Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The two-periodic Aztec diamond and matrix valued orthogonal polynomials

We analyze domino tilings of the two-periodic Aztec diamond by means of matrix valued orthogonal polynomials that we obtain from a reformulation of the Aztec diamond as a non-intersecting path model with periodic transition matrices. In a more general framework we express the correlation kernel for the underlying determinantal point process as a double contour integral that contains the reproducing kernel of matrix valued orthogonal polynomials. We use the Riemann-Hilbert problem to simplify this formula for the case of the two-periodic Aztec diamond. In the large size limit we recover the three phases of the model known as solid, liquid and gas. We describe fine asymptotics for the gas phase and at the cusp points of the liquid-gas boundary, thereby complementing and extending results of Chhita and Johansson.
Modified Flap Design for Lower Third Molar Surgery: A Short Patient-based Outcome Comparative Study

Objectives: to compare the influence of a newly suggest modified flap design on pain and swelling with the traditional two sided flap. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: conventional approach (control) group (n=42) and modified approach (experimental) group (n=41). Pain and swelling were evaluated for the first three postoperative days using 10 cm visual analogue scales. Presence of dry socket was documented in the 7th postoperative day. Results: There was statistically significant difference on the third postoperative day (p <0.05) in the mean pain score between the two surgical groups. The mean score of swelling in conventional group was slightly higher than the modified approach (p<0.05) in the first and the third post operative days. The incidence of dry socket in the modified approach was significantly less than conventional approach group (p <0.001). Conclusions: The modified flap design has a relative advantage over the conventional two sided buccal approach in terms of postoperative pain, swelling and dry socket incidence.
Denial or decay? The effects of an oral health educational program on caregivers of preschool children

Background: Dental caries (tooth decay or cavities) are perhaps the most prevalent infectious disease impacting our nation’s children. Dental caries in children are five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. More than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an oral health educational program on knowledge and behavior-specific cognitions and affect in caregivers of children ages two to five. Hypotheses: The five hypotheses determined if there was a positive relationship between: (1) prior related behaviors and behavior-specific cognitions and affect, (2) personal factors and behavior-specific cognitions and affect, (3) pre- knowledge and prior related behaviors, (4) post-knowledge and intent to provide oral health care, and (5) the difference between caregivers’ pre-intervention and post-intervention scores on knowledge. Methods: Descriptive quasi-experimental study utilizing a pre-test post-test model, with a convenience sample of 400 caregivers recruited from seven Head Start program sites in South Florida, who attended one of 18 oral health educational programs. Research questions addressed the relationship between the oral health educational program and the dependent variables prior related behavior, personal factors, behavior-specific cognitions and affect, knowledge, and intent. Care- givers completed a demographic survey and an oral health behavior questionnaire, a knowledge pre-test, then viewed a 16-minute video designed by Colgate, and completed another knowledge post-test. Results: The educational program had an overall significant effect on caregivers’ prior related behaviors, r = . 43, p (two-tailed) < . 01; behavior-specific cognitions and affect, r = . 43, p (two-tailed) < . 01; intention to provide oral health care for their children, r = . 27, p (two-tailed) < . 01; and post-test for knowledge of oral health care ( M = 60.57, SE = .30) compared to pre-test for knowledge ( M = 59.03, SE = .26), t (399) = -6.35, p < . 01, r = . 30). However, only 0.4% ( R 2 = .004, Adj R 2 = .00) of the variance in the outcome variable was accounted for by the predictor variables; the model was not significant, F (2, 397) = . 80, p = . 49 in comparing personal factors and behavior-specific cognitions and affect. Conclusions: Poor oral health can compromise a child’s overall health and impact their growth and development. Therefore, effective educational programs should be initiated early on to combat widespread oral disease. Effective educational interventions will contribute to positive behavior change and increased knowledge in caregivers. Through health/public policy change, future research will promote preventive oral health care and decrease oral disease .
Morphometric analysis of Malaysian Oxudercine goby, Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas, 1770)

