Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A stratified bootstrapping approach to assessing the success of TQM implementation in Peruvian companies

Total Quality Management represents a management approach to long-term success used by organisations worldwide to improve their products and processes and achieve customer satisfaction, being perceived as a source of competitive advantage. A look at the existent literature points towards a lack of studies dedicated to examining TQM implementation in developing countries, especially in Latin America and particularly in Peru. The current industrial needs in Peru, however, require further research on this topic because a larger number of organisations choose nowadays to obtain quality certifications to improve their products. In this context, the objective of the present paper is to provide a snapshot of the current state of TQM implementation in Peru, aiming to identify which key quality factors are the most and least developed for successful TQM implementation. To this aim, the present paper uses a bootstrapping approach, within the framework of a nine-factor model of TQM in business. The study is performed on a sample of 4,668 Peruvian companies, across 52 industry sectors. Findings reveal that the most developed key quality factors in the companies surveyed are: Top Management, Quality Planning, Quality Audit and Assessment, Education and Training, and Process Control and Improvement. Implications for practice are provided.
Being John Harper: Using evolutionary ideas to improve understanding of global patterns in plant traits

This review summarizes current understanding of five key plant traits: seed mass, plant height, wood density, leaf mass per unit area and leaf size, emphasizing ways in which our understanding of large‐scale patterns in plant traits have improved over the last two decades. Notable advances include: (1) large‐seeded species have greater seed dispersal distances than do small‐seeded species, (2) leaf mass per unit area is not strongly or consistently related to plant traits outside the leaf economics spectrum, or to broad gradients in environmental conditions, and (3) fleshy fruit could not have first evolved for seed dispersal, as the first fleshy fruit appeared millions of years before the first potential seed dispersers. While quantifying large‐scale patterns in plant traits has yielded many important discoveries, it is clear that the next major leap in understanding will not come from simply including ever more variables in our analyses. I suggest that we build upon Harper's “Darwinian approach to plant ecology” and apply evolutionary ideas to large‐scale trait ecology. For example, quantifying trait impacts on lifetime fitness rather than on particular stages of plant regeneration can allow us to understand the coordination between seemingly disparate traits. I use this approach to bring seed mass and plant height together as integrated parts of a species’ life‐history spectrum. I then point out problems associated with the implicit assumption that selection acts on species’ mean trait values and show how considering the way selection acts can improve our understanding of the effects of climate on plant traits. A goal for the future is to quantify the full suite of biotic and abiotic factors that shape plant strategy in complex, real‐world situations. Synthesis. Enormous data availability and ever more powerful computational and statistical tools have given ecologists unprecedented power to quantify large‐scale patterns in plant ecology. However, there is a limit to how far big data alone can take us. The time is ripe for a new generation of hypotheses and ecological theory built on strong evolutionary foundations. Let the creativity begin!
The number of specimens in a furnace affects the biaxial flexural strength of veneered zirconia specimens after sintering

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of the number of specimens in a furnace during the firing of porcelain-zirconia (Y-TZP) discs on their biaxial flexural strength. Eighty bilayer disc-shaped specimens (∅: 15mm; thickness: 1.2 mm, ISO 6872) of zirconia (Vita In-Ceram YZ Cubes/Vita) and porcelain (Vita VM9) ceramics, were prepared and divided into four groups (n = 20) according to the number of specimens in a furnace for each porcelain sintering: G1- one disc/20 sintering cycles. ; G2 – two discs/10 sintering cycles. ; G5-five discs/4 sintering cycles; and G10 – ten discs/2 sintering cycles. Then, the specimens were submitted to biaxial flexure testing (BFS) (1 mm/min, water). The data (MPa) were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Dunn's post hoc analysis at a 95% level of confidence (α = 0.05). Kruskal-Wallis showed that the number of samples in the furnace affected flexural strength (p < 0.0001). The highest BFS was observed for the G5 (132.3 MPa)A, which was significantly higher than G1 (53.6 MPa)B. No significant difference was observed for the Weibull moduli and characteristic strength among the groups. In terms of flexural strength, approximately five specimens at a time can be placed in a furnace for sintering.
Is Integration of Stock Markets Advantageous for Emerging Economies?

