Least-squares fit of a linear combination of functions

We propose that given a data-set $S=\{(x_i,y_i)/i=1,2,{\dots}n\}$ and real-valued functions $\{f_\alpha(x)/\alpha=1,2,{\dots}m\},$ the least-squares fit vector $A=\{a_\alpha\}$ for $y=\sum_\alpha a_{\alpha}f_\alpha(x)$ is $A = (F^TF)^{-1}F^TY$ where $[F_{i\alpha}]=[f_\alpha(x_i)].$ We test this formalism by deriving the algebraic expressions of the regression coefficients in $y = ax + b$ and in $y = ax^2 + bx + c.$ As a practical application, we successfully arrive at the coefficients in the semi-empirical mass formula of nuclear physics. The formalism is {\it generic} - it has the potential of being applicable to any {\it type} of $\{x_i\}$ as long as there exist appropriate $\{f_\alpha\}.$ The method can be exploited with a CAS or an object-oriented language and is excellently suitable for parallel-processing

Integrating sustainable supply chain practices with operational performance: An exploratory study of Chinese SMEs

With growing regulatory and market pressure to implement green practices, SMEs are facing enormous challenges to simultaneously improve operational and green performances of their supply chains. The paper aims to understand the green practices adopted by Chinese SMEs in the packaging sector in order to assess the impact of these practices in improving the operational performance. Case study-based research methodology is adopted and semi-structured interviews are conducted to collect data from seven SMEs in this study. Both in-case and cross-case analyses are performed to understand the green practices being adopted with the focus on improving the operational performance. The findings of this study indicate that although most SMEs understand the importance of green practices, they have limited knowledge to integrate these practices to improve operational performance. Integration and alignment of green activities with the operational improvement measures are identified as critical factors to develop an efficient green supply chain

Investigating innovation capability and organizational performance in service firms

In the service firm, innovation capability influences both financial and nonfinancial performance. It is crucial for businesses to address key challenges anticipated by the changes in socioeconomic and environmental issues. Innovation capability is largely seen as a vital source for generating sustainable competitive advantage. This article investigates the determinants of innovation capability and their relationship with organizational performance in the Jordanian banking sector

Baryogenesis from Primordial Blackholes after Electroweak Phase Transition

Incorporating a realistic model for accretion of ultra-relativistic particles by primordial blackholes (PBHs), we study the evolution of an Einstein-de Sitter universe consisting of PBHs embedded in a thermal bath from the epoch $\sim 10^{-33}$ sec to $\sim 5\times 10^{-9}$ sec. In this paper we use Barrow et al's ansatz to model blackhole evaporation in which the modified Hawking temperature goes to zero in the limit of the blackhole attaining a relic state with mass $\sim m_{pl}$. Both single mass PBH case as well as the case in which blackhole masses are distributed in the range $8\times 10^2 - 3\times 10^5$ gm have been considered in our analysis. Blackholes with mass larger than $\sim 10^5$ gm appear to survive beyond the electroweak phase transition and, therefore, successfully manage to create baryon excess via $X-\bar X$ emissions, averting the baryon number wash-out due to sphalerons. In this scenario, we find that the contribution to the baryon-to-entropy ratio by PBHs of initial mass $m$ is given by $\sim \epsilon \zeta (m/1 {gm})^{-1}$, where $\epsilon$ and $\zeta$ are the CP-violating parameter and the initial mass fraction of the PBHs, respectively. For $\epsilon$ larger than $\sim 10^{-4}$, the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe can be attributed to the evaporation of PBHs.Comment: Latex2e file with seven figures included as postscript file

Pesticides Curbing Soil Fertility: Effect of Complexation of Free Metal Ions

Researchers have suggested that the reason behind infertility is pernicious effect of broad spectrum pesticides on non target, beneficial microorganism of soil. Here, studying the chelating effect of selective organophosphate and carbamate pesticides with essential metal ions, at all possible combinations of three different pH (4 ± 0.05, 7 ± 0.05 and 9 ± 0.05) and three different temperatures (15 ± 0.5°C, 30 ± 0.5°C and 45 ± 0.5°C), shows very fast rate of reaction which further increases with increase of pH and temperature. Carbonyl oxygen of carbamate and phosphate oxygen of organophosphate were found to be common ligating sites among all the complexes. Formed metal complexes were found to be highly stable and water insoluble on interaction with essential metal ions in solvent medium as well as over silica. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations not only reinforced the experimental observations, but, after a wide computational conformational analysis, unraveled the nature of the high stable undesired species that consist of pesticides complexed by metal ions from the soil. All in all, apart from the direct toxicity of pesticides, the indirect effect by means of complexation of free metal ions impoverishes the soil

