Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of chronological age and stage of maturation on landing kinematics in elite male youth soccer players

Context: Despite the high frequency of knee injuries, there is a paucity of research to show the effects of chronological age and stage of maturation on knee joint kinematics in male youth soccer players. Objective: To employ a ‘coach friendly’ screening tool to examine knee valgus scores for players of different ages and stage of maturation. Design: Cross sectional study Setting: Academy soccer clubs Patients or other participants: 400 elite male youth soccer players aged between 10-18 years, categorized by chronological age and stage of maturation (pre, circa or post puberty) based on their years from peak height velocity (PHV). Main outcome measures: Knee valgus was evaluated during the tuck jump assessment via twodimensional analysis. Participants were subjectively classified as minor (<10°), moderate (10-20°), or severe (>20°) and using these classifications, scored as follows: 0 = no valgus; 1 = minor; 2 = moderate; 3 = severe. Results: A trend of higher valgus scores were shown in the younger age groups and pre-PHV players. The lowest frequency of “no valgus” were in the U18s and post-PHV players. The highest percentage of “severe” scores were in the U13s. Knee valgus scores were significantly lower in the U18s on both legs than all other age groups (p < 0.001), except for the U16s. Post-PHV players’ scores were significantly lower than pre-PHV youth on the right leg (p <0.001), and both preand circa-PHV players on the left leg (p <0.001). Noteworthy inter-limb asymmetries were evident in the U14s, U15s and circa-PHV players. Conclusions: Reductions in knee valgus with incremental age and during the later stages of maturation indicate that this risk factor is more prevalent in younger players. Inter-limb asymmetry may also emerge around the time of the peak growth spurt and early adolescence, potentially increasing the risk of traumatic injury.
Does Gender Play a Role in online Consumer Behavior

Electronic commerce (online shopping) is increasing in popularity nowadays due to the popularity of computer usage and the prevalence of internet. Electronic commerce can produce numerous benefits to both sellers and consumers. Hence, the study of online consumer behavior can generate a better online atmosphere to facilitate greater profit to sellers and better online purchasing experience to consumer. Gender has universal characteristics, regardless of culture and time period. In this study, the gender differences in different aspects of online consumer behavior is concerned and investigated.
Understandings and Implementations of Continuous Delivery

Agile practices are emerging and by adapting Continuous Delivery, agile ideas are turned into practical solutions. The Deployment pipeline begins with Continuous Integration, but it doesnt need to include the deployment of software to target. Understandings and implementations of Continuous Delivery in the industry can differ between organisations. We have conducted a survey study using a questionnaire, to gather data representing a population. We aimed to increase the knowledge in understandings and implementations of Continuous Delivery in the industry. The industry is positive towards Continuous Delivery and do believe that they will benefit from implementing it. But, they dont think their costumers are ready to adapt Continuous Deployment at this point. The testing procedure needs to be automated, but some tasks such as testing the user experience is hard to automate. Our research showed us that manual testing is still carried out to a substantial level.
Optimizable Object Reconstruction from a Single View

3D shape reconstruction from a single image is a highly ill-posed problem. A number of current deep learning based systems aim to solve the shape reconstruction and shape pose problems by learning an end-to-end network to perform feed-forward inference. More traditional (non-deep learning) methods cast the problem in an iterative optimization framework. In this paper, inspired by these more traditional shape-prior-based approaches, which separate the 2D recognition and 3D reconstruction, we develop a system that leverages the power of both feed-forward and iterative approaches. Our framework uses the power of deep learning to capture 3D shape information from training data and provide high-quality initialization, while allowing both image evidence and shape priors to influence iterative refinement at inference time. Specifically, we employ an auto-encoder to learn a latent space of object shapes, a CNN that maps an image to the latent space, another CNN to predict 2D keypoints to recover object pose using PnP, and a segmentation network to predict an object's silhouette from an RGB image. At inference time these components provide high-quality initial estimates of the shape and pose, which are then further optimized based on the silhouette-shape constraint and a probabilistic shape prior learned on the latent space. Our experiments show that this optimizable inference framework achieves state-of-the-art results on a large benchmarking dataset with real images.
Transmission spectroscopy of the hot Jupiter TrES-3 b: Disproof of an overly large Rayleigh-like feature

