bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agriculture Insurance’s Outreach Constrained by Procedural Delays and Norms: Reflections from North Karnataka, India
Authors: S. Nayak Nayanatara , Billava Narayan , K.V. Ashalata
Published: December 2020

Karnataka is one of the states, which experienced severe drought continuously for four years since 2014. In addition, heavy rainfall for the past two years has adversely affected agriculture produce in the entire state putting farmers into debt trap as most of them are not covered by crop insurance for crop failure. Although crop insurance was available to farmers in India since 1972, the coverage across the states including Karnataka was not found to be satisfactory. The average percentage of farmers covered under crop insurance was less than 10% during 1999-2015, both for India and Karnataka. It was 11.3% under NAIS 2015 kharif, increased to 12.2% in 2016, 17.1% in 2017 going down to 15.6% in 2018 and to 14.1% in 2019 under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) kharif in Karnataka. PMFBY was one new kind of agriculture insurance company and introduced throughout the country in 2016.This paper examines the performance of this scheme with specific reference to north Karnataka based on primary data collected from farmers’ survey in four districts, secondary data collected from official documents and first-hand information gathered from regional stakeholder workshops organized in six selected districts of north Karnataka. The study tries to look into the extent of coverage and, flaws and merits of crop insurance schemes with reference to problems faced by farmers in getting insurance coverage and claims. The study covered around 1000 stakeholders including farmers,officials of banks, department of economics and statistics, agriculture department and insurance agencies, representatives of gram panchayats and cooperative societies. Three agricultural crop seasons have passed since then. Central government has brought in some changes in guidelines and is likely to make further changes in procedures in response to concerns expressed by States and farmers’ representatives. Follow up discussions with key stakeholders in Karnataka held after the initial farmers’ survey reveal that while a few of the anomalies in applying for crop insurance have been addressed by the concerned departments, major obstacles in assessment and claims continue to exasperate farmers who are miffed by these procedural lapses. This paper throws light on some of these issues and discusses measures to make crop insurance, particularly PMFBY farmers’ friendly.
IDENTIFICATION OF CRITERIA FOR NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE TRANSACTION FORM IN THE SYSTEM OF CIVIL-LEGAL TRANSACTIONS INVALIDITY
Authors: Ablyatipova N. A. , Ryukhtina D. I.
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the norms established by civil law on the form of a transaction, the non-observance of which entails the invalidity of the transaction. Criteria of observance of the forms of transactions established by law have been investigated, and the features of classifying transactions with form defects as disputable and void have been identified. Certain problems of non-compliance with the written form of the transaction on the basis of systematization of requirements for the commission and conclusion of a simple written and notarial form are identified, some characteristics of state registration of transactions are highlighted. Based on the study, the main legal consequences of transactions with defects in form are formulated and exceptions to the general rules are identified.
GENERIC CONCEPT OF HARM, SPECIFIC IN RELATION TO IT THE CONCEPT OF THE INSTITUTION OF OBLIGATIONS DUE TO HARM AND RELATED CONCEPTS OF CIVIL LAW
Authors: Radayde D. S.
Published: December 2020

The article examines the concepts of harm, species and related concepts in relation to it. It is proved that in Chapter 59 of the Civil code, the term «harm» refers to both the generic concept that covers property and moral harm, and the specific concept of property harm in relation to it. Therefore, in paragraph 1 of article 1064 of the civil code, it should be clarified that damage in paragraphs 1-3 of Chapter 59 of the Civil code is understood as property damage. It is also proposed to unify the terminology related to compensation for property and non-pecuniary damage.
IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE POLISY ON THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CRIMEA
Authors: Klimova D. V.
Published: December 2020

The Republic of Crimea is a unique and strategically important region of the Russian Federation in the Azov-Black Sea region. The unique historical path of development of the territory, the multinational and multiconfessional composition of the population, and cultural diversity determined the special place of the Republic of Crimea in the cultural space of Russia. At the present stage of development, state national policy aimed at harmonizing interethnic relations and resolving interethnic conflicts is actively pursued. No doubt, constant replenishment of scientific knowledge about the current state of interethnic relations and trends in their changes is required. Nowadays, federal executive bodies are involved in the implementation of measures in the field of state national policy; civil society institutions take an active part. Significant funds are spent on coordinating their joint activities in the field of national policy, and the visible result is, unfortunately, not always achieved, since there is no single center of interaction, and ethno-confessional factors are not always taken into account in their work. The article is devoted to the implementation of state national policy in the territory of the Republic of Crimea, the peculiarities of its legal regulation, measures to ensure state unity and harmonization of the sphere of interethnic relations in the territory of the Republic of Crimea are also analyzed.
Ferroefremovite, (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3, a new mineral from Solfatara di Pozzuoli, Campania, Italy
Authors: Kasatkin Anatoly V. , Plášil Jakub , Škoda Radek , Campostrini Italo , Chukanov Nikita V. , Agakhanov Atali A. , Karpenko Vladimir Yu. , Belakovskiy Dmitriy I.
Published: December 2020

