Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic characters and diameter growth of provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Correlation between genetic characters and growth parameters was studied with respect to four provenance samples, which are part of a 47-year-old provenance trial of Scots pine. Two samples with superior growth were contrasted with two weakly growing samples. Based on a sample size of 100 trees per provenance, genotypes were monitored at 16 enzyme coding gene loci. Effects between genetic and growth traits were studied by means of two-factorial analysis of variance and linear regression models with respect to diameter classes and subsets of elite and non-elite trees within provenance samples as well as diameter subsets of pooled provenance samples. Significant deviations are evident among the genetic structures of the four provenance samples. In each sample, deviations from HARDY-WEINBERG structures are indicated at single loci. Inbreeding does not primarily account for such deviations. The study of diameter classes reveals that an increase of stem volume tends to coincide with an increase of the observed heterozygosities in three out of four provenance samples. In the case of two-locus genotypes at 6-PGDH and MDH-C, significant effects of heterozygosity on diameter growth are observed. By focusing the two most frequent alleles at six differentiation effective gene loci, significant relations to diameter growth can be particularly verified for two locus combinations including AAT-A. The genetic comparison of the elite and non-elite trees, the first subset reveals larger values for diversities, differentiation and heterozygosities than the second does. The genetic comparison between the subset of the 50 thinnest and the 50 thickest trees among the 400 individuals indicates higher values for the genetic multiplicity and the gene pool and multilocus diversity for the subsets with superior growth. It is concluded for the present that isoenzyme gene markers reveal an indicative potential for quantitative traits.
Estimation of Dental and Bone Age in Obese Children of South India

Aim: Determination of skeletal and dental age is very essential for Pediatric dentist and orthodontist to formulate a treatment plan, and it is a source of supplemental information for Pediatrics, Orthopedics, and Forensics. There are no available studies in the literature about the comparison of dental and bone age with chronological age in obese children of south India. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare dental age, bone age, and chronological age in obese children of south India. Materials and Methods: Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of college, and informed consent was obtained from parents of the study participants. A total of 100 obese study participants were selected between 8 to 14 years age group. Date of birth was considered to obtain chronological age. Demirjian's method was used to assess dental age. Bjork, Grave, and Brown's method was followed to detect bone age using hand-wrist radiograph. The comparison of three ages was done using the unpaired Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Dental age and bone age were advanced in comparison to chronological age in both sexes and its statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlationship between three ages in both sexes. Conclusion: As per our study, dental age and bone age were advanced in obese children, but dental age was more advanced. Dental age and bone age can be considered as variables for diagnosing the impact of growth in obese children. In the future, further studies are required to support our findings.
The Effects of Curcuma domestica, Zingiber officinale and Magnesium for Migraine Prophylaxis

In the US and worldwide, the prevalence of migraines is increasing. Migraines are considered to be a severely disabling condition. Migraines can onset due to noxious stimuli inducing flaccidity of the vasculature for 24-48 hours. There are a number of mechanisms that may be responsible. However, the most prominent are irregularities of the trigeminovascular system, a platelet disorder, serotonin deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction. The addition of Curcuma domestica or Zingiber officinale into the diet or supplementation with these herbs or magnesium may help to reduce the frequency of migraines by mitigating the possible etiological mechanisms.
Family accommodation in adult obsessive–compulsive disorder: clinical perspectives

The term accommodation has been used to refer to family responses specifically related to obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms: it encompasses behaviors such as directly participating in compulsions, assisting a relative with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) when he/she is performing a ritual, or helping him/her to avoid triggers that may precipitate obsessions and compulsions. At the opposite side, family responses to OCD may also include interfering with the rituals or actively opposing them; stopping accommodating OC symptoms or actively interfering with their performance is usually associated with greater distress and sometimes even with aggressive behaviors from the patients. This article summarizes progress of the recent research concerning family accommodation in relatives of patients with OCD. Family accommodation is a prevalent phenomenon both among parents of children/adolescents with OCD and relatives/caregivers of adult patients. It can be measured with a specific instrument, the Family Accommodation Scale, of which there are several versions available for use in clinical practice. The vast majority of both parents of children/adolescents with OCD and family members of adult patients show at least some accommodation; providing reassurances to obsessive doubts, participating in rituals and assisting the patient in avoidance are the most frequent accommodating behaviors displayed by family members. Modification of routine and modification of activities specifically due to OC symptoms have been found to be equally prevalent. Specific characteristics of patients (such as contamination/washing symptoms) and of relatives (the presence of anxiety or depressive symptoms or a family history positive for another anxiety disorder) are associated with a higher degree of family accommodation; these family members may particularly benefit from family-based cognitive–behavioral interventions. In recent years, targeting family accommodation has been suggested as a fundamental component of treatment programs and several interventions have been tested. Clinicians should be aware that family-based cognitive–behavior therapy incorporating modules to target family accommodation is more effective in reducing OC symptoms. Targeting family accommodation may be as well relevant for patients treated pharmacologically.
Revisiting communicative competence in the teaching and assessment of language for specific purposes

