Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who gets lost and why: A representative cross-sectional survey on sociodemographic and vestibular determinants of wayfinding strategies

When we think of our family and friends, we probably know someone who is good at finding their way and someone else that easily get lost. We still know little about the biological and environmental factors that influence our navigational ability. Here, we investigated the frequency and sociodemographic determinants of wayfinding and their association with vestibular function in a representative cross-sectional sample (N = 783) of the adult German-speaking population. Wayfinding was assessed using the Wayfinding Strategy Scale, a self-report scale that produces two scores for each participant representing to what degree they rely on route-based or orientation (map-based) strategies. We were interested in the following research questions: (1) the frequency and determinants of wayfinding strategies in a population-based representative sample, (2) the relationship between vestibular function and strategy choice and (3) how sociodemographic factors influence general wayfinding ability as measured using a combined score from both strategy scores. Our linear regression models showed that being male, having a higher education, higher age and lower regional urbanization increased orientation strategy scores. Vertigo/dizziness reduced the scores of both the orientation and the route strategies. Using a novel approach, we grouped participants by their combined strategy scores in a multinomial regression model, to see whether individuals prefer one strategy over the other. The majority of individuals reported using either both or no strategy, instead of preferring one strategy over the other. Young age and reduced vestibular function were indicative of using no strategy. In summary, wayfinding ability depends on both biological and environmental factors; all sociodemographic factors except income. Over a third of the population, predominantly under the age of 35, does not successfully use either strategy. This represents a change in our wayfinding skills, which may result from the technological advances in navigational aids over the last few decades.
SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF HD 95086 b WITH THE GEMINI PLANET IMAGER

We present new H (1.5–1.8 μm) photometric and K1 (1.9–2.2 μm) spectroscopic observations of the young exoplanet HD 95086 b obtained with the Gemini Planet Imager. The H-band magnitude has been significantly improved relative to previous measurements, whereas the low-resolution K1 ( ) spectrum is featureless within the measurement uncertainties and presents a monotonically increasing pseudo-continuum consistent with a cloudy atmosphere. By combining these new measurements with literature photometry, we compare the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the planet to other young planetary-mass companions, field brown dwarfs, and to the predictions of grids of model atmospheres. HD 95086 b is over a magnitude redder in color than 2MASS J12073346–3932539 b and HR 8799 c and d, despite having a similar magnitude. Considering only the near-infrared measurements, HD 95086 b is most analogous to the brown dwarfs 2MASS J2244316+204343 and 2MASS J21481633+4003594, both of which are thought to have dusty atmospheres. Morphologically, the SED of HD 95086 b is best fit by low temperature ( = 800–1300 K), low surface gravity spectra from models which simulate high photospheric dust content. This range of effective temperatures is consistent with field L/T transition objects, but the spectral type of HD 95086 b is poorly constrained between early L and late T due to its unusual position the color–magnitude diagram, demonstrating the difficulty in spectral typing young, low surface gravity substellar objects. As one of the reddest such objects, HD 95086 b represents an important empirical benchmark against which our current understanding of the atmospheric properties of young extrasolar planets can be tested.
PKCβ regulates ischemia/reperfusion injury in the lung

