Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Orientation and Survival of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

Abstract The adoption of a market orientation (MO) model for effective management of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and beyond has drawn diverse views. Extant studies conducted in Nigeria in the past decades have leveraged on the existing entrepreneurial marketing model that has not significantly contributed to the survival of SMEs in Nigeria. The objective of this quantitative study is to investigate the effects of MO on the survival of manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. The study adopted a positivistic ontology and descriptive survey design. The study randomly selected 387 owner-managers of manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. The results show that MO significantly contributed to the survival of SMEs in Nigeria. Based on the results, the study recommends that integrative Entrepreneurial Marketing (EM) should be adopted by both the owners and managers of SMEs as this would help reduce the rate of business failure in Nigeria.
Performance Evaluation of Metakaolin as Low Cost Adsorbent for Manganese Removal in Anoxic Groundwater

Abstract The recent climate condition and pollution problem related to surface water have led to water scarcity in Malaysia. Huge amount of groundwater has been identified as viable source for drinking water. This paper was aimed to investigate groundwater’s quality at specific location and metakaolin’s potential in the groundwater treatment in the removal of manganese. Groundwater purging was determined to be sufficient at 120 minutes where all three parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity) were stabilized. The groundwater studied is classified as both anoxic and reductive due the low dissolved oxygen value. It also can be categorized as brackish due to high value of conductivity and total dissolved solid. Manganese content in groundwater was determined as higher than of that permissible limit for raw water and drinking water which makes it unsuitable for them not suitable for consumption and cleaning purpose. Average manganese concentration in samples was 444.0 ppb where the concentrations of manganese ranged from 229.4 ppb to 760.3 ppb. Manganese developed is not that a strong positive correlation against iron concentration, total dissolved solids and conductivity; whereas has a moderate negative correlation against dissolved oxygen. The capability adsorption of manganese by metakaolin was assessed via batch method which indicated optimum dosage and contact time was 14g that removed average 30.2% and contact time optimum at 120 minutes which removed 33.2% manganese from the sample.
Towards organisational simplexity — a simple structure in a complex environment

Abstract The article contributes to the discussion on the validity and ways of simplifying modern organisations. There is an increasing focus on simplifying organisations, especially their organisational structures. However, the environment of contemporary organisations is increasingly complex, dynamic and uncertain. Therefore, the postulate of simplicity seems to question Ashby’s law stating that one kind of variety must be balanced by a different kind of variety. To cope with the indicated discrepancy, it is assumed that the simplification of some elements of an organisation is only possible due to the excessive complexity of others. The paper aims to verify the concept of organisational simplexity developed by e Cunha and Rego, which postulates the fit between simple structural solutions, complex workforce and complex environment. However, organisational performance is a factor verifying the legitimacy of the fit. The literature study explored the contradiction inherent in the postulate on the simplification of modern organisations. The contingency theory provided a major framework for the study. The research hypothesis was developed and empirically verified. The empirical study targeted 1142 organisations operating in Poland and Switzerland, different by their industry, size and the form of ownership. To verify the hypothesis, a statistical analysis was carried out, and the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) method was used. The main result of the critical literature analysis is the finding that theoretical indications for simplifying modern organisations are fragmented, mainly focused on simplifying selected elements of an organisation, not considering the contradiction inherent in the postulate of simplicity related to environmental features and not verified empirically. The notion of the simplexity has been adopted, and it treats the simplicity and complexity as interrelated issues conditioned by situational factors. According to the empirical research results, the fit has been revealed between the degree of structure simplicity, the workforce complexity and the environment features.
Potential Role of Different Fish Species as Vectors of Koi Herpesvirus (CyHV-3) Infection

Abstract Introduction Koi herpesvirus (KHV) has infected farmed common carp in Poland clinically and asymptomatically since 2004. The role of non-carp species as vectors of virus transmission is well known except for in the case of KHV. The aim was to better understand this virus’ infection and transmission pathways in common carp, looking at the potential vector role of fishes kept with them. Material and Methods Eight species were experimentally infected with KHV by immersion in a suspension at 20°C ±1 and transferred to a tank after 45 minutes. Specimens were euthanised at intervals up to 56 days post infection (dpi) and tissue was examined for KHV DNA. Surviving infected fishes were introduced at intervals, each time into a separate tank, to naïve common carp for experimental infection. These were observed daily for symptoms, sacrificed along with controls after three months, and dissected to provide tissue samples. Also fish from 14 species collected from a farm with a history of KHV were sampled from 3 to 22 months after disease was confirmed. Organ sections from single fish were collected in a single tube. Results Viral DNA was detected in tench and roach samples up to 49 dpi, but in three-spined stickleback and stone maroko samples only up to 14 dpi. Transmission of KHV to naïve carp occurred after cohabitation. KHV DNA was detected in three fish species three months after the farm outbreak. Conclusion We confirmed that grass and Prussian carp, tench, roach, and brown bullhead can transfer the virus to naïve common carp.
“The authors have wasted their time...”: Genre features and language of anonymous peer reviews

