Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Strategic Orientation on Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Ghana

The study used the resource dependency theory to determine the strategic orientation that star-rated hotels in Ghana should adopt to realize both financial and non- financial performance. Out of a population of 680 star-rated hotel managers, a sample of 248 were chosen, using the stratified random sampling technique. Self- administered questionnaires were used to solicit the views of managers of the selected star-rated hotels. In all, a total of 178 responses were retrieved and analysed, using descriptive and partial least squares in structural equation modeling. Findings of the study indicate that none of the strategic orientation types influenced financial performance. However, aggressiveness, analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness were found to rather influence non-financial performance of star-rated hotels. The study, therefore, confirms the resource dependency theory and concludes that when star-rated hotels tend to be aggressive, analytic, futuristic and risky, it influences non-financial performance. The study, therefore, recommends that managers of star-rated hotels use analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness strategic orientation to enhance non-financial performance.
Hybridized Particle Swarm Optimization for Aircraft Inspection Check and Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program

This research compares the performances of two metaheuristic methods: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and a hybridized PSO method with Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedures (GRASP) for solving aircraft maintenance problems (AMP). In this problem, AMP consists of two different maintenance activity types: inspection and continuous airworthiness maintenance programs (CAMP). The purpose of this paper is to determine the number of periods that the aircraft needs to be maintained and which inspection and CAMP tasks need to be done in each period. The problem is NP-Hard in nature, so that metaheuristic methods are used to make sure the optimization process can be solved quickly. Computational experiments are performed by using 16 conditions, and four randomly generated dataset instances. The computational experiment result shows that PSO-GRASP outperforms PSO for a larger planning horizon.
Agronomic performance and genetic dissimilarity among cherry tomato genotypes

ABSTRACT The genotypes evaluation in a germplasm bank is essential to determine their commercial or usefulness, as potential parents, in a breeding program. We aimed to detect the genetic diversity of 42 tomato genotypes of cherry type, belonging to the germplasm bank of the Federal University of Uberlândia and, also evaluate their behavior. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in randomized block design with 42 treatments and two replications. Ten quantitative traits of agronomic importance were evaluated. The genetic divergence was obtained by multivariate analysis, using the Mahalanobis distance with different clustering methods (UPGMA and Tocher). The hybrids performance was compared by Scott-Knott (p= 0.05) and Dunnett’s test (p= 0.05). UPGMA and Tocher grouped the genotypes similarly, representing genetic divergence satisfactorily. The genotypes UFU 29, UFU 21 and UFU 07 were more productive, earlier and also divergent from the pre-commercial treatment (UFU 200), being able to be used as potential parents.
Survival Yersinia enterocolitica in Ground Pork Meat in Different Packages

In this study the influence of gradual increase of carbon dioxide concentration (percentage by volume in air) on Yersinia enterocolitica counts was examined the during packaging and storage of ground pork meat artificially contaminated with these bacteria was evaluated. Ground meat was packaged under customary conditions using vacuum and modified atmospheres with various carbon dioxide percentages (MAP 1 consist of was 20% O 2 , 50% CO 2 and 30% N 2 , MAP 2 was 20% O 2 , 30% CO 2 and 50% N 2 ). The packs were storage at 4±1 ºC for 12 days. During the entire storage time, counts of Y. enterocolitica were determined by plate method for direct plate counts. Also, microbiological shelf life of the stored pork meat was assessed by Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic bacteria plate counts. Y. enterocolitica counts were not significantly different (p>0.01; p>0.05) in the pork under various packaging, but it was significantly different (p>0.01; p>0.05) between days of comparing in the same packs. Packaging with high CO 2 concentration had inhibitory effect on the grown of Y. enterocolitica and Enterobacteriaceae .
Detection of E. coli in Nile Tilapia from retail in Gharbiya Governorate

