Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new model of third generation artificial turf degradation, maintenance interventions and benefits

High performing and safe outdoor third generation (3G) artificial turf (AT) fields demand high quality initial design and construction coupled with a comprehensive maintenance aftercare regime. However, in many cases maintenance of AT fields suffers from either a low-cost inexpert approach, or a one-size-fits-all generic approach based on general guidance with little to no evidence of effectiveness. Little previous research has addressed fundamental questions regarding how 3G AT systems degrade or have provided evidence of the effectiveness of maintenance interventions. Maintenance techniques currently utilised can be grouped into four separate categories (grooming, cleaning, decompaction and infill top-ups). The maintenance tools and processes for each category have been developed empirically through experience, mainly in response to qualitative observations with little quantitative evidence. This paper reports on a unique body of quantitative evidence of specific effects of maintenance interventions, on third generation AT surfaces (3G), collected over the past several years in collaboration with a major UK sports surface maintenance contractor. In addition, the data contributes new and robust evidence of the rate at which 3G surfaces can ‘lose’ quantities of performance infill corroborated by the rate at which fields were topped up to maintain appropriate infill depths. A new quantified pitch degradation and maintenance benefits model is presented explaining 3G AT system degradation factors and mechanisms, their links to changes in system performance and the magnitudes of change effected by specific maintenance techniques. The new model is of direct benefit to both researchers and practitioners impacting on future best practice for assessing and maintaining the safety and performance of 3G AT.
Exploring the development of students’ identities as educational leaders and educational researchers in a professional practice doctoral program

ABSTRACT The researcher examined how end-of-first-year students in a professional practice doctoral program were developing professional identities as educational leaders and educational researchers, researching professionals. Data were gathered using two questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed substantial development of identities as leaders and researching professionals. Course and program requirements afforded students with opportunities to advance these skills by ‘trying out’ and ‘practicing’ leadership and researcher skills in their workplaces. Such efforts were consistent with possible selves theory in which individuals try on identities, which they practice on a trial basis and refine over time. Regression analyses showed possible selves ‘connections to current views of self’ and ‘congruency with overall identity’ were predictive of leadership and researcher identity roles, respectively. Implications for practice including program and course design and student efforts; and implications for research on exploring students’ identity changes as educational leaders and researching professionals were discussed.
Assessment of Global Ionospheric Maps Performance by Means of Ionosonde Data

This work presents a new method for assessing global ionospheric maps (GIM) using ionosonde data. The method is based on the critical frequency at the F2 layer directly measured by ionosondes to validate VTEC (vertical total electron content) values from GIMs. The analysis considered four different approaches to using foF2. The study was performed over one of the most challenging scenarios, the Brazilian region, considering four ionosondes (combined in six pairs) and thirteen GIM products available at CDDIS (Crustal Dynamics Data Information System). Analysis was conducted using daily, weekly, one year (2015), and four years (2014–2017) of data. Additional information from the ionosphere was estimated to complement the daily analysis, such as slab thickness and shape function peak. Results indicated that slab thickness and shape function peak could be used as alternative indicators of periods and regions where this method could be applied. The weekly analysis indicated the squared frequency ratio with local time correction as the best approach of using foF2, between the ones evaluated. The analysis of one-year data (2015) was performed considering thirteen GIMs, where CODG and UQRG were the two GIMs that presented the best performance. The four-year time series (2014–2017) were analyzed considering these two products. Regional and temporal ionospheric influences could be noticed in the results, with expected larger errors during the solar cycle peak in 2014 and at locations with pairs of ionosondes with the larger distance apart. Therefore, we have confirmed the viability of the developed approach as an assessment method to analyze GIMs quality based on ionosonde data.
Factors Affecting the Satisfaction of School Teachers with Performance Appraisal System in Punjab

Performance Appraisal System (PAS) is the tool the education department of Pakistan uses to evaluate the performance of teachers. Survey research was conducted to determine the satisfaction level of public-school teachers with conduction and outcomes of PAS. The correlational research design was planned to determine the perceptions of the teachers about their competencies in areas evaluated by PAS and its outcomes. A multistage random sampling technique was used to access the target sample of 900 higher secondary school teachers from 12 out of 36 districts of Punjab. Since it was a pioneer study, a self-constructed questionnaire was used for the survey piloted on two out of 12 selected districts. The questionnaire was distributed among 1200 teachers; 960 were retrieved, and 900 were tabulated and recorded on SPSS 21 for the final analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. After ensuring reliability, the items were factorized using the exploratory factor analysis technique yielding six factors. Pearson Correlation was conducted to determine the strength of the relationship among the variables, while multiple linear regressions using the stepwise method were conducted to get informed with the critical risk factors associated with the satisfaction of teachers with the conduction of PAS. The results reveal a highly complex situation faced by school teachers; though teachers have displayed complete knowledge about the conduction of the PAS process and its consequences, yet, not only the teachers seem deficient in the needed skills; they also lack motivation for self-development.
An Experimental Investigation of the Wake of an Axisymmetric Body with a Slanted Base

