Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strain gradient differential quadrature finite element for moderately thick micro‐plates

In this study, we integrate the advantages of differential quadrature method (DQM) and finite element method (FEM) to construct a C1‐type four‐node quadrilateral element with 48 degrees of freedom (DOF) for strain gradient Mindlin micro‐plates. This element is free of shape functions and shear locking. The C1‐continuity requirements of deflection and rotation functions are accomplished by a fourth‐order differential quadrature (DQ)‐based geometric mapping scheme, which facilitates the conversion of the displacement parameters at Gauss‐Lobatto quadrature (GLQ) points into those at element nodes. The appropriate application of DQ rule to non‐rectangular domains is proceeded by the natural‐to‐Cartesian geometric mapping technique. Using GLQ and DQ rules, we discretize the total potential energy functional of a generic micro‐plate element into a function of nodal displacement parameters. Then, we adopt the principle of minimum potential energy to determine element stiffness matrix, mass matrix, and load vector. The efficacy of the present element is validated through several examples associated with the static bending and free vibration problems of rectangular, annular sectorial, and elliptical micro‐plates. Finally, the developed element is applied to study the behavior of freely vibrating moderately thick micro‐plates with irregular shapes. It is shown that our element has better convergence and adaptability than that of Bogner‐Fox‐Schmit (BFS) one, and strain gradient effects can cause a significant increase in vibration frequencies and a certain change in vibration mode shapes.
Potential Use of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Predict Fatty Acid Profile of Meat from Different European Autochthonous Pig Breeds

Autochthonous pig breeds provide products of differentiated quality, among which quality control is difficult to perform and insufficient for current market requirements. The present research evaluates the predictive ability of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, combined with chemometric methods as a rapid and affordable tool to assure traceability and quality control. Thus, NIR technology was assessed for intact and minced muscle Longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples collected from 12 European autochthonous pig breeds for the quantification of lipid content and fatty acid composition. Different tests were performed using different numbers of samples for calibration and validation. The best predictive ability was found using minced presentation and set with 80% of the samples for the calibration and the remaining 20% for the external validation test for the following traits: lipid content and saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which attained both the highest determination coefficients (0.89, 0.61, and 0.65, respectively) and the lowest root mean square errors in external validation (0.62, 1.82, and 1.36, respectively). Lower predictive ability was observed for intact muscles. These results could contribute to improve the management of autochthonous breeds and to ensure quality of their products by traditional meat industry chains.
Transnational Corporation’s Failure in China: Focus on Tesco

Many of the foreign companies operating in China have claimed that they have failed and are constantly deciding on a strategic withdrawal from the Chinese market. We intend to conduct an empirical analysis of Chinese consumers in order to determine the cause of Tesco’s management failure in China. The survey was conducted on those in their 20s or older who had experience shopping at both Tesco and RT-Mart. As a result, a total of 650 copies were distributed to obtain an effective sample of 607 copies, which was used for the analysis. This paper conducted a comparative analysis on Chinese consumers who visited both Tesco and its rival company RT-Mart in China. We found through comparative analysis that Tesco was destined to fail in many areas. It was estimated that RT-Mart was more satisfactory in all factors, including product, location, brand recognition, and employee service.
Female mate choice is a reproductive isolating barrier in Heliconius butterflies

In sexually reproducing organisms, speciation involves the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that decrease gene flow. Premating reproductive isolation, often the result of mate choice, is a major obstacle to gene flow between species because it acts earlier in the life cycle than other isolating barriers. While female choice is often considered the default mode in animal species, research in the butterfly genus Heliconius, a frequent subject of speciation studies, has focused on male mate choice. We studied mate choice by H. cydno females by pairing them with either conspecific males or males of the closely related species H. pachinus. Significantly more intraspecific trials than interspecific trials resulted in mating. Because male courtship rates did not differ between the species when we excluded males that never courted, we attribute this difference to female choice. Females also performed more acceptance behaviours towards conspecific males. Premating isolation between these two species thus entails both male and female mate choice, and female choice may be an important factor in the origin of Heliconius species.
The Mediation Role of Environmental Performance in the Effects of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Business Performance

