Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propensity to green logistics initiatives diffusion in the road freight networks

Effective supply chain sustainability plan to protect and preserve scarce productive resources manifests epitome of propensity to create a greener economy. Collaborative companies depict an exigency discernment to adopt green logistics initiatives within the extended supply chain networks. This study examines the extent of propensity to collaborative green-driven logistics initiatives to which the trading supply chain partners relate green logistics diffusion to supply chain logistical road freight operations and activities. The study further attempts to establish whether the interrelationship of dimensions between the internal and/or external factors influence the diffusion of green logistics initiatives. The sample of 160 respondents was drawn from the target population and the interrelationship dimensional modelling was used on factor analysis method. Broad green initiatives are associated with an improvement in a business’s image, and reduced routing schedules through a central distribution hub to minimize unnecessary transportation. However, accessible technological advancements along the entire value chain pose a challenge to the adoption of extended green enterprise initiatives. The potential diffusion of green logistics business efficiency and sustainability implies the entrenched collaborative awareness and greater access to the technology.
Trends in Carrying Capacity and Vegetation on an Arid Southwestern Range.

Cattle ranchers of the Southwest are confronted with an ever-changing forage resource. This means that they must make continual adjustments in their ranch operations. It is not easy to sell all or part of a herd that has been developed through years of selective breeding and care. However, pressure to do so often faces the southwestern rancher. In addition, there are insidious changes in the range vegetation that are not apparent except where they have been carefully documented by objective, long-term records. Some of these fluctuations and changes that have taken place on one range area are described herein. Pertinent records have been kept at the Jornada Experimental Range in south-central New Mexico about 60 miles north of the international boundary. They include 1 i v e s t o c k numbers, cover, production of forage and nonforage plants, precipitation, wind velocity, evaporation, and maximum and minimum temperatures. Range lands similar to the Jornada occupy 26 million acres, mainly in southern New Mexico and western Texas. These comprise the range areas known as the black grama (Boutelotia eriopoda Torr.) and tobosa (HiZaria mutica (Buckl.) Benth. ) grasslands and associated shrub ranges. Typical examples of the main range types are shown in figure 1.
Transforming innovation models in European regions: Breaking out of path dependency and growing faster?

Abstract The aim of the paper is to verify whether a change in innovation model by less-developed regions may speed up development processes and if innovativeness plays crucial role in these processes. Cluster analysis conducted for the years 1994-2014 showed that the majority of lessdeveloped regions in 1994-2000 that experienced significant growth by 2011-2014 changed their innovation models. Logit regression confirmed that innovation factors play a crucial role in high growth rates. The findings suggest that less-developed regions can break out of path dependency by increasing their shares of high-tech industries and employment in science and technology and boosting technology transfer, which usually involves changing and improving their innovation models.
Effect of tannins in Acacia nilotica, Albizia procera and Sesbania acculeata foliage determined in vitro, In sacco, and in vivo

The nutritive value and the effect of tannins on the utilization of foliage from three commonly used legumes, Acacia nilotica, Albizia procera, and Sesbania acculeata, were determined. Three mature rumen-fistulated bullocks were used to study in sacco degradability and twelve adult sheep were randomly allocated on the basis of live weight to 4 groups of 3 in each to study the in vivo digestibility of the foliages. In all foliages, the contents of crude protein (17 to 24% of DM) were high. Fibre was especially high in Albizia (NDF 58.8% of DM vs. 21% in Sesbania and 15.4% in Acacia). Contents of both hydrolysable (4.4 to 0.05%) and condensed tannins (1.2 to 0.04%) varied from medium to low in the foliages. Acacia contained the highest level of total phenolics (20.1%), protein precipitable phenolics (13.2%) and had the highest capacity to precipitate protein (14.7%). Drying in shade reduced the tannin content in Acacia and Albizia by 48.6 and 69.3% respectively. The foliages ranked similarly for each of the different methods used to estimate tannin content and activity. Acacia and Sesbania foliage was highly degradable (85-87% potential degradability of DM in sacco), compared to Albizia (52%), indicating a minimal effect of tannins in Acacia and Sesbania. Yet, in vitro, the tannins in the Acacia inhibited microbial activity more than those in Albizia and Sesbania. Following the addition of polyethylene glycol to neutralise the tannins, gas production and microbial growth increased by 59% and 0.09 mg RNA equiv. /dg microbial yield respectively in the Acacia, compared to 16-17% and 0.06 mg RNA equiv. /dg microbial yield in the other foliages. There was a trend for low in vivo apparent digestibility of N in the Acacia (43.2%) and Albizia (44.2%) compared to the Sesbania (54.5%) supplemented groups. This was likely to be due to presence of tannins. Consistent with this was the low N retention (0.22 and 0.19 g N/g NI) in sheep supplemented with Acacia and Albizia compared to that for the Sesbania (0.32). Similarly, a trend for poor microbial N yield was observed in sheep fed these foliages. Across the foliages tested, an increase in tannin content was associated with a reduction in ruminal fermentation, N digestibility and N retention. For overall nutritive value, Sesbania proved to be the superior forage of the three tested.
Population structure as a response of coral communities to global change

