Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KINETIC AND KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE DOMINANT AND NON-DOMINANT KICKING LEG IN THE TAEKWONDO ROUNDHOUSE KICK

The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic variables relevant to kick performance with the dominant and non-dominant leg, in a roundhouse kick measured from three execution distances. Forty-three taekwondo athletes that had competitive taekwondo experience participated in the study. A dependent t-test indicated that there were no differences between extremities at any distance (p > .01). Based on these results, competitive taekwondo players do not seem to reveal differences in limb kinematics. The results also showed the influence of the distance from which the dominant leg explains a larger percentage of variance in reaction time (24%), execution time (20%) and total response time (60%) of the non-dominant leg from a short distance, whereas regarding impact force (22%), this higher percentage is explained from a long distance.
Human Health and Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation

Abstract : This review consists of three main parts. In the first the general features of electromagnetic fields and their interactions with the human body are described. It is pointed out that some evidence from biological experiments means that it is not a priori possible to conclude that there are no longterm effects on human health from exposure to levels of electric and magnetic fields below the thresholds for electric shock, bum and overheating. The second part deals with the epidemiological evidence for effects on general health and birth outcome. It is considered that the bulk of the evidence suggests that there are no long-term effects on general health from the levels to which people are normally exposed from power frequencies, radiofrequencies or microwaves. As regards birth outcomes, the average female user of visual display units (VDUs) does not seem to be at risk of adverse birth outcome. There is a little evidence suggesting that intensive use is associated with an increase in spontaneous abortion, but this could be a result of higher job stress and postural problems rather than of exposure to the small electromagnetic fields. The third part describes the epidemiological evidence from occupational and residential studies of a possible association between electromagnetic field exposures and cancer. Studies of electrical and electronic workers are suggestive of such a link, but are subject to the confounding factor of occupational class. If the association is real the average excess risk appears to be small.
The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in inducing muscle hypertrophy and improvement in muscle torque within the quadriceps muscle of elderly people

Aging is associated with structural changes in skeletal muscles. One such change is loss of muscle mass. Muscle fiber atrophy is another structural transformation. Muscle fiber atrophy is selective to type II muscle fibers. The reduced mass of aging muscles has functional consequences like reduced performance of daily activities. Although exercise can be used to hypertrophy type II muscle fibers, it requires high intensity training that may not be feasible for elderly people. Due to the ability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to activate type II muscle fiber at relatively low intensity compared to voluntary exercises, NMES might be an alternative method to train type II muscle fibers in the elderly population. The purpose is to test the effectiveness of NMES compared to exercise that is performed at the same intensity in inducing structural changes in quadriceps muscle of elderly subjects. The aims are to 1) compare changes in muscle hypertrophy, 2) compare changes in quadriceps muscle power output, and 3) Compare changes in the performance-based functional power tests in subjects who receive NMES and those who receive isometric strengthening exercise at the same intensity level. Twenty subjects (71.2 +/- 4.41) were randomized to receive NMES or exercise. Computed tomography (CT), and muscle biopsy were performed to assess changes in cross sectional area (CSA) and fiber types of the quadriceps. Isokinetic quadriceps muscle power and performance based functional power were measured to assess changes in quadriceps strength and performance based physical function. The patterns of change from pre to post training on total quadriceps CSA, lean quadriceps CSA, and type IIA CSA were significantly higher for the NMES group. There was no difference between the groups in isokinetic quadriceps muscle power. The change in ramp power test from pre to post training was significantly higher for the NMES group. NMES might be an alternative to exercises in inducing type II fiber hypertrophy in older adults. NMES training induced improvements in performance based functional power tests compared to voluntary isometric exercise. There were no differences between the groups in the change in isokinetic quadriceps muscle power test scores.
Subject Allocation to Teacher Trainers in Cameroon: Conflicts and Perspectives

