Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power and culture in supply chains: contributions of the strategic action fields approach

Important research efforts have been developed to account for power in the analysis of supply chains. This paper argues that further gains may arise by considering organizations as social constructions mediated not only by power relations, but also by cultural representations intrinsically intertwined to it. Its purpose is to discuss the dynamics of stability and change in supply chains based on the Strategic Action Fields (SAFs) approach. A theoretical essay was elaborated discussing some of the main implications of this perspective to the study of supply chains and presenting propositions to enable the construction of research objects and guide empirical studies in the area. Propositions emphasize how ongoing cultural-political relations circumscribed to different fields, including the organization, with its internal disputes.
Pattern of repeatability in the movement behaviour of a long‐lived territorial species, the eagle owl

Observed movement patterns are the response of the interaction between environmental variables and the animal internal state. Therefore, even individuals of the same species experiencing similar environmental conditions can exhibit different behavioural responses, as these responses can be highly repeatable within individuals. Here, we investigated the nocturnal movement behaviour of a territorial species, by radiotracking 26 eagle owls Bubo bubo in order to analyze within and between individual variation with respect to movement parameters and route choice. Owls showed a considerable individual consistency in all movement parameters and made repeated use of similar routes while moving within fixed home ranges. Thus, movement parameters varied much less between repeated nightly trajectories than between different individuals. Furthermore, when we compared different individuals inhabiting the same territory in different years, within-group repeatability was low or non-significant suggesting that the spatial configuration of habitat does not always represents one of the main drivers in animal movement behaviour. Similarly, male individuals appeared to exhibit greater repeatability than females. The overall pattern of repeatability we found seems to identify such consistent movement behaviour not only as the expression of individual response to external/internal inputs but also as an additional trait to include in the broad definition of animal personality.
Impact of Organizational Culture on Business Process Performance: An Investigation in the Financial Services Industry

Organizational culture is increasingly acknowledged to have a substantial impact on the performance of business processes. Hence, companies should be aware of their culture and the underlying values and perceptions when it comes to conducting and improving their processes. This paper addresses these issues and presents results of an empirical study carried out at a large European financial services company. The results confirm a strong positive influence of organizational culture on process performance. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that driving forward strategic orientation, structural conditions, as well as management and leadership contribute to higher process performance.
Eolian Deposits of Alaska

Based on the author's visit of the major areas of eolian (wind) deposits of Alaska and on published and unpublished information from other workers (whose areas of detailed studies are indicated on map 2). Author notes that only a small proportion of the eolian deposits can be shown on map (1) due to complexities caused by vegetation, reworking of streams, frost action, etc., which tend to obliterate or remove the deposits. Three major groups of eolian deposits (of Pleistocene to Recent age) are dealt with: those of the coastal plain of northern Alaska, the areas associated with glacial streams and the coastal margins. The extent, size, morphology, probable genesis and subsequent changes of the deposits are discussed, together with their character, composition, age, etc. A brief account of ash deposits concludes the paper. Bibliography (about 40 items).
Metë BEQIRAJ 1.5. KEY ELEMENTS OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE FUNCTIONING OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN KOSOVO

Public Enterprises (PEs) in Kosovo are of strategic importance for the country, employing about 14,000 workers and the impact on the economy over 20% of GDP over the past 5 years. Corporate Governance (CG) in Kosovo is a new concept and is in the process of continuous development and improvement. Government supported by the international community has made progress and has adopted laws based on best practices and international standards in general and the promotion of CG in particular, the challenge of enforcing the law in practice. The aim of the research is to analyse the mechanisms of CG and its legal framework in PE. CG in Kosovo as a result of the challenges of transition is closely related to the consolidation of the rule of law, ownership structure, as well as professional and institutional capacities. The basic hypothesis is that the weaknesses of the CG mechanisms affect the quality of the CG. Methodology: The research sample will be 17 PEs, 100% owned by the government. The research method will be combined primary data with secondary ones such as annual reports, analysis of the legal framework and mechanisms of CG. For primary data is a used survey with key actors in the CG. Results of the survey will identify strengths and weaknesses in the nature and enforcement mechanisms at CG and in this way to strengthen policy dialogue that will identify reform priorities that lead to improved performance CG and economic.
A new algorithm to quantify maximum discs in galaxies

