Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supplier development in a multi-tier supply chain

Abstract We examine how a buyer can use a full-control strategy and cost sharing to develop the sustainable quality capabilities of his tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers. In particular, we consider how the buyer’s development decisions and the suppliers’ sustainable quality decisions are impacted by consumers’ demand sensitivity to sustainable quality and the division of the supply chain margin. Two quality-demand models are studied – the overall quality of the supply chain equals either (i) the sum of or (ii) the minimum between the suppliers’ quality levels. We find that when the suppliers’ sustainable quality levels are additive, even if the low-margin supplier has a positive net profit return from improved quality, she may still choose to free ride on the high-margin supplier’s quality investment. Interestingly, the buyer can cause the free riding with his cost-sharing decisions. When instead, the overall sustainable quality is determined by the minimum between the suppliers’ quality levels, the buyer’s strategy is often to focus only on developing the low-margin supplier. Nevertheless, when the buyer’s market gain from improved quality is large and the suppliers’ gains are comparable to one another, the buyer can justify sharing costs with both suppliers and raising the overall sustainable quality of the supply chain to a level neither supplier can achieve without development support.
Comparison of local and global approximators in multivariate chaotic forecasting of daily streamflow

ABSTRACT Although it is conceptually assumed that global models are relatively ineffective in modelling the highly unstable structure of chaotic hydrologic dynamics, there is not a detailed study of comparing the performances of local and global models in a hydrological context, especially with new emerging machine learning models. In this study, the performance of a local model (k-nearest neighbour, k-nn) and, as global models, several recent machine learning models – artificial neural network (ANN), least square-support vector regression (LS-SVR), random forest (RF), M5 model tree (M5), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) – was analysed in multivariate chaotic forecasting of streamflow. The models were developed for Australia’s largest river, the River Murray. The results indicate that the k-nn model was more successful than the global models in capturing the streamflow dynamics. Furthermore, coupled with the multivariate phase-space, it was shown that the global models can be successfully used for obtaining reliable uncertainty estimates for streamflow.
Relação entre fenótipo periodontal fino e desenvolvimento de doença peri-implantar: avaliação clínico-radiográfica

A presenca de um tecido gengival saudavel ao redor dos implantes dentarios, com adequada faixa de gengiva ceratinizada, e um fator primordial nao so para a estetica, mas para o sucesso em longo prazo. Estudos tem consolidado a importância do fenotipo periodontal na reabilitacao em implantodontia e no risco do desenvolvimento de doenca periimplantar (DPI). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se o fenotipo periodontal fino e um fator de risco ao desenvolvimento de DPI. Material e metodos: 215 pacientes apresentando 754 implantes osseointegrados foram incluidos no estudo. O criterio de exclusao foi: falha dos implantes antes do periodo de osseointegracao. Todos os implantes foram instalados utilizando a tecnica de dois estagios cirurgicos. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao estado de saude geral, uso de medicamento e exame oral, incluindo identificacao dos fenotipos periodontal e peri-implantar. De acordo com as caracteristicas clinico-radiograficas, os pacientes foram divididos em grupo controle (saude peri-implantar, n=129) e grupo DPI (DPI, n=86). As variaveis nominais foram comparadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado. Variaveis continuas foram expressas como media e comparadas pelo teste nao-parametrico de Kruskall-Wallis. Valores de p Success rate in implant dentistry is related to the presence of a healthy mucosae. Periodontal phenotype has been identified as a possible risk factor for peri-implant disease (PID). The aim of this study was to evaluate thin periodontal phenotype as a risk indicator for peri-implant disease development. Material and methods: 215 patients, presenting 754 endosseos implants, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria was: implant failure before osseointegration period. All implants were undergone to two stages surgery technique. Clinical evaluation included analyses of general healthy, use of medications and oral evaluation considering periodontal and peri-implant phenotypes. According to clinic and radiographical characteristics, patients were divided into two groups: control (healthy peri-implant tissue, n = 129) and PID (peri-implant disease tissues, n = 86). Nominal variables were evaluated by chi-squared test. Continuous variables were compared by non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test. P-value
Simulation Research on Sparse Reconstruction for Defect Signals of Flip Chip Based on High-Frequency Ultrasound

Flip chip technology has been widely used in various fields. As the density of the solder balls in flip chip technology is increasing, the pitch among solder balls is narrowing, and the size effect is more significant. Therefore, the micro defects of the solder balls are more difficult to detect. In order to ensure the reliability of the flip chip, it is very important to detect and evaluate the micro defects of solder balls. High-frequency ultrasonic testing technology is an effective micro-defect detection method. In this paper, the interaction mechanism between high-frequency ultrasonic pulse and micro defects is analyzed by finite element simulation. A transient simulation model for the whole process of ultrasonic scanning of micro defects is established to simulate scanning in acoustic microscopy imaging. The acoustic propagation path map is obtained for analyzing acoustic energy transmission during detection, and the edge blurring effect in micro-defect imaging detection is clarified. The processing method of the time-domain signal and cross-section image signal of micro defects based on sparse reconstruction is studied, which can effectively improve the accuracy of detection and the signal-to-noise ratio.
Editorial comment on the article by Verweij et al.

