Evaluation of a Wireless Solar Powered Personal Weather Station

We are evaluating dryland cotton production in Martin County, Texas, measuring cotton lint yield per unit of rainfall. Our goal is to collect rainfall data per 250 - 400 ha. Upon selection of a rainfall gauge, we realized that the cost of using, for example, a tipping bucket-type rain gauge would be too expensive and thus searched for an alternative method. We selected an all-in-one commercially available weather station;hereafter, referred to as a Personal Weather Station (PWS) that is both wireless and solar powered. Our objective was to evaluate average measurements of rainfall obtained with the PWS and to compare these to measurements obtained with an automatic weather station (AWS). For this purpose, we installed four PWS deployed within 20 m of the Plant Stress and Water Conservation Meteorological Tower that was used as our AWS, located at USDA-ARS Cropping Systems Research Laboratory, Lubbock, TX. In addition, we measured and compared hourly average values of short-wave irradiance (Rg), air temperature (Tair) and relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS), and calculated values of dewpoint temperature (Tdew). This comparison was done over a 242-day period (1 October 2022-31 May 2023) and results indicated that there was no statistical difference in measurements of rainfall between the PWS and AWS. Hourly average values of Rg measured with the PWS and AWS agreed on clear days, but PWS measurements were higher on cloudy days. There was no statistical difference between PWS and AWS hourly average measurements of Tair, RH, and calculated Tdew. Hourly average measurements of Rg and WS were more variable. We concluded that the PWS we selected will provide adequate values of rainfall and other weather variables to meet our goal of evaluating dryland cotton lint yield per unit rainfall.

Weak influence of natural vegetation in urban green spaces compared to agricultural ecosystems on House Martin populations:Insights from nationwide citizen science data in the Czech Republic

The House Martin(Delichon urbicum)is a common farmland bird species in the European landscape,yet its population numbers are currently in decline.However,it is not yet sufficiently explained why this long-term decline occurs.To fill this gap in our knowledge,we investigated how land cover composition affects the abundance of House Martins on the landscape scale by using nationwide citizen science data.Utilizing a generalised linear mixed-effect model(GLMM),we evaluated 12,094 records from the Czech Republic spanning 2009-2017.Our analysis underscores the significance of land cover type in shaping House Martin abundance.More specifically,our results indicate that within agricultural land covers“naturally managed arable lands”exhibited significant positive effect,while forests,orchards,and vineyards were deemed less favourable for House Martin populations.Within urban land covers,we found a clear distinction in the impact on House Martin populations,with a positive effect observed in urban infrastructure,development areas,and post-industrial sites(i.e.,UrbanAreas),while an indifferent impact was noted within urban green spaces and landscaped areas(i.e.,GreenUrban).Notably,our findings suggest that the simple spatial,age,and species structure typical of forests in Europe,and similarly,the uniform structure of parks and gardens,may be responsible for the decline in the abundance of the House Martin.We advocate for the preservation or enhancement of urban greenery,expansion of natural vegetation in rural areas and adoption of ecological management practices in orchards and vineyards to mitigate further declines in House Martin populations.

Higher intakes of lysine,threonine and valine are inversely associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk:a community-based case-control study in the Chinese elderly

The associations of individual amino acid with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)risk remained unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the associations between the two in the Chinese elderly.Methods:A community-based health check-up program was conducted in Qingdao,China.NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography accompanied by epidemiological investigation.The dietary intakes of amino acids were investigated with 3-day,24-h dietary records and calculated by Nutrition Calculator software.Restricted cubic spline model was used to evaluate a nonlinear relationship between amino acid intake and NAFLD risk.Results:400 NAFLD subjects were identified,and 400 participants were randomly selected as controls and matched by gender and age(±3 years)Dose-response analysis showed that 1000 mg increment of aromatic amino acids(AAAs)was associated with reduced 16%risk of NAFLD.Dietary increments of 750 mg/d threonine,950 mg/d valine,or 1700 mg/d lysine were associated with a 20%reduction in the NAFLD risk(all P for linearity<0.05).Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that the dietary increases in milk,eggs and deep-sea fish,which are rich in the amino acids,might contribute to protecting against NAFLD in the elderly.

Exploring the Path of Implementing the Home-School Co-education Model from the Perspective of Moral Education Field

As a social psychological field derived from the concept of physical field,the moral education field plays a very important role in guiding the construction of a home-school co-education model.In this paper,by analyzing the internal power system of the moral education field,with a policy oriented approach and combined with contemporary factors,it aims to empower the traditional home-school co-education model.Only by combining home education and school education,supplemented by social policy guidance,strengthening the construction of the"trinity"community,creating a harmonious and stable ecological interactive moral education field,expanding the path of home-school cooperation,strengthening the boundary of home and school responsibility,and innovating the form of home-school co-education,can it support the bright future of education.

