bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation into a viable service delivery system in relation to water and sanitation in Ugu District Municipality
Authors:   , Dlamini-Tshazi Khethiwe P.
Published: March 2022

Water needs permeate all aspects of human existence and activities, and water is fundamental and irreplaceable to humans. However, developing effective water and sanitation governance arrangements is of increasing concern. Although a general conceptualisation of governance exists, there is little guidance on a governance system’s operational and evaluative components. Therefore, fundamental challenges to improving water governance are identified and investigated in the study. The research focus is on holistic governance issues concerning water and sanitation provision to households and businesses, with special reference to the Ugu District Municipality (UDM) in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Governance is analysed based on interconnectedness of structures and system components to achieve organisational results. A qualitative method, combined with systems thinking methodologies, namely a Viable Systems Model (VSM) is used, as well as Soft systems methodology (SSM). Semi-structured interviews to targeted municipal officials and focus groups of ward councillors were used to gather information, share perceptions, experiences, concerns, and perspectives in water and sanitation service delivery. Interview results are an indicator of the generation and applicability of VSM to service delivery issues at UDM and provided empirical evidence when VSM gaps were identified. VSM data consisted of an initial comprehensive system map, comparing various manifestations of the organisation within their environment. The analysis demonstrated municipal challenges as a combination of soft and hard issues, including leadership oversight, fragmentation of structures, lack of information coordination and shortages of resources. VSM also fosters an indepth understanding of the UDM as a system, supporting its suitability, although the ability to implement suggested improvements was not confirmed. The study emphasises the necessity for a holistic approach and heeding of soft issues when providing water and sanitation. The study contribution includes VSM application to strengthen governance in water service authorities, highlighting VSM strengths and shortfalls in the applied context, and presents derived methodological lessons, which broaden the knowledge of employing VSM and support its application in practice.
Service quality of administrative staff for student satisfaction a KZN University of Technology
Authors:   , Naidu Lutchmee
Published: March 2022

Customer satisfaction and service quality are essential concepts that industries and higher education institutions must consider to sustain a competitive edge. Berry, Zeithaml and Parasuraman (1985: 44) aptly cited, “Quality is essential when service is what is being sold”. Assessing the needs and wants and knowing how to measure these from a consumer/student’s point of view is just as important. Considering service quality may be an antecedent to student satisfaction, if the University is successful in attaining a high level of service quality, this can ultimately lead to satisfied students, the profitability of an institution, loyalty and retention. Globally, students’ satisfaction and overall experience within an institution is a highly debated and complex topic in literature, with diverse views presented by various authors on student satisfaction within higher education. Student support services, a division within higher education institutions, provide students with essential administrative support. Therefore, the primary objective of this empirical study is to assess the level of service quality by examining the gap between expectations and perceptions of support staff by gathering data from B-Tech full-time and part-time students registered at a University of technology in South Africa. The results of this study can provide management with reliable data, which can assist in placing intervention mechanisms to monitor, maintain and improve service quality. This study adopted the quantitative data collection method and utilised an adapted SERVQUAL questionnaire designed and distributed to respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique. The SERVQUAL survey instrument was used to measure the gap between students’ expectations of service quality and their perceptions of the actual services delivered by the support staff. Overall, the analysis of the data gathered found that the service quality perceived by students was dissatisfactory, meaning that students’ expectations exceeded their perceptions. The findings indicated that service quality performance dimensions (RATER) are significantly and positively integrated with overall student satisfaction. This study also provides results that the University can benchmark to prevent potential problems and improve results. It can also assist other higher education institutions on the corrective measures central to a University's significant growth. Identifying the gaps in the services offered by support staff can improve service quality delivery and result in a high level of student satisfaction while gaining the University a competitive edge.
The effect of absenteeism on productivity at Durban container terminals
Authors:   , Zondi Buyani Mgcini Cyril
Published: March 2022

The Durban container terminal (DCT) is the biggest and busiest container terminal in the African continent. The terminal has a throughput capacity of 2.9 million per annum but is now under threat due to absenteeism. In recent years, the DCT struggled with a high rate of absenteeism which is thought to be the reason for decreasing productivity. The study, therefore, sought to investigate the effect of absenteeism on productivity at DCT with a view to finding ways of curbing the scale of absenteeism. A quantitative research approach was adopted with a view to finding ways of curbing the scale of absenteeism. Stratified random sampling was used to select 321 participants from the human resource inventory at DCT. The data were analysed using both descriptive statistics. The study questionnaire was validated by pretesting the questionnaire to some selected employees at the DCT. Ethical approval was requested and obtained from the Research and Ethics Office at the Durban University of Technology. The study revealed that employees perceived absenteeism as the reason for lower productivity, lower quality of product and service. Absenteeism is perceived as the source of increase in losses and as well as increase in administrative costs. The study found that absenteeism at DCT is caused illness, toxic organisational culture, stress levels, family problems, personal need and poor relations amongst core workers and between mangers. In addition, the study also found that improving conditions of service and organisational culture can potentially lower absenteeism at DCT. On the other hand, the study concluded that offering employee assistance, disciplinary action and a caring leadership were not helpful in reducing absenteeism at DCT. Drawing from the findings made, the study recommended the need to establish the employee health centres such as clinics manned by full time personnel such as nurses and doctors to provide health care and support to all employees of the organisation. There was also need for leaders/mangers to undergo training on effective leadership that fosters on a learning organisation in order to improve organisational culture leading to a culture that motivates the workforce. It is through this culture that issues of personal needs, family matters and relationships will be take care of. The study also recommended an overhaul of the conditions of service that includes salary upgrade, allowances such as transport and housing, medical care etc. There was need also to investigate the current disciplinary measures used by DCT that include disciplinary action and the employee assistance programs as they have proved to be helpful in other organisations globally except for DCT becoming cause for concern.
Benevolent leadership and its implication for management education in South Africa
Authors:   , Bhagwan Dharmesh Natvarlal
Published: March 2022

