Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Exercise on Interleukin- 6, Insulin Resistance and Blood Glucose of Overweight Female

Introduction: The important factors in the development of chronic diseases are obesity and overweight. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on interleukin6, insulin resistance and glucose in overweight young girls. Methods: Twenty-one girls with an age range of 20-30 years were selected voluntarily and randomly divided into experimental (n = 11) and control (n = 10) groups. The aerobic exercise program lasted for 8 weeks, with a frequency of 3 sessions per week, with training sessions starting from 30 minutes in the first session and 50 minutes in the final session, and the intensity of 60-70% of the heart rate reserve. The blood sample was taken before beginning the main study program and after 8 weeks of aerobic exercises. The independent sample t-test, paired sample ttest and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test were used to compare the pre-test and post-test information between the groups. Results: Eight weeks of aerobic exercise had no significant effect on body mass index (p=0.43), fat percentage (p=0.72), waist to hip rate (p=0.85), interleukin-6 (p=0.86), insulin resistance (p=0.59) and glucose (p=0.78), nevertheless significantly reduced the weight (p=0.004). Conclusion: It appears that eight-week aerobic exercise protocol could be beneficial for weight loss, but it did not affect glucose concentration, insulin resistance, interleukin-6 serum, fat percentage, waist to hip ratio and BMI.
Land Use Regulation, the Redevelopment Premium and House Prices

The right to redevelop a residential property can carry a significant positive premium. Although the existing literature has examined how this redevelopment premium is affected by the inherent characteristics of a residential structure, comparatively little research has focussed on how land use regulations (LURs) interact with these characteristics to affect redevelopment premia. In this paper we study the effect of upzoning (i.e., a relaxation of restrictions on site development) on the redevelopment premium and house prices using a rich dataset of residential sales transactions. To study the effects of this policy intervention, we embed a difference-in-differences structure within a hedonic pricing function, wherein the upzoning quasi-treatment is interacted with a commonly-used empirical proxy for the opportunity cost of redevelopment-intensity (i.e., the ratio of improved value to the total value of the property). We find that upzoning significantly increases the redevelopment premium and generates a substantial increase in the price of underdeveloped properties relative to properties that were already intensively developed.
Characteristics and Rehabilitation Services Requirements of Children in Cognitive Motor Training class: A Survey in Taichung County

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and rehabilitation services requirements of children in cognitive motor training class in Taichung County. Methods: Two physiatrists interviewed children and their parents from eight elementary schools. Perinatal history and physical performance were studied in these children. Information in 187 sets of questionnaires was analyzed. Participants were grouped into four categories according to their major deficit: 18 children (10%) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 64 children (34%) with cerebral palsy (CP), 40 children (21%) with developmental delay, and 65 children (35%) with mental retardation. Results: Most of the mothers had normal deliveries, except for the mothers of CP children (48% had an abnormal delivery and 22% required oxygen). Concerning the perinatal history, CP children had a higher incidence of admissions to intensive care unit (47%,p＜ 0.01), respiratory complications (30%,p＜0.05), and blood transfusions (16%,p＜ 0.01). In the postnatal period, over 78% of these children had been admitted to the hospital for illness. Forty-one children (22%) had joint contracture, mainly in the ankle joint (83%). During this study, 48% of the children were receiving rehabilitation services. A high percentage of parents, 92%, hoped their child could be enrolled in a rehabilitation program in the future, 67% of parents hoped their child could receive speech therapy in the future. Conclusions: This study can be used as an important reference to arrange rehabilitation services for children in educational organizations.
On the Optimal Speed Profile for Eco-Driving on Curved Roads

The horizontal curvature and a driver’s behavior on curved roads significantly affect vehicle fuel economy. This paper describes how optimal speed profiles can minimize fuel consumption for a vehicle travelling on a curve. Previous studies suggested that sustaining a constant speed throughout a level road is the optimal measure for conserving fuel, within certain bounds. Based on the established vehicle dynamic model and an instantaneous fuel consumption model, the optimal constant speeds corresponding to circular curves with different radii can be derived. When entering or departing a curve for additional study, a dynamic programming algorithm is tailored to obtain the optimal speed profile in the vicinity of the curve. The algorithm is verified by using co-simulation of CarSim and Matlab/Simulink, and the results show the algorithm can save approximately 5.46% to 17.64% of fuel compared with the deceleration and acceleration modes of typical driver model controlled by a proportional integral controller. This technology can not only improve the conventional vehicle fuel economy by taking into account the horizontal curvature but also provide decision-making reference for the autonomous vehicle speed control.
Media Literacy and Consumption of Media and Advertising in University Students of Pedagogy in Chile

