Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE PLAYERS IN THE SAGITTAL PLANE BIOMECHANICS DURING VOLLEYBALL SPIKE LANDING

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics and kinetics differences between male and female players after a volleyball spike landing. Eight male and eight female university volleyball players were recruited to participate in this study. The kinematic and kinetic data were collected by ten Vicon cameras (300 Hz) and two force plates (1500 Hz). The Visual 3D software was used to analyze the kinematic and kinetic variables. The results indicated that male players exhibited greater peak hip flexion angle, hip range of motion and hip extensor moment compared with female players. Female players exhibited greater peak ankle dorsiflexion and ankle range of motion than male players. These differences demonstrated that male and female players performed different strategies during volleyball spike landing.
Efficacy of Fluoroquinolones as Substitutes for Ethambutol or Rifampin in the Treatment of Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease According to Radiologic Types

During the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD), ethambutol or rifampin is often discontinued because of adverse events. This study investigated the treatment outcomes when later-generation fluoroquinolones replace ethambutol or rifampin in MAC-PD treatment based on the radiologic type. ABSTRACT During the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD), ethambutol or rifampin is often discontinued because of adverse events. This study investigated the treatment outcomes when broader-spectrum fluoroquinolones replace ethambutol or rifampin in MAC-PD treatment based on the radiologic type. From 2006 to 2019, patients who initiated standard treatment and whose treatment duration was ≥1 year were retrospectively identified at a tertiary referral center in South Korea, including 178 patients with cavitary disease (fibrocavitary and cavitary nodular bronchiectatic types) and 256 patients with the noncavitary nodular bronchiectatic (NC-NB) type. We compared the microbiologic cure at 1 year between the patients who maintained the initial regimen and those who replaced ethambutol or rifampin with fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin or levofloxacin). The overall microbiologic cure rate of the 178 patients with cavitary disease was 71.3%. Among these, the microbiologic cure rates of the 16 patients who substituted fluoroquinolones for ethambutol were lower than those of the 156 patients who maintained three-drug oral antibiotics with aminoglycoside (37.5% versus 74.4%, respectively; P = 0.007), which was statistically significant in multivariate analysis. The outcomes of the six patients receiving fluoroquinolones as an alternative to rifampin were similar to that of those continuing the initial regimen. The microbiologic cure rate of the patients with the NC-NB type receiving daily or intermittent oral three-drug therapy was similar regardless of maintaining the initial therapy or replacing ethambutol or rifampin with fluoroquinolones. In conclusion, in cavitary MAC-PD, replacing ethambutol with fluoroquinolones resulted in inferior patient outcomes.
Pavement Surface Macrotexture Measurement and Applications

Different techniques for measuring pavement surface macrotexture and their application in pavement management are discussed. The main applications of surface macrotexture are to measure the frictional properties of the pavement surface and to detect hot-mix asphalt (HMA) construction segregation or nonuniformity. Since surface macro-texture can be measured quite efficiently using noncontact technologies and provides important information regarding pavement safety and HMA construction quality, this parameter may be included in the quality assurance or control procedures. Correlations between different measuring devices were investigated utilizing different HMA wearing surfaces. Excellent correlation was found between the circular track meter and sand patch measurements. In addition, the macrotexture determined using a laser profiler correlates well with that determined with sand patch measurements. Consistent with previous studies, it was found that the skid number gradient with speed is inversely proportional to the pavement macrotexture. However, there was a noticeable difference in speed dependency when smooth and ribbed tires were used. Oscillations in the percent normalized gradient with time due to seasonal variations were also observed. Macrotexture measurements hold great promise as tools to detect and quantify segregation for quality assurance purposes. A standard construction specification was proposed in a recent NCHRP study. However, the equation proposed for computing the nonsegregated estimated (mean) texture depth could not be applied to the mixes studied. An alternative equation has been proposed, which estimates the surface macrotexture using the mix nominal maximum size and voids in the mineral aggregate. The study was based on the mixes used at the Virginia Smart Road. Further investigation using other mixes is recommended.
A closed-form approximation for ground return impedance of underground cables

Calculation of the ground return impedance generally requires the evaluation of a complex infinite integral. Converging infinite series that usually converge to the exact value have been known for many years, and most handbook formulas were derived from these series, with only the first one or two terms retained. Several approximations with closed-form solutions have been proposed for overhead lines, but nothing seems to have been done in the case of underground cables. This paper describes a complete, simplified closed-form approximation for the self and mutual impedances of underground cables. The simplified equations are first presented and then related to Pollaczek's and Wedephol's equations. Finally, the errors, which in most cases are very satisfactory, are numerically evaluated.
Telehealth training to educators can support communication intervention implementation by educators and increase high school students’ use of speech-generating devices1

