Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making small sports clubs manageable and economically sustainable – a study on clay target shooting in Italy

This paper examines the case of clay shooting clubs in Italy by focusing on their main characteristics. An analysis has been conducted on a sample of 200 clay target shooting clubs. Results show that most clubs only offer shooting practice, being rather insensitive to the usability, comfort and aesthetics of the environment in which shooting sessions are performed. Confirming the above, findings from the cluster analysis revealed that the most effective clubs are those with a larger size, good organization and management, they have the ability to attract shooters, while providing a wide range of services that contribute to additional revenues and financial viability. This research adds to the sports management literature in two main ways. First, it conducts an in-depth analysis of the management of non-profit sports clubs. Second, it brings to the fore two options in how better management approaches could be developed.
The relationship between amyloid-beta and brain capillary endothelial cells in Alzheimer’s disease

Neurovascular dysfunction, as an integral part of Alzheimer’s disease, may have an important influence on the onset and progression of chronic neurodegenerative processes. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) pathway is one of the main pathways that mediates the clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain parenchyma. A large number of studies have shown that receptors and ATP-binding cassette transporters expressed on endothelial cells play an important role in Aβ transport across the BBB, but the specific mechanism is not clear. In this review, we summarize the possible mechanisms of Aβ production and clearance, and in particular the relationship between Aβ and brain capillary endothelial cells. Aβ is produced by abnormal cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein via amyloidogenic processing under pathological conditions. Dysregulation of Aβ clearance is considered to be the main reason for the massive accumulation of Aβ in the brain parenchyma. Several pathways mediating Aβ clearance from the brain into the periphery have been identified, including the BBB pathway, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and arachnoid granule pathway, and the lymphoid-related pathway. Brain capillary endothelial cells are the key components of Aβ clearance mediated by BBB. Receptors (such as LRP1, RAGE, and FcRn) and ATP-binding cassette transporters (such as P-gp, ABCA1, and ABCC1) expressed on endothelial cells play a critical role in Aβ transcytosis across the BBB. The toxic effects of Aβ can induce dysregulation of receptor and transporter expression on endothelial cells. Excessive Aβ exerts potent detrimental cerebrovascular effects by promoting oxidative stress, inducing chronic inflammation, and impairing endothelial structure and functions. All of these are main causes for the reduction in Aβ clearance across the BBB and the accumulation of Aβ in the brain parenchyma. Therefore, studies on the interactions between Aβ and brain capillary endothelial cells, including their receptors and transporters, studies on inhibition of the toxic effects of Aβ on endothelial cells, and studies on promoting the ability of endothelial cells to mediate Aβ clearance may provide new therapeutic strategies for Aβ clearance in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dismounted Soldier System Considerations – User Feedback from Three Field Studies with Two Variants of a Hand-Held GPS Support System

Dismounted soldier systems (DSS) are developed for armed forces around the world, and several usability issues need to be considered. Feedback from soldiers after field studies provides critical insight into user needs, problems and possibilities, guiding the development towards efficient future DSS design and recommendations for procurement. Three field studies were performed with armed forces personnel, using two variants of a GPS system as a DSS. Feedback was collected in the form of questionnaire answers and focus group discussions. Most soldiers agreed upon large benefits of a DSS for platoon and squad leaders, but found it unnecessary for individual soldiers. Benefits of a DSS with evolved functions for navigation and battlefield spatial awareness were mentioned in all studies. Major concerns were battery life, information security, light emission when used in darkness, compatibility with other systems, developing tactics, and the need for sufficient training.
Factors influencing the actual usage of e-government among employees within public sector organizations in the UAE

Organizations are becoming flatter, more flexible and networked due to the advent of new technologies. Leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aim to be attain the first spot worldwide in terms of efficiency and effectiveness by focusing on long- term vision and strategy. However, the gap between the essential indicators of ICT towards UAE’s government vision might affect the long-term goals. This study addresses the relationship between smart government effectiveness and knowledge management, while considering the role of institutional challenges as a moderator variable within the public sector in UAE. As a guide for the proposed model in this study, three acceptance models were implemented, namely, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), technology acceptance model (TAM), and DeLone and McLean model of information systems success (D&M IS Success Model) as guided for the proposed model. Additionally, quantitative data were collected in this study and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Smarts software. Resultantly, the actual use of E-government was predicted and significantly associated with the change in “Influencing factors”, comprising system quality, information quality, service quality, and social influence.
Implications of Sphingolipid Metabolites in Kidney Diseases