On the Dilemma of Contemporary Liberal Theory of Moral Rights for Penalty Justification——Exemplified by the Right to Personal Liberty

Contemporary liberal theory on moral rights argues that moral rights associated with personal liberty constitute a strong constraint on the boundaries of state power.Therefore,the core issue of the penalty justification is not the purpose of the penalty,but the reason for the penalty to refrain from infringing on the moral rights of individuals.In order to justify the penal system,scholars have explored solutions such as limiting the content of rights,waiving rights,and finally rights forfeiture.However,the concept of rights forfeiture cannot be reasonably integrated into the framework of the liberal theory of moral rights.The failure of these attempts stems from the patchwork understanding of rights presupposed by the liberal theory of moral rights.There is another systematic way of understanding rights that offers a better justification.Individual rights are not an independent non-derivative moral justification,and both individual rights and the penal power of the state are only part of a specific(realistic or ideal)system of rules that collectively serve certain values.The real question of penalty justification is not why the punishment does not infringe on the moral rights of individuals,but whether the overall institutional arrangements,including the penal system,are justifiable for all citizens,including the punished.

On Evaluating University Teachers’ Morality and Ethics in the New Era

University teachers play an important role in promoting moral and political education among university students.Regular and long-term construction of teachers’morality and ethics will contribute to the success of the fundamental task of cultivating talents.The present study proposes that due to the multiple identities of university teachers,it is necessary to evaluate the construction of teachers’morality and ethics in terms of what to evaluate and how to evaluate?It is expected that the attempt will provide useful guidance for the construction of university teachers’morality and ethics.

The Role and Influence of Plato’s Ideas in Religious Cinema

In contemporary society,film,as a significant form of cultural expression,bears profound ideological connotations and cultural significance.Religious films,as a distinct genre,serve as crucial avenues for humanity to explore and contemplate religious beliefs,moral concepts,and the essence of existence.Plato’s philosophy,as a significant pillar of Western thought,exerted profound influence on the conception and depiction of religious films.This thesis aims to examine Plato’s philosophical impact on religious cinema,elucidating its significance and value via comprehensive analysis of his ideas and their manifestation in religious films.Platonic ideas transcend the realm of emotions,inciting moral conflicts and dilemmas in religious films,thereby probing the dynamics between good and evil,justice and injustice.Plato’s political concepts offer profound sociopolitical reflections within religious films,stimulating discourse on matters like authority,governance,and liberty.Additionally,it catalyzed inquiries into aesthetics and emotions.Plato’s appreciation and pursuit of beauty resonate extensively in religious films,guiding viewers into a transcendent aesthetic realm through depictions of beauty and emotion.This holds immense theoretical and practical significance in deepening individuals’comprehension of Plato’s philosophy,fostering cultural exchange and discourse,and augmenting the artistic merit and societal impact of religious films.

Moral Perspective as Depicted in the Archetypes on Divine-Human Perspective of Dianshizhai Pictorial

This article examines the archetypes related to the divine-human perspective in the Dianshizhai Pictorial and uses the basic theory of“Myth-Archetype Criticism”to analyze the concepts of moral perspective and the view of cause and effect reflected in the text.It summarizes the interactive modes and various archetypes of cause and effect in three contexts:gods to humans,humans to gods,and humans to humans,explores the social reality and the relevant views of moral perspective and causality reflected in the illustrated magazine,and reveals the archetype foundation of the narrative of moral perspective retribution in Dianshizhai Pictorial in the three dimensions of psychology,literature,and society.

Challenges and Countermeasures of Youth Moral Education in the Era of Big Data

Youth moral education is an extremely important work,which is related to the inheritance of traditional virtues of the Chinese nation,the fundamental plan of“successor,”and the construction of modern Chinese spiritual civilization.In the era of big data,the moral education of youth is facing new challenges and opportunities.The wide application of big data technology has brought about an information explosion,exposing young people to more diverse and complex social information.It not only brings opportunities for positive moral education but also many challenges.The main problems of youth moral education in the era of big data are neglected youth subjectivity,insufficient youth moral practice,and utilitarian youth value orientation.We should develop personalized moral education programs,strengthen the integration of moral knowledge and action,and pay more attention to moral practice to improve the pertinence and effectiveness of moral education for young people in the era of big data.

