Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Climate Change on the Seasonality of Weather for Tourism in Alaska

This study presents a method to identify and categorize seasonal patterns of weather conducive to specific tourism activities, using a tourism climate index based on hourly weather data. We examined changes in seasonal weather patterns in recent decades (1942–2005) at two Alaska destinations, King Salmon and Anchorage. The results indicate that climate warming has had both positive and negative effects on opportunities for tourism. The overall weather conditions for sightseeing in King Salmon have improved significantly with a lengthening of the season, which now starts 10 days earlier than in the 1940s. Conversely, weather conditions for skiing in Anchorage have deteriorated, primarily because weather suitable for skiing now ends about nine days earlier than in the 1940s. Future climate change (i.e., continued warming) is very likely to extend the sightseeing season at King Salmon, but is less likely to improve the quality of the peak season. At the same time, though warming is likely to shorten the total time for skiing each year at Anchorage, it is also likely to improve the quality of the winter season and increase the frequency of years when skiing quality peaks in mid-winter. For both activities, changes of spring temperature will have the greatest impact on tourism weather. Tourism indices such as the one presented here can be tailored to the requirements of specific tourist activities, providing an opportunity for improved tourism planning and decision making.
Disability Inclusion and Library Collections: Initiatives for Greater Access for All

One of the core values of librarianship as expressed through ALA’s Code of Ethics is providing equitable service and access to all library users. This is further enforced by federal laws such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which includes Section 508 requiring federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. While there has been much said about accessibility within library scholarship, this paper takes a unique holistic approach at applying the accessibility maturity model to library collections and services through covering a number of initiatives that Texas A&M University Libraries have taken to try to ensure that accessibility is considered when reviewing new subscriptions and services. These include the creation of a pilot program to collect VPATs from vendors and the development of accessibility and accommodation plans. Accessibility Maturity As one of our core values is to provide equitable service and access to all library users, compliance with federal laws is not enough to embed this value into a work culture. Other fields have proposed using a maturity model as a framework for integrating and documenting how accessibility considerations are adopted within an institution (Day, Smith, & Whippy, 2011). An accessibility maturity model has not been created for libraries; however, considerations could include administration and leadership; resources and costs; physical spaces; collections; vendor and acquisitions; software and development; and digitization (Table 1). By using an accessibility maturity model, the conversation can move away from legal compliance to providing equitable services across all areas of the library. Case Study: Texas A&M University Libraries The following examples detail initiatives that the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries have Table 1. Preliminary accessibility maturity matrix for libraries. Focus Area Level 1 Informal Level 2 Defined Level 3 Repeatable Level 4 Managed Level 5 Optimized Administration No buy‐ in Goal statements Goal priorities Evaluation criteria Strategic consideration Resources and Costs No support One‐ off funds Regular budget Planned budget growth Additional funding for innovation Physical Spaces Minimal requirements Statement of support Checklist consideration Active services and improvements User experience integration Collections Minimal requirements Statement of support Checklist consideration Active service Decision criteria Vendor and Acquisitions Minimal requirements Statement of support Checklist consideration Active service Decision criteria Digitization Low accessibility Accessibility standards statement Quality assurance practice Workflow integration User experience integration Software and Development Low accessibility Accessibility standards statement Quality assurance practice Workflow integration User experience integration
Pilgrimage tourism in Kurukshetra (Haryana): a sustainable development approach

Tourism is one of the biggest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the global economy and has significant environmental, cultural, social, and economic effects, both positive and negative. Pilgrimage tourism is one of the pre-requisites of achieving sustainable development which can be taken as a remedy to manage tourism effects. This paper focuses on the sustainable development of pilgrimage tourism in Kurukshetra situated in the state of Haryana. Kurukshetra has been an emerging tourist spot due to its magnificently diverse religious tourist potential and rich cultural heritage. The main objectives of the study are the formation of tourist areas, to highlight the factors creating hindrances in sustainable tourism development and suggest suitable measures for sustainable development of pilgrimage tourism in Kurukshetra. A field based systematic survey was carried out at selected tourism spots in the study area. The result of the study brings feasible suggestions and recommendations for further development of tourism in this region.
Adsorption of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution on Fly Ash Based Linde F (K) Zeolite

