bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DETERMINANTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AMONG SAVINGS AND CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY KENYA
Authors: Esokomi Emily , Mutua Dr.  Mbithi 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to investigate determinants of financial performance of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Kakamega County.
Methodology: This study used a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study was 44 SACCOs in Kakamega County. The study used census sampling technique. Secondary data was obtained from Audited Annual Reports of the 44 SACCOs in Kakamega County- Kenya. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Analysis of the data collected focused on both the descriptive statistics (trends) and inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation Coefficients and multiple regression coefficients. The analyzed data was presented in frequency tables and graphs. Regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Results: The study findings revealed that liquidity and return on equity were positively and significantly related, results further indicate that capital structure and return on equity were positively and significantly related. It was further established that assets quality was negatively and significantly related to return on equity. Similarly, results showed that income diversification was positively and significantly related to return on equity
Policy recommendation: The study recommends that all SACCO’s managers should be trained on the deployment of efficient systems to strengthen liquidity risk control fundamentals, that SACCOs should capitalize on efficient mobilization of members’ savings and borrow less, unless they get cheap sources of external funds such as soft loans, that the Saccos should improve their investment assets levels and improve assets quality by reducing the rate of nonperforming loans through credit risk identification.
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL PLANNING AND WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FRUIT FARMING IN KENYA: A CASE OF MACHAKOS COUNTY
Authors: Nyamai Luciana Muthoki 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of financial planning and working capital management on the performance of fruit farming.
Methodology: Descriptive research and correlation research design were used in this study. The target population in this study was fruit farmers in Mwala Sub County in Machakos County who were 2702. Quota sampling technique was used and the sample size was 348. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation). Qualitative data collected was analyzed using content analysis technique. The findings of this study were presented in tables, charts and graphs.
Results: The study established that financial plans have a positive and significant correlation with performance of fruit farming. Working capital management, too, was found to have a positive and significant correlation with performance of fruit farming.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Based on these findings, the researcher recommended that the agricultural ministry in the county government need to train mango farmers on financial planning and have follow-up programs on the same. The study also recommended that the government, NGOS and investors whose interest lies in supporting farmers need to extend their training support to them. Further, financial institutions need to implement mechanisms for supporting the mango farmers financially.
CRI-HOM: A novel chemical mechanism for simulating highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) in global chemistry–aerosol–climate models
Authors: Weber James , Archer-Nicholls Scott , Griffiths Paul , Berndt Torsten , Jenkin Michael , Gordon Hamish , Knote Christoph , Archibald Alexander T. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract. We present here results from a new mechanism, CRI-HOM, which we have developed to simulate the formation of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) from the gas-phase oxidation of α-pinene, one of the most widely emitted biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) by mass. This concise scheme adds 12 species and 66 reactions to the Common Representative Intermediates (CRI) mechanism v2.2 Reduction 5 and enables the representation of semi-explicit HOM treatment suitable for long-term global chemistry–aerosol–climate modelling, within a comprehensive tropospheric chemical mechanism. The key features of the new mechanism are (i) representation of the autoxidation of peroxy radicals from the hydroxyl radical and ozone initiated reactions of α-pinene, (ii) formation of multiple generations of peroxy radicals, (iii) formation of accretion products (dimers), and (iv) isoprene-driven suppression of accretion product formation, as observed in experiments. The mechanism has been constructed through optimisation against a series of flow tube laboratory experiments. The mechanism predicts a HOM yield of 2 %–4.5 % under conditions of low to moderate NOx, in line with experimental observations, and reproduces qualitatively the decline in HOM yield and concentration at higher NOx levels. The mechanism gives a HOM yield that also increases with temperature, in line with observations, and our mechanism compares favourably to some of the limited observations of [HOM] observed in the boreal forest in Finland and in the southeast USA. The reproduction of isoprene-driven suppression of HOMs is a key step forward as it enables global climate models to capture the interaction between the major BVOC species, along with the potential climatic feedbacks. This suppression is demonstrated when the mechanism is used to simulate atmospheric profiles over the boreal forest and rainforest; different isoprene concentrations result in different [HOM] distributions, illustrating the importance of BVOC interactions in atmospheric composition and climate. Finally particle nucleation rates calculated from [HOM] in present-day and pre-industrial atmospheres suggest that “sulfuric-acid-free” nucleation can compete effectively with other nucleation pathways in the boreal forest, particularly in the pre-industrial period, with important implications for the aerosol budget and radiative forcing.
