Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Daily grandchild care and grandparents' employment: a comparison of four European child-care policy regimes

Having grandchildren is known to reduce individuals’ labour supply. However, it is unclear whether there is a negative association between grandchild care provision and employment among grandparents. Moreover, we do not know how the magnitude of any association between the two activities may vary across countries characterised by different child-care policy regimes. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, this paper investigates the association between daily grandchild care provision and two employment outcomes for grandmothers and grandfathers aged 50–69: the probability of being employed and the average weekly working hours. Recursive bivariate models are used to account for the potential selection of grandparents with different unobserved traits into work and family care. Estimates are compared across four country groups characterised by different child-care policy orientations: optional de-familisation, service de-familisation, supported familism and familism by default. On average, across 20 European countries, grandparents looking after grandchildren daily are no less likely to work than grandparents who do not; however, employed grandfathers work eight hours less per week if providing daily child care. Evidence of a negative association between daily grandchild care and employment is strongest in countries with familistic approaches to child care, with no association in countries characterised by optional de-familisation. This suggests that public support to child care may help retain grandparents in the labour force.
Comparative study on the surface ultrastructures of fertilized eggs of three Sebastes species

ABSTRACT Fertilized eggs of Sebastes schlegelii, Sebastes pachycephalus and Sebastes hubbsi are morphologically similar under stereomicroscope. However, under the scanning electron microscope, significant differences in the ultrastructures of the egg surface among the three species were observed, and herein, a taxonomic key was proposed for future applications. A clustering analysis based on the ultrastructures of the egg surface and the diameter of the oil globule suggested that among the three species, S. hubbsi and S. pachycephalus were more genetically similar, while S. schlegelii had diverged earlier. The results agree with the conclusions drawn from morphological and molecular analyses on adult samples of the same species.
Influence of social media on students’ academic achievement

This study determined the influence of using social media on the academic achievement of senior secondary school students. A sample of 150 students comprising 70 males and 80 females were drawn from five schools and used for the study, this was arrived at through multi-stage sampling procedure. Social Media Questionnaire (SMQ) and Students’ Accounting Achievement Proforma (SAAP) were used for data collection. The result showed that students frequently engage in social media in order to make new friends, research about their assignments and source for other educational materials, stay up to dates with latest trends and news. The finding also showed that students spend an average, 2 to 4 hours daily on social media. There was no significant influence of frequency of social media use by students on their mean academic achievements in Accounting; however, gender of students was found to have a significant influence on students’ mean academic achievement in Accounting. Students should be guided properly and informed on the vulnerabilities likely to come their way if they fail to appropriately utilize the opportunities that come with having social media platforms.
The financial impact of fossil fuel divestment

ABSTRACT The fossil fuel divestment movement tries to increase awareness about the need for climate action and heralds divestment from fossil fuel producers as a means to combat climate change. Financial investors are increasingly showing interest in the non-financial impact of companies they invest in, i.e. responsible investing. However, they also want to be assured of sufficient returns and limited risks to support the living costs of their ultimate beneficiaries. In this context, we investigate the impact of divestment and the transition of the energy system on investment performance. We rely on an international sample of almost seven thousand companies and study a period of forty years. Further, we investigate scenarios with very different pathways to the transition of the energy system. We find that the investment performance of portfolios that exclude fossil fuel production companies does not significantly differ in terms of risk and return from unrestricted portfolios. This finding holds even under market conditions that would benefit the fossil fuel industry. We conclude that divesting from fossil fuel production does not result in financial harm to investors, even when fossil fuels continue to play a dominant role in the energy mix for some time. Key policy insights Financing the exploration and exploitation of fossil fuel resources is increasingly being regarded as controversial, leading to divestment from this industry. Fossil fuel divestment does not seem to significantly harm financial investors and is not at odds with the fiduciary duty of institutional investors. This paves the way for more extensive initiatives to promote fossil fuel divestment. A smooth energy transition will most likely erode the profitability of fossil fuel firms and their ability to invest. Therefore, governments cannot rely on the fossil fuel industry to finance the energy transition.
How to easily facilitate consumers’ mental simulation through advertising: the effectiveness of self-referencing image dynamics on purchase intention

Abstract This current research consists of two studies that employ the psychological construct of self-referencing with the goal being to identify an optimal means by which ad viewers are able to generate mental simulation through advertising. In Study 1 we identify that the ad, when incorporating a self-referencing cue, enables consumers to easily generate mental simulation resulting in marginally greater purchase intention than that generated by the same ad but without the self-referencing cue. We also find that there is a significant moderating role of prior direct product experience on the relationship between self-referencing and mental simulation, but not on that between self-referencing and purchase intention. In Study 2 we confirm the superiority of dynamic self-referencing to static self-referencing from diverse consumer evaluation perspectives to reveal the underlying mechanism that explains the serial mediating role of arousal and mental simulation in generating intention to purchase. More findings and implications are discussed in the discussion section.
Studies on biparental progenies in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L. )

