Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the influence of business events experience on international visitors’ perceived destination image: The case of Kenya

Abstract Tourism destinations’ in Africa continue to experience stereotypes, prejudice and negative images. These are further amplified and reinforced by international media. International business events provide an opportunity to enhance the destination’s touristic image and competitiveness. This study investigates the influence of business events experience on international visitors’ perceived destination image. The study was carried out at three leading business event venues in Nairobi, Kenya. Convenience sampling method was used to select respondents during the events. A total of 335 questionnaires were successfully completed and used for data analysis. An exploratory factor analysis identified six business event experiences factors important in influencing a destination image including destination’s venue facilities, accommodation facilities, destination attractions, destination accessibility, destination safety and security and perceived affordability of services. Structural analysis indicated that business event experiences influenced destination’s cognitive image and the overall image. Destination cognitive image influenced destination’s affective image and overall image, while the destination’s affective image influenced the overall image. However, business event experiences did not have a direct significant influence on destination’s affective image. The study findings extend the knowledge on influence of events on the host destination’s image using business events perspective. Discussions and implications of the findings are also highlighted.
Number of stems and row spacing on growth and yield of cape gooseberry

: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the number of stems and row spacing on cape gooseberry growth and yield in the open field. A completely randomized block design was adopted in a three-factor arrangement (number of stems × spacings × evaluations). The spatial arrangements used were the spacing between rows of 3.0 and 1.5 m, keeping 0.5 m between plants. The formation pruning consisted of maintaining 4, 6 and 8 stems per plant. The evaluations were carried out weekly from the pruning until the plant senescence. The height and diameter of the stem showed gradual growth and the number of leaves decreased with the beginning of production during the plant cycle. Plants conducted with four stems showed a larger stem diameter and a greater height in the 1.5 m spacing between rows, while the number of leaves, fruits and yield increased as the number of stems increased. The largest number of fruits and the highest estimated yields were found in the 1.5 m spacing between rows, regardless of the number of stems, with an average value of 621 thousand fruits ha -1 and yields of 2.15 t ha -1 for fruits with calyx and 1.70 t ha -1 for fruits without calyx.
A comparison of differential optical absorption spectrometers for measurements of NO2, O-3, SO2, and HONO

Times Cited: 4 EUROTRAC Symposium 96 - Transport and Transformation of Pollutants in the Troposphere MAR 25-29, 1996 GARMISCH PARTENKI, GERMANY BMW AG; European Commiss; Ford Res Labs; Marktgemeinde, Garmisch Partenkirchen; Mercedes Benz
Utility of Back-Off Sets: An Overview

ABSTRACT Back-off sets or down sets are a training paradigm that use an initial heavy loaded set followed by a subsequent rest period and a planned load reduction. Back-off sets are a way to maintain or increase training volume through a load reduction for subsequent sets. By reducing load, a desired number of repetitions can be achieved as opposed to a reduction in volume that would occur if a consistent load was maintained. Back-off sets have been shown to allow completion of a greater training volume which may be in part due to a potentiation effect. The use of back-off sets help to reduce the necessary length of interset rest periods. Back-off set utility may be influenced by factors including but not limited to training goals, training age, exercise type, protocol individualization, loading strategy, load-reduction strategy, and autoregulation. This discussion aims to provide an overview of the integration of back-off sets within resistance training programs by examining previous research and providing a synopsis of the variables that impact the efficacy of this strategy.
Predicting the factors of employee agility using enterprise social media: moderating effects of enterprise social media-related strain

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of enterprise social media (ESM) usage on employee agility through communication quality and visibility. Theory of communication visibility is used to explore the moderating role of ESM-related strain in the relationship among communication quality, visibility and employee agility.Design/methodology/approachThe research model is analyzed using data from 240 Chinese employees of different companies. The proposed hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression and mediation analysis.FindingsFindings suggest that ESM usage is positively related to communication quality and visibility. Communication visibility mediates the relationship between ESM usage and employee agility. ESM-related strain reduces the relationship between communication visibility and employee agility. However, ESM-related strain has an insignificant moderating effect on the relationship between communication quality and employee agility.Originality/valueThe present study examines how employee agility is associated with ESM usage in the workplace. The mediating effects of communication quality and visibility are explored using a theoretical foundation. This study provides empirical evidence on how the impact of ESM on employee agility is transmitted through communication visibility. Lastly, the current study quantifies the advantages of ESM for organizations and may motivate managers to confidently deploy ESM in the workplace.
Three decades of export competitiveness literature: systematic review, synthesis and future research agenda

