bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polydextrose: Physiological Function, and Effects on Health
Authors: Do Carmo Mariane , Walker Julia , Novello Daiana , Caselato Valeria , Sgarbieri Valdemiro , Ouwehand Arthur , Andreollo Nelson , Hiane Priscila , Dos Santos Elisvânia
Published: September 2016

Polydextrose (PDX) is a non-digestible oligosaccharide used widely across most sectors of the food industry. It is a randomly linked glucose oligomer containing small amounts of sorbitol and citric acid. The random bonds in PDX prevent mammalian digestive enzymes from readily hydrolyzing the molecule and it has a reported energy value of 1 kcal/g. These properties have led to the acceptance in many countries that PDX provides similar physiological effects as other dietary fibers and has shown prebiotic potential. Dietary intervention with prebiotics has been shown to selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of intestinal bacteria associated with several physiological benefits on health. Therefore, the objective of this review was a survey of the literature on the effect of supplementation with PDX in health, and to list the benefits for maintaining health and/or reducing the development of diseases.
Model-Assisted Control of Flow Front in Resin Transfer Molding Based on Real-Time Estimation of Permeability/Porosity Ratio
Authors: Wei Bai-Jian , Chuang Yao-Chen , Wang Kai-Hong , Yao Yuan
Published: September 2016

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a popular manufacturing technique that produces fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. In this paper, a model-assisted flow front control system is developed based on real-time estimation of permeability/porosity ratio using the information acquired by a visualization system. In the proposed control system, a radial basis function (RBF) network meta-model is utilized to predict the position of the future flow front by inputting the injection pressure, the current position of flow front, and the estimated ratio. By conducting optimization based on the meta-model, the value of injection pressure to be implemented at each step is obtained. Moreover, a cascade control structure is established to further improve the control performance. Experiments show that the developed system successfully enhances the performance of flow front control in RTM. Especially, the cascade structure makes the control system robust to model mismatch.
Rigorous Line-Based Transformation Model Using the Generalized Point Strategy for the Rectification of High Resolution Satellite Imagery
Authors: Hu Kun , Shi Wenzhong
Published: September 2016

High precision geometric rectification of High Resolution Satellite Imagery (HRSI) is the basis of digital mapping and Three-Dimensional (3D) modeling. Taking advantage of line features as basic geometric control conditions instead of control points, the Line-Based Transformation Model (LBTM) provides a practical and efficient way of image rectification. It is competent to build the mathematical relationship between image space and the corresponding object space accurately, while it reduces the workloads of ground control and feature recognition dramatically. Based on generalization and the analysis of existing LBTMs, a novel rigorous LBTM is proposed in this paper, which can further eliminate the geometric deformation caused by sensor inclination and terrain variation. This improved nonlinear LBTM is constructed based on a generalized point strategy and resolved by least squares overall adjustment. Geo-positioning accuracy experiments with IKONOS, GeoEye-1 and ZiYuan-3 satellite imagery are performed to compare rigorous LBTM with other relevant line-based and point-based transformation models. Both theoretic analysis and experimental results demonstrate that the rigorous LBTM is more accurate and reliable without adding extra ground control. The geo-positioning accuracy of satellite imagery rectified by rigorous LBTM can reach about one pixel with eight control lines and can be further improved by optimizing the horizontal and vertical distribution of control lines.
The Sustainability of Global Chain Governance: Network Structures and Local Supplier Upgrading in Thailand
Authors: Cho Sungchul , Lim Up
Published: September 2016

Although it has been widely accepted that insertion into global production networks may play a critical role in fostering local supplier upgrading, scholars have yet to fully incorporate heterogeneous configurations of buyer-supplier relationships within networks into empirical testing. Using a representative sample of manufacturing firms in Thailand, we propose a more nuanced empirical framework that asks which features of buyer-supplier relationships are related to which aspects of local supplier upgrading. Our findings, derived from latent class analysis, show that the ways value chains are governed can exert varying effects on different types of technological upgrading. Being a multinational corporation (MNC) supplier was found to have positive effects on process and minor product upgrading, irrespective of the types of buyer-supplier networks. However, we found a more radical type of upgrading (i.e., the development of own brands) to be negatively related to insertion into ‘quasi-hierarchical’ or ‘buyer-driven relationships’, whilst involvement in ‘cooperative networks’ was associated with a significantly higher tendency of product and brand upgrading. Understanding this inherent relationality provides a crucial balance to previous firm-level findings, suggesting that the sustainability of participation in global value chains depends on the relational structures in which local manufacturers are embedded.
Beyond Ribosomal Binding: The Increased Polarity and Aberrant Molecular Interactions of 3-epi-deoxynivalenol
Authors: Hassan Yousef , Zhu Honghui , Zhu Yan , Zhou Ting
Published: September 2016

