Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causal Relationship between Supply Chain Dynamic Capabilities, Technological Innovation, and Operational Performance

Purpose - The aim of this study is to empirically examine the impact of supply chain dynamic capabilities on operational performance, and the mediating effect of technology innovation between dynamic capabilities and operational performance. Methodology/Approach - This study is based on empirical data collected from a survey of 206 small- and medium-size firms in Korea. Structural equation modeling is used to test the research questions. Findings - The results show that supply chain dynamic capabilities positively influence technology innovation and operational performance of an enterprise. Additionally, structural equation analyses reveal that technology innovation plays a role as a partial mediator of the relationship between supply chain dynamic capabilities and operational performance. Research Implications/Limitations - In a dynamic and ever-changing environment, the enforcement of dynamic capabilities in a sustainable supply chain is important for the innovation of technology and the improvement of operational performance. Further investigation is required to understand the differences by industries, characteristics of enterprises, and positions in a supply chain.
Executive Pay: Board Reciprocity Counts

Abstract We study the influence of the corporate board network on executive pay for 3,395 US firms between 1990 and 2015. We identify three elementary structures through which the interlocking network reflects forms of inter-group reciprocity across firms: restricted exchange, when two executives sit on each other’s respective boards; delayed exchange, when y sits on the board of x after the end of x’s mandate on the board of y; and generalized exchange, when x sits on the board of y, who sits on the board of z, who sits on the board of x. These ties, which are overrepresented, are related to higher executive pay, but are not related to firm performance, which we interpret as a form of rent extraction. We use the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) as a natural experiment to confirm our results. The impact on pay disappears after 2004, once these types of exchanges are constrained.
Contact processes on general spaces. Models on graphs and on manifolds

The contact process is a particular case of birth-and-death processes on inﬁnite particle conﬁgurations. We consider the contact processes on locally compact separable metric spaces. We prove the existence of a one-parameter set of invariant measures in the critical regime under the condition imposed on the associated Markov jump process. This condition means that any pair of independent trajectories of this jump process run away from each other. The general scheme can be applied to the contact process on the lattice in a heterogeneous and random environments as well as to the contact process on graphs and on manifolds.
Geometric shape of the support surface of the piston

Geometry of the slot between piston bearing surface and cylinder bore affects the friction losses of the IC engine to the far extent. It appears that these losses depend more on the area covered with oil than the thickness of oil layer separating collaborating parts. Barrel-shaped or stepwise piston bearing surface is the way to reduce the oil-covered area. The first concept has been used for years while the stepwise profile has not been applied for various reasons, although this idea providing higher load capacity of oil layer in stepwise slot was published in literature in the fifties of twentieth century. The stepwise profile can be obtained covering the cylindrical or tapered piston-bearing surface with a thin layer graphite. This paper presents the results of simulation leading to the reduction in friction losses and abrasive wear of piston bearing surface and cylinder bore. Covering the piston bearing surface with a thin layer of graphite one can get an extremely advantageous tribological properties of the piston assembly which means the expected parameters of oil film and in a case of film rupture – an ignorable abrasive wear of the graphite layer and/or cylinder bore.
Performance assessment framework for neural network denoising

The proliferation of deep learning image processing calls for a quantitative image quality assessment framework that is suitable for nonlinear, data-dependent algorithms. In this work, we propose a method to systematically evaluate the system and noise responses such that the nonlinear transfer properties can be mapped out. The method involves sampling of lesion perturbations as a function of size, contrast, as well as clinically relevant features such as shape and texture that may be important for diagnosis. We embed the perturbations in backgrounds of varying attenuation levels, noise magnitude and correlation that are associated with different patient anatomies and imaging protocols. The range of system and noise response are further used to evaluate performance for clinical tasks such as signal detection and classification. We performed the assessment for an example CNN-denoising algorithm for low does lung CT screening. The system response of the CNN-denoising algorithm exhibits highly nonlinear behavior where both contrast and higher order lesion features such as spiculated boundaries are not reliably represented for lesions perturbations with small size and low contrast. The noise properties are potentially highly nonstationary, and should be assumed to be the same between the signal-present and signal-absent images. Furthermore, we observer a high degree dependency of both system and noise response on the background attenuation levels. Inputs around zeros are effectively imposed a non-negativity constraint; transfer properties for higher background levels are highly variable. For a detection task, CNN-denoised images improved detectability index by 16-18% compared to low dose CT inputs. For classification task between spiculated and smooth lesions, CNN-denoised images result in a much larger improvement up to 50%. The performance assessment framework propose in this work can systematically map out the nonlinear transfer functions for deep learning algorithms and can potentially enable robust deployment of such algorithms in medical imaging applications.
The Human Monocyte—A Circulating Sensor of Infection and a Potent and Rapid Inducer of Inflammation

