bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women in Development Mobilize Grassroots Enterprises to Reduce Household Poverty
Authors: Semali Ladislaus M.
Published: November 2018

This study examines the roles African women played in reducing household poverty through local enterprises that resulted in feeding their families, sending their children to school and contributing to community development. Their determination was to implement and invest in self-help enterprises in order to counter the incidence of household poverty and eventually bring about social change. A literature review section distinguishes theoretical from empirical approaches to study poverty and leads this study to some important conclusions. The results paint a picture that explains a world in which women live in poverty as they face gross inequalities and injustices from birth to death—from poor education, poor nutrition, vulnerable and low-pay employment, and acts of discrimination that women are likely to suffer throughout their entire life.
Agency, Gender Identities, and Clothing Consumption
Authors: Jahan Fatema Rouson
Published: November 2018

The chapter critically analyses the discourses on global factory workers that rest on three assumptions. First, the discussions of production are centred on stories of victimhood and produce a homogeneous image of third world workers as cheap and docile, who are affected by global labour market dynamics similarly and equally. Second, the third world is always theorised as a site of production and women factory workers are always positioned as sweatshop workers and never as consumers. Third, women's role as consumers appears only in relation to white women from the global north, who are assumed to have more purchasing power. Third world workers' consumption practices have been largely overlooked. The chapter problematises some of these assumptions. It proposes to look at the gender dynamics in the lives of women workers in global garment factories with a focus on their clothing consumption in order to further an approach that acknowledges the heterogeneity and agency of garment workers.
Time Allocation and the Life Cycle of Women and Men in Poland
Authors: Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz Anna , Mroczek Katarzyna
Published: November 2018

The way people spend time determines the quality of their lives. Work takes a significant share of the time we have at our disposal. The allocation of time between paid and unpaid work depends on gender as well as age, and it influences women's and men's opportunities. This chapter analyses the allocation of women's and men's time between paid and unpaid work in the context of life-cycle. In the first part, economic theories concerning decision making processes about how to allocate time between market work and household are presented. The allocation of women's and men's time in distinguished age groups in Poland is analysed in the second part of the chapter. The analysis is based on time use data from research conducted by Central Statistical Office in years 2003-2004. The last part presents the logistic function that allows to determine estimated maxima of women's and men's activities both in paid and unpaid work. The analysis confirmed that time allocation depends both on gender and life-cycle.
Women's Economic Empowerment in the Developing Countries
Authors: Zakuan Ummu Atiyah Ahmad , Hassan Kalthum
Published: November 2018

It is an established fact that women's empowerment is primary to the socio-economic and political development of a nation. It will be meaningless, if women that constitute half of the population of the globe do not have access to education, healthcare, employment and political decision making bodies. A nation benefits fully when both men and women contribute rigorously in social cohesion, economic growth, peace and prosperity. Findings from countries and reputable institutions such as World Bank and the United Nations revealed that greater gender equality correlates positively with national economic growth. The World Economic Forum recently reported that across the 135 countries examined, greater gender equality correlates positively with per capita gross national product. Countries with greater equality between women and men have economies that are more competitive and fast growing. Hence, removing barriers on empowering women stimulates economic development. This chapter commences with the meaning of women empowerment followed by the identification of various barriers on women empowerment, and investigation on women economic empowerment in the developing countries. The patriarchal system is also introduced to explain how it influences women empowerment. Finally, this chapter argues that women empowerment in general can only be achieved if the patriarchal system is transformed or reengineered to foster more equality between both groups.
Overcoming Intersectional Barriers
Authors: Parker Sara L. , Standing Kay
Published: November 2018

This chapter discusses the complexity and challenges of exploring the impact of gender on women's ability to realise their potential in Nepal. It demonstrates the limitations of using binary divisions to exploring ‘gender' as a key factor that impacts upon women's lives. By analysing interviews with ‘inspirational' women in Nepal conducted between 2009 and 2012 the chapter highlights the importance of exploring intersectional factors that also influenced women's life experiences. Based on interviews with 34 ‘inspirational' women in Nepal the chapter explores how the term ‘inspirational' is defines and discusses the range of work being done by so many women in Nepal that is truly inspiring. Through a discourse analysis of their stories of childhood and education we can see what key factors have played a role in enabling these women to realise their potential and to overcome intersectional barriers to work in a range of diverse positions, from the first female District Development Officer to the first women to gain her doctorate from overseas, to women who have set up NGOS working towards a more equitable and just society to others who have set up their own businesses or becoming leading academics. The conclusion draws together some key recommendations for future research and policy makers as well as those seeking to promote more equitable sustainable development that truly includes women in the process as autonomous, heterogeneous actors in the development process
Gender and Other Factors That Influence Tourism Preferences
Authors: Dale Naomi F.
Published: November 2018