The new sulfate mineral ferroefremovite, ideally (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3, was discovered at the “Bocca Grande” fumarole, Solfatara di Pozzuoli, Flegrean Volcanic Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy. Associated minerals are adranosite, adranosite-(Fe), godovikovite, huizingite-(Al), mascagnite, and opal. Ferroefremovite forms cubic crystals up to 0.1 mm across. The new mineral is colorless and has a vitreous luster and white streak. It is brittle and has an uneven fracture. No cleavage or parting are observed. Mohs hardness is 2. Dmeas. = 2.69(1) g/cm3. Dcalc. = 2.700 g/cm3. Optically, ferroefremovite is isotropic, n = 1.574(3) (λ = 589 nm). It is non-pleochroic. The presence of the NH4+ cation is confirmed by the Raman spectrum. The chemical composition of ferroefremovite is (wt.%; electron microprobe, N determined by CNH analysis) (NH4)2O 11.51, Na2O 0.11, K2O 1.35, MgO 8.38, MnO 0.98, FeO 18.94, SO3 57.08, total 98.35. The empirical formula based on 12 O apfu is [(NH4)1.85K0.12Na0.01]Σ1.98(Fe2+1.11Mg0.87Mn0.06)Σ2.04S2.99O12. Ferroefremovite is cubic, space group P213, with a = 10.0484(9) Å, V = 1014.59(16) Å3, and Z = 4. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are 5.80 (40) (111), 4.50 (20) (201, 210), 4.11 (30) (211), 3.17 (100) (310, 301), 3.02 (20) (311), 2.68 (50) (312, 321), 1.86 (18) (502, 432), 1.62 (18) (523, 532, 611).
Pengembangan Model Ulul Ilmi dalam Pembelajaran PAI untuk Pembentukan Karakter Mahasiswa Era Revolusi Industri 4.0
Authors: Abdussalam Aam , Supriadi Udin , Parhan Muhamad , Budiyanti Nurti
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to develop an Ulul Ilmi model in Islamic Education learning for the character of 21st-century students, which, of course, can help. Realize these national education goals—the research method used using a qualitative approach and literature study techniques in collecting data. Based on the findings, the Ulul Ilmi Model is very supportive in Islamic Religious Education learning because it has extreme divine values to achieve ma'rifatullah goals to shape 21st-century students' character. The method used is the method (1) the uswah hasanah method, an exemplary method that must be applied to an educator and passed on to students, (2) the ibrah mauidzah method, which is a learning method that must be delivered in the classroom, and (3) the targhib tarhib method, a method of strengthening for character building. Thus this pattern is later called the Ulul Ilmi model.
Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model Ulul Ilmi dalam pembelajaran PAI untuk pencapaian karakter mahasiswa abad 21, yang tentunya dapat membantu merealisasikan tujuan pendidikan Nasional. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan teknik studi pustaka dalam pengumpulkan data. Berdasarkan hasil temuan, model Ulul Ilmi ini sangat memungkinkan untuk diterapkan dalam pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam, karena memiliki nilai Ilahiyyah yang sangat kuat mencapai tujuan ma’rifatullah dalam rangka membentuk karakter mahasiswa abad 21. Metode yang digunakan ialah (1) metode uswah hasanah, yang merupakan metode keteladanan yang wajib diterapkan bagi seorang pendidik dan diwariskan kepada para peserta didik, (2) metode ibrah mauidzah, merupakan metode pembelajaran yang wajib untuk disampaikan di dalam kelas, dan (3) metode targhib tarhib, yakni metode penguatan untuk penanaman karakter. Dengan demikian pola inilah yang kemudian disebut sebagai model Ulul Ilmi.
Introduction: Human-Animal Relationships From a Long-Term Perspective
Authors: Armstrong Oma Kristin , Goldhahn Joakim
Published: December 2020

Humans, like other animals, are inextricably bound to their local complex web-of-life and cannot exist outside of relationally interwoven ecosystems. Humans are, as such, rooted in a multispecies universe. Human and non-human animals in their variety of forms and abilities have been commensal, companions, prey, and hunters, and archaeology must take this fundamental fact – the cohabiting of the world – to heart. Human societies are, there-fore, not so much human as web-of-species societies. Recently, anthropological theory has explored non-modern societies from the perspective of an anthropology of life which incorporates relationality of local humans and non-human animals, a pursuit that is significant for the diverse contributions in this special section of Current Swedish Archaeology: a themed section which deals with past multispecies intra-actions in a long-term perspective.
Retrieving, Curating and Depositing Skulls at Pitted Ware culture Sites
Authors: Lindström Tobias
Published: December 2020

At many Middle Neolithic sites in south-central Scandinavia associated with the hunter-gatherer complex known as the Pitted Ware culture, the skulls of humans and animals seem to have been treated differently from other skeletal elements. This is evident, for example, in inhumation graves lacking crania or entire skulls as well as numerous finds of cranial and mandibular fragments scattered in cultural layers or deposited in hearths and pits. Despite parallels in overall treatment and find contexts, the selective handling of human skulls has generally been regarded as a mortuary practice and thus qualitatively different from the handling of animal skulls. Focusing primarily on the head bones themselves and relating their treatment to the wider use of skeletal remains allows us to consider a more complex system of retrieving, modifying, curating and depositing crania and mandibles. Drawing on the overlapping general treatment of human and animal remains, it is suggested that head bones from both humans and animals were efficacious objects that could be used in depositional acts.
Ritual Slaughter through the Eyes of the Butcher: Perspectives on a Complex Practice
Authors: Stolle Bettina
Published: December 2020

