The link between company performance and supply chain orientation from the perspective of halal SMEs

PurposeThis study aims to examine the links between company performance (CP) and supply chain (SC) orientation considering halal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan. The SC orientation framework integrates three aspects to determine CP, i.e. credibility, commitment and top management support.Design/methodology/approachHalal SMEs were reviewed; 271 valid responses were obtained and scrutinised, employing the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe credibility of SC stakeholders performs the main impact on the CP of halal SMEs in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, commitment and top management support show fewer influences, although they significantly impact CP.Originality/valueThis study confirms the relationships between SC orientation and CP from the perspective of halal SMEs. The social capital theory was applied to explain these relationships. It is the initial attempt to investigate such relationships in a post-Soviet Union country.

Application hybrid GSAPSO Technique for AGC in Inter Connected Power System with Generation Rate Constant

An attempt has been taken in this work to effectively implement the combination of GSA and PSO (hGSA-PSO) technique towards AGC in two-area inter-connected power systems with generation rate constraint (GRC) is considered. For the design and analysis, a initial attempt has been taken to optimize parameters of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller in two area non-reheat thermal power system employing GSA and hGSA-PSO algorithm with ITAE objective function. A sensitivity studies carried out for the robustness of the system by changing the operating condition and variation of the parameter and generation rate constant (GRC= ±0.05 and ±0.025) is considered. The performances of the proposed controller has been evaluated with those of some previously published optimization techniques such as GA and BOFA based optimized controller parameters for the same power system. This study of the present work is extended to two area multi sources power system to test the robustness analysis of the system by comparing the hGSA-PSO optimized to PI controller with same structure of system by selecting with and without GRC for showing the dynamic performance analysis of the system in term of settling time and overshoot.

Machine Learning and Data Science Project Management From an Agile Perspective

Successful implementations of machine learning (ML) and data science (DS) applications have enabled innovative business models and brought new opportunities for organizations. On the other hand, research studies report that organizations employing ML and DS solutions are at a high risk of failure and they can easily fall short of their objectives. One major factor is to adopt or tailor a project management method for the specific requirements of ML and DS applications. Therefore, agile project management (APM) may be proposed as a solution. However, there is significantly less study that explores ML and DS project management from an agile perspective. In this chapter, the authors discuss methods and challenges according to the background information and practice areas of ML, DS, and APM. This study can be viewed as an initial attempt to enhance these knowledge and practice domains in view of APM. Therefore, future research efforts will focus on the challenges as well as the experimental implementation of APM methods in real industrial case studies of ML and DS.

The destructive establishment in groups

In this article I apply the concept of the internal establishment proposed by Hoggett (1998) composed of the positive and destructive narcissistic elements to group therapy. Hoggett’s concept extends the notions of ‘Me-ness’ put forward by Lawrence (Lawrence et.al., 1996) into positive and negative component parts. Clinical examples illustrate the rapidity with which such destructive narcissistic elements appear. This structure likely exists in all groups and this is an initial attempt to distinguish the distinctive dynamics of creative and destructive groups.

Study on Parameter Optimization and Mechanism of Rigid-Flexible Coupling Underground Engineering Structure of Steel Panel and Polymer

Polymer grouting is carried out between the steel panel and surrounding soil in underground engineering, and the polymer material consists of isocyanates and polyols. The isocyanate/polyol composite slurry expands rapidly due to chemical reaction and solidifies immediately. Then, a dense impermeable polymer layer is formed after rapid expansion of isocyanate and polyol, which is widely used for ground reinforcement and foundation remediation. Thus, a steel panel-polymer composite structure is developed. Mechanical properties of the steel panel-polymer structure are studied. The results show that the steel panel-polymer structure exhibited excellent mechanical properties. The steel panel and polymer layer should be designed above 3 mm and 10 mm in thickness, respectively. The steel panel showed superior mechanical properties to those of polymer layers. Considering good rigidity of the steel panel and good flexibility of the polymer layer, the steel panel and polymer layer presented perfect interfacial contact. It is concluded that the mechanical properties of the whole structure were increasingly enhanced with the increase of the steel panel thickness and the structural flexibility increased with the thickness of the polymer layer. Besides, the combination of the steel panel and polymer layer could also improve the mechanical properties of this coupling structure. This study provided an initial attempt for investigating the feasibility of applying polyurethane foam to steel panels in underground engineering. The stress analysis along the grouting direction inside the prefabricated wall was conducted. It may lay the foundation for further application of polymer grouting in underground engineering.

