Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malocclusion prevalence and its relation to facial type and muscular activity in school students from 7 to 12 years of age in Bahia, Brazil

Objective: Increasing cavity reduction has been directing the policies for oral health defined by care programs, to solve important challenges such as dental malocclusion. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and relate it with the facial type, using anthropometry, and muscle function, through the use of electromyography in young students. Methods: The sample consisted of 324 schoolchildren, aged 7-12 years, residing and domiciled in Sao Francisco do Conde, Bahia. The occlusion was assessed by means of DAI, according to the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization. Facial pattern was analyzed using the Natural Head Position by the distances between the morphological facial height and bizygomatic width using a digital caliper. Yet muscle evaluation was taken from the acquisition of EMG – electromyography recordings. Results: Differences were found statistically significant between the severity of occlusion and the type facial (p=0.039), dolicocephalic type being the most prevalent, whereas the comparison with the electrical potential of the muscles showed no statistically significant differences. According to the classification and criteria of FDI, 22.8% of patients had normal occlusion or mild occlusal change, 21% defined malocclusion, 20.1% severe malocclusion and 36.1%, very severe or deforming malocclusion. Conclusion: the sample revealed a high percentage of malocclusions of varying degrees, reaching about 80% of young people who need orthodontic treatment, which reinforces attention to this pathology by institutional programs of oral health.
Effect of scarification and temperature on seed germination of two Mexican species of Mimosa (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

It has been considered that Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. aculeaticarpa and M. luisana have the potential to restore temperate and semi-arid environments, respectively. Mature seeds were collected from eight mother plants per taxon to determine the effects of scarification and temperature on seed germination of both taxa, and to define the optimum temperature for germination. To obtain a representative sample of each taxon, seeds with the same weight and size were mixed. Five replicates of 20 seeds each (100 seeds per taxon/temperature, plus the control) were established. The seeds were mechanically scarified and incubated under controlled conditions: 5 to 45 °C with 5 °C intervals, and a 12h light/12h darkness photoperiod. Results showed that scarification and temperature were significant factors in seed germination. In both taxa, germination was epigeal and phanerocotylar. The highest seed germination percentages were obtained when seeds were scarified. 88 % of seeds of M. aculeaticarpa var. aculeaticarpa germinated at 25 °C. A hundred percent of seeds of M. luisana germinated at 30 °C. The optimum temperature for germination of seeds of both taxa was established at 25 °C. Mimosa taxa differ in the germination rate: M. luisana germinated at 6.6 seeds/day and M. aculeaticarpa var. aculeaticarpa at 3.4 seeds/day. Overall results suggest that, for both taxa, an increase or decrease in temperature will not inhibit seed germination, supporting the recommendation to use these plants for reforestation, as part of environmental restoration projects in temperate and semi-arid Mexican regions.
Flow dynamics around downwelling submarine canyons

Abstract. Flow dynamics around a downwelling submarine canyon were analysed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. Blanes Canyon (northwestern Mediterranean) was used for topographic and initial forcing conditions. Fourteen scenarios were modelled with varying forcing conditions. Rossby and Burger numbers were used to determine the significance of Coriolis acceleration and stratification (respectively) and their impacts on flow dynamics. A new non-dimensional parameter (χ) was introduced to determine the significance of vertical variations in stratification. Some simulations do see brief periods of upwards displacement of water during the 10-day model period; however, the presence of the submarine canyon is found to enhance downwards advection of density in all model scenarios. High Burger numbers lead to negative vorticity and a trapped anticyclonic eddy within the canyon, as well as an increased density anomaly. Low Burger numbers lead to positive vorticity, cyclonic circulation, and weaker density anomalies. Vertical variations in stratification affect zonal jet placement. Under the same forcing conditions, the zonal jet is pushed offshore in more uniformly stratified domains. The offshore jet location generates upwards density advection away from the canyon, while onshore jets generate downwards density advection everywhere within the model domain. Increasing Rossby values across the canyon axis, as well as decreasing Burger values, increase negative vertical flux at shelf break depth (150 m). Increasing Rossby numbers lead to stronger downwards advection of a passive tracer (nitrate), as well as stronger vorticity within the canyon. Results from previous studies are explained within this new dynamic framework.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Indirectness

