Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological Adaptation of Three Wild Halophytic Suaeda Species: Salt Tolerance Strategies and Metal Accumulation Capacity

Understanding salt tolerance mechanisms in halophytes is critical for improving the world’s agriculture under climate change scenarios. Herein, the physiological and metabolic responses of Suaeda monoica, Suaeda vermiculata, and Suaeda schimperi against abiotic stress in their natural saline environment on the east coast of the Red Sea were investigated. The tested species are exposed to different levels of salinity along with elemental disorders, including deficiency in essential nutrients (N&P in particular) and/or elevated levels of potentially toxic elements. The tested species employed common and species-specific tolerance mechanisms that are driven by the level of salinity and the genetic constitution of Suaeda species. These mechanisms include: (i) utilization of inorganic elements as cheap osmotica (Na+ in particular), (ii) lowering C/N ratio (S. monoica and S. schimperi) that benefits growth priority, (iii) efficient utilization of low soil N (S. vermiculata) that ensures survival priority, (v) biosynthesis of betacyanin (S. schimperi and S. vermiculata) and (vi) downregulation of overall metabolism (S. vermiculata) to avoid oxidative stress. Based on their cellular metal accumulation, S. monoica is an efficient phytoextractor of Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn, whereas S. vermiculata is a hyper-accumulator of Hg and Pb. S. schimperi is an effective phytoextractor of Fe, Hg, and Cr. These results highlight the significance of Suaeda species as a promising model halophyte and as phytoremediators of their hostile environments.
Ecological Risk, Input Flux, and Source of Heavy Metals in the Agricultural Plain of Hebei Province, China

A large amount of heavy metal (HM) inputs exists in the farming areas of the Hebei plain of northern China. However, the potential ecological risk, source, and input flux of HMs in these areas have not been well-investigated. In this study, atmospheric deposition, fertilizer, irrigation water, and agricultural soil samples were collected from farming areas (~74,111 km2) in Hebei Province, China. The HM index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI) of soil was calculated for eight HMs. The source and input flux of each element were predicted using the input flux and principal component score–multiple linear regression (PCS–MLR) methods. The results showed that Cd and Hg increased Igeo values, and the maximum levels of As (29.5 mg/kg), Cu (228.9 mg/kg), Cd (4.52 mg/kg), and Zn (879.0 mg/kg) were greater than the health risk screening values in the soil quality standard of China. The potential ecological risk factor (Er) of Cd demonstrated a moderately potential ecological risk, accounting for 67.72%. The distribution map showed that Cd was mainly concentrated in eastern area of Baoding (BD) in the study area. The result of the atmospheric dry and wet deposition contributed more to soil pollution than the usage of fertilizer or irrigation water by calculating the input flux. The order was Zn (94%) > Cu (92%) > Pb (89%) > Cr (86%) > Cd (72%) > Hg = Ni (71%) > As (59%). Principal component analysis (PCA) results showed that there were four sources of HMs in soil. Geological sources contribute to the accumulation of As, Cr, and Ni in soil. Cu and Pb in the soil were attributable to the input from vehicular emissions and irrigation water. Cd and Zn in the soil were attributable to the farming activity, whereas Hg originates from the combustion of coal. The results of PCS–MLR demonstrated that the contribution rate of As, Ni, and Cr in the study area was 30.06%, 71.86%, 57.71% for the first group (natural source); Cu, Pb and Zn were 71.78%, 63.59%, and 30.72% for the second group (vehicle emissions); Zn was 60.93% for the third group (fertilizer application and irrigation water); and Hg was 85.16%, for the fourth group (coal combustion). These factors provide a valuable reference for remediating HM pollution.
Sustainability Reporting at a Crossroads in Italian Universities: Is Web-Based Media Adoption Deinstitutionalising Sustainability Reporting?