The consumption process of travel decision making, is influenced by a number of factors and a substantial body of decision making literature in the form of the broader ‘models of consumer behaviour' has been adapted to attempt to describe this process. Existing ‘foundation models' present variables such as personal characteristics and attitudes as factors that affect the vacation decision making process, but fail to discuss the extent to which gender and technology preferences influence decisions and destination choice. Economic models are based on utility theory as a decision making framework, however, they do not allow for the other consumer oriented variables. Current models (economic or otherwise) focus on individuals and their decision making process without a combined consideration of information search and technology gendered preferences and the impact they have on choosing a destination for a vacation.
Gender Equality Policies in Indian Hotel Industry
Authors: Gupta Megha
Published: November 2018

An awareness of the under-representation of women in top positions in the corporate world has prompted many corporations to review their policies and practices. If firms are to remain productive and competitive in an increasingly demanding global market place, they must recruit, retain, develop, and promote their most talented people, regardless of their sex. This is increasingly seen not only as the right or ethical thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. And in keeping with this realization, a small number of leading edge organizations are attempting to become more women-friendly. Having women in key positions is argued to be associated with long term company success and competitive advantage adding value through women's distinctive set of skills and creating cultures of inclusion through a diverse workforce. This chapter tries to evaluate the gender equality policies in selected Indian hotels and finds a mixed picture. The analysis suggests that majority of the hotels are not yet adopting pro- active policies to encourage the representation or empowerment of women in hotels. Female employees tend to be concentrated at entry or operational level and their presence is lower at senior positions. Based on the results study suggests the Indian Hotel industry to rework on HR policies to provide equal and equitable opportunities for female employees.
Women in Global Professional Services Firms
Authors: Panina Daria
Published: November 2018

Professional services firms (PSFs) have traditionally relied on professional partnerships as an organizational principle. This system was developed more than a century ago, when women did not actively pursue careers in professional services. Professional partnerships are very resistant to change and have managed to preserve their main features for decades. Their formal and informal practices still have exclusionary effects on female professionals. However, professional services firms are increasingly facing a deregulated, competitive, and very dynamic environment and are pressured by the labor market and client firms to rethink their stance on gender diversity. This chapter presents an overview of the management practices in professional services firms and outlines the major changes in their environment. Recent trends in changing management practices in the professional services sector and their impact on female professionals are analyzed. Implications for theory building and future research on management practices in professional service firms are discussed.
BOLD Ideas for Creative Social Networking
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kramarae Cheris
Published: November 2018

To further open the conversation about women's empowerment and global collaborations using new networking technologies, this chapter problematizes some prevalent ideas about creativity and social networking, notes suggested change that carry anti-feminist sentiments throughout the world, and suggests a number of ways that women and men can all benefit from an opening of queries about innovative ways of working together online. With the suggested expansions, the authors welcome more inclusive and invitational discussion about future digital media research and development.
Engineering Education for All
Authors: Galeshi Roofia
Published: November 2018

For many men and women across the world, distance education has improved access to higher education. Distance education could potentially help bridge the gap that divides the East and the West. A group of highly motivated young men and women from the Middle-East with undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science students were given an opportunity to earn a Ph.D. degree from a high ranking American university. These highly motivated men and women then were asked to participate in an online survey that aimed at comparing their perception of online education versus face-to-face education. The result indicated that there was no association between the students' degree of self-efficacy and feeling of inclusion in online versus face-to-face courses. Moreover, the result indicated that there was no association between gender and self-efficacy regardless of the medium of the choice.
Gendered Organizational Culture
Authors: Hossain Julaikha Bente
Published: November 2018

This study began with the question of what are the factors that lead to different outcomes of women in engineering employment in Bangladesh and Thailand. The primary data for answering this question were drawn from questionnaire surveys with 204 professional engineers, in-depth interviews with 80 professional women engineers, and discussions with employers in construction organizations in Bangladesh and Thailand. The findings identifies several barriers that not only deter women from entering into organizations, but also stopped the stream of women engineering graduates to flow into the engineering job market. The study has shed light on how organizational cultural practices as well as the influence of external factors within organizations affect women's entry and stay in construction organizations in Bangladesh and Thailand. The findings suggest that organizations should develop their own equal opportunity guidelines and policies to provide women with a suitable job and ensure that they remain employed.
STEM Fields and Ethnic Women in New Zealand
Authors: Mpofu Charles
Published: November 2018

