Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Training in Soccer: Where Is the Key Point?

Cognitive skills and executive function, in the last years become a golden reference to increase attention social skills and sport success. In particular, soccer is an open skills sport that requires a constant demand of cognitive skills and executive function because the unstable environment defines the decision making. Thus, modern soccer trainer changes the approach avoiding massive conditional exercises and introducing small side games. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what the cognitive training is and what could be an adequate stimulation to improve the executive function in soccer player.
Monitoring & Evaluation Practices and Performance of Global Environment Facility Projects in Kenya, A Case of UNEP

This descriptive study examined Monitoring and Evaluation routine at UNEP Global Environment Facility Projects in Kenya and its effect on Project Performance. The broad aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of the practices of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of UNEP GEF Kenyan chapter projects. The specific aims of this research were to determine influence of planning process, technical expertise, stakeholder involvement and Management involvement on performance of UNEP GEF projects in Kenya. The study found that planning process and technical experts practices applied optimally while stakeholder involvement and management participation had low-level application.
Representing methane emissions from wet tropical forest soils using microbial functional groups constrained by soil diffusivity

Abstract. Tropical ecosystems contribute significantly to global emissions of methane (CH4), and landscape topography influences the rate of CH4 emissions from wet tropical forest soils. However, extreme events such as drought can alter normal topographic patterns of emissions. Here we explain the dynamics of CH4 emissions during normal and drought conditions across a catena in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. Valley soils served as the major source of CH4 emissions in a normal precipitation year (2016), but drought recovery in 2015 resulted in dramatic pulses in CH4 emissions from all topographic positions. Geochemical parameters including (i) dissolved organic carbon (C), acetate, and soil pH and (ii) hydrological parameters like soil moisture and oxygen (O2) concentrations varied across the catena. During the drought, soil moisture decreased in the slope and ridge, and O2 concentrations increased in the valley. We simulated the dynamics of CH4 emissions with the Microbial Model for Methane Dynamics-Dual Arrhenius and Michaelis–Menten (M3D-DAMM), which couples a microbial functional group CH4 model with a diffusivity module for solute and gas transport within soil microsites. Contrasting patterns of soil moisture, O2, acetate, and associated changes in soil pH with topography regulated simulated CH4 emissions, but emissions were also altered by rate-limited diffusion in soil microsites. Changes in simulated available substrate for CH4 production (acetate, CO2, and H2) and oxidation (O2 and CH4) increased the predicted biomass of methanotrophs during the drought event and methanogens during drought recovery, which in turn affected net emissions of CH4. A variance-based sensitivity analysis suggested that parameters related to aceticlastic methanogenesis and methanotrophy were most critical to simulate net CH4 emissions. This study enhanced the predictive capability for CH4 emissions associated with complex topography and drought in wet tropical forest soils.
Durability under thermal loads of polyvinyl alcohol fibers

In the present paper, the thermal durability of polyvinyl alcohol fibers (PVA) was studied after fiber samples had been subjected to temperatures ranging from 90°C to 250°C. Residual mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at break, and physical properties, such as density were determined. Weibull statistics were used to quantify the degree of variability in fiber strength, at the different temperature. In addition, thermal analysis of PVA fibers were carried out employing thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry up to the temperature of 800°C. SEM analysis of heated and unheated samples had been carried out in order to allow the identification of the changes in the microstructure of the fibers. The degradation process of PVA fibers manifests itself in a significant loss of mass, stiffness and strength of the fibers, which is progressive with increasing temperature. Thermal analysis has shown that the melting point of PVA fibers begins at approximately 200°C and thermal degradation initiates at about 239oC. However, progressive loss in tensile strength and elastic modulus was observed starting at a temperature as low as 90°C, due to glass transition temperature of PVA fibers at approximately 66°C. At 220°C, the elastic modulus and strength were reduced at about 45% and 52%, respectively, when compared with respective values of unheated samples. With regards to Weibull modulus, the statistical parameter did not exhibit significant influence on temperature for samples heated up to 145°C, which ranged from 23.4 to 28.8. However, samples heated to 220°C showed a sudden reduction in Weibull modulus to 8.6, indicating that a significant change occurred in the populations of fracture inducing flaws at this temperature level, which clearly affect the tensile strength and Weibull modulus.
Vitamin C inhibited FasL-induced apoptotic death of mouse dendritic cells through c-FLIP expression

