bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotic Process Automation with Selenium
Authors: Mr. Aakash More
Published: July 2022

RPA is defined as the practice of using software robots to interface with Software-as-a-Service applications and IT systems in order to automate rule-based manual tasks related to repetitive and transactional procedures. The robot mimics a user's behaviors while interacting with a system's user interface. RPA services allow data security, improved business efficiency, and effectiveness across a number of business applications without changing the infrastructure or systems that are already in place. Robotic process automation (RPA) is a form of technology utilized in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation engineering. Instead of using the most valuable human resources on repetitive activities, it might be considered a low-risk approach to automating business operations.
Smart Automotive Security Control with Accident Alert System
Authors: Manjunath S  , Dileep Kumar G  , Chandan Gowda A H  , Chetan M  , Hemanth R S
Published: July 2022

Vehicles are becoming advanced by combining the greater power to achieve connectivity solutions and the advancement in software visions. In modern vehicles automotive designs are interfaced with these features. The system includes keyless entry system and immobilizer system as the main weapons to prevent the vehicle theft. But these type of systems provide or detect the unauthorized access of vehicles to a measurable limit only. These security systems have straightforward. So car burglary has been a persevering issue far and wide and a greater test from the proficient criminals. This project proposes an aim to design efficient security control for auto theft prevention system by adding notable enhancement features such as a fingerprint system, password. It is also included with some rationalizing security features like GPS fencing and conveying location of vehicle as a message using GSM module. It deals with accident detection system when the accident occurs it uses Tilt, Smoke Sensor and Buzzer and alerts the Emergency team for help by reading the exact latitude and longitude of the vehicle involved in the accident.
Detection of Credit Card Fraud Transactions using Machine Learning based Algorithm
Authors: Swetha T  , Bellam Narendra Nath  , Manjunath  , Govinda N  , H V Naveen Kumar
Published: July 2022

The rapid growth in E-Commerce industry has lead to an exponential increase in the use of credit cards for online purchases and consequently they has been surge in the fraud related to it .In recent years, For banks has become very difficult for detecting the fraud in credit card system. Machine learning plays a vital role for detecting the credit card fraud in the transactions. For predicting these transactions banks make use of various machine learning methodologies, past data has been collected and new features are been used for enhancing the predictive power. The performance of fraud detecting in credit card transactions is greatly affected by the sampling approach on data-set, selection of variables and detection techniques used. This paper investigates the performance of SVM, decision tree and random forest for credit card fraud detection. Dataset of credit card transactions is collected from kaggle and it contains a total of 2,84,808 credit card transactions of a European bank data set. It considers fraud transactions as the “positive class” and genuine ones as the “negative class” .The data set is highly imbalanced, it has about 0.172% of fraud transactions and the rest are genuine transactions. The author has been done oversampling to balance the data set, which resulted in 60% of fraud transactions and 40% genuine ones. The three techniques are applied for the dataset and work is implemented in R language. The performance of the techniques is evaluated for different variables based on sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and error rate. The result shows of accuracy for SVM, Decision tree and random forest classifier are 90.0, 94.3, 95.5 respectively. The comparative results show that the Random forest performs better than the SVM and decision tree techniques.
A Research Paper on the Effects of Customer Feedback on Business
Authors: Zeel Shah  , Shambhu Rai
Published: July 2022

Many businesses have struggled for years to keep their existing consumers while simultaneously gaining new ones. In this aspect, businesses have been able to analyse and upgrade their services and product capabilities as needed to maintain and improve competitiveness thanks to online customer feedback collection and tracking. This technique not only helps businesses understand their clients better, but it also encourages them to give feedback on a product or service. Customers and consumers who are dissatisfied can be identified through feedback systems. As a result of our research, we expect to understand more about how this system operates and what its ramifications are for the business
Effect of the Tempering Process on the Corrosion Performance of Wire Arc Additively Manufactured 420 Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Lunde Jonas , Salahi Salar , Vahedi Nemani Alireza , Ghaffari Mahya , Nasiri Ali
Published: July 2022

With the aim of modifying the microstructure and improving the corrosion performance of a wire arc additive manufactured 420 martensitic stainless steel, heat treatment cycles consisting of austenitizing at 1,150°C followed by air cooling and subsequent tempering at different temperatures (300°C, 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C) were applied to the as-printed alloy. Microstructural analysis revealed that the austenitization and subsequent air-cooling treatment led to the removal of retained austenite and delta ferrite from the as-printed structure, while the tempering process resulted in the precipitation of a variety of carbide particles at different tempering temperatures. Electrochemical tests performed in an aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl solution showed that tempering at 400°C led to the highest corrosion resistance, while tempering at 500°C deteriorated the alloy’s resistance against localized corrosion. The most stable passive layer was found to form on the 400°C tempered sample due to the uniformity of Cr-concentration in the formed carbide precipitates and their surrounding matrix. However, Cr-rich carbide precipitates formed in the 500°C tempered sample were found to deteriorate the passive film stability throughout the immersion time in the electrolyte.
Localized Corrosion of Chromium-Containing Conventional and Multiprincipal Element Alloys in Methanol and Aqueous Chloride Environments
Authors: Huggins-Gonzalez Angeire S. , Sridhar Narasi , Thodla Ramgopal , Hawk Jeffrey , Alman David
Published: July 2022