A critical race theory was used to analyse policies and strategies in place to enable the participation of New Zealand ethnic women of Latin-American, Middle Eastern, and African (MELAA) origin in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields (STEM) in education and industry. The aim was to find out what policy – and other – levers are available for better participation in the STEM fields by the ethnic women's population. The process involved an analysis of publicly available official documents on STEM strategies at national and regional levels. The main findings were that gender issues are expressed in a generic way, either across all ethnic groups, or across the four ethnic groups where the MELAA stands not clearly identifiable in the classifications. Recommendations include the need to develop policies and strategies that account for race and gender equity as part of an agenda to eliminate marginalization of this group.
Immobilization of Laccase from T. versicolor on Nanofiber Matrix
Authors: Maryšková Milena , Vaňátková Petra , Schaabová Markéta , Maryška Jiří
Published: November 2018

Prepared nanofiber matrices based on polyamide 6 and polyamide 6/chitosan with numerous amine groups were tested on enzyme immobilization. Laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized on both nanofiber sheets either via glutaraldehyde and hexamethylenediamine activation, or via adsorption followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. Both types of the attachment were successful, however, the adsorption method provided immobilized laccase with enhanced operational stability.
Analysis on Vibration Characteristics of Wind Turbine Blade to Improve the Effectiveness through CFD Developed by ANSYS
Authors: Narayanan M. Rajaram , Nallusamy S.
Published: November 2018

In the current scenario, there is a continuous need for increasing the efficiency of the aerodynamics of wind turbine blades through research studies. Vibration in a wind turbine blade has lot to do on its performance. An effective approach is required by wind mill including to control the vibration to achieve better results. The objective of this research is to investigate the vibration characteristics of the prototype horizontal axis wind turbine blade developed by using 3D modelling software. Shape memory alloys with their variable material properties offer an alternative adaptive mechanism hence it is used as a damping material. A prototype blade with S1223 profile was manufactured and the natural frequency was found over the surface of the blade. Similarly, results were studied by increasing the number of alloys wires over the blade up to three. Results showed that the embedment of shape memory alloys over the blade’s surface increases the natural frequency and reduce the amplitude of vibration because of super elastic nature of alloys. Also it was observed that the natural frequency increased by 6% and reduced the amplitude by about 93% where three wires of 0.5mm diameter were kept for the length of 720mm.
Analytical Model for Prediction of Damping Properties of Particulate-Filled Polymer Composite
Authors: Yurkin Yuriy V. , Cherkasov V.D. , Avdonin V.V.
Published: November 2018

To work out effective damping materials it is necessary to perfect analytical dependences linking dynamic properties of a composite with its structure-forming parameters. The analytical model of the particulate-filled polymers, based on the method of strain energy, convenient for engineering use and allowing to predict damping properties of a composite more reliable is given in this article. The detailed leading-out of formulas for scaling of a bulk modulus and loss factor of both two-phase and three-phase model of a composite is presented. Comparison of numerical values of damping characteristics under the derived formulas with experimental researches show that the offered model allows not only to show a qualitative pattern of dependence of dynamic behavior of a composite from degree of admission, but also to receive comprehensible quantitative results.
Preparation and Research of Skeletal Pt-C Compounds
Authors: Hu Xin Ling , Qian Ying Jiang , Li Dong Xu , Chen Xiao Min
Published: November 2018

Platinum matrix composite is a new type of functional pottery material, which has excellent mechanical, electrical and optical properties. Due to the complexity of the synthesis method and the expensive equipment, the development of cermet material is extremely slow, so that the method to solve the problem is urgently needed. In view of the excellent performance of the Pt-C compounds, by hydrothermal method and high temperature roasting method, a new synthesis method for the composite is proposed using melamine and four platinum chloride at 60 °C by the polymerization reaction with a molar ratio of 20:1. The synthetic of Pt-C compounds provides a new synthesis method and new ideas and at the same time the Pt-C compounds has excellent performance, showing the excellent applications in machining.
Developmental parameters of a southern mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) population reveal potential source of latitudinal differences in generation time
Authors: McManis Anne E. , Powell James A. , Bentz Barbara J.
Published: November 2018

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major disturbance agent in pine (PinusLinnaeus; Pinaceae) ecosystems of western North America. Adaptation to local climates has resulted in primarily univoltine generation time across a thermally diverse latitudinal gradient. We hypothesised that voltinism patterns have been shaped by selection for slower developmental rates in southern populations inhabiting warmer climates. To investigate traits responsible for latitudinal differences we measured lifestage-specific development of southern mountain pine beetle eggs, larvae, and pupae across a range of temperatures. Developmental rate curves were fit using maximum posterior likelihood estimation with a Bayesian prior to improve fit stability. When compared to previously published data for a northern population, optimal development of southern individuals occurred at higher temperatures, with higher development thresholds, as compared with northern individuals. Observed developmental rates of the southern and northern populations were similar across studied lifestages at 20 °C, and southern lifestages were generally faster at temperature extremes (10 °C, 27 °C). At 25 °C southern fourth instars were significantly slower than northern fourth instars. Our results suggest that evolved traits in the fourth instar and remaining unstudied lifestage, teneral (i.e., preemergent) adult, likely influence latitudinal differences in mountain pine beetle generation time.
Cost-Benefit of Hiring Athletic Trainers in Oregon High Schools From 2011–2014
Authors: Li Tao , Norcross Marc F. , Johnson Samuel T. , Koester Michael C.
Published: November 2018

