Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Puck Mass as a Task Constraint on Skilled and Less-Skilled Ice Hockey Players Performance

Manipulation of task constraints have previously been effective in task simplification enhancing skill development. This study examines how manipulation of puck masses affects movement behaviors in skilled and less-skilled ice hockey players during a representative ice hockey task. Fifty participants were separated into a skilled (n = 25) or less-skilled (n = 25) group. Three trials per condition of an obstacle course and breakaway goal attempt were completed in a counter-balanced design using three puck masses, categorized as light (133 g), regulation (170 g), and heavy (283 g). Findings revealed that use of the light puck by less-skilled participants reduced obstacle-course completion time (p < .05, ηp2=.781) and error occurrence (p < .05, ηp2=.699) while improving shot accuracy (p < .05, ηp2=.430) and goal success (p < .05, ηp2=.092) compared to the regulation and heavy puck. However, skilled participants had a decrease in performance when deviating from the regulation puck for all the dependent measur.
Extremal lengths on Denjoy domains

We consider the problem of computing the extremal lengths of certain homotopy classes of curves in certain symmetric surfaces. Specifically, we concentrate on plane domains which axe conformal to the Riemann sphere with a collection of slits in the real axis removed; such a conformal type is called a Denjoy domain. Using Jenkins-Strebel forms, the extremal length of any sufficiently symmetric homotopy class of curves is computed in terms of the endpoints of the slits. One can then choose a symmetric pants decomposition of the surface and invert the formulas derived, which axe a set of coupled quadratic equations. In this way, one obtains a coordinatization of the space of all marked Denjoy domains of a fixed topological type. We consider the (marked) conformal type of a domain of the form F = S2 , where S2 denotes the Riemann sphere, and E C S1 C S2 consists of a finite collection of arcs, called slits. The extremal length (defined below) is a number associated with a conformal class of metric and a homotopy class of connected curves in F. In this note, we prove an analogue of the Fricke-Klein Theorem to the effect that extremal lengths of a finite family of simple curve classes uniquely determine conformal type. (This is in contrast to [HM], where homotopy classes of families of curves are considered.) This "injectivity question" on a general Riemann surface has been considered in [Pi], where the analogue of the Fricke-Klein Theorem is proved for the sphere-minus-four-points. The author would like to thank the staff and members of the Institut MittagLeffler for their hospitality during 1983-1984, when this work was done. Particular thanks are due to Allen Weitsman for several helpful discussions. Let Fr = S2 {Ur-1 (2j -3, 2j -2) U (2r -3, oo)} and let Ai be a simple closed curve encircling the ith component of s2 Fr, i = 1, . , r, as in Figure 1. A pants decomposition P of Fr is a collection of simple curves {rj}r-2 (as in Figure 1) so that components of F U{rj} have Euler characteristic -1. A metric ,u on Fr will be regarded as a line element ds = f(z)Idz + g(z)d2l where f > 0 with isolated zeros and 1IgI1IK 3 so that Fr is equipped with the intrinsic Poincare metric p,, E p E Tr (see [Ab]). Let t: Fr A9 denote the involutive orientation-reversing homeomorphism induced by conjugation on S2 and t*: Tr A) the corresponding homeomorphism. A conformal class p, E Tr is said to be a (marked) Denjoy domain (and we write Received by the editors June 11, 1986 and, in revised form, December 16, 1986. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision). Primary 30CXX, 30FXX; Secondary 30C75, 30C20, 30F15. 1988 American Mathematical Society 0002-9939/88 $1.00 + $. 25 per page
Serial Correlation in Dynamic Panel Data Models with Weakly Exogenous Regressors and Fixed Efiects