Gunumuz artan rekabet ortaminda dogal cevre faaliyetleri dikkat cekmekte ve uygulamada genis olcekte kabul gormektedir. Musteri ve tuketici boyutunda bu faaliyetlerin onem kazanmasi ile birlikte rekabet bu yonde evrilmistir. Cevre ile iliskili konulardan biri ise tedarik zincirlerine “yesil” uygulamalarin eklenmesi ile birlikte gundeme gelen yesil tedarik zinciri yonetimidir. Yesil tedarik zinciri yonetimi, cesitli calismalara konu olmus ve cesitli sekillerde irdelenmistir. Bu baglamda bu arastirmanin sorunsali “yesil tedarik zinciri uygulamalarinin isletme performansi uzerindeki etkisinde cevresel performansin aracilik rolu olup olmadigi” seklinde tasarlanmistir. Bu kapsamda arastirmanin amaci, Konya ili otomotiv sektorunde faaliyet gosteren isletmelerin yesil tedarik zinciri uygulamalari, cevresel performans ve isletme performansi arasindaki iliskileri belirlemektir. Bu amac dogrultusunda, otomotiv sektorunde faaliyet gosteren isletmelere basit tesadufi ornekleme yolu ile anket uygulamasi yurutulmus olup kurulan hipotezlerin dogrulugu test edilmistir. Yapilan analiz sonuclarina gore; yesil tedarik zinciri uygulamalari, cevresel performans ve isletme performansi arasinda pozitif yonlu ve istatistiksel bakimdan anlamli bir iliski oldugu tespit edilmistir. Bununla birlikte, yesil tedarik zinciri uygulamalarinin isletme performansi ve cevresel performans uzerinde; cevresel performansin ise isletme performansi uzerinde pozitif ve anlamli bir etkisi oldugu sonucuna ulasilmistir. Ayrica calisma kapsaminda, tedarik zinciri yonetimi uygulamalarinin isletme performansi uzerindeki etkisinde cevresel performansin kismi aracilik rolu oldugu tespit edilmistir.
Non-clostridial gas gangrene of a diabetic foot with COVID-19 infection

Gas gangrene is the term used to describe necrotising skin and soft tissue infection by gas forming organisms.This type of infection is prone to occur in wounds of the extremities. When compared to infection with non-gas forming organisms, gas gangrene prognosticates a worse outcome. It is usually characterized by early onset toxemia and multi-organ dysfunction unless aggressive antibiotic therapy and radical surgical debridement is undertaken. Non-clostridial gas gangrene is reported rarely. Here we present a case of a middle aged male with diabetes with lower limb non clostridial gas gangrene with COVID-19 infection.
Phytochemical and Anti-Inflammatory Analysis of Prunus africana Bark Extract