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a secondary fungal metabolite and contaminant mycotoxin that is widely detected in wheat and corn products cultivated around the world. Bio-remediation methods have been extensively studied in the past two decades and promising ways to reduce DON-associated toxicities have been reported. Bacterial epimerization of DON at the C3 carbon was recently reported to induce a significant loss in the bio-toxicity of the resulting stereoisomer (3-epi-DON) in comparison to the parental compound, DON. In an earlier study, we confirmed the diminished bio-potency of 3-epi-DON using different mammalian cell lines and mouse models and mechanistically attributed it to the reduced binding of 3-epi-DON within the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center (PTC). In the current study and by inspecting the chromatographic behavior of 3-epi-DON and its molecular interactions with a well-characterized enzyme, Fusarium graminearum Tri101 acetyltransferase, we provide the evidence that the C3 carbon epimerization of DON influences its molecular interactions beyond the abrogated PTC binding.
Early Activation of MAPK p44/42 Is Partially Involved in DON-Induced Disruption of the Intestinal Barrier Function and Tight Junction Network
Authors: Springler Alexandra , Hessenberger Sabine , Schatzmayr Gerd , Mayer Elisabeth
Published: September 2016

Deoxynivalenol (DON), produced by the plant pathogens Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum, is one of the most common mycotoxins, contaminating cereal and cereal-derived products. Although worldwide contamination of food and feed poses health threats to humans and animals, pigs are particularly susceptible to this mycotoxin. DON derivatives, such as deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1), are produced by bacterial transformation of certain intestinal bacteria, which are naturally occurring or applied as feed additives. Intestinal epithelial cells are the initial barrier against these food- and feed-borne toxins. The present study confirms DON-induced activation of MAPK p44/42 and inhibition of p44/42 by MAPK-inhibitor U0126 monoethanolate. Influence of DON and DOM-1 on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), viability and expression of seven tight junction proteins (TJ), as well as the potential of U0126 to counteract DON-induced effects, was assessed. While DOM-1 showed no effect, DON significantly reduced TEER of differentiated IPEC-J2 and decreased expression of claudin-1 and -3, while leaving claudin-4; ZO-1, -2, and -3 and occludin unaffected. Inhibition of p44/42 counteracted DON-induced TEER decrease and restored claudin-3, but not claudin-1 expression. Therefore, effects of DON on TEER and claudin-3 are at least partially p44/42 mediated, while effects on viability and claudin-1 are likely mediated via alternative pathways.
Black Skin, White Yacht: Race Opposition in Panapompom Tourist Encounters
Authors: Rollason Will
Published: September 2016

Panapompom people from an island community in southeastern Papua New Guinea have regular contact with tourists who visit the island in yachts. These visits are the occasion for political moves for the development of the community by the mobilization of a racial opposition between black
local people and white yachters. In this article, I examine the implications of the use of oppositions of this type both for anthropological questions of "authenticity" and also local social relations and self-images. The result is a detachment of people from their "native places" and an account
of how "authenticity" is deployed as a political discourse for the constitution of postcolonial Papua New Guinean subjects in local tourist encounters.
Contesting Visions of Caribbean Landscapes
Authors: Cubero Carlo
Published: September 2016

This article examines the social contests that arose out of a series of state-sponsored tourism development projects on the Caribbean island of Culebra. The article will be focusing on how Culebra's tourism debates shed light on the complex social definitions of the island's space and
its delimitations. The island's discursive location—as part of the paracolonial state of Puerto Rico, with a significant population from the US and Europe, and a social memory that is linked to the Anglophone Caribbean—creates a complex social context with multiple imaginaries
and understandings of what it means to live in Culebra. However, for all its complexity and mobility, the social actors who got involved in the development debates used their position to insularize and essentialize the island. In this sense, the development debate continued to reproduce, through
its rhetoric, local versus foreigner binaries regardless of the fragmented nature of the island and the fragmented nature of the opposed parties. The central argument of this article revolves around two propositions. On the one hand, I argue that the multiplicities and fragmentations of the
island of Culebra are visualized and that these visualizations were made manifest in the arguments and justifications people made in outlining their position on tourism development. Second, I will argue that the mobilities—represented by social networks that traverse through the island—and
the insularities—created by the islander's political positions in relation to the development—do not represent mutually exclusive positions. Rather the article explores the nature of this paradox by bringing in ethnographic examples collected through a year of fieldwork, in order
to see this contradiction as a positive tension from where people construct and politicize a sense of place.
Tourism as Social Contest: Opposing Local Evaluations of the Tourist Encounter
Authors: Martin Keir
Published: September 2016

