Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the impact of strategic supplier partnership, customer relationship and supply chain responsiveness on operational performance: the moderating effect of demand uncertainty

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of strategic supplier partnership and customer relationship on supply chain responsiveness and then to analyse the influence of supply chain responsiveness on operational performance in the manufacturing industry in India. In addition to that, this study also investigates the moderating effects of demand uncertainty on the relationship between strategic supplier partnership–supply chain responsiveness and customer relationship–supply chain responsiveness. Design/methodology/approach A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed to collect data from manufacturing companies in India. This study performed the structural equation modelling and moderated regression for testing the hypotheses after ensuring the validity and reliability of identified constructs. Findings Strategic supplier partnership and customer relationship positively influence supply chain responsiveness, and supply chain responsiveness also positively impacts operational performance. In addition to that, demand uncertainty negatively moderates the relationship between strategic supplier partnership and supply chain responsiveness. However, demand uncertainty does not significantly affect the relationship between customer relationship and supply chain responsiveness. Originality/value Strategic supplier partnership and customer relationship are firstly investigated as antecedents of supply chain responsiveness. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine the moderating effect of demand uncertainty on the relationship between supply chain practices (strategic supplier partnership and customer relationship) and supply chain responsiveness.
Breeding Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Mixture with Grasses

Cultivation of forage mixtures offers several advantages over monocultures, but forage legumes like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are mostly bred in pure stands. Our goal was to assess the extent of accession-by-cultivation system interaction when alfalfa plants are grown in pure stands or in an easily adaptable nursery system together with their companion grasses, thereby determining the system most suitable for selection in mixture. Spaced plants of 50 alfalfa accessions were grown on bare soil as control treatment (CONV), in a sown sward of short growing lawn cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red fescue (F. rubra L.) (LAWN), and in a sown sward of taller forage cultivars of the same species (FORA). Accession-by-cultivation system interaction variances were large for growth habit but small for vigor. Phenotypic correlation coefficients (rp) among the cultivation systems were high for vigor, whereby LAWN was somewhat more predictive for FORA (rp, FORA−LAWN = 0.83) than CONV (rp, FORA−CONV = 0.77). Observed accession-by-genotype interactions can be used pro or contra necessity for selection in mixture. However, the LAWN cultivation system might be a good compromise for practical breeding, allowing to account for given competition effects among species and to easily assess traits in the nursery.
Optimization of the solid-state fermentation conditions and characterization of xylanase produced by Penicillium roqueforti ATCC 10110 using yellow mombin residue (Spondias mombin L.)

Abstract Yellow mombin residue was investigated as a substrate for the production of xylanase by Penicillium roqueforti ATCC 10110 in solid-state fermentation. The parameters incubation temperature, initial moisture, and fermentation time were optimized using the Box–Behnken design, with a maximum yield of 14.03 IU g−1 at 25.55 °C, 60.55% moisture and 141.80 h, respectively. The xylanases produced showed higher activity and stability in pH in the range of 3–5 and temperature ≤ 60 °C. The respective Km and VMax values found were 1.96 mg mL−1 and 16.23 μmol min−1 mL−1. The addition of the Mn2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Na+, Ca2+ and Trolox and Triton X-100 compounds increased xylanase activity, whereas Mg2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and SDS species behaved as inhibitors. Freezing at −20 or 4 °C maintained more than 94% of the enzymatic activity after 120 days of storage. Solid-state fermentation in yellow mombin residue, without any additives, using P. roqueforti ATCC 10110 allowed the acquisition of xylanases with characteristics similar to those obtained from processes using synthetic substrates, indicating a promising alternative for the xylanase obtaining.
Condoning postwar corruption: how legacies of war prevent democratic accountability in contemporary Southeast Europe

ABSTRACT Do voters in postwar societies punish corrupt politicians? Or are their electoral preferences distorted by their own or the candidates’ war pasts? We answer these questions by analysing the results of an experiment embedded in a survey of over seven thousand respondents from the countries of Southeast Europe that experienced armed conflict since the 1990s. Our findings show that voters in this region punish corruption harshly, yet are more likely to ignore it for politicians with a military service record. This tendency is, however, conditioned by voters’ partisanship and sense of war grievance.
Prevalence of Allelic and Genotypic Variants of Il4, Il10, Il12b and Tlr2 Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Chronic Polypoid Rhinosinusitis