Activation of PKCβII is associated with the response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), though its role, either pathogenic or protective, has not been determined. In a murine model of single-lung I/R, evidence linking PKCβ to maladaptive responses is shown in the following studies. Homozygous PKCβ-null mice and WT mice fed the PKCβ inhibitor ruboxistaurin subjected to I/R displayed increased survival compared with controls. In PKCβ-null mice, phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2), JNK, and p38 MAPK was suppressed in I/R. Expression of the immediate early gene, early growth response-1 (Egr-1), and its downstream target genes was significantly increased in WT mice in I/R, particularly in mononuclear phagocytes (MPs), whereas this expression was attenuated in PKCβ-null mice or WT mice fed ruboxistaurin. In vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation-mediated induction of Egr-1 in MPs was suppressed by inhibition of PKCβ, ERK1/2, and JNK, but not by inhibition of p38 MAPK. These findings elucidate key roles for PKCβII activation in I/R by coordinated activation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK) and Egr-1.
Leg muscle strength is reduced and is associated with physical quality of life in Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Objective Physical quality of life is reduced in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study aims to investigate whether this may be explained by reduced muscle strength and physical activity resulting from disease damage and steroid myopathy. Methods Forty-eight AAV patients were sequentially included from the outpatient clinic. Patients in different stages of disease and treatment underwent measurements of muscle strength and anthropometric parameters. Patients filled in physical activity (Baecke) and quality of life questionnaires (RAND-36) and carried an accelerometer for a week. Muscle strength and physical activity were compared to quality of life, prednisolone use and disease duration. Results Most AAV patients had lower knee extension (76%) and elbow flexion (67%) forces than expected based on healthy norms. Also, physical (P<0.001) and mental (P = 0.01) quality of life were significantly reduced compared to healthy norm values. Lower knee extension force (P = 0.009), younger age <70 (P<0.001) and relapse of vasculitis (P = 0.003) were associated with lower age-adjusted physical quality of life. Lower Baecke index (P = 0.006), higher prednisolone dose (P = 0.005) and ENT involvement (P = 0.006) were associated with lower age-adjusted mental quality of life. Leg muscle strength showed no association with current or cumulative prednisolone use. Disease duration was longer in patients with knee extension force below healthy norms (P = 0.006). Conclusion Knee extension force and physical activity are positively associated with quality of life in AAV. Knee extension force decreases with longer disease duration, suggesting that disease- and treatment-related damage have a cumulative negative effect on muscle strength.
Endogenous growth in production networks

We investigate the interplay between technological change and macro- economic dynamics in an agent-based model of the formation of production networks. On the one hand, production networks form the structure that determines economic dynamics in the short run. On the other hand, their evolution reflects the long-term impacts of competition and innovation on the economy. We account for process innovation via increasing variety in the input mix and hence increasing connectivity in the network. In turn, product innovation induces a direct growth of the firm’s productivity and the potential destruction of links. The interplay between both processes generates complex technological dynamics in which phases of process and product innovation successively dominate. The model reproduces a wealth of stylized facts about industrial dynamics and technological progress, in particular the persistence of heterogeneity among firms and Wright’s law for the growth of productivity within a technological paradigm. We illustrate the potential of the model for the analysis of industrial policy via a preliminary set of policy experiments in which we investigate the impact on innovators’ success of feed-in tariffs and of priority market access.
Modeling of traffic flows based on multi-delay kinetic system

In order to improve a complex traffic environment of multi-lane,variable road conditions and variable traffic flows,a new model is established by using multi-delay kinetic system approach,which can describe the behavior for the interactions of before and after multi-time period for the road traffic flow.The simulation results show that the proposed model can describe the real traffic flow changes,and to the control traffic flow and the analysis of the transportation systems, the model has real applications in deal with multi-lane traffic flows in the practice.
PersPektif al-Qur’an tentang Bencana alam

Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan pandangan Al-Qur’an ihwal bencana alam. Ada sembilan kata yang diketahui berisi pandangan Al-Qur’an soal bencana: zhulumât , al-kubar , al-karb , su’ , nailan , ‘adzâb , sayyi’ah, dâ’irah , dan mushibah. Sementara itu, ada enam bencana alam yang disinggung Al-Qur’an, seperti banjir, gempa, angin topan, hujan batu, kemarau, dan kelaparan. Dari keenam bencana alam itu, diskusi mengenai bencana apakah sebagai ujian atau siksa, diketahui lebih banyak sebagai siksa. Meski demikian, bencana tidak bisa dicegah, hanya bisa diantisipasi saja. Cara orang melalui bencana juga ada beraneka, yang berbanding lurus dengan misteri bencana, yang kemudian dianggap sebagai hikmah.
Interactive comment on “ Aerosol mixing-state , hygroscopic growth and cloud activation efficiency during MIRAGE 2006 ” by S

