Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Tweens' Intentions to Sustain Participation in an Innovative Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention

Abstract Background: Participation in free-time play, including individual and group activities, is important during youth as patterns of physical activity established then persist into adulthood. The VERB Summer Scorecard (VSS) intervention is an innovative physical activity promotion initiative that offers tweens (8-13 year-olds) opportunities to be active during the summer months when increased sedentariness can occur, leading to weight gain and a predisposition for further inactivity. Purpose: This study identified factors associated with intentions to participate in VSS among tweens previously exposed to the intervention. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,063 middle school youth using a 39-item survey and performed a multi-level analysis. Results: Being female (OR=1.43), having tried a new physical activity (OR=1.59), not currently participating in out-of-school activities but wanting to (OR=2.60), and self-monitoring of physical activity (OR=4.42 to 7.50) were associated with future intention to participate in VSS. Discussion: Adoption of the VSS seemed to inspire some tweens to initiate and sustain activity. VSS appealed to tween girls, an especially important priority audience because of the observed tendency of girls'physical activity to decline during the teen years. Moreover, VSS offered youth the opportunity for trying a variety of games, sports, and other activities. Additionally, the tangible practice of monitoring physical activity (via the scorecard) appeared to have a favorable impact on intention to participate again in VSS. Translation to Health Education Practice: Implications for school and community based physical activity interventions include structures that incorporate trialabilty and observability as mechanisms for increasing likelihood of intervention adoption.
Efficacy of Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash on Plaque Accumulation and Periodontal Parameters

Background and aims. Dental plaque and gingivitis were controlled by administration of chemical agents such as chlorhexidine (CHX) which is recognized as a gold standard of chemical agents. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two mouthwashes (0.2% CHX and Kin Gingival) on clinical parameters. Materials and methods. A total of 88 subjects were included in this interventional‒experimental study. The subjects were divided into two groups of 44 (group 1: 0.2% CHX and group 2: Kin Gingival). The study involved no mechanical plaque control methods. Patients used the mouthwashes twice a day for two weeks. Clinical parameters included plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP), which were measured before and after the use of mouthwashes. The results were analyzed by Man-Whitney U and chi-squared tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results. The results indicated that PI, GI and PD significantly decreased in group 2 (Kin Gingival) in comparison with group 1 (0.2% CHX) (P 0.05). Conclusion. Based on the results it can be concluded that Kin Gingival and 0.2% CHX mouthwashes decrease the clinical parameters in patients significantly. However, Kin Gingival is more effective than 0.2% CHX, which might be attributed to the synergic antibacterial potential of Kin Gingival ingredients like sodium fluoride.
Performance Excellence: A Personal Perspective on the Link Between Sport and Business

This article provides a personal perspective on the link between excellence in sport and business. It traces the author's transition from sport psychologist to business consultant before identifying specific areas in which direct links can be drawn between the two domains. Specifically, five major areas are addressed: organizational issues, in which a demands, supports, constraints approach is outlined; stress, including a model of stress in leaders and a model of stress and coping; leadership, in which a model of leadership and how it relates to performance is presented; high-performing teams, based on a create, unite, perform (CUP) model of team building, team work, and team effectiveness; and one-to-one coaching/consulting, in which common areas across sport and business are identified. The general conclusion is that the principles of elite performance in sport are easily transferable to the business context, and also that sport has a considerable amount to learn from excellence in business.
Structural And Supercapacitive Performance Of V2O5 Thin Films Prepared By DC Magnetron Sputtering

Nanocrystalline V2O5 thin films were deposited by dc-magnetron sputtering at various substrate temperatures keeping O2 to Ar ratio at 1:8. The microstructural features were studied by XRD and Raman measurements while the surface topography and grain size of the films by AFM. The films deposited at 250 ̊C exhibited predominant (001) orientation representing the orthorhombic crystal structure with Pmmn space group. The observation of well resolved vanadyle mode at 993 cm -1 and very strong vibrational mode at 142cm -1 in Raman spectrum confirms the formation of layered like structure. The surface of the film is comprised of nanocrystallites with an average grain size of 32 nm and surface roughness of 14 nm. The V2O5 thin films deposited on Ni substrates exhibited good electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance of 238 F/g current density of 1 mAcm -2 with good cycling stability.
ROAD ACCIDENTS AND CHILDREN LIVING IN DISADVANTAGED AREAS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