Native Title—A New Wave of Dispossession
Authors: McLean Adam 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In 2003, anthropologist Professor Peter Sutton wrote, “To demand of a kin-based society that it produce simple, stable and definitive lists of rights and rights-holders in land and waters is ethnocentric,” and “codification, at least for many such groups, is itself contrary to their own laws and customs.” However, despite warnings by Sutton and others, the structuring of native title and related claims and determinations have continued just as warned against. It is argued here that this phenomenon is the result of attempts to accommodate the demands of non-Indigenous political, legal, and economic structures to have simply defined groups and consequent corporate identities that are recognizable to, and controllable by, dominant non-Indigenous structures. The consequent corporate identities, the Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC), are a modern version of the system of king plates of old and more needs to be done to ensure recognition of complex traditional law systems.
“Effroyable réalisme”: Wax, Femininity, and the Madness of Realist Fantasies
Authors: Hunter Mary 
Published: September 2020

Cet article examine l’utilisation de pratiques formelles réalistes, de procédures et de médias par les professionnels de la médecine à Paris au dix-neuvième siècle ; il se concentre sur les modèles en cire commandés par le chirurgien Jules Émile Péan (1839–98). Ces modèles reproduisaient des parties génitales atteintes de maladies et ils étaient exposés à l’hôpital Saint-Louis, un hôpital dont la spécialité était le traitement des maladies vénériennes et des maladies de la peau. Cette étude sur la production et la réception des modèles en cire autant au sein du domaine scientifique que dans le domaine public, remet en question les revendications de vérité absolue et d’objectivité faites par les professionnels de la médecine et exprimées à l’aide de matériaux « mimétiques »—dont la cire et la photographie—dans le développement de la connaissance médicale. Il tient compte d’autres revendications à la vérité faites par différents médias, pratiques stylistiques et disciplines professionnelles dont l’art et la médecine. En établissant des liens entre les modèles en cire et la féminité dans les sources médicales, artistiques et littéraires du dix-neuvième siècle, cet article soutient que la façade rationnelle de la médecine moderne et des représentations réalistes dissimule un comportement démentiel. Bien que la surface réaliste des représentations du corps de la femme aient aidé à convaincre que leur création, leur exposition et leur description en tant qu’objets de collectionneur étaient raisonnables, le contact physique excessif que leur production exigeait, et leur rôle fantastique et théâtral dans l’oeil du public menaçaient constamment d’ébranler les prétentions à la raison faites par les domaines médical et artistique.
Les débats sur la légitimité de la traite négrière transatlantique au tournant du XVIe siècle : une illustration des « luttes d’articulation » entre experts?
Authors: Martineau Anne-Charlotte 
Published: September 2020

L’objectif du présent article est de partir d’un exemple historique pour mieux comprendre les rouages de l’expertise. Comment se déroulent les « luttes d’articulation », pour reprendre la formule de David Kennedy, par lesquelles certains experts réussissent à imposer leur propre vision du monde et à fournir des solutions aux crises environnantes? Pour réfléchir à cette question, nous partirons des débats juridico-théologiques qui eurent lieu au tournant du XVIe siècle sur la légitimité de la traite négrière transatlantique et essayerons de comprendre comment les premiers membres de l’École de Salamanque — ceux-là mêmes qui sont considérés comme étant les « pères du droit international » — ont pu inscrire la traite dans l’optique d’une éthique ou d’un droit du commerce.
Ragging and Its Impacts on the English Language Use of the First Year Undergraduate Community: Sri Lankan Perspective
Authors: Navaz A. M. M. 
Published: September 2020

Ragging is a form of teasing introduced into Sri Lankan universities with an alleged aim of assimilating new students to the university culture. The origin of ragging is not known and over the years ragging has become a form of violent action and bullying, which harms junior students physically as well as mentally. It is generally accepted that classroom interaction would help develop students’ English language proficiency, especially speaking skills. Among some of the reasons for students not to involve in interaction with lecturers, ragging (hazing) in universities seems to play a significant role.
The study focused on the effects of ragging on students’ participation in language classes and their involvement in classroom discussions with lecturers, especially in the English medium content classes. Classroom discussion in the English medium classes is believed to be effective in improving the comprehension of content matters while offering a platform to develop language skills as well. Data were collected through focus group discussions and personal interviews with students and the staff of the university. The study revealed that multi-faceted sub-set of factors influenced students' behaviour in class. Students’ perception and justification of the said behaviour affect classroom interaction. Among the significant sub-set of factors, culturally embedded behavioural patterns perpetuated by senior students that come in the form of ragging seem to restrict the classroom interaction of the students in English. The study stresses the importance of examining the influence of culturally embedded behavioural factors on classroom interaction of the undergraduate community.
