Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visitors' Willingness to Pay for an Entrance Fee: A Case Study of Marine Parks in Malaysia

Marine Parks are established to protect an area of the sea zoned as a sanctuary for the protection of its marine eco-systems, especially coral reefs and its associated fauna and flora, like sea grass beds, mangroves and the sea shores. In Malaysia, there are 6 marine parks to-date. Ironically, the establishment of marine parks also attracts more tourists to the areas. For example, the number of visitors to Payar Marine Park increased tremendously from 3,668 visitors in 1990 to 133,775 visitors in 2002. Environmentalists and scientists have voiced concern that too many tourists have adverse effects on the coral reefs. This study estimates how much visitors are willing to pay for two separate issues; first, to reduce the damages due to crowding effect and second, to reduce the damages due to inland development, of three marine parks in Malaysia; Payar, Redang and Tioman Marine Park. The willingness-to-pay estimates were obtained from the respondents using the Contingent Valuation Method. A total of 650 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. Then, half of the total respondents were asked to answer the crowding effect issue, and the other half was asked the inland development issue. For the crowding effect issue the respondents were presented with a hypothetical situation in which the park authority wanted to reduce the damage to the corals by limiting the number of visitors to half the number who came in 2000. The reduction in the total number of visitors is to be achieved by imposing an increased entrance fee. For the inland development issue, an increase in the entrance fee is intended for the authority to hire more people to monitor and enforce rules, to treat sewage and to implement coastal zone management and planning. Estimation was done using the double-bounded dichotomous choice method. The willingness to pay (WTP) per person per visit to moderate the environmental impact of inland development is RM23.79, which is lower than the WTP to reduce crowding, RM31.59. In addition, when both data were combined to estimate the differences between the WTP of foreign and local visitors, we found that the WTP of foreign visitors was much higher than the WTP of locals at RM39.11 and RM19.52, respectively. Analyses using the Individual Travel Cost Method gave quite poor results since two thirds of the visitors were first-timers. Therefore, consumer surplus cannot be obtained due to the insignificant result of the respondent’s total spending on the number of trips. However, using the Zonal Travel Cost Method (ZTCM), the average consumer surplus was found to be the same, RM1,000 for each park. The ZTCM was also used to calculate the elasticity of demand. The results for the three marine parks were found not to vary much, ranging between 1.07 and 1.36.
A Time-Efficient Strain-Based Lifetime Prediction Method for Bond Wires Using Vibration Fatigue Tests and Finite Element Modeling

Failure of bond wires has become one of the main failure mechanisms of power modules. The rapid assessment of bond wires becomes increasingly important to satisfy the high-reliability requirements of new module products and shorten their development cycles to market. However, most of the preliminary lifetime evaluation methods for bond wires are mainly through time-consuming and expensive power cycling (PC) tests. Herein, a time-efficient lifetime prediction method for bond wires in insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules is proposed to rapidly and economically evaluate the preliminary lifetime. The accurate transient thermomechanical finite element model (FEM) simulation is established, which is calibrated by infrared temperature measurement experiments and laser displacement experiments. In this way, the actual strain distribution on bond wires can be yielded, and more importantly, the plastic strain and elastic strain of bond wires that cannot be directly measured during normal PC tests can be accurately extracted. Then, four groups of vibration fatigue tests (VFTs) of different geometries of bond wires are meticulously completed for parameterization of the lifetime prediction model based on total strain. Finally, PC tests have been completed to further validate the effectiveness of the newly proposed lifetime prediction method.
Upregulation of Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Expression and Lyso-Platelet-Activating Factor Isoforms in Human Nasal Polyp Tissues

Background: The Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)/receptor (PAFR) system is involved in asthma and allergic rhinitis; however, its role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is still unclear. This study aimed to assess the expression of PAFR and the concentration of Lyso-PAF isoforms in the nasal polyps (NP) of patients suffering from CRS with/without comorbidities such as asthma and NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) compared to healthy nasal mucosa (NM) from control subjects. Methods: NM (n = 8) and NP tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for septal deviation/turbinate hypertrophy or endoscopic sinus surgery, respectively. Three phenotypes were studied: CRSwNP with no asthma (n = 6), CRSwNP with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-tolerant asthma (n = 6), and CRSwNP with NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (n = 6). PAFR protein and mRNA were assessed via immunochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and real-time quantitative PCR. Lyso-PAF isoforms (C16, C18, and C18:1) were quantified via mass spectrometry. Results: PAFR protein was expressed in the NM and NP, concretely in epithelial cells and submucosal glands. Compared to NM, PAFR mRNA expression was higher in all NP phenotypes (p < 0.05) while all Lyso-PAF isoform concentrations were higher in the NP from asthmatic patients (p < 0.05). Lyso-PAF C16 and C18 concentrations were higher in the NP from asthmatic patients than in the NP from patients without asthma. Conclusions: The PAF/PAFR system could play a pathophysiological role in CRSwNP pathogenesis.
Acoustic signals generated in inclined granular flows

