Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Awareness and Practices among High School Students: Basis for Disaster Preparedness Program

Inhabitants of Mother Earth are now experiencing the effects of climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, species extinction, desertification and improper waste management. This phenomenon is global and the Philippines is not exempted from these environmental threats and challenges. Thus, this study on environmental awareness and practices among high school students was conducted. To address this problem, the researchers used descriptive-correlational method utilizing the developed research instrument administered to the 935 participants. Findings of the study revealed that high school students’ extent of awareness and practices was great while moderate in the greening of the environment. Likewise, the same results were obtained when participants were grouped according to the selected variables. However, when grouped according to topography, the extent of awareness and practices of those living in the coastal areas was moderate. Furtheremore, signficnat differences among high school students environmental awareness and practices were observed on the greening of the environment, elimination of pollutants, and maintaning ecological balance. Significant correlation was also noted between high school students awareness and practices. This means that high school students environmental awareness is related to their practices. Thus, it is about time that schools should advocate and integrate environmental education with emphasis on the greening of the environment.
A Year Older, a Year Wiser (and Farther from Frontier): Invention Rents and Human Capital Depreciation

We look at how the arrival of an invention affects wage returns and probability of moving out of employment for white- and blue-collar coworkers of the inventor. First results suggest that older workers are hurt by the arrival of an invention. This negative effect disappears when we control for education and, in particular, for time that since obtaining the last formal degree, i.e., distance to human capital frontier. If anything, this effect is slightly higher for non-STEM than STEM-educated co-workers. This result suggests that retraining programs could be helpful in making the process of creative destruction and economic growth more inclusive.
Deflections and Stresses in Rectangular, Circular and Elliptical Insulating Glass Units

Insulating glass units (IGUs) are construction elements that react to climatic loads in a specific way. Under the influence of changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature, as well as the effect of wind, the gas closed in the tight gap between the glass panes changes its pressure, which affects the resulting static quantities of the loaded IGUs. The calculation models described in the literature mostly concern rectangular units, however, other shapes are being implemented more and more often in modern architecture. The aim of the article was to propose analytical and numerical models of circular and elliptical IGUs and to compare their results in terms of deflections and stresses with static values for square and rectangular units. Calculation examples were presented for various dimensions of IGUs loaded with changes in atmospheric pressure and an external wind effect. For elliptical IGUs, only the numerical calculations were presented, as it is not possible to formulate an applicable deflection function practically. The results were summarized in the form of tables and graphs, which illustrate the percentage differences between the deflection and stress values for the rectilinear and curvilinear shapes of IGUs for various dimensions and types of loads. It was found that in a single circular glass pane the maximum deflection is 4.2% greater, and the maximum stress is 13% greater than in a square unit of the same dimension. Meanwhile, in a circular, symmetrically loaded double-glazed IGU, the deflection in the circular IGU is smaller by 8–9% than in the square unit and the stress is practically identical.
Developing greener food value chains: environmentally friendly tomato post-harvest operations in four cities

The main aim of the study was to attempt to better understand environmentally friendly tomato post-harvest operations provided by micro- and small-scale farmers and traders in the context of bottom-of-the-pyramid (BOP) peri-urban and urban areas of four major cities: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Tunis (Tunisia), and Cairo (Egypt). The study was initiated with an in-depth literature review and was followed by in-country, unstructured, informal, one-to-one interviews with a random number of micro- and small-scale farmers and traders and pictographic observations of table tomato post-harvest operations. The findings of the study provided a sample of practices and ‘innovations’ in post-harvest operations that used prevalently recycled post-harvest equipment, sparingly used natural resources, such as water, and powered operations using only energy of human origin. The findings ranged from the use of home-made sand filters for water purification, to large green leaves for ‘refrigeration’, to recyc.
Murky moralities: performing markets in a charitable food aid organization

ABSTRACT This paper explores how competing moralities are brought together in the performance of a market for charitable food aid. Markets, rather than functioning as neutral technologies for bringing together supply and demand, are thoroughly moral phenomena. In markets, calculative devices are crucial for realizing exchange, by facilitating mutual agreement on price and quality. However, such practices of calculation can violate moralities of charity. This paper examines what happens when market practices and moralities are introduced in charitable settings. This is done through an in-depth case study of a food aid organization in the Netherlands that is organized as a supermarket, and part of a broader trend in re-organizing the provision of emergency food aid through the introduction of practices and technologies that shape a market. The case study shows how the socio-technical arrangements which organize market exchange, such as price labels and budget cards, are entangled with neoliberal moralities encouraging financial responsibility. At the same time, the findings show that moralities associated with charity are also present, which can lead to contestations over ‘good’ market performances. Such shifting moral judgements require participants to navigate conflicting moralities to be recognized as deserving recipients of aid.
Short-run impact of electricity storage on CO2 emissions in power systems with high penetrations of wind power: A case-study of Ireland

