Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reverse resource exchanges in service supply chains:the case of returnable transport packaging

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand how reverse resource exchanges and resource dependencies are managed in the service supply chain (SSC) of returnable transport packaging (RTP). Design/methodology/approach: A single case study was conducted in the context of automotive logistics focusing on the RTP SSC. Data were collected through 16 interviews, primarily with managers of a logistics service provider (LSP) and document analysis of contractual agreements with key customers of the packaging service. Findings: Resource dependencies among actors in the SSC result from the importance of the RTP for the customer’s production processes, the competition among users for RTP and the negative implications of the temporary unavailability of RTP for customers and the LSP (in terms of service performance). Amongst other things, the LSP is dependent on its customers and third-party users (e.g. the customer’s suppliers) for the timely return of package resources. The role of inter-firm integration and collaboration, formal contracts as well as customers’ power and influence over third-party RTP users are stressed as key mechanisms for managing LSP’s resource dependencies. Research limitations/implications: A resource dependence theory (RDT) lens is used to analyse how reverse resource exchanges and associated resource dependencies in SSCs are managed, thus complementing the existing SSC literature emphasising the bi-directionality of resource flows. The study also extends the recent SSC literature stressing the role of contracting by empirically demonstrating how formal contracts can be mobilised to explicate resource dependencies and to specify, and regulate, reverse exchanges in the SSC. Practical implications: The research suggests that logistics providers can effectively manage their resource dependencies and regulate reverse exchanges in the SSC by deploying contractual governance mechanisms and leveraging their customers’ influence over third-party RTP users. Originality/value: The study is novel in its application of RDT, which enhances our understanding of the management of reverse exchanges and resource dependencies in SSCs.
eFGF regulates Xbra expression during Xenopus gastrulation.

We show that, in addition to a role in mesoderm induction during blastula stages, FGF signalling plays an important role in maintaining the properties of the mesoderm in the gastrula of Xenopus laevis. eFGF is a maternally expressed secreted Xenopus FGF with potent mesoderm‐inducing activity. However, it is most highly expressed in the mesoderm during gastrulation, suggesting a role after the period of mesoderm induction. eFGF is inhibited by the dominant negative FGF receptor. Embryos overexpressing the dominant negative receptor show a change of behaviour of the dorsal mesoderm such that it moves around the blastopore lip instead of elongating in an antero‐posterior direction. In such embryos there is a reduction in Xbra expression during gastrulation. We show that during blastula stages eFGF and Xbra are able to activate the expression of each other, suggesting that they are components of an autocatalytic regulatory loop. Moreover, we show that Xbra expression in isolated gastrula mesoderm cells is maintained by eFGF, suggesting that eFGF continues to regulate the expression of Xbra in the blastopore region. In addition, overexpression of eFGF after the mid‐blastula transition results in the up‐regulation of Xbra expression during gastrula stages and causes suppression of the head and enlargement of the proctodeum, which is the converse of the posterior reductions of the FGF dominant negative receptor phenotype. These data suggest an important role for eFGF in regulating the expression of Xbra and for the eFGF‐Xbra regulatory pathway in the control of mesodermal cell behaviour during gastrula stages.
Ferulic acid and derivatives: molecules with potential application in the pharmaceutical field

Ferulic acid is a phenolic acid widely distributed in the plant kingdom. It presents a wide range of potential therapeutic effects useful in the treatments of cancer, diabetes, lung and cardiovascular diseases, as well as hepatic, neuro and photoprotective effects and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Overall, the pharmaceutical potential of ferulic acid can be attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals. However, recent studies have revealed that ferulic acid presents pharmacological properties beyond those related to its antioxidant activity, such as the ability to competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and activate glucokinase, contributing to reduce hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia, respectively. The present review addresses ferulic acid dietary sources, the pharmacokinetic profile, antioxidant action mechanisms and therapeutic effects in the treatment and prevention of various diseases, in order to provide a basis for understanding its mechanisms of action as well as its pharmaceutical potential.
Crystal structure of N-(7-dibromomethyl-5-methyl-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)benzamide–pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (1/1)

