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The study has analysed benefits and challenges of record keeping among small and medium enterprise (SME) in Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman. The researcher used quantitative approaches to analyse the data collected. The study used convenience sampling technique to select the respondents. Questionnaire was used to collect information about types of records kept, method of record keeping, benefits of keeping proper records, attitude towards record keeping, challenges of record keeping and impact of record keeping on SME performance. The study focusses on owners/managers of SME in Nizwa. The study used descriptive technique for analysing the data. The finding of the study shows that 44 (44.4%) of the respondents maintain records manually, while 36 (36.4%) of respondents use Microsoft excel and 19 (19.2%) of respondents use software method for keeping records. The study results also found that 30 (30.3%) of respondents strongly agree, while 25 (25.2%) of the respondents agree that record keeping is important for enterprise growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review aimed to explore and document the underestimated; but pertinent challenges of cattle breeding in order to get due attention from the scientific communities, policy makers, and farmers. Ethiopian cattle genetic improvement is significantly confronted with many under-considered constraints. The under-considered constraints are lack of record keeping, inbreeding, lack of breeding animals, lack of awareness on efficient cattle reproductive management, lack of awareness on causes of unsuccessful artificial insemination, and lack of breeding cooperatives. Inbreeding can be reduced by keeping good pedigree records and bull rotation. Cows in mixed farming systems cannot reproduce timely due to a lack of breeding bulls. Unskilled AI Technicians, inability to heat detection and time of insemination, internal problems of the cows and bulls, and lack of pregnancy tests are the potential causes of unsuccessful artificial insemination. The practices, experiences, and knowledge of cattle producers for keeping records, disadvantages of inbreeding, efficient cattle reproduction, determinants of successful insemination, and use of breeding cooperatives have been observed to be low. The cattle producers, therefore, should be well-trained with sustainable, efficient, and profitable cattle production and management. The concerned professionals and policymakers ought to give more due attention to addressing the underestimated problems of cattle breeding.

Successful implementation of breeding program requires understanding and accommodation of selection criteria. The objective of this study was to investigate the breeding objectives and selection criteria of farmers’ in northwestern Ethiopia. Two ranking methods, own-flock and group-animal, were used. In the first technique, 150 goat keepers were chosen and asked to rank breeding does in their flock as the First-, Second- and Third-Best and Inferior. Farmers explained why they ranked in that order. From the rated does, body measurements and life histories were collected. In the second technique, twenty breeding bucks and twenty breeding does were chosen at random, ear-tagged, and brought to a central station. Animals of same sex were randomly assigned to five groups. Ten farmers, who have not known the animals, ranked the goats in each group as first, second and third and fourth, giving reasons for their ranking. After the first round of ranking, the farmers were then provided with history of each goat and asked whether they would reconsider their ranking. This was iterated ten times until a person covered all groups. In the own-flock ranking, twining ability, body size and kidding interval were the most preferred attributes for selecting does. Does chosen as the First-, Second- and Third-Best had significantly higher body measurements than the Inferior ones. In group-animal ranking, goat keepers however generally focused on body size, conformation and coat color. Simultaneous use of both own-flock and group-animal ranking methods is advisable to identify breeding objectives and selection criteria of traditional goat keepers.

Post-separation parenting apps are designed for separated parents to use as a dedicated space for child-related communication and organisation. Their enhanced record-keeping features often lead to recommendations for their use within the context of family law and they are likely to appeal to victim/survivors of family violence. However, concerns have also been raised about their potential misuse by perpetrating parents. Using responses to an online survey about post-separation parenting apps, this study explores the tension between the harms and benefits of app use under these circumstances. Data were examined from 33 mothers who reported experiencing family violence via parenting apps. Comparative methods were used to contrast those who endorsed beneficial outcomes from app use with those whose outcomes were detrimental (net-benefit case group [n = 24] vs net-detriment case group [n = 9], respectively). Overall, mothers in the net-benefit case group reported a shorter time since separation (M = 3 years) and fewer experiences of app misuse by the other parent. For these mothers, apps worked to minimise harmful perpetrator conduct by deterring and/or capturing abusive behaviours and affording containment and boundary setting around interactions. By contrast, those in the net-detriment case group were separated longer (M = 6.9 years) and reported a higher incidence of app misuse and fear. These participants experienced a range of app-facilitated harms centred on perpetrators’ false narratives and manipulation. These results suggests that while post-separation parenting apps may be useful harm-minimisation tools for many victim/survivors of post-separation family violence, they are not a panacea for parenting communication in all such contexts – particularly where there is entrenched coercive control.