STEMI time delays have been introduced as a performance indicator or marker of quality of care. As they are only one part of a very complex medical process, one should be aware of concomitant issues that may be over- looked or even be more important with regard to clinical outcome of STEMI patients. In this overview we try to summarise the most important ones.
Understanding the Role of Socio-Economic Factors in Fuelling Multiple Sexual Partnerships Among the Zulus in Contemporary South Africa

ABSTRACT HIV and AIDS continue to pose a global health and development challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa has one of the largest numbers of people living with HIV in the world. Despite accelerated efforts to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic there remains an unabated challenge, i.e. continuing new infections, particularly among young African adults. Studies suggest that risky sexual behaviours, including multiple sexual partnerships, are responsible for the spread of HIV. This study sought, among other objectives, to identify underlying socio-economic factors fuelling multiple sexual relationships occurring in the context of casual sexual partnerships known as “ukujola”. A generic qualitative study approach was used, drawing on in-depth interviews (n = 20), focus groups (n = 4) and key-informant interviews (n = 8) conducted with IsiZulu-speaking participants (aged 21–34) from KwaZulu-Natal. The study found that there are various socio-economic factors, including poverty and high levels of unemployment, sexual desire and the need for social approval, which promote multiple sexual relationships. In order to curb the further spread of HIV and AIDS, prevention efforts must target the reduction of partner concurrency.
Integrating international students in local (student) communities. A theory-to-practice perspective

Over the past decade, the study of international student mobility and migration in higher education has become increasingly popular among scientists from different disciplines (see e.g. Pisarevskaya et al. 2019). As a consequence, studies from a range of different scientific fields have now covered a wide array of aspects related to the decision to go abroad, international students’ experiences abroad as well as the outcomes of students’ mobility experiences. This special issue particularly aims to contribute to our knowledge on the experiences of international students abroad, and more specifically their academic and social integration at the host institution and in the surrounding community.
Mechanistic Validation of Potential Anti-Breast Cancer Therapeutics

ii Dedication . iv Acknowledgments . v Vita . vii List of Tables . xiii List of Figures . xiv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease.1 1.2 Targeted therapies for different types of breast cancer.3 1.2.1 ERor PR-positive breast cancer.3 1.2.2 HER2-positive breast cancer.5 1.2.3 Triple negative beast cancer (TNBC). 7 Chapter 2: Using α-tocopheryl succinate as a scaffold to develop anti-adhesion agents.9 2.1 The structure and chemical properties of α-Tocopheryl succinate . 9 2.2 α-Tocopheryl succinate and cancer treatment.10 2.3 α-Tocopheryl succinate and metastasis . 12
Persuasive Social Support Features in Diabetes Self-Management Persuasive Social Support Features in Diabetes Self-Management mHealth Applications mHealth Applications

Diabetes self-management is a challenging task and mobile health (mHealth) applications are one of the options that can assist and support the users in that process. The aim of this paper is to identify the social support features presented in these mHealth applications. Ten applications were selected and analysed based on the literature review and search of the phrase ‘The Best Diabetes Apps of 2018’ with the Google search engine. The results indicated that some social support features have been implemented in these applications however, its presence is sporadical. There is a need for further development of these apps, introducing and utilising features for social support such as social facilitation, cooperation, competition and recognition.
Stateful library service system design and implementation in Saudi Arabia

Service system has become one of the most challenging research issues in industry. Most of organizations in Saudi Arabia build their services with state-less technique to avoid many issues although there are some acknowledged advantages of using state-full technique. These issues are mainly related to the low number of visitors, low number of services, storage capacity and organization size. The purpose of this research is to create services that have capability in reading all required data from library management system, improving the service by applying state-full technique. Technology acceptance model is used to measure the acceptance of state-full service system through organizations and customers which gave some prediction to library high management to support them in decision making.
Molecular Profiling of Breast Cancer Susceptibility of Obese or Insulin-Resistant and Pre-Diabetic Patients Using ITLN1 and CD295 SNPs