Ritual slaughter has long been recognised as a significant custom in the archaeological record of Iron Age Scandinavia, but the practice itself has often been treated hastily. This paper aims for a more thorough approach by focusing on the butcher as a craftsperson. It draws on evidence from literary sources and implement use, as well as the zooarchaeological record, which shows specific butchery practices in ritual contexts. The results suggest that ritual slaughter needs to be understood as a collective undertaking with multiple stages. The role of the chieftain as potential performer should be toned down. Instead, the process probably incorporated skilled people from various segments of society.
Probing on the Relationship between Students' Self-Confidence and Self-Efficacy while engaging in Online Learning amidst COVID-19
Authors: Blanco Quiana Althea , Carlota Mark Lyster , Nasibog Ashley Janine , Rodriguez Beatriz , Saldaña Xydel Vie , Vasquez Elaisha Carmel , Gagani Flordeliza
Published: December 2020

The onslaught of the Coronavirus-19 disease around the world has shaken the physical and mental well-being of the global citizenry. The student populace in particular faces added burdens and struggles in light of the pandemic due to the abrupt shift in learning modality and educational delivery to cope with the "new normal." Hence, this study aims to probe the relationship between self-confidence and self-efficacy among the randomly selected sixty (60) Grade 12 students of the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines while engaging themselves in online learning amidst COVID-19 through a descriptive correlational study. Data were gathered online using valid and reliable 4-point adapted Likert-type survey questionnaires. Results revealed that both self-confidence (x ̅= 2.61, SD= 0.84), and self-efficacy (x = 2.83, SD= 0.80) were described as high. Pearson's r correlation was also found to be significant, r (58) = .2144, p = .000059, p<0.05, which led to the rejection of the null hypothesis and led to the conclusion with at least 95% confidence that there is a moderately high positive correlation (r=0.50) between the levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy among the students while engaging in online learning. It is recommended that schools should instill policies to augment students' self-confidence and self-efficacy levels to guarantee optimal learning outcomes despite the current setting. It is also recommended that future researchers explore the same variables in public schools and far-flung areas to discover the conditional differences amidst the similarity of the shared experiences during the pandemic time.
Isolation, Screening and Time Course Study of Amylase-producing Fungi from Garri Processing Environment
Authors: Ire Francis , Wokoma Sotonye Ipalibo , Okoli Augustine
Published: December 2020

Amylases (E.C.3.2.1.1) are enzymes which catalyze the breakdown of -1,4 glycosidic linkages of starch to simple sugars and different monomeric products. Microbial amylases are essential enzymes compared with animals and plants amylases in industrial applications. Thus, in southern Nigeria, garri processing waste-water from mills poses a serious environmental challenge and this situation could be exploited by utilizing microorganisms colonizing the area to manufacture microbial products. This present study was aimed at evaluating the potential of fungi isolated from garri processing environment for amylase secretion and conduct a time course study of the enzyme production. Fungi were isolated from the soil and waste water from garri processing sites using Standard Microbiological Procedures. The five fungi isolated from garri processing environmental samples were screened using Lugols iodine. Three fungal isolates were then selected on the hydrolysis of starch in qualitative zonation agar plates but one isolate named B among them was better in starch hydrolysis related to highest clear zone plates. After qualitative screening, the three hyper production amylase extracted fungi were identified according to the morphological characteristics. The hyper producing amylase isolate B was then identified as Aspergillus flavus (RCBBR_AEAFUN2) and recorded as a novel strain in southern Nigeria according to molecular characteristics, which was selected for further studies. The current results of time course study showed that the maximum growth (2.453 g) occurred after 24 h of incubation at pH 4.5 while maximum enzyme production (2.3 U/ml/min) was obtained after 96 h of incubation at pH 3.5. Therefore, the hyper producing amylase from garri processing sites, Aspergillus flavus (RCBBR_AEAFUN2) novel strain has great prospects for future biotechnological and industrial applications and help in ameliorating the environmental pollution posed by the waste-water.
Pathogenicity of Root – Knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica on Cucumber Plants at Different Inoculum levels Under Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: Ami Sulaiman , Shingaly Shireen
Published: December 2020

Root-knot nematodes are dangerous and economically very important pest of completely cultivated crops in the world, so this study was conducted to test the pathogenicity of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica at different levels of soil infestation by nematode eggs against one of the most common cultivar (hybrid) of cucumber cultivated in Duhok province. Sterilized sandy loam soil was infested with different levels of inoculum of root – knot nematode M. javanica included: 0, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 and 16000 eggs/pot after 20 days of sowing cucumber seeds cv. Sayff F1 under greenhouses conditions at College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / Semel, University of Duhok. Results revealed that the growth criteria of cucumber plants (length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots) and chlorophyll content of leaves decreased with increasing of inoculum levels of nematode eggs, whereas the infection criteria increased except with level 16000 eggs / pot at which the infection criteria decreased. At the same time nematode reproduction rate decreased with increasing of nematode inoculum levels.
The Use of Persuasive Language in Christian Fundraising: Coercion or Motivation?
Authors: Oppong-Asare Ansah Juliet , Akoto Osei Yaw , Ansah Richard
Published: December 2020

