Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ACCURACY AND THROWING VELOCITY IN HANDBALL

INTRODUCTION: Accuracy and throwing velocity in handball are regarded as basic parameters of performance during competition. Several investigators have studied the relationship between the velocity of movement of the upper limbs and accuracy in hitting the target, which has led to interesting theories (Schmidt, 1982, Eliasz et al., 1990, Hore, 1996). The aim of the present study was the comparative analysis of accuracy, in combination with ball velocity, while performing shots in handball, using as subjects athletes of various levels and non-athletes. METHODS: In order to measure accuracy, an innovative electronic device was used which was placed on the inner side of a goal post and functioned as a ‘targetpointer’ (by means of a red light) and ‘hit-detector’. Another lab-made laser device was used for measuring ball velocity. Three groups of subjects took part in the experiments : one group of 15 handball athletes, the best of League A1 scorers (age 24.86 ± 2.91 yrs), another group of 12 handball athletes, the best of League A2 scorers (age 26.84 ± 5.67 yrs) and a random sample of 15 physical education students (21.72 ± 0.89 yrs). Accuracy and ball velocity were examined in three types of throws: (a) on the spot, (b) with a cross-over step and (c) with a vertical jump. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: In all three types of throws examined, there was a significant difference in accuracy among groups, attributed to the higher deviation from the target observed in the student group (on the spot: Fratio= 16.422, p £ 0.001; with a crossover step: Fratio= 22.493, p £ 0.001; with an a vertical jump: Fratio= 6.825, p £ 0.003) (Table 1). Table 1 Mean values (± SD) of deviation from the target (in cm) and of ball velocity (in m/s), in the three types of throws for the three groups of subjects. on the spot with a cross-over step with a vertical jump [table] With regard to throwing velocity, a significant difference among groups was found in all types of throws examined (on the spot: Fratio= 54.585, p £ 0.001; with a crossover step: Fratio= 33.578, p £ 0.001; with an a vertical jump: Fratio= 20.795, p £ 0.001), which was attributable to the fact that all three groups differed significantly from each other. In the throw with a vertical jump the difference between the two groups of athletes was less than that observed in the other two types of throw. This was probably due to the advanced technical skill required for performing this type of throw. CONCLUSIONS: The throwing performance of the three groups of subjects was assessed both by the level of accuracy and the magnitude of ball velocity in their throws. The performance of the best scores in the League A1 group significantly exceeded that of the other groups for the variables studied in the three types of throwing examined by the present study. REFERENCES: Schmidt, R. (1982). Motor Control and Learning. A Behavioral Emphasis, 336-350. Eliasz, J., Janiak, J., Wit, A. (1990). Sport Wyczynowy 9/10, 17-23. Hore, J., Watt, S. , Martin, J., Miller, B. (1995). Exp. Brain Res. 103, 277-286.
Soil-pile interaction in horizontal vibration

Interaction between soil and an elastic pile vibrating horizontally is theoretically examined. The soil is modelled as a linear, viscoelastic layer overlying rigid bedrock. The pile is assumed to be vertical and point bearing. This study utilizes the definition of soil resistance presented in a preceding paper.1 A direct solution is developed which yields closed form formulas for pile displacement, stiffness and damping. A parametric study clarifies the role of the parameters involved, illustrates the interaction between the soil and the pile and shows the stiffness and damping properties of the soil-pile system for typical values of the governing parameters.
Epitaxial Growth of Uniform Single-Layer and Bilayer Graphene with Assistance of Nitrogen Plasma

Graphene was reported as the first-discovered two-dimensional material, and the thermal decomposition of SiC is a feasible route to prepare graphene films. However, it is difficult to obtain a uniform single-layer graphene avoiding the coexistence of multilayer graphene islands or bare substrate holes, which give rise to the degradation of device performance and becomes an obstacle for the further applications. Here, with the assistance of nitrogen plasma, we successfully obtained high-quality single-layer and bilayer graphene with large-scale and uniform surface via annealing 4H-SiC(0001) wafers. The highly flat surface and ordered terraces of the samples were characterized using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. The Dirac bands in single-layer and bilayer graphene were measured using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the composition of the samples and to ensure no intercalation or chemical reaction of nitrogen with graphene. Our work has provided an efficient way to obtain the uniform single-layer and bilayer graphene films grown on a semiconductive substrate, which would be an ideal platform for fabricating two-dimensional devices based on graphene.
Time-series momentum in individual stocks: is it there and where to look?