The term communicative competence captures the notion that the ability to use language in interaction requires not just control of linguistic form but also awareness of rules of use in different contexts (Hymes 1972). Communicative competence is a slippery term: different actors in second language (L2) research, education, and assessment interpret the term in a variety of ways and use it for a range of purposes, perhaps particularly in the field of languages for specific purposes (LSP). This is unfortunate because it is a key concept in LSP, as in applied linguistics more generally. Communicative competence can be considered to be the target of second language acquisition, a main goal of second or foreign language teaching and learning, or the object language testers seek to measure via performance tests. In addition, current interpretations of communicative competence may be somewhat questionable adaptations of Hymes’ concept, modified and often simplified to reflect current approaches in both formal and functional linguistics, and to respond to practical concerns in language teaching and testing. This paper seeks to re-examine communicative competence from three perspectives - L2 research, teaching, and testing - highlighting problems in terms of theory and practice with respect to LSP. Drawing on recent research on indigenous assessment criteria, the paper concludes with a revised model of communicative competence for LSP offering a richer interpretation closer to the original concept and to current concerns in the field.
A Comparison of Between‐Country Measures of Legal Setting and Enforcement of Accounting Standards

Academics and practitioners agree that the enforcement of accounting standards has an important role in promoting high quality financial reporting and favourable capital market outcomes. We test three new enforcement proxies from Brown, Preiato and Tarca (2014) that focus specifically on auditing and accounting enforcement. We examine firms’ information environments, represented by the error in analysts’ consensus forecasts and the extent of disagreement among analysts, as indicated by forecast dispersion. For financial years ending from 2003 to 2009, we construct a sample of 357,034 firm–month observations on the errors and dispersion of analysts’ earnings forecasts for 10,769 firms domiciled in those 39 countries. We find that higher scores for all three proxies are associated with lower error and less disagreement in forecasts. In addition, we find that the indices have significant explanatory power when previously used enforcement proxies (such as Kaufmann et al.'s 2010 rule of law measure) are included in the regression models, pointing to the importance of specific measures of accounting enforcement. We conclude that accounting enforcement may be more important in securing favourable economic outcomes than has been previously realised, because researchers commonly have used noisier, more general legal proxies for enforcement that understate its marginal effects.
Influence of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Gingivitis Induced by Multi-Bracket Appliances: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this split-mouth trial was to investigate the influence of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on adjuvant treatment of gingivitis induced by multi-bracket appliances, after bracket debonding and professional tooth cleaning. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen patients (mean age 16.15 years; standard deviation ±2.12 years) who had completed active orthodontic treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances in an orthodontic clinic were included on a randomized basis. At time point T0, after bracket debonding and professional tooth cleaning, the papilla bleeding index (PBI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were assessed in the upper jaw by the blinded investigator (M.S.), who was not aware at any time of which quadrant received PBMT. The study was based on a patient-blinded split-mouth design. In each patient, PBMT was administered by a practitioner (S.S.) in one upper quadrant (wavelength: 660 nm; Power: 100 mW; Power density: 100 mW/cm2; Energy density per application point = 2 J/cm2; Energy per application point = 2 J; Total dose = 52 J/cm2; Total energy = 52 J; Irradiation time: 26 × 20 sec), while the other upper quadrant received a simulated laser application with the laser system turned off. Randomized equal allocation of the sides was accomplished. The second PBI and BOP assessment followed 4-6 days after laser irradiation (T1) by M.S. RESULTS No statistical differences were observed between the sides with regard to PBI and BOP values at T0 (p > 0.05). The PBI and BOP values decreased significantly between T0 and T1 on both sides (p < 0.05). At T1, the PBI and BOP values were significantly lower in the laser side in comparison with the control side (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS On the basis of these results and study parameters, adjuvant PBMT is able to accelerate the healing process in patients with gingivitis induced by multi-bracket appliances.
Transformational Leadership: A Qualitative Study of Rural Elementary Schools in Fresno County

xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 Background of the Study . 1 Statement of the Problem . 4 Purpose of the Study . 10 Significance of the Study . 10 Theoretical Framework . 12 Research Questions . 13 Methodology . 14 Limitations of the Study. 16 Delimitations of the Study . 16 Definitions of Terms . 17 Chapter Summary . 20 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 22 Introduction . 22 Education Reform in the United States 1983-2012 . 23 The Foundation: A Nation at Risk (NAR) . 23 The Frame: Standards-Based Education . 25 The Roof: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) . 27 The Impact of NCLB on Schools . 28 Remodeling Education Reform: A Blueprint for Reform . 28 The Impact of Education Reform on Rural Schools . 30 The Role of Principals in Rural Schools . 31 Defining Leadership. 36 Leadership Theories . 38 Trait Approach-Focus on Skills . 38 Behavioral Approach-Focus on Style . 40 Situational (Contingency) Approach-The Right Place at the Right Time . 43 Transactional Approach . 46 Transformational Approach . 48 The Needs of Rural Schools in California . 53 Transformational Leadership Theoretical Framework . 54
Casino Loyalty: The Influence of Loyalty Program, Switching Costs, and Trust

Customer loyalty has become a strategic goal to increase brand value and profitability. This study develops and tests a model of loyalty to understand the relative effects of loyalty program benefits (as positive barriers) and switching costs (as negative barriers) on emotional commitment and loyalty behaviors in the casino context. The findings showed that trust, perceived switching cost, and emotional commitment to the casino are more likely to influence relational or emotional outcomes such as word of mouth and voluntary partnership whereas the loyalty program is more likely to influence transactional outcomes such as repeat visitation and time spent in the casino. The emotional commitment served as a partial mediator in the model. The study has theoretical implications for understanding the loyalty process and practical implications for improving loyalty program effectiveness.
Broadcasting and Team Sports

Television rights are the largest component of revenues for major sports in large, rich nations. Among these nations, the market structure for rights varies due to different competition policies toward sports and television. This essay examines how game coverage, revenues, and competitive balance are affected by competition in commercial television and sales of rights. It argues that consumers are better off if television is competitive and leagues do not centralize rights sales. We conclude that centralization of rights sales does not improve competitive balance or benefit financially weak teams. Finally, while digital telecommunications are making television competitive, ending centralization of sales by leagues requires policy intervention.
Assessment of Competency Level of Pre-Service Teachers Based on National Competency- Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) in Public School in the National Capital Region (NCR)

Education in the Philippines has undergone several stages of development from the pre-Spanish times to the present. In meeting the needs of the society, education serves as focus of priorities of the leadership at certain periods in our national struggle as a race. Learning, as a life-long process is a fact that can be realized through different modes. It can be obtained in whatever an individual does and in everywhere he goes. But normally, the educational system gives premium to the educative process. Several factors, other than teachers, are contributory to be a positive significant predictor to this.The teacher‟s competency is a totality of skills that the teacher possesses that corresponds to the best tool of a teacher. Sharpening of this “tool” has to start in the teachers or the pre-service teachers. Competence is a basic motivation because of people‟s abhorrence to failure. Answers to this problem will be a basis for the colleges offering BSed and BEed, in their attempt to raise the quality of teacher graduates. Usually teacher training shall start in the preservice period of the teacher, and this shall be the starting point of the training experiences for the teacher education students. Therefore, we need competent and professional teachers in the education institution. Teacher education has a significant impact on early career teachers‟ skills and their philosophies of teaching. In particular, constructivist teacher education has been shown to have a positive impact on pre-service teachers‟ perceptions of their own teaching competencies leading to increased confidence and also improved teaching practice within schools. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Global Illuminators Publishing. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific & Review committee of ETAR-2014.
Bayesian Parameter Identification in Cahn-Hilliard Models for Biological Growth

