Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pushing for Gender Equality in Advertising: Gender Role Stereotypes in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract Gender role stereotypes in advertising have been widely addressed by the industry and academic researchers around the world, but this research has not often extended to the Middle East. The current research focuses on consumers’ perceptions of gender role stereotypes in advertising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country where traditions and culture still play a strong role. A survey of 810 residents asked questions about an advertisement they recalled, their perception of the recalled ad, their opinions about gender role stereotypes in advertising in the UAE, as well as a CHAID analysis to understand the differences in perceptions of two ads for specific products. The results found that more participants recalled an ad with a female character compared to an ad with a male character. Also, both men and women participants agreed that the main character in an ad for a household product should be a woman, but disagreed about the main character for a bank ad. Recommendations for the advertising field include targeting cultural understanding and casting more women in ads, especially to create role models for women.
Altered urban landscape: Shedding light on conflicts in a landfill community in Ghana

The challenge of solid waste management has been subjected to a variety of reactions and interpretations: strange mixtures of neglect and misconceptions of what could be the way forward. Over the years, Ghanaian authorities have problematized issues of waste management to collection and transportation and have shied away from formulating policies that can limit conflicts in waste sink communities. This article examines how a landfill infrastructure in Kumasi has engendered conflicts. Triggers of the conflicts and key actors involved are examined using data generated from a questionnaire survey of 160 households obtained through the quadrant method. The results show that three actors are involved in the conflicts: the chiefs and residents on one side and municipal authorities on the other. While the chiefs accuse municipal authorities of illegally acquiring the landfill site and of non-compensation payment, concerns of community members are their alienation from site management as enjoined by law. They also argue that the facility has degraded the environment and divested the local economy. The paper concludes that context and situation are significant for how, where and to what degree solid waste is disposed.
Climatic influences on forest fire and mountain pine beetle outbreaks and resulting runoff effects in large watersheds in British Columbia, Canada

Many studies have defined the interrelationships between climate, forest disturbance, and runoff at small scales (<100 km2), but few have translated these relationships to large watersheds (>500 km2). In this study, we explore the relationship between climate, extreme forest fire seasons, mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks, and runoff in eight large watersheds within the Fraser and Peace drainage basins in British Columbia (BC), Canada from 1981–2019. Using a climate index based on precipitation and air temperature anomalies, we find extreme forest fire seasons (those that burned >5% of a watershed's area) are most likely to occur when a warm/dry summer is preceded by multiple seasons of cool/wet conditions. Using the climate suitability class (CSC) model to explore the relationship between climate and MPB outbreaks, we validate previous findings that lower‐than‐average precipitation, warm growing season temperatures, and lack of extremely cold temperatures during winter are connected to MPB outbreaks within central BC. However, the CSC model needs improvements to accurately assess MPB suitability in northern watersheds that are located outside the model's calibration region, either through weighted variables or lower degree day thresholds. Minimal runoff response occurs from these forest disturbances, with the most prominent runoff change being related to the 2014 fire season in the Osilinka and Mesilinka watersheds. The limited effects of forest disturbance on annual runoff are likely related to large watershed sizes, low percentages of disturbed area in some study watersheds and post‐MPB forest dynamics. These results provide valuable insight into the interrelationships of climate, forest disturbance and runoff in large Canadian boreal forested watersheds.
Determining the initial Fukushima reactor accident-derived cesium-137 fallout in forested areas of municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture

ABSTRACT This study determined the initial distribution of Fukushima reactor-derived radiocesium fallout in forest areas of Fukushima Prefecture based on analysis of airborne monitoring surveys by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The results of the fifth airborne monitoring surveys were compared with the third airborne survey data in order to correct for variation of deposition density due to multiple factors such as weathering processes and measurement uncertainties between two surveys. Finally, the results of the third and the corrected fifth airborne surveys were combined to reconstruct the initial radiocesium fallout map over the whole Fukushima Prefecture area following the Fukushima reactor accident. Our calculation results showed that forest areas accumulated 72% of the total atmospheric input of 137Cs to the land of Fukushima Prefecture. The deposition density in forest areas showed significant variability among municipalities. Nevertheless, forest areas accumulated a large percentage of atmospherically deposited radiocesium in many municipalities. Statistical analysis of the variability in 137Cs deposition density indicated that deposition density varied significantly, even within a municipality. Furthermore, the inconsistency in the probability distributions of measured deposition density among municipalities makes it difficult to obtain a representative initial radiocesium fallout input following the accident. To reduce uncertainty in environmental parameters related to radiocesium transfer in forest environments, we strongly recommend that the deposition density of initial 137Cs fallout at each location is determined by in-situ sampling survey and using the reconstructed 137Cs fallout map presented in this study.
Electron collisions with CO molecule: potential energy curves of higher lying CO− resonant states