Role of Farmer Producer Organization Post COVID in Marketing of Perishables in Karnataka
Authors: Basavaraj G. , Alur Ashok S. , Prabhakar Itigi , Manjunath M. , Shashibhushana G. , Kumar S. , Parameshwarappa K. J. 
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic started in India during first week of March has infected people and taken its toll. As a result of this pandemic, the entire Nation went into lockdown from March 22nd 2020 to protect people’s life. The lockdown has hit all the sectors of the economy including agriculture resulting in disruption of business, movements, lifestyles, health and employment. Agriculture being backbone of the Country is affected both on backward and forward linkages of the supply chain. In this context, a study of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) primarily dealing in horticulture commodities in Karnataka was undertaken with an objective to understand their role in addressing the challenges in supply chain. Of the 100 FPO’s promoted by Department of Horticulture, 40 FPO’s were involved in output business post COVID-19 pandemic of which 23 FPO’s were chosen for the study. As field surveys were not possible due to the pandemic, information was elicited through telephonic interview of Chief Executive Officers of the FPO’s. FPOs in the process on selling diverse commodities to consumer door step faced challenges with respect to transport, payment, logistics and working capital. Though FPOs faced several challenges, several of them found new approaches to deal with the situation. The findings from the study are summarized and recommendations are made to create an enabling environment for FPO’s to do business more effectively and to equip them to deal with the situation.
Relationship between Microsatellite Status and Other Prognostic Factors in Patients with Colon Cancer
Authors: Erşen Ogün , Çulcu Serdar , Aydın Ferit , Mercan Ümit , Yüksel Cemil , Ünal Ali Ekrem 
Published: September 2020

It is reported that 0.5-13 % of all colorectal cancers are hereditary. Many mutations that cause genomic instability have been described lately in this cancers; the most famous one is yet microsatellite instability pathway. Investigating the presence of these mutations is important in tailoring patients' treatment and predicting prognosis.
Aims: We evaluated the association between micro satellite status and other pathologic prognostic factors like grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion in patients who underwent curative colon resection for colorectal cancers (CRC) in our clinic in the past five years.
Study Design: A total of 205 sequential patients who were older than 18 and had curative colon resection for CRC in Ankara University Surgical Oncology Unit and been tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) were analyzed on behalf of the facultys’ database.
Methodology: Pathology results had been determined and tumor localizations, lymph node metastasis status, grade, lymphovascular and perineural invasion status were evaluated. Information about MSI status and defected genes were obtained from detailed pathology reports. Patients were divided into two groups as MSI and MSS.
Results: No significant difference was found between two the groups in the context of microsatellite instability status. Lymphovascular invasion had been seen higher in high frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-H) compared to low frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-L) group (76.4% vs 53.1%, P =.02). There was no statistical difference in perineural invasion between the two groups (P = 0.102). Signet ring cell status between the groups we found a higher rate of signet ring cells and consequently a higher grade in MSH-H group (17.6% vs 10.6%, P = 0.042).
Conclusion: In conclusion, although many important points have been identified in our study, more studies are needed to compare the evaluation of MSI in colon cancer with other prognostic factors and to investigate its effect on the course of the disease.
Air gap technique is recommended in axiolateral hip radiographs
Authors: Kivistö Susanne , Kotiaho Antti , Henner Anja , Nevala Terhi , Niinimäki Jaakko , Nieminen Miika T. , Hanni Matti 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the replacement of conventional grid by air gap in axiolateral hip radiographs. The optimal air gap distance was studied with respect to radiation dose and image quality using phantom images, as well as 26 patient axiolateral hip radiographs.MethodsThe CDRAD phantom, along with polymethylmethacrylate slabs with thicknesses of 10.0, 14.6, and 20.0 cm was employed. The inverse image quality index and dose area product (DAP), as well as their combination, so called figure‐of‐merit (FOM) parameter, were evaluated for these images, with air gaps from 20 to 50 cm in increments of 10 cm. Images were compared to those acquired using a conventional grid utilized in hip radiography. Radiation dose was measured and kept constant at the surface of the detector by using a reference dosimeter. Verbal consent was asked from 26 patients to participate to the study. Air gap distances from 20 to 50 cm and tube current‐time products from 8 to 50 mAs were employed. Exposure index, DAP, as well as patient height and weight were recorded. Two radiologists evaluated the image quality of 26 hip axiolateral projection images on a 3‐point nondiagnostic — good/sufficiently good — too good scale. Source‐to‐image distance of 200 cm and peak tube voltage of 90 kVp were used in both studies.Results and conclusionBased on the phantom study, it is possible to reduce radiation dose by replacing conventional grid with air gap without compromising image quality. The optimal air gap distance appears to be 30 cm, based on the FOM analysis. Patient study corroborates this observation, as sufficiently good image quality was found in 24 of 26 patient radiographs, with 7 of 26 images obtained with 30 cm air gap. Thus, air gap method, with an air gap distance of 30 cm, is recommended in axiolateral hip radiography.