This report reviews literature on road accidents in disadvantaged areas, including Scotland, with special reference to children's accidents. It first presents some accident statistics, including fatality rates, mainly from Scotland. Its main chapters cover: (1) factors associated with road accidents and disadvantaged areas; (2) children's perceptions of accident risks and safety training measures; (3) risk factors of journeys by schoolchildren; and (4) summary findings and recommended areas of further research. The report ends with a list of relevant literature references. Available evidence is found to suggest that children from disadvantaged areas face higher levels of accident risk through a combination of factors; household factors seem to be more important than area factors. Children in the lowest socio-economic group are over four times as likely as those in the highest group to be killed in pedestrian accidents; socio-economic mortality differentials have increased during recent years. Children from disadvantaged families are not only more likely to be injured, but also tend to have injuries of greater severity. Injury risk is over 50% more for children of single parents. Five research areas are identified, including different levels of risk exposure in different road user groups.
TANF Participation and Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring Barriers to Self-Sufficiency

Interpersonal Violence (IPV) is regarded as a primary barrier to employment for women in poverty. For recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), required to participate in work-related activities, experiences of IPV threatens the ability to meet work requirements, resulting in sanctions, if they do not have exemptions through a domestic violence option (DVO) waiver. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of IPV on self-sufficiency in a sample of TANF participants. Data for the study were collected from a mail survey instrument sent to 2,000 randomly selected TANF recipients in one state in the U.S. Findings indicate the majority of the sample (N=525) was female (96%), non-white (73%), and single (86%). One-third of respondents experienced IPV and 29% experienced IPV within the past year. Approximately half of the respondents sustained a physical injury and 29% reported trouble working due to IPV. Non-parametric correlation analysis indicated those who reported IPV were less likely to be employed (p <.002). Respondents reporting violence in the past year and were less likely to be self-sufficient (p =.01). Lastly, participants who experienced an injury from IPV were also significantly more likely to have trouble working (p <.001). Although IPV is just one of many barriers to self-sufficiency for poor women, the lack of access to employment can have dire consequences for women reliant upon TANF benefits. This study indicates a need to further explore the linkages between IPV, access to employment, and other barriers to self-sufficiency.
Discrete and continuous time approximations of the optimal exercise boundary of American options

The valuation of American-style options gives rise to an optimal stopping problem involving the computation of a time dependent exercise boundary over the whole life of the contract. An exact computational formula for this time dependent optimal boundary is not known. Nevertheless, some numerical approaches can be proposed to approximate the optimal boundary. In particular, in this contribution we study three different numerical techniques: an improved lattice method, a randomization approach based on the American option valuation procedure proposed by Carr and an analytic approximation procedure proposed by Bunch and Johnson. The three techniques studied are tested and compared through a wide empirical analysis.
Ectopic Expression of ζ-Carotene Desaturase Gene from Oncidium Gower Ramsey Alters Leaf Morphology and Increases Carotenoid Content in Transgenic Tobacco

The bright yellow floral color of Oncidium Gower Ramsey is due mainly to the accumulation of carotenoids making it an important ornamental orchid in Taiwan. In order to understand the expression pattern of ζ-carotene desaturase gene (ZDS), the cDNA encoding ZDS was cloned and characterized. The full length of Oncidium ZDS cDNA (OncZDS) contained 1,986 bp and the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions (UTR) were 68 bp and 226 bp, respectively. It had a 1,692 bp open reading frame encoding for a polypeptide of 563 amino acids and shared 72.8-96.2% similarity with other plant species. When analyzing the relative expression level of OncZDS in flowers, roots and leaves, the results showed that the expression level of Onc- ZDS increased gradually until flowers half opened (stage 5). Furthermore, ectopic expression of 35S::OncZDS in transgenic tobacco plant resulted in an alteration of leaf morphology and an increase of carotenoid content.
Quality evaluation of Poza bitters, a new poly herbal formulation in the Nigerian market

Background: Development of a quality assurance system for new botanicals for health and nutrition is challenging. Producers must understand consumer demands and develop methods of production that meet those demands of product quality and efficacy, which exceeds or corresponds to international standards. The present article is an attempt to evaluate the quality of Poza bitters, a new polyherbal formulation, used as a purgative, by physical and analytical methods. Materials and Methods: Poza bitters was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites and microbial contamination. The pH, micronutr-ient and heavy metal composition analysis, as well as chromatographic fingerprinting using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were also carried out. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoid glycosides. The pH value was 3.66. The sample assayed had acceptable level of microorganisms and toxic metals were absent. Thin layer chromatography of the sample using methanol/water/acetic acid (30:70:5) showed three spots with Rf values similar to some of references used. High performance liquid chromatography fingerprint showed two retention times of poza bitters which were not similar to those of the reference standards: hesperidin and narigenin, thus suggesting the absence of these flavonoids in poza bitters. Conclusion: Poza bitters comply with WHO microbial standard as well as standards for heavy metals. Also, the presence of Aloe ferox and citrus was confirmed on TLC.
Modeling population viability of local proboscis monkey Nasalis larvatus populations: conservation implications