Benevolence is related to strong ethical behaviour, respect for all, trust, kindness, harmony, integrity, justice, interconnectedness with others, and care and concern for the community, corporate social responsibility, and the natural environment. Benevolent leadership has been defined as the process of creating a virtuous cycle of encouraging, initiating, and implementing positive change in organisations through: a) ethical decision making and moral actions, b) developing spiritual awareness and creating a sense of meaning, c) inspiring hope and fostering courage for positive action, and d) leaving a legacy and positive impact for the larger community (Karakas 2009: 1). This study was undertaken to investigate the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviours of benevolent leaders at business organisations in South Africa; to examine how benevolent leadership impacted organisational performance; to understand the extent to which university education prepared managers for benevolent leadership; and to make recommendations on what content related to benevolent management could be included in management education. The study was guided by a quantitative research approach, with a cross-sectional survey research design. Purposive and snowball sampling was the strategy used to identify participants for the study. Three hundred and fourteen (314) participants were recruited from the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. A structured survey instrument adopted from Karakas (2009: 1) was used as the data collection instrument in the study. Data was analysed using SPSS version 2.0. The study found a high level of benevolent leadership qualities and characteristics amongst the sample. A majority of the participants showed that they are highly ethical, demonstrate care and compassion for their subordinates, and are very open to creating change in their work environments with a belief that through change and innovation they can create positive results. Participants also showed high levels of concern for the community and support for charitable causes. Consequently, this influenced organisational performance in the areas of employee morale, productivity, and corporate social responsibility. The study also found a high level of support for the introduction of benevolent leadership in leadership education.
Development of a Universal Measurement Process Framework
Authors:   Fluke Corporation, Brown Michael
Published: March 2022

Calibration software has largely been developed with a direct measurement comparison method at the forefront. While adequate for many routine calibration processes, over time this approach becomes insufficient for more complex calibrations and often leads to the creation of special tests, add-ons, and various types of workarounds which are neither ideal nor sustainable over the long term. In some cases, these inadequacies initiate the development of a completely new and separate calibration software designed to specifically address a single calibration discipline or measurement problem. This paper discusses a complete and universal measurement process framework which is not only capable of accommodating routine and complex calibration scenarios alike, but also allows the use of various comparisons such as direct, indirect, ratio, differential, transfer, and substitution measurement comparison techniques. Additionally, the framework generates a comprehensive set of records to include; all original observations, calculations, corrections, conversions, environmental factors, and measurement results, allowing for step-by-step auditing of every measurement performed. Although primarily intended for use within calibration software which can facilitate automated, semi-automated, and manual calibrations - this approach may also be utilized entirely outside of software in any calibration scenario.
Online treatment of eruption dynamics improves the volcanic ash and SO2 dispersion forecast: case of the 2019 Raikoke eruption
Authors: Bruckert Julia , Hoshyaripour Gholam Ali , Horváth Ákos , Muser Lukas O. , Prata Fred J. , Hoose Corinna , Vogel Bernhard
Published: March 2022

Abstract. In June 2019, the Raikoke volcano, Kuril Islands, emitted 0.4–1.8×109 kg of very fine ash and 1–2×109 kg of
SO2 up to 14 km into the atmosphere. The eruption was
characterized by several eruption phases of different duration and
height summing up to a total eruption length of about 5.5 h. Resolving
such complex eruption dynamics is required for precise volcanic plume
dispersion forecasts. To address this issue, we coupled the
atmospheric model system ICON-ART (ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic with the Aerosols and Reactive Trace gases module) with the 1D plume model FPlume to
calculate the eruption source parameters (ESPs) online. The main
inputs are the plume heights for the different eruption phases that
are geometrically derived from satellite data. An empirical
relationship is used to derive the amount of very fine ash (particles
<32 µm), which is relevant for long-range transport in the atmosphere.
On the first day after the onset of the eruption, the modeled ash loading agrees very well with the ash loading estimated from AHI (Advanced Himawari Imager) observations due to the resolution of the eruption phases and the online treatment of the ESPs. In later hours, aerosol dynamical processes (nucleation, condensation, and coagulation) explain the loss of ash in the atmosphere in agreement with the observations. However, a direct comparison is partly hampered by water and ice clouds overlapping the ash cloud in the observations. We compared 6-hourly means of model and AHI data with respect to the structure, amplitude, and location (SAL method) to further validate the simulated dispersion of SO2 and ash. In the beginning, the structure and amplitude values for SO2 differed largely because the dense ash cloud leads to an underestimation of the SO2 amount in the satellite data. On the second and third day, the SAL values are close to zero for all parameters (except for the structure value of ash), indicating a very good agreement of the model and observations. Furthermore, we found a separation of the ash and SO2 plume after 1 d due to particle sedimentation, chemistry, and aerosol–radiation interaction. The results confirm that coupling the atmospheric model system and plume model enables detailed treatment of the plume dynamics (phases and ESPs) and leads to significant improvement of the ash and SO2 dispersion forecast. This approach can benefit the operational forecast of ash and SO2 especially in the case of complex and noncontinuous volcanic eruptions like that of Raikoke in 2019.
Marine carbon cycle response to a warmer Southern Ocean: the case of the last interglacial
Authors: Choudhury Dipayan , Menviel Laurie , Meissner Katrin J. , Yeung Nicholas K. H. , Chamberlain Matthew , Ziehn Tilo
Published: March 2022