Background and objectives: Inflammation is associated with various diseases; Prunus africana (Hook f.) is commonly used in Meru community of Kenya in management of inflammation. Medicinal plants contain phytochemicals associated with pharmacological activities; so, the aim of the present study was evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of Prunus africana bark extract and qualitative analysis phytochemical of its phytochemicals. Methods: Five hundred mg of the powdered P. africana stem bark was extracted using 1.5 liters of dichloromethane for 24 h. The anti- inflammatory activity was evaluated against carrageenan paw induced edema in mice. The ability of the extracts to suppress the paw inflammation was expressed as a percentage inhibition of paw edema in five groups each comprising of five mice. Group I was treated with DMSO, group II with diclofenac (100 mg/Kg) and experimental groups III, IV and V with 50, 100 and 150 mg/Kg of the plant extract. The ability of the extracts to suppress the paw inflammation was expressed as a percentage inhibition of paw edema in mice. The qualitative phytochemical analysis was conducted using the standard protocols. Results: The percentages paw edema inhibition after the 4th h in the positive control and the experimental groups I, II and III were 13.61, 32.85, 25.15 and 5.92%, respectively. The qualitative evaluation of stem bark extract illustrated presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, quinones, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, phenolics and coumarins. Conclusion: Dichloromethane stem bark extract of the P. africana presented anti-inflammatory activity hence a possible candidate for extraction of active anti-inflammatory compounds.
Membrane vesicle trafficking of immune modulatory stimuli during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an intracellular pathogen that infects lung macrophages. On macrophages and T cells, Mtb lipoproteins and lipoglycans regulate many co-stimulatory and inhibitory effects, but the mechanisms for their release and trafficking from infected cells during infection are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that Mtb infected macrophages release two distinct populations of extracellular vesicles. One population contains host cell content, while the other contains Mtb molecules which we determine are derived by bacterial vesicle budding. Release of bacterial vesicles is an active process dependent on bacteria viability, not a by-product of Mtb degradation within phagosomes. Inhibition or loss of the host proteins CD14 or CD36 or the Mtb lipoprotein LprG does not affect release of Mtb content from infected macrophages. We propose that bacterial vesicles are secreted by Mtb within infected macrophages and subsequently released into the extracellular environment. Suppression of CD4+ T cell responses by Mtb contributes to immune evasion. Mtb cell envelope lipoglycans inhibit T cell receptor signaling. We show that bacterial vesicles released from Mtb infected macrophages inhibited activation of CD4+ T cells, demonstrating a mechanism for trafficking of inhibitory lipoglycans to T cells. Utilizing axenic derived bacterial vesicles, we show that lipoglycans from Mtb bacterial vesicles
Campylobacter in Human Cases and Retail Chicken in two Health Units in Ontario

Campylobacter in Human Cases and Retail Chicken in two Health Units in Ontario Anne Deckert Advisor: University of Guelph 2012 Professor Scott McEwen This thesis is an investigation of human campylobacteriosis and Campylobacter from retail chicken in two Ontario health units. The objectives were to investigate the symptoms, severity, antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and duration of illness (DI) in clinical campylobacteriosis, the prevalence and AMR of Campylobacter from contaminated retail chicken, and the relationship between clinical and chicken Campylobacter isolates based on Comparative Genomic Fingerprinting (CGF). In the participating health units, campylobacteriosis case data were collected and retail chicken was sampled from randomly selected stores. Campylobacter isolates from clinical cases and chicken were antimicrobial susceptibility tested and CGF typed. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to investigate the DI in campylobacteriosis. Logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between clinical and chicken CGF types. Of 250 cases, 52% reported taking antimicrobials for their campylobacteriosis. In 124 cases with accompanying isolate and AMR information, 6 (4.8%) and 2 (1.6%) isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, respectively. In 749 chicken isolates, 14 (1.9%) and 25 (3.3%) isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, respectively. No isolates were resistant to both antimicrobials. While the low prevalence of AMR to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin was encouraging, the high proportion of cases treated with antimicrobials was concerning and efforts should be made to reduce unnecessary treatment. The Cox model identified that use of a macrolide for less than the recommended duration, use of ciprofloxacin for the recommended duration, and use of other antimicrobials, were factors associated with decreased DI. The impact of AMU was consistent regardless of when in the course of illness it began. The CGF results were available from 115 clinical and 718 chicken isolates. A Campylobacter CGF reference database was used to identify CGF types that comprised at least 80% of isolates from chicken, based on 90% fingerprint similarity (CA90). Isolates from urban cases were significantly more likely than rural cases to be CA90. In Canada, the majority of campylobacteriosis cases are urban dwellers. Therefore, the association between urban cases and CA90 emphasizes the importance of Campylobacter from retail chicken on public health.
Effect of Azolla pinnata and Nannochloropsis oculata on growth performance and immunoresponse of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its resistance to bacterial infection