Monocytes were previously thought to be the precursors of all tissue macrophages but have recently been found to represent a unique population of cells, distinct from the majority of tissue macrophages. Monocytes and intestinal macrophages seem now to be the only monocyte/macrophage populations that originate primarily from adult bone marrow. To obtain a better view of the biological function of monocytes and how they differ from tissue macrophages, we have performed a quantitative analysis of its transcriptome in vivo and after in vitro stimulation with E. coli LPS. The monocytes rapidly responded to LPS by producing extremely high amounts of mRNA for the classical inflammatory cytokines, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, but almost undetectable amounts of other cytokines. IL-6 was upregulated 58,000 times, from almost undetectable levels at baseline to become one of the major transcripts already after a few hours of cultivation. The cells also showed very strong upregulation of a number of chemokines, primarily IL-8, Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl3L3, Ccl20, Cxcl2, Cxcl3 and Cxcl4. IL-8 became the most highly expressed transcript in the monocytes already after four hours of in vitro culture in the presence of LPS. A high baseline level of MHC class II chains and marked upregulation of super oxide dismutase (SOD2), complement factor B, complement factor C3 and coagulation factor 3 (F3; tissue factor) at four hours of in vitro culture were also observed. This indicates a rapid protective response to high production of oxygen radicals, to increase complement activation and possibly also be an inducer of local coagulation. Overall, these findings give strong support for monocytes acting primarily as potent mobile sensors of infection and rapid activators of a strong inflammatory response.
Early Oligocene (Rupelian) fishes (Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes) from the Ashley Formation (Cooper Group) of South Carolina, USA

Matrix surrounding a dermochelyid carapace and two cetacean skulls recovered from the Givhans Ferry Member of the Ashley Formation (lower Oligocene, Rupelian Stage) in South Carolina, USA yielded a surprisingly diverse assemblage of euselachian and teleost fishes. We identified 21 elasmobranch taxa, including 13 selachians and eight batoids, nearly all of which are known to occur in the overlying upper Oligocene (Chattian) Chandler Bridge Formation. Notable occurrences within the Ashley Formation paleofauna include a new shark, Scyliorhinus weems i n. sp. , and the first South Carolina Oligocene records of Squalus sp. , Pristiophorus sp. , and Pachyscyllium sp. Numerous teleost taxa were also documented based on isolated teeth, including species of Albulidae, Paralichthyidae, Osteoglossidae, Sparidae, Sciaenidae, Sphyraenidae, Scombridae, Trichiuridae, and possibly Labridae.
The Effect of Antihypertensive Drugs on NADH in Newly Diagnosed Primary Hypertension

Background Some antihypertensive medications alter cellular energy production, presumably by modification of the mitochondrial function. In vivo studies of such effects are challenging in humans. We applied a noninvasive forearm skin measurement of the 460-nm fluorescence specific for the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to study the 6-week effects of four different antihypertensive medications on mitochondrial function using the Flow-Mediated Skin Fluorescence (FMSF). Methods In a prospective open-label study, we compared the long-term effects of a 6-week treatment with either amlodipine (5 mg), perindopril (5 mg), nebivolol (5 mg), or metoprolol (50 mg) on the dynamic flow-mediated changes in the skin NADH content in 76 patients (29 women) with untreated primary arterial hypertension (HA). Patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. To study mitochondrial function, the FMSF was measured at rest, during 100-second ischemia and postischemic reperfusion. The control group consisted of 18 healthy people (7 women). Results There were no significant differences in the FMSF parameters between the control and the study group before medication. After the 6-week treatment, all drugs similarly reduced blood pressure. Neither amlodipine, perindopril, nor nebivolol changed the flow-mediated 460-nm skin fluorescence significantly. However, metoprolol raised this fluorescence at rest, during ischemia and reperfusion (P at most <0.05), indicating an increase in the total NADH skin content. Conclusion Amlodipine, perindopril, and nebivolol appear neutral for the skin NADH content during the 6-week antihypertensive treatment. Similar treatment with metoprolol increased skin NADH at rest, during ischemia and reperfusion, probably due to an effect on microcirculation and altered mitochondrial function. Explanation of the potential mechanisms behind metoprolol influence on the skin NADH metabolism requires further investigation.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of a hybrid solar thermoelectric generator with forced convection cooling

