Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Two Different Methods of Average Working Length Determination in Second Molars and Premolars

Entre los procedimientos involucrados en un tratamiento endodontico exitoso esta la determinacion de longitud de trabajo (LT). Esta debe mantenerse durante todo el tratamiento, y el extremo del canal radicular (CR) debe detectarse con precision. Existen varios metodos para determinar LT; los investigadores han publicado la longitud total promedio (LTP) de la denticion permanente humana. Estas mediciones se utilizan como referencia anatomica. Si LT se evalua usando una imagen radiografica, se acepta como exito clinico cuando el limite de la obturacion radicular queda 1 mm coronal al apice radicular. Un metodo para determinar LT se basa en restar 1 mm a la LTP. Otro metodo, que permite una determinacion de LT mas precisa, se realiza utilizando un localizador apical electronico (LA). Pese a esto ultimo, las medidas publicadas de LTP todavia se utilizan como referencia anatomica, para determinar LT en ausencia de un LA. El objetivo fue determinar LT promedio de los CR de segundos molares y premolares con indicacion de endodoncia utilizando LA PropexII®, y comparar estas mediciones con la LT determinada utilizando el metodo de LTP. Se realizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con una muestra no probabilistica de casos consecutivos. No hubo diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre la LT obtenida con LA y el metodo LTP en los dientes estudiados, salvo en los canales mesio-bucales de segundos molares superiores (19,94mm promedio usando LA, 1,54 mm mayor que el metodo LTP: 18,40 mm; p= 0,002). El metodo para definir LT a traves de LTP podria utilizarse para determinar LT de segundos molares y premolares en la poblacion estudiada. Se requieren investigaciones posteriores para determinar si el metodo que utiliza LTP es confiable para ser utilizado en ausencia de un LA o en pacientes en los que este instrumento no pueda ocuparse.
Rainfall variability in suriname and its relationship with the tropical Pacific ENSO SST anomalies and the Atlantic SST anomalies

Spatial correlations in the annual rainfall anomalies are analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Cross correlation analysis and composites are used to measure the influence of sea‐surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the tropical Atlantic (TA) and the tropical Pacific Ocean on the seasonal rainfall in Suriname. It is shown that the spatial and time variability in rainfall is mainly determined by the meridional movement of the inter‐tropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The rainfall anomalies are fairly uniform over the whole country. The strongest correlation in the December–January rainfall (short wet season) at station Cultuurtuin is found to occur with the SSTAs in the Pacific region and is about ckNino1 + 2 = 0.59 at lag 1 month. In the March–May rainfall (beginning of the long wet season), there is a lagged correlation with the SSTAs in the Pacific region (clag3Nino1 + 2 = 0.59). The June–August rainfall (end of the long wet season) shows the highest correlation with SSTAs in the TSA region and is about c = −0.52 for lag 0. In the September–November long dry season there is also a lagged correlation with the TSA SSTAs of about clag3 = 0.66. These different correlations and predictors can be used for seasonal rainfall predictions. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Synthetic aperture radar for AGB estimation in Australia's woodlands

Multi-temporal spatial datasets quantifying above ground biomass (AGB) are required for calculating national, regional and global carbon budgets, due to the large extent and rapidly changing nature of woodlands in Australia. This paper provides an overview of procedures for quantifying and scaling-up estimates of total AGB and component biomass from the tree to the landscape using remote sensing data and focusing on woodlands in Queensland.
Age, Gender and Students' Attitude Towards the Study of Economics in some selected Secondary Schools in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State Nigeria

The main purpose of this research work was to examine the effect of age, gender and students' attitude towards the study of Economics in some selected secondary schools in Calabar municipality of Cross River state of Nigeria. The sample for this study was 120 senior secondary two students selected from four secondary schools in Calabar municipality, thirty students were randomly selected from each of the four schools using simple random sampling technique. Four hypotheses were postulated as a guide to this study and a 20 items questionnaire divided into four sections was used to get the required information. A simple Pearson's product moment correlation was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05% level of significance. It was found out that there is significant relationship between ages, gender, interest and motivation of the students and their attitude towards Economics. Based on these findings, it was recommended that since there is a significant relationship between students, ages, gender and their attitude towards economics, both sexes should be encourage and motivated to study Economics. Also, the existing examination bodies and Ministry of Education should use the knowledge embedded in this work to improve on the contents of their syllabuses in order to make it more relevant to the needs of the students. Given its importance in a world like ours, the authorities of our various schools and even the Ministry of Education should endeavour to make Economics a core course in the secondary school programme.
A Latent Class Analysis of Dissociation and Posttraumatic Stress DisorderEvidence for a Dissociative Subtype