Our paper wants to present and compare two estimation methodologies for dynamic panel data models in the presence of serially correlated errors and weakly exogenous regressors. The flrst is the flrst difierence GMM estimator as proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991) and the second is the transformed Maximum Likelihood Estimator as proposed by Hsiao, Pesaran, and Tahmiscioglu (2002). Thereby, we consider the flxed efiects case and weakly exogenous regressors. The flnite sample properties of both estimation methodologies are analysed within a simulation experiment. Furthermore, we will present an empirical example to consider the performance of both estimators with real data.
Volatility Modeling and Forecasting of Istanbul Gold Exchange (IGE)

In this study, we model the volatility dynamics of Istanbul Gold Exchange with several GARCH models, which incorporate asymmetry and long-range dependence in the conditional volatility. We use daily spot prices of the gold exchange from January 4, 2006 to November 20, 2013. In addition, forecasting performances of the models are evaluated based on three commonly used measures. We examine the out-of-sample predictions for 1, 5 and 20-days ahead as the portfolio managers usually focus on longer horizons (20-days) as well as relatively short horizons (1 and 5-days ahead). The forecasting results point out the superior performance of EGARCH and CGARCH models. Hence our results provide useful information for investors and portfolio managers to consider asymmetric reactions to the news and long-range dependence property of the gold market in Turkey.
Programas de intervención para la mejora de la imagen corporal en niños de Educación Primaria

Problems arising from a negative body image lead to the development of educational programs that, through different contents, try to improve the school-aged-children’s body image. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics and effects of the most recent programs for children of Elementary School, in order to know the most effective ones. Twenty-one programs were analysed, whose most common contents are self-esteem, media literacy, healthy dieting and physical activity. Most of these programmes are based on an interactive methodology and an etiological approach. In general, some programmes are effective on the improvement of some risk factors, although it has been seen little effect on body dissatisfaction and behaviors or symptoms of eating disorder, both in post-test and follow-up. Some limitations are the lack of a control group and a follow-up assessment.
STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: A SERVICE SECTOR AND LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

Resorting to the Schatzki’s (2002) ‘site of the social’ theoretical construct and stance on the peculiar ‘sites’ of construction and institutionalisation of social practices, we aim to locate the use and efficacy of strategic performance measurement system (SPMS) in service sector organizations and at the lower hierarchical level, and its effect on role clarity, employees’ psychological empowerment and performance. This study aims to further the relevant literature, which covers the phenomenon in the manufacturing industry and at the upper level of the organizational hierarchy (Hall, 2008). A survey study of employees at the lower hierarchical level in the banking sector of the southern part of Sumatera including the provinces of Lampung, South Sumatera, Bengkulu and Jambi was conducted and data analyzed using SmartPLS. Our analysis of the empirical data we gleaned from our survey of 135 respondents endorsed the hypotheses set for the study confirming a positive impact of the use of CPMS on lower level employees’ role clarity and overall performance in service sector organizations, however, did not support CPMS’s effect on the employees’ ‘psychological empowerment’. The effect and efficacy of the use of SPMS on role clarify, performance and psychological empowerment in the manufacturing sector employees at the upper hierarchical level have already been empirically investigated (see Hall, 2008). This current study aims to not only extend such studies to the service industry but also contribute to the management accounting literature through extending the use of the strategic performance measurement system to employees at the lower hierarchical level in the service sector. It aims at apprising practitioners and policy-makers on the utility and limitation of the use of CPMS in these contexts**. Keyword: Strategic Performance Measurement System, Service Sector, Schatzki, SmartPLS *Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Lampung, Indonesia Tel: (+62) 821 797 696 02 **UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia Tel: (+61 2) 67732711 *** We acknowledge the support and cooperation Eka Travilta (a postgraduate student at the University of Lampung, Indonesia) and Siti Khoirina (lecturer at the University of Lampung, Indonesia) kindly extended to help us collect the empirical data for the study.
Feature Extraction Method for Predicting Depression by Frequency Domain Analysis

