Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Old gas stations - new fuel for environmental awareness

According to Environment Canada, across the country there are currently over 1400 abandoned gas station sites that are contaminated. Unbeknownst to local residents, many of these sites are undergoing remediation. Temporary interventions called remedial landscapes can be designed by landscape architects to communicate to the public the remediation activities, which are otherwise hidden from view. Environmental psychologists note that pro-environmental behaviour stems from increased awareness of environmental degradation. Furthermore, by presenting first hand information in the form of a landscape, people can make their own decisions concerning their role in unsustainable practices. This thesis posits that by experiencing remedial landscapes, people will change their environmental attitudes and or behaviours. Remedial landscapes also offer opportunities for public art and further exploration of alternative forms of remediation. It includes not only precedent studies of other remedial landscapes, but a public perception survey concerning a gas station undergoing remediation in Kerrisdale, Vancouver. The survey indicated that the remediation of contaminated sites is a community concern and that the remediation should be made more visible. Participants also agreed that the use of a designed landscape would be a viable tool for communicating the status of the site. This research informed a set of design guidelines for the Kerrisdale ‘test site. ’ A remedial landscape has been designed using these guidelines and is included as part of the thesis.
Effect of Semi Fowler’s Positions on Oxygenation and Hemodynamic Status among Critically Ill Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

: Positioning is one of the most frequently performed nursing activities, however there is lack of knowledge about the relationship between hemodynamic and different body positions among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aim: to examine the effect of semi-fowler positions on oxygenation and hemodynamic status among critically ill patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Design: A quasi-experimental (repeated measures) design was utilized. Setting: the study was conducted at neurosurgical ICU of Menoufia University Hospital, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of fifty patients who were admitted to the neurosurgical ICU with TBI. Tools: Semi structured demographic Questionnaire, Cardiorespiratory parameters Questionnaire, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), APACHE II scale. Results: there was a statistically significant increase in MAP from 93.02 ± 1.69 to 96.50 ± 1.33, p<. 05 after 30 minutes of positioning the patients at 45° HOB Elevation while there was no significant difference in RR, systolic/diastolic BP, CVP, Partial Pressure of Arterial Oxygen, Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (P> 0.05). While after 30 minutes of the 30° HOB Elevation there was a highly statistically significant decrease in HR, SBP, Partial Pressure of Arterial Oxygen, Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide, RR (87.94 ± 1.34; 122.5±1.7, 27; 36 ± 2.19; 18.54 ± 1.58) (P< 0.001). Conclusion: semi-fowler position of the 30° HOB Elevation has a positive effect on hemodynamic and oxygenation. Recommendation: Development of practice guidelines for critical care nurses to position mechanically ventilated patients at 30 degree HOB elevation after TBI to improve oxygenation and hemodynamic status.
Discretionary Accruals and COVID-19: Evidence from China

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the effect of COVID-19 on corporate earnings management behaviour. The challenges caused by the pandemic have heavily affected the operation and business performance of companies. Based on 6,042 firm-year observations of companies listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2019 to 2020, this dissertation provides evidence that the use of discretionary accruals slightly increased during COIVD-19. The directionality of earnings management is mixed and subject to changes in the post-pandemic business environment. Furthermore, this dissertation explores the relationship between firm characteristics and discretionary accruals during the pandemic. The results show that smaller firms are more likely to engage in positive earnings management to boost their income and attract investors during the pandemic. Profitable firms tend to use discretionary accruals for financial performance window-dressing. Also, I find high leveraged firms tend to manage their earnings to avoid excess monitoring from lenders and debt covenant violation. There is weak evidence that firms in the essential industry may engage income-increasing earnings management. This dissertation extends limited literature on the use of discretionary accruals during the pandemic and provides insights for regulators to monitor opportunistic behaviors in the global COVID-19 epidemic situation.
Observed albedo decrease related to the spring snow retreat

We study the impact of the spring snow retreat on albedo from 1979 to 1991 using the ultraviolet (UV) reflectivity measured by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS). Over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) snowy land area that was snow covered at least once during this period, we find a 1.5% decrease over the 13 years in the springtime UV reflectivity, related to a 5 × 106km² decrease in the satellite derived spring snow cover. About half of the reflectance decrease occurred over regions where snow cover and reflectance correlate at a 99% significance level. The 1.5% UV reflectivity decrease corresponds to a 1% decrease in the visible albedo over the snowy region, and a ∼2 Wm−2 increase in the shortwave heating when averaged over the entire NH land. Based on observed interannual reflectivity changes over the entire NH snowy land area, our study provides a direct constraint on the shortwave forcing of the spring NH snow retreat.
Assessment of Nutritional Status of Perimenopausal Female School Teachers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

