Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of the effect of chlorhexidine and Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) on dentin stabilization using shear bond testing

Introduction: The main objective of adhesive dentistry is to create an effective, durable union between the tooth structure and restorative material. However, degradation of adhesive dentine interface remains largely responsible for the relatively short lifetime of tooth colored resin restoration. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the dentin collagen stabilization property of Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Aloe barbadensis Miller using shear bond strength testing. Materials and Methods: Occlusal reduction was done in sixty extracted human mandibular molars to expose the mid coronal dentin and divided into three groups n = 20. Following the surface pretreatment (Group 1 = control, Group 2 = CHX, Group 3 = Aloevera), dentine bonding agent and composite resin were applied and cured. The specimens were then subjected to shear bond strength testing. Results: From the results analyzed, it was noted that there was statistically significant difference between the groups Control and CHX and Control and A. barbadensis Miller (P < 0.05), specifically the values of Control < CHX and Control < A. barbadensis Miller (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between CHX and A. barbadensis Miller (P > 0.05). Hence, the following result for the shear bond strengths to dentin was obtained: Control < CHX ≈ A. barbadensis Miller. Conclusion: CHX and A. barbadensis Miller, as pretreatment agents of acid demineralized dentin collagen, has no adverse effect on the immediate shear bond strength of a two-step etch and rinse adhesive to dentin.
Evaluation of Lagrangian footprint model using data from wind tunnel convective boundary layer

The Lagrangian footprint model LPDM-B was evaluated using data from SF6 tracer release experiments in a wind tunnel with a sheared convective boundary layer. The evaluation considered both the dispersion module and the footprint predictions of LPDM-B. It was found that the dispersion patterns and the concentration footprints compared well with the wind-tunnel data. The footprint model was able to reproduce the observed peak location and the shape of the footprint estimates for various sampling heights throughout the entire boundary layer. Furthermore, a comparison of two footprint model approaches (‘forwardin-time’ and ‘backward-in-time’ trajectories) was carried out using the same core model. This comparison revealed that the two approaches may not necessarily result in the same footprint estimate and also were very sensitive to the height-dependent performance of the applied dispersion module. # 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Social cognition in genetic syndromes

The distinct profiles of sociability and the development of social cognitive abilities was investigated in Cornelia de Lange (CdLS), Fragile X (FXS) and Rubinstein-Taybi (RTS) syndromes. An observational study demonstrated differences in the quality of broad social interaction skills and behaviours during a semi-structured social interaction with an examiner between individuals with CdLS, FXS and RTS. Individuals with FXS and RTS showed lower quality of eye contact, and individuals with FXS showed less person-focused attention, than those with CdLS. Associations between specific behaviours with age and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology differed across groups. A second study assessing participant's performance on two scaled batteries of tasks assessing early (intentionality abilities) and later developing (ToM abilities) social cognitive abilities indicated that these groups do not develop these abilities in the same order as typically developing children. Different strengths and weaknesses observed between groups highlighted factors that may lead to disrupted social cognitive development in these groups. A third study showed that intentionality abilities predicted social enjoyment and social motivation, whereas ToM abilities predicted social enjoyment and ASD symptomatology in all groups. These fmdings were synthesised with previous literature to develop a preliminary model of sociability in CdLS, FXS and RTS.
Relationships between vocabulary size, working memory, and phonological awareness in Spanish-speaking English language learners.

PURPOSE The goals of this study were to evaluate the impact of short-term phonological awareness (PA) instruction presented in children's first language (L1; Spanish) on gains in their L1 and second language (L2; English) and to determine whether relationships exist between vocabulary size, verbal working memory, and PA in Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs). METHOD Participants included 25 kindergartners who received PA instruction and 10 controls. A 2-way within-subjects repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to evaluate gains. Relationships between PA gains, Spanish and English vocabulary, and memory, as measured using nonword repetition and experimental working memory tasks, were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS Results indicated significant and equivalent gains in both languages of children in the experimental group and no gains in the control group. Spanish vocabulary size was significantly related to PA gains in both languages and was more strongly related to English gains than was English vocabulary size. The memory tasks predicted gains in each language in distinct ways. CONCLUSION Results support the conclusion that PA instruction and strong vocabulary skills in an individual's L1 benefit PA development in both the L1 and L2. Results also indicate that dynamic relationships exist between vocabulary size, storage and processing components of working memory, and PA development in both languages of ELLs.
Devolution in the Czech and Slovak institutions of cultural heritage