The presence of E. coli in fresh-marketed fish indicates recent contamination and is usually attributed to infected handlers or storage on contaminated ice. E. coli may be transmitted to human during handling of fish or consumption of raw or under cooked fish. Human infection (foodborne illnesses) range from mild diarrhea to life threatening hemorrhagic colitis (HC), haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In this study, 200 fish samples from gills, musculature, surface and intestine, 100 water samples and 100 hand swaps from sellersâ€™ hand were collected from Kafrelzyate and Tanta retail markets in Gharbiya. The samples were examined for the presence of E. coli. Forty-four samples (8 gills, 3 musculature, 8 surface, 9 intestine, 9 water and 7 hands of sellers) were positive to E. coli. The identification was carried out by both biochemical methods and PCR. The 44 isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance using 10 antimicrobial discs and the results revealed multiple antimicrobial resistance. Serological identification of the isolates showed the presence of O44 (15.9 %), O125 (20.4 %), O172 (13.6 %), O103 (6.8 %) and O119 (18.1 %). The stx1, stx2 and eaeA virulence genes were detected by PCR in the isolates.
Stock discrimination of two insular populations of Diplodus annularis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae) along the coast of Tunisia by analysis of otolith shape

Stock discrimination of two insular populations of Diplodus annularis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae) along the coast of Tunisia by analysis of otolith shape. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 45 (4): 363–372. Background. The annular seabream, Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758), is the most common sparid ﬁ sh in the Mediterranean Sea. This species is widespread in Tunisia. Despite their economic importance, due to their excel-lent white and delicate ﬂ esh (demersal ﬁ sh) and their signiﬁ cant size, few studies have hitherto focused on stock discrimination and on the ﬁ sheries management. The goal of this research was to evaluate the stock structure of D. annularis for two Tunisian insular populations based on the otolith shape, using different statistical approaches. Materials and methods. The specimens of Diplodus annularis were collected during ﬁ ve months ranging from May through September 2014 at two sites: Djerba and Kerkennah. In total, 120 ﬁ sh were collected from the two sites: 60 specimens of each population (30 males and 30 females) and were included in different statistical analyses. The Fourier coefﬁ cients were determined to evaluate the degree of similarity in the otoliths and detect the reciprocal variability. Results. By comparing the two studied populations, we revealed statistical signiﬁ cant differences, an asymmetry (left–right), of otoliths ( P < 0.05). In the same population, symmetry (left–right) was detected for the males, females of Kerkennah, and females of Djerba. However, an asymmetry was detected only for the males of Djerba. Also, sexual dimorphism was observed only for the Djerba population. Conclusion. The comparison of the otolith morphology of the two populations showed a clear difference in shape and a left–right asymmetry of otoliths. This asymmetry indicates that the two populations belong to different stock of ﬁ sh. The stocks characterization is considered as an important tool for ﬁ sheries management. Further studies are necessary to determine the origin of the otolith shape differences and whether they are related only to environmental conditions or a genetic basis may also be responsible.
Stand age versus tree diameter as a driver of forest carbon inventory simulations in the northeastern U.S.

Estimating the current status and future trends of carbon (C) stocks and stock changes in forests of the northeastern United States is desired by policy makers and managers as these forests can mitigate climate change through sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). We developed C flux matrix models using tree and stand variables by tree diameter class and stand age class to compare size-structured models with age-structured models in their capacity to predict forest C dynamics that are central to policy decisions. The primary control variables for the C flux matrix models (diameter at breast height, stand basal area, stem density, and stand age) were all statistically significant at the α ≤ 0.05 level. Through comparing the simulation results and root mean square error of C flux matrix models by tree diameter class and stand age class, we found that tree diameter class more accurately predicted C stock change status across the broad compositional and structural conditions in the spatial and temporal domain. An uncertainty analysis revealed that predictions of aboveground C and soil C would be distinctively different whether using tree diameter class or stand age class with high certainty. Overall, this work may enable better integration of forest inventory data and remotely sensed data for the purpose of strategic-scale forest C dynamic simulations.
Effect of Saline Irrigation on Accumulation of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ Ions in Rice Plants