Sphingolipids, which act as a bioactive signaling molecules, are involved in several cellular processes such as cell survival, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. An imbalance in the levels of sphingolipids can be lethal to cells. Abnormalities in the levels of sphingolipids are associated with several human diseases including kidney diseases. Several studies demonstrate that sphingolipids play an important role in maintaining proper renal function. Sphingolipids can alter the glomerular filtration barrier by affecting the functioning of podocytes, which are key cellular components of the glomerular filtration barrier. This review summarizes the studies in our understanding of the regulation of sphingolipid signaling in kidney diseases, especially in glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases, and the potential to target sphingolipid pathways in developing therapeutics for the treatment of renal diseases.
Longer-Run Evidence on Whether Building Energy Codes Reduce Residential Energy Consumption

This paper provides an ex post evaluation of how changes to a building energy code affect energy consumption. Using residential billing data for electricity and natural gas over 11 years, the analysis is based on comparisons between residences constructed just before and just after a building code change in Florida. While an earlier study using 3 years of data for the same residences showed savings for both electricity and natural gas, new results show an enduring savings for natural gas only. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for all sources of energy consumption when conducting evaluations of building codes. More broadly, the results provide a counterpoint to the growing literature casting doubt on whether ex ante forecasts of energy efficiency policies and investments can provide useful information about actual energy savings. Indeed, more than a decade after Florida’s energy code change, the measured energy savings still meets or exceeds the forecasted amount.
Increasing Wear Resistance of Heavy-Loaded Friction Pairs by Nanoparticles in Conventional Lubricants: A Proof of Concept

This paper provides experimental data on the effective use of a new lubricating composition, which includes industrial oil of any brand with the addition of a nanometal of the component of a friction pair, which has a lower hardness. It is shown that this composition significantly reduces the wear resistance of the rails and wheels of rolling stock during operation, prevents electrochemical corrosion of the friction pair wheel–rail and, most importantly, stabilizes the coefficient of friction at the optimum level after a relatively short operating time. The experiments were performed on the friction pair, “sample of the bandage material of the railway wheel—a sample of the rail material”, with a ratio of hardness of the bandage material (Rockwell hardness, HRC scale—35.3) to the hardness of the rail material of 1.1. Test results show that in the case of industrial lubricant, the BioRail brand, with the addition of a nanomaterial friction pair with lower wear hardness of the rail metal sample, after three hours in operation the wear was practically not observed. Moreover, the average value of the friction coefficient for three hours of operation was maintained at the level 0.25, which is optimal for the friction pair wheel–rail. Similar experiments using only the same lubricant brand showed much worse results.
Transportes e planos de viação no Brasil imperial

O contexto histórico da Independência do Brasil foi marcado por inúmeros desafios, dentre eles o estabelecimento de uma rede de vias de comunicação que integrasse o território e, assim, auxiliasse a unidade do Império brasileiro. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente artigo é discutir, em primeiro lugar, aspectos gerais sobre os transportes terrestre e fluvial ao longo do Primeiro Reinado (1822-1831) e da Regência (1831-1840). Em seguida, analisa-se, a partir da bibliografia especializada e de fontes primárias selecionadas, as propostas de alguns dos principais planos de viação que surgiram ao longo do período de 1869 a 1882.
Enabling Optical Network Test Bed for 5G Tests

ABSTRACT In this work, we show some experimental approaches concerning optical network design dedicated to 5G infrastructures. In particular, we show some implementations of network slicing based on Carrier Ethernet forwarding, which will be very suitable in the context of 5G heterogeneous networks, especially looking at services for vertical enterprises. We also show how to adopt a central unit (orchestrator) to automatically manage such logical paths according to quality-of-service requirements, which can be monitored at the user location. We also illustrate how novel all-optical processes, such as the ones based on all-optical wavelength conversion, can be used for multicasting, enabling development of TV broadcasting based on 4G–5G terminals. These managing and forwarding techniques, operating on optical links, are tested in a wireless environment on Wi-Fi cells and emulating LTE and WiMAX systems by means of the NS-3 code.
Contemporary Methods of Measuring and Estimating Methane Emission from Ruminants