The effect of base slant on the base pressure distribution, drag coefficient and vortex shedding characteristics of a model consisting of an axisymmetric main body with an ellipsoidal nose have been investigated for three fineness ratios; 3, 6 and 9. A sudden change in the drag coefficient and separated flow pattern is observed at a critical slant angle (for constant incidence) or at a critical angle of incidence (for a constant base slant angle). The tests confirm that the value of the maximum drag coefficient is extremely sensitive to angle of incidence. Measurements of the frequency of vortex shedding are presented and the structure of the wake is investigated using smoke visualization and hot-wire correlation measurements. The wake is found to be far less stable than that from a two-dimensional bluff body and the vortex structures are sometimes in-phase and sometimes out of phase across the wake. The effect of free-stream turbulence on this family of body shapes is observed to be different to that on three-dimensional blunt-faced bluff bodies. Free-stream turbulence is found to have a minimal effect on base pressure for slant angles giving a recirculating type near wake flow. When longitudinal vortices are present the addition of free-stream turbulence slightly reduces the magnitude of the peak suctions recorded on the base but has little effect on base drag.
Seasonal occurrence of Oithona similis (cyclopoida), Microsetella norvegica (harpacticoida) and Microcalanus spp. (calanoida), and productivity of O. similis, in three high-latitude Norwegian fjords.

The Seasonal population dynamics of the small copepod species Oithona similis (cyclopoida), Microsotella norvegica (harpacticoida) and Microcalanus spp. were investigated in the northern Norwegian fjords Balsfjord, Altafjord and Porsangerfjord. In this study a WP-2 net with 64 μm mesh size was used to sample all the stages of O. similis, M. norvegica and Microcalanus spp. Copepodite stages CI – CVI were identified for each species to determine seasonal distribution population structure. To assess the relative importance of small copepod species in the marine ecosystem, the seasonal and annual secondary production of O. similis in the three study fjords was estimated. Production was estimated with specific egg production rates, that is based on experimentally determined egg hatching rates, and a temperature-dependent method. The species were present year-round in the fjords but differed from each other in both geographical and seasonal distribution, but all copepodite stages for each specie was present in all sample months. In December, copepod abundance and biomass were low with the exception of inner Porsangerfjord and Balsfjord. In March, peak in total copepod abundance and biomass was observed in inner Porsangerfjord and Balsfjord while in the other areas this remained low. In April, March and October, abundance and biomass were comparatively less than the peak found in March. Population abundance for O. similis remained relatively stable during the months and seasons, where all life stages were observed during the study that indicated year-round reproduction. M. norvegica accounted for the high abundance found in December and March at inner Porsangerfjord and Balsfjord, that mainly consisted of overwintering stages (females without eggs and CIV – CV copepodites). Egg carrying M. norvegica females was first observed in small numbers in April
Ways School Leaders Support the Teaching of Chemistry

The study aims to reinforce the effective teaching of chemistry in secondary schools through the support of the school leadership in the implementation of the competence-based curriculum (CBC). Interviews were organised and conducted with five headteachers and five deputy headteachers from ten selected schools. The results confirmed that the support provided by the school leadership in teaching chemistry was dominated by 30% of respondents at visiting teachers in classes, provision of some basic teaching materials and encouraging teachers to work in the chemistry department for mutual support and professional growth. However, in some schools, there is a need for prioritising continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities, feedback meetings and analysing school data for decision making. Therefore, this study recommends more efforts in CPDs, avail enough teaching aids and hold the pedagogical review and learning meetings lead by headteachers; analyse and use the school data for continuous improvement and build the school on tangible evidence in positive learning outcomes. Plus more support in engaging learners doing chemistry rather than just giving them chemistry books. Transformational leadership is needed, where all stakeholders share the same vision and mission of the school.
Flexibility in Learning and Teaching Styles in an Accounting Course. “Deming Towards Kolb”

This work aims to investigate the effect of a holistic approach to teaching on both the educator’s learning and teaching styles and on student performance. To this end, an experimental holistic approach was adopted, L’Ascolto®, which uses the Deming PDCA cycle for the design (Plan), management (Do), evaluation (Check) and improvement (Act) of teaching processes. The aim is to encourage educators to “train” their flexibility in learning by following the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle. The paper is presented as an original study aimed at empirically examining the effects of an experimental holistic approach (L’Ascolto®) on the educator’s experiential learning process in a university accounting course. On one hand, the results show positive student performance, while, on the other, the positive effects of the educator’s experiential learning emerge, as evidenced by the different teaching styles adopted during the course (flexibility).
Salivary Immunoendocrine and Self-report Monitoring Profiles across an Elite-Level Professional Football Season.