The work focuses on the removing of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by Linde F(K) zeolite. The zeolite is synthesized from fly ash by hydrothermal process. The adsorption experiments discuss several factors including the optimal solution pH, zeolite dosage, adsorption temperature, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm equation. The results show that, the optimal solution pH is 6 and the efficient zeolite dosage is 4g/L. Higher reaction temperature could favor the removal of Cu(II). The adsorption of Cu(II) on Linde F (K) zeolite is monolayer adsorption. The experiment data could be calculated by pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous and the system disorder increases with temperature.
USER REQUIREMENTS GATHERING FOR A NATIONAL 3D MAPPING PRODUCT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract. One of the main barriers to the uptake of 3D GI is the lack of understanding of what the user requirements are. From the data acquisition and creation perspective – in particular, that of a National Mapping and Cadastral Agency who may need to prepare datasets with national coverage – this is an issue as each new 3D feature type and element within a feature added (such as doors, windows, chimneys, street lights) requires additional processing and cost to create. This paper reports the results of a user requirements gathering exercise for a national 3D mapping product in the United Kingdom. The study focuses on the user perception of ‘usefulness’ of different 3D geometry and semantic features. A web-based questionnaire with Likert-type items was selected as the primary data collection method and was conducted in May 2017. A total of 121 completed responses were from the UK. Descriptive analysis showed that ‘Air quality engineering’, ‘Infrastructure & transport’ and ‘Environmental services’ presented the most positive outlook on the usefulness of 3D. Correlation analysis showed that potential 3D product groups that could be formed in a multi-product approach. Cluster analysis showed that appetite for 3D information not only varies between sectors, but also within sectors between different practitioners. The results from exploratory factor analysis showed that users were more interested in additional information on non-building features rather than additional detail to building geometry. Further continued work is required to incorporate both non-GIS users and 3D users outside the GIS domain.
The Impact of Political Competition on Economic Growth: Evidence from Municipalities in South Africa

This paper examines the impact of political competition on economic growth. Using results from the 1994 and 1999 elections I show that municipalities with a decisive vote either for or against the dominant national party have grown faster than municipalities with more voter competition amongst various political parties. I show that in democracies, governments with more freedom to make decisions and less threat from opposition political parties are associated with faster economic growth and improvement in supply of some public goods.
Ultrahigh energy cosmic rays from nearby starburst galaxies

Ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are the most energetic of any subatomic particles ever observed in nature. The quest for their mysterious origin is currently a major scientific challenge. Here we explore the possibility that these particles originate from nearby starburst galaxies, a scenario that matches the recent observation by the Telescope Array experiment of a cosmic-ray hotspot above 57~EeV not far from the direction of the starburst galaxy M82. Specifically, we study the stochastic propagation in space of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays through the state-of-the-art simulation framework CRPropa~3, taking into account all relevant particle interactions as well as deflections by the intervening magnetic fields. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of this model, we consider the energy spectrum, the cosmogenic neutrinos and gamma rays, and the distribution of arrival directions. The starburst galaxy scenario reproduces well observations from both the Telescope Array and Pierre Auger Observatories, making it very attractive for explaining the origin of cosmic rays at the highest energies.
PROPERTIES OF GREEN CONCRETE CONTAINING QUARRY ROCK DUST AND MARBLE SLUDGE POWDER AS FINE AGGREGATE

Green concrete capable for sustainable development is characterized by application of industrial wastes to reduce consumption of natural resources and energy and pollution of the environment. Marble sludge powder can be used as filler and helps to reduce the total voids content in concrete. Natural sand in many parts of the country is not graded properly and has excessive silt on other hand quarry rock dust does not contain silt or organic impurities and can be produced to meet desired gradation and fineness as per requirement. Consequently, this contributes to improve the strength of concrete. Through reaction with the concrete admixture, Marble sludge powder and quarry rock dust improved pozzolanic reaction, micro-aggregate filling, and concrete durability. This paper presents the feasibility of the usage of quarry rock dust and marble sludge powder as hundred percent substitutes for natural sand in concrete. An attempt has been made to durability studies on green concrete compared with the natural sand concrete. It is found that the compressive, split tensile strength and durability studies of concrete made of quarry rock dust are nearly 14 % more than the conventional concrete. The concrete resistance to sulphate attack was enhanced greatly. Application of green concrete is an effective way to reduce environment pollution and improve durability of concrete under severe conditions.
METROLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A/D CONVERTERS UTILIZING HIGHER ORDER SIGMA–DELTA MODULATORS COMPARED WITH A/D CONVERTERS WITH MODULATORS OF FIRST ORDER

Time domain analysis is used to determine whether A/D converters that employ higher order sigma-delta modulators, widely used in digital acoustic systems, have superior performance over classical synchronous A/D converters with modulators of first order when taking into account their important metrol ogical property which is the magnitude of the quantization error. It is shown that the quantization errors of delta-sigma A/D converters with higher order modulators are exactly on the same level as for converters with a first order modulator.
Sticky Prices vs. Limited Participation: What Do We Learn From the Data?

The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium business cycle model that combines elements of existing sticky-price and limited-participation specifications. Sticky prices are incorporated, following Rotemberg (1982), by assuming that monopolistically competitive firms face a quadratic cost of nominal price adjustment. Limited participation is incorporated, following Cooley and Quadrini (1999), by assuming that households face a quadratic cost of portfolio adjustment.The results support the hypothesis that the degree of the portfolio adjustment is very small in the data, but significant. In addition, the data suggest that the response of the interest rate to deviations of output from the steady state in the interest rate rule should be very close to zero. This is argued by Christiano and Gust (1999) as well. Furthermore, as in Ireland (1999, 2000), the model can not reject the hypothesis of parameter stability for the policy parameters. On the other hand, the model rejects the hypothesis for the rest of the parameters.
Quantitative Analysis of Apatite Formation on Titanium and Zirconia in a Simulated Body Fluid Solution Using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance Method

The bone-bonding ability of a material is evaluated by examining apatite formation on its surface in simulated body fluid (SBF). Partially stabilized zirconia () is currently attractive as an alternative to titanium (Ti) implants; however, no quantitative analysis of apatite formation between Ti and in SBF has been reported. In the present study, we quantitatively evaluated apatite formation onto Ti or in SBF using the 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance method (QCM). In the QCM measurements, apatite formation was detected as a frequency decrease in the Ti or sensor. Frequency decreases were observed at around 1 hour for Ti and at around 2 hours for the sensor after the injection of SBF. This revealed that the Ti sensor showed faster apatite formation than . There was no significant difference in the amounts of apatite formation between the Ti and sensors after 24 hours of apatite formation in SBF. In conclusion, the present quantitative study using QCM revealed that apatite formation on the Ti surface in the SBF was obviously faster than that on the surface. Faster apatite formation may predict faster initiation of bone formation on Ti compared with .
Sustainability Reporting Frameworks

The am of this paper is to explore the literature regarding sustainability and extended reporting frameworks. We starts by defining corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability and adopting view that these terms have similar meanings and are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Next, we outline a brief overview of the historical development of the concepts of sustainability, which will lead into an analysis of the five major frameworks covered in the literature: (1) agency view; (2) corporate social performance view; (3) resource-based view; (4) supply and demand view; and (5) the stakeholder view, which is the dominant view. Following this, we look at understanding stakeholders and their importance in sustainability and conclude with some observations about sustainability frameworks, and the motivations of companies for increased disclosure with their stakeholders. These motivation focus on the long-run corporate benefits including improved financial performance of the firm, increased competitive advantage, profit maximisation, and the long-term success of the firm.
Weak Moment Maps in Multisymplectic Geometry

We introduce the notion of a weak (homotopy) moment map associated to a Lie group action on a multisymplectic manifold. We show that the existence/uniqueness theory governing these maps is a direct generalization from symplectic geometry. We use weak moment maps to extend Noether's theorem from Hamiltonian mechanics by exhibiting a correspondence between multisymplectic conserved quantities and continuous symmetries on a multi-Hamiltonian system. We find that a weak moment map interacts with this correspondence in a way analogous to the moment map in symplectic geometry. We define a multisymplectic analog of the classical momentum and position functions on the phase space of a physical system by introducing momentum and position forms. We show that these differential forms satisfy generalized Poisson bracket relations extending the classical bracket relations from Hamiltonian mechanics. We also apply our theory to derive some identities on manifolds with a closed $G_2$ structure.
The Role of Gender, Mindfulness, Rumination and Sleep Attitudes on Sleep Quality in College Students Before and After a Sleep Education Intervention