The title crystal is a co-crystal with the 1,8-naphthyridine derivative crystallizing with one molecule of succinimide per formula unit. In the crystal, the two molecules are mutually linked by N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. The packing is consolidated by C—H⋯(O,N) hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions.
Litigation Risk and the Optimism in Long-horizon Management Forecasts of Bad News and Good News

Litigation Risk and the Optimism in Long-horizon Management Forecasts of Bad News and Good News Helen Hurwitz This study investigates the framework of how litigation risk affects management forecasting of bad news and good news differently, resulting in differential optimism in these forecasts. I argue that distinct stock price patterns following these two types of management forecasts expose them to differential litigation risk ex post. While optimistic management forecasts of good news attract lawsuits, truthful rather than optimistic forecasts of bad news are more likely to trigger immediate lawsuits. As a result, managers adjust the optimism in bad and good news forecasts differently to reduce litigation risk. Consistent with my hypotheses, I find that ex ante litigation risk increases the optimism in bad news management forecasts but does not change the optimism in good news management forecasts, and the optimism in bad news management forecasts is higher than that in their good news counterparts. In addition, I use RegFD as a natural setting to demonstrate how arguably exogenous shocks amplify this effect. It appears that litigation risk in the pre-RegFD period is not sufficient to affect management forecasting behavior, and my findings only exist in the post-RegFD period. Last, I present evidence that is consistent with investors correctly perceiving and responding to the relative bias in bad new and good news management forecasts.
Epigenetic Status of an Adenovirus Type 12 Transgenome upon Long-Term Cultivation in Hamster Cells

ABSTRACT The epigenetic status of integrated adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) DNA in hamster cells cultivated for about 4 decades has been investigated. Cell line TR12, a fibroblastic revertant of the Ad12-transformed epitheloid hamster cell line T637 with 15 copies of integrated Ad12 DNA, carries one Ad12 DNA copy plus a 3.9-kbp fragment from a second copy. The cellular insertion site for the Ad12 integrate, identical in both cell lines, is a >5.2-kbp inverted DNA repeat. The Ad12 transgenome is packaged around nucleosomes. The cellular junction is more sensitive to micrococcal nuclease at Ad12-occupied sites than at unoccupied sites. Bisulfite sequencing reveals complete de novo methylation in most of the 1,634 CpGs of the integrated viral DNA, except for its termini. Isolated unmethylated CpGs extend over the entire Ad12 integrate. The fully methylated transgenome segments are characterized by promoter silencing and histone H3 and H4 hypoacetylation. Nevertheless, there is minimal transcriptional activity of the late viral genes controlled by the fully methylated major late promoter of Ad12 DNA.
Repellent effect of guava leaf volatiles on settlement of adults of citrus psylla, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, on citrus

Abstract The Asiatic citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama [Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae]) is a vector of huanglongbing (citrus greening), a devastating disease of citrus caused by phloem‐limited bacteria. Growing guava (Psidium guajava) as an intercrop appears to be a successful means of reducing psyllid numbers within citrus orchards; however, the mechanism by which such a reduction is achieved is unknown. To determine the repellent effect of guava leaf and factors attributed to this activity, responses of adult psyllids to guava leaf and its odor were evaluated in cage tests and Y‐tube olfactometer test. The results showed that guava leaf possessed a repellent effect against the adult citrus psyllids. Fewer psyllids were found on citrus leaves in the presence of guava foliage than in its absence. Young and old guava leaf showed equal repellent activity. By covering the guava shoots with net cloth, it was revealed that the repellent effect of guava leaf against adult psyllids on citrus was attributed to the volatile compounds, rather than physical factors. The olfactometer response of adult psyllids to guava leaf odor was dosage‐dependent. Between guava odor and control, only 35.00%, 25.00% and 16.25% of the psyllids moved toward guava odor when presented with 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 g of guava shoots, respectively. The olfactometer experiments also showed that both male and female psyllids responded similarly to the guava leaf odor.
Earning Response Coefficients And The Financial Risks Of China Commercial Banks