Mutations in cluster of differentiation (CD) 295 gene, encoding class I cytokine receptor, are associated with obesity and breast cancer (BC). SNPs in the adipocyte-inferred novel cytokine intelectin 1 (ITLN1) remain understudied in connection to CD295 polymorphisms and diabetes mellitus (DM) or a pre-diabetic state, as well as to DNA damage seen in BC. We will explore whether CD295 (ID rs6700896) and ITLN1 (rs rs952804) SNPs impact BC with or without DM, insulin resistance (IR) or obesity. Effects of ITLN1 or CD295 polymorphism(s) on DNA damage in BC were also examined. Blood samples from 170 women with BC (including 33 and 48 with DM and pre-diabetes, respectively) and from 108 age-matched women in the control group were collected. Plasma insulin, leptin, CD295, and ITLN1 levels were measured by ELISA. DNA damage was assessed using an alkaline comet assay.BC cases with clinical stage T II and positive LN as well as tumor histologic grade III, presence of obesity, pre-diabetic events, DM or IR were associated with CD295 rs6700986 mutant homozygous (CC) and heterozygous (CT) genotype and ITLN1 rs952804 mutant heterozygous genotype (CT) (P ≤ 0.05). Tail DNA (%) and tail moment units were significantly associated with CD295 rs6700986 CT and ITLN1 rs952804 TT genotypes. C allele (CT+CC vs. TT) and T allele (TT+CT vs. CC) for CD295 rs6700986 and ITLN1 rs952804, respectively, were associated with BC risk (P ≤ 0.05). ITLN1 (rs952804) and CD295 (rs6700986) SNPs should be considered as BC associated-susceptibility risk factors in obese, insulin resistant, or pre-diabetics.ITLN1 and CD295 polymorphism testing might be utilized for accessing BC susceptibility in either obese or insulin resistant, pre-diabetic patients.A modestly increased risk of BC in women harboring the C allele of CD295 rs6700986 polymorphism and the T allele of the ITLN1 rs952804, where:Tumor clinical stage T II and positive LN involvement as well as the tumor histologic grade III, obesity existence, pre-diabetic event and being diabetic as well as IR cases were associated with CD295 rs6700986 mutant homozygous (CC) and heterozygous (CT) genotype and ITLN1 rs952804 mutant heterozygous cases (CT) (P ≤ 0.05). Tail DNA (%) and tail moment unit were significantly associated with CD295 rs6700986 CT genotype and ITLN1 rs952804 TT. These SNPs could be considered as BC associated risk factor.In dominant effect of the C allele (CT+CC vs TT) and the T allele (TT+CT vs CC) for CD295 rs6700986 and ITLN1 rs952804, respectively, were associated with BC events and risk (P ≤ 0.05). CD295 rs6700986 and ITLN1 rs952804 SNPs may be considered BC-associated risk for G3, T2, +LN, obesity, pre-diabetic/diabetic and IR in BC patients.
Antithrombotic agents under flow conditions

Haemostasis is the result of a fine balance of interactions between the endothelium, plasma proteins and blood cells under a wide range of flow rates. To mimic these conditions in vitro, a parallel plate flow chamber with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) or extracellular matrix (ECM) has been developed. A method to investigate thrombin generation (TG) in platelet rich defibrinated plasma was validated and used to investigate inhibition by two distinct classes of antithrombotic agents: anti-platelet antibodies and anticoagulants, including unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and hirudin. Increasing flow rates increased TG, which was higher in the presence of ECM than in the presence of HUVEC. All anti thrombotic agents investigated were less effective in the presence of ECM. The monoclonal anti-platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antibody, RFGP56, partially inhibited TG under static or arterial flow conditions and was less effective under venous flow conditions. The monoclonal anti-platelet GP Ibα antibody, RFGP37, did not inhibit TG under flow or static conditions. A combination of the two antibodies showed no further activity than RFGP56 alone. UFH, which has equal anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activity, was able to inhibit TG under static and flow conditions. On an anti-Xa unit basis, comparatively more LMWH (with a 10: 1 ratio of anti-factor Xa to anti-thrombin activity) was required to inhibit TG under static and venous conditions, but under arterial conditions LMWH was as effective as UFH. Hirudin, a thrombin specific inhibitor, was totally effective under static conditions, but was only able to inhibit up to 40 % ofTG under flow. This study shows that some anti-platelet agents can inhibit coagulation and this may contribute to their antithrombotic efficacy under certain flow conditions. Although both the anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities of anticoagulants are effective, anti-factor Xa activity may play a more important inhibitory role under flow conditions.
The He++/H+ Density Ratio Across Earth's Subsolar Magnetopause and Its Implications for the Presence of a Mass‐Dependent Reflection Coefficient

When magnetic reconnection is occurring at Earth's magnetopause, incident magnetosheath ions are either reflected or transmitted, and the likelihood of each outcome is quantified by the reflection coefficient. This statistical study reexamines the question of whether or not the reflection coefficient is mass dependent by observing the He++/H+ density ratio at magnetopause crossings. High‐resolution data from the Hot Plasma Composition Analyzer on board the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft are used from its Mission Phase 1a. We analyze these new measurements of the relative changes in the He++/H+ density ratio across the boundary layers of the magnetopause for a restricted set of solar wind conditions. From this analysis, we conclude that, for southward IMF, the reflection coefficient has no dependence on mass.
Some hemostatic parameters of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis infection attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Nigeria

