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This study provides a comprehensive framework of adaptation in triadic business relationship settings in the service sector. The framework is based on the industrial network approach (see, e.g., Axelsson & Easton, 1992; Håkansson & Snehota, 1995a). The study describes how adaptations initiate, how they progress, and what the outcomes of these adaptations are. Furthermore, the framework takes into account how adaptations spread in triadic relationship settings. The empirical context is corporate travel management, which is a chain of activities where an industrial enterprise, and its preferred travel agency and service supplier partners combine their resources. The scientific philosophy, on which the knowledge creation is based, is realist ontology. Epistemologically, the study relies on constructionist processes and interpretation. Case studies with in-depth interviews are the main source of data.

Contact problems are among the most difficult ones in mechanics. Due to its practical importance, the problem has been receiving extensive research work over the years. The finite element method has been widely used to solve contact problems with various grades of complexity. Great progress has been made on both theoretical studies and engineering applications. This paper reviews some of the main developments in contact theories and finite element solution techniques for static contact problems. Classical and variational formulations of the problem are first given and then finite element solution techniques are reviewed. Available constraint methods, friction laws and contact searching algorithms are also briefly described. At the end of the paper, a bibliography is included, listing about seven hundred papers which are related to static contact problems and have been published in various journals and conference proceedings from 1976.

The paper deals with the rheological‐dynamical analogy in which the three‐dimensional stress‐strain relations are defined under cyclic variation of stress for Hencky’s total strain theory. In many practical visco‐elasto‐plastic problems, like as multiaxial fatigue under loading at constant stress amplitude and constant stress ratio, the load‐carrying members are subjected to proportional loading. The classical Hencky’s theory has the advantage of mathematical convenience but its disadvantage is that the deformations predicted for the volume element are independent of the loading path. The existing formulations of the constitutive models for metals are mainly based on the Prandtl‐Reuss incremental theory of elasto‐plasticity, slip theory of plasticity or continuum damage mechanics. They have been shown capable of reproducing satisfactorily most experimental results available for metallic specimens. However, from the theoretical viewpoint little has been said about how these formulations relate to realistic predicting many different inelastic and time dependent problems of two‐ or threedimensional solids, such as fatigue, discontinuous plastic deformation etc. In this paper, fundamentally new aspect of isochronous constitutive relations for Hencky’s theory, which are dependent of the each loading path, is achieved by systematically introducing RDA concept into the continuum framework. Specific inelastic and fatigue formulation of triaxial state of stress is developed and discussed within the new theoretical tool and related to von Mises plasticity..

Air pollution poses a significant global threat to both human health and environmental stability, acknowledged by the World Health Organization as a leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a notable contributor to climate change. This chapter offers a comprehensive review of the impacts of air pollution on health, highlighting the complex interactions with genetic predispositions and epigenetic mechanisms. The consequences of air pollution to health are extensive, spanning respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopmental disorders, and heightened mortality rates. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in shaping individual responses to air pollution, influencing susceptibility to respiratory illnesses and the severity of symptoms. Additionally, epigenetic changes triggered by exposure to pollutants have been linked to respiratory health issues, cancer development and progression, and even transgenerational effects spanning multiple generations. As countries, including the UK, pursue ambitious targets for reducing emissions, ongoing research into the complex interplay of air pollution, genetics, and epigenetics is essential. By unravelling the underlying mechanisms and advancing preventive and therapeutic strategies, we can protect public health and promote sustainable environmental practices in the face of this pervasive global challenge.

Corrosion loop development is an integral part of the risk-based inspection (RBI) methodology. The corrosion loop approach allows a group of piping to be analyzed simultaneously, thus reducing non-value adding activities by eliminating repetitive degradation mechanism assessment for piping with similar operational and design characteristics. However, the development of the corrosion loop requires rigorous process that involves a considerable amount of engineering man-hours. Moreover, corrosion loop development process is a type of knowledge-intensive work that involves engineering judgement and intuition, causing the output to have high variability. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the amount of time and output variability of corrosion loop development process by utilizing machine learning and group technology method.

To achieve the research objectives, k-means clustering and non-hierarchical classification model are utilized to construct an algorithm that allows automation and a more effective and efficient corrosion loop development process. A case study is provided to demonstrate the functionality and performance of the corrosion loop development algorithm on an actual piping data set.

The results show that corrosion loops generated by the algorithm have lower variability and higher coherence than corrosion loops produced by manual work. Additionally, the utilization of the algorithm simplifies the corrosion loop development workflow, which potentially reduces the amount of time required to complete the development. The application of corrosion loop development algorithm is expected to generate a “leaner” overall RBI assessment process.