This experiment aimed to appraise growth performance, hematological and immuno-physiological indices of Nile tilapia when fed on diets in which soybeans were partially replaced by Azolla pinnata or Nannochloropsis oculata. A control diet (basic diet) was tested against 6 practical diets (3 diets partially replaced soybean with Azolla pinnata and 3 diets partially replaced soybean with Nannochloropsis oculata at three different percentages (2.5, 5 and 7.5 %) The highest values of growth parameters were recorded in T3 (Azolla 5 %), followed by T4 (Azolla 7.5 %), T5 (Nano 2.5 %), T7 (Nano 7.5 %), T6 (Nano 5 %), T2 (Azolla 2.5 %), and then T1 (negative control). At the end of the experiment, T4 recoded the highest values of Total protein and Globulin while the lowest readings were in T3, Albumin lowest value was in T5 and the highest one accomplished in T2 with a significant differences between all treatments. For the antioxidant parameters, the negative control (T1) recoded the highest MDA value, while had the lowest values of SOD, GPX and Lysozyme. The highest values of (SOD and GPX) accomplished in T6 while the highest value of Lysozyme was recorded in T4. The challenge with A. hydrophila showed that, the highest mortality rate (80 %) was recorded in control, while the lowest one (10 %) was recorded in T3 and T4.
Pengaruh Whistleblowing System, Budaya Organisasi dan Moralitas Individu Terhadap Pencegahan Fraud pada PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Persero) Benoa Bali

This study was conducted to examine the effect of whistleblowing system, organizational culture and individual morality on fraud prevention at PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Persero). Numerical analysis of these variables was used in this study, therefore quantitative approach was applied. The population of this study was 65 employees of PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Persero). The sample of this study was determined by the saturation sampling technique (census) in which the sample chosen was the the entire of population. Data were collected by using a questionnaire with Likert scale. Then the data were analyzed with several analyzes such as data quality tests which included validity and reliability tests, descriptive statistical tests, classic assumption tests which included normality tests, multicollinearity tests, heteroscedasticity tests and autocorrelation tests, and multiple linear regression analysis assisted with SPSS 25 program. The results indicated that the whistleblowing system had a positive and significant effect on fraud prevention, organizational culture had a positive and significant effect on fraud prevention, and individual morality had a positive and significant effect on fraud
Effect of some botanical oils on the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Six botanical oils of clove, Tugenia aromatica, anise, Pimpinella anisum, chamomile, Matricaria recutita, cumin, Cuminum cyminum, basil, Ocimum basilicum and lupine, Lupinus albus were tested to determine their insecticidal properties against Sitophilus granarius on wheat grains. Considering the percentage of mortality, the toxicity of oils increased gradually with increasing concentrations. Anise oil had the lowest LC50 followed by clove ˂ basil ˂ chamomile ˂ cumin ˂ lupine. Mortality rates of adult weevils was high at the initial time up to 6 weeks post exposure to grains pre-treated with the tested botanical oils at LC50 Level. Thereafter, the activity gradually decreased over time. Both LC50 and LC99 of anise oil prevented weevilsÂ’ oviposition on treated wheat grains. At both LC50 and LC99 values, no adults emerged from eggs laid on grains pretreated with clove and chamomile. At LC50, very few adults emerged from eggs laid on grains pretreated with cumin, lupine and basil in comparison with the control. In addition, the effects of these oils on water absorption and seed germination of treated wheat grains stored for up to 18 weeks was studied. In general, either LC50 or LC99 values of tested oils showed negligible reduction in water swelling capacity (WSC) of treated wheat seeds at the initial time or even after long time of storage. The results also showed negligible decrease in germination of wheat grains treated with tested oils at LC50 and LC99 levels even 18 weeks post-treatment. This study suggests that the use of these botanical oils, especially anise oil, may be effective to protect wheat seeds from stored grain pests in storage.
Regulation of virulence determinants in enteroaggregative Escherichia Coli

