Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tourism business operators’ perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards climate change at Victoria Falls

Climate change remains one of the biggest challenges facing the world today and is characterised by extreme weather events such as heatwaves, extreme droughts and floods. Regardless of the threat posed by climate change to the tourism business, there are still gaps in tourism business perceptions and knowledge of climate change. This research investigated tourism business operators’ perceptions, knowledge and attitude towards climate change at Victoria Falls. In this study that took a multidisciplinary approach, primary data were gathered using an online QuestionPro survey instrument and interviews. The survey was administered door-to-door to the identified 122 potential tourism business operators and other key stakeholders. A sample of 77 completed surveys (a 63% response rate) was realised. The study found that there was a general understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change on the tourism business operators, even though the tourism industry was not taking full responsibility for its role in causing climate change. The respondents also cited challenges and barriers in dealing with climate change, including the lack of knowledge and finance, ignorance and a lack of technical capacity. Climate change was deemed to have caused disruption in tourism activities at Victoria Falls because of reduced water flow levels at the waterfall and the destruction of tourism infrastructure during extreme weather events. The research recommended improvement in climate change knowledge, climate financing and build capacity to help the tourism industry meet both the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments to the Paris Agreement.
Circadian gene Clock regulates mitochondrial morphology and functions by posttranscriptional way

Many daily activities are under the control of circadian clock, including nutrition metabolism and energy generation. Mitochondria, as the core factories of oxidizing substrates and producing ATP, undergo changes in quantity and morphology to adapt to the demand for energy. It has been demonstrated that mitochondrial gene expression, dynamics and functions are all affected by circadian clock. Here, we demonstrated that circadian gene Clock affects the number, architecture and function of mitochondria via posttranscriptional regulation of Drp1. ClockΔ19 leads to fragmented mitochondria accompanied with the loss of membrane potential, excessive ROS accumulation and decreased mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. ClockΔ19 mice exhibit disordered lipid metabolism and evident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which are rescued by treatment with the mitochondrial fission inhibitor Mdivi-1. These results suggest a strong relationship between Clock, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic diseases and provide a new perspective on disordered circadian clock and related diseases.
The Balanced Energy Mix for Achieving Environmental and Economic Goals in the Long Run

In this paper, we seek to find a balanced structure of energy sources that can simultaneously achieve two essential goals: (i) the environmental (degradation) goal and (ii) the economic (growth) goal. This study combines quantitative and qualitative methods to estimate and then rank each of the energy sources (including coal, gas, oil, hydropower, and renewable energy) to achieve the above two goals. This paper uses the weighted scoring method, the most popular method in multi-criteria decision-making techniques, to combine the rankings using five energy sources and two goals from panel data of 28 countries from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for the period 1980–2017. Techniques for estimating the mean group long-run effect, including fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), are used. The empirical findings of this paper reveal that, in the long term, in achieving both environmental goals and economic goals, the OECD countries should consider adopting a balanced energy mix in which the following structure is preferred: (i) hydropower, (ii) renewables and (iii) fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal).
Evaluation of the Potential Use of Levan Polysaccharide in Paper Conservation

Conservation of paper-based materials, namely, manuscripts, includes repair of tears, gap filling, consolidation, and fixation, which requires the use of adhesives. The adhesive in use for these purposes should be compatible with the chemical and physical properties of paper and should present good aging characteristics. In this study, we conducted a set of experiments with paper samples on which fructan-based biopolymer Halomonas levan (Hlevan) was applied for the first time and compared with glucan-based adhesive starch. Adhesive-applied samples were initially prepared by the application of different historical recipes of sizing and ink. Then, they underwent accelerated thermal aging. Chemical and physical changes of paper samples (crystallinity, pH, and color) were analyzed. Finally, Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify dominating factors affecting sample behavior with applied adhesives. This study demonstrates the aging characteristics of Hlevan on cellulose-based materials. The results showed that there is a color shift from blue to yellow for all samples after aging, but it is more pronounced for some samples with Hlevan. In addition, Hlevan is slightly less acidic than starch in all cases and acted as a plasticizer for a specific kind of sizing material. The methodology of this research is also efficacious in terms of understanding the interaction of paper media with the adhesives and their effects on aging.
Stories of Learning: A Case Study of Norwegian Plumbers and Apprentices in TVET at the Construction Site and in a Training Agency

