Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple trajectories of grassland fragmentation, degradation, and recovery in Russia's steppes

Over the 20th century, the Eurasian steppes underwent drastic land‐cover changes. Much progress was made studying cropland expansion and the post‐1990 (i.e., post‐Soviet) agricultural land abandonment in Eurasia. However, the alteration of steppe landscapes may include other disturbances, such as oil and gas development, formal and informal roads and garbage dumps, which were not systematically documented. Considering the example of the steppe Orenburg Province in Russia, we reconstructed agricultural land‐cover change dynamics using Landsat and Sentinel‐2 imagery from 1990 to 2018. Furthermore, we used very high‐resolution imagery and assessed the patterns and determinants of other steppe landscape anthropogenic disturbances. Our study showed that, despite steppe recovery due to widespread cropland abandonment from 1990 to 2018, the steppes, including the recovered steppe patches, underwent fragmentation due to informal roads, oil and gas development, shrub encroachment, garbage dumps and quarries, as well as abandonment of settlements and buildings. Only 6.4% of the sampled 7859 1×1 km blocks in 2018 showing grassland extent had no documented disturbances. The mapped disturbances occurred primarily near settlements and roads, while some disturbances occurred in remote areas. Given the accessibility of steppes, our study calls for a urgent need to systematically document alternatives to agricultural land uses in the steppes of Eurasia and other parts of the global grassland biome.
Study of Vitamin D Status in Pneumonia among Children between 6 Months to 3 Years of Age

Background: In the developing world, pneumonia is not only more common than it is in Europe or North America; it is also more severe and considered the leading cause of under-five mortality. Effective management of pneumonia in children under 3-year-old-age is still challenging due to various causes. Some authors believed in non-calcemic role of vitamin D as a potential factor in the pathogenesis, prevention, or therapy of pneumonia in this specific age. Purpose: Investigate the Vitamin D status in pneumonia among children between 6 months to 3 years of age. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted in a Pediatric point of care at Al-Zahraa University Hospital on 90 children aged 6 months to 3 years old; divided into two groups: group I (study group) including 47 patients presented with pneumonia and group II (control group) including 43 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex with no evidence of pneumonia. Serum vitamin D was estimated with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The vitamin D level showed no significant difference between the two groups of the study. Conclusion: Possible role of vitamin D in disease process of pneumonia in children between 6 months to 3 years could not be assured.
Structural transmissions among investor attention, stock market volatility and trading volumes

We employ data ‐ based approaches to identify the transmissions of structural shocks among investor attention measured by Google search queries, realised volatilities and trading volumes in the United States, the United Kingdom and the German stock market. The two identification approaches adopted for the structural vector autoregressive analysis are based on independent component analysis and the informational content of disproportional variance changes. Our results show robust evidence that investors' attention affects both volatilities and trading volumes contemporaneously, whereas the latter two variables lack immediate impacts on investors' attention. Some movements in investors' attention can be traced back to market sentiment.
Spatial Variability of Ozigo Wood Beams under Long-Term Loadings in Various Environmental Exposures

Timber is a renewable material that should be more used for sustainable construction. While the mechanical behavior and durability of some species have been widely studied in the past, few studies are available for the Ozigo (Dacryodes buettneri) specie. This paper deals with the spatial variability of Ozigo beams subjected to long-term loadings and different environmental conditions. These beams were previously subjected to long-term creep in three environments (air-conditioned, unsheltered, and sheltered) at Masuku in the south-east of Gabon. Various specimens were extracted from these beams to determine its moisture content and subjected to three-point bending tests to obtain the modulus of elasticity and failure stress at various points in the space. The results obtained showed that, after long-term loadings, environmental exposure combined with mechanical loading, play a key role in the mechanical properties of the timber beams. A reduction of strength was found for the specimens extracted from the unsheltered and sheltered outdoor exposures in comparison with those extracted from the air-conditioned exposure. Concerning the spatial variability, statistical tests confirm that there is significant spatial correlation. It was also found that the spatial variation of properties in the beam is not stationary because it was affected by loading and support conditions.
Tectonic evolution of the northern part of Western Tianshan (Xinjiang, NW China).