This paper is an expose on how fundraisers in some churches in Ghana use persuasive language, also referred to as ‘loaded words’ on their congregation to stir up their emotions to adhere to their demands and succumb to their instructions and directions. It specifically recounts persuasive expressions or utterances used by personalities who solicit funds from the congregation during fundraising ceremonies and discusses the effectiveness of these expressions. It also presents the perception and reaction of church members on how their thoughts, feelings or behavior are influenced by the astute words of fundraisers. Using a qualitative research approach, five recorded audios are selected, transcribed and codified for textual analysis. Sections of the churches visited were engaged in interactions to inquire about their perception of these modes of fundraising. The findings indicated that most fundraisers who solicit funds for the churches in question are imported, thus, they perform the assigned task to meet the churches’ needs and to also boost their remuneration. It also indicated, based on church members interviewed, that the strategies they use in fundraising, to some extent, are effective tools to sway the congregation to give their monies out when they are still faced with personal challenges. This paper contributes to research knowledge on some less explored areas such as persuasion in the context of fundraising in the Christian mission.
Influence of Solar Disturbances on Galactic Cosmic Rays in the Solar Wind, Heliosheath, and Local Interstellar Medium: Advanced Composition Explorer, New Horizons, and Voyager Observations
Authors: Hill M. E. , Allen R. C. , Kollmann P. , Brown L. E. , Decker R. B. , McNutt R. L. , Krimigis S. M. , Andrews G. B. , Bagenal F. , Clark G. , Elliott H. A. , Jaskulek S. E. , Kusterer M. B. , Leske R. A. , Lisse C. M. , Mewaldt R. A. , Nelson K. S. , Richardson J. D. , Romeo G. , Salazar N. A. , Vandegriff J. D. , Bernardoni E. A. , Gladstone G. R. , Horanyi M. , Linscott I. R. , Singer K. N. , Steffl A. J. , Summers M. E. , Throop H. B. , Young L. A. , Olkin C. B. , Parker J. Wm. , Spencer J. R. , Stern S. A. , Verbiscer A. J. , Weaver H. A.
Published: December 2020

We augment the heliospheric network of galactic cosmic ray (GCR) monitors using 2012–2017 penetrating radiation measurements from the New Horizons (NH) Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation (PEPSSI), obtaining intensities of ≳75 MeV particles. The new, predominantly GCR observations provide critical links between the Sun and Voyager 2 and Voyager 1 (V2 and V1), in the heliosheath and local interstellar medium (LISM), respectively. We provide NH, Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), V2, and V1 GCR observations, using them to track solar cycle variations and short-term Forbush decreases from the Sun to the LISM, and to examine the interaction that results in the surprising, previously reported V1 LISM anisotropy episodes. To investigate these episodes and the hitherto unexplained lagging of associated in situ shock features at V1, propagating disturbances seen at ACE, NH, and V2 were compared to V1. We conclude that the region where LISM magnetic field lines drape around the heliopause is likely critical for communicating solar disturbance signals upstream of the heliosheath to V1. We propose that the anisotropy-causing physical process that suppresses intensities at ∼90° pitch angles relies on GCRs escaping from a single compression in the draping region, not on GCRs trapped between two compressions. We also show that NH suprathermal and energetic particle data from PEPSSI are consistent with the interpretation that traveling shocks and corotating interaction region (CIR) remnants can be distinguished by the existence or lack of Forbush decreases, respectively, because turbulent magnetic fields at local shocks inhibit GCR transport while older CIR structures reaching the outer heliosphere do not.
Calibration of the MaGIXS Experiment. I. Calibration of the X-Ray Source at the X-Ray and Cryogenic Facility
Authors: Athiray P. S. , Winebarger Amy R. , Champey Patrick , Kobayashi Ken , Vigil Genevieve D. , Haight Harlan , Johnson Steven , Bethge Christian , Rachmeler Laurel A. , Savage Sabrina , Beabout Brent , Beabout Dyana , Hogue William , Guillory Anthony , Siler Richard , Wright Ernest , Kegley Jeffrey
Published: December 2020

The Marshall Grazing Incidence Spectrometer (MaGIXS) is a sounding rocket experiment that will observe the soft X-ray spectrum of the Sun from 24 to 6.0 Å (0.5–2.0 keV) and is scheduled for launch in 2021. Component- and instrument-level calibrations for the MaGIXS instrument are carried out using the X-ray and Cryogenic Facility (XRCF) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. In this paper, we present the calibration of the incident X-ray flux from the electron impact source with different targets at the XRCF using a CCD camera; the photon flux at the CCD was low enough to enable its use as a “photon counter,” i.e., the ability to identify individual photon hits and calculate their energy. The goal of this paper is two-fold: (1) to confirm that the flux measured by the XRCF beam normalization detectors is consistent with the values reported in the literature and therefore reliable for MaGIXS calibration and (2) to develop a method of counting photons in CCD images that best captures their number and energy.
The Importance of Hall Effect in the Self-similar Collapse of a Filamentary Cloud
Authors: Gholipour Mahmoud
Published: December 2020

