Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Total Costs of Centralized and Decentralized Inventory Strategies—Including External Costs

The paper deals with the economic efficiency of decentralized and centralized strategies of distribution goods in terms of both internal efficiency of firms and external costs of logistics processes (first of all external costs of transport). The author developed a model (using an electronic spreadsheet) in order to calculate the economical efficiency in the micro and macro dimensions in order to find the distances on which distribution using one central warehouse is more profitable than decentralized distribution. The results of the simulations show that the strategy of centralized inventories can be in many cases an economically effective strategy although not for deliveries on very long distance. The results confirm that the benefits of centralization are lower inventories, although the simulations do not confirm the applicability of the square root law to calculate the level of inventories. However, they confirm a positive impact on the level of logistic customer service, measured by the availability of stocks. Better service is probably the main benefit of this strategy. In order to investigate the impact of individual parameters on the total costs of logistics processes 1300 simulations were carried out for various cases: The volume of annual sales, fluctuations in demand, the value of distributed goods, the number of warehouses in a decentralized system and the width of the product range, costs of warehousing, and maintaining stocks, and the distance of transport and in deliveries to customers.
The impact of financial difficulties on earnings management strategies: The case of Italian non-listed firms

This study investigates the impact of the degree of financial distress on the earnings management activities of Italian non-listed firms using a linear regression model proxied by the Altman Z-Score which controls the heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation using the Petersen method. The extant literature provides mixed evidence on this relationship for listed firms. In this study we find a positive (negative) relationship between financial distress risk and income-decreasing (income-increasing) earnings management, suggesting that firms tend to manage earnings downward as financial distress risk increases. In two robustness tests, we test the power of the Kothari model and we also analyse a reduced firm sample representing over 80% of the population, though the results are qualitatively the same. Our research has several implications for academics, practitioners, lenders, and national standard setters, showing that, in contrast to the extant literature, non-listed firms are more likely to manage earnings downward as their financial situation deteriorates. Furthermore, our findings are of interest to national standard setters and professional accountants who are concerned with advanced warning indicators of firm financial problems such as Altman’s Z-score, especially in recent years in which countries are focused on developing robust empirical models to detect firm financial difficulties. Key words: Financial distress, Altman’s Z-score, accrual-based earnings management, non-listed firms, Italian context.
Artificial Intelligence in Utilitarian vs. Hedonic Contexts: The “Word-of-Machine” Effect

Rapid development and adoption of AI, machine learning, and natural language processing applications challenge managers and policy makers to harness these transformative technologies. In this context, the authors provide evidence of a novel “word-of-machine” effect, the phenomenon by which utilitarian/hedonic attribute trade-offs determine preference for, or resistance to, AI-based recommendations compared with traditional word of mouth, or human-based recommendations. The word-of-machine effect stems from a lay belief that AI recommenders are more competent than human recommenders in the utilitarian realm and less competent than human recommenders in the hedonic realm. As a consequence, importance or salience of utilitarian attributes determine preference for AI recommenders over human ones, and importance or salience of hedonic attributes determine resistance to AI recommenders over human ones (Studies 1–4). The word-of machine effect is robust to attribute complexity, number of options considered, and transaction costs. The word-of-machine effect reverses for utilitarian goals if a recommendation needs matching to a person’s unique preferences (Study 5) and is eliminated in the case of human–AI hybrid decision making (i.e., augmented rather than artificial intelligence; Study 6). An intervention based on the consider-the-opposite protocol attenuates the word-of-machine effect (Studies 7a–b).
Training-Effectiveness and Team-Performance in Public Organization

This study aims to invest in empirical relationships in a model that becomes the process of Team-Performance due to participation in practical training through causality between Training Effectiveness variables, soft-skill competence, Employee-Creativity, and team performance. This study uses a quantitative approach. The analytical tool used is structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS version 23 software. Accidental sampling technique is used to collect the sample. As many as 202 respondents filled up a survey questionnaire with complete and valid answers. This study’s results significantly contribute to fill the gap of inadequate empirical evidence that can answer critical questions about the missing link between training and employee-performance, more specifically between training-effectiveness and teamperformance. The results showed that practical training would encourage employees’ soft-skill competence, improve Employee-Creativity, and improve Team-Performance. Furthermore, training-effectiveness also plays a significant role in enhancing employee-creativity and helping in optimal team-performance. This study also found that the relationship between employee-creativity and team-performance did not show positive and significant results; therefore, empirically, it did not support the hypothesis built in this study. Practical training targeted towards increasing soft-skills and creativity is a fundamental reason which not only aims to contribute toward organizational performance but also provides personal feedback for self-development.
Iron oxide nanoparticle powders with high surface area