Abstract. Recent studies investigating future warming scenarios have shown that the ocean carbon sink will weaken over the coming century due to ocean warming and changes in oceanic circulation. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the magnitude of the oceanic carbon cycle response to warming. Here, we investigate the Southern Ocean's (SO, south of 40∘ S) carbon cycle response to warmer conditions, as simulated under last interglacial boundary conditions (LIG, 129–115 ka). We find a ∼150 % increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) outgassing over the SO at the LIG compared to pre-industrial conditions (PI), due to a 0.5 ∘C increase in SO sea surface temperatures. This is partly compensated for by an equatorward shift of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) westerlies and weaker Antarctic Bottom Water formation, which both lead to an increase in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the deep ocean at the LIG compared to PI. These deep-ocean DIC changes arise from increased deep- and bottom-water residence times and higher remineralization rates due to higher temperatures.
While our LIG simulation features a large reduction in SO sea ice compared to the PI, we find that changes in sea ice extent exert a minor control on the marine carbon cycle.
The projected future strengthening and poleward shift of the SH westerlies coupled to warmer conditions at the surface of the SO should thus weaken the capacity of the SO to absorb anthropogenic CO2 over the coming century.
A global land aerosol fine-mode fraction dataset (2001–2020) retrieved from MODIS using hybrid physical and deep learning approaches
Authors: Yan Xing , Zang Zhou , Li Zhanqing , Luo Nana , Zuo Chen , Jiang Yize , Li Dan , Guo Yushan , Zhao Wenji , Shi Wenzhong , Cribb Maureen
Published: March 2022

Abstract. The aerosol fine-mode fraction (FMF) is valuable for
discriminating natural aerosols from anthropogenic ones. However, most
current satellite-based FMF products are highly unreliable over land. Here,
we developed a new satellite-based global land daily FMF dataset (Phy-DL
FMF) by synergizing the advantages of physical and deep learning methods at
a 1∘ spatial resolution covering the period from 2001 to 2020. The
Phy-DL FMF dataset is comparable to Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET)
measurements, based on the analysis of 361 089 data samples from 1170
AERONET sites around the world. Overall, Phy-DL FMF showed a
root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.136 and correlation coefficient of 0.68,
and the proportion of results that fell within the ±20 % expected
error (EE) envelopes was 79.15 %. Moreover, the out-of-site validation
from the Surface Radiation Budget (SURFRAD) observations revealed that the
RMSE of Phy-DL FMF is 0.144 (72.50 % of the results fell within the ±20 % EE). Phy-DL FMF showed superior performance over alternative deep
learning or physical approaches (such as the spectral deconvolution
algorithm presented in our previous studies), particularly for forests,
grasslands, croplands, and urban and barren land types. As a long-term
dataset, Phy-DL FMF is able to show an overall significant decreasing trend
(at a 95 % significance level) over global land areas. Based on the trend
analysis of Phy-DL FMF for different countries, the upward trend in the FMFs
was particularly strong over India and the western USA. Overall, this study
provides a new FMF dataset for global land areas that can help improve our
understanding of spatiotemporal fine-mode and coarse-mode aerosol changes. The
datasets can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5105617
(Yan, 2021).
Multitemporal glacier inventory revealing four decades of glacier changes in the Ladakh region
Authors: Soheb Mohd , Ramanathan Alagappan , Bhardwaj Anshuman , Coleman Millie , Rea Brice , Spagnolo Matteo , Singh Shaktiman , Sam Lydia
Published: March 2022

Abstract. Glacier inventories, and changes therein, play an important role in understanding glacier dynamics and water resources over larger regions. In this study, we present a Landsat-based multi-temporal inventory of glaciers in four Upper Indus sub-basins and three internal drainage basins in the Ladakh region for the years 1977, 1994, 2009 and 2019. The study records data on 2257 glaciers (>0.5 km2) covering ~7923 ± 212 km2 equivalent to ~30 % of the glaciers and ~89 % of the glacierised area within the region. Results show that the highest concentration of glaciers is found in the higher elevation zones, between 5000 and 6000 m a.s.l, with most of them facing north. The area and length of nearly all the glaciers (~97 %) have decreased over the past 42 years, by 6.9 % and 12 % respectively. However, heterogeneity in glacier change was observed across the basins. Glaciers in Shayok Basin experienced the least deglaciation (~3.9 %), whereas Leh (~23 %) and Tsokar Basin (~26 %) experienced the greatest deglaciation over the 42 years (1977–2019). The major factors contributing to such differences were temperature, precipitation and size of the glaciers, with most changes occurring as a result of a drier winters and warmer summers. During the observation period, the region showed a statistically significant (at p < 0.01) increasing trend in mean annual, JJAS and winter temperatures.
A database of radiogenic Sr-Nd isotopes at the "three poles”
Authors: Du Zhiheng , Yang Jiao , Wang Lei , Wang Ninglian , Svensson Anders , Zhang Zhen , Ma Xiangyu , Liu Yaping , Wang Shimeng , Xu Jianzhong , Xiao Cunde
Published: March 2022