The localized corrosion behavior of Type 304L stainless steel (UNS S30400), Alloy 625 (UNS N06625), and three experimental NiCoCrMo multiprincipal element alloys (MPEA), exposed to methanol/lithium chloride solutions with different water contents, is examined in this paper. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated that water increased the pitting and repassivation potentials and the critical temperature at which localized corrosion occurred in chloride solutions. The effect of water on repassivation potential in methanol-chloride solution depended on the chloride concentration and alloy content. At lower chloride concentration and higher alloy content, water had a greater inhibiting effect on repassivation potential, suggesting a competitive reaction between chloride and water on the metal surface in the pit. The localized corrosion resistance of the MPEAs followed the same trend as that of commercial stainless steels and Ni-base alloys in terms of the effect of alloying elements. The implications of these results on the mechanisms of localized corrosion are discussed.
Docência e didáticas: percepções de quem forma o professor
Authors: Silva Edileuza Fernandes , Fernandes Rosana César de Arruda
Published: July 2022

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir as percepções de docência e de didáticas específicas de coordenadores e professores de cursos de licenciatura da Universidade de Brasília. Foram contemplados os cursos de: Língua Portuguesa, Língua Estrangeira Moderna – Inglês, Educação Física, Matemática, História, Geografia, Ciências Físicas e Biológicas. Pela abordagem qualitativa, analisa-se dados de questionários e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Conclui-se que as percepções dos formadores acerca da didática específica pautam-se nas dimensões político-pedagógica, técnica, profissional, da formação com pesquisa, dialógica, teórico-prática, problematizadora; e que diante da complexidade do trabalho docente, é fundamental que os cursos de licenciatura envidem esforços institucionais para consolidar nos currículos de formação docente, as didáticas específicas.
Drug-eluting versus nondrug peripheral vascular interventions
Authors: Enezate Tariq , Bath Anandbir , Chinta Viswanatha , Omran Jad
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Drug-eluting (DRUG) peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) are associated with higher patency rates than nondrug (NONDRUG) PVIs. Recent data raised safety concerns with using DRUG devices in PVIs.

Material and methods

The study population was extracted from the 2016 Nationwide Readmissions Database using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition, clinical modifications/procedure coding system codes for PVI, DRUG and NONDRUG devices, and in-hospital procedural complications. Study endpoints included in-hospital all-cause mortality, length of index hospitalization, acute kidney injury (AKI), amputation, compartment syndrome, vascular complications, bleeding, and blood transfusion. Propensity matching was used to adjust for baseline characteristics.

Results

49,883 discharged patients who underwent lower extremity arterial PVI were identified, 25.3% DRUG and 74.7% NONDRUG PVI. Mean age was 68.3 years and 40.6% were female. Critical limb ischemia was reported in 33.2%, claudication in 7.6%, and acute limb ischemia in 0.1%. In comparison to the NONDRUG group, the DRUG group was associated with lower in-hospital all-cause mortality (2.2 vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001), shorter length of index hospitalization (8.3 vs. 8.6 days, p = 0.001), bleeding (12.0% vs. 13.5%, p < 0.001), and need for blood transfusion (10.1% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in terms of AKI (17.3% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.10), amputation (15.3% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.63), compartment syndrome (0.5% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.07), or vascular complications (0.8% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.50). After propensity matching, the mortality benefit was no longer present.

Conclusions

DRUG PVI was associated with lower in-hospital all-cause mortality, bleeding events and shorter length of index hospitalization and comparable vascular-related complications. However, this mortality benefit was no longer present after propensity matching.
Association of eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with coronary slow-flow phenomenon in patients undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Tosu Aydın , Kalyoncuoğlu Muhsin , Biter Halil , Çakal Sinem , Çakal Beytullah , Selçuk Murat , Çinar Tufan
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The current investigation intended to evaluate the correlation between eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) and the coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSFP) in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.

Material and methods

A case-control investigation was conducted on 200 individual CSFP patients and another 200 individuals with normal coronary arteries and who were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. ELR was computed by dividing the number of eosinophils by the number of lymphocytes. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count was used to determine the CSFP.

Results

The ELR in the CSFP group was substantially greater than in the control group [0.38 (0.28–0.50)] and [0.22 (0.17–0.35)], p < 0.001, respectively). With the help of multivariable logistic regression analysis, ELR independently predicted the CSFP presence (odds ratio = 1.040, 95% CI: 1.026–1.053), p < 0.001). The effective cutoff point of ELR in predicting CSFP presence was > 0.29 with sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 70%. ELR had better diagnostic accuracy to predict CSFP than either lymphocyte or eosinophil count alone [AUC = 0.746 vs. AUC = 0.687 vs. AUC = 0.687, respectively].