The Oxudercine gobies or mudskippers are locally known as belacak or "tembakul". These euryhaline fish are amongst the air breathing gobies found in Malaysia. Boleophthalmus boddarti is one of the common mudskippers inhabiting tidal flats, mangrove swamps, estuarines and coastal areas. Conventional and truss morphometrics as well as meristic data from 85 samples in five populations (Pulau Pinang, Kuala Selangor, Banting, Port Dickson and Melaka) of B. boddartiwere analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Fifteen morphometric, 28 truss morphometric and 9 meristic data were analyzed to examine the degree of similarity among the five populations. All morphometric characters within and between the populations were significantly different (P< 0.05). Using the conventional morphometric data analysed by PCA, the populations of B. boddarti are clustered into 3 groups, where Banting andMelaka populations form the first group, Pulau Pinang and Kuala Selangor populations the second group and Port Dickson population the third group. In contrast, 3 groups were also clustered based on the truss morphometric data but the grouping was different. The three groups from the truss morphometric data consist of Kuala Selangor and Banting populations in the first group, Melaka and Port Dickson populations the second group and the Pulau Pinang populationthe third group which is distantly separated from the other two groups. The results indicate that the shape of mudskippers in the northern part is distinct from the middle and southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Based on meristic data, all populations were centric and no grouping was identified. The length-weight relationship for B. boddarti in this study was described as log W=log 0.754 + 1.029 log TL.
Pragmatic Comprehension Development through Telecollaboration.

Pragmatic comprehension can be ideally developed through contact with target language speakers. This contact can be provided in English as Foreign Language contexts through telecollaboration. To test the actual effect of telecollaboration on the development of pragmatic comprehension, 30 Iranian undergraduates of English as a Foreign Language participated in an experimental study. The participants were divided into two groups of 15 students: control group which merely received pragmatic instructions and experimental group which had the opportunity to interact with target language speakers through internet-mediated communication tools besides receiving pragmatic instructions. The data were collected through a multiple choice pragmatic comprehension test, following a semester-long intervention. The comparison of the performance of the two groups assessed through the independent-samples t-test showed the significant positive effect of telecollaboration on the development of pragmatic comprehension. Pedagogical implications of the findings suggested organizing telecollaborative partnership environments to link English as Foreign Language students with university students in native English speaking countries.
Cyst and radionucleotide evidence for the recent introduction of the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum into Tasmanian waters

Cysts of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum were present only in the top sections of duplicate marine sediment cores from Deep Bay in southern Tasmania, Australia. 210 Pb and 137 Cs analyses indicate that the appearance of the cyst of this toxic dinoflagellate (one of the causative organisms of paralytic shellfish poisoning) occurred after 1972. This sediment core evidence and the absence of this species from the phytoplankton of most other neighbouring Australian waters suggest that Gymnodinium catenatum is not endemic to Tasmania but has been introduced recently. This species was first seen in bloom proportions in Tasmania in 1980, with major blooms having occurred since then in 1986, 1991 and 1993. Several lines of evidence suggest that ballast water discharge from cargo vessels originating from Japan and South Korea, or less likely Europe, is the most probable mechanism of introduction.
Uniform convergence of mixed interpolated elements for Reissner-Mindlin plates

On considere les elements de Bathe, Dvorkin [4] et Barthe, Brezzi, cho [3] utilisant une interpolation composee pour la plaque de Mindlin-Reissner. On demontre que la convergence est uniforme par rapport au parametre d'epaisseur. La demonstration est basee sur une decomposition discrete de type Helmholtz
BODY WEIGHT AND FEATHER GROWTH OF MALE BARROW'S GOLDENEYE DURING WING MOLT

Abstract We studied the timing, duration, and rate of wing molt of male Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). The mean daily change in primary feather length was 2.6%, which is consistent with rates reported for other waterfowl species. The mean length of the flightless period was 31 days (range: 27–34 days), excluding the pre-shedding interval. Wing molt extended from early July to mid-September. Peak wing molt occurred between 20 July and 23 August. The mean body weight of adult males decreased significantly during wing molt. Heavier birds had greater remigial growth rates and experienced more substantial declines in body weight than lighter birds, suggesting that body reserves may be used to increase the rate of remigial growth.
On the dynamical state of galaxy clusters: insights from cosmological simulations - II.