Hybrid solar thermoelectric generators (HSTEGs) have garnered significant research attention recently due to their potential ability to cogenerate heat and electricity. In this paper, theoretical and experimental investigations of the electrical and thermal performance of a HSTEG system are reported. In order to validate the theoretical model, a laboratory scale HSTEG system (based on forced convection cooling) is developed. The HSTEG consists of six thermoelectric generator modules, an electrical heater, and a stainless steel cooling block. Our experimental analysis shows that the HSTEG is capable of producing a maximum electrical power output of 4.7 W, an electrical efficiency of 1.2% and thermal efficiency of 61% for an average temperature difference of 92 °C across the TEG modules with a heater power input of 382 W. These experimental results of the HSTEG system are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. This experimental/theoretical analysis can also serve as a guide for evaluating the performance of the HSTEG system with forced convection cooling.
The Biosynthesis and Medicinal Properties of Taraxerol

Taraxerol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that is actively produced by some higher plants as part of a defense mechanism. The biosynthesis of taraxerol in plants occurs through the mevalonate pathway in the cytosol, in which dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) and isopentyl pyrophosphate (IPP) are first produced, followed by squalene. Squalene is the primary precursor for the synthesis of triterpenoids, including taraxerol, β-amyrin, and lupeol, which are catalyzed by taraxerol synthase. Taraxerol has been extensively investigated for its medicinal and pharmacological properties, and various biotechnological approaches have been established to produce this compound using in vitro techniques. This review provides an in-depth summary of the hypothesized taraxerol biosynthetic pathway, the medicinal properties of taraxerol, and recent developments on tissue culture for the in vitro production of taraxerol.
Five Years after the Fort McMurray Wildfire: Prevalence and Correlates of Low Resilience

Background: The Fort McMurray wildfire of 3 May 2016 was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Canadian history. Although resilience plays a crucial role in the daily functioning of individuals by acting as a protective shield that lessens the impact of disasters on their mental well-being, to date little is known about the long-term impact of wildfires on resilience and associated predictors of low resilience. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of resilience among residents of Fort McMurray five years after the wildfires. Method: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study. A self-administered online survey which included standardized rating scales for resilience (BRS), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)(PCL-C) was used to determine the prevalence of resilience as well as its demographic, clinical, and wildfire-related predictors. The data were collected between 24 April and 2 June 2021 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 using univariate analysis with a chi-squared test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 186 residents completed the survey out of 249 who accessed the online survey, producing a response rate of 74.7%. Most of the respondents were females (85.5%, 159), above 40 years of age (81.6%, 80), employed (94.1%, 175), and in a relationship (71%, 132). Two variables—having had PTSD symptoms (OR = 2.85; 95% CI: 1.06–7.63), and age—were significant predictors of low resilience in our study. The prevalence of low resilience in our sample was 37.4%. Conclusions: Our results suggest that age and the presence of PTSD symptoms were the independent significant risk factors associated with low resilience five years after the Fort McMurray wildfire disaster. Further research is needed to enhance understanding of the pathways to resilience post-disaster to identify the robust predictors and provide appropriate interventions to the most vulnerable individuals and communities.
The effects of organizational communication, leadership, and employee commitment in organizational change in the hospitality sector

The purpose of this study was to empirically analyze the interrelationships among organizational communication, leadership, and employee commitment, in terms of organizational change. A structural model was developed to delineate the interactions between the constructs, and to explore the mediating effects of leadership and employees’ commitment on the relationship between communication and organizational change. A quantitative online survey was conducted, based on a sample of 335 employees from the hospitality sector. Findings indicated that organizational communication positively and significantly affected leadership and employee commitment and was positively related to organizational change. Furthermore, this study argues that communication, leadership, and employee commitment are key variables in the success of organizational change. The findings can provide academics and managers with a valuable and much-needed approach to managing change, by identifying the predictors of organizational change, and by exploring how individual antecedents affect the success of organizational change.
Hubungan Kondisi Lingkungan Fisik dan Tindakan PSN Masyarakat Dengan Container Index Jentik Ae. aegypti di Wilayah Buffer Bandara Temindung Samarinda