Chronic polyposis rhinosinusitis (CPRS) is an important medical and social problem due to its prevalence, combination with other diseases (bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis), prolonged recurrent course, which leads to a decrease in the quality of life and performance of patients. Bronchopulmonary, rhinogenic orbital and intracranial complications arising against the background of chronic sinusitis not only worsen the quality of life of patients, but also sometimes lead to long-term disability, and sometimes to disability. The results of our study demonstrated that the distribution of the genotypes of polymorphisms of all genes corresponded to the expected, i.e., in this case, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is fulfilled in both groups. Both samples rs2243250 of the IL4 gene were characterized by high frequencies of the unfavorable C allele and the heterozygous T / C genotype, rs3212227 of the IL12B gene of the A allele and the heterozygous A / C genotype, rs1800895 592 C> A in the IL10 gene of the A, C alleles, and heterozygous C rs5743708 in the TLR2 gene of the C allele and the heterozygous C / T genotype, hence the high level of genetic variability of the studied genes.
Classification of halal hotels based on industrial perceived value: a study of Indonesia and Thailand

Purpose The research aims to classify halal hotels based on Islamic values as embodied in both physical and non-physical attributes. Design/methodology/approach This study explores the perceived values of business owners of the halal hotels. Findings Perceptions of hotel owners are divided into three types: those who view the value of halal hotel only in terms of branding and attracting consumers; those who consider the ideology behind halal hotels based on strong Islamic values; and those who avoid halal branding but implement Islamic values in their hotels. For the hotel industry, halal certification is not a priority because a minimum effort at implementing halal standards can already attract Muslim customers. This case is especially true for countries where Muslims make up the majority of the population. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to a case study in Bandung and Bangkok as a representative of halal tourism in Asia. Hence, it could be extended by conducting comparative studies with other cities in Association of South East Asian Nation which already declare to develop halal tourism. Practical implications The findings of this research show that there is a large variety of halal hotel products, depending on the Islamic values upheld, which is causing difficulties for the government in creating standards. Then the result can help inform the government in establishing the strategic framework of halal tourism development, more particularly in the formulation of policy for industrial actors. Originality/value The findings contribute to the concept of product-centered business, in which it is generally assumed that industrial actors are frequently focused on the mere label of “halal” and ignore the true values. However, the research shows that some industrial actors put Islamic values first instead of the mere halal label, and another case shows that some of them implement Islamic values in their business but avoid halal branding. This empirical evidence shows that in halal hotels, the concept of product-centered is not always proper. The quality of halal hotel products depends on the Islamic value of the owner, not always influenced by business imperatives.
Ground-Motion Model for Crustal Events in Italy by Applying the Multisource Geographically Weighted Regression (MS-GWR) Method

In this article, we implement a new approach to calibrate ground-motion models (GMMs) characterized by spatially varying coefficients, using the calibration dataset of an existing GMM for crustal events in Italy. The model is developed in the methodological framework of the multisource geographically weighted regression (MS-GWR, Caramenti et al., 2020), which extends the theory of multiple linear regression to the case with model coefficients that are spatially varying, thus allowing for capturing the multiple sources of nonstationarity in ground motion related to event and station locations. In this way, we reach the aim of regionalizing the ground motion in Italy by specializing the model in a nonergodic framework. Such an attempt at regionalization also addresses the purpose of capturing the regional effects in the modeling, which is needed for the Italian country, where ground-motion properties vary significantly across space. Because the proposed model relies on the italian GMM (ITA18) (Lanzano et al., 2019) dataset and functional form, it could be considered the ITA18 nonstationary version, thus allowing one to predict peak ground acceleration and velocity, as well as 36 ordinates of the 5%-damped acceleration response spectra in the period interval T=0.01–10 s. The resulting MS-GWR model shows an improved ability to predict the ground motion locally, compared with stationary ITA18, leading to a significant reduction of the total variability at all periods of about 15%–20%. The article also provides scenario-dependent uncertainties associated with the median predictions to be used as a part of the epistemic uncertainty in the context of probabilistic seismic hazard analyses. Results show that the approach is promising for improving the model predictions, especially on densely sampled areas, although further studies are necessary to resolve the observed trade-off inherent to site and path effects, which limits their physical interpretation.
Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Commiphora africana