Thanks to the observational and simulation works, the importance of the nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects, i.e., Hall effect, ohmic resistivity, and ambipolar diffusion, have been well established at various stages of cloud evolution. To get a comparison between the Hall effect with other effects, we aim to model the time evolution of a rotating filamentary molecular cloud during the isothermal/polytropic collapse phase in the presence of the Hall drift. Three components of the velocity vector are investigated when the angular momentum is fully coupled with the magnetic field at large radii of a filament. For this purpose, the nonideal MHD equations in the self-similar formalism are considered at large radii of a molecular cloud where the magnetic field evolution is affected by the Hall drift. Then, the connection between the self-similar approach with the observational data from the filamentary clouds is examined to get a realistic model. Due to the existence of Hall drift, the significant changes on the rotation of the cloud can be seen when the cloud switches from the isothermal collapse phase to the polytropic collapse phase. Also, the results of this model are useful in the study of the multiple star formation process as well as the initial conditions for driving the outflows during the collapse of the filamentary clouds. Finally, we found that there are some conditions for the comparability of the Hall effect with the ambipolar diffusion in the outer regions of the clouds.
Star Formation and Evolution of Blister-type H ii Region Sh2-112
Authors: Panwar Neelam , Sharma Saurabh , Ojha D. K. , Baug T. , Dewangan L. K. , Bhatt B. C. , Pandey Rakesh
Published: December 2020

We report the observational findings of the Sh2-112 H ii region by using the multiwavelength data analysis ranging from optical to radio wavelengths. This region is powered by the massive O8V-type star BD +45 3216. The surface density distribution and minimum spanning tree analyses of the young stellar object (YSO) candidates in the region reveal their groupings toward the western periphery of the H ii region. A GMRT radio continuum emission peak is found toward the northwest boundary of the H ii region and is investigated as a compact/ultracompact H ii region candidate powered by a B0–B0.5-type star. Toward the southwest direction, a prominent curved rim-like structure is found in the Hα image and GMRT radio continuum maps, where the H2 and 13CO emission is also observed. These results suggest the existence of the ionized boundary layer (IBL) on the surface of the molecular cloud. This IBL is found to be overpressured with respect to the internal pressure of the surrounding molecular cloud. This implies that the shocks are propagating/propagated into the molecular cloud, and the young stars identified within it are likely triggered due to the massive star. It is also found that this region is ionization-bounded toward the west and density-bounded toward the east. Based on the distribution of the ionized gas, molecular material, and YSO candidates, we propose that the Sh2-112 H ii region is a good candidate for the blister-type H ii region that has been evolved on the surface of a cylindrical molecular cloud.
MASTER Optical Observation of LIGO/VIRGO S200302c Event
Authors: Lipunov V. , Kornilov V. , Chasovnikov A. , Tiurina N. , Vlasenko D. , Gorbovskoy E. , Gorbunov I. , Balanutsa P. , Cheryasov D. , Pozdnyakov A. , Gabovich A. , Gress O. A. , Buckley D. , Podesta R. , Rebolo R. , Serra M. , Balakin F. , Topolev V. , Zhirkov K. , Kuznetsov A. , Vladimirov V. , Senik V. , Podesta F. , Francile C. , Budnev N. M. , Sergienko Yu. , Tlatov A. , Grinshpun V. , Minkina E. , Ershova O. , Kuvshinov D. , Yurkov V.
Published: December 2020

The results of LIGO/Virgo S200302c (O3) error-box optical inspection by MASTER are presented. We observed 4242 square degrees square degrees inside 3σ error box during 1 month. We present MASTER OT J141401.39–483305.7, MASTER OT J215856.95–392909.6, MASTER OT J061642.05+435617.9, MASTER OT J052817.95+672801.4—optical transients found by the MASTER auto-detection system during this inspection as the result of a survey of large error-fields, indicating the efficiency of MASTER observational strategy.
The Insect database in Dokdo, Korea: An updated version includes 22 newly recorded species on the island and one species in Korea
Authors: Ryu Jihun , Kim Young-Kun , Suh Sang Jae , Choi Kwang Shik
Published: December 2020

Dokdo, an island toward the East Coast of South Korea, comprises 89 small islands. Dokdo is a volcanic island created by a volcanic eruption that promoted the formation of Ulleungdo (located in the East sea), which is ~87.525 km away from Dokdo. Dokdo is an important island because of geopolitics; however, because of certain investigation barriers such as weather and time constraints, the awareness of its insect fauna is less compared to that of Ulleungdo. Dokdo’s insect fauna was obtained as 10 orders, 74 families, and 165 species until 2017; subsequently, from 2018 to 2019, 23 unrecorded species were discovered via an insect survey.