SYNOPSIS. Coral population size structure is generally highly skewed, with a preponderance of the smallest colony size class in populations. To begin to assess possible effects of global change on coral populations, which will be largely controlled in the next decade(s) by "non-climate variables" such as sedimentation, turbidity and nutrient load, we compared degraded reef environments with less degraded reefs. To consider population dynamics within and between parts of coral species metapopulations we use data over two spatial scales (10 and 2,000 km). Colony size distributions appear to be affected in degraded/marginal reefs. This implies changes in mortality patterns (or recruitment) that result in relatively fewer small and more large colonies in populations. We predict that the short-term effects of global change, deterioration of local conditions, will not affect the occurrence of large coral colonies (in terms of absolute size, and possibly mean size) but will limit the abundance of small corals. Long-term global change will increasingly include a component of climate change and the effect on coral populations may become more diverse, although effects such as a decreasing calcium carbonate saturation state will also first affect the abundance of coral recruits. We hypothesize that over the next decade(s) coral populations will become increasingly skewed toward larger colonies.
Application of Bootstrap method in electromechanical equipment of vibrate threshold setting

Aimed at the problem of electronechanical equipment in ship of vibrate threshold setting.I advanced the Bootstrap method for sample expansion.First,I made use of simulation experiment,based on two kind of usual sampling methods,for count this method's effect and feasibility;second,I advanced third pairs of suggestions on application this method;Finally,in practice we applied this method in setting the threshold of vibrant intensity on a certain kind of diesel engine,and achieved a satisfactory result.
Analysis of Determinants of Birth Interval in Four Disadvantaged Regions of Ethiopia

ABS TRACT Objective: Studying the dynamics of spacing of births is important for several reasons including an understanding of completed family size. In this paper the length of birth interval between successive children that is called inter-birth interval in four disadvantaged regions of Ethiopia was considered. To identify and analyze socioeconomic and demographic factors that may have a significant influence on birth interval length in four disadvantaged regions of Ethiopia. Material and Methods: The data for the study was obtained from Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey data conducted in 2011. The data contains 3340 women aged from 15-49 years. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox’s proportional hazards model were employed for the analysis of birth interval data using SPSS 16 and STATA 11 software. The Kaplan Meier median length was used to examine birth interval differentials by socio economic and demographic characteristics of women. Results: The results indicated that almost in all birth intervals, educated women, rich women, orthodox, urban women, women belonging to Benishangul-gumuz region and women whose index child has survived have longer birth interval lengths. The Cox regression analyses revealed that region, place of residence and survival status of the index child were consistently significant while women educational level and wealth index were significant in some birth intervals. Conclusion: Almost in all birth intervals, educated women, rich women, orthodox, urban women, women belonging to Benishangul-gumuz region and women whose index child has survived have longer birth interval lengths.
Information and Financial Markets

In this paper, we provide a model of an incomplete market economy with nominal assets and differential information. We prove an existence result of Walrasian expectation equilibria. Finally, we exhibit an example which shows that a differential information situation can remove the real indeterminacy of equilibria. JEL Classification: D51, D52.
Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro organogenesis in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

IAA-Indole-3-acetic acid ; IBA-Indole-3-butyric acid; NAA-ά-naphthalene acetic acid; GA3 -Gibberelic acid. ABSTRACT: An efficient and reproducible protocol for organogenesis from cotyledon explants in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv S-22 is reported. The cotyledon explants of 10-12 days old excised from in vitro grown seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5-5.0 mg/L BAP as a sole growth regulator and also in combination with 0.1 mg/L IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid). Highest percentage of response for callus induction was recorded in cotyledon explants at 3.0 mg/L BAP where as multiple adventitious shoots were formed at 0.1 mg/L IAA + 2.5- 5.0 mg/L BAP containing medium. Shoots obtained were transferred on to MS medium augmented with 0.2-1.0 mg/L GA3 + 3.5 mg/L BAP for shoot elongation. The medium supplemented with 0.6 mg/L GA3 in combination with 3.5 mg/L BAP showed the maximum percentage of enhancement of shoot elongation. For in vitro rooting, elongated micro-shoots were transferred onto MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/L Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) / Indole butyric acid (IBA) / Napthalene acetic acid (NAA). Profuse rhizogenesis was observed at 0.5 mg/L IAA compared to NAA / IBA. The regenerated plants were acclimatized in the culture room and maintained in the green house and transferred to the field. These plants were found to be normal and similar to the donar plant. Thus, an efficient and reproducible protocol has been developed in cultivated tomato cv S-22 which is genotype dependent. This protocol can be used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated genetic transformation in tomato cv S-22 .
Developing a Field-Intensive Methodology for Generating a Randomized Sample for Gang Research