Commiphora africana has been used traditionally for generations in many parts of the world to treat a wide range of ailments. It has been reported to have bioactive compounds and has been recognized for its medicinal importance. The antimicrobial activity as well as the phytohemical screening of the aqueous, ethanol and petroleum ether crude extracts of Commiphora africana against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum, Staphylocoocus aureus and Escherichia coli were evaluated using agar well diffusion method. The results obtained from the phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The crude leaf extracts at 400μg/ml, had high antifungal activity against Candida albicans (24mm), Epidermophyton floccosum (23mm) and Staphylocoocus aureus (18mm). Escherichia coli resisted to all the extracts except for petroleum ether where it showed 10mm zone of inhibition. Clotrimozole and Ciprofloxacin were used as positive control and were active against ame isolates at 25μg/ml with zones 30mm and 19mm respectively. In conclusion, the study revealed that the crude leaf extracts of Commiphora africana had antimicrobial activity and can serve as a potential source of natural bioactive compounds for the treatment of fungal infections. Keywords : Commiphora africana, extracts, antimicrobial activity, phytochemicals, clinical isolates, bacteria, fungi.
Spatiotemporal Flood Risk Determination and Management for a Large River Basin

The Chao Phraya River Basin (CPRB) of Thailand faces flooding almost every year. The severest flood occurred in the CPRB in 2011 with the highest property damage costs (46.5 billion USD) and the highest casualty (813 deaths). The objectives of this study were thus to (1) determine flood risk indices and categorize them into four risk zones (low, moderate, high, and very high) across 994 sub-districts in the CPRB during the six rainy months (May–October); and (2) propose specific measures for flood risk management for each of the categorized risk zones. The flood risk indices were assessed as the product of two hazard variables (flood levels and monthly cumulative precipitation) and the vulnerability variable (land uses). The findings revealed spatiotemporal variations in flood risk. Spatially, the sub-districts deemed to be in the high or very high flood risk zone were mainly located close to the Chao Phraya River (CPR), where the flood levels reached 1.1 – 4 m in depth; whereas the sub-districts detected in the low or moderate flood risk zone were located further away from the CPR. Temporally, more sub-districts were detected in the high or very high risk zone in September when heavy rainfalls were observed. Specific measures are proposed herein to manage flood risk regarding the categorized zones during three periods. The preventive and mitigation measures should be prepared before flooding; emergency responses should be practically implemented during flooding; and the recovery after flooding should cover both infrastructural and environmental damage and mental/physical illnesses amongst the affected people. Intensive measures are recommended for the sub-districts located in both the high and very high risk zones. These measures may be properly loosened for the sub-districts located in the low and moderate risk zones.
EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CRYPTOLEPIS SANGUINOLENTA ON PHARMACOKINETICS OF CHLOROQUINE

The effect of aqueous extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta on the pharmacokinetics of chloroquine was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. This study was necessitated as a result of the upsurge in the practice of concurrent administration of antimalarial preparations, most of which contain Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and some orthodox antimalarials in Ghana. Reconstituted freeze dried Cryptolepis sanguinolenta was administered in drinking water at the therapeutic dose of 36 g/kg body weight for two (2) weeks, followed by a single oral dose of chloroquine (15 mg/kg body weight). The Concentration - Time course; Maximum whole blood concentration, Cmax; Time for the maximum concentration, Tmax; Bioavailability; Elimination Rate Constant; Half- life; Clearance; Volume of Distribution and Absorption rate constant were measured. About 86% of chloroquine was recovered during extraction. The results of the study revealed that concurrent administration of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and chloroquine caused an decrease (p < 0.05) in the absorption rate constant (65.2%), maximum whole blood concentration (43.9%), elimination rate constant (52.0%) and clearance (51.0%) of the later drug, resulting in an increase (p < 0.05) in half-life (109.0%) and bioavailability (99.4%) of the chloroquine in the blood. The findings could therefore partly explain the development of resistance of the plasmodium parasite to chloroquine.
Delayed germination of Brassica parachinensis seeds by coumarin involves decreased GA4 production and a consequent reduction of ROS accumulation

Abstract The plant allelochemical coumarin effectively inhibits the germination of Brassica parachinensis (B. parachinensis) seeds. Quantification of endogenous phytohormones showed that contents of abscisic acid (ABA), ABA glucose ester, gibberellin A20 (GA20), GA3, GA15, GA24, GA9 and GA4 were higher in germinating seeds than in seedlings. Moreover, the presence of coumarin significantly reduced the content of bioactive GA4 which is thought to positively regulate seed germination. Histochemical staining and spectrophotometry of reactive oxygen species (ROS) revealed that exogenous GA3 and GA4+7 could effectively promote the production of endogenous ROS during germination and that the GA synthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol could effectively inhibit production of ROS. Coumarin significantly inhibited the accumulation of ROS, especially superoxide anion radical (${\rm O}_2^{{\cdot}{-}} $). This inhibitory effect could be restored by the addition of exogenous GA3 and GA4+7. Coumarin also inhibited the activity of the ROS-degrading enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase as well as β-amylase in seeds and seedlings. Taken together, we propose a model for the regulation of seed germination in B. parachinensis by coumarin, Gas and ROS, in which coumarin may delay seed germination by reducing endogenous GA4, thus decreasing the accumulation of ROS.
Automated Detection of Instability-Inducing Channel Geometry Transitions in Saint-Venant Simulation of Large-Scale River Networks