PURPOSE This investigation examined the longitudinal changes and inter-relationships of salivary and self-report monitoring measures across a professional football season. METHODS Measures were collected bi-weekly from 18 senior professional male players across a six-week pre-season and eight five-week in-season mesocycles and analysed using a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS Analysis identified a small (P=0.003) cross-season suppression of salivary immunoglobulin-A, small reductions to salivary α-amylase (P=0.047) and salivary cortisol (P=0.007), and trivial changes to salivary testosterone (P>0.05). The testosterone:cortisol ratio typically responded inversely to changes in player workload. Self-report measures of fatigue (P=0.030), sleep quality (P=0.003) and muscle soreness (P=0.005) improved (ES=small) across the first half of the season. Fatigue and sleep measures were most consistently related to hormonal measures (R2 = 0.43 to 0.45). For these relationships, increases in cortisol were associated with compromised self-report responses, whereas increases in testosterone:cortisol were associated with improved responses. Non-linear relationships were identified for fatigue with immunoglobulin-A (P=0.017; ES=trivial) and testosterone (P=0.012; ES=trivial); for sleep quality with testosterone (P<0.001; ES=trivial); for muscle soreness with testosterone (P=0.012; ES=trivial) and for the self-report inventory sum with testosterone (P=0.027; ES=trivial). For these relationships, self-report responses were optimal at mean immunoglobulin-A and testosterone levels and very low levels (-2 SD) exerted the most compromising effects. CONCLUSION Players can experience a chronic cross-season suppression of mucosal immunity. Salivary immunoglobulin-A, testosterone, cortisol and testosterone:cortisol measures relate to self-report measures of fatigue, sleep quality and muscle soreness. In-season reductions in testosterone, cortisol and testosterone:cortisol or increases in cortisol among elite football players could be used to indicate the need for reduced workload, which might lead to improved wellbeing.
Use of Atomized Spray Cutting Fluid Technique for the Turning of a Nickel Base Superalloy

ABSTRACT The nickel-base superalloys have significant usage in aviation, aerospace and other modern industries owing to its valuable engineering properties, which include good corrosion, creep resistance, high strength and elevated temperature resistance. However, its machinability faces extreme difficulty due to inherent characteristics. In this study, one such attempt has been made to enhance the machinability of the specific nickel-base superalloy i.e. Inconel 718 by using eco-benign cooling approaches, i.e., dry and atomized spray cutting fluid system (vegetable oil with graphite + molybdenum disulfide). A set of turning experiments with ceramic inserts were performed on different combinations of cutting parameters under dry and atomized spray cutting fluid conditions. The important machining indices such as tool wear, surface topography, power consumption, machine vibrations, machining cost, and chip morphology were evaluated subsequently with respect to these two cooling conditions. The overall results reveal that the atomized spray cutting fluid technique can be considered as an alternative cooling technique toward the enhancement of the sustainable machinability compared to dry machining.
DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT AND CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND ITS IMPACT ON FETAL OUTCOMES

Amac: Calismanin amaci gebe kadinlarda gorulen apandisitin tani ve tedavi stratejileri ile klinikopatolojik ozellikleri ve feto-maternal sonuclarini degerlendirmektir. Gerec ve Yontem: Bu calismada apendektomi yapilan 17 gebe kadin ve yaslari eslestirilmis 59 gebe olmayan kadin laboratuvar bulgulari, preoperatif ultrasonografi (USG), patoloji ve klinik sonuclar acisindan karsilastirildi. Bulgular: Toplam USG tarama sayisi, goruntulenemeyen apandis oranlari ve hastanede kalis sureleri gebe kadinlarda gebe olmayan kadinlara gore daha fazla idi (sirasiyla P<0,001, P=0,035 ve P=0,014). Gebe grupta negatif apendektomi orani gebe olmayanlara gore 1,5 kat, komplike apandisit orani ise 7 kat daha yuksekti. USG’nin tanisal dogrulugu ise gebe olmayan grupta daha yuksek bulundu (%72,9’a karsi %64,7). Hematolojik parametreler acisindan apandisit olan ve olmayan gebe hastalar arasinda anlamli bir fark bulunmadi. Ikinci trimesterde bir erken dogum ve bir abortus gorulurken, ucuncu trimesterde bir hastada negatif apendektomiyi takiben bir erken dogum gerceklesti. Sonuc: Gebelik sirasinda laboratuvar parametreleri ve USG ile konulan apandisit tanisi hatali olabilmektedir. Bu yuzden, gereksiz cerrahi mudahalelerden kacinmak icin, klinisyenlerin hamilelik sirasinda apandisitten suphelendikleri durumlarda ek goruntuleme tetkikleri yapmayi dusunmelerini oneririz. Cunku hem negatif apendektomi hem de komplike apandisit, ihmal edilemez bir fetal morbidite ve mortalite oraniyla sonuclanabilir.
Functional and Radiological outcome of Limb Reconstruction system (LRS) in infected nonunion of Tibia

