Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personality and Sport: An investigation into whether personality traits can predict behaviour in people participating in competitive sport.

Investigating a possible link between personality and behaviour in sport was this studies primary aim. In particular, it investigated whether certain personality traits could predict aggressive behaviour in people who participate in competitive sport. The personality traits used as predictors were mental toughness (MTQ18), fear of failure (PFAI), extroversion and neuroticism (BFI), which were measured against participant’s scores of competitive aggression (CAAS). Results were recorded in a self-reported 71-item questionnaire. The objective of the study was to better inform possible interventions for mental health coaching in sport, to reduce negative behaviour. The sample of 120 participants consisted of a range of genders, ages, sporting ability and sporting types. Although the results showed that mental toughness and fear of failure may be a predictor of aggression, neuroticism and extroversion did not. The results therefore did not strongly support the research hypothesis. Upon further analysis of the results, a strong correlation was shown between mental toughness and other personality variables. It was therefore decided to create a secondary research aim, investigating this relationship. A linear regression analysis was performed, which revealed that mental toughness scores predicted positive extroversion traits (t (118)= 6.11 p < . 001) and negative neuroticism traits (t (118)=-8,31 p < . 001) within participants. This suggests a possible link between an individual’s mental toughness capability, and how it effects their personality. Further research into this is required, however this study helped to gain insight into possible interventions for psychological coaching, with a focus on mental toughness, to improve athletes behaviour.
Micro-viscous morphological operators

In most operators of mathematical morphology source and destina- tion are the same: from pixels to pixels. In this paper we present adjunctions where source and destination are not the same. In ad- dition to the pixels of a grid, we also consider the centers of edges linking neighboring pixels. Interesting filters may be constructed using such operators, in particular bi-levelings, where the introduc- tion of some degree of viscosity permits to obtain higher levels of simplifications as with ordinary levelings.
Longitudinal and latitudinal variations in dynamic characteristics of the MLT (70?95km): a study involving the CUJO network

Abstract. The newly-installed MFR (medium frequency radar) at Platteville (40°N, 105°W) has provided the opportunity and impetus to create an operational network of middle- latitude MFRs stretching from 81°W–142°E. CUJO (Canada U.S. Japan Opportunity) comprises systems at London (43°N, 81°W), Platteville (40°N, 105°W), Saskatoon (52°N, 107°W), Wakkanai (45°N, 142°E) and Yamagawa (31°N, 131°E). It offers a significant 7000km longitudinal sector in the North American-Pacific region, and a useful range of latitudes (12–14°) at two longitudes. Annual climatologies involving both height and frequency versus time contour plots for periods from 8h to 30 days, show that the changes with longitude are very significant and distinctive, often exceeding the local latitudinal variations. Comparisons with models and the recent UARS-HRDI global analysis of tides are discussed. The fits of the horizontal wave numbers of the longer period oscillations are provided in unique frequency versus time contour plots and shown to be consistent with the expected dominant modes. Annual climatologies of planetary waves (16 day, 2 day) and gravity waves reveal strong seasonal and longitudinal variations. Key words. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; waves and tides; climatology)
Evaluation of wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on incision and excision wound models in Wister albino rats

Background: Wound healing is complex cellular and biochemical cascade that lead to restitution of integrity and function. Recently, the traditional use of plants for wound healing has received attention by the scientific community, as traditional medicine is a source of less expensive, comprehensive medical care, especially in developing countries. Azadirachta indica (Neem) is well-known in India, as one of the most versatile medicinal plants having a wide spectrum of biological activity. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the wound healing activity of the ethanolic extract of A. indica leaf in the experimentally-induced wound in rats. Methods: The healing effect produced by A. indica extract was assessed by the rate of wound contraction histopathology and skin breaking strength by using excision wound model and incision wound model in Wister albino rats. This was compared with control (soft white paraffin) and standard (1% w/w framycetin sulfate ointment). The results have been analyzed by calculating the mean values, standard deviation and compared by using student t-test. Results: The ethanol extract of leaves of A. indica significantly promoted the wound healing activity in both excision and incision wound models. Conclusion: The study revealed promising wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of A. indica and provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use in the management of wounds.
MACROECONOMICS EFFECT OF FISCAL POLICY IN TRANSITION ECONOMIES: THE CASE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of fiscal policy in small open transition economy. This paper employs, Granger- Causality test, Impulse Response Function and Forecast Error Decomposition, in order to assess the impact of fiscal policy on real GDP and prices. In this finding, all econometrics result do not show a conventional Keynesian effect of fiscal policy on real economic activity due to the counteracting effect of the monetary policy reaction. This causes a crowding out effect. Therefore, the results suggest that there is no coordination between fiscal and monetary policy. Moreover, the results from the Granger Causality test and Impulse Response Function show that the best fiscal policy for stimulating the economy appears to be one of tax-cuts. However, a change in taxation may produce a short-lived effect on real GDP; but, such action is likely to generate higher burdens in the future. In addition, the higher burdens are likely to have long-term consequences that far outweigh any short-term benefits in terms of real GDP.
The Evaluation of Institutional Reforms at Sub-national Government Levels: A Still Neglected Research Agenda