In this paper, we propose a feature extraction method, which subdivides feature vectors into three frequency regions of 300-1000Hz, 1000-2000Hz, and 2000-3000Hz. The range and mean of intensity are extracted for each frequency region. By so doing, we can compensate the defect of increasing the intensity value, when a person intentionally increases his or her vocalization. Previous studies extracted the slope and correlation of the glottal flow spectrum from the 300-3000Hz region. But, we extract the slope and correlation from each separated frequency region. The overall experimental results show 92.85% for men, and 92.08% for women. The proposed method enhances the respective classification accuracy by 6.73% for men, and 8.09% for women. Keywords-depression, speech Analysis, Random Forest, frequency Domain
Effects of Exposure and Acclimation Temperatures on Filtration, Oxygen Consumption and Scope for Growth in the Oyster

Acclimation at 5 CO intervals betwec,n 5" and 20 "C was used to determine the acute effects of temperature on energy balance In the oyster Ostrea edulis (L.). Rate-temperature curves for filtration showed evidence of laterdl translation, maintaining a thermal optimum above the temperat~lre of accllmation. No significant difference was found in food assimilation efficiency over the acclimation regime, the mean value belng 76.43 + 9.71 % S. D. A low metabol~c rate is maintained up to an acclimation temperature of 20'C; beyond 20 "C however, metabolic costs rise sharply. As a result, filtration efficiency and cost of filtration both achic>\e a thermal o p t ~ m u n ~ between 15"and 20 "C. Scope for growth, a s defined by the difference between ass~n~i la te t l ration and energy cost of metabohsm, remained positive over the rntlre ~~cc l ima ted range at the experimental ration level. Stepwise linear regression analysis of the data produced a model relating assim~latetl ration, oxygen consumption and scope for growth to interactions between acclimation and exposure temperatures. Maxin~um growth rate is predicted at an accllmation temperature (T',) of approximately 17 "C and following exposure to short-term increases of temperature (T,.) to approximately 25 "C, much as might be dntlcipated during summer in very shallow water
Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Rainfall Erosivity Factor in Iran

Accelerated soil erosion is an undesirable process that adversely affects water and soil resources. Rainfall erosivity is an important factor in water erosion models. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to estimate the rainfall erosivity throughout Iran based on the latest available detailed rainfall data while considering its temporal and spatial variations. To accomplish this, the data from 18 synoptic stations of the Iranian Meteorological Organization, known to have reliable data and hyetographs with a 23 year common period, were accordingly analyzed. The kinetic energy of rain for each storm event was calculated based on Wischmeier and Smith’s original model, i.e. the USLE, and many of its modifications. Later, the rainfall erosivity factor was calculated on a monthly, seasonal, and annual basis using the calculated kinetic energy. The results revealed that the greatest risk of erosivity occurred in March, December, and November, as indicated by R factors of 0.228, 0.201, and 0.147 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 , respectively, while June and August had the lowest erosivity factors, as indicated by R factors of 0.017 and 0.027 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 , respectively. Furthermore, analysis of the spatial variations in R verified that the Anzali and Babolsar Stations, located in northern Iran, had the maximum erosivity values, with R factors of 11.518 and 4.260 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 , respectively. Conversely, the Bam and Semnan Stations, located in the central and eastern Iran, had the minimum erosivity values, as indicated by R values of 0.201 and 0.212 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 , respectively. The long term mean annual rainfall erosivity factor of Iran was ultimately found to be 1.226 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 .
Analyzing airlines potential cost savings when reducing delays in international air traffic

This paper focuses on airlines most important cost drivers being influenced by changes in delay. It does not deal with any passenger or national economy related costs arising if flight operations are delayed. Actual delay statistics of Europe’s lead-ing hub airports offer the basis for the calculation of the potential benefit that may arise if delays could be reduced marginally. Depending on the airport and accordingly its aircraft mix, movements per year and further characteristics, intervals of potential savings can be assessed respectively.
Golden jackal expansion in Europe: a case of mesopredator release triggered by continent-wide wolf persecution?

