Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Code-related aspects of emergent literacy: How prepared are preschoolers for the challenges of literacy in an EFL context?

Mauritian children are Kreol speakers who learn to read and write in English and French when they join the primary education system. The government-mandated preschool curriculum mentions the need for the preschool to prepare them for the literacy challenges of the primary school. The aim of this paper is to consider whether preschool children develop code-related literacy skills in their final year at preschool, in readiness for their first year at primary school. I refer to data collected from a longitudinal study of two comparable groups of Mauritian preschoolers. Using data from a pre-test and post-test of their code-related skills, I show how inadequately prepared they seem to be in terms of code-related skills and interest in print-related activities. Some reasons for the findings are explained, highlighting how the ‘emergent literacy’ discourse of the preschool curriculum has evaded the skill aspects of ‘emergent literacy’. Some culturally sensitive recommendations are provided.
Evidence on the impact of R&D and ICT investments on innovation and productivity in Italian firms

Both research and development (R&D) and information and communication technology (ICT) investment have been identified as sources of relative innovation underperformance in Europe vis-à-vis the USA. In this article, we investigate the R&D and ICT investment at the firm level in an effort to assess their relative importance and to what extent they are complements or substitutes. We use data on a large unbalanced panel data sample of Italian manufacturing firms constructed from four consecutive waves of a survey of manufacturing firms, to estimate a version of the CDM model of R&D, innovation, and productivity [Crépon–Duguet–Mairesse 1998. Research, innovation and productivity: An econometric analysis at the firm level. Economics of Innovation and New Technology 7, no. 2: 115–58] that has been modified to include ICT investment and R&D as the two main inputs into innovation and productivity. We find that R&D and ICT are both strongly associated with innovation and productivity, with R&D being more important for innovation, and ICT investment being more important for productivity. For the median firm, rates of return to both investments are so high that they suggest considerably underinvestment in both these activities. We explore the possible complementarity between R&D and ICT in innovation and production, but find none, although we do find complementarity between R&D and worker skill in innovation.
Changes of working hours and job mobility: the effect of Dutch legislation

Existing American and British research point to the existence of hours constraints on the labour market. Not all employees’ preferences with respect to the length of the working week seem to be fulfilled and changes in the number of working hours often coincide with job mobility. Using Dutch panel data, we find that this is also the case for the Dutch labour market, despite its large working time flexibility. We test whether or not Dutch legislation providing employees with the right to adjust working hours within their own job has reduced the correlation between hours changes and job mobility. We find no evidence suggesting that this is indeed the case. We conclude that such legislation is ineffective is removing hours constraints.
Numerical Modelling of Seismic Reflection in Basalt Terrains

We have used numerical modelling to improve understanding of seismic reflection in basalt covered regions. Our models are based on hydrocarbon prospects in the Denison Trough (Queensland, Australia). Reflectivity modelling has been used to assess the influence on reflection events, of a range of model and source parameters. Models that include a single near-surface basalt layer generally result in relatively noise-free reflection signals, provided the basalt is reasonably attenuative. Reflection quality is poorest for models with buried high-velocity basalts, or for multi-layered basalts interspersed with lower-velocity material. Such models result in strong reverberatory noise, apparently propagating between the surface and basalt, or within the multi-layered basalts. In these situations, reflection strength is significantly improved if the source can be positioned below the basalt. Finite-difference modelling permits analysis of models incorporating lateral variations in basalt geometry. Shot records generated with this approach exhibit basalt-related features seen routinely in real field data. Simple stacking of the finite-difference records indicates that reasonable sections can be obtained in areas of near-surface, or thin, basalts. Poorer stack quality is associated with thicker, buried basalts although deeper reflectors may be imaged by undershooting the basalt
Survival of Stream-Dwelling Atlantic Salmon: Effects of Life History Variation, Season, and Age