As per a recent study, the database of insect species on Dokdo has been identified as 10 orders, 81 families, 188 species, and 23 undetermined species. This database has been registered to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; www.GBIF.org), and is the first record for Dokdo’s insect fauna.
Plant diversity in sedimentary DNA obtained from high-latitude (Siberia) and high-elevation lakes (China)
Authors: Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen , Liu Sisi , Jia Weihan , Li Kai , Pestryakova Luidmila , Mischke Steffen , Cao Xianyong , Liu Xingqi , Ni Jian , Neuhaus Stefan , Herzschuh Ulrike
Published: December 2020

Plant diversity in the Arctic and at high altitudes strongly depends on and rebounds to climatic and environmental variability and is nowadays tremendously impacted by recent climate warming. Therefore, past changes in plant diversity in the high Arctic and high-altitude regions are used to infer climatic and environmental changes through time and allow future predictions. Sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) is an established proxy for the detection of local plant diversity in lake sediments, but still relationships between environmental conditions and preservation of the plant sedDNA proxy are far from being fully understood. Studying modern relationships between environmental conditions and plant sedDNA will improve our understanding under which conditions sedDNA is well-preserved helping to a.) evaluate suitable localities for sedDNA approaches, b.) provide analogues for preservation conditions and c.) conduct reconstruction of plant diversity and climate change. This study investigates modern plant diversity applying a plant-specific metabarcoding approach on sedimentary DNA of surface sediment samples from 262 lake localities covering a large geographical, climatic and ecological gradient. Latitude ranges between 25°N and 73°N and longitude between 81°E and 161°E, including lowland lakes and elevated lakes up to 5168 m a.s.l. Further, our sampling localities cover a climatic gradient ranging in mean annual temperature between -15°C and +18°C and in mean annual precipitation between 36­ and 935 mm. The localities in Siberia span over a large vegetational gradient including tundra, open woodland and boreal forest. Lake localities in China include alpine meadow, shrub, forest and steppe and also cultivated areas. The assessment of plant diversity in the underlying dataset was conducted by a specific plant metabarcoding approach.

We provide a large dataset of genetic plant diversity retrieved from surface sedimentary DNA from lakes in Siberia and China spanning over a large environmental gradient. Our dataset encompasses sedDNA sequence data of 259 surface lake sediments and three soil samples originating from Siberian and Chinese lakes. We used the established chloroplastidal P6 loop trnL marker for plant diversity assessment. The merged, filtered and assigned dataset includes 15,692,944 read counts resulting in 623 unique plant DNA sequence types which have a 100% match to either the EMBL or to the specific Arctic plant reference database. The underlying dataset includes a taxonomic list of identified plants and results from PCR replicates, as well as extraction blanks (BLANKs) and PCR negative controls (NTCs), which were run along with the investigated lake samples. This collection of plant metabarcoding data from modern lake sediments is still ongoing and additional data will be released in the future.
Biomechanical and Clinical Evaluation of the Optimal Arm Position After Rotator Cuff Surgery With an Adjustable Abduction Brace
Authors: Schenk Pascal , Bachmann Elias , Aichmair Alexander , Götschi Tobias , Gerber Christian , Meyer Dominik C.
Published: December 2020

Abduction braces are used with the intention of relieving tension on the supraspinatus, thereby protecting an operative repair. It is not known, however, whether patients wearing a brace do deposit the weight of the arm on the brace effectively or actively stabilize the arm despite the brace. It is further unknown what position of the arm is most effective to relax the shoulder and is considered most comfortable. Twenty-two patients who had undergone an arthroscopic supraspinatus repair were postoperatively fitted with a standard abduction brace equipped with a torque sensor to measure the weight of the arm on the brace on the first and second postoperative days. The most comfortable arm position, tear size, and degenerative muscular changes on magnetic resonance imaging were assessed. Most patients (15 vs 5) preferred a low angle of abduction with the brace in the scapular rather than the true frontal plane irrespective of tear location or size. While loads applied to the brace were slightly higher at high abduction angles (70° and 90°) under regional anesthesia (day 1), they were significantly higher at low abduction angles (30° and 50°) with the arm fully awake (day 2). The most comfortable brace position—which is at low angles of abduction (30° to 50°) in the scapular plane—is associated with the highest load transfer to the brace in the unanesthetized arm. The authors therefore conclude that if an abduction brace is used, it should be fitted in the scapular plane with an abduction angle between 30° and 50°. [
Orthopedics
. 2021;44(1):e1–e6.]
Closing the Socioeconomic Gap in Massachusetts: Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty From 2013 to 2015
Authors: Mohamed Nequesha S. , Remily Ethan A. , Wilkie Wayne A. , Jean-Pierre Mirlande , Jean-Pierre Nancy , Edalatpour Armin , Abraham Megha M. , Delanois Ronald E.
Published: December 2020

