bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS ON PERFORMANCE OF INSURANCE SECTOR
Authors: Kajwang Ben
Published: July 2022

Purpose: The insurance business is critical to the growth of any nation's economy. All insurance companies rely heavily on distribution to be a part in their overall performance. As technology has advanced, insurers have begun looking into new avenues of distribution in the internet sphere. The study’s goal is to assess the effect of digital distribution channels on performance of insurance sector.

Methodology: A desktop literature review was used for this purpose. Relevant seminal references and journal articles for the study were identified using Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria entailed papers that were not over 10 years old.

 

Findings: All insurance companies rely heavily on distribution to be a part in their overall performance. It is now feasible for consumers to acquire an insurance policy directly online, without the need for a middleman or physical distributor, thanks to a growing number of agency businesses and direct insurance writers. The insurance sector has benefited from the following new technological developments in recent years. Technology is increasingly significantly reliant on the digital channel of distribution for the purchase of insurance and policy management.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Both public and private life insurance businesses must boost Internet marketing and on-site marketing as sales platforms. Life insurance businesses in both the public and private sectors should offer tax-saving programs tailored to the needs of their consumers. Digital distribution channels should be taken into account by policymakers in their strategy formulations because of technical advancements and the predicted shift away from physical branch networks to technologically enabled insurance services.
The Bird Population of a Transmission Right-Of-Way Maintained by Herbicides
Authors: Bramble W.C. , Byrnes W.R. , Schuler M.D.
Published: July 2022

A census was made of the bird population on an electric transmission right-of-way (ROW) and the adjoining forest in central Pennsylvania in July, 1982. The ROW had been maintained for 30 years by herbicide sprays with handcutting as a control. A large and diverse bird population of 31 species, which averaged 6.4 birds per hectare per census day, had developed on the ROW. The common species were typical of shrublands and open areas. In the adjoining forest, an average of 3.4 birds per hectare were counted per day; and the population contained 27 species. There was no significant difference at the 0.05 level between the number of birds on handcut- and herbicide-maintained ROW areas; the number of birds was significantly less in the forest than on the ROW. Immature birds made up 8% of the total ROW count.
Integrated Pest Management for Arborists: Implementation of a Pilot Program
Authors: Holmes John , Davidson John
Published: July 2022

During the 1982 growing season a Maryland arborist company cooperated with the Department of Entomology, University of Maryland to determine the effectiveness and commercial feasibility of an IPM program compared to a traditional arborist cover spray program. Over 11,000 plants on 26 client properties that previously had received yearly 3 cover sprays, were switched to a biweekly plant monitoring program. The 20 most common plants composed 70% of the total plants monitored. Of the many potential pests encountered (excluding plant diseases) only 25 types reached pest status and required treatment that consisted of spot spraying with pesticides or hand removal. Time spent monitoring, treating, and interacting with clients averaged 20 minutes for % acre to 50 minutes for 4 acres. Pesticide volume sprayed was reduced by 94% compared to 3 general cover sprays. The accuracy of cover spray timing versus monitoring treatments for selected pests are discussed and figured for the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Japanese weevil {Pseudocneorhlnus biifasciatus), and azalea lacebug (Stephanitis pyrioides).
Municipal Line Clearance
Authors: Wallace James , Heuberger Mark
Published: July 2022

Many people, unless they also are in the utility business, do not realize that the process of blending natural beauty (trees) with good electric service is such a large job. This presentation provides a general overview of procedures used by our Forestry department and its contractors in maintaining beauty and service in a city with many trees. Our utility has established a computer-aided Forestry Notification Program, which is in its infant stages, that works with nurseries and customers to encourage the planting of low-growing trees in the right-of-way.
Maintaining and Preserving Wooded Parks
Authors: Green Thomas L.
Published: July 2022

A rapid and simple evaluation system has been developed by the Morton Arboretum to enable managers of wooded parks to assess the relative health of park trees and predict their longevity. This system facilitates the preparation of planting plans and budgets. Each park tree is assigned to one of six condition classes. An overall inventory provides figures on both the species composition and the percentage of trees in each condition class. The breakdown into condition class categories enables park managers to recognize declining trees and make decisions as to when to replant, how many to replant, and what species to replant in order to perpetuate and enhance the woodland character of the park. This system is especially helpful in parks where tree decline is present but not obvious. Also, this system may be utilized by city arborists and homeowners to forecast tree longevity.
Effect Of Root Pruning at Time Of Planting on Subsequent Root Development Of Two Species Of Eucalyptus
Authors: Ellyard Roger K.
Published: July 2022

Eucalyptus manniferasubsp.maculosa(brittle gum) and E.polyanthemos(red box) were subjected to four root treatments immediately prior to transplanting from 0.5 liter and 4 liter poly bags, respectively. When plants were dug after 2½ years it was observed that the combination of vertical slicing and removal of the bottom 25 mm of the root ball significantly increased the number of vertical roots and largely eliminated root curling with both species. Despite the severity of this treatment it had no significant effect on shoot growth of E.manniferasubsp.maculosaand only inhibited shoot growth of E.polyanthemosduring the first 6 months.
Wound Healing in Bark of Woody Plants
Authors: Hudler George
Published: July 2022