Purpose – This review has two purposes: (1) to systematically analyse the literature on export competitiveness (EC) and (2) to provide an overview of various determinants and the methodological trends in the subject field, making it possible to develop a roadmap for future researchers. Design/methodology/approach – The systematic literature review (SLR) method was employed in this paper. The authors have covered three decades of research articles published in Scopus listed journals between 1991 and 2020. The determinants of EC are synthesized and widely used theories, and methodologies are identified and classified. The authors have also provided directions for future research. Findings – The key determinants identified are labour and capital productivity, labour costs, exchange and real effective exchange rate (REER), domestic gross domestic product (GDP), trade liberalization and barriers. The findings reveal that EC is now a scientific measure, since the studies in this subject field have moved towards measuring EC and its determinants. Originality/value – There has been no comprehensive review in this area exploring the theories, context, constructs and methodologies until now. Therefore, this review provides deep insights into the topic and also offers a unified picture of the subject field.
Method for registration of 3D shapes without overlap for known 3D priors

In 3D registration of point clouds, the goal is to ﬁnd an optimal trans- formation that aligns the input shapes, provided that they have some overlap. Existing methods suffer from performance degradation when the overlapping ratio between the neighbouring point clouds is small. So far, there is no existing method that can be adopted for aligning shapes with no overlap. In this letter, to the best of knowledge, the ﬁrst method for the registration of 3D shapes without overlap, assum- ing that the shapes correspond to partial views of a known semi-rigid 3D prior is presented. The method is validated and compared to exist- ing methods on FAUST, which is a known dataset used for human body reconstruction. Experimental results show that this approach can effec- tively align shapes without overlap. Compared to existing state-of-the-art methods, this approach avoids iterative optimization and is robust to outliers and inherent inaccuracies induced by an initial rough alignment of the shapes.
The interactions among herbaceous diversity, edaphic factors, and topography under typical afforestation in the transition zone between the qinghai–Tibet Plateau and Loess Plateau

ABSTRACT The herbaceous layer plays a crucial role in afforestation and could provide important information in the process of restoration. Thus, we investigated herbaceous communities (composition and diversity), related factors (soil properties and topography), and their interactions in the afforestation of the ‘Grain-for-Green’ program in the transition zone between the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and Loess Plateau. We found 52 herb species belonging to 41 genera of 18 families, among which perennial herbs dominated. Our results revealed two different restoration mechanisms for Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) and Prince Rupprecht′s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii). The community in the Qinghai spruce forest was more competitive and mainly comprised xeric herbs, while the Prince Rupprecht′s larch forest provided shadier conditions with higher herb diversity. Soil available nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), available phosphorus (AP), slope position, and elevation were significant factors affecting herbaceous diversity. The upper slope position should be the primary consideration since topography exacerbated nutrient loss. Soil water remains the underlying factor of succession, and Prince Rupprecht′s larch on hillslopes might be at risk of water stress in the future. Understanding the significance of the herbaceous layer and environmental factors will provide a comprehensive picture of sustainable management on the alpine Loess Plateau.
Evaluation of the Energy Efficiency Improvement Potential through Back-End Heat Recovery in the Kraft Recovery Boiler

Sustainability and energy efficiency have become important factors for many industrial processes, including chemical pulping. Recently complex back-end heat recovery solutions have been applied to biomass-fired boilers, lowering stack temperatures and recovering some of the latent heat of the moisture by condensation. Modern kraft recovery boiler flue gas offers still unutilized heat recovery possibilities. Scrubbers have been used, but the focus has been on gas cleaning; heat recovery implementations remain simple. The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential to increase the power generation and efficiency of chemical pulping by improved back-end heat recovery from the recovery boiler. Different configurations of heat recovery schemes and different heat sink options are considered, including heat pumps. IPSEpro simulation software is used to model the boiler and steam cycle of a modern Nordic pulp mill. When heat pumps are used to upgrade some of the recovered low-grade heat, up to +23 MW gross and +16.7 MW net power generation increase was observed when the whole pulp mill in addition to the boiler and steam cycle is considered as heat consumer. Combustion air humidification proved to yield a benefit only when assuming the largest heat sink scenario for the pulp mill.
Prevalence of Substance Use among Psychotic Patients and Determining Its Strongest Predictor

Objective: Although comorbidity of psychotic disorders and substance use can lead to increase in mortality, less is known about the outbreak and predictors. Psychotic patients tend to be overlooked during assessment; hence, the possibility of an undertreated or missed condition such as increasing substance use. This investigation aimed to measure the prevalence of substance use in psychotic patients and to survey the powerful predictors. Method : In a 1-year cross-sectional study, 311 psychotic patients were assessed using the Structured Interview Based on DSM-5 for diagnostic confirmation as well as questions surveying prevalence and possible predictors of substance use. Results: Prevalence of substance use among psychotic patients was 37.9%. Several variables were identified as factors associated with drug abuse among the psychotic patients. These included male gender, younger age, being currently homeless, a history of imprisonment, and having family history of drug use. The strongest predictors of substance use, however, were family history of drug use, male gender, and being currently homelessness. Conclusion: Policymakers should note the importance of substance use among psychotic patients. Developing active screening strategies and comprehensive preventive plans, especially in the high-risk population, is suggested.
Comparison of Ray Tracing and Monte Carlo Calculation Algorithms for Spine Lesions Treated With CyberKnife