A Study of a Moral Dilemma Stories Teaching Model Focusing on the Development of Higher-Order Thinking --"Synthetic polymers" as an example

Cultivating students'higher-order thinking is one of the important goals of modern education,and innovative teaching model is an effective way to achieve this goal.Aiming at the inadequacy of the existing moral dilemma stories approach in the transformation of knowledge and behavior,this research constructs a new Project Based Learning-Ethical Dilemma Stories(PBL-EDS)Teaching Model applicable to China's secondary education stage based on the innovative features of the moral dilemma stories approach on the core competencies,taking the chemistry subject as an example to carry out practice,and puts forward suggestions for the implementation of the teaching model.Chemistry as an example to carry out the practice,and suggestions are made for the implementation of the teaching model.

An Empirical Evaluation of the Impact of Moral and Law Course Teaching on the Effectiveness of University Students’Ideals and Beliefs Education

The Moral and Law course serves as a critical platform for educating university students about ideals and beliefs,and it has a significant impact on the effectiveness of ideals and beliefs education.This paper establishes a mechanism through which Moral and Law course teaching influences the effectiveness of ideals and beliefs education and conducts an empirical evaluation.The results reveal that factors such as the relevance and applicability of the teaching content,the integration of theory and practice,the innovation,interactivity,and participation of teaching methods,as well as classroom atmosphere,teaching facilities,and campus culture,all have a significant positive impact on the effectiveness of ideals and beliefs education for university students.

Practical Paths for Integrating“Stories of China”in the New Era into Ideological and Political Education in Universities

As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era,ideological and political education in universities is presented with new opportunities.Telling the“Stories of China”is not only necessary for inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture but also an important way to build the socialist core value system and cultivate qualified builders of socialism.Effectively integrating the“Stories of China”with the ideological and political theory courses in universities is of great significance for guiding students to establish correct worldviews,outlooks on life,and values.This paper focuses on the practical paths of integrating the“Stories of China”with ideological and political theory in universities,deeply analyzes the existing integration mechanisms,principles to follow,and challenges faced,and explores innovative paths.It aims to provide a new perspective for ideological and political education in universities,promote the comprehensive development of students,and provide solid theoretical support for cultivating qualified socialist builders.

Collaborative Cultivation of Ideological and Political Education and Undergraduate Management in Colleges and Universities Under the Guidance of Moral Education

Guided by moral education,improving the ideological and moral quality of college students is an important goal of college education.To achieve this goal,it is necessary to strengthen ideological and political education and continuously improve the level of undergraduate management.This paper outlines the feasibility of collaborative cultivation of ideological and political education and undergraduate management in colleges and universities and analyzes its significance and the specific implementation strategies,with a view to providing valuable references for relevant colleges and universities to carry out educational work.

Diversity of Macro Invertebrates of the River Rwizi in Western Uganda: A Citizen Science-BioBlitz Approach

This study elucidates the pivotal role of citizen science-BioBlitz methodologies for rapid assessment of the macro-invertebrate taxa within the threatened River Rwizi of South-western Uganda. Utilizing a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, the investigation focused on six distinct river segments to demonstrate the efficacy of participatory citizen science-BioBlitz approaches conducted by experts, students and community volunteers. BioBlitz events included rigorous macro-invertebrate sampling at each of the selected sites along River Rwizi on nine occasions, incorporating collaborative taxonomic identification procedures involving experts, students, and the local community. Analyzing pollution concerns, diversity metrics, and community narratives yielded insights into river health and socio-ecological dynamics. A total of 43 macro-invertebrate families across 17 orders were documented with class Insecta dominating. Participants in BioBlitz events expressed predominantly positive sentiments, emphasizing satisfaction, education, and heightened awareness, besides negative sentiments rooted in historical mistrust. Intriguingly, the study unveiled an unforeseen trend in macro-invertebrate taxa richness, rising from upstream to urban sprawl and diminishing at peri-urban downstream sites. The study underscores the potential of citizen science-BioBlitz methodologies in advancing community science education and unraveling the intricate dynamics of threatened river ecosystems. The insights offered are invaluable for policymakers and conservationists seeking effective strategies to address challenges in the River Rwizi and comparable ecosystems. .

Research on the Role of Democratic Parties in Colleges and Universities in Building Morality and Cultivating People: Taking the General Branch of the Democratic League of Huizhou College as an Example

This article takes the general branch of the Huizhou College of the Democratic League of Huizhou College in recent years as an example. Through literature review, field research, case analysis, and other research methods, it summarized how the Democratic League of Huizhou College made good use of various activity carriers in ideological and political education. It combined discipline construction, scientific research platforms, school-government-enterprise, and other cooperation platforms. From educational methods to subject transformation and integration, and from daily teaching to social practice, it promoted the role of college teachers in the alliance to play the role of cultivating people in the era of college education reform. The aim was to put forward that in educating others, they should first educate themselves, teachers had two-way morality in terms of teacher ethics and professionalism, effectively integrated ideological and political courses into professional teaching and practice, and realized waiting for flowers to bloom in the “context”1 teaching environment like the cultivation effect of salt in water.