Context

Hiring athletic trainers (ATs) in high schools may lower medical payments by third-party payers such as Medicaid or commercial insurers by reducing injury risks or may increase medical payments due to more referrals to other health care providers. To date, evidence is lacking on the actual financial effect of high school ATs based on an analysis of medical claims.

Objective

To assess the overall cost-benefit of hiring ATs in Oregon high schools based on medical claims data across years.

Design

Cost-benefit study.

Setting

Oregon public high schools.

Patients or Other Participants

Patients aged 14 to 18 years old.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

We analyzed the 2011–2014 limited dataset from the Oregon Health Authority's All Payer All Claims database. Paired t tests were used to compare claims payments at the zip code level between periods of having and not having ATs in Oregon high schools. We also used the percentage of AT effort to adjust for AT investment. The main outcome measure was the return on investment associated with hiring ATs in high schools.

Results

The presence of ATs in Oregon high schools may have had different effects on medical payments for Medicaid and commercial insurance. With every dollar invested in hiring ATs in Oregon public high schools from 2011 to 2014, Medicaid payments increased by 24 cents per month at the zip code level, while commercial insurance payments decreased by 24 cents, although the changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Hiring ATs in an outreach model for high schools may not necessarily generate medical savings for Medicaid or commercial insurers. Further research is needed to determine if the lack of cost savings in our study was a factor of the employment model, resulted from increased health care utilization, or reflected the need for ATs to deliver more on-site AT services.
Sielkunde en sielsorg
Authors: Prins S.J.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
De Nieuwere Geschiedenis van Neerlands Kerk der Hervorming
Authors: Pont A.D.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Voorwoord
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Sielsorg in die veranderde maatskaplike omstandighede veral met betrekking tot die geindustrialiseerde gebiede
Authors: Venter P.W.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Vyf en twintig jaar kerkreg binne die ruimte van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika
Authors: Pont A.D.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Sosio-politieke relativering van die bybel
Authors: Venter P.M.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Die boodskap van die boek Jona
Authors: Breytenbach A.P.B.
Published: November 2018

No abstract available.
Spatio-temporal variability of erosivity in Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Di Raimo Luis Augusto Di Loreto , Amorim Ricardo Santos Silva , Couto Eduardo Guimarães , Nóbrega Rodolfo Luiz Bezerra , Torres Gilmar Nunes , Bocuti Edwaldo Dias , Almeida Cristiana Oliveira Silva , Rodrigues Rafael Vinicius
Published: November 2018

The impact of rainfall on surfaces lacking vegetal cover can dissociate soil particles, thereby initiating the erosion process. This is known as rainfall erosivity and is expressed by the R factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Agricultural areas often show seasonally erosion susceptibility throughout the year due to oscillations of the soil exposure rate and the vegetation change. Considering that approximately 30 million ha of the Mato Grosso State in Brazil is used for agriculture, this study aimed to predict and map the spatial and temporal variability of its territory. We evaluated the monthly (EI30) and annual (R) erosivity for 158 rain gauge stations and spatialized the values of EI30 and R by the Kriging method. It was observed that R values ranked as very high in the north, and high and medium-high in the south of Mato Grosso state. The mean value is 8835 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 year-1, considered high. Ninety-one percent of the annual erosivity was concentrated in the period between October and April, corresponding to the rainy season. The highest R factor values were found in the macro-regions of the northwest, north, west and medium-north of Mato Grosso State.
Depressive Symptoms Mediate the Associations of Stigma with Medication Adherence and Quality of Life in Tuberculosis Patients in China
Authors: Qiu Lei , Tong Yeqing , Lu Zuxun , Gong Yanhong , Yin Xiaoxv
Published: November 2018

