bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a multivariate formulation of the PKF assimilation: application to a simplified chemical transport model
Authors: Perrot Antoine , Pannekoucke Olivier , Guidard Vincent
Published: September 2022

Abstract. This contribution explores a new approach to forecast multivariate covariances for atmospheric chemistry through the use of the parametric Kalman filter (PKF). In the PKF formalism, the error covariance matrix is modelized by a covariance model relying on parameters, for which the dynamics is then computed. The PKF has been formulated in univariate cases, and a multivariate extension for chemical transport models is explored here. To do so, a simplified two-species chemical transport model over a 1D domain is introduced, based on the nonlinear Lotka-Volterra equations, which allows to propose a multivariate pseudo covariance model. Then, the multivariate PKF dynamics is formulated and its results are compared with a large ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) in several numerical experiments. In these experiments, the PKF accurately reproduces the EnKF. Eventually, the PKF is formulated for a more complex chemical model composed of six chemical species (Generic Reaction Set). Again, the PKF succeeds at reproducing the multivariate covariances diagnosed on the large ensemble.
A global marine particle size distribution dataset obtained with the Underwater Vision Profiler 5
Authors: Kiko Rainer , Picheral Marc , Antoine David , Babin Marcel , Berline Léo , Biard Tristan , Boss Emmanuel , Brandt Peter , Carlotti Francois , Christiansen Svenja , Coppola Laurent , de la Cruz Leandro , Diamond-Riquier Emilie , Durrieu de Madron Xavier , Elineau Amanda , Gorsky Gabriel , Guidi Lionel , Hauss Helena , Irisson Jean-Olivier , Karp-Boss Lee , Karstensen Johannes , Kim Dong-gyun , Lekanoff Rachel M. , Lombard Fabien , Lopes Rubens M. , Marec Claudie , McDonnell Andrew M. P. , Niemeyer Daniela , Noyon Margaux , O'Daly Stephanie H. , Ohman Mark D. , Pretty Jessica L. , Rogge Andreas , Searson Sarah , Shibata Masashi , Tanaka Yuji , Tanhua Toste , Taucher Jan , Trudnowska Emilia , Turner Jessica S. , Waite Anya , Stemmann Lars
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Marine particles of different nature are found throughout the global
ocean. The term “marine particles” describes detritus aggregates and
fecal pellets as well as bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton and
nekton. Here, we present a global particle size distribution dataset
obtained with several Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) camera
systems. Overall, within the 64 µm to about 50 mm size range covered
by the UVP5, detrital particles are the most abundant component of all
marine particles; thus, measurements of the
particle size distribution with the UVP5 can yield important
information on detrital particle dynamics. During deployment, which is
possible down to 6000 m depth, the UVP5 images a volume of about 1 L
at a frequency of 6 to 20 Hz. Each image is segmented in real time, and
size measurements of particles are automatically stored. All UVP5
units used to generate the dataset presented here were
inter-calibrated using a UVP5 high-definition unit as reference. Our
consistent particle size distribution dataset contains 8805 vertical
profiles collected between 19 June 2008 and 23 November 2020. All major ocean basins, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea, were sampled. A total of 19 % of all profiles had a maximum sampling depth shallower than 200 dbar, 38 % sampled at least the upper 1000 dbar depth range and 11 % went down to at least 3000 dbar depth. First analysis of the particle size distribution dataset shows that particle abundance is found to be high at high latitudes and in coastal areas where surface productivity or continental inputs are elevated. The lowest values are found in the deep ocean and in the oceanic gyres. Our dataset should be valuable for more in-depth studies that focus on the analysis of regional, temporal and global patterns of particle size distribution and flux as well as for the development and adjustment of regional and global biogeochemical models. The marine particle size distribution dataset (Kiko et al., 2021) is available at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.924375.
The biogeography of relative abundance of soil fungi versus bacteria in surface topsoil
Authors: Yu Kailiang , van den Hoogen Johan , Wang Zhiqiang , Averill Colin , Routh Devin , Smith Gabriel Reuben , Drenovsky Rebecca E. , Scow Kate M. , Mo Fei , Waldrop Mark P. , Yang Yuanhe , Tang Weize , De Vries Franciska T. , Bardgett Richard D. , Manning Peter , Bastida Felipe , Baer Sara G. , Bach Elizabeth M. , García Carlos , Wang Qingkui , Ma Linna , Chen Baodong , He Xianjing , Teurlincx Sven , Heijboer Amber , Bradley James A. , Crowther Thomas W.
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Fungi and bacteria are the two dominant groups of soil microbial
communities worldwide. By controlling the turnover of soil organic matter,
these organisms directly regulate the cycling of carbon between the soil and
the atmosphere. Fundamental differences in the physiology and life history
of bacteria and fungi suggest that variation in the biogeography of relative abundance of soil fungi versus bacteria could drive striking differences in
carbon decomposition and soil organic matter formation between different
biomes. However, a lack of global and predictive information on the
distribution of these organisms in terrestrial ecosystems has prevented the
inclusion of relative abundance of soil fungi versus bacteria and the associated
processes in global biogeochemical models. Here, we used a global-scale
dataset of >3000 distinct observations of abundance of soil fungi versus bacteria in the surface topsoil (up to 15 cm) to generate the
first quantitative and high-spatial-resolution (1 km2) explicit map of
soil fungal proportion, defined as fungi/fungi + bacteria, across
terrestrial ecosystems. We reveal striking latitudinal trends where fungal
dominance increases in cold and high-latitude environments with large soil
carbon stocks. There was a strong nonlinear response of fungal dominance to the
environmental gradient, i.e., mean annual temperature (MAT) and net primary
productivity (NPP). Fungi dominated in regions with low MAT and NPP and bacteria dominated in regions with high MAT and NPP, thus representing slow vs. fast soil energy
channels, respectively, a concept with a long history in soil ecology. These
high-resolution models provide the first steps towards representing the
major soil microbial groups and their functional differences in global
biogeochemical models to improve predictions of soil organic matter turnover
under current and future climate scenarios. Raw datasets and global maps
generated in this study are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.19556419 (Yu, 2022).
Is there a climate change reporting bias? A case study of English-language news articles, 2017–2022
Authors: Brimicombe Chloe
Published: September 2022

