Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Freedom in Times of Pandemic: Chinese International Students’ Readings of Human Rights Criticism During the UK’s First COVID-19 Lockdown

This research project set out to study how Chinese international students in the United Kingdom understand human rights principles. The principal method involved semi-structured interviews which were primarily intended as a listening exercise in which participants were able to voice their views on human rights. The discussions were explicitly centered on participants’ own definitions and understandings. The interviews coincided with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite holding conflicted views on the subject, most interview participants sought to legitimize China’s human rights record. While their reactions echo Stanley Cohen’s acclaimed study of human rights denial, sufficient distinction needs to be made between state actors’ denial and citizen denial. Participants’ struggle to trust foreign media reports, their reappraisal of their circumstances during the pandemic and their lack of exposure to human rights abuse acted as barriers in acknowledging China’s human rights violations. These findings highlight the need for an inclusive pedagogy which is capable of accommodating the various iterations of the imagined community through which expatriate Chinese students view human rights criticism targeted at China.
The tiny ionospheric photometer instrument design and operation

The Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (TIP) instrument is a small, space-based, photometer that observes the ionosphere of the earth at 135.6 nanometers. The TIP instrument will primarily observe the airglow emission of the nighttime ionosphere caused by the radiative recombination of atomic oxygen. In addition, the TIP instrument will observe the auroral region boundaries from the emission caused by electron impact excitation. Six TIP instruments will be launched and flown simultaneously as each one is a payload carried aboard the Republic of China Satellite (ROCSAT-3) spacecraft as part of the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) program a constellation built and operated by the country of Taiwan. Observations will be made from three orbital planes spaced 60 degrees apart each containing two TIP instruments. The instruments will be able to provide global coverage as well as system and data redundancy in their intended orbital configuration. Raw data from the TIP instruments will be used for the characterization of ionospheric electron density gradients to improve ionospheric modeling. Data from the TIP instruments can also be combined with the data from the other two payloads on board the spacecraft that are a radio beacon and a GPS occultation experiment to result in enhanced ionospheric measurements. The TIP instrument design had to solve several design challenges in order to achieve its intended science and mission requirements. In addition, the design had to address the operational constraints imposed by the spacecraft and the cost constraints of multiple units.
Over-Confidence and Cycles in Real Estate Markets: Cases in Hong Kong and Asia

Studies on the calibration of subjective probabilities find that people tend to over-estimate the precision of their knowledge. In this paper we develop a semi-rational model and apply it to the real estate markets in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. The key point is that a person is rational about her/his private information until her/his private information is confirmed by a clearly defined market signal. Using a pre-sale as a mechanism of updating a developer's beliefs, this paper analyzes the impact of over-confidence on overbuilding and cycles in real estate markets. Our finding indicates that a pre-sale activity will increase the magnitude of over-building and over-confidence will increase the volatility in real estate markets. Our model also has implications to the well-established literature dealing with the issue of over-capacity in many industrial sectors.
3-D CRUSTAL STRUCTURE IN SOUTHWESTERN CHINA

Using P and S arrival data of 4,625 local and regional earthquakes recorded at 174 seismic stations and associated geophysical investigations, we present a 3-D crustal and upper mantle velocity structure of southwestern China (21 o 34 o N, 97 o 105 E). Southwestern China lies in the transition zone between the uplifted Tibetan plateau to the west and the Yangtze continental platform to the east. In the upper crust, a positive anomaly velocity zone exists in the Sichuan basin, whereas a large-scale negative anomaly velocity zone exists in the western Sichuan plateau, which is consistent with the upper crustal structure under the Tibetan Plateau. The boundary between these two positive and negative anomaly zones is the Longmen Shan fault. The Tengchong volcanic region, as well as the strike-slip faults such as the Xianshuihe fault, the Anninghe fault, the northern segment of the Red River fault, and the southern segment of the Xiaojiang fault, are in areas with a negative anomaly zone in the upper crust. In the mid-crustal depth, we found that there is a general consistency between the negative velocity anomaly and seismicity. The negative velocity anomalies at the depth of 50 km in the Tengchong volcanic area and the Panxi tectonic zone appear to be associated with the temperature and composition variations in the upper mantle. The Red River fault is the boundary between the positive and negative velocity anomalies at 50-km depth. The overall features of the crustal and the upper mantle structures in southwestern China are the low average velocity, the large crustal thickness variations, the existence of a high conductivity layer in the crust or/and upper mantle, and a high geothermal value. All these features are closely related to the collision between the Indian and the Asian plates.
The uncertainties of a Pd 3 – PGV onsite earthquake early warning system

Earthquake early warning systems have been developed to help minimize the loss of life and other damages resulting from catastrophic earthquakes. In the past several decades, these systems have evolved to function using a variety of methodologies. This study introduces an onsite system developed from a correlation between the precursor measurement (Pd3) and the peak ground acceleration (PGV) from 780 historical earthquake events recorded in Taiwan, Japan and South California. The study analyzes and integrates the uncertainty of the onsite system, establishing the statistical relationship between the PGV forecast, the Pd3 precursor, and the exceedance probability (PE). A method is presented for forecasting the PGV by scaling the Pd3. Furthermore, this study also suggests a decision-making model to determine whether or not the early warning notification should be issued, based on factors such as the uncertainty of the early warning system, the magnitude of the precursor, and warning recipient characteristics. & 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Acclaims, attacks, defenses: Critical discourse analysis of Ma Ying-jeou’s 2012 Taiwan presidential debates discourse

Taiwan, under both domestic socio-political pressures and exogenous diplomatic shocks, underwent a democratization process since the 80s in the last century. Presidential debates became a part of the election benefiting from Taiwan’s media liberalization, and are closely related to the Taiwan’s democratization process. Ma Ying-jeou’s landslide victory in the 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election marked Taiwan’s second democratic transfer of power (with the first one taking place in 2000) and started a new era in cross-strait relations. Due to the Kuomintang (KMT) government’s performance falling short of the people’s expectations during Ma’s governance, however, Ma encountered a neck-and-neck challenge in his second term presidential election. This article adopts a Critical Discourse Analysis perspective to investigate Ma Ying-jeou’s deliberate manipulation of linguistic strategies including selective modality choices to formulate his acclaims, attacks and defenses in the 2012 Taiwan televised presidential debates. This analysis reveals his employment of negative and positive linguistic choices in addressing his opponents’ arguments and casting doubt on his key opponent as well as depicting his leadership and character traits and conveying his high degree of commitment to gain the support of the electorate to offer him an opportunity to continue his stewardship of the country. It examines also how us-you, in addition to us-them polarization, was used as a discursive tool of attack during the debates; and identifies the impact of his discourse on the election outcome in 2012. The investigation of Ma’s engagement in televised presidential debates thus offers a snapshot into Taiwan’s democratization process.
Oral Sex and HSV-1 Knowledge Among College Freshmen Females

Purpose Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) disease transmission to the genitals has life long health consequences for young women. The aim of this DNP project was to assess knowledge among female college freshmen regarding HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex. Methods A voluntary and anonymous online survey was e-mailed to 648 female college freshmen using their college e-mail account. Results A 19% (N=121) survey response rate was achieved. Seventy-three percent of the college females reported receiving oral sex. Ninety-five percent of the college females knew the possible risk of HSV-1 transmission during oral sex. Ninety-six percent of the female students did not use a barrier device when they received oral sex. None of the females identified themselves as being at high risk for contracting HSV-1 and more than 60% were not concerned about contracting genital HSV-1. Discussion Survey findings were presented to college health services staff through informal discussion and a brief movie. Oral sex and HSV-1 teaching information was also provided to the staff to encourage dialogue between students and providers. Dental dam barriers were left with staff to promote safer oral sex practices among the students. Conclusion The results of the survey did not demonstrate a knowledge deficit of HSV-1 disease or possible HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex. However, the survey did reveal gaps in knowledge regarding the students’ own susceptibility to HSV-1 through unprotected oral sex, skin-to-skin transmission risk of HSV-1, and barrier device availability for oral sex.
Japanese Encephalitis: A Viral Metazoonosis of Growing Public Health Importance

Introduction Metazoonoses are those zoonoses, which are transmitted biologically by invertebrate vector in which the agent develops, multiplies or both. The examples are babesiosis, chikungunya fever, dengue fever, filariosis, Japanese encephalitis, ilheus fever, Kyasanur forest disease, leishmaniosis, Mayaro fever, plague, Sindbis fever, and trypanosomiasis, yellow fever, and West Nile fever [1]. Among these, Japanese encephalitis is an important metazoonosis, which is of major concern, particularly to Asian countries. The first case of Japanese encephalitis was recognized in Japan in 1871. Since then, the disease was reported from many countries of the world such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Siberia, Thailand, Abstract *Mahendra Pal
COMMON OPPORTUNISTIC PULMONARY PARASITES IN HIV PATIENTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, If not treated would lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The HIV infection is acquired from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Most patients get HIV by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. Another common way is by sharing drug needles with HIV infected patient. Most patients develop a pulmonary complication during the history of HIV infection. Lung is the most frequently affected site by the bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic diseases.
Environmental performance assessment in China and Hong Kong

Environmental Management System (EMS) has recently been advocated for almost all economic sectors. However, the implementation of EMS is problematic for the construction industry. The greatest obstacle is the lack of objective performance evaluation criteria. To overcome this, Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) has been introduced, to provide assessments in terms of management and operational systems. This paper compares the status of EPA implementation in China and Hong Kong. By means of a questionnaire survey, the difficulties in implementing EPA are highlighted, the major ones being ‘Lack of technological support, such as training, staff and expertise’ and ‘Lack of commitment from senior staff’ in Hong Kong and Mainland China, respectively. Furthermore, ‘Lack of legal enforcement’ is found more profound in Mainland China than in Hong Kong, indicated by a low correlation coefficient between the rankings of these factors in Hong Kong and China. Meanwhile, ‘Promoting EPA as a legal requirements’ and ‘Inclusion of EPA in the tendering requirements’ are found to be the best tools for encouraging implementation of EPA. Although the difficulties in implementing EPA are different in the two regions, the motivations for EPA are similar, with a high correlation coefficient.
“Public goods” or “diplomatic tools”: a framing research on Chinese and American media reports regarding Chinese COVID-19 vaccine

Abstract This study aims to conduct a framing analysis of Chinese and American media coverage of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine. Since 2021, China exports or donates vaccines to developing countries, arousing the attention of Chinese and American media. The competition between China and the USA over national image extends to the vaccine field. Media framing is a powerful tool to construct a national image. It is worth comparing how Chinese and American media use framings to construct national images on vaccine issues. This study conducts a framing analysis of news coverage in People’s Daily (PD) and The New York Times (NYT) on Chinese COVID-19 vaccine from January to March 2021 to determine how the media use specific framings to construct national images. The results show PD favors official action and cooperation frames, constructing the discourse of “public goods” and “cooperation” and shaping a fair and cooperative China image; while NYT favors official action, conflict and skepticism frames, constructing the discourse of “diplomatic tool” and “competition” and shaping a selfish and competitive China image. A positive image is helpful for China to reposition itself in global public opinion and enhance its soft power, while a negative discourse deconstructs the positive China image and counterbalances China’s vaccine diplomacy.
Demographic and COVID Experience Predictors of COVID-19 Risk Perception among Chinese Residents in Canada

The current study aimed to identify demographic and COVID experience predictors for COVID-19 risk perception among Chinese residents in Canada. A final sample of 653 participants aged 18 and up completed an online survey in simplified Chinese during the peak of the first wave of COVID-19 (25 April–10 June 2020). After removing those with missing data on demographic covariates, as missing data cannot be imputed, 444 were included in the structural equation model, and COVID-19 risk perception was indexed by three outcome variables: self-infection risk perception (i.e., likelihood of personal infection of COVID-19); threat perception (i.e., whether the pandemic is a real threat); and future infection rate prediction (i.e., a latent variable for community, Ontario, Canada, and World infection rate predictions). Predictors included demographic (i.e., income, gender, education, age, household size, employment status, and life satisfaction) and COVID experience variables (i.e., personal connection with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, self-isolation experience, perceived anti-Chinese discrimination, and confusion over COVID-19 information). In the structural equation model, we found increased risk perception for the following demographic and COVID experience predictors; women, relatively higher education, living alone, working in a medical field, lower in life satisfaction, having personal connection with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, with perceived anti-Chinese discrimination, or showing high confusion over COVID-19 information.
Development of democratic values as a basis for the consolidation of modern Ukrainian society

The problem of historical memory as a factor of uniting the past, present and future, consolidating modern Ukrainian society, and ensuring political stability is relevant in our time. The purpose of the study is to define the regularity of the state of development of democratic values as a basis for the consolidation of modern Ukrainian society based on the reports "Democracy Index", "Democracy Perception Index" and "Freedom in the World" by means of regression analysis. Research methods: comparative analysis; systematization; regression analysis; generalization. The results. After conducting a regression analysis, it was defined that the value of the coefficient of determination testifies to this. The 88% regression model reflects the direct dependence of the state of development of the democratic regime in Ukraine on the state of the electoral process and pluralism and civil liberties. The study showed that the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation had a positive effect on the consolidation of modern Ukrainian society. According to the survey, 77% of Ukrainians claim that things in Ukraine are going in the right direction, 80% are proud of their country, 64% of respondents believe that friendly relations between Ukrainians and Russians cannot be restored. 56% of respondents believe that the main goal of the Russian invasion is the destruction of the Ukrainian people.
Concussion knowledge and experience among a sample of American adults

Background Recently, there has been a strong emphasis on educating athletes, parents, coaches, and health care providers about concussions. However, not much is known about whether these efforts are affecting the general public’s level of concussion knowledge. Purpose To determine what is currently known among the public about concussions and where education campaigns may be targeted in order to fill in the gaps. Methods In order to achieve the project’s objective, CDC analyzed self-reported data from Porter Novelli’s 2017 SummerStyles survey, an annual survey of American adults aged 18 and older across the United States. The questions focused on personal concussion experiences, basic concussion knowledge, knowledge of prevention strategies, and perceived best sources of information about concussion. Results Analysis of the data showed that approximately 18% of respondents reported that they had personally experienced a concussion in their lifetime, and about two-thirds of these respondents were evaluated by a health care provider after their injury. In terms of concussion knowledge, the majority were aware of common causes of concussion. While 94% knew that headache was a symptom of concussion, just over half were aware that sleep problems were as well. Most respondents (>78%) correctly identified that wearing seat-belts, preventing falls, and reducing participation in contact sports were ways to prevent a concussion, while installing baby-gates across stairs was less frequently known (65.5%) as a prevention technique. Nearly all of the respondents believed that a doctor or other health professional was a good source of information about concussions. These results varied by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education. Conclusion The results demonstrate that even though the public has a relatively high knowledge level of concussion, targeted education is needed to teach American adults about the symptoms and ways of getting a concussion.
Large mammal use of protected and community‐managed lands in a biodiversity hotspot

In large parts of the biodiversity‐rich tropics, various forest governance regimes often coexist, ranging from governmental administration to highly decentralized community management. Two common forms of such governance are protected areas, and community lands open to limited resource extraction. We studied wildlife occurrences in the north‐east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) is situated adjacent to community lands governed by the Bugun and Sherdukpen tribes. We conducted transect‐based mammal sign surveys and camera trapping for mammals (>0.5 kg), and interviewed members of the resident tribes to understand their hunting practices and causes of wildlife declines. Interviews indicated hunting‐mediated declines in the abundances of mammals such as the tiger Panthera tigris, gaur Bos gaurus and river otters Lutrogale and Aonyx species. Larger species such as B. gaurus were much more abundant within EWS than outside of it. Community‐managed lands harbored smaller bodied species, including some of conservation importance such as the red panda Ailurus fulgens, clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa and golden cat Pardofelis temminckii. Our findings show that protected areas may have important non‐substitutive values but adjoining community‐managed lands may also have important conservation values for a different set of species.
A review of pornography use research: Methodology and results from four sources

The widespread electronic transmission of pornography allows for a variety of new data sources to objectively measure pornography use. Recent studies have begun to use these data to rank order US states by per capita online pornography use and to identify the determinants of pornography use at the state level. The aim of this paper is to compare two previous methodologies for evaluating pornography use by state, as well as to measure online pornography use using multiple data sources. We find that state-level rankings from Pornhub.com, Google Trends, and the New Family Structures Survey are significantly correlated with each other. In contrast, we find that rankings based on data from a single large paid subscription pornography website has no significant correlation with rankings based on the other three data sources. Since so much of online pornography is accessed for free, research based solely on paid subscription data may yield misleading conclusions.
How interrelated are MIST equity markets with the developed stock markets of the world?

Abstract This study explores the long-run and short-term relationship between the Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey (MIST) equity markets and the developed stock markets such as US, UK, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. To start with, the author employs static bivariate and multivariate Johansen cointegration tests to test for long-run relationship between each of MIST equity markets and the developed stock markets. Subsequently, the author employs the recursive multivariate Johansen cointegration tests to garner a better understanding of the evolution of extent of integration between MIST and the developed stock markets. Static and Recursive Johansen Test findings reveal lack of consistent cointegrating relationship between MIST and developed markets (DM). Consequently, MIST equity markets do offer portfolio diversification avenues for international investors. On the short-term front, the time-varying correlations for each MIST-DM pair of stock indices were examined using the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) specification of the Multivariate GARCH. Of all the developed stock markets considered for this study, Mexico is found to exhibit high DCC with US and least amount of DCC with Japan while Indonesia is found to exhibit high DCC with Singapore and Hong Kong and least amount of DCC with US. Lastly, when it comes to South Korea, it exhibits the least amount of DCC with US and high DCC with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.