Maximum disc decompositions of rotation curves place a dynamical upper limit to the mass attributable to stars in galaxies. The precise definition of this term, however, can be vague and varies in usage. We develop an algorithm to robustly quantify the maximum disc and we apply it to 175 galaxies from the SPARC database. For high-mass, high-surface-brightness galaxies, the maximum disc mass-to-light ratio is $\Upsilon_{\mathrm{disc}}^{max} < \ 0.7 \;{\mathrm{M}_\odot}/{\mathrm{L}_\odot}$ in the Spitzer 3.6 $\mu$m band. This is close to or only slightly above the expectations from stellar population models. For low-mass, low-surface-brightness galaxies, the maximum disc mass-to-light ratios are very high, which is unphysical for standard stellar population expectations. This confirms that low-mass, low-surface-brightness galaxies are sub-maximal. However, the maximum-disc procedure can still be applied to low-surface-brightness galaxies, providing further evidence for a local coupling between baryons and dynamics in galaxies.
Plant microRNAs: new players in functional genomics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenously expressed, and nonprotein coding RNAs that regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional inhibition and cleavage. To date, several plant miRNAs have been identified via direct cloning, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses. The miRNAs participate in RNA-induced gene silencing complex, and specifically repress the target gene transcripts. Thus, miRNAs regulate the expression of genes playing diverse roles in plants, such as root initiation, leaf morphology, flower development, and response to environmental stimuli. A number of miRNAs have been identified and functionally characterized in eukaryotes. In this review, we discuss the functional roles of miRNAs in plant development as well as stress response to biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Additionally, we present brief information about miRNA detection and discovery techniques.
The Reputational Consequences of Disclosure

In our study we focus on the determinants of reputation and, in particular, on the relation between the quality of annual report disclosures of companies and their reputation. We try to bring together two strands of literature: the literature on corporate reputation and the literature on corporate disclosures. Using data on corporate reputation and on quality of annual report disclosures for a sample of Spanish companies, we test the hypothesis that annual report disclosure quality is a crucial determinant of corporate reputation. After controlling for other possible determinants, especially size, we find significant evidence in favour of our hypothesis. Firms with a better annual report disclosure score are more likely to be rated among the top 50 national companies in terms of corporate reputation. Moreover the disclosure score positively affects the reputation score.
The e¤ect of EU antitrust investigations and nes on a rms valuation

A typical EU antitrust investigation involves a sequence of events (surprise inspection, Commission decision, Court judgment) which affect the investigated rms market value. We rst model these relationships, and then use event study techniques to estimate the impact of these antitrust events on a rms share prices. A surprise inspection reduces on average the rms share price by 2.89%, an infringement Decision by the European Commission reduces it by 3.53%. The Court judgments do not have a statistically signifcant e¤ect on the rms valuation. Finally, we nd that the ne accounts for only a fraction of the loss in the rms value due to the antitrust procedure. We conjecture that most of the loss is due to the cessation of illegal activities. We are grateful to the Editor, Saul Lach, three anonymous referees, Ricardo Cabral, Claudio Calcagno, John Connor, Decio Coviello, Tomaso Duso, John Fingleton, David Genesove, Vivek Ghosal, Paul Grout, Joe Harrington, Andrea Ichino, Kai-Uwe Kühn, Mel Marquis, Walter Mölls, Michele Polo, Patrick Rey, Mark Schankerman, Richard Spady, Helder Vasconcelos, Frank Verboven, and especially Liliane Karlinger and Kirti Mehta for comments and discussions. We are also grateful for comments received during seminars at IO Annual CEPR Workshop, Leuven, EUI Economics Department, Eitan Berglas School of Economics, Tel Aviv, the 2006 Annual EU Competition Law and Policy Workshop at Florence, Carlos III (Madrid), CORE (Louvain La Neuve), Mannheim, Toulouse, LUISS (Rome). Finally, we are grateful to Dimitrios Magos, Emanuele Tarantino, Francesca Bassetti, Giacomo Pansolli and especially Antoine Chapsal for their research assistance. Part of this work was carried out while Langus was visiting the Eitan Berglas School of Economics, Tel Aviv, whose hospitality is gratefully acknowledged. The views of the authors are strictly personal and do not represent those of the institutions they belong to. A previous version of this paper was circulated with the title "Have Antitrust Fines in the EU Had Any E¤ects on the Firms? ", CEPR Discussion Paper 6176 (2007). yEuropean University Institute, Florence. luca.aguzzoni@eui.eu. zChief Economist Team, Directorate General for Competition, European Commission, Brussels. gregor.langus@gmail.com. xICREA-Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Barcelona Graduate School of Economics; massimo.motta@upf.edu. Ramon Trias Fargas 25-27, E-08005, Barcelona (Spain).
Land as a Human Right. A History of Land Law and Practice in Tanzania