The focal purpose of this study is to analyze and explore the linkages of Pakistan Stock Exchange with the equity market of developing countries (Bangladesh, Singapore, Turkey, China and India) by applying co-integration approach to capture the short-run and long-run analysis. Monthly based secondary data containing stock indices of these equity markets covering the period from Jan 2015 to June 2019 has been used. Analysis of study shows that Pakistan Stock Exchange is not linked with the equity markets of Bangladesh and Singapore while it is correlated with the equity markets of China, Turkey and India. Results also show that PSX has short run relationship with developing countries like China, India and Turkey. No linkage with selected equity markets offers the investors and fund managers to get the better investment benefits in PSX. Existence of linkages of PSX- with the equity market reveals that the investors and fund managers of these countries do not have better investment opportunities in PSX. This study will help the investors in searching such equity markets which have greater investment benefits because linkages of equity market determines the better investment places. Investors and policy makers can make efficient investment decisions by studying these analyses. This study provides awareness and guideline to decision makers including local and foreign investors, agencies, financial analysts and banks about investment opportunities in equity market of Pakistan.
Diabetes Distress and Associated Factors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in South East Nigeria

Background: Diabetes distress (DD) is a common worldwide problem in diabetic patients irrespective of age and type of treatment. In the DAWN 2 study (Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs), DD was reported by 44.6% of participants. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and level of DD and its associated factors among adult diabetic patients in South East Nigeria. Methods: The present study was cross-sectional and descriptive. Patients attending the adult diabetes clinic were enrolled. The questionnaire was administered by the investigators. All patients were eligible. Their demographic and clinical data were obtained. They were screened for DD using the DD Scale (DDS)-2 and DDS-17. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: There were 110 subjects (38 males and 72 females), aged 36–85 years (60.5 ± 10.0). Only 9 (8.2%) had diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1, while the rest had type 2 DM. Twenty-five subjects (22.7%) were on insulin injection. Hypertension was coexistent in 72%, and they were prescribed 3–10 medications (5.9 ± 1.5) at the time of assessment. The male and female subjects were comparable. Moderate to severe DD was present in 51.9% (DDS-17). The average scores were for DDS-2, 3.1; DDS-17, 2.3; emotional burden, 2.9; physician-related distress, 1.4; regimen-related distress, 2.5, and interpersonal distress, 2.2. Distress was significantly associated with a younger age, T1DM, longer duration of diabetes, use of insulin injection, and HbA1C level. Conclusion: DD is a common consequence of living with diabetes and impairs diabetes self-care behavior and glycemic control. Active screening for DD should be an integral part of diabetes care. Diabetes self-management education and support should be implemented at diagnosis and as needed thereafter, especially when DD is diagnosed.
Position of the working group sports nutrition of the German Nutrition Society (DGE): fluid replacement in sports

Adequate hydration is an important precondition for the health and performance of athletes. The quantity and type of fluid intake before, during, and after exercise affect an athlete’s performance. Both inadequate and excessive fluid intake has a negative effect or represents a health risk. In the past athletes have frequently been guided by the principle “drink before the thirst hits”. However this can increase the risk of hyponatremia (“water intoxication”), which in extreme cases has already led to deaths of recreational athletes (triathletes and marathon runners) (1, 14, 27). This highlights the particular importance of fluid intake in sports. Since water and electrolyte levels are closely connected, the composition of drinks also plays a role in water absorption. In the following article the Dr. Stephanie Mosler Olympiastützpunkt Stuttgart Mercedesstraße 83 70372 Stuttgart, Germany : mosler@osp-stuttgart.org SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Sportgetränk, Flüssigkeitszufuhr, Flüssigkeitsbilanz, Elektrolytbilanz
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) Production Using Different Substrates Under 27.30C Average Temperature

