Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in alluvial soil quality under long-term irrigation with two marginal water sources in an arid environment

Soil is one of the most vital natural resources affecting human life (Iscan and Guler, 2021). It contributes to ecosystem services through several functions, including biomass production, improving ground and surface water quality, carbon capture for climate mitigation, limiting emissions of the greenhouse gas, and biodiversity protection and enhancement (Chalhoub et al., 2020). The term “soil quality”is a concept describing soil competence to perform those functions. Thus, securing soil quality is essential for future planning due to its importance in achieving land-related sustainable development goals (Bouma, 2020). In Egypt, the total cultivated area is 3.6 million ha, of which 89% are alluvial soils in the Nile Valley (43%) and Delta (65%)(Mohamed, 2019). However, water availability remains the major constraint for sustainable agricultural production (Zohry and Ouda, 2020). Egypt is one of the most arid regions of the world, where nearly 86% of its total land is hyper-arid and 14% is arid and semiarid (Embabi, 2020). Thus, the country depends entirely on irrigated agriculture which consumes more than 85% of the available freshwater (Abdelhafez et al., 2020). This accelerates the dependence on alternative water sources in irrigation, including agricultural drainage water and treated sewage water (Elbana et al., 2019; Bassouny et al., 2020; Farid et al., 2020) T CURRENT work aimed at verifying the modifications in chemical, physical, fertility, and environmental quality of alluvial soils south east of the Nile Delta of Egypt following 25-years irrigation using two marginal water sources; agricultural drainage water (ADW) and sewage effluent water (SEW). Two sites irrigated with ADW and SEW were chosen and compared with a nearby site irrigated with the Nile freshwater. At each site, ten samples of irrigation water and adjacent (around 50m) top soil (0 – 30 cm) were collected and analyzed. Marginal water irrigation caused slight changes in soil properties. The soil chemical quality index was adversely affected through increasing the pH, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage. Available micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) and P in SEW-irrigated soils were increased. The physical quality index was also increased, but mainly due to inherent soil properties (particle size distribution) rather than irrigation water. Parent materials governed soil total contents of Cr, Co and Ni, while contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were closely related to irrigation water. The environmental quality index showed increasing trend in the ADW-irrigated soils, while a decrease in the SEW-irrigated soils. The marginal water irrigation resulted in positive changes in soil quality index exhibiting increases of 14 and 21% in the ADWand SEW-irrigated soils over the Nile freshwater-irrigated soils, respectively. It is recommended to perform periodic monitoring for irrigation water and soil quality in the studied area. Proper in-situ remediation scenarios and on-farm practices should be considered in future management.
R&D incentives and competitive pressure under hidden information

Within a principal-agent model, the paper studies how hidden information affects incentives to invest in demand-enhancing R&D of a firm competing in the product market. The analysis shows that, when the R&D outcome is private information of the innovating firm not only compared to its competitor, but also relative to its supplier, a contractual cost arises which neutralizes the standard strategic benefit of R&D and reduces the incentives to invest. Moreover, within this setting, more intense competition always stifles innovation.
Chinese outbound tourists as international consumer in Northern Thailand—A dynamic mobility perspective

This article examines the mindsets of independent Chinese tourists in the context of the emerging dynamic mobility perspective. It investigates Chinese tourists’ travel impulses, cross-border flows, quality-of-life perceptions, and the meaning of living a mobile lifestyle. Through face-to-face interviews and drawing on narrative descriptions in social media and newsletters, the article draws findings relating to travel motivations, the reconstruction of self, the quality-of-life mindsets, free-itinerary tour mode, and the influences of modern technology. The article aims at addressing the current development trends of Chinese outbound tourists, providing an understanding of the complex characteristics and the gradual release of Chinese outbound tourists’ cross-border mobility freedom.
Comparisons of the different definitions of the western Pacific pattern and associated winter climate anomalies in Eurasia and North America

The western Pacific pattern (WP), characterized by a meridional dipole structure in geopotential height anomalies centred at approximately 50°N over the North Pacific, is one of the most prominent teleconnection patterns over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) in boreal winter. Several methods to identify the WP exist in the literature. Based on eight WP indices defined by different methods, this study analyses their dominant frequencies, spatial structures, climatic impacts, and relations to the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The correlation coefficients of the eight WP indices show a considerable spread, but most of them are statistically significant. Most of the WPIs capture a pronounced power peak at approximately 5 years. The meridional dipole structure of the WP can be captured by all the WPIs, but it shows a large spread in the location of the centre. Several WPIs are significantly correlated with the winter AO, with marked signals of atmospheric anomalies over the Arctic region. The connections of the WP with the simultaneous winter ENSO depend largely on their definitions. The impacts of the WP on the surface air temperature over many parts of Eurasia and North America are also sensitive to its definition. Differences in surface air temperature anomalies are related to differences in the spatial structure of the WP as captured by the range of WPIs.
Why Your Bar Has Crime but Not Mine: Resolving the Land Use and Crime – Risky Facility Conflict