Abstract This article is meant to take a noteworthy step towards conceptually promoting the evaluation of institutional reform policies in the sub-national space. It aims to apply pertinent approaches of evaluation to the field of institutional reform policies in the intergovernmental setting and thus to contribute to a research field that arguably has so far been a ‘missing link’ in policy evaluation. The authors conceptualise institutional policies (territorial and functional reforms) as a particular type of public policy and contrast them analytically, conceptually and methodologically with ‘normal’ substantial policies. They reveal particular problems of measurement and of finding relevant indicators to evaluate the results of institutional reforms, one of which is the assessment of the transaction costs of reforms. Finally, an analytical framework for the evaluation of functional and territorial reform policies is suggested that makes a distinction between ‘institution evaluation’ and ‘performance evaluation’, and that can be applied in comparative evaluation studies.
Resonance Frequencies and Damping in Combustion Chambers with Quarter Wave Cavities

In the present study, the eigenmodes of a cylindrical chamber without and with coupling to an absorber cavity are taken under examination. The spectrum of eigenmodes is determined and the damping of modes is characterized by the line-width of the resonances. It is found that usually damping for a given acoustical eigenmode is connected to an increase of the intensity of another one. For the acoustically coupled system of a cylindrical resonator and an absorber cavity it is shown that the eigenfrequencies and other prop- erties of the acoustical eigenmodes deviate from those of the uncoupled cylindrical resonator. The damping is investigated as a function of resonator length and the optimal length for efficient damping is discussed. The damping can be increased by the application of capillary volume at the rear end of the absorber. 1 - Theoretical background In rocket engines, undesirable oscillation of combustion is usually caused by tangential modes. At the Insti- tute of Space Propulsion, in DLR Lampoldshausen acoustical experiments are carried out using common research chambers for both, hot fire (1) and cold flow tests. The experiments presented in this work do not involve combustion or injection; rather they use a model combustion chamber filled with air at room tem- perature to allow easier and more fundamental characterization of the acoustic processes at work, In the present study, the abbreviation for the axial, radial and tangential modes is L, R and T, respectively. The number before the abbreviation enables the mode identification. Exemplarily, 1L means the axial or length basic tone, 2L the first axial harmonic, 3L the second axial harmonic, and so on. The oscillation frequency for the length mode of a half wave tube (a tube with two open or two closed ends) can be predicted as
Three‐dimensional gravity and magnetic modeling of crustal indentation and wedging in the western Pyrenees‐Cantabrian Mountains

[1] The complex crustal structure of the boundary zone between the Iberian and European plates, from the western Pyrenees to the Cantabrian Mountains, is probed by three-dimensional (3-D) gravity and magnetic modeling constrained by deep seismic profiles. The 3-D modeling results support the presence of a continuous Iberian crustal root and suggest that the geometry of the orogenic belt that formed in latest Cretaceous-Tertiary times along the northern margin of Iberia was conditioned by oblique structures separating areas characterized by different tectonic styles. In the western Pyrenees and the Basque-Cantabrian basin (a thick Mesozoic basin presently incorporated to the Pyrenean-Cantabrian belt), the relatively narrow thinning of the crust inherited from the Mesozoic rifting stage conditioned a structural style in which portions of the southward indenting European lower crust are interpreted to be back thrusted toward the north and uplifted to shallow depths, promoting the appearance of significant potential field anomalies. In the Basque-Cantabrian basin, the strongest aeromagnetic anomaly of the whole Iberian Mainland is superimposed on the eastern part of a well-defined positive gravity anomaly, similar in amplitude and wavelength to those located along the North Pyrenean Zone. These observations suggest that the eastern part of the dense, lower crustal causative body is strongly magnetized and may correspond to a gabbroic cumulate originated in the axis of the ancient Mesozoic rift. To the west, Tertiary compression affected the North Iberian (Cantabrian) passive continental margin, whose geometry and inherited structures conditioned the formation of a double crustal delamination and the uplift of the Cantabrian Mountains.
Effects of Discharge Characteristics on Aqueous Pollutant Concentration at Jebel Ali Harbor, Dubai-UAE