Bark is a complex sheath that has two primary functions, it conducts photosynthate from leaves to other parts of plants, and it provides protection from insects, diseases, and mechanical abrasions. When live bark is injured, it responds by generating a new phellogen near the site of injury. However, environmental factors that reduce plant vigor may retard the restoration process and, thus, increase susceptibility to pathogenic microbes.
A Comparison of Treatments for Chlorosis of Pin Oak and Silver Maple
Authors: Harrell Mark O. , Pierce Philip A. , Mooter David P. , Webster Bruce L.
Published: July 2022

Chlorosis symptoms of pin oak were effectively corrected by Medi-Ject and Medicap FE treatments. Nine other treatments failed to give satisfactory results during the first year after treatment. No treatments were completely effective in correcting chlorosis of silver maple.
Integrated Pest Management of the Southern Pine Beetle in the Urban Setting
Authors: Ham D.L. , Hertel G.D.
Published: July 2022

Sometimes in the South, southern pine beetles move from forests into urban areas. Therefore, arboriculturists should learn how to recognize and cope with beetle attacks. Information is provided on the beetle's life cycle, habits, and symptoms of attack, and what makes a tree susceptible to attack. The best direct control and prevention practices can then be recommended and used.
The Effects of Dormant Pruning Treatments On Leaf, Shoot and Root Production From Bare-RootMalus sargentii
Authors: Evans Philip S. , Klett James E.
Published: July 2022

The effects of dormant branch thinning and heading on leaf, shoot and root production were investigated for two-year-old, branched, bare-root trees ofMalus sargentii(Sargent crabapple). Each pruning treatment removed 50% of branch length and number of buds. Thinning reduced leaf weight in the subsequent growing season, but heading did not. Compensatory increases in shoot growth from the retained branches were observed for both treatments. Treatments did not affect root weights or leaf: new root ratios. The usefulness of the shoot:root ratio as a measure of the balance between transpiration and root water absorption is discussed.
3B BASKI TEKNOLOJİSİ İLE FARKLI TEKSTİL YÜZEYLERİ ÜZERİNDE DENEYSEL ÇALIŞMALAR VE UYGULAMA ÖNERİLERİ
Authors: AVCI YILMAZ Hale , SÖNMEZ Kezban
Published: July 2022

Günümüzde tekstil tasarımı, 21. yüzyılın teknolojik gelişmeleri ile boyut değiştirmiş, sanatsal ve deneysel çalışmalar çoğalarak geniş bir alana yayılmıştır. İçinde bulunduğumuz bu yüzyılda devrim niteliği taşıyan bir gelişme ise 3 boyutlu baskı teknolojileridir. 3 boyutlu yazıcıların çıktısı olarak moda ve tekstil tasarımı alanlarında yapılmış heykelsi giysi formları, ayakkabı, çanta vb. ürünlerin örnekleri fazlaca görülmektedir. Ancak giyimde kullanılabilen filamentler açısından gerilme mukavemetinin az olması, yakın zamanda aşılmış bir özelliktir.

Bu araştırma, 3B baskının tekstil yüzeyleri ve baskıları ile ilişkisini ele alarak yapılan deneysel çalışmaların sonuçlarını irdelemektedir. Yapılan çalışmalarla tekstil alanında birbirinin alternatifi olabilecek yöntemler ve bu tekniklerin senteziyle oluşabilecek yeni yüzey tasarımlarının ortaya konması amaçlanmaktadır.

Bu çalışmada nicel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmıştır. FDM teknolojisi ile baskı alan Ultimaker2+ 3B yazıcısında 2.8 mm PLA filament kullanılarak, tekstil ve moda üretiminde sıkça yer alan farklı yüzeylere ya da elyaf içeriklerine sahip tekstiller üzerine baskılar alınmıştır. PLA filamentin yüzeyler üzerine yapışma gücünü deneyimlemek için gözlemler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Buna göre; Doğal elyafla üretilmiş tekstillerin içerisinde, dokusuz yüzey olan %100 yün keçe üzerinde, karışım elyaf içerikli tekstiller başlığında, %60 pamuk %40 polyester havlu üzerinde, sentetik elyafla üretilmiş kumaşlar içerisinde ise havlı yapıdaki kadife ve pelüş kumaş üzerinde en güçlü tutunma gerçekleştiği gözlenmiştir.

Moda ve giyim endüstrisinde olduğu gibi birçok sektörde yer edinen 3B baskı teknolojisi, tasarımın yenilikçi olması beklendiğinden, özellikle tasarımcıların tanıması ve üzerinde çalışmalar yapması gereken bir alan oluşturmaktadır. Yapılan bu çalışmanın 3B baskı uygulanarak sanatsal, endüstriyel tekstil baskı ve aksesuarlarına alternatif olabilecek yöntemlerin geliştirilmesinde aydınlatıcı olması beklenmektedir.
PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP IBU HAMIL TENTANG ISI BUKU KESEHATAN IBU DAN ANAK YANG DIBERIKAN MELALUI MEDIA GRUP WHATSAPP DI PRAKTIK MANDIRI BIDAN SUNGAI LULUT
Authors: Rahmi Aulia
Published: July 2022