To extend insurance coverage to all residents, Massachusetts legislation expanded Medicaid eligibility and added new private insurance categories. To date, no one has analyzed the effect of these changes and compared recent trends in total hip arthroplasty (THA) utilization. Therefore, this study sought to update the current trends of THA utilization in Massachusetts from 2013 to 2015. The Massachusetts State Inpatient Database was queried for all patients who underwent primary THA between 2013 and 2015, and 30,308 patients were identified. Analyzed variables included age, sex, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index, median household income, primary payer, discharge disposition, length of stay, hospital charges, hospital costs, and complications. Categorical and continuous variables were assessed using chi-square analyses and analyses of variance, respectively. Between 2013 and 2015, annual THAs increased from 9361 to 10,562. Race did not vary significantly (
P
=.447), although an increase in patients using Medicaid and a decrease in patients using other insurance was observed (
P
<.001). Patients with an income quartile of 1 increased, whereas the number of THA patients in quartile 3 decreased (
P
<.001). There was a decrease in both hospital charges (
P
<.001) and costs (
P
<.001). Mean length of stay decreased (
P
<.001), and the number of patients with complications decreased (
P
<.001). Massachusetts has been successful in increasing access to THA procedures for low-income patients and increasing the number of patients who use Medicaid for THAs. The current delivery of health care in Massachusetts has shown improvement for its residents, serving as an example that other states can learn from. [
Orthopedics
. 2021;44(2):e167–e172.]
Early Bony Hip Reconstructive Surgery for Hip Subluxation in Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Bean Betsey K. , Baird Glen O. , Caskey Paul M. , Bronson William B. , McMulkin Mark L. , Tompkins Bryan J.
Published: December 2020

Hip subluxation occurs frequently in children with severe cerebral palsy. This retrospective study examined the effects of age and type of bony surgery on radiographic outcomes of children with severe cerebral palsy who were treated for hip subluxation. The study included nonambulatory children with cerebral palsy undergoing bony hip reconstructive surgery consisting of proximal femoral varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO) alone or combined with pelvic osteotomy. The migration index was recorded for preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up (minimum 2 years) radiographs. Failure was defined as subsequent bony hip reconstructive surgery or final follow-up migration index greater than 50%. Seventy-seven hips in 40 patients younger than 6 years (55 VDRO alone, 22 combined) and 73 hips in 43 patients older than 6 years (27 VDRO alone, 46 combined) met inclusion criteria. For VDRO alone, the failure rate for patients younger than 6 years (33%) was significantly higher than for patients older than 6 years (7%). For combined procedures, failure rates between younger (0%) and older groups (9%) were not significantly different. Patients younger than 6 years undergoing combined procedures started with a significantly worse migration index than patients undergoing VDRO alone, 72% vs 46%, yet had significantly better final migration indices of 13% vs 31%, respectively. For surgeons performing bony reconstructive surgery to treat hip subluxation in younger children with severe cerebral palsy who are nonambulatory, the findings of this study support the use of combined VDRO and pelvic osteotomy. [
Orthopedics
. 2021;44(2):e294–e300.]
A Study into the Coating Thickness of Ship Ballast Tanks
Authors: Khan B , Khan F , Veitch B
Published: December 2020

Ballast tanks are expected to be coated according to the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coating regulations (PSPC15), in addition to the paint application requirements of the paint producer. In general, a coating system should consist of minimum two spray coats of light-colored epoxy coating on flat surfaces with a Nominal total Dry Film Thickness (NDFT) of 320 μm and 90% of all thickness measurements greater than, or equal to the NDFT and none of the remaining measurements below 0.9 x NDFT (the “90/10 rule”). Allegedly, the value of 320 μm in this PSPC15 rule may be misconstrued as a benchmark for coating application on flat surfaces, eventually leading to a non-PSPC15 compliance due to the resulting variation in coating thickness violating this 90/10 rule. This study indicates that over the years, the arithmetic mean in-situ DFT appears to be 498±18 μm and that too high and low thicknesses, below 288 μm and above 800 μm, were noted in the field. Analysis of a survey of ballast tank coating performance of ships indicates that too low thicknesses appear to be negatively impacting the average theoretical ballast tank performance. However, when an application mean DFT benchmark of 525 μm is used, the coating will almost surely comply to the 90/10 rule and the risk of falling below the 288 μm threshold is small, less than 2% in most cases. Consequently, using 320 μm as a mean DFT benchmark could result in a non-PSPC15 compliance with the in-situ ascertained coating thickness variation as this does not exclude coating thicknesses below 288 μm, which may then result in a significantly less than average theoretical coating performance. If the coating application is performed very evenly, the benchmark may be reduced to 429 μm with a probability of falling below 288 μm reduced to 0.1%. It should therefore be emphasized that the PSPC15 requirement is a coating system framework description, and that the requirement should be broadened to include a mean DFT as a coating applicator benchmark together with a clearly specified minimum and maximum DFT, in order to avoid any misinterpretations.
Social Impact Bonds as a Tool for Social Impact Investment
Authors: Kara Esen
Published: December 2020

Despite the rapid economic and technological transformations experienced today, all countries are faced with many social and environmental problems. With financial globalization, temporary or permanent crises in an economy affect other economies through cross-contamination and push governments to make serious budget cuts in the field of social spending. In this context, it is inevitable for governments to reconsider the way of financing social policies. The important role the finance industry plays in sustainable development and creating shared value for society has developed innovative and alternative funding approaches. In this context, social impact investments are a new concept that aims to integrate the positive social or environmental impact into the financial return of capital. One of the new techniques used in financing social impact investment is social impact bond programs. This chapter aims to provide information about social impact bonds and discuss the potential application of SIBs in Turkey.
Human Resources Management and the New Challenges in Family Firms
Authors: D'Amato Vittorio , Tosca Elena
Published: December 2020