Abstract. How weather hazards are communicated by the media is important.
Which risks are understood, prioritized and acted upon can be influenced
by the level of attention they receive. The presented work investigates whether or not
the number of weather hazard news articles has increased since 2017, which
weather hazards received the most attention in the news articles, and how
often climate change was discussed in relation to weather hazards in these news articles. The methods used are advanced searches of Google and the Emergency Disaster Database (EM-DAT) for media articles considering
weather hazards – specifically floods, heat waves, wildfires, storms and droughts – between 2017
and 2022. Results suggest that storms are more likely to be reported than any other climate risk, though wildfires generate more news articles per event. Bias in reporting needs to be addressed and is important, because it can exacerbate un-preparedness.
Bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and action in flood risk management: two attempts of co-construction project between scientists and stakeholders in Senegal and Burkina Faso in the AMMA2050 program.
Authors: Vischel Théo , Miller James D. , Sané Youssouph , Tazen Fowe , Panthou Gérémy , Visman Emma , Taylor Christopher M. ,   Additionnal Authors
Published: September 2022

In West Africa, the increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall in the context of global warming accentuates the risk of damaging floods, particularly in cities that concentrate a rapidly a rapidly growing population. Decision-makers and managers in charge of hydrological risks are increasingly aware of the challenges raised climate change, but their ability to define suitable adaptation strategies remains limited by the lack of tangible and usable scientific information. On the other hand, scientists are developing increasingly sophisticated knowledge on climate change and hydrological impacts in West Africa but are often struggling to translate research results into operational and usable decision support tools.

What is now commonly referred to as the "knowledge-action gap" calls for strengthening the link between scientists and decision-makers and requires the implementation of co-construction strategies that sometimes push actors and scientists to move out of their comfort zone.

Here we will present two attempts of co-construction experiments conducted between 2016 and 2021 within the AMMA2050 program. The first experiment concerns the development of intensity-duration-frequency curves in collaboration with the national meteorological service of Senegal (ANACIM) in order to integrate these curves into the agency's operational climate services. The second experiment  is an attempt to co-construct a climate-hydrology-flood modeling chain between scientists and decision-makers involved in urban planning for the future management of urban floods in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The objective here is to highlight (i) the technical scientific advances that make it possible to propose useful, usable and, as far as possible, used scientific information; (ii) the functional modes of interaction with decision-makers and (iii) the successes and failures in the approaches taken, (iv) the lessons learned from these two experiences that could help facilitate future co-construction approaches.
Assessing the accuracy of SM2RAIN (Soil Moisture to Rainfall) products in poorly gauged countries: the case of Burkina Faso in the West African Sahel.
Authors: Yonaba Roland , Belemtougri Axel , Tazen Fowe , Mounirou Lawani Adjadi , Koïta Mahamadou , Karambiri Harouna , Yacouba Hamma
Published: September 2022