Abstract Interpretations of two bodies of crime-place research conflict. Land use and crime studies claim particular facilities increase crime. Risky facilities studies show most places of a single type have little or no crime, but a few of that type have a great deal of crime. How can a facility be generally criminogenic and mostly safe? To resolve this conflict, we make use of the fact that a single owner can own multiple facilities and each owner may have consistent management practices in their facilities. We first replicate findings of earlier land use studies with crime and land parcel data from Cincinnati. Second, we cluster land parcels by property owners and re-estimate the land use and crime relationship. The links between land use and crime in the replication decline or disappear after clustering. Findings suggest owners’ place management influences crime at their places, thus resolving the conflict between the two bodies of research. Video Abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo
Students’ Attitude toward STEM Project-Based Learning in the Fun Cooking Activity to Learn about the Colloid System

This research revealed how the implementation of STEM Project-Based Learning (STEM PBL) in chemistry teaching on colloid system topics with heterogeneous groups of students in terms of habits, hobbies, goals, and gender-biased perceptions. Also, the research described students’ attitudes towards STEM PBL, and the linkages between their attitude and understanding. Participants consisted of 101 students of high schools. Qualitative data were obtained through documentation, and narrative responses in group reports. Quantitative data were obtained through the questionnaire of students’ attitudes toward STEM PBL and the comprehension tests. There are nine types of food products as STEM projects. The most frequent positive experience is that learning colloid topics is “fun”, while the most frequent negative experience response is “time-consuming”. The average score per item of attitude is higher in (1) the female's group, (2) the group who is used to cooking, (3) the group who has a passion, (4) the group who has a goal, and (5) groups that have gender-biased perceptions. There is no significant difference in attitude scores in the student group, except that the group with goals in the culinary field has a higher average attitude score than the group who have no aspirations. Students’ understanding is not closely related to the attitude.
Long-Term Outcomes in a Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Evaluating the Prognostic 31-Gene Expression Profile for Cutaneous Melanoma

PURPOSE Current guidelines for postoperative management of patients with stage I-IIA cutaneous melanoma (CM) do not recommend routine cross-sectional imaging, yet many of these patients develop metastases. Methods that complement American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging are needed to improve identification and treatment of these patients. A 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test predicts metastatic risk as low (class 1) or high (class 2). Prospective analysis of CM outcomes was performed to test the hypotheses that the 31-GEP provides prognostic value for patients with stage I-III CM, and that patients with stage I-IIA melanoma and class 2 31-GEP results have metastatic risk similar to patients for whom surveillance is recommended. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two multicenter registry studies, INTEGRATE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02355574) and EXPAND (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02355587), were initiated under institutional review board approval, and 323 patients with stage I-III CM and median follow-up time of 3.2 years met inclusion criteria. Primary end points were 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS The 31-GEP was significant for RFS, DMFS, and OS in a univariate analysis and was a significant, independent predictor of RFS, DMFS, and OS in a multivariable analysis. GEP class 2 results were significantly associated with lower 3-year RFS, DMFS, and OS in all patients and those with stage I-IIA disease. Patients with stage I-IIA CM and a class 2 result had recurrence, distant metastasis, and death rates similar to patients with stage IIB-III CM. Combining 31-GEP results and AJCC staging enhanced sensitivity over each approach alone. CONCLUSION These data provide a rationale for using the 31-GEP along with AJCC staging, and suggest that patients with stage I-IIA CM and a class 2 31-GEP signature may be candidates for more intense follow-up.
Incomplete recovery of a shallow lake from a natural browning event

1. Terrestrial loads of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) have increased in recent years in many north temperate lakes, leading to widespread brownification. This pro-cess can profoundly alter the relative strength of planktonic and benthic primary production in lakes due to changes in light and nutrient availability. While most existing in situ studies of brownification focus on gradual decadal trends, short-term flooding can induce rather sudden natural browning events in lakes. 2. We investigated the recovery of a small, temperate, groundwater- fed shallow lake from a strong natural flooding- induced browning and nutrient loading event. We hypothesised that along with a return to pre- flood lake water levels, DOC concentrations would return to pre- flood concentrations due to bacterial and photolytic mineralisation and flocculation, while total phosphorus (TP) concentrations would show a delayed and potentially incomplete recovery due
Strategic decisions of a multi-product firm under Bertrand competition