Top-down suppression by apex predators can limit the abundance and spatial distribution of mesopredators. However, this phenomenon has not been studied over long time periods in human-dominated landscapes, where the strength of this process might be limited. Here, we used a multi-scale approach to analyse interactions between two canids in the human-dominated landscapes of Europe. We tested the hypothesis that the range expansion of golden jackals ( Canis aureus ) was triggered by intensive persecution and resulting decline of the apex predator, the grey wolf ( Canis lupus ). To do so, we (1) reviewed literature to reconstruct the historic changes in the distribution and abundance of the two canid species on the continental scale, (2) analysed hunting data patterns for both species in Bulgaria and Serbia, and (3) surveyed jackal persistence in eight study areas that became re-colonized by territorial wolves. The observed trends were generally consistent with the predictions of the mesopredator release hypothesis and supported the existence of top-down suppression by wolves on jackals. We observed inverse patterns of relative abundance and distribution for both canid species at various spatial scales. In most (seven out of eight) cases of wolf re-colonization of jackal territories, jackals disappeared or were displaced out or to the periphery of the newly established wolf home-ranges. We suggest that wolf extermination could be the key driver that enabled the expansion of jackals throughout Europe. Our results also indicate that top-down suppression may be weakened where wolves are intensively persecuted by humans or occur at reduced densities in human-dominated landscapes, which has important management implications and warrants further research. Click here to access supplementary files
Impacts of extreme winter warming in the sub‐Arctic: growing season responses of dwarf shrub heathland

Climate change scenarios predict an increased frequency of extreme climatic events. In Arctic regions, one of the most profound of these are extreme and sudden winter warming events in which temperatures increase rapidly to above freezing, often causing snow melt across whole landscapes and exposure of ecosystems to warm temperatures. Following warming, vegetation and soils no longer insulated below snow are then exposed to rapidly returning extreme cold. Using a new experimental facility established in sub‐Arctic dwarf shrub heathland in northern Sweden, we simulated an extreme winter warming event in the field and report findings on growth, phenology and reproduction during the subsequent growing season. A 1‐week long extreme winter warming event was simulated in early March using infrared heating lamps run with or without soil warming cables. Both single short events delayed bud development of Vaccinium myrtillus by up to 3 weeks in the following spring (June) and reduced flower production by more than 80%: this also led to a near‐complete elimination of berry production in mid‐summer. Empetrum hermaphroditum also showed delayed bud development. In contrast, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea showed no delay in bud development, but instead appeared to produce a greater number of actively growing vegetative buds within plots warmed by heating lamps only. Again, there was evidence of reduced flowering and berry production in this species. While bud break was delayed, growing season measurements of growth and photosynthesis did not reveal a differential response in the warmed plants for any of the species. These results demonstrate that a single, short, extreme winter warming event can have considerable impact on bud production, phenology and reproductive effort of dominant plant species within sub‐Arctic dwarf shrub heathland. Furthermore, large interspecific differences in sensitivity are seen. These findings are of considerable concern, because they suggest that repeated events may potentially impact on the biodiversity and productivity of these systems should these extreme events increase in frequency as a result of global change. Although climate change may lengthen the growing season by earlier spring snow melt, there is a profound danger for these high‐latitude ecosystems if extreme, short‐lived warming in winter exposes plants to initial warm temperatures, but then extreme cold for the rest of the winter. Work is ongoing to determine the longer term and wider impacts of these events.
Preliminary Experimental Study of Marker-based Hand Gesture Recognition System