Abstract. The radiogenic isotope compositions of strontium (Sr) and neodymium (Nd) on the surface of the Earth are powerful tools for tracing dust sources and sinks on Earth’s surface. To differentiate between the spatial variabilities of aeolian dust sources in key cryospheric regions at the three poles (including the ‘Third Pole’ covering the high mountainous area in Asia, the Arctic and Antarctica), a dataset of the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions from the terrestrial extremely cold or arid environments in this study was compiled, similar to the method of Blanchet (2019). The database identified snow, ice, sand, soil (loess) and sediment from the modern dust samples and paleoclimatic records of the three poles based on 43 different references, with a total of 967 data points. There are 274 data points from the third pole, 302 data points from the Arctic, and 391 data points from Antarctica. The sampling and measurement methods and the quality of these data are recognized and introduced. For each pole, geographical coordinates and other information are provided. The main scientific purpose of this dataset is to provide our own measurements and collect documentation for the Sr-Nd dataset, which will be useful for determining the sources and transport pathways of dust at the three poles and to investigate whether multiple dust sources are present at each of the poles. This dataset provides exhaustive detailed documentation of the isotopic signatures at the three poles during specific time intervals, which are useful for understanding the dust sources or sinks of the three poles. The datasets are available from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center (https://doi.org/10.11888/Cryos.tpdc.272100, Du et al., 2022).
Effects of forcing differences and initial conditions on inter-model agreement in the VolMIP volc-pinatubo-full experiment
Authors: Zanchettin Davide , Timmreck Claudia , Khodri Myriam , Schmidt Anja , Toohey Matthew , Abe Manabu , Bekki Slimane , Cole Jason , Fang Shih-Wei , Feng Wuhu , Hegerl Gabriele , Johnson Ben , Lebas Nicolas , LeGrande Allegra N. , Mann Graham W. , Marshall Lauren , Rieger Landon , Robock Alan , Rubinetti Sara , Tsigaridis Kostas , Weierbach Helen
Published: March 2022

Abstract. This paper provides initial results from a multi-model ensemble analysis based on the volc-pinatubo-full experiment performed within the Model Intercomparison Project on the climatic response to Volcanic forcing (VolMIP) as part of the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The volc-pinatubo-full experiment is based on an ensemble of volcanic forcing-only climate simulations with the same volcanic aerosol dataset across the participating models (the 1991–1993 Pinatubo period from the CMIP6-GloSSAC dataset). The simulations are conducted within an idealized experimental design where initial states are sampled consistently across models from the CMIP6-piControl simulation providing unperturbed preindustrial background conditions. The multi-model ensemble includes output from an initial set of six participating Earth system models (CanESM5, GISS-E2.1-G, IPSL-CM6A-LR, MIROC-E2SL, MPI-ESM1.2-LR
and UKESM1). The results show overall good agreement between the different models on the
global and hemispheric scales concerning the surface climate responses, thus demonstrating the overall effectiveness of VolMIP's experimental design. However, small yet significant inter-model discrepancies are found in radiative fluxes, especially in the tropics, that preliminary analyses link with minor differences in forcing implementation; model physics, notably aerosol–radiation interactions; the simulation and sampling of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO); and, possibly, the simulation of
climate feedbacks operating in the tropics. We discuss the volc-pinatubo-full protocol and highlight the advantages of volcanic forcing experiments defined within a carefully designed protocol with respect to emerging modelling approaches based on large ensemble transient simulations. We identify how the VolMIP strategy could be improved in future phases of the initiative to ensure a cleaner sampling protocol with greater focus on the evolving state of ENSO in the pre-eruption period.
SurEau-Ecos v2.0: A trait-based plant hydraulics model for simulations of plant water status and drought-induced mortality at the ecosystem level
Authors: Ruffault Julien , Pimont François , Cochard Hervé , Dupuy Jean-Luc , Martin-StPaul Nicolas K.
Published: March 2022

