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This paper aims to investigate employee fraud within small enterprises in the Nigerian mobile phone sector. It also seeks to understand the key factors that motivate employees to engage in fraudulent behaviours against their employers, and the consequences of these fraudulent behaviours on small businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The empirical study involves the use of quantitative research. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 159 business owners, sales representatives, cashiers and suppliers. Frequency distribution, percentages, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data.

The findings from this research show a significant relationship between personal and organisational factors and employee theft. Particularly, organisational factors made the strongest positive contribution to employee theft. The research also revealed that employee theft had significant effects on employers but less significance on employees. In addition, the research revealed that many businesses did not have preventive measures against employee theft in their firms. The findings of this study were compared with existing literature.

This study shows the relationship between different factors that could cause an employee to engage in fraudulent behaviours, particularly in SMEs in Nigeria.

The aim of this work was to investigate how Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees extract affected the corrosion of low-carbon (C) steel in 0.1M HCl.

The Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees was extracted into distilled water at 70°C for 1 h. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of the extract was determined in 0.1M HCl using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of extract concentrations and of temperature were investigated.

The Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees extract could inhibit the corrosion process of low-C steel in 0.1M HCl. With the extract concentration of 1 g/l, an inhibition efficiency of 96.3 per cent was obtained. The extract acted as an anodic inhibitor. The adsorption process of the extract was physisorption and it followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

This paper revealed that Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees cultivated in Thailand, which was extracted using a simple and environmentally friendly method, could act as a very good green corrosion inhibitor for low-C steel in 0.1M HCl solution.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inhibitive performance of Coreopsis tinctoria (C. tinctoria) plant extract for the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄.

The inhibition efficiency was studied by weight loss, electrochemical measurements and the surface analysis was done by Raman, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis.

Maximum inhibition efficiency of C. tinctoria in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ on mild steel is 80.62 per cent (500 ppm) at 303 ± 1K. The adsorption of the C. tinctoria on the mild steel surface in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Temperature studies were carried out and the significant parameters, such as change in enthalpy (ΔH^°), change in entropy (ΔS^°) and change in free energy (ΔG°_ads) and heat of adsorption (Qads), were calculated. The productive layer formed on the mild steel surface in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ were confirmed by the Raman spectral analysis.

This paper provides information on the inhibitive properties of C. tinctoria plant extract which is found to be a good corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄.

The aim of this paper is to appraise the inhibiting potential of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the corrosion of mild steel and aluminium in sulphuric and hydrochloric acid solutions.

The effects of two different corrodents on the dissolution of mild steel and aluminium were examined. Corrosion rates were determined using the weight loss technique. Inhibition efficiency was estimated by comparing the corrosion rates in absence and presence of the additive. The kinetics and mechanism of HPMC adsorption were investigated by impedance study while the anodic and cathodic partial reactions were studied by polarization measurements.

The results reveal that corrosion rate of mild steel and aluminium decreased with addition of HPMC. The corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency were found to depend on the concentration of the inhibitor. The polarization data indicated that the inhibitor was of mixed-type, with predominant effect on the cathodic partial reaction. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms that corrosion inhibition was by adsorption on the metal surface following Freundlich adsorption isotherm via physisorption mechanism.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has been studied for the first time as an inhibitor of mild steel and aluminium corrosion and the results suggest that the inhibitor could find practical applications in corrosion control in HCl and H₂SO₄ acid media. The findings are particularly useful, considering the fact that HPMC is a good film former and viscosity enhancer which could also be used in paint formulation.

The purpose of this study is to inspect the corrosion inhibition of API N80 steel pipelines in uninhibited solution and inhibited with a synthesized surfactant compound [N-(3-(dimethyl octyl ammonio) propyl) palmitamide bromide] (DMDPP), which is prepared through a simple and applicable method.

Weight loss was inspected at five different temperatures of 25°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and 60°C Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical frequency modulation were used at room temperature. Density functional theory was used to study the relation between the molecular structure and inhibition theoretically.

Adsorption of the prepared DMDPP fits the Langmuir isotherm model. The inhibition efficiency of the prepared DMDPP amphipathic inhibitor is directly proportional to temperature increase. Polarization results reveal that the investigated DMDPP amphipathic compound behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor. EIS spectra produced one individual capacitive loop.

The originality is the preparation of cationic surfactants through a simple method, which can be used as corrosion inhibitors in oil production. The synthesized inhibitors were prepared from low-price materials. The work studied the behavior of the synthesized surfactants in inhibiting the corrosion of the steel in an acidic medium. Electrochemical and theoretical studies were presented, besides gravimetric and surface examination.

This paper aims to evaluate the inhibitive potential of borage flowers’ aqueous extract (BFAE), Borago officinalis L., against the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M phosphoric acid.

Evaluation was carried out by chemical hydrogen evolution (HE), mass loss (ML) and electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) measurements. SEM-EDX analysis also was used to confirm the existence of the adsorbed film.

It was found that the inhibition efficiency of BFAE increases with the increase in its concentration, but decreases with the increase in temperature. The potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that BFAE acts as a mixed-type inhibitor with a predominantly anodic action. The adsorption of BFAE on mild steel surface was found to obey Langmuir and thermodynamic-kinetic adsorption isotherms by forming a thin film on the metal surface. SEM-EDX analysis confirms the corrosion inhibition ability of BFEA in 1.0 M H₃PO₄ by forming a thin film on mild steel surface. In this study, the inhibitive action of BFAE components is discussed on the basis of the physical adsorption mechanism. The same results were obtained for both the freshly prepared extract and the one that kept in a refrigerator for one year.

