Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In‐Situ Quantification and Prediction of Water Yield From Southern US Pine Forests

Forest management can play an important role in landscape‐scale water balances and thus regional water supply planning, necessitating improved quantification and prediction of forest water yield (i.e., rainfall minus evapotranspiration (ET)). We used high frequency soil moisture data to quantify soil ET and interception in 30 pine stands capturing regional variation in aridity, hydrogeology, and forest management. We evaluated typical forest rotation stages (i.e., clear cuts through mature stands), as well as stands restored to historical, lower biomass conditions. Our results supported the expectation that forest management can strongly influence local water yield. A simple model using leaf area index (LAI), hydrogeologic setting, and climate aridity (P:ET) explained nearly 80% of observed water yield variation. LAI emerged as the dominant forest structural control, influencing both soil ET and interception rates, with each unit decrease in LAI increasing water yield by nearly 10 cm. While other forest attributes (e.g., basal area, groundcover, species) were less important for predicting stand‐level water balances, aridity and hydrogeologic setting emerged as highly significant predictors of water yield. We further observed small and short‐lived effects of low‐intensity prescribed fires on soil ET and no discernible effect of pine species, suggesting that maintaining low density pine forests—regardless of species—is a viable management strategy for increasing water yield. Overall, our results illustrate the utility of soil moisture‐based methods for stand‐level water balances and provide useful models for predicting landscape water yield under a range of forest management and hydroclimatic settings now and in the future.
Self-Regulated Learning and Sociodemographic Factors in Students’ L1/L2 Writing Proficiency

Background: Academic writing is a complex and demanding activity in which students have to regulate their (meta)cognitive, motivational, and linguistic processes and self-regulatory writing strategies might serve as a tool to accomplish writing tasks. The research was done as part of a verification of Zimmerman & Risemberg’s (1997) model of self-regulation in writing. Previous research on the relationships between students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) and writing performance has suggested their positive impact. Purpose: This paper provides insights into Croatian university students’ first/second language (L1/L2) writing performance regarding the SRL strategy use. Method: Students’ written performance in both L1 (Croatian) and L2 (English) was checked, and the contributions of SRL and sociodemographic factors were explored. A total of 104 students from the initial and final years of teacher education study were included in the research. A quantitative research method was used including the following instruments: The learning orientation scale, the Perceived academic control scale, the Croatian version of the values subscale, Writing strategies questionnaire.Results: Descriptive analyses revealed that students’L1/L2 writing proficiency was on average. There was no difference between L1 and L2 writing proficiency. Furthermore, the study showed that students mostly initiated learning goal orientation, writing tasks were valuable to them and they had more results of academic control over the mentioned tasks. Participants mostly used the most effective writing strategy - checking and correcting the text. The final study year students had better L1 writing proficiency compared to the initial study year students. Such results were expected since students were exposed to the extensive L1 academic experience, which was not the case with the exposure to learning English as a foreign language (EFL learning), resulting in a lower level of L2 essay writing proficiency. Success in L1 writing proficiency was explained more by cognitive and less by sociodemographic and motivational factors. The greater academic control over writing assignments and the lower goal orientation on avoiding effort was shown, the greater success was achieved. Success in L2 writing proficiency was mostly explained by cognitive factors, but also significantly by some sociodemographic and motivational factors. The higher GPA in L2 and the less asking for help and writing by the model strategy was employed, the greater success in writing assignments was achieved. The study indicated the importance of mastering SRL, especially cognitive factors in both L1 and L2 learning. Implication: The implications of the study were discussed which may benefit L1/L2 teachers to teach their students SRL writing strategies by which students could self-regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours throughout the writing process to achieve academic success.
The Impact of the Continuum of an Education Programme on Pre-service Teachers’ Beliefs about English Language Education

Research background: Teachers’ beliefs play an important role in the way they teach and meet their students’ needs. Researching pre-established pre-service teachers’ beliefs gives evidence that they might impede pre-service teachers’ compliance with pre-service education. Gap in knowledge and Purpose of the study: Many studies have produced contradictory findings in terms of prospective change in pre-established pre-service teachers’ beliefs caused by the impact of pre-service education study programmes. Therefore, this study addresses the gap by enriching this field with research findings reinforcing the potential impact of the study programme on changes in pre-service teachers’ beliefs on effective English language teaching and learning expressed across different years of the study programme. Methods: The study uses the results of questionnaires completed by 99 randomly selected pre-service teachers enrolled in an English language teaching study programme provided by the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. In addition, the study participants’ database was expanded using bootstrapping to enhance the results obtained by applying statistical methods. Findings and Value added: The results showed statistically significant differences among different years of the study programme within the continuum of their English language teacher education thus indicating the potential impact of the programme. The impact of the study programme led to pre-service teachers’ raised awareness and some modifications in their pre-established beliefs based on the learnt and acquired knowledge and gained practical teaching experiences during the practicums in higher grades of the study. The findings suggest that teacher educators and policymakers should be aware of pre-service teachers’ beliefs when adopting new strategies for reconceptualising and/ or modifying language teacher education programmes.
Effect of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitor URB597 on Orofacial Pain Perception in Rats