College students are notorious for their poor sleep quality and sleep hygiene practices. Clinicians and researchers have made an effort to create successful interventions that would aid students in creating better sleep hygiene practices, but results from these studies have been mixed. The current study aims to expand on previous work by taking into account attitudes toward the importance of sleep and adding a reflection exercise at the end of the presentation. In addition, the current work assessed the role of gender, trait mindfulness, and trait rumination on students’ sleep quality and likelihood of implementing sleep hygiene guidelines. Results indicate that the intervention had no significant effect on students’ self-reported sleep quality. However, a significant correlation was found between trait mindfulness and sleep quality. Furthermore, significant differences in sleep quality and mindfulness were found between students who lived by themselves and those who lived with a roommate. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.
Bureaucratic Effects: 'Weberian' State Structures and Poverty Reduction

Work developed broadly within the Weberian tradition has argued, for a long time, that there is a link between effective bureaucratic institutions and economic development. In a widely cited article, Evans and Rauch (1999) have demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between a national state's bureaucratic capacities (what they refer to as its 'Weberianness') and its record on economic growth. Drawing on their work, this paper examines an equally crucial relation: that of state bureaucratic capacities to poverty reduction. Using the Evans-Rauch data set and the best available data sets on income poverty for the period 1970-90, the paper analyses data for 29 developing and middle income countries. On the basis of this work, the paper concludes that, in general, there is indeed a strong relationship between states with effective 'Weberian' public institutions and their ability to reduce poverty.
Searching for old neutron stars with ROSAT. I. Soft X-ray sources in molecular clouds at high galactic latitude

This is the first in a series of three papers aiming to put strong observational constraints on the number of old accreting neutron stars in the Galaxy. Old neutron stars have been predicted to be visible as soft X-ray sources. The brightest sources are expected where the density of the interstellar medium is high. I present an X-ray survey of a complete sample of molecular clouds at high galactic latitudes based on the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. I detect 89 sources inside the projected contours of the molecular clouds and report on a comprehensive identification program. For all sources I searched astronomical catalogs and created finding charts. I also observed all sources at radio frequencies, most of them at 1.4 GHz and at 8 GHz. For sources with bright counterparts, optical spectra are presented. For fainter sources, optical CCD images are shown. Of all sources, 54 are securely identified and for the majority of the remaining sources likely identifications are given. I find no candidate for an old accreting neutron star in this sample. From this survey I derive an upper limit to the neutron star density of 50 sr^(-1) at a ROSAT count rate of 0.012 s^(-1).
Ausländer in Deutschland: Vergleichsweise schlecht qualifiziert

Die wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Folgen der Migration werden durch die Qualifikation der Zuwanderer erheblich beeinflusst. Klassische Einwanderungslander wie Australien, Kanada und die USA steuern die Zuwanderung deshalb nach Humankapitalkriterien. Sie zeigen, wie man mit gezielter Einwanderungspolitik die Qualifikationsstruktur der auslandischen Bevol kerung verbessern kann. In Deutschland und den meisten anderen Mitgliedstaaten der EU wurde auf eine derartige Steuerung bislang weitgehend verzichtet.
The Impact of Coastal FDI on Inland Economic Growth in China

One of the most successful aspects of China’s economic reform and open-door policy implemented since late 1978 has been attracting inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). By the end of 2014, China had attracted US$1.5 trillion in FDI inflows, making it the largest FDI recipient in the developing world. Coastal and inland regions vary in their attractiveness as locations for FDI, and Chinese policies have favoured coastal regions through the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) and various preferential treatments (Chen 2011). FDI inflows have therefore been concentrated in the coastal regions, which account for about 80 per cent of total FDI inflows into China.
Comparisons of VAR Model and Models Created by Genetic Programming in Consumer Price Index Prediction in Vietnam

In this paper, we present an application of Genetic Programming (GP) to Vietnamese CPI in? ation one-step prediction problem. This is a new approach in building a good forecasting model, and then applying inflation forecasts in Vietnam in current stage. The study introduces the within-sample and the out-of-samples one-step-ahead forecast errors which have positive correlation and approximate to a linear function with positive slope in prediction models by GP. We also build Vector Autoregression (VAR) model to forecast CPI in quaterly data and compare with the models created by GP. The experimental results show that the Genetic Programming can produce the prediction models having better accuracy than Vector Autoregression models. We have no relavant variables (m2, ex) of monthly data in the VAR model, so no prediction results exist to compare with models created by GP and we just forecast CPI basing on models of GP with previous data of CPI.