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an important human pathogen, which causes diarrhoeal disease. EAEC strains have many virulence determinants such as the fimbrial adhesins, dispersin, plasmid encoded toxin and Type VI secretion systems (T6SS). A typical pathogenic EAEC strain also possesses the transcriptional regulator, AggR (the aggregation regulator), which regulates the transcription of many virulence associated genes. How, AggR achieves this is still unclear. Thus, our objective was to identify the AggR-dependent promoters, which control the expression of the fimbrial genes, dispersin and the T6SS in EAEC strain 042 and the fimbrial genes in EAEC 17-2. In this study, AggR-dependent fimbrial promoters, from EAEC 042 and 17-2, were located and their transcription start sites identified upstream of the fimbrial operons on plasmids pAA2 and pAA, respectively. AggR-regulated fimbrial promoters were also identified upstream of aap, present on pAA2, and aaiA, present on the chromosome. AggR-binding sites and promoter elements were investigated using deletion analysis and site directed mutagenesis. The rules of AggR-dependent activation were studied by transplanting the AggR-binding site from the aafD promoter into an AggR-independent promoter to generate a suite of a semi-synthetic promoters. Moreover, mutagenesis of aggR itself was carried out, revealing that the N-terminus of AggR is important for transcription activation. This study has enabled us to better understand AggR-dependent transcription activation in this important bacterial pathogen.
Enhancing Organizational Training in Retail Banking : A Proposed Framework

This research is a case study conducted at one of the five leading South African Retail banks in South Africa, to critically review the transfer of learning in the organisation and determine if learning interventions enable sustainable strategic organisational shifts. A qualitative research approach was followed, using inductive reasoning and purposive sampling, whereby 70 sales consultants and 50 sales leaders were interviewed, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings resulted in the development of a learning framework that could be applied in organisations to change behaviours through learning interventions, to enable strategic organisational shifts.
Trust in Drinking Water Quality: Understanding the Role of Risk Perception and Transparency

In the context of an increasing societal demand for transparency in parallel with rapidly increasing numbers and concentrations of substances found in drinking water, this paper investigates how different drinking water customers perceive their tap water quality, and possible risks involved. Empirically, the paper draws on results from a representative survey, a series of interviews and focus groups conducted in the Netherlands, applying both a traditional and modern segmentation approach based on four types of perspectives (“aware and committed”, “down to earth and confident”, “egalitarian and solidary”, and “quality and health concerned”). Although in general it was found that people’s trust in tap water is high, certain groups are more concerned about water quality and health effects than others. It was shown that transparency and the availability of more information about water treatment and quality would contribute to increasing customer trust. It was also observed that, at least in the Netherlands, people have a larger trust in drinking water companies than in other institutions. Therefore, instead of referring to standards made by other institutions, it is recommended that water companies themselves provide information on water quality and emphasize their treatment procedures.
On Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles, 1822 ), with the designation of a neotype and the description of a new species of pitviper from Sumatra (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae)

—Variation in morphological characters were investigated among 126 specimens from at least 67 populations covering the whole range of the large pitviper currently known as Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles, 1822). The results showed that two distinct taxa are involved. Herein Trimeresurus sumatranus is redefined. In order to fix the status of this species, a neotype is selected and described. Its type locality is restricted to the vicinity of Bengkulu, Bengkulu Province, Sumatra. The second taxon represents a distinct, previously unnamed species, which is described. The new species differs from Trimeresurus sumatranus by a lower number of ventrals in males (162–179 against 178–185) and females (164–171 vs. 175–191); a distinctly longer tail in males (value of the ratio tail length/total length: 0.201–0.210 vs. 0.150–0.168), the color of the tail (see the description), the color of the eyes: green in the new species, vs. dark grey in T. sumatranus, the color of the ventrals, which are green with a pale posterior suture in the new species and pale with dark posterior suture in T. sumatranus. The new species lives in higher elevations than T. sumatranus and seems to be endemic to the higher mountain ranges of western Sumatra.