) on the performances of amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs). Four bands of density of states were utilized to represent D<sub>loc</sub>. The a-IGZO thickness (t<sub>IGZO</sub>) was varied from 20 to 300 nm. When D<sub>loc</sub> was absent, the TFT with tIGZO of 20 nm can exhibit the best TFT performance. However, it got the severest performance degradation when D<sub>loc</sub> was taken into consideration. We further changed acceptor-like tail and deep-level defect states at the back-channel surface from 0 to 10<sup>20</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>eV<sup>-1</sup> and quantitatively studied their effects on energy band bendings, electric field distributions, carrier concentration distributions, and electrical characteristics of a-IGZO TFTs.
Firm Sizes and Economic Development: Estimating Long‐Term Effects on U.S. County Growth, 1990–2000

type="main"> This paper investigates the role of the business size distribution on income and employment growth in U.S. counties from 1990 to 2000. We measure the business size distribution as the share of employees across nine establishment size categories that range from microfirms (one to four employees) to large firms (1,000+ employees) and using three indices similar to a Gini coefficient. Results show that the business size distribution has a significant impact on county-level growth patterns. Employment shares in small firms increase employment growth, but decrease income growth. One possible conclusion suggests policies emphasizing small firms and entrepreneurship during times of high unemployment.
The Precursors and Impacts of BSR on AMT Acquisition and Implementation

This paper reports on the results of research into the connections between transaction attributes and buyer-supplier relationships (BSRs) in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) acquisition and implementation. The investigation began by examining the impact of the different patterns of BSR on the performance of the AMT acquisition. In understanding the phenomena, the study drew upon and integrated the literature of transaction cost economics theory, BSRs, and AMT, and used this as the basis for a theoretical framework and hypotheses development. This framework was then empirically tested using data that were gathered through a questionnaire survey with 147 companies and analyzed using a structural equation modeling technique. The results of the analysis indicated that the higher the level of technological specificity and uncertainty, the more firms are likely to engage in a stronger relationship with technology suppliers. However, the complexity of the technology being implemented was associated with BSR only indirectly through its association with the level of uncertainty (which has a direct impact upon BSR). The analysis also provided strong support for the premise that developing strong BSR could lead to an improved performance in acquiring and implementing AMT. The implications of the study are offered for both the academic and practitioner audience.
Party politicisation of local councils: Cultural or institutional explanations for trends in Denmark, 1966–2005

Local government party systems are not necessarily copies of the national party system. In many countries, local party systems have come to resemble the national one more and more – a process Rokkan termed ‘party politicisation’. The traditional expectation has been that the take-over of local politics by political parties, through a gradual process of societal modernisation, would eventually be complete. More recently, however, it has been suggested that reorganisations of the institutional set-up – that is, amalgamations of municipalities – could entail developments in the degree of local party system nationalisation. This article investigates cultural and institutional explanations for party politicisation by analysing the Danish case from 1966 to 2005 – a period that witnessed both major amalgamation reforms and periods of stability in the local government structure. The data suggest that dramatic party politicisation does not lend itself to cultural explanations, but originates exclusively from changes in the institutional set-up. Party politicisation is not a gradual process, but comes – at least in Denmark – in leaps coinciding with major reorganisations of the local government structure.
Apatinib Inhibits Angiogenesis Via Suppressing Akt/GSK3β/ANG Signaling Pathway in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Background/Aims: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most lethal human malignancies, and there is no efficient method to slow its process. Apatinib, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has been confirmed for its efficacy and safety in the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma patients. However, the effects of Apatinib in ATC are still unknown. Methods: In this study, we explored the effects and mechanisms of Apatinib on tumor growth and angiogenesis in vitro and in vitro in ATC cells. Angiogenesis antibodies array was utilized to detect the expression of angiogenesis-related genes after Apatinib treatment in ATC cells. In addition, we used Akt activator, Akt inhibitor and GSK3β inhibitor to further study the mechanism for how Apatinib suppressed angiogenesis. Results: Apatinib treatment could suppress the growth of ATC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner via inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression at G0/G1 phase. Moreover, Apatinib treatment decreased the expression of angiogenin (ANG) and inhibited angiogenesis of ATC cells in vitro and in vitro. We further confirmed that recombinant human ANG (rhANG) significantly abrogated Apatinib-mediated anti-angiogenic ability in ATC cells. Additionally, Apatinib treatment decreased the level of p-Akt and p-GSK3β. Moreover, the Apatinib-mediated decrease of ANG and anti-angiogenic ability were partly reversed when an Akt activator, SC79, was administered. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic ability of Apatinib can be enhanced in the presence of Akt inhibitor, and the inhibition of GSK3β attenuated the anti-angiogenic ability of Apatinib. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that Apatinib treatment inhibited tumor growth, and Apatinib-induced suppression of Akt/GSK3β/ANG signaling pathway may play an important role in the inhibition of angiogenesis in ATC, supporting a potential therapeutic approach for using Apatinib in the treatment of ATC.
Income inequality, managers’ compensation and the falling rate of profit: Reconciling the US evidence