: Perimenopause is a natural part of a woman’s life and it is often accompanied with endocrinological, biological, and clinical features which gradually occur. Perimenopause period occurs prior to the menopause which is permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. This study assessed nutritional status of perimenopausal women and their knowledge base about perimenopause, its causes and symptoms; identified the women’s anthropometric indices; and established relationship between nutrition, non-communicable diseases and perimenopause with the view of encouraging positive healthy nutritional practices and intake. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional design. Sample size was calculated using Leslie-Fisher’s formula. Structured questionnaire that was piloted and validated was used to collect data. Results were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and P value was set as 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (75.2%) had good knowledge about perimenopause, (52%) opined that good nutrition delay onset of menopause and prevents non communicable diseases. Nutrition rating revealed that 8.5 were taking healthy nutrition. The anthropometric indices of the respondents showed that 59.5 had class 1 obesity, 60.8% were overweight in WHR, while 31.7% were overweight using WHtR, and 62.8% were overweight in WCR. Conclusion: This study concluded that female elementary school teachers had good knowledge about perimenopause. Good nutrition was found to be one of the factors responsible for delay of onset of perimenopause and prevention of communicable diseases. It also concluded that most perimenopausal women were overweight.
AKU eCommons

Background The study was conducted to determine reference interval (RI) and evaluate the effect of pre-analytical variables on Dried blood spot (DBS)-amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylace-tone of neonates. Methodology DBS samples were collected within 48–72 hours of life. Samples were analyzed for bio-chemical markers on tandem mass spectrometer at the University of Iowa. Comparison of RI across various categorical variables were performed.
Simulation Modeling Unveils the Unalike Effects of Alternative Strategies for Waterbird Conservation in the Coastal Wetlands of Sardinia (Italy)

Simple Summary Natural wetlands supply food and shelter for many bird species and offer stopover sites that allow waterbirds to make long migratory journeys. Human impacts and ongoing climate change are however reducing the ability of wetlands to provide such essential services to avian diversity. Therefore, scientists are now forced to consider new approaches to the proactive management of remaining marginal wetlands so as to preserve the associated biodiversity as well. Because regional planning and wetland management are often debatable issues, we argue here that in silico simulation modeling, combined with field surveys and data collection, provides an appropriate methodology to address this matter effectively. Modeling and dynamically simulating the changes expected to the levels of avian diversity as a function of plausible counterfactual and management scenarios provides an informed and scientifically defensible basis for proactive conservation strategies. Such simulations present an opportunity to test numerous different scenarios, exploring their implications for the conservation of avian diversity, thus providing a well-grounded and realistic approach to dealing with inherent uncertainties in wetland management and waterbird conservation. Abstract The Sardinian wetlands (Italy) act as stopover sites for many migratory birds along the central eastern Mediterranean bird flyway. These wetlands are now severely threatened by human activities and climate change. Accordingly, we built a simulation framework to predict the effects of several counterfactual and management scenarios on the level of avian diversity in the coastal wetlands of Sardinia. We found that the alpha avian diversity (i.e., the mean number of avian species per wetland) is destined to (a) decrease due to the most likely increase in water salinity, water discharges, and tourism pressure; and (b) halve (from 14.9 to 7.4, with 9 wetlands out of 22 predicted to host only between two and five waterbird species) in the worst possible scenario. However, the results also showed that proper management strategies could prevent and reverse such outcomes. Restrictions on tourism activities, water desalination, prevention of future saltwater intrusions, and the prohibition of water discharges could markedly favor the avian diversity in these wetlands, with an expected increase in the alpha avian diversity from 14.9 to 24.8 (and 10 wetlands out of 22 predicted to host from 29 to 32 waterbird species) in the best possible scenario. The importance of our results could be emphasized in the management plans of these important wetlands, most of which belong to the Natura 2000 network.
Effect of Buteamonosperma Flower Extract in Male Reproductive Organ of Albino Rats - A Histological Study and Biochemical Study

