Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equilibrium or Simple Rule at Wimbledon? An Empirical Study

We follow Walker and Woodersâ€™(2001) empirical analysis to collect and study a broader data set in tennis, including male, female and junior matches. We find that there is mixed evidence in support of the minimax hypothesis. Granted, the plays in our data pass all the tests in Walker and Wooders (2001). However, we argue that not only the test on equal winning probabilities may lack power, but also the current serve choices may depend on past serve choices, the performance of past serve choices, or the time that the game has elapsed. We therefore examine the role that simple rules may play in determining the plays. For a significant number of top tennis players, some simple low-information rules outperform the minimax hypothesis. By comparing junior players with adult players, we find that the former tend to adopt simpler rules. The result of comparison between female and male players is inconclusive
Asset Management Data Practices for Supporting Project Selection Decisions

Transportation agencies engage in extensive data collection activities to support their decision processes at various levels, but not all data collected supply useful information. This article summarizes research aimed at formally identifying links between data collection and the supported decision processes, particularly at the level of project selection. The aim was to help transportation agencies optimize their data collection and cut down data collection and management costs. The methodology included a comprehensive literature review that collected information from various academic and industry sources around the world and the development of a Web survey that was e-mailed to specific expert individuals within the 50 U.S. Departments of Transportation and Puerto Rico. The responses obtained from the Web survey were analyzed statistically and combined with the additional resources to extract conclusions about the current state of the practice and develop data collection recommendations in the form of a proposed stepwise framework.
The Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence Framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the causal relationships in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) Education Performance Excellence Criteria.Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of 220 respondents from 15 United Arab Emirates (UAE) universities and colleges, results of regression analysis and confirmatory structural equation modeling show that all of the hypothesized causal relationships in the Baldrige model are statistically significant.Findings – A comprehensive “measurement model” grounded in the Baldrige Performance Excellence in Education Criteria for the 33 items of measurement is developed, tested, and found to be valid and reliable. Leadership is identified as a driver for all components in the Baldrige System, including measurement, analysis and knowledge management, strategic planning, faculty and staff focus and process management. All Baldrige components (categories) are significantly linked with organizational outcomes as represented by the two.
Improving Chemical Handling Procedures Can Help Reduce Associated Treatment Problems

Contamination of drinking water treatment chemicals, the presence of foreign matter, and delivery problems can affect drinking water quality, treatment plant reliability, regulatory compliance, and residual handling and disposal practices. A survey was conducted of the groundwater and surface water facilities of the American Water Works Company Inc. as they pertained to treatment chemicals. The goal of this study was to detail treatment chemical issues and identify areas for improvement that will reduce the consequences associated with treatment chemical problems. The application of simple procedural recommendations in the areas of treatment chemical inventory, chemical bid specification, pre‐unloading procedures and testing, and periodic specialty testing can all help improve the reliability of service and the quality of drinking water.
Increasing global heterogeneity in the life expectancy of older populations

With overall global improvements in life expectancy, one important concern is whether there is cross-country convergence in life expectancy at various ages. Insights in convergence patterns can help realign research priorities help governments better structure health investments across various age groups. We reveal global patterns in life expectancy improvements and identify convergent clubs in life expectancy at various ages for 201 countries / areas between 1950 and 2015. In the case of life expectancy at younger ages, most countries are moving in the same direction, but we observe significant cross-country variation for older adults and the elderly. Further, we observe increasing variance in life expectancy for older adults and elderly across countries. Increasing global heterogeneity in survival experience of older adults and the elderly population thus has remained a neglected aspect in the discussions on global life expectancy improvements. Data, research and policy focus beyond life-expectancy at birth is therefore critical to accelerate survival gains among older adults and elderly, particularly from the developing world.
Designing skid trail systems to reduce soil impacts from tractive logging machines