This paper reports new findings of a significant relationship between financial risks, price risk, market risk, foreign exchange and earnings response coefficients of commercial banks: The financial risks are interest rate risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and solvency risk. The methodology used is the well accepted earnings-to-share price relation regression with the risks as the controlling factors. Overall, the study discovers that China commercial banks have a very strong returns-toearnings relation Test results indicate that the liquidity risk factors of China commercial banks contributed significantly to the returns-toearnings relation. The liquidity risk contains the information beyond earnings changes in the return-to-earnings relation. These findings suggest that lending and borrowing activities of banks will be considered as efficient if activities reduce the liquidity risk through the proper asset-liability management. The results are plausible as they show the importance of asset-liability management in commercial banks.
Reduction Mammaplasty Is a Functional Operation, Improving Quality of Life in Symptomatic Women: A Prospective, SingleCenter Breast Reduction Outcome Study

&NA; Breast hypertrophy creates a functional disability, adversely affecting quality of life because of disproportionate upper body weight. No study to date has prospectively shown or statistically proved (using validated questionnaires) the functional benefits of breast reduction surgery. Moreover, no study has quantified the physical findings seen in these patients. A prospective trial was designed to illustrate objectively the functional benefits of breast reduction surgery and answer the question, Does surgically removing breast tissue in symptomatic patients (regardless of amount of tissute removed) improve their physical disabilities related to breast hypertrophy, and in turn, improve their quality of life? Fifty‐five consecutive patients with an average age of 38 years (range, 18 to 73 years) undergoing breast reduction surgery by the senior surgeon (L.A.C.) were recruited for this study. The North American Spine Society (NASS) Lumbar Spine Outcome Assessment Instrument was used to assess patients' disability, expectations for treatment, and satisfaction with treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to quantify pain intensity. Muscle strengths of the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, rhomboid, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles and postural measures were obtained. Information was collected preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively for comparison. The mean cumulative preoperative NASS Lumbar Spine Outcome Assessment Instrument disability score was 1.94 ± 0.68, and the mean cumulative postoperative disability score was 1.16 ± 0.35 (p = 0.0001); 96.1 percent of patients met expectations to a certain degree and, of these patients, 96 percent were very satisfied with their surgery. The mean cumulative baseline preoperative visual analogue score for all participants was 6.2 ± 2.06, and their mean cumulative postoperative score was 0.53 ± 0.88 (p = 0.0001). There was statistically significant improvement of muscle strength in the rhomboids, middle trapeziuts, and lower trapezius muscles (p < 0.001). All postural measures showed improvement postoperatively, with head translation and cranial rotation showing statistical improvement (p < 0.05). This single‐center, single‐surgeon breast reduction outcome study showed that the signs and symptoms of breast hypertrophy are definable in a consistent manner. By standardizing and quantifying preoperative and postoperative evaluations with validated questionnaires, validated pain scoring, and standardized muscle and posture testing, it was shown that breast reduction for symptomatic breast hypertrophy can effect a statistically significant improvement in these objective measures of pain, disability, muscle weakness, and poor posture. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 110: 1644, 2002.)
T1 and T2 relaxation times of the major 1H‐containing metabolites in rat brain after focal ischemia