Spontaneous avalanching in specific deserts produces a low‐frequency sound known as “booming. ” This creates a puzzle, because avalanches down the face of a dune result in collisions between sand grains that occur at much higher frequencies. Reproducing this phenomenon in the laboratory permits a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the generation of such lower frequency acoustic emissions, which may also be relevant to other dry granular flows. Here we report measurements of low‐frequency acoustical signals, produced by dried “sounding” sand (sand capable of booming in the desert) flowing down an inclined chute. The amplitude of the signal diminishes over time but reappears upon drying of the sand. We show that the presence of this sound in the experiments may provide supporting evidence for a previously published “waveguide” explanation for booming. Also, we propose a model based on kinetic theory for a sheared inclined flow in which the flowing layer exhibits “breathing” modes superimposed on steady shearing. The predicted oscillation frequency is of a similar order of magnitude as the measurements, indicating that small perturbations can sustain oscillations of a low frequency. However, the frequency is underestimated, which indicates that the stiffness has been underestimated. Also, the model predicts a discrete spectrum of frequencies, instead of the broadband spectrum measured experimentally.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE ORDOVICIAN ROBERTS ARM GROUP IN PART OF THE SPRINGDALE (NTS 12H/8) MAP AREA, WEST-CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND

In the Loon Pond–Rocky Pond area southeast of Halls Bay, the Ordovician Roberts Arm Group is tectonically attenuated. There, it occurs in the regional hanging-wall sequence of a southeast-directed, folded, imbricate fault system that forms part of the Red Indian Line structural zone. Volcanic rocks assigned to Unit 4 and Unit 6 form the bulk of two, regionally extensive, non-contiguous, fault-bounded lithostratigraphic panels. They may represent different tectonic levels of the original Roberts Arm Group. However, only the northeastern tract (Unit 4) is known to be in direct contact with the Crescent tholeiite belt and, therefore, only it is thought to underlie the younger sedimentary rocks of the Crescent Lake Formation. The tectonomagmatic evolution of the Early Ordovician Hall Hill complex, west of the Mansfield Cove Fault, mostly predates that of the Roberts Arm Group. By comparison, the Early and Middle Ordovician Sops Head Complex records coeval and younger intervals of deposition than those documented in the Roberts Arm Group. Immediately east of the Tommys Arm Fault, the unbroken formations of the Sops Head Complex show a more complex metamorphic and plutonic history than seen in most of the Roberts Arm Group. This suggests that the Hall Hill complex and the Roberts Arm Group adjacent to the Silurian Springdale Group had a different orogenic development from the Roberts Arm Group adjacent to the Sops Head Complex.
Investigating the Correlates of Biodiversity Loss: A Cross-National Quantitative Analysis of Threatened Bird Species

Sociological literature has increasingly become concerned with environmental issues. One less developed area of inquiry in this vein has been the study of anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity. We approach this topic through the study of threatened bird species by drawing on the small number of existing studies and by contributing our own original cross-sectional analysis of country-level data. Utilizing OLS regression techniques, results reveal several interaction effects that provide support for the basic theoretical propositions of world-systems theory. We find partial support for Treadmill of Production theory and the various ecological perspectives in the Malthusian tradition. Our results fail to support ecological modernization theory. Future research goals are also addressed.
The Representation of Gaza War (2021) in the Official Remarks of Hamas and Israel: A Critical Discourse Study

This study investigated the representation of Gaza War (2021) in the official remarks of Hamas and Israel. All remarks released over the 11-day war were collected and analysed according to Van Dijk's (2006) ideological square to explore the discursive strategies that each party utilized and uncover the possible hidden ideologies. Two main strategies were employed in the speeches, namely, emphasizing our good things and emphasizing their bad things. The collected examples generated different themes including praising war achievements, war justifications, threats, future aims, and national glorification. The study found that each party tended to represent themselves positively and the other negatively. Israel focused their speeches on war achievements and threats while Hamas's speeches were more emotional and centred on self-glorification.
Depositional environments and chronology of Late Weichselian glaciation and deglaciation in the central North Sea

Graham, A.G. C. , Lonergan, L. & Stoker, M.S. 2010: Depositional environments and chronology of Late Weichselian glaciation and deglaciation in the central North Sea. Boreas, Vol. 39, pp. 471–491. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010. 00144.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.
The relationship between the number of COVID-19 vaccines and infection with Omicron ACE2 inhibition at 18-months post initial vaccination in an adult cohort of Canadian paramedics