The Yili Block is important for understanding the Late Paleozoic geodynamic evolution of Central Asia. It is bounded to the north by the Northern Tianshan Carboniferous flysch and ophiolitic melange. The center of the Block is dominated by Carboniferous sedimentary rocks with intercalation of volcanic rocks. Petrological and geochemical features of these Carboniferous volcanic rocks show that: (1) they belong to the calc-alkaline series, (2) they display prominent Nb-Ta negative anomalies consistent with subduction-related magmas, and (3) HFSE-based discriminations place these volcanic rocks in the field of continental arcs. The depositional evolution of the sedimentary series shows evidence for Carboniferous sedimentation in a basin instead of rifting as previously proposed. All these evidences, together with the occurrence of contemporaneous turbidites and ophiolitic melange along the northern boundary of the Yili Block, allow us to infer that the northern border of the Yili Block was a continental active margin during the Carboniferous. The Late Carboniferous southward subduction that finally closed the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous North Tianshan oceanic basin was followed by Permian-Mesozoic polyphase transcurrent faulting.
From psychological to digital disengagement: exploring the link between ageism and the ‘grey digital divide’

The need for digital literacy is apparent in today’s workplace, driven by strong pressures for constant technological innovation. Previous studies have shown that although older workers make up (and will make up) a great proportion of the workforce, there persists an age-based digital divide in the workplace; and the outcome of such divide is quite negative: at the individual level, older workers feel they’re being marginalized and as such, become dissatisfied and disengage from their workplace; at the organizational level, a pool of skills and expertise is lost as a result of the older worker’s disengagement, putting at risk effective knowledge transfer and mentoring process. Hence, the importance of a deeper understanding of the contextual factors that may feed the ‘ grey digital divide ’ in the workplace. The goal of this paper is to address such factors moving beyond the ageist claim that a worker’s chronological age is the driving force behind the ‘ grey digital divide ’ .
Epiphytic Diatom-Based Biomonitoring in Mediterranean Ponds: Traditional Microscopy versus Metabarcoding Approaches

Benthic diatoms have traditionally been used as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystems. Because diatom-based monitoring of water quality is required by European legislation, molecular-based methods had emerged as useful alternatives to classical methods based on morphological identification using light microscopy. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of DNA metabarcoding combined with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) techniques in the bioassessment of the trophic status of 22 Mediterranean shallow ponds in NW Spain. For each pond, the Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) was calculated from inventories obtained by identification using light microscopy (LM) followed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) at the molecular level. Ponds were subsequently classified into five water quality classes. The results showed a good correspondence between both methods, especially after applying a correction factor that depended on the biovolume of the cells. This correspondence led to the assignment to the same quality class in 59% of the ponds. The determination and quantification of valves or DNA sequences was one of the main pitfalls, which mainly included those related to the variability in the relative abundances of some species. Accordingly, ponds with similar relative abundances for the dominant species were assigned to the same quality class. Moreover, other difficulties leading the discrepancies were the misidentification of some species due to the presence of semi-cryptic taxa, the incompleteness of the reference database and the bioinformatic protocol. Thus, the validation of DNA-based methods for the identification of freshwater diatoms represents an important goal, as an alternative to using traditional methods in Mediterranean shallow ponds.
Thermal boundary layer near roughnesses in turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection: Flow structure and multistability

We present global heat-transfer and local temperature measurements, in an asymmetric parallelepiped Rayleigh-Benard cell, in which controlled square-studs roughnesses have been added. A global heat transfer enhancement arises when the thickness of the boundary layer matches the height of the roughnesses. The enhanced regime exhibits an increase of the heat transfer scaling. Local temperature measurements have been carried out in the range of parameters where the enhancement of the global heat transfer is observed. They show that the boundary layer at the top of the square-stub roughness is thinner than the boundary layer of a smooth plate, which accounts for most of the heat-transfer enhancement. We also report multistability at long time scales between two enhanced heat-transfer regimes. The flow structure of both regimes is imaged with background-oriented synthetic Schlieren and reveals intermittent bursts of coherent plumes.
Effects of Weighted Versus Standard Jump Rope Training on Physical Fitness in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 12-week standard versus weighted jump rope training on physical fitness tests including anaerobic power, speed, agility and flexibility in female adolescent volleyball players. Methods: Twenty-five female volleyball players were recruited to the study. Participants were randomly separated into three study groups; weighted jump rope training (n=8), standard jump rope training (n=9) and control group (n=8). All participants were assessed at baseline and after 12-week training. Physical fitness was measured by using vertical jump test, 30-meter sprint test, hexagonal obstacle test, zigzag test and sit and reach test. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: Comparisons showed that after 12-week training, weighted jump-rope training resulted in higher improvements in anaerobic power (p=0.03) and agility (p=0.003) when compared to control training; and higher improvement in agility when compared to standard jump rope training (p=0.001). In addition, at the end of training, speed and flexibility gains were similar in all groups (p>0.05). Discussion: Weighted jump rope training resulted in higher improvements of anaerobic power and agility in female adolescent volleyball players. The findings of the study provide basic knowledge for developing training protocols for adolescent volleyball players.
City Size , and Exports : Evidence from Japan *