Stigma has been associated with health-related outcomes such as medication adherence and quality of life (QOL) in patients with tuberculosis (TB); however, the mechanisms via which TB-related stigma interferes with specific outcomes are unclear. This study aimed to determine whether depressive symptoms were one of the mechanisms that mediated the associations between TB-related stigma and both medication adherence and QOL in patients with TB. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014, in Hubei Province, central China, and data were collected from 1,342 patients with TB, using a structured questionnaire that measured TB-related stigma, depressive symptoms, medication adherence, and QOL. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. Structural equation modeling was performed to assess the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the associations of TB-related stigma with medication adherence and QOL. Mediation analyses showed that depressive symptoms partially mediated the association between TB-related stigma and medication adherence (standardized indirect effect = −0.16, 95% bias-corrected confidence interval [CI] [−0.19, −0.13], P < 0.01). Moreover, depressive symptoms fully mediated the association between TB-related stigma and QOL (standardized indirect effect = −0.17, 95% bias-corrected CI [−0.21, −0.14], P < 0.01). The results suggest that depressive symptoms played a key role in the relationships among TB-related stigma, medication adherence, and QOL in patients with TB. Therefore, the alleviation of depressive symptoms could be an important strategy for improving medication adherence and QOL in patients with TB.
Molecular Evidence for Plasmodium falciparum Resistance to Sulfadoxine–Pyrimethamine but Absence of K13 Mutations in Mangaluru, Southwestern India
Authors: Wedam Jakob , Tacoli Costanza , Gai Prabhanjan P. , Siegert Konrad , Kulkarni Suyamindra S. , Rasalkar Rashmi , Boloor Archith , Jain Animesh , Mahabala Chakrapani , Baliga Shantaram , Shenoy Damodara , Devi Rajeshwari , Gai Pramod , Mockenhaupt Frank P.
Published: November 2018

In most of India, sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) plus artesunate serves as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In 112 clinical Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Mangaluru, southwestern India, we sequenced molecular markers associated with resistance to SP, lumefantrine, and artemisinin (pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, and K13). The pfdhfr double mutation 59R-108N combined with the dhps 437G mutation occurred in 39.3% and the pfdhfr double mutation plus the pfdhps double mutation 437G-540E in additional 24.1%. As for pfmdr1, the allele combination N86-184F-D1246 dominated (98.2%). K13 variants were absent. No evidence for artemisinin resistance was seen. However, the antifolate resistance alleles compromise the current first-line antimalarial sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine plus artesunate, which may facilitate the emergence of artemisinin resistance. Artemether–lumefantrine, introduced in northeastern parts of the country, in the study area faces the predominant pfmdr1 NFD genotype, known to impair lumefantrine efficacy. Further monitoring of resistance alleles and treatment trials on alternative artemisinin-based combination therapies are required.
Accuracy of Urine and Serum Assays for the Diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis by Three Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Protocols
Authors: Ruantip Sirowan , Eamudomkarn Chatanun , Techasen Anchalee , Wangboon Chompunoot , Sithithaworn Jiraporn , Bethony Jeffrey M. , Itoh Makoto , Sithithaworn Paiboon
Published: November 2018