Purpose This study attempts to evaluate Ray Tracing (RT) and Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms for CyberKnife treatments of spine lesions and determine whether the MC algorithm is necessary for all spine treatment and compare the RT algorithm and MC algorithm at various spine lesion sites. Methods The CyberKnife is used for stereotactic body radiotherapy for lesions in the cervical spine (30), thoracic spine (50), lumbar spine (30), and sacral spine (15). Dose was calculated using RT and MC algorithms for patients planned with the same beam angles and monitor units. Dose-volume histograms of the target and selected critical structures are evaluated. Results The average target coverage of prescribed dose with MC algorithms was 94.80%, 88.47%, 92.52%, and 93.41%, respectively, in cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. For the thoracic spine, the RT algorithm significantly overestimates the percentage volume of the target covered by the prescribed dose, as well as overestimates doses to organs at risk in most cases, including lung, spinal cord, and esophagus. For cervical, lumbar, and sacral spine, the differences of the target coverage of prescription dose were generally less than 3% between the RT and MC algorithms. The differences of doses to organs at risk varied with lesion sites and surrounding organs. Conclusions In the thoracic spine lesions with beams through air cavities, RT algorithm should be limited and verified with MC algorithm, but the RT algorithm is adequate for treatment of cervical, lumbar, and sacral spine lesions without or with a small amount of beams passing through the lungs.
Early Ambulatory Multidrug Therapy Reduces Hospitalization and Death in High-Risk Patients with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Background: There is an emergency need for early ambulatory treatment of COVID-19 in acutely ill patients in an attempt to reduce disease progression and the risks of hospitalization and death. Methods and Results: We recently reported results on 320 high-risk (age > 50 with ≥ 1 comorbidity) COVID-19 cases and have updated our results with 549 additional cases in the period ending December 16, 2020. Our protocol utilizes at least two agents with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (zinc, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin) and one antibiotic (azithromycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone) along with inhaled budesonide and/or intramuscular dexamethasone. Albuterol nebulizer, inhaled budesonide, intravenous volume expansion with supplemental parenteral thiamine 500 mg, magnesium sulfate 4 grams, folic acid 1 gram, vitamin B12 1 mg, are administered to severely ill patients who either present or return to the clinic with severe symptoms. In period 1 (April-September, 2020) 6/320 (1.9%) and 1/320 (0.3%) patients were hospitalized and died, respectively. In period 2, (September-December, 2020) 14/549 (2.6%) and 1/549 (0.18%) were hospitalized and died, respectively. For comparison, we used the Cleveland Clinic COVID-19 hospitalization calculator and based on average age and comorbidities the expected rate of hospitalization for both periods was 18.5%. The cumulative mortality among confirmed and suspected COVID-19 in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties was 0.76, 1.04, 0.90, and 0.97. As a result, our early ambulatory treatment regimen was associated with estimated 87.6% and 74.9% reductions in hospitalization and death respectively, p<0.0001. Conclusions: We conclude that early ambulatory, multidrug therapy is associated with substantial reductions in hospitalization and death compared to available rates in the community. Prompt ambulatory treatment should be offered to high-risk patients with COVID-19 instead of watchful watching and late-stage hospitalization for salvage therapies.
Human-Immune-System (HIS) humanized mouse model (DRAGA: HLA-A2.HLA-DR4.Rag1KO.IL-2RγcKO.NOD) for COVID-19

ABSTRACT We report a Human Immune System (HIS)-humanized mouse model (“DRAGA”: HLA-A2.HLA-DR4.Rag1KO.IL-2 RγcKO.NOD) for COVID-19 research. DRAGA mice express transgenically HLA-class I and class-II molecules in the mouse thymus to promote human T cell development and human B cell Ig-class switching. When infused with human hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood reconstitute a functional human immune system, as well as human epi/endothelial cells in lung and upper respiratory airways expressing the human ACE2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The DRAGA mice were able to sustain SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 25 days. Infected mice showed replicating virus in the lungs, deteriorating clinical condition, and human-like lung immunopathology including human lymphocyte infiltrates, microthrombi and pulmonary sequelae. Among the intra-alveolar and peri-bronchiolar lymphocyte infiltrates, human lung-resident (CD103+) CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were sequestered in epithelial (CD326+) lung niches and secreted granzyme B and perforin, suggesting anti-viral cytotoxic activity. Infected mice also mounted human IgG antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. Hence, HIS-DRAGA mice showed unique advantages as a surrogate in vivo human model for studying SARS-CoV-2 immunopathological mechanisms and testing the safety and efficacy of candidate vaccines and therapeutics.
A manganese distribution prediction model for CaO–SiO2–FeO–MgO–MnO–Al2O3 slags based on IMCT

