Sustainable Rangeland Management Using A Multi-Fuzzy Model: How To Deal With Heterogeneous Experts’ Knowledge

While fuzzy specialists usually use homogeneous experts’ knowledge to construct fuzzy models, it is much more difficult to deal with knowledge elicited from a heterogeneous group of experts. This issue especially holds in the area of the sustainable rangeland management. One way to deal with the diversity of opinions is to develop a fuzzy system for all experts and to combine all these so-called primary systems into one multi-fuzzy model. To derive each of the primary fuzzy systems using the knowledge of a group of administrative experts, several semi-structured interviews were held in three different areas of the Fars province in Southwest Iran. In order to find the final output of the multi-fuzzy model, we applied different ‘voting’ methods. The first method simply uses the arithmetic average of the primary outputs as the final output of the multifuzzy model. This final output represents an estimation of the Right Rate of Stocking. We also propose other (un)supervised voting methods. Most importantly, by harmonizing the primary outputs such that outliers get less emphasis, we introduce an unsupervised voting method calculating a weighted estimate of the Right Rate of Stocking. This harmonizing method is expected to provide a new useful tool for policymakers in order to deal with heterogenity in experts’ opinions: it is especially useful in cases where little field data is available and one is forced to rely on experts’ knowledge only. By constructing the three fuzzy models based on the elicitation of heterogeneous experts’ knowledge, our study shows the multidimensional vaguenesses that exist in sustainable rangeland management. Finally, by comparing the final Right Rate of Stocking with its medium range, this study proves the existence of overgrazing in pastures of the three regions of the Fars province in Southwest Iran

The Almond Tree Genome

Editors: Raquel Sánchez-Pérez, Angel Fernandez i Marti, Pedro Martinez-GomezThis book brings together the latest information on almond genomics and transcriptomics, with a particular focus on cutting-edge findings, tools, and strategies employed in genome sequencing and analysis with regard to the most important agronomic traits. Cultivated almond [(Prunus dulcis (Miller) D. A. Webb, syn. Prunus amygdalus Batsch., Amygdalus communis L., Amygdalus dulcis Mill.)] is a tree crop producing seeds of great economic interest, and adapted to hot and dry climates. Domesticated in Southeast Asia, its small diploid genome and phenotypic diversity make it an ideal model to complement genomics studies on peach, generally considered to be the reference Prunus species. Both represent consanguineous species that evolved in two distinct environments: warmer and more humid in the case of peach, and colder and xerophytic for almond. The advent of affordable whole-genome sequencing, in combination with existing Prunus functional genomics data, has now made it possible to leverage the novel diversity found in almond, providing an unmatched resource for the genetic improvement of this speciesPeer reviewe

Cokriging for multivariate Hilbert space valued random fields: application to multi-fidelity computer code emulation

In this paper we propose Universal trace co-kriging, a novel methodology for interpolation of multivariate Hilbert space valued functional data. Such data commonly arises in multi-fidelity numerical modeling of the subsurface and it is a part of many modern uncertainty quantification studies. Besides theoretical developments we also present methodological evaluation and comparisons with the recently published projection based approach by Bohorquez et al. (Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 31(1):53–70, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-016-1266-y). Our evaluations and analyses were performed on synthetic (oil reservoir) and real field (uranium contamination) subsurface uncertainty quantification case studies. Monte Carlo analyses were conducted to draw important conclusions and to provide practical guidelines for all future practitioners

Self-expansion during couples vacations linked to sexual intimacy and passion post-vacation

Research shows that core family leisure, rituals, and frequent connection moments during our day-to-day lives are necessary for a well-functioning romantic relationship, but so are challenging and novel experiences away from the routine. Based on the self-expansion model, novel and self-expanding activities would help maintain a relationship and keep the spark alive. This can especially be the case if the novel joint experiences are stretched over a longer period, like in a vacation setting. There is not much empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis, and self-expansion has been mostly documented during very short lab-based experiences such as a 10-minute novel conversation. Using two datasets, we examined the link between extended vacation experiences of romantic partners and different markers of their relationship quality. More specifically, we measured the amount of novelty, growth, and self-expansion experienced by partners, individually, during their joint or shared vacations over the past year. We developed and tested 2 scales for this matter. We expected that such experiences of partners would be linked to different aspects of their relationship quality. Over two hundred American cohabiting couples were recruited via MTurk and were asked to take one survey per partner. These were couples who were living with each other for some time with no kids in the house, ranging from 1 to 50 years. We found compelling support for our hypothesis. Higher self-expansion experienced during joint vacations - and surprisingly not individual vacations - was significantly linked to higher physical intimacy at the end of the year, as one important domain of romantic passion. That meant more sex, touching, and more affection between partners at the time of data collection following those vacations. As romantic relationships age, novel tourism experiences as a part of the leisure portfolio of couples can help keep the love and passion alive. We propose certain leisure activities as a methodological extension of selfexpansion that extends beyond lab studies or singular self-expanding activities.<br/

Self-expansion during couples vacations linked to sexual intimacy and passion post-vacation

Research shows that core family leisure, rituals, and frequent connection moments during our day-to-day lives are necessary for a well-functioning romantic relationship, but so are challenging and novel experiences away from the routine. Based on the self-expansion model, novel and self-expanding activities would help maintain a relationship and keep the spark alive. This can especially be the case if the novel joint experiences are stretched over a longer period, like in a vacation setting. There is not much empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis, and self-expansion has been mostly documented during very short lab-based experiences such as a 10-minute novel conversation. Using two datasets, we examined the link between extended vacation experiences of romantic partners and different markers of their relationship quality. More specifically, we measured the amount of novelty, growth, and self-expansion experienced by partners, individually, during their joint or shared vacations over the past year. We developed and tested 2 scales for this matter. We expected that such experiences of partners would be linked to different aspects of their relationship quality. Over two hundred American cohabiting couples were recruited via MTurk and were asked to take one survey per partner. These were couples who were living with each other for some time with no kids in the house, ranging from 1 to 50 years. We found compelling support for our hypothesis. Higher self-expansion experienced during joint vacations - and surprisingly not individual vacations - was significantly linked to higher physical intimacy at the end of the year, as one important domain of romantic passion. That meant more sex, touching, and more affection between partners at the time of data collection following those vacations. As romantic relationships age, novel tourism experiences as a part of the leisure portfolio of couples can help keep the love and passion alive. We propose certain leisure activities as a methodological extension of selfexpansion that extends beyond lab studies or singular self-expanding activities.<br/

A theoretical and empirical model for soil conservation using indigenous knowledge

This paper illuminates the practice of indigenous soil conservation among Mamasani farmers in Fars province in Iran. Bos’s decision making model was used as a conceptual framework for the study. A qualitative paradigm was used as research methodology. Qualitative techniques were: MindMapping, RRA, semi-structured interviews, indepth and focus group interviews. A new decision making model which was rich in subjective views flexibility and high level of interactivity among farmers and researchers was developed

The impact of novel people, places, and activities, in tourism

As part of an undergraduate research design class, we measured tourism experiences of 617tourists, during a day, and their potential impact, in a quantitative, cross-sectional manner. In May2023, a total of 30 tourism and experience design students teamed up from Breda University ofApplied Sciences, Netherlands, and Brigham Young University students, United States, andapproached tourists at 45 various tourist hot spots in the Rotterdam and the Amsterdam are

Human connection:A crucial ingredient in vacation experience

Interactions between people have emerged from both psychology and tourism research as important catalysts for quality of life. Conceptualization and measurement of social interaction has remained difficult, however. In this chapter we conceptualize human connection as a key component of social interaction during tourism experiences. We introduce a single-item measure of connection and implement it in longitudinal study of 133 vacation park stays in the Netherlands. The data showed that connection is linked to positive and negative emotions during vacation within participants, and that between-participant differences in positive emotion during vacation mediated the relationship between average daily connection during vacation and positive trait affect 1 week after return home. These findings show that human connection is a readily measurable and useful concept within the realm of social interactions on vacation. Furthermore, experience providers as well as researchers should pay attention to and reinforce tourists’ sense of connection to others during their vacations

The impact of novel people, places, and activities, in tourism

As part of an undergraduate research design class, we measured tourism experiences of 617tourists, during a day, and their potential impact, in a quantitative, cross-sectional manner. In May2023, a total of 30 tourism and experience design students teamed up from Breda University ofApplied Sciences, Netherlands, and Brigham Young University students, United States, andapproached tourists at 45 various tourist hot spots in the Rotterdam and the Amsterdam are

The correlation between blood oxidative stress and sialic acid content in diabetic patients with nephropathy, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia

This clinical study was designed to find out the correlation between oxidative stress and sialic acid (SA) content of plasma and RBCs in patients with type 2 diabetes. We evaluated SA concentration and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy subjects and diabetic patients with and without complications in a cross-sectional survey. Significant changes in oxidative stress biomarkers and RBC-SA were revealed in the diabetic patients compared to those in the healthy group. Plasma SA significantly increased with an increase in lipid peroxidation of RBCs (LPO-RBC) (P < 0.001) in the diabetic patients without complication. RBC-SA significantly decreased with an elevation in LPO-RBC (P < 0.001) in all the diabetic patients and those with nephropathy. There was no significant correlation between plasma and RBC-SA and other oxidative stress biomarkers in the diabetic subjects. In multiple logistic regression analysis, RBC-SA was independently related to LPO-RBC in all the diabetic patients and those with nephropathy. We conclude that the induction of LPO-RBC in diabetic patients and those with nephropathy may influence the SA decomposition of RBC membrane, thereby altering its functions and transporter activities. Therefore, LPO-RBC and SA levels in RBCs can be used for prediction of diabetic nephropathy, and further studies to evaluate other factors contributing to desialylation of RBC membrane are justified. © 2019, The Japan Diabetes Society