Participants: A total of 492 veterans and their intimate partners, all of whom had a history of trauma. Participants reported exposure to a variety of traumatic events, including combat, childhood physical and sexual abuse, partner abuse, motor vehicle accidents, and natural disasters, with most participants reporting exposure to multiple types of traumatic events. Forty-two percent of the sample met the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD. Main Outcome Measures: Item-level scores on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale.
Perception of food origin by the Slovak consumer

In many product categories is one of the factors influencing consumer behaviour also the country of origin what is the main goal of this article. Consumers are influenced by their own origin, by ex­pe­riences with domestic and foreign products and stereotyped ideas about quality and reliability of products from other countries. The results of many marketing studies have concluded that the eva­lua­tion of products is significantly influenced by knowledge of where the products were produced. However, when directly analysing the importance of country of origin in the purchase decision, ­buyers mostly minimize its impact. They want to look like logical or rational consumers who decide rather for more objective internal product attributes (taste, design and appearance) than the external factors, including the origin.
Seasonal prediction of winter haze days in the north central North China Plain

Abstract. Recently, the winter (December–February) haze pollution over the north central North China Plain (NCP) has become severe. By treating the year-to-year increment as the predictand, two new statistical schemes were established using the multiple linear regression (MLR) and the generalized additive model (GAM). By analyzing the associated increment of atmospheric circulation, seven leading predictors were selected to predict the upcoming winter haze days over the NCP (WHDNCP). After cross validation, the root mean square error and explained variance of the MLR (GAM) prediction model was 3.39 (3.38) and 53 % (54 %), respectively. For the final predicted WHDNCP, both of these models could capture the interannual and interdecadal trends and the extremums successfully. Independent prediction tests for 2014 and 2015 also confirmed the good predictive skill of the new schemes. The predicted bias of the MLR (GAM) prediction model in 2014 and 2015 was 0.09 (−0.07) and −3.33 (−1.01), respectively. Compared to the MLR model, the GAM model had a higher predictive skill in reproducing the rapid and continuous increase of WHDNCP after 2010.
Social Construction of Gender Roles and Women’s Poverty in African Societies: the Case of the Nigerian Woman