We present the initial studies of a user computer interface based on hand gestures. A set of reflective markers on a glove are used as a simplified basis for hand pose detection. Using coaxial infrared illumination we can maximize the contrast of the markers with respect to the background. The objective is to recognize the shape of various markers with their corresponding position and orientation in the image plane. The system is able to associate the shape of the markers and their corresponding location and orientation angles to various user interface commands. Marker Gestures can be static and dynamic. Whereas static gestures refer to particular hand poses, dynamic gestures correspond to trajectories described with some particular poses. The experiments show that the combined use of the proposed lighting technique, Hu moments and convex hull analysis greatly simplifies the segmentation and identification of the markers allowing the system to obtain reliable information about the pose and orientation of the hand of the user. 
An Information Theoretical approach to Factor Analysis

We show how the introduction of the power divergence family proposed by Cressie and Read (1984) permits to link various aspects of log likelihood model selection and factorial data description. Our approach, illustrated on bigram textual frequencies, generalizes Factorial Correspondance Analysis beyond the independence model, as exemplified by the symmetry model and an “independence-within classes” model, the latter seeming promising for classification purposes. We introduce a “psi square” measure of inertia, alternative to the usual phi square. The concept of “sharp contradiction” as well as a presumably new Renyi-like measure of dependence are discussed in the framework of Information Theory. An “eigenvalues doubling” phenomenon associated to the symmetry model is elucidated.
Intern’s knowledge of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics at Puducherry: a cross-sectional study

Background: Internship is the intermediate period between under-graduation and general practice. The dexterity of health professional relies upon prescribing practices. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) is a crucial discipline for interns to acquire safe and rational prescription of drugs. Cultivating sound knowledge about CPT during under graduation is, henceforth, mandatory. Aims and objectives: To assess whether the undergraduate CPT teaching and internship training had prepared interns adequately for safe and rational prescription. To assess the awareness and reporting of adverse drug reaction (ADR). Methods: 110 interns were enrolled after obtaining informed written consent. A structured questionnaire was given to them including basic demographic information, undergraduate CPT teaching, experience of ADR and any deficiency in the under-graduate CPT teaching. Results: Response rate was 91 % in which 53 were males and 47 females. 81 considered themselves aware of CPT. 56% & 57% interns were able to prescribe drug safely and rationally respectively. Without supervision, they were confident to prescribe antacids (93%), vitamins and minerals (90%), NSAIDS (85%), antihistamines (82%), antibiotics (75%), antiemetics (62%) and antiasthmatics (52%). Only 22% had reported ADR and opined that it could lead to hospitalization (51%), prolonged hospital stay (33%), morbidity (16%) and death (21%). According to interns, the topics where more emphasis needed were ADR, dosage calculation, pediatric and emergency medicine and therapeutic drug monitoring during undergraduate CPT teaching. Conclusion: CPT teaching should be improved at undergraduate level for safe and rational prescribing including ADR monitoring, ADR reporting and dosage calculation.
Transport and Deposition of Particles in Turbulent and Laminar Flow

This article reviews the physical processes responsible for the transport and deposition of particles and their theoretical modeling. Both laminar and turbulent processes are considered, emphasizing the physical understanding of the various transport mechanisms. State-of-the-art computational methods for determining particle motion and deposition are discussed, including stochastic Lagrangian particle tracking and a unified Eulerian advection-diffusion approach. The theory presented includes Brownian and turbulent diffusion, turbophoresis, thermophoresis, inertial impaction, gravitational settling, electrical forces, and the effects of surface roughness and particle interception. The article describes two example applications: the deposition of particles in the human respiratory tract and deposition in gas and steam turbines.
Jointly Determined Livestock Disease Dynamics and Decentralised Economic Behaviour

A dynamic model of livestock disease and decentralised economic behaviour is constructed as a jointly determined system. By accounting for feedbacks between behavioural choices and disease outcomes, the model captures the endogenous nature of infection risks. Government mandated testing of livestock herds and how private biosecurity incentives are affected by the structure of disease eradication polices are considered. How well disease control policies are targeted affects their effectiveness and may result in farmers substituting government testing and disease surveillance for private biosecurity. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that failing to account for feedbacks between the disease ecology and economic systems may overestimate the effectiveness of government disease control policies.