Author(s): Spees, Hiroko | Abstract: When compared to other ethnic groups, the Japanese are often said to communicate using indirect speech patterns. This characterization, however, is mostly based on casual observation and there have not been many empirical studies.This study investigates whether or not the Japanese are more indirect than Americans in conversations between same status interlocutors and whether the use of indirectness is influenced by in-group and out-group distinctions for speech acts of requests and complaints, as determined by a questionnaire study.The results of this study did not support the hypothesis that Japanese students are more indirect than American students in complaint and request situations. Americans tended to behave similarly in all situations studied, while Japanese responded and acted differently in different situations. However, Japanese students are not more indirect toward out-group members. These results suggest that Japanese may be more direct than assumed, at least when there is no apparent status difference. Although it may be true that Japanese traditionally value indirectness more than speakers of other languages, this does not mean that Japanese speakers are necessarily more indirect than others.
What Shapes Local Innovation Policies? Empirical Evidence from Japanese Cities

Increasing attention has been paid to regional innovation systems. However, previous studies have so far only focused on (the regional impact of) national policies or specific regions. Despite increasing attention to regional and local innovation policies, no studies have been carried out to date on the factors of implementation and design of local research and development (R&D) subsidy programs at the city level. Our research fills this gap by using information on R&D subsidy programs from local authorities in Japan collected via websites and our original survey. Thus, our research aims at empirically investigating the determinants of both implementation and design of local R&D subsidy programs at the city level (length and upper limit of subsidies, and flexibility of subsidy conditions) considering both demand- and supply-side factors. We employ probit models for basic empirical estimations and provide some robustness checks. The empirical results suggest that, after controlling for city type and population size, supply-side factors including local government conditions significantly affect the implementation of public R&D subsidy programs. In contrast, we find that demand-side factors matter more for the design of subsidy programs than supply-side factors.
Sea scallop larvae Placopecten magellanicus on Georges Bank: vertical distribution in relation to water column stratification and food

Vertical distribution of sea scallop larvae was studied from pump samples in mixed, stratified, and frontal areas of Georges Bank. The extent of larval aggregation was positively related to the degree of water column stratification. In mixed areas larvae were distributed evenly over the 40 to 50 m water column, while in stratified waters larvae showed subsurface peaks in concentration above the pycnocline. Where the pycnocline was well developed, differences in the larval centre of mass (ZCM) were associated with differences in the position of the pycnocline. Food for sea scallop larvae was measured as the concentration of chlorophyll a < 15 Km and particles 2.5 to 16 pm. In stratified areas food was usually greatest within the upper 10 m. Sea scallop larvae were most concentrated below 10 m and d ~ d not aggregate in relation to food concentration. The capacity of sea scallop larvae for depth regulation on Georges Bank appears limited, since there were no die1 differences in the ZCM, and sizedependent differences in vertical distribution were weak and inconsistent.
Positive Relation Between Abundance of Pericarpial Nectaries and Ant Richness in Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae)

Ants can interact with plants in several ways, being one of the most common visitors of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). However, pericarpial nectars (PNs) may represent to the ant community a similar resource as EFN would do. Here, we investigate how an ant community interacts with PNs by an individual-based network, using Tocoyena formosa as a model. We hypothesized that plants with more PN’s would present a higher ant richness in comparison to plants with less PNs and will occupy a central position in the network interaction. We observed 36 individuals of T. formosa in November of 2016. We recorded both the ant species and abundances on each plant, as well as the number of active PNs. To test our hypothesis, we performed a linear regression between PNs and ant richness. We performed a bipartite network analysis to obtain both the specialization and centrality metrics of each plant, and we also conducted linear regressions between the number of PNs and both the specialization and centrality. We confirmed our hypothesis, in which the ant community was more rich in individuals of T. formosa with more active PNs, and these individuals were more central, being important for the maintenance of the interactions with ants. We believe that coexistence between ants foraging is possible in T. formosa due to the seasonality and short time prevalence of the PNs, whose dominant ants do not have able time to master the resource and exclude the others, allowing different species to use the same plant.
A Novel Method for Spectral Similarity Measure by Fusing Shape and Amplitude Features