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this was the first investigation to determine the connection between ELR and CSFP. We discovered that individuals with CSFP had higher ELR than those with normal coronary arteries in the control group.
Analisis Efektivitas Penggunaan QRIS (Quick Response-Code Indonesian Standard) Untuk Mendukung Paperless Di PT. Bank Syariah Indonesia KCP Medan Padang Bulan
Authors: Mustafa Kamal Rokan Dwi Yanti  Sahriana,
Published: July 2022

Tujuan penelitian ini dilakukan adalah dimaksudkan untuk mengetahui dan mengkaji bagaimana efektivitas penerapan penggunaan fitur QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) di Bank Syariah Indonesia KCP Medan Padang Bulan untuk mendukung kegiatan paperless. Metode penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian kali ini adalah dengan menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif karena penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberikan gambaran tentang penerapan QR Code untuk mendukung kegiatan paperless di suatu Perusahaan Perbankan karena berkaitan dengan opini (individu, kelompok, atau organisasi), kejadian, atau prosedur. Dengan berkembangnya teknologi informasi di Indonesia membuat Bank Indonesia melakukan perkembangan layanan transaksi yaitu sebuah layanan pembayaran seluler yang berbasis aplikasi ini bisa melakukan transaksi pembayaran dengan memindai sebuah code 2 dimensi yang disebut dengan QR Code. Dengan hadirnya QR Code yang dapat digunakan pada aplikasi BSI Mobile diharapkan dapat mengurangi penggunaan kertas secara berlebihan atau dapat juga disebut dengan kegiatan paperless. Kegiatan paperless merupakan salah satu upaya untuk mengurangi dampak dari kerusakan lingkungan untuk dapat memberikan kesadaran pentingnya melindungi lingkungan dengan melakukan sebuah perubahan mengurangi penggunaan kertas fisik.
Pengaruh Harga Kompetitif, Kelengkapan Produk, Dan Lokasi Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Di Pt Indojaya Agrinusa Medan
Authors: Suhaila Husna Samosir Emi Arihta Br. Tarigan,
Published: July 2022

Penelitian Ini Bertujuan Untuk Mengetahui Dan Menganalisis Pengaruh Harga Kompetitif, Kelengkapan Produk, Dan Lokasi Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Di PT Indojaya Agrinusa Medan.Teknik Pengambilan Sampel Menggunakan Random Sampling Yang Berjumlah 40 Responden Yang Merupakan Konsumen PT Indojaya Agrinusa. Metode Pengumpulan Data Menggunakan Angket/Kuesioner. Hasil Analisis Regresi Linear Berganda Diperoleh Persamaan Y = 4,365 + 0,147X1 + 0,333X2 + 0,408X3.  Pada Uji Parsial (Uji T) Variabel Harga Kompetitif Berpengaruh Positif Dan Signifikan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Dengan Nilai T Hitung 2,105 > T Tabel 1,688  Dan Nilai Signifikan 0,000< 0,05 , Variabel Kelengkapan Produk Berpengaruh Positif Dan Signifikan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Dengan Nilai T Hitung Sebesar 4,481 > T Tabel 1,688 Dan Nilai Signifikan 0,000 < 0,05 Dan Variabel Lokasi Berpengaruh Positif Dan Signifikan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Dengan Nilai T Hitung 6,114 > T Tabel 1,688 Dan Nilai Signifikan 0,000 < 0,05 . Hasil Uji Signifikan Simulatif (Uji F) Variabel Harga Kompetitif, Kelengkapan Produk Dan Lokasi Secara Simultan Atau Bersama-Sama Berpengaruh Positif Dan Signifikan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Dengan Nilai F Hitung 47,320 > F Tabel 2,87 Dan Nilai Signifikan 0,000 < 0,05. Hasil Uji Koefisien Determinasi (R2) Diperoleh Nilai R Square Sebesar 0,798 Artinya Variabel Keputusan Pembelian Dapat Dijelaskan Sebesar 79,8% Oleh Variabel Harga Kompetitif, Keputusan Pembelian Dan Lokasi Sementara Sisanya 20,2% Dijelaskan Oleh Variabel Lain Yang Tidak Dimasukkan Dalam Penelitian Ini.
Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai dengan Motivasi dan Disiplin Kerja sebagai Variabel Mediating pada Dinas Sosial Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Utara
Authors: Sjahril Effendy Pasaribu Irwadana Juliandri Nadeak, Muis Fauzi Rambe,
Published: July 2022

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja, pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan terhadap motivasi, pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan terhadap disiplin kerja, pengaruh motivasi terhadap kinerja, pengaruh disiplin kerja terhadap kinerja pegawai. Selain itu, untuk menentukan kapasitas motivasi untuk memediasi dampak gaya kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja dan kapasitas disiplin kerja untuk memediasi dampak gaya kepemimpinan pada kinerja pegawai Dinas Sosial Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Utara. Pemeriksaan ini menggunakan strategi kuantitatif. Hasil yang didapat dengan uji faktual SEM-PLS yang menunjukkan bahwa pertama, terdapat pengaruh positif dan kritis antara gaya kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja pegawai. Kedua, ada pengaruh positif dan kritis antara gaya kepemimpinan terhadap motivasi pegawai. Ketiga, ada pengaruh positif dan kritis antara gaya kepemimpinan terhadap disiplin kerja pegawai. Keempat, motivasi berpengaruh tidak besar terhadap kinerja pegawai.Kelima, kerja Disiplin berpengaruh tidak besar terhadap kinerja pegawai. Keenam, motivasi tidak mengintervensi pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja pegawai Ketujuh, Disiplin kerja tidak menengahi pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja pegawai
Pengaruh Motivasi, Kepuasan Kerja dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Pada Pegawai Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Utara
Authors: Zulaspan Tupti Masitah Pane, Sjahril Effendy Pasaribu,
Published: July 2022

