SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: HOW CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AFFECTS FIRMS COMPETITIVENESS

The environmental aspect of CSR has been debated over the past few decades as stakeholders increasingly require organizations to become more environmentally aware and socially responsible. The environmental aspects of sustainable practices have increasingly become a major issue in the manufacturing sector. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess how environmental standards are directly related to competitiveness indicators. The study used a quantitative research design using primary data from a survey. The study population comprised eight (8) listed manufacturers of consumer goods products in South-west Nigeria. Thus, the total sample size for the study is 410. Primary data gathered from certified consumer goods manufacturing firms in Southwest Nigeria was evaluated using structural equation modelling, specifically partial least squares. The research findings established a significant direct and strong relationship between environmental standards and the competitiveness of consumer goods manufacturing firms in Southwest Nigeria. The study found that the selected manufacturing firms support climate change legislation to gain power over their competitors. The selected firms have taken initiatives to align sustainability with economic goals for competitiveness. Managers and other people at the top play a key role in decision-making and implementing the firm's sustainability practices. This study recommends that the need for manufacturing sector continue to behave fairly and responsibly and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large

Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex

The two hemispheres of the human brain differ functionally and structurally. Despite over a century of research, the extent to which brain asymmetry is influenced by sex, handedness, age, and genetic factors is still controversial. Here we present the largest ever analysis of subcortical brain asymmetries, in a harmonized multi-site study using meta-analysis methods. Volumetric asymmetry of seven subcortical structures was assessed in 15,847 MRI scans from 52 datasets worldwide. There were sex differences in the asymmetry of the globus pallidus and putamen. Heritability estimates, derived from 1170 subjects belonging to 71 extended pedigrees, revealed that additive genetic factors influenced the asymmetry of these two structures and that of the hippocampus and thalamus. Handedness had no detectable effect on subcortical asymmetries, even in this unprecedented sample size, but the asymmetry of the putamen varied with age. Genetic drivers of asymmetry in the hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia may affect variability in human cognition, including susceptibility to psychiatric disorders

EXAMINING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT IN ASIAN-OWNED COMPANY IN LAGOS STATE

Flexible work arrangement has become an important concern for organizations both in the private and public sector. The global pandemic has called for a need for flexibility at work in other to reduce the spread of the virus. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of flexible work arrangement on employee engagement at work. The need for flexibility in the context of this study was a result of the COVID-19 crisis. A contribution of this study is that it brings together the spillover theory that has its root in flexibility which promotes work-life balance. 19 top level managers of KRS investment limited owned by an Asian company in Nigeria participated in this qualitative research study. The research made use of focus group discussion for data collection and was analysed using inter-rater reliability and content analysis. The main finding is that flexibility develops from job shift,adjusting, growth and development motivation and observation. This study provides a number of practical recommendations for flexible work arrangement and employee engagement

Identification and exploration of novel FGFR-1 inhibitors in the Lotus database for Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) treatment

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the bile duct, with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. This study employed a machine learning algorithm and molecular docking using Maestro to screen 215,925 compounds from the Lotus database, aiming to identify potential fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) inhibitors as therapeutic agents. Five promising compounds were identified, with binding energies ranging from −10.018 to −8.439 kcal/mol, all outperforming the standard drug Dovitinib (−8.419 kcal/mol). Molecular mechanics calculations and MM/GBSA analysis confirmed the structural stability and favorable binding energies of the protein-ligand complexes. Additionally, 100-ns molecular dynamic simulations demonstrated that the top three compounds remained stable within FGFR1's active site, supported by root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, and hydrogen bond interactions. Overall, these five compounds show promise as potential therapeutic agents for CCA and warrant further investigation for drug development

The Effects of Variable Stirring Speeds On The Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum Alloys

Abstract The influence of variable stirring speeds on cast aluminium-copper alloys and the resulting enhancements in mechanical properties have been described in this study. Aluminium-copper (Al-Cu) alloys with 0-15 wt% Cu compositions were prepared via electro-mechanical stir casting process using various stirring speeds (0 rev/min, 10 rev/min, 50 rev/min and 90 rev/min) and the alloy materials produced were tested for microhardness and tensile strength. Increase in both wt% Cu compositions and stirring speeds were observed to have led to improvements in microhardness and tensile strength. The microstructural and mechanical characterisations also revealed that improvements in material properties recorded could be attributed to three mechanisms which are: solid solution hardening, precipitation hardening and the stirring effect.</jats:p

Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex.

The two hemispheres of the human brain differ functionally and structurally. Despite over a century of research, the extent to which brain asymmetry is influenced by sex, handedness, age, and genetic factors is still controversial. Here we present the largest ever analysis of subcortical brain asymmetries, in a harmonized multi-site study using meta-analysis methods. Volumetric asymmetry of seven subcortical structures was assessed in 15,847 MRI scans from 52 datasets worldwide. There were sex differences in the asymmetry of the globus pallidus and putamen. Heritability estimates, derived from 1170 subjects belonging to 71 extended pedigrees, revealed that additive genetic factors influenced the asymmetry of these two structures and that of the hippocampus and thalamus. Handedness had no detectable effect on subcortical asymmetries, even in this unprecedented sample size, but the asymmetry of the putamen varied with age. Genetic drivers of asymmetry in the hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia may affect variability in human cognition, including susceptibility to psychiatric disorders

Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex

The two hemispheres of the human brain differ functionally and structurally. Despite over a century of research, the extent to which brain asymmetry is influenced by sex, handedness, age, and genetic factors is still controversial. Here we present the largest ever analysis of subcortical brain asymmetries, in a harmonized multi-site study using meta-analysis methods. Volumetric asymmetry of seven subcortical structures was assessed in 15,847 MRI scans from 52 dataset worldwide. There were sex differences in the asymmetry of the globus pallidus and putamen. Heritability estimates, derived from 1170 subjects belonging to 71 extended pedigrees, revealed that additive genetic factors influenced the asymmetry of these two structures and that of the hippocampus and thalamus. Handedness had no detectable effect on subcortical asymmetries, even in this unprecedented sample size, but the asymmetry of the putamen varied with age. Genetic drivers of asymmetry in the hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia may affect variability in human cognition, including susceptibility to psychiatric disorders