Vitamin C (VitC) is a potent antioxidant and contributes as an apoptosis inhibitor by preventing death receptortriggered caspase 8 activity. Fas ligand (FasL) induces the apoptotic cell death via activation of Fas signaling, which is dependent on the expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule c-FLIP (FADD-like IL-1beta-converting enzymeinhibitory proteins). The present study addressed the effects of VitC on survival of dendritic cells (DCs), a regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. To this end, mouse bone marrow cells were isolated and cultured to attain bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). The cells were treated with FasL in the presence or absence of VitC. Real time RT-PCR, Western blotting and FACS analysis were performed to determine different hallmarks of DC apoptosis. As a result, FasL treatment resulted in activation of caspase 8 and stimulation of cell membrane scrambling, the effects were supressed when VitC was present in the cell culture or the cells were transfected with FLIP siRNA. In conclusion, VitC prevented FasL-triggered DC apoptosis mediated through the expression of c-FLIP.
Analyst Incentives and Stock Return Synchronicity: Evidence from MiFID II

Abstract MiFID II affects sell-side analyst incentives in Europe, forcing analysts to justify the value they add. While the number of analysts decreases, the average stock return synchronicity with the market also decreases, implying an improvement in price informativeness. The decrease in synchronicity is larger for firms that are more important for the analysts and brokers covering them. It is also asymmetric and substantially larger for negative market movements. Our results suggest that, by changing incentives, MiFID II not only improves the quality of individual analyst work, but also achieves an improvement in the aggregate stock price informativeness.
Effects of Stocking Density on Performance and Immunity in Ross 308 Broiler Chickens

To investigate the effect of stocking density on productive traits, blood parameters and immunity, 1305 Ross 308 male broiler chicks (initial weight: 45±1.5 g) were used as a completely randomized design with 2 treatments and 15 replications. Treatments included 1) 12 chicks per pen 2) 18 chicks per pen (1.2x1.2 m2). The results were recorded in three periods of 0-24, 25-42 and 0-42 d. From 0 to 24 d of age, the stocking density had no significant effect on feed intake and body weight gain (P>0.05), but feed conversion ratio significantly decreased in 12 chicks density group (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio, body weight gain and feed intake were improved significantly in 12 chicks compared to 18 chicks density for 25-42 and 0-42 periods (P<0.05). The production per m2 was significantly higher in 18 chicks density group at 0-42 d period (P<0.05). High stocking density caused to increase the moisture content of bedding in 4-6th weeks of age (P<0.05). Stocking density had no significant effect on mortality percentage (P>0.05). Also the relative weights of spleen, bursa of fabricius, abdominal fat, thigh and breast were not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05). Increasing the number of chicks per m2 caused to increase heterophile count and decrease lymphocyte count and increase heterophile to lymphocyte ratio (P<0.05). Newcastle’s titer was not affected by treatments (P>0.05). Given that performance indices were better under low stocking density, but live body weight per m2 was significantly higher in 18 chicks density group (32%), it’s seems economically 18 chicks per m2 is the best stocking density.
THERMAL EQUILIBRIA OF OPTICALLY THIN, MAGNETICALLY SUPPORTED, TWO-TEMPERATURE, BLACK HOLE ACCRETION DISKS

We obtained thermal equilibrium solutions for optically thin, two-temperature black hole accretion disks incorporating magnetic fields. The main objective of this study is to explain the bright/hard state observed during the bright/slow transition of galactic black hole candidates. We assume that the energy transfer from ions to electrons occurs via Coulomb collisions. Bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, and inverse Compton scattering are considered as the radiative cooling processes. In order to complete the set of basic equations, we specify the magnetic flux advection rate instead of β = pgas/pmag. We find magnetically supported (low-β), thermally stable solutions. In these solutions, the total amount of the heating via the dissipation of turbulent magnetic fields goes into electrons and balances the radiative cooling. The low-β solutions extend to high mass accretion rates () and the electron temperature is moderately cool (Te ∼ 108–109.5 K). High luminosities (≳0.1LEdd) and moderately high energy cutoffs in the X-ray spectrum (∼50–200 keV) observed in the bright/hard state can be explained by the low-β solutions.
Reproductive behaviour of the glass frog Hyalinobatrachium cappellei (Anura: Centrolenidae) in the Southern Amazon

