Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Perceptions of Airbnb Hosts: Evidence from a Mediterranean Island

In the context of the sharing economy, Airbnb has become a formidable mode of accommodation in the tourism industry worldwide, with a presence in over 34,000 cities in 191 countries. However, the risks associated with online bookings are significant dimensions of this e-market domain. This study assesses Airbnb hosts’ perceived risks and investigates the effects of service, financial, safety and security, psychological and political risks on the host’s satisfaction and intention to continue and recommend this business to potential hosts. A survey was administered to 221 Airbnb hosts located in Northern Cyprus. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed conceptual model. The results revealed that host satisfaction is negatively influenced by financial and safety and security risks; continuance intention is negatively affected by financial, safety and security, and political risks; intention to recommend this business is negatively affected by political risk; and psychological risk increases satisfaction and intention to continue and recommend. By highlighting the theoretical and managerial implications, this study informs Airbnb management of the potential risks associated with this peer-to-peer (P2P) business in order to minimize the associated risks, enhance host satisfaction and the quality of their services, and encourage hosts to recommend Airbnb to their peers.
Catastrophic health expenditure and household impoverishment: a case of prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Kenya

Background: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Kenya. Their claim on financial and time resources adversely affects household welfare. Households predominantly pay healthcare costs for NCDs in Kenya as Out of Pocket expenditure (OOP). Health expenditure on NCDs stands at 6.2% of total health expenditure, which is 0.4% of the total gross domestic product of the country. This expenditure scenario has implications on household welfare through catastrophic expenditure in Kenya. Most studies done on catastrophic expenditure in Kenya have not looked at the effect of NCDs on poverty. Methods: This paper has investigated the determinants of catastrophic health spending and its effect on household welfare with special focus on NCDs. National household level survey data on expenditure and utilization is used. Controlling for endogeneity, the results revealed that NCDs and communicable diseases (CDs) contribute significantly to the likelihood of a household incurring catastrophic expenditure. Results: Although all types of diseases have negative effects on household welfare, NCDs have more severe impacts on impoverishment. For example, by comparison, the odds of a household being impoverished due to NCDs are about 5.4% greater compared to all illnesses regardless of the type (i.e. NCDs or CDs). Conclusion: It is notable that households afflicted by NCDs have a high chance of being impoverished and driven into poverty due to healthcare and treatment costs. Policy-wise, government and development partners should put in place a health financing plan as a mean towards social protection.
Seasonal Trends in Acoustic Detection of Marine Mammals in Baffin Bay and Melville Bay, Northwest Greenland + Supplementary Appendix 1 (See Article Tools)

The expansion of hydrocarbon exploration in northwest Greenland has made it increasingly important to understand the occurrence of marine mammals in the region. We describe the seasonal occurrence of marine mammals and the spatial distribution of their calls in Baffin Bay and Melville Bay. Four Autonomous Multichannel Acoustic Recorders (AMARs) were deployed during summer 2012 (late July to early October), five recorders during September 2013, and two recorders from late September 2013 to early September 2014. The call presence of several species was analyzed using automatic call detection and manual verification analysis methods. A novel approach to discern narwhal ( Monodon monoceros ) clicks from beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas ) clicks was implemented during the verification process. Narwhal calls were detected in spring and fall, showing a south-to-north migration pattern in spring and a north-to-south migration pattern in fall. Few beluga whales were detected during fall 2013 and spring 2014. Bearded seal ( Erignathus barbatus ) calls were detected mainly during spring (mating period). A small number of bowhead whale calls ( Balaena mysticetus ) were detected during fall 2013 and spring and summer 2014. For the first time at this latitude in Baffin Bay, long-finned pilot whales ( Globicephala melas ) and sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus ) were detected during summer and fall. Our results suggest that the presence of marine mammals in Baffin Bay and Melville Bay is governed mainly by the annual cycle of sea ice formation and decay.
First records of seven marine organisms of different origins from Libya (Mediterranean Sea)