A thermodynamic model for predicting manganese distribution ratio L Mn and manganese capacity C Mn of CaO–SiO2–FeO–MgO–MnO–Al2O3 slags, i.e. IMCT-L Mn and IMCT-C Mn models, has been developed by using a thermodynamic model for calculating mass action concentration of ion couples or structural units in the slags based on the ion–molecule coexistence theory (IMCT). The developed IMCT-L Mn and IMCT-C Mn models have been verified with the experiment results of CaO–SiO2–FeO–MgO–MnO–Al2O3, CaO–SiO2–MgO–FeO–Fe2O3–MnO–P2O5, CaO–SiO2–MgO–FeO–Fe2O3–MnO–Al2O3–P2O5 slags reported by different researchers, a total of 200 industrial measurements with large compositional variations and predicted results by summarised five L Mn models and two C Mn models. The developed thermodynamic model for calculating manganese distribution ratio can determine quantitatively the respective manganese distribution ratio L Mn,i and the respective manganese capacity C Mn,i of four demanganisation products as MnO, , and . A significant difference of demanganisation abilities among FeO, FeO + Al2O3 and FeO + SiO2 can be found as 98, 1.8 and 0.2%. By comparing binary and complex basicity, the optical basicity is recommended to describe the relationship between basicity and manganese distribution ratio. With the aid of the current model, the co-effects of the ratio and optical basicity on the L Mn and C Mn of CaO–SiO2–FeO–MgO–MnO–Al2O3 slags are investigated.
Removing Lead from Iranian Industrial Wastewater

Metals and chemicals have been increased in industrial processes which they contain a high level of toxic heavy metals and cause a lot of disadvantages for the environment and human health . Biosorption of Pb (П) ions has been studied from aqueous solutions in a batch system by using a bacterial strain isolated from petrochemical wastewaters. Strain 8-I was selected to study the impact of different factors on removal rate. According to morphological, physiological and biochemical characterizations of the strain and in comparison with other studies the strain was tentatively identified as Bacillus sp strain8-I. The maximum Lead biosorption capacity of 8-I isolate was determined to be 41.58 % at pH 4.0 with 80 mg/l concentration in 48 hours equilibrium time. The comparison between the biosorption capacity of live (45.50 mg/g), heat inactivated (30.23 mg/g) and NaN3 pretreated biomass (26.86 mg/g) were indicated that the ability of live biomass for both of active and passive uptake of lead.
Global long-term mapping of surface temperature shows intensified intra-city urban heat island extremes

Surface temperatures are generally higher in cities than in rural surroundings. This phenomenon, known as surface urban heat island (SUHI), increases the risk of heat-related human illnesses and mortality. Past global studies analysed this phenomenon aggregated at city scale or over seasonal and annual time periods, while human impacts strongly depend on shorter term heat stress experienced locally. Here we develop a global long-term high-resolution dataset of daytime SUHI as urban-rural surface temperature differences. Our results show that across urban areas worldwide over the period 2003-2020, 3-day SUHI extremes are on average more than twice as high as the warm-season median SUHI, with local exceedances up to 10 K. Over this period, SUHI extremes have increased more rapidly than warm-season medians, and averaged worldwide are now 1.04 K or 31% higher compared to 2003. This can be linked with increasing urbanisation, more frequent heatwaves, and greening of the earth, processes that are all expected to continue in the coming decades. Within many cities there are hotspots where extreme SUHI intensity is 10 to 15 K higher compared to relatively cooler city parts. Given the limited human adaptability to heat stress, our results advocate for mitigation strategies targeted at reducing SUHI extremes in the most vulnerable and exposed city neighbourhoods.
Virtual Tours a Means to an End: An Analysis of Virtual Tours’ Role in Tourism Recovery Post COVID-19

COVID-19 brought the global tourism industry to a standstill. In response, various tourism stakeholders adopted innovative approaches such as virtual tours (VTs) to keep their attractions firmly in the minds of potential visitors. This study has integrated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) models to determine the factors that affect a person’s decision to adopt VTs as temporary alternatives during times of crises. Data were collected from a sample of 401 respondents after they had experienced at least one of the VTs simulating Egyptian heritage sites. The results show that the antecedents of the TAM and PADM models are effective in predicting users’ intention to adopt VTs and that adoption intention has a positive impact on the tendency to visit the actual site. In addition, practical implications are provided for site managers to consider when opting for VTs as a promotional tool or as an alternative product during times of crisis.