ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to empirically examine the potential impact of supply chain practices on the supply chain performances of the agro-food industry. The constructs of interest are three-dimensional, including supplier partnerships, customer relationships and level and quality of information sharing, thus representing supply chain practices, flexibility, agility and innovation as the main characteristics of supply chain performance. To gain better understanding of the possible impact of the supply chain practices on the supply chain performances of the agro-food industry we use structural equation modelling. The analysis has revealed statistically significant positive impact of customers’ relationships as well as statistically significant negative impact of a supplier partnership on the supply chain performance. From a theoretical point of view, this study has indicated contribution of different supply chain practices on supply chain performances. The results obtained from this study provide practical implications that assist managers in improving supply chain performance and highlight limitations for implementation of supply chain practice for the improvement of business operations.

ABSTRACT The first generation of installed optical cables in Eastern Europe has been in use for more than 20 years. This paper analyzes the change of optical fibers from the aspect of aging under the influence of transmitted signals and the aspect of parameter degradation during exploration. The paper provides the answer for how to repair the increased attenuation at 1310 nm. We also proposed the method of solution NG PON access for small remote villages that are situated along the analyzed route.

Abstract A certain class of a host–parasitoid models, where some host are completely free from parasitism within a spatial refuge is studied. In this paper, we assume that a constant portion of host population may find a refuge and be safe from attack by parasitoids. We investigate the effect of the presence of refuge on the local stability and bifurcation of models. We give the reduction to the normal form and computation of the coefficients of the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation and the asymptotic approximation of the invariant curve. Then we apply theory to the three well-known host–parasitoid models, but now with refuge effect. In one of these models Chenciner bifurcation occurs. By using package Mathematica, we plot bifurcation diagrams, trajectories and the regions of stability and instability for each of these models.

Speaking of the biggest innovations for the manufacturing industry of the day, we are talking about intelligent production systems with “self-aware”, “self-contemplative and” self-sustaining “capabilities. Building such an intelligent system that is adapted and predictable provides the aforementioned capabilities in production, processes and machines. The intelligent system is able to combine various technologies and techniques for mixing statistical data, data, and artificial intelligence methods. Cigarette production is selected because it is highly serial. In such production, the use of expert systems in quality management in this area is not sufficiently developed, and with direct management, it generates great savings. Mistakes and errors are inversely proportional to productivity. This paper deals with the application of an intelligent system that uses the key principle of lean production. We need to build an adaptive system for predictive error and reduce the machine’s failure time in the cigarette industry.

This letter concerns the problem of learning robust LQ-controllers, when the dynamics of the linear system are unknown. First, we propose a robust control synthesis method to minimize the worst-case LQ cost, with probability $1-\delta $ , given empirical observations of the system. Next, we propose an approximate dual controller that simultaneously regulates the system and reduces model uncertainty. The objective of the dual controller is to minimize the worst-case cost attained by a new robust controller, synthesized with the reduced model uncertainty. The dual controller is subject to an exploration budget in the sense that it has constraints on its worst-case cost with respect to the current model uncertainty. In our numerical experiments, we observe better performance of the proposed robust LQ regulator over the existing methods. Moreover, the dual control strategy gives promising results in comparison with the common greedy random exploration strategies.