This article studies the impact on CO2 emissions of electrical storage systems in power systems with high penetrations of wind generation. Using the Irish All-Island power system as a case-study, data on the observed dispatch of each large generator for the years 2008 to 2012 was used to estimate a marginal emissions factor of 0.547 kgCO2/kWh. Selected storage operation scenarios were used to estimate storage emissions factors – the carbon emissions impact associated with each unit of storage energy used. The results show that carbon emissions increase in the short-run for all storage technologies when consistently operated in ‘peak shaving and trough filling’ modes, and indicate that this should also be true for the GB and US power systems. Carbon emissions increase when storage is operated in ‘wind balancing’ mode, but reduce when storage is operated to reduce wind power curtailment, as in this case wind power operates on the margin. For power systems where wind is curtailed to maintain system stability, the results show that energy storage technologies that provide synthetic inertia achieve considerably greater carbon reductions. The results highlight a tension for policy makers and investors in storage, as scenarios based on the operation of storage for economic gains increase emissions, while those that decrease emissions are unlikely to be economically favourable. While some scenarios indicate storage increases emissions in the short-run, these should be considered alongside long-run assessments, which indicate that energy storage is essential to the secure operation of a fossil fuel-free grid.
Age of the Gachsaran Formation and equivalent formations in the Middle East based on Foraminifera

The Gachsaran Formation from the Fars Group has a vast extent in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar (Dam Formation). It extends from the Zagros Folded Belt Zone in the south of Iran to the north of Iraq, and even to northeast Syria (Fatha Formation). In order to eliminate the ambiguities of the proposed age and cover the regional information misplacements in cases where biostratigraphy studies can be effective, surface outcrops of these deposits were investigated in three stratigraphic sections near the border of Iran and Iraq, in the area behind the mountains of the Lurestan region (Posht-e-Kuh arc). According to similar results obtained in two other sections, the age of the Gachsaran Formation in the studied region is considered to be Early Miocene (Late Burdigalian). Comparison of the results of this study with biostratigraphic studies from other parts of the Middle East, which includes 16 study areas, shows that the Gachsaran Formation in Iran and its equivalent formations (Fatha and Dam) in neighboring countries have an age range of early Miocene (Aquitanianâ€“Burdigalian) and even Burdigalian. This age has been determined by comparing the biological contents of the Gachsaran Formation with valid official biozones, as well as the presence of the index fossil Borelis melo curdica, to cover the information gap in the area. Isotopic studies of these sections in the region show that the maximum age of these sediments is early Miocene (Burdigalian), and this confirms the results of biostratigraphic studies.
A Pre- and Within-Pandemic Survey of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Saliva Swabs from Stray Cats in Switzerland

Cats have been shown to be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, and transmission within the species has been demonstrated experimentally. In cats undergoing natural SARS-CoV-2 infections, human-to-animal transmission was mostly suspected. It can be postulated that, in stray cats with no or only minimal contact with humans, SARS-CoV-2 may pose a minor risk. The current study investigated the prevalence of active SARS-CoV-2 infections in Swiss stray cats using quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Saliva swabs from 1405 stray cats were collected in 14 Swiss cantons. The animals were sampled between February 2019 and February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 cohort: 523 cats) and between February 2020 and August 2021 (COVID-19 cohort: 882 cats). All the samples were tested by RT-qPCR, amplifying the envelope (E) gene and, in case of positive or inconclusive results, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of SARS-CoV-2. No SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA could be detected in any of the tested saliva swab samples. Our findings support the assumption that SARS-CoV-2 infections in stray cats are not highly prevalent in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the monitoring of stray cats and other susceptible animal species is necessary, since the “One Health” approach has been recognized as being essential to successfully fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nature as a Defense from Disasters: Natural Capital and Municipal Bond Yields

This paper shows that climate change risk adaptation strategies are priced in financial markets. Using extreme weather and natural capital loss shocks, I demonstrate that municipal bond markets start to price natural capital following an extreme weather event. The yield spread between counties that lose natural capital and those that do not, i.e., the adaptation premium, increases from zero to 17 basis points. This effect is more prominent for revenue bonds, bonds financing infrastructure projects, and bonds issued by counties dependent on farming. Natural capital protection could decrease the county’s cost of debt by $2 million over the bonds’ life.
Developing accountants for the future: new technology, skills, and the role of stakeholders