The study was conducted in an average temperature of 27 0C. Objectives were to determine the yield performance of oyster mushroom using different substrates and substrates’ combination; to determine if there is a significant difference on the yield performance of oyster mushroom using different substrates and substrates’ combination; and to identify which of the different substrates and their combination performs best in oyster mushroom production. The experiment was laid out using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with an area of 30m2 . Four treatments were used and replicated five times. Sawdust, corn cob and rice straw were the substrates used in this study. Treatments were: T1 (100% rice straw), T2 (100% corn cob), T3 (100% sawdust), and T4 (33.33% rice straw + 33.33% corn cob + 33.33% sawdust). Results of the study showed that there was a highly significant difference on the average number and total number of oyster mushroom during the first harvest. However, the average weight and total weight of oyster mushroom were not significantly different. The average number, average weight, total number, and total weight were not significantly different during the second to fifth harvest. Based on the results of the study, the adoption of T3 to obtain more number of oyster mushroom per fruiting bag per treatment is highly recommended to improve the production in the locality.
Characterization and Prediction of Air Transport Delays in China

Air transport delays are a major source of direct and opportunity costs in modern societies, being this problem is especially important in the case of China. In spite of this, our knowledge on delay generation is mostly based on intuition, and the scientific community has hitherto devoted little attention to this topic. We here present the first data-driven systemic study of air transport delays in China, of their evolution and causes, based on 11 million flights between 2016 and 2018. A significant fraction of the delays can be explained by a few variables, e.g., weather conditions and traffic levels, the most important factors being the presence of thunderstorms and the season of the year. Remaining delays can often be explained by en-route weather phenomena or by reactionary delays. This study contributes towards a better understanding of delays and their prediction through a data-driven methodology, leveraging on statistics and data mining concepts.
Chaotic circuit based on physical memristor

In this paper, we briefly discuss the main features of the memristor-based autonomous oscillator introduced and extensively characterized in [1]. The circuit is based on two feedback loops, a linear one and a non-linear one involving a self-directed channel memristor. In particular, we consider two different types of devices, one tungsten-based and one carbon-based, and show experimental results proving that chaos can be readily obtained in both cases, despite the device non-idealities.
Spontaneous Hybridization between Pinus sylvestris L. and P. mugo Turra in Slovakia

Abstract Molecular evidence for spontaneous hybridization between Pinus sylvestris L. and P. mugo Turra in the putative hybrid swarm populations of the species in Slovakia was provided based on PCR-RFLP analysis of the cpDNA trnV-trnH region. Species-specific restriction profiles generated by Hinf I digests of the cpDNA products reliably identified P. sylvestris and P. mugo haplotypes of the embryos from open pollination. Simultaneous analysis of the respective cpDNA region in megagametophytes and embryos of individual seeds along with needles of a given maternal tree has enabled to score either the P. sylvestris or P. mugo haplotypes in the embryos illustrating hybridization patterns between the two species. Data obtained in this way indicate a relatively extensive hybridization which takes place between P. sylvestris and P. mugo. The extent of hybridization varied among populations as evidenced by the 41.1-58.7% proportion of hybrid embryos registered on the locality Habovka, and by the 8.3% and 2.7% proportions of hybrid embryos on the localities Tisovnica and Sucha Hora, respectively. The approach itself is recommended as a convenient method for monitoring the hybridization patterns in sympatric zones of the studied pine species.
Water of Increased Content of Molecular Oxygen