Higher education institutions and universities have recently started to publish their sustainability and corporate responsibility reports. Yet, due to digitalisation and the benefits of digital reporting, websites offer organisations novel opportunities to communicate more updated, timely and interactive information than a periodic sustainability report. However, we know little about sustainability reporting practice within universities and their use of online communication. This study examines the relationship between sustainability reporting practices and web-based communication practices in Italian universities. We employed a qualitative enquire and content analysis of the sustainability web pages of Italian public universities by analysing their content and updates and their relationship with their adoption of sustainability reporting. Our results suggest there are risks to web-based media being used to replace sustainability reporting, resulting in a deinstitutionalising effect for sustainability reporting. This study contributes to the literature on sustainability reporting and disclosure in universities by exploring web-based university communication on sustainability issues and stimulating the debate on replacing sustainability reports with more timely and interactive forms of communication.
Glycemic Control and Its Relationship with Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Northern Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease that significantly impacts morbidity and mortality worldwide. Glycemic control is central in diabetes management, yet complex and challenging to achieve; it can be affected by various factors. Diabetes self-care behaviors are vital strategies for effective T2DM management. Purpose To evaluate the levels of glycemic control and diabetes self-care behaviors, and the significance of each behavior on glycemic control among patients with T2DM in Jordan. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in medical and endocrinology outpatient clinics of three hospitals in northern Jordan. A convenience sample of 520 patients with T2DM participated in the study. Diabetes self-care behaviors, including diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, taking medication, and foot care behaviors, were measured using the Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA-Arabic) questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the Arabic version of the 4-items Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were used to assess glycemic control. Results Out of 520 participants, 92.7% (n= 482) had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%), with a mean of 9.29% (SD=2.06) for HbA1c. The SDSCA overall mean score was 3.25 days (SD=0.88), indicating an unsatisfactory level, with 79.2% of participants having performed self-care activities 4-days/week. Greater adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors was associated with better glycemic control. Exercise was the most important predictor of HbA1c (p<0.001), followed by general diet (p<0.001), specific diet (p<0.001), and blood sugar testing (p<0.001). Moreover, the Body Mass Index (p<0.001), treatment type (p<0.001), and income (p=0.03) were significant predictors. Conclusion The proportions of poor glycemic control and unsatisfactory self-care behaviors were high among T2DM patients. To enhance patients’ self-care behaviors and lifestyles changes, the patients need tailored diabetes self-care management educational and supportive programs, conducted by qualified diabetes educators using culturally sensitive strategies.
Is the STEM Approach Useful in Teaching Mathematics? Evaluating the Views of Mathematics Teachers

The STEM approach, which has been included in the education literature with increasing value in the last decade, has also drawn researchers’ attention to the process of learning and teaching mathematics. In this study, the views of mathematics teachers, who were involved in in-services STEM-training, were evaluated under the themes of integration with the curriculum, limitations in implementation, and attitude development. A qualitative case study was carried out with 36 secondary school mathematics teachers. Data were collected with a questionnaire form two different types of STEM tasks (engineering design sets and coding) and analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that the participants’ views on the usefulness of STEM tasks in mathematics teaching are positive, but they have difficulties with linking the tasks to the mathematics curriculum. Participants find coding tasks more applicable than the engineering design and building tasks. Suggestions are made for teacher education and textbook development.
The Moderating Effect of Social Support between Loneliness and Depression: Differences between the Young-Old and the Old-Old

This study aimed to investigate the moderation of social support in the association between loneliness and depression in different age groups of older adults. The sample consisted of 1532 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older, based on the data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), Wave 3 (2015–2016). Eleven items of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to measure depressive symptoms. Similarly, a four-item scale was used to measure social support (each from spouse and family), and a three-item scale for loneliness. The results were as follows. Loneliness was associated with depression in both the young-old and the old-old groups. Spousal support and family support were associated with reduced depression in the young-old group, whereas only spousal support was associated with relieving depression in the old-old group. Social support had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between loneliness and depression in the old-old group, whereas it had no significant effect in the young-old group. From these results, it can be concluded that spousal support plays a significant role in seniors’ mental health. The role of caregivers for a person’s well-being grows later in life, so practitioners could help couples communicate with this consideration. In addition, regular contacts with family members and spousal support are recommended to prevent older old adults’ depression.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of KRAS G12C-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinomas

Simple Summary Lung adenocarcinoma is currently the main histological subtype of lung cancer, accounting for more than 60% of diagnosed cases. The most frequent genomic alteration in these tumors is the mutation of the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene, which until recently was not accessible to targeted therapy. New phase I, II, and III clinical trials using targeted inhibitors for the specific glycine-to-cysteine mutation at codon 12 (KRAS c.34G>T/KRAS G12C) of the KRAS gene showed promising results in approximately 30% of lung adenocarcinomas harboring a KRAS G12C mutation. In our study, we analyzed the genomic landscape of these tumors using next-generation sequencing technology and characterized new molecular subtypes that could be more susceptible to the new class of KRAS G12C inhibitors. Abstract Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the major subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for approximately 60% of cases. Molecular analysis of LUADs showed that the KRAS gene is mutated in up to 30% of cases; such cases were previously considered “undruggable”. The KRAS G12C mutation has become a hot topic of research after initial, promising, phase I and II trials with targeted inhibitors. We analyzed the morphological and genomic landscape of 202 KRAS G12C mutated LUADs using next-generation sequencing, and identified a specific subtype of patients that could show an improved response to KRAS G12C inhibitors. The main histological subtype was acinar in 29.7% of cases. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were highly or moderately abundant in more than 60% of cases. The immunohistochemical profile showed TTF1 positivity in 78.7% of cases and PD-L1 positivity in 44.1% of cases. The molecular profile showed an association between KRAS G12C and STK11 mutations in 25.2% of cases. This subgroup was associated with a statistically significant lower TTF1 (p = 0.0092) and PD-L1 (p < 0.0001) positivity. This type of combined morphological and molecular analysis can improve our understanding of tumor biology, and help us to identify specific patient subgroups that can achieve the best treatment response.
Fathers’ involvement on children’s school performance among camped-refugees and local majorities’ communities in Tanzania

ABSTRACT This study assessed differences in fathers’ roles and involvements in children’s development and learning in Tanzania. It compared fathers’ socio-economic statuses and their implications on children’s various indicators of learning attainments. A total of 400 fathers and 400 pre-primary and early grades children aged between 5 and 7 years – 100 from each of rural camped refugees, rural non-refugees, urban poor and urban affluent groups were recruited. Data were collected by fathers’ questionnaires and interviews. Learning attainments were measured by Bracken’s Basic Concept Scale – Receptive, Early Grades Reading, and Mathematics Assessments. Findings indicated that fathers who were closely involved, their children demonstrated higher learning attainments. Compared to rural non-refugees, rural camped refugee fathers demonstrated close involvement which resulted in higher learning attainments for their children. Further, the role of fathers in children’s development and learning varied across the four social groups. These findings broaden our understandings of various supportive factors related to the involvement of fathers on children’s development and learning. In Tanzanian contexts with limited educational resources and prevalent inequalities, to maximise children’s potentials, fathers’ involvement is critically important.
Atomization of Microfibrillated Cellulose and Its Incorporation into Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by Reactive Extrusion

The present study focuses on the preparation and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) films that were reinforced with cellulose microstructures to obtain new green composite materials for sustainable food packaging applications. The atomization of suspensions of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) successfully allowed the formation of ultrathin cellulose structures of nearly 3 µm that were, thereafter, melt-mixed at 2.5, 5, and 10 wt % with PHBV and subsequently processed into films by thermo-compression. The most optimal results were attained for the intermediate MFC content of 5 wt %, however, the cellulose microstructures showed a low interfacial adhesion with the biopolyester matrix. Thus, two reactive compatibilizers were explored in order to improve the properties of the green composites, namely the multi-functional epoxy-based styrene-acrylic oligomer (ESAO) and the combination of triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) with dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The chemical, optical, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties against water and aroma vapors and oxygen were analyzed in order to determine the potential application of these green composite films in food packaging. The results showed that the incorporation of MFC yielded contact transparent films, whereas the reactive extrusion with TGIC and DCP led to green composites with enhanced thermal stability, mechanical strength and ductility, and barrier performance to aroma vapor and oxygen. In particular, this compatibilized green composite film was thermally stable up to ~280 °C, whereas it showed an elastic modulus (E) of above 3 GPa and a deformation at break (ɛb) of 1.4%. Moreover, compared with neat PHBV, its barrier performance to limonene vapor and oxygen was nearly improved by nine and two times, respectively.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE PAPER Agricultural drought monitoring in semi-arid and arid areas using MODIS data