The relaxation properties of water and metabolites were measured in rat brain following the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) with localized 1H MRS. The PRESS sequence was employed to select volumes of 39 m̈L in the ischemic and the contralateral hemisphere. T1 and T2 relaxation times and peak intensities of water, choline containing compounds (Cho), creatine and phosphocreatine (Cre) and N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) in both hemispheres were determined at 3‐6 h, 1 day and 3 or 4 days after occlusion. Lactate in the ischemic hemisphere was also quantified. The relaxation properties and peak intensities of NAA, Cre and Cho remained unchanged in the ischemic volume during the first 3‐6 h of ischemia as compared to the contralateral volume. Water T1 was slightly increased in the ischemic volume. After 24 h the T1 and T2 of water and Cre and the T1 of Cho had increased significantly in the ischemic volume, while the peak intensities of Cho, Cre and NAA were reduced. It appears therefore that tissue changes which occur in the early phase of ischemia have no significant effects on the relaxation behaviour of the metabolites. However, ischemic brain damage affects the relaxation behaviour and concentration of the metabolites and water at later stages.
Cluster Analysis in Marketing Research: Review and Suggestions for Application

Applications of cluster analysis to marketing problems are reviewed. Alternative methods of cluster analysis are presented and evaluated in terms of recent empirical work on their performance characteristics. A two-stage cluster analysis methodology is recommended: preliminary identification of clusters via Ward's minimum variance method or simple average linkage, followed by cluster refinement by an iterative partitioning procedure. Issues and problems related to the use and validation of cluster analytic methods are discussed.
A Comparative Review of Osseointegration Failure Between Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Device Models in Pediatric Patients

Objective: Compare rates of osseointegration failure (OIF) between system 2 (200 series) and system 3 (BI300) osseointegrated bone conduction device (OCBD) models. Study Design: Case series with chart review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Pediatric patients who were implanted with either system 2 or system 3 OCBD between May 2009 and July 2014 at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Interventions: Implantation with either system 2 or system 3 OCBD using 3- and 4-mm implants with 5.5- and 8.5-mm abutments (system 2) or 6- and 9-mm abutments (system 3). Main Outcome Measures: OIF with resulting loss of flange-fixture. Results: OIF occurred in 28.6% (14/49) of implanted fixtures in system 2 compared with 8.0% (2/25) of implanted fixtures in system 3 (p = 0.042). The average time to complication for system 2 was 13 months compared with 3 months for system 3. The causes of OIF in system 2 were trauma (n = 4), chronic soft tissue disease (n = 5), or idiopathic in nature (n = 5). System 3 failures were both because of trauma. Using the combined cohorts, the average age of patients who experienced OIF was 8.7 years, compared with 11.4 years in patients without OIF (p = 0.047). There was no difference in OIF among 3-mm and 4-mm screws (p = 0.876), linear and flap technique (p = 0.375), or surgeons (p = 0.211). Conclusion: System 3 OCBD showed a significantly reduced rate of OIF compared with system 2 in our study. Modification to the system 2 implant resulted in improved rate of OIF. Younger age was independently associated with a higher rate of OIF when evaluating both systems.
Perceptions of food “quality” and the power of marketing communication: results of consumer research on a branded‐egg concept

Despite the long term decline in per capita consumption, eggs remain an important staple in the British diet. Having recovered from the salmonella scare in 1989, the image of eggs has suffered in recent years due to the growing awareness of (and concern over) diet and health, and bird welfare. Finds evidence drawn from a consumer market research study which highlights the importance of effective marketing communication and the potential for adding value to the basic British egg.
Measuring Service Quality of the Muslim Friendly Hotels in England and its Impact on Behavioural Intention