Context: Through a dual model, based on 2 years of education in upper secondary school followed by two and a half year of apprenticeship training, Norwegian plumbing education has become an integrated part of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Competence and skills are described in national plumbing curriculum. However, there is little information on how learning and training, interaction and relations between craftsmen and apprentices take place and develops at the workplace. The objective of this article is to identify significant learning processes by studying apprentices in a training agency and in communities of plumbers at the building site. Approach: The study has an ethnographic approach, based on a combination of fieldwork and interviews with apprentices, plumbers and a vocational teacher. During one year of fieldwork I followed a group of plumbing apprentices in a training agency, and in their plumbing companies at different construction sites. As a former plumber and vocational teacher, I was able to participate as a plumber and researcher and thus I had a unique position to work along with the apprentices and plumbers. This enabled me to observe interaction, learning and training in their communities of practices as an insider. Findings: The study showed that the process of learning practical skills, a professional language and a technical rationale was time consuming, challenging and sometimes tiering. In return the apprentices discovered proficiency, gained confidence and were considered as participants in the community of plumbers. A central finding is the great value of working in a community of plumbers at the building site, combined by studying sanitary and heating technology at the training agency. Among peers at the training agency, the apprentices were challenged to build and explore complex pipe laying, and to discuss technical regulations and rationale with each other and the vocational teacher. Conclusion: Craftsmen, like plumbers, consecutively handle a variety of technical work tasks and situations. Inside practice, the plumbers are close to materials and systems on construction site, where pipes, cableways and building structures looks different from the plan and the progress on paper. As experts, the plumbers often solve problems more functional and cost effective than suggested in the blueprint. The study shows how apprentices and plumbers develop skills, tacit knowledge and professionality through involvement with relevant things and situations, and by sharing experiences and technical expertise in communities of peers and plumbers.
Radiation-induced Hypothyroidism in Survivors of Head-and-Neck and Breast Cancers After 3-Dimensional Radiation Therapy: Dose-Response Models and Clinical-Dosimetric Predictors

Background: The prediction of normal tissue complications in treatment planning plays a critical role in radiation therapy of cancer. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate mathematical models and clinical-dosimetric variables for prediction of radiation-induced hypothyroidism (RHT) in patients with head-and-neck cancer (HNC) and breast cancer (BC). Methods: Clinical and dose-volume data from 62 patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy were prospectively analyzed in terms of HNCs and BC. Thyroid function assessment was monitored by the level of thyroid hormones from patients’ serum samples. Cox semi-parametric regression models were used to predict the risk of RHT. Model performance and model ranking were evaluated in accordance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), respectively. Results: Out of 62 patients, 17 persons developed RHT at a median follow-up of 11.4 months after radiation therapy. Thyroid volumes above the cut-off points of 14.2 cc and 11.4 cc showed a decrease in RHT risk for patients with HNC and BC, respectively. Moreover, the thyroid mean dose above the cut-off points of 53 and 27 Gy increased the risk of RHT for patients with HNC and BC, respectively. Simple and Multiple Cox regression analyses of the complete dataset revealed that thyroid volume and thyroid mean dose were the strongest predictors of RHT. According to AUC, Boomsma’s model, and the generalized equivalent-uniform-dose (EUD) model in the HNC dataset outperformed the BC dataset. Conclusions: The probability of RHT rises with an increase in the mean dose to the thyroid gland; however, it decreases with increasing thyroid gland volume. Regarding the AUC analysis, gEUD model showed an acceptable predictive performance; however, the logistic Boomsma’s model was somehow more effective in predicting RHT on the HNC dataset. Cella’s model revealed a relatively acceptable prediction of RHT on the BC dataset.
Factors predicting incidence of butt rot and trunk rot in individual stems of main tree species in a cool-temperate natural mixed forest in Japan

ABSTRACT We examined the incidence of heart rot (butt rot and trunk rot) in stems of each main tree species, with regard to the effects of individual and site characteristics, in the northern Japanese natural mixed forest. We addressed the hypotheses that incidences of rot are influenced by species identification, individual size, local vegetation, and topographic conditions. The proportions of tree individuals with heart rot (totally 36.7%) varied with tree species, with trunk rot having a significantly higher incidence in two broadleaved species (Quercus crispula and Betula ermanii) than coniferous species (Abies sachalinensis). However, butt rot incidence was similar among tree species, suggesting that each rot type appeared differently by species. The random forest classifications did not necessarily show high accuracy; it was suggested that heart rot incidence in stems of Acer mono and A. sachalinensis occurs randomly. However, in the models for both rot types of B. ermanii and trunk rot of Q. crispula, we revealed that diameter at breast height was highly important factor. Another important variable was sum of basal area of the neighboring trees, in which the incidence of both rot types tended to increase at low and high tree basal area. In addition, it was appeared that the butt rot incidence in B. ermanii was sensitive to steep slope.
Inkjet and Extrusion Printing for Electrochemical Energy Storage: A Minireview

Inkjet and extrusion printing are widely employed technologies in the field of printed electronics. They provide opportunity of manufacturing diverse electronic devices on various types of substrates by employing digital layouts under ambient conditions. In this short review, fundamentals about inkjet mechanisms and ink fluidic characteristics are presented. The interaction between individual droplets and that of droplets with substrates, which are pivotal to the printing resolution and uniformity, are analyzed. In addition, some issues on droplet‐based extrusion 3D printing are discussed as an extension of conventional inkjet printing. The recent progress in application of inkjet and extrusion printing in the field of electrochemical energy storage, ranging from batteries and supercapacitors to energy storage electrochromics, is also highlighted. Challenges and perspectives are discussed at the end. It is expected that inkjet and extrusion printing will be potent technologies to the development of electrochemical energy devices for the flexible and wearable electronics.
Multivariate relationship among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis

Background: pH, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and color are fundamental variables to define the organoleptic characteristics of meat. However, multivariate relationships of those traits remain unexplored in bovine meat. Objective: To investigate the multivariate relationships among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color parameters in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis. Methods: A dataset containing 173 individual records of pH, SFT, and color parameters (a*: intensity of red color, b*: intensity of yellow color, and L*: lightness) from five Brazilian beef cut types (Breed: Nellore; cuts: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho and picanha) was constructed. Multivariate relationships between color variables (a*, b*, and L*) and chemical variables (pH and SFT) were explored using the CANCORR procedure of SAS. Results: Two canonical correlations between U (a*, b*, and L*; color variables) and V (pH and SFT; chemical variables) variates were significant (p<0.01). First and second canonical correlations were 0.463 and 0.282, respectively. Canonical weights for variates were for U1: a* = 0.707, b* = 0.406, and L* = -0.039; U2: a* = 0.364, b* = -0.898, and L* = 1.234; V1: pH = -0.376 and SFT = 0.935; V2: pH = 0.927 and STF = 0.356. Conclusion: Subcutaneous fat thickness significantly affected intensity of red and yellow colors, whereas pH significantly affected lightness. The results of this study may be useful for a better understanding of the role of muscle metabolism and its implications on the organoleptic characteristics of bovine meat.
Depth of Solute Generation Is a Dominant Control on Concentration‐Discharge Relations

Solutes in rivers often come from multiple sources, notably precipitation (above) and generation from the subsurface (below). The question of which source is more influential in shaping the dynamics of solute concentration cannot be easily addressed due to the general lack of input data. An analysis of solute concentrations and their dependence on discharge across 585 catchments in nine countries leads us to hypothesize that both the timing and the vertical distribution of the solute generation are important drivers of solute export dynamics at the catchment scale. We test this hypothesis running synthetic experiments with a tracer‐aided distributed hydrological model. The results reveal that the depth of solute generation is the most important control of the concentration‐discharge (C‐Q) relation for a number of solutes. Such relation shows that C‐Q patterns of solute export vary from dilution (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, and Cl−) to weakly enriching (dissolved organic carbon). The timing of the input imposes a signature on temporal dynamics, most evident for nutrients, and adds uncertainty in the exponent of the C‐Q relation.
A Global Classification of Astronomical Tide Asymmetry and Periodicity Using Statistical and Cluster Analysis

Tidal asymmetry plays a key role in the behavior of estuaries. Positive and negative asymmetries are associated with ﬂ ood ‐ and ebb ‐ dominated estuaries, respectively. Asymmetry arises from both the interaction among the main tidal constituents and the harmonics generated when tide propagates in shallow waters. Most previous research focuses on the deformation of the tide within estuaries; however, ocean tide may show asymmetry at the estuary entrance, which implies that the boundary condition is already deformed. This fact has important implications for tide propagation, estuarine transport processes, and ﬂ ow exchanges between estuaries and open oceans. In this study, the global astronomical tide is classi ﬁ ed according to its asymmetry and periodicity. The objective is to provide a guiding framework of representative astronomical tide types ( ATtypes ) on a worldwide scale to be used as a reference for further research on the transport of substances in estuaries. The applied methodology is based on the use of the TPXO9 ‐ atlas global barotropic tidal solution and detailed statistical analysis. Probability density functions of the tidal elevation time derivative and the tidal form factor were extracted from TPXO9 ‐ atlas with a spatial resolution ranging from 1/6° to 1/30°. The K ‐ means algorithm was applied to these parameters, and 25 representative ATtypes were identi ﬁ ed. The classi ﬁ cation was validated with 757 worldwide tide gauge records. The results show that 11.3% of coastal areas show negative asymmetries, 11.3% positive asymmetries, while symmetric tides dominate 77.4% of coastal areas. In these areas, estuaries
Can Foot Anthropometry Predict Vertical Jump Performance?