Ground-based logging typically produces well-defined skid trails on the forest floor during log extraction. With conventional logging, these skid trails cover from 18 to 36 percent of the soil surface after a single harvest entry (Dyrness 1965; Froehlich 1976). Subsequent entries can increase the area in skid trails to as much as 80 percent of the soil surface. The soil in the skid trails is almost always compacted. Increases in soil density during skidding generally range from 10 to 80 percent (Foil and Ralston 1967; Froehlich 1979), depending on soil strength, moisture content, organic matter, and machine variables such as ground pressure and vibration. Logging over frozen ground or a heavy cover of snow or slash can moderate or eliminate soil compaction (Froehlich 1978). In most areas, however, timber harvesting cannot always be scheduled to take advantage of those protective conditions; thus, soil compaction usually accompanies log skidding. Soil compaction alters soil structure to a condition usually less favorable to plant growth. The increase in soil density is accompanied by a decrease in pore space, which in turn reduces air exchange, water infiltration, and permeability. The increase in soil density also produces an increase In soil strength, which retards tree root extension. Soil compaction reduces the height growth of seedlings of several coniferous species by 10 to 50 percent (Foil and Ralston 1967; Froehlich 1979). Stem volume may be affected more severely than height growth. In a study with 16-year-old ponderosa pine, - soil compaction decreased height growth by 29 percent and stem growth by 68 percent (Froehlich 1979). Similarly, soil compaction reduced height growth of 26-year-old loblolly pine by 13 percent and stem volume growth by 53 percent (Perry 1964). The growth reduction of individual trees apparently is related to the amount of root zone compacted and the percentage of Increase in soil density (Froehlich 1979; Perry 1964). Therefore, the impact of skid trails on tree growth in a given tract will depend on the amount of area in skid trails or the number of trees affected and on the relative increase in soil density in the skid trails. Some forest managers have turned to skyline or even helicopter logging as a means of reducing site impacts from timber harvesting. These systems spare the soil but are at least twice as expensive as ground skidding with logging vehicles on gently sloping terrain (Aulerich et al. 1974). One method of retaining the economic advantages of ground skidding while reducing the impacts of soil compaction might be an efficiently planned system of skid trails covering only a small portion of the total harvested area. This paper describes a study designed to test the feasibility of such a system.
Effect of two tapering strategies on endurance-related physiological markers in athletes from selected training centres of Ethiopia

Objective We aimed to investigate the effects of two tapering strategies on specific endurance-related performance markers in some selected athletic training centres of Ethiopia. Methodology Thirty-seven young distance runners (mean age: 20±1.97 years; mean training period: 2.43±0.603 years) were randomly assigned to high-intensity low-volume (HILV) and high-intensity moderate-volume (HIMV) taper groups. Training frequencies were five times per week conducted for 2 weeks in both groups. At baseline and after 2 weeks of the taper intervention, the average red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and haematocrit percentages (Hct) of the participants were measured and analysed using a complete blood count (sysmix) instrument. Results Using a parallel-group design, we investigated the effects of the two tapering strategies (HILV and HIMV), and positive changes were observed in the endurance-related physiological traits of RBC count, Hgb concentration and Hct percentages regardless of the amount of volume reduced during the 2-week taper period. Comparisons of the two strategies did not reveal significant differences between the taper groups. Conclusion Taper strategies characterised by HILV and HIMV training load have beneficial effects on the improvement of endurance performance. Reduction of training load-training volume did not affect endurance performance, instead these could induce extra adaption of the body physiology.
Exploring the Temporal Dynamics of the Fungal Microbiome in Rootstocks, the Lesser-Known Half of the Grapevine Crop

Rootstocks are the link between the soil and scion in grapevines, can provide tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and regulate yield and grape quality. The vascular system of grapevine rootstocks in nurseries is still an underexplored niche for research, despite its potential for hosting beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the composition of fungal communities in 110 Richter and 41 Berlandieri rootstocks at four stages of the grapevine propagation process. Taxonomic analysis revealed that the fungal community predominantly consisted of phylum Ascomycota in all stages of the propagation process. The alpha-diversity of fungal communities differed among sampling times for both rootstocks, with richness and fungal diversity in the vascular system decreasing through the propagation process. The core microbiome was composed of the genera Cadophora, Cladosporium, Penicillium and Alternaria in both rootstocks, while the pathogenic genus Neofusicoccum was identified as a persistent taxon throughout the propagation process. FUNguild analysis showed that the relative abundance of plant pathogens associated with trunk diseases increased towards the last stage in nurseries. Fungal communities in the vascular system of grapevine rootstocks differed between the different stages of the propagation process in nurseries. Numerous genera associated with potential biocontrol activity and grapevine trunk diseases were identified. Understanding the large diversity of fungi in the rootstock vascular tissue and the interactions between fungal microbiota and grapevine will help to develop sustainable strategies for grapevine protection.
Transient behaviour of salient-pole synchronous machines with internal stator winding faults