Abstract. A widespread increase in tree mortality has been observed around the globe, and this trend is likely to continue because of ongoing climate-induced increases in drought frequency and intensity. This raises the need to identify regions and ecosystems that are likely to experience the most frequent and significant damages. We present SurEau-Ecos, a trait-based, plant-hydraulic model designed to predict tree desiccation and mortality at scales from stand to region. SurEau-Ecos draws on the general principles of the process-based, soil-plant-atmosphere SurEau model. It also introduces a simplified representation of plant architecture and alternative numerical schemes; both additions made to facilitate model parameterization and large-scale applications. In SurEau-Ecos, the water fluxes from the soil to the atmosphere are represented through two plant organs (a leaf and a stem, which includes the volume of the trunk, roots and branches) as the product of an interface conductance and the difference of water potentials. Each organ is described by its symplasmic and apoplasmic compartments. The dynamics of plant’s water status beyond the point of stomatal closure are explicitly represented via residual transpiration flow, plant cavitation and solicitation of plants’ water reservoirs. In addition to the "explicit” numerical scheme of SurEau, we implemented a “semi-implicit” and “implicit” scheme. Both schemes led to a substantial gain in computing time compared to the “explicit” scheme (>10,000 times), and the implicit scheme was the most accurate. We also observed similar plant water dynamics between SurEau-Ecos and SurEau but slight disparities in infra-daily variations of plant water potentials that we attributed to the differences in the representation of plant architecture between models. A global model’s sensitivity analysis revealed that factors controlling plant desiccation rates differ depending on whether leaf water potential is below or above the point of stomatal closure. Total available water for the plant, leaf area index, and the leaf water potential at 50 % stomatal closure mostly drove the time needed to reach stomatal closure. Once stomata are closed, resistance to cavitation, residual cuticular transpiration and plant water stocks mostly determined the time to hydraulic failure. Finally, we illustrated the potential of SurEau-Ecos to simulate regional drought-induced mortality over France. SurEau-Ecos is a promising tool to perform regional-scale predictions of drought-induced hydraulic failure, determine the most vulnerable areas and ecosystems to drying conditions, and asses the dynamics of forest flammability.
Assessing Organic Matter Characteristics in Ancient Permafrost: A Biogeochemical Study at the Batagay Megaslump, East Siberia
Authors: Jongejans Loeka Laura , Mangelsdorf Kai , Karger Cornelia , Opel Thomas , Wetterich Sebastian , Courtin Jérémy , Meyer Hanno , Kizyakov Alexander I. , Grosse Guido , Shepelev Andrei G. , Syromyatnikov Igor I. , Fedorov Alexander N. , Strauss Jens
Published: March 2022

Abstract. The Batagay megaslump, a permafrost thaw feature in northeastern Siberia, provides access to ancient permafrost up to ~650 ka old. We aimed to assess the permafrost-locked organic matter (OM) quality and to deduce paleoenvironmental information on glacial-interglacial timescales. We sampled five stratigraphic units exposed on the 55-m-high slump headwall and analyzed lipid biomarkers. Our findings revealed similar biogeochemical signatures for the glacial periods: the Lower Ice Complex (Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 16 or earlier), the Lower Sand Unit (some time between MIS 16-6) and the Upper Ice Complex (MIS 4-2). The OM in these units has a terrestrial character, and microbial activity was likely limited. Contrarily, the n-alkane and fatty acid distributions differed for the units from interglacial periods: the Woody Layer (MIS 5), separating the Lower Sand and the Upper Ice Complex, and the Holocene Cover (MIS 1), on top of the Upper Ice Complex. The Woody Layer, marking an permafrost degradation disconformity, contained markers of terrestrial origin (sterols) and high microbial decomposition (iso- and anteiso-fatty acids). In the Holocene Cover, biomarkers pointed to wet depositional conditions and we identified branched and cyclic alkanes, which are likely of microbial or bacterial origin. Higher OM decomposition characterized the interglacial periods. As climate warming will continue permafrost degradation in the Batagay megaslump and in other areas, large amounts of deeply buried, ancient OM with a variable composition and degradability are mobilized, likely significantly enhancing greenhouse gas emissions from permafrost regions.
Sosialisasi Pemanfaatan Era Industry 4.0 di setiap Dusun Desa Cibaregbeg Kecamatan Sagaranten Kabupaten Sukabumi
Authors: Solihin Arif , Artiyasa Marina , Himawan Kusumah Ilman , Pradiftha Junfithrana Anggy , Ilham Mauludi Paiz , Dholah Rosita NDK Moneyta , Firthian Resthu
Published: March 2022

Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat yang dilakukan oleh kelompok 9 Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) Universitas Nusa Putra yang dilaksanakan pada tanggal 14 – 20 Maret 2020, bertempat di Desa Cibaregbeg Kecamatan Sagaranten Kabupaten Sukabumi ini telah memberikan sosialisasi bagi warga masyarakat setiap dusunnya . selama sosialisasi mendapat sambutan yang sangat baik dan antusiasme yang tinggi. Sosialisasi Pemanfaatan Era Industry 4.0 di Setiap Dusun Desa Cibaregbeg Kecamatan Sagaranten Kabupaten Sukabumi ini merupakan salah satu cara memperkenalkan seputar era industry yang semakin canggih dan digitalisasi sosialiasi ini dapat dijadikan sebagai langkah awal untuk memperkenalkan era industry 4.0 kepada masyarakat dipedalaman yang jarang terjamah oleh pemerintah. Sosialisasi ini salah satunya adalah pemanfaatan lingkungan sekitar yang disesuaikan dengan era ini dari mulai hal-hal positif hingga negatif. Selain itu, masyarakat sekitar diajarkan pintarnya memilih berita jangan sampai terjebak diantara berita bohong (hoax) yang sering tersebar di media social, adapun cara menggunakan media social untuk kebutuhan jual beli hasil pertanian masyarakat melalui satu genggaman yaitu smartphone.
Meningkatkan Peran Serta Kualitas Sdm Dan Sda Dalam Menyongsong Era Industri 4.0 Kontenporer Di Indonesia Studi Kasus Desa Caringin Kecatamatan Gegerbitung Sukabumi
Authors: Saputri Utamy , Gulo Sepodius , Kholid Abdul , Syaripudin Cecep , Hidayah Darul , Dharmawan Dzifki
Published: March 2022

Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) adalah suatu kegiatan intrakurikuler yang memadukan pelaksanaan Tri Dharma perguruan tinggi (pendidikan, penelitian, dan pengabdian kepada masyarakat) dengan cara memberikan kepada mahasiswa pengalaman belajar dan bekerja dalam kegiatan pembangunan masyarakat sebagai wahana penerapan dan pembembangan ilmu dan teknologi yang dilaksanakan di luar kampus dalam waktu mekanisme kerja dan teknologi persyaratan tertentu. Program kerja yang dikerjakan kelompok terdiri dari program fisik, program non fisik dan tambahan. Program kerja fisik meliputi Renovasi pintu dan Sanitasi WC Mesjid. Program kerja non fisik meliputi Sosialisasi ke sekolah (Mengajar), Citamiang Sehat (Olahraga bersama), Nonton Bareng di Kantor Desa, dan Pembuatan Profil Desa Citamiang. Program tambahan meliputi Jumat Bersih dan Minggu bersih dan Membantu Pelaksanaan Isra’ Mi’raj. Sebenarnya, Program kerja yang direncanakan dan disusun lebih banyak dari ini. Namun karena waktu dan kondisi disebabkan adanya Pandemi Covid 19, di pertengahan waktu pelaksanaan KKN mengharuskan kami menghentikan proses kegiatan di desa Citamiang atas instruksi Panitia KKN dan Civitas Universitas Nusa Putra demi keselamatan dan antisipasi penanganan pandemi Covid 19 selaras dengan instruksi Pemerintah.
Pemanfaatan Buah Pepaya Menjadi Abon Nabati di Desa Paloh Lada Kecamatan Dewantara Kabupaten Aceh Utara
Authors: Rizka Nurlaila  , Masrullita  , Meriatna  , Safriwardy Ferry
Published: March 2022

Abon adalah makanan yang dibuat dari suiran daging yang dimasak sampai kering dan awet disimpan selama berminggu-minggu hingga berbulan-bulan dalam kemasan kedap udara. Abon juga dapat dibuat dari sumber nabati seperti pepaya. Dalam jangka panjang diharapkan kelompok PKK dan masyarakat setempat termotivasi untuk menjadikan usaha produk abon pepaya menjadi industri rumah tangga (home industri). Tujuan dari pelaksanaan kegiatan ini adalah memberikan pengetahuan pengolahan hasil-hasil pertanian khususnya buah pepaya yang dapat dijadikan abon nabati dan meningkatkan pendapatan masyarakat. Target khusus yang ingin diharapkan dari kegiatan ini adalah timbulnya motivasi dan keinginan unutk berwirausaha mandiri pada masyarakat Desa Paloh Lada Kecamatan Dewantara Kabupaten Aceh Utara untuk memanfaatkan daging buah pepaya yang dijadikan abon. Hasil dari kegiatan ini adalah kelompok PKK dan masyarakat telah mampu unutk membuat abon nabati dari pepaya dan mengemasnya untuk meningkatkan nilai ekonomis.
Pelatihan character building berbasis spiritual pada majlis ta’lim Raudhatul Muttaqin di Sukabumi
Authors: Abdurahman
Published: March 2022

Masyarakat Kota Sukabumi di masa pandemi covid 19 kondisinya mengalami berbagai keterbatasan dalam beraktivitas seperti halnya; pendidikan belum bisa tatap muka, kegiatan ekonomi dibatasi waktunya, sehingga sikap masyarakat ada yang pesimis dan ada yang tetap optimis. Kondisi tersebut menstimulus terjadinya perubahan sikap dan prilaku masyarakat. Untuk menghadapi permasalahan tersebut membutuhkan penguatan sikap diri agar tangguh (sabar dan syukur), untuk itu masyarakat membutuhkan pelatihan sebagai penguatan sikap atau karakter dalam menghadapi permasalahan kehidupan yang sedang dirasakan. Metode pelatihan melalui ceramah, diskusi dan bimbingan dengan memberikan materi pada peserta pelatihan yang dilengkapi dengan pemberian modul, power point, resume materi agar peserta  pelatihan memiliki input pemahaman yang baik. Hasil pelatihan menunjukkan bahwa: pelatihan character building berbasis spiritual sudah memperlihatkan adanya peningkatan namun belum optimal, (1) manajemen  pelatihan pada prakteknya belum menunjukkan disiplin yang optimal pada perencanaan program, sehingga proses pembelajaran peserta pelatihan belum terbebas dari kendala teknis seperti kendala teknologi, (2) hambatan dalam proses pelatihan belum terkendali dengan optimal, selain dari masalah teknis yang berkaitan dengan teknologi juga yang berkaitan dengan minat peserta masih kurang terutama ketika memasuki sesi tanya jawab dan diskusi. (3) Potensi yang dimiliki belum bisa diberdayakan dengan optimal secara fungsional (4) Hasil pelatihan sudah menunjukkan dampak tetapi masih banyak yang harus diperbaiki terutama dalam pengelolaan proses pelatihan dan penanganan minat peserta yang masih harus ditingkatkan.
RESEÑA DEL LIBRO LA SOCIEDAD DECADENTE. CÓMO NOS HEMOS CONVERTIDO EN VÍCTIMAS DE NUESTRO PROPIO ÉXITO de Ross Douthat
Authors: MARTÍN DE LA HOZ JOSÉ CARLOS
Published: March 2022