The background of this research is the decline in performance in the education office of North Labuhanbatu Regency, which is thought to be caused by motivation, job satisfaction and work discipline factors. The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the effect of motivation, job satisfaction and work discipline on the performance of the employees of the Education Office of North Labuhanbatu Regency. The approach used in this study is an associative approach. The population in this study was the Education Office of North Labuhanbatu Regency as many as 43 employees. While the sample in this study using probability sampling or sampling saturated as many as 43 employees. The data collection technique in this study used a questionnaire technique by distributing questionnaires. The data analysis technique in this study uses Multiple Linear Regression Test, Hypothesis Testing (t Test and F Test), and Coefficient of Determination. The results of this study prove that the direct influence of motivation, job satisfaction and work discipline has a positive and significant effect on employee performance at the Education Office of North Labuhanbatu Regency.
Basis für den Roggenanbau
Authors: Hofnagel Dagmar
Published: July 2022

Wulfsode. Pünktlich zur Ernte steht die neue Saatgutaufbereitungsanlage in Wulfsode bereit. Hier kommen alle Komponenten für hochwertiges Roggensaatgut zusammen.
Mit Lakritz gegen Braunfäule
Authors: Schaal René
Published: July 2022

Um pathogene Pilze zu kontrollieren, ist der Ökolandbau auf nicht-synthetische, kupferhaltige Pflanzenschutzmittel angewiesen. Diese sind aber aufgrund ihres Umweltprofils umstritten, weswegen nach Alternativen gesucht wird.
„Es gibt weiterhin eine starke Nachfrage“
Authors: Schaal René
Published: July 2022

Die Versorgungslage bei Pflanzenschutzmitteln bleibt unsicher. Die Gründe dafür sind vielfältig. Wie Produzenten und Kunden mit der aktuellen und zukünftigen Situation umgehen können, erklärt Hagen Bremer, der bei der Helm AG als Vice President Global Marketing & Portfolio Management für die gesamte Produktpalette Pflanzenschutz verantwortlich ist.
„Wir bieten innovative und nachhaltige Lösungen“
Authors: Behme Dagmar
Published: July 2022

Neu am deutschen Markt ist der Zusammenschluss Certis Belchim. Die Produkte sind bewährt, ergänzt durch stetige Innovationen. Die Strategie erläutert der Country Manager für Deutschland und Österreich, Volker Moennig.
Große Unsicherheit an den Getreidemärkten
Authors: Hofnagel Dagmar
Published: July 2022

Hannover. Stark schwankende Preise an den Weltbörsen erschweren den Akteuren am Kassamarkt das Geschäft mit Getreide. Unsicherheiten prägen die Handelstätigkeit.
Düngemittel „Wiener Art“
Authors: Schaal René
Published: July 2022

Frankfurt a.M. Phosphor ist ein wichtiger Makronährstoff für Pflanzen. Das Rohphosphat gibt es nur in wenigen Ländern in Nordafrika, dem Nahen Osten sowie in Russland, China oder Brasilien. Die EU ist somit fast ausschließlich auf Importe angewiesen.
An assessment of external communication at the Mnquma Local Municipality
Authors:   , Ndinisa Gladys Nokubonga
Published: July 2022

Communication is the life blood of the organisation. No business or institution develops in the absence of an effective communication system. Communication is essential to the delivery of information, creating awareness and ensuring public participation. Participatory communication, which focuses on the active involvement of the people in all stages, is crucial. When participating in local government, citizens should be knowledgeable and attempt to understand the system and its operations, and be aware of their rights and responsibilities. To be truly significant and meaningful, participation needs to be based on the application of genuine two-way communication principles and practices. This study aimed to do exactly that; investigate, explore and analyse the various external communication channels employed by the Mnquma Local Municipality (MLM) whilst evaluating their effectiveness given the challenging circumstances and environment of a rural community and constituency. In this study a descriptive design with a quantitative research methodological approach was used. Data was collected from 400 constituents, using a questionnaire. Most respondents admitted that the municipality does communicate with them in a language they understood and that the municipality encouraged communication participation; however they indicated a need for more face-to-face engagement, a robust community development worker (CDW) programme, and more councillor engagement. Challenges to effective communication were identified as the lack of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and the slow infiltration of technology in the area as well as delays in message delivery and that the municipality did not keep them informed. The demographics presented another unique challenge in that the literacy levels are low and poverty is rampant.
An investigation into organisational leadership for the development of community arts centres
Authors:   , Zulu Lungani Innocent
Published: July 2022