ABSTRACT Time series momentum (TSMOM), which is found in various asset classes, offers investors several practical advantages over traditional cross-sectional momentum. However, recent studies raise questions about its general existence and urge researchers to extensively search for optimal combinations in time horizon, asset characteristics, and market conditions in which TSMOM may be profitable. With a comprehensive study covering 2.25 million monthly returns on over 20,000 US individual stocks from 1986 to 2017, we find that TSMOM profits are more prominent among stocks and during market states characterized by inferior information dissemination.
The Effect of Ageing, Gender and Environmental Problems in Subjective Well-Being

This paper studies the relationship of factors such as ageing, gender and environmental problems included in the quality of life (QoL) with the subjective well-being represented by the life satisfaction (LS) indicator of the citizens of 33 European countries. To do so, it uses the LS of a country’s citizens as the dependent variable; ageing, gender and environmental variables as independent variables; and other factors included in the QoL indicators and macroeconomic factors as control variables. Analysis uses data from the World Values Survey (WVS) and the European Values Study (EVS) for LS, from Eurostat for QoL indicators and World Bank for macroeconomic indicators. The values of LS have been treated based on the individual data from WVS and EVS in percentages according to their levels by country, and we present four robust models (two logit model and two OLS model). The results show that arrears of people aged 65 and over are a relation of positive significative in models with low levels of LS. The opposite is true for the income of people aged 65 and over. On the other hand, pollution, grime or other environmental problems and inequality show an inverse relationship with life satisfaction in models with high levels of satisfaction and a positive relationship in models with low levels of satisfaction. Nonetheless, the study has also shown contradictions in the gender gap and poverty indicators that should be studied further.
Assessment of Future Aero-engine Designs With Intercooled and Intercooled Recuperated Cores

Reduction in CO2 emissions is strongly linked with the improvement of engine specific fuel consumption, as well as the reduction in engine nacelle drag and weight. Conventional turbofan designs, however, that reduce CO2 emissions—such as increased overall pressure ratio designs—can increase the production of NOx emissions. In the present work, funded by the European Framework 6 collaborative project NEW Aero engine Core concepts (NEWAC), an aero-engine multidisciplinary design tool, Techno-economic, Environmental, and Risk Assessment for 2020 (TERA2020), has been utilized to study the potential benefits from introducing heat-exchanged cores in future turbofan engine designs. The tool comprises of various modules covering a wide range of disciplines: engine performance, engine aerodynamic and mechanical design, aircraft design and performance, emissions prediction and environmental impact, engine and airframe noise, as well as production, maintenance and direct operating costs. Fundamental performance differences between heat-exchanged cores and a conventional core are discussed and quantified. Cycle limitations imposed by mechanical considerations, operational limitations and emissions legislation are also discussed. The research work presented in this paper concludes with a full assessment at aircraft system level that reveals the significant potential performance benefits for the intercooled and intercooled recuperated cycles. An intercooled core can be designed for a significantly higher overall pressure ratio and with reduced cooling air requirements, providing a higher thermal efficiency than could otherwise be practically achieved with a conventional core. Variable geometry can be implemented to optimize the use of the intercooler for a given flight mission. An intercooled recuperated core can provide high thermal efficiency at low overall pressure ratio values and also benefit significantly from the introduction of a variable geometry low pressure turbine. The necessity of introducing novel lean-burn combustion technology to reduce NOx emissions at cruise as well as for the landing and take-off cycle, is demonstrated for both heat-exchanged cores and conventional designs. Significant benefits in terms of NOx reduction are predicted from the introduction of a variable geometry low pressure turbine in an intercooled core with lean-burn combustion technology.
Initiatives for the improvement of continuous management training

[EN] Purpose. This work aims to present, from the company viewpoint, a structured account of management proposals and practices directed toward improving the intensity and effectiveness of continuous management training (CMT). Design/methodology/approach. The article takes as its main theoretical referents the Theory of Human Capital, the Resource-Based Vision and the contributions made via the new institutional economy with regard to the problems of information asymmetry between companies, employees and training providers and completes the proposals that derive from this theoretical approach. To do this, experience-based contributions are collected from a selection of company training and HR managers from twelve Basque companies characterised by their strong investment in management training. The methodology used was qualitative and obtained by different qualitative techniques: Focus Groups, Nominal Groups and the Delphi Method, which make up the so-called Hybrid Delphi. Findings and implications. The proposals are aimed at the main agents in training activity: training providers, associations and public agents engaged in management training and, particularly, companies themselves. The initiatives seek above all to increase training market transparency, to improve mutual commitments between companies and managers, and to link training and development with culture and strategic management, so that firms make optimal investment in management training. Originality/value. The methodology used is original, and the contributions are consistent with the theory, have a proven practical utility, and are presented in a hierarchy, which facilitates decision making.
Long-Term Effects of a Video-Based Smartphone App (“VIDEA Bewegt”) to Increase the Physical Activity of German Adults: A Single-Armed Observational Follow-Up Study