This paper was stimulated by concerns for methodological issues in gang research. The paper describes the strategies in developing a design for drawing a stratified proportional random sample of gang members and goes beyond limited non-probability quota samples, to compare gang members across communities and gang variations. First, this paper proposes procedures and techniques for drawing a random sample of gang subjects based on probability proportional to size quota. Second, it describes the role of ethnographicfield work and social mapping in defining sampling frames. Third, it presents the use ofMaplnfo in developing and mapping catchment areas. Fourth, it describes the procedures utilized in generating gang rosters and their role in generating interview sample quotas. And finally, it discusses the processes for developing sampling quotas and drawing of the sample.
nzymes inhibitory and radical scavenging potentials of two selected ropical vegetable ( Moringa oleifera and Telfairia occidentalis ) leaves elevant to type 2 diabetes mellitus

Moringa oleifera Lam. , Moringaceae, and Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f. , Curcubitaceae, leaves are two tropical vegetables of medicinal properties. In this study, the inhibitory activities and the radical scavenging potentials of these vegetables on relevant enzymes of type 2-diabetes ( -amylase and -glucosidase) were evaluated in vitro. HPLC-DAD was used to characterize the phenolic constituents and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s pancreas was investigated. Various radical scavenging properties coupled with metal chelating abilities were also determined. However, phenolic extracts from the vegetables inhibited -amylase, -glucosidase and chelated the tested metals (Cu2+ and Fe2+) in a concentration-dependent ntioxidant ipid peroxidation edicinal henolics manner. More so, the inhibitory properties of phenolic rich extracts from these vegetables could be linked to their radical scavenging abilities. Therefore, this study may offer a promising prospect for M. oleifera and T. occidentalis leaves as a potential functional food sources in the management of type 2-diabetes mellitus. © 2017 Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. on behalf of Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/
CRM in Fashion Retail: Building Store Loyalty through Store Trust

Relational resources can help fashion retailers facing the increasing uncertainty which is characterizing their competitive arena by developing customers’ store loyalty. This paper illustrates the results of a study aimed at developing and testing a model of store loyalty building in the fashion retail context. Hypothesis referring to loyalty antecedents have been derived from previous studies and are not only limited to the key relational variables already identified in the literature (trust, satisfaction and perceived value) but also to their antecedents among the retailing-mix levers to provide managerial directions to fashion retail managers. The developed model has been empirically tested. Data have been collected using a phone survey; the sample is composed of around 1,400 fashion retail customers. The most important result of the study are: the role of trust as a loyalty antecedent and the poor, and negative, role of salespeople within the model.
Record activity and stability of dealloyed bimetallic catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

We demonstrate the unprecedented proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance durability of a family of dealloyed Pt–Ni nanoparticle catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), exceeding scientific and technological state-of-art activity and stability targets. We provide atomic-scale insight into key factors controlling the stability of the cathode catalyst by studying the influence of particle size, the dealloying protocol and post-acid-treatment annealing on nanoporosity and passivation of the alloy nanoparticles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectroscopy data revealed the compositional variations of Ni in the particle surface and core, which were combined with an analysis of the particle morphology evolution during PEMFC voltage cycling; together, this enabled the elucidation of alloy structure and compositions conducive to long-term PEMFC device stability. We found that smaller size, less-oxidative acid treatment and annealing significantly reduced Ni leaching and nanoporosity formation while encouraged surface passivation, all resulting in improved stability and higher catalytic ORR activity. This study demonstrates a successful example of how a translation of basic catalysis research into a real-life device technology may be done.
Label-free and real-time detections of the interactions of swine IgG with goat anti-swine IgG by oblique-incidence reflectivity difference technique