The present study deals with variations in markups between and within cities in the Japanese manufacturing sector using the markups estimated at the establishment level. Recent models on monopolistic competition with endogenous price-cost markups show that markups in larger cities are lower since competition is tougher in larger cities. With respect to the withincity variation in markup, firms producing differentiated products at lower costs charge higher markups. This empirical study supports these theoretical predictions. The findings suggest that markups are partly balanced between establishment and regional factors when highly productive, large establishments are located in large cities. Furthermore, this study finds that exporting establishments face global competition in export markets, similar to large domestic markets. Therefore, highly productive, large establishments can export their products by charging high markups. JEL classification: D24, F14, L11, L60, R32
Assessment of Indices of Job Satisfaction among Nursing Staff in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State

Abstract: This study investigated indices of job satisfaction among nursing staff in Calabar metropolis of Cross River State. Specifically, the relationship between remuneration availability of clinical equipment/facility, and manpower training/retraining on job satisfaction among nurses were undertaken. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 subjects for the study, drawn from 896 registered nurses from both the public and private sectors. The data generated were analyzed using Pearson Product Movement Correlation Coefficient Statistics. The result of the study revealed that remuneration, availability of clinical equipment/retraining have significant relationship with job satisfaction among nurses in Calabar metropolis. Based on the findings recommendations were proffered among which are: Remuneration of nurses in Calabar should be raised to compete with that of their counterparts globally; and provision of equipment and basic clinical supplies should be ensure in Public Medical Institutions especially in Calabar.Key words: Job satisfaction; Nursing staff; Remuneration; Manpower training; Manpower trainingResume: Cette etude enquete les indices de satisfaction au travail parmi le personnel infirmier dans la metropole de Calabar Etat de Cross River. Plus precisement, la relation entre la disponibilite de la remuneration des equipements cliniques / facilite, et la formation professionnelle / reformation sur la satisfaction du travail chez les infirmieres ont ete engages. Un questionnaire structure a ete utilise pour recueillir des donnees aupres de 150 sujets de l'etude, elabore a partir de 896 infirmieres a la fois des secteurs public et prive. Les donnees obtenues ont ete analysees a l'aide de Pearson Product Movement Correlation Coefficient Statistics. Le resultat de l'etude a revele que la remuneration, la disponibilite des equipements cliniques / reinformation ont une relation significative avec la satisfaction du travail chez les infirmieres de la metropole de Calabar. Sur la base des recommandations des conclusions ont ete avancees parmi lesquelles sont: la remuneration des infirmieres a Calabar devrait etre porte a rivaliser avec celui de leurs homologues au niveau mondial, et la fourniture d'equipements et de cliniques de base devrait etre assures dans les etablissements medicaux publics et en particulier a Calabar. Mots cles: Satisfaction au travail; Le personnel infirmier; La remuneration; La formation professionnelle; Formation de la force humaine
Congenital lacrimal obstruction: case series of probing and intubation

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between age at surgery in patients with congenital lacrimal obstruction and success achieved by them. Methods: We studied 94 medical records of patients diagnosed with congenital lacrimal obstructions, assisted at the oculoplastic sector of the Hospital de Olhos do Parana, in the period january 2006 to december 2012. For diagnosis and inclusion in the study, the clinical history were made, overall and specific ophthalmologic examination, with the tests: Milder and Observation Test of Fluorescein in the Oropharynx. To determine the type of intervention (probing or intubation) service criteria were used. In the statistical analysis, the chi-square and Student’s t test were used. Significance level of 5 % was adopted. Results: When comparing the results by age, regardless of treatment, there was no significant association (p = 0.223) between the rate of improvement and age. Conclusions: In the present study shows, there is no significant difference between the surgical interventions within the age groups addressed.
DO shifts in regimes impact the disposition effect implied by prospect theory models?

