Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Spatiality of Crises: Lessons from Failures of Boundary Work in a Cross-Border Crisis

Our societies are facing the rise of cross-border crises, which transcend established territorial demarcations. Managing cross-border crises raises challenges of spatiality, as actors need to coordinate within an unexpected, temporary space of action, shaped by multiple overlapping boundaries. However, little is known about how actors deal with the spatial ambiguity of cross-border crises. To answer this question, this article builds on a qualitative case study of the 1999 Mont-Blanc Tunnel fire. It adopts a boundary work perspective, focusing on the intentional shaping of boundaries, as an antecedent to coordination. We introduce a conceptual distinction between the notions of ‘borders’ and ‘boundaries’ to better account for the multiscalar nature of cross-border boundary work. By unfolding the spatiality of the crisis process, our analysis highlights the failures of boundary work in the Mont-Blanc Tunnel fire case. We find that boundary work cannot happen until borders and boundaries are explicitly revealed and acknowledged. Our study contributes to cross-border crises literature in both management and public administration fields by revealing the interdependencies of borders and boundaries as an implicit driver of the crisis process. We also extend the boundary work perspective by introducing ‘boundary revelation’ as a condition to unfold boundary work in a crisis situation.
Variability of coastal change along the western Yukon Coast

Because the Yukon coast along the Beaufort Sea has the highest ground ice contents in the Canadian Arctic and, in addition, faces the direction of most effective storms, this section of coast is considered to be highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In order to gain insight into the regional coastal dynamics, a quantification of coastal change was undertaken that allowed the determination of spatial and temporal variability of coastal change along a 35 km long section of coast, stretching from Komakuk to the international border. Shorelines from several years between 1951 and 2009 were digitized from georeferenced aerial photographs and an ortho-rectified SPOT image. Shoreline change statistics were subsequently calculated using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) extension for Esri ArcGIS. Theodolite and real-time kinematic GPS data that was collected during several surveys between 1991 and 2012 at two Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) monitoring sites (Border site and Komakuk site) were analysed to provide higher temporal resolution of coastal change for the last two decades. Additionally, the field survey data enabled an assessment to be made of the contribution of geomorphic variables (i.e. beach slope, beach width, cliff slope, absolute cliff height, relative cliff height) towards explaining changes of coastal erosion. According to the findings, the mean annual erosion along the western Yukon coast has been -1.2 ± 0.4 m/a over the entire period of study, with the rates decreasing through time from -1.4 ± 0.6 m/a between 1951 and 1972, to -1.2 ± 0.5 m/a between 1972 and 2009. However, site specific investigations show that there are differences in the mean erosion rates and in temporal trends. To the west at the Border site, the mean annual erosion rate is -1.3 ± 0.3 m/a, and the rates have recently accelerated, while at Komakuk in the east of the study area, the mean annual erosion rate is -0.9 ± 0.2 m/a, with the rates decelerating over time. A comparison of these findings to erosion rates from the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast indicates that there is a general spatial pattern of decreasing erosion rates from the west to the east. The quantified erosion rates also enabled the calculation of mean annual land loss between 1951 and 2009, which amounted to 4.5 ha/a. An analysis of the influence of shore profile parameters on mean annual erosion rates showed a statistically significant correlation between beach widths and erosion rates (r=0.84) at the Border site. There is also a strong but insignificant correlation between absolute cliff heights and erosion rates at the Border, but no correlations of shore profile parameters with erosion could be distinguished for the Komakuk site.
Hydrologic Changes in Indian Subcontinental River Basins (1901–2012)