Although the algorithm allows a part of corrosion loop development workflow to be automated, it is still deemed as necessary to allow the incorporation of the engineer’s expertise, experience and intuition into the algorithm outputs in order to capture tacit knowledge and refine insights generated by the algorithm intelligence.

This study shows that the advancement of Big Data analytics and artificial intelligence can promote the substitution of machines for human labors to conduct highly complex tasks requiring high qualifications and cognitive skills, including inspection and maintenance management area.

This paper discusses the novel way of developing a corrosion loop. The development of corrosion loop is an integral part of the RBI methodology, but it has less attention among scholars in inspection and maintenance-related subjects.

Malnutrition is widespread and affects about one-third of humanity. Increasing production and consumption of vegetables is an obvious pathway to improve dietary diversity, nutrition and health. This chapter analyses how climate change is affecting vegetable production, with a special focus on the spread of insect pests and diseases. A thorough literature review was undertaken to assess current global vegetable production, the factors that affect the spread of diseases and insect pests, the implications caused by climate change, and how some of these constraints can be overcome. This study found that climate change combined with globalization, increased human mobility, and pathogen and vector evolution has increased the spread of invasive plant pathogens and other species with high fertility and dispersal. The ability to transfer genes from wild relatives into cultivated elite varieties accelerates the development of novel vegetable varieties. World Vegetable Center breeders have embarked on breeding for multiple disease resistance against a few important pathogens of global relevance and with large evolutionary potential, such as chili anthracnose and tomato bacterial wilt. The practical implications of this are that agronomic practices that enhance microbial diversity may suppress emerging plant pathogens through biological control. Grafting can effectively control soil-borne diseases and overcome abiotic stress. Biopesticides and natural enemies either alone or in combination can play a significant role in sustainable pathogen and insect pest management in vegetable production system. This chapter highlights the importance of integrated disease and pest management and the use of diverse production systems for enhanced resilience and sustainability of highly vulnerable, uniform cropping systems.

In this introduction to the special issue, ‘Marxist Thought in South Asia’, we detail the long history of Marxist politics and theorizing in South Asia and highlight the unique contributions and perspectives of South Asian Marxists to global Marxism. Three contributions we find particularly significant are (1) South Asian Marxists' approach to thinking about questions of capitalism, colonialism and imperialism, (2) the treatment of agrarian and feudal continuities in Marxist theories from South Asia and (3) unique South Asian contributions to theorizing caste from a Marxist perspective.

Milk cake is a well-renowned khoa-based dairy product in India, produced either from the buffalo milk or using a specific danedar variety of khoa. Under ambient conditions, shelf-life of milk cake is generally up to 3–4 days, whereas under refrigeration conditions, it can last up to 12–14 days. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to enhance the shelf-life and keeping intact freshness of milk cake under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 2 °C).

Different gas concentrations of N₂ and CO₂ (70:30, 50:50 and 90:10) were used as a treatment, whereas control samples were kept under atmospheric air composition. The product was examined for sensory, physicochemical and microbiological parameters at weekly intervals.

The physicochemical and microbiological attributes displayed gradual elevation with progressive storage period in all the samples. However, the overall sensory profile of the product remained acceptable for a longer duration. Most of the quality parameters in control declined more rapidly with a shelf life of 14 days, in comparison to MAP packed samples, where gas flushing with the ratio 70:30 was found to be best suited for extending the shelf life of milk cake up to 28 days at refrigeration temperature.

To extend the shelf life of milk cake, modified atmosphere was provided with different gas ratios to reach a best-suited environment for sensory, storage life and proximate parameters.

This study aims to develop sweet chestnut incorporated corn-based extrudates by the optimization of process conditions.

The independent process variables for extrusion (blend ratio, barrel temperature, screw speed and feed moisture) were investigated to govern their impact on reliant variables, namely, bulk density, specific mechanical energy, water absorption index, water solubility index, color and hardness. Product and system responses were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the independent variables. Experimental design with quadratic models experienced a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.99).

Numerical optimization for the development of extrudates resulted in optimum conditions having corn flour: sweet chestnut flour (80:20), barrel temperature (120°C), screw speed (340 rpm) and feed moisture (12%). Fat, moisture and protein contents of the developed extrudates using optimum conditions were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to raw materials – corn and sweet chestnut. The packaging of extrudates in aluminum laminates revealed shelf stability of three months at room temperature without deterioration of quality.

Nutritionally rich sweet chestnut extruded products would be an exclusive option to already existing snacks in the market and can facilitate a new sphere in extruded product sector.