Effects of climate change and variability in West African countries are heightening the vulnerability of local populations, which heavily rely on agriculture and natural resources through ecosystem services. Developing effective water management strategies for mitigation of these impacts requires knowledge of weather, especially rainfall, built upon continuous long-term records (in both time and space). Yet, most West African countries are poorly gauged, with a low density of reliable gauging stations, hampering applications such as water planning and weather forecasting. Recently, some daily global precipitation products have been developed, providing rainfall estimates derived from soil moisture observations using the innovative SM2RAIN (Soil Moisture to Rain) bottom-up inversion algorithm, hence treating the soil as a natural rain gauge. Since these products are gridded, they also provide continuous spatial information regarding rainfall. In this study, the accuracy of such three typical SM2RAIN products (SM2RAIN-CCI, GPM+SM2RAIN, SM2RAIN-ASCAT) at depicting rainfall estimates in Burkina Faso (West Africa, area of 272,200 km²) at 10 synoptic stations over the period 2007-2017 (9 years), at the daily, dekadal (10-days accumulation), monthly and annual timescales. The results reveal that at the daily timescale, all products performance is poor to moderate (KGE: 0.18 to 0.36). At higher time scales, however, both products performed satisfactorily to very good (dekadal: KGE: 0.61 to 0.79; monthly: KGE: 0.63 to 0.91; annual: KGE: 0.44 to 0.81), with SM2RAIN-CCI being consistently superior. Overall, SM2RAIN-CCI presented the lowest volumetric hit and miss bias at all stations, whereas SM2RAIN-GPM presented the lowest false bias. Also, SM2RAIN-CCI featured the highest ability at picturing the timing of occurrence of daily rainfall events (probability of detection, false alarm ratio, threat score) for various thresholds in the range of 0 to 25 mm. Finally, the ability of these products at picturing observed rainfall extremes have been evaluated through various ETCCDI climate indices, at which SM2RAIN-CCI and SM2RAIN-GPM presented equal performance, SM2RAIN-ASCAT being less good. These results provide a quantitative assessment of the SM2RAIN approach in the context of Burkina Faso and might help in the selection of an optimal product for further applications.

Keywords: ASCAT, Burkina Faso, CCI, GPM, rainfall, Sahel, SM2RAIN.
Taking the pulse of mother Ganga – The evolution of water pollution along the Ganges River
Authors: Krause Stefan ,   Team SAPTANADI
Published: September 2022

Water quality along the Ganga is critically impacted by multiple stressors, including agricultural, industrial and domestic pollution inputs, a lack and failure of water and sanitation infrastructure, increasing water demands in areas of intense population growth and migration, as well as the severe implications of land use and climate change. We report the findings of a collaborative effort to monitor the evolution of emerging and legacy pollutants along the 2500 km length of the Ganga and its major tributaries that was carried out over a six-week period in 2019 by three teams of more than 30 international researchers from 10 institutions. Surface water and sediment were sampled from more than 80 locations along the river and analysed for organic contaminants, nutrients, metals, pathogen indicators, microbial activity and diversity as well as microplastics, integrating in-situ fluorescence and UV absorbance optical sensor technologies with laboratory sample preparation and analyses. Water and sediment samples were analysed to identify the co-existence of pollution hotspots, quantify their spatial footprint and identify potential source areas, dilution, connectivity and thus, derive understanding of the interactions between proximal and distal of sources of solute and particulate pollutants.

Our results reveal the co-existence of distinct pollution hotspots that coincided for different contaminant groups but not others (e.g., microplastics). Interestingly, the downstream footprint of specific pollution hotspots from contamination sources along the main stem of the Ganga varied between contaminants bearing significant implications for the spatial reach and legacy of pollution hotspots. Furthermore, the comparison of the downstream evolution of multi-pollution profiles between surface water and sediment samples support interpretations of the role of in-stream fate and transport processes in comparison to patterns of pollution source zone activations across the channel. In reporting the development of this multi-dimensional pollution dataset, we aim to stimulate a discussion of the value of large river network surveys to better understand the relative contributions, footprints and impacts of complex pollution sources for integrated approaches in water resources and pollution management.
Probabilistic spatiotemporal seasonal sea ice presence forecasting using sequence-to-sequence learning and ERA5 data in the Hudson Bay region
Authors: Asadi Nazanin , Lamontagne Philippe , King Matthew , Richard Martin , Scott K. Andrea
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Accurate and timely forecasts of sea ice conditions are crucial for safe shipping operations in the Canadian Arctic and other ice-infested waters. Given the recent declining trend of Arctic sea ice extent in past decades, seasonal forecasts are often desired. In this study machine learning (ML) approaches are deployed to provide accurate seasonal forecasts based on ERA5 data as input. This study, unlike previous ML approaches in the sea ice forecasting domain, provides daily spatial maps of sea ice presence probability in the study domain for lead times up to 90 d using a novel spatiotemporal forecasting method based on sequence-to-sequence learning. The predictions are further used to predict freeze-up/breakup dates and show their capability to capture these events within a 7 d period at specific locations of interest to shipping operators and communities. The model is demonstrated in hindcasting mode to allow for evaluation of forecasted predication. However, the design allows for the approach to be used as a forecasting tool. The proposed method is capable of predicting sea ice presence probabilities with skill during the breakup season in comparison to both Climate Normal and sea ice concentration forecasts from a leading subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting system.
Sensitivity of modeled snow grain size retrievals to solar geometry, snow particle asphericity, and snowpack impurities
Authors: Fair Zachary , Flanner Mark , Schneider Adam , Skiles S. McKenzie
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Snow grain size is an important metric to determine snow age and metamorphism, but it is difficult to measure. The effective grain size can be derived from spaceborne and airborne radiance measurements due to strong attenuation of near-infrared energy by ice. Consequently, a snow grain size inversion technique that uses hyperspectral radiances and exploits variations in the 1.03 µm ice absorption feature was previously developed for use with airborne imaging spectroscopy. Previous studies have since demonstrated the effectiveness of the technique, though there has yet to be a quantitative assessment of the retrieval sensitivity to snowpack impurities, ice particle shape, or solar geometry. In this study, we use the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative (SNICAR) model and a Monte Carlo photon tracking model to examine the sensitivity of snow grain size retrievals to changes in dust and black carbon content, anisotropic reflectance, changes in solar illumination angle (θ0), and scattering asymmetry parameter (g) associated with different particle shapes. Our results show that changes in these variables can produce large grain size errors, especially when the effective grain size exceeds 500 µm. Dust content of 1000 ppm induces errors exceeding 800 µm, with the highest biases associated with small particles. Aspherical ice particles and perturbed solar zenith angles produce maximum biases of ∼540 µm and ∼400 µm, respectively, when spherical snow grains and θ0=60∘ are assumed in the generation of the retrieval calibration curve. Retrievals become highly sensitive to viewing angle when reflectance is anisotropic, with biases exceeding 1000 µm in extreme cases. Overall, we show that a more detailed understanding of snowpack state and solar geometry improves the precision when determining snow grain size through hyperspectral remote sensing.
Passive Muscle Stiffness of Biceps Femoris is Acutely Reduced after Eccentric Knee Flexion
Authors: Zhi Lei , Miyamoto Naokazu , Naito Hisashi
Published: September 2022