Population viability analysis (PVA) is a predictive procedure that uses different mod- eling approaches to estimate species vulnerability to extinction. Using the stochastic modeling software VORTEX, we assessed the status of proboscis monkeys Nasalis larvatus in 3 fully or par- tially protected areas in Borneo, 1 in the Malaysian state of Sabah and 2 in the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan. Species-specific life-history parameters were used when possible, and missing parameters were taken from other populations or species. We tested the sensitivity of final predicted population size to 20% variation around the possibly inaccurate parameter estimates. The model we used predicts that in the absence of any management, the Malaysian population will remain fairly stable, whilst the 2 Indonesian populations will decrease by more than half, the smallest going effectively extinct in 30 yr. We investigated whether management strategies, such as reforestation, corridors to reconnect sub-populations, harvesting, reduction of deforestation and controlling fires, might help forestall population extirpation at each site. Fire had the greatest impact on the Indonesian populations, although hunting is also likely to play an important role. Remedial action to reduce the frequency and extent of fires, perhaps by regulated land clearing for agriculture, should slow proboscis monkey population decline and provide more time to collect the data necessary to evaluate other management decisions. As information regarding mortality, the effect of fire, and hunting rates on proboscis monkeys is limited, further research should con- centrate on these areas to improve PVAs for this species.
Array Design and SNP Ascertainment Bias

SNP ascertainment bias plays an important role in population genetics. This study aims at elucidating the impact of the different steps in the array design on its magnitude. For this purpose, the design of the AxiomTM Genome-Wide Chicken Array has been remodeled using a set of 46 sequenced chicken populations. Estimates for the allele frequency spectra and the expected heterozygosity have been contrasted against the estimates from whole genome sequences and the original array. Major influences by the number of populations used for the discovery of SNPs and the equal spacing of SNPs over the genome by genetic distances could be demonstrated. It could also be shown, that there is more pronounced ascertainment bias within populations used for SNP discovery, compared to other populations.
Trend analysis and detection of precipitation fluctuations in arid and semi-arid regions

The most important impacts of climate change relate to temperature and precipitation. Precipitation is particularly important, because changes in precipitation patterns may lead to floods or droughts in different areas. Also, precipitation is a major factor in agriculture and in recent years interest has increased in learning about precipitation variability for periods of months to annual and seasonal trends and change points had been analyzed for 22 rainfall stations in Fars province during 1972 to 2011. Mann-Kendall non-parametric test and Sen’s method had been used to determine positive or negative trends; also Pettitt test, Standard normal homogeneity test, Buishand range test, Von Neumann ratio, for detection of change points in the time series had been implemented. The TFPW approach had been used in order to decline the effects of autocorrelation and serial correlation on Mann-Kendall test. The results of Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s Method showed decreasing trend for all rainfall stations except for the Monje station. But, no significant trends were observed in all stations. Also, the results indicated that the precipitation has not occurred nonhomogeneity; whereas all test indicated there is no change point on precipitation time series. No change and abrupt shift were visible in the precipitation time series except in winter for Ali Abad Khafr; and Ali Abad Khafr; Tangab and Ramjerd based on pettitt test and Standard normal homogeneity test, respectively.
Earnings Management and Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings (IPO), Evidence from Iran

The aim of this study is to answer an important but unanswered question about manipulation of earnings before initial public offerings. Several studies have examined earnings management in IPOs. In previous studies, researchers did not examine that firms manipulating income figures have seen little underpricing or confronted with larger underpricing despite aggressive earning management. We used somewhat new proxy of earnings management to test whether approximately high degree of earnings manipulation before IPO cause larger underpricing or not. This assertion is based on asymmetric information theory in underpricing literature that claims firms with approximately high degree of earnings manipulation have increased ex-ante uncertainty. As we know from research literature, increase in ex-ante uncertainty leads to steeper price discounts. However this is despite the prevailing hypothesis that firms going public can fool the market by offering higher prices for their shares. We did not find any significant relationship between earnings management and underpricing and thus our finding is consistent with the hypothesis that suggests high degree of earnings manipulation before going public leads to little underpricing.
Quantitative mapping of bacterioplankton populations in seawater : field tests across an upwelling plume in Monterey Bay