Salinity is an abiotic stress that curtails rice production in many parts of the world. Although Koshihikari and Nikomaru are high-yielding japonica rice cultivars, their salinity-tolerance levels are not well known. This experiment was conducted in Ehime, Japan to assess the effect of salinity on ion accumulation and dry mass production of Koshihikari and Nikomaru compared with a salinity-tolerant indica rice cultivar (Pokkali). Control (0.16 dS/m), 6 dS/m and 12 dS/m irrigation treatments were conducted during the tillering stage (1st phase of experiment), and later only control and 6 dS/m irrigations were applied during the reproductive stage (2nd phase of experiment). Excessive Na+ accumulation in plants hampers the uptake of the macronutrients K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, which consequently retards growth and yield. Because salinity-tolerant plants can avoid this stress, minimal Na+ was found in Pokkali during the tillering stage (under 6 dS/m salinity). Additionally, Nikomaru showed better growth and dry mass than Koshihikari. Moreover, the Koshihikari leaves contained more Na+ than Nikomaru and Pokkali. The japonica cultivars had higher Na+/K+ in their leaves than Pokkali. In the reproductive stage, the two japonica cultivars accumulated almost the same amount of Na+ under 6 dS/m salinity. However, under 6 dS/m salinity, the grain yield of Nikomaru was higher than control, whereas that of Koshihikari decreased because of salinity. Meanwhile, Pokkali had the lowest Na+/K+ in the whole plant, and most parts of Nikomaru showed lower Na+/K+ than Koshihikari. Koshihikari was relatively less tolerant than Nikomaru under 6 dS/m salinity during both stages, while both failed to withstand 12 dS/m.
Countries of former yugoslavia: Periphery vs. super-periphery in the great recession and beyond

The paper deals with the performance of former Yugoslav countries during the Great Recession. It compares the performance of peripheral countries (Slovenia and Croatia) with those of superperipheral countries (Bosnia, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). The focus of the analysis is the four channels of crisis transmission and amplification: the capital surge as the external channel on the one hand, and the financial accelerator, the banking credit extension, and liquidity as internal channels on the other. While the external channel drove the dynamics of the crisis, the internal channels amplified, broadened, and prolonged its drastic economic consequences. The paper depicts the trajectory of the consequences of the Great Recession for both peripheral and super-peripheral countries. It shows that, regarding financial stability, peripheral countries outperformed superperipheral countries in the boom phase, but not in the bust and recovery phases. The crucial factor influencing such a deterioration of peripheral countries? financial stability was the policy measures enforced by the European Commission and ECB, calibrated to the needs of the largest and strongest economies of the euro area, while neglecting the asymmetric dynamics of European economies in the bust and recovery phases. The paper concludes with a warning that something similar could happen in the present crisis triggered by the Covid-19 virus.
A novel defective recombinant porcine enterovirus G virus carrying a porcine torovirus papain-like cysteine protease gene and a putative anti-apoptosis gene in place of viral structural protein genes

Enterovirus G (EV-G) belongs to the family of Picornaviridae. Two types of recombinant porcine EV-Gs carrying papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) gene of porcine torovirus, a virus in Coronaviridae, are reported. Type 1 recombinant EV-Gs are detected in pig feces in Japan, USA, and Belgium and carry the PLPC gene at the junction site of 2C/3A genes, while PLPC gene replaces the viral structural genes in type 2 recombinant EV-G detected in pig feces in a Chinese farm. We identified a novel type 2 recombinant EV-G carrying the PLCP gene with flanking sequences in place of the viral structural genes in pig feces in Japan. The ~0.3 kb-long upstream flanking sequence had no sequence homology with any proteins deposited in GenBank, while the downstream ~0.9 kb-long flanking sequence included a domain having high amino acid sequence homology with a baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat superfamily. The pig feces, where the novel type 2 recombinant EV-G was detected, also carried type 1 recombinant EV-G. Although the phylogenetic analysis suggested that these two recombinant EV-Gs have independently evolved, type 1 recombinant EV-G might have served as a helper virus by providing viral structural proteins for dissemination of the type 2 recombinant EV-G.
Double Diffusive MHD Flow of a Chemically Reacting Alumina Nanofluid Past a Semi-infinite Flat Plate