ABSTRACT Frog species of the Centrolenidae family exhibit a high variation in reproductive behaviours. Herein we describe the reproductive, ecological, acoustic and behavioural features of Hyalinobatrachium cappellei in Southern Amazon. Two hypotheses were also evaluated: (1) are ecological characteristics of the reproductive site related to male size and quantity of eggs and clutches? And (2) do males with one or more existing clutches at reproductive sites accumulate more new clutches than those males initially without them? This study was conducted at two streams, with sampling at 1 km each in Southern Amazon. Species reproduction occurred during the wet season and was considered prolonged breeding. Although male vocalization occurred on both the upper and underside of leaves, clutches were most often deposited on the underside of leaves. Males emitted a courtship call upon female approach. The process of female approach until oviposition lasted approximately eight hours. After oviposition, females left the breeding site while males remained near the clutch, covering it with the belly in ventral brooding behaviour. Thus, egg attendance is reported for the first time for this species. No intraspecific or interspecific aggressive behaviour was recorded. There was no relationship between habitat characteristics of the reproductive sites and male size, number of eggs and clutches. However, after 10 days of monitoring, we found evidences that parental males had a higher number of clutches than those males initially without clutches. Similar to other glass frog species, the behavioural characteristics of H. cappellei make this species an excellent model to use in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of parental care and the importance of egg attendance for offspring survival. Therefore, these data contribute towards a better understanding of the complex phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships between centrolenid lineages.
Effects of secnidazole-diminazene aceturate combination therapy on parasitaemia and serum biochemical profile after late treatment in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected dogs

Relapse parasitaemia is a major setback in the chemotherapy of a late stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection. An aberrant serum biochemical profile resulting from a T. b. brucei infection in dogs has been attributed to multiple organ injuries resulting from the invasive nature of the organism. Therapy with diminazene aceturate alone has not been satisfactory. This study evaluated the effects of a secnidazole-diminazine aceturate (SEC-DA) combination therapy on parasitaemia and the serum biochemical profile after the late treatment of a T. b. brucei infection in dogs. Eighteen dogs were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 3) as follows: Group A: uninfected nor treated; group B: infected without treatment; group C: infected and treated with DA (3.5 mg/kg) (DA-monotherapy) intramuscularly (i.m.) once; group D: infected and treated with SEC (100 mg/kg) and DA (3.5 mg/kg); group E: infected and treated with SEC (200 mg/kg) and DA (3.5 mg/kg) and group F: infected and treated with SEC (400 mg/kg) and DA (3.5 mg/kg). Secnidazole was administered orally for 5 days while DA was given i.m. once in groups D–F. The dogs were infected with 5 × 105 trypanosomes intraperitoneally and treatment started 14 days post-infection. The parasitaemia was monitored daily while the serum biochemical indicators were monitored 14, 21, and 28 days post-infection. The total aparasitaemia was achieved in the SEC-DA treated dogs 72 h post-treatment and in 86 h in the DA-monotherapy dogs. A relapse parasitaemia occurred in the DA-monotherapy dogs 17 days posttreatment. The SEC-DA combination therapy caused a significant (P < 0.05) decline in the hitherto elevated urea and creatinine concentrations, and the ALP, ALT, AST activities. Also, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the previously decreased serum albumin in the SEC-DA treated dogs. In conclusion, secnidazole-diminazene aceturate combination therapy prevented the relapse parasitaemia and ameliorated aberrant serum biochemical profiles of T. b. brucei infected dogs after late treatment.
Photoluminescence studies of spray pyrolytically grown nanostructured tin oxide semiconductor thin films on glass substrates

SnO2 nanocrystalline thin films were deposited on glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis technique in air atmosphere at 375, 400, 425, 450 and 500 °C substrate temperatures. The obtained films were characterized by using XRD. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of these films have near band edge (NBE) and deep level emission under the excitation of 325 nm radiation. NBE PL peak intensity decreased consistently with temperatures for samples prepared at 400, 450 and 500 °C, while a sudden reduction in intensity is observed for the sample prepared at 425 °C. A similar effect was observed for the optical transmittance spectra. These effects can be explained on the basis of the change in population of oxygen vacancies as indicated by the change in Δa values.
Paul Verhaeghen Older Adults Making Working Memory Work : A Meta-Analysis of Executive-Control and Working Memory Training in

This meta-analysis examined the effects of process-based executive-function and working memory training (49 articles, 61 independent samples) in older adults (> 60 years). The interventions resulted in significant effects on performance on the trained task and near-transfer tasks; significant results were obtained for the net pretest-to-posttest gain relative to active and passive control groups and for the net effect at posttest relative to active and passive control groups. Fartransfer effects were smaller than near-transfer effects but were significant for the net pretest-to-posttest gain relative to passive control groups and for the net gain at posttest relative to both active and passive control groups. We detected marginally significant differences in training-induced improvements between working memory and executive-function training, but no differences between the training-induced improvements observed in older adults and younger adults, between the benefits associated with adaptive and nonadaptive training, or between the effects in active and passive control conditions. Gains did not vary with total training time.
An Integrated Account of Expert Perspectives on Functioning in Schizophrenia