This article explores the influence of record keeping on the performance of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in a specific area. The study conducted a survey among MSEs in a rural district and found that maintaining proper records significantly contributes to the performance of MSEs. The article suggests that implementing strategies such as investing in technology and providing financial literacy training can improve record keeping practices and enhance the performance of MSEs. The article acknowledges the limitations of the research and calls for further studies in developing countries. [Extracted from the article]

Peter Ellis outlines the importance of record keeping, and its legal and ethical aspects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Records are a fundamental aspect of organizations and must be maintained. This study investigated the essence of record-keeping from the perspectives of small business owners on their operations. This was a cross-sectional survey which used the questionnaire to solicit information from the business owners. The data analysis was descriptive statistics with the aid of Minitab 17 software. Our findings attest to the relevance of business registration and the prominence of the family business in small businesses. It was revealed that 89% of the respondents were conscious of keeping records, 74% recording their business operations manually while retention of records for a year had 77% representation. The benefits of recordkeeping hinge on decision-making and stock-taking. The study concludes that small businesses should not look down on record-keeping as part of running their businesses and suggests education on the importance of record-keeping for small business owners for the effective running of their businesses. This is one of the few studies that studied the socio-demographic characteristics of small businesses concerning record-keeping and its benefits. The study findings offer important implications for business owners, Ghana Enterprise Agency, banks and academicians.

The Library and Information Science (LIS) community has started discussing some possible uses of Blockchain (BC) technologies in solving library-related problems and increasing the overall efficiency of libraries. This study aimed to systematically collect and review the relevant literature to comprehend the scope of BC for libraries, its benefits, as well as the challenges, and implications related to its use. The authors explored six reputed databases (Web of Science, Scopus, LISTA (Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts), LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and Google Scholar) to conduct this review. This study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After the final data extraction, 21 documents were considered eligible for the systematic review. A systematic review of the selected works indicated that the usage of BC in libraries ranged from record-keeping to processing payments and ensuring security and transparency. Some of the opportunities that can be hunted from BC were the elimination of corruption, enhanced security, improved efficiency of services, and better time management. Literature also indicated that a lack of awareness of technology, unskilled staff, and financial constraints could impede the adoption of BC by libraries. It is hoped that this study would provide a holistic overview of BC technologies for libraries, thus improving the effectiveness of the decision-makers. This study is first that collected (systematically) and reviewed the literature on BC usage in libraries. The review will help educational institutions and library professionals understand the usage, challenges, and benefits of BC for libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Would suppressing deepfakes violate freedom of expression norms? The question is pressing because the deepfake phenomenon in its more poisonous manifestations appears to call for a response, and automated targeting of some kind looks to be the most practically viable. Two simple answers are rejected: that deepfakes do not deserve protection under freedom of expression legislation because they are fake by definition; and that deepfakes can be targeted if but only if they are misleadingly presented as authentic. To make progress, following a discussion of why freedom of expression deserves protection in a democracy, the question is reframed. At issue is not whether the arrival of deepfakes brings new and potentially serious dangers (it does), nor whether these dangers call for measures that potentially limit freedom of expression (they do), but whether the need for such measures raises any new and unfamiliar freedom-of-expression challenges. The answer to that question, surprisingly, is no. The balancing act needed to cope with the arrival of deepfakes brings plenty of difficulties, certainly, but none of the measures likely to be effective in tackling deepfake harms raises freedom-of-expression concerns that aren’t familiar from consideration of non-deepfake harms. In that respect, at least, the arrival of deepfakes makes no difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the complex groups of archive documents, formed during the activities of the governor’s rule. A review of publications on the problems of source studies of the governor’s administration in the post reformation period is given. The author describes the type and quantity of documents, their preservation, departmental affiliation, metadata used for search, and information value. The author reveals lexical gaps in the composition of archive fonds, caused by incomplete preservation of documents. The issues of archival heuristics, i.e,. the location and ways of searching for documentary materials, were considered. The pool of documentary sources deposited in the Samara Regional Archive is characterized by systematicity; it allows to study the governor’s rule from different «angles»: staff composition, resource base, functional and informational connections, etc. An analysis of the administrative acts of the governor showed that the head of the region in his administrative function was, first of all, a «dispatcher» and controller of instructions (tasks, orders) of the central authorities. The documents issued by the governor on his own initiative made up a small (4-5%) part of the administrative documentation. The main (type-like) disadvantage of administrative documentation is depersonalization, i.e. small amount of information about the holders (subjects) of power. To minimize it, it is reasonable to use more actively the materials of governor’s correspondence, which is close to the documents of personal origin by information characteristics.