Q 1. Is there a functional relation between the delivery of a brief online training and the use of modified behavior skills training via telehealth and an increase in the level of teacher fidelity on communication interventions for students using SGDs? 2. Is there a functional relation between increased fidelity of teaching staff implemented communication facilitation strategies and increased level of student independent use of SGD to mand? 3. Do teachers find the goals, procedures, and outcomes of the intervention delivered via telehealth acceptable, feasible, and effective?
ICT Adoption by SMEs: Implications for Relationships and Management

A conceptual model of the changes in small and medium enterprise interfaces and relationships consequent on their adoption of information and communication technologies is developed and explored in this paper. Emphasis is placed on the implications for management, employees and working practices. Empirical evidence from two organisations is provided to illustrate the model and corroborate this new perspective.
Collective customer collaboration impacts on supply-chain performance

Facilitated by a Collective Customer Collaboration (C3) system, the impact of customer knowledge and demand information on supply-chain performance is examined. The basic characteristics and theoretical benefits of C3 systems are presented and tested using a multi-agent supply-chain simulation. The simulation test results indicate that (1) supply chains employing C3 front-ends, without sharing information, show performance improvements over traditional supply chains; (2) supply chains employing C3 front-ends, while also sharing information, show performance improvements over those that did not share information; and (3) centralized supply chains employing C3 systems, while also sharing information, show performance improvements over their decentralized counter-parts.
The effects of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings management: Empirical evidence from Moroccan listed firms

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study is to systematically review and examine the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in restraining earnings management among the listed firms of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Research methodology: In this study, we used the modified Jones model to calculate discretionary accruals. Our sample comprises 27 firms covering the period from 2016 to 2018, analyzed by the EGLS estimator. Results: Our empirical results show that gender diversity, board size, and audit committee independence reduce the managers' discretion. Simultaneously, we found a significantly positive association between earning management and different corporate governance characteristics such as CEO duality, institutional investor ownership, and family ownership. We do not find any evidence that audit committee size, ownership concentration, and managerial ownership significantly influence discretionary accruals. Limitations: This study's main limitation is that we did not address the direction of discretionary accruals, which does not allow us to detect the motivational aspects behind earnings management. Contribution: The results of this study will help Moroccan authorities in their formulation of an appropriate regulatory framework because very few studies have been conducted in this area in the case of the Moroccan listed companies, especially with a large set of governance variables as our empirical model. Keywords Accruals; Board of directors; Corporate governance; Earnings management; Ownership structure
Identifying factors affecting resource availability for post‐disaster reconstruction: a case study in China

The availability of resources allows for the rapid and cost‐effective delivery of a construction project. For rebuilding programmes after a disaster, the need for better understanding of factors affecting resource availability and their potential impacts on resourcing outcomes can be of crucial importance to effective reconstruction performance. Drawing on an empirical survey in China following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the critical factors affecting resource availability for post‐quake reconstruction of housing are identified. Resource availability in a post‐disaster situation is not only associated with (1) project‐related factors such as quantity of resources required, project schedule, project resourcing plan, and resource procurement lead time; and (2) factors related to the reconstruction practitioners, including competency of resourcing manager and qualification of contractor; but is also related to (3) factors external to reconstruction projects including legislation and policy, general economic environment, and resource transportation cost and method. To address these factors, a multi‐sector approach is needed for reconstruction decision makers and practitioners. A planned procurement strategy in the implementing contractors, a range of training initiatives for small and medium businesses, along with augmented regulatory, economic and transport infrastructure systems are likely to improve resource availability for post‐disaster rebuilding projects.
Exercise can restore behavioural and molecular changes of intergenerational morphine effects

In our previous studies, the offspring of morphine‐exposed parents (MEO) showed pharmacological tolerance to the morphine's reinforcing effect. According to the role of exercise in treatment of morphine addiction, the current study was designed to utilize exercise to improve the effect of parental morphine exposure on the morphine's reinforcing effect. Male and female rats received morphine for 10 days and were drug‐free for another 10 days. Each morphine‐exposed animal was allowed to mate either with a drug‐naïve or a morphine‐exposed rat. The offspring were divided into two groups: (1) offspring that were subjected to treadmill exercise and (2) offspring that were not subjected to exercise. The reinforcing effect of morphine was evaluated using conditioned place preference (CPP) and two‐bottle choice (TBC) tests. Levels of dopamine receptors (D1DR and D2DR), μ‐opioid receptor (MOR), and ΔFosB were evaluated in the nucleus accumbens. The MEO obtained lower preference scores in CPP and consumed morphine more than the control group in TBC. After 3 weeks of exercise, the reinforcing effect of morphine in the MEO was similar to the control. D1DR, D2DR, and MOR were increased in MEO compared with the controls before exercise. Levels of D1DR and MOR were decreased after exercise in the MEO; however, D1DR was increased in control. D2DR level did not change after exercise in MEO, but it increased in control group. Moreover, the level of ΔFosB was decreased among MEO while it was increased after exercise. In conclusion, exercise might modulate the reinforcing effect of morphine via alteration in levels of D1DR, MOR, and ΔFosB.
Improving Performance Management Practices in IT Firms of Pakistan