This article provides an overview of the processes by which tourism becomes a setting for the clash of competing discourses over issues such as socioeconomic stratification, ethnicity and national identity, and democratic participation. It examines the notion that such discourses are
produced through the recreation of binary oppositions such as local/outsider, traditional/modern, and authentic/commodified. These oppositions are not viewed as objective descriptions of tourist encounters, but their use in disputes among communities impacted by tourism is an ethnographic
observation that deserves serious consideration. The oppositions occur in historical contexts that•are constantly shifting. They are complex and are sometimes used in a paradoxical manner. Rather than seeking to explain away such contradictions, this article views them as central to the
processes by which local evaluations of the tourist location are formed. In this sense, tourist sites are experienced and constituted locally through these oppositions. The fierce debates about such concepts in the tourism context are reflective of widely felt moral and social crises. These
phenomena include internal socioeconomic differentiation, problematic relations with the state, traditional power structures, moral and religious frames of reference, gender, and notions of belonging. Ethnography shows that such oppositions are recreated rhetorically by actors who are involved
in these contests in a contextually shifting manner. Oppositions between different moral evaluations of tourism-mediated relations are crucial illustrations of how contemporary neoliberalism is constituted at a face-to-face level in different parts of the world.
TEMPORAL VARIABILITY FROM THE TWO-COMPONENT ADVECTIVE FLOW SOLUTION AND ITS OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Dutta Broja G. , Chakrabarti Sandip K.
Published: September 2016

In the propagating oscillatory shock model, the oscillation of the post-shock region, i.e., the Compton cloud, causes the observed low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). The evolution of QPO frequency is explained by the systematic variation of the Compton cloud size, i.e., the steady radial movement of the shock front, which is triggered by the cooling of the post-shock region. Thus, analysis of the energy-dependent temporal properties in different variability timescales can diagnose the dynamics and geometry of accretion flows around black holes. We study these properties for the high-inclination black hole source XTE J1550-564 during its 1998 outburst and the low-inclination black hole source GX 339-4 during its 2006–07 outburst using RXTE/PCA data, and we find that they can satisfactorily explain the time lags associated with the QPOs from these systems. We find a smooth decrease of the time lag as a function of time in the rising phase of both sources. In the declining phase, the time lag increases with time. We find a systematic evolution of QPO frequency and hard lags in these outbursts. In XTE J1550-564, the lag changes from hard to soft (i.e., from a positive to a negative value) at a crossing frequency (ν
c) of ∼3.4 Hz. We present possible mechanisms to explain the lag behavior of high and low-inclination sources within the framework of a single two-component advective flow model.
A DEEP X-RAY VIEW OF THE BARE AGN ARK 120. I. REVEALING THE SOFT X-RAY LINE EMISSION
Authors: Reeves J. N. , Porquet D. , Braito V. , Nardini E. , Lobban A. , Turner T. J.
Published: September 2016

The Seyfert 1 galaxy Ark 120 is a prototype example of the so-called class of bare nucleus active galactic nuclei (AGNs), whereby there is no known evidence for the presence of ionized gas along the direct line of sight. Here deep (>400 ks exposure), high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of Ark 120 is presented from XMM-Newton observations that were carried out in 2014 March, together with simultaneous Chandra/High Energy Transmission Grating exposures. The high-resolution spectra confirmed the lack of intrinsic absorbing gas associated with Ark 120, with the only X-ray absorption present originating from the interstellar medium (ISM) of our own Galaxy, with a possible slight enhancement of the oxygen abundance required with respect to the expected ISM values in the solar neighborhood. However, the presence of several soft X-ray emission lines are revealed for the first time in the XMM-Newton RGS spectrum, associated with the AGN and arising from the He- and H-like ions of N, O, Ne, and Mg. The He-like line profiles of N, O, and Ne appear velocity broadened, with typical FWHMs of ∼5000 km s−1, whereas the H-like profiles are unresolved. From the clean measurement of the He-like triplets, we deduce that the broad lines arise from a gas of density n
e ∼ 1011 cm−3, while the photoionization calculations infer that the emitting gas covers at least 10% of 4π steradian. Thus the broad soft X-ray profiles appear coincident with an X-ray component of the optical–UV broad-line region on sub-parsec scales, whereas the narrow profiles originate on larger parsec scales, perhaps coincident with the AGN narrow-line region. The observations show that Ark 120 is not intrinsically bare and substantial X-ray-emitting gas exists out of our direct line of sight toward this AGN.
Evidence for Using Doxazosin in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Smith Cherish , Koola Maju Mathew
Published: September 2016

There is evidence that doxazosin is effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Doxazosin is a “me-too” drug of prazosin. Doxazosin has an improved absorption profile and this likely minimizes the risk for unintended adverse hypotensive effects. The availability of doxazosin in the gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) form permits a higher initial daily dose (4 mg/day) while avoiding significant first-dose side effects. The treatment of PTSD with prazosin has several disadvantages due to its short duration of action (6–8 hours), which results in multiple doses being required. Prazosin may wear off and this may lead to nightmares in the latter half of the sleep. Doxazosin has significant advantages over prazosin in clinical practice because it has a long half-life and requires only once-daily dosing. This may lead to better adherence and greater effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD.