A new sweep-search algorithm (SSA) is developed and tested to identify the channel geometry transitions responsible for numerical convergence failure in a Saint-Venant equation (SVE) simulation of a large-scale open-channel network. Numerical instabilities are known to occur at “sharp” transitions in discrete geometry, but the identification of problem locations has been a matter of modeler’s art and a roadblock to implementing large-scale SVE simulations. The new method implements techniques from graph theory applied to a steady-state 1D shallow-water equation solver to recursively examine the numerical stability of each flowpath through the channel network. The SSA is validated with a short river reach and tested by the simulation of ten complete river systems of the Texas–Gulf Coast region by using the extreme hydrological conditions recorded during hurricane Harvey. The SSA successfully identified the problematic channel sections in all tested river systems. Subsequent modification of the problem sections allowed stable solution by an unsteady SVE numerical solver. The new SSA approach permits automated and consistent identification of problem channel geometry in large open-channel network data sets, which is necessary to effectively apply the fully dynamic Saint-Venant equations to large-scale river networks or for city-wide stormwater networks.
Holocene morpho-sedimentary evolution of Marambaia Barrier Island (SE Brazil)

Abstract Barrier islands are sedimentary bodies susceptible to changes in sediment supply, dominant physical processes, and sea level. The aim of this work was to study the sedimentary processes that established Marambaia Barrier Island (SE Brazil) as an elongated sandy body that created Sepetiba Bay. For this purpose, barrier and back-barrier bay environments were analyzed using high-resolution satellite imagery, geophysical and topographic surveys, surface sediment samples and short cores, and radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques. Seven morpho-sedimentary domains were identified: coastal beach ridges, overland flow features, inter-ridge paleo lagoon, bayside beach ridges, marshlands, dune field and tidal wetlands. The results show that Marambaia Barrier Island evolved throughout the Holocene, first under normal regression conditions during sea-level rise, and then by forced regression as sea level lowered to its present position. Concurrent processes related to longshore drift, onshore transport, reworked barrier deposits, eolian transport, bay circulation, and pedogenesis influenced its morpho-sedimentary evolution. Morphological features such as truncated beach ridges, flying spits, and filled channels attest to the occurrence of alternating periods of erosion and accretion, evincing how the morphology of barrier island systems preserves an important archive of environmental changes.
Thermal Conversion of Flax Shives in Sub- and Supercritical Ethanol in the Presence of Ru/C Catalyst

Thermal conversion of flax shives was studied in sub- and supercritical ethanol medium at 225 and 250 °C in the presence of the bifunctional catalyst 3% Ru/C. The use of 3% Ru/C catalyst in the process of thermal conversion of flax shives in supercritical ethanol was found to increase the conversion of the shives by 27% and the yield of liquid products by 10%. The use of 3% Ru/C catalyst in sub- and supercritical ethanol led to the destruction of both lignin and cellulose. The degree of delignification in the non-catalytic thermal conversion increased upon transition from subcritical (225 °C) to supercritical (250 °C) conditions. Main monomeric products of the thermal conversion process were guaiacylpropene or guaiacylpropane depending on the process temperature. In the presence of Ru/C catalyst, the molecular weight distribution was shifted towards an increase in the content of monomeric compounds in the liquid products.
Doing and Talking: People with Intellectual Disabilities’ Handling of Challenges of Remote Communication

ABSTRACT This article is about the challenge of communication via smartphones and tablets by people with intellectual disabilities (ID). We will give special attention to persons that struggle with verbal communication. One of our co-researchers, the fourth author, has a severe ID. She cannot read, write or use voice assisted technology in any functional manner. As a result of many years of collaboration, and the need for solutions in connection with the challenges with COVID-19, she and her family have developed ways of remote communication that can be mastered both by the person with an ID and the majority (those without similar disabilities). We call it doing and talking. Successful remote communication not only depends on technology and how to use it, but also on communication strategies that both work for the person with an ID and the majority. It is often the case that people with ID are expected to learn the skills necessary to adapt to the majority. We will show that success is just as much a question of the majority learning new skills and strategies that can make real inclusion and collaboration possible.