To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of urine assay for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, three different immunoassays were used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of anti-Strongyloides immunoglobulin G (IgG) in urine and compared with those in serum samples. Analyses by InBios enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (recombinant NIE antigen), SciMedx ELISA kit (Strongyloides stercoralis antigen), and our in-house ELISA (Strongyloides ratti antigen) yielded comparable diagnostic performances between urine and serum assays. Levels of Strongyloides-specific IgG in urine significantly correlated with those in serum. Tests for diagnostic agreement between urine and serum IgG assays showed substantial to fair agreement (κ = 0.207–0.615). The observed quantitative and qualitative concordance between urine and serum assays in strongyloidiasis suggests that urine has similar diagnostic value to that for serum. Because of the ease and noninvasiveness of clinical sample collection, urine assay has a high potential for the initial diagnosis and mass screening of strongyloidiasis.
Long-range transport of volcanic aerosol from the 2010 Merapi tropical eruption to Antarctica
Authors: Wu Xue , Griessbach Sabine , Hoffmann Lars
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Volcanic sulfate aerosol is an important source of sulfur for
Antarctica, where other local sources of sulfur are rare. Midlatitude and high-latitude volcanic eruptions can directly influence the aerosol budget of the
polar stratosphere. However, tropical eruptions can also enhance polar
aerosol load following long-range transport. In the present work, we analyze
the volcanic plume of a tropical eruption, Mount Merapi in 2010, and
investigate the transport pathway of the volcanic aerosol from the tropical
tropopause layer (TTL) to the lower stratosphere over Antarctica. We use the
Lagrangian particle dispersion model Massive-Parallel Trajectory Calculations
(MPTRAC) and Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) SO2 measurements
to reconstruct the altitude-resolved SO2 injection time series
during the explosive eruption period and simulate the transport of the
volcanic plume using the MPTRAC model. AIRS SO2 and aerosol
measurements, the aerosol cloud index values provided by Michelson
Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS), are used to verify
and complement the simulations. The Lagrangian transport simulation of the
volcanic plume is compared with MIPAS aerosol measurements and shows good
agreement. Both the simulations and the observations presented in this study
suggest that volcanic plumes from the Merapi eruption were transported to the
south of 60∘ S 1 month after the eruption and even further to
Antarctica in the following months. This relatively fast meridional transport
of volcanic aerosol was mainly driven by quasi-horizontal mixing from the TTL
to the extratropical lower stratosphere, and most of the quasi-horizontal
mixing occurred between the isentropic surfaces of 360 to 430 K. When the
plume went to Southern Hemisphere high latitudes, the polar vortex was
displaced from the South Pole, so that the volcanic plume was carried to the
South Pole without penetrating the polar vortex. Although only 4 % of the
sulfur injected by the Merapi eruption was transported into the lower
stratosphere south of 60∘ S, the Merapi eruption contributed up to
8800 t of sulfur to the Antarctic lower stratosphere. This indicates that
the long-range transport under favorable meteorological conditions enables a
moderate tropical volcanic eruption to be an important remote source of
sulfur for the Antarctic stratosphere.
Rapid formation of intense haze episode in Beijing
Authors: Wang Yonghong , Wang Yuesi , Tang Guiqian , Song Tao , Zhou Putian , Liu Zirui , Hu Bo , Ji Dongshen , Wang Lili , Zhu Xiaowan , Yan Chao , Ehn Mikael , Gao Wenkang , Pan Yuepeng , Xin Jinyuan , Sun Yang , Kerminen Veli-Matti , Kulmala Markku , Petäjä Tuukka
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Although much efforts have been put on studying air pollution, our knowledge on the mechanisms of frequently occurred intense haze episodes in China is still limited. In this study, using three years of measurements of air pollutants at three different height levels on a 325-meter Beijing meteorology tower, we found that a positive particulate matter-boundary layer feedback mechanism existed at three vertical observation heights during intense haze polluted periods within the mixing layer. This feedback was characterized by a higher loading of PM2.5 with a shallower mixing layer. Measurements showed that the feedback was related to the decrease of solar radiation, turbulent kinetic energy and thereby suppression of the mixing layer. The feedback mechanism can explain the rapid formation of intense haze episodes to some extent, and we suggest that the feedback mechanism should be considered in air quality models for better predictions.
Large-eddy simulation of radiation fog with comprehensive two-moment bulk microphysics: Impact of different aerosol activation and condensation parameterizations
Authors: Schwenkel Johannes , Maronga Björn
Published: November 2018

Abstract. In this paper we study the influence of the cloud microphysical parameterization on large-eddy simulations of radiation fog. A deep fog case as observed at Cabauw (Netherlands) is investigated using high-resolution large-eddy simulations with different microphysics treatments for activation and diffusional growth. A comparison of the results indicates that the commonly applied assumption of saturation adjustment produces at maximum 6.9 % higher liquid water paths compared to the explicit diffusional growth method but has no significant influence on the general life cycle of the fog layer. Differences are found to be the most pronounced at the top of the fog layer where the highest supersaturations occurs. Furthermore, the effect of different cloud droplet number concentrations is investigated by using a selection of common activation schemes. We find, in line with previous studies, a positive feedback between the cloud droplet number concentration and both the optical thickness and the strength of the fog layer. Furthermore, we perform an explicit analysis of the budgets of microphysical quantities in order to assess which processes have the largest spatial and temporal influence on the development of the fog layer.
Evaluation of microwave radiances of GPM/GMI for the all-sky assimilation in RTTOV framework
Authors: Mangla Rohit , Jayaluxmi Indu
Published: November 2018