Cauliflower {Brossica oleracea var. botrytis L. ), a member of family Cruciferae occupies a pride place among cole crops due to its delicious taste, flavour and nutritive value. It has been rightly described as the "Aristocrat of Cole crops" (Boswell, 1949). It is grown throughout the country for its tender white curds which are used as vegetables, curries, soups and pickles. Cauliflower has high quality protein, and is peculiar in stability of vitamin C after cooking (Singh, 1987). It is rich in minerals such as potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium etc. It also contains vitamin A (Nath, 1987). It is said to be a native of Southern Europe in Mediterranean region and was introduced in India in 1822 from England (Chatterjee and Swarup, 1972).
Characterization of Atmospheric PM2.5 Inorganic Aerosols Using the Semi-Continuous PPWD-PILS-IC System and the ISORROPIA-II

A semi-continuous monitoring system, a parallel plate wet denuder and particle into liquid sampler coupled with ion chromatography (PPWD-PILS-IC), was used to measure the hourly precursor gases and water-soluble inorganic ions in ambient particles smaller than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) for investigating the thermodynamic equilibrium of aerosols using the ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic equilibrium model. The 24-h average PPWD-PILS-IC data showed very good agreement with the daily data of the manual 5 L/min porous-metal denuder sampler with R2 ranging from 0.88 to 0.98 for inorganic ions (NH4+, Na+, K+, NO3−, SO42−, and Cl−) and 0.89 to 0.98 for precursor gases (NH3, HNO3, HONO, and SO2) and slopes ranging from 0.94 to 1.17 for ions and 0.87 to 0.95 for gases, respectively. In addition, the predicted ISORROPIA-II results were in good agreement with the hourly observed data of the PPWD-PILS-IC system for SO42− (R2 = 0.99 and slope = 1.0) and NH3 (R2 = 0.97 and slope = 1.02). The correlation of the predicted results and observed data was further improved for NH4+ and NO3− with the slope increasing from 0.90 to 0.96 and 0.95 to 1.09, respectively when the HNO2 and NO2− were included in the total nitrate concentration (TN = [NO3−] + [HNO3] + [HONO] + [NO2−]). The predicted HNO3 data were comparable to the sum of the observed [HNO3] and [HONO] indicating that HONO played an important role in the thermodynamic equilibrium of ambient PM2.5 aerosols but has not been considered in the ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic equilibrium model.
MiR-135b Induces Osteosarcoma Invasion by the Modulation of FOXO-1 and c-Myc

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of bone malignancy. Many studies have attempted to find the association between microRNAs and cancer-associated processes. Alterations in miRNA expression through genetic or epigenetic changes, impairment of transcription factors, and ectopic expression of miRNAs induce the development and progression of cancer. Although miR-135b has been thoroughly documented as an oncogene in the majority of studies, some controversies remain about the conflicting role of miR-135b as a tumor-suppressor. Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the oncogenic and/or tumor-suppressing role of miR-135b in human OS. Methods: In this study, 21 OS tissue samples, along with 21 adjacent bone tissues (normal) as control specimens were collected to analyze the expression of miR-135b. The Saos2 cell-line was transiently transfected with the miR-135b mimic and inhibitor to assess its effect on two critical transcription factors, namely FOXO-1 and c-Myc. qRT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of miR-135b in both OS tissues and the Saos2 cell-line. The MTT, cell migration, and cell invasion assays were used to characterize the miR-135b function. The western blot analysis was carried out to monitor the targets of miR-135b. Finally, the changes in cellular functions such as migration and invasion, following the transfection of miR-135b mimic and inhibitor, were verified. Results: The results showed that in comparison with the adjacent normal bone tissues, the expression of miR-135b was higher in OS tissue samples, which inversely correlated with the expression rate of FOXO-1, whereas the expression of c-Myc had a direct relationship to miR-135b expression. Functionally, the miR-135b mimic led to an increase in cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of OS cancer cells. Conclusions: MiR-135b induces the proliferation and invasion of OS cells by the degradation of FOXO-1 and upregulation of c-Myc.
Phylogeographical history of the Olive Woodpecker
 Dendropicos griseocephalus
 , a species widely distributed across Africa