Eccentric hamstring exercises reportedly prevent hamstring strain injury in the biceps femoris long head (BFlh). However, information on the favorable adaptive responses in the BFlh to eccentric hamstring exercises is limited. We aimed to examine the acute effect of maximal isokinetic eccentric knee flexion on passive BFlh stiffness as a potential risk factor for the hamstring strain injury using ultrasound shear wave elastography. Ten young participants randomly performed both tasks involving five consecutive repetitions of isokinetic concentric and eccentric knee flexion with maximal effort on different legs. Passive BFlh shear modulus was taken before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 s after each task. Passive BFlh shear modulus was significantly reduced at all time points after eccentric knee flexion, whereas there was no significant change in passive BFlh shear modulus after the concentric task. The present findings indicate that passive BFlh stiffness would reduce specifically after low-volume, slow-velocity eccentric knee flexion exercise. The findings may help provide practitioners with a basis to develop more effective exercise programs for preventing HSI.
Individual tactical effects of finishing at three mini-goals instead of one regular goal during small sided games in youth soccer players.
Authors: González-Rodenas Joaquin , Aranda-Malavés Rodrigo , Tudela-Desantes Andres , Aranda-Malavés Rafael
Published: September 2022

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of modifying the number and type of targets on the individual offensive behavior during small-sided games (SSGs) in youth soccer players. A total of 20 youth elite players (age: 13.9± 0.6 years; weight: 53.2±5.6 kg; height: 1.6±8.3) performed a training game in form of 5vs5 players + 1 floater (excluding goalkeepers) under two different formats: 1) finishing at one regular goal and goalkeeper (RG) and 2) finishing at three mini-goals without goalkeeper (3MG). The sample comprised 1056 individual possessions for which six technical tactical indicators were evaluated by means of observational methodology. Descriptive and comparative analyses revealed that 3MG games created a context where players of all playing positions received the ball in more advanced field zones, under less defensive pressure, and performed fewer dribbles than during the RG games. Also, regression logistic analyses showed how players had lower odds of performing passes to progress vs to possess (Odds ratio= 0.577; 95% confidence interval: 0.427-0.779; p<0.05), as well as registered higher odds to achieve a positive outcome in their actions (Odds ratio=2.143; 95% confidence interval: 1.488-3.086; p<0.05) during the 3MG format. This study shows that finishing at one regular goal increases the defensive pressure on the ball carrier and the implementation of more penetrative actions such as dribbles and passes to progress, in comparison with finishing at three mini-goals.
“WHY WE SHOULD ANNEX”: Reprints and Repercussions of Twain’s New York Tribune Letters on Hawai‘i
Authors: Thompson Todd Nathan
Published: September 2022

The December 1872 death of Hawaiian monarch Kamehameha V spurred renewed interest among U.S. citizens and politicians alike in the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands. To satisfy the public’s increased curiosity about Hawai‘i, in January 1873 the New York Tribune sought testimony in the form of two letters from a well-known expert on the islands: Mark Twain, who had gained nationwide fame based his popular comic lecture “Our Fellow Savages of the Sandwich Islands,” which he delivered across the United States and abroad between 1866 and 1873. Between January and March of 1873 at least seventy newspapers and magazines reprinted excerpts of Mark Twain’s Tribune letters. This article considers how these reprinted excerpts decontextualize or mischaracterize Mark Twain’s insights as well as what they reveal about the American reading public’s views of Mark Twain as both a comedian and as a serious expert on Hawai‘i in the early 1870s.
Political Corruption and Mark Twain’s West
Authors: Hebard Andrew
Published: September 2022