Resonance energies and widths of eight long-lived metastable electronic states of the CO− anion are obtained using the R-matrix method as a function of bond distance. High-level ab initio scattering calculations are performed for a large number (above 150) of fixed-nuclear geometries using the large cc-pV6Z Gaussian basis set and a close-coupling model involving 27 low-lying target states. Potential curves for narrow resonances, three 2Σ+, four 2Π and one 2Δ, in the 10–14 eV region are reported, along with the data on the low-lying 2Π shape resonance. These curves provide a starting point for performing nuclear dynamics and hence studies of dissociative attachment via these states.
Perceived Quality of Hospital Services from the Perspective of Doctors and Patients: An Integrative Model

Abstract The objective of the article is to develop a conceptual model that jointly examines the perception of doctors and patients regarding the quality of services provided by public and private hospitals in Rio de Janeiro. We interviewed 61 doctors and 40 inpatients; the results indicated that the gap in the perceived quality of health services, according to the perception of doctors and patients, is a function of failures in the institution’s infrastructure, in the relationship between doctors and patients, and in the access to services. Such gaps may impair the outcome of care delivered to patients.
Impact of land use change on soil aggregate dynamics in the dry tropics

A 2‐year study was conducted to elucidate land use change (LUC) impact on the distribution of aggregate size fractions and associated carbon (C) concentration involving natural forest (NF), degraded forest (DF), cropland (CL), and biofuel plantation (JP, Jatropha plantation) in the dry tropical region of India across the soil profile (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). Across the seasons and the land uses, the proportion of macro‐ and microaggregates was maximum at upper and minimum at lower layer whereas mesoaggregates increase with depth. The trend of macro‐ and microaggregate fractions through the soil profile was NF > JP > DF > CL whereas that of mesoaggregates was CL > DF < JP > NF. Dry mean weight diameter was highest at upper layer and decreased down the depth in all the land uses and followed the trend NF > JP > DF > CL. Aggregate associated organic carbon (OC) concentration in all the fractions decreased from NF to DF, CL, or JP indicates that macroaggregate associated OC concentration was more susceptible to loss than that of meso‐ and microaggregate associated OC concentration. LUC induced decline in macroaggregate associated OC stock and increase in meso‐ and microaggregate associated OC stock; indicated redistribution of OC stock among aggregate fractions. It may be concluded that JP in dry tropics can be an efficient strategy for rehabilitation of degraded land as it improves aggregate structure and stability in the whole profile and aggregate associated OC stock in upper layer of soil.
Medical Care-Related Decisions among Patients Diagnosed with Early Stage Malignant Brain Tumor: A Qualitative Study

Medical care-related decision-making among patients with malignant brain tumors has not been sufficiently discussed. This study aimed to develop a framework for understanding patients’ experiences in the decision-making process. Semi-structured interviews with 14 patients were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, focusing on their 48 decision-making points. Additionally, interviews with two family members and seven healthcare providers, and participant observations were used to gain contextual insight into patients’ experiences. Patients faced decisions while they struggled in vulnerability under shock, fear, and anxiety while hoping. Under this context, they showed four decision-making patterns: (1) led by the situation, (2) controlled by others, (3) entrusted someone with the decision, and (4) myself as a decision-making agent. Across these patterns, the patients were generally satisfied with their decisions even when they did not actively participate in the process. Healthcare providers need to understand patients’ contexts and their attitudes toward yielding decision-making to others.
Demographic response of Louisiana Waterthrush, a stream obligate songbird of conservation concern, to shale gas development