ABSTRACT New technologies in accounting are widely regarded as crucial to building organisational success. They have, and continue, to impact on the requisite skills for graduate and early career accounting professionals. This research focuses on how well universities, employing organisations, and professional associations are preparing early career accountants for new technology, and the future pathways to build technology-related skills. Drawing on a mixed-method study of 315 early career accountants and 175 managers/recruiters in Australia, we find different perceptions exist between these two groups. Early career accountants were generally more positive in their assessment of how well organisations’ training systems prepared them for new technology while managers/recruiters expressed greater confidence in universities’ ability to develop accountants to meet emergent skill demands. We argue there is an important, complementary, and yet slightly different role played by stakeholders (universities/employing organisations/professional associations) in building technology-related skills to help collectively nurture early career accountant talent.
Distinctive Phenotype of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with SARS-CoV-2 According to Patients’ Age: A Monocentric Experience

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a disease temporally related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and it is characterized by fever, conjunctival injections, rash, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular complications. We evaluated the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging features, therapeutic interventions, and hospital course of a monocentric cohort, and we analyzed these findings according to two age groups. Methods: Patients with MIS-C admitted to a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital from November 2020 to November 2021 were considered for the enrollment. Results: Overall, 35 consecutive patients were included. Most of the children did not require intensive care unit at the admission. The clinical presentation of MIS-C slightly differs according to age groups. Mucocutaneus involvement was more frequent in younger patients, while abdominal symptoms were present in 54% of patients aged less than 5 years and in 95% of patients aged more than 5 years (p < 0.05). In addition, the number of cases with troponin above the normal reference value was significantly higher in older patients (77%) compared to younger cases (15%) (p < 0.01). Conclusions: MIS-C is a new emerging condition and represents a challenge to pediatricians due to the severity of presentation. Further studies to better characterize the long-term outcome of MIS-C patients are mandatory.
Ministernotomy for aortic valve replacement improves early recovery and facilitates proper wound healing – forced propensity score matching design with reference full sternotomy

Introduction With the development of less invasive techniques ministernotomy has become an increasingly popular choice for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR). However, a large discrepancy in the published results, often derived from the center’s own experience, intensifies the need for further re-evaluation in order to better define the real impact of the ministernotomy approach on postoperative clinical condition in short- and long-term observation. Aim To assess the safety and efficacy of MIAVR in comparison to a reference full sternotomy AVR (FSAVR). Material and methods Between January 2004 and January 2018, 2386 patients underwent isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) at our institution. 620 patients were treated minimally invasively (MIAVR) and 1766 patients received FSAVR. Forced propensity score 1 : 1 matching and conditional regressive methods were introduced, ensuring valid comparison and correct estimation. Ultimately, 557 well allocated pairs of treated and control patients were included. Results In-hospital mortality was low and comparable (1.26% for MIAVR, 1.62% for FSAVR). No significant differences in terms of serious adverse events were found, although in patients undergoing MIAVR there tended to be lower incidence of neurological complications (OR = 0.72; p = 0.09) and low output syndrome (OR = 0.66; p = 0.13). In addition to a much faster extubation and discharge from the ICU as well as improved blood management, MIAVR significantly reduced the risk of wound complications (OR = 0.31; p < 0.0010). Conclusions MIAVR is a safe, effective and reproducible procedure providing at least as good results as FSAVR. Nevertheless, it should be especially recommended to obese, diabetic patients with pulmonary and mobility disorders in order to improve their early recovery.
Toughening and Healing of CFRPs by Diels–Alder-Based Nano-Modified Resin through Melt Electro-Writing Process Technique

In the current study, a novel approach in terms of the incorporation of self-healing agent (SHA) into unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) has been demonstrated. More precisely, Diels–Alder (DA) mechanism-based resin (Bis-maleimide type) containing or not four layered graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) at the amount of 1 wt% was integrated locally in the mid-thickness area of CFRPs by melt electro-writing process (MEP). Based on that, CFRPs containing or not SHA were fabricated and further tested under Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness experiments. According to experimental results, modified CFRPs exhibited a considerable enhancement in the interlaminar fracture toughness properties (peak load (Pmax) and fracture toughness energy I (GIC) values). After Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness testing, the damaged samples followed the healing process and then were tested again under identical experimental conditions. The repeating of the tests revealed moderate healing efficiency (H.E.) since part of the interlaminar fracture toughness properties were restored. Furthermore, three-point bending (3PB) experiments were conducted, with the aim of assessing the effect of the incorporated SHA on the in-plane mechanical properties of the final CFRPs. Finally, optical microscopy (OM) examinations were performed to investigate the activated/involved damage mechanisms.
Late-Stage Glioma Is Associated with Deleterious Alteration of Gut Bacterial Metabolites in Mice