AbstrakBerbagai upaya telah dilakukan pemerintah untuk menurunkan angka kematian ibu di Indonesia. Salah satunyakebijakan pembentukan program kelas Ibu Hamil dengan memanfaatkan buku kesehatan Ibu dan Anak (KIA) sebagaiwadah tambahan memberikan pendidikan kesehatan sebagai upaya promotif dan preventif. Namun, buku KIA tidakdimanfaatkan sebagai tujuan dari buku KIA tersebut, sedangkan untuk pelaksanaan kelas ibu hamil, penjadwalan danwaktu yang tersedia menjadi kendala tersendiri dalam pelaksanaan kegiatan kelas ibu hamil. Penelitian inimenggunakan metode penelitian deskriptif dengan desain penelitian menggunakan one group pra-post test design.Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah seluruh ibu hamil yang tercatat di register Praktik Mandiri Bidan Sungai Lulutsebanyak 36 responden. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis univariat. Hasil penelitianmenunjukkan bahwa pengetahuan responden sebelum diberikan materi adalah berpengetahuan cukup, dan setelahdiberikan materi melalui media grup whatsapp menjadi berpengetahuan baik, sedangkan sikap responden sebelumdiberikan materi yang terbanyak adalah mempunyai sikap sudah positif dan setelah diberikan materi yang terdapatpada buku KIA melalui media grup whatsapp meningkat 41,66% kuantitas bersikap positif.Kata kunci: Buku Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak, Pengetahuan, Sikap, Praktik Mandiri Bidan
APLICAÇÃO DE TESTES COLORIMÉTRICOS PARA DETERMINAÇÃO DA VIABILIDADE POLÍNICA DE Evolvulus elegans (CONVOLVULACEAE)
Authors: AZEVEDO JOSÉ BRUNO DA SILVA
Published: July 2022

Introdução: A espécie Evolvulus elegans apresenta uma relativa diversidade palinologica, sendo descritos grãos de pólens com polaridade polar, tamanhos médios, forma prolato-esferoidais, ornamentação da exina microequinada e tipo de abertura pantocolpado. Os testes com o lugol detectam a presença do amido. Objetivos: Estimar a viabilidade polínica de Evolvulus elegans, através dos corantes: lugol e carmim acético. Metodologia: A coleta das flores dessa espécie foi realizada no período de sua antese, e em seguida foram levadas para o laboratório de Botânica. Foram utilizadas duas lâminas de vidro, sendo uma para cada corante. Foi colocado apenas uma gota de cada corante. Em seguida as lâminas foram contabilizados pelo método de varredura, sob o microscópio óptico binocular (Primo Star Zeiss), com lente objetiva de 40x. Foi calculado a porcentagem de pólens viáveis. Resultados: Os gametas masculinos de Evolvulus elegans possuiu um alto potencial de fecundidade, pois quanto mais elevada for à viabilidade dos pólens, maior será o índice de fertilização. A porcentagem de viabilidade polínica entre os dois corantes diferiram-se estatisticamente, onde a viabilidade polínica foi de 73,9% para o lugol e 82,7% para o carmim acético. O lugol corou os pólens viáveis de marrom escuro por causa da reação química que ocorre entre a molécula do amido e do iodo, indicando que este é um amiláceo e possui a presença de amido com material de reserva nos grãos de pólens viáveis, já os grãos de pólens inviáveis mostrou coloração transparente por causa da ausência do amido. Os pólens viáveis que foram corados com o carmim acético ficaram com a coloração rosa, enquanto os pólens inviáveis ficaram com a cor transparente. Conclusão: A espécie Evolvulus elegans apresentou alta viabilidade polínica, demonstrando alto potencial para a fecundidade dos gametas masculinos. O corante carmim acético determinou a maior média de grãos de pólens viáveis em relação ao corante lugol. Dessa forma, para estimar a viabilidade polínica de Evolvulus elegans, recomenda-se o uso do carmim acético.
The Habitual Recitation of Reading Al-ma'tsurat in Forming Students’ Spiritual at SMP Muhammadiyah Sukamara
Authors: Wahidah Wahidah , Kiftiyah Khoyumatul , Muslimah Muslimah
Published: July 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti tentang pembiasaan pembiasaan zikir pagi membaca al-ma’tsurat dalam membentuk spiritual peserta didik di SMP Muhammadiyah Sukamara. Menggunakan jenis penelitian lapangan (field risert). Penggalian data dilakukan dengan metode observasi langsung, wawancara kepada subjek penelitian yaitu guru pembimbing Al-Quran dan dengan informen penelitian yaitu kepala sekolah, siswa dan orang tua siswa. Hasil penggalian data dideskripsikan secara kualitatif analtik. Temuan penelitian adalah kegiatan membaca zikir pagi al-ma’tsur adalah program sekolah yang disosialisasikan saat pengenalan sekolah dan penerimaan peserta didik baru. Dilaksanakan setiap pagi dalam acara “pagi ceria” yang sudah masuk terjadwal sebagai implementasi visi dan misi sekolah. Maksud dari kegiatan ini adalah untuk membiasakan berzikir pagi sebagaimana sunnah Rasulullah SAW. Sehingga terciptanya lingkungan sekolah yang Qur’ani dengan demikian maka diharapkan dapat menanamkan nilai spritual kepada siswa.