The performances of two remote sensing drought indices were evaluated at selected agricultural sites in different agro-climatic zones in Iran to detect the severity of drought phenomena related to temporal variation and different climatic conditions. The indices used were the perpendicular drought index (PDI) and the modified perpendicular drought index (MPDI), which are derived from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images (MOD13A3 V005). The correlations between these perpendicular indices and two other remote sensing indices in ten different agro-climatic zones of Iran from February 2000 to December 2005 were analysed. The additional indices evaluated were the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and the vegetation condition index (VCI) along with five water balance parameters, including climatic water balance (CL), crop water balance (CR), monthly reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0), crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and required irrigation water (I). Winter wheat was selected as the reference crop because it is grown in the majority of climatic conditions in Iran. The results show that in several climatic regions, there is a statistically significant correlation between PDI and MPDI and the water balance parameters, indicating an acceptable performance in detecting crop drought stress conditions. In all zones except at the sites located in northwest and northeast of Iran, VCI and EVI are less correlated with the applied water balance indicators compared to PDI and MPDI. In a temporal analysis, PDI and MPDI showed a greater ability to detect CR conditions than VCI and EVI in the most drought-sensitive winter wheat-growing stages. Since Iran is characterized by arid or semi-arid climatic conditions and winter wheat is a major agricultural crop, a combination of both PDI and MPDI could be used as simple remote sensing-based tool to map drought conditions for crops in Iran and in other developing countries with similar climatic conditions.
Climate in Africa sequentially shapes spring passage of Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus across the Baltic coast

Background Many migrant birds have been returning to Europe earlier in spring since the 1980s. This has been attributed mostly to an earlier onset of spring in Europe, but we found the timing of Willow Warblers’ passage to be influenced by climate indices for Africa as much as those for Europe. Willow Warblers’ spring passage through northern Europe involves populations from different wintering quarters in Africa. We therefore expected that migration timing in the early, middle and late periods of spring would be influenced sequentially by climate indices operating in different parts of the winter range. Methods Using data from daily mistnetting in 1 April–15 May over 1982–2017 at Bukowo (Poland, Baltic Sea coast), we derived an Annual Anomaly (AA, in days) of Willow Warbler spring migration. We decomposed this anomaly into three main periods (1–26 April, 27 April–5 May, 6–15 May); one-third of migrants in each period. We modelled three sequential time series of spring passage using calendar year and 15 large-scale climate indices averaged over the months of Willow Warblers’ life stages in the year preceding spring migration as explanatory variables in multiple regression models. Nine climate variables were selected in the best models. We used these nine explanatory variables and calculated their partial correlations in models for nine overlapping sub-periods of AA. The pattern of relationships between AA in these nine sub-periods of spring and the nine climate variables indicated how spring passage had responded to the climate. We recommend this method for the study of birds’ phenological responses to climate change. Results The Southern Oscillation Index and Indian Ocean Dipole in Aug–Oct showed large partial correlations early in the passage, then faded in importance. For the Sahel Precipitation Index (PSAH) and Sahel Temperature Anomaly (TSAH) in Aug–Oct partial correlations occurred early then peaked in mid-passage; for PSAH (Nov–March) correlations peaked at the end of passage. NAO and local temperatures (April–May) showed low correlations till late April, which then increased. For the Scandinavian Index (Jun–Jul) partial correlations peaked in mid-passage. Year was not selected in any of the best models, indicating that the climate variables alone accounted for Willow Warblers’ multiyear trend towards an earlier spring passage. Discussion Climate indices for southern and eastern Africa dominated relationships in early spring, but western African indices dominated in mid- and late spring. We thus concluded that Willow Warblers wintering in southern and eastern Africa dominated early arrivals, but those from western Africa dominated later. We suggest that drivers of phenological shifts in avian migration are related to changes in climate at remote wintering grounds and at stopovers, operating with climate change in the north, especially for species with complex and long-distance migration patterns.
Paper —Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers’ Views on Gamification Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers’ Views on Gamification

— Despite the popularity of gamification among academics due to its propensity to promote student motivation, engagement, and behavioral change, its use in formal education is still limited. We reached out to educators at all levels to examine their experience, attitude, familiarity with gamified teaching, and their personality, to see if teachers’ personal characteristics are re-lated to the intention of implementing gamified teaching. 118 in-service and 102 pre-service teachers completed the BFI-S and the questionnaire developed for the study. Teachers predominantly assumed that gamification represents game-based learning, and more than half reported using some game elements in at least one of their lectures. While in general participants were welcoming towards gamified teaching, experienced teachers had a more positive attitude toward gamification compared to pre-service teachers. Attitude was a mediator between the intention to use and a presumption that gamification means using educational games, experience with gamification, and openness. In addition, past use significantly predicted intention to use even when accounting for attitude. Both in-service and pre-service teachers expressed a wish to learn more about gamification. The study identified another gap between theory and practice, showing a need for teachers to be informed more regularly about the latest pedagogical strategies and approaches.