This study aims to investigate the size of gap between Muslim visitors’ perceptions and expectations of the Muslim friendly hotels service quality in England, as well as to describe and analyse the relationship between the perceived service quality and behavioural intentions. To accomplish these objectives, two-stage cluster sampling of 400 subjects was selected from a population of Muslim visitors in England. The Parasuraman et al., 1988 SERVQUAL scale for measuring service quality was used after developing it to suit the Muslim friendly hotels service quality by adding a new dimension pertaining to Islamic law. Results revealed that there is a significant differences gap between the Muslim visitors’ perceptions and expectations for the whole score of the Muslim friendly hotels service quality. There is a negative insignificant differences gap between the Muslim visitors’ perceptions and expectations in empathy, responsiveness, assurance, and reliability domains. Additionally, there is a negative significant difference gap between the Muslim visitors’ perceptions and expectations in the Shari’a compliant amenities domains. However, there is a positive insignificant difference gap between the Muslim visitors’ perceptions and expectations in tangible domains. Also, the findings reveal that there is a significant relationship between the perceived service quality and behavioural intentions. These results substantiate the importance of the provision of high quality of service provided to promote the Muslim visitors’ behavioural intentions. Measuring Service Quality of the Muslim Friendly Hotels in England and its Impact on Behavioural Intention
Entrepreneurial orientation within small firms: a critical review of why leadership and contextual factors matter

To better understand the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance, this paper conducted a major review of published work on the entrepreneurial process with a focus on small businesses. Following the review, it became evident that even though the extant literature indicated that both entrepreneurial orientation and transformational leadership influenced firm performance, there was limited literature examining how these two important organisational variables related to each other, and how they interacted to influence firm performance within the context of small businesses. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extant literature on entrepreneurial orientation, transformational leadership and firm performance and then build a logical framework depicting the interrelationships between transformational leadership, entrepreneurial orientation and organisational effectiveness within the context of small businesses. Specifically, we advance a conceptual research framework, which explicates some pathways through which leader behaviours influence the firm entrepreneurial orientation and overall firm effectiveness. We conclude the paper by outlining a future research agenda for effectively leading entrepreneurial organisations within the small business sector.
Design of Mini‐barcode for Catfishes for assessment of archival biodiversity

Recovery of DNA barcode sequences is often challenging from the archived specimens. However, short fragments of DNA may be recovered, which would significantly improve many unresolved taxonomic conflicts. Here, we designed a mini‐barcode for catfishes comprising several species and many cryptic taxa. We analysed a data set of 3048 publicly available COI barcode sequences representing 547 worldwide catfish species and performed 152 628 interspecies comparisons. A significantly more positively correlated interspecies distance was detected with transversion (0.78, P < 0.001) than with transition (0.70, P < 0.001). This suggested that transversions were better diagnostics for species identification. In the aligned data set, two transversion‐rich fragments (53 bp and 119 bp) were identified. Transition/transversion bias value was 1.04 in 53‐bp fragment, 1.23 in 119‐bp fragment and 1.50 in full‐length barcode. The interspecies distance with full‐length barcode was 0.212 ± 0.037, while that with 53‐bp and 119‐bp fragments was 0.325 ± 0.039 and 0.218 ± 0.045, respectively. Survey of 53‐bp fragment showed a possibility of only 1144 barcodes, while that of 119‐bp fragment showed >4 million barcodes. Thus, the 119‐bp fragment is a viable mini‐barcode for catfishes comprising >3000 extant species. Experiment with 82 archived catfishes showed successful recovery of this mini‐barcode using the designed primer. The mini‐barcode sequences showed species‐specific similarity in the range of 98‐100% with the global database. Therefore, survey of a transversion‐rich fragment within the full‐length barcode would be an ideal approach of mini‐barcode design for biodiversity assessment.
The role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility (SCA) through a multi-disciplinary review of the relevant research. The systematic literature review provides the basis for formulating a conceptual framework of the relationship. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic, comprehensive review of the literature on manufacturing, marketing organizational and SCA from 1991 through 2013 was conducted. The literature on demand management is also examined to identify the various elements that contribute to SCA. Findings – Most agility frameworks take a supply-side perspective and assume that demand is known. Those that do acknowledge the role of demand fall short of offering a holistic framework that acknowledges the role of both. This paper suggests that it is simply not enough to have flexible manufacturing, distribution and procurement systems to achieve SCA. Flexibility in managing demand is also needed. Furthermore, it is the premise of this .