Iron oxide nanomaterials with desired properties synthesized in the form of nanoparticle powders can find attractive applicability, e.g. in catalysis. Hence it is necessary to thoroughly characterize the materials by several measuring techniques. Two selected samples of amorphous Fe2O3 nanoparticles with high specific surface area values were prepared by the thermal treatment of different iron-bearing precursors. In addition to Mossbauer and microscopy methods, the nitrogen sorption based surface analysis is discussed from the viewpoint of textural morphology characterization of mentioned nanomaterials. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms have been measured and indicate the presence of micro and mesoporosity. One can conclude that the porosity arises from intra-aggregate voids and spaces formed by inter-particle contacts. The state of agglomeration can be estimated and appropriate application chosen.
Loneliness from young adulthood to old age: Explaining age differences in loneliness

Prior research in non-U.S. samples has found a complex nonlinear relationship between loneliness and age. This research has shown that established predictors of loneliness—poor health, being unmarried, living alone, and having infrequent social interactions—help to explain age differences in loneliness. However, while some variables were found to be universal predictors of loneliness at all ages, others were relevant in specific age groups only. In this study, we describe age differences in frequency of loneliness from age 18 to 89+ years in the U.S. and examine age differences in predictors of loneliness from age-specificity and age-normative perspectives. We used cross-sectional nationally representative data from the General Social Survey (N = 2,477) and found a nonlinear relationship between age and loneliness that closely resembles prior research. However, we found no evidence for age-specific predictors of loneliness. Household income, household size, marital status, health, and frequency of socializing were “universal” predictors of loneliness; their associations with loneliness did not differ in strength with age. Our hypothesis that individuals who deviated from age-specific norms would experience more intense loneliness was not supported. Implications for research and loneliness interventions are discussed.
Production of Vitamin E in Erwinia herbicola Bearing the Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin Gene (vgb+)

Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) is bacterial hemoglobin and has beneficial effects on heterologous organisms. The VHb/vgb system, in the advanced phases of the culture, transfers oxygen to the membrane transferases, giving the elderly cells the ability to better oxygen-uptake, grow and proliferate. In this study was investigated the intracellular and extracellular production of vitamin E in Erwinia herbicola and its recombinant strains (vgb and vgb). There was a significant increase the production of vitamin E in the vgb strain in the LB medium. Production of total vitamin E in the vgb recombinant strain had 2-fold higher than its host. The wild strain produced 0.06 μg/mL total vitamin E, whereas the recombinant bacteria carrying the vgb gene produced 0.12 μg/mL the product. In addition, production of vitamin E was investigated in the minimal medium (M9) including 1% concentrations of different carbon resources such as glucose, sucrose and fructose. It was recorded that the vitamin E levels produced by the recombinant strain in the culture containing 1% fructose were higher than with 1% glucose and sucrose cultures. The findings showed that the presence of vgb may provide an effective biotechnological method to increase yield of vitamin E.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of HIV Counselling and testing (HCT) among Undergraduate Students of University of Abuja, Nigeria

Introduction: HIV infection remains an important public health problem globally and especially in Africa. Despite numerous campaigns for HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in Nigeria, only few young people utilize these services. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of undergraduate students towards HIV counselling and testing at the University of Abuja. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a multi-stage sampling method to enrol undergraduate students from selected faculties into the study. A total of 363 university students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Main outcome measures include knowledge, attitude and practice of HCT. A Chi-square test was used to determine the association between variables at 5% significance level. Result: Study findings revealed that 80.4% of the students had good knowledge of HIV counselling and testing, however only 43.5% respondents had good practice of HCT. Also 71.6% of respondents had a positive attitude towards HIV counselling and testing. Our study also revealed a statistically significant association between knowledge of HCT and the practice of HCT (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study showed good knowledge and attitude to HIV counselling and testing services, however the utilisation of these services among the respondents was poor. Therefore campus-based HCT services are recommended including a sensitization programme. Such services should improve the uptake of HCT services in this setting.
Six sigma application for raising student academic achievement