Few methods are available for quantifying specific prokaryotic taxa in marine plankton samples. In this study, we report a novel sampling and analysis strategy that circumvents some of the difficulties associated with current methods. This new approach allows for increased spatial, tempo- ral and phylogenetic resolution over what has been achievable in routine bacterioplankton surveys. Picoplankton from small volume samples (30 ml) were collected on polysulfone filters and DNA was extracted with a commercially available DNA purification kit. The contribution of different bacterio- plankton members at the group and subgroup levels was quantified by 5' nuclease assays. Percent- ages of small subunit (SSU) rDNAs from SAR11, SAR86, Roseobacter, Cytophaga and Synechococcus clades in DNA extracted from small samples were compared with SSU rDNA in DNA samples extracted from 6 to 9 l seawater. Only small differences were observed between the methods. The approach was also tested by estimating gene copy numbers in a seawater sample spiked with vary- ing numbers of cells from a cultivated marine Roseobacter strain. Finally we measured SSU rDNAs from the same groups of marine bacterioplankton in samples from a rapid survey of an upwelling plume in Monterey Bay, California, USA. A strong negative correlation between the percentage of Cytophagales and recently upwelled water, and an overlap between higher SAR86 percentages and a chlorophyll a concentration peak was found. The results confirm that rapid mapping of specific bacterioplankton groups is achievable using small samples and 5' nuclease assays.
DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP MEASUREMENT MODEL IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SYSTEM

This study aimed to determine the constructs and to develop measurement model of innovative instructional leadership for polytechnics system in Malaysia. This study has utilized a model development approach as its research design. In the earlier stage, a Modified Delphi technique was used to gather initial data regarding innovative instructional leadership. Eleven experts were selected based on their expertise and experience. They confirmed 3 constructs of innovative instructional leadership for the polytechnics system. Stratified random sampling was used in this study to select the respondents. A new instrument was developed which consisted of 3 constructs and 12 items and distributed to the respondents in the selected polytechnics to determine the innovative instructional leadership of the polytechnic administrators. Empirical data collected were analyses using descriptive and inferential statistics that included confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed that lecturers at the polytechnics did not agree that their administrators possess the innovative instructional leadership and also found that the administrators of the polytechnics have moderate level of innovative instructional leadership for most of the constructs. Based on confirmatory factor analysis, it was found that only 12 items out of 20 items that are important to the innovative instructional leadership in the polytechnics system in Malaysia. It is hoped that the results of this study could assist the top management in polytechnics to spearhead the direction and leadership of the polytechnics towards a more creative and innovative system in line with the government's desire to transform the polytechnic system to becoming a preferred choice of higher education institution. Keywords: Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET), innovative instructional leadership, measurement model, Modified Delphi Technique, Malaysia.
Distribution of FSHR307 and FSHR680 allelic variants of FSH receptor gene exon 10 in females from Ukraine

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of two distinct follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) variants, Asn680Ser and Thr307Ala, in normaly ovulated group of females from Ukraine. The FSHR gene variants, Asn680Ser and Thr307Ala, were analyzed by PCR and RFLP. The strong linkage disequilibrium between FSHR307 and FSHR680 loci was found (p < 0.0001). The following genotypes have been detected: NN (33.1 %), NS (52.3 %), SS (14.6 %) for Asn680Ser variant and TT (33.1 %), TA (55.4 %), AA (11.5 %) for Thr307Ala variant. Further study on the association of FSHR variant with ovarian dysfunction and individual susceptibility to FSH-stimulation considering our population data would clarify a possible functional role of FSHR307 and FSHR680 loci.
Assessment of post-hurricane forest damage using optical remote sensing

Large-scale forest damage from hurricanes is a major problem for forest management in the southeastern United States, as such damage can increase the likelihood and severity of other forest disturbances, such as fires. In recent years, the frequency and severity of hurricane-induced wreckage has made the creation of a rapid and accurate system for regional forestdamage assessment important for supporting post-hurricane forest management and post-hazard relief, as well as for the removal of dangerous dead biomass fuels.1 We have developed a new algorithm for rapid evaluation of post-hurricane forest disturbances. Satellite remote sensing is particularly well suited for monitoring regional forest conditions, because it can partially overcome many of the difficulties faced by traditional methods. Assessing the severity of damage in hurricane-impacted forest regions has traditionally relied on ground surveys, aerial photography, and combinations of ecological, storm, and topographic models. Only a few studies have focused on using satellite remote sensing. Most of the latter employed passive optical remote sensing and adopted the change or standardized change in various vegetation indices (VIs) as damage indicators. These studies have not evaluated the quantitative relationships between individual VIs and ground-observed forest damage, or compared their respective performance. We evaluated commonly used VIs, and developed and validated an algorithm to rapidly assess the severity of forest damage that does not rely on ground observations.2 For VI evaluation we used the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) nadir bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF)-adjusted reflectance (NBAR) Figure 1. Severity of forest damage caused by hurricane Katrina. Each pixel represents 1km2.