As physical inactivity is one of the four leading risk factors for mortality, it should be intensively treated. Therefore, this one-year follow-up study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of a preventive app to increase physical activity in German adults under real-life circumstances. Data collection took place from July 2019 to July 2021 and included six online questionnaires. Physical activity was studied as the primary outcome based on MET-minutes per week (metabolic equivalent). Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life based on a mental (MCS) and physical health component summary score (PCS). At the time of publication, 46/65 participants completed the study (median 52 years, 81.5% women). A significant increase of physical activity was observed in people with a low/moderate baseline activity during the first four months of follow-up (median increase by 490 MET-minutes per week, p < 0.001, r = 0.649). Both MCS (median increase by 2.8, p = 0.006, r = 0.344) and PCS (median increase by 2.6, p < 0.001, r = 0.521) significantly increased during the first two months and the BMI significantly decreased during the first six months after the intervention (median decrease by 0.96 kg/m2, p < 0.001, r = 0.465). Thus, this study provides evidence for the medium-term impact of the app, since the effects decreased over time. However, due to the chosen study design and a sizeable loss to follow-up, the validity of these findings is limited.
Effects of Acute Resistance Exercise with and without Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and Endurance Exercise on the Postprandial Glucose Regulation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Crossover Study

Background: Long hyperglycemic episodes trigger complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Postprandial glucose excursions can be reduced by acute physical activity. However, it is not yet clear which type of exercise has the best effect on postprandial glucose levels. Methods: Six T2DM patients participated in three 20-min moderate-intensity exercise sessions after breakfast in a randomized order: resistance exercise with whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), resistance exercise without electromyostimulation (RES) and cycling endurance exercise (END). A continuous glucose monitoring system recorded glucose dynamics. Results: Postprandially-increased glucose levels decreased in all cases. Time to baseline (initial value prior to meal intake) was quite similar for WB-EMS, RES and END. Neither glucose area under the curve (AUC), nor time in range from the start of the experiment to its end (8 h later) differed significantly. A Friedman analysis of variance, however, revealed an overall significant difference for AUC in the post-exercise recovery phase (END seems to have superior effects, but post-hoc tests failed statistical significance). Conclusions: There are no notable differences between the effects of the different types of exercise on glucose levels, especially when comparing values over a longer period of time.
MULTICHARME: A modified Chernin-type multi-pass cell designed for IR and THz long-path absorption measurements in the CHARME atmospheric simulation chamber

Abstract. We have developed MULTICHARME, a modified Chernin-type multi-pass cell especially designed for IR and THz long-path absorption measurements in the CHamber for Atmospheric Reactivity and Metrology of the Environment (CHARME). By measuring the output power using a near-IR diode-laser and a THz amplified multiplication chain, we have established that the effective reflectivity of MULTICHARME is better than 94 % over approximately three decades of frequency. Absorption measurements of N2O have been performed by probing highly excited rovibrational transitions in the near-IR and ground state rotational transitions at submillimetre wavelengths. In each case the linearity of the absorbance with the pathlengths was verified. Finally, we demonstrate that THz spectroscopy is able to study the isotopic composition of greenhouse polar gases such as N2O and to absolutely quantify stable (N2O) and reactive (O3) species at trace levels. Moreover, a THz monitoring at low pressure of the ozone decay in the chamber has been performed. The deduced ozone lifetime of 3.4 ± 0.1 h is shorter compared with previous measurements performed in CHARME at atmospheric pressure. For the first time, the ability of THz rotational spectroscopy to monitor, with a very high degree of selectivity, stable and reactive polar compounds at trace level in an atmospheric simulation chamber is demonstrated. However, the sensitivity of the THz monitoring needs to be improved to reach the atmospheric trace levels. For this purpose, it is necessary to figure out the baseline variations as well as possible induced by the multiple standing waves present in MULTICHARME.
SPT - CPT Correlations for Oilsands Tailings Sand

