Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Air-Ground Impedance Matching by Depositing Metasurfaces for Enhanced GPR Detection

Deeply buried inclusions such as pipes and cables cannot be detected when the air–ground interface suffers severe impedance mismatch, resulting in little electromagnetic (EM) signals penetrating the subsurface, even before the scattering and reflection from the buried inclusions occur. Therefore, increasing the penetration depth by effectively enhancing the EM transmission into the lossy subsurface domain is of great importance. In this article, we present our simulation and experimental results of a type of antireflection metasurfaces that can sufficiently enhance the transmission from the air to the subsurface for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) applications. The proposed metasurface design consists of an array of closed ring resonators (CRRs) and metallic mesh on each side of a dielectric spacer, showing near-perfect antireflection. The corresponding enhanced transmission is only limited by the material losses of the metasurface itself. Through the geometry optimizations, three metasurface designs have been numerically and experimentally demonstrated for the dry, medium moist, and wet scenarios. It is discovered that the transmission into the wet foam brick can be increased by up to 50% when the metasurface is in place. The metasurface-based transmission enhancement is also relatively insensitive to the deviation of the permittivity of the material under test (MUT). Our real-world GPR experiments demonstrate that an undetectable buried pipe can be distinguished if the metasurface is placed at the air–ground interface. The proposed metasurface approach provides a promising solution to the impedance matching problems for nondestructive testing applications.
Export Ambidexterity in Small- and Medium-sized Family Firms: A Case of New Zealand Clustered Wineries

Ambidexterity, defined as the ability to simultaneously explore new knowledge and exploit existing knowledge, allows firms to adapt over time, build a sustainable competitive advantage and achieve growth in the long run. However, due to the tensions and trade-offs between exploration and exploitation, pursuing ambidexterity or developing a more balanced strategy can be challenging. Previous research on ambidexterity has focused primarily on large and well-established organizations and the outcomes of ambidexterity such as performance, whereas little is known about how ambidexterity of small- and medium-sized family businesses in an international business context is managed, especially with regard to exporting, which is the most common form of internationalisation for those firms. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand how small- and medium-sized family firms manage ambidexterity in exporting. Specifically, I shed light on both market and product domains in exporting and further the impact of industrial cluster on firms’ approach to becoming ambidextrous. Using data from semi-structured interviews with six family-owned wineries located in the Marlborough wine region, New Zealand, the research provides evidence that family firms’ unique characteristics, that is, the socioemotional wealth, guide them to particular types of export exploration and exploitation activities in both market and product domains. These are not only aligned with their non-economic goals but also create synergies among seemingly contradictory ambidextrous activities. These findings suggest a behaviour logic and path to explain how ambidexterity in exporting is achieved, through combining and integrating exploration and exploitation in a balanced way. The findings also show that cluster membership improves family firms’ ability to achieve export ambidexterity by providing access to critical resources. Overall, the study adds to the growing body of literature on family business internationalisation and organizational ambidexterity by focusing on the export context. It further links ambidexterity research to industrial cluster literature.
Experiences of falls in domestic settings and use of ambulance services : an ethnographic study

Introduction Each year, 35% of people over the age of 65 experience falls and approximately 45% of those are aged over 85 and live in the community. Local unpublished data from an English ambulance service found that following ambulance call-outs, 24-32% of the patients were not conveyed to hospital and of those, only 32-52% were referred to the local Falls Prevention Service for a specialist multifactorial assessment (NICE, 2013). Background The literature review undertaken supports the need for a falls pathway (guidance for practitioners) to be in place which is fully utilised, by all practitioners. However, it did not uncover the reasons for low referral rates of non-conveyed patients to Falls Prevention Services. This thesis will outline the design of a study which aims to, gain an in-depth understanding of the falls patient journey from patient and ambulance crew perspectives and generate a clear understanding of the ambulance service customs and practices which could inform improvement of the existing falls pathway. Methods A critical ethnographic approach enabled participants’ values, behaviours and beliefs to be explored. The methods were participatory observation, semistructured interviews of patients/carers and ambulance crew and in-depth field notes. The sample was people over 50 years of age who had fallen or their carers (n= 10) who had been seen by the ambulance service. Ambulance crew were also recruited (n= 10). Results The study gained an in-depth understanding of the experiences of crew and patients/ carers. For both ambulance crew and patients/carers, there are two shared themes ‘falls journey’ & ‘falls not being a problem for patients’. For crew ‘training’ was a theme and for patients/carers ‘language’ and ‘patient transport’ are themes. The study’s unique contribution is that it has gained an in-depth understanding of the patient journey from patient and ambulance crews’ perspectives and a better understanding of the falls pathway. In summary, the falls pathway in the local area was clearly understood and followed by all crew observed. The study shared the challenges of recruiting in a hard-to-reach group.
Rainfall reduction increases insect herbivory in tropical herb communities

© 2020 International Association for Vegetation Science 1Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil 2Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Brazil 3Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Brazil 4Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
The Barriers to High-Growth Enterprises: What Do Businesses in Africa Experience?

This study examines the challenges that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face and provide insights on African business environment and entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the context of growth-oriented entrepreneurship, good policies and favourable institutional environments support firms' growth, productivity and development, while adverse formal and informal institutions constrain business development. Secondary data from World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) was used to capture barriers to entrepreneurship and high-growth opportunities which include – lack of finance, lack of innovation and technology, low skilled workforce, poor infrastructure, unfavorable regulations and more pervasively corruption. These barriers are evident in the micro, meso and macro environments. These have implications on the unemployment rate, poverty rates and economic growth of the African region. Keywords: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Entrepreneurial Ecosystem; African Entrepreneurship; African Business Environments.
SMEs and the relationship between firm size and the enactment of espoused managerial values

ABSTRACT This paper explores the relationship between the size of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the enactment of espoused values. In a departure from previous research of managerial values, a conceptual Maturity Model of Managerial Values (MM-MV) was used which articulates the extent to which values are integrated or enacted within organizations. This allowed for a rigorous examination of how organizational size was related to the degree of values-enactment in SMEs. Results suggest a positive relationship between larger firm size and a higher degree of espoused values-enactment. Implications of the results are discussed, and suggestions for further research are presented.
Doxorubicin, Vinblastine and Gemcitabine (AVG), a Novel Regimen Excluding Bleomycin for the Treatment of Early Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL): Results of CALGB 50203.

The major challenge in treatment of early stage HL has been to achieve excellent treatment results while reducing short and long-term toxicities. Radiation therapy (RT) is a major cause of long-term toxicity. Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) is the established standard chemotherapy regimen for HL. Treatment results in early stage HL with ABVD alone are similar to those with ABVD + RT. Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity is the major cause of short-term morbidity and mortality. Gemcitabine is one of the most active single agents for relapsed/refractory HL with response rates 39–43%, and promising results have been reported in CALGB 59804 in relapsed HL with gemcitabine, vinorelbine and liposomal doxorubicin (Ann Oncol 18: 1071–9, 2007). For these reasons, CALGB conducted a phase II trial of AVG for the initial treatment of stages I and II non-bulky HL. Treatment consisted of doxorubicin 25 mg/m2, vinblastine 6 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 800mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 12 treatments (6 cycles). By study design the dose of gemcitabine was decreased from 1000 mg/m2 to 800 mg/m2 because of at least grade 3 neutropenia in the first 5/6 patients. Growth factor support was permitted following a dose delay due to neutropenia. Responses were assessed according to the International Workshop criteria (JCO 17: 1244–53, 1999). Positron emission tomography (PET) was performed prior to treatment, after 2 and after 6 cycles of AVG. Results were centrally read by 2 independent reviewers and an adjudicator. PET results were not employed in remission assessment. The primary endpoint was complete response rate (CR) + CR/unconfirmed (u). Based on published results with ABVD, the null hypothesis was CR rate ≤ 85% vs. the alternative ≥ 92%. At least 88/98 patients had to achieve CR + CRu for AVG to be considered promising. 104 patients were enrolled, 5 never began treatment. Thus, 99 patients were assessable: median age 38 years (18–80), stages: 10 IA, 70 IIA, 19 IIB. 34/99 (34.3%) patients were ≥45 years of age. 91 patients completed 6 cycles of treatment. CR + CRu: 67/99 (67.7%) (95% CI; 58–77%), partial response (PR): 27/99 (27.3%), stable 4/99 (4%), not assessable 1/99 (1%). 17 patients have relapsed: 9 CR + CRu, 6 PR, 2 stable. Median followup for patients who did not relapse is 1.1 years (0.1 – 2.5). The estimated 1 and 2 year progression free survivals (95% CI) are 0.81 (0.70, 0.89) and 0.71 (0.54, 0.83). All patients are alive. Less than 10% of patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities with the exception of leukopenia and neutropenia. Of the 93 patients who received the 800 mg/m2 dose of gemcitabine, 74% had grade 3 and 28% grade 4 neutropenia. The CR + CRu rates for AVG were lower and the early PFS was shorter than expected. Correlations of month 2 and month 6 PET results with response and PFS will be reported. [Figure][1] Figure [1]: pending:yes
Engaging problem drinkers in a general hospital setting

Abstract Objective: To determine the level of engagement as defined by return for out-patient appointment in patients referred for alcohol counselling in a general hospital. Method: The hospital was offered a service with counselling within 24 hours for patients who were identified by ward staff as having alcohol related problems. Referred patients were interviewed on the ward by a nurse who specialised in alcohol counselling. Follow-up appointments were offered. Results: 60% of those given counselling returned for further counselling as out-patients. 83% of women counselled were engaged compared with 42% of men (p<0.05). The mean SADD (a measure of alcohol dependency) score was 23.9 in those subjects who were engaged and 18.6 in those not engaged (p<0.05), indicating greater dependency in the former group. Conclusions: Although these patients had not actively sought help with their drinking 60% returned for counselling as out-patients. Women and those with high levels of alcohol dependency were more likely to seek further counselling.
Antagonismo de microorganismos nativos sobre Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary aislada de Solanum tuberosum L.

El manejo inadecuado de las enfermedades en cultivos de la papa origina que algunas especies patogenas generen resistencia a diversos plaguicidas. Esto incrementa el uso de agroquimicos que ocasionan contaminacion en el suelo y el agua, lo cual dana la salud humana. Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary (causante del tizon tardio) limita la produccion de papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) y provoca perdidas economicas importantes. Este tuberculo se produce en la region nororiental de Puebla, Mexico, y esta documentada la presencia de tizon tardio, el cual es controlado con la aplicacion de fungicidas sinteticos. En el presente estudio se evaluo la inhibicion antagonica in vitro de dos microorganismos nativos (Trichoderma sp. y Pseudomona sp.), aislados de la rizosfera de una solanacea silvestre (en las inmediaciones de un cultivo de papa), sobre el desarrollo de P. infestans procedente de plantas infectadas. Se hicieron pruebas utilizando a los antagonistas de manera independiente y en combinacion. Y se determino el efecto del antagonista sobre el patogeno con base en el porcentaje de inhibicion de crecimiento radial, en el caso del hongo el tipo de interaccion hifal, la capacidad y forma antagonicas. Se observo que el hongo puede inhibir indirectamente el crecimiento de P. infestans (alrededor de 50 %), mientras que la inhibicion directa con ambos microorganismos evaluados por separado es de mas de 65 %. El tratamiento utilizando la combinacion de Pseudomona-Trichoderma disminuyo el crecimiento en mayor proporcion (80 %-92 %) que cualquiera de los antagonistas evaluados de manera independiente. A pesar de que la bacteria disminuye el crecimiento del hongo antagonista, Trichoderma sp. produce compuestos que afectan indirectamente al fitopatogeno, lo que origina un efecto sinergico entre los dos microorganismos nativos para disminuir el desarrollo del patogeno en cultivos in vitro. Se considera importante disenar una estrategia para la utilizacion de microorganismos presentes en los suelos de la region (nativos) como agentes que reduzcan la incidencia de tizon tardio.
Boosting the rate and cycling performance of β-Li V2O5 nanorods for Li ion battery by electrode surface decoration

The <i>β-</i>phase lithium vanadium oxide bronze (<i>β-</i>Li<i><sub>x</sub></i>V<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) with high theoretic specific capacity up to 440 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> is considered as promising cathode materials, however, their practical application is hindered by its poor ionic and electronic conductivity, resulting in unsatisfied cyclic stability and rate capability. Herein, we report the surface decoration of <i>β-</i>Li<i><sub>x</sub></i>V<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> cathode using both reduced oxide graphene and ionic conductor LaPO<sub>4</sub>, which significantly promotes the electronic transfer and Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion rate, respectively. As a result, the rGO/LaPO<sub>4</sub>/Li<i><sub>x</sub></i>V<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in terms of high reversible specific capacity of 275.7 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> with high capacity retention of 84.1% after 100 cycles at a current density of 60 mA g<sup>-1</sup>, and acceptable specific capacity of 170.3 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> at high current density of 400 mA g<sup>-1</sup>. The cycled electrode is also analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, <i>ex-situ </i>X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, providing further insights into the improvement of electrochemical performance. Our results provide an effective approach to boost the electrochemical properties of lithium vanadates for practical application in lithium ion batteries.
Assessment of the effectiveness of Polish social responsible company portfolios based on moving averages

Purpose – Assessment of the effectiveness of portfolios composed of shares of Polish socially responsible companies based on moving averages and determination of their optimal lengths. Research method – The moving average method was used as a part of the technical analysis of companies included in the RESPECT index. Data from the Thompson Reuters database was used using the Metastock XVI program. The research was conducted on daily data from 30/12/2009 to 30/09/2019 (2418 sessions). The strategies used to build the portfolios were optimized to maximize the rate of return. Results – Definitely higher rates of return were obtained by using two moving averages rather than one. Multi-component portfolios based on two averages generated better results than the buy and hold strategy and compared stock indexes: RESPECT, WIG20, WIG30, WIG. There is a different optimal average length for each portfolio tested that should be used to maximize returns. Originality / value / implications / recommendations – According to the authors’ knowledge this paper is one of the first studies in Poland that uses moving averages to optimize the investment portfolio using shares of socially responsible companies. Owing to the results obtained, the work indicates that there are simple investment strategies that enable achieving above-average returns in the long run, which undermines the hypothesis of information-efficient markets in a weak form.
Investigating Students’ Academic Performance as Mediated by Students’ Academic Ambition and Effort in the Public Senior High Schools in Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana

This study sought to examine how the academic performance of SHS students in the Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana is influenced and mediated by some key variables. Descriptive and correlational research designs were used and the data were collected via the use of questionnaires. The sample size was therefore 571 students via a multi-stage sampling procedure. The findings of the study established father‟s education, mother‟s education, the child‟s academic ambition and the child‟s effort as the associates of academic performance. The findings further revealed that mother‟s education, sex of the child, the child‟s academic ambition and the child‟s effort as the main determinants of academic performance. The findings again failed to reject the null hypothesis. Based on these findings, it was recommended that stakeholder in education should inculcate high academic ambition in students and also parents should ensure that a chunk of their wards‟ time is spent on their books and they should be ready to support children when the going gets tough.
Skewness-Based Portfolio Selection: Implications for International Investing in Frontier Markets

Using the Morgan Stanley Capital International index monthly data for 28 frontier markets during the period between January 2011 and December 2018 the paper investigates the impact of skewness on portfolio selection. The existence of skewness in returns distributions is illustrated in terms of frontier markets. The skewness ranks matrix is developed. It demonstrates that only 6 markets can be regarded as not skewed from USD and 11 – from EUR perspective. The study does not find strong evidence on positive or negative skewness character. All in all, skewness for local currencies is slightly higher than for foreign currencies. It is the factor of international portfolio investing in frontier markets but its impact should not be overestimated. Analytical framework for skewness-based investing in frontier markets is developed. It does not indicate strong evidence that skewness is a more important portfolio selection factor for international investments than for domestic ones. Skewness is rather more relevant for domestic portfolio investing. Using the approach of relative foreign exchange percentage differential, the study proves the more notable impact of skewness for EUR than for USD international investors. As to the preferable moment, the found evidence is weak but rather in favor of skewness than return for local investing and in favor of return for international investing.
Siliceous fly ash and blast furnace slag based geopolymer concrete under ambient temperature curing condition

Abundance of industrial by‐products along with its disposal issues and exploitation of the natural resource of limestone for cement production creates a huge problem throughout the globe. Geopolymer technology could be a worthy solution to these problems by producing concrete utilizing industrial by‐products and resisting the exploration of the natural source of limestone and limiting the greenhouse gas emission. This article presents the observations achieved by replacing siliceous fly ash with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Different mix proportions were prepared to measure the mechanical strength. GGBFS was added in replacement of fly ash in different percentages from 0% to 30%. Two different types of molarity of NaOH solution was used to observe the effect of molarity with the addition of GGBFS. By‐product binders were mixed with alkaline solution by keeping the ratio of mixing of Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution equals to 1.5. Slump cone test, compressive and flexural test was conducted to examine the workability and mechanical strength, respectively. Microstructural analysis was conducted to understand the surface morphology and minerology. Current study shows that with the inclusion of GGBFS to siliceous fly ash based geopolymer concrete compressive and flexural strength equals to 43.61 and 5.45 MPa, respectively, can be achieved at ambient condition which may be feasible for cast‐in situ applications.
EFETIVIDADE DE ESTRATÉGIAS NÃO FARMACOLÓGICAS NO ALÍVIO DA DOR DE PARTURIENTES NO TRABALHO DE PARTO

Objetivou-se no estudo avaliar a efetividade de estrategias nao farmacologicas para o alivio da dor de parturientes no trabalho de parto. Ensaio clinico tipo intervencao terapeutica “antes e apos”, realizado em uma maternidade publica de Natal/RN – Brasil, com 100 parturientes na aplicacao de exercicios respiratorios, relaxamento muscular, massagem lombossacral e banho de chuveiro. Utilizou-se para coleta de dados a escala analogica visual. A maioria das parturientes tinha entre 20 a 30 anos de idade (60%), ensino fundamental incompleto (85%), renda familiar ate 2 salarios minimos (74%), 78% estavam com acompanhantes. A ocitocina foi administrada em 81% dos casos e 15% nao receberam qualquer medicacao. Verificou-se diferenca significativa no alivio da dor apos a aplicacao das ENF, demonstrando reducao dessa dor a medida que aumentava a dilatacao do colo. Conclui-se que as estrategias foram efetivas no alivio da intensidade da dor das parturientes do estudo durante o trabalho de parto.