Phytochemicals analysis, Phenolic & flavonoids content of Cordia macleodii Hook leaves & Bark

Cordia macleodii Hook (boraginaceae), a folklore medicinal plant, commonly known as "Shikari" in local language and found in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. In this study, total phenolic content and concentration of flavonoids of two different extracts, from the ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii (Boraginaceae) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The total phenolic content ranged from 0.65±0.05 & 1.65±0.12 mg/g of dry weight of leaves & bark extract, expressed as gallic acid equivalents. The total flavonoids concentrations varied from 0.985±0.09 & 1.89±0.11 mg/g in bark & leaves extract, expressed as quercetin equivalents. Ethanolic extract of bark & leaves of Cordia macleodii showed the highest phenolic and flavonoids concentration repectively. The Cordia macleodii can be regarded as promising candidates for health management because of natural plant sources of phenolic and flavonoids with high value

Pesticides Curbing Soil Fertility: Effect of Complexation of Free Metal Ions

Researchers have suggested that the reason behind infertility is pernicious effect of broad spectrum pesticides on non target, beneficial microorganism of soil. Here, studying the chelating effect of selective organophosphate and carbamate pesticides with essential metal ions, at all possible combinations of three different pH (4 +/- 0.05, 7 +/- 0.05 and 9 +/- 0.05) and three different temperatures (15 +/- 0.5. C, 30 +/- 0.5. C and 45 +/- 0.5. C), shows very fast rate of reaction which further increases with increase of pH and temperature. Carbonyl oxygen of carbamate and phosphate oxygen of organophosphate were found to be common ligating sites among all the complexes. Formed metal complexes were found to be highly stable and water insoluble on interaction with essential metal ions in solventmediumas well as over silica. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations not only reinforced the experimental observations, but, after a wide computational conformational analysis, unraveled the nature of the high stable undesired species that consist of pesticides complexed by metal ions from the soil. All in all, apart from the direct toxicity of pesticides, the indirect effect by means of complexation of free metal ions impoverishes the soil

Does left atrial appendage morphology and dimension differ amongst etiological stroke subtypes in patients without known atrial fibrillation? Results from the left atrial appendage morphology and dimension assessment by TEE in patients with stroke without known atrial fibrillation (LAMDA-STROKE) study

Context: Complex left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology is increasingly associated with cryptogenic ischemic stroke as compared to cardioembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on such an association in patients with other etiological stroke subtypes in the absence of AF is limited. Aim: The study aimed to assess the LAA morphology, dimension and other echocardiographic parameters by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and compare it with other etiological stroke subtypes without known AF. Methods: This was a single-Centre, observational study involving comparison of echocardiographic parameters including LAA morphology and dimension in ESUS patients (group A; n = 30) with other etiological stroke subtypes i.e., TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) class I-IV without AF (group B; n = 30). Results: Complex LAA morphology was predominant in group A (18 patients in group A versus 5 patients in group B, p-Value = 0.001). Mean LAA orifice diameter (15.3 + 3.5 mm in group A versus 17 + 2.0 mm in group B, p-Value = 0.027) and LAA depth were significantly lower in group A (28.4 + 6.6 mm in group A versus 31.7 + 4.3 mm in group B, p-Value = 0.026). Out of these three parameters only complex LAA morphology was found to be independently associated with ESUS [OR = 6.003, 95% CI {1.225–29.417}, p = 0.027]. Conclusion: Complex LAA morphology is a predominant feature in ischemic stroke patients with ESUS and may contribute to an increased risk of stroke in these patients

Spectral, structural and energetic study of acephate, glyphosate, monocrotophos and phorate: an experimental and computational approach

In the current study, experimental (UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared [FTIR], 1H-NMR and scanning electron microscope) and computational (UV–visible, FTIR, 1H-NMR, HOMO–LUMO, steric and geometric parameters) analyses of acephate, glyphosate, monocrotophos and phorate were performed for the first time. Computational studies were performed at the HF/6–311G(d,p) level of theory. It was found that experimental values of UV–visible, FTIR, 1H-NMR and geometric data were in very good agreement with the computational ones. The current study may assist future studies, like spectral analysis, pesticide(s) detection, surface behaviour and decomposition analysis of top selling titled pesticides of world market