ABSTRACT Shale gas development continues to outpace the implementation of best management practices for wildlife affected by development. We examined demographic responses of the Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) to shale gas development during 2009–2011 and 2013–2015 in a predominantly forested landscape in West Virginia, USA. Forest cover across the study area decreased from 95% in 2008 to 91% in 2015, while the area affected by shale gas development increased from 0.4% to 3.9%. We quantified nest survival and productivity, a source–sink threshold, riparian habitat quality, territory density, and territory length by monitoring 58.1 km of forested headwater streams (n = 14 streams). Across years, we saw annual variability in nest survival, with a general declining trend over time. Of 11 a priori models tested to explain nest survival (n = 280 nests), 4 models that included temporal, habitat, and shale gas covariates were supported, and 2 of these models accounted for most of the variation in daily nest survival rate. After accounting for temporal effects (rainfall, nest age, and time within season), shale gas development had negative effects on nest survival. Population-level nest productivity declined and individual productivity was lower in areas disturbed by shale gas development than in undisturbed areas, and a source–sink threshold suggested that disturbed areas were more at risk of being sink habitat. Riparian habitat quality scores, as measured by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency index and a waterthrush-specific habitat suitability index, differed by year and were negatively related to the amount of each territory disturbed by shale gas development. Territory density was not related to the amount of shale gas disturbance, but decreased over time as territory lengths increased. Overall, our results suggest a decline in waterthrush site quality as shale gas development increases, despite relatively small site-wide forest loss.
Potential connections between atmospheric rivers in China and Australia

Results from a collaborative project between the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and China Meteorological Administration found that atmospheric rivers (ARs) can occur simultaneously in East Asia and Australia. Furthermore, ARs and the Northwest Cloud Band in the Australia region tend to reach their peaks during austral cool season (May–August). At the same time that the Asian summer monsoon develops and its meridional moisture transport and AR activities intensify. This has prompted us to explore potential connections of ARs in the two regions. In this study, we firstly analysed two ARs and their mechanism that occurred in China and Australia in June 2016, which caused significant rainfall in both countries. We then explored the atmospheric circulation background for such AR connections. From this case study, we show that ARs originating from the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans can become bifurcated through Indo-Pacific inter-basin interactions. The position of the bifurcation appears to depend on the location and intensity of Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), the subtropical high in the Australian region and the middle-latitude storm track migration in the southern hemisphere. Moreover, by analysing bifurcated AR events from the past two decades, we show that they are more likely to occur during boreal summer months. Most of the bifurcations occurred in the boreal summer following the decaying phase of an El Niño in its preceding winter, due to a delayed El Niño Southern Oscillation influence on the WPSH and a subtropical high in the Australian region. Our research further demonstrates the value of applying AR analysis in improving our understanding of the weather and climate in the Australia–Asian monsoon region.
Characterization of behavioural and biochemical phenotype of cholecystokinin-2 receptor deficient mice : changes in the function of the dopamine- and endopioidergic system

The present study supports a role of CCK? receptors in the regulation of dopamine neurones. In pharmacological studies conducted on male CCK? receptor-deficient mice the changes in the activity of dopamine system were established. A low dose of dopamine agonist apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg), stimulating the pre-synaptic dopamine receptors, induced significantly stronger sup­ pression of locomotor activity in mutant mice ( / ) compared to their wild-type littermates (+/+). The administration of am­ phetamine (3-6 mg/kg), a drug increasing dopamine release, caused a dose-dependent stimulation o f locomotor activity in wild-type mice. In mice lacking CCK2 receptors, a lower dose of amphetamine (3 mg/kg) tended to suppress the motor activity, whereas the higher dose (6 mg/kg) induced the significantly stronger motor stimulation in mutant mice. Moreover, in the CCK2 receptor-deficient mice the affinity of dopamine D2 receptors, but not 5-HT2 receptors, was increased. Altogether, the targeted genetic sup­ pression of CCK.2 receptors increased the sensitivity o f preand post-synaptic dopamine D2 receptors. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A new Oligo–Miocene marsupial lion from Australia and revision of the family Thylacoleonidae