This study was concerned with the allocation of teacher trainers to subjects at the teacher training colleges in Cameroon. The case of some selected Government Teacher Training Colleges. This study was designed to find out the extent to which every teacher trainer can effectively teach every subject of the Grade one teacher training programme if assigned to do so. The Deans of study have to allocate subjects to teacher trainers based on needs while considering the academic backgrounds of the teachers. Most often than not, these teachers happen to have similar academic backgrounds. This results into a situation whereby, some subjects such as statistics and ICT are resisted or turned down by some teacher trainers when assigned to teach them. This situation often escalates into a teacher trainer/Dean of studies conflicts which hamper the smooth functioning of the colleges. This paper evokes the root cause of such conflicts and proposes the way forward. The following hypotheses guided the study. Ho: Subject allocation does not significantly influence work climate at the teacher training colleges. Ha: Subject allocation significantly influences work climate at the teacher training colleges. The cross-sectional survey research design that employed the descriptive approach was adopted for the study. Specifically, forty (40) participants were randomly selected from a population of about 116 teacher trainers. The Scientific Management Theory as postulated by Taylor (1909) formed the study’s theoretical framework. Data analysis was done using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistic with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The findings from the analysis revealed that the teacher trainers could effectively teach 29.6% of the 27 subjects of the teacher training programme. None of them indicated that they can effectively teach all the subjects of the Grade one Teacher Training Programme. The study recommended that, in order to do away with teacher trainer/Dean of Study conflicts and boost teacher trainers’ output, the admission requirements at the Department of Sciences of Education at the HTTCs in Cameroon need to be revised.
Constructing an Innovative Base-Isolation System under Masonry Structures

Seismic up-gradation of existing buildings is a very challenging task, as it requires us to consider historical and economical aspects of building. While proposing a seismic-retrofit scheme for a historical building, one should keep in mind that it should be compatible with existing materials, be least intrusive, monitorable and removable. A novel base-isolation technique has been proposed for the up-gradation of existing buildings against seismic actions which does not involve any alteration in existing buildings, and it is monitorable and removable. The method asks for the uncoupling of soil under, and around the building, with the help of closely spaced microtunnels, trenches and retaining walls. Closely spaced microtunnels will lay under the foundation of building, running parallel to one of the dimension of the building, and base-isolation devices will be fitted in lining of these microtunnels. These closely spaced micro-tunnels, along with the trenches and retaining walls around the building, will isolate the structure from seismic actions. This assembly of microtunnels, fitted with isolation devices, and trenches, around the building, will be able to filter seismic forces in both directions of building. The construction of these micro-tunnels, for realisation of innovative base-isolation technique, is the most critical phase, because it can have a detrimental effect on building. This work explores the potential applicability of the novel base-isolation method on masonry buildings by assessing susceptibility of masonry wall, having different physical and material characteristics, to damage (relating to aesthetic of building) inflicted by the construction of microtunnels in various soil conditions. The effect of transverse ground movements is considered in this study. A parametric study is conducted using 2-D (coupled) nonlinear finite element analyses, considering factors such as strength and stiffness of masonry, stiffness of soil, soil-structure interface, excavation sequence of tunnels, different physical characteristics of wall and depth of tunnels. The study shows the applicability of innovative base-isolation technique, highlights the vulnerability levels of walls of different physical characteristics, emphasizes the importance of excavation sequence of microtunnels in reducing risk of damage, and mentions symptoms that correlate with damage
Utility-Scale Solar 2012: An Empirical Analysis of Project Cost, Performance, and Pricing Trends in the United States

LBNL-XXXXX E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY Utility-Scale Solar 2012 An Empirical Analysis of Project Cost, Performance, and Pricing Trends in the United States Mark Bolinger and Samantha Weaver Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Environmental Energy Technologies Division September 2013 Download from emp.lbl. gov The work described in this report was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, under Contract No. DE-AC02- 05CH11231.
Anticipated user experience in the early stages of product development

This research investigates users' anticipation of their future experiences with interactive products to support design for experience in the early stages of product development. This research generates new knowledge of anticipated user experience (AUX), which reveals users' tendency to perceive the pragmatic quality of products as the main determinant of their positive future experiences. The AUX Framework has been an important outcome of this study. The exploration of the components of this framework allows a better prediction and understanding of users' underlying needs and potential usage contexts valuable for the early design phases.
Avaliao de semeadora-adubadora de preciso trabalhando em trs sistemas de preparo do solo