Internal stator winding faults in salient-pole synchronous machines can cause serious damage to a machine and the system to which it is connected. Thus, it is highly desirable to be able to accurately model their transient behaviour and to predict the resulting currents and voltages in order to develop appropriate protection schemes, particularly for high power machines. Based on the multi-loop circuit method, a general mathematical model for a salient-pole synchronous machine with internal faults is established, and subsequently employed to simulate both the steady-state and transient behaviour for three different types of internal fault. Predicted results are validated by experimental measurements.
Gun Control after Heller: Litigating Against Regulation

The "core right" established in D.C. vs. Heller (2008) is to keep an operable handgun in the home for self-defense purposes. If the Court extends this right to cover state and local jurisdictions, the result is likely to include the elimination of the most stringent existing regulations - such as Chicago's handgun ban - and could also possibly ban regulations that place substantial restrictions or costs on handgun ownership. We find evidence in support of four conclusions: The effect of Heller may be to increase the prevalence of handgun ownership in jurisdictions that currently have restrictive laws; Given the best evidence on the consequences of increased prevalence of gun ownership, these jurisdictions will experience a greater burden of crime due to more lethal violence and an increased burglary rate; Nonetheless, a regime with greater scope for gun rights is not necessarily inferior - whether restrictive regulations would pass a cost benefit test may depend on whether we accept the Heller viewpoint that there is a legal entitlement to possess a handgun; In any event, the core right defined by Heller leaves room for some regulation that would reduce the negative externalities of gun ownership.
ANALYSIS OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED TO 50TH PERCENTILE MALE DUMMIES SITTING MID-TRACK AND 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMNMIES SITTING FULL-FORWARD IN CRASH TESTS OF PAIRED VEHICLES WITH REDESIGNED AIR BAG SYSTEMS

Historically, the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 (FMVSS No. 208) has used 50th percentile male dummies seated in the mid-track position to evaluate occupant protection in frontal crashes. As a result of field investigations of air bag-related fatalities and serious injuries involving short-stature female drivers, more recent research has focused on improving crash protection using the 5th percentile female dummy in a full-forward seat position. A series of 48 kmph (30 mph) full frontal rigid barrier crash tests were conducted with belted and unbelted 5th percentile female dummies in the full-forward seat position of Model Year (MY) 1999 vehicles with redesigned air bags (certified to the FMVSS No. 208 sled test). Tests were also conducted using identical vehicles with the 50th percentile male dummies seated mid-track. In the belted test series, the 5th percentile female dummy had higher chest acceleration and neck injury values (Nij) when compared to the 50th percentile male dummy. Chest accelerations were increased approximately 23 percent and Nij values were also 2-3 times higher for the 5th percentile female dummy. Lower steering wheel rim contact, shallow chest-to-steering wheel distances, and high torso belt tension were noted in cases of high chest acceleration and Nij. In the unbelted test series, the 5th percentile female Nij values were either 2-5 times higher, or approximately equivalent to the 50th percentile male dummy. One Nij test failure was repeated with the 5th percentile female seated 76 mm (3 in.) back from full-forward and consequently the driver Nij value was reduced from 1.29 to 0.74. Two vehicles also resulted in large hyperextensions of the 5th percentile female passenger dummy's neck from a combination of disproportionate air bag loadings to the head/chest region, instrument panel contacts through the air bag, and submarining. Chest accelerations for the unbelted 5th percentile female test series were typically lower or approximately equivalent to the 50th percentile male in the driver position and were typically higher or approximately equivalent to the 50th percentile male in the passenger position. Passenger chest-to-instrument panel contacts were noted in some cases. For the covering abstract see ITRD E111577.
Ethanol Intoxication and Road Accident Trauma Statistics in a Tertiary Hospital Complex of Cotonou City in Benin Republic