Abstract To determine seasonal and age-class variation in the abundance and survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, we conducted multiple samplings of individually tagged juveniles in a small stream (West Brook, Massachusetts). We also estimated the differences in survival and probability of smolting for mature and immature parr. Survival was approximately twofold lower during winter as compared with summer and was higher for fish in their first winter than for fish in their second winter. Parr maturation rates were high (50% of all fish) and peaked in September. The estimated numbers of mature and immature fish were equal for the March samples preceding the smolt run, indicating no overall differences in survival between mature and immature fish during stream residence. Age-2 mature fish were one-third as likely to smolt as immature fish, however, resulting in survival probabilities (from March to smoltification) of 0.22 for mature fish and 0.61 for immature fish. Approximately one-third of the fish cap.
Teachers' Role, Learners' Gender Differences, and FL Anxiety Among Seventh‐Grade Students Studying English as a FL

This study investigated the relationship between foreign language (FL) anxiety and achievement in that language. The role of the FL teacher as perceived by the learners was also tested. Participants were 67 seventh‐grade students. They were administered an anxiety questionnaire, a Hebrew reading comprehension test, an English reading comprehension test, an English creative writing task, and an English spelling test. The results indicated that anxiety was negatively and significantly correlated to FL achievement on all FL tests. Gender and teachers' attitudes were the only significant predictors of FL anxiety among these seventh‐grade students. The results are discussed in light of findings in the literature. Some recommendations are suggested to ease anxiety in FL students.
NESTING DENSITY AND BREEDING SUCCESS IN THE HERRING GULL LARUS ARGENTATUS

SUMMARY The relationship between nesting density and breeding success of Herring Gulls Larus argentatus was studied on the Isle of May, Scotland, in 1968. Herring Gulls nesting at the most common density started laying earlier in the season than those nesting at lower or higher densities. Therefore, although the overall spacing of nests was uniform, the nest density of birds laying later in the season progressively approached a random distribution. The onset of laying occurred in synchronized groups within the colony. Late-laid clutches were commonly situated on the periphery of the colony where the density of nests was lowest. When the laying period was divided into four time periods, in each period the tendancy was for birds nesting at the most common density to have the highest clutch-size, hatching and fledging success, and to rear the most chicks per pair to fledging. In addition, birds which spaced their nests most uniformly, presumably as a consequence of territorial behaviour, were the most successful parents.
Biochemical Studies on Sockeye Salmon During Spawning Migration. V. Cholesterol, Fat, Protein and Water in the Body of the Standard Fish

The absolute changes in fat, protein, water and free and esterified cholesterol for the entire body of standard male and female sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during the Fraser River spawning migration are discussed.The data were obtained for twelve groups of males and twelve groups of females, totalling 216 fish. The fish were caught at three locations: before entering the river, 250 miles up the river, and at one of the spawning grounds 715 miles from the first sampling station.
Comparison of purebred and crossbred dairy cattle for Victoria: estimation of genetic effects for yield

The yield performances of pure and crossbred dairy cattle (bred by artificial insemination) were compared using a sample of 253 422 herd-recorded Victorian dairy cattle. Pure breed groups included Holstein-Friesian (HF), Jersey (Jer), Ayrshire (Ayr), Guernsey (Gue) and Australian Illawarra Shorthorn (AIS), although numbers of Ayr, Gue and AIS were very small. The model analysed included breed additive and maternal effects, as well as heterosis and epistatic effects. Sire's Australian Breeding Value and number of generations of A1 breeding were also included. Purebred HF was found to outproduce all other purebred groups for kilograms of fat and litres of milk. Jer produced 14 kg fat (8%) and 850 L milk (22%) per lactation less than HF. Maternal breed had an effect with Jer and Gue dams being superior to HF (and other) dams. Heterosis for yield was of the order of 3% (or 5 kg fat and 110 L milk). There was no evidence of recombination loss in the crossbred groups. After combining estimates of direct, maternal and heterosis effects, HF x Jer, AIS x HF and Ayr x HF (where the first breed is breed of sire) were all found to compare equally or favourably with purebred HF for yield.
Missionaries and female empowerment in colonial Uganda: New evidence from Protestant marriage registers, 1880–1945