This manuscript presents results from measurements outside Mexico City over a 16 day period. The measurements focus on the water uptake properties of the ambient aerosols. Several state of the art instruments were used including an aerosol mass spectrometer for measurements of aerosol chemical composition, a continuous flow CCN counter for determination of critical supersaturations and a HTDMA system for measurements of hygroscopic growth.
Interaction Analysis of Thin Film Composite Membrane Using Trimesoyl Chloride - Piperazine by Dynamic Molecular

Polyamide thin film composite (TFC) membranes are very favourable particularly in pervaporation dehydration and reverse osmosis field for their performance and strength. TFC is produced using interfacial polymerization (IP) technique between aqueous and organic monomer. However, the interaction between monomers is not well discussed at the atomic level and likelihood to produce a loose TFC membrane. Thus, this paper aims to analysis the interaction between aqueous monomer - organic monomer using Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation to form TFC membrane. This work was done by the Piperazine (PIP), aqueous monomer with the organic monomer, Trimesoyl Chloride (TMC) in the binary systems. The simulation involved the setting of Ewald Summation Method, COMPASS force field, equilibrium phase by microcanonical, NVE (constant volumes and total energy) and run-production stage by NPT (constant pressure and temperature). Analysis by the Radial distribution function (RDF) explicates the intermolecular interfacial of 5.75 A between the bonding of N (Amine) - C (TMC) atoms at the distance 1.0 A. This study suggested that the TFC formed by the interaction between TMC - PIP is stable based on interaction higher interaction at very short distance.
Effects of Different Types of Annotations on Incidental Vocabulary Learning in a Multimedia Environment

This study investigates the effects of four different types of annotations,namely Chinese(L1) text only,English(L2) text only,Chinese text plus picture and English text plus picture,on Chinese college students' incidental vocabulary learning in a multimedia environment.The results indicate that,as far as incidental learning is concerned,annotations with pictures are more effective than annotations without pictures,Chinese annotations are more effective than English annotations(except in blank-filling task in immediate test),and L1 plus picture annotations are the most effective.Besides,the subjects with higher English proficiency perform significantly better than those with lower proficiency for the two tasks,and the retention of the new words of the former is also significantly better than that of the latter.
Moderating role of productivity on diversified conglomerates and performance: the case of Malaysia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the previous mixed findings in the relationship between diversification and firm performance. Using international and industrial conglomerates, the paper introduces productivity as a moderating variable to ascertain whether the mixed views in the diversification-performance nexus is due to variations in productivity. The findings in both proxies of performance (q and return on asset (ROA)) show that productivity is not a significant moderator in the diversification-performance link, except that under industrial conglomerates productivity enhances ROAs significantly. Meanwhile, the results show that diversification either has no significant value on firm performance or relates negatively with performance – a contrasting result to the hypothesis of this study. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts diversification measurement, categorisation approach and the methodology used in the work of Fauver et al. (2004) and the subsequent modification by Lee et al. (2012). This study, however, investigates the moderating effect of productivity on diversified firms and not ownership as shown in the previous studies. Performance is measured by two proxies to show robustness of the study. ROA is an accounting tool and Tobin’s q reflects a market-based performance of the firm. Findings The results show that productivity has no moderating impact on a market-based performance of a diversified firm. Regarding ROA, results show a split in finding by showing that productivity has no significant impact on international diversification; however, for industrial diversification, results show significant impact. Originality/value The paper adds to knowledge of finance by ruling out the view that the inconsistencies in the diversification and performance nexus in emerging economies could be due to vagaries in productivity. It is confirmed that productivity technically does not strengthen the link between diversification and performance: suggesting that factors other than productivity could establish a maximal impact on that link to minimise the inconsistencies in the findings on diversification-performance link.
Influence of Firms Attributes on Environmental Disclosure in Listed Brewery Companies in Nigeria