During the early modern period, pious confraternities and sororities evolved into formal associations with their own bylaws and record books. A trail of records from Amsterdam in the west to Moravia in the east enables us to examine the rich culture of women's sororities, primary among them women's burial societies. Sororities provided Jewish women with status and with formal roles in communal leadership. Early modern women publicly and jointly expressed their piety through their benevolent endeavors, developing new initiatives to further their activities. They actively managed the records and finances of these independent associations and volunteered their time and energy morning and night in what was often difficult labor. This article explores early modern women's sororities as seen through a wide range of texts and discusses as well the cooperation and competition between men's and women's burial societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background of the Study: This paper present the functional requirement in Archive Records Management System (ARMS) that provide a comprehensive record keeping management system based on the organization function according to the business activities and process. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the core functional requirement for record keeping system to support users in performing their task that related to electronic record management system. Method: The method used in this article are based on the previous research, guidelines and standards. Findings: Furthermore, this article similarly aim to evaluate and identify the core functional requirement of archive records management system based on the standards use. This article intent to make user aware towards the core functional requirement in managing electronic records system to fulfil the needs and meet based on proper requirements. Subsequently, through completion this article, the research limitation and difficulties in this study is there are too many requirement of electronic record keeping system available that make users are confused to differentiate between requirements. Meanwhile, the user does not know to choose the right requirement that meet organization function and activities. Other than that, it is quite hard to keep core functional requirement sustain in line with the compliance in organization. Conclusion: The originality this article is to provide a clear content and original requirement based on Archive Records Management System implementation for record professional to recognize the high levels of competencies as well as effectiveness reflection in handling Archive Record Management System (ARMS).