Medllecta. Hematological Preventive Method (HPM). Part 2

A complete dynamic model of the protein and, in particular, the the enzymatic process of synthesis and degradation could significantly improve the quality of diagnosis of diseases of various etiologies at the earliest stages of their development. In this article, we describe our initial attempt to create the above model based on a radically new mathematical approach, Sense Logic [1] in terms of enzymatic kinetics.

Career indecision: an integrative review and research agenda

Purpose The current review sought to bring light to the issue of an underexplored career phenomenon – career indecision. Career indecision is a significant developmental stage in one’s career life and has been a prominent topic in vocational psychology research in the past decades. However, it has received scant scholarly attention in the human resource development (HRD) field. Besides, the career indecision literature, in general, is lacking theoretical refinement and analytical review. The present study aims to stimulate HRD scholars’ interests by providing an introductory context for understanding the richness and potentialities of researching career indecision in the HRD area. Design/methodology/approach To address the gap, the author conducted an integrative review (Torraco, 2005, 2016) of 60 peer-reviewed articles and synthesized the existing knowledge of career indecision. More importantly, antecedent and outcome factors associated with career indecision were identified and analyzed. Findings A nomological network about career indecision was provided. Besides, the results of the integrative review revealed several omissions in the career indecision literature. Building upon that, implications for HRD research and practice are presented and discussed. Originality/value As an initial attempt to synthesize career indecision literature, this study sought to stimulate HRD professionals’ interest in examining this underexplored career phenomenon.

Exploring the Aversive and Anxiogenic Effects of Novel Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists in Rats

<p>Drug addiction is characterised by uncontrolled, compulsive drug use despite negative consequences. As this disease has a high social and economic cost, greater attention is required in finding an effective treatment for individuals suffering addiction. Kappa opioid receptor (KOPr) agonists demonstrate anti-addiction effects in the rodent cocaine drug-prime model of reinstatement. Salvinorin A (Sal A), a novel non-nitrogenous KOPr agonist, has demonstrated reduced side-effects compared to traditional agonists. However, its short half-life and duration of action limit clinical development. The design of novel Sal A analogues with improved pharmacokinetics, anti-addiction effects, and reduced side-effects is an important step towards the pharmaceutical development of KOPr agonists. β-Tetrahydropyran Sal B (β-THP Sal B), Mesyl Sal B, ethoxymethyl salvinorin B ether (EOM Sal B), and Ethynyl Sal A (Ethy Sal A) have demonstrated anti-addiction effects by reducing cocaine-seeking behaviour in rats, but their aversive and anxiogenic properties have yet to be examined. Here the conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm is used to evaluate aversion and the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark test, and open field are utilised to measure anxiety in male Sprague-Dawley rats. EOM Sal B (0.1 mg/kg, i.p) and Ethy Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p) did not produce aversive effects, whereas the traditional KOPr agonist U50,488 (10 mg/kg, i.p), Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p), and the novel analogue β-THP Sal B (1 mg/kg, i.p) produced significant aversion using the CPA protocol. In the EPM all the novel analogues, β-THP Sal B, EOM Sal B, Mesyl Sal B, and Ethy Sal, A did not show a reduction in time spent on the open arm. In addition, EOM Sal B showed a significant increase in time spent on the open arm compared with Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p). Sal A (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.p) showed significant anxiogenic effects, but the traditional agonist U50,488 did not. In the light/dark test Sal A (1 mg/kg, i.p) showed significant dose dependent anxiogenic effects with significant effects observed at 1 but not 0.3 mg/kg dose. This is in contrast to results observed in the EPM. The novel analogues EOM Sal B and β-THP Sal B demonstrated a non-significant trend toward anxiogenic behaviour in the light/dark test, but U50,488, Mesyl Sal B, and Ethy Sal A did not show significant reductions in time spent in the light box. KOPr stimulation activates its associated G-proteins, allowing them to interact with several intracellular effectors. Activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) can occur downstream of the KOPr signalling cascade. The phosphorylation of CREB is associated with dysphoria and stress-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behaviour. An initial attempt to validate CREB assays was made. The lack of behavioural anxiogenic and aversive side-effects with EOM Sal B, Mesyl Sal B and Ethy Sal A treatment demonstrates that the development of KOPr agonists with desirable effects and reduced side-effects is possible. These novel Sal A agonists provide promising candidates for pharmacotherapy development.</p>