AbstractLong-term (1901–2012) changes in hydroclimatic variables in the 18 Indian subcontinental basins were examined with hydrology simulated using the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC). Changepoint analysis using the sequential Mann–Kendall test showed two distinct periods (1901–47 and 1948–2012) for the domain-averaged monsoon season (June–September) precipitation. Hydrologic changes for the entire water budget were estimated for both periods. In the pre-1948 period, a majority of the river basins experienced increased monsoon season precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET), and surface water availability (as defined by total runoff). Alternatively, in the post-1948 period, monsoon season precipitation declined in 11 of the 18 basins, with statistically significant trends in one (the Ganges basin), and most (15) basins experienced significant warming trends. Additionally, in the post-1948 period, the mean monsoon season ET and surface water availability declined in eight (with significant declin.
The causal relationship between risk of developing bronchial asthma and frailty: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background A potential link between asthma and frailty has been suggested in previous studies. However, the nature of the causal relationship between these two conditions warrants further investigation. Therefore, this study assessed the bidirectional causality between asthma and frailty risk using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods The study data were obtained from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset, with 337,159 samples representing asthma data and 175,226 samples representing frailty. The causal relationship between the two disorders was assessed by selecting the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), significantly associated with both asthma and frailty. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the main analytical method to estimate the possible influence of causality. Sensitivity analysis was also performed using Mr-Egger intercept, funnel plot, “leave-one-out,” and Cochran Q test. In addition, potential mediators were investigated by risk factor analysis. Result The IVW method showed an increased risk of frailty due to increased genetic susceptibility factors and the number of to asthma (OR = 2.325, 95%CI:1.958–2.761; p = 6.527498e-22), while no horizontal pleiotropy was observed for the Mr-Egger intercept (p = 0.609) and the funnel plot. The Cochran Q value was 72.858, p = 0.024, and there was heterogeneity in the Cochran Q-value. No single SNP was observed for “leave-one-out” that had a biasing effect on the instrumental variables. In addition, genetic susceptibility to frailty was associated with asthma (OR = 1.088, 95%CI:1.058–1.119; p = 4.815589e-09). In the causal relationship described above, several risk factors for frailty are complex, with asthma leading to a significant reduction in physical activity endurance. Conclusion Our findings suggest a probable positive causal effect of asthma on the risk of developing frailty, potentially mediated by reduced physical activity endurance. At the same time, a causal relationship exists between frailty and asthma. Therefore, assessment strategies for frailty should include asthma and vice versa.
Demonstrating an Empirical Tool to Predict Fleet-Wide Heavy-Duty Vehicle Fuel-Saving Benefits from Low Rolling Resistance Tires

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has identified the use of low rolling resistance (LRR) tires as an effective fuel-saving technology for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV). However, adoption of LRR tires has been less than desired because of potential performance uncertainties under real-world operating conditions. Also, previous decision-support tools developed to help stakeholders have had limited accuracy because of inherent transient speed profiles in real-world operating cycles. This study develops a tool to predict HDV fleet-wide fuel saving from LRR tires. The tool uses empirical models to estimate the fuel-saving benefits of LRR tires as a function of vehicle characteristics, operating cycles, and route characteristics. To facilitate ease-of-use by stakeholders, the empirical models have been transformed into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet tool. The empirical models were developed with data generated by simulating real-world HDV operating cycles with Autonomie, an advanced model for automotive control-system design, and simulating vehicle energy consumption and performance. Validation analysis of the tool shows an average error of less than 6.5%. Unlike previous tools, the developed tool is applicable to both stabilized and transient speed operations. It allows users to customize it to their specific fleet and operating conditions. This is significant and it is envisaged that the tool will facilitate more investment decisions by fleet operators, as well as help regulatory agencies and policy analysts design key policy incentives.
Relative deer density and sustainability: a conceptual framework for integrating deer management with ecosystem management

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations and harvests of white-tailed deer have increased dramatically in the eastern United States on public and private lands during the 20th century (Porter 1992, Kroll 1994). Recognition of the impacts of deer on ecosystem components (deCalesta 1997) and controversy over management of deer populations (Porter 1992, Witmer and deCalesta 1992) have also increased. In the past, deer density was managed to provide an optimal and sustainable number of deer for harvest. However, with the advent of ecosystem management and its emphasis on management of all resources (Salwasser 1992, 1994; Christenson et al. 1996; Goodland and Daly 1996) we were required to abandon the single-species approach to deer management. We propose a framework for extending the single-species concept of carrying capacity to a more inclusive model for integrating management of deer with that of other ecosystem components.
CUSTOS E RENTABILIDADES NA PRODUÇÃO DE HORTALIÇAS ORGÂNICAS E CONVENCIONAIS NO ESTADO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO

The aim of this study was to perform a comparative evaluation of the physical and financial indicators of the two cropping systems of ten species of vegetables by analyzing the relative share of the various components of their costs of production. We used a database of 20 years, from 1990 to 2009, of the Reference Area in Agroecology in the INCAPER, located in the Domingos Martins City, Espirito Santo State. The organic system confirmed large economic viability, with average production cost per hectare 8% lower than the average conventional vegetables. Spending on hand labor was slightly lower in the organic system and proved to be the component of greater participation in the costs of both production systems. The organic squash, strawberries, cabbage and tomato showed lower costs than conventional systems. Conventional systems produce garlic, potatoes and okra showed lower costs than organic systems. Crops of carrots, peppers and yam have similar costs in organic and conventional systems. All vegetable crops in organic farming showed higher net revenues to the conventional, with ratios ranging from 1.1 for strawberry until 28.4 for cabbage.
Assisted Cycle Therapy (ACT) Improved Self-Efficacy and Exercise Perception in Middle-Age Adults with Down Syndrome

Alzheimer’s disease is prevalent in persons with Down syndrome (DS) as early as their 30s and presents as decreased social interaction, coordination, and physical activity. Therefore, changing attitudes and beliefs about exercise is key to increasing motivation for physical activity especially in middle-age adults with DS. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Assisted Cycle Therapy (ACT) on self-efficacy and exercise perception in middle-age adults with Down syndrome (DS) following an exercise intervention three times a week for 8 weeks. Twelve participants were in the ACT group in which a motor assisted their cycling to be performed at least 30% faster than voluntary cycling (VC), 10 participants were in the voluntary cycling group, and two participants were in the no cycling (NC) group. The results showed that both exercise groups (i.e., ACT and VC) improved in their self-efficacy after the 8-week intervention. In addition, exercise perception improved following ACT, but not VC or NC. Our results are discussed with respect to their future implications for exercise in the DS population. The results can be attributed to differences in effort required by each intervention group as well as the neurotrophic factors that occur when muscle contractions create synaptic connections resulting in improvement in cognition and feelings of satisfaction.
The Implementation of Regulations on Human Rights Violations in Legislation in Indonesia

Objective: The enactment of Law Number 39 of 1999 in Indonesia regarding Human Rights was followed by Law Number 26 of 2000 concerning the Human Rights Court, aiming to address various issues of serious human rights violations. However, these regulations have not been effectively implemented. Method: This study utilizes a qualitative methodology with an analytical descriptive specification, aiming to acquire a profound understanding of a specific phenomenon based on the interpretation and subjective experiences of participants. The data is collected from secondary sources, including primary legal sources such as regulations, laws, and court decisions, as well as secondary legal sources encompassing books, articles, and other relevant literature. The data collection techniques encompass literature review to comprehend the theoretical framework, observation for data authenticity, and interviews with relevant institutions to obtain additional information. Results: The Law Number 26 of 2000 concerning the Human Rights Court is insufficient to address human rights violations in Indonesia, including legal weaknesses and ambiguities in implementing legislation, such as the incomplete "element of crimes" of regulated offenses. The resolution of serious human rights violations in the Indonesian criminal justice system based on Law Number 26 of 2000 has not been able to create legal certainty and justice for victims of serious human rights violations. The Law Number 13 of 2006 on Witness and Victim Protection has to some extent provided a normative foundation for the protection of witnesses and victims. Conclusions: The Indonesian Law with number 26 of 2000 regarding the Human Rights Court is deemed inadequate in addressing serious human rights violations in Indonesia, due to weaknesses in legal certainty and justice. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Law with number 13 of 2006 provides a normative foundation for the protection of witnesses and victims.
Exercise Stress Echocardiography in Athletes: Applications, Methodology, and Challenges