Purpose: Maintaining infrastructures such as roads, bridges, railways and other civil constructions requires long term documentation that ideally should comprise a reliable reflection of the physical structures. However, the Swedish Transport Administration (TRA) states that its documentation is currently inadequate and that new working method are needed. The purpose of this paper is to study how the agency is working to improve their recordkeeping, by taking a closer look at two new positions that now coordinate the delivery of documentation from the building process teams to the agency. What is their role and what challenges do they face with regard to creating, sharing and preserving records with other areas across the TRA? The study's purpose is also to discuss the concept of the archive in the current environment and how existing archival theory can be applied to long term documentation. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a case study method, as the aim was to explore and understand recordkeeping practices and theoretical implications, without seeking to generalize the findings outside the Swedish Government. Two positions – the delivering coordinator and the receiving coordinator – were chosen as relevant focuses, due to their function as links between departments in which it was previously indicated that creating and maintaining reliable recordkeeping was difficult and where organizational structure might challenge the traditional archival theory. Documents and reports from the agency were used as research material through documentary analysis and a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 10 coordinators at the agency. Findings: Obtaining the correct documentation at the right time and of appropriate quality from contractors and entrepreneurs was difficult, despite detailed contractual rules and regulations identifying what should be delivered. The work of the coordinators was formally connected to the important tasks of creating, sharing and preserving records with other areas within the TRA, but in reality, the coordinators faced several difficulties due to expectations of their professional role, practices in information management between different departments and archives creation at the entire agency. The interviewees therefore had differing perceptions of what was meant by TRA's "archive": it was variously perceived as only including the registry; comprising only the records preserved by the archives department or encompassing only those records in the registry or in the agency's business system/s. Findings indicate that the concepts of multiple provenances and the recordkeeping "single mind" might provide insights to better inform the recordkeeping principles needed to improve the current environment. Research limitations/implications: The study was limited to the 10 interviewees in 2 roles, although there are more positions involved in handling records. Future studies may solidify or contest the different themes identified in the present paper, through interviews of those additional roles at the agency. This paper uses the Swedish concept of the archive as a point of departure in its analysis. Originality/value: By increasing the knowledge about positions that are responsible for handling records at an agency, this paper can get a better understanding of how they affect the ultimate creation of archives. This will give Swedish public agencies and other organizations, better results when they are creating strategies to preserve reliable records for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this thematic issue, the question whether EU decision making might be characterised by an excess of transparency stands central. This contribution addresses an issue that precedes such questions of quantity: that of transparency’s qualities, i.e., its specific shape. From an early point in time, transparency in the EU has been equated with the narrow and legalistic notion of ‘access to documents.’ Although since then, transparency has become associated with a wider range of practices, the Union has not managed to shake off the concept’s association with bureaucracy, opacity, and complexity. This remains the case, in spite of the fact that administrations and decision-makers across the world increasingly utilise the possibilities of technological innovation to communicate more directly with their electorates. In this changing communicative context, this commentary considers whether EU transparency as access to documents is still fit for purpose. It does so by exploring access policy from the vantage point of legal developments, administrative practices, political dynamics, and technological innovations. The commentary concludes that while improvements are needed, the access to documents concept endures. However, access to documents needs to be complemented by constructive (rather than predatory) public justification and contestation, to remain viable.

The study intends to identify the accounting practices used at home – budgeting, record keeping, and the use of the information for decision making related to home affairs. Exercising exploratory research, this study used accounting academics as well as accounting practitioners as informants. Data were collected from interviews and a focus group discussion with ten informants. All of them were peer and close friends of the researcher. The analysis was conducted manually by tracing all interview transcripts and comparing the transcripts with secondary data from the informants. The study found that accounting practices at home dominated by financial management – cash flow management. Budgeting and record-keeping were addressed mostly to manage cash flows to avoid deficits and make long-term investment decisions.

The issue of recording the working time of academic staff is a very complicated matter requiring a deeper legal analysis. An amendment to the Higher Education Act legalizes the previous situation when a part of his/her duties was performed by an academic employee outside the workplace of the relevant higher education institution, i.e. his/her employer. The division of the working time of an academic employee into the period when he/she performs mainly pedagogical activities and activities related to pedagogical activities in the workplace of the employer and the period when he/she performs scientific and other creative activities that he/she himself/herself schedules in the place he/she chooses, is definitely the right way. However, these amendments must fully comply with the applicable current wording of the Labour Code. A problematic area are the performance of the work of an academic employee outside the workplace of the employer and the questions of the length of working time, breaks at work and between shifts, performance of night work and work on Saturdays and Sundays as well as questions related to the occupational safety and health at workplace.