Article history: Received: July 10, 2020 Received in revised format: October 18 2020 Accepted: October 25, 2020 Available online: October 25, 2020 This paper presents a case study on how Six Sigma methodology can be used to improve student academic performance in three main subjects (Math, Arabic, and English) in a private secondary school located in the Middle East. The Six Sigma methodology of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) was used to improve student performance along with several improvement tools such as Fishbone diagram, Pareto charts, and Critical-To-Quality (CTQ) tree. Introducing quality improvement concepts and tools resulted in a series of improvements leading to an increase in student academic achievement quantified by Sigma Quality Level (SQL). The SQL improved in Math from (2.01) to (2.37) and in Arabic from (1.86) to (2.38). On the other hand, English grades did not increase from baseline. The results of this study provide a clear, step-bystep approach to systematically approaching and solving educational problems using the DMAIC model. Practically speaking, the results of this study provides clear evidence that the DMAIC can be used in the educational sector by school administrators and teachers to improve student grades. © 2021 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
Effect of on-farm water management practices and irrigation water source on soil quality in Central Ethiopia

Soil salinity is the major factor that limits agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. The use of improved farm management practices in such areas is becoming a highly concerning issue to sustain agricultural productivity. This study, therefore, was conducted to evaluate the effect of on-farm water management practices and irrigation water sources on soil quality. The experiment was conducted on 16 farmer's fields in the area for two consecutive years. Soil and water sampling were done at the beginning and end of each growing season. Both samples were analyzed for selected parameters following standard laboratory procedures. A general linear model of two ways analysis of variance was used to evaluate the variations among treatments. Results indicated that about 64.3% of studied soil properties are showed significant variation at P<5% across treatments. This implies that management practice and sources of irrigation water have an impact on soil productivity. Salinity and alkalinity values showed an increasing trend over time and higher values for both parameters were observed in groundwater irrigated fields. This suggested that irrigation water sources have also pronounced effects on soil quality. The higher value for soil fertility indicators such as organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous was also observed under managed fields. This also suggests management practices positively influenced soil productivity. Therefore, paying attention to management practices and water quality is very important to maintain soil productivity. Key words: Agriculture, ANOVA, irrigation management, soil salinity, water quality.
Removing uranium from drinking water by metal hydroxides and anion-exchange resin

Results of bench-scale testing on uranium removal from a natural water that was chosen as a good representative of uranium-bearing waters indicated that conventional coagulant and lime softening treatment removes more than 85 percent of dissolved uranium (83 .mu.g U/L) when an optimum pH and dosage were provided. A strong base anion-exchange column is a recommended option for the treatment of private well waters containing uranium at higher than desirable levels.
Transforming entrepreneurial orientation into performance in family SMEs: Are nonfamily CEOs better than family CEOs?

ABSTRACT We draw on the agency and stewardship perspectives to determine whether and how the effect of family leadership on the entrepreneurial orientation-performance relationship in small and medium (SME) family firms is contingent on the main life cycle dimensions: firm size, generational stage, and board of directors’ engagement. The analyses of 284 Belgian family SMEs reveal that nonfamily leaders outperform family leaders in transforming entrepreneurial orientation into performance in larger firms, whereas family leaders outpace nonfamily leaders when the board has a strong engagement in serving the CEO.
Change Matters: Binge Drinking and Drugging Victimization over Time in Three College Freshman Cohorts

ABSTRACT The “once bitten, twice shy” (OBTS) hypothesis argues that crime victims who change their involvement in risky lifestyle behaviors reduce their likelihood of experiencing repeat victimization. Tests of this hypothesis have yielded weak to mixed results, which may be due to methodological issues. We address these methodological issues by testing the OBTS hypothesis for repeat drugging victimization with survey data from a panel of three freshman cohorts at three large, public universities. Supportive of the OBTS hypothesis, the multivariate results show that, on average, those not drugged at Time 1 or Time 2 and those drugged at Time 1 and Time 2 increased the number of days they binge drank in the past month significantly more than those who were drugged at Time 1 only. Our findings have implications for both victimology theory and drugging prevention programming.
The Effect of Consumer Ethnocentrism on Purchasing Batik Products: Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Price Sensitivity