This comprehensive review explores the role of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in assessing cardiovascular health in athletes. Athletes often exhibit cardiovascular adaptations because of rigorous physical training, making the differentiation between physiological changes and potential pathological conditions challenging. ESE is a crucial diagnostic tool, offering detailed insights into an athlete’s cardiac function, reserve, and possible arrhythmias. This review highlights the methodology of ESE, emphasizing its significance in detecting exercise-induced anomalies and its application in distinguishing between athlete’s heart and other cardiovascular diseases. Recent advancements, such as LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work (MW), are introduced as innovative tools for the early detection of latent cardiac dysfunctions. However, the use of ESE also subsumes limitations and possible pitfalls, particularly in interpretation and potential false results, as explained in this article.
Geometrical aspects of qudits concerning Bell inequalities

Diese Diplomarbeit setzt sich mit Verschrankung und Nichtlokalitat in bipartiten endlich-dimensionalen Systemen (bipartite Qudits) auseinander. Die Verschrankung ist eines der faszinierendsten nichtklassischen Phanomene der Quantentheorie, und neben ihrer Bedeutung fur unser Weltbild findet sie Anwendung in der Quantenkryptographie und der Quanteninformatik. Diese Tatsache hat zu wachsendem Interesse und ausgiebiger Forschung auf diesem Gebiet gefuhrt. Verschrankung und Nichtlokalitat werden fur gewohnlich als ein und dasselbe angesehen. Jedoch ist dies unter genauer Betrachtung nicht als selbstverstandlich hinzunehmen, was daran liegt, dass Verschrankung durch die mathematische Struktur eines Zustands in einem zusammengesetzten Hilbertraum definiert ist. Nichtlokalitat hingegen besagt, dass das statistische Verhalten eines Systems nicht durch eine lokal-realistische Theorie beschrieben werden kann. Fur letzteres ist wesentlich, dass die Korrelationswahrscheinlichkeiten solcher Theorien sogenannte Bell-Ungleichungen erfullen, welche jedoch durch bestimmte Quantenzustande verletzt werden. Diese Diplomarbeit dient insbesondere dazu, beide Eigenschaften miteinander zu vergleichen. Fur die Untersuchung der Verschrankung werden aktuelle Separabilitatskriterien vorgestellt und diskutiert. Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass die Korrelationswahrscheinlichkeiten im Allgemeinen von der Messsituation abhangen, ist es notwendig diese zu optimieren, um Nichtlokalitat nachzuweisen. Dieses Problem wird fur eine bestimmte Bell-Ungleichung (CGLMP) durch einen selbstentwickelten numerischen Suchalgorithmus gelost. Die besprochenen Methoden werden dann auf Dichtematrizen eines Unterraums, aufgespannt durch Projektoren von maximal verschrankten Zwei-Qudit-Zustanden, angewandt. Diese Menge von Zustanden hat nicht nur interessante Eigenschaften im Bezug auf unsere Untersuchungen, sondern dient auch dazu, den Zustandsraum zu visualisieren und geometrisch zu analysieren.
Frogs of the genus Eleutherodactylus in the Lesser Antilles