“As in any other country in the world, the History of Land Law in Tanzania, especially, has been evolving along the axis of rights”. 1 So Advocate Rwegasira contends in this important contribution to Tanzanian land law scholarship. As a book intended primarily for university law students, the author presents an historical analysis of land law in Tanzania from the pre-colonial period to the present, with detailed discussion of land law principles and precedent. However, this book stands apart from the conventional historical or “black letter” land law textbook. Drawing upon the works of established Tanzanian land law and human rights scholars,2 the author conceptualises the history of land law in Tanzania as a history of struggles between the landed and landless over competing land rights. This leads him to adopt his own “human rights approach”3 to the study of Tanzanian land law. His approach reflects upon this history of landed struggles and considers the ways in which human rights principles have been interpreted in seminal cases involving the landless or marginalised. He further analyses key developments in Tanzanian law where human rights and accompanying duties have been enshrined to protect the land rights of vulnerable social groups. In common with more conventional land law text books, much of the first half of the book (chapters 1 to 5) is devoted to an historical overview and detailed analysis of case law and statute. Chapters 1 and 2 discuss the concept of a right to land in philosophical writings and international human rights instruments, and place developments in land tenure and land law reform in the context of social, economic and political change in Tanzania. Chapters 3 to 5 explore the variety of modes of acquisition and disposition of land in Tanzania, providing detailed consideration of case law and statute. Whilst the land law reforms under Tanzania’s Land Acts of 1999 did not extend to inheritance matters, as the author observes “inheritance has traditionally been and remains the most common way of acquiring land in Tanzania”. 4 Rwegasira devotes a full chapter to this important issue, with a particularly useful discussion of statutory, customary and Islamic principles of succession.
Stated Preference & Choice Models - A Versatile Alternative to Traditional Recreation Research

In outdoor recreation research and visitor management applications, stated preference and choice methods have not enjoyed the same amount of popularity when compared to other directions of applied research. This is somewhat surprising considering the fact that decisions that managers of protected areas and outdoor recreation in general face are typically multi- attribute in nature and require an understanding of the trade-offs that decision-makers of clients are willing to make. This paper provides an overview to stated choice research by explaining the essential considerations during the design and analysis of this approach. The various stages will be explained on hand of a simple example. Then the versatility of the approach will be demonstrated by discussing research design options in more detail.
PULSATING CIRCULAR AIR JET IMPINGEMENT HEAT TRANSFER

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of pulsat ing frequencies on the local and average heat transfer chara cteristics of a heated circular air jet. Pulsation of the air jet was prod uced by a rotating cylinder valve mechanism at frequencies b etween 10 to 80 Hz. Flow stru c t u res of the heated steady and pulse sin gle circular axisymmetric air jet velocity are measured usi ng a calibrated hot-wire anemometer and presented in non-dimen sionalized form. Reynolds number was set at 16 000, 23 300 and 32 000. The heat flux of the heated air jet impinging on the platewas measured using a heat flux sensor at different radial pos itions. Results obtained show that the average pulsed jet Nusselt nu mber was higher than the average steady jet Nusselt number fo r all values of frequencies due to the higher localised heat trans fer of the pulsing jet. This was the result of enhanced turbul ence intensity due to pulsing the jet. The stagnation point heat t ransfer of the pulsed jet obtained was lower for the same fre q e n c y range due to the small turbulent intensity at this position.
Synthesis of 3, 7-Dimethyl-2, 6-Octadienal Acetals from Citral Extracted from Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon citrates L.

Citral (3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal)was hydro distilled from lemon grass and 3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal acetals (Citral acetals) were synthesized from it. The latter was redistilled under vacuum and collected fractions at constant temperature. Para toluene sulphonic acid catalyst was used for the preparation of citral ethylene glycol acetal and citral propylene glycol acetal which are used in perfumery, flavor, for fortifying lemon oil. GC, IR of synthesized product is recorded and graphs were determined.
Is Millipede Taxonomy Based on Gonopod Morphology Too Inclusive? Observations on Genetic Variation and Cryptic Speciation in Bicoxidens flavicollis (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae)

ABSTRACT The structure of the male gonopods of millipedes has been considered to be species-specific. As such, gonopods—which aid in copulation and sperm transfer—are used in the taxonomic diagnosis and description of species. However, it was recently demonstrated that gonopod morphology is not always characteristic of species. Diagnoses based on gonopod morphology can therefore result in underestimation of taxonomic diversity amongst millipedes. On the basis of this observation, we examined genetic variation in two populations (approximately 250 km apart) of a widely distributed and colour-polymorphic southern African millipede, namely Bicoxidens flavicollis Attems, 1928. An analysis of genetic divergence based on 520 nucleotides of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene, and 684 nucleotides of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, demonstrated high levels of divergence (19.09% for cytochrome oxidase 1 and 6.66% for 16S rRNA) between the two populations. These results suggest the presence of cryptic species in B. flavicollis and, furthermore, corroborate observations that taxonomy based on gonopod morphology may be too inclusive.
Employee Profiles and Preferences towards Workplace Gamification for Energy Conservation