This article argues that Mark Twain’s West was a bureaucratically managed space and that his depictions of western institutions reveal forms of political corruption that are not venal. Unlike the corruption that the Supreme Court has recently limited to quid pro quo exchanges of money for political favors by individuals, the corruption that Twain reveals through the lens of his western experiences is endemic to institutions and can often involve well-meaning individuals who are not acting in criminal ways.
Deficiencia motivacional por ausencia de prueba plena en sentencias sobre conducción de vehículo en estado de embriaguez en Azogues, Ecuador
Authors:   Estudiante de Posgrado, cpinosj@ucacue.edu.ec, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador, Pinos-Jaén Camilo , Castellanos-Herrera Silvio ,   Docente de Posgrado, silvio.castellanos@ucacue.edu.ec, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
Published: September 2022

La presente investigación aborda una de las instituciones más complejas del derecho procesal, la prueba; toda vez que, su apreciación y valoración permite al juzgador identificar la existencia de hechos para sancionar aquella conducta jurídicamente reprochable, mediante sentencia debidamente motivada. Para ello, con base en el método deductivo y las técnicas estadísticas, se analizaron las sentencias alusivas al delito de conducción de vehículo en estado de embriaguez. Así, una vez establecidas las bases teóricas y el estado actual del problema, se levantó, se procesó y se analizó información sobre los fallos dictados en el cantón Azogues durante enero 2019 – febrero 2020, utilizando para ello un instrumento validado. Finalmente, se concluyó que el 79,2% de las sentencias condenatorias en procesos contravencionales asociadas al delito en cuestión, no contaron con prueba plena para determinar el nivel de alcohol por litro de sangre; en consecuencia, las decisiones contienen deficiencias motivacionales que vulneraron, al menos, los derechos de seguridad jurídica, tutela judicial efectiva y garantías del debido proceso.
human activity recognition using CNN and long term short term memory
Authors: Murthy Rohith Krishna , Dhanraj S. , Manjunath T. N. , Prasad Achyutha N. , Pareek Piyush Kumar , Kumar Harish N.
Published: September 2022

Human activity recognition aims to work out the activities performed by someone in a picture or video. Examples of actions are running, sitting, sleeping, and standing. Complex movement patterns and harmful occurrences like falling may be a part of these activities. The suggested ConvLSTM network can be created by successively combining fully connected layers, long immediate memory (LSTM) networks, and convolutional neural networks (CNN). The acquisition system will pre calculate skeleton coordinates using human detection and pose estimation from the image/video sequence. The ConvLSTM model builds new controlled features from the raw skeleton coordinates and their distinctive geometric and kinematic properties. Raw skeleton coordinates are utilized to generate geometric and kinematic properties supported by relative joint position values, joint differences, and their angular velocities. By utilizing a multi-player trained CNN-LSTM combination, novel spatiotemporal directed features can be obtained. The classification head with completely connected layers is then utilized. The suggested model was tested using the KinectHAR dataset, which consists of 130,000 samples with 81 attribute variables and was compiled using the Kinect (v2) sensor Experimental data is used to compare the performance of independent CNN and LSTM networks.
Anthro-demographic, clinico-pathological and biochemical risk factors in cervical cancer
Authors: Kushwah Atar Singh , Mishra Rajnikant , Srivastava Kirti , Mishra Shambhavi , Banerjee Monisha
Published: September 2022

Background: In India, cervical cancer (CaCx) ranks second with >1.2 lakh new cases and >77,000 deaths. The main causing agent of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). Recently, anthro-demographic and clinico-pathological factors have been implicative of cancer development and progression. Objective: To evaluate the association of anthro-demographic, clinico-pathological and biochemical risk factors in cervical cancer. Methods: CaCx patients were tested for HPV infection using conventional PCR. Anthro-demographic and clinico-pathological characteristics were recorded and samples from patients (n=103) and healthy women (n=108) were analyzed for lipid profile, serum urea, creatinine and uric acid using commercial kits. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (ver.21.0) and GraphPad. Results: Out of 103 CaCx patients, 86 were HPV+ve and 17 HPV-ve. Anthro-demographic factors like literacy, socio-economic status and obstetrics were found significantly associated with cervical cancer. BMI was associated with cervical cancer (1.18 folds higher risk). Total cholesterol (TC); triglycerides (TG); high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were found significantly associated with an increased adjusted OR in CaCx patients.  Urea levels were found significantly higher in patients (1.11 folds crude OR vs 1.31 adjusted OR). Similarly, creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients (2.64 folds crude OR vs 3.37 adjusted OR).
First-Order Determinants of Capital Structure among Listed Manufacturing Companies in the United States of America
Authors:   Thomas Jefferson University- Pennsylvania, Salinger Rober Miller
Published: September 2022