An analytical Study of double diffusive MHD flow of a chemically reacting alumina nanofluid past an infinite flat plate is made. Laplace transform method is employed to determine the solution of the governing equation and its analysis showed that increase in both Reynolds number and Prandtl number bring about an increase in the rate of heat transfer coefficient. Skin friction is shown to reduce as the Reynolds number increases. Increase in Reynolds number and Schmidt number, increases the mass transfer coefficient of alumina nanofluid. Generally, comparison is made with other work and an appreciable trend is observed.
How did Swiss forest trees respond to the hot summer 2015

Central Europe experienced an exceptionally hot summer in 2015. The area of investigation in the Central Alps in Switzerland faced the second warmest summer since the beginning of measurements in 1864. As a consequence, agriculture suffered from considerable production losses. But how were forests affected by the hot summer? We analyzed stem growth data, measured by automated point dendrometers, from 50 trees across nine sites covering the four main Swiss tree species spruce (Picea abies), fir (Abies alba), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus spp.) in the years 2014 (relatively wet and cool) and 2015 (hot and dry). Annual growth and environmental conditions were determined by, and related to, the growing period based on daily resolved growth data. Our multi-species approach revealed a wide range of responses. Radial growth of spruce was largely reduced during the hot summer 2015 for sites located below 1500 m a.s. l. Growth of beech responded even positively at several sites on the Swiss Plateau. Fir and oak did not significantly deviate from their respective average growth rate. We conclude that one hot summer actually matters for stem growth, but its effect is not a priori negative. The timing of the heat wave is of highest importance. A relatively wet previous year, a wet spring and the relatively late occurrence of the heat wave in the wood growth period led to a less strong growth reduction than what could have been expected from agricultural plants. Endogenous effects like mast fruiting and legacy effects from past conditions are suggested to further play an important role for stem growth. Zusammenfassung Mitteleuropa erlebte einen außergewöhnlich heißen Sommer im Jahr 2015. Das Untersuchungsgebiet über verschiedene Höhenstufen in den Zentralalpen der Schweiz verzeichnete den zweitwärmsten Sommer seit Beginn der Messungen im Jahr 1864. In der Folge erlitt die Landwirtschaft erhebliche Produktionsverluste. Aber wie wirkte sich der heiße Sommer auf die Wälder aus? Wir analysierten Stammwachstumsdaten der Jahre 2014 (relativ nass und kühl) und 2015 (heiß und trocken), gemessen mit automatischen Punktdendrometern an 50 Bäumen der vier wichtigsten Schweizer Baumarten Fichte (Picea abies), Tanne (Abies alba), Buche (Fagus sylvatica) und Eiche (Quercus spp.) an neun Standorten. Das Stammwachstum wurde anhand der täglich aufgelösten Daten Vol. 150, No. 4 · Research article D I E E R D E Journal of the Geographical Society of Berlin DOI:10.12854/erde-2019-420 Susanne Burri, Elena Haeler, Werner Eugster, Matthias Haeni, Sophia Etzold, Lorenz Walthert, Sabine Braun, Roman Zweifel 2019: How did Swiss forest trees respond to the hot summer 2015? – DIE ERDE 150 (4): 214-229
Somatic cell count as a decision tool for selective dry cow therapy in Italy