main aim of this work, based on the results of studies on the mediating role of the media, particularly television, and advertising in different age groups, together with the need to discuss the processes of audiovisual or media lite- racy, was to analyse the patterns of media consumption among students of Pedagogy in Language and Communication, Mathematics, and History and Geography at Chilean universities. The objective was also to deter- mine whether there are differential profiles in the use and consumption of media related to the future role of these profiles in the audiovisual literacy of the students. To do this, a non-random sample was used comprising 881 Pedagogy students of both genders studying at seven universities in southern and central Chile. The «media con- sumption questionnaire» was used for data collection. In general, the distribution of preferences by gender and degree course falls short of representing idiosyncrasy in terms of the media, and reflects outside realities that do not permit participation in citizenry processes to be strengthened in media consumers. In short, the biggest problem is that future teachers do not seem to have the tools that allow them to manage the work of audiovisual literacy since they themselves have difficulties in differentiating between information and persuasion in advertising messages. ABSTRACT (Spanish) Considerando los resultados de estudios sobre el rol mediador de los medios, especialmente la television y la publi- cidad en distintos grupos etarios, sumados a la necesidad de discutir los procesos de alfabetizacion audiovisual o alfa- betizacion mediatica; el principal objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los patrones de consumo de medios en estu- diantes de universidades chilenas y determinar si existen perfiles diferenciales en el uso y consumo de medios que se relacionen con su futuro rol en la alfabetizacion audiovisual de sus estudiantes. Para ello, se considero una mues- tra de tipo intencionado que quedo constituida por 881 estudiantes de pedagogia de ambos sexos que cursaban estu- dios en siete universidades chilenas de la zona sur y central de Chile. Para la recoleccion de datos se utilizo el «cues- tionario de habitos de consumo de medios». En general, la distribucion de las preferencias, tanto a nivel de genero como por carrera, no logra representar mediaticamente la idiosincrasia y refleja realidades ajenas que no permiten fortalecer procesos ciudadanos en los consumidores de los medios. En sintesis, la problematica mayor es que los futuros docentes no parecen contar con herramientas que les permitan enfrentar la labor de alfabetizacion audiovi- sual, dado que ellos mismos presentan dificultades para diferenciar entre la informacion y la persuasion en los men- sajes publicitarios.
Ecotourism: supply of nature or tourist demand?

Although there is considerable consumer power resting in the hands of the individual tourist, in terms of the types of tourism products offered and the places being visited, there has been, surprisingly, little empirical research regarding tourists’ preferences for particular tourism packages and holidays. Furthermore, little is known in relation to tourist differences (or similarities) in preferences for, or motivation towards, mainstream as opposed to ecotourism tourist experiences. This study addresses this deficiency in the literature via empirical research involving a self-report survey of a sample of 255 tourists. The results indicate that a definite ecotourism market segment does seem to exist and that the motivations of mainstream tourists are qualitatively different from those of ecotourists, each defined by their preferences and interests.
Emotions in Concert : Performers' Experienced Emotions on Stage

Music is often said to be expressive of emotions. Surprisingly, not much is known about the role of performers’ emotions while performing. Do musicians feel the musical emotions when expressing them? Or has expressive playing nothing to do with the emotional experiences of the performer? To investigate performers’ perspectives on the role of emotions in performance, we conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with nineteen musicians teaching or studying at a European conservatoire. In the interviews, musicians were first asked to describe a recent performance experience in as much detail as possible, then to make a visual representation of their experiences on stage, and finally, to answer some general questions about the role of emotions in performance. Qualitative Thematic Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed a difference between performance related emotions and emotions related to the music. In addition, a difference was found between emotional and expressive playing. To allow the music to be expressive of emotions, performers seem to feel the musical emotions to some extent, while they make sure to have the technical ability to express them on their instrument, and stay in control of their playing.
Stages of Change, Self-efficacy and Stress Management Perceptions in First Year Undergraduate Students