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study was aimed at providing information on pattern of some hemostatic parameters of pulmonary TB (PTB)-infected patients. Materials and Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study of 102 participants comprising 51 TB-infected individuals and 51 healthy individuals as control. Five milliliters of blood were drawn from each subject and 3 ml was transferred into 0.3 ml of trisodium citrate (3.8%) anticoagulant plastic tube for the analysis of prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time using standard techniques while the remaining 2 ml was then transferred into an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid container (of what concentration) for platelet count and morphology. Result: The median interquartile range of the PLC, platelet morphology, prothrombin time (PT), and APPT was determined and comparative analysis using Chi-square was made and found to be statistically significant (P = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant association between hemostatic parameters (PT, activated partial thromboplastin time with kaolin [APTTK], and platelet count) and body mass index. A Kruskal–Wallis H test showed that there was a statistically significant difference in PT, APTTK, and platelet count between the different categories of patient’s Mycobacterium tuberculosis load (P < 0.005). Chi- square statistics revealed the association between APTTK and platelet count, with anti-TB drugs regimen to be statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant association between PT and anti-TB drug regimen. Conclusion: This study revealed that PTB affects hemostasis by prolongation of PT and APTTK, it is also associated with giant platelet formation and intravascular platelet aggregation.
Research on TV imaging casing damage detection and classification method based on C4.5 decision tree

The casing damage is one of the important problems in oilfield development. The television imaging technology can get enough images of the inner wall of casing to detect the casing, but the efficiency of manually identifying the images is very low. Through the mapping relationship between image and casing damage type, the image features can be obtained. Then, the continuous data threshold selection of C4.5 decision tree algorithm is improved. Finally, the improved C4.5 decision tree algorithm is used to classify casing damage types. Experimental results show that the detection and classification method proposed in this paper can be well implemented.
Weed Density and Diversity under Two Weed Management Practices in Sloping Lands of Banana Plantation in Davao City, Philippines

Weed management in the slope farms of a banana plantation poses a challenge because the banana canopy provides a condition that allows weeds to proliferate, protecting fragile soil from erosion. If left uncontrolled, it could impair banana production. Manual weed removal disrupts soil structure that not only stimulates dormant seed germination but also increases soil erosion. Seedbanks, counts, dry weights, and diversity indices of broad-leaved weeds under two weed management systems (manual weeding and chemical weed control using cyclical application of paraquat and glyphosate) in a banana plantation were examined at two slope conditions: 15° and 25° inclination. Seedbanks at the start and six months after treatments yielded nine broad-leaved species of which three were dominant: Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, and Cleome rutidosperma. While species diversity and seedling count from seedbanks were not significantly affected by weed management systems, the reduction in growth and abundance of the dominant species was achieved in chemical plots. Over ten regular observations in 13 months, there were consistently and significantly lower counts and dry weights of weeds in chemical plots than in manual plots. In addition, the shifts in weed population – from that dominated by noxious species to that composed of less noxious species – were achieved in chemical plots, which could have implications on the environment and the banana production. Regular monthly weeding can, within one year, reduce weed population to a level that could potentially impact soil erosion. To stabilize soil in sloping lands, weeding can be based on a threshold weed cover.
The problem of audit quality : An evaluation of the criteria for choice of legal audit firms in Cameroon

The excitement of the excesses experienced by audit firms in the business world and more particularly in Cameroon has led to questioning the quality of services, on the one hand, and the complexity of the determinants of choice of audit firms, on the other hand. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the criteria of choice of audit firms in the context of Cameroon. Thus, we opted for a qualitative approach by case study. The data, collected from the entities approved to the statutory audit (21) as well as the audit firms (13) by semi-directive interviews, were analyzed via the NVIVO 10 software. It follows from the analysis that the Audit firms are much more chosen on the basis of cost, personal or professional relationships and recommendations. The level of subjectivity of these criteria makes the independence of the auditors difficult to prove; in addition, in a socio-economic context where the weight of the deficit variables depletes the strength of the performance.
Use of oxycodone in pain treatment in a metastatic prostate cancer patient: case study

In this paper we report a 65-year-old man diagnosed with disseminated prostate cancer with numerous bone metastases and neuropathic pain component. In this patient controlled-release (CR) oxycodone provided effective analgesia without adverse effects. Former pain treatment was ineffective due to too low doses of transdermal buprenorphine and lack of the use of adjuvant analgesics. The treatment with CR oxycodone was effective and well tolerated for the period of one year and it is still continued.