Spectral similarity measure is the basis of spectral information extraction. The description of spectral features is the key to spectral similarity measure. To express the spectral shape and amplitude features reasonably, this paper presents the definition of shape and amplitude feature vector, constructs the shape feature distance vector and amplitude feature distance vector, proposes the spectral similarity measure by fusing shape and amplitude features (SAF), and discloses the relationship of fusing SAF with Euclidean distance and spectral information divergence. Different measures were tested on the basis of United States Geological Survey (USGS) mineral_beckman_430. Generally, measures by integrating SAF achieve the highest accuracy, followed by measures based on shape features and measures based on amplitude features. In measures by integrating SAF, fusing SAF shows the highest accuracy. Fusing SAF expresses the measured results with the inner product of shape and amplitude feature distance vectors, which integrate spectral shape and amplitude features well. Fusing SAF is superior to other similarity measures that integrate SAF, such as spectral similarity scale, spectral pan-similarity measure, and normalized spectral similarity score(NS 3 ).
Economic Impact of Practicing IPM Technology on Bitter Gourd ( Momordica charantia L.) Production in Comilla District of Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to assess the economic impact of practicing Integrated Pest Management technology on bitter gourd production in Chandina upazila under Comilla district of Bangladesh. Sample survey was carried out over 70 bitter gourd producing farms. Out of 70 farmers, 35 for IPM and 35 for Non-IPM farmers were selected. The study revealed that majority of the farmers had moderately favorable attitude towards IPM technology for producing bitter gourd as shown by farmers’ attitude index. IPM farmers earned more profit than Non-IPM farmers on bitter gourd production. The average total cost of bitter gourd production per hectare was estimated at about Tk 3,68,335 and 4,44,508 for IPM and Non-IPM farmers, respectively. The average gross returns per hectare were found at about Tk 8,60,016; 8,55,642; and 8,15,947 for marginal, small and medium IPM farmers, respectively. The same were Tk 8,22,654; 7,53,373 and 7,48,255 for marginal, small, and medium Non-IPM farmers, respectively. The estimated BCR was higher for IPM farmers (2.29) than Non-IPM farmers (1.69). Partial budget analysis showed that IPM technology was more profitable and net benefit was Tk 1,61,557. Although bitter gourd production was profitable, farmers faced several problems such as lack of training and technical knowledge, inadequate extension services, lack of marketing facilities etc. in using IPM technology. The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 11-23
Do Institutions Prefer High Value Acquirers? An Analysis of Trading in Stock-Financed Acquisitions

If owners of target shares in a stock-for-stock merger perceive the acquirer as overvalued, they should sell their holdings more aggressively to profit before such overvaluation dissipates. We study institutional owners of targets and find that slightly more than half liquidate their shares in stock mergers, consistent with high institutional-share turnover rates found in the prior literature. However, share retention is higher when valuation measures suggest greater acquirer overvaluation, regardless of whether institutional owners generally prefer growth or value stock. Institutions that prefer large-cap, growth stock are most enthusiastic about bids from large, high-valuation acquirers, and substantially increase their stakes in such deals.
Conceptual change achieved through a new teaching program on acids and bases

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on students‘ achievement and misconceptions of new teaching material developed for the unit ‘acids and bases”. Also, the students‘ attitudes towards chemistry were explored. The new material included worksheets based on the conceptual conflict strategy. The sample consisted of eighty-eight students. The research was carried out with an experimental/control group design, and lasted for four weeks. Two instruments ‘The Concept Achievement Test” and ‘Chemistry Attitude Scale” were used to collect data before and after the study as pre-tests and post-tests. The results from the post-tests indicated that the students in the experimental group, taught with the new teaching material, showed significantly greater achievement in the unit than did the students in the control group. In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher score than the control group with regard to their attitudes toward chemistry. This shows that the implementation of the new material produced better results both in terms of achievement and attitudes. The students‘ misconceptions in experimental group were less than the control group. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. , 2005, 6 (1), 36-51]
Assessing Contribution of Livestock to the Livelihood of Farmers of Western Maharashtra

Abstract Animal husbandry has been an integral part of Indian agriculture. It assumes greater significance in India’s socio-economic development. Livestock system is known to enhance sustainable livelihoods for farmers. The present study assessed contribution of livestock system to farmers’ livelihood in terms of six dimensions. The study was taken up in western Maharashtra covering 5 taluks of Satara district and 100 livestock farmers. The percent contribution of livestock to the household income ranged from 18.60 to 33.90 percent. The livestock contributes 34.61g protein, 52.32g fat and 1690.5 mg calcium to the daily diet of the farm household. The average nutrients required to is 42.57 g protein, 64.35 g fat and 2079 mg calcium. Farm yard manure obtained from the livestock annually adds an average of 89.33 kg nitrogen, 44.69 kg phosphorous and 178.76 kg potash to the fields of each farm household. Livestock generated annual employment of 140.79 man-days for adult women and 95.35 mandays for adult men. Twelve percent of the households used livestock for mitigating uncertainties of farming. Sixty-three percent of respondents opined livestock farming is a symbol of higher social status. The study concludes that livestock system contributes economically and socially to enhance sustainable livelihoods.
Effects of certain long-chain fatty acid combinations on the ruminal microbe species relating to fermentation type in vitro