Kata Kunci: Pembiasaan Zikir, Al-Ma’tsurat, Spiritual Peserta Didik
COVID–19 Salgınının Borsa İstanbul Pay Endekslerine Etkisi: Sürü Davranışı Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: ÖZKAN Nasıf , YAVUZASLAN Kiymet
Published: July 2022

Tüm dünyada etkili olan COVID–19 pandemi süresince sadece sağlık alanında değil ekonomi ve finans alanlarında da pek çok gelişme yaşanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, COVID–19 döneminde Borsa İstanbul’da (BİST) ortaya çıkan fiyat hareketlerinde sürü davranışının varlığı test edilmiştir. Bu amaçla çalışmada Chang, Cheng ve Khorana (2000) tarafından geliştirilen, aynı endekste yer alan pay getirilerinin yatay kesit davranışlarını analiz etmemizi sağlayan getirilerin yatay kesit mutlak sapması (CSAD) metodolojisi kullanılmıştır. COVID–19 öncesi dönem, COVID–19 dönemi ve tüm dönem olmak üzere üç döneme ilişkin elde edilen sonuçlar göz önüne alındığında, tüm dönemde ve COVID–19 salgını sırasında BİST 30 Endeksinde sürü davranışının varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Yine salgın süresince, sadece BİST Temettü 25 ve BİST Sürdürülebilirlik endekslerinde yatırımcıların sürü davranışı ile hareket ettiği görülmüştür. Ayrıca, daha çok COVID–19 dönemi için hem yükselen hem de düşen piyasa koşullarında BİST pay endekslerinde sürü davranışının varlığı ortaya koyulmuştur. Buna göre, yükselen piyasa koşullarında piyasa değeri küçük şirketlerin paylarının yer aldığı endekslerde (BİST Tüm–100 ve BİST KOBİ Sanayi), düşen piyasa koşullarında ise piyasa değeri yüksek şirketlerin paylarının yer aldığı endekslerde (BİST 30 ve BİST 50) sürü davranışı görülmüştür.
“Adil Devlet Düzeni” ve “Devlet-Millet Kaynaşması”: Necmettin Erbakan’ın Başkanlık Sistemi Tahayyülü
Authors: ÇOKOĞULLAR BOZASLAN Emel
Published: July 2022

Necmettin Erbakan, Türkiye’de siyasal hayat tartışmaları yapılırken mutlaka üzerinde durulan ve incelenen bir siyasal aktördür. Özellikle Erbakan’a yönelik bu ilginin, Türkiye’de Cumhurbaşkanlığı Hükümet Sistemi ile ilgili tartışmalar başladığında çok daha arttığı görülmüştür. Bu ilginin artmasında Erbakan ve Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi arasında kurulan ilişkinin etkili olduğunu söyleyebilmek mümkündür. Zira Erbakan’ın Türkiye için önerdiği sistem, başkanlık sistemiydi ve başkanlık sisteminin, Türkiye’nin siyasal istikrarsızlıklarının, iktisadi sorunlarının ve toplumsal bunalımlarının çözümü olacağı yönündeki açıklamaları oldukça önemliydi. Erbakan’a göre, “devlet-millet kaynaşması”nın gerçekleşmesi için öncelikle millete tahakküm değil; hizmet anlayışının içselleştirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu kaynaşmanın ve “adil devlet düzeni”nin sağlanabilmesi açısından da cumhurbaşkanlığı ile başbakanlığın birleştirilmesine dayanan başkanlık sistemine geçilmesinin gerektiğini ileri sürmektedir. Böylece devletin ve hükümetin doğrudan millet arzusuna odaklanabilmesi ve milli karaktere uygun demokratikliğin inşa edilebilmesi mümkün hale gelecektir ve başkanın tek dereceli olarak millet tarafından seçilmesiyle de “devlet-millet bütünleşmesi” kendiliğinden oluşacaktır. Bu çalışmada da öncelikle milli görüş geleneğinin devlet, millet ve siyasal alana dair oluşturduğu söylemsel çerçeve ele alınmaktadır. “Adil devlet düzeni” talebinin şekillenmesini sağlayan temel dinamikler üzerinde durulmakta ve “devlet-millet kaynaşması”nın bu düzen arayışındaki yeri tartışılmaktadır. Bu amaçla da milli görüş geleneğini temsil eden siyasal partilerin temel metinleri ve bizzat Erbakan tarafından yazılan kitaplar incelenmekte ve çalışmada içerik analizi yöntemi kullanılmaktadır.
Muslimanka i Hrišćanka u Kneževini Srbiji u XIX Veku: između verskog zakona, državnih propisa, tradicije i stereotipa
Authors: Ristanović Irena Kolaj
Published: July 2022

Utisak o prednosti društvene i porodične zajednice nad pojedincem i nosiocima bračne zajednice u direktnoj je vezi s pojmom kulturnog identiteta individue. Kako je pojam kultura definisan kao način implementacije prethodno stečenih znanja, verovanja i nasleđenih običaja, a identitet nas upućuje na istovetnost i jednakost, možemo reći da je identitet muslimanske žene u braku počivao na elementima islamskog zakona: šerijata, te pripadnosti zajednici muslimana: umi, a hrišćanske (pravoslavne) žene na pripadnosti crkvi i upražnjavanju tradicije, verovanja i običaja seoske ili gradske sredine kojoj je pripadala. Društveno-političke okolnosti u Kneževini Srbiji XIX veka donele su promene u bračnim odnosima hrišćana, ali nisu imale nikakvog uticaja na muslimansko stanovništvo. Promene u bračnim zajednicama muslimana bile su uslovljene opštim društvenim promenama kojima se islamska zajednica postepeno prilagođavala. Ovaj rad se bavi analizom i kontrastiranjem primarnih uslova na osnovu kojih je žena stupala u brak u XIX veku: elementima šerijatskog bračnog prava kod muslimanske žene, crkvenih kanuna i državnih zakona kod hrišćanke. Istovremeno, ovaj rad svedoči o (ne)zavidnom položaju žena o čijem su statusu raspravljali mnogi polazeći s različitih stanovišta, služeći se pogrešnim interpretacijama, te time uzeli učešće u kreiranju njihovog identiteta. Rad je nastao primenom interdisciplinarnog načina istraživanja uz korišćenje izvora srpske i osmanske provenijencije, te relevantne literature.
Planteamientos en el vacío
Authors: Arriola Palomares Joaquín
Published: July 2022