The performance of a precision seeder with four lines in the culture of maize (Zea mays L.) working in Latossolo Vermelho Escuro Eutrofico, moderate A, argillaceous texture was evaluated. The experimental parcels were disposed in casualized blocks with four repetitions, according to a factorial scheme 3 x 3, totalizing 36 observations. The factors had been given by the systems of tillage (conventional, no tillage and reduced) and by the gears of the tractor (3rd reduced high, 4th reduced low and 4th reduced high). The variables analyzed were: displacement speed, speed reduction, traction force and drawbar pull, fuel consumption, motor rotation and medium slipping wheels of the tractor. The results showed that the sowing operation in soil under reduced tillage presented larger fuel consumption, smaller displacement speed, smaller effective field capacity and larger slipping.
Airbnb Hospitality: Exploring Users and Non-Users’ Perceptions and Intentions

Although the use of Airbnb services is growing, research relating to its value, risk, satisfaction, and repurchase intentions involving the millennial generation is scarce. This study investigates actual experience of social, utilitarian and hedonic values, risks, satisfaction, and repurchase intentions of Airbnb millennial consumers. It further assesses perceptions of similar values, risks, and what it would take to generate satisfaction and repurchase intention amid Airbnb non-consumers. PLS Path Modelling is used to test the hypothesised relationships and compare Airbnb consumers and non-consumers. A conceptual model proposing five hypotheses is tested using a dataset of 206 responses representing consumers and non-consumers from New Zealand. The results of the two groups are compared to assess differences in the relationships specified in the proposed conceptual model. The findings have theoretical, managerial, and social implications as it expands the literature by comparing consumers/non-consumers relating to sharing economy and identifies factors that lead to satisfaction and repurchase intentions linked to the millennials, hence generating managerial implications. The findings also suggest social, utilitarian, and hedonic values that have implications for the millennial generation.
Disabled People and the Internet: Experiences, Barriers and Opportunities

The UK government aims to make all its information and transactions available electronically by 2005. General use of the Internet also continues to grow. This report investigates the Internet's barriers and benefits for disabled people, and considers whether it acts as a means to reduce their social exclusion. The study surveys the views and experiences of disabled people, both Internet users and non-users. Topics covered include: what the Internet is used for; use of and difficulties with assistive devices (special equipment and adaptations needed by some disabled people in order to use computers); how people learn to use the Internet; views of website accessibility; advantages and disadvantages of Internet usage. It also explores participants' restrictions on using the Internet, and people's reasons for not using it. There has been little previous research in this area, but the authors review the existing literature. The report finds that many practical problems - such as the cost of training, finding appropriate assistive devices, website accessibility - all inhibit Internet opportunities for many disabled people.
Spatiotemporal control of light in turbid media

This thesis deals with novel approaches to control wave propagation, in particular of light, in opaque scattering materials. We have developed and characterized novel experimental methods for spatially and temporally controlled focusing of ultrashort laser pulses both through and inside random scattering media. For this purpose, we developed the approach of short-pulse wavefront shaping; we spatially shape the wavefront of the pulsed beam, which is incident on the medium, by iteratively optimizing an appropriate feedback signal from the focus. The optimized wavefront couples to the random medium in such a way, that the randomly scattered waves interfere constructively at the intended focus, where they form an intense short pulse. We have devised and implemented two different schemes to provide a feedback signal suitable to sensitize the iterative wavefront shaping optimization for the formation of an ultrashort pulse. In a first experiment, we implement this feedback signal by a time-resolved measurement by heterodyne interferometry, which allows the direct optimization of the field amplitude and one point in space and time. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an indirect measurement of a nonlinear feedback signal provided, e.g., by a second-harmonic generation process, leads to comparable focusing and allows creating the focus deep inside scattering media. Our approaches are applicable to all types of waves. Next to our experiments with light, we demonstrate the extension of our short-pulse wavefront shaping approach to a broadband concept based on an ultrasound experiment. We envision a number of possible applications for our methods, such as in the development of novel imaging techniques for biomedical applications, in performing novel tests to random matrix theory, and in devising new ways to control light in nanophotonic structures and metamaterials for communication technology, sensing and optical computing.
Measuring Students Acceptance and Usability of a Cloud Virtual Desktop Solution for a Programming Course