ABSTRACT This paper presents a comparative study of the impact of devolution on institutions in the area of cultural heritage in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Both states had formed a previous federation. After the break-up of the federation, public administration reforms with different trajectories took place in each state. In the Czech Republic, part of the museums was transferred from the authority of the ministries to the regions. This process, however, has had different trajectory in Slovakia. In this article, we compare the efficiency of Czech museums of a regional character with regional museums in Slovakia where the devolution did not occur. For comparison, we have utilized input-based envelopment data analysis. Our results suggest that institutions which have undergone the above-described form of devolution have lower performance than other institutions.
L'entraînement à la déviance en début de scolarisation : processus interpersonnels et conséquences sociales

The prevalence of provided and received modeling and positive reinforcement, social processes thought to be involved in deviancy training, were examined in this study, as well as the concurrent contribution of behaviour problems on these processes. Simple frequency analyses and linear and logistic regressions were conducted using a representative twin sample of six year-olds (N = 783, 386 boys). Results indicate that modeling and positive reinforcement – provided and received – are prevalent in this lowrisk sample and that behaviour problems are associated only with provided dimensions. This study validates the social process of modeling as a part of deviancy training, underscores the importance of the roles taken by children, and reveals that deviancy training takes place between deviant and non-deviant children.
Examining students' perspectives on the use of first language in community-based English as second language classrooms

ii List of Tables. iv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Review of Literature. 3 Chapter 3: Methodology. 16 Chapter 4: Results. 21 Chapter 5: Discussion. 28 Chapter 6: Teaching Implications. 35 References. 43 Appendices . 49 Appendix: A. 50 Appendix: B. 54 Appendix: C. 55 Appendix: D. 56
Psychometric of the Self-Assessment Tool of Academic Researchers Knowledge Translation Activities

Nowadays, it is essential that researchers operationalize their research evidence with the help of knowledge brokers in proper communication with stakeholders and make such pieces of evidence applicable. The present study aims at psychometric of the self-assessment tool of academic researchers' knowledge translation activities and explaining the role of academic librarians in this process. This study was a methodology research. A questionnaire was designed and its psychometric properties including design, face validity and content validity, and internal and external reliability of the construct were measured. During the first and second stages of the research, the initial version of the questionnaire with 52 items was designed. During the third and fourth stages, the self-assessment section of knowledge translation activities was developed as the main structure of the questionnaire in four components, namely research question, knowledge creation, knowledge transfer, and promotion of using evidence. In the following, the psychometric analysis of the final version of the questionnaire (with 46 items) was approved for all the items with the impact score of 4.48, content validity index of 0.92, content validity ratio of 0.85, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91, and correlation coefficient of 0.93. The results of this study indicated that the developed questionnaire enjoys proper psychometric properties for the self-assessment of knowledge translation activities of academic researchers by considering the role of librarians in facilitating this process.
Gemini Imaging of QSO Host Galaxies at z ~ 2

We present results of a Gemini adaptive optics (AO) imaging program to investigate the host galaxies of typical QSOs at z ~ 2. Our aim is to study the host galaxies of typical L QSOs at the epoch of peak QSO and star formation activity. The large database of faint QSOs provided by the Two-Degree Field QSO Redshift Survey allows us to select a sample of QSOs at z = 1.75-2.5 that have nearby (<12'' separation) bright stars suitable for use as AO guide stars. We have observed a sample of nine QSOs. The images of these sources have AO-corrected FWHM of between 0. ″11 and 0. ″25. We use multiple observations of point-spread function (PSF) calibration star pairs to quantify any uncertainty in the PSF. We then factored these uncertainties into our modeling of the QSO plus host galaxy. In only one case did we convincingly detect a host (2QZ J133311.4+001949, at z = 1.93). This host galaxy has K = 18.5 ± 0.2 mag with a half-light radius Re = 0. ″55 ± 0. ″1 equivalent to ~3L, assuming a simple passively evolving model. From detailed simulations of our host galaxy modeling process, we find that for four of our targets we should be sensitive to host galaxies that are equivalent to ~2L (passively evolved). Our nondetections therefore place tight constraints on the properties of L QSO host galaxies, which can be no brighter (after allowing for passive evolution) than the host galaxies of L active galactic nuclei at low redshift, although the QSOs themselves are a factor of ~50 brighter. This implies that either the fueling efficiency is much greater at high redshift or that more massive black holes are active at high redshift.
NOBEYAMA MILLIMETER INTERFEROMETRIC HCN(1–0) AND HCO+(1–0) OBSERVATIONS OF FURTHER LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES

We report the results of interferometric HCN(1–0) and HCO+(1–0) observations of four luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs), NGC 2623, Mrk 266, Arp 193, and NGC 1377, as a final sample of our systematic survey using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array. Our survey contains the most systematic interferometric, spatially resolved, simultaneous HCN(1–0) and HCO+(1–0) observations of LIRGs. Ground-based infrared spectra of these LIRGs are also presented to elucidate the nature of the energy sources at the nuclei. We derive the HCN(1–0)/HCO+(1–0) brightness–temperature ratios of these LIRGs and confirm the previously discovered trend that LIRG nuclei with luminous buried active galactic nucleus (AGN) signatures in infrared spectra tend to show high HCN(1–0)/HCO+(1–0) brightness–temperature ratios, as seen in AGNs, while starburst-classified LIRG nuclei in infrared spectra display small ratios, as observed in starburst-dominated galaxies. Our new results further support the argument that the HCN(1–0)/HCO+(1–0) brightness–temperature ratio can be used to observationally separate AGN-important and starburst-dominant galaxy nuclei.
Interacting Defaults and Counterparty Risk : a Markovian Approach

We consider intensity-based dynamic models for dependent defaults. We generalize the standard reduced-form models and assume that the default intensity of a firm is directly affected by the default of other firms in the portfolio. This interaction between defaults, which is termed counterparty risk in the literature, could be due to direct business relations between firms or due to the impact of defaults on the overall credit climate. We construct and study the model using Markov process techniques. We study in detail a model where the interaction between firms is of mean-field type.
A pso-based mobile robot for odor source localization in dynamic advection-diffusion with obstacles environment: theory, simulation and measurement

This paper provides a combination of chemotaxic and anemotaxic modeling, known as odor-gated rheotaxis (OGR), to solve real-world odor source localization problems. Throughout the history of trying to mathematically localize an odor source, two common biometric approaches have been used. The first approach, chemotaxis, describes how particles flow according to local concentration gradients within an odor plume. Chemotaxis is the basis for many algorithms, such as particle swarm optimization (PSO). The second approach is anemotaxis, which measures the direction and velocity of a fluid flow, thus navigating "upstream" within a plume to localize its source. Although both chemotaxic and anemotaxic based algorithms are capable of solving overly-simplified odor localization problems, such as dynamic-bit-matching or moving-parabola problems, neither method by itself is adequate to accurately address real life scenarios. In the real world, odor distribution is multi-peaked due to obstacles in the environment. However, by combining the two approaches within a modified PSO-based algorithm, odors within an obstacle-filled environment can be localized and dynamic advection-diffusion problems can be solved. Thus, robots containing this modified particle swarm optimization algorithm (MPSO) can accurately trace an odor to its source
Removing phase mismatches in concatenative speech synthesis

Concatenation of acoustic units is widely used in most of the currently available text-to-speech systems. While this approach leads to higher intelligibility and naturalness than synthesis-by-rule, it has to cope with the issues of concatenating acoustic units that have been recorded in a di erent order. One important issue in concatenation is that of synchronization of speech frames or, in other words, inter-frame coherence. This paper presents a novel method for synchronization of signals with applications to speech synthesis. The method is based on the notion of center of gravity applied to speech signals. It is an o -line approach as this can be done during analysis with no computational burden on synthesis. The method has been tested with the Harmonic plus Noise Model, HNM, on many large speech databases. The resulting synthetic speech is free of phase mismatch (inter-frame incoherence) problems.
Principles and Boundaries of Fact-checking: Journalists’ Perceptions

ABSTRACT This study examines journalists’ perceptions of fact-checking, a growing journalistic activity focused on assessing the veracity of public claims. Professional journalists working on fact-checking or interested in doing fact-checking and based in the United States were surveyed regarding the purpose of this activity; principles of fact-checking, including boundaries with activism or partisanship; and statements concerning which political party politicians are more likely to produce false claims. This study shows a high level of agreement between respondents on normative aspects of fact-checking. Journalists stated that there should be clear boundaries between fact-checking and activism and that fact-checking should be non-partisan. At the same time, participants showed discrepancies on topics like the use of the word “lie” when finding that a claim is false. In addition, among respondents, the perception that Republicans are more likely to make false claims was significantly higher than the perception that Democrats are more prone to produce false claims, although the difference was moderate, with considerable percentages of respondents answering that they neither agree nor disagree with the statements that Republicans, or Democrats, are more prone to make false claims.
Handling Time-Derivative Features in a Missing Data Framework for Robust Automatic Speech Recognition

We present a novel approach to handling dynamic (time derivative or delta) features for automatic speech recognition using a HMM/GMM-architecture and based on missing data techniques for noise robustness. The static and the dynamic features are imputed in the observations based on an acoustic model expressed in a domain that is a linear transform of the log-spectra and taking bounds into account. The reliability masks of the dynamic features are ternary. We describe a method for computing oracle masks for dynamic features. We also propose a simple method to derive dynamic masks from the reliability mask of the static features. We find that using bounds in the imputation is advantageous, both for oracle masks and for masks derived from the noisy observations
Examining Pre-ipo Activity: Firm Growth by Acquisition