Modern human resource management practices have the potential to ensure successful businesses and organisations. This is more so where the most significant resource in the organisation are people. This study seeks to examine the leadership and managerial style that ideally could be useful in promoting and developing sustainable businesses with the focus of the study being in community arts centres. This study may be able to contribute to identifying and/or developing future entrepreneurs who may have an interest in opening their own community arts centres and businesses. The results of successful art centres may result in a proliferation of such centres and ultimately offering alternative careers and the opportunities for growth and development for the young South African. This may result in the creation and development of a more robust creative art and drama industry. While it is acknowledged that various other resources are critical for a business to develop including finance, the focus on the management of people forms the basis of this research. The Department of Arts and Culture has identified cultural industries as one of the drivers of economic growth and job creation. Early indications are that the cultural industries are already making a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that the craft sector alone contributes about R2-billion (about 200 million Euros) or 0.14% to South Africa’s GDP annually (Department of Arts and Culture 2013). Community art centres could be the seeds for the growth of the cultural industry. The study included 101 participants, made up of eight (8) centre managers, 69 administrative staff members and 24 centre users. The key findings in this study covered the identification of the leadership, managerial qualities and attributes needed by owners and employees to successfully run/manage a business such as community art centre; to determine whether there is leadership development taking place as a strategic intent so that the next level of managers can head up these centres as well as encouraging some staff to pursue the entrepreneurial route and finally examining human resource principle, processes and practices that are useful when leading and managing a successful community arts centres.
The contribution of tourism to local community development : the case of Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village
Authors:   , Sithole Nothando Valencia
Published: July 2022

The past decades indicate enormous interest in tourism as a tool for regional economic development. However, it is not always clear if tourism creates a significant contribution to local destination communities, as, in most cases, benefits from tourism emerge slowly and usually accrue to certain groups within the community. This study is driven by the researcher’s desire in determining tourism’s contribution to local community development, and to seek ways in which the local indigenous community can enhance their standard of living through tourism. Hence, increased understanding of tourism’s contribution to community development is necessary to establish strategies to ensure that employees and community receive equal benefits from tourism. Therefore, the study sought to investigate ‘the contribution of tourism to local community development, using Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village (SZCV) as a case. A qualitative and quantitative approach was employed. However, more emphasis was placed on the qualitative approach. The study sample compromised of 84 purposely selected employees of SZCV. The data collected were coded and organised according to the interview questions and were analysed and interpreted according to five analytic categories that were based on the objectives of the study. The findings of the study indicated that: SZCV contributes to local community development; and SZCV has different tourism employment categories that improve the community’s livelihoods in Eshowe, including cultural dancers, cultural chief, traditional herbalist, sangoma, arts and craft workers, chefs, receptionist, reservationist, spaza shop retailer, food and beverage manager, front office manager, maintenance manager as well as cultural manager. The study further revealed that a few respondents received training for their positions; and that the majority of employees are involved in the decision-making process within the SZCV; however, this involvement was not at a strategic level. Furthermore, the study recomended that local community development in Eshowe needs to be improved especially through the diversification of the cultural village. This is attainable by forming a partnership with other tourism business in close proximity to the SZCV that attract a high volume of tourist, to increase the possible benefits to communities that are residing along SZCV.
The use of innovative strategies by automotive component manufacturers in Gauteng
Authors:   , Qhogwana Xola
Published: July 2022

The automotive industry is the third largest sector in the South African economy and it plays such an important role in the economy, that it is often viewed used as a barometer of the health of the economy. Despite the relatively large number of automotive component manufacturers (ACMs) in South Africa, manufacturing a wide range of automotive components, and the incentives offered by the government to increase the local content of vehicles manufactured in the country, the majority of vehicle manufacturers as well as after-market wholesalers and retailers in South Africa source a greater proportion of their automotive components from foreign suppliers. This may be due to a number of reasons, and in this regard, this study investigated the nature and extent to which ACMs in Gauteng, South Africa, used innovative strategies to remain competitive. A quantitative research design was used, and a self-administered questionnaire was sent to all of the ACMs located in Gauteng. Some of the main findings from the study was that only 48.9% of the respondents had a Research and Development (R&D) department; ACMs ranked their clients, who include motor vehicle manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers, as the most important source of innovation, with existing employees being ranked second, suppliers ranked third, and competitors ranked fourth. The importance of a highly skilled workforce was highlighted by the finding that almost three quarters of the respondents agreed with the statement that new ideas and suggestions from employees had been implemented. Although the local motor vehicle manufacturers purchase most of the automotive components from ACMs located outside South Africa, the finding that 82% of the ACMs surveyed have been in operation for more than 10 years, with 72% of these organisations in operation for more than 15 years, indicates that most local ACMs are financially profitable and have adapted to global competition.
Financial monitoring policies of microfinance institutions in Accra : policy formulation and implementation challenges
Authors:   , Quao Kwami Hope
Published: July 2022

Although numerous articles have been published globally on microfinance (MF), essentially highlighting the need to regulate microfinance institutions (MFIs), none of these, to the knowledge of the researcher, specifically explore in profundity the formulation process of financial monitoring policies (FMPs), their implementation, and the challenges MFIs encounter in implementing these policies. The wave of distressed and failing of MFIs in Ghana and the loss of hard-earned thrift deposits of the poor, therefore demand for this investigation. This study consequently viaducts the gap and contributes to the debate by reviewing the specific financial policies pertaining to MFIs, their formulation, implementation of such policies, and the challenges MFIs encounter relating to those policies. Also introduced into the MF research arena, is the concept of implementation theory to move knowledge frontier forward. Further, the outcome will be of particular relevance to all emerging economies who view MFls as praxis for poverty alleviation, employment creation and addressing inequality. The study adopted a mixed research approach, with both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from a sample of 65 MFIs in Accra through a self-administered, Likert-scaled questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0, with results presented in frequency tables, figures, correlation tables, and cross-tabulations. The findings reveal that FMPs exist for MFIs in Ghana – Accra, particularly. However, regulation formulation is shown to be lopsided, with implementation of FMPs, and monitoring and supervision thereof, also found to be deficient. The results further indicate that using minimum capital as a tool to ensuring efficiency in the sector, is a major obstacle to overcome to create an impetus for regulatory non-compliance. Based on the findings, the research recommends consideration by policymakers and MFI monitoring units to create a semi-autonomous institution, the National Microfinance Promotion Authority, to regulate and supervise the MFIs in Ghana. It is also recommended that research focus be shifted to policy implementation regarding MF operations.
Investigating the link between performance and labour standards in the retail sector in South Africa
Authors:   , Mfeka Silungisele Yves
Published: July 2022