Es interesante cuales son para nuestro autor los puntos de referencia analizados como parámetros fiables para detectar una extrema y preocupante decadencia en nuestros países: «en referencia al estancamiento económico, al deterioro institucional y al agotamiento cultural e intelectual en un elevado grado de prosperidad material y de desarrollo tecnológico.
Prevelence of dermoid cyst in congenital midline craniofacial masses in paediatric population"A case series study in tertiary care hospital.
Authors: Shahjehan Ali , Sajjad ullah  , Usman Haqqani
Published: March 2022

Background: Dermoid cyst is one of the congenital craniofacial masses, most commonly occurring in pediatric population. This study will help us to know the magnitude of dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses in children.Objective: To determine the prevalence of dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses in pediatric population in tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This case series study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital(MTI) Peshawar, Pakistan from March 2016 to February 2019. A total of 52 patients with midline craniofacial masses were studied. After obtaining permission from hospital ethical committee and taking consent from patients included in the study, dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses was diagnosed on the basis of histopathology report done in our hospital laboratory. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age was 4.15±3.84years in patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses. Out of 52 patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses, 33(63.5%) patients were from the age group 1-5 years. Out of 52 patients having midline congenital craniofacial masses, 23(44.2%) were females and 29(55.8%) were males. 33 (63.5%) out of 52 patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses resided in urban areas. Out of 52 midline congenital craniofacial masses, 16 (30.8%) were dermoid cysts on histopathological report. Conclusion: Dermoid cyst is a common congenital midline craniofacial mass and is more common in males and urban population. Key words: Midline craniofacial masses, dermoid cyst.
Effect of Xylocaine 4% Solution on Patient's Anxiety with Nasal Packing After Septoplasty
Authors: Raza Muhammad  , Asif Kamal  , Fazal-i-Wahid  , Aftab Ahmad Tarand  , Johar Iqbal  , Arshad Abbass
Published: March 2022

Background: Removal of nasal pack after septoplasty causes pain and anxiety in patients. Xylocaine 4% solution used as topical anesthetic reduces pain and anxiety if infiltrated postoperatively into nasal packing.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of xylocaine 4% solution on patient's anxiety infiltrated in to nasal pack after septoplasty.

Material and Methods: This prospective case control study conducted at the ENT and Psychiatry departments of Gajju Khan Medical College (GKMC) Swabi from June 2019 to December 2019. A total of 100 patients who underwent septoplasty with bilateral antibiotic ointment soaked nasal packing were randomly divided in to two groups, A & B. Xylocaine 4% solution (5ml in each nostril) was infiltrated into nasal pack in 50 patients in group A while group B including 50 patients were infiltrated with liquid paraffin (5ml in each nostril) fifteen minutes before nasal pack removal. 

Results: A total of 100 patients were included with age ranging from 18 to 40 years with a mean age of 25.2 years with male predominance. Hamilton anxiety scale scores in Xylocaine group were11.81+3.47, 15.05+2.99 and 10.6+3.51 at 24 hrs before surgery, 24hrs after surgery and 20 minutes after pack removal while 10.4+4.34, 14.21+4.13 and 12.6+4.54 were in the liquid paraffin group which suggests that anxiety was less in the xylocaine group at 20 minutes after pack removal. 

Conclusion:  There was significant reduction in pain and anxiety after infiltration of xylocaine 4% solution into nasal pack post septoplasty.

KEY WORDS: Xylocaine, Anxiety, Septoplasty
A Comparison of Topical Nepafenac with Ketorolac Tromethamine in Maintaining Pupilary Dilatation during Phacoemulsification
Authors: Uddin Salah , Haroon Rashid
Published: March 2022

Background: The standard surgical procedure for cataract surgery now a days is phacoemulsification with  intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, that gives excellent visual results. Stable and adequate mydriasis is  equired throughout phacoemulsification surgery. Intraoperative pupil Constriction  (miosis) is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative complications especially in  difficult cases and it can result in prolonged surgical time.

Objective:  To compare the effectiveness of prophylactic administration of topical ketorolac  tromethamine 0.5% and nepafenac 0.1% on maintaining mydriasis during phacomulsification when instilled for 1 hour (I drop every 15 minutes) before surgery.

 Material and Methods: In this study a total of 490 eyes were included (that is 245 eyes in each group), using efficacy of Nepafenac equal to 17.32% and that of ketorolac tromethamine equal to 27.89%,  in terms of loss of pupil  mydriasis from baseline till end of phacoemulsification. Power of test is equal to 80% and level of significance is equal to 5%. 