Orientation- This exploratory study elaborates performance management issues like job dissatisfaction and high job turnover rates faced by the IT firms in Pakistan and suggest the solutions with their implications. Researchers have taken an IT firm as a case study. Purpose – The aim of the researchers in this endeavor is to identify the problem areas and challenges faced by IT firms while implementing best practices of performance management. This study also explores practical implications and what adaptation can be utilized in order to have effective performance management system. Design/ Methodology- Researchers have adopted qualitative research methodology in which qualitative technique is applied to collect and interpret data. Semi structured Interviews were conducted from the director and the middle management of the case study firm in order to identify various PM issues. Findings- Results also indicate that by implementing steps of performance management processes i.e. setting objectives, training, performance agreement, performance review and reward system “We Care” firm may resolve its performance related issues like job dissatisfaction, high job turn over and the rigid environment. Practical implications- Current research may be use by HR managers to identify and resolve the performance evaluation and development challenges. It also provides the literature for future researches. Contribution- This research firstly presents comprehensive literature analysis on performance management practices which allows its reader to critically analyze various developments in PM practices. Moreover, it explores the issues of practical implications of PM best practices in real business scenario. Current research elaborates the different emerging implementation issues which create gap between theory (best practices) and its implementation.
Albanian Returned Asylum-Seekers: Failures, Successes and What Can Be Achieved in a Short Time

ABSTRACT During the so-called ‘refugee and migration crisis’ of 2015–2016 and the opening of the Balkan route between Turkey and the EU, Albania played a marginal role. Instead, the mass emigration from Albania which had been continuous since the early 1990s, mainly directed towards Greece and Italy, suddenly developed a new outlet: the movement of tens of thousands of poor asylum-seekers to Germany. Considered through the dual lens of border studies and mobility studies, this movement evidences the small time-spaces of possibility that open up as asylum-seekers grasp opportunities yet at the same time struggle against constraints. As a form of migration, this was a short-term temporal event, with nearly all applicants failing to gain asylum and subsequently returning to Albania. Nevertheless, most of the returned asylum-seekers spoke warmly of their experience of being abroad, referring to the generosity of the German government and the good schooling opportunities for their children. Some asylum-seekers whom we interviewed were able to access employment, albeit precarious, and accumulated financial and social capital, which gave them options for the future. Once returned to Albania, most wanted to try their luck in Germany again, seeing little future for themselves and their families in Albania.
Tertiary rehabilitation in acute ankle sprain caused by sports training.

BACKGROUND An ankle sprain is a common joint sprain in sports injury, which is closely related to its physiological position and anatomical characteristics, and may progress into chronic ankle instability after improper early treatment or premature exercise. OBJECTIVE To analyze the tertiary rehabilitation effect of acute lateral ankle sprain caused by sports training. METHOD Ninety-six athletes with acute lateral ankle sprain diagnosed from January 2019 to June 2020 were included and divided into the control group and the rehabilitation group using the random number table grouping method, with 48 cases in each group. The two groups received standardized treatment, and the rehabilitation group additionally received tertiary rehabilitation. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS ) scores, degree of ankle swelling, pain, and re-injury rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The AOFAS scores of the two groups increased after treatment (P< 0.05). The degree of swelling in both groups after treatment was improved (P< 0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores in both groups declined two weeks after treatment, with lower results observed in the rehabilitation group The two groups showed similar results of the follow-up visit (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION Rehabilitation exercise on acute lateral ankle sprain effectively relieves ankle swelling and pain.
Dual-polarized array for signal-processing applications in wireless communications

A novel dual-polarized antenna array designed for a spatial division multiple access (SDMA) system working in the 1850-1990-MHz band is designed and built. The antenna is designed to have similar element patterns, and measurements of S-parameters and radiation patterns are presented. The array signal processing performance of the array using all elements and with no compensation for mutual coupling or differences in element patterns is studied through direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation using total least squares estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (TLS-ESPRIT). The results show that the accuracy of the DOA estimates is quite acceptable for wireless communication applications.
WHEATGRASS : AN ALTERNATIVE HOUSEHOLD NUTRITIONAL FOOD SECURITY