Endocannabinoids act as analgesic agents in a number of headache models. However, their effectiveness varies with the route of administration and the type of pain. In this study, we assessed the role of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 in an animal model of orofacial pain based on tooth pulp stimulation. More specifically, we assessed the effects of intracerbroventricular (i.c.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of URB597 on the amplitude of evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) in rats. The levels of the investigated mediators anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG), Substance P (SP), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), endomorphin-2 (EM-2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor by URB597 and receptors cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1R), cannabinoid type-2 receptors (CB2R) and µ-opioid receptors (MOR) were determined in the mesencephalon, thalamus and hypothalamus tissues. We have shown that increasing endocannabinoid AEA levels by both central and peripheral inhibition of FAAH inhibitor by URB597 has an antinociceptive effect on the trigemino-hypoglossal reflex mediated by CB1R and influences the activation of the brain areas studied. On the other hand, URB597 had no effect on the concentration of 2-AG in the examined brain structures and caused a significant decrease in CB2R mRNA expression in the hypothalamus only. Tooth pulp stimulation caused in a significant increase in SP, CGRP and EM-2 gene expression in the midbrain, thalamus and hypothalamus. In contrast, URB597 administered peripherally one hour before stimulation decreased the mRNA level of these endogenous neuropeptides in comparison with the control and stimulation in all examined brain structures. Our results show that centrally and peripherally administered URB597 is effective at preventing orofacial pain by inhibiting AEA catabolism and reducing the level of CGRP, SP and EM-2 gene expression and that AEA and 2-AG have different species and model-specific regulatory mechanisms. The data presented in this study may represent a new promising therapeutic target in the treatment of orofacial pain.
Monitoring Trends in Distribution and Seasonality of Medically Important Ticks in North America Using Online Crowdsourced Records from iNaturalist

Simple Summary An increasing number of cases of tick-borne diseases are being reported across North America and in new areas. This has been linked to the spread of ticks, primarily the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis and the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum, into new geographical regions. Tick surveillance systems have played an important role in monitoring the changing distributions of these ticks and have benefitted greatly from including data collected by members of the public through citizen or community science projects. Enlisting the help of community scientists is an economical way to collect large amounts of data over a wide geographical area, and participants can also benefit by receiving information relevant to their tick encounter, for example regarding tick-borne disease symptoms. This study examined tick observations from the online image-based biological recording platform iNaturalist to evaluate its use as an extra tool to collect information on expanding tick distributions. The distribution and seasonality of iNaturalist tick observations were found to accurately represent those of the studied species and identified potential new areas of tick expansion. Free-to-access iNaturalist data is a highly cost-effective method to support existing tick surveillance strategies to aid preparedness and response in emerging areas of tick establishment. Abstract Recent increases in the incidence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases in North America are linked to the range expansion of medically important tick species, including Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Amblyomma maculatum. Passive tick surveillance programs have been highly successful in collecting information on tick distribution, seasonality, host-biting activity, and pathogen infection prevalence. These have demonstrated the power of citizen or community science participation to collect country-wide, epidemiologically relevant data in a resource-efficient manner. This study examined tick observations from the online image-based biological recording platform iNaturalist to evaluate its use as an effective tool for monitoring the distributions of A. americanum, A. maculatum, I. scapularis, and Dermacentor in the United States and Canada. The distribution and seasonality of iNaturalist tick observations were found to accurately represent those of the studied species. County-level iNaturalist tick occurrence data showed good agreement with other data sources in documented areas of I. scapularis and A. americanum establishment, and highlighted numerous previously unreported counties with iNaturalist observations of these species. This study supports the use of iNaturalist data as a highly cost-effective passive tick surveillance method that can complement existing surveillance strategies to update tick distributions and identify new areas of tick establishment.
Targeting p-AKT/mTOR/MAP kinase signaling, NLRP3 inflammasome and apoptosis by fluvastatin with or without taxifolin mitigates gonadal dysfunction induced by bisphenol-A in male rats

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical substance that is widely used in industry for manufacturing of plastic bottles and resins. Recent reports found that BPA may mimic the effects of estrogen to a great manner that might disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. Fluvastatin is an agent used for treatment of hypercholesterolemia that was proven to possess promising antioxidant ant anti-inflammatory properties. Taxifolin is a polyphenolic compound with potential antioxidant and antiestrogenic effects. The present study investigated the prospect of fluvastatin with or without taxifolin to mitigate testicular dysfunction elicited by BPA in rats. In a model of BPA-induced testicular toxicity, the hormonal profile was assessed and the testicular tissues were examined by biochemical analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Fluvastatin with or without taxifolin improved the body weight gain, hormonal profile, testicular weight and functions, sperm characteristics, the antioxidant status, and the anti-inflammatory mechanisms together with enhancement of autophagy and suppression of the proapoptotic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. In addition, fluvastatin with or without taxifolin significantly mitigated the histopathological and the immunohistochemical changes induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. These desirable effects were more pronounced with fluvastatin/taxifolin combination relative to the use of each of these agents alone. In tandem, fluvastatin/taxifolin combination might counteract the pathogenic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues which may be considered as a novel strategy for amelioration of these disorders.
Impacts of Process-Genre Approach on EFL Sophomores’ Writing Performance, Writing Self-Efficacy, Writing Autonomy

Background: In literature, process-genre approach may be a favorable alternative for writing classes these days, assisting student writers in building up linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural competency of writing. However, the contribution of this approach to fostering EFL writing learning has not been extensively probed in the context of Vietnam. Purpose: This paper aimed at attesting the impact of the target approach on the Vietnamese EFL students’ writing performance, writing self-efficacy, and writing autonomy. Method: Thanks to convenience sampling technique, a group of 38 EFL sophomores from an intact class at a Vietnamese private university was recruited as one experimental group undergoing a nine-week writing course within process-genre approach. Grounded by quantitative design, the instruments of this study involved one writing entry test, one writing exit test, and two questionnaires. The data were analyzed by computing Paired Samples T-tests through SPSS version 26.0. Results: The results indicated that process-genre approach enhanced the tertiary students’ overall writing performance to some extent, empowered their self-efficacy of writing ideation, conventions, self-regulations, and positively reinforced their awareness and behaviors of writing autonomy. Implication: The study contributed to a better understanding of the practicality of applying process-genre approach into EFL writing pedagogy in Vietnam, and then implications could be proposed to strengthen the quality of EFL writing instruction utilizing this eclectic approach in the Vietnamese tertiary context.
Driving High and Low: Heavy Vehicle Drivers and Their Supervisors Facing Digitalization

Our qualitative study in two Finnish companies examines the view presented as part of the ‘employment crisis’ debate that digitalization is leading to a significant substitution of the work of drivers of heavy road vehicles. The main effects of digitalization thus far on the drivers’ work have been automation of individual vehicle functions, speeding up the communication among them and between them and their supervisors, and more intensive control of work performance. The study does not find support for the claim about labor substitution in the foreseeable future, but, instead, indications of a widening digital divide between drivers and supervisors, leaving drivers as bystanders in learning processes associated with digitalization. Although the results cannot be generalized without reservation to different types of companies or business and labor market environments, the findings of the trends in the drivers’ work and labor market position probably have broader relevance.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR ANALYSIS OF HEALTH SERVICE SELECTION DECISIONS IN OUTPATIENTS INSTALLATION BHAYANGKARA BANJARMASIN HOSPITAL

Background: Bhayangkara Hospital is a hospital within the National Police that organizes police medical service activities to support the operational tasks of the Police and police health services, data on outpatient visits of POLRI civil servants to Bhayangkara Tk III Hospital Banjarmasin in 2019 amounted to 5.21% and decreased to 4.18% in 2020. The main factors that influence consumers make decisions include psychological factors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse psychological factors related to the selection of outpatient health services at Bhayangkara Tk III Hospital Banjarmasin. Methods: This research is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design. The population of this study was outpatient civil servants at the National Police, the sample size of this study was 100 respondents, using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by using a questionnaire, the data analysis used was descriptive and multiple linear regression. Results: The results of this study indicate that perceptions (p = 0.000) and attitudes (p = 0.001) partially significantly influence the decision to choose outpatient health services at Bhayangkara Tk III Hospital Banjarmasin, while motivation and learning variables have no effect. Figure R Square 0.386, shows 38.6% of the decision to choose outpatient health services is influenced by psychological factors which include motivation, perception, learning and attitudes. The perception factor is the dominant factor influencing the decision to choose outpatient health services Conclusion: Psychological factors of patient have an influence on the decision to choose outpatient health services at Bhayangkara Tk III Hospital Banjarmasin
Epigenetic Inheritance: Intergenerational Effects of Pesticides and Other Endocrine Disruptors on Cancer Development

Parental environmental experiences affect disease susceptibility in the progeny through epigenetic inheritance. Pesticides are substances or mixtures of chemicals—some of which are persistent environmental pollutants—that are used to control pests. This review explores the evidence linking parental exposure to pesticides and endocrine disruptors to intergenerational and transgenerational susceptibility of cancer in population studies and animal models. We also discuss the impact of pesticides and other endocrine disruptors on the germline epigenome as well as the emerging evidence for how epigenetic information is transmitted between generations. Finally, we discuss the importance of this mode of inheritance in the context of cancer prevention and the challenges ahead.
Evaluation of Warm-Season Rainfall Diurnal Variation over the Qilian Mountains in Northwest China in ERA5 Reanalysis

On the basis of hourly rain-gauge data from 735 stations over the Qilian Mountains in Northwest China, the rainfall diurnal variation represented in ERA5 reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) was evaluated from May to October during 2012–2019. Results show that rainfall with intensities below 4 mm h−1 was mostly overestimated, while intensities above 4 mm h−1 were underestimated in ERA5. The most severe overestimation of weak precipitation occurs in the late afternoon, while heavy precipitation is mostly underestimated at night. Deviation in both heavy and weak precipitation is more evident in mountainous areas. The diurnal peak was reasonably reproduced for the rainfall events with durations shorter than 4 h, while the peak hour of events with longer duration showed evident bias. The positive (negative) deviations of short (long) duration rainfall events mainly appear in the late afternoon (night). Around the Qilian Mountains, where deviation is pronounced, the bias of afternoon short-duration events is influenced by higher-frequency precipitation, while the bias of long-duration events is related to the lower frequency of precipitation at night. In terms of the spatial distribution of precipitation with varied elevation, ERA5 fails to represent variation in weak and heavy precipitation with increasing elevation, which may be related to the deviation of surface-specific humidity in reanalysis. The results of this study imply the uncertainty of rainfall products by ERA5 over regions with complex topographic effects and provide metrics to evaluate rainfall products or forecasts over complex terrain area.
WIND ENERGY INVESTIGATION IN NORTHERN PART OF KUDAT, MALAYSIA

A wind-resource analysis at Kudat was undertaken to augment the preliminary wind-energy study. The wind data for year 2004 till 2012 was collected from Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) station. The best and suitable sites for develop wind farm were selected from the created energy maps. Wind turbines with nominal powers 6 kW, 10 kW and 15 kW were selected for annual energy production calculations and best fitted ones were used on the micrositting analysis. By applying methods of spatial analysis, with WAsP software, a wind speed and wind energy map was produced. Furthermore,wind rose charts and weibull curves were also generated. The highest interpolated wind speed in selected site was 5.4 m/s, while the lowest wind speeds was 4.3m/s. The most common wind directions were Northeast (NE) and Southwest (SW). For the simulated wind farm, found that the best choice of turbines was wind turbine with capacity 10 kW and result showed the total AEP for 10 wind turbines were 92 MWh, with a capacity factor around 10.4% till 10.6%. This study prove that has potential for developing small scale wind farm for generating electricity in Malaysia.
The Impact of Economic Growth and Trade Openness on Environmental Degradation: Evidence from A Panel of ASEAN Countries

Global warming and climate change show a decrease in environmental quality. The main cause of global warming is the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). This study aims to analyze the effect of economic growth and economic openness on environmental quality in ASEAN countries from 2010 to 2019. This research uses a panel data analysis method. The analysis results show that the variable economic growth has a negative and significant effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the variables used for economic openness are exports, imports, and FDI. Export and FDI variables have a positive and significant effect on CO2 emissions, but there is no effect on imports. This study also used population variables as control variables and the result is there is no effect on CO2. Based on the results, it is necessary to have a carbon emission reduction policy for ASEAN countries using environmentally friendly technology.