Iwan Dowie discusses the need for appropriate record keeping in community nursing. Through a series of legal examples, a case is made for good documentation, with suggestions that include factual, eligible and well-written records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States is one of the largest catfish producers in the world. Louisiana is the leading producer of wild-caught catfish. Historically, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspected all seafood products; however, in 2008, Congress moved the inspection of fish in the order Siluriformes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service. Full enforcement of the rule began on 1 September 2017. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of USDA Siluriformes fish regulation on small Louisiana wild-caught catfish processors and to determine the microbiological quality of and Salmonella prevalence in raw fillets. Nine facilities participated in the assessment study. Surveys were conducted before and after full enforcement to identify whether facilities had established prerequisite programs and record keeping associated with sanitation, hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans, food defense, and product recall. The processors' attitude about the change in regulations also was analyzed. For analysis of the microbiological quality and Salmonella prevalence, catfish samples were collected once per month for 2 years. Samples were evaluated for aerobic bacteria counts (APC), coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. The preenforcement survey revealed that only one facility had developed a HACCP plan, but it was not implemented. After 1 year of full enforcement, all the facilities developed and implemented a HACCP plan to process fresh catfish, and 78% of the processors reported a reduction in the amount of catfish processed due to limits in hours of operation and loss of fishermen. For microbiological quality, the mean (±SD) APC and counts of E. coli, coliforms, and S. aureus were 5.01 ± 0.70, 0.58 ± 0.89, 2.16 ± 0.77, and 0.73 ± 1.02 log CFU/g, respectively; 5.3% of the samples was confirmed positive for Salmonella. These findings indicate that after USDA enforcement, facilities improved food safety program documentation; however, the processing practices did not change. The microbial quality of the catfish fillets was within the acceptable levels in accordance with the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Documentation is pivotal in maternity nursing. It is an evidence of work or care provided by a midwife to the antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal mothers. Clear, accurate, and accessible documentation is an essential element of safe, quality and evidence-based nursing practice. Objective: To find out the current documentation practices of the maternal nursing assessment and care. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among thirty-five nursing personnel working in tertiary care level hospital of the central government institute. Ethical approval from Institute Ethics Committee and permission from the Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was taken. An informed written consent from the study participants was obtained. The study participants were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through interview and observation using validated semi-structured interview schedule and observation checklists respectively. Data was analysed with SPSS 20. Results: Results revealed that the checking of vital signs and administration of medication were documented by all of the study participants whereas urinalysis was documented by 60% of the study participants. Rest of the activities related to maternal assessment (such as assessment of warning signs, fetal wellbeing parameters, condition of breast, assessment of episiotomy and perineum, elimination patterns and emotional status) and maternal care such as assisting in various procedures (Per vaginal examination, blood transfusion, Amniotomy, induction of labour, Non Stress Test, suture removal etc.),preparation for delivery, teaching about comfort measures, diversion activities, bearing down technique, prevention of infection practices, diet and exercises, breast care, care of episiotomy and perineum, lochia were not documented by study participants. All study participants reported that they don't have any documentation record sheet where they can record their health talks and evaluation of nursing care. Conclusion: Poor documentation practices of maternal nursing care were found in the present study. A standardized document is required to record the maternal nursing assessment, care, evaluation of care and to recommend care to nursing personnel coming for next shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this thematic issue, the question whether EU decision making might be characterised by an excess of transparency stands central. This contribution addresses an issue that precedes such questions of quantity: that of transparency's qualities, i.e., its specific shape. From an early point in time, transparency in the EU has been equated with the narrow and legalistic notion of 'access to documents.' Although since then, transparency has become associated with a wider range of practices, the Union has not managed to shake off the concept's association with bureaucracy, opacity, and complexity. This remains the case, in spite of the fact that administrations and decision-makers across the world increasingly utilise the possibilities of technological innovation to communicate more directly with their electorates. In this changing communicative context, this commentary considers whether EU transparency as access to documents is still fit for purpose. It does so by exploring access policy from the vantage point of legal developments, administrative practices, political dynamics, and technological innovations. The commentary concludes that while improvements are needed, the access to documents concept endures. However, access to documents needs to be complemented by constructive (rather than predatory) public justification and contestation, to remain viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is designed to provide a framework for assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs that meet or exceed the requirements suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for certification of ART laboratories. This document replaces the document "Revised Minimum Standards for Practices Offering Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Committee Opinion" published in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]