Brain-gut axis refers to the bidirectional functional connection between the brain and the gut, which sustains vital functions for vertebrates. This connection also underlies the gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities associated with brain disorders. Using a mouse model of glioma, based on the orthotopic injection of GL261 cell line in syngeneic C57BL6 mice, we show that late-stage glioma is associated with GI functional alteration and with a shift in the level of some bacterial metabolites in the cecum. By performing cecal content transfer experiments, we further show that cancer-associated alteration in cecal metabolites is involved in end-stage disease progression. Antibiotic treatment results in a slight but significant delay in mice death and a shift in the proportion of myeloid cells in the brain tumor environment. This work rationally considers microbiota modulating strategies in the clinical management of patients with late-stage glioma.
An Automated Response Detection Procedure for Human Frequency Following Response Elicited by Voice Pitch

HU, JIONG, Ph.D., August 2013, Hearing Science An Automated Response Detection Procedure for Human Frequency Following Response Elicited by Voice Pitch Director of Dissertation: Fuh-Cherng Jeng Frequency following response (FFR) has received a fair amount of attention in recent years. Researchers have probed different aspects of the response and yet, in most of those studies, the presence of such a response is based on subjective interpretations of examiners. Aside from a sole recent report examining two algorithms for detecting FFRs, there have been a very limited number of attempts to further develop a sound automated procedure for detecting FFRs. The purpose of this study was to (a) develop an automated procedure derived from response detection algorithms that are based upon the statistical properties of both the temporal and spectral energy distributions in the recorded waveforms, and (b) explore the effectiveness, accuracy, and efficiency of the automated procedure.
FinTech and women’s entrepreneurship in Africa: the case of Burkina Faso and Cameroon

ABSTRACT Our article examines the role of financial technology (FinTech) in improving the occupational choices of women in the global South. We analyse the link between FinTech and entrepreneurship, drawing on large data sets from central and western Africa that hold important novel policy implications for the wider Africa region. Our study helps to clarify if and when financial technology use may translate into self-employment, and how it can contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of marginalised social groups. The article calls for a critical view of financial inclusion and highlights the importance of considering gendered livelihood and resource access patterns. Most of the existing research on financial inclusion in Africa is linked to access to and use of formal bank-based finance. Hence, the expanding mobile money use in Africa is viewed as contributing to financial inclusion. We argue that the dynamics involved are much more complex, and FinTech enters into and interacts with a sophisticated web of informal and formal financial institutions and transactional patterns. Disaggregating our analysis by gender, we explore how the use of mobile money enhances women’s entrepreneurship. The article also advances policy recommendations with important implications for the development of FinTech in the continent.
Live microalgal cells modified by L‐cys/Au@carbon dots/bilirubin oxidase layers for enhanced oxygen reduction in a membrane‐less biofuel cell

Electrochemical oxygen reduced reaction (ORR) is a critical element in clean energy development. Despite efforts to enhance gas transfer to the reaction interface, the low solubility of O2 molecules and slow diffusion rate in liquid electrolyte is still a significant challenge. Herein, we design an artificial outer membrane on microalgal cells, which consists of a carbon dots/bilirubin oxidase (CDs/BOD) ORR catalyst layer and a L‐cystine/Au nanoporous O2 supply layer. O2 generated by photosynthesis from microalgal cells then can be directly transported to the CDs/BOD catalytic interfaces, overcoming the sluggish gas transfer in the electrolyte. Thus, the cathode constructed by the fabricated microalgal cells realizes an ORR current density of 655.2 μA/cm2 with fast ORR kinetics, which is 2.68 times higher than that of a BOD cathode fed with pure O2. A membrane‐less glucose/O2 biofuel cell is further developed using the hybrid artificial cells as the cathode, and the power density is 2.39 times higher than that of a BOD cathode biofuel cell in O2 saturated solution. This biomimetic design supplies O2 directly to the carbon dots/BOD catalyst layer from the microalgae membrane through a nanoporous L‐cys/Au layer, providing an alternative solution for the transfer barrier of O2 in the electrolyte.