Capital structure plays a critical role which enables manufacturing firms address the dilemma of whether or not an optimal capital structure can be achieved. The total capital of a firm is composed of both debt and equity which makes up firm’s capital structure. The capital structure of manufacturing firms is made up of a combination of internal financing and external financing of the firm. Internal financing composed of equity, preference share capital and shareholder's funds and external financing composed of long term debt and short term debt of the firm. Internal financing using profits as a source of capital for new investment rather than obtaining capital elsewhere distributed as dividends to firm's owners or other investors. External financing is the phrase used to describe funds that firms obtain from outside of the firm. The decade since the onset of the global financial crisis has brought about significant structural changes in the manufacturing sector in USA. This study thus sought to assess the first-order determinants of capital structure among listed manufacturing companies in the United States of America through literature based study methodology. The study found that the manufacturing industry in USA is an industry that dominates companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it can be seen from the number of companies listed on NYSE increasing every period. The companies not only required to produce products, but also must be able to manage their capital structure. The study established that the first order determinants of capital structure for listed manufacturing firms in USA consist of financial situation, growth opportunities, size of the firm, product uniqueness, business risk, tax shields, dividend Policy. Furthermore, the first order determinants of capital structure consist of firm size, tangibility, growth opportunities, the non-debt tax shield, the bankruptcy risk, profitability and risk. The study concludes that listed manufacturing firms with the highest asset liquidity may increase debt capacity only when the bond covenants impose restrictions on the disposition of assets. The fact that a company possesses fixed assets to a large extent can be considered by its creditors as a guarantee that will allow them to recover their funds in the case of financial distress experienced by the borrower corporation. If a high-risk company is experiencing a decline in sales, the resulting profit will decrease due to the amount of the fixed costs. Because there is a decrease in profits, the company is not available enough funds to pay off the debt and interest so that it threatens the occurrence of bankruptcy. Keywords: First order determinants, capital structure, listed manufacturing companies, USA.
Checklist for reporting on imputation methodology evaluations
Authors: Oberman Hanne
Published: September 2022

Checklist included in manuscript 'Towards a standardized evaluation of imputation methodology' by Hanne Oberman and Gerko Vink, see www.gerkovink.com/evaluation.
Directions of Development of the Mechanism of the Unified Customs and Tariff Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Union
Authors: Efimov Alexander V.
Published: September 2022

The article discusses the features of the unified customs and tariff regulation of the Eurasian Economic Union in modern conditions. The author has established that it is advisable to consider the mechanisms of state regulation as systems for organizing the interaction of subjects and objects, and the place of the proposed mechanism among other existing mechanisms of state regulation has been determined. Within the framework of the study, special attention is paid to the current conditions of the development of customs and tariff regulation, the procedure for sending proposals on measures of customs and tariff regulation by the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union to the Eurasian Economic Commission, as well as the essence and structure of the mechanism of the unified customs and tariff regulation of the Eurasian Economic Union. The author presents promising directions for further research of the proposed mechanism.
Nutrients dynamics associated with leaf litter degradation of Bruguiera parviflora (Wight & Arn.) at Kuala Selangor Mangrove forest, Malaysia
Authors: Hossain Mahmood , Othman Saberi , Kusnan Misri , Bujang Japar
Published: September 2022

Nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn) content at different stages of leaf litter degradation of B. parviflora were studied by the litter bag method during the dry and wet months in the mangrove forest of Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia. About 63 and 86% of dry weight were lost after 150 days during the dry and wet months, respectively. The initial content of Mg, Fe and Zn increased significantly (p<0.05) as degradation proceeded. On the other end, the initial content of P, K and Ca decreased significantly (p<0.05) after 150 days during the dry and wet months, respectively, and K lost more rapidly compared to P and Ca.
Pengaruh Aplikasi Google Classroom Terhadap Kepuasan Mahasiswa Menerima Mata Kuliah Pengembangan Diri
Authors: Yanny Anda
Published: September 2022

The corona virus that emerged in early 2020 globally has made massive changes to occur in the world. Starting from the economy, politics to education were affected. The change that has been felt in the world of education is the global implementation of independent study at home. Lecturers are required to deliver learning material through on line, face to face is no longer allowed. Various applications can be used as a means of delivering material. Google classroom is an option that is generally used by educators to deliver material.In this study using SSS 20.00 with the number of questionnaires as many as 30 semester IV Diploma III students of Budi Darma University which aims to see whether there is a relationship between the appearance of Google Classroom and student satisfaction in receiving subject matter Personality Development, Ease of use of Google Classroom on student satisfaction with receiving subject matter. self-development courses and whether the appearance and ease of use of Google Classroom simultaneously affect student satisfaction in receiving self-development course material.
Peranan Lingkungan Kerja Dalam Peningkatan Kualitas Kerja Karyawan Pada PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Meulaboh Kabupaten Aceh Barat
Authors: Deva Vebri Rahmatillah  , Rahmadani Ika
Published: September 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peranan lingkungan kerja dalam peningkatan kualitas kerja karyawan pada PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Meulaboh Kabupaten Aceh Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang lebih menekankan pada pengamatan kejadian dan lebih meneliti ke makna dari kejadian tersebut. Metode ini tidak berfokus pada banyak populasi serta lebih berpengaruh pada rangkaian kalimat yang digunakan. Untuk metode pengumpulan data dilihat dari observasi atau pengamatan secara langsung diperusahaan dan  melakukan wawancara. Dari hasil pengambilan data akan dirangkum dan diambil hal-hal penting yang akan melengkapi hasil dari penelitian ini. Dari hasil penelitian dan pengamatan dapat disimpulkan bahwa peranan lingkungan kerja sangatlah berpengaruh dalam peningkatan kualitas kerja karyawan dikarenakan lingkungan kerja adalah salah satu hal yang berpengaruh untuk membangun semangat kerja dan motivasi para karyawan dalam suatu perusahaan. Dari pengamatan peneliti ada beberapa hal yang menjadi indikator Lingkungan Kerja yaitu dari kondisi fisik yang berupa temperatur, relasi udara, kelembaban, pencahayaan, kebisingan dan juga fasilitas kantor. Juga kondisi non fisik yang berupa hubungan yang terjalin sesamanya, baik hubungan atasan dengan bawahan maupun hubungan antara sesama rekan kerja. Karena hal tersebut akan membuat motivasi untuk meningkatkan kualitas kerja karyawan akan semakin meningkat. Sebab lingkungan yang baik, aman, dan nyaman akan membawa dan menghasilkan peningkatan kualitas kerja karyawan yang baik juga.
IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN SISTEM TRANSPORTASI DARAT DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL DI JAKARTA
Authors: Kadarisman Muh , Gunawan Aang , Ismiyati Ismiyati
Published: September 2022