Deionized and tap water were saturated with molecular oxygen either prior to (WST), or after (WTS), treatment with low-temperature, low-pressure glow plasma of low frequency (LPGP) for 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Physical and physicochemical properties of the resulting liquids were characterized, involving pH, conductivity, density, dissolved molecular oxygen, active oxygen content, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), Fourier transformation infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), electronic spin resonance (ESR), and Raman spectroscopies. Tap WST treated with LPGP for 30 min contained the highest level of dissolved molecular oxygen, compared to original non-treated tap water (23 and 15 mg/L, respectively). Essential differences in all investigated properties of LPGP treated tap and deionized WST, compared to those for corresponding WTS, pointed to the indispensable role of dissolved oxygen molecules in building water macrostructure. In the case of tap WST, formation of niches and/or caverns hosting anions (HCO3−, SO4=) was accompanied by cations less enveloped by hydroxyl groups of water. The WST water contained niches of larger size, hosting molecules of oxygen interacting with the environment in various manners. In WTS there was a priority for single donor, single hydrogen bonded water, and free water in building the macrostructure. Such macrostructures host molecular oxygen which, depending on the LPGP treatment time, took either a singlet of triplet state.
Bidirectional Loading of the Subduction Interface: Evidence From the Kinematics of Slow Slip Events

Subduction zones host some of Earth's most damaging natural hazards, including megathrust earthquakes and earthquake‐induced tsunamis. A major control on the initiation and rupture characteristics of subduction megathrust earthquakes is how the coupled zone along the subduction interface accumulates elastic strain between events. We present results from observations of slow slip events (SSEs) in Cascadia occurring during the interseismic period downdip of the fully coupled zone, which imply that the orientation of strain accumulation within the coupled zone can vary with depth. Interseismic GPS motions suggest that forces derived from relative plate motions across a shallow, offshore locked plate interface dominate over decadal timescales. Deeper on the plate interface, below the locked (seismogenic) patch, slip during SSEs dominantly occurs in the updip direction, reflecting a dip‐parallel force acting on the slab, such as slab pull. This implies that in subduction zones with obliquely convergent plate motions, the seismogenic zone of the megathrust is loaded by forces acting in two discrete directions, leading to a depth‐varying orientation of strain accumulation on the plate interface.
Inference of significant microbial interactions from longitudinal metagenomics sequencing data

Data of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and their analysis have been facilitating advances in our understanding of microbial ecosystems such as human gut microbiota. However, inference of microbial interactions occurring within an ecosystem is still a challenge mainly due to metagenomics sequencing (e.g., 16S rDNA sequences) providing relative abundance of microbes instead of absolute cell count. In order to describe the population dynamics in microbial communities and estimate the involved microbial interactions, we introduce a procedure by integrating generalized Lotka-Volterra equations, forward stepwise regression and bootstrap aggregation. First, we successfully identify experimentally confirmed microbial interactions with relative abundance data of a cheese microbial community. Then, we apply the procedure to time-series of 16S rDNA sequences of gut microbiomes of children who were progressing to Type 1 diabetes (T1D progressors), and compare their gut microbial interactions to a healthy control group. Our results suggest that the number of inferred microbial interactions increased over time during the first three years of life. More microbial interactions are found in the gut flora of healthy children than the T1D progressors. The inhibitory effects from Actinobacteria and Bacilli to Bacteroidia, from Bacteroidia to Clostridia, and the benifit effect from Clostridia to Bacteroidia are shared between healthy children and T1D progressors. An inhibition of Clostridia by Gammaproteobacteria is found in healthy children that maintains through their first three years of life. This suppression appears in T1D progressors during the first year of life, which transforms to a commensalism relationship at the age of three years old. Gammaproteobacteria is found exerting an inhibition on Bacteroidia in the T1D progressors, which is not identified in the healthy controls.
Peripheral immune cell abnormalities associated with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting single-gene disease. It is caused by mutations to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that is expressed on immune cells such as dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes. Lack of CFTR expression on lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages has been reported to result in abnormal immune responses. An unresolving hyperinflammatory and T helper (Th)2/Th17 skewed immune response has also been reported in CF. We therefore hypothesised that abnormalities in both the innate and adaptive immune responses may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CF lung disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from people with CF, CF carriers and healthy age-matched controls were stained with antibodies for identification of CD4\(^+\) effector (Th1, Th2, Th17) and T regulatory (Treg) (FOXP3\(^+\) Treg, IL-10\(^+\) T regulatory 1 [Tr1], transforming growth factor (TGF)β\(^+\) Th3) cells, naive/memory CD4\(^+\) and Treg cells expressing the Th1-, Th2- and Th17-associated homing markers (CXCR3, CCR4, CCR6) and innate immune cell populations including natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, dendritic cells (DC) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) using multicolour flow cytometric analysis. Gene expression of the main transcription regulators of CD4\(^+\) subsets and of inflammatory markers was also measured using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Subtle changes were observed in T cell subset proportions in CF peripheral blood, with a detectable Th2 bias and a link between poor lung function and high Th17 percent. All innate immune cell proportions were altered in CF compared with healthy controls, and percentages of NK and MDSC were also correlated with lung function. CF carriers, who have only one mutated CFTR copy, presented with an immune phenotype similar to CF patients or intermediate between those of controls and CF patients. Because the CF carriers did not have chronic infections, this suggested that the many of the abnormal immune responses seen in people with CF may be the consequence of defective CFTR rather than of chronic infection. These findings suggest that greater emphasis should be placed on treating aberrant immune responses in CF.
Identification of novel genes including rpmF and yjjQ critical for Type II persister formation in Escherichia coli