ABSTRACT Protestant missionaries have recently been praised for their comparatively benign features concerning their support of women's education in Africa. Using a novel dataset of 5,202 Protestant brides born between 1880 and 1945 from urban and rural Uganda, this paper offers a first pass at analysing empirically the role of mission education on African women's socio-economic position within the household. The paper finds that although mission education raised the sampled brides' literacy skills way above female national levels, they were largely excluded from participating in the colonial wage labour market. In this context, the missionary society presented an almost exclusive source of female wage labour in areas of religious service, schooling and medical care. While literacy per se did not affect women's marriage behaviour, women who worked for the missionaries married significantly later in life and married men closer to their own age, signalling a shift in the power balance between parents and daughters and between husband and wife. On average, daughters of fathers deeply entrenched in the missionary movement had the highest chances to access wage employment, emphasizing the importance of paternal mission networks for Protestant women's work outside the household during colonial times.
Properties of Three Sorghum Cultivars Used for the Production of Bili-Bili Beverage in Northern Cameroon

The malting characteristics of sorghum malts produced locally in Cameroon for Bili-Bili brewing were compared with those of malts produced in a laboratory. The analytical values of both malts were similar but the brewing potential of the laboratory malts were marginally better than those of the locally produced malts. Of the three cultivars examined, Madjeru had the lowest levels of β-amylase, maltose levels and fermentability. The worts of the Madjeru filtered the slowest of the three malts. During malting β-glucanase developed rapidly and development was temperature-dependent.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors Expression in the Rat Eye

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in the angiogenesis of embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Recent extensive studies show that VEGF also affects non-vascular cells. In the present study, we performed an immunohistochemical examination of cellular distribution of VEGF and its receptors, Flt-1 and Flk-1, in the retina in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we addressed their expression in the cornea, iris and ciliary body. In the retina, both Flt-1 and Flk-1 were localized to the axon of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and to the retinal pigment epithelium. In vitro experiments showed that both VEGF receptors seemed to be expressed in the cytoplasm of RGCs and Muller cells. In the extra-ocular tissues, ciliary body epithelium showed VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1 expression, while iris epithelium showed VEGF and Flk-1 but not Flt-1. Corneal endothelium only showed Flk-1. These data support the hypothesis that VEGF plays a role in many ocular tissues via Flt-1, Flk-1 or both.
INFLUENCE OF SCATTERED NÉRÉ AND KARITÉ TREES ON MICROCLIMATE, SOIL FERTILITY AND MILLET YIELD IN BURKINA FASO

Microclimate and soil fertility were measured under and away from the canopies of small and large scattered trees of néré (Parkia biglobosa) and karité (Vitellaria paradoxa) to explain their influence on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). During the rainy season, photosynthetically active radiation under both tree canopies was reduced to 24% of incident radiation but, surprisingly, millet biomass was not significantly different from that in the open. Millet seedlings under the tree canopies experienced only 1–9 h week−1 of supra-optimal temperatures (>40 °C) compared with 27 h week−1 in the open. Reduction in windspeed and soil evaporation was observed under the trees but was unlikely to have a significant influence on millet growth since water was not limiting (rainfall = 920 mm). Exchangeable potassium, percentage carbon and pH were significantly higher and δ13C lower in soil under trees than in the open. Nitrogen levels were not significantly higher than in the open except for large néré trees. Carbon derived from C3 plants, calculated from δ13C, was significantly higher in soils under trees than in the open and is recommended as a good indicator of the influence of trees on soils. These results show that the combined beneficial effects of temperature modifications and soil fertility could exceed the negative effect of tree shade.
In vitro morphogenetic responses of mature wheat embryos to different NaCl concentrations and growth regulator treatments