Using a suite of cosmology simulations of a sample of $> 120$ galaxy clusters with $\log(M_{DM, vir}) \le 14.5$. We compare clusters that form in purely dark matter run and their counterparts in hydro runs and investigate 4 independent parameters, that are normally used to classify dynamical state. We find that the virial ratio $\eta$ in hydro-dynamical runs is $\sim 10$ per cent lower than in the DM run, and there is no clear separation between the relaxed and unrelaxed clusters for any parameter. Further, using the velocity dispersion deviation parameter $\zeta$, which is defined as the ratio between cluster velocity dispersion $\sigma$ and the theoretical prediction $\sigma_t = \sqrt{G M_{total}/R}$, we find that there is a linear correlation between the virial ratio $\eta$ and this $\zeta$ parameter. We propose to use this $\zeta$ parameter, which can be easily derived from observed galaxy clusters, as a substitute of the $\eta$ parameter to quantify the cluster dynamical state.
Compensating wage differentials for defined benefit and defined contribution occupational pension scheme benefits

The theory of equalizing differences suggests that employer provided pension benefits should be compensated by reduced wage benefits for an employee’s given produc-tivity potential. This paper presents an empirical analysis of compensating wage differentials for occupational pension scheme benefits in the UK using the newly available English Longi-tudinal Study of Ageing. The data allows us to differentiate between Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) schemes and to consider different measures of pension bene-fits based on current contributions and changes in accrued pension benefit rights. In our pre-ferred specifications we find evidence for perfect compensating wage differentials for both occupational DB and DC pension scheme benefits.
Identification of topographic features influencing aerosol observations at high altitude stations

Abstract. High altitude stations are often emphasized as free tropospheric measuring sites but they remain influenced by atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) air masses due to convective transport processes. The local and meso-scale topographical features around the station are involved in the convective boundary layer development and in the formation of thermally induced winds leading to ABL air lifting. The station altitude alone is not a sufficient parameter to characterize the ABL influence. In this study, a topography analysis is performed allowing calculation of a newly defined index called ABL-TopoIndex. The ABL-TopoIndex is constructed in order to correlate with the ABL influence at the high altitude stations and long-term aerosol time series are used to assess its validity. Topography data from the global digital elevation model GTopo30 were used to calculate five parameters for 43 high and 3 middle altitude stations situated on five continents. The geometric mean of these five parameters determines a topography based index called ABL-TopoIndex, which can be used to rank the high altitude stations as a function of the ABL influence. To construct the ABL-TopoIndex, we rely on the criteria that the ABL influence will be low if the station is one of the highest points in the mountainous massif, if there is a large altitude difference between the station and the valleys or high plains, if the slopes around the station are steep, and finally if the inverse drainage basin potentially reflecting the source area for thermally lifted pollutants to reach the site is small. All stations on volcanic islands exhibit a low ABL-TopoIndex, whereas stations in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau have high ABL-TopoIndex values. Spearman's rank correlation between aerosol optical properties and number concentration from 28 stations and the ABL-TopoIndex, the altitude and the latitude are used to validate this topographical approach. Statistically significant (SS) correlations are found between the 5th and 50th percentiles of all aerosol parameters and the ABL-TopoIndex, whereas no SS correlation is found with the station altitude. The diurnal cycles of aerosol parameters seem to be best explained by the station latitude although a SS correlation is found between the amplitude of the diurnal cycles of the absorption coefficient and the ABL-TopoIndex.
Public expenditures and poverty: evaluation of the government’s priority programs in Gorontalo Province

Private investments and exports are still limited to drive the economy of Gorontalo,Â therefore the government expenditures are certainly needed as a driver forÂ the economic growth which in turn reduce the poverty. This research aims toÂ test the effect of public expenditures on education, health, and infrastructureÂ toward poverty. The research used econometric analysis of panel data of regencies/city in Gorontalo, 2009-2013. The results demonstrated that public expendituresÂ on education and health had negative and significant effects toward theÂ poverty level in all regencies/city in Gorontalo while the public expenditure onÂ infrastructure did not have any effect toward the level of poverty in all regencies/city in Gorontalo.
From the Bottom Up? Technical Committee Activity and Alliance Formation

We examine how interaction between mid-level managers in technical committees facilitates subsequent alliance formation in a longitudinal study of 87 cellular service providers and equipment manufacturers. Joint participation by firms in technical committees helps them identify potential alliance partners and particular opportunities for technical collaboration. This effect is magnified by sustained participation by individuals on behalf of their firms, demonstrating that interfirm relationships are enhanced by the interpersonal bonds that are forged in technical committees. In contrast, we find that the effect of joint technical committee participation on alliance formation decreases as firms have more prior alliances, suggesting that technical committees provide a more critical avenue for knowledge exchange when firms do not have the luxury of exchanging information through contractual linkages. Taken together, these findings suggest one venue where managerial action can transform existing social structure, because technical committee activity facilitates the entry of less-established firms into alliance networks.
Time-Varying Parameters in the Dynamic