Abstract The application of selective dry cow therapy is one of the measures currently suggested to reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy herds. However, the application of selective dry cow therapy will have a profound impact on Italian dairy herds, very likely affecting both milk yield and quality. Identifying cows to be treated at drying off is crucial for farmers and health authorities, therefore it is necessary the definition of a consistent and certified procedure. This article reports the results of a study aiming to identify which SCC threshold would be the most appropriate to identify cows to be treated and the potential consequences of different selection protocols on udder health after calving under field condition. Last milk test record before drying off and the average of lactation milk test records were considered on a database including 45,682 cow from 709 herd. Five different threshold were considered (50,000; 100,000; 150,000; 200,000; and 250,000 cells/mL). The statistical analysis of the database and a rational evaluation of the results suggest to define thresholds of 100,000 cells/mL for primiparous cows and 200,000 cells/mL for pluriparous cows measured either before drying-off or as the average of all the milk tests of the lactation. The criteria proposed will be useful to manage herd health and, specifically, dry-cows in an efficient and sustainable way, decreasing the use of antimicrobials without increasing the risk of affecting milk yield and quality after calving. Highlights The definition of a consistent and approved procedure to identify cow to be treated in a selective dry cow therapy approach is crucial. SCC from milk test records are a convenient, accurate and certified method. SCC values obtained before drying off or calculated as the average of lactation records can be used. The thresholds of 100,000 cells for primiparous cows and of 200,000 cells for pluriparous cows are suggested as an efficient and sustainable decision tool.
Factors That Influence Professional Quality of Life (Pro-QOL) on Clinical Nurses

Introduction: Nurses are professionals that work by involving cognitive and emotional aspects simultaneously when providing nursing care, which provides both positive and negative experiences. These experiences can affect nurses' professional quality of life (Pro-QOL). Professional quality of life has three dimensions, namely burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). This paper presents a systematic review of the literature that examined factors that influence the professional quality of life on clinical nurses. Methods: Articles are obtained from the Scopus, Science Direct and Emerald databases using keywords Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, Nurse. The search identified 69 articles and 15 relevant research articles published between 2014-2019. Results: The results show that the inability of nurses to control the core of self-evaluation and the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits, high workload, pressure in the work and imbalance between rewards and work, coping nurses and poor emotional support, rejection and giving up behavior can increase the number of those with compassion fatigue. Conclusion: The results show that the inability of nurses to control the core of self-evaluation and the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits, high workload, pressure in the work and imbalance between rewards and work, coping nurses and poor emotional support, rejection and giving up behavior can increase the number of those with compassion fatigue.
Modeling Attention Control Using A Convolutional Neural Network Designed After The Ventral Visual Pathway

Recently we proposed that people represent object categories using category-consistent features (CCFs), those features that occur both frequently and consistently across a categorys exemplars [70]. Here we designed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) after the primate ventral stream (VsNet) and used it to extract CCFs from 68 categories of objects spanning a three-level category hierarchy. We evaluated VsNet against people searching for the same targets from the same 68 categories. Not only did VsNet replicate our previous report of stronger attention guidance to subordinate-level targets, with its more powerful CNN-CCFs it was able to predict attention control to individual target categories–the more CNN-CCFs extracted for a category, the faster gaze was directed to the target. We also probed VsNet to determine where in its network of layers these attention control signals originate. We found that CCFs extracted from VsNet’s V1 layer contributed most to guiding attention to targets cued at the subordinate (e.g., police car) and basic (e.g., car) levels, but that guidance to superordinate-cued (e.g., vehicle) targets was strongest using CCFs from the CIT+AIT layer. We also identified the image patches eliciting the strongest filter responses from areas V4 and higher and found that they depicted representative parts of an object category (e.g., advertisements appearing on top of taxi cabs). Finally, we found that VsNet better predicted attention control than comparable CNN models, despite having fewer convolutional filters. This work shows that a brain-inspired CNN can predict goal-directed attention control by extracting and using category-consistent features.