En vísperas de las elecciones, FUSADES ha lanzado propagandísticamente una supuesta “estrategia” económica. En las siguientes páginas se analiza el simplismo del análisis de esta institución que aparentemente sabe de qué está hablando, señalando alguna novedad así como algunos disparates cuantitativos y las motivaciones políticas que hay detrás de esta "nueva estrategia".
ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 49, No. 545-546, 1994: 257-267.
Ausentismo en las elecciones
Authors: J. M. C.
Published: July 2022

No hay resúmenes disponibles.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 49, No. 545-546, 1994: 274-285.
medios de comunicación en la campaña electoral
Authors: R. B. G.
Published: July 2022

No hay resúmenes disponibles.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 49, No. 545-546, 1994: 312-319.
"elecciones del siglo" no pasaron de ser las del 94
Authors: A. M.
Published: July 2022

No hay resúmenes disponibles.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 49, No. 545-546, 1994: 292-295.
Critical factors for service quality in the intercity bus transport industry
Authors:   , Pan Qi
Published: July 2022

South Africa will host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. About 2.7 million local spectators and 400,000 visitors need to be transferred to and from the 10 host cities in 43 days. This is a huge challenge to the intercity bus transport industry, because the current transport system may not meet the demand for one of the world’s largest sporting event. The purpose of this study is to identify the current barriers to good service quality in the intercity bus transport industry. It focuses on the measurement of service quality and communication. In this research, the literature survey defined the service quality “gap” in this industry, identified the role of effective communication in the service delivery system, measured the variables affecting current service delivery using the SERVQUAL instrument, and prioritized the importance of the factors influencing service delivery in this industry. A questionnaire with 25 questions was designed to collect data. This study used convenience sampling to select 400 passengers as a sample, viz. 348 South Africans and 52 foreigners at the Durban bus station, since Durban is one of the ten host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The data was analysed using SPSS. The results of this research pointed to the importance of external communication in the industry. Specific recommendations are made to improve the productivity, reduce vacancy rate and maximize the benefits to this industry in 2010 and beyond.
The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment
Authors:   , Jessup Dylan
Published: July 2022

The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers the Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive grant programme to qualifying manufacturers in South Africa. The status of the progress of this incentive grant programme is unknown. The DTI alluded to an impact study in the 2004 DTI Annual Report but no further reference or publication of results of the impact study has been made. The objectives of the study are to investigate the following three criteria of the SMEDP and to develop benchmarks and recommendations for future incentive grants offered by the DTI. • Rationale for implementation of SMEDP; • Exploration of SMEDP merits; and • Measure of SMEDP success. The study is a secondary analysis design with both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative component allows the researcher to reflect on the process by which the incentive programme under investigation came into being, whilst the quantitative component allows for comment on the result of the process as per the markers developed in the qualitative component of the design. There were 152 sample cases used in the study. The outcome measures are the output measures stated in the Medium Term Strategic Plan which are: • The number of jobs sustained. v i • The number of jobs created. • The number of Greenfield’s projects supported. • The fixed investment in Rand terms. • The improvement in employment levels. The DTI achieved certain of the stated objectives. The empirical data analysed confirms the achievement of these objectives. There is scope for further empirical investigation for the future development of incentive grants. The contribution of the SMEDP to economic growth and employment growth is evident and such government interventions should be continued. The recommendations from the study include further investigation into the following areas to improve the benefits provided by manufacturing incentive programmes: • Limit the incentive to a specified Rand value per job created; • Volume driven turnover growth not price driven turnover growth; • The continued inclusion of expansions in future programme; and • Specified sector programmes i.e. textile sector.
Customer perception of service quality at the Business Studies Unit of the Durban University of Technology
Authors:   , Manuel Nishi
Published: July 2022

Customer satisfaction is the key ingredient to the success of any business. This is the most important factor that creates loyal customers. Presently, organisations are attempting to obtain increased customer satisfaction by focusing on the quality of their products and the service provided. Students were identified as customers of HEI’s. This research focuses on the determination of customer perception of service quality at the Business Studies Unit (BSU) of the Durban University of Technology. The objectives were: to identify expectations of students of the BSU; to identify the perceptions of students of the BSU and to measure and compare the expectations and perceptions of students using the SERVQUAL score. Customer perceptions were determined by means of a quantitative survey conducted at the BSU lecture venues using the self-administered SERVQUAL questionnaire. One hundred and ninety five respondents were surveyed. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The questionnaire measured students’ expectations and perceptions in five dimensions of service that consists of tangibles, reliability, assurance, responsiveness and empathy. The results demonstrated that in each of the five SERVQUAL dimensions, there was a negative quality gap. The largest gap was in the tangibles dimension. Also, there were significant differences between perceptions and expectations of students in all of the five SERVQUAL dimensions (p<0.001) Improvements are needed across all five dimensions. Results have shown that students’ perception of service quality at the BSU falls below their expectations, presenting a great challenge to the institution. In order to improve service quality, it is recommended that the BSU regularly assesses employees, as well as customers’ experiences and provide prompt feedback.
The adoption of Internet technology among general practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal
Authors:   , Jones Joanne
Published: July 2022