Transportation is the backbone in creating social welfare in Jakarta. Therefore, if there are problems in the transportation system, it will have an impact on the smooth traffic flow and will ultimately hamper the achievement of public welfare. This study used a descriptive-qualitative method. This study refers to the theory proposed by Anderson (in Tachjan, 2006: 23) and Sarana, et al (2009: 9). The results of the study are as follows. Policy implementation transportation system in Jakarta has been able to improve the social welfare of most citizens, which means some people have to feel and enjoy the outcome of transportation development  in Jakarta. However, others have not optimally felt the positive impact of the policy. Even, it is perceived negatively; such as traffic jams which are almost evenly distributed throughout Jakarta causing high air pollution, hampered economic activity and generated high economic costs that social welfare was also weakened. This is reinforced by the increasing poverty rate in 2014 that reached 393,980 people thousand compared to previous years.
Penerapan Good Logistic Practices Sebagai Penunjang Ekspor Buah Tropis
Authors: Rahayu Winiati Pudji , Adhi Wibisono
Published: September 2022

One strategy that can be taken to develop the economic potential of fruits is the logistical support that takes into account the effectiveness and efficiency commercially and pay attention to quality and food safety requirements. Practically, logistics support can be done with the application of good logistics practices (GLP). Packaging, storage, and handling during transportation become key activities with temperature and time handling during processing as two critical factors in fruits logistics management that will determine the final quality of fruits commodity. Each commodity of tropical fruits require special treatment which should be tailored to its nature and morphology. Understanding and the ability of farmers and agro-industry entrepreneurs in dealing with fruits especially in providing cold chain in the logistics process becomes a major capital to compete with imported fruits entrepreneurs.
Late Hip Displacement Identified in Children at Gross Motor Function Classification System II and III With Asymmetric Diplegia and Fixed Pelvic Obliquity
Authors: Miller Stacey , Leveille Lise , Juricic Maria , Mulpuri Kishore
Published: September 2022

Risk of hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy is directly related to a child's level of motor function as classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and is reported to be greatest at a young age. In this study, we present a series of four children with asymmetric diplegic cerebral palsy at GMFCS levels II and III, with the more involved hip showing rapid, progressive displacement at a later age. Current hip surveillance guidelines may not adequately identify hip displacement in children with asymmetric diplegia and pelvic obliquity; modifications to surveillance guidelines may be warranted. Additional investigation of hip displacement in this subset of children is required to determine whether the incidence of displacement is higher than anticipated based on the GMFCS level alone.
Thermostable Superoxide-Producing Complex Between NADPH-Containing Lipoprotein (NCL) And Fe (III) From Boiled Cow Milk: Activation Of Immune Cells NADPH Oxidase By NCL In Vitro
Authors: Simonyan Ruzanna , Simonyan Karen , Simonyan Gegham , Marmaryan Gayane , Isoyan Armine , Darbinyan Lilit , Simonyan Maxim
Published: September 2022