We consider the inverse problem of parameter estimation in a diffuse interface model for tumour growth. The model consists of a fourth-order Cahn-Hilliard system and contains three phenomenological parameters: the tumour proliferation rate, the nutrient consumption rate, and the chemotactic sensitivity. We study the inverse problem within the Bayesian framework and construct the likelihood and noise for two typical observation settings. One setting involves an infinite-dimensional data space where we observe the full tumour. In the second setting we observe only the tumour volume, hence the data space is finite-dimensional. We show the well-posedness of the posterior measure for both settings, building upon and improving the analytical results in [C. Kahle and K.F. Lam, Appl. Math. Optim. (2018)]. A numerical example involving synthetic data is presented in which the posterior measure is numerically approximated by the sequential Monte Carlo approach with tempering.
LOSSES FROM TYPIC CAMBISOLS AND RED LATOSOL AS RELATED TO THREE EROSIVE RAINFALL PATTERNS ( 1 )

Rainfall erosivity is one of the main factors related to water erosion in the tropics. This work focused on relating soil loss from a typic dystrophic Tb Haplic Cambisol (CXbd) and a typic dystrophic Red Latosol (LVdf) to different patterns of natural erosive rainfall. The experimental plots of approximately 26 m2 (3 x 8.67 m) consisted of a CXbd area with a 0.15 m m-1 slope and a LVdf area with 0.12 m m-1 slope, both delimited by galvanized plates. Drainpipes were installed at the lower part of these plots to collect runoff, interconnected with a Geib or multislot divisor. To calculate erosivity (EI30), rainfall data, recorded continuously at a weather station in Lavras, were used. The data of erosive rainfall events were measured (10 mm precipitation intervals, accuracy 0.2 mm, 24 h period, 20 min intervals), characterized as rainfall events with more than 10 mm precipitation, maximum intensity > 24 mm h-1 within 15 min, or kinetic energy > 3.6 MJ, which were used in this study to calculate the rainfall erosivity parameter, were classified according to the moment of peak precipitation intensity in advanced, intermediate and delayed patterns. Among the 139 erosive rainfall events with CXbd soil loss, 60 % were attributed to the advanced pattern, with a loss of 415.9 Mg ha-1, and total losses of 776.0 Mg ha-1. As for the LVdf, of the 93 erosive rainfall events with soil loss, 58 % were listed in the advanced pattern, with 37.8 Mg ha-1 soil loss and 50.9 Mg ha-1 of total soil loss. The greatest soil losses were observed in the advanced rain pattern, especially for the CXbd. From the Cambisol, the soil loss per rainfall event was greatest for the advanced pattern, being influenced by the low soil permeability.
Do mammographic tumor features in breast cancer relate to breast density and invasiveness, tumor size, and axillary lymph node involvement?

Background Breast density and mammographic tumor features of breast cancer may carry prognostic information. The potential benefit of using the combined information obtained from breast density, mammographic tumor features, and pathological tumor characteristics has not been extensively studied. Purpose To investigate how mammographic tumor features relate to breast density and pathological tumor characteristics. Material and Methods This retrospective study was carried out within the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study: a population-based cohort study recruiting 17,035 women during 1991–1996. A total of 826 incident breast cancers were identified during follow-up. Mammography images were collected and analyzed according to breast density and tumor features at diagnosis. Pathological data were retrieved from medical reports. Mammographic tumor features in relation to invasiveness, tumor size, and axillary lymph node involvement were analyzed using logistic regression yielding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and adjusted for age at diagnosis, mode of detection, and breast density. Results Tumors presenting as an ill-defined mass or calcifications were more common in dense breasts than tumors presenting as a distinct mass or with spiculated appearance. Invasive cancer was more common in tumors with spiculated appearance than tumors presenting as a distinct mass (adjusted OR, 5.68 [1.81–17.84]). Among invasive tumors, an ill-defined mass was more often large (>20 mm) compared with a distinct mass, (adjusted OR, 3.16 [1.80–5.55]). Conclusion Tumors presenting as an ill-defined mass or calcifications were more common in dense breasts. Spiculated appearance was related to invasiveness, and ill-defined mass to larger tumor size, regardless of mode of detection and breast density. The potential role of mammographic tumor features in clinical decision-making warrants further investigation.
Migration impact assessment: A state of the art

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