In Nigeria, societal perception of women as naturally unequal with men gave rise to arbitrary social construction of gender roles between men and women, in which men come first in the scheme of things. Men dominate the economic sphere and political positions of decision making while the role for women is believed to be in the domestic front, consisting mainly of menial endeavours that do not yield economic and political empowerment. The result of gender discrimination is therefore the unequal distribution of wealth in favour of men, hence the prevalence of women’s poverty in Nigeria. The hypothesis of the study is that women’s poverty in Nigeria is caused by traditional beliefs, cultural norms and customary practices which underlie the social construction of discriminatory gender roles. The study adopted a qualitative research method informed by a social constructivist paradigm. The study confirmed the hypothesis that gender discrimination is not the root cause of women poverty in Nigeria but existing traditional beliefs, cultural and customary practices in Nigerian communities. Consequently, efforts towards addressing women’s poverty in Nigeria must be re-focused on eradicating existing traditional beliefs, cultural norms and customary practices which are responsible for gender discrimination and inequality in Nigeria.
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion ( PLIF ) augmented with Pedicle Screw Fixation Versus PLIF augmented with Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Low Grade Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Background Data: The optimal treatment for patients with Spondylolisthesis has been the subject of many recent studies which provide some of the best evidence for lumbar spinal fusion. Purpose: Compare the clinical and radiological outcome of treating low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with PLIF augmented with PSF versus those treated with PLIF augmented with Percutaneous PSF. Study Design: This is a prospective comparative clinical case study. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients with low grade spondylolisthesis who underwent instrumented fixation were retrospectively analyzed from the period of 2011 to 2012. A PLIF and PSF (Group A) was performed in 9 patients, and PLIF and percutaneous PSF (Group B) was performed in 8 patients. Data were collected preoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. A comparative analysis was made between the 2 groups using visual analog pain scale (VAS) before and after surgery, and functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), by which low back pain, disability were assisted using a questionnaire and radiological (dynamic plain radiographs and CT scans) measures. Results: Follow-up duration was 6 months. The mean preoperative scores on the VAS for low-back pain in Groups A and B were 55 and 54, respectively, decreasing to 43 and 39, respectively, at 6 months after surgery (P=0.003). The mean preoperative scores on the VAS for leg pain in Groups A and B were 65 and 61, respectively, decreasing at 6 months after surgery to 43 and 40, respectively (P=0.031), The fusion rates in Groups A and B were obtained in all 17 cases with variable rates of fusion in groups A 88.9% and in group B 75% at 6 months after surgery (P=0.008), There was no significant difference in terms of the complication rate between Group A (4.5%) and B (3.9%) (P=0.781). Conclusion: Patients with PLIF and PSF results were much better than those with PLIF and percutaneous PSF. The postoperative back pain was much less in the percutaneous group and relatively longer time for fusion. These results seem to favor PLIF with SF rather than PLIF with percutaneous PSF in the treatment of low grade spondylolisthesis. (2013ESJ042)
An Assessment of Architecture Students’ Perception on the Soft and Practical Skills Integration into the Curriculum Structure for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Graduates’ unemployment is a critical issue in Nigeria. The government and Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) emphasis on the soft and practical skills integration in the curriculum structure is to turn out graduates with balanced capacities, diversities and flexibilities to survive the competitive labour market. Even though, little empirical findings are available on the level of soft and practical skills integration in the Nigeria public universities, particularly architecture programmes, the construction industry is seen as a major contributor to national economic development. Contemporary skills requirement for the graduating architects’ self-empowerment is still contentious in the academic circle. This paper aimed to propose Architects’ Career Skills Development (ArCaSD) assessment model and ten hypotheses were postulated to test the model. It is premised that the architecture students’ perception on the level of infusion and acquisition of the entire range of soft skills and practical workshop practice embedded in the architecture's curriculum structure for self-empowerment be evaluated. Quantitative research methodological approach and structural equation modelling were employed to analyse the data collected from 153 students. The finding showed that all the ten hypotheses were supported and positively significant. In addition, the perception of the students on the soft skills integration is substantially positive and above average. The findings further indicates that, despite the practical skills acquisition, there is need to focused more on the architectural design rather than combining it with practical training in entrepreneurship and pragmatic workshop practice. In conclusion, students’ narrow-mindedness on the importance of entrepreneurship and practical skills development call for innovation in architecture’s curriculum structure and pedagogical approach to facilitates capacity building for employment creation and national economic development in Nigeria.
The Innovative elements in non-formal education of Bangladesh: Perspective of income generating programmes for poverty alleviation

This paper attempts to explore the innovative elements of non-formal education of Bangladesh in terms of its contribution towards poverty alleviation through income generating programmes. A survey of the beneficiaries, focus group discussions, and documentary review are used as research methods. This study selects one NGO through examining relevant NGOs in term of nonformal education linked income generating programmes and then finds out the innovative elements of that NGO by in-depth study. It shows that most of the NGOs have programmes for socio-economic development but a very few of them have innovative elements in non-formal education linked income generating programmes for poverty alleviation.
Delayed Antiwindup Control Using a Decoupling Structure

This paper investigates the antiwindup (AW) control problem for plants with input saturation. The AW compensator is not activated as soon as input saturation occurs as usual. A delayed decoupling structure is first proposed. Then, appropriate linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are developed to determine a plant-order AW compensator. Effectiveness of the presented AW technique is illustrated by a fighter aircraft model.
Shrinking targets in parametrised families

Abstract We consider certain parametrised families of piecewise expanding maps on the interval, and estimate and sometimes calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the set of parameters for which the orbit of a fixed point has a certain shrinking target property. This generalises several similar results for β-transformations to more general non-linear families. The proofs are based on a result by Schnellmann on typicality in parametrised families.
Effects of fullerene (C60) on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in gill of the cichlid fish, Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795)