Introduction: Infected non-union of tibial diaphysis has been a challenging problem. Tibia being subcutaneous bone, fracture healing especially following compound fracture with any pre or postoperative infection leads to notorious non union. Though there have been various treatment modalities to deal with the condition, Limb reconstruction system (LRS) provides simple effective and versatile treatment modality where liberal resection of long segment of infected bone, can be reproduced by combining the masquelet technique with the distraction osteogenesis. It’s light weight and allows better wound management, makes it more patients compliant. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 20 patients of infected non-union of tibial diaphysis were treated by using the Limb reconstruction system during April 2017 to may 2019 at our institute. The final assessment was done upon only those patients who were followed for at least one year post-operatively, using Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) score. Results: According to ASAMI score, bony results were excellent in 75%, good in10%, fair in 5% and poor in 10% and functional results were excellent in 60%, good in 20%, fair in 10% and poor in 10% of patients. The mean bone resection was 7.3 cm, the mean duration of bone transport was 10.4 weeks, the mean bony union time was 11.1 weeks and the mean duration of consolidation of regenerate was 37.8 weeks. Conclusion: The LRS is simple effective and versatile treatment modality in infected non-union of tibia. Itnot only provides bone transport, fusion of the bone ends and finally consolidation of the regenerate on itself but also facilitates in dealing with limb length discrepancies along with early mobilization and better wound management. Keywords: LRS, Infected non-union, Bone regenerate, Resected bone, ASAMI score.
New perspectives on old inequalities: Italy’s north–south divide

ABSTRACT Italy’s regional inequalities are more substantial and persistent than any other European country. They pertain to fundamental economic indicators (income, productivity, employment) and to many relevant features of the socio-institutional environment (the quality of institutions, education attainments, government and bureaucratic efficiency, etc.). The 2008–13 crisis further exacerbated divergences, with a collapse of capital accumulation and unwelcome demographic shocks (brain drains, migrations, etc.). This paper contributes to this rich literature with a specific focus on the increase of ‘within-south inequalities’ and investigates some socioeconomic determinants and processes that can explain them. Through several original surveys and case studies, emphasis falls on the importance of human capital and cooperative networks that support firms in their capacity to exploit comparative advantages and opportunities for local development.
IMU gyroscopes are a valid alternative to 3D optical motion capture system for angular kinematics analysis in tennis

Whereas 3D optical motion capture (OMC) systems are considered the gold standard for kinematic assessment in sport science, they present some drawbacks that limit its use in the field. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) incorporating gyroscopes have been considered as a more practical alternative. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the level of agreement for angular velocity between IMU gyroscopes and an OMC system for varying tennis strokes and intensities. In total, 240 signals of angular velocity from different body segments and types of strokes (forehand, backhand and service) were recorded from four players (two competition players and two beginners). The angular velocity of the IMU gyroscopes was compared to the angular velocity from the OMC system. Level of agreement was evaluated by correlation coefficients, magnitudes of errors in absolute and relative values and Bland-Altman plots. Differences between both systems were highly consistent within players’ skill (i.e. along the broad range of velocities) and axes (x, y, z). Correlations ranged from 0.951 to 0.993, indicating a very strong relationship and concordance. The magnitude of the differences ranged from 4.4 to 35.4 deg·s−1. The difference relative to the maximum angular velocity achieved was less than 5.0%. The study concluded that IMUs and OMC systems showed comparable values. Thus, IMUs seem to be a valid alternative to detect meaningful differences in angular velocity during tennis groundstrokes in field-based experimentation.
Diversity of Nitrogen-Fixing Symbionts of Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge Pea) Across Variable Soils

Abstract We evaluated whether geographic distance and soil characteristics influence genetic structure of nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts associated with the host plant Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge Pea). We tested phylogeographic clustering and associations between genetic distance, geographic distance, and soil variables using sequences of 2 bacterial genes and soil chemistry across 23 sites in Mississippi. We identified rhizobia isolated from Partridge Pea as Bradyrhizobium. We detected significant genetic structure at a regional level, and determined that rhizobia within each region were more phylogenetically related than expected. Significant correlation between genetic distance and distances based on soil chemistry suggests environmental influences on rhizobia diversity. High levels of diversity among rhizobia over small spatial scales suggest that symbionts respond to local factors. Understanding geographic diversity in natural assemblages of rhizobia aids in predicting how hosts and symbionts respond to environmental perturbations.