In this study we look into various ways to introduce time-varying parameters in the dynamic Nelson-Siegel model. We consider three extensions: (i) a time-varying loading parameter, (ii) time-varying volatility and (iii) a time-varying unconditional mean. For the introduction of a time-varying unconditional mean we consider specifications withand without macroeconomic information. Furthermore, we combine the three extensions into a more sophisticated model. We perform an inand out-of-sample analysis applied to zero coupon US government bond yields. We find clear evidence that the introduction of a time-varying loading parameter and time-varying volatility improves the in-sample fit, whereas evidence for the introduction of a time-varying unconditional mean is less pronounced. Furthermore, we find evidence that combining extensions improves the fit even further. In terms of predictive performance we find that time variation in the loading parameter and in the unconditional mean without the use of macroeconomic information generally improve the forecast performance on the complete yield curve, whereas the extensions of time-varying volatility only improves for the short-end of the curve. In addition we find that combining extensions leads to a model superior to all models with one specific extension and that macroeconomic information is only beneficial in periods of high volatility.
Development of an Experimental Model to Quantify Lumbar Spine Kinematics during Military Seat Ejection

DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL TO QUANTIFY LUMBAR SPINE KINEMATICS DURING MILITARY SEAT EJECTION Steven G. Storvik Marquette University, 2011 The initial phase of a military ejection sequence exerts substantial a xial oads on the spinal column. Eccentric inertial loading on the thoracolumbar spine can lead to injury. Most serious injuries due to ejection are in the form of a vertebral frac ture, most commonly occurring at the thoracolumbar junction. The objective of the current study was to understand characteristics of a military seat ejection by em ploying an experimental model designed to simulate the boost or in-rail phase. The model incorporates realistic boundary conditions and is capable of quantifying metric s associated with injury tolerance such as applied accelerations and resultant loads and spinal kinematics. A total of four human cadaveric spine specimens (T12-L5) were tested. The test matrix consisted of two parts. The first part subjected specimens to sub-failure loading to outline spinal kinematics during dynamic vertical acceleration. The second par t of the test matrix consisted of acceleration tests designed to induce compression a nd/or burst fractures as sustained by military aviators during ejection. The develope d ex rimental model is the first to simulate realistic inertial loading during ej ection-type accelerations using isolated osteoligamentous spines and may provide imperative injury mechanis m data for future safety design considerations.
Frequency and Surface Slope's Effects on the Surface Displacement by Drilling Shallow and Deep Tunnels under Dynamic Loads

Development and expansion of cities in one hand and increasing transport needs on the other hand have been causing underground constructions. So understanding the behavior of these structures is essential. Ground displacement around the tunneling area is one of the most important issues which have been studied by many researchers, while the effects of the slope behavior of the ground on the tunnel is paid less attention. This study will have analyzed the effects of frequency and surface slope on the surface subsidence caused by tunneling under dynamic loads (without structure). The results show that the frequency and surface slope have significant effects on the land displacements and the area surrounded by a tunnel.
Climatic response of various tree ring parameters of fir (Abies pindrow) from Chandanwadi in Jammu and Kashmir, western Himalaya, India

Total ring width (TRW) and earlywood width (ERW) of fir (Abies pindrow) compared to latewood width (LRW) are strongly correlated with Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) during summer season (March to October). Correlation coefficients for the period 1876–1948 between PDSI and TRW as well as ERW are 0.43 and 0.50 respectively, which is found to be significant at 0.01% level. Thereafter, their relationship weakened as temperature changed over the region, whereas maximum latewood density (MXD) reveals significant negative association with PDSI during summer season. Moreover, monthly mean, maximum and minimum temperatures during August to September of the region indicate significant positive response with MXD. Correlation coefficients of MXD with mean, maximum and minimum temperatures are 0.60, 0.61 and 0.51 respectively, which is significant at 0.01% level. There is also high temporal stability in the relationship between MXD and temperature from 1916 onwards over the region.