Abstract. This study evaluates the all-sky GPM/GMI radiances towards assimilation in regional mesoscale model at 183 ± 7 GHz. The radiative transfer model (RTM) namely RTTOV-SCATT is used for the simulation of three tropical cyclones (hudhud, vardah and kyant respectively). Within the RTM, the performance of non-spherical Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) shapes (sector snowflake, 6-bullet rosette, block-column and thinplate) are evaluated. The input data used in RTTOV-SCATT includes vertical hydrometeor profiles, humidity and surface fluxes. In addition, the first guess simulations from Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model were executed at 15 km resolution using ERA-Interim reanalysis datasets. Results indicate that observed minus first guess (FG departures) are symmetric with DDA shapes. The normalized probability density function of FG departures shows large number of spatially correlated samples between clear-sky and poorly forecasted region. Quality control (QC) method was performed to eliminate large FG departures due to instrumental anomalies or poor forecast of clouds and precipitation. The goodness of fit test, h-statistics and skewness of observed and simulated distribution show optimum results for thinplate shape in all the convective events. We also tested the high resolution ERA-5 reanalysis datasets for the simulation of all-sky radiances using thinplate shape. Results illustrate a potential to integrate the GMI sensor data within a WRF data assimilation system.
An empirical zenith wet delay correction model using piecewise height functions
Authors: Yao YiBin , Hu YuFeng
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Tropospheric delay is an important error source in space geodetic
techniques. The temporal and spatial variations of the zenith wet delay (ZWD)
are very large and thus limit the accuracy of tropospheric delay modelling.
Thus, it is worthwhile undertaking research aimed at constructing a precise
ZWD model. Based on the analysis of vertical variations of ZWD, we divided
the troposphere into three height intervals (below 2 km, 2 to 5 km, and 5
to 10 km) and determined the fitting functions for the ZWD within these
height intervals. The global empirical ZWD model HZWD, which considers the
periodic variations of ZWD with a spatial resolution of 5∘×5∘, is established using the ECMWF ZWD profiles from 2001 to 2010.
Validated by the ECMWF ZWD data in 2015, the precision of the ZWD estimation
in the HZWD model over the three height intervals are improved by 1.4, 0.9,
and 1.2 mm, respectively, compared to that of the currently best GPT2w model
(23.8, 13.1, and 2.6 mm). The test results from ZWD data from 318 radiosonde
stations show that the root mean square error (RMSE) in the HZWD model over
the three height intervals was reduced by 2 % (0.6 mm), 5 %
(0.9 mm), and 33 % (1.7 mm), respectively, compared to the GPT2w model
(30.1, 15.8, and 3.5 mm) over the three height intervals. In addition, the
spatial and temporal stabilities of the HZWD model are higher than those of
GPT2w and UNB3m.
Predominance of methanogens over methanotrophs in rewetted fens characterized by high methane emissions
Authors: Wen Xi , Unger Viktoria , Jurasinski Gerald , Koebsch Franziska , Horn Fabian , Rehder Gregor , Sachs Torsten , Zak Dominik , Lischeid Gunnar , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Böttcher Michael E. , Winkel Matthias , Bodelier Paul L. E. , Liebner Susanne
Published: November 2018

Abstract. The rewetting of drained peatlands alters peat geochemistry and often leads
to sustained elevated methane emission. Although this methane is produced
entirely by microbial activity, the distribution and abundance of
methane-cycling microbes in rewetted peatlands, especially in fens, is rarely
described. In this study, we compare the community composition and abundance
of methane-cycling microbes in relation to peat porewater geochemistry in two
rewetted fens in northeastern Germany, a coastal brackish fen and a
freshwater riparian fen, with known high methane fluxes. We utilized 16S rRNA
high-throughput sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on 16S
rRNA, mcrA, and pmoA genes to determine microbial community
composition and the abundance of total bacteria, methanogens, and
methanotrophs. Electrical conductivity (EC) was more than 3 times higher in
the coastal fen than in the riparian fen, averaging 5.3 and 1.5 mS cm−1,
respectively. Porewater concentrations of terminal electron acceptors (TEAs) varied
within and among the fens. This was also reflected in similarly high intra-
and inter-site variations of microbial community composition. Despite these
differences in environmental conditions and electron acceptor availability,
we found a low abundance of methanotrophs and a high abundance of
methanogens, represented in particular by Methanosaetaceae, in both
fens. This suggests that rapid (re)establishment of methanogens and slow
(re)establishment of methanotrophs contributes to prolonged increased methane
emissions following rewetting.
Using cellular automata to simulate wildfire propagation and to assist in fire prevention and fighting
Authors: Freire Joana G. , DaCamara Carlos C.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Cellular Automata have been successfully applied to simulate the propagation of wildfires with the aim of assisting fire managers in defining fire suppression tactics and in designing fire risk management policies. We present a Cellular Automata designed to simulate a severe wildfire episode that took place in Algarve (southern Portugal) in July 2012. During the episode almost 25 thousand hectares burned and there was an explosive stage between 25 and 33 h after the onset. Results obtained show that the explosive stage is adequately modeled when introducing a non-local propagation rule where fire is allowed to spread to the nearest and next nearest cells depending on wind speed. When the rule is introduced deviations in modeled time of burning from estimated time based on hotspots detected from satellite have a root mean square difference of 8.7 hours for a simulation period of 46 h (less than 20 %). The simulated pattern of probabilities of burning as estimated from an ensemble of 100 simulations show a marked decrease out of the limits of the observed scar, indicating that the model represents an added value for fire fighting in what respects to the choice of locations to allocate resources for fire combat.
Impact of Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture in High Performing Accredited University of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Nazneen Afroze , Miralam Mohammad S. , Qazi Sayeeduzzafar
Published: November 2018