This review aims to elucidate the contemporary methods of measuring and estimating methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants. Six categories of methods for measuring and estimating CH4 emissions from ruminants are discussed. The widely used methods in most CH4 abatement experiments comprise the gold standard respiration chamber, in vitro incubation, and the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) techniques. In the spot sampling methods, the paper discusses the sniffer method, the GreenFeed system, the face mask method, and the portable accumulation chamber. The spot sampling relies on the measurement of short-term breath data adequately on spot. The mathematical modeling methods focus on predicting CH4 emissions from ruminants without undertaking extensive and costly experiments. For instance, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides default values for regional emission factors and other parameters using three levels of estimation (Tier 1, 2 and 3 levels), with Tier 1 and Tier 3 being the simplest and most complex methods, respectively. The laser technologies include the open-path laser technique and the laser CH4 detector. They use the laser CH4 detector and wireless sensor networks to measure CH4 flux. The micrometeorological methods rely on measurements of meteorological data in line with CH4 concentration. The last category of methods for measuring and estimating CH4 emissions in this paper is the emerging technologies. They include the blood CH4 concentration tracer, infrared thermography, intraruminal telemetry, the eddy covariance (EC) technique, carbon dioxide as a tracer gas, and polytunnel. The emerging technologies are essential for the future development of effective quantification of CH4 emissions from ruminants. In general, adequate knowledge of CH4 emission measurement methods is important for planning, implementing, interpreting, and comparing experimental results.
Simulation of Human Movements Based on Optimization of Under-Actuated Multibody Systems

Considerable interest in the problem of mathematical modeling of purposeful human movements has arisen for several reasons. Firstly, the laws of the physiology of motion of biosystems are far from being completely studied, and the necessity of their deep understanding and use in medicine, mechatronics, ergonomics, sport biomechanics, and other areas is steadily increasing. Secondly, cognition of the principles of coordination of purposeful motions of biosystems is important in developing rehabilitation technologies for the renewal of lost moving functions of the muscularskeletal system of man. Last but not least, the results of simulation of controlled motions of biosystems can be widely used for improving the existing mobile robotic systems with various functions and for creating new ones.
Exercise for People with Acquired Brain Injury: An ICF Perspective

Exercise is an important element in the process of recovery from an acquired brain injury (ABI). However, specific guidance for exercise prescription and interventions in this population are missed. The aim of this study was to establish the key parameters to design and implement exercise programs based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains. A panel of experts that consisted of 13 professionals from neuro-rehabilitation centers evaluated the key parameters of this original proposal. The Heinemann methodology was used for all qualitative analyses. Additionally, Cronbach’s alpha was applied to the statistical analyses. According to the results, Cronbach’s alpha (0.97) indicated excellent internal consistency, and the experts perceptions ratified the proposed criteria to develop exercise programs for people with ABI. The proposed key parameters for the development of exercise programs for people with ABI based in ICF domains (body functions, activity—participation and environmental factors) bring a new, solid, and innovative tool for methodological design of these programs in sub-acute and chronic rehabilitation settings.
The Chemopreventive Effects of Polyphenols and Coffee, Based upon a DMBA Mouse Model with microRNA and mTOR Gene Expression Biomarkers

Polyphenols are capable of decreasing cancer risk. We examined the chemopreventive effects of a green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract, polyphenol extract (a mixture of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum), and added resveratrol phytoalexin), Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) extract, and a coffee (Coffea arabica) extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) carcinogen-increased miR-134, miR-132, miR-124-1, miR-9-3, and mTOR gene expressions in the liver, spleen, and kidneys of CBA/Ca mice. The elevation was quenched significantly in the organs, except for miR-132 in the liver of the Chinese bayberry extract-consuming group, and miR-132 in the kidneys of the polyphenol-fed group. In the coffee extract-consuming group, only miR-9-3 and mTOR decreased significantly in the liver; also, miR-134 decreased significantly in the spleen, and, additionally, miR-124-1 decreased significantly in the kidney. Our results are supported by literature data, particularly the DMBA generated ROS-induced inflammatory and proliferative signal transducers, such as TNF, IL1, IL6, and NF-κB; as well as oncogenes, namely RAS and MYC. The examined chemopreventive agents, besides the obvious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, mainly blocked the mentioned DMBA-activated factors and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as well, and, at the same time, induced PTEN as well as SIRT tumor suppressor genes.
Croatian First Football League: Teams' performance in the championship

Abstract The goal of our research was to use simulation modelling for prediction of the Croatian First Football League seasonal ranking and analyse variation in teams’ performance during a season. We have developed a model of the number of goals scored by a team in a match based on the Poisson distribution. Parameters of the model were estimated from the data on consecutive matches in a season. Variation in a team’s performance was modelled as a moving parameter estimate. The final rankings were predicted from 1000 simulation runs of the second part of the season based on parameter estimates from the first part of the season. For each team the most frequent outcome of the simulation defined the team’s rank. The method was tested on seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16. Prediction was correct for six teams in the season 2014/15 and five teams in the season 2015/16. Proposed methods enable dynamic monitoring of a team’s performance and prediction of final rankings during the season. An advantage of the prediction method is that in addition to predicting the final ranking it also estimates probabilities of alternative positions.
Boundaries of patent infringement law