We have already entered into the so called VUCA World, a world of tumult, new technologies, and a new generation of employees. HR departments need to revise their mission, vision, strategies, and tools to answer to these new challenges. The main aim of this chapter is to evaluate, through an in-depth bibliographical analysis and an Italian case study, how HR departments can be supported in their strategic reflection by using a structured approach to becoming more effective in this VUCA World. Moreover, the chapter contributes to making HR managers and HR professionals aware of the HR Strategic Forum, a method that could help them to define in a shared way what the main pillars of the HR function are. These mainstays should never be forgotten, especially in times of constant change, such as the ones we are currently experiencing.
Organizing Human Resources in Family Firms During Generational Succession
Authors: Melina Anna Maria , Cristofaro Concetta Lucia , Ventura Marzia , Reina Rocco
Published: December 2020

HRM in family firm (FF) research has moved from its narrow focus on selection and succession planning towards studying the broader antecedents, content and outcomes of HRM. Today, HRM is acknowledged as a crucial factor for attracting new talent, improving employee attitude and behavior, enhancing performance, and fostering the long-term competitive advantages. The aim of this study is to identify which tools and practices FFs adopt with HR during succession planning. For example, do they use the replacement table with the aim of providing the firm and its management with a map that allows them to make the most appropriate decisions to replace a person who is no longer available to fill a certain position? Or is it possible to identify other tools? Similar questions help the authors to investigate around the importance regarding people in firms during generational succession.
Renegotiation of TMEC (USMC) on the Agricultural Exports of Sinaloa
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Vargas-González Omar Cristian
Published: December 2020

Mexico, like other countries, invested in measures to attract foreign direct investment to their territories. It therefore signed USCM in 1994, a treaty that imposed Mexico as the largest direct exporter of the United States, a country that is likely to leave the treaty by renegotiating TMEC (USMC). Therefore, this research is carried out to determine the advantages and disadvantages of renegotiation based on Sinaloa's agricultural exports, with the question of whether it would negatively impact the USMC renegotiation of Sinaloa's agricultural exports, with the hypothesis that renegotiation of USMC has a negative effect on Sinaloa agricultural exports. The purpose of this chapter will be with results in favor of the hypothesis employed.
Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy With Mobile Application Using Deep Learning
Authors: Demirci Sercan , Çevik Ali Murat , Çınar İrem Türkü , Tüzün Ceyhun
Published: December 2020

High glucose level disrupts the structure of the retinal layer in the eyes and causes diabetic retinopathy which is characterized with new pathologic blood vessels in the eyes. Although diabetic retinopathy is not clear at the beginning of the disease, it is the most common problem in people who have diabetes and causes blindness or cloudy vision if it is not diagnosed at the beginning of the disease. For early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, regular fundus controls and examination of the edema in the vessels of the retina are made periodically by ophthalmologists. With in the scope of this study, it is made possible to provide the early diagnosis and the level of diabetic retinopathy by using deep learning, image processing methods, and convolutional neural networks of the retina. In order to provide ease and rapid of diagnosis of the diabetic retinopathy in daily life, the diagnosis protocol has been turned into a mobile application. With the mobile application, both the diagnosis and more regular results of the diabetic retinopathy can be obtained easily and practically.
Internet of Things (IoT) in Healthcare
Authors: Pathak Shashwat , Pathak Shreyans
Published: December 2020

The recent decade has seen considerable changes in the way the technology interacts with human lives and almost all the aspects of life be it personal or professional has been touched by technology. Many smart devices have also started playing a vital role in many fields and domains and the internet of things (IoT) has been the harbinger of the advent of IoT devices. IoT devices have proven to be monumental in imparting ‘smartness' in the otherwise static machines. The ability of the devices to interact and transfer the data to the internet and ultimately to the end-user has revolutionized the technological world and has brought many seemingly disparate fields in the technological purview. Out of the many fields where IoT has started gaining momentum, one of the most important ones is the healthcare sector. Many wearable smart devices have been developed over time capable to transmit real-time data to hospitals and doctors. It is essential for tracking the progress of the critically ill patients and has opened the horizon for attending patients remotely using these smart devices.
An Empirically Supported Taxonomy of Misinformation
Authors: Chong Mark , Choy Murphy
Published: December 2020

Fake news, which includes both disinformation and misinformation, has been a challenge for many countries in the last few years. Disinformation has been present in modern history as part of the tool kit of PSYOPS for the military. Likewise, misinformation has been part of human history for a long time. Hoaxes, rumors, and urban legends—all of which can be classified as differing types of misinformation, although they are not commonly addressed as such—have been exploited by adversarial organizations for their own benefit. This study will propose a comprehensive taxonomy to tackle fake news, disinformation, and misinformation and assess the level of threat they pose to society. A comprehensive comparison with existing typologies will also be included.