The Arabian Gulf is an important geographical location. The Gulf has been extensively used for transport purposes. Meanwhile, countries in the region benefit from the Gulf’s diverse marine habitats and utilize its water for desalination or some industrial needs. Several pollutants are induced into the Gulf including those resulting from oil spill accidents, offshore exploration processes, ballast water discharge, reject brine discharge, dredging activities, and coastal construction projects. Meanwhile, some of the Gulf countries are developing new coastal industrial facilities or expanding existing ones. These facilities are not without an adverse impact on the marine environment.
Fixed T dynamic panel data estimators with multifactor errors

ABSTRACT This article analyzes a growing group of fixed T dynamic panel data estimators with a multifactor error structure. We use a unified notational approach to describe these estimators and discuss their properties in terms of deviations from an underlying set of basic assumptions. Furthermore, we consider the extendability of these estimators to practical situations that may frequently arise, such as their ability to accommodate unbalanced panels and common observed factors. Using a large-scale simulation exercise, we consider scenarios that remain largely unexplored in the literature, albeit being of great empirical relevance. In particular, we examine (i) the effect of the presence of weakly exogenous covariates, (ii) the effect of changing the magnitude of the correlation between the factor loadings of the dependent variable and those of the covariates, (iii) the impact of the number of moment conditions on bias and size for GMM estimators, and finally (iv) the effect of sample size. We apply each of these estimators to a crime application using a panel data set of local government authorities in New South Wales, Australia; we find that the results bear substantially different policy implications relative to those potentially derived from standard dynamic panel GMM estimators. Thus, our study may serve as a useful guide to practitioners who wish to allow for multiplicative sources of unobserved heterogeneity in their model.
the National Assessment of Adult Literacy Closing the Gender Gap : Improved Performance of U . S .-Born Females on

This study analyzed the current state of the gender literacy gap and the change in the gender literacy gap between 1992 and 2003, using the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) and the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). The results revealed that although there were significant gender literacy gaps in 1992, virtually all male-paramount literacy gaps (males obtaining higher scores than females) disappeared in the 2003 survey. Much of this gain can be ascribed to more women participating in higher education. Variations in literacy gap changes by race (Black and White) and educational attainment were also investigated.
Female employment, institutions and the role of reference groups: a multilevel analysis of 22 European countries

This article argues that the effect of policy institutions on female labor market participation is mediated by reference groups surrounding individual women. Using recent data on individual women between 20 and 49 years in 22 European countries, we distinguish between two types of institutions: public childcare availability and public sector employment. We hypothesize that both institutions are conducive to womenÂ’s employment but that the effect differs across different social groups. More generally the analysis aims at the identification of good practices, i.e. countries that succeed in shaping women-friendly circumstances on the labor market. By means of a logistic multilevel model, we find that both public childcare and public sector employment are associated with higher female employment chances. We also find that women embedded in different reference groups behave differently on the labor market, that public childcare provision and public sector employment are helpful to raise the odds of employment for lower and medium educated women respectively. Finally, we observe that, ceteris paribus, non-urban areas shape better employment opportunities than urban areas.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Aromatic Polyimides from Aromatic Diamine and 3,3””,4,4””-p-Quinquephenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride

A new rigid tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3””,4,4””-p-quinquephenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, was synthesized in seven steps starting from diethyl 4-bromophthalate. New aromatic polyimides containing a p-quinquephenyl unit were synthesized from this tetracarboxylic dianhydride and various aromatic diamines by the conventional two-step procedure of ring-opening polyaddition in a polar amide-type solvent and subsequent thermal cyclic dehydration. These polyimides had inherent viscosities of 0.20–1.20 dL g-1, and were insoluble in organic solvents. The polyimides were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), wide-angle X-Ray diffraction measurements, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Typical polyimides had glass transition temperatures (Tg) at about 250°C, and crystallized above Tgs. The effects of p-quinquephenyl structure were reflected in the high storage modulus above the glass transition temperature.
lclogit: A Stata Module for Estimating a Mixed Logit Model with Discrete Mixing Distribution Via the Expectation-Maximization Algorithm

This paper describe Iclogit, a Stata module to fit latent class logit models through the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. The stability of this estimation method allows overcoming some of the computational difficulties that normally arise when fitting such models with many latent classes. This, in turn, permits users to estimate nonparameterically the mixing distribution of the random coefficients because the more the mass points of the latent class model, the better the approximation of the unknown joint density of the random coefficients.
Vegetation responses to interglacial warming in the Arctic: examples from Lake El'gygytgyn, Far East Russian Arctic