In the modern global environment of rapid technological change and quickly evolving business practices, new issues frequently arise that challenge the operation of patent law. Understanding how patent law operates in this global environment is vital because the patent system plays an important role in the way new technology is developed and brought to market. The accepted rationale for the patent system is that it is an economic tool to incentivise innovation and thereby enhance social welfare. It follows, then, that if patent law handles emergent issues (or is likely to handle them) in ways that conflict with its underlying rationale, the development of new technology may be hindered. Six diverse emergent issues that challenge the operation of patent law in Australia are examined in this thesis. They take two forms: technological, originating from development of new technology; and legal, resulting from recent case law or legislative amendment (either foreign or domestic). Technological and legal issues arise frequently and it is impossible to evaluate them all. Thus, this thesis focuses specifically on issues that are relevant to aspects of Australian patent infringement law and are amenable to doctrinal legal analysis and qualitative economic reasoning. The aspects of patent infringement law examined are: standing to initiate infringement actions; infringement by exploitation; secondary infringement; innocent infringement; and false representations about patents. In addition, to give perspective on reasoning in this study and, in some circumstances to identify solutions to defects in the law, analysis of each issue also involves a foreign comparative law component. This study demonstrates that many of the emergent issues examined are not, or are unlikely to be, dealt with under current Australian patent law in a manner consistent with the justifications that underpin it. Accordingly, various refinements to the law are proposed to ensure the Australian patent system is kept up to date.
A Study on the Hourly Behavior of Key Performance Indicators of Global System for Mobile Communications

In order to judge the quality of service (QoS) and the network performance, GSM operators use Key Performance Indicators (KPI) regarding end user perspective. KPI are derived with the help of counters which are triggered in the Base Station Controller (BSC) whenever there is an event occurrence over air interface. This paper presents the network performance of real time GSM radio frequency (RF) on the basis of KPI calculations. In this paper the hourly behavior of six major KPIs (SDR, TCH, SDCCH, DCR, HOSR, ULI) are examined by simulating separate functions of each KPI for 6 days (24*6= 144 hours). The experimental analysis shows that the Uplink (UL) interference KPI and Handover Success Rate (HOSR) KPI are perform better as compared to the other KPIs.
Lianas and Trees From a Seasonally Dry and a Wet Tropical Forest Did Not Differ in Embolism Resistance but Did Differ in Xylem Anatomical Traits in the Dry Forest

One of the most prominent changes in neotropical forests has been the increase in abundance and size of lianas. Studies suggest that lianas have more acquisitive strategies than trees, which could allow them to take advantage of water more effectively when it is available in water-limited forests, but few studies compared across growth form (i.e., lianas vs. trees) and forest type (i.e., wet vs. seasonally dry). We measured hydraulic and anatomical traits of co-occurring lianas and trees that convey drought resistance (xylem embolism resistance and intervessel pit membranes) and water transport capacity (xylem vessel diameter and density) in a seasonally dry and a wet evergreen tropical forest to address: (1) Are there differences between vulnerability to embolisms (P50—water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity) and hydraulic safety margins (HSM) across growth form and forest type? (2) How do vessel diameter and density vary across growth form and forest type? (3) Are there differences in xylem intervessel pit membrane thickness across growth form and forest type and does it predict xylem embolism vulnerability in trees and lianas? We examined hydraulic and xylem anatomical traits of 32 species—eight lianas and eight trees in each forest type. We found no difference in P50 and HSMs between lianas and trees and between the wetter and drier forest. Dry forest lianas had 81% greater maximum vessel diameter and 125% greater range in vessel diameter sizes than dry forest trees but, there was no significant difference between life forms in the wet forest. Dry forest species had 50% greater vessel density and 30% greater maximum pit membrane thickness than wet forest ones. Maximum pit membrane thickness was correlated to P50 and HSMs. The main difference between lianas and trees occurred in the dry forest, where lianas had larger maximum xylem vessel size than trees, implying that they have proportionally greater hydraulic conductive capacity than the trees in seasonal forests.
Job burnout in emergency service workers in the Silesian Voivodeship

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of job burnout in emergency service workers in the Silesian Voivodeship. An questionnaire was conducted among 141 emergency service workers. The symptoms of job burnout has been observed in 90% of emergency service workers. There has been a higher risk of occurrence of job burnout in groups aged over 4, with working experience between 6 and 10 years, working longer than 72 hours per week. The most often sources of job burnout syndrome provided by the interviewed were long working hours and nervous atmosphere. There have been only 25 % of emergency medical service workers who participated in any trainings focused on preventing job burnout. A majority of respondents has declared a positive influence of this trainings.