The high dengue cases in Indonesia is very closely linked to environmental conditions. There are still many people who do not understand the environmental conditions that can lead to the spread of dengue disease. Environmental conditions are conditions that could affect the development of larvae of Aedes aegypti. Breeding and resting places of dengue vectors such as containers contain-ing water, humidity, lighting and air temperature can be a big threat for the spread of dengue dis-ease. In addition to the environmental conditions, actions / practices mosquito nest eradication (PSN) community is still very necessary in the note to prevent dengue disease. The working area Temindung dengue cases in the Village of service in 2012 there were 5 cases of dengue fever patients, and in-creased cases in the year 2013 as many as 6 cases. This study aims to determine the relationship Knowing the physical environment and the actions PSN community with Container Index (CI) Aedes aegypti in the buffer area Temindung Samarinda in 2014. This type of research is analytic survey method with cross sectional approach. Samples are 112 respondents by observation, observation and measurement. The results showed no relationship between the humidity of the Container Index with sig value of 0.001 (sig> α), there is a relationship between the lighting of the Container Index with sig value of 0.001 (sig <α), There is a relationship between air temperature of the Container Index with sig 0,001 (sig <α), and there is a relationship between the PSN to the Container Index (CI) with a value of 0.001 ρ (ρ value <α). Based on the results of this study are expected to provide input into PSN and abatisasi program so as to minimize the Flick Ae. aegypti in the region Buffer Temindung Samarinda. Keywords : Container Index, Physical Environment, PSN
Assessing cyberbullying in adolescence: Psychometric properties and external correlates of the Cyberbullying Experience Scale in Italian community-dwelling adolescents

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying is a highly relevant phenomenon in adolescence. Making available sound cyberbullying scales in different countries represents an important research issue. The present study aimed at extending previous findings on the Cyberbullying Experience Scale (CES), assessing its psychometric properties in a sample of community-dwelling Italian adolescents (N = 2,112). Results showed that a bifactor model was the best fitting model for both CES Perpetration and Victimisation scale items being provided also with measurement invariance across male and female adolescents. Joint CFA results demonstrated the dissociability of the CES Perpetration and Victimisation scales. Both CES dimensions were provided with adequate internal consistency reliability. Both CES Perpetration and Victimisation scales yielded meaningful relationships with theoretically relevant external variables (e.g. school/behaviour grades, online activities, general aggression measures, and dysfunctional personality dimensions), suggesting also possible gender differences concerning the negative psychological and behavioural outcomes of cyberbullying. This study provides further support for the reliability and validity of CES Perpetration and Victimisation scales, extending its applicability to a different time period (i.e. adolescents) and a different cultural context (i.e. Italy).
Diagnosing Two‐Way Coupling in Decadal North Atlantic SST Variability Using Time‐Evolving Self‐Organizing Maps

Decadal variability in the North Atlantic plays a critical role in modulating regional and global climate. To identify the complex spatiotemporal patterns associated with decadal variability and diagnose mechanisms responsible spatially and over time simultaneously, we debut a novel application of a machine learning method—evolution self‐organizing maps. This time‐evolving framework is applied to a Community Earth System Model pre‐industrial simulation to identify 10‐year consecutive spatiotemporal evolutions of winter sea surface temperature (SST). Here we focus on a single evolution that transitions from SST patterns typically associated with a positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) to a positive Atlantic Multidecadal Variability to a weak negative NAO and find that it can occur over just a 10‐year period. This method facilitates a new examination of buoyancy‐driven and wind‐driven ocean circulations as well as ocean‐atmosphere transient‐eddy feedbacks that confirms the importance of coupled atmosphere‐ocean dynamics in producing this decadal variability.
Differential evolutionary algorithm‐based optimal support vector machine for online dynamic available transfer capability estimation incorporating transmission capacity margins

Summary To determine the feasibility of bilateral contracts, the independent system operator needs to estimate the transfer capability of the system. The estimated available transfer capability (ATC) values are updated on open access same-time information system by day by day or on hourly basis. This work proposes a fast and effective online technique for dynamic ATC (DATC) estimation. The impact of 2 reserve margins such as capacity benefit margin and transmission reserve margin is introduced with DATC estimation. In this proposed method support vector machine (SVM) is used to estimate the ATC values. The SVM is one of the effective machines learning algorithm in solving the regression problem. The parameters of the SVM are tuned by differential evolution algorithm to get accurate prediction of DATC values. The proposed method is applied to New England 10 machine 39-bus dynamic system for estimating DATC values for different cases. Severe lines are identified using contingency screening analysis. The test results are compared with artificial neural network technique. The study has been carried out for different cases such as normal, line outage and stressed condition. The SVM technique gives better results than artificial neural network technique.