Context. Transit events of extrasolar planets offer the opportunity to study the composition of their atmospheres. Previous work on transmission spectroscopy of the close-in gas giant (TrES)-3 b revealed an increase in absorption towards blue wavelengths of very large amplitude in terms of atmospheric pressure scale heights, too large to be explained by Rayleigh-scattering in the planetary atmosphere. Aims. We present a follow-up study of the optical transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter TrES-3 b to investigate the strong increase in opacity towards short wavelengths found by a previous study. Furthermore, we aim to estimate the effect of stellar spots on the transmission spectrum. Methods. This work uses previously published long slit spectroscopy transit data of the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and published broad band observations as well as new observations in different bands from the near-UV to the near-IR, for a homogeneous transit light curve analysis. Additionally, a long-term photometric monitoring of the TrES-3 host star was performed. Results. Our newly analysed GTC spectroscopic transit observations show a slope of much lower amplitude than previous studies. We conclude from our results the previously reported increasing signal towards short wavelengths is not intrinsic to the TrES-3 system. Furthermore, the broad band spectrum favours a flat spectrum. Long-term photometric monitoring rules out a significant modification of the transmission spectrum by unocculted star spots.
Thanking Strategies of Gratitude Expressions in English Produced by Americans and Chinese Indonesians in Surabaya: Now and Then

There has been a strong assumption and a number of research indicating that Americans are more generous and direct than Asians in producing gratitude expression (Apte, 1994, cited in Cheng, 2005, and Kuntjara, 2003). However, as English has penetrated almost all layers of society, it is very possible for this phenomenon to change. This research focuses on the thanking strategies of gratitude expression in English produced by five native speakers of English (Americans) and five nonnative speakers of English (Chinese-Indonesians) in Surabaya. The data was collected from role plays adapted from Eisestein and Bodman (1983), Cheng (2005), and the researchersA¢â‚¬â„¢ in order to cover more various settings. The researchers used HaverkateA¢â‚¬â„¢s theory (1984, cited in Aijmer, 1996, p.37) on the eight strategies of gratitude expression to analyze the data. The finding reveals that both Americans and Chinese Indonesians mostly used the explicit strategy in expressing gratitude. Interestingly, the Americans used the explicit strategies less frequently than the Chinese Indonesians. This research signifies that ethnicity is not the only factor affecting gratitude expression as other potential factors namely language exposure and attitudes toward both cultures also play important roles.
U.K. HiGEM: The New U.K. High-Resolution Global Environment Model― Model Description and Basic Evaluation

Abstract This article describes the development and evaluation of the U.K.’s new High-Resolution Global Environmental Model (HiGEM), which is based on the latest climate configuration of the Met Office Unified Model, known as the Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model, version 1 (HadGEM1). In HiGEM, the horizontal resolution has been increased to 0.83° latitude × 1.25° longitude for the atmosphere, and 1/3° × 1/3° globally for the ocean. Multidecadal integrations of HiGEM, and the lower-resolution HadGEM, are used to explore the impact of resolution on the fidelity of climate simulations. Generally, SST errors are reduced in HiGEM. Cold SST errors associated with the path of the North Atlantic drift improve, and warm SST errors are reduced in upwelling stratocumulus regions where the simulation of low-level cloud is better at higher resolution. The ocean model in HiGEM allows ocean eddies to be partially resolved, which dramatically improves the representation of sea surface height variability. In the S.
Entrepreneurial Achievement Motivation, Self-efficacy and Strategic Change: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

Though the existing literature sheds light on the relationship between individual achievement motivation and positive behavior, little is known of the mechanisms in entrepreneurs. In order to explore how entrepreneurs, initiate strategic change in an organization, we constructed a theoretical model of entrepreneurial achievement motivation, self-efficacy, social capital, and strategic change based on the theory of self-efficacy and behavior strategy. We surveyed 149 entrepreneurs from Chinese companies in the catering trade. The study found that entrepreneurs with high achievement motivation build more extensive social capital which can influence their self-efficacy. The study also found that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between achievement motivation and strategic change, whilst social capital mediates the relationship between achievement motivation and self-efficacy. It is recommended that entrepreneurs should make use of achievement motivation, maximize their social capital, and further improve their sense of self-efficacy to initiate strategic change.
Discrete observations of the spatial distributions of the Helix aspersa snail in an outdoor system