The pharmaceutical industry is in the midst of a fundamental transformation. Time and cost constraints are forcing marketers to search for new ways to maintain and grow brand awareness. The amount of time that doctors allow for representatives to market their products is becoming less and less and as a result products are not getting the exposure they used to. Organisations that find innovative ways to maintain exposure of their products may gain a competitive advantage over those organisations that rely on traditional marketing methods. The prolific increase in the use of the internet may provide pharmaceutical organisations with a complementary channel to market their products. The objective of this study is to determine the levels of internet technology adoption among general practitioners. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most influential research models in studies of the determinants of information systems/ information technology (IS/IT) acceptance. In TAM, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are hypothesised and empirically supported as fundamental determinants of user acceptance of a given IS/IT. Using TAM, this study sets out to determine general practitioners’ intention to use the internet as a source of pharmaceutical information. The literature review provides an extensive evaluation on the development of TAM and its application in different technologies. Based on these findings, the researcher developed this study to investigate internet technology acceptance in the pharmaceutical industry. Use is made of the descriptive survey method and data is retrieved from a sample of 105 general practitioners in Kwazulu-Natal. The observation is made via the benefit of a questionnaire. The process of sampling is that of convenient sampling. The analysis is quantitative and makes use of statistical analysis appropriate for the data. Analysis of the survey results produces useful insights into the factors influencing internet technology adoption by general practitioners. When analysing the independent variables, respondents were not in strong agreement about the perceived usefulness nor the perceived ease of use of internet technology as a source of pharmaceutical information. However, positive results from the relationships between the independent (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) and dependent variables (attitude and intention to use) provide valuable data with which organisations may develop internet-based marketing strategies. Based on the survey findings, recommendations using the Beynon-Davies (2004) Internet Adoption Model are suggested.
Motivation and perceived productivity at a merged higher education institution
Authors:   , Ramdhani Jugathambal
Published: July 2022

Higher Education institutions have undergone and are still undergoing transformation in South Africa and this research focused on the merger of a higher education institution as a background to conduct empirical evidence to investigate the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the organization under study. In determining the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity, three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis indicated that there exists a relationship between motivation and perceived productivity. Hypothesis two was that motivation remains constant through a merger and the last hypothesis was listed as perceived productivity remains constant through a merger. The concept of motivation was very broad, so the study narrowed the focus so that the factors that were examined were collectively labelled motivation resulting from contentment in the workplace and from rewards for good performance. The third aspect of motivation that forms part of the study is that of motivators. The primary data employed included a self administered survey and the secondary data include a literature framework that underpins the discussion of the variables motivation and productivity. The results reflect that there is a positive relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the specific organization under investigation indicating an increase or decrease in motivation is accompanied by a corresponding increase or decrease in perceived productivity.
On the Nature of Time and Energy
Authors: Maccini Anthony
Published: July 2022

The work of the Russian scientist Nikolai A. Kozyrev, in experiments he conducted on causality, found evidence of an energy to time, that has no momentum and appears everywhere at once, no matter what the distance. And this phenomena may be related to quantum non-local effects. That this energy of time may be inversely proportional to the square of the distance, that this relation might be found in other phenomena, specifically on quantum effects found in the wheeler and Feynman absorber theory for retarded and advanced fields. And further suggests an experiment that might produce advanced fields that don’t self-cancel out, in a cavity in a SQUID superconductor. Also that energy of an advanced field or a body travelling into the past may be conserved from considerations of the German Mathematician Emmy Noether’s (1918) theorem. That the relation of time times energy of Planck’s constant, tE=h, might be related fundamentally to the time energy leaking into our 3-dimensional space from the 4th-dimension, producing what we call vacuum energy (and might be a way of using the energy of time to do work), and be a way of uniting the time dimension of relativity to quantum theory. And also this vacuum energy can be seen as the dark energy as the cosmological constant, being the energy of the 4th-dimension causing the accelerated expansion of the universe.
Desafios e estratégias para segurança alimentar mundial
Authors: Shinohara Neide Kazue Sakugawa , Oliveira Fábio Henrique Portella Corrêa de
Published: July 2022