Abstract. Preliminary analyses of Lake El'gygytgyn sediment indicate a wide range of ecosystem responses to warmer than present climates. While palynological work describing all interglacial vegetation is ongoing, sufficient data exist to compare recent warm events (the postglacial thermal maximum, PGTM, and marine isotope stage, MIS5) with "super" interglaciations (MIS11, MIS31). Palynological assemblages associated with these climatic optima suggest two types of vegetation responses: one dominated by deciduous taxa (PGTM, MIS5) and the second by evergreen conifers (MIS11, MIS31). MIS11 forests show a similarity to modern Picea–Larix–Betula–Alnus forests of Siberia. While dark coniferous forest also characterizes MIS31, the pollen taxa show an affinity to the boreal forest of the lower Amur valley (southern Russian Far East). Despite vegetation differences during these thermal maxima, all glacial–interglacial transitions are alike, being dominated by deciduous woody taxa. Initially Betula shrub tundra established and was replaced by tundra with tree-sized shrubs (PGTM), Betula woodland (MIS5), or Betula–Larix (MIS11, MIS31) forest. The consistent occurrence of deciduous forest and/or high shrub tundra before the incidence of maximum warmth underscores the importance of this biome for modeling efforts. The El'gygytgyn data also suggest a possible elimination or massive reduction of Arctic plant communities under extreme warm-earth scenarios.
Market Reaction to Acquisition Announcements after the 2008 Stock Market Crash

Market reaction to mergers and acquisitions is a popular research topic in finance. It has been well documented in empirical literature that target companies earn significant abnormal market returns in corporate acquisitions. However, the effects of stock market crashes, and the effects of whether the acquirer is a domestic firm or a foreign firm, on target firm abnormal returns have not been studied sufficiently. In this paper, we make a contribution to the extant literature on these subjects by studying the abnormal market returns earned by U.S. target firms acquired by domestic and foreign firms after the 2008 stock market crash. Our test results indicate that U.S. targets that were acquired by other U.S. firms earned significantly higher abnormal returns, compared with targets acquired by foreign firms, after the crash. We also find that the target companies earned greater abnormal returns in non-friendly acquisitions than in friendly acquisitions during this period.
Detecting effects of upper basin riparian harvesting at downstream reaches using stream indicators

Stream evaluation field data from 44 basins in the Bowron River watershed were used in combination with results from GIS spatial analysis to investigate whether impacts from logging the riparian zone of upperbasin streams could be detected at downstream sites. The field data included responses to stream indicator questions taken from the BC Ministry of Forests and Range's Riparian Management Routine Effectiveness Evaluation (RMREE). The evaluation included questions associated with the following stream indicators: (1) channel bed condition, (2) channel bank condition, (3) in-stream large woody debris processes, (4) channel morphology, (5) aquatic connectivity, (6) fish cover, (7) moss, (8) fine sediment, and (9) aquatic invertebrates. This study examined the negative responses to these indicator questions in relation to the amount of upstream riparian harvesting that took place in each basin. Evaluated reaches that had been harvested to the stream bank were not significantly different from sample reaches with streamside buffers when both groups had harvested upstream riparian areas. Negative responses increased significantly at 30% upstream riparian harvest. Sites were grouped by this threshold (low/high) and compared to nonharvested sites to examine negative responses for each indicator. In discussing the results, we explore the potential role of recovery of harvested drainages, negative responses in the non-harvested group, elevation, soil erodibility, in-stream large woody debris processes, and aquatic invertebrate diversity (which may subsequently impact food and habitat supply for fish). The results support the best management practice of leaving a "no-harvest" riparian reserve on all small streams in order to mitigate downstream impacts.
Microscopic Analysis of High Quality Thick ZnO CVD Layers: Imaging of Growth Domains, Strain Relaxation, and Impurity Incorporation

We report on spatially-resolved low-temperature luminescence and Raman experiments on ZnO epilayers grown on GaN templates by vapor phase deposition. Our investigations reveal that the peak luminescence position of the free and bound exciton lines of ZnO depends on the distance from the substrate. Different acceptor and donor species become locally dominant. Furthermore, a strong red shift occurs directly at the interface, indicating strong local internal electric fields. From Raman experiments we determined the spatial evolution of the compressive strain in the ZnO epilayer and the induced tensile strain in the GaN templates.