O. Gonzalez, G. Perez Camargo, M. Membiela, D. Frezza, N. Bartoloni, and C. Vieites. 2009. Discrete observations of the Helix aspersa land snails’ spatial distribution in an outdoor system. Cien. Inv. Agr. 36(1):123-130. In this study, adult Helix apersa land snails with previously established periodicity were observed at three densities in their fi nishing stage in order to contribute to the body of knowledge about spatial distribution and certain behavior patterns in an outdoor system. From November 8 to December 18, 2006, snails that were in their fi nal fattening phase were grouped at three densities (50 snailm ², 100 snailm ², 200 snailm ²) and randomly placed in nine cubicles, with three replicates of each density. Twelve observations of the snail behavior were made between 12 am and 1 pm. The categories selected as “discrete acts” include: observing the snails in the shelters, on Swiss chard leaves (Beta vulgaris), adhered to the netting, on the balanced feed, on the water supply tray, and on the ground. A statistical analysis employing marginal and partial frequency tests was completed on the density x category x time interactions. It was concluded that around midday, the majority of the snails remained in the artifi cial shelters and on the Swiss chard monoculture leaves. In addition, differences were not detected for the rest of the categories in regard to the spatial distribution of the individuals in the three densities analyzed. If lower densities than the ones most commonly employed in studies (200 snailm ²) are used in an open outdoor system in the fattening stage, the individuals will use the available space in a similar way, thereby exhibiting similar behavior patterns.
Analysis of the Expressive and Receptive Language Characteristics of Emotionally Handicapped Students Served in Public School Settings

Until the past few years, language characteristics of students receiving services for mild/moderate behavior disorders (BD) have been neglected for research on the language of the more severely disturbed population. However, recent investigations of the language characteristics of mild/moderately BD students have produced sufficient evidence to warrant further study. The purpose of the present study was to examine the language skills (i.e., morphology, syntax, and semantics) of a group of 30 mild/moderately BD students served in public school, resource classrooms. Overall results from the Test of Language Development-Intermediate (TOLD-I) (Hammill & Newcomer, 1982), the Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language-Revised (TACL-R) (Carrow-Woolfolk, 1985), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) (Dunn & Dunn, 1982), and the Expressive One Word Vocabulary Test (EOWVT) (Gardner, 1979) revealed that the BD students fell a minimum of one standard deviation below the normative mean on all but one (i.e., Word Classes and Relations subtest of the TACL-R) of the measures. Further within subject analyses indicated the students were having difficulty with both receptive and expressive language. These findings substantiate the fact that mild/moderate BD students should be considered at risk for language disorders.
The relationship between blastocystis hominis infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and comparing direct wet mount, stool culture, Formalin- Ether and trichrome staining procedures for identifying organisms

Introduction: Blastocystis hominis is a parasite found in the stools of human as well as in the stools of other animals and recently its pathogenic potential has been increasingly recognized. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a digestive system’s disorder which is featured by change in bowel habits, abdominal pains and other symptoms similar to Blastocystis hominis infection. There is little information about this syndrome and its etiology is still unknown. This study aims at analyzing the relationship between Blastocystis hominis and IBS. Methods: In a case-control study, a total of 81 patients with IBS and 81 patients with other digestive disorders, but without IBS, who had referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamedan City, were selected. The disease was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist in terms of the relevant criteria. Blastocystis hominis infection in this study was diagnosed using stool test through four techniques: direct wet mount, stool culture, formalin-ether concentration and trichrome staining. Results: Totally, 43 women (53%) and 38 men (47%), in the age range of 13 to 64 years old, participated in this study. Using the stool culture technique, as the golden standard, infection in 37 members (45.67%) of the case group and 18 members (22.22%) of the control group was reported, which this difference was significant, statistically (P<0.001). There was difference between case and control groups in terms of Blastocystis infection with all four techniques. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that since the infection rate in the case group was higher than that in the control group, a relationship between Blastocystis hominis infection and IBS is possible. Speaking about infection diagnosis, culture technique was more sensitive than other techniques used to diagnose Blastocystis hominis infection.
Instantaneous reference-free crack detection based on polarization characteristics of piezoelectric materials

A new methodology of guided-wave-based nondestructive testing (NDT) is developed to detect crack damage in a thin metal structure without using prior baseline data or a predetermined decision boundary. In conventional guided-wave-based techniques, damage is often identified by comparing the ‘current’ data obtained from a potentially damaged condition of a structure with the ‘past’ baseline data collected at the pristine condition of the structure. However, it has been reported that this type of pattern comparison with the baseline data can lead to increased false alarms due to its susceptibility to varying operational and environmental conditions of the structure. To develop a more robust damage diagnosis technique, a new concept of NDT is conceived so that cracks can be detected even when the system being monitored is subjected to changing operational and environmental conditions. The proposed NDT technique utilizes the polarization characteristics of the piezoelectric wafers attached on both sides of the thin metal structure. Crack formation creates Lamb wave mode conversion due to a sudden change in the thickness of the structure. Then, the proposed technique instantly detects the appearance of the crack by extracting this mode conversion from the measured Lamb waves, and the threshold value from damage classification is also obtained only from the current dataset. Numerical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed technique to instantaneous crack detection.
OPTIMAL LINE LENGTH FOR READING SCHOOLBOOK ON SCREEN