ABSTRACT This research examines three strategies that a multi-product firm can adopt when facing a single-product entrant under Bertrand competition: (i) staying in the duopoly market, (ii) abandoning the duopoly market, and (iii) bundling the two goods. When the competing good is homogenous, bundling is the most profitable strategy if the product differentiation of the two goods produced by the multi-product firm is not too high. When the competing good is heterogeneous, the preferred strategy of the multi-product firm and the welfare ranking depend on the substitutability of the competing good and the degree of product differentiation between the two goods.
Automated writing evaluation (AWE) feedback: a systematic investigation of college students’ acceptance

Abstract Automated writing evaluation (AWE) has been used increasingly to provide feedback on student writing. Previous research typically focused on its inter-rater reliability with human graders and validation frameworks. The limited body of research has only discussed students’ attitudes or perceptions in general. A systematic investigation of the driving factors contributing to students’ acceptance is still lacking. This study proposes an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) to identify the environmental, individual, educational, and systemic factors that influence college students’ acceptance of AWE feedback and examine how they affect college students’ usage intention. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the quantitative survey data from 448 Chinese college students who had used AWE feedback for at least one semester. Results revealed that students’ behavioral intention to use AWE feedback was affected by the subjective norm, facilitating conditions, perceived trust, AWE self-efficacy, cognitive feedback, and system characteristics. Among them, subjective norm, perceived trust, and cognitive feedback positively influenced perceived usefulness; facilitating conditions, AWE self-efficacy, and system characteristics were significant determinants of perceived ease of use; anxiety played no role for experienced users. Implications from these findings to AWE developers and practitioners are further elaborated.
Comparative investigation into Pre-COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 lockdown Water Demand in selected schools in Osun State, Nigeria

The prevalence of corona virus and the novel COVID-19 disease in the entire globe has exacerbated different impact on socioeconomic spectrum in the world, including water use pattern. Thus a research was conducted to examine the comparative use of water during pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown pattern among post-primary schools in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. A survey was conducted among fifteen schools which were randomly selected, but with eight public and seven private schools for the investigation. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used in data analysis. The results revealed that the major source of water to the schools investigated is ground water which is obtained through hand-dug wells and boreholes. It was further discovered that there was increase in water use during post-COVID-19 lockdown era as a result of the directive by the government that clean water should be provided for hand-washing by all schools regardless of the owner to curtail the spread of COVID-19 disease in the country. One sample t-test also revealed that there was a significant difference in water use at (p<0.01) level. It is recommended that the government and other stakeholders in water sector to ensure that all-time and non-seasonal dependent source of water be provided rather than ground water source which is susceptible to variations in water yields from seasonal variations. This will enable continuous clean water supply, for all purposes, including COVID-19 protocols.
Kinetics of lumen loading

Cet article propose une theorie de la cinetique de remplissage du lumen. On suppose que la cinetique est limitee par le transport des particules de charge a travers les ponctuations dans les parois de la fibre. La cinetique se developpe en trois phases : i) une phase initiale courte donnant lieu a un front de diffusion progressif qui penetre dans le lumen en laissant un depot negligeable de particules de charge sur la surface interne, ii) une phase de regime d'etat presque permanente (phase principale) au cours de laquelle le nombre de particules de charge entrant dans le lumen est egal au nombre de particules deposees sur la paroi interieure et au cours de laquelle la concentration de particules de charge suspendues dans le lumen est a peu pres constante (.)
Preliminary Evidence of Children’s Weight Gain From 5 Months of Home Quarantine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose. Preventive measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)—such as home quarantine, closure of schools/programs—are necessary, yet the impact of these restrictions on children’s weight status is unknown. The purpose of this case report was to investigate changes in children’s body mass index (BMI) and zBMI during COVID-19 quarantine. Methods. Children had their heights and weights recorded early March 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and 5 months later (early August 2020). Paired sample t tests examined changes in BMI and zBMI from baseline to follow-up. Results. Twenty-nine children (62% female; mean age 9.3 years; 27.5% with overweight or obesity) provided height and weight data at both time points. There was a significant difference in pre-COVID-19 BMI (mean [M] = 20.1, standard deviation [SD] = 6.0) and follow-up BMI (M = 20.7, SD = 6.4); t (57) = −3.8, P < . 001, and pre-COVID-19 zBMI (M = 0.8, SD = 0.9) and follow-up zBMI (M = 0.9, SD = 0.9); t (57) = -3.1, P = . 003. Five of the 29 children moved from normal weight to overweight (n = 4) or obese (n = 1) during 5 months of quarantine. Conclusions. Preliminary evidence shows most children increased their BMI and zBMI values from pre-COVID-19 assessment to the follow-up assessment, 5 months later. These initial findings identify potential incidental negative health consequences of children as a result of COVID-19 preventative measures such as home quarantine.
Morphometric characterization of Rastrococcus invadens on four varieties of mango trees (Pout, Thies)