ABSTRACT A new series of polyurea derivatives and its nanocomposites were synthesised by the solution polycondensation method through the interaction between 4(2-aminothiazol-4-ylbenzylidene)-4-(tert-butyl) cyclohexanone and diisocyanate compound in pyridine. The PU1–3 structure was confirmed using Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and characterised by solubility, viscometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In addition, PU1–3 was evaluated by TGA. Polyurea–TiO2nanocomposites were synthesised using the same technique as that of PU1–3 by adding TiO2 as a nanofiller. The thermal properties of PU2TiO2a–d were evaluated by TGA. Moreover, the morphological properties of a selected sample were examined by SEM and TEM. In addition, PU1–3 and PU2TiO2a–d were examined for antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi. The PU1–3 showed antibacterial activity against some of the tested bacteria and fungi, as did PU2TiO2a–d, which increased with the increase in TiO2 content. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were displayed against all PU1–3 derivatives against two types of proteins. The results show that the increase in the strength of π–H interactions and H-donors contributed to improved binding of PU2 compared to PU1 andPU3. The docking of 1KZN against the tested polymers suggests an increase in the docking score of PU2, then PU1, and PU3, which is in agreement with the antibacterial study.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): (hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH, β-HCH, δ–HCH), lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulfane sulfate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, endrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), methoxychlor and endrin ketone and 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180). The samples were taken from pancetta, dry pork neck (budiola), pork tenderloin and sausages produced in Rakitno (Bosnia and Herzegovina), smoked in both a traditional smokehouse and in an industrial chamber. Instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The reliability of the results, i.e., quality control is ensured by standard laboratory practice, which involves participation in proficiency test, the use of blank samples, reference materials and implementation of recommendations given by the relevant international organizations. The concentrations of α-HCH, lindane, PCB 28, PCB 52 and PCB 153 were detected and quantified. The concentrations of OCPs and PCBs did not significantly vary depending on product type and the conditions of production. All the examined samples were for human consumption.

Background Neuroanatomists have long been fascinated by the complex topographic organization of the cerebrum. We examined historical and modern phylogenetic theories pertaining to microneurosurgical anatomy and intrinsic brain tumor development. Methods Literature and history related to the study of anatomy, evolution, and tumor predilection of the limbic and paralimbic regions were reviewed. We used vertebrate histological cross-sections, photographs from Albert Rhoton Jr.’s dissections, and original drawings to demonstrate the utility of evolutionary temporal causality in understanding anatomy. Results Phylogenetic neuroanatomy progressed from the substantial works of Alcmaeon, Herophilus, Galen, Vesalius, von Baer, Darwin, Felsenstein, Klingler, MacLean, and many others. We identified two major modern evolutionary theories: “triune brain” and topological phylogenetics. While the concept of “triune brain” is speculative and highly debated, it remains the most popular in the current neurosurgical literature. Phylogenetics inspired by mathematical topology utilizes computational, statistical, and embryological data to analyze the temporal transformations leading to three-dimensional topographic anatomy. These transformations have shaped well-defined surgical planes, which can be exploited by the neurosurgeon to access deep cerebral targets. The microsurgical anatomy of the cerebrum and the limbic system is redescribed by incorporating the dimension of temporal causality. Yasargil’s anatomical classification of glial tumors can be revisited in light of modern phylogenetic cortical categorization. Conclusion Historical and modern topological phylogenetic notions provide a deeper understanding of neurosurgical anatomy and approaches to the limbic and paralimbic regions. However, many questions remain unanswered and further research is needed to elucidate the anatomical pathology of intrinsic brain tumors.

Abstract The emerging literature on migration and security is predominantly focused on the threats that migration movements may have to the security in destination countries. This article shifts the focus to a migrant’s sending country and explores different socio-economic factors that could be associated with the process of radicalisation and the development of violent extremism among youth there. We use survey data collected from a sample of 4,500 young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B.i.H.) by USAID MEASURE-B.i.H. An index of radicalisation is constructed and used as a dependent variable. It is based on Bhui et al. and measures sympathies for violent protest and terrorism. It is regressed on a set of demographic characteristics, migration experience and social behaviour. The model was estimated by ordinary least squares (O.L.S.) with the index as a continuous dependent variable. The findings suggest that a range of factors including demographic characteristics, location, employment status, income, practicing of religion, and civic and political activism are associated with a degree of sympathy for violent extremism among youth in B.i.H. These results should provide useful insights into the relationship between the drivers and extremism, which then should help institutions to design more effective preventative and countering measures.