On the Whole-Process People’s Democracy and the Construction of Citizens’ Cultural Quality

The Whole-Process People’s Democracy has become an important proposition of the socialist modernization democratic theory with Chinese characteristics,and has important value for the development of the new form of human civilization.The Whole-Process People’s Democracy is not only a“democracy”system,its focus is to achieve“people’s democracy”,its unique feature is to surpass“non process”democracy with the“Whole-Process”,and create a new governance path of a new form of human civilization.Of course,the emphasis of people’s democracy on the consciousness of people’s subjective participation in the whole process also puts forward corresponding requirements for the cultural quality construction of Chinese social citizens in the new era,so it is also of great significance to pay attention to the cultivation of citizens’public spirit.

Investigation on the Characteristics of the Senior Citizens' Activities in the Parks and Greenbelts——A Case Study of Nanjing City

From the perspective of senior citizens,questionnaire survey and field investigation were carried on and analyzed in three parks in Nanjing City.The results showed that outdoor activities are the principal ways for the senior citizens to spend their time,the parks near home is their prior choice,and the radiation range of the park and greenbelt mostly is no more than 2 km;most of the senior citizens come to parks on foot and the parks are always within 30 minutes walking distance;the senior citizens always have fixed partners and groups for their exercise-dominant activities.

Relationship between Moral Elevation and Prosocial Behavior among College Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support and Moderating Role of Moral Identity

Objectives:The present study examined the relationship between college students’moral elevation and prosocial behavior.As well as the mediating role of perceived social support and the moderating role of moral identity.Methods:A sample of 489 college students were recruited for the study.They were asked to complete a series of questionnaires,including Moral Elevation Scale(MES),Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS),Moral Identity Scale(MIS)and Prosocial Tendency Measure(PTM).As part of the data analysis,we used correlation analysis and the method of constructing latent variable structural equation model to explore the mechanism of action among variables.Results:After controlling for gender,discipline,the research found that:(1)Moral elevation positively predicted the prosocial behavior among the college students;(2)Perceived social support mediated the relationship between moral elevation and prosocial behavior;(3)Moral identity moderated the second half of the model(i.e.,the link between perceived social support and prosocial behavior).Specifically,the mediating effect of perceived social support was stronger for college students with high-level moral identity compared to those with low-level moral identity.Conclusions:Moral identity significantly moderates the mediating effect of perceived social support,and the mediating model with moderated is established.

Impact of agricultural landscape structure on the patterns of bird species diversity at a regional scale

The loss of bird species diversity is a crucial problem in the European agricultural landscape.Change in the area coverage of major land cover types has been mentioned as one of the main factors responsible for bird biodiversity impoverishment.In this study,we focused on the impact of landscape matrix characteristics on bird species richness and on Faith’s phylogenetic diversity index on a spatial scale of 1000-m radius around the measured occurrence points.We investigated how land cover composition affects bird diversity on the landscape scale using nationwide citizen science data.In total,168,739 records of bird occurrence in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic during growing season from 2009 to 2019 were evaluated.We found that the presence of water bodies and wetlands significantly corresponded to the areas of highest bird species richness.We also revealed that the presence of forests(~60%of the forest in the Czech Republic is occupied by commercial forests),urban areas and arable land were negatively associated with bird species richness and phylogenetic diversity.Forests(both coniferous and deciduous)and urban habitats were found to have a tendency to host a clustered phylogenetic community structure in comparison with wetland and arable land.A strong negative association between forest proportion and bird diversity led us to conclude that the expansion of the forest(with simple species composition,horizontal and vertical structure)could be one of the critical drivers of the decline of bird species diversity in the European agricultural landscape.On the other hand,our results also pointed out that small woody features(i.e.,woodlots)and scattered woodland shrub vegetation were one of the main landscape characteristics supporting a bird diversity in rural landscape.This is in concordance with other studies which mention these landscape structures as important elements for nesting and foraging of farmland birds.We thus recommend to maintain and restore scattered trees or woodlots with complex structure in agricultural landscape.

Analysis on Morality of the Protagonist of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is honored as the most typical novel of American literature after the Civil War. This story unveils the hypocrisy of religion and scoffs at the conventional social principle. Affected by the deep-rooted racial discrimination, Huck pays little respect to the black slaves as other white people do at first. After embarking on the raft with Jim together, he has got the chance to know more about what the black slave truly is. He never stops struggling inside, and eventually Jim's kindness and loyalty helps Huck to waken humanity in his heart and defeat his moral conflict. Therefore through the deepened analysis of the plot and the author, the reasons for the change of Huck's morality can boil down to social conventions, Huck's complicated character, and moreover the democratic ideal of Twain.