: Population control is a significant issue worldwide especially in developing countries like India. Population breakout has responsible for various deleterious effects on life surviving resources on the earth. Therefore fertility regulation is necessary for the conservation of life supporting resources as well as good reproductive life of both males and females. Fertility control is a significant issue of global and national public health concern. To control the menace of population explosion, many nations have enmarked various programmes of family welfare. The fertility control has become more important and urgent mainstay of all biomedical and biosocial problems facing the mankind. Buteamonosperma popularly known as “Flame of the Forest”, Dhak, Palash or “Bastard Teak” which has immense potential. Buteamonosperma is reported to have medicinal potential in various ancient literatures. It has been used as traditional medicines for centuries. Various parts of the tree are used in the Ayurvadic System of Medicine. Buteamonosperma(BM) has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The present study was designed to evaluate effect of Buteamonosperma on male reproductive organ of male albino rats by the help of Buteamonosperma flower extract(BMFE) at various dose levels. Result: The present result suggest that administration of methanolic flower extract of Buteamonosperma significantly affect the reproductive organ of male albino rats, which was treated with 50 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of ButeamonospermaFlower Extract (BMFE) caused the impairment of testicular, epididymis and seminal vesicle structures, which led to significant decrease in spermatogenic activity in seminiferous tubules. Depletion of Leydig cells in tubular interstitial also causes reduction in serum testosterone level. The reduced testicular and accessory sex organ weight indicate a wide spread damage, which could be reduced protein contents in these organs, which ultimately effect the male fertility. Therefore, the process of maturation of spermatogenic cells and sperm production in the organ was affected by the extract administration which may lead to infertility in treated rats. Conclusion: Thus from the above study it may be concluded that BMFE supresses the male fertility.
The Distribution of Tropical Thin Cirrus Clouds Inferred from Terra MODIS Data

Thin cirrus clouds (with optical depths t K 1) play a potentially important role in the earth’s atmosphere. However, their tenuous nature makes them difficult to detect, and as a result there are few quantitative, global analyses of them. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) on board the Terra satellite has a channel at 1.375 mm that is specifically designed to detect these clouds, and can measure optical depths as low as 0.02 with an uncertainty factor of 2. During two 3-day periods from December 2000 and June 2001, about one-third of the pixels flagged as cloud free by the MODIS cloud mask are shown to contain detectible thin cirrus. These thin cirrus generally have optical depths below ;0.05 and appear with greater frequency and optical depth near deep convection.
Body modification and paleopathological evidence in the iconography from the 'Philosophical Travel' to

Iconographic representation of humans is an important source of evi- dence for paleopathologists. This is particularly so in acknowledging sociocultural practices in past and/or extinct populations. The aim of this work is to report images of body modifications and cases of paleopathological interest represented in the iconography recovered during the 'Philosophical Travel' to the Brazilian Amazonia, led by the naturalist Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira (ARF) between 1783 and 1792. Watercolors executed by the official expedition illustrators have been selected from the surviving archive. These portray individuals with their artefacts, clearly exhibiting cranial, facial and thoracic modifications, performed by groups such as the Tanarana, Cambeba, Jurupixuna, Maua, Miranha, Caripuna and Uariquena. ARF also recorded the procedures and underlying cultural signifi - cance of these practices. The unequivocal pathological cases represented include a "male dwarf" (sic), and a Catauixi woman with dermatological lesions on her body. The author described with some details this skin condition and considered various possible diagnoses (e.g. vitiligo, scabies or leprosy). He also questioned whether these were hereditary or environmental in origin. This study considers the documentary evidence in the context of modern paleopathological inquiry, contributing to our understanding of cultural practices and diseases affecting the Amazonian inhabitants during the 18 th century.
Nurturing Sustainability and Health: Exploring the Role of Short Supply Chains in the Evolution of Food Systems—The Case of Poland

Over the last few decades, short food supply chains and local food markets, where farmers either sell their products directly to consumers or use a limited number of intermediaries, have developed worldwide in rural and urban areas. They complement conventional, often globalized, long food chains where small farmers have little bargaining power, and consumers cannot link the food they buy to a known agricultural producer or geographical area where the food is produced. The advantage of direct sales is that producers can obtain a higher price while consumers have easier access to fresh and seasonal food products. The main aim of the paper is to identify and characterize the spatial concentration of local food systems in Poland and their importance in sustainable development and food policy for healthy eating. As part of this study, an analysis of the statistical data of the Central Statistical Office for 2021 was carried out. Data obtained from the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate as of mid-2021 were analyzed to discuss the topic in detail. Descriptive methods and comparative analyses were used to understand regional differences. Absolute and proportional values were used for the research to enable better comparisons between regions, using the traditional method used in spatial structure studies, i.e., the distribution index (number of entities per 1000 inhabitants). The analysis identified spatial differences and possible implications for food policy and regional development. In addition, data on the number of marketplaces in Polish regions in 2022 were used. The study results indicated that short supply chains in the Polish food system contribute to increasing the availability of healthy local products, which may improve consumer health. However, despite these benefits, the results revealed challenges such as the limited production scale of local suppliers and the need to adapt to changing market conditions.
BIOTIC RESPONSE TO PALEOCEANOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF BLAKE NOSE, WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC

Biotic Response to Paleoceanographic Changes in the Middle Eocene of Blake Nose, Western North Atlantic. (May 2009) Chioma Uche Okafor, B.S., University of Nigeria Nsukka; M.S., University of Missouri Rolla Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Deborah Thomas Dr. John Firth Geochemical proxy records of sea surface environmental conditions at Blake Nose indicate short-term high amplitude variations. In order to investigate the response of calcareous nannoplankton to these short-term sea-surface environmental changes, we developed a high-resolution Eocene planktonic foraminifera Mg/Ca record and calcareous nannofossil absolute abundance record for ODP Site 1052 spanning the late middle Eocene (37.85 to 37.45 Ma). These data enable direct comparison of the absolute nannofossil abundance data to geochemical paleoenvironmental proxies (Mg/Ca, δO and δC) to determine the phytoplankton response to paleoenvironmental change and whether temperature or nutrient levels exerted
European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research

: This paper presents an investigation that aims to: 1) explore the relations between core symptoms of adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and several typical Internet activities, and 2) compare the predictive power of two core symptoms of ADHD-inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity-in predicting Internet addiction. Methods: A total of 2016 Chinese college students participated in this study. The ADHD symptoms were assessed using Conners self-rating scales and DSM-5 semi-structured interviews. Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (SCID-5) was used to exclude other psychiatric disorders. Chen’s Internet addiction scale (CIAS) was used to evaluate Internet addiction. Information about Internet activities (e.g., online gaming) was collected through a self-constructed questionnaire. Results: The ratio of Internet addiction problems among individuals with ADHD symptoms is significantly higher than in ordinary individuals (48.9% vs. 14.3%). Further, each core ADHD symptom has unique relations with different types of Internet activities. Specifically, both core ADHD symptoms are negatively associated with information downloading and online learning, and positively associated with online gaming, while online shopping is only associated with hyperactivity/impulsivity. Furthermore, both core ADHD symptoms are significant predictors of Internet addiction, especially inattention. Conclusion: College students with ADHD symptoms are at a higher risk of having Internet addiction than peers without ADHD symptoms. For individuals with ADHD symptoms and excessive online gaming and/or online shopping behaviors, the probability of having Internet addiction is even higher. These findings have important implications for identifying risk factors of Internet addiction and preventing Internet addiction in Higher Education settings.
The Effect of Lifestyle Modification for Type 2 Diabetic Patients on the Control of Glycemic Level

: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, as one of the major universal public health disorders widespread, requires patients' lifestyle modulation which would be conducive in dominating blood glucose. The aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of lifestyle modification on glycemic control of type 2 diabetic patients at Suez Canal University Hospitals at Ismailia city. Subjects & methods: This study was carried out at the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic and the Diabetic Outpatient Clinic of Suez Canal University Hospitals at Ismailia city in Egypt. A quasi-experimental design made up of a control group and a study group with pre-and post-test administration was applied. 92 type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study. Health promoting lifestyle profile II Scale and Physical assessment sheet were used for data collection in the two groups. Results: After implementing of the program, those patients who received lifestyle modification intervention achieved better health promoting lifestyle domains values and glycated hemoglobin, compared with the control group. Factors related to lower glycated hemoglobin in the present study were lower fasting blood sugar level and increasing physical activity. Conclusion: Overall, lifestyle modification program has a positive influence on blood glucose control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is recommended to that lifestyle modification interventions should be integral part of the curative management of type 2 diabetic patients, and further study in other places to investigate the effect of lifestyle modification on glycemic control of the patients.
Synotisjinpingensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species with white ray florets from southeastern Yunnan, China

﻿Abstract Synotisjinpingensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from Jinping county in southeastern Yunnan province, China, is described and illustrated. This species is distinguished by having white ray florets in the genus Synotis, in which only species with yellow ray florets have been hitherto known. In habit and leaf shape S.jinpingensis is most closely similar to S.duclouxii, a species occurring in southwestern Guizhou, southern Sichuan and northeastern Yunnan, China, but differs, in addition to the color of ray florets, by having fewer lateral veins of leaves, obviously longer bracts of calyculus, and larger phyllaries. The membership of the new species within Synotis is strongly corroborated by evidence from floral micromorphology and phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequence data. Color photographs of living plants, a distribution map, and provisional IUCN status of S.jinpingensis are provided.