[
Psychiatr Ann
. 2016;46(9):553–555.]
The Role of Genetics and Epigenetics in the Pathogenesis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Pape Julius C. , Binder Elisabeth B.
Published: September 2016

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a common psychiatric disorder that can emerge after a traumatic life event. Despite a high incidence of trauma exposure (40%–90%) in the general population, only a minority (7%–12%) will eventually develop the disorder. As indicated by twin and family studies, genetic factors are an important contributor to PTSD, suggesting an individual genetic vulnerability to the disorder. Studies exclusively focusing on genetic main effects have shown limited results, likely because environmental factors play a key role in this disorder. Gene and environment interaction (GxE) studies may represent a more promising approach to better understand the pathophysiology of this disorder because they jointly consider the genetic predisposition as well as the environmental trigger. On a molecular level, such GxE and long-lasting effects of these interactions on transcriptional regulation may be mediated by epigenetic modifications. A number of studies suggest that the etiology of PTSD is the result of a complex interplay of genetics, environmental factors, and epigenetic regulation. This article reviews current genetic and epigenetic findings in the field of PTSD, focusing both on candidate gene and genome-wide approaches. Although there has been some initial progress, the field still lacks large-scale studies on the genetic level, but some are currently underway within the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium PTSD. Finally, the reviewed studies support that a combination of different approaches, integrating genetic and epigenetic data, will be necessary to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of PTSD.[Psychiatr Ann. 2016;46(9):510–518.]
Brain Imaging Alterations in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Grupe Daniel W. , Heller Aaron S.
Published: September 2016

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with a host of neurobiological changes, including abnormalities in subcortical and cortical structure and function. The majority of neuroimaging studies have been motivated by a fear-conditioning perspective to examine neural changes associated with PTSD, with several studies finding alterations in the amygdala, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex. However, not all studies have replicated these findings, suggesting that perhaps more nuanced models of PTSD may be needed to account for the pathophysiology of the disorder. We review neuroimaging findings related to the fear model, encouraging researchers to consider additional factors such as trauma type, age of trauma, and affective neurodynamics. Explicit consideration of these factors may facilitate greater coherence among studies going forward and advance our understanding of the neurobiological alterations associated with PTSD.

[
Psychiatr Ann
. 2016;46(9):519–526.]
Centro Comercial de Stonestown
Authors: Becket Welton
Published: September 2016

El hombre tiene unas tendencias y unas necesidades. Unas y otras ha de satisfacerlas en la sociedad de la que es parte. Esta, a través de sus elementos y organismos directores, debe procurar ordenarse de manera que sus componentes todos, encuentren marco adecuado para ello, es decir, que facilite sus cotidianos menesteres, que haga su vida alegre y en el cual no sólo sea posible y fácil el desarrollo de la personalidad de cada uno, sino que éste se vea estimulado.
Designing Interiors
Authors: Crespi Luciano
Published: September 2016

The chapter illustrates a possible procedure to follow every time an interior project, either concerning an interior space or urban interior, must be undertaken. The procedure starts from the overview of the theme in every component, both functional and cultural, to achieve the development of the research and the elaboration of the layout, meant as an answer, mostly conceptual, to the questions risen by the theme. The master plan of the space is following, to reach the writing of the project and the necessary check of its suitability to the starting theme.
A Critical Rhetoric for Urban Innovation
Authors: Caeiro Mário
Published: September 2016

The chapter presents a conceptual and pragmatic mindset, framing a critical positioning concerning activities such as curating artistic projects in public space, programming cultural events and designing habitats. It develops a specific jargon, crucial for a truly Contemporary understanding of the city: a total rhetoric of the urban form. Many different experiments in art are fueling the emergence of a new sensibility, showing how ‘parts of the city' can become possibilities, thus spaces with a great potential for both a strategic and critically engaged change. In a peculiar rhetorical balance - an ethos of attentive and open curiosity, a logos of ongoing urban-based research and production of ideas and finally a pathos of witty sharing of information and knowledge, some artistic installations and urban projects are a valid laboratory for creative citizenship. Through the analysis of a few cases, I argue that art is a tekne sensitive to discrete elements of the city, leading these to become the building blocks of urban life and creativity.
Urban Interior Design
Authors: Di Prete Barbara
Published: September 2016