Abstract Hawley, VS, Gurchiek, RD, and van Werkhoven, H. Can foot anthropometry predict vertical jump performance? J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1860–1865, 2022—Vertical jumping is an important element of many sporting activities, and whether anthropometric adaptations can predict jumping performance is of interest. Few studies have specifically considered anthropometric measures of the foot and its link to performance. Furthermore, previous studies have mainly focused on a male subject pool, and whether relationships are consistent across sexes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between common anthropometric measures, as well as specific foot measures, and jump performance in men and women. Anthropometric measures of 21 men (age: 22.0 ± 1.5 years; stature: 181.4 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 85.6 ± 9.4 kg) and 21 women (age: 21.2 ± 1.8 years; stature: 166.1 ± 7.5 cm; body mass: 61.4 ± 11.4 kg) were taken before performing 3 maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs). Correlational analysis was used to determine relationships between anthropometric measures and CMJ height (a priori significance set at p≤ 0.05, effect size: small >0.1; medium >0.3; large >0.5). There was no significant correlation between anthropometric variables and CMJ height for men, whereas for women, mass (r = −0.585, p = 0.005, large effect), foot length (r = −0.533, p = 0.013, large effect), and toe length (r = −0.604, p = 0.004, large effect) showed significant negative correlations with CMJ height. The unexpected result that smaller feet and toes predicted higher jumps for women warrants further investigation. Furthermore, these results highlight the need to incorporate diverse subject pools, and a need for caution when generalizing across sexes.
Networks of Uniform Splicing Processors: Computational Power and Simulation

We investigated the computational power of a new variant of network of splicing processors, which simplifies the general model such that filters remain associated with nodes but the input and output filters of every node coincide. This variant, called network of uniform splicing processors, might be implemented more easily. Although the communication in the new variant seems less powerful, the new variant is sufficiently powerful to be computationally complete. Thus, nondeterministic Turing machines were simulated by networks of uniform splicing processors whose size depends linearly on the alphabet of the Turing machine. Furthermore, the simulation was time efficient. We argue that the network size can be decreased to a constant, namely six nodes. We further show that networks with only two nodes are able to simulate 2-tag systems. After these theoretical results, we discuss a possible software implementation of this model by proposing a conceptual architecture and describe all its components.
Imaging of Dynamic Viscoelastic Properties of a Phase-Separated Polymer Surface by Forced Oscillation Atomic Force Microscopy

It is shown that the two-dimensional mapping of dynamic viscoelastic functions for a polystyrene/pol(methyl vinyl ether) solid surface is successfully obtained by forced oscillation atomic force microscopy. The two dimensional resolution of the viscoelastic image is less than 100 nm. The method can be carried out in an air or water environment without any pretreatment
A qualitative exploration of the impact of the marriage equality debate on same‐sex attracted Australians and their allies

Abstract Objective In 2017, the Australian Government announced that a voluntary postal survey would be used to quantify the views of the Australian public on marriage equality. This non‐binding, voluntary postal survey—and the associated public debate—can be viewed as a discriminatory event for same‐sex attracted Australians. The exacerbation of minority stress likely imposed by this unexpected event has resulted in an unprecedented demand for psychological services by members of this community. Despite this surge of use, relatively little is known about the specifics of the impact of this discriminatory event. Method In this article, we present the findings of a thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews that qualitatively examined the impact of the marriage equality debate among a sample of 14 Australians (eight sexual minority and six affected ‘allies’). Results Two themes were identified from the interviews, each with four subthemes: (a) personal impacts (emotional wellbeing, empathic concern, devaluation, and connection to religion), and (b) social impacts (activism, avoidant behaviour, social connections, and societal perceptions). Conclusions Overall, the findings of the current study reveal a range of intra‐ and inter‐personal negative impacts of public debate about the equal rights of same‐sex attracted people to marry. Moreover, the results suggest that the impact is not only on this minority and at‐risk group but also on their heterosexual allies. These results can help inform future policy with the aim of decreasing minority stress experienced by same‐sex attracted people.
Cortical Column and Whole Brain Imaging of Neural Circuits with Molecular Contrast and Nanoscale Resolution

Optical and electron microscopy have made tremendous inroads in understanding the complexity of the brain, but the former offers insufficient resolution to reveal subcellular details and the latter lacks the throughput and molecular contrast to visualize specific molecular constituents over mm-scale or larger dimensions. We combined expansion microscopy and lattice light sheet microscopy to image the nanoscale spatial relationships between proteins across the thickness of the mouse cortex or the entire Drosophila brain, including synaptic proteins at dendritic spines, myelination along axons, and presynaptic densities at dopaminergic neurons in every fly neuropil domain. The technology should enable statistically rich, large scale studies of neural development, sexual dimorphism, degree of stereotypy, and structural correlations to behavior or neural activity, all with molecular contrast. One Sentence Summary Combined expansion and lattice light sheet microscopy enables high speed, nanoscale molecular imaging of neural circuits over large volumes.