The thrust of this study was in the influence of firm attributes on environmental disclosure of listed breweries companies in Nigeria. The population of the study consist of five breweries companies listed on the floor of Nigerian stock exchange. The sample size of the study is four companies. The sample was drawn based on data accessability. Data were collected from annual reports of the selected companies for the period of five years that is from 2012 to 2016. Multiple regression technique was employed to analyse the data. Profitability (PROF), firm size (FRMS), leverage (LEV) and board size (BDS) were used as proxies to measure the firm attributes. While contents analysis was maintained to measure environmental discloure.The study found board size has negative but significant influence on environmental disclosure wirth value 0.0089, leverage has negative and insignificant influence on environmental disclosure with value 0.8229. Where firm size has positive insignificant influence on environmental disclosure with value 0.1951, profitability has positive significant influence on environmental disclosure of listed breweries companies in Nigeria. The study recommended that breweries companies should disclose more environmental information as it lead to increase in profit. Keywords : Environmental Disclosure, Firm Size, Leverage and Profitability.
Physical properties and management of forested steep lands being converted to farm lands : the case of Oban Hills , Cross River State , Nigeria

Soil samples were collected from fifteen profiles located from the top of Oban hills to the valley bottom in southeastern Nigeria. Standard laboratory methods were used to analyse the samples. The predominant top and subsoil textures were gravelly sandy loam and gravelly sandy clay loam respectively. The particle size distribution of the steep land soils ranged from 34 to 82%, 6 to 36% and 6 to 42% for sand, silt and clay respectively. The bulk density results range from 0.67 to 1.87g/cm with the mean of 1.38g/cm for top soils while it was 0.74 to 2.16g/cm with the mean of 2.02g/cm for sub soils. Top soils porosity values ranged from 29.43 to 74.72% with mean of 47.93% whereas subsoil range from 12.08 to 38% with the mean of 22.54%. The values of saturated hydraulic conductivity ranged from 7.56 to 103.87cm/hr. with mean of 34.42cm/hr. and 0.74 to 42.83cm/hr. with mean of 10.13cm/hr. for the top and sub soils respectively. The possession of sandy loam top soil texture will confer moderately rapid infiltration rate to them. The top soil bulk density values were adequate as they were mostly below 1.6g/cm. The porosity of the soil inferred from bulk density could be classified as good while the hydraulic conductivity as high. The present physical attributes of these soils coupled with high organic carbon top soil value enhance rapid infiltration. To maintain the productivity of these steep lands, slash and burn land use must not be utilized, zero tillage must be promoted and it will be better to adopt a land use that keeps the soils under a permanent cover e.g. forestry or perennial crop plantation. These will guarantee near natural soil conditions and prevent the development of rill or gully erosion.
An Exploratory Study of Environmental Values and Beliefs of Japanese Adventure Tourists in Hawaii

Adventure tourism and eco-tourism are becoming increasingly popular among travelers over the world. This case study identifies environmental perceptions of a random sample of Japanese (adventure) tourists on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. The modified New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale (Dunlap & Van Liere, 1978) was utlized to measure environmental perceptions of travelers. Despite the small sample size, the data provided a general socio-demographic profile of Japanese adventure tourists, and their environmental perceptions. Study findings may serve to support resource management decisions for the development of adventure tourism that is believed to become a significant niche market in Hawaii.
Sustainable Brand Placement, A Framework for Communicating Sustainable Brands’ Dual Benefits in Movies and TV series