This chapter analyses the 'urban interiors', a significant disciplinary field in contemporary design researches because it appears as a territory in which the human being can express its subjectivity within larger communities, though which he can reaffirm faded identities and share stratified memories. To imagine new rituals and new urban spatial patterns, that can perform also symbolic-affective functions, becomes the priority task of those involved in urban interiors' sphere: the goal is to rediscover the city as a place for meeting and social gatherings. The strategies to do it are various, but they are all pursuing a wide involvement and an active co-participation of people in structuring the space, marked by recreational and creative processes. As a result, we witness the emergence of cities characterized by experiential moments that create spaces and spaces like theatre scenographies that receive, exhibit and narrate the urban living.
Practice of Consumption and Spaces for Goods
Authors: Murialdo Francesca
Published: September 2016

Interiors, intended as the discipline able to build (not only) physical connections in between spaces, people and objects, has deeply changed in the last decades, assuming new roles and aims. Both theory and practice, thanks to its continuous updating, have being able to generate innovative and collaborative insight and solutions, moving fast towards new contents, new tools and different strategies focused on the contemporaneity. In this framework, retail design, both in research and profession, is particularly interesting as an expression of this disciplinary shift, with an approach characterized by multidisciplinarity, experimentation and a strong relational dimension. The change in the significance of goods is a process that, ever since the end of the Industrial Revolution, has triggered far-reaching changes in society as the term has lost any meaning in relation to its purely functional character and increasingly come to represent symbolic and cultural contents. “Practice of Consumption and Spaces for Goods” has the aim to investigate contemporary retail spaces as complex places combining many aspects that go beyond the spatial and functional to include the physical, social, cultural and economic.
Figuring Out the Interiors through the Geometric Tools of Representation
Authors: Amoruso Giuseppe
Published: September 2016

Interior design is taught to be an essential tool for envisioning and modeling the environments we live in. Representing interior spaces through drawings and physical models requires a continuous process of imagination. The chapter exploits the projective tools for illusory design describing the processes of representation to design and build interiors but also their perception as a space. Crucial is the role of perspective in designing and building interiors; techniques of perspective, distancing itself from the mathematical problems, become a projective tool to add illusory qualities and creating the perfect tuning among spaces that remind us that designing methods aim to add dimensions to the human sphere, not only in the physical one but also in the creation of material images and allegories. The research highlights the principles of projective-geometric design of illusory spaces. Descriptive geometry and disciplines of representation provide, in the many phases of design, scientific and artistic tools for practical resolutions of geometric and constructive problems.
On Exhibition Graphics Understood as a Space-Related Interface
Authors: Bertron Aurelia
Published: September 2016

Exhibition projects created by Bertron Schwarz Frey follow strong design principles built on the triad “content – form – meaning”. The exhibition as a medium works within two main disciplines, design and architecture, the former of which is the main focus here. A deeper understanding of exhibition-graphics methods and possibilities is provided by examining three specific questions and taking a closer look at some of the exhibition projects designed by the author's studio, including the Mendelssohn House of Music in Leipzig, the ZEISS Museum of Optics in Oberkochen Germany and the Museum of Natural History Berlin.
Global Warming, Climate Policy, and the Green Paradox
Authors: Popescu Gheorghe H. , Nica Elvira
Published: September 2016

Scholarship about the role of managed systems when considering the impacts of climate change, the environmental problem arising from polluting-resource use, the economic aspects of strategies to slow climate change, and the connection between climate change and economic growth has increased and consolidated, especially in recent years. The main objective of this chapter is to explore and describe the effects of climate policy on greenhouse gas emissions, the societal aspects of climate change, the technology-based determinants of green growth, and the productivity impacts of environmental quality. The results of the current chapter converge with prior research on the harmful results of climate change, reduced use of polluting inputs as a consequence of environmental policy, the prevailing governmental policies for fighting global warming, and measures to mitigate the temperature increase by reducing CO2 emissions.
Land Classification Research
Authors: DeMers Michael N.
Published: September 2016