Virtual desktops in cloud scenarios play a significant role in higher education. Nowadays, the idea of moving laboratories to the cloud seems mandatory and it is necessary to maintain students’ commitment in this new scenario. This paper aims at two targets, customizing a Virtual Desktop platform for delivering the laboratories of a programming course in a Computer Science Bachelor Degree and empirically apply the technology acceptance model and the system usability scale to a set of students that use it. Results obtained in this paper provide insights about the direct effect between the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude to technology following the technology acceptance model (TAM) as well as a comprehensive analysis of the system usability scale (SUS) of our platform.
OPTIMAL CONTROL OF OVERSATURATED INTERSECTIONS: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

The problem of optimal traffic signal control of congested intersections with queue length constraints is discussed. Isolated intersections as well as a system of congested intersections are treated. The latter case is not a simple extension of the case of the single intersection since it involves consideration of turning volumes, travel times and queueing storage between intersections. It is shown that optimal signal operation requires, in general, variable cycles and splits when queue length constraints are imposed and that at an isolated intersection optimal signal operation resembles that of traffic-actuated signals when the volumes drop below saturation level. Furthermore, it is shown that, for a system of intersections, signal co-ordination is necessary and can be obtained according to relationships developed here. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the theory to real-life situations. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the optimal control policy results in substantial delay savings as compared to conventional methods even if the expected demand is substantially overestimated or underestimated. /TRRL/
An exploratory study of the correlation between ISO 9001 certification and corporate performance of Italian companies

Purpose: The paper aims at verifying a possible relationship between Quality Management System certification according to ISO 9001 standard and risk of failure of Italian companies. Design/methodology/approach: A synthetic index which summarize the most crucial economic/financial aspects of the studied companies is assumed as the response variable of a statistical model for studying the effects of three specific factors: certification, company size and regional development. The analysis is conducted on a sample of Italian companies belonging to different manufacturing sectors. The used data are obtained from the database Aida® by Bureau van Dijk and from the database of the Italian accreditation body Accredia. The study is based on ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and Contingency Tables. Findings: Preliminary results of ANOVA show that only company size and regional development can be considered fully significant. However, the major conclusion from the analysis of Contingency Tables is that ISO 9001 certification is connected to the risk of failure of a company. Hence, the scenario is quite variegated and a significant positive interaction between certification and corporate performance is not always confirmed. Research limitations/implications: Although the research shows some interesting results, it is liable to extensions and improvements. In particular, at the current exploratory level, it is limited to a specific period of time and considers only the Italian sector, but it could be extended to a wider number of years and to European and international level. Practical implications: The study opens a way for a number of important questions about the meaning, usefulness and effectiveness of ISO 9001 certification. In particular, it may be time to ask whether the paradigm of certification actually needs a radical rethink. Originality/value: This work represents a first exploratory attempt to correlate the risk of failure with the achievement of ISO 9001 certification. There are several similar works in literature which, however, focus mainly on sectorial aspects of the corporate background
Operation, control and optimization of a Meshed-HVDC system

Aquest projecte estudia el control de l'operaci o de les xarxes multi-terminals d'HVDC. Les dos estrat egies m es generalitzades, la centralitzada i droop, s on estudiades aix com el seu efecte en la operaci o del sistema. Per tal de fer aquest estudi, es presenta tamb e la modelitzaci o i el disseny i control dels convertidors VSC. Posteriorment s'han dut a terme diferents simulacions mitjan cant l'eina d'estudi PSCAD. Per tal d'analitzar aquest sistema, es presenta un m etode per calcular el ux de c arregues amb control droop. Posteriorment, es proposa un control terciari amb l'objectiu de donar una soluci o al problema de la operaci o optima en xarxes MTDC controlades distribui dament. Finalment, per tal de validar, estudiar el seu comportament i extreure conclusions, s'han simulat diferents casos.