It has been observed and believed that that employee engagement and organizational culture are directly or indirectly linked with organizational performance. Engagement of employees is well aware of the business context, and works with colleagues to improve the performance within the job for the benefit of the organization. Organizational culture is the core competency for an organization. It will impact effectiveness or performance of the individuals, the groups and the whole organization. The purpose of the present study is to find out the level of faculty engagement and perception about the prevailing organizational culture and its relationship with each other. For this purpose 221 faculty members working in various NCAAA accredited University of Saudi Arabia with more than 2 years of working experience were taken as subject using survey method and purposive random sampling techniques were used to collect the data. It has been found that faculty members were revealing high level of employee engagement and moderate level of organizational culture which leads the University to achieve world class NCAAA accreditation. The results were also discussed on the basis of certain demographic variables like gender, level of education etc. and the results were discussed and suggestions were made accordingly.
Chilean Foreign Policy in Democracy, towards Global Integration
Authors: Salgado Ávila Juan José , Quintremán Lara Patricio
Published: November 2018

This article analyzes the government programs of presidential candidates, who then became presidents of Chile (1990-2016); its objective is to find and explain the continuities and discontinuities reflected in the Foreign Policy sections. To analyze the most important topics, the Comparative Manifestos Project (CMP) methodology is used, which, by analyzing content, categorizes in 56 areas, the phrases or quasi-sentences of the candidates in the political programs or manifestos during the pre-election period. First, the importance of the Foreign Policy is identified in each program. Then, the results obtained in the CMP are described, identifying the priority topics. Finally, the results are explained within the national and international context to obtain the motivations that each of the candidates had to incorporate these topics in the highest position of their Foreign Policy agendas.
The Gap in the Law and the Border-Breaching Function of the Exception
Authors: McNulty Tracy
Published: November 2018

This paper evaluates the status and function of the border in the two polemics that bookend the long history of political theology: Paul’s polemic against the Jewish law, and Carl Schmitt’s critique of constitutional liberalism. Paul and Schmitt both challenge spatial notions of law that establish a boundary between an “inside” and an “outside” by topologizing “inside” and “outside” as continuous: through the “fulfillment of the law” in Paul, and through the strategy of sovereign exception in Schmitt. Schmitt even describes sovereignty as a “border concept,” a Grenzbegriff: a concept that pertains to borderline cases, but perhaps at the same time a concept of the border, one that proposes a particular interpretation of the border and its logical function. The essay argues that Schmitt’s contribution to the logical problem of law as border is to claim that the border need not be written, and that the sovereign exception is not of the order of a writing, but a “miracle” that is by nature unwritten and unwritable.

The Hebraic tradition of law that is the object of Paul’s polemic offers another way of considering the border, as the function of the written law. It conceives of law not as a normative representation of an existing situation, but as the delimination of a space or gap that may not be transgressed. While the fulfillment of the law and the sovereign exception bypass the limit implied in the law, offering a topological interpretation of the border as what integrates “inside” and “outside” into a new whole, the Hebraic law aligns the border with the logical function of negation. The essay approaches these different accounts of the border by way of Lacan’s distinction between the imaginary and symbolic dimensions of law. The imaginary is the “incarnated” dimension of law, while the symbolic corresponds to the function of speech as a barrier or limit, and involves a spacing and negation, the introduction of a gap or emptiness that precludes anything like a “whole.”
Political Theology Revisited: Carl Schmitt's Postwar Reassessment
Authors: Hohendahl Peter U.
Published: November 2018

The essay examines the pronounced theological turn of the late Carl Schmitt, especially in his Politische Theologie II (1970). He aim is to understand what Schmitt meant by a “Catholic intensification” in the relationship between theology and political theory. The essay gives equal attention to Schmitt’s polemic against the theologian Peterson, who denied the possibility of political theology, and the dialogue with the philosopher Hans Blumenberg, who had severely criticized Schmitt’s conception of secularization. The essay shows that in both instances the opposition merely encouraged Schmitt to sharpen and clarify his own theological position, which includes heretical Gnostic elements.
Eruptions of the Ethical Baroque
Authors: Shankman Steven
Published: November 2018

Renaissance perspective constructs objective reality from the viewpoint of a sovereign subject. The border protecting the sovereignty of this subject is sometimes crossed, in the Baroque, by means of the subject's sudden awareness of the humanity of the other person and of our inescapable responsibility for that unique and irreplaceable other. With examples from music, painting, and literature, I discuss what I call “eruptions of the ethical Baroque.” These eruptions trouble the serenity of the arts and haunt us: one such eruption reveals, to the Christian warrior-crusader Tancredi, the face of the apparently Muslim female warrior Clorinda, in Monteverdi's "Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda"(1624); another reveals, to Abraham—in Rembrandt's 1635 painting of "