Effect of Series Active Voltage Conditioners on Modernized Grid

<p>Modernized “Smart” grids incorporate renewable energy sources on a widespread scale. Foreseen expansion in integrating more renewables is driven by global CO₂ emission concerns and depletion of fossil fuels. Active elements/devices are added to smart grids to enhance power availability and quality with the aid of advances in power electronics and communication systems. Active Voltage Conditioner (AVC) represents state-of-the-art in the field of voltage regulation and conditioning, however; integrating it into modernized grids has not been the subject of detailed study yet. This thesis details the AVC-Grid interaction mechanism and associated performance parameters. ABB PCS100 AVC computer model based on MATLAB/PLECS platform is used as a basis for the proposed mathematical model. Accordingly, operational V-I characteristics is derived and impact of equivalent grid stiffness is analyzed. In this thesis, the modeling of AVC has been introduced as seen by the grid in light of MATLAB/PLECS simulations. The conditioning ratio to describe the “depth” of load conditioning had been introduced. Modeling of AVC operational characteristics has been developed and dependency on conditioning ratio and equivalent grid stiffness had been investigated. Also, the analysis of grid behavior due to AVC operation during overvoltages and undervoltages has been carried out as well as discussing the envisaged impact on tied WTG/PV systems. The thesis represents an initial attempt to model the AVC and discusses its envisaged impact on smart grids.</p>

Exploring the Aversive and Anxiogenic Effects of Novel Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists in Rats

<p>Drug addiction is characterised by uncontrolled, compulsive drug use despite negative consequences. As this disease has a high social and economic cost, greater attention is required in finding an effective treatment for individuals suffering addiction. Kappa opioid receptor (KOPr) agonists demonstrate anti-addiction effects in the rodent cocaine drug-prime model of reinstatement. Salvinorin A (Sal A), a novel non-nitrogenous KOPr agonist, has demonstrated reduced side-effects compared to traditional agonists. However, its short half-life and duration of action limit clinical development. The design of novel Sal A analogues with improved pharmacokinetics, anti-addiction effects, and reduced side-effects is an important step towards the pharmaceutical development of KOPr agonists. β-Tetrahydropyran Sal B (β-THP Sal B), Mesyl Sal B, ethoxymethyl salvinorin B ether (EOM Sal B), and Ethynyl Sal A (Ethy Sal A) have demonstrated anti-addiction effects by reducing cocaine-seeking behaviour in rats, but their aversive and anxiogenic properties have yet to be examined. Here the conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm is used to evaluate aversion and the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark test, and open field are utilised to measure anxiety in male Sprague-Dawley rats. EOM Sal B (0.1 mg/kg, i.p) and Ethy Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p) did not produce aversive effects, whereas the traditional KOPr agonist U50,488 (10 mg/kg, i.p), Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p), and the novel analogue β-THP Sal B (1 mg/kg, i.p) produced significant aversion using the CPA protocol. In the EPM all the novel analogues, β-THP Sal B, EOM Sal B, Mesyl Sal B, and Ethy Sal, A did not show a reduction in time spent on the open arm. In addition, EOM Sal B showed a significant increase in time spent on the open arm compared with Sal A (0.3 mg/kg, i.p). Sal A (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.p) showed significant anxiogenic effects, but the traditional agonist U50,488 did not. In the light/dark test Sal A (1 mg/kg, i.p) showed significant dose dependent anxiogenic effects with significant effects observed at 1 but not 0.3 mg/kg dose. This is in contrast to results observed in the EPM. The novel analogues EOM Sal B and β-THP Sal B demonstrated a non-significant trend toward anxiogenic behaviour in the light/dark test, but U50,488, Mesyl Sal B, and Ethy Sal A did not show significant reductions in time spent in the light box. KOPr stimulation activates its associated G-proteins, allowing them to interact with several intracellular effectors. Activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) can occur downstream of the KOPr signalling cascade. The phosphorylation of CREB is associated with dysphoria and stress-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behaviour. An initial attempt to validate CREB assays was made. The lack of behavioural anxiogenic and aversive side-effects with EOM Sal B, Mesyl Sal B and Ethy Sal A treatment demonstrates that the development of KOPr agonists with desirable effects and reduced side-effects is possible. These novel Sal A agonists provide promising candidates for pharmacotherapy development.</p>