The study explored first year undergraduate students' intention to change behavior in an attempt to manage stressful academic situations (passing the exams, semester's grades and organization of their studies) and the effect of the self-efficacy, the pros, cons of stress management and the pros of stress on moving between stages. Gender differences were explored. The validity and reliability of the Decision Balance Inventory were also investigated. The study was held through questionnaires. All scales had acceptable levels of internal consistency (60 < α < 79) and the sample consisted of 209 first-year undergraduate students. The results of the exploratory factor analysis supported the factorial validity and the reliability of the Decisional Balance Inventory. Most of the students reported themselves in the earlier stages of change. The results indicated an interplay of self-efficacy with the pros, cons of stress management and the pros of stress, mainly at the stages of precontemplation and preparation. There were few gender differences. Females reported a less positive per- ception of the pros of stress management than males when closer to adopt a behavior of stress management. The findings are discussed in relation to recent literature.
Deep Content: Unveiling Video Streaming Content from Encrypted WiFi Traffic

The proliferation of smart devices has led to an exponential growth in digital media consumption, especially mobile video for content marketing. The vast majority of the associated Internet traffic is now end-to-end encrypted, and while encryption provides better user privacy and security, it has made network surveillance an impossible task. The result is an unchecked environment for exploiters and attackers to distribute content such as fake, radical and propaganda videos. Recent advances in machine learning techniques have shown great promise in characterising encrypted traffic captured at the end points. However, video fingerprinting from passively listening to encrypted traffic, especially wireless traffic, has been reported as a challenging task due to the difficulty in distinguishing retransmissions and multiple flows on the same link. We show the potential of fingerprinting videos by passively sniffing WiFi frames in air, even without connecting to the WiFi network. We have developed Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) that are able to identify streamed YouTube videos from a closed set, by sniffing WiFi traffic encrypted at both Media Access Control (MAC) and Network layers. We compare these models to the state-of-the-art wired traffic classifier based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and show that our models obtain similar results while requiring significantly less computational power and time (approximately a threefold reduction).
Diversification versus specialization: an event study of M&As in the European banking industry

This study examines the stock market valuation in terms of expected gains of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) amongst banks that were announced from 1991 to 2001 in 13 European markets. M&As are classified according to activity, geographic specialization or diversification. A bivariate GARCH model is used to estimate abnormal returns taking beta conditional variability into account. The results document that there is, on average, a positive and significant increase in value for the group of targets' banks. Moreover, it is found that on average there is a positive and significant market reaction for the two types of transactions: cross-product diversification and geographic specialization.
Pay Without Performance: Overview of the Issues

In their recent book, "Pay Without Performance: The Unfulfilled Promise of Executive Compensation", the authors of this article provided a comprehensive critique of U.S. executive pay practices and the corporate governance processes that produce them, and then offered a number of proposals for improving both pay and governance. This article presents an overview of their analysis and proposals. 2005 Morgan Stanley.
Natural rubber latex-clay nanocomposite: use of montmorillonite clay as an alternative for conventional CaCO3

Natural rubber (NR) latex-clay nanocomposite (NRLCN) synthesized with montmorillonite (MMT) clay aqueous dispersion was evaluated for reinforcement and barrier properties. The physio-mechanical properties of the NRLCN were compared with the conventional NR latex composites containing CaCO3. The NRLCN structure was characterized with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope techniques. The X-ray diffraction data showed that, with a lower concentration of clay, a highly exfoliated clay structure was achieved whilst the clay aggregation gradually resulted in a higher concentration of clay. The crosslink density as computed based on the solvent absorption data of the latex nanocomposite films was increased with the increase of clay concentration. As a result of nanoscale dispersion of the montmorillonite clay and higher crosslink density of the latex nanocomposite films, the resistance to permeation of small molecules through the NRLCN was significantly enhanced in comparison to conventional NR latex-CaCO3 composites. Solid state mechanical properties of NRLCNs showed a significant reinforcement effect of dispersed clay platelets but without significantly reducing the elastic properties. The higher mechanical properties and improved barrier resistance indicated that NR latex nanocomposites containing montmorillonite clay is a potential replacement for conventional NR latex composites containing CaCO3. J.Natn. Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2013 41 (4): 293-302 DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v41i4. 6258
Mesquite pod meal in sheep diet: intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen balance.