An integrated and interdisciplinary care system for individuals with schizophrenia is essential, which implies the need for a tool that assesses the difficulties and contextual factors of relevance to their functioning, and facilitates coordinated working across the different professions involved in their care. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets (ICF-CS) cover these requirements. This study aimed to evaluate the content validity of the ICF-CSs for schizophrenia from the perspective of experts. Six three-round Delphi studies were conducted with expert panels from different professional backgrounds which have played a significant role in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia (psychiatry, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, social work and physiotherapy). In total, 790 experts from 85 different countries participated in the first round. In total, 90 ICF categories and 28 Personal factors reached expert consensus (reached consensus from four or more professional perspectives). All the categories in the brief version of the ICF-CS for schizophrenia reached consensus from all the professional perspectives considered. As for the comprehensive version, 89.7% of its categories reached expert consensus. The results support the worldwide content validity of the ICF-CSs for schizophrenia from an expert perspective and underline the importance of assessing functioning by considering all the components implied.
Auditory cues that drive language development are language specific: Evidence from Cantonese

ABSTRACT The mechanisms that allow for both language-specific and universal constraints in language development are not fully understood. According to the rhythm detection hypothesis, sensitivity to rhythm is the underlying mechanism that is fundamental to language development. Support from a number of Western languages, as well as Mandarin, has led to the proposal that rhythm detection may provide a language-universal account of language development. However, claims of universality may be premature because most research has addressed reading (rather than language) development, only a small number of languages have been investigated, and pitch is a better predictor of reading than rhythm in Mandarin children. Therefore, we examined language development using a narrative story-retelling task in children who speak Cantonese (a more complex tone inventory than Mandarin) and also assessed temporal and pitch-based auditory abilities to consider whether temporal processing drives development in a tone language. Both temporal and pitch abilities correlated with language development, but only pitch explained unique variance in language after age. The findings support the role of basic auditory processing mechanisms in language development, but they extend beyond the rhythm detection hypothesis by demonstrating that the fundamental cues for development are dependent on the specific processing demands of each language, rather than being universal.
Data-driven characterization of molecular phenotypes across heterogenous sample collections

The existing large gene expression data repositories hold enormous potential to elucidate disease mechanisms, characterize changes in cellular pathways, and to stratify patients based on their molecular profile. To achieve this goal, integrative resources and tools are needed that allow comparison of results across datasets and data types. We propose an intuitive approach for data-driven stratifications of molecular profiles and benchmark our methodology using the dimensional reduction algorithm t-SNE with multi-center and multi-platform data representing hematological malignancies. Our approach enables assessing the contribution of biological versus technical variation to sample clustering, direct incorporation of additional datasets to the same low dimensional representation of molecular disease subtypes, comparison of sample groups between separate t-SNE representations, or maps, and characterization of the obtained clusters based on pathway databases and additional multi-omics data. In the example application, our approach revealed differential activity of SAM-dependent DNA methylation pathway in the acute myeloid leukemia patient cluster characterized with CEBPA mutations that accordingly was validated to have globally elevated DNA methylation levels.
Indoor environmental quality and energy use evaluation of a three-star green office building in China with field study

In order to get more comprehensive operation performance on indoor environment quality (IEQ) and energy consumption, a long-time measurement and a field occupants’ satisfaction survey on IEQ performance of the first three-star-operation-certified green office building in Ningbo city of China have been conducted, and environmental energy efficiency (EEE) also has been analyzed. Moreover, IEQ and energy consumption of the green case office building are compared with other green office example buildings of the same climate zone in other literatures. The results show that the actual indoor thermal environment of the green case office building isn’t quite achieving the design goals with the Chinese standard of thermal comfort level II (GB 50736). Although indoor air quality of CO2 concentration and visual environment are consistent with the design goals, the indoor relative humidity doesn’t reach the design goal in most of the year. The questionnaire survey results illustrate that the green case building has a high occupants’ satisfaction on IEQ. The comparison results show that there is no obvious difference in indoor temperature and visual environment between the green case building and the green office example buildings in other studies. The results of occupant’s satisfaction and CO2 concentration of the green case building are better than in other studies. However, the indoor relative humidity of the green case building in every season is much higher than in other researches. Energy use intensity (EUI) of the green case building is about 56.5 kWh/m2·a, which is much lower than the constraint value of the Chinese standard. The actual performance of the green case building is also evaluated by the indicator of EEE. The results of this article can provide useful reference for green building operational performance promotion and feedback for design phase optimization.