Diante da globalização alimentar atual, o Estado Brasileiro empenha-se na promoção de cooperação técnica com outros países, contribuindo assim para a realização do direito humano à alimentação segura no plano internacional, através de práticas de produção mais sustentáveis. O cumprimento das boas práticas agrícolas, adoção de sistemas de produção resiliente, manipulação de alimentos seguro, garantia de inocuidade e adoção das ferramentas de rastreabilidade, são ações e informações compartilhadas entre os países. Os capítulos deste volume são contribuições científicas atualizadas abordando os Desafios e Estratégias para Segurança Alimentar Mundial, a partir dos diferentes ramos das ciências, compartilhando reflexões multidisciplinares que visam a promoção de estratégias para lidar com os desafios da segurança alimentar no Brasil e no mundo. Desejamos a todos uma leitura proveitosa dos bons frutos acadêmicos que foram gerados e aqui generosamente compartilhados.
Examination of Aerosol Indirect Effects during Cirrus Cloud Evolution
Authors: Maciel Flor Vanessa , Diao Minghui , Patnaude Ryan
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Aerosols affect cirrus formation and evolution, yet quantification of these effects remain difficult based on in-situ observations due to the complexity of nucleation mechanisms and large variabilities in ice microphysical properties. This work employed a method to distinguish five evolution phases of cirrus clouds based on in-situ aircraft-based observations from seven U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and five NASA flight campaigns. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation were captured in the 1-Hz aircraft observations, inferred from the distributions of relative humidity in the nucleation phase. Using linear regressions to quantify the correlations between cirrus microphysical properties and aerosol number concentrations, we found that ice water content (IWC) and ice crystal number concentration (Ni) show strong positive correlations with larger aerosols (> 500 nm) in the nucleation phase, indicating strong contributions of heterogeneous nucleation when ice crystals first start to nucleate. For the later growth phase, IWC and Ni show similar positive correlations with larger and smaller (i.e., > 100 nm) aerosols, possibly due to fewer remaining ice nucleating particles in the later growth phase that allows more homogeneous nucleation to occur. Both 200-m and 100-km observations were compared with the nudged simulations from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model version 6 (CAM6). Simulated aerosol indirect effects are weaker than the observations for both larger and smaller aerosols. Observations show stronger aerosol indirect effects (i.e., positive correlations between IWC, Ni and Na) in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) compared with the Northern Hemisphere (NH), while the simulations show negative correlations in the SH. The simulations underestimate IWC by a factor of 3 – 30 in the early/later growth phase, indicating that the low bias of simulated IWC was due to insufficient ice particle growth. Such hypothesis is consistent with the model biases of lower frequencies of ice supersaturation and lower vertical velocity standard deviation in the early/later growth phases. Overall, these findings show that aircraft observations can capture the competitions between heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation, and their contributions vary as cirrus clouds evolve. Future model development is also recommended to evaluate and improve the representation of water vapor and vertical velocity on the sub-grid scale to resolve the insufficient ice particle growth.
Combined application of online FIGAERO-CIMS and offline LC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) to characterize the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in smog chamber studies
Authors: Du Mao , Voliotis Aristeidis , Shao Yunqi , Wang Yu , Bannan Thomas J. , Pereira Kelly L. , Hamilton Jacqueline F. , Percival Carl J. , Alfarra M. Rami , McFiggans Gordon
Published: July 2022

Abstract. A combination of online and offline mass spectrometric techniques was used to characterize the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated from the photooxidation of α-pinene in an atmospheric simulation chamber. The filter inlet for gases and
aerosols (FIGAERO) coupled with a high-resolution time-of-flight iodide
chemical ionization mass spectrometer (I−-ToF-CIMS) was employed to
track the evolution of gaseous and particulate components. Extracts of
aerosol particles sampled onto a filter at the end of each experiment were
analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography ultra-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap MS). Each technique was used to investigate the major SOA elemental group contributions in each system. The online CIMS particle-phase measurements show that organic species containing
exclusively carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO group) dominate the
contribution to the ion signals from the SOA products, broadly consistent
with the LC-Orbitrap MS negative mode analysis, which was better able to
identify the sulfur-containing fraction. An increased abundance of high-carbon-number (nC≥16) compounds additionally containing nitrogen (CHON group) was detected in the LC-Orbitrap MS positive ionization mode,
indicating a fraction missed by the negative-mode and CIMS measurements.
Time series of gas-phase and particle-phase oxidation products provided by
online measurements allowed investigation of the gas-phase chemistry of
those products by hierarchical clustering analysis to assess the phase
partitioning of individual molecular compositions. The particle-phase
clustering was used to inform the selection of components for targeted
structural analysis of the offline samples. Saturation concentrations
derived from nearly simultaneous gaseous and particulate measurements of the
same ions by FIGAERO-CIMS were compared with those estimated from the
molecular structure based on the LC-Orbitrap MS measurements to interpret
the component partitioning behaviour. This paper explores the insight
brought to the interpretation of SOA chemical composition by the combined
application of online FIGAERO-CIMS and offline LC-Orbitrap MS analytical
techniques.
Contribution of cryosphere to runoff in the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and arid region based on environmental isotopes
Authors: Gui Juan , Li Zongxing , Feng Qi
Published: July 2022