Two commonly used in-situ tests for assessing the d ensity and flow liquefaction susceptibility of sand y soils are the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and the Cone Penetration Test (CPT). A rich case history database exists that relates observed performance during liquefacti on events to SPT blow count data that was obtained prior to the widespread implementation of CPT testing. Issue s with SPT reliability and productivity have howeve r reduced confidence in this test method. The CPT has proven to be a more reliable and cost effective to ol for various applications in geotechnical engineering an d can be utilized as a more effective tool for the assessment of flow liquefaction susceptibility. This paper pre sents a review of SPT-CPT correlations that enable the direct use of CPT data in flow liquefaction assessments. A site-specific qt1 /(N 1)60 ratio of 0.45 is presented that can be useful for the geotechnical engineering community o f the oilsands in northern Alberta.
Polymeric Nanoparticles Properties and Brain Delivery

Safe and reliable entry to the brain is essential for successful diagnosis and treatment of diseases, but it still poses major challenges. As a result, many therapeutic approaches to treating disorders associated with the central nervous system (CNS) still only show limited success. Nano-sized systems are being explored as drug carriers and show great improvements in the delivery of many therapeutics. The systemic delivery of nanoparticles (NPs) or nanocarriers (NCs) to the brain involves reaching the neurovascular unit (NVU), being transported across the blood–brain barrier, (BBB) and accumulating in the brain. Each of these steps can benefit from specifically controlled properties of NPs. Here, we discuss how brain delivery by NPs can benefit from careful design of the NP properties. Properties such as size, charge, shape, and ligand functionalization are commonly addressed in the literature; however, properties such as ligand density, linker length, avidity, protein corona, and stiffness are insufficiently discussed. This is unfortunate since they present great value against multiple barriers encountered by the NPs before reaching the brain, particularly the BBB. We further highlight important examples utilizing targeting ligands and how functionalization parameters, e.g., ligand density and ligand properties, can affect the success of the nano-based delivery system.
The antioxidant roles of L-carnitine and N-acetyl cysteine against oxidative stress on human sperm functional parameters during vitrification

Objective Amino acids can protect sperm structure in cryopreservation due to their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and human sperm intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) during vitrification. Methods Twenty normal human sperm samples were examined. Each sample was divided into six equal groups: LC (1 and 10 mM), NAC (5 and 10 mM), and cryopreserved and fresh control groups. Results The groups treated with LC and NAC showed favorable findings in terms of motility parameters, DNA damage, and MMP. Significantly higher levels of intracellular ROS were observed in all cryopreserved groups than in the fresh group (p≤0.05). The presence of LC and NAC at both concentrations caused an increase in PMI, MMP, and progressive motility parameters, as well as a significant reduction in intracellular ROS compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The concentrations of the amino acids did not show any significant effect. Conclusion LC and NAC are promising as potential additives in sperm cryopreservation.
The influence of climate change on discharge fluctuations in Slovenian rivers

In recent decades, an increase in the number of extreme flood events as well as extreme drought events has been observed in Slovenia. This rise the need for a comprehensive analysis of trends in discharge data series. In the study, statistical trends in seasonal and annual mean, maximum, extreme and low discharge values were investigated using the Mann Kendall test. The results show a temporal and spatial variability of trends in discharge. In general, a decreasing trend in water quantities in the rivers was observed. However, results at some gauging stations indicate statistically significant increasing trends, especially for maximum and extreme discharges. Additional analyses show that the discharge trends depend on the location of the gauging station.
Treatment of Surface Treatment Effluents by Electrocoagulation Process Using Aluminium Electrodes

The surface treatment industry generates effluents with a high load of highly toxic chemicals which must be treated under increasingly stringent regulation. The aim of this study was to treat the effluents of surface treatment unit of an aeronautical industry by the electrocoagulation process using aluminium electrodes. This process is used to study the performance to remove colloidal load, significant amount of oxidizable material and high levels of various metal elements (Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu and Al) from these effluents, under optimum conditions of pH 7, 8.6A of current intensity and 60 min of application. The electrocoagulation process was found to be effective in reducing turbidity (97.12%), COD (97.5%), SS (97.84%) and conductivity (96.82%), hexavalent chromium (99.99%), Zn (96.82%), Cu (94.3%), Iron (99.9%), Al (91.96%). The treated effluent conformed to the Moroccan standards of surface treatment discharge.