Seven first records of species of various origins are reported from the Libyan marine environment. These are the Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana, Lesser amberjack Seriola fasciata, Blunthead puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster, Golani round herring Etrumeus golanii, Blue swimmer crab Portunus segnis, Bigfin reef squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana, and the green alga Caulerpa taxifolia. The first three species are widely distributed fish seemingly expanding their range in the Mediterranean Sea, while the others are alien species, introduced in the Mediterranean through various pathways. While some were recently captured, others were identified from old collections, with dates of capture ranging between 1993 and 2017. In addition to updating the list of marine fauna and flora from Libya, the respective dates of these records represent vital information for future studies aiming at reconstructing range expansion histories and assessing spread rates in the Mediterranean Sea.
Dual Class Stock in Russia: What Explains the Price Differential between Common and Preferred Shares? Discussion Papers

This paper aims to explain the large premium paid on common (voting) shares relative to preferred (non-voting) shares in the Russian stock market. Empirical analysis focuses on two main explanations relating the premium either to the voting right attached to common shares or to differences in liquidity between the two classes of stock. Two avenues through which the right to vote may give rise to the premium are distinguished. First, the presence of private benefits of control and the possibility of control contests may make the votes held by small investors pivotal, and therefore valuable. Second, non-voting shareholders may be expropriated as a class by voting shareholders. Regression analysis of RTS stock exchange data from 1997- 2005 provides support for the control contest model of the premium as well as for the liquidity argument. The study finds no evidence that the premium is related to expropriation of preferred shareholders as a class.
EFFEC TS OF V IR U SES ON G R O W TH AND Y IE L D OF LO CA L SW EET POTATO V A R IE TIE S IN K ENYA '/

Experiments to determine the effect of viruses on the vine and tuber yield o f three popular Kenya sweet potato varieties were undertaken at the University o f Nairobi Kabete farm. The sw'eet potato varieties were KemblO, Bungoma and Ex-shimba hills which were either virus free or infected with sweet potato feathery mottle potyvirus (SPFMV), sweet potato mild mottle ipomovirus (SPMMV), sweet potato chlorotic stunt crinivirus (SPCSV) or SPFMV + SPCSV. The treatment combination was a split plot factorial structure in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Disease severity and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception by the plant canopy were determined. At harvest, leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf weight (SLW), fresh vine weight, total tuber yield, marketable and unmarketable tuber yield and harvest index (HI) were determined. Dual infection resulted in severe symptoms characteristic o f sweet potato virus disease complex (SPVD). SPFMV and SPMMV had no significant effect on PAR intercepted by the plant canopy. Infection with SPCSV and SPFMV + SPCSV had a reduced PAR interception by 18% and 75% respectively. In addition, SPCSV and dual infection reduced fresh vine yield by 40% and 75% respectively. Infection with single viruses caused an increase in SLW ranging from 5 to 40% while plants dually infected with SPFMV + SPCSV reduced SLW by 15%. Only dual infection with SPFMV + SPCSV caused 66% reduction in LAI. Plants dually infected with SPFMV + SPCSV caused a marketable tuber yield loss ranging from 82 98% in all varieties. Infection with SPFMV, SPCSV and SPMMV on varieties Bungoma and KemblO reduced yields through hindered translocation o f photosynthate as inferred by increased
Electron cloud and beam scrubbing in the LHC

An adequate dose of photoelectrons, accelerated by low-intensity proton bunches and hitting the LHC beam screen wall, will substantially reduce secondary emission and avoid the fast build-up of an electron cloud for the nominal LHC beam. The conditioning period of the liner surface can be considerably shortened thanks to secondary electrons, provided heat load and beam stability can be kept under control; for example this may be possible using a special proton beam, including satellite bunches with an intensity of 15-20% of the nominal bunch intensity and a spacing of one or two RF wavelengths. Based on recent measurements of secondary electron emission, on multi-pacting tests and simulation results, we discuss possible 'beam scrubbing' scenarios in the LHC and present an update of electron cloud effects.
Lithospheric structure and deep earthquakes beneath India, the Himalaya and southern Tibet