Land classification is so central to geography that its use, and the use of its derivative and corresponding products, is seldom even questioned. Since its earliest implementations land classification has adapted to changes in geographic scale and in the nature of the categorical systematics upon which it is based. Land classification has changed in its techniques and in how it adapts to technological changes, particularly those related to remote sensing and geographic information systems. The adaptation of land classification to digital pixel-based classification spawned a wide range of land classification error analysis techniques. These techniques do not easily transfer to non-pixel based classification error analysis as recent research on rapid land assessment methodologies and land change error analysis has shown. This disparity suggests a need to reevaluate the very nature of land classification research. To begin such an evaluation, this lecture provides a retrospective on the roots of land classification research, examines some of the milestones of that research, and describes the divergent paths such research has taken. It examines the importance of land classification in these times of ever decreasing global resources, and reviews its potential legal, social, and economic implications. Based on this retrospective, this paper advances the need for geographic researchers to envision land classification not only as a set of techniques, but more generally to focus on systematic geography in all its facets as a research agenda in its own right.
Temporal Data Analysis and Mining Methods for Modelling the Climate Change Effects on Malaysia's Oil Palm Yield at Different Regional Scales
Authors: Shanmuganathan Subana , Narayanan Ajit , Medagoda Nishantha Priyanka Kumara
Published: September 2016

Space and time related data generated is becoming ever more voluminous, noisy and heterogeneous outpacing the research efforts in the domain of climate. Nevertheless, this data portrays recent climate/ weather change patterns. Thus, insightful approaches are required to overcome the challenges when handling the so called “big data” to unravel the recent unprecedented climate change in particular, its variability, frequency and effects on key crops. Contemporary climate-crop models developed at least two decades ago are found to be unsuitable for analysing complex climate/weather data retrospectively. In this context, the chapter looks at the use of scalable time series analysis, namely ARIMA (Autoregressive integrated moving average) models and data mining techniques to extract new knowledge on the climate change effects on Malaysia's oil palm yield at the regional and administrative divisional scales. The results reveal recent trends and patterns in climate change and its effects on oil palm yield impossible otherwise e.g. Traditional statistical methods alone.
DG-ABC
Authors: Silva Elisabete A. , Wu Ning
Published: September 2016

Urban land change phenomena include spatial and a-spatial dynamics. As Holland (1995) suggests “a city's coherence is somehow imposed on a perpetual flux of people and structure.” However, it seems that most of the traditional economic and geographic studies have tried to separate the two entities associated with land use change (human decision-making and its spatial consequences), into two separate models (Sethuram et al., 2008). In order to explore the two fluxes (the spatial and a-spatial dynamics) this chapter presents an integrated model that incorporates ABM (Agent Base Model), CA (Cellular Automaton) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to include both spatial and a-spatial dynamics in an urban system in order to supply a new solution for urban studies. In the authors' model (DG-ABC stands for ‘Developing Genetic-Agent Based Cells'), the social economic behaviours of heterogeneous agents (resident, property developer and government) will be regulated by GA and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TpB). With a pilot study conducted in order to test and calibrate the model this chapter analyzes how the macro level of the spatial pattern change (the emergence phenomena) is produced from the interactions of actors at the micro level (by the heterogeneous behaviours and interactions between agents, and the discrete spatial dynamics represented by CA). The simulation demonstrates that the integrated model can provide reasonable representations of the future evolution of cities.
The Global Change App
Authors: Borrelle Stephanie B. , Frielick Stanley , Asshoff Roman , Leuzinger Sebastian
Published: September 2016

The global carbon and water cycles, and the process of photosynthesis are integral components of any high school science class or university science degree. Despite being intricately linked, these important global processes are often taught in isolation. This disconnection can lead to students having an incomplete understanding of the interconnection of leaf level processes, global cycles, and how they are affected by human activities. The “Global Change” app is an interactive teaching tool that illustrates how the biotic and abiotic systems involved in carbon and water cycling are connected to the stomata, and how human activities are affecting these processes in a meaningful way for students. In this chapter, the authors identify key gaps in students understanding and explain how the app addresses these. Example lessons are provided that encourage student self-inquiry, in a way that allows flexible, interactive learning. The Global Change app demonstrates how creative design and science can be combined to enhance the engagement of students with complex scientific concepts.
Sensitivity Analysis with Calibration of Natural Resource Variables under Climate Change
Authors: Ghosh Nilanjan , Hazra Somnath
Published: September 2016

This chapter compares two quantitative frameworks, namely, Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) and Econometric models to study the impacts of climate change on human economy. However, as is inferred from this chapter, CGE framework is fraught with unrealistic assumptions, and fails to capture impacts of climate change and extreme events on the ecosystem services. On the other hand, econometric framework can be customised and is not based on the unrealistic assumptions like CGE. The various advantages and disadvantages of the two methods have been discussed critically in the process in this chapter in light of the avowed objective of understanding sustainability science.
Soil, Water, and Agricultural Adaptations
Authors: Eudoxie Gaius D. , Wuddivira Mark
Published: September 2016