Eight Santa Ines sheep were assigned to two 4 x 4 Latin squares, to evaluate the effects of replacing elephant grass silage with different levels of mesquite pod meal (MDM) (15, 30 and 45% DM) on intake, apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and the nitrogen balance. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in the intake of DM, OM, CP, ADF, NDF, NFC and TC according to the addition of MPM to the diet. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP increased (p < 0.05) with the addition of MDM. We observed a positive linear effect (p < 0.05) for the nitrogen intake. The addition of mesquite pod meal up to 45% increased the intake of DM, NDF, ADF, CP, OM, NFC and TC but reduced the digestibility of EE and NDF. MPM at 30 and 45% propitiated a positive nitrogen balance.
Against all odds?: national sentiment and wagering on European football

This paper studies how national sentiment in the form of either a perception or a loyalty bias of bettors may affect pricing patterns on national wagering markets for international sport events. We show theoretically that both biases can be profitably exploited by bookmakers by way of price adjustment (odds shading). The former bias induces bookmakers to shade odds against the domestic team, the latter to adjust them in a way that depends on the demand elasticity of bettors for their national favorite. Analyzing empirically a unique data set of betting quotas from online bookmakers in twelve European countries for qualification games to the UEFA Euro 2008, we find evidence for systematic biases in the pricing of own national teams in the odds for win offered across countries. Variations in the sign and magnitude of these deviations can be explained by differences across countries in the respective strengths of the perception and loyalty biases among domestic bettors.
Physical characteristics and nutritional quality of salt tolerant rice genotypes

Rice is recently introduced in Ethiopia, rice production is expanding very fast. However, the grain quality of the high yielding varieties in the country is not well characterized. The present study was carried out to evaluate some important physical characteristics and nutritional qualities of 15 rice genotypes. The experiment was conducted at Bahirdar University food and nutrition laboratory from July to August, 2015. AT 401, IR 66946 and IR 73055 had significantly the longest kernel. Most of the genotypes had bold type of appearance which is a good physical characteristic. The 1000 kernel weight was good in most of the genotypes except for IR 72048 and IR 72593. IR 55179, IR 59418 and IR 71810 had the highest bulk density and were round shaped. The chalkiness was minimum in genotypes IR 70023 (5.63%), IR 71991 (11.27%) and IR 72048 (11.91%). The protein and fiber content was higher in AT 401, IR 70023 and IR 71901. IR 29 was superior in fat content. The correlation between the physical and nutritional characteristics was very minimum which indicates the independency of the two. Although the nutritional and physical characters are within the acceptable range, there would be a chance for improvement of both quality since it contributes through selection and crossing. Key words: kernel, genotype, physical characteristics, nutrition content.
Critical photoperiod for short-day induction of flowering in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.)

Summary Actively growing, single-stemmed plants of three black currant cultivars, each with 15 – 16 nodes, were exposed to photoperiods of 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 24 h at 18°C for 8 weeks for determination of the critical photoperiods for growth cessation and floral initiation. In all three cultivars, growth cessation was induced by short day (SD) conditions, with a critical photoperiod of 16 h, and the response was advanced by decreasing the photoperiod. The critical photoperiod for 50% flowering was 16 h in the cultivars ‘Öjebyn’ and ‘Ben Tron’, and 17 h in ‘Kristin’. Unexpectedly, however, not all plants flowered after exposure to a 10 h photoperiod, and the number of flowers per plant increased several-fold as the photoperiod was increased from 10 h to 15 h in all cultivars. Apparently, this unexpected result was due to the fact that all plants had only 15 – 16 nodes at the start of the experiments, which is marginal for “ripeness to flower” in black currant. While growth cessation was almost immediate in a 10 h photoperiod, causing only a few additional leaves to be formed during the experiment, the slower response to longer photoperiods apparently enabled the plants to reach the critical size at an earlier stage of the treatment period. However, although plants with 15 – 16 nodes were only marginally responsive to SD induction, buds situated as far down the shoot as the fifth or sixth node were competent to flower. It is therefore suggested that the inability of small black currant plants to flower resides in limitations of the leaves to respond to SD and to produce a florigenic signal, while their buds are fully competent to respond to such a signal.