Although experimental studies have shown a strong impact of text layout on the legibility of e- text, many digital texts appearing in eBook or the internet use different designs, so that there is no straightforward answer in the literature over which one to follow when designing e- material. Therefore, in this paper we shall focus on the text layout, particularly the influence of line lengthen reading performance of e-school book.48 native Arabic students (24 male and 24 female) volunteered for this experiment. The participants’ age ranged from 9 to 13. Performance of students was assessed through two dependent variables: (1) time to complete each tasks; and (2) accuracy of the answers. Accuracy data was based on the number of correct answers the students provided and the total score was 12 points. Several findings were reported by this experiment such as; the time needed to complete all the question models becomes significantly low when students are older, errors for all the question models are expected to be significantly lower for older students. Reading text on a single column with double columns shows that the reading process is affected by the students’ age, as older students were faster when reading through double columns, while students aged 9 prefer the single column in both reading processes. The study has recommended double line for fast reading for students their reading performance is satisfactory. While, long line has suggested for students with difficulty in reading.
Amalgams of Inverse Semigroups and C*-algebras

An amalgam of inverse semigroups [S,T,U] is full if U contains all of the idempotents of S and T. We show that for a full amalgam [S,T,U], the C*-algebra of the inverse semigroup amaglam of S and T over U is the C*-algebraic amalgam of C*(S) and C*(T) over C*(U). Using this result, we describe certain amalgamated free products of C*-algebras, including finite-dimensional C*-algebras, the Toeplitz algebra, and the Toeplitz C*-algebras of graphs.
Chief Executive Compensation: An Empirical Study of Fat Cat CEOs

This paper empirically tests the determinants of executive pay. In order to gain more understanding of the fat cat problem that have been subject to hot debate, we also examine a sample firms that suffer from the “fat cat problem”, defined as firms with poor performance while their Chief Executive Offers (CEOs) receive high compensation. Based on a sample of 903 US firms between 2007 and 2010, we find that there is a substitution effect between CEO compensation and the level of CEO ownership and that larger firms give higher pay to their CEOs. When the sample is limited to fat cat companies only, we find that tenure and firm size are significantly positively associated with CEO compensation. The firm size, leverage ratio and investment opportunities are found to be significantly associated with the CEO total compensation when the sample is limited to fat cat companies in the financial services industries. Overall, firm size appears to be the most important determinant of CEO compensation and that there is a general lack of linkage between pay and performance. The evidence thus calls for public attention for reexamining the effectiveness of current pay system.
Differential susceptibility of cladoceran species to a saxitoxin-producer strain of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (cyanobacteria)

Toxic cyanobacteria can affect several organisms, including herbivorous zooplankton, as cladocerans. In this study we tested the hypothesis that cladoceran species of different body size, origin and degree of exposure to toxic cyanobacteria would respond differently to a saxitoxin(STX)-producing strain of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (CYRF-01). Newborns were exposed to increasing concentrations of the strain CYRF-01 mixed to a fixed proportion of green algae for 14 days and survivorship, age at first reproduction, clutch size, total offspring and the intrinsic rate of population increase (r), as a measure of fitness, were estimated. Different responses to the strain CYRF-01 were observed, with Daphnia similis (temperate, large size) being more sensitive, followed by Moina micrura (tropical, small size), both presenting symptoms of decreased fitness and paralysis. While Ceriodaphnia richardi (tropical, small size) D. gessneri (tropical, medium size) and Diaphanosoma spinulosum (tropical, small size) showed neither of these symptoms, the later species showed even increased fitness in the cyanobacterial treatments relative to control with green algae, suggesting not only a greater resistance to this strain, but also that it can serve as a nutritional supplement for this cladoceran. In conclusion, the results showed that while some cladocerans species may be negatively affected in their fitness, others may be not affected at all or even utilize STX-producer cyanobacteria as a complementary resource. This suggests that responses of cladocerans to toxic cyanobacteria in nature may vary with species and that the presence of toxic cyanobacteria may shape zooplankton communities to the dominance of more tolerant herbivorous species.