Rastrococcus invadens (Homoptera, Pseudococcidae) or mealybug is an insect pest of mango and several other fruit trees including citrus. The cochineal is native to Southeast Asia and was first identified in Senegal in Dakar in 1995. Since then, it has been widely distributed throughout the country and more particularly in the two most fruit-producing areas: Casamance and Thies. To properly conduct our study, we chose the four most infested mango varieties namely Kent, Keitt, Sewe and Boukodiekhal. All these populations are from the locality of Pout (Thies region). On each plant we collected 10 people. This allowed us to have a total of 40 individuals. The individuals harvested are coded according to the zone and the type of plant in which they were harvested. This study revealed almost two more or less distinct morphometric groups made up on the one hand by populations from improved varieties (Kent and Keitt) and on the other by those from local varieties (Sewe and Boukodiekhal).
Quiet Night Arctic Ionospheric D Region Characteristics

VLF radio propagation recordings are used to determine the characteristics of the nighttime polar lower D region of the ionosphere. Recordings of both VLF phase and amplitude in the Arctic on days within ∼1–2 weeks of the equinoxes enable their day‐to‐night changes to be determined. These changes are then combined with previously measured daytime polar D region characteristics to find the nighttime characteristics. The previously determined daytime characteristics were measured in the Arctic summer; the NRLMSISE atmosphere model is used to help determine the height change from daytime summer to daytime equinox (∼5 km lower). The principal path used was from the 16.4 kHz Norwegian transmitter JXN (67°N, 14°E) 1,334 km northwards across the Arctic Ocean to Ny‐Ålesund (79°N, 12°E), Svalbard. Also used were the 2,014‐km path from NRK (37.5 kHz, Grindavik, 64°N, Iceland) to Ny‐Ålesund, the 1,655‐km path from JXN to Reykjavik (64°N, Iceland), and the 5,302‐km path from JXN across the Arctic Ocean to Fairbanks (65°N) in Alaska. The night values of (the Wait parameters) H′ and β were found to average from ∼79 km at equinox down to 77 km near winter solstice (lower than the 85 km at low and midlatitudes by ∼7 km) and 0.6 km−1, respectively. This lower height and its variability are shown to be consistent with the principal source of ionization being energetic electron precipitation.
Equipping Adult Learners with Basic Literacy Skills for Cognitive Sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria

The non-literate adult citizens in Nigeria are often faced with the inability to apply mental intelligence in their lifestyles which is reducing their worth and relevance in the 21 century literate society. The study therefore, seeks to equip adult learners with basic literacy skills for cognitive sustainability in Lagos state, Nigeria. Four research questions were raised and answered; and four hypotheses were tested to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The instruments adopted for the study were Key Informant Interview (KII) and a Questionnaire. A 20-item questionnaire titled “Adult Learners’ Basic Literacy Skills Questionnaire”, (ALBLSQ) was developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated using content and face validity according to the standard approved by the National Mass Education Commission in Nigeria, and the State Agency for Mass Education in Lagos state, Nigeria (NMEC/NOGALSS). A total of one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were administered purposively to adult learners across the six NMEC/NOGALSS literacy centers in Lagos state, and one hundred and forty-five (145) were retrieved. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed using a test retest procedure, which gave a correlation coefficient of 0.87. The data was presented using frequency distribution tables, percentages and Bar Charts. The data was analyzed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and T-test statistical tools to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. The study revealed that a significant difference exists between the performance of adult learners before intervention and the performance of adult learners after intervention of the adult basic literacy programme amongst others. The study concluded and recommended that the curriculum of the adult basic literacy should be designed to have a combination of English and mother tongue language as medium of instruction in order to aid cognitive development among adult learners, inter alia.