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of certain long-chain fatty acid combinations on ruminal microbial community in vitro. Three cows fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas were used to provide rumen liquor for the in vitro trail. The treatments were fatty acid combinations of stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which respectively were group A (calcium palmitate, control), B (1.5%, 1.0%, 0.5% and 1.5%, acetic type fermentation), C (1.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 1.0%, propionic acid type fermentation), D (1.0%, 1.5%, 1.5% and 0.5%, butyric acid type fermentation). Three goats fitted with rumen cannula were used to provide the culture medium was collected for the measurement of the rumen microorganism in vitro culture. Culture medium was collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. The results demonstrated that, except for Ruminococcus albus, all the other bacterial genus had significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). The Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcusflavefaciens, Clostridium proteoclasticum and Ruminobacter amylophilus were higher in group B; Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Megasphaera elsdenii and Ruminococcus bromii were higher in group C; while Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis was higher in group D. Different higher species in different treatments described above related to their fermentation type. It was also observed that, bacteria were the dominant flora in rumen and Megasphaera elsdeniiwere the dominant species in bacterial fraction no matter what the treatment is. It was therefore concluded that, certain fatty acid combinations have remarkable effects on the amount of ruminal specific bacteria species,mainly related to their fermentation type.
Between Zeus and the Salmon: The Biodemography of Longevity

This volume brings together the opinions of biologists and demographers on the topic of human longevity. The chapters are divided into the following main sections: The empirical demography of survival; Evolutionary theory and senescence; The elderly in nature; and Data for the future. Throughout the volume an interdisciplinary approach to aging and longevity is advocated and stressed. (ANNOTATION)
Phylogenetic Diversity of the Cold Water Octocoral Paragorgia arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) off the East Coast of Canada

Commonly called “bubblegum coral’, Paragorgia is a genus of cold-water gorgonian coral that has a broad global distribution and is eurybathic from depths of meters to kilometers. Such ecological breadth, however, may be confounded by the presence of cryptic species. In this study the genetic distances of various Paragorgia spp. across their distribution and depth range along the Canadian mid-Atlantic margin using 18S ribosomal DNA sequences were compared. Morphometric and 18S evidence show that although appearing closely related, only one species of cold-water Paragorgia, called P. arborea, predominates in this region. However, 18S evidence from corals collected at deep depths located at one site, called the Stone Fence, indicate that a significant amount of divergence exists and other species may also be present. Such new light provides a need for further genetic testing using alternative methods (e.g. microsatellites), which could reveal new lineages that may have considerable ecological and/or taxonomic importance.
Willingness Behavior of the Rural Poor to Participate in MFIs: Evidence from Bangladesh

The main focus of this study is to examine the willingness behavior of the rural poor to participate in MFIs in Bangladesh. In so doing, the study uses the modified Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as underlying theory. The study employs nine factors including seven demographic variables. Data are collected from 424 individuals from six regions of Bangladesh through face to face interview based on random sampling procedure. The results indicate that among nine variables seven are observed to be statistically significant to influence attitude toward willingness to participate in MFIs. Among seven significant variables five affect attitude negatively. Attitude variable also influences willingness to participate in MFIs negatively. This outcome would help the authorities of MFIs to understand the real forces that inhibits participatory attitude towards MFIs and mitigate those negative forces accordingly. Keywords: Attitude, willingness to participate, rural poor, MFIs
Planting the Seeds: The Impact of Training on Mango Producers in Haiti

This paper evaluates the short-term impacts of a development project that aims to increase mango yields, sales of mango products, and the income of small mango farmers in rural Haiti. Various matching methods, in combination with difference-in-difference (DID), are used to deal with the potential selection bias associated with nonrandom treatment assignment. Robustness checks are conducted to investigate whether and to what extent the results are affected by the coexistence of other similar projects in the same sites. Rosenbaum bounds analysis is carried out to check the sensitivity of the estimated impacts---based on matching methods---to deviations from the conditional independence assumptions; the relative importance of unobserved factors in the decision to participate. Our results show that in a 16-month period, the project increased the number of young Francique trees planted---a type that has greater market and export potential than traditional mango varieties---and likely encouraged the adoption of best practices. But the project has not yet led to a noticeable increase in total sales. The adoption of improved production practices is too recent to translate into significant changes in production and sales. While the robustness check suggests that the results are not caused by the presence of other similar programs on the same sites, the Rosenbaum bounds sensitivity analysis suggests that the matching results are robust against potential "hidden bias" arising from unobserved outcome variables in some but not all cases.