Abstract The anonymous peer review is an unpublished pre-publication review which evaluates research articles submitted to journals. This type of a review plays a special role in the genre landscape of Anglophone research by ensuring its appropriate quality and ethical standards. By performing this role, the peer review also realizes a didactic potential, as it motivates researchers to improve their investigations. This paper extends the existing research on the anonymous peer review and aims to deepen our understanding of this genre by analysing the overall functional organization of peer review texts and their prominent linguistic features shaped by three communicative functions ‒ “gatekeeping”, evaluative, and didactic. It also attempts to compare the characteristics of peer reviews in two research fields ideologically and epistemologically distant from each other ‒ applied linguistics and applied mathematics. The methodological framework of the study combines Swales’s move analysis and a functional stylistic perspective developed within the East European linguistic context. The analysis has revealed a three-move structure of review texts and disclosed the roles of interpersonal markers, evaluative lexis and four types of directives in the realization of the communicative functions of the genre. The typologies of reviewers’ comments and evaluative acts in reviews have also been suggested. Furthermore, the study has brought to light some quantitative and qualitative differences between the texts in two disciplines. It is anticipated that awareness of the linguistic conventions of anonymous peer reviews analysed in the paper will help researchers to perceive this genre as a valuable source of professional assistance and enlightenment.
The Effect of the Second Child on the Anthropometric Outcomes and Nutrition Intake of the First Child: Evidence from the Relaxation of the One-Child Policy in Rural China

Abstract This paper attempts to isolate the actual effect of the second child on the anthropometric outcomes and nutrition intake of the first child in rural China, using an exogenous increase in child quantity due to the relaxation of the One-Child Policy (OCP). We utilize both temporal and geographic variation in the OCP, as families are less likely to have the second child if the OCP in their community is strictly enforced after the birth of their first child. Based on a sample of children aged 6–17 from the 1991–2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey, we find that an increase in the number of children significantly decreases the weight and height of first-born girls, but not first-born boys. The worse anthropometric outcomes could be due to the change in the dietary pattern—compared with the only children, first-born girls in two-child families tend to intake less high-fat and high-protein food (e. g. meats, poultry, and milk).
Non-Destructive Testing Methods as a Main Tool Supporting Effective Waste Management in Construction Processes

Abstract Construction and demolition (C&D) waste management should be accordance with the waste management hierarchy. In practice, C&D waste are often downcycling. It is the result of many factors, including lack of awareness about the value inherent in waste. The paper presents analysis of the adaptability of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for technical assessment of waste properties. As part of the work, non-destructive testing methods were described and classified in accordance with material and the features they enable testing. The publication presents examples of the use of NDT in the recovery of building materials during construction projects, in the field of influence of technical information of waste on the way it is managed. Finally, a scheme of waste management process during the renovation of an object with the application of NDT methods was presented.
Observation and Analysis of 112 Cases on Subglossal Collateral Vessels of Coronary Heart Disease Patients

Objective To observe and analysis the relativity between the changes on subglossal collateral vessels and coronary heart disease. Method Observe 112 cases on changes of subglossal collateral vessels of coronary heart disease patients, and to contrast to control group including 88 cases. Results Abnormal changes on subglossal collateral vessels of coronary heart disease patients are obviously greater than changes in control group, and the rate of abnormal subglossal collateral vessels is 89.29%. The more older patients' age are or the longer the course of patient' disease are, the more serious the subglossal collateral vessel's changes degree of increasing thick venules, extension, distortion, expansion, increasing latezal branches, deepening purplish venules are. The differences between two groups are very obvious (P0.01 and P0.05). The patients who have the abnormal changes of subglossal collateral vessels above 70 years old in control group have signs of "blood stasis". According to analyzing tongue proper change, patients' lips in coronary heart disease group are obviously paler than patients' lips in control group, however, patients' tongues are redder, danker (purpler) than patients' tongues in control group. The differences between two groups are fully obvious (P0.01). Conclusion The changes on subglossal collateral vessels have a high value in demonstration on therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and identifying the patient's conditions by using western and traditional Chinese medicine.
Saying no to military service – obligation, killing and inequality as experienced problems in conscription-based military in Finland