within widely distributed polytypic African bird species with disjunct ranges. Current knowledge indicates that high levels of genetic differentiation are found for such lineages but generalization of the pattern requires further comparisons with other co-distributed taxa. We assessed the extent of phylogeographical structure across the range of the Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus using mitochondrial and nuclear intron data. The Olive Woodpecker occupies the forests of Central ( Dendropicos griseocephalus ruwenzori ) and Eastern ( Dendropicos g. kilimensis ) Africa, with a disjunct morphological lineage ( Dendropicos g. griseocephalus ) occurring in southern Africa. Each of the subspecies lineages can be diagnosed using morphology. Phylogenetic analyses of our sequence data recovered three monophyletic lineages with kilimensis sister to ruwenzori , and griseocephalus as sister to the clade uniting these two taxa. Molecular species delimitation methods and estimates of gene ﬂ ow under the isolation-with-migration model suggest that the clade uniting the central and eastern subspecies may be recognized as distinct at the species level from the nominate subspecies, which is restricted to southern Africa. We conclude that D. griseocephalus (Boddaert, 1783) and D. ruwenzori (Sharpe, 1902) (including subspecies kilimensis ) should be considered full species. The biogeographical pattern we uncover for the Olive Woodpecker differs from that of other co-distributed widespread species both in terms of the order of sequence divergence of lineages occupying different areas of endemism in Africa, and in the timing of divergence, being younger (0.5 – 0.7 mya BP) than that recovered for the co-distributed Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii (0.9 – 1.6 mya BP).
Strengthening and Characterization of Existing Reinforced Concrete Beams for Flexure by Effective Utilization of External Steel Elements

Strengthening of structural members is a common practice around the world that may arise due to deterioration of concrete with age or upgradation of design code. This paper aims to elucidate a technique used for strengthening of the reinforced concrete beam for flexural capacity by using externally welded steel angles and steel bars. For this motive, three beams were strengthened with external steel angles and three with external steel bars. The external strengthening steel elements were attached at the bottom of the beam with shear reinforcement. Control samples without external steel angles and steel bars for comparison purposes were also prepared. All reinforced concrete beams were first constructed using a concrete ratio of 1:2:4, and then external steel elements were added to existing flexural reinforcement by using a fillet weld with tee joints having thickness and length of 5/16" (7.9 mm) and 6" (152.4 mm), respectively. Fourth point loading criteria were used to investigate the flexural capacity of beams in positive bending. All beams were designed strong enough in shear, to resist the ultimate loads without shear failure. Test results indicated that beams strengthened with this technique have an average increase of 238% with steel angles and 106% with steel bars, in load-carrying capacity than control samples. Strengthened beams showed a uniform crack pattern. Moreover, the concrete cover made a good bond with existing concrete and was strong enough to withstand ultimate loads. Conclusively, the steel angles and steel bars can be used as an external strengthening material, to enhance the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete beams.
Social organization, demography and genetic mating system of a Tibetan cooperative breeder

Knowledge of cooperative breeding in birds from longitudinal studies is available only for a small proportion of species. This paper reports data from a 12-year study on the Tibetan Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis. On average, 27.2% (range: 13.0–36.1%) of monogamous pairs in each year contained one (85.4%) or more (14.6%) male helpers, 83.7% of which were yearlings staying on natal territories. Most helpers (89.6%) helped once and then bred independently. Adults had male-biased sex ratios, low annual survival rates (averaging 0.50) and shorter longevities (averaging 1.8 years) compared with low-altitude avian cooperative breeders, suggesting that mate shortage promotes helping behaviour in this species. Incest occurred rarely (2.1% of pairs), probably because kin recognition occurs through year-around living in family groups. There was a low level (3.1% of broods) of extra-pair parentage, which could facilitate the maintenance of cooperative breeding.
Valence biases in reinforcement learning shift across adolescence and modulate subsequent memory

As individuals learn through trial and error, some are more influenced by good outcomes, while others weight bad outcomes more heavily. Such valence biases may also influence memory for past experiences. Here, we examined whether valence asymmetries in reinforcement learning change across adolescence, and whether individual learning asymmetries bias the content of subsequent memory. Participants ages 8–27 learned the values of ‘point machines,’ after which their memory for trial-unique images presented with choice outcomes was assessed. Relative to children and adults, adolescents overweighted worse-than-expected outcomes during learning. Individuals’ valence biases modulated incidental memory, such that those who prioritized worse- (or better-) than-expected outcomes during learning were also more likely to remember images paired with these outcomes, an effect reproduced in an independent dataset. Collectively, these results highlight age-related changes in the computation of subjective value and demonstrate that a valence-asymmetric valuation process influences how information is prioritized in episodic memory.
First report of Fusarium equiseti causing crown rot and damping-off on durum wheat in Algeria