 Results: In this study mean age in Group A (nepafenac 0.1%) was 62 year.

 while mean age in Group B (ketorolac tromethamine 0.5%) was 64 year with standard deviation

 ± 2.87. In Group A (nepafenac 0.1%),(55%) patients were male and (45%) patients were female.

 Where as in Group B (ketorolac tromethamine 0.5%), (57%) patients were male and (43%)

 patients were female.

Conclusion: Our study concludes that Nepafenac 0.1% is more effective than ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in

 maintenance of dilated pupil during phacoemulsification surgery.

 KEY WORDS: Nepafenac 0.1%, ketorolac tromethamine 0.5%, dilated pupil,

 phacoemulsification surgery
The Second Circuit's Extraterritorial Application of the Commodity Exchange Act
Authors: Mary Jean Whitsell
Published: March 2022

In August 2019, the Second Circuit ruled in Prime International Trading, Ltd. v BP P.L.C. that plaintiffs bringing a private action under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) must plead a domestic transaction and domestic violative conduct. By requiring that plaintiffs plead domestic illegal conduct, Prime International’s holding will severely limit plaintiffs’ ability to seek damages in the United States, even when they trade entirely on U.S. markets. The high pleading bar imposed by Prime International is especially impactful given that trading commodities and futures contracts is more accessible than ever due to electronic platform-based trading, which allows traders to access U.S. and foreign markets with ease. 

This Note argues that Prime International improperly narrowed the domestic application of CEA section 22, which grants plaintiffs a private right of action. Instead, courts should adopt the “sufficiently domestic” analysis from Parkcentral Global Hub Ltd. v. Porsche Automobile Holdings. Under this suggested analysis, a plaintiff would need to allege that violative conduct impacted a domestic transaction to plead section 22. Additionally, the court would need to evaluate whether the claim is properly domestic or impermissibly foreign. Unlike the Prime International standard, domestic conduct would not be necessary—though it would likely satisfy the sufficiency analysis.
Mandatory Corporate Climate Disclosures
Authors: John Armour  , Luca Enriques  , Thom Wetzer
Published: March 2022

Mitigating the worst consequences of climate change by transitioning to a net-zero economy requires investment on a large scale. Directly pricing emissions, the first-best solution to drive capital reallocation, is considered politically infeasible—so policymakers put their currency in facilitating the pricing of climate risk by investors. Yet investors, faced with scientific and policy uncertainty around climate risks compounded by a lack of information about companies’ exposures, struggle to do just that. This Article shows that current disclosure policies do not require companies to disclose the information that investors need to price climate risk, and voluntary frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures—important as they are—have failed to turn the tide. The result is mispricing and a misallocation of capital, which harms investors and hampers the net-zero transition. Against that context, this Article argues that traditional securities regulation rationales and net-zero imperatives call for mandatory corporate climate disclosures. To create a yardstick against which governments’ proposals can be evaluated, both to support their efforts and to call out policy greenwashing, this Article outlines several design principles that go beyond the emerging consensus and cover the regulatory architecture that supports such a disclosure regime.
ISS and Other Proxy Advisory Firms' Conflicts of Interest
Authors: Dan Daskal
Published: March 2022

This Note discusses the impact of conflicts of interest on the proxy advisory firm industry, with a particular focus on conflicts plaguing Institutional Shareholder Services, the dominant proxy advisory firm. The increased proportion of shares held by institutional investors, strong reliance on voting recommendations by certain investment advisors and continuing dominance of Institutional Shareholder Services have culminated in Institutional Shareholder Services’ substantial influence in proxy voting. The lack of sufficient regulatory oversight has precipitated considerable risk of proxy voting that serves the best interest of proxy advisory firms rather than that of shareholders. Recent rules and guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission have not adequately addressed these concerns. Several possible reforms may help this situation, including eliminating robo-voting, separating voting advice and corporate governance consulting services and mandating engagement in voting research beyond that provided by proxy advisory firms. Pursuing these avenues of reform could help restore the integrity of voting recommendations and ensure that proxy advisory firms are used in the way they were initially intended: to reduce information costs and help investment advisors vote shares in their clients’ best interests.
Foreclosure Sales Under the UCC During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Matthew Digirolamo
Published: March 2022

Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), “every aspect” of a foreclosure sale must be commercially reasonable. The traditional commercial reasonableness standard was tested during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the unprecedented circumstances imposed by state restrictions prompted increased judicial scrutiny of UCC foreclosure sales. This occurred most prominently in the context of commercial property mezzanine loan foreclosures. A mezzanine loan is a property loan secured by a pledge of equity interests in the property-owning entity rather than a security interest in the property itself. As state mortgage foreclosure moratoriums restricted lenders’ abilities to foreclose on commercial property, mezzanine lenders initiated UCC foreclosures to circumvent this barrier and take control of their collateral. 

This Note argues that courts adopted a more probing and holistic analytical approach to commercial reasonableness analyses during the first year of the pandemic. This approach more closely analyzed the procedures employed by foreclosing lenders and contextualized fair price considerations within wider market and societal concerns. This Note then proposes ways for secured creditors to protect their foreclosure sales during future periods of market uncertainty. Although secured creditors cannot fully insulate their foreclosure sales from fair price challenges in a market downturn, they should employ additional procedural safeguards to deflect commercial reasonableness challenges aimed at the alleged procedural irregularities of such sales.