Threats to the Caribbean's diminishing soil and water resources will be heightened under predicted climate change scenarios for the Caribbean. Changes in climate change drivers, temperature, and precipitation present the greatest impact on soil and water resources. Predicted increases in air surface temperature would affect sea-level rise. Low total precipitation across both wet and dry seasons with increased incidence of drought and extreme storm events will pose challenges to agriculture. Erosion and land degradation are expected to increase, thereby reducing arable land acreage, and elevated temperatures will further reduce soil organic carbon contents. In this chapter, strategies to sustainably manage soil resources in the Caribbean are discussed and focus on (1) reducing the incidence of erosion and degradation and (2) increasing Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) contents. The authors also present some appropriate water conservation techniques including micro-irrigation and water harvesting, which are necessary to maintain consistency of food supply.
Farming Adaptations to the Impacts of Climate Change and Extreme Events in Pacific Island Countries
Authors: Iese Viliamu , Maeke Joseph , Holland Elisabeth , Wairiu Morgan , Naidu Sumeet
Published: September 2016

Farmers in Pacific Islands' communities are considered to be most vulnerable to the impacts of increased temperature, sea-level rise, droughts, cyclones, and heavy rainfall. Farmers living on a raised atoll in the Solomon Islands (Bellona) were interviewed to understand their perceptions and experiences on the impacts of climate change and extreme events on their crops. Some examples of damage and impacts according to the farmers included rotting of roots, damage to leaves and branches, and destruction of fruits and valuable yields. Interviews also revealed that the ability of farmers to recover after disasters was dependent on their pre-disaster conditions, number and varieties of crops they had planted, type of cropping system in use, and consistent use of simple, traditional, and innovative adaptive techniques. Such techniques included crop rotation, change of planting and harvesting dates, and the planting of new resilient varieties.
Land Deals and Sustainable Income
Authors: Olokoyo Felicia O. , George Tayo O. , Efobi Uchenna R. , Beecroft Ibukun
Published: September 2016

This chapter examines the extent to which land deals affect the sustainable income of households in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Particular interest is paid to the interplay between land deals and other covariates like education, age, and other incomes aside land deals. A survey consisting of about 500 Ota indigenes is analyzed using logistic regression, which is complemented by other descriptive statistics. The results reveal that land deals have not sufficiently and positively affected the income of the individuals. On sustainability of income, land deals act in direct opposition with the other covariates. This implies that when land deals significantly affect sustainable income the other variables act otherwise. The implication from this is that land deals are not a sustainable source of income for indigenes in the study area. This is particularly because its inclusion in the model has an adverse effect on the other covariates.
Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources
Authors: Kumar C. P.
Published: September 2016

Climate change poses uncertainties to the supply and management of water resources. While climate change affects surface water resources directly through changes in the major long-term climate variables such as air temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration, the relationship between the changing climate variables and groundwater is more complicated and poorly understood. The greater variability in rainfall could mean more frequent and prolonged periods of high or low groundwater levels, and saline intrusion in coastal aquifers due to sea level rise and resource reduction. This chapter presents the likely impact of climate change on groundwater resources and methodology to assess the impact of climate change on groundwater resources.
Gendered Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change
Authors: Mujere Never
Published: September 2016

Climate change is a critical global issue with the potential to cause social, political, environmental and economic hardships. Women and the poor are disproportionately affected by climate change because of cultural norms, their dependence on natural resources; responsibility for water, fuel, food procurement and household care; their greater exposure to risk in crisis and severe weather events and the predominant presence of low technology in agriculture and their lack of resources and power. This chapter concentrates on vulnerability and adaptation responses at the community level and the context or factors that influence adaptation at this level. In particular, this it focuses gender based vulnerability and adaptation and the factors that influence they respond to climate change. It also highlights the importance of collective adaptation efforts in order to guide the design of more inclusive and effective adaptation projects and programs.
Imbalances in the Cadastre and Land Book
Authors: Dobre Ramona
Published: September 2016

The present paper aims to highlight the Romanian necessity to eliminate the imbalances from cadastre and land book. For this purpose are identified the main causes that determined the current factual situation and at the same time there are elaborated a set of solutions in order to correct those imbalances. Furthermore the paper aims to anticipate the beneficial effects that these solution have on the agriculture and rural development. The research methods utilized in this paper consist in documentary synthesis and analysis of specialized paper works and studies from France and United Kingdom and the Romanian legislation in force in the field.
Impacts of Climate Change on Fish Productivity
Authors: Senapati Sibananda , Gupta Vijaya
Published: September 2016