Gamification can be used to effect positive behavioral change in various fields, including energy conservation. This paper reports on a survey we conducted to formulate a holistic view of users’ profiles and preferences in an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled gamified mobile application that provides personalized energy-saving recommendation tips to employees, towards conserving energy and adopting a more green behavior at the workplace. The collected insight dictates that a gamified app promoting energy saving at the workplace may become a daily habit for its users if it at least includes three game design elements: progression, levels and points. Additionally, we complement existing design guidelines about the requirements of each HEXAD gamification user type (Philanthropist, Socializer, Free Spirit, Achiever, Disruptor, Player) in game elements, specifically for energy efficiency applications. Thus, we apply and validate the HEXAD gamification user typology in a new context – multicultural workplaces – as well as domain – energy-saving. Moreover, the collected insight inspired us to devise a modular, rule-based mechanism for formulating personalized energy-saving recommendation tips tailored to the users’ profiles and game design choices. This research may assist researchers, as well as practitioners, in designing personalized gamified behavioral interventions, especially towards energy conservation in workplaces.
Optimization of biodiesel production from Chlorella protothecoides oil via ultrasound assisted transesterification

There is a growing interest in biodiesel as an alternative fuel for diesel engines because of the high oil prices and environmental issues related to massive greenhouse gas emissions. Nowadays, microalgal biomass has become a promising biodiesel feedstock. However, traditional biodiesel production from microalgae consumes a lot of energy and solvents. It is necessary to use an alternative method that can reduce the energy and alcohol consumption and save time. In this study, biodiesel production from Chlorella protothecoides oil by ultrasound assisted transesterification was conducted and effects of reaction parameters such as methanol:oil ratio, catalyst/oil ratio and reaction time on fatty acid methyl ester yields were investigated. The transesterification reactions were carried out by using methanol as alcohol and potassium hydroxide as the catalyst. The highest methyl ester production was obtained under the conditions of 9:1 methanol/oil mole ratio, 1.5% potassium hydroxide catalyst in oil, and for reaction time of 40 min. It was also found that catalyst/oil molar ratio was the most effective parameter on methyl ester yield according to statistical data. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted transesterification may be an alternative and cost effective way to produce biodiesel efficiently.
Quality Markers and Consumer Communication Strategies: Empirical Evidence in the 'Very Fresh' Sector in Italy

Quality is a key factor when consumers choose agri-food products, but at the same time is difficult for them to assess. On the demand side, consumers require protection measures, and on the supply side, efficient communications need to be available to all operators, including those who cannot afford to supply their own. In this context, quality markers such as logos, brands and indications or denominations that distinguish a product from its competitors can be a strategic way of transmitting information, especially for firms which cannot afford resources for communications or their own brand name. This research analyses and assesses the role of brands and territorial markers (PDO, PGI) in enhancing and promoting “very fresh” food products, in particular fruit and vegetables. The first part of the work identifies the most widely used quality markers, and the legal and organisational aspects for some of them. The second part is empirical and includes case studies on PDO and PGI, two company brands (Melinda and Marlene) in the fruit and vegetable sector and, finally, one collective brand, “QC – Qualita Controllata” set up by a regional authority, Emilia Romagna Region. Our case studies lead to the conclusion that collective brands and indications or denominations alone are not a sufficient condition for commercial success. What is essential, on top of basic product requisites, is the organisation of supply and brand strategy.
Transcriptional Analysis of the iagB within Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI1)

HilA is a central regulator of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1), which is necessary for host invasion by Salmonella and induction of gastroenteritis. The iagB lies downstream of hilA and is thought to be co-transcribed with hilA, but iagB expression has not yet been analyzed directly. In this study, iagB expression in various mutant strains was measured to determine whether the expression pattern was similar to that of hilA. A β-galactosidase assay revealed that iagB expression was greater under shaking than standing culture condition. iagB expression was decreased in relA/spoT and ihfB mutants but not in luxS mutant, in line with previous reports on hilA expression. The hilA and iagB mRNA levels decreased by approximately 2-fold in arcA mutant grown aerobically and increased by approximately 10-fold in fnr mutant grown anaerobically. Although the fold changes in hilA and iagB mRNA level differed in hfq mutant strain, the patterns of time- and Hfq-dependent regulation were similar for both genes. Thus, iagB and hilA exhibited similar expression patterns in various mutational backgrounds and under different growth condition.