Wakaleo schouteni sp. nov., a dog-sized marsupial lion (Thylacoleonidae), is described from late Oligocene to early Miocene sediments of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Queensland, Australia. Fossils of this new species include a near-complete cranium, dentaries and postcrania. This species is the second thylacoleonid known from late Oligocene sediments. The other, Priscileo pitikantensis Rauscher, 1987, from the Etadunna Formation of South Australia, is known from teeth, part of a palate and postcrania. Wakaleo schouteni exhibits cranial and dental morphology characteristic of species of Wakaleo but possesses a relatively plesiomorphic upper dental formula (i.e. three premolars and four molars) within Thylacoleonidae that was formerly regarded to be diagnostic for species of the genus Priscileo. The holotype and humerus of P. pitikantensis have been compared with the new Wakaleo material described here and found to demonstrate conspicuous similarities in morphology of the M2 and the humerus. In the absence of other generically diagnostic features, Priscileo is here regarded to be a junior synonym of Wakaleo. Smaller size and relatively minor morphological differences in the proximal humerus of W. pitikantensis comb. nov. distinguish it at the specific level from W. schouteni. Phylogenetic analysis of thylacoleonids recovers Wakaleo as a monophyletic clade. Both Wakaleo pitikantensis comb. nov. and W. schouteni are recovered as plesiomorphic sister taxa to other species of the genus. Wakaleo pitikantensis and W. schouteni extend the temporal range for this genus back into the late Oligocene. Body weight for W. schouteni, based on total skull length, is estimated to be ∼23 kg. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CA8A8EC8-4F66-4F1E-81DC-240A0C4080BE
Statistical inference for home range overlap

Despite the routine nature of estimating overlapping space use in ecological research, to date no formal inferential framework for home range overlap has been available to ecologists. Part of this issue is due to the inherent difficulty of comparing the estimated home ranges that underpin overlap across individuals, studies, sites, species, and times. As overlap is calculated conditionally on a pair of home range estimates, biases in these estimates will propagate into biases in overlap estimates. Further compounding the issue of comparability in home range estimators is the historical lack of confidence intervals on overlap estimates. This means that it is not currently possible to determine if a set of overlap values is statistically different from one another. As a solution, we develop the first rigorous inferential framework for home range overlap. Our framework is based on the autocorrelated‐Kernel density estimation (AKDE) family of home range estimators, which correct for biases due to autocorrelation, small effective sample size, and irregular sampling in time. Collectively, these advances allow AKDE estimates to validly be compared even when sampling strategies differ. We then couple the AKDE estimates with a novel bias‐corrected Bhattacharyya coefficient (BC) to quantify overlap. Finally, we propagate uncertainty in the AKDE estimates through to overlap and thus are able to put confidence intervals on the BC point estimate. Using simulated data, we demonstrate how our inferential framework provides accurate overlap estimates, and reasonable coverage of the true overlap, even at small sample sizes. When applied to empirical data, we found that building an interaction network for Mongolian gazelles Procapra gutturosa based on all possible ties, vs. only those ties with statistical support, substantially influenced the network’s properties and any potential biological inferences derived from it. Our inferential framework permits researchers to calculate overlap estimates that can validly be compared across studies, sites, species, and times, and test whether observed differences are statistically meaningful. This method is available via the R package ctmm.
From Green Energy to the Green Car State? The Political Economy of Ecological Modernisation in Germany

ABSTRACT In recent years, the role of the state in sustainability transitions has received increasing attention. Germany is often perceived as a forerunner in climate and environmental politics. Building on critical theories of the state, this paper explores the role of the German state in two key fields of society–nature relationships: energy (electricity) and transportation. Whereas Germany's energy transition (Energiewende) is widely praised internationally, its mobility transition (Verkehrswende) is a more difficult endeavour, as the German car industry is at the core of the national model of capitalism, specialising in the premium market segment. Against this background, Germany's status as an environmental leader is questioned as there is a strong state–capital nexus, which admittedly leaves space for green politics in case of intense social struggles. If, in addition, technological alternatives are developed embracing the potential to renew the country's ‘accumulation strategy’, the window of opportunity for green politics widens. In contrast to the Energiewende, which was at least partially accompanied by a decentralisation of power generation and the questioning of existing power relations, there is little indication that the German state will push for a mobility turnaround that goes beyond a limited greening of the automobile.
Are Students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities Receiving FAPE?: Insights from a Descriptive Review of Individualized Education Programs

Students with mathematics learning disability (MLD) are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as outlined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a roadmap to enhance in–school and postschool outcomes for students with a disability. We reviewed IEPs (n = 89) for secondary students with MLD enrolled in 15 rural independent school districts in the southeast part of the United States. Results suggested secondary students with MLD have needs in (a) calculation; (b) fractions, decimals, and percentages; (c) functional mathematics; (d) reading; and (e) social and behavioral skills based on annual goals written in their IEPs. Yet 70% of the IEPs reviewed included only instruction in the general education setting, without specialized services. IEPs included a variety of accommodations, but few goals facilitated access to grade–level content or special education services to support specialized instruction to meet goals. Implications for practice, limitations, and future research are discussed.