This paper attempts to understand the climatic and socio-economic factors influencing the efficiency and thereby the livelihood of fishing community in Mumbai. Efficiency in fishing is influenced by the scale of production, technology and inputs used, socio-economic and climate sensitive factors such as temperature, current, wind, rainfall etc. A primary survey of 164 fishing households is conducted in five fishing villages of Mumbai to collect input-output and other relevant data related to socioeconomic and climatic factors. Using stochastic frontier function, it is found that the number of working days, fuel costs, number of workers along with type of family, education, electronic gadgets used in fishing and observation on temperature change significantly affects the productivity and thereby their preparedness. The fishermen belonging to nuclear family and using advanced fishing equipments along with those are observing a rise in temperature successfully adapted and their efficiency level is increased. Mostly rich and affluent fishermen are more efficient than others. The estimated technical efficiencies for the fishing households range from 0.12 to 0.87, with a mean efficiency level of 0.39. Technological advancement in the production process with large scale of operation significantly influences fishermen's awareness, adaptability to climate change and also the efficiency.
The Dynamics of Food Insecurity in Ethiopia
Authors: Ayenew Melak Mesfin
Published: September 2016

This paper assesses the dynamics of food insecurity in Ethiopia and tests policy options and scenarios that could alleviate the problem in the future. The study assess food security based on the pillars; food availability, access to food and stability. A System Dynamics model is designed which integrate population, market and food production sectors and is used to analyze past and future developments. Model results show that both the food supplies and the purchasing power of the population were insufficient for ensuring the required daily calorie intake of the population. Land degradation contributed considerably to the poor average productivity of the land. Policy analyses show that policy options such as land rehabilitation and capacity building for skilled use of agricultural land, and inputs need to be combined carefully to account for their different implementation times. Scenarios on average rainfall and food expenditure show that the food production and the purchasing power of the population are considerably influenced by erratic rainfall and economic growth respectively.
Climate Change-Associated Conflict and Infectious Disease
Authors: Bowles Devin C.
Published: September 2016

One of the least appreciated mechanisms by which climate change will affect infectious diseases is via increased violent conflict. Climate change will diminish agricultural and pastoral resources and increase food scarcity in many areas, including already impoverished equatorial regions. Many in the defence and public health fields anticipate that climate change will increase conflict by fuelling competition over scarce resources. Already, some commentators argue that the conflicts in Darfur and Syria were partially caused or exacerbated by climate change. Conflict facilitates a range of conditions conducive to the spread of many infectious diseases, including malnutrition, forced migration, unhygienic living conditions and widespread sexual assault. Flight or killing of health personnel inhibits vaccination, vector control and disease surveillance programs. Emergence of new diseases may go undetected and discovery of outbreaks could be suppressed for strategic reasons. These conditions combine to increase the risk of pandemics.
Climate Change and Adaptation through the Lens of Capability Approach
Authors: Mili Bhupen , Barua Anamika , Katyaini Suparana
Published: September 2016

Climate Change impacts would disproportionately have larger impacts on the developing countries. Both government and development agencies have initiated various adaptation strategies in the developing countries to enhance the adaptation of the local communities. Various policies and programmes have been designed keeping in mind the impact of climate change. This study was conducted in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, to see the benefits of such policies and programmes. Focus group discussion with community members were held in the study area. Based on the fieldwork it was seen that most of the intervention made in the study area focused on income, resources, and assets. It has failed to benefits the people due to variation in the capability among various section of the society. Various projects related to health, education, housing, and livelihood, have been implemented in the study region. However, due to lack of conversion factors in the form of gender inequality, discriminatory practices, transparency among others have come as a hindrance in the successful implementation of the projects. Hence, such project-based approach to enhance community's adaptation to climate risk, in the end fails to show benefits as it fails to expand community's capabilities and real freedom, due to the project's pre-defined aims. It is important to understand community's as agent of change rather than merely beneficiaries of adaptation projects. This study therefore recommends that to enhance community's adaptation to climate change, the interventions should be such that it enlarges the range of people's choices so that when climate disaster strikes them they will have a set of opportunities.
Emerging Value Capture Innovative Urban Rail Funding and Financing
Authors: Jillella Satya Sai Kumar , T G Sitharam , Matan Anne , Newman Peter
Published: September 2016

Urban rail transit is emerging around the world as a catalyzing developmental solution to enable 21st century sustainable cities. However, these transit systems are capital intensive and cities worldwide are seeking innovative funding and financing mechanisms. Recently, land based value capture (VC) mechanisms have emerged as a pioneering solution to fund urban rail projects. This chapter introduces the VC concept and provides global best practice. The chapter aims to help enhance the understanding and rationale behind VC approaches through assessing the transit impacted accessibility value proposition and various VC mechanisms to capture the value created. A six-step Strategic Value Capture (SVC) framework is proposed which offers a step-by-step guidance to help define the VC based urban rail transit funding and financing processes from VC planning to VC operations.