The study presented in this thesis is centred around three research questions: (1) How have labour standards changed in South Africa over time? (2) What is the relationship between labour standards and performance? (3) What is the causal direction of the relationship between labour standards and performance? In addition to these questions the study tests the hypothesis that there is a relationship between retail performance and labour costs. To address the research questions and to test the hypothesis the study empirically examines South African labour productivity and labour costs data covering the years 1970-2014. The study utilises 184 data points pulled from 1967 to 2014. Analysis is done using the linear regression method (OLS), Ordinary Least Squares and error correction time series model. The study highlights the connectedness between productivity, performance and labour standards within the South African context. Productivity is used through-out the document as a proxy for performance. The findings show that labour costs drive (performance) in the retail sector. The study also showed that there is statistically significant and positive relationship between labour standards and performance. The policy implications of this study is prioritisation of incentives that are tied to labour standards that motivate employees in the retail sector.
Environmental impacts of ecolabels on the tourism sector of South Africa
Authors:   , Arulappan Lucinda Brown
Published: July 2022

Over the years the rapid growth of the tourism industry has revealed itself to be a major source of income and social improvement for many. However, with this growth comes the undoubtable carbon footprint it carries. As a result, the growth and expansion of many tourism ecolabels have surfaced in the hopes of alleviating the negative environmental impacts the tourism industry imposes. This study aimed to ascertain the impacts of tourism ecolabels on businesses. It assessed the level of success of the ecolabel within the organisation as well as ascertained the benefits and challenges associated with ecolabel certification. A quantitative research approach was used and the data was collected by means of online questionnaires that were targeted at managers of tourism businesses in South Africa. The study reveals that tourism businesses in South Africa do experience the benefits of being certified with an ecolabel in terms of the natural, socio-cultural and economic environments. However, the high costs associated with being certified, the lack of general public awareness regarding ecolabels and the absence of government support are still prevalent. Consequently, cost reduction, promotion of public awareness as well as government support are the main areas of improvement required by tourism establishments with regard to ecolabels.
AN EXTENSION OF PARAMETER CONTINUATION METHOD FOR SOLVING PERTURBED SYSTEMS OF NONLINEAR EQUATIONS
Authors: Ngo Thanh Binh
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we propose an extension of parameter continuation method for solving perturbed systems of nonlinear equations. The existence and uniqueness of the solution will be investigated. We also discuss error analysis of the method. The validity and applicability of the method is verified by an example.
L’homme qui lit (à Nara, les cerfs sont rois)
Authors: Jeannerod Aude , Schoentjes Pierre , Sécardin Olivier
Published: July 2022

L’enjeu est de s’interroger sur les représentations littéraires de l’environnement, c’est-à-dire sur le discours que tient l’homme dans ses productions littéraires au sujet de la nature qui l’entoure et des relations qu’il entretient avec elle. À une époque qui voit les textes tournés vers les enjeux environne­men­taux se multiplier une double exigence s’impose : explorer les littératures française et francophone contemporaines, mais aussi revenir à des textes plus anciens pour les examiner à la lumière de notre sensibilité écologique contemporaine.
Senancour, une écopoétique du naturel
Authors: Le Scanff Yvon
Published: July 2022

Chez Senancour l’écopoétique du naturel peut se déployer dans deux directions : dans une perspective plus poéticienne et générique (en quoi Oberman est un roman naturel par exemple) et dans une optique plus stylisticienne qui sera davantage privilégiée dans cette étude. Le style naturel est une gageure et quasiment une contradiction en ses termes. Toutefois, à l’époque de Senancour, deux sens semblent se faire concurrence : d’une part l’idée que le naturel serait lié à une logique de la sensation spontanée, de l’autre qu’il aurait trait à la manifestation d’un ordre indifférencié de la raison : singularité ou universalité. Senancour semble opter pour un universel singulier, un naturel du milieu qui rende à la fois l’ordre indifférencié de la nature et la spontanéité singulière de la sensation naturelle. L’interpellation du sentir et l’appréhension par le jugement composent ainsi les évocations descriptives comme harmonies des contraires. Mieux encore, Senancour fait jouer cette harmonie au sein même de la sensation : si la vue porte cette part d’ordre logique du tableau comme une forme d’évidence intellectuelle objective et presque anesthésiée, l’ouïe vient spontanément manifester l’irruption de ce qui est senti comme une pure sensation naturelle.
Une pionnière de la traçabilité éthique des produits d’origine animale : Marguerite Yourcenar
Authors: Chehab May
Published: July 2022