The growing globalization of markets, the bilateral free trade agreements and the development of free trade zones have made the pattern of ethnocentrism of consumers a crucial concern for multinational corporations operating outside their domestic market. Although consumer ethnocentrism is a global phenomenon, there are differences, depending on the country studied, in the degree expressed by consumers. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on purchase intention of domestic batik products compared to imported Batik through TPB and to determine the variables of price sensitivity and attitude as mediation. Data collection was carried out through printed questionnaires using a purposive sampling approach. The questionnaire had collected 200 respondents. Further testing used the equation modelling (SEM) structure. The empirical results of SEM show that all the proposed hypotheses are accepted.
Critical care for severe coronavirus disease 2019: a population-based study from a province with low case-fatality rate in China

Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Public Health Clinical Centre of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China; Clinical Research Centre, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201204, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, Sichuan 638001, China; Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Infectious Disease, Ganzi Hospital of West China Hospital, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital, Ganzi, Sichuan 626000, China.
Dating and Sexual Violence Victimization among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth: Considering the Importance of Gender and Sexual Orientation

ABSTRACT Violence and victimization among LGBTQ youth and adults is a growing topic of concern due to overwhelming disparities in victimization rates and the continued lack of understanding and education on these issues. Utilizing data from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), this study investigates dating and sexual violence victimization within the intersections of gender and sexual orientation. Drawing from a sample of 12,642 (1,428 LGBQ and 11,214 heterosexual) 9th through 12th grade students, the prevalence of victimization among lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning (LGBQ), and heterosexual females and males is examined. Results show that LGBQ youth are more likely to experience dating and sexual violence victimization. When the intersection of gender is also considered, females who identified as LGBQ had the highest odds of dating and sexual violence victimization, followed by LGBQ males, and heterosexual females. This study also discusses these findings within the context of the gendered and sexualized dynamics and barriers unique to LGBTQ dating and sexual violence in hopes of providing more understanding for future research, theorizing, and services provided to LGBTQ survivors.
The roles of family and friends in the immobility decisions of university graduates staying in a peripheral urban area in the Netherlands

Abstract Highly educated individuals constitute great assets for regional development and economic growth. Nevertheless, young university graduates are relatively geographically mobile and less likely to stay in peripheral regions. Based on semi‐structured, life‐calendar interviews, this study explored the immobility decisions of graduates who have stayed in a peripheral urban area in the Netherlands where they completed their university education. The study specifically focused on the roles of family and friends in the staying processes of these young adults. The results indicate that the decision to stay was frequently and consciously re‐evaluated by some, whereas for others, it resulted from a ‘lack of triggers’ for moving elsewhere. Notably, the interviews revealed that family and friends act as more than motives for staying or deterrents to migration. On various occasions, family and friends had played crucial roles as advisors, influencers, triggers, exemplars and facilitators in the staying processes of highly educated young adults.
“I Had No Hope, I Had No Help at All”: Insights from a First Study of Fathers and Recurrent Care Proceedings

This article presents data from the first large-scale study of fathers involved in repeat (or recurrent) care proceedings in England. The project complements important research on mothers and recurrence. It consisted of three elements: an analysis of population-level administrative data from the Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), a survey of fathers in pre-proceedings and care proceedings, and a qualitative longitudinal (QL) study of recurrent fathers. Here we report findings from the survey and the QL study, offering an expanded definition and description of fathers and recurrence. Elsewhere, we reported that a significant number of fathers appear in recurrent care proceedings and that the majority return with the same partner. Alongside this, there is also a notable pattern of “missing” fathers demonstrated by the proportion of lone mothers reappearing before the court. Our survey indicates a certain profile of recurrent fathers, but also that recurrent fathers are not straightforwardly a homogenous group. We report on the significance of recurrent fathers’ early lives, on the phenomenon of enduring couple relationships and on the prevalence of issues affecting parenting, such as poor mental health, substance use and domestic abuse. Insights from the QL study in particular reveal legacies of harm, loss, and a lack of emotional and relational resources in childhood, which have debilitating and far-reaching consequences. We argue the importance of understanding the vulnerabilities of recurrent fathers and of challenging certain assumptions in child welfare and family justice practices. There is much to be learnt from existing services for recurrent mothers, but also a need for bespoke or adapted services that may be more responsive to particular circumstances of recurrent fathers and couples.