Fullerene (C60) nanomaterials possessing unique physicochemical and biological properties are extensively used in the medical and industrial applications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of fullerene on the antioxidant enzyme activities in gill of cichlid fish, Pseudetroplus maculatus. Fullerene at 0.1 mg/ L concentration was exposed to fish for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h maintaining control groups. The activities of antioxidant enzyme was estimated in gill tissue and it was observed with significant (P<0.05) reduction in the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase. However, the levels of hydrogen peroxide generation and lipid peroxidation was increased in the treatment groups with a significant (P<0.05) increase at the end of 72 and 96 h. Acid and alkaline phosphatases, the reliable indicator of environmental stress to aquatic organisms are also evaluated and the results showed that fullerene significantly decreased the activities of phosphatases in gill of fish in all treatment groups. The present study therefore confirms that fullerene at acute exposure is known to induce oxidative stress and alter the membrane transport across the gill tissue.
High dimensional ordinary least squares projection for screening variables

Variable selection is a challenging issue in statistical applications when the number of predictors p far exceeds the number of observations n. In this ultrahigh dimensional setting, the sure independence screening procedure was introduced to reduce the dimensionality significantly by preserving the true model with overwhelming probability, before a refined second‐stage analysis. However, the aforementioned sure screening property strongly relies on the assumption that the important variables in the model have large marginal correlations with the response, which rarely holds in reality. To overcome this, we propose a novel and simple screening technique called high dimensional ordinary least squares projection which we refer to as ‘HOLP’. We show that HOLP has the sure screening property and gives consistent variable selection without the strong correlation assumption, and it has a low computational complexity. A ridge‐type HOLP procedure is also discussed. Simulation study shows that HOLP performs competitively compared with many other marginal correlation‐based methods. An application to a mammalian eye disease data set illustrates the attractiveness of HOLP.
CaMKII Kinase Activity, Targeting and Control of Cellular Functions: Effect of Single and Double Phosphorylation of CaMKIIα

Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a ubiquitously expressed multifunctional kinase, which regulates many cellular processes, including synaptic plasticity and proliferation. CaMKII is activated by binding calmodulin (CaM), triggered by an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ . CaMKII can autophosphorylate at several residues, including T253, T286, and T305/306, which alters CaMKII activity and targeting in different ways. Phosphorylation at T286 induces autonomous activity, whereas phosphorylation at T305/306 prevents CaMKII activation. Phosphorylation at T253 has no effect on CaMKII activity in vitro. Phosphorylation at each of these sites changes the subcellular location of CaMKII, and alters protein interactions. To investigate the mechanisms by which dual phosphorylation of CaMKII might regulate cellular functions we examined the effects of double phosphomimic mutation (at T253D/T286D or T286D/T305D) on kinase activity and targeting. We showed that both double phosphomimic mutations altered targeting whereas only T286D/T305D altered kinase activity in vitro. We also showed that overexpressing either T253D/T286D or T286D/T305D altered cell proliferation rates, and that this effect was different from the effects observed with the relevant single phosphomimic mutation. These results indicate the importance of targeting as a regulatory mechanism in CaMKII control of cell function.
Viewpoint: Implications of participatory democracy for public land planning

Non-traditional, collaborative public park approaches such as coordinated resource management have been proposed to improve the public participation process used in public land planning on rangelands. Either implicitly or explicitly, most advocates of such non-traditional approaches to public participation seem to embrace a participatory democracy model of governance. Whether or not this model for decision-making can practicably be implemented, given our current institution and leaal frameworks for public lands management, has not been closely examined. Criticisms of the traditional public participation process are catagorize into 5 main issues: efficacy; representation and access; information exchange and learning; continuity of participation; and decision-making authority. We use these categories to evaluate the feasibility of implementing participatory democracy-based decision-making in public lands planning. Although there is some statutory and regulatory authority for participatory democracy in public land planning, there are a number of logistical, legal, and even philosophical challenges to its application that warrant further consideration.
Using rubrics as an instructional tool in EFL writing courses

This study investigates the effect of using rubrics as an instructional tool on students’ writing performance in English as a foreign language. The major goal was to liberate the students from the narrow perception of writing based solely on the notion of correct grammar which is strongly felt in EFL writing. Using a mixed methods approach, the treatment group (n 16) was given a rubric which provided them with a clear set of criteria for good writing. They were guided in using the rubric while writing two different essays. The students in the control group (n 22) wrote the same essay types but they were not introduced to the rubric. The data were collected through student interviews and their essays, which were evaluated by three independent raters using the same rubric. The results revealed that students who received the rubric outperformed the students in the control group. The analysis of the student interviews proved that integration of the rubrics into the course, though initially somewhat challenging, helped the students appreciate the qualities of good writing and then utilize appropriate strategies to achieve them in their own writing.