Abstract While studying citizen-soldiers, their dual identity as a soldier and a civilian have been highlighted. A citizen-soldier’s role is linked to citizenship and its obligation. The dual identity or critical voices of conscription or reserve forces have neither been recognized in research nor been debated publicly in Finland. The aim of this article is to analyse the reasons why some conscripts raise critical voices concerning their relationship with conscription and their role as reservists. The study is based on the interviews of 38 non-military service men and 33 men who resigned from the reserve in 2017. The data was analysed using content analysis. According to the results, the main problems with regard to conscription and armed defence, among the conscripts, relate to inequality of the conscription system, obligation to serve and lack of discretion. For individual conscripts as citizen-soldiers, the problem of killing has special weight when they reflect upon their own role in the possible act of war. Conscripts and their expertise could be used more extensively in a wider range of security-related issues than in armed defence alone.
Optimal Criteria for the Selection of Probiotics, Based on their Mode of Action

Abstract The objective of this review was to discuss some of the criteria which influence the selection of microorganisms with probiotic properties based on their mode of action. The most common bacteria that belong to the “group” probiotics are the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species/strains. Probiotics have benefits and effects by their mechanism of action in different axial locations such as: producing substances, influencing immune function and response, modification as well as maintenance of a healthy population of microorganisms in the intestinal environment. Probiotics have demonstrated significant potential as therapeutic options for a variety of diseases Potential peripheral pathways that link probiotic ingestion in the brain function are focused on the role of the vagal afferent nerve signalling and changes in the cerebral levels of neuromodulators. The application of probiotic microorganisms represents a way to effectively influence the composition of the intestinal microbiome and the immune system of the host, as well as they can be considered as a suitable alternative to influence a healthy quality of life.
Measurement of the Acoustic Absorption Coefficient by Impedance Tube

Abstract The contribution deals with measurement of acoustic absorption coefficient for different single or double-layer materials: cork, two layers of polyethylene, polyethylene and felt. The measurement was performed on an impedance tube of our own construction, using the two-microphone method transfer function (ISO 10534-2: 1998) and the PULSE measuring system. Values of the acoustic absorption coefficient for the frequencies from 100 Hz to 1600 Hz were determined experimentally. Subsequently, those values were processed graphically.
Do Remittances reduce poverty in Kosovo? - A counterfactual analysis

Abstract Migration and remittances are argued to be an effective mechanism for mitigating poverty, as well as a coping mechanism for disadvantaged households with no or little employment and earning opportunities in Kosovo. A considerable part is reported to be directed towards consumption and very little for investment or enterpreneurship purposes. The high dependence of households on remittances suggests that poverty rates would be much higher without the safety net provided through migration and remittances. The conventional approach of empirically estimating determinants of remittances, including those focusing on Kosovo, treats both remittance and migration behaviour as independent decisions. Empirically estimating determinants of remittances while overlooking the importance of variables that influenced the decision to migrate will leave out these determinants and also bias the results. Hence, this study treats migration and remittance decision as a joint process and focuses on the household. More precisely, it analyses the impact that remittances and migration have on the poverty in Kosovo, in a hypothetical case, without remittances and migration using data from the Household Budget Survey 2011. Due to the potential presence of selection bias, this study uses a two-stage Heckman-type selection procedure which suggests that there is no selection bias. The study develops counterfactual consumption estimates for remittance recipient households through the use of survey bootstrap procedure to predict the consumption of households in the case of no remittances. The results support the hypothesis that remittances increase the consumption of recipient households. The poverty rate would be higher for a considerable proportion of households in the case of no remittances. The poverty rates would increase particularly in rural areas. The novelty of this study lies on the methodological approach chosen to investigate the impact of remittances on poverty in Kosovo. In contrast to previous analysis, this study controls for potential selection bias and empirically assesses whether the expectations on the poverty reducing effect of remittances in Kosovo hold.
The Role of Monitoring in Sustainable Development

Abstract The field of sustainable development has global goals focused on the repletion of wants of natural resources for present-day generations in terms of sustainable consumption so that future generations can meet their needs. Sustainable development can be achieved by substantially transforming national agency systems. The aim of the research is to determine role of monitoring and evaluation in the system of sustainable development of the territory. The methods used in this study are general scientific techniques and methods – analysis, logical access method, monographic and other methods. Some international standards for sustainable development have been adopted today. Monitoring and targeted indicator ratings are measures that promote sustainable development. The following conceptual approaches to monitoring can be distinguished for the purpose of monitoring: 1) monitoring as information and analytical support for the management decision support system; 2) monitoring aimed at generating new knowledge; 3) monitoring as a system for tracking quantitative and qualitative changes; 4) monitoring as sequential activity algorithm; 5) object state on-line monitoring; 6) proactive monitoring. Aims should be set to manage the sustainable development process and evaluate the effectiveness of the tools used to achieve it. Sustainable development indicators are necessary to establish the degree of responsibility of their values to the criteria for sustainable development.
From the National Corpus of Polish to the Polish Corpus Infrastructure

Abstract The National Corpus of Polish emerged as a cumulative result of many years of work on large reference corpora by computer scientists and linguists in Poland. While its impact on research in linguistics, humanities and language technology is unquestionable and highly significant, the construction of the national corpus was halted in 2011. In the paper we call for activating the research community and funding institutions around the construction of a corpus infrastructure with the national corpus at its heart. It is claimed that on the verge of an artificial intelligence revolution the envisaged Polish Corpus Infrastructure would provide reliable language data, combine available resources and allow easy integration of new ones.
Can the Sense of Agency Be a Marker of Free Will?