Wheatgrass is an inexpen si ve and efficient source to provide all the required nutrients and medicinal benefits for a healthy and rejuvenating body . This research work was focused on two objectives. First one was to study the various paramete rs that would affect the growth of whea tgrass like temperature, humid ity and time taken to reach a target height. The second objective was to improve the or ganoleptic characters and shelf - life of the wheatgrass juice as the currently available wheatgrass products (tablets, powders, e tc. ) are le ss popular because of their low organoleptic characters and low storage life. First, W heatgrass was grown in two trays , one in growth chamber and other in - field conditions and the ir growth characteristics were compared over a fixed time period . For improvi ng the flavor and aroma , fresh w heatgrass juice was mixed with var ious flavors in different dilutions and a survey was conducted among 50 subjects . After that, lyophilisatio n was carried out to obtain the dried form of wheatgra ss juice which provides a hig her shelf - life . The results obtained showed that wheatgrass growth in the tray kept in - field took 16 days while the tray in growth chamber took only 10 days to reach the same target height. Moreover, the diluted and fl avored forms of the wheatgrass juice w e re found to offer an acceptable organo leptic profile including taste, color and aroma . Lyophilized form of wheatgrass retained the orga noleptic characters and provide d it a longer storage life . All these results will formulate a mor e acceptable form of wh eatgrass product and are likely to increase its popularity. K eywords : lyophilisation , organoleptic characters, shelf - life, wheatgrass .
10V programmable Josephson voltage standard circuits using NbN∕TiNx∕NbN∕TiNx∕NbN double-junction stacks

Using NbN∕TiNx∕NbN∕TiNx∕NbN double-junction stack technology we have demonstrated a programmable Josephson voltage standard chip that operates up to 10.16V output voltage cooled with a two-stage Gifford–McMahon cryocooler. The circuit uses double-junction stacks, where two junctions are fabricated in each stack, in order to integrate 327 680 junctions into a 15.3mm×15.3mm chip. A 1-to-32 microwave distribution circuit is also integrated on the chip. The chip is divided into 22 cells, which perform as an 11-bit digital-to-analog converter. The 21 working cells include 307 200 junctions biased with 16GHz microwaves at 10.2K that generated flat voltage steps with current margins greater than 1mA, which indicates good uniformity of the stacked junctions.
4.2.3 Cultural Differences in Systems Engineering: What They Are, What They Aren't, and How to Measure Them

Despite frequent use of the term culture in contemporary engineering practice, there is currently no reliable way of understanding what constitutes true shared beliefs and meanings that impact how groups of Systems Engineers spread across multiple departments and countries work together. This paper develops a framework to address that gap and measure cultural variation in Systems Engineering contexts. Drawing from the field of cultural anthropology, we demonstrate methods to empirically measure cultural consensus and divergence related to fostering collaboration, understanding business success or failure, and identifying characteristics of effective cross‐functional teams. The discussion identifies substantive content of what real organizational cultures are, where they are different, and where they overlap. That quantified content feeds culture as a rigorous element of organizational strategy into global alignment and process excellence or six sigma initiatives targeted at changing team behavior. The result is a framework for conducting rigorous, empirical investigations to truly understand the human dimensions that are critical to effective Systems Engineering practice. We discuss areas this approach applies to global process alignment and team effectiveness.
AN INVESTIGATION OF CZECH STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS UK HIGHER EDUCATION – BENEFITS AND POST-BREXIT ISSUE

This paper covers an insight on how EU students specifically ‘Czech students’ would behave after Brexit, i.e. how Brexit would affect their selection of the UK higher education. Further, this study also examines why Czech students would choose UK over other EU and English speaking countries. In particular, this study examines three objectives: (i) to examine why Czech students would choose the UK over other European countries, (ii) to examine what are the value-added features that UK higher education would provide to students from the Czech Republic, and (iii) to examine how Brexit would affect Czech students’ selection of the UK’s higher education. A qualitative study was conducted with students based in universities in North-East. The findings suggest that Czech students choose UK because of its language, global recognition, job prospects, work-based learning, innovative teaching methods, quality of teaching, less distance between UK and Czech Republic, culture, and international environment are some of the reasons to choose UK as destination. Further, they have suggested that coming UK was their and their families’ dream. They have also explained that after Brexit, UK would not be as attractive as the current time. They mentioned that limitations in students’ loans, financial help, internships, NHS facilities, increase in prices, racial abuses, and fees would be few of the reasons to stop them to choose UK for higher educations. Implications and limitations are discussed in the study. Article visualizations: