Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accelerating Employee Performance through Management by Objectives: Evidence from Manufacturing Firms

This study explore ways of accelerating employee performance through management by objective among workers in manufacturing firms in Anambra State Nigeria. Three specific objectives research questions and hypotheses were formulated with the decomposed variables of the study. This study used a survey research design. The study population was three hundred and thirty-three (333) workers whereas the sample size was one hundred and eight two (182) arrived at using Taro Yamane formula. Data were composed using a self-administered questionnaire from the sample size of workers. The simple random sampling system was applied for the study. Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were applied for hypotheses testing. In the first hypothesis, the study found that participation exerts moderate influence on employee retention among workers in manufacturing firms (β=0.65, t=10.36, r2=0.424, F=107.272, p<0.01). Secondly, the test hypothesis found that there is a significant positive correlation connecting goal setting as well as employee job satisfaction among workers in manufacturing firms (r=0.859, n=148, p<0.01). In the third hypothesis, the study found that feedback exerts moderate statistical influence on employee commitment among workers in manufacturing firms (β=0.76, t=14.24, r2=0.581, F=202.815, p<0.01). The study concludes that for manufacturing firms to increase employee performance, setting and managing objectives is imperative. The research recommended that management needs to slot in employees in its actions so as to dissuade them from leaving the firm. The study also advocated that management needs to incorporate employee contributions when setting the firm’s goals to boost employee confidence and achieve job satisfaction.
Why Some Countries Are Rich While Others Are Poor

This paper examines various determinants of whether a country is rich or poor. Since Adam Smith, countless economists have attempted to explain the differences between wealthy and poor nations. Many policy makers and governments across the globe have attempted to address these differences, but the wealth gap continues to widen between wealthy and poor nations. While research reveals many factors are at play, this paper seeks to show that an abundance of trade and the presence of strong institutions are powerful predictors of good economic development in countries throughout the world. GDP growth and trade are strongly and positively correlated. As exports as a percentage of GDP rise in a country, GDP growth usually follows. In addition, strong institutions, including both formal and informal, can have drastic effects on the economic development of a country. Without an abundance of trade and strong institutions, a country may be mired in poverty for decades.
Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) movements and population demographics in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia and genetic analysis of P. microdon and Pristis zijsron

This report is a continuation of the study that was presented to the DEWHA in 2008 entitled: Whitty, J.M. , Phillips, N.M. , Morgan, D.L. , Chaplin, J.A. , Thorburn, D.C. & Peverell, S.C. (2008). Habitat associations of Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) and Northern River Shark (Glyphis sp. C): including genetic analysis of P. microdon across northern Australia. Centre for Fish & Fisheries Research, Murdoch University report to Australian Government, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Transient Synchronization Stability of Grid-Following Converters Considering Nonideal Current Loop

The widely deployed grid-following converters (GFLCs) may lose synchronization under grid disturbances, presenting a critical challenge to the power electronics penetrated power grid. Existing methods for analyzing transient synchronization stability often assume an ideal current loop in order to keep the system model at low order. However, such approaches based on a simplified second-order model can lead to optimistic stability prediction and inappropriate design. This article applies a full-order model to explore the effects of the nonideal current loop. The unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) that determine the basin of attraction of the stable equilibrium point are located via a numerical continuation method. Moreover, the essential bifurcations leading to the emergence and disappearance of UPOs are identified. A design principle with consideration of the effects of the nonideal current loop is derived to enhance the transient synchronization stability of GFLCs. Experimental results are provided to verify the analytical findings.
Perspectives on strategic environmental assessment

Introduction, M. Partadario and R. Clark SEA IN A SUSTAINABILITY PERSPECTIVE Making EIA Count in Decision-Making, R. Clark Strategic Sustainability Appraissal - One Way of Using SEA in the Move Toward Sustainability, M. Partadario and F. Moura PROCEDURAL APPROACHES TO SEA AT A POLICY LEVEL Toward a Legal Framework for SEA in Canada, S. Hazell and H. Benevides SEA Within the Government of Canada and Specifically Within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, J. Shuttleworth and J. Howell SEA in the Czech Republic, M. D. Machac, V. Rimmel and L. Zenaty Evaluating Trade Agreements for Environmental Impacts: A Review and Analysis, W.E. Schramm Criteria for Evaluation of SEA, W. Thissen PROCEDURAL APPROACHES TO SEA AT A PLAN AND PROGRAM LEVEL SEA Experience in Development Assistance Using the Environmental Overview, S.L. Brown SEA of Parks Canada Management Plans, S.Therrien-Richards Environmental Assessment and Planning in South Africa: The SEA Connection, K. Wiseman METHODS AND APPLICATIONS - ROLE OF SEA IN DECISION-MAKING Strategic EA and Water Resource Planning in Europe, C. Brooke The Use of SEA and EIA in Decision-Making on Drinking Water Management and Production in the Netherlands, R. Verheem SEA of the Neiafu Master Plan, Vava'u, Tonga, R.K. Morgan and K.R. Onorio SEA of Water Management Plans and Programs: Lessons from California, R. Bass and A. Herson SEA in the Selection of Projects to Restore Louisiana's Coast, L. Wilson and A. Hamilton SEA: The Principles of Negotiation, the Disaggregative Decision-Making Method, and Parallel Organization in Regional Development, H. Tortto SEA: The Context for Ex-ante Public Participation in Transportation Planning: The Quebec Experience (Canada), P. Andre and J. Gagne FORUM The Future of SEA, R. Therivel and M.R. Partidario INDEX
Implementation of a novel buck‐boost converter based on coupled inductor for renewable energy applications

A coupled inductor based on dual switches buck‐boost converter is proposed in the article, which can be used in renewable energy applications. A wide conversion ratio can be realized by regulating turns ratio of the coupled inductor and the duty cycle. The topology has a quadratic‐like voltage gain, and the low voltage stress and current stress. Combing the passive clamping circuit to recover leakage energy, the voltage spikes of power switches are suppressed, improving the efficiency. Moreover, it has the merits of continuous input current and common ground. To demonstrate the superior performances of the presented converter, the principle of operation and steady‐state analysis are presented in detail. At last, a 100‐W experimental prototype was designed to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis, with a maximum efficiency of 95.7% in step‐up mode and 96.8% in step‐down mode.
Spatial Distribution of Pinus koraiensis Trees and Community-Level Spatial Associations in Broad-Leaved Korean Pine Mixed Forests in Northeastern China

Investigating the spatial distributions and associations of tree populations provides better insights into the dynamics and processes that shape the forest community. Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) is one of the most important tree species in broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forests (BKMFs), and little is known about the spatial point patterns of and associations between Korean pine and community-level woody species groups such as coniferous and deciduous trees in different developmental stages. This study investigated the spatial patterns of Korean pine (KP) trees and then analyzed how the spatial associations between KP trees and other tree species at the community level vary in different BKMFs. Extensive data collected from five relatively large sample plots, covering a substantial area within the natural distribution range of KP in northeastern China, were utilized. Uni- and bivariate pair correlation functions and mark correlation functions were applied to analyze spatial distribution patterns and spatial associations. The DBH (diameter at breast height) histogram of KP trees in northeastern China revealed that the regeneration process was very poor in the Changbai Mountain (CBS) plot, while the other four plots exhibited moderate or expanding population structures. KP trees were significantly aggregated at scales up to 10 m under the HPP null model, and the aggregation scales decreased with the increase in size classes. Positive or negative spatial associations were observed among different life stages of KP trees in different plots. The life history stages of the coniferous tree group showed positive spatial associations with KP saplings and juvenile trees at small scales, and spatial independence or negative correlations with larger KP trees at greater scales. All broad-leaved tree groups (canopy, middle, and understory layers) exhibited only slightly positive associations with KP trees at small scales, and dominant negative associations were observed at most scales. Our results demonstrate that mature KP trees have strong importance in the spatial patterns of KP populations, and site heterogeneity, limited seed dispersal, and interspecific competition characterize the spatial patterns of KP trees and community-level spatial associations with respect to KP trees, which can serve as a theoretical basis for the management and restoration of BKMFs in northeastern China.
Impact de l'humidité et des solutions salines sur le comportement dimensionnel de grès du Buntsandstein : contribution à la sélection de faciès de restauration

L'objectif de ce travail est d'apprehender l'alterabilite des gres en s'appuyant sur la definition de parametres physiques pertinents. Il est applique a l'evaluation de gres du Buntsandstein afin de contribuer a la selection de facies de restauration des monuments historiques du nord-est de la France et, plus particulierement, de la cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. Pour y repondre, l'etude experimentale comparative s'est fondee sur cinq facies de carriere dont les sensibilites a l'alteration doivent etre appreciees et sur deux facies mis en œuvre qui ont montre des cinetiques et des etats d'alteration divergents. La consideration de ces facies exposes a constitue un garde-fou qui permet d'apprecier la difference de tenue entre ces gres. Les caracteristiques des structures de pores et des matrices argilo-ferrugineuses impliquees dans la reponse dilatometrique des gres ont souligne la forte incidence de la quantite, de la nature et des proprietes de surface des argiles sur les comportements hydrodynamique et mecanique, a l'origine de leur fatigue. L'application de tests en laboratoire de resistance aux sels a mis en evidence l'implication des interactions mineraux-solution saline dans la reponse des gres a une contamination en NaCl et Na2SO4. La discrimination des facies selon leur sensibilite a l'alteration par les sels a pu etre etablie et un indice de sensibilite aux sels a ete formule. Les proprietes des matrices argileuses et la qualite des contacts de grains jouent un role determinant dans la reponse des gres a l'alteration par les sels.
Molecular Targets of Aptamers in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Cancer Detection, Therapeutic Applications, and Associated Mechanisms

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common cancers that impact the global population, with high mortality and low survival rates after breast and lung cancers. Identifying useful molecular targets in GI cancers are crucial for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes, however, limited by poor targeting and drug delivery system. Aptamers are often utilized in the field of biomarkers identification, targeting, and as a drug/inhibitor delivery cargo. Their natural and chemically modifiable binding capability, high affinity, and specificity are favored over antibodies and potential early diagnostic imaging and drug delivery applications. Studies have demonstrated the use of different aptamers as drug delivery agents and early molecular diagnostic and detection probes for treating cancers. This review aims to first describe aptamers' generation, characteristics, and classifications, also providing insights into their recent applications in the diagnosis and medical imaging, prognosis, and anticancer drug delivery system of GI cancers. Besides, it mainly discussed the relevant molecular targets and associated molecular mechanisms involved, as well as their applications for potential treatments for GI cancers. In addition, the current applications of aptamers in a clinical setting to treat GI cancers are deciphered. In conclusion, aptamers are multifunctional molecules that could be effectively used as an anticancer agent or drug delivery system for treating GI cancers and deserve further investigations for clinical applications.
Human Skin Drug Metabolism: Relationships between Methyl Salicylate Metabolism and Esterase Activities in IVPT Skin Membranes

The presence of esterase enzymes in human skin and their role in drug metabolism has been reported, but their distribution in the various skin layers and the relative contributions of those layers to metabolism is poorly defined. To gain further insight into esterase distribution, we performed in vitro skin permeation of a commercial 28.3% methyl salicylate (MeSA) cream (Metsal™) in Franz diffusion cells, using a range of human skin membranes, all from the same donor. The membranes were viable epidermis separated by a dispase II enzymatic method, heat separated epidermis, dermatomed skin, and dermis separated by a dispase II enzymatic method. Methyl salicylate and its metabolite, salicylic acid (SA), were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Alpha naphthyl acetate and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining provided qualitative estimations of esterase distribution in these membranes. The permeation of methyl salicylate after 24 h was similar across all membranes. Salicylic acid formation and permeation were found to be similar in dermatomed skin and dermis, suggesting dermal esterase activity. These results were supported by the staining studies, which showed strong esterase activity in the dermal–epidermal junction region of the dermis. In contrast with high staining of esterase activity in the stratum corneum and viable epidermis, minimal stained and functional esterase activity was found in heat-separated and dispase II-prepared epidermal membranes. The results are consistent with dispase II digesting hemidesmosomes, penetrating the epidermis, and affecting epidermal esterases but not those in the dermis. Accordingly, whilst the resulting dispase II-generated dermal membranes may be used for in vitro permeation tests (IVPT) involving esterase-based metabolic studies, the dispase II-generated epidermal membranes are not suitable for this purpose.
The Impact of Academic Supervision and Work Discipline on Teacher’s Performance

The purpose of this study is to assess, both partially and concurrently, the influence of the principal's academic supervision and work discipline on the performance of teachers at SD Negeri 25 Talang Ubi. This is a quantitative study using factors such as principal supervision, work discipline, and teacher performance. All ten instructors of SD Negeri 25 Talang Ubi were included in the sample. The distribution of a questionnaire with four Likert scales, which has been verified for validity and reliability, was utilized as the study instrument. The data analysis approach employs basic and multivariate regression. Based on the findings, it is possible to infer that the principal's academic supervision has a favorable and significant impact on teacher performance. Academic supervision and work discipline provided by the principal have a favorable and significant impact on teacher performance. Based on the coefficient of determination of the principal's academic supervision variable and work discipline, it made a significant contribution to the teacher's performance; the remainder was impacted by other variables not included in the study variables. This study was carried out to aid in the improvement of teacher performance by focusing on the implementation of academic monitoring and the use of maximal teacher discipline.
Impact of Susceptibility on Plant Hormonal Composition during Clubroot Disease Development in Canola (Brassica napus)

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a soilborne disease of crucifers associated with the formation of large root galls. This root enlargement suggests modulation of plant hormonal networks by the pathogen, stimulating cell division and elongation and influencing host defense. We studied physiological changes in two Brassica napus cultivars, including plant hormone profiles—salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)—along with their selected derivatives following inoculation with virulent and avirulent P. brassicae pathotypes. In susceptible plants, water uptake declined from the initial appearance of root galls by 21 days after inoculation, but did not have a significant effect on photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, or leaf chlorophyll levels. Nonetheless, a strong increase in ABA levels indicated that hormonal mechanisms were triggered to cope with water stress due to the declining water uptake. The free SA level in the roots increased strongly in resistant interactions, compared with a relatively minor increase during susceptible interactions. The ratio of conjugated SA to free SA was higher in susceptible interactions, indicating that resistant interactions are linked to the plant’s ability to maintain higher levels of bioactive free SA. In contrast, JA and its biologically active form JA-Ile declined up to 7-fold in susceptible interactions, while they were maintained during resistant interactions. The ACC level increased in the roots of inoculated plants by 21 days, irrespective of clubroot susceptibility, indicating a role of ethylene in response to pathogen interactions that is independent of disease severity. IAA levels at early and later infection stages were lower only in susceptible plants, suggesting a modulation of auxin homeostasis by the pathogen relative to the host defense system.
A Dimensional Approach to Discrepancy in Parenting Styles in Russian Families

We investigated the magnitude and direction of differences in parenting styles as they relate to children’s mental health problems, as assessed using the CBCL. The sample consisted of 306 families residing in a large industrial city in Russia. We aimed to expand the cross-cultural literature on parenting styles by assessing a sample of Russian families and analyzing how agreement versus disagreement between self-reported and partner-reported parenting styles related to children’s mental health problems. The findings suggested that both congruence and incongruence between parenting styles could be associated with children’s mental health problems. When parents agreed about high warmth and matched on lower levels of demandingness, in line with the permissive parenting style, children tended to exhibit maladaptive behavior and externalizing problems. We also registered that children were likely to show low levels of mental health problems when fathers had higher self-reported warmth compared with mothers’ reports. In contrast, children whose fathers had higher self-reported demandingness compared with the mothers’ reports, exhibited moderate levels of mental health problems. This study expands the existing literature by providing a dimensional approach to children’s mental health difficulties in the context of (dis)agreements in the parenting styles within a family.
Vibrio vulnificus mutation rate: an in vitro approach

Vibrio vulnificus is a multi-host pathogenic species currently subdivided into five phylogenetic lineages (L) plus one pathovar with the ability to infect fish due to a transmissible virulence plasmid. This plasmid (or a fragment of it) has been transmitted between lineages within the species, contributing to the evolution of V. vulnificus. This study aimed to provide an experimental approximation to the V. vulnificus mutation rate by determining spontaneous mutation rates from bacterial cultures of representants of the different lineages by whole-genome sequencing. To this purpose, synonymous SNP differences, i.e., spontaneous mutation not subjected to the evolutive forces, between initial and final culture after serial growth were evaluated and used for mutation rate calculation.
The edge effect: lateral habitat ecology of an alluvial river flood plain

We describe the ecology of off-channel or “lateral” habitats as key attributes of the Shifting Habitat Mosaic (SHM) of a river flood plain at the Nyack Research Natural Area in northwestern Montana. Our working hypothesis was that lateral habitats are important to the cycling of energy and materials within the SHM and contribute greatly to the productivity and biodiversity of the floodplain ecosystem. We produce a quantitative description of temperature variation across aquatic and terrestrial habitats at Nyack. Thermal patterns across lateral habitats indicate vast differences exist between lateral habitats in habitat suitability for aquatic organisms over an annual cycle. Existing thermal regimes favor life history diversification. We further document the impacts of flood disturbances on organic matter accumulation by aquatic primary producers in off-channel environments. We were able to show that the annual flood pulse disturbance was the major force controlling periphyton community biomass, nutrient status, and species composition, with secondary control by surface and groundwater mediated water chemistry fluctuations during lower flow periods. We end with a study relating biodiversity pattern and process to lateral habitat heterogeneity. Data supported our prediction that densities and diversity of organisms and food webs of the flood plain would be greatly increased if off-channel habitats as well as main channel habitats were included. Collectively, lateral habitats uniquely support 50% of the total documented aquatic biodiversity of the entire floodplain. We conclude that lateral habitats contribute significantly to the biocomplexity of alluvial floodplain ecosystems.