Abstract In this paper, I will analyse the relation between a sense of agency and free will. It is often proposed that by investigating the former, we can find a way of judging when an action is voluntary. Haggard seems to be one of the authors believing so. To answer if this assumption is correct, I will: 1) analyse the categories of free will and agency; 2) define the sense of agency; 3) describe ways of investigating the sense of agency; 4) describe models of emergence of the sense of agency; 5) analyse the relation between agency and responsibility. I will end by discussing the actual possibility of using the sense of agency measurements (as described in experimental sciences) as markers of free will.
Father’s social and economic position has strongest impact on age at menarche in girls from Central India

Abstract We assessed the impact of socio-economic factors on age at menarche among the adolescent female population from the state of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Records such as date of birth, chronological age, caste affiliation, size of place of residence, parents’ level of education and occupation, number of siblings, body height and weight, and age at menarche were collected for 330 students of A Central University, Sagar. The impact of socio-economic factors on age at menarche was analysed using analysis of variance. To establish the probability of menarche occurrence at a given age, time-to-event analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test for curve comparison. The association between probability of attaining menarche and the independent variables was investigated using Cox proportional-hazard model. ANOVA and the Kaplan-Meier curves showed statistically significant differences in age at menarche according to size of the place of residence, number of siblings, parental level of education, father’s occupation and females’ BMI. The Cox proportional hazard model revealed that father’s occupation was the strongest factor affecting age at menarche among all SES characteristics under study. Irrespective of rapid economic progress over the past few decades, Indian society is still patriarchal with societal male dominance. This translates into participation of fewer women in the paid workforce and labour market, their lower wage rates and smaller contribution to the household budget compared to their male counterparts.
Mechanical and Tribological overview of ceramic particulates reinforced aluminium alloy composites

Abstract This review manuscript highlights the effects of various ceramic particulates on different aspects like tribo-logical (sliding wear), mechanical and thermal behaviour etc. of aluminium alloy composites, across various operating parameters like normal load (N), sliding velocity (m/s), sliding distance (m), temperature (°C), reinforcement weight percentage. It also discusses different fabrication techniques of such composites as reported by various scholars. Such advanced alloyed-composites find frequent applications in automotives, military, marine, structural, etc. applications, where tribo-logical phenomenon plays a dominant role. The material scientists world-wide are actively engage in improving life of such components by enhancing their mechanical, physical, chemical etc. properties along with improvement in wear resistance in a cost-effective manner. This overall enhances the working efficiency of the component in required applications. Single or binary or hybrid ceramic reinforcement with varying content is explored by scholars and has ample scope of further exploration. It has been concluded from the literature review that ceramic reinforcement lead to significant enhancement in mechanical, tribological and thermal characteristics of Al alloy based MMCs. Further, the micro-sized ceramic particulates increase the interfacial bond strength between the matrix-reinforcement that enhances effective load transfer and sustain it at various tribological operating parameters, that further validated by surface morphology studies.
Remission of hypersensitivity vasculitis following immunoadsorption for removal of immune complexes

症例: 27歳,女性. 昭和63年9月,紫斑,多関節痛,咳嗽が出現した. 平成元年3月症状増悪し,当科に入院となった. 入院時,低酸素血症,顕微鏡的血尿,低色素性貧血,高γ-グロブリン血症,低補体価,免疫複合体高値,胸部X線上,両下肺野の網状影を示した. 肺機能検査にて閉塞性換気障害,肺拡散能力障害,腎生検にて糸球体への補体,免疫グロブリンの沈着を認めた. また,皮膚生検にてleukocytoclastic vasculitisの所見を得た. 過敏性血管炎と診断し,プレドニゾロン60mg/dayの投与を開始したが,肺出血を合併したため,急速な免疫複合体除去を目的として免疫吸着療法を行った. その後,血中免疫複合体の低下と諸症状の改善を認めた. 本症のような,免疫複合体高値かつ多臓器障害を伴う過敏性血管炎に対し,免疫吸着療法は有効な補助療法と考えられた.