This thesis focuses on how sustainable brands’ dual benefits could be communicated through brand placements in movies and TV series. Although, companies strive to communicate sustainability, barriers such as the attitude-behaviour gap and discursive confusion persist in the consumer society, negatively impacting the potential of sustainable consumption. Brand placement could presumably be used as a solution to overcome these problems, as scholars have found that media in general, and movies and TV shows in particular, could potentially promote sustainable brands. A qualitative multiple extensive case study has been conducted, and in-depth, semi-structured interviews have been applied and comprehended using thematic analysis. The findings show that clarity, naturality, humour and identity association are factors which ought to be considered when communicating sustainable brands dual benefits through brand placement in movies and TV series. Together these aspects build up the Sustainable Brand Placement Model.
cDNAs Encoding Chitin Synthase from Shrimp (Pandalopsis Japonica): Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis

Crustacean growth occurs via molting, the periodic shedding of the exoskeleton. Understanding the genes involved in chitin metabolism associated with the periodic molt cycle is important for various applications to decapod crustacean aquaculture. Chitin synthase is an important enzyme in the chitin biosynthetic pathway that plays a major role in synthesis of new cuticle after molting. In this study, we isolated a full-length cDNA encoding chitin synthase (PajCHS) from Pandalopsis japonica through a combination of PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)- based cloning and bioinformatics analysis. The identified PajCHS encodes a transmembrane protein with 1525 amino acid residues (175 kDa). Comparison with other CHSs from insects revealed that PajCHS contains three domains: N-terminal domain A, catalytic domain B, and C-terminal domain C. Three conserved motifs (EDR, QRRRW, and SWGTR) were also well conserved within and near the catalytic domain B, suggesting that Paj-CHS is functionally active. Variation in the transmembrane helix within the N-terminal and C-terminal domains suggested that the orientation of each CHS may be different. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that PajCHS is an ortholog of CHS1 group members from insect species. However, tissue expression profiles indicated that epidermis, hepatopancreas, intestine, and gill were the major production sites for PajCHS transcript, which is considerably different from insect CHS1. qPCR results showed that eye stalk ablation and 20 hydroxyecdysone (20E) injection increased the expression level of PajCHS mRNA, suggesting that the expression of PajCHS1 may be controlled by endogenous 20E.
Ending a Price Promotion: Retracting it in One Step or Phasing it out Gradually

Using the literature on both pricing and regret, the authors develop a conceptual model of purchase likelihood and propose a pricing tactic that appears to have marketplace potential. Sellers currently using a hi–lo pricing tactic discount a product for a limited time and then raise the price back to its original level in one step. Here, the authors investigate whether sellers should return prices to their prepromotion levels all at once or in steps. They propose that sellers should consider an alternative tactic, labeled “steadily decreasing discounting” (SDD). This alternative tactic requires that the seller offer one or more additional discounts that are less than the prior discount before returning the product to its original price. Study 1 is a laboratory experiment that tests the proposed underlying mechanisms (future price expectations and anticipated inaction regret) influencing likelihood to buy. In Study 2, an additional laboratory experiment is undertaken to provide further empirical support in favor of the SDD tactic, to address alternative explanations for the findings, and to demonstrate that there are no negative perceptions associated with using SDD. Study 3 is a field experiment that assesses the effectiveness of SDD, and Study 4 examines scanner panel data to evaluate its generalizability.
Exploring the innovative financing techniques of motor vehicle dealerships

Motor vehicle dealership are confronted with an excessive competition and are resorting on innovative techniques to retain customers. The purpose of this paper is to identify different innovative financing techniques being adopted by motor vehicle dealership. A qualitative research method was used to address the research purpose of this paper. A content data analysis was followed in analysing the primary data gathered during the study. The findings of this paper uncovered that different innovative financing techniques are used by motor vehicle dealerships in an attempt to remain competitive. Recommendations to the managers of motor vehicle dealerships and future research directions are provided in this paper. Corresponding author: Sipho Makgopa Email addresses for the corresponding author: makgoss@unisa.ac. za First submission received: 5th February 2018 Revised submission received: 15th July 2018 Accepted: 10th September 2018