With the oblique-incidence reflectivity difference (OIRD) technique, we successfully label-free detected the interaction of swine IgG with different concentrations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/ml, and 5 μg/ml goat anti-swine IgG, and real-time detected the reaction dynamic processes of 0.5 mg/ml swine IgG and goat anti-swine IgG with different concentration of 5, 10, and 20 μg/ml, respectively. The interaction times are about 2043, 1828, and 1347 s for the reactions of 0.5 mg/ml swine IgG and goat anti-swine IgG of 5, 10, and 20 μg/ml, respectively. By fitting the reaction dynamic curves, we obtained that the association constant of swine IgG and goat anti-swine IgG is 1620.77 M−1·S−1 at temperature about 22 °C. The experimental results demonstrate that the OIRD is a promising and competing method for label-free and real time detecting the biomolecular interactions and achieving the quantitative information of reaction kinetics.
Conceptions and Misconceptions of Tourism as a Subject in the South African School Curriculum

The post-apartheid government of South Africa has made various attempts to achieve fundamental transformation of the education system. In 1996 the Department of Education (DoE), now the Department of Basic Education, introduced the new subject of tourism as part of the formal school curriculum. Tourism was introduced as a school subject with a view to redressing past imbalances by contributing to social transformation (DoE 2003). The aim of this paper is to explore how tourism as a new subject has been received in schools. It critically investigates conceptions and misconceptions about tourism as a new subject introduced in the school curriculum. The empirical work took the form of a case study of secondary (FET phase) schools that had included tourism in their curricular offering. Data were collected through interviews. The findings indicate that most of the participants view tourism as a subject worth including in the school’s curricular offering, believing that it exposes learners to a variety of career opportunities they were not exposed to in the past. At the same time, however, they all see tourism as having a low status within the curriculum as it is not an academic subject leading to university entrance. This places its existence at a crossroads as it is simultaneously regarded as important from the practical standpoint but unimportant from the academic one.
Contact Point Estimation for Uncalibrated Tool Use

One of the big challenges for robots working outside of traditional industrial settings is the ability to robustly and flexibly grasp and manipulate tools for various tasks. When a tool is interacting with another object during task execution, several problems arise: a tool can be partially or completely occluded from the robot’s view, it can slip or shift in the robot’s hand thus, the robot may lose the information about the exact position of the tool in the hand. Thus, there is a need for online calibration and/or recalibration of the tool. In this paper, we present a model-free online tool-tip calibration method that uses force/torque measurements and an adaptive estimation scheme to estimate the point of contact between a tool and the environment. An adaptive force control component guarantees that interaction forces are limited even before the contact point estimate has converged. We also show how to simultaneously estimate the location and normal direction of the surface being touched by the tool-tip as the contact point is estimated. The stability of the the overall scheme and the convergence of the estimated parameters are theoretically proven and the performance is evaluated in experiments on a real robot.
Ecological Shifts in Sympatry: Kalahari Fossorial Lizards (Typhlosaurus)

Two species of legless, fossorial skinks (Typhlosaurus) are partially sympatric in the Kalahari Desert. Typhlosaurus lineatus occur both in the sandridge and flatland geographic provinces of the Kalahari, in dune streets and on sandridges microgeographically in sympatry, and primarily under log and leaf litter microhabitats. Typhlosaurus gariepensis, always sympatric with T. lineatus, occur only in sandridge areas geographically, on sand- ridges microgeographically, and primarily in basal roots of bunch grass microhabitats. Micro- habitat overlap in sympatry is low. Morphologically, T. lineatus differ from T. gariepensis in being longer and in having a longer and wider head. Snout-vent lengths, head dimensions, and proportional head lengths of sympatric T. lineatus are larger than those of allopatric T. lineatus; thus T. lineatus displace from T. gariepensis in sympatry. Both species are viviparous, have one brood per year, and give birth in summer after a 5-mo gestation period. Maturity is reached at minimum ages of one and two-thirds yr. Mean litter size of T. lineatus is 1.6, whereas T. gariepensis have but one young. A response to competition between the two species is suggested by the facts that offspring of sympatric T. lineatus are significantly heavier than those of allopatric females, and that fewer sympatric T. lineatus females are reproductive than allopatric females. Because Typhlosaurus are termite specialists (92.4% of diet by volume), termites in guts were identified to species and caste. Compared with sympatric T. lineatus, T. gariepensis eat more Psammotermes workers, fewer Allodontermes major workers, and scarcely any Hodo- termes. Sympatric T. lineatus eat fewer Psammotermes workers and more Allodontermes major workers than do allopatric T. lineatus. Prey size differences parallel lizard size dif- ferences. Because of dietary shifts by T. lineatus in sympatry, dietary overlap with T. garie- pensis is substantially reduced for females and immatures, although not for males. Strong morphological and dietary evidence support, for T. lineatus females and immatures, the hypothesis that behavioral and morphological character displacement has occurred which reduces dietary overlap with T. gariepensis. Dietary data for male T. lineatus are possibly conflicting.