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has rapidly evolved since late 2019, due to highly transmissible Omicron variants. While most Canadian paramedics have received COVID-19 vaccination, the optimal ongoing vaccination strategy is unclear. We investigated neutralizing antibody (NtAb) response against wild-type (WT) Wuhan Hu-1 and Omicron BA.4/5 lineages based on the number of doses and past SARS-CoV-2 infection, at 18 months post-initial vaccination (with a Wuhan Hu-1 platform mRNA vaccine [BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273]). Demographic information, previous COVID-19 vaccination, infection history, and blood samples were collected from paramedics 18 months post-initial mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose. Outcome measures were ACE2 percent inhibition against Omicron BA.4/5 and WT antigens. We compared outcomes based on number of vaccine doses (two vs. three) and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status, using the Mann-Whitney U test. Of 657 participants, the median age was 40 years (IQR 33–50) and 251 (42 %) were females. Overall, median percent inhibition to BA.4/5 and WT was 71.61 % (IQR 39.44–92.82) and 98.60 % (IQR 83.07–99.73), respectively. Those with a past SARS-CoV-2 infection had a higher median percent inhibition to BA.4/5 and WT, when compared to uninfected individuals overall and when stratified by two or three vaccine doses. When comparing two vs. three WT vaccine doses among SARS-CoV-2 negative participants, we did not detect a difference in BA.4/5 percent inhibition, but there was a difference in WT percent inhibition. Among those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection(s), when comparing two vs. three WT vaccine doses, there was no observed difference between groups. These findings demonstrate that additional Whttps://www.covid19immunitytaskforce. ca/citf-databank/#accessing https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce. ca/citf-databank/#accessinguhan Hu-1 platform mRNA vaccines did not improve NtAb response to BA.4/5, but prior SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances NtAb response.
Dinosaur Tracks from the Cedar Mountain Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Arches National Park, Utah

The seventh and largest known dinosaur tracksite from the Cedar Mountain Formation is reported from two important stratigraphic levels in the Ruby Ranch Member within the boundaries of Arches National Park. Previous reports of sites with a few isolated tracks are of limited utility in indicating the fauna represented by track makers. The Arches site reveals evidence of several theropod morphotypes, including a possible match for the coelurosaur Nedcolbertia and an apparently didactyl Utahraptor-like dromeosaurid. Sauropod tracks indicate a wide-gauge morphotype (cf. Brontopodus). Ornithischian tracks suggest the presence of an iguandontid-like ornithopod and a large ankylosaur. Dinosaur track diversity is high in comparison with other early Cretaceous vertebrate ichnofaunas, and it correlates well with faunal lists derived from skeletal remains, thus providing a convincing census of the known fauna.
Suppressing Threshold Voltage Drift in Sub-2 nm In2O3 Transistors With Improved Thermal Stability

Ultrathin In2O3 films with a thickness of less than 2 nm have emerged as highly intriguing semiconductor channels owing to their exceptional electronic properties. However, their process reliability, particularly the challenge of threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text {T}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) drift during gate-stack processing, hinders their potential applications in back-end-of-line (BEOL). This study explores the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text {T}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> shift induced by stacked HfO2, showing both thermal atomic layer deposition (T-ALD) and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) cause significant <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text {T}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> shift in ultrathin In2O3. To mitigate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text {T}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> shift, we introduce a pre-dielectric stacking, solution-based treatment, which can effectively passivate oxygen-related defects in ultrathin In2O3, maintaining <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text {T}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> without adversely affecting electrical properties. Utilizing this technique, we have successfully demonstrated the first top-gate In2O3 transistor without the requirement of post-fabrication annealing to uphold the on/off ratio. The developed top-gate device also exhibits superior thermal stability, suggesting its potential for future monolithic 3D integration applications.
Pore‐scale mechanisms of colloid deposition and mobilization during steady and transient flow through unsaturated granular media

The distribution of colloid‐associated contaminants and colloid‐sized microorganisms within the vadose zone is controlled, in part, by mobilization and retention processes. In this work, we present pore‐scale observations of colloid mobilization, transport, and retention within a transparent flow cell packed with partially saturated quartz sand. Our results show that colloid retention is dominated by adhesion to insular air bubbles at high moisture content and a combination of thin‐film straining and immobile water storage at low moisture content. Mobilization of retained colloids under steady flow is governed by slow exchange between zones of immobile and mobile water. During transient flow, characterized by increases in flow rate and moisture content, strained colloids are released from expanding thin films of water and from immobile water zones that reconnect with advecting pore water regions. On the basis of our observations we infer that colloid mobilization and retention within the vadose zone reflects contributions from multiple mechanisms that are sensitive to moisture content and flow regime.
Epidemiology of Dermatologic Conditions Among Elderly Patients at the Ambulatory Care Service of a Tertiary Hospital in Metro Manila from 2014 to 2018: A Five-year Review