Obtaining capital to finance firm growth through acquisitions is one of the primary reasons for going public (Pagano, Panetta, and Zingales, 1998; Shultz and Zaman, 2001; Wiggenhorn and Madura, 2004). Considering that financing acquisitions is a common reason listed in the use of proceeds, one might think that acquisitions in the period prior to issuing the IPO would be a rare or uncommon activity. Yet an examination of several IPO prospectuses quickly identifies firms issuing pro forma financial statements and discussions about acquisitions in period in the year to two before the IPO. While numerous researchers have investigated the acquisition activity of public firms and, more recently, the acquisition of newly public firms (Wiggenhorn and Madura, 2004), the motives for and implications of acquisitions conducted prior to firms going public have been ignored in both the IPO literature and the merger and acquisition literature. In this paper we begin to fill this gap by examining conceptual reasons for pre-IPO acquisitions by firms who go public soon after. We offer a series of hypotheses regarding potentially significant impacts of pre-IPO acquisition activity on post-IPO performance, both short and long term, on underpricing, and whether any noteworthy patterns might be inferred from our sample of firms.
Analysis of the request patterns to the NSSDC on-line archive

NASA missions, both for earth science and for space science, collect huge amounts of data, and the rate at which data is being gathered is increasing. For example, the EOSDIS project is expected to collect petabytes per year. In addition, these archives are being made available to remote users over the Internet. The ability to manage the growth of the size and request activity of scientific archives depends on an understanding of the access patterns of scientific users. The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has run their on-line mass storage archive of space data, the National Data Archive and Distribution Service (NDADS), since November 1991. A large world-wide space research community makes use of NSSDC, requesting more than 20,000 files per month. Since the initiation of their service, they have maintained log files which record all accesses the archive. In this report, we present an analysis of the NDADS log files. We analyze the log files, and discuss several issues, including caching, reference patterns, clustering, and system loading.
Inadequacy of the chi-squared test to examine vocabulary differences between corpora

Pearson's chi-squared test is probably the most popular statistical test used in corpus linguistics, particularly for studying linguistic variations between corpora. Oakes and Farrow (Literary and Linguistic Computing, 2007, 22, 85-99) proposed various adaptations of this test in order to allow for the simultaneous comparison of more than two corpora, while also yielding an almost correct Type I error rate (i.e. claiming that a word is most frequently found in a variety of English, when in actuality this is not the case). By means of resampling procedures, the present study shows that when used in this context, the chi-squared test produces far too many significant results, even in its modified version. Several potential approaches to circumventing this problem are discussed in the conclusion.
A randomized controlled study of the acute and chronic effects of cooling therapy for MS

Background: Cooling demyelinated nerves can reduce conduction block, potentially improving symptoms of MS. The therapeutic effects of cooling in patients with MS have not been convincingly demonstrated because prior studies were limited by uncontrolled designs, unblinded evaluations, reliance on subjective outcome measures, and small sample sizes. Objective: To determine the effects of a single acute dose of cooling therapy using objective measures of neurologic function in a controlled, double-blinded setting, and to determine whether effects are sustained during daily cooling garment use. Methods: Patients (n = 84) with definite MS, mild to moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score < 6.0), and self-reported heat sensitivity were randomized into a multicenter, sham-treatment controlled, double-blind crossover study. Patients had the MS Functional Composite (MSFC) and measures of visual acuity/contrast sensitivity assessed before and after high-dose or low-dose cooling for 1 hour with a liquid cooling garment. One week later, patients had identical assessments before and after the alternate treatment. Patients were then re-randomized to use the cooling garment 1 hour each day for a month or to have observation only. They completed self-rated assessments of fatigue, strength, and cognition during this time, and underwent another acute cooling session at the end of the period. After 1 week of rest, they had identical assessments during the alternate treatment. Results: Body temperature declined during both high-dose and low-dose cooling, but high-dose produced a greater reduction (p < 0.0001). High-dose cooling produced a small improvement in the MSFC (0.076 ± 0.66, p = 0.007), whereas low-dose cooling produced only a trend toward improvement (0.053 ± 0.031, p = 0.09), but the difference between conditions was not significant. Timed gait testing and visual acuity/contrast sensitivity improved in both conditions as well. When patients underwent acute cooling following a month of daily cooling, treatment effects were similar. Patients reported less fatigue during the month of daily cooling, concurrently on the Rochester Fatigue Diary and retrospectively on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Conclusions: Cooling therapy was associated with objectively measurable but modest improvements in motor and visual function as well as persistent subjective benefits.