О2−-producing complexes or associates have recently been isolated from blood serum, goat milk, erythrocyte, leukocyte membranes, and medicinal plant membranes. Fe(III) ions in these complexes act as bridges for electron transfer from NADPH-containing lipoprotein (NCL) to molecular oxygen, reducing it up to О2−. On the other hand, NADPH oxidase (Nox) of erythrocytes and leukocytosis are activated by NCL in vitro. In fact, both serum and milk contain NCL. The main systems for the production of О2− in mammalian milk and blood, as previously stated, are polymorphonuclear leukocytes, as well as О2−-producing complex between NCL and Fe (III). At the same time, Fe(III) ions can be found in milk, and anemia can result from a Fe(III) deficiency in milk. The superoxide (О2−) - producing thermostable complex between NCL and Fe(III): NCL-Fe(III) was isolated and purified from raw and boiled cow milk, for the first time. The specific О2−-producing activity of NCL-Fe(III) complex from milk, before and after boiling, practically does not change as a result of milk boiling (this activity decreases by only 7-8%). After incubating an aqueous mixture of NCL (5 mg/ml) with an aqueous solution of Nox1 + Nox2 (erythrocytes or leukocytes membranes) isoforms, 5 mg/ml, at 37°C for 40 minutes, an ion exchange chromatography was performed on the column of DE cellulose, equilibrated by water at pH9.5. The hNCL-Nox associate eluates from this column with water at pH9.5 The specific О2−-producing activity of hNCL-Nox isoforms of EM and LM basically does not decrease when compared to the NCL-Fe(III) complex. This is a promising finding, suggesting that milk NCL has stimulating the Nox from erythrocytes or leukocyte membranes in vitro does not decrease even after boiling. In contrast to these О2−-producing associates or complexes, NCL isolated from them, suppresses the oxidation of adrenaline to adrenochrome, exerting a reducing-antioxidant effect due to NADPH electrons in its composition (the Cu, Zn-SOD does not inhibit this process). The NCL isolated from this complex, at the expense of NADPH, has a reductive (antioxidant) influence and forms a hybrid О2−-producing associate with isoforms of the NADPH oxidase from erythrocytes and leukocytes membranes. Thus the properties of the thermostable complex NCL-Fe(III): О2−-producing activity, as well as the reductive (antioxidant) activity of NCL, are practically preserved after milk boiling during 10-12 min.
The Mental Model As A Medium To Influence And Direct Business Discourse
Authors: Baghramyan Ruzanna , Harutyunyan Lusine
Published: September 2022

The paper aims to analyze the reproduction of mental models in business communication, highlighting the sociocognitive aspect of discourse both on personal and social levels. Discourse is a complex cognitive activity, which, according to some researchers (Graesser, Millis, van Dijk and Kintsch), comprises 5 levels; 1. surface code (words and syntax), 2. text base (semantic representation of the text), 3. situation model (all explicit and implicit factors about discourse), 4. genre and rhetorical structure (narration, description, argumentation, etc. and corresponding rhetorical structures) and 5. pragmatic communication (setting, time, place, social status of the participants, etc.). Discourse is comprehended and activated in accordance with external and internal factors inextricably intertwined in one particular situation. The social dimension of discourse in conjunction with cognitive processes hugely contributes to the formation of mental models that can affect the course of any interaction. Mental models are subjective representations based on personal cognitive processes. The cognitive processes in one’s mind (thinking, perceiving, understanding, feeling) create mental models, which are underpinned by the empirical data that one has in his mind or by the acquired knowledge that can be later utilized in various situational discourses.
UNDERSTANDING NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS’ DESIRE TO REGULATE CRYPTO CURRENCIES THROUGH PRE-WESTPHALIAN CONCEPTS OF SOVEREIGNTY
Authors: DİRİÖZ Ali Oğuz
Published: September 2022

Crypto currencies, electronic currencies and block chain financial technologies (Fintech), have been debated issues whereby national governments are trying to put certain regulation upon them, especially citing security concerns. Crypto currencies can be used for money laundering, untraceable transactions of criminal and terrorist organizations and thus constitute genuine security risks. To many evangelists of these new technologies, governmental desires to impose regulations is viewed negatively. However, although usage of these technologies will likely continue to expand in the global economy, there is a desire to put them under regulation by most of the major nation states. It is necessary to understand the essence of currency as a tool of national sovereignty long before the age of the Westphalian concept of the modern state system. The desire to regulate Fintech derives from a concept of sovereign power that goes back to biblical times and far beyond the Westphalian notion of the sovereign and independent modern nation state. That notion of sovereignty rests on the power to mint money. Furthermore, the concept of such a sovereign power is observed in Ancient Rome, Medieval Europe as well as the early Islamic understanding of sovereign power. Thus it is essential to understand globally how the symbol of money has been a sovereignty symbol before starting any discussions on national or international levels of regulations.
AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Journal IJSREM
Published: September 2022

Agricultural Supply Chain Management has become a topic of much deliberation among the researchers, for it has slowly strengthened its hold on how the supply-demand function of agricultural produce works in the modern setting. SCM entails managing the interactions between the entities in charge of the effective production and supply of agribusiness products from the farm to the consumer in order to consistently satisfy consumer demands for quantity, quality, and price. In actuality, this frequently involves overseeing both horizontal and vertical alliances. Traditionally, the agricultural business has been driven in a colloquial fashion by the wholesalers and they have done so without the supervision of a proper legal framework. The large number of players and long-standing traditional methods have had a negative impact on the efficiency of operations and have exacerbated the already plunging economy. Through our extensive research using tools like Mendeley Cite, VOS Viewer etc., we came to the conclusion that there’s been a dramatic rise in the importance of SCM due to the rising awareness about the environment, food safety concerns and social security etc. However, just a few farmers participate in actually making a difference especially in third-world countries like India. The backward farmers have negligible faith in marketing agreements and are reluctant to enter into them. The existing system still uses outdated supply and procurement procedures. Aspects like the problems with consumer packaging, branding, and the promotion of organic farming towards sustainable agriculture are lacking in the existing supply chain management. Therefore, it’s necessary to encourage farmers to sign production contracts and that requires the participation of both the public and commercial