This paper indicates that BFAE can act as a good inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M H₃PO₄ even after one year of preparation.

In this paper, two promising corrosion inhibitors based on natural and eco-friendly materials such as peanut fatty acids (PFA) were prepared and challenged with a common efficient commercial inhibitor. Two amino derivatives based on aliphatic and aromatic compounds such as 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 2-amino-2-phenyl-1-propanol (APP), respectively, were used and reacted with PFA under controlled conditions to produce the corrosion inhibitors. The prepared inhibitors, namely, PFA-AMP (inhІ) and PFA-APP (inhІІ), were confirmed and characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, acid value determination and viscosity measurements.

First, different coating formulations free from any inhibitors were prepared and irradiated under different doses of electron beam source to select the best dose. Several concentrations of synthesized anticorrosion materials were then added to coating formulations to estimate them as anticorrosion materials for mild steel panels. Then, all formulations were coated and polymerized at a dose of 10 kGy. The corrosion tests, weight loss and water uptake were studied for all films after immersion in 3.5% sodium chloride. Moreover, the chemical and physico-mechanical properties were determined for all films.

The results exhibited that the different concentrations of two inhibitors did not show any significant change on the different properties of all films, and the best concentration, which gives the better protection for steel panels, was to be 1.0 g for two inhibitors.

It was found that the protection efficiency of the inhІ is better and higher than that of the inhІІ and also of the commercial inhibitor with the following order: inhІ > commercial inhibitor > inhІІ.

This paper examines mechanisms through which social capital strengthens microfinance impact on fostering female entrepreneurial success. Specifically, the study focuses on how, and to what extent, resources embedded in social networks determine MF impact on entrepreneurial success.

Survey data were collected from 276 female micro-institutions entrepreneurs using multi-stage stratified random sampling across 80 MF institutions in three South-Western Nigerian states. Hypotheses were tested using ordinal regression analysis.

The study found that relational and network social capital had a positive and significant influence on female entrepreneurial success. Specifically, intra-group trust and productive network ties amongst female entrepreneurs in poor communities predicated the positive impact of MF on entrepreneurial success. Also, resources embedded in networks are more positively correlated to education level and marital status. Furthermore, MF could have more positive impact for borrowers with sustainable relationships with loan officers who organise MF provisions and understand the entrepreneurs’ context.

The research provides empirical evidence for the relationship dynamics between female entrepreneurs and MF institutions, by emphasising the importance of deploying different forms of social capital in sustaining MF impact on female entrepreneurial success.

In this study, we aimed at examining the unique and interactive effects of peer violence in cyberspace on adolescents’ emotion regulation and socioemotional adjustment, as well as the mediational role of resilience in the link between adolescent’s pathogenic relational experiences and behavioral outcomes. Specifically, we intended to explore emotion differentiation and regulation in reaction to bullying perpetration and victimization and in terms of positive (proud, confident, good) and negative (ashamed, excited, guilty), Passive (sad, embarrassed, humiliated) and Reactive (angry, scared) emotions and how it impacted and predicted positive and negative outcomes.

A stratified convenient sample of 494 Italian students aged 13–19 years (M = 15.27, SD = 1.23) was selected to represent all different school types in Italy and the students were administered a self-report questionnaire on school bullying involvement. General Linear Models, ANOVA, and T-tests were employed to explore gender differences, the relationships between variables, and their contribution to the predictive model. A two-step Cluster analysis was used to profile adolescents based on patterns of resilience, health outcomes, and cyberbullying involvement.

Results showed significant gender differences, with females using internet and Facebook more than males and being more resilient, positive, and prosocial, but also responding to victimization with higher levels of alienation, anger, humiliation, and psychosomatic and emotional symptoms. Males perpetrated peer violence more than females, were less likely to be victimized, and were generally less emotionally impacted by it. Victimization rates (63.7%, n = 296) were higher than perpetration rates (51.7%, n = 233) and bully-victimization was prevalent (47.1%). Victims prevalently experienced passive emotions (sadness, humiliation, embarrassment) while perpetrators experienced negative ones (guilt and shame). Cluster analysis evidenced different pathways and trajectories of resilience and cyberbullying involvement: Resilient victims (RV), Healthy uninvolved (HU), Healthy Bullies (HB), Alienated Bully-Victims (ABV), and Resilient Bully-Victims (RBV). RV, HU, and HB resulted all well-adjusted, despite the different involvement in cyberbullying, and also RBV and despite the double involvement in cyberbullying, ABV were the only maladjusted and at-risk group in our sample characterized by very low Positivity, very low Resilience, and extremely high Alienation.

This study proposes a comprehensive, developmental, ecological, relational, and self-regulatory resilience approach to cyberbullying, which represents an innovative and advanced contribution to the literature with significant implication for research and practice. Fully understanding and measuring the emotional impact of cyber peer violence and resilience following cyberbullying victimization and perpetration can help in developing targeted interventions for both victims and bullies. This study highlighted the need for a self-regulatory model of resilience for modulating emotions, arousal, and behaviors across contexts, relationships, and difficulties. It also evidenced that moderate levels of resilience and positivity are sufficient to buffer youth from involvement in cyberbullying and to predict healthy adjustment and less pathological outcomes.

By profiling adolescents based on resilience levels, health outcomes, and cyberbullying involvement, we evidenced five distinct trajectories of risk evaluation for cyberbullying beyond participating roles. Our results confirmed the fundamental importance of assessing resilience and emotion regulatory resources together with peer violence involvement in identifying and targeting adolescents at risk.