Towards an Ultimate Cashless Society and Potential Collaboration Between Blockchain and E-Payments

There are many different ways by which a user can make cashless payments—online banking, credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and QR codes just to name a few. The adoption of the methods of payment is largely determined by government rules as well as regulations in the respective countries. Hence, this study provides an in-depth discussion regarding the trends of e-payment adoption in selected countries. To strengthen the case for the digitalisation of transactions, the authors also consider the advantages of moving towards a cashless society. In addition, major issues that hinder the growth in the global adoption of e-payments found in cross-border transactions will be discussed. Furthermore, this chapter also explores the potential adaptation of blockchain technology on e-payment systems to solve the instant cross-border payment issue.

Demosthenes’ strategic maneuvering in the First Olynthiac

The article focuses on the analysis of Demosthenes’ strategic maneuvering in the First Olynthiac delivered in the Athenian Assembly of the People in 349 BC. It is a case study of the famous § 24 in which Demosthenes calls for the attack on Philip of Macedonia, based on a hypothetical reciprocal scenario: Philip would attack Athens in a similar situation. The first part of the paper offers an argumentative characterisation of the Assembly of the People. Subsequently, the historical and situational circumstances of the speech are described, and an argumentative reconstruction of Demosthenes’ speech is presented. The evaluation of the speech’s context serves as a reference point for the analysis of strategic maneuvering by putting forward the argument in § 24. The argument is analysed in terms of three strategic maneuvering aspects: choice of topical potential, adaptation to audience demands, and presentational devices.

The morphometric of lycopsid sporophylls and the evaluation of their dispersal potential: an example from the Upper Devonian of Zhejiang Province, China

Background Previous studies have discussed the special structural adaptations of Late Palaeozoic lycopsids, for example, the dispersal potential of reproductive organs. Based on materials from the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation in Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, China, we now analyze the morphometric and perform some calculation to evaluate the dispersal of sporophyll units of lycopsids. Results The fossil sporophyll units are divided into two types in view of obvious difference in shape and we name two new (form) species for them. We also analyze the falling process and give the calculation method of dispersal distance. Conclusions The fossil sporophyll units show relatively poor potential of wind dispersal compared with modern samaras, and show potential adaptation to the turbulent environment.

Adaptation of West Java Tuna Supply Chain in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic imposed by the Indonesian government has impacted supply chains of various important commodities, including fish products. Lockdowns and mobility restrictions forced market players to limit their activities, change strategies or even close their businesses. This research, conducted in June 2020 - February 2021 in West Java Province, aimed to analyze patterns of adaptation taken by business players of the fisheries industry in facing the pandemic. The research methodological approach was the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework, which relied on data collected from 80 respondents proportionally representing impacted groups of fisheries business players in the West Java Province. The results showed that fisheries business players and the government had exercised some supply chain innovative adaptations, some of which can be considered potential adaptation strategies that will improve resilience and ensure the industry’s sustainability when similar pandemic crises occur in the future. These are (i) ensuring access to domestic and international supply chains, (ii) connecting fishery production centers with processors to reduce damage to fresh fish, (iii) creating added value using optimizing existing temporary fish storages, and (iv) promoting and delivering products through digital platform or e-commerce.

Variation in body size of ringed seals (Pusa hispida hispida) across the circumpolar Arctic: evidence of morphs, ecotypes or simply extreme plasticity?

The ringed seal is a small phocid seal that has a northern circumpolar distribution. It has long been recognized that body size is variable in ringed seals, and it has been suggested that ecotypes that differ in size exist. This study explores patterns of body size (length and girth) and age-at-maturity across most of the Arctic subspecies’ range using morphometric data from 35 sites. Asymptotic lengths varied from 113 to 151 cm, with sites falling into five distinct size clusters (for each sex). Age-at-maturity ranged from 3.1 to 7.4 years, with sites that had early ages of sexual maturity generally having small length-at-maturity and small final body length. The sexes differed in length at some sites, but not in a consistent pattern of dimorphism. The largest ringed seals occurred in western Greenland and eastern Canada, and the smallest occurred in Alaska and the White Sea. Latitudinal trends occurred only within sites in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Girth (with length and season accounted for) was also highly variable but showed no notable spatial pattern; males tended to be more rotund than females. Genetic studies are needed, starting with the “giants” at Kangia (Greenland) and in northern Canada to determine whether they are genetically distinct ecotypes. Additional research is also needed to understand the ecological linkages that drive the significant regional size differences in ringed seals that were confirmed in this study, and also to understand their implications with respect to potential adaptation to climate change.