Abstract The isolation of Pathogens from wheat seeds sampled from fifty-nine locations in North-eastern Algeria showed the existence of the species Fusarium equiseti for the first time in the seeds of the durum wheat in Algeria. The identification was carried out on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and confirmed by Molecular identification. The pathogenicity test was performed, on three durum wheat varieties to determine the impact of this isolate on the coleoptile and basal part of durum wheat. The results showed that Fusarium equiseti caused a significant diminution in length and emergence rate of coleoptile by 48.99 and 44% respectively, and a decrease in the length of the root and vegetative systems by 45.63 and 27.12%, consecutively. It also caused a diminution in the fresh weight of the root and vegetative systems by 45.65 and 22.52%, respectively.
Analytical performance evaluation of the Norudia HbA1c assay

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is arguably the most important biomarker used in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of diabetes mellitus. We evaluated the analytical performance of the Norudia HbA1c assay (Sekisui Medical Co., LTD), which uses an enzymatic method incorporated into a fully automated, high‐throughput system.
Synergistic effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone noncovalently modified graphene and epoxy resin in anticorrosion application

In this article, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used for the noncovalent modification on the surface of graphene. Compared with covalent modification, this method maintained the original structure of graphene layers, thereby maximizing the original properties of graphene. The π–π noncovalent bond was formed between PVP and graphene by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, indicating that PVP successfully modified graphene. The thickness of graphene layer was measured by atomic force microscopy, which showed that the distance between graphene layers was increased by 5–6 nm, and the stability of the modified graphene in N,N-dimethylformamide was remarkably improved. The obtained composite coating by combination of the modified graphene and the epoxy resin was subjected to electrochemical impedance test to obtain the best anticorrosive effect of the coating with the graphene content of 0.3 wt%. The results showed that the addition of graphene to the epoxy resin could effectively improve the anticorrosive effect. Meanwhile, the good electrical conductivity allowed the electrons which lost from the substrate to led to air or saline rapidly, thereby reducing the combination of iron ions with oxygen and the generation of corrosion products (iron oxides).
Nutritional and amino acid composition of red tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus)

Tilapia has received much attention to be used as a source of food protein. In making tilapia fish as a source of food protein, there are many by-products (head, frame, and tail) produced during the processing of fish which are usually discarded. The nutritional properties of tilapia muscle and by products were quantitatively determined. It was found that the proximate compositions of tilapia muscle were 18.59 ± 0.35% of crude protein content, 80.66 ± 0.48% of dry matter content, 1.15 ± 0.07% of ash, 0.38 ± 0.06% of oil content and 27.02±0.30 mg/g of soluble protein content. While for tilapia by-product were 14.60 ± 0.30% of crude protein content, 66.57 ± 0.39% of dry matter content, 8.93 ± 0.46% of ash, 5.50 ± 0.30% of oil content and 25.83 ± 0.45 mg/g of soluble protein content. Identification of amino acids composition on tilapia muscle and by product have found that the total amino acid content were 93.08 ± 1.08 g/kg and 92.80 ± 1.48 g/kg respectively while the essential amino acid were 36.57 ± 0.51 g/kg and 31.38 ± 0.51 g/kg respectively. The most abundant amino acid in tilapia muscle was glutamic acid (15.94 ± 0.22 g/kg), while for tilapia by product was glycine (14.35 ± 0.22). Lysine was the most abundant essential amino acid in tilapia muscle and by product (7.03 g/kg and 5.55 g/kg respectively). These results indicate that tilapia fish has excellent source of protein, particularly an essential amino acids such as lysine. Along with a growing interest in food protein to be used as food ingredient, it appears tilapia fish has very good potential to serve as source of protein.
Evaluating Heathland Restoration Belowground Using Different Quality Indices of Soil Chemical and Biological Properties

Reversion of agricultural land to heathland and acid grassland is a priority for the conservation of these rare habitats. Restoration processes require interventions to reverse the effects of fertilization and acidity amelioration undertaken during decades of agricultural production. Belowground assessments of restoration success are few, and we have examined the utility of soil indices as a rationalized tool for land managers and restoration practitioners to assess the efficacy of restoration practice. To achieve this, we assessed a large number of variables, many of which might be near redundant, that could be optimized for such indices. We used a 14-year field experiment contrasting acidified pasture (treated with elemental sulphur), control (untreated) pasture, and adjacent native heathland and acid grassland sites. Based on biotic and abiotic parameters, several ‘heathland restoration indices’ (resembling soil quality indices) were generated using a minimum dataset identified through principal component analysis and a linear scoring system. For comparison we also conducted alternative analyses of all parameters, using nonmetric multidimensional scaling plots and analyses of similarity (ANOSIM). Use of heathland restoration indices showed that elemental sulphur application had changed the soil chemical conditions, along with the vegetation assemblage, to be comparable to that of native acid grassland, but not the belowground biology. ANOSIM on full datasets confirmed this finding. An index based on key variables, rather than an analysis of all biotic and abiotic parameters, can be valuable to land managers and stakeholders in acid grassland and heathland restoration.