Callus cultures were initiated from mature excised embryos of winter wheat on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with either 0, 3, 6 or 9 g/l NaCl and various combinations of growth regulators. Callus induction rates were virtually 100% on every medium used, while the growth of calli during the induction phase was retarded at higher NaCl concentrations. Application of NaCI and auxin at high concentrations during the induction and proliferation phases strongly inhibited shoot induction. In addition, a competition between root induction and shoot induction was clearly observed. Conversely, rhizogenesis was not significantly decreased under saline conditions and was actually favoured at high NaCl ( ≥ 6 g/l) concentrations, especially when 2,4-D was used as the only auxin for callus induction. Roots induced at lower NaCl levels were significantly longer, thinner, lighter-coloured and had fewer hairs than roots induced on 6 or 9g/l NaCl. Roots induced on NaCl-free medium also had fewer but larger cortex parenchymatic cell layers and a wider stele compared with roots induced on the highest NaCl level. The best plant regeneration (simultaneous root and shoot formation) rates were observed when calli were induced on 2 mg/l 2,4-D and subcultured on 1 mg/l NAA and 3 g/l NaCl.
Análise da aptidão industrial de seis cultivares de maçãs, considerando suas avaliações físico-químicas (Dados da Safra 2001/2002)

A agroindustria da maca no Brasil utiliza como materia-prima frutas de descarte provenientes dos processos de selecao para o mercado de frutas in natura. Esse descarte pode representar 30% da producao total. Essas frutas sao processadas a medida que sao encaminhadas para a industria. Em paises europeus, entretanto, tanto para a obtencao de sucos quanto para sidras, sao utilizadas frutas de cultivares selecionadas para tal fim, sendo usados como marcadores de qualidade industrial os teores de acidez, taninos e acucares. Esses componentes sao importantes para a qualidade do produto e envolvem os criterios de cor, sabor e aromas, atributos envolvidos no processo de compra e no habito dos consumidores. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas seis cultivares de macas (Gala, Eva, Rainha, Fred Hough, Imperatriz e Sansa) em relacao aos parâmetros: teores de solidos soluveis totais, acucares totais e redutores, sacarose, glucose, frutose e compostos fenolicos totais, alem da acidez total titulavel. Foram determinadas as razoes entre acucares totais/acidez total, grau brix/acidez total e a proporcao entre glucose, sacarose e frutose. Pelos resultados, verificou-se que a cultivar Imperatriz apresentou a maior porcentagem de frutose: 66%. O indicador industrial, calculado a partir da razao acucar/acidez, que apresenta como criterio o valor 20, estabelece que essas cultivares podem ser classificadas como de interesse comercial, e nao industrial, uma vez que as seis cultivares apresentaram valores superiores a esse criterio, ou seja, com baixa acidez. As cultivares Sansa, Rainha e Imperatriz apresentaram valores superiores a 200 ppm de compostos fenolicos (valor referencial), o que lhes confere caracteristicas interessantes para serem exploradas pelo setor industrial.
Body size and age structure of a breeding population portion of the Urmia salamander, Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862 (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Abstract Recently, the Urmia salamander, Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862 was classified as a vulnerable species. The age structure of a breeding population portion of N. crocatus from Turkey was studied by using skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. According to the analysis of the age structure based on counting lines of arrested growth (LAGs), ages ranged from 5 to 14 years (mean = 9.4 ± 2.3 years) for males and from 8 to 17 years (mean = 11.6 ± 2.2 years) for females in N. crocatus. The mean snout–vent length was 69.2 ± 3.6 mm in males and 76.2 ± 3.8 in females. The sexual dimorphism index was 0.10. The difference between the sexes in age and size was statistically significant.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A SHOOT PROLIFERATION PROTOCOL FOR BANANA (ABB GROUP) CV. ‘PISANG AWAK’ VIA TEMPORARY IMMERSION SYSTEM

