University of Windsor

About: University of Windsor is a education organization based out in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Argumentation theory. The organization has 10654 authors who have published 22307 publications receiving 435906 citations. The organization is also known as: UWindsor & Assumption University of Windsor.

Determining the adaptive potential of maternal stress.

Abstract: Ecological and medical researchers are investing great effort to determine the role of Maternally-Derived Stress (MDS) as an inducer of phenotypic plasticity in offspring. Many researchers have interpreted phenotypic responses as unavoidable negative outcomes (e.g., small birth weight, high anxiety); however, a biased underestimate of the adaptive potential of MDS-induced effects is possible if they are not viewed within an ecologically relevant or a life-history optimization framework. We review the ecological and environmental drivers of MDS, how MDS signals are transferred to offspring, and what responses MDS induces. Results from four free-living vertebrate systems reveals that although MDS induces seemingly negative investment trade-offs in offspring, these phenotypic adjustments can be adaptive if they better match the offspring to future environments; however, responses can prove maladaptive if they unreliably predict (i.e., are mismatched to) future environments. Furthermore, MDS-induced adjustments that may prove maladaptive for individual offspring can still prove adaptive to mothers by reducing current reproductive investment, and benefitting lifetime reproductive success. We suggest that to properly determine the adaptive potential of MDS, researchers must take a broader integrated life-history perspective, appreciate both the immediate and longer term environmental context, and examine lifetime offspring and maternal fitness.

A Review on the Challenges for Increased Production of Castor

Abstract: Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the oldest cultivated crops, but currently it represents only 0.15% of the vegetable oil produced in the world. Castor oil is of continuing importance to the global specialty chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid. Castor also has tremendous future potential as an industrial oilseed crop because of its high seed oil con- tent (more than 480 g kg -1 ), unique fatty acid composition (900 g kg -1 of ricinoleic acid), potentially high oil yields (1250-2500 L ha -1 ), and ability to be grown under drought and saline conditions. Th e scientifi c literature on castor has been generated by a relatively small global community of researchers over the past century. Much of this work was published in dozens of languages in journals that are not easily accessible to the scientifi c community. Th is review was conducted to provide a compilation of the most relevant historic research information and defi ne the tremendous future potential of castor. Th e article was prepared by a group of 22 scientists from 16 institutions and eight countries. Topics discussed in this review include: (i) germplasm, genetics, breeding, biotic stresses, genome sequencing, and biotechnology; (ii) agronomic production practices, diseases, and abiotic stresses; (iii) management and reduction of toxins for the use of castor meal as both an animal feed and an organic fertilizer; (iv) future industrial uses of castor including renew- able fuels; (v) world production, consumption, and prices; and (vi) potential and challenges for increased castor production.

Supplier selection and order allocation based on fuzzy SWOT analysis and fuzzy linear programming

Abstract: Supplier selection is a multi criteria decision-making problem that comprises tangible and intangible factors. The majority of previous supplier selection techniques do not consider strategic perspective. Besides, uncertainty is one of the most important obstacles in supplier selection. In this paper, quantified SWOT is applied in the context of supplier selection for the first time. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) is one of the most well-known techniques for conducting a strategic study. In addition, the fuzzy logic and triangular fuzzy numbers are integrated with SWOT analysis - as a novel innovation - to deal with vagueness of human thought. SWOT analysis can consider both qualitative and quantitative criteria. The managers can understand the position of suppliers in a competitive environment with a glance at SWOT matrix. Moreover, a fuzzy linear programming model is proposed to determine how much should be purchased from each supplier. It is supposed that the demand is a fuzzy number. Besides, the capacity of warehouse is considered as a constraint. A case study is utilized concurrently to show the efficiency of the proposed model.

Graphene Quantum Dots Supported by Graphene Nanoribbons with Ultrahigh Electrocatalytic Performance for Oxygen Reduction

Abstract: A new class of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) supported by graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has been developed through a one-step simultaneous reduction reaction, leading to ultrahigh performance for O reduction with an excellent electrocatalytic activity (higher limiting current density and lower overpotential than those of platinum) and high selectivity and stability in alkaline media comparable to the best C-based ORR catalysts reported so far. Electron microscopy revealed numerous surface/edge defects on the GQD/GNR surfaces and at their interface to act as the active sites. This, coupled with efficient charge transfer between the intimately contacted GQDs and GNRs, rationalized the observed ultrahigh electrocatalytic performance for the resultant GQD-GNR hybrids. Thus, this study opens a new direction for developing low-cost, highly efficient, C-based ORR electrocatalysts.

The Importance of Product Country of Origin

Abstract: Uses conjoint analysis to investigate the relative importance of the country of origin of a product to consumers in the United States, Canada, Germany and The Netherlands. It was found that the country of origin of a product was one of the two or three most important attributes in preference evaluation. Across the four countries and the two product categories studied, the importance weight assigned to the country‐of‐origin factor ranged from 18 to 29 per cent, a level of importance that was often equal to or greater than that assigned to the brand name, price and other intrinsic and extrinsic attributes. Respondents in each country preferred domestically‐made products foremost, followed by products made in other developed countries and, lastly, products made in developing countries.