Background: Road traffic accidents are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Benin Republic, in other words, a serious public health problem here. Consumption of alcoholic drinks is known as an important risk factor for road accidents. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine alcohol ingestion and its relationship with victims of road traffic accidents in Cotonou City, Benin. Methods: It is a descriptive and analytic study which carried out during January-June 2016. In this study, ethanol concentration was measured in the victims of traffic accidents’ blood. Information related to the injured people, their social characteristics, circumstances of accident occurrence, and the outcomes were also collected. Results: In this study, 80 victims of road accidents were included. Most of the victims were men (64%), youth under 40 years (70%), and motorcyclists (83%). The overall prevalence of ethanol ingestion was 55% (64% in motorcyclists and 25% in motorists). Approximately, 16% of them were involved in fatal accidents. There was no association between ethanol ingestion frequency and factors such as the age of the injured, condition of the injured at the time of the accident, time of accident, and road condition on which the accident happened. Conclusion: This study indicated that a lot of traffic accident victims had consumed alcoholic drinks shortly before the accident in Benin.
Breeding for longevity in Italian Chianina cattle

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate genetic aspects of longevity (LPL) in the Chianina beef cattle population in order to define how to include this trait in selection criteria. The Chianina breed has been raised for over twenty-two centuries in Italy and today this breed is present in different countries across Europe, South and Central America , Australia , Canada and the USA . Its characteristics of somatic gigantism and rapid growth are combined with enormous resistance to harsh environmental conditions, great ease of calving and an excellent meat quality. In this breed longevity was recorded as the length of productive life (LPL), defined as years from the age at the insemination that resulted in the birth of the first calf to the date of culling or censoring. Six mo were added after the last date of calving to account for the time that the calf remains with the cow. The LPL was equal to 5.97 years on average. Heritability was equal to 0.11 when both censored and uncensored data were included to estimate longevity with the survival analysis. Type traits were used as an early predictor of profitability and muscularity traits were the most important parameters for longevity among the factors studied. Cows with approximately one calf per year remained in the herd longer than cows with fewer calves. Cows with a long LPL were more profitable than cows with short LPL. The f inal score could be used as an early predictor of profitability. An increase of one day unit in LPL was associated with an increase of +0.19 /cow per year and +1.65 /cow on a lifetime basis. Including longevity in both the Chianina breeding index and breeding goal either using empirical or economical weights has the positive effect of increasing the response (+2.97 and +4.92 days/year respectively). Beef breeding organizations should consider the opportunity to include longevity in a future breeding scheme to increase profit and to promote the well-being and welfare of the cows.
Further improvements on estimating the popularity of recently published papers

Abstract As the number of published scientific papers continually increases, the ability to assess their impact becomes more valuable than ever. In this work, we focus on the problem of estimating the expected citation-based popularity (or short-term impact) of papers. State-of-the-art methods for this problem attempt to leverage the current citation data of each paper. However, these methods are prone to inaccuracies for recently published papers, which have a limited citation history. In this context, we previously introduced ArtSim, an approach that can be applied on top of any popularity estimation method to improve its accuracy. Its power originates from providing more accurate estimations for the most recently published papers by considering the popularity of similar, older ones. In this work, we present ArtSim+, an improved ArtSim adaptation that considers an additional type of paper similarity and incorporates a faster configuration procedure, resulting in improved effectiveness and configuration efficiency.
The usefulness of nailfold capillaroscopy in “scleroderma-spectrum” disorders

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive method for visualising the nailfold capillaries under a stereomicroscope or videocapillaroscope. The examination is used for differential diagnosis of Raynaud`s phenomenon and microcirculation disorders in secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with systemic connective tissue diseases [1]. Capillaroscopy is particularly important for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) for assessing the disease activity and the extent of internal organ involvement as well as for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy applied. In SSc, the capillaroscopic examination shows characteristic microcirculation disturbance called microangiopathy typical of SSc “scleroderma pattern”. The term microangiopathy includes the following pathological changes: dilated capillary loops leading to formation of megacapillaries, decreased numbers of vessels, the areas of avascularisation, and the presence of ramified loops and microhaemorrhages [2].