□ Initial study of evaluating the factors affecting shoot proliferation of ‘Pisang Awak’ using temporary immersion system was carried out using four half shoots in each experimental unit as explants and repeated with four to seven experimental units for each factor. The inoculum size finally used for shoot proliferation was eight half-shoots for each experimental unit (250 mL culture flask) in MS liquid medium supplemented with 5.0 mg L−1 benzyladenine (BA) and 30 g L−1 sucrose, the shoot proliferation medium and an average of 4.9 ± 0.3 shoots was produced from each half-shoot explant after five weeks of culture. The final protocol for shoot proliferation using the temporary immersion system was established by inoculating eight half-shoot explants into the shoot proliferation medium adjusted to pH 5.7 with the inoculated shoots immersed once a day in the medium for 10 minutes. The cultures were incubated under continuous light for enhancement of shoot proliferation without vitrification.
Impacts of long-term elevation of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the establishment, growth and mortality of boreal Scots pine branches

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature on the establishment, growth and mortality of the branches of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L). In 1997, 16 young trees were individually enclosed in chambers, in eastern Finland, for a period of 5 years (1997–2001), in an environment that simulated the future climate for the region. There were four replicates of each treatment, including combinations of ambient and elevated CO2 and temperature. Measurements were carried out on the establishment of new branches, branch diameter growth and branch mortality. Elevated temperature and elevated CO2 had no positive effect on the number of branches that established each year or branch diameter growth. They were, instead, related to tree height growth and stem diameter growth, respectively. However, elevated CO2 and temperature caused an increase in branch mortality.
Camera-trapping as a methodology to assess the persistence of wildlife carcasses resulting from collisions with human-made structures

Abstract Context. To assess the real impact of human-made structures on bird and bat communities, a significant number of carcass-removal trials has been performed worldwide in recent decades. Recently, researchers have started to use camera traps to record carcasses exact removal time and better understand the factors that influence this event. Aims. In our study, we endeavoured to identify the factors that significantly affect carcass-persistence time, such as (1) season, (2) scavenger guild, (3) type of carcass, (4) habitat and (5) weather conditions. Additionally, we aimed to assess the performance of camera-trapping technology in comparison to the conventional method typically used in carcass-removal trials. Methods. We conducted two trials in two wind farms during early spring and during summer season. In each trial, we used 30 bird carcasses and 30 mice carcasses as surrogates for bats. Digital infrared camera traps were used to monitor each carcass. Chi-squared test was used to investigate differences between wind farms regarding the scavenger guild. A log-rank test was used to compare carcass-persistence times for both wind farms. Carcass-persistence times were analysed using both non-parametric and parametric survival models. Finally, we evaluated the percentage of carcasses removed during the day time and night time. Key results. In our study area, carcass-persistence times were influenced by the scavenger guild present and by the exposure to rain. Camera traps allowed to record the exact removal time for the majority of the carcasses, reducing the number of visits to the study site about five times. However, there were also cases wherein loss of data occurred as a result of equipment flaws or camera theft. Conclusions. Results demonstrated the importance of undertaking site-specific carcass-removal trials. Use of camera-trap methodology is a valid option, reducing displacement costs. Costs related to equipment purchase and the risk of camera theft should be taken into consideration. Implications. When choosing camera-trapping, the main aspect to evaluate is the balance between the investment in equipment purchase and the cost savings through reduced displacement costs. Further studies are required concerning the real effects of the data collected on the accuracy of carcass-removal correction factor obtained.
The Effect of Seed Reserves on Species Composition in Zonal Halophyte Communities

The importance of the seed bank in determining the floristic composition and dynamics of salt-marsh communities was investigated Seeds of the dominants in each zonal community, Hordeum jubatum, Atriplex triangularis, and Salicornia europaea, were present in the seed bank of all zones Juncus tenuis, which did not occur as part of the flora in any saline zone, was present in the seed bank and was the most abundant species during the spring. Seeds for the three dominants and J tenuis germinated in the laboratory when soil samples from all saline zones were tested, indicating that germination in the field was limited by salt stress