Evidence based on US government statistics indicates that the rate of profit fell and employees’ share of output was trendless between 1970 and the Great Recession. This paper defends that evidence by showing that it is compatible with phenomena that may initially seem to contradict it; that is, rising income inequality and rising managerial compensation. While some other studies claim that managers’ compensation and the ‘class’ rate of profit skyrocketed, this paper shows that these studies seriously overestimate managers’ pay, and the share of their pay that can be construed as capital income (disguised dividends) rather than as genuine labour compensation.
Colonic motility in ulcerative colitis

Background Inflammatory conditions affecting the gut may cause motility disturbances, and ulcerative colitis – one of the main disorders among the inflammatory bowel diseases – may display abnormal colonic motility. Aim To review the abnormalities of the large bowel in ulcerative colitis, by considering the motility, laboratory (in vitro) and pathological studies dealing with this topic. Methods A comprehensive online search of Medline and the Science Citation Index was carried out. Results Patients with ulcerative colitis frequently display colonic motor abnormalities, including lack of contractility, an increase of propulsive contractile waves, an excessive production of nitric oxide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide nerves, interleukin 1 beta, neurotensin, tachykinins levels and the weaker action of substance P, likely related to a neuromuscular dysfunction due to the inflammatory process. Conclusions A better understanding of the pathophysiological grounds of altered colonic motility in ulcerative colitis may lead to a more in-depth knowledge of the accompanying symptoms and to better and more targeted therapeutic approaches.
JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS January 1972 CONTROL, SIZE, GROWTH, AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE FIRM

A recent study by Larner [11] concluded that the managerial revolution analyzed earlier by Berle and Means [4] was close to completion because a large percentage of the nation's 200 largest nonfinancial corporations was controlled by nonowner managers. This finding makes more significant any substantial differences in financial performance that may exist between owner-controlled and manager-controlled firms, and it increases the potential impact of numerous related theories; for example, see Berle [3], Donaldson [5], Gordon [6, 7], Mason [14], Monsen and Downs [16], Williamson [21], and others. Since Larner's work was completed, studies by Monsen, Chiu, and Cooley [15] and Kamerschen [10] have been undertaken to determine directly the impact of this "revolution' on return-to-equity in firms. Kamerschen selected samples from the 200 largest.firms using Larner's owner-control and manager-control classifications, and he concluded generally that the extent of manager-control had no important effect on the rates of return for these firms. The Monsen et al. sample was selected from the 500 largest firms and similarly classified in owner-control and manager-control categories. In this study, a significant different was found between the return on equity for owner-controlled and manager-controlled firms. This conflict in conclusions is disquieting, even considering the differences in technique employed in the two works. In addition, reliance upon return-to-equity as the single performance measure in the Kamerschen study and as the primary source of conclusions in the Monsen study limits the breadth of differences discernible among owner-controlled and manager-controlled firms.