Convaincue que l’unité de l’humanité est celle d’une espèce biologique que nous ne saurions extraire de l’ensemble des formes de vie sur terre qui constitue bien plus que son « environnement », Marguerite Yourcenar tente dans son œuvre de rétablir la porosité perdue entre le monde humain et l’espèce dite animale. Ce faisant, elle instaure une sorte de « traçage éthique » remontant du produit animal fini à son origine vivante, qui s’oppose aux motifs presque exclusivement utilitaires de la traçabilité usuelle.
Le monde postcolonial de Sony Labou Tansi : entre magie et science
Authors: Buekens Sara
Published: July 2022

Dans cet article, nous nous concentrerons sur Le Commencement des douleurs (1995) de Sony Labou Tansi, qui raconte l’histoire d’un village africain, Hondo-Noote, soumis à la violence des éléments et souffrant de nombreux cataclysmes environnementaux. Nous analyserons la façon dont Sony Labou Tansi insère un discours scientifique dans ce roman magico-réaliste afin de révéler un environnement naturel changeant et hybride et d’évoquer la coexistence d’aspects précapitalistes ou primitifs et d’éléments capitalistes et technologiques si caractéristique de la vie quotidienne de l’Afrique subsaharienne postcoloniale. Ainsi, nous étudierons comment le réalisme magique permet d’intégrer dans ce roman des éléments science-fictionnels pour montrer les destructions écologiques perçues par les indigènes comme « magiques » ou « surnaturelles » à cause de leur caractère aliénant et inexplicable.
Traduire l’écosophie
Authors: Apter Emily
Published: July 2022

Le terme « écosophie » – un mot-valise qui rassemble les mots écologie et philosophie – ­a été inventé par l’alpiniste-philosophe Arne Næss en 1973, puis revisité à sa façon idiosyncratique par Félix Guattari dans Qu’est-ce que l’écosophie ?, un recueil posthume d’essais et d’entretiens de la fin des années 1980 et du début des années 1990. Pour Guattari, l’écosophie était un concept critique destiné à contrecarrer la tendance des mouvements écologiques de son temps à faire de la défense des espèces une sorte d’identity politics aisément récupérable à des fins conservatrices. Un « intraduisible » philosophique à bien des égards, le terme écosophie était pourtant absent du Vocabulaire européen des philosophies. Le dictionnaire des intraduisibles (2004) dirigé par Barbara Cassin. En explorant les potentialités de ce terme aussi bien dans ses usages passés que dans ses applications futures, cet article analyse l’écosophie comme un concept politique crucial, en particulier dans ses rapports de convergence et de divergence avec le concept de « planétarité » développé par Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Même si l’écosophie guattarienne est tournée vers la micropolitique là où la planétarité spivakienne intervient dans un champ éthique, toutes deux reposent sur une praxis traductionnelle qui favorise l’émergence de nouvelles manières de concevoir (et de nommer) le nomos, le cosmos, l’agentivité, l’altérité et la forme-valeur. En conclusion, l’article imagine des entrées possibles pour le terme d’écosophie dans une nouvelle génération de dictionnaires qui vise à dissocier la justice environnementale des épistémologies coloniales et des vocabulaires monolingues du climat.
A capacidade de ação da pessoa jurídica a partir da concepção significativa de ação
Authors: Fonseca Gabriel Alves
Published: July 2022

O presente trabalho – fruto da monografia de graduação em Direito de seu autor – teve como objetivo geral explorar o potencial da concepção significativa de ação a fim de sustentar dogmaticamente o reconhecimento da capacidade de ação da pessoa jurídica, de modo que ela possa ser responsabilizada por delitos realizados por ela própria, em um genuíno modelo de autorresponsabilidade penal. Corolários desse objetivo geral, quatro objetivos específicos foram igualmente perquiridos: (1) analisar sumariamente o estado da arte doutrinário, normativo e jurisprudencial no Brasil acerca do problema da capacidade de ação da pessoa jurídica; (2) tratar brevemente da pessoa jurídica e das teorias sobre sua natureza; (3) realizar uma distinção entre a empresa como atividade e a pessoa jurídica empresarial que a exerce; e (4) expor um quadro sinótico da evolução das principais concepções de ação na dogmática penal. Espera-se que o presente trabalho possa contribuir proficuamente para o debate na dogmática penal acerca da possibilidade de uma pessoa jurídica figurar no polo ativo da realização de delitos.
IZOBRAŽEVANJE O POLITIKI V ČASU PERMANENTNE NEGOTOVOSTI: POLITOLOŠKA REFLEKSIJA
Authors: Banjac Marinko
Published: July 2022