Dose reduction potential of using gold fiducial markers for kilovoltage image‐guided radiotherapy
Authors: Takei Yoshiki , Monzen Hajime , Tamura Mikoto , Doi Hiroshi , Nishimura Yasumasa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the possibility of reducing the imaging dose for image‐guided radiotherapy by using planar kilovoltage orthogonal imaging and fiducial markers (kV‐FM). We tested kilovoltage planar images under clinical imaging conditions for the pelvis (75 kVp, 200 mA, 50 ms) at a decreasing tube current (from 200 to 10 mA). Imaging doses were measured with a semiconductor detector. The visibility of the kV‐FM, aspects of image quality (spatial resolution, low contrast resolution), and the resultant image registration reproducibility were evaluated using various shapes (folded, linear, tadpole‐like) of fiducial markers containing 0.5% iron [Gold Anchor™ (GA); Naslund Medical AB, Huddinge, Sweden]. The GA phantom was created by placing these variously shaped GAs in an agar phantom. The imaging doses with 200 and 10 mA were approximately 0.74 and 0.04 mGy and they were correlated to the tube current (R2 = 0.999). Regardless of the marker’s shape, the GA phantom ensured visibility even when the tube current was reduced to the minimum value (10 mA). The low contrast resolution was gradually decreased at less than 50 mA, but the spatial resolution did not change. Although the auto‐registration function could not be used, manual‐registration could be achieved with an accuracy of within 1 mm, even when the imaging dose was reduced to 1/20 of the clinical imaging condition for the pelvis. When using the GA as the fiducial marker, the imaging dose could be reduced to 1/20 of that used clinically while maintaining the accuracy of manual‐registration using the kV‐FM for image‐guided radiotherapy of the pelvis.
An Emerging Lead‐Free Double‐Perovskite Cs2AgFeCl6:In Single Crystal
Authors: Yin Hang , Xian Yeming , Zhang Yongli , Chen Weijian , Wen Xiaoming , Rahman Naveed Ur , Long Yi , Jia Baohua , Fan Jiandong , Li Wenzhe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe recently emerged hybrid lead halide perovskites demonstrate low‐cost fabrication and noteworthy performance, but they have intrinsically unstable properties and contain toxic Pb in a soluble form. Herein, a thus far unreported highly stable lead‐free Cs2AgFeCl6 double perovskite is developed. Its crystallographic structure and band structure are demonstrated to be capable of tuning by means of In3+ incorporation. The as‐prepared Cs2AgInxFe1−xCl6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) perovskite single crystals display a broadband absorbance in the range of 450–800 nm, which further enables a remarkable enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yields by a factor of ≈167. Equally important, the incorporation of In atoms is experimentally and theoretically shown to improve the carriers transport ability, which is associated with the substitution of Fe‐3d state by In‐5s state in the energy range between 1.5 and 2.5 eV that dominates the conductive process, and thereafter may benefit the potential applications in photoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.
Strong Electronic Interaction Enhanced Electrocatalysis of Metal Sulfide Clusters Embedded Metal–Organic Framework Ultrathin Nanosheets toward Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Zhao Ming , Li Wei , Li Junying , Hu Weihua , Li Chang Ming 
Published: September 2020

AbstractUnique metal sulfide (MS) clusters embedded ultrathin nanosheets of Fe/Ni metal–organic framework (MOF) are grown on nickel foam (NiFe‐MS/MOF@NF) as a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. It exhibits remarkable catalytic activity and stability toward both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER, ƞ = 230 mV at 50 mA cm−2) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, ƞ = 156 mV at 50 mA cm−2) in alkaline media, and bi‐functionally catalyzes overall alkaline water splitting at a current density of 50 mA cm−2 by 1.74 V cell voltage without iR compensation. The enhancement mechanism is ascribed to the impregnated metal sulfide clusters in the nanosheets, which not only promote the formation of ultrathin nanosheet to greatly enlarge the reaction surface area while offering high electric conductivity, but more importantly, efficiently modulate the electronic structure of the catalytically active atom sites to an electron‐rich state via strong electronic interaction and strengthen the adsorption of oxygenate intermediate to facilitate fast electrochemical reactions. This work reports a highly efficient HER/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst and may shed light on the rational design and synthesis of uniquely structured MOF‐derived catalysts.