Abstract. As the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and the arid region, the Qilian Mountains are important ecological barriers and source regions of inland rivers in northwest China. In recent decades, drastic changes in the cryosphere have had a significant impact on the quantity and formation process of water resources in the Qilian Mountains. In this study, 2164 environmental isotope samples were used to quantify the runoff components of 11 major rivers in the Qilian Mountains and to investigate the influence of cryosphere changes on mountain runoff. The results showed that the mountain runoff mainly comes from the cryosphere belt, which contributes to approximately 82 %、71 %, and 80 %, respectively, in the Hexi inland water system, upper stream of the Yellow River system, and Qinghai inland river system; the remaining amounts are contributed by precipitation in the vegetation belt. The maximum contribution ratio of glacier and snow meltwater to runoff occurred in May, but not in July and August, when the temperature was the highest. The important contribution of supra-permafrost water to runoff gradually increased from May to October and reached approximately 40 % in some rivers in October. Cryosphere degradation in the Qilian Mountains after 90 years has caused a rapid increase in runoff, a change in the peak runoff time, and an increase in runoff in winter. These changes in hydrological processes bring opportunities and challenges to managing inland river water resources, and various adaptive measures to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages have been proposed. The findings from environmental isotope analysis provide insights into realizing harmony of life, agriculture, industry, and ecological water use.
Towards an ensemble-based evaluation of land surface models in light of uncertain forcings and observations
Authors: Arora Vivek K. , Seiler Christian , Wang Libo , Kou-Giesbrecht Sian
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Quantification of uncertainty in fluxes of energy, water, and CO2 simulated by land surface models (LSMs) remains a challenge. LSMs are typically driven with, and tuned for, a specified meteorological forcing data set and a specified set of geophysical fields. Here, using two data sets each for meteorological forcing and historical land cover reconstruction, as well as two model structures (with and without coupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles), the uncertainty in simulated results over the historical period is quantified for the Canadian Land Surface Scheme Including Biogeochemical Cycles (CLASSIC) model. The resulting eight (2 x 2 x 2) equally probable model simulations are evaluated using an in-house model evaluation framework that uses multiple observations-based data sets for a range of quantities. Among the primary global energy, water, and carbon related fluxes and state variables, simulated area burned, fire CO2 emissions, soil carbon mass, vegetation biomass, runoff, heterotrophic respiration, gross primary productivity, and sensible heat flux show the largest spread across the eight simulations relative to their mean. Simulated net atmosphere-land CO2 flux, which is considered a critical determinant of the performance of LSMs, is found to be largely independent of the simulated pre-industrial vegetation and soil carbon mass. This indicates that models can provide reliable estimates of the strength of the land carbon sink despite biases in carbon stocks. Results show that evaluating an ensemble of model results against multiple observations allows to disentangle model deficiencies from uncertainties in model inputs, observation-based data, and model configuration.
Future changes in flash flood frequency and magnitude over the European Alps
Authors: Zander Mar J. , Viguurs Pety J. , Sperna Weiland Frederiek C. , Weerts Albrecht H.
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Flash Floods are damaging natural hazards which often occur in the European Alps. Precipitation patterns and intensity may change in a future climate affecting their occurrence and magnitude. For impact studies, flash floods can be difficult to simulate due the complex orography and limited extent & duration of the heavy rainfall events which trigger them. The new generation convection-permitting regional climate models (CP-RCMs) improve the representation of the intensity and frequency of heavy precipitation. Therefore, this study combines such simulations with high-resolution distributed hydrological modelling to assess changes in flash flood frequency over the Alpine domain. We use output from a state-of-the-art CP-RCM to drive a high-resolution distributed hydrological wflow_sbm model covering most of the Alpine mountain range on an hourly resolution. First, the hydrological model was validated by comparing ERA5 driven simulation with streamflow observations from 130 stations (across Rhone, Rhine, Po, Adige and Danube basins). Second, a hourly wflow_sbm simulation driven by a CP-RCM downscaled ERAInterim simulation was compared to databases of past flood events to evaluate if the model can accurately simulate flash floods and to determine a suitable threshold definition for flash flooding. Finally, simulations of the future climate RCP 8.5 for the end-of-century (2096–2105) and current climate (1998–2007) are compared for which the CPRCM is driven by a Global Climate Model. The simulations are compared to assess if there are changes in flash flood frequency and magnitude using a threshold approach. Results show a similar flash flood frequency for autumn in the future, but a decrease in summer. However, the future climate simulations indicate an increase in the flash flood severity in both summer and autumn leading to more severe flash flood impacts.
Hiroshima y Nagasaki: memorias entre el conflicto, la reconciliación y los retos pacifistas
Authors: González Silvia Lidia
Published: July 2022

Las narrativas sobre los bombardeos atómicos en más de siete décadas han confrontado en la opinión pública las posiciones de los vencedores y las víctimas de la guerra.
Este trabajo repasa el origen de esta confrontación, el discurso oficial, así como algunos intentos espontáneos de reconciliación, con una visión más humana.
En tiempos de pandemia, la vulnerabilidad de los sobrevivientes de las bombas atómicas (hibakusha) conduce a una reconsideración de sus testimonios directos, así como a la revisión crítica de su papel –más allá de la retórica– en acciones efectivas por la paz y el desarme nuclear.
El manga Sobre el santuario Yasukuni 靖国論 del mangaka Kobayashi Yoshinori y su relación con la memoria sobre la Guerra de los Quince Años (1931-1945), un acercamiento desde la historia cultural
Authors: Sánchez Revilla Abdiel Enrique
Published: July 2022

La aparición del manga de ultraderecha Sobre Yasukuni de Kobayashi Yoshinori en 2005 irrumpió en el paisaje editorial japonés con gran fuerza. Muchos historiadores occidentales se apresuraron a escribir críticas en los que desmentían punto por punto las falacias historiográficas presentadas por el autor. Sin embargo, este tipo de materiales sigue apareciendo ¿cuál es la razón de esto? Criticar al manga de Kobayashi es necesario, pero como la mayor parte de esas críticas solamente se dirige hacia su discurso no han logrado una contundencia importante. En cambio, yo propongo que una crítica más histórica y émica de los mangas de ultraderecha es posible si se utilizan las herramientas de la historia cultural, pues de esa manera, se toma en cuenta no solo el discurso del manga, sino también los aspectos socioculturales que lo rodean. Si se acepta que los mangas, en sentido estricto, solo existen cuando entran en contacto con un lector que se encuentra inscrito, a su vez en un tiempo y en un espacio determinados se vuelve necesario reconstruir los sistemas culturales que los rodean y esto solo se puede hacer si utilizamos las herramientas de la historia cultural.