Članek obravnava izobraževanje o politiki v
raznoterih pojavnih oblikah v kontekstu (neo)liberal-
nega družbeno-političnega reda, ki mu je inherentna
produkcija depolitizacije in negotovosti. Prikaže, kako
so prevladujoče sistematizacije in prakse izobraževa-
nja (tudi političnega), pa tudi politološke intervencije
na področje (političnega) izobraževanja ujete v nepre-
stano odpravljanje negotovosti in iskanje rešitev, pri
čemer so servilne tržni racionalnosti in liberalni pred-
stavniški demokraciji. Članek predvsem na podlagi
Rancièrjevega in deloma Mouffinega motrenja politike
in političnosti ponudi perspektivo, ki kritično naslavlja
te formacije in procese, na tej osnovi pa konceptualizi-
ra politično izobraževanje, ki ne izganja, temveč, obrat-
no, vzame negotovost in družbeno enakost za svoje
izhodišče. S tem ponudi alternativno formo političnega
izobraževanja kot vedno-že negotovo prakso, ki izhaja
iz (v rancièrjevskem smislu) radikalne enakosti in pred-
stavlja disrupcijo obstoječemu konsenzualnemu (neo)
liberalnemu redu.
Ključni pojmi: negotovost, politično izobraževanje,
politika, neoliberalizem, Rancière
Stable water isotope signals in tropical ice clouds in the West African monsoon simulated with a regional convection-permitting model
Authors: de Vries Andries Jan , Aemisegger Franziska , Pfahl Stephan , Wernli Heini
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Tropical ice clouds have an important influence on the
Earth's radiative balance. They often form as a result of tropical deep
convection, which strongly affects the water budget of the tropical
tropopause layer. Ice cloud formation involves complex interactions on
various scales. These processes are not yet fully understood and lead to large
uncertainties in climate projections. In this study, we investigate the
formation of tropical ice clouds related to deep convection in the West
African monsoon, using stable water isotopes as tracers of moist atmospheric
processes. We perform convection-permitting simulations with the regional Consortium for Small-Scale Modelling
isotope-enabled (COSMOiso) model for the period from June to July 2016. First,
we evaluate our model simulations using space-borne observations of mid-tropospheric water vapour isotopes, monthly station data of precipitation isotopes, and satellite-based precipitation estimates. Next, we explore the isotope signatures
of tropical deep convection in atmospheric water vapour and ice based on a
case study of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) and a statistical analysis
of a 1-month period. The following five key processes related to tropical
ice clouds can be distinguished based on isotope information: (1) convective
lofting of enriched ice into the upper troposphere, (2) cirrus clouds that
form in situ from ambient vapour under equilibrium fractionation, (3) sedimentation and sublimation of ice in the mixed-phase cloud layer in the
vicinity of convective systems and underneath cirrus shields, (4) sublimation of ice in convective downdraughts that enriches the environmental
vapour, and (5) the freezing of liquid water just above the 0 ∘C
isotherm in convective updraughts. Importantly, we note large variations in
the isotopic composition of water vapour in the upper troposphere and lower
tropical tropopause layer, ranging from below −800 ‰ to
over −400 ‰, which are strongly related to vertical
motion and the moist processes that take place in convective updraughts and
downdraughts. In convective updraughts, the vapour is depleted by the
preferential condensation and deposition of heavy isotopes, whereas the
non-fractionating sublimation of ice in convective downdraughts enriches the
environmental vapour. An opposite vapour isotope signature emerges in thin-cirrus cloud regions where the direct transport of enriched (depleted)
vapour prevails in large-scale ascent (descent). Overall, this study
demonstrates that isotopes can serve as useful tracers to disentangle the
role of different processes in the West African monsoon water cycle,
including convective transport, the formation of ice clouds, and their
impact on the tropical tropopause layer.
Global dataset on seagrass meadow structure, biomass, production and reproduction
Authors: Strydom Simone , Webster Chanelle L. , O'Dea Caitlyn M. , Said Nicole E. , McCallum Roisin , Inostroza Karina , Salinas Cristian , Billinghurst Samuel , Lafratta Anna , Phelps Charlie M. , Campbell Connor , Gorham Connor , Dunham Natasha , Bernasconi Rachele , Frouws Anna M. , Werner Axel , Vitelli Frederico , Puigcorbé Viena , D'Cruz Alexandra , McMahon Kathryn M. , Robinson Jack , Huggett Megan J. , McNamara Sian , Hyndes Glenn A. , Serrano Oscar
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Seagrass meadows provide valuable socio-ecological ecosystem services, including a key role in climate change mitigation and adaption. Understanding the natural history of seagrass meadows across environmental gradients is crucial to decipher the role of seagrasses in the global ocean. In this data collation, spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass meadow structure, biomass, production and reproduction data are presented as a function of biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics. The biological traits compiled include measures of meadow structure (e.g., percent cover and shoot density), biomass (e.g., above-ground biomass), production (e.g., shoot production), and reproduction effort (e.g., flowering intensity and seed bank density). Categorical factors include bioregion, geotype (coastal or estuarine), genera and year of sampling. This dataset contains data extracted from peer-reviewed publications published between 1975 and 2020 based on a Web of Science search, and includes 15 data variables across 12 seagrass genera. The top four most studied genera are Zostera, Thalassia, Halophila and Cymodocea (80 % of data), and the least studied genera are Phyllospadix, Amphibolis and Thalassodendron (2.3 % of data). The data hotspot bioregion is the Tropical Indo Pacific (25 % of data), whereas data for the other five bioregions are evenly spread (ranging between 13 and 16 % of total data within each bioregion). From the data compiled, 39 % related to seagrass biomass, while the least number of data were related to seagrass production (10 % of data). This data collation can inform several research fields beyond seagrass ecology, such as the development of nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation, which include readership interested in blue carbon, engineering, fisheries, global change, conservation and policy.