Introduction: Ageing is a progressive degenerative process that leads to decline in the physiological function and reserve capacity of the whole body system, including the skin. As the Filipino geriatric population escalates, the incidence of skin diseases becomes more widely acknowledged. Presently, there are only a few studies that have been reported locally describing the nature of geriatric dermatoses. Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of dermatologic conditions among Filipino elderly patients that prompted a consult at the ambulatory care service of a tertiary hospital between the years 2014 and 2018. Methodology: All Filipino elderly patients with dermatological conditions seen at the dermatology ambulatory care service from 2014 to 2018 was studied through a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study. Results: Elderly patients comprised 16.76% of the total patients who sought dermatological consultation at the ambulatory care service of the hospital. Majority of the patients were females. Xerosis/xerotic eczema (10.02%) was the most frequently encountered skin disease. The top 10 diseases were irritant contact dermatitis (7.00%), lichen simplex chronicus (6.67%), psoriasis (5.56%), seborrheic dermatitis (5.24%), allergic contact dermatitis (4.37%), tinea pedis (3.51%), herpes zoster (3.49%), seborrheic keratosis (3.23%), and milia (2.54%). Based on the nature of disease, inflammatory condition was the most commonly seen. Conclusion: Dermatological disorders are ubiquitous in older people with a significant impact on the quality of life. Inflammatory dermatoses comprise a wide array of skin diseases as evidenced in this study, which account for most of the cutaneous problems in the elderly. Similar to other epidemiological studies, xerosis/xerotic eczema still comprises majority of the cases prompting elderly patients to seek a dermatological consultation. Keywords: elderly, geriatric, dermatologic diseases, ambulatory, epidemiology
Stand structure and woody species composition along a fire chronosequence in mix pine

Although forest fires have become a critical question in Mexico following the fire season of 1998, there is little knowledge regarding the effects of fire events on forest structure, composition, and dynamics in mixed pine-oak forests in northern Mexico. Objective of this study was to determine how fire has shaped forest structure and composition in mixed pine-oak forests and to describe trends and stages of natural succession. First of all, a chronosequence of forest fires was reconstructed by carrying out tree ring analysis and inventories in different sites of increasing time since fire. Increments cores were taken from P. teocote and P. pseudostrobus. Stand level vegetation characteristics, environmental data (solar radiation, slope, aspect, and elevation) were analysed along a 134 year chronosequence at 23 sites in mixed forests of the Ecological Park "Chipinque" in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Detrended canonical analysis confirmed that the time since fire was correlated to most biotic variables and indicates that the disturbance regime is tightly coupled to ecosystem functions. The study revealed that there were important differences between post-fire cohorts in terms of species richness, stand composition, and structure. High tree diversity was generally found in young stands, while the intermediate and major ones showed the lowest woody plant diversity. In old stands, tree diversity was increased again. In turn, the forest structure was less divers in young stands compared to intermediate, major and old stands. By exploring forest stand structure and composition in the context of ecosystem functions an overlook of fire ecology in northern Mexican pine-oak forests was gained. The occurrence of forest fires is natural part of these mixed forests and sustainable forest management should include the natural forest fire incidence to maintain forest health and the possibility to benefit from this natural resource.
Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab in the Management of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: A Systematic Review

Severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and frequent exacerbations despite standard treatments. Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that reduces eosinophil levels by targeting interleukin-5, has emerged as an add-on therapy for patients with SEA. This systematic review evaluated mepolizumab's efficacy and safety for treating SEA. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases. Thirty-two studies with over 6,000 patients were included, comprising randomized controlled trials, open-label extensions, and real-world observational analyses. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using standard tools. Meta-analysis was deemed inappropriate due to heterogeneity. Instead, a narrative synthesis was performed. Mepolizumab significantly reduced exacerbation rates by around 50% and improved symptoms and lung function compared to placebo in pivotal trials. Long-term open-label studies showed sustained reductions in exacerbations and stable lung function for up to 4.5 years. Real-world data demonstrated consistent 50%-90% exacerbation decreases across diverse patient populations over 6-24 months. Mepolizumab exhibited an acceptable safety profile, with mild injection site reactions and headaches as most common adverse events. While specific subgroups may show enhanced responses, mepolizumab displayed broad efficacy regardless of patient demographics or phenotypes. The extensive evidence provides robust support for mepolizumab as an efficacious and safe add-on treatment option for patients with severe, refractory eosinophilic asthma. Further high-quality comparative effectiveness research is warranted to optimize patient selection and positioning among emerging biologics.