bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“It’s in Our DNA”: Climate Change and Perceived Resilience and Adaptive Capacity in Nature-Based Tourism in Lofoten, Norway
Authors: Antonsen Karin Marie , Dale Brigt , Mayer Stephanie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In 2018, tourism was the fastest growing sector in the world, accounting for 10% of all jobs worldwide and 10.4% of the world’s gross domestic product. Tourism is often cited as a strategy for future development at national, regional, and local levels. This paper takes a closer look at the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, where the increase in nature-based tourism over the last two decades has occurred in parallel with the restructuring of the traditional fisheries. Nature-based tourism in rural regions relies heavily on a broad range of ecosystem services (ES). This paper will present how stakeholders in nature-based tourism assess the influence of climate change on ES crucial for their activities and for the destination and will outline and explain how the practitioners perceive their ability to withstand or adapt to these changes. With the aid of models depicting potential future climate scenarios, we initiated discussions with stakeholders and found that tourism actors have only to a minor degree sought to develop strategies to increase adaptive capacity and therefore resilience to climate change. Based on our findings, we discuss how the adaptive capacity of individual actors in nature-based tourism forms the basis for the system’s resilience, and that a general resilience focus also forms the basis for transformational capacity, a capacity needed for future resilience. In light of our findings and analyses, we will conclude by reflecting on overarching systemic transformative tendencies in the wake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and obligations contained in the Paris Agreement on reducing global emissions.
Do Local Perceptions of Climate Variability and Changes Correspond to Observed Climate Changes? A Comparative Study from Nepal as One of the Most Climate-Vulnerable Countries
Authors: Darjee Kumar Bahadur , Neupane Prem Raj , Köhl Michael 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study explored people’s perceptions of climate change by conducting interviews and focus-group discussions with local residents of three ecological regions of Nepal, i.e., mountain, midhills, and lowland. Climatic measurements from meteorological stations of the regions were acquired for the period from 1988 to 2018. We compared the people’s perception with trends and variabilities of observed temperature and rainfall patterns. The results showed that, over the last three decades, temperature and precipitation trends and variability between regions varied, largely corroborating the local experiences. The temperature increased in mountain, midhills, and lowland by 0.061°, 0.063°, and 0.017°C yr−1, respectively. In contrast, rainfall decreased by −9.7, −3.6, and −0.04 mm yr−1 for the regions, respectively. Although the amount of rainfall decrease observed in the mountain was highest, its variability was found to be relatively low, and vice versa in lowland. Approximately 88% of interviewees perceived temperature rise, and 74% noticed rainfall decline. Local residents linked these changes with their livelihood activities, as exemplified by, for example, crop’s quality and quantity and birds’ migration. The results indicate that local understandings complement the scarce observational data and provide a reliable and additional foundation to determine changes in climatic variables. Moreover, the result infers that small changes in climate variables have noticeable implications on human behavior change. Therefore, besides active participation of local communities, integrating local understanding is crucial in developing climate change–related policies and strategies at local and national levels.
A 10-Year Review of Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Firearm Injury in a Rural Setting
Authors: Lasky Tiffany , Richmond Bryan K , Samanta Damayanti , Annie Frank 
Published: December 2021

Introduction West Virginia (WV) had the ninth highest rate of firearm mortality of all states in the United States according to the CDC in 2018. Gun violence in WV has been a steady problem over the last decade. The rural population is more vulnerable to unintentional firearm injuries and suicides. Previously published literature from urban settings has demonstrated a link between firearm injuries and modifiable situational variables such as crime, unemployment, low income, and low education. There are very few studies that have utilized geospatial analytic techniques as a tool for injury mapping, surveillance, and primary prevention in rural and frontier zones of the United States. Methods We performed a 10-year retrospective single-institution review of firearm injuries at a rural WV level 1 trauma center between January 2010 and December 2019. The AIS World Geocoding Service was then used to identify specific areas of emerging firearm-related injuries within the service area. Results Specific hot spots of emerging firearm injury were identified in both intentional and unintentional populations. These were located in geographically distinct areas of the WV unincorporated rural and frontier population. These rural WV hotspots were associated with the modifiable variables of crime, unemployment, lower income, and lower education level. Conclusions Emerging hot spots of firearm injury in rural and frontier locations were associated with modifiable social determinants. These areas represent an opportunity for targeted injury prevention efforts addressing these disparities. Further prospective study of these findings is warranted.
The India–EU FTA and Its Potential Impact on India’s Dairy Sector: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Basu Anwesha 
Published: December 2021

The present study attempts to quantify ex-ante the impact on trade flows, revenue and welfare of the India–EU FTA on India’s dairy sector. In light of the fact that the EU is the world’s largest exporter of dairy products and India’s dairy sector is highly protected, it is important to assess the potential impact that an FTA with EU can have on this sector. Using a partial equilibrium set-up, our simulation results reveal that the estimated increase in India’s imports of dairy products is mainly driven by trade creation rather than trade diversion, implying that the FTA does not promote inefficient dairy trade at the cost of other countries outside the trade bloc. We augment our analysis using the gravity model to estimate the potential increase in dairy sector imports due to trade liberalisation. PPML estimates suggest that a 10% decline in tariff rates leads to a 3.4% increase in the value of imports. While the estimated increase in dairy imports is significant, our analysis indicates that the increased value of imports, expressed as a fraction of India’s domestic output of dairy products, would still be less than 1%. JEL Codes: F13, F14, F17
Modeling Brain Dynamics During Virtual Reality-Based Emergency Response Learning Under Stress
Authors: Tyagi Oshin , Hopko Sarah , Kang John , Shi Yangming , Du Jing , Mehta Ranjana K. 
Published: December 2021

Background Stress affects learning during training, and virtual reality (VR) based training systems that manipulate stress can improve retention and retrieval performance for firefighters. Brain imaging using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) can facilitate development of VR-based adaptive training systems that can continuously assess the trainee’s states of learning and cognition. Objective The aim of this study was to model the neural dynamics associated with learning and retrieval under stress in a VR-based emergency response training exercise. Methods Forty firefighters underwent an emergency shutdown training in VR and were randomly assigned to either a control or a stress group. The stress group experienced stressors including smoke, fire, and explosions during the familiarization and training phase. Both groups underwent a stress memory retrieval and no-stress memory retrieval condition. Participant’s performance scores, fNIRS-based neural activity, and functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and motor regions were obtained for the training and retrieval phases. Results The performance scores indicate that the rate of learning was slower in the stress group compared to the control group, but both groups performed similarly during each retrieval condition. Compared to the control group, the stress group exhibited suppressed PFC activation. However, they showed stronger connectivity within the PFC regions during the training and between PFC and motor regions during the retrieval phases. Discussion While stress impaired performance during training, adoption of stress-adaptive neural strategies (i.e., stronger brain connectivity) were associated with comparable performance between the stress and the control groups during the retrieval phase.
An Evaluation of Sleepiness, Performance, and Workload Among Operators During a Real-Time Reactive Telerobotic Lunar Mission Simulation
Authors: Glaros Zachary , Carvalho Robert E. , Flynn-Evans Erin E. 
Published: December 2021

Objective We assessed operator performance during a real-time reactive telerobotic lunar mission simulation to understand how daytime versus nighttime operations might affect sleepiness, performance, and workload. Background Control center operations present factors that can influence sleepiness, neurobehavioral performance, and workload. Each spaceflight mission poses unique challenges that make it difficult to predict how long operators can safely and accurately conduct operations. We aimed to evaluate the performance impact of time-on-task and time-of-day using a simulated telerobotic lunar rover to better inform staffing and scheduling needs for the upcoming Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission. Methods We studied seven trained operators in a simulated mission control environment. Operators completed two five-hour simulations in a randomized order, beginning at noon and midnight. Performance was evaluated every 25 minutes using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Psychomotor Vigilance Task, and NASA Task Load Index. Results Participants rated themselves as sleepier (5.06 ± 2.28) on the midnight compared to the noon simulation (3.12 ± 1.44; p < .001). Reaction time worsened over time during the midnight simulation but did not vary between simulations. Workload was rated higher during the noon (37.93 ± 20.09) compared to the midnight simulation (32.09 ± 21.74; p = .007). Conclusion Our findings suggest that work shifts during future operations should be limited in duration to minimize sleepiness. Our findings also suggest that working during the day, when distractions are present, increases perceived workload. Further research is needed to understand how working consecutive shifts and taking breaks within a shift influence performance.
Governance and tax revenue: does foreign aid matter?
Authors: Wen Jun , Farooq Umar , Tabash Mosab I. , El Refae Ghaleb A. , Subhani Bilal Haider 
Published: December 2021

This study seeks to explores the relationship among governance, foreign aid, and tax revenue. A common notion on governance is that it is a multifaceted factor, it may affect from other factor that is foreign aid. Foreign aid can hamper the governance situation and thus can reduce tax collection. To test these theoretical assumptions, we collected the numerical data from Asian economies for the years 2001–2019 and employed the panel FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least square) test to estimate the regression. The empirical findings first reveal that governance and foreign aid have a positive association with tax revenue in the long run. However, a negative trend in tax collection was observed following the interaction of foreign aid and governance. Foreign aid deteriorates the governance situation, which has a negative spillover impact on tax revenue. Our empirical analysis suggests that policy officials should focus on exercising governance and foreign aid effectiveness to meet the objective of more tax collection. Points for practitioners Policy officials should focus on better governance exercises. They should carefully decide on the volume of foreign aid receipts. However, if it becomes necessary to receive foreign aid, then they should focus on aid effectiveness. Such steps can benefit the practitioners to collect more tax.
Fetal Pain in the First Trimester
Authors: Thill Bridget 
Published: December 2021

Fetal pain perception has important implications for fetal surgery, as well as for abortion. Current neuroscientific evidence indicates the possibility of fetal pain perception during the first trimester (<14 weeks gestation). Evidence for this conclusion is based on the following findings: (1) the neural pathways for pain perception via the cortical subplate are present as early as 12 weeks gestation, and via the thalamus as early as 7–8 weeks gestation; (2) the cortex is not necessary for pain to be experienced; (3) consciousness is mediated by subcortical structures, such as the thalamus and brainstem, which begin to develop during the first trimester; (4) the neurochemicals in utero do not cause fetal unconsciousness; and (5) the use of fetal analgesia suppresses the hormonal, physiologic, and behavioral responses to pain, avoiding the potential for both short- and long-term sequelae. As the medical evidence has shifted in acknowledging fetal pain perception prior to viability, there has been a gradual change in the fetal pain debate, from disputing the existence of fetal pain to debating the significance of fetal pain. The presence of fetal pain creates tension in the practice of medicine with respect to beneficence and nonmaleficence.
The Relationship Between the Fear of COVID-19 in the Elderly Aged 65 Years and Over and Their Levels of Adaptation to the “New Normal”: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Şentürk Sibel , Yıldırım Keskin Alev , Sarızayim Şule 
Published: December 2021

This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 in the elderly aged 65 years and over and their levels of adaptation to the “new normal.” This descriptive cross-sectional study was completed with 623 elderly individuals. It was determined that the individuals who adapted well to the “new normal” had high levels of adaptation to old age, while their levels of fear of COVID-19 were slightly above average ( p < 0.01). Elderly individuals have tried to adapt to the “new normal” while also experiencing fear of COVID-19. In order to minimize the fear experienced by the elderly during COVID-19, adequate support and psychological support should be provided.
Effects of vitamin D on thyroid autoimmunity markers in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Jingwen , Chen Yuting , Li Hongyan , Li Hong 
Published: December 2021

Objective To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on thyroid autoimmunity markers in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Methods This meta-analysis included randomized controlled clinical trials identified by a systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed®, MEDLINE®, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from inception to August 2020. All studies included patients with HT that received vitamin D supplementation irrespective of the doses administered or the duration of treatment. The primary and secondary outcome measures were thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) titres. Results Eight studies ( n = 652) were included. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies. Using a random-effect model, vitamin D supplementation reduced TPOAb titre (standardized mean difference [SMD]: –1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1–1.92, –0.29) and TGAb titre (SMD: –1.12; 95% CI: –1.96, –0.28). A subgroup analysis demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation for >3 months resulted in a decrease in TPOAb titre (SMD: –1.66, 95% CI: –2.91, –0.41) but treatment ≤3 months was ineffective. Treatment with vitamin D3 decreased TPOAb titre (SMD: –1.48; 95% CI: –2.53, –0.42) whereas vitamin D did not. Conclusion These data suggest that vitamin D reduces autoantibody titre in patients with HT.
A multidisciplinary perioperative medicine clinic to improve high-risk patient outcomes: A service evaluation audit
Authors: Fullbrook Aidan I , Redman Elizabeth P , Michaels Kerry , Woods Lisa R , Moorthy Aruntha , Thorne Katie , Dalley Paul , Rogers Nicolas W 
Published: December 2021

Various perioperative interventions have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for high-risk patients undergoing surgery. This audit assessed the impact of introducing a multidisciplinary perioperative medicine clinic on postoperative outcomes and resource usage amongst high-risk patients. Between January 2019 and March 2020, our institution piloted a Comprehensive High-Risk Surgical Patient Clinic. Surgical patients were eligible for referral when exhibiting criteria known to increase perioperative risk. The patient’s decision whether to proceed with surgery was recorded; for those proceeding with surgery, perioperative outcomes and bed occupancy were recorded and compared against a similar surgical population identified as high-risk at our institution in 2017. Of 23 Comprehensive High-Risk Surgical Patient Clinic referrals, 11 did not proceed with the original planned surgery. Comprehensive High-Risk Surgical patients undergoing original planned surgery, as compared to high-risk patients from 2017, experienced reduced unplanned intensive care unit admission (8% versus 19%, respectively), 30-day mortality (0% versus 13%) and 30-day re-admission to hospital (0% versus 20%); had shorter postoperative lengths of stay (median (range) 8 (7–14) days versus 10.5 (5–28)) and spent more days alive outside of hospital at 30 days (median (range) 18 (0–25) versus 21 (16–23)). Cumulatively, the Comprehensive High-Risk Surgical patient cohort compared to the 2017 cohort (both n=23) occupied fewer postoperative intensive care (total 13 versus 24) and hospital bed-days (total 106 versus 212). The results of our Comprehensive High-Risk Surgical Patient pilot project audit suggest improved individual outcomes for high-risk patients proceeding with surgery. In addition, the results support potential resource savings through more appropriate patient selection.
Colloidal characteristics of gelatin-treated clay: Intercalation, stability, wettability, and rheological properties
Authors: Luo Xuwu , Jiang Guancheng , Li Xinliang , Yang Lili 
Published: December 2021

In this paper, sodium montmorillonite was modified with gelatin of different concentrations, and various colloidal characteristics of the gelatin-treated clays were measured and analyzed in detail. First, the influence of gelatin on the interlayer space of Mt layers was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, the aggregation of Mt particles was examined using a combination of electron microscopy and particle size distribution experiments, while the variation of the electrical property of Mt was measured using ζ potential test. Gelatin of different concentrations can increase the particle size of Mt in different degrees. The addition of 4% gelatin could improve the ζ potential of Mt from −30.65 to −15.55 mV. The wettability change of modified Mt induced by the adsorption of gelatin was followed by measurements of water contact angle and observations of the morphology of Mt/gelatin membrane through SEM images. 4% gelatin could improve the water contact angle of Mt to 81.3°. Finally, the rheological properties of Mt/gelatin dispersion including shear viscosity and shear stress were measured using a stress-controlled rheometer. All of the results were consistent by showing that the overall colloidal characteristics and behavior of the gelatin-treated Mt strongly varied depending on the gelatin concentration used in the modification process. These results can provide a deep and comprehensive understanding of the colloidal properties of clay/gelatin systems and give important guidance for the performance design and improvement of Mt/gelatin composite materials. Furthermore, this study can also be expanded the application of gelatin and its composites to other fields.
Mechanical properties of polyester/corn husk fibre composite produced using vacuum infusion technique
Authors: Mir Md Shibly Shadik , Chan Ming Yeng , Koay Seong Chun 
Published: December 2021

Issues pertaining to deforestation, environmental pollution and natural wastes are increasing day by day. These issues can be resolved by introducing a new composite material, in which natural waste is used as fibre and as a replacement of wood plastic composite. The different lengths (3, 6 and 9 cm) of corn husk fibre filled polyester composites were produced using the vacuum infusion method. Several mechanical properties of these polyester composites, such as tensile and flexural properties, were evaluated. The results revealed that both the tensile and flexural properties of polyester composites increased with increment of corn husk fibre length from 3 to 6 cm. However, the results decreased for 9 cm of fibre length filled composites. Similar trends were recorded after alkali treatment of the corn husk fibre filled polyester composites. The alkali treatment with sodium hydroxide had improved the tensile strength (33%), Young’s modulus (23%), elongation (14%), flexural strength (42%) and flexural modulus (8.5%) of the polyester/corn husk fibre composites with 6 cm of fibre length by enhancing the mechanical interlocking bonding between treated corn husk fibres and polyester.
Using potential of filament-wound carbon/glass polymeric composites as rocket motor thermal insulation
Authors: Rusmirović Jelena , Galović Jela , Kluz Marija , Perković Srdja , Brzić Saša , Bogosavljević Marica , Milojković Aleksandar , Kovačević Tihomir 
Published: December 2021

The study aim is to develop hybrid filament-wound polymeric composites based on flame retardant polyester resin (UPe) and multi-layer structured glass or combined carbon and glass fibers for use as ablative thermal insulation of rocket motor by wet filament winding technique. The composites have a multi-layered structure consisting of two layers of carbon (CF) or glass woven fabric (GF) and one layer of carbon or glass direct roving (CR or GR, respectively), repeated in three cycles. Structural analysis, performed using FTIR spectroscopy and dynamical-mechanical analysis, confirm highly polymerized network. Lower values of the tanδ peak height indicate improved interfacial adhesion between carbon/glass fibers and UPe. The improvements of thermal insulation index of 37% and erosion rate of 38.6% at 180°C are achieved for combined carbon/glass fiber–based composite compared to the neat UPe. Tensile and interlaminar shear properties are investigated according to the fiber orientation and the highest values of tensile and interlaminar shear strengths are obtained for composites with longitudinal orientation, 417.48 MPa and 22.30 MPa, respectively. Compared to the neat UPe, which degrades after 50 s at 3000°C, the composites are stable up to 192 s.