The Lesser Antilles consist of those West Indian islands which extend from the Anegada Passage in the north to Grenada in the south. ¹) These islands are nomenclatorially divided into two major groups: 1) The Leeward Islands, including Sombrero, Anguilla, St. Martin, St.-Barthelemy [= St. Barts], Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Christopher [= St. Kitts], Nevis, Redonda, Montserrat, Barbuda, and Antigua, and 2) the Windward Islands, including Guadeloupe (with its satellites Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Les Saintes), Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Barbados. Geologically, the Lesser Antilles can be divided into two major groups: 1) those which are mountainous – the so-called inner-chain islands – which are younger and more recently volcanic (Saba to Grenada, and including the western or Basse-Terre portion of Guadeloupe, and Les Saintes), and 2) the older, gently rolling limestone islands – the so-called outer-chain islands (Sombrero to Marie-Galante, and including the Grande-Terre portion of Guadeloupe, La Desirade, and Barbados). The northern Leeward Islands may be additionally grouped according to the banks on which they lie: the Anguilla Bank (incl. Anguilla, St. Martin and St.-Barthelemy), the St. Christopher Bank (incl. St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis), and the Antigua Bank (incl. Antigua and Barbuda). The Lesser Antilles extend for about 750 kilometers in a northwest to southeast direction on a slightly bowed arc. The mountainous inner-chain islands are generally very mesic, with the windward (eastern) coast wet and the leeward (western) coast dry; the latter lies in the rain shadow of the central mountains. This brief ecological statement is greatly oversimplified, since on some islands there are dry sections on the windward side (the Presqu‘ile de la Caravelle on Martinique is a notable example) and occasional sections of the leeward coast are better watered than is customary (the central western coast of Dominica and the western coast of Montserrat are examples). The central mountains vary in maximum elevation from 1975 feet (602 m) in St. Eustatius to 4813 feet (1456 m) in Guadeloupe; Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Martinique, in that order, have the three highest peaks in the Lesser Antilles.
Two predicted α-helices within the prion-like domain of TIAR-1 play a crucial role in its association with stress granules in Caenorhabditis elegans

Stress granules (SGs) are sites for mRNA storage, protection, and translation repression. TIA1 and TIAR1 are two RNA-binding proteins that are key players in SGs formation in mammals. TIA1/TIAR have a prion-like domain (PrD) in their C-terminal that promotes liquid-phase separation. Lack of any TIA1/TIAR has severe consequences in mice. However, it is not clear whether the failure to form proper SGs is the cause of any of these problems. We disrupted two predicted α-helices within the prion-like domain of the Caenohabditis elegans TIA1/TIAR homolog, TIAR-1, to test whether its association with SGs is important for the nematode. We found that tiar-1 PrD mutant animals continued to form TIAR-1 condensates under stress in the C. elegans gonad. Nonetheless, TIAR-1 condensates appeared fragile and disassembled quickly after stress. Apparently, the SGs continued to associate regularly as observed with CGH-1, an SG marker. Like tiar-1-knockout nematodes, tiar-1 PrD mutant animals exhibited fertility problems and a shorter lifespan. Notwithstanding this, tiar-1 PrD mutant nematodes were no sensitive to stress. Our data demonstrate that the predicted prion-like domain of TIAR-1 is important for its association with stress granules. Moreover, this domain may also play a significant role in various TIAR-1 functions unrelated to stress, such as fertility, embryogenesis and lifespan.
Renal functional outcomes after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and percutaneous cryoablation of clinical T1 renal cell carcinoma – A prospective study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate renal function after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) in clinical stage T1 (cT1) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and evaluate the relationship between baseline renal function and renal functional outcome. Material and Methods: Patients with cT1 RCC treated with RAPN or PCA were prospectively enrolled between June 2019 and January 2021. Renal function was evaluated using estimated glomerular filtration rate, Tc-99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetate plasma clearance, Tc-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine renography, and renal volume at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Results: Fifty-six patients were included (18 RAPN, 38 PCA). PCA patients had a significantly higher age (68.5 years; P = 0.019) and Charlson comorbidity index (3.0; P = 0.007). Tumor characteristics did not differ significantly between RAPN and PCA. Total renal volume decreased significantly after PCA (−18.2 cm3; P = 0.001). Baseline chronic disease stage IIIb–IV leads to a greater reduction in renal volume (−31.8 cm3; P = 0.003) but not other renal function measures. Renal function declined significantly after either treatment without significant differences between RAPN and PCA. Conclusion: This study found a small, similar decrease in renal function 6 months after RAPN or PCA, despite significant differences in baseline patient characteristics. Reduced renal function at baseline did not lead to a worse renal functional outcome.