Persister cells, which are characterized by inactive metabolism and tolerance to antibiotics or stresses, pose a significant challenge to the treatment of many persistent infections. Although multiple genes have been reported to be involved in persister formation through transposon mutant library screens, how persisters are formed during the natural process of persister formation as the culture transitions from log phase to stationary phase is unclear. Here, using E. coli as a model, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of gene expression profiles of successive cultures of an E. coli culture at different critical time points, starting from persister-free S1-nonexistence phase (3h) to persister appearing S2-emergence phase (4h), and persister abundant stage S3-abundance phase (5h). The differentially expressed genes (≥2-fold) in persister appearing stage (S1 to S2 transition) and persister abundant stage (S1 to S3) were compared, and 51 and 29 genes were identified to be up-regulated, respectively. Importantly, 13 genes (gnsA, gnsB, ybfA, yjjQ, ymdF, yhdU, csgD, yncN, rpmF, ydcX, yohJ, ssrA, rbsD) overlap in both persister S2-emergence phase and S3-abundance phase, including a member of the trans-translation pathway (ssrA) as well as an orphan toxin (ydcX), which are two well-known persister genes while the remaining 11 novel genes (gnsA, gnsB, ybfA, yjjQ, ymdF, yhdU, csgD, yncN, rpmF, yohJ, rbsD) have not been reported previously. Persister levels of 7 constructed knockout mutants (ΔgnsA, ΔybfA, ΔyjjQ, ΔyhdU, ΔcsgD, ΔyohJ and ΔrpmF) and 10 overexpression strains (gnsA, gnsB, ybfA, yjjQ, ymdF, yhdU, csgD, rpmF, yohJ, rbsD) in E. coli uropathogenic strain UTI89 were determined upon treatment with different cidal antibiotics (ampicillin, levofloxacin and gentamicin). Additionally, ranking of these overlapping genes according to their impact on persister levels were also performed. Two genes (rpmF encoding 50S ribosomal subunit protein L32, and yjjQ encoding a putative LuxR-type transcription factor) showed the most obvious phenotype on persister levels in both knockout and overexpression studies, which suggests they are broad and key factors for persister formation. While previous studies cannot distinguish if a given persister gene is involved in persister formation or persister survival, our findings clearly identify novel persister forming genes and pathways involving a ribosome protein and a LuxR type transcription factor during the bona fide persister formation process and may have implications for developing improved treatment of persistent infections.