ABSTRACT We study how market regimes can influence investors’ behaviour under the framework of prospect theory. Two market regimes (bull and bear) are considered, which affect our investors’ reference points and their loss-averse behaviours. Using both theory and empirical evidence, the paper shows the disposition effect in a bull market is stronger than that in a bear market. Investors learn from both domains (gain and loss) in a bear market and more from the gain domain in a bull market. These results also provide an explanation for asymmetric learning regarding the disposition effect.
Exploring big data use to predict supply chain effectiveness in Chinese organizations: a moderated mediated model link

ABSTRACT Due to globalization, firms are adopting innovative ways of doing business to realize their objectives. Big data use (BDU) is one of the innovative approaches that can assist firms to increase their SC agility (SCA) and effectiveness (SCE). Using the dynamic capabilities view, we aim to predict the direct and indirect link between BDU and SCE. Furthermore, we pursue to recognize information sharing as a moderator in BDU-SCA linkage. Therefore, we hired 321 Chinese SMEs entrepreneurs/executives through a survey and tested the framework in Mplus. The outcomes illustrate that BDU is not directly linked to SCE but SCA and indirectly (via SCA) related to SCE. Moreover, information-sharing moderates the BDU-SCA association. Finally, we recorded research implications.
Engineering instructor perception of problem- and project- based learning: Learning, success factors and difficulties

This work considers three research objectives: to analyze the perception of instructors of the incidence of PBL/PrBL on content learning and skill development; to identify the success factors that they believe promote learning when using them , as well as their importance; and to identify the difficulties they face, and the frequency with which they occur. The responses to a questionnaire administered to 50 instructors who participated in a specific training program were analyzed. The results show that the instructors’ perception is that both models contribute to a better understanding of the contents with regard to their practical application, and to a high level of skill development in their students, with the most favored being group work , decision-making , autonomous learning and problem solving. The instructors consider important success factors to be student involvement in their own learning from the very beginning, feedback from the professor, the tasks having been well-designed and team work and cooperation among students. The most common difficulties identified in our study correspond to the excessive workload associated with monitoring the students, and managing and developing within the established time the planning of their tasks and activities, although there is a medium level of incidence in this regard, and it may be due to the characteristics of the training program received. Exploring these aspects in greater depth in future investigations could facilitate the development of more effective teaching practices.
SCRAM Does hip muscle strength influence the degree of lower limb valgus rotation in young females ?

Discussion and Conclusions 2 To include: collation of information and ideas and evaluation of those ideas relative to the extant literature/concept/theory and research question/problem; adoption of a personal position on the study by linking and combining different elements of the data reported; discussion of the real-life impact of your research findings for coaches and/or practitioners (i.e. practical implications); discussion of the limitations and a critical reflection of the approach/process adopted; and indication of potential improvements and future developments building on the study; and a conclusion which summarises the relationship between the research question and the major findings.
ACONITASE 3 is part of theANAC017 transcription factor-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction response

Abstract Mitochondria are tightly embedded within metabolic and regulatory networks that optimize plant performance in response to environmental challenges. The best-known mitochondrial retrograde signaling pathway involves stress-induced activation of the transcription factor NAC DOMAIN CONTAINING PROTEIN 17 (ANAC017), which initiates protective responses to stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Posttranslational control of the elicited responses, however, remains poorly understood. Previous studies linked protein phosphatase 2A subunit PP2A-B’γ, a key negative regulator of stress responses, with reversible phosphorylation of ACONITASE 3 (ACO3). Here we report on ACO3 and its phosphorylation at Ser91 as key components of stress regulation that are induced by mitochondrial dysfunction. Targeted mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed that the abundance and phosphorylation of ACO3 increased under stress, which required signaling through ANAC017. Phosphomimetic mutation at ACO3-Ser91 and accumulation of ACO3S91D-YFP promoted the expression of genes related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, ACO3 contributed to plant tolerance against ultraviolet B (UV-B) or antimycin A-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings demonstrate that ACO3 is both a target and mediator of mitochondrial dysfunction signaling, and critical for achieving stress tolerance in Arabidopsis leaves.
A macro–micro analysis of gender segregation and job quality in Latin America

Latin America has seen vast improvements in gender educational and health equality. Favourable supply-side conditions, however, have not translated into greater gender economic equality, a process that also depends on structural economic change and global macroeconomic conditions. In this paper, we assess the role of a variety of macro-level policies and structures in influencing trends in women's access to high-quality jobs for a sample of 15 countries in Latin America over the period 1990-2018.