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Global overview of modern financing typologies to mitigate financial risks in developed countries
Get PDFIn this study, we reviewed the laws and legal regulations that mandate banks and financial services organizations to implement anti-money laundering efforts which are responsible to detect and mitigate the risks of money laundering and modern financing. We examined the topics of money laundering and modern financing in greater depth to understand the risk factors related to each financial crime. Understanding the aspects of each financial crime is necessary to comprehend predicate offense typologies. We continued with a review and synthesis of the literature on money laundering and modern financing typologies. We concluded the review with an analysis of Gary Becker’s economic theory of criminal behavior and the neoclassical approach to criminal behavior. As suggested by the key concepts reviewed in this literature review, predicate offenses are evolving as prevailing conditions of society change. A major global challenge in recent times is the Covid-19 pandemic crisis which has increased financial risks worldwide (Klimczak et al., 2021). Understanding the different types of predicate offenses and typologies portrays a holistic process of how criminals launder money or finance modern acts. A review of the existing literature demonstrated intensive research on the topic of financial crime but there is a gap in the current legislative and financial risk management framework. The legislative and financial risk management framework detects economic uncertainties and risk factors requiring a reevaluation of financial risk measurement methodologies to mitigate the risk consequences of money laundering and modern financing activities. A best practice to provide a sound framework to manage financial risks is for U.S. banking and financial service company compliance managers to identify predicate offense typologies. American society could benefit from the results of the study (Klimczak et al., 2021). The banking and financial industries ought to be prepared for the future and continue to adapt to new emerging threats, varying consumer classification, and changing environment. It is essential for compliance leaders to implement public education initiatives and help their customers recognize their role in combating money laundering and modern financing activities. Overall, the study has contributed to positive social change by identifying predicate offense typologies that can help U.S. banking and financial services company compliance managers reduce the risks of money laundering and modern financing activities (Klimczak et al., 2021
Fade To Black: A Social Constructivism Theory Exploring Black College Athletes Transition
No full textThe majority of Division I sports are composed of Black male players. These athletes can have the media spotlight and a lifestyle comparable to a celebrity, but what happens when their time with college athletics is done, the fans go way and the bright lights fade? The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of retired Black male college athlete’s transition out of college sports, using Social Constructivism (SC) as the theoretical framework to explore how they experience the transition and make meaning of the experience. Nine Black male retired Division I College Athletes were interviewed about their transition experiences out college athletics. Results show how race, identity and gender informed their transition experiences. Participants struggled with mental health issues, identity exploration, and navigating the world as Black men outside of college athletics. These findings suggest the importance of incorporating outreach, resources and representation to assist Black male athletes in their transition
Response patterns of simulated corn yield and soil nitrous oxide emission to precipitation change
Get PDFBackground
Precipitation plays an important role in crop production and soil greenhouse gas emissions. However, how crop yield and soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission respond to precipitation change, particularly with different background precipitations (dry, normal, and wet years), has not been well investigated. In this study, we examined the impacts of precipitation changes on corn yield and soil N2O emission using a long-term (1981–2020, 40 years) climate dataset as well as seven manipulated precipitation treatments with different background precipitations using the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model. Results
Results showed large variations of corn yield and precipitation but small variation of soil N2O emission among 40 years. Both corn yield and soil N2O emission showed near linear relationships with precipitation based on the long-term precipitation data, but with different response patters of corn yield and soil N2O emission to precipitation manipulations. Corn yield showed a positive linear response to precipitation manipulations in the dry year, but no response to increases in precipitation in the normal year, and a trend of decrease in the wet year. The extreme drought treatments reduced corn yield sharply in both normal and wet years. In contrast, soil N2O emission mostly responded linearly to precipitation manipulations. Decreases in precipitation in the dry year reduced more soil N2O emission than those in the normal and wet years, while increases in precipitation increased more soil N2O emission in the normal and wet years than in the dry year. Conclusions
This study revealed different response patterns of corn yield and soil N2O emission to precipitation and highlights that mitigation strategy for soil N2O emission reduction should consider different background climate conditions
Sensing and Automation Technologies for Ornamental Nursery Crop Production: Current Status and Future Prospects
Get PDFThe ornamental crop industry is an important contributor to the economy in the United States. The industry has been facing challenges due to continuously increasing labor and agricultural input costs. Sensing and automation technologies have been introduced to reduce labor requirements and to ensure efficient management operations. This article reviews current sensing and automation technologies used for ornamental nursery crop production and highlights prospective technologies that can be applied for future applications. Applications of sensors, computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet-of-Things (IoT), and robotic technologies are reviewed. Some advanced technologies, including 3D cameras, enhanced deep learning models, edge computing, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and integrated robotics used for other cropping systems, are also discussed as potential prospects. This review concludes that advanced sensing, AI and robotic technologies are critically needed for the nursery crop industry. Adapting these current and future innovative technologies will benefit growers working towards sustainable ornamental nursery crop production
Uncrewed aerial vehicle radiometric calibration: A comparison of autoexposure and fixed‐exposure images
Get PDFRemote sensing with uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is increasingly being used in agriculture to provide data on the physical characteristics of plants under field conditions. Data accuracy is critical for decision making with a high degree of confidence. In this work, we compared two multispectral camera calibration methods for image data collected with a UAV: (1) an autoexposure method that relies on a single calibration panel and a post hoc calibration, and (2) a fixed-exposure system that uses three in-field gray calibration panels using the empirical line calibration method. Both methods were compared to reflectance data from (a) four ground calibration targets measured with a spectroradiometer and (b) a single manned aircraft image calibrated with commercial calibration tarps. In a band-by-band comparison, the autoexposure method produced almost twice as much radiometric error on average compared with fixed exposure. Because remote sensing data are commonly converted to spectral indices, the calibration methods were also evaluated by calculating the visible atmospherically resistant index (VARI) and comparing the resulting data to the manned aircraft image. Similarly, the autoexposure method in this case produced twice the error of the fixed-exposure method. The effect of the error was considered in a production agriculture context by simulating a remote sensing-based prescription map for pesticide application in a cotton (Gossypium) field and calculating the number of mislabeled management zones. The simulation showed that the autoexposure method would be more costly to the farm because of its higher error, roughly $8.00/ha based on the assumptions made
Higher Education Administrators’ Use of Social Media for Communication
No full textThis research study examined the impact and use of social media for higher education administrators. Social media has changed how, when and who we communicate with across the globe. It has given educators the ability to communicate across geography, cultures, and languages creating an interconnected community. Higher education institutions (HEI) are using social media to engage with stakeholders in new media channels. Due to its low cost, immediacy, and widespread use by stakeholders, social media is an effective tool for university communicators (Kelleher & Sweetser, 2012). Thus, social media is having a dynamic impact on how administrators engage with students, faculty, and the community. The purpose of this study was to collect beliefs, attitudes, and opinions of higher education administrators’ use of social media for communication. The primary means of data collection for this study was through an electronic survey to administrators, directors, and coordinators at one HBCU. Thirty-two participants completed an online survey. The major findings of this study were: The most frequently reported used social media tools were text messaging and e-newsletter/ emailing. The least frequently reported used social media tools were blogs, Instagram, and Twitter. The frequency of use of social media is highly correlated with comfort level. Based on the sample surveyed, the top concerns of using social media include lack of training and knowledge and privacy issues. Frequency of best practices of stakeholders’ social media use include Important Dates, Announcements, and Pictures/Videos, followed by Resources, Achievements, then Information and Events
Predictors of College Success for STEM Majors
No full textThe purpose of this quantitative study was to identify the characteristics of students who persisted in a STEM major and examine differences in the aggregate College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ) scores of enrolled College of Engineering students by enrollment classification (sophomore students compared to senior students), and type of high school attended (STEM high school versus non-STEM high school). The study employed a causal-comparative design using a survey for data collection. The literature review revealed that pre-college characteristics (i.e., type of high school, STEM course-taking, etc.), self-efficacy, and student engagement influenced persistence and retention decisions. Therefore, the study also examined the type of high school enrolled College of Engineering students attended. This research\u27s data were collected using a modified version of the College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ) (Davidson et al.,2009). The final participants in the study consisted of 56 College of Engineering undergraduate students. The collected data from the CPQ were analyzed using multiple linear regression to evaluate to what extent enrolled undergraduate College of Engineering students\u27 total college persistence scores could be predicted from their student classification and type of high school attended (STEM school versus non-STEM school). Among the study findings, it was concluded that student classification was not a statistically significant predictor of the aggregate CPQ score. However, the type of school was significant in predicting aggregate CPQ scores among enrolled undergraduate College of Engineering students (p \u3c .05), with those who attended STEM high schools reporting, on average, 0.289 units higher in scores than those from non-STEM high schools
Parent Perceptions of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship Program
No full textThe focus of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of parents located in one middle Tennessee school district regarding the Tennessee Promise scholarship. The perception of the parents regarding the role of the school counselor in assisting families in the college choice process for high school seniors as they prepare for after high school pathways was also examined. A collective case study design was used to conceptualize the data and interpret the findings. A parent survey and follow up interviews were the primary methods of data collection. The majority of the 17 parents had a positive perception of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship Program. Some did not have a clear understanding of the program. Most higher-income parents did not plan to use the program, believing their child would be better served at a 4-year institution, but still believed the program would benefit many other students. Some mentioned political implications of the program. Lower-income parents believed the program was valuable and planned to encourage their child to attend a community college or one of the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Parents also questioned the transferability of credits between institutions. Parents felt that school counselors should inform and assist with the decision-making process
Synthesis and Characterization of U3O8 and Ag2o/SiO2 Nanocomposites and Sol-Gel
No full textClean drinking water quality declined during the rise of industry and urbanization. While these industries transformed our economy, they polluted our rivers, streams, and lakes. Numerous studies have revealed placing certain periodic table elements into the nanometer range can improve water filtration and purification. The sol-gel methodology allowed the sol-gel polymerization of Tetraethylorthosilicate to produce Si-OH groups called silanols. The silica formed linear crosslinked molecules at low pH levels, and the molecular chains will entangle and condensed silica species link to form a 3-dimensional network. Results indicated the material is proven to be pure; without additional catalysts such as Hydrochloric acid and acetic acid, crystalline alpha-phase was created. Moreover, this confirms the ambient conditions synthesized material will effectively break down organic molecules in an aqueous solution. Constructed composites were used as filter materials, demonstrating a decrease in colony-forming units per milliliter on the bacterial species E. coli