SUMMARY This paper is concerned with the implications of earthquake depth distributions in the Himalayan‐Tibetan collision zone for the general understanding of lithosphere rheology. In particular, recent studies have argued that microearthquakes in the uppermost mantle beneath Nepal and some earthquakes at 80‐90 km depth, close to the Moho in SE and NW Tibet, reinforce the conventional view of the last 25 yr that the continental lithosphere is well represented by strong seismogenic layers in the upper crust and uppermost mantle, separated by a weak and aseismic lower crust. That view was recently challenged by an alternative one suggesting that the continental lithosphere contained a single strong seismogenic layer, that was either the upper crust or the whole crust, but did not involve the mantle. We re-examine the seismic structure and seismicity of the Himalayan‐Tibetan collision zone, recalculating earthquake depths in velocity structures that are consistent with seismic receiver functions and surface wave dispersion studies, and calculating a geotherm for the Indian Shield consistent with kimberlite nodule geochemistry. Earthquakes occur throughout the crustal thickness of the Indian Shield, where the lower crust is thought to consist of dry granulite, responsible for its seismogenic behaviour and strength as manifested by its relatively large effective elastic thickness. The crust of the Indian Shield is thin (∼35 km) for an Archean shield, and this, in turn, leads to a steady-state Moho temperature that could be as low as ∼500 ◦ C. When this shield is thrust beneath the Himalaya in Nepal, the relatively low mantle temperature, together with the high strain rates associated with it adopting a ‘ramp-and-flat’ geometry, may be responsible for the mantle microearthquakes that accompany other earthquakes in the lower crust. Further north, the upper crust of India south of the Indus Suture Zone has been removed, the uppermost lower crust of India has heated up, and seismicity is restricted to a few earthquakes very close to the Moho at 80‐90 km, where errors in Moho and earthquake depth determinations make it unclear whether these events are in the crust or mantle. A similar situation exists in NW Tibet beneath the Kunlun, where earthquakes at 80‐90 km depth occur very close to the Moho. Both places are about 400 km north of the Himalayan front, and we suspect both represent the minimum distance India has underthrust Tibet, so that India underlies most of the SE and nearly all of the NW Tibetan plateau. The distribution of earthquake depths throughout the region is consistent with a generic global view of seismicity in which earthquakes occur in (1) ‘wet’ upper crustal material to a temperature of ∼350 ◦ C, or (2) higher temperatures in dry granulite-facies lower crust or (3) mantle that is colder than ∼600 ◦ C.
Controls on melt migration and extraction at the ultraslow Southwest Indian Ridge 10°–16°E

[1] Crustal thickness variations at the ultraslow spreading 10–16°E region of the Southwest Indian Ridge are used to constrain melt migration processes. In the study area, ridge morphology correlates with the obliquity of the ridge axis with respect to the spreading direction. A long oblique “supersegment”, nearly devoid of magmatism, is flanked at either end by robust magmatic centers (Joseph Mayes Seamount and Narrowgate segment) of much lesser obliquity. Plate-driven mantle flow and temperature structure are calculated in 3-D based on the observed ridge segmentation. Melt extraction is assumed to occur in three steps: (1) vertical migration out of the melting region, (2) focusing along an inclined permeability barrier, and (3) extraction when the melt enters a region shallower than ∼35 km within 5 km of the ridge axis. No crust is predicted in our model along the oblique supersegment. The formation of Joseph Mayes Seamount is consistent with an on-axis melt anomaly induced by the local orthogonal spreading. The crustal thickness anomaly at Narrowgate results from melt extracted at a tectonic damage zone as it travels along the axis toward regions of lesser obliquity. Orthogonal spreading enhances the Narrowgate crustal thickness anomaly but is not necessary for it. The lack of a residual mantle Bouguer gravity high along the oblique supersegment can be explained by deep serpentization of the upper mantle permissible by the thermal structure of this ridge segment. Buoyancy-driven upwelling and/or mantle heterogeneities are not required to explain the extreme focusing of melt in the study area.
Physical maturity of the vertebral column of Tursiops truncatus (Cetacea) from Southern Brazil

Age, sex and total length are important variables for the analysis of ontogeny, sexual dimorphism and geographic variation among cetaceans. The physical maturity of cetaceans can be determined through analysis of the fusion of vertebral epiphyses. The animal is considered physically mature when all the epiphyses are fused to the vertebral body and the body growth ceases. The focus of the study is to determine physical maturity of the spine of Tursiops truncatus and compare with the age of individuals, which was obtained from the counting of Growth Layer Groups (G.L.G.). Twenty-four specimens were analyzed for the degree of epiphyseal fusion. As a result three vertebral maturation patterns were identified: Pattern 1 - vertebral column without fusion of epiphyses or fusion initiating only in cervical epiphyses (from zero to two years old); Pattern 2 - column with four degrees of fusion of epiphyses (from two to eleven/twelve years old); and Pattern 3 - column completely fused (more than eleven/twelve years old). For T. truncatus from the coast of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, the fusion of vertebral epiphyses begins rapidly in the cervical region, followed by the caudal region, with the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae being the last to undergo fusion. Sexual dimorphism may be present during the maturation process of these animals, which became physically mature between eleven and fifteen years old. Key words: bottlenose dolphin, growth, vertebral epiphyses, age.
Artigo PREFERENCE FOR MAP SCALE OF IN-CAR ROUTE GUIDANCE AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Usability issues of maps presented in-car Route Guidance and Navigation System (RGNS) may result in serious impacts on traffic safety. To obtain effective RGNS, evaluation of ‘user satisfaction’ with the system has played a prominent role, since designers can quantify drivers’ acceptance about presented information. An important variable related to design of RGNS interfaces refers to select appropriate scale for maps, since it interferes on legibility of maps. Map with good legibility may support drivers comprehend information easily and take decisions during driving task quickly. This paper evaluates drivers’ preference for scales used in maps of RGNS. A total of 52 subjects participated of an experiment performed in a parked car. Maps were designed at four different scales 1:1,000, 1:3,000, 1:6,000 and 1:10,000 for a route composed of 13 junctions. Map design was based on cartographic communication principles, such as perceptive grouping and figure-ground segregation. Based on studies cases, we conclude intermediate scales (1:6,000 and 1:3,000) were more acceptable among drivers compared to large scales (1:1,000) and small (1:10,000). RGNS should select scales for maps which supports drivers to quickly identify direction of the maneuver and, simultaneously, get information about surroundings of route. More results are presented and implications discussed
Antiinflammatory, Antimicrobial And Immunomodulatory Properties Of Lactobacillus Casei Against Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli

Purpose: Immunomodulatory as well as in vivo antimicrobial properties of Lactobacillus casei were investigated. L. casei was administered orally in Wistar rats. Methods: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli were used. Both live and dead culture of L. casei were used. 2x10 8 CFU/ml of each culture was given to respective group daily from day 1 upto 28 days. Results: Beneficial effects such as increased adhesive property shown by L. casei, increased hemoglobin content and RBC and decreased WBC counts were observed in LL ( live L. casei ) and LD (dead L. casei ) group when compared with EC group (Administerd E. coli). Serum biomarkers like Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), Serum glutamic oxaloacteic transaminase (SGOT) and total proteins (TP) were also decreased in LL and LD group. Moreover, L. casei in both live and dead form has decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine ( IL-6 and α TNF) whi le i t has increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Histopathological analysis also confirmed the protective effect of L. casei against enteropathogenic E. coli. Conclusion: Present study revealed that L. casei consumption may provide gastrointestinal tract immunity against enteropathogenic E. coli
CARCASS QUALITY AND COST-BENEFIT OF RABBITS FED CASSAVA PEEL

A study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary inclusion of processed cassava peel meals (CPM) on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and economy of production of thirty-two growing rabbits. The rabbits, aged 6-week old with an initial average weight of 567±23 g, were allocated to a completely randomized design in a 9-week experiment. There were four diets consisting of a control (without cassava peel meal) and 200 g kg-1 of ensiled cassava peel meal (ECPM), sun-dried cassava peel meal (SCPM) and retted cassava peel meal (RCPM), respectively. The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) contents of processed CPM followed this rank order: RCPM (98.10 mg/kg) < SCPM (165 mg/kg) < ECPM (299.21 mg/kg) < unprocessed cassava peel meal (710.98 mg/kg). Live, slaughter and dressed weights, dressing percentage, meat to bone ratio, and pelt, shoulder, loin and leg expressed as the percentage of the dressed weight were lower (p<0.05) in ECPM than other diets. Other carcass parameters, meat organoleptic properties and savings on cost of feeding were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. Feed cost/kg body weight gain (BWG) decreased (p<0.05) with inclusion of 200 g/kg CPM in the diets. Differential cost/kg BWG and relative cost benefit/kg BWG showed similar trend and followed this rank order: RCPM > SCPM > ECPM (all p<0.05). Meat to bone ratio was positively and significantly (p<0.0001, R2= 0.9996) influenced by live, slaughter and dressed weights. The results indicate the efficacy of the processing methods in cassava peels detoxification, cost effectiveness of the 200 g kg-1 CPM diets and absence of negative effect of residual HCN contents of the detoxified CPM on the meat quality of the experimental rabbits.
Reasons for undergoing virginity testing : A study of young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa

Aim: The practice of virginity testing was done from the early twentieth century in KwaZuluNatal. Many regard virginity testing as the only way to revitalize what they view as lost cultural values. The aim of the study is to understand the reasons for undergoing virginity testing from the perspective of adolescent girls and boys. The study will explore the importance attached to virginity testing by adolescent girls and boys. Methods: The study draws on 10 in-depth interviews and 3 focus groups discussions with adolescent girls and boys conducted in Nongoma. Results: The study found widespread support of virginity by adolescent girls and boys. The majority of adolescents associate virginity testing with self-respect and dignity and an important part of their culture. It has been reported by some that there has been an increase in the number of rapes since the revival of virginity testing. Interestingly it was also found out that virginity testing can be used as a pregnancy prevention strategy since young women who undergo virginity testing have a fear of engaging in sexual intercourse. Conclusion: In dealing with virginity testing, the emphasis should be on providing young women with skills that empower them to be assertive in situations where they are vulnerable. The practice currently emphasizes the value of virginity testing and not the process that women undergo in order to maintain their virginity.
Plant Electrophysiology - ReadingSample

Electrical signals are initial response of plant to the external stimuli. This type of signal may trigger different physiological responses. The most famous is the rapid leaf movement in carnivorous and sensitive plants. However, a lot of less visible changes in plant physiology may occur. This chapter focuses on the effect of action (APs) and variation potentials (VPs) on photosynthesis and respiration. First, experimental methods and setup for measurements of photosynthesis and respiration in response to electrical signals are described. Then detailed information about effect of AP and VP on CO2 metabolism in different plant species are summarized. Both light and dark reactions of photosynthesis, as well as rate of respiration, are affected by electrical signals, but the effect is often adverse (from inhibition to stimulation of photosynthesis). In addition, the stomatal conductance (gs), an important component of gas exchange, is also differently affected by electrical signals. Summarizing the data from numerous authors, the hypothesis about mechanism underlying photosynthetic limitation and stimulation of respiration is proposed. Abbreviations 1–qP excitation pressure at photosystem II ABA abscisic acid AP action potential DCMU 3-(30,40-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea DW dry weight E rate of transpiration F0 minimal fluorescence level in dark-adapted leaves A. Pavlovič (&) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Plant Physiology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina B-2, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia e-mail: pavlovic@fns.uniba. sk A. G. Volkov (ed.), Plant Electrophysiology, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-29110-4_2, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012 33 F0 minimal fluorescence level ‘‘in the light’’ Fm maximal fluorescence level from dark adapted leaves Fm maximal fluorescence level in light-adapted leaves Ft steady-state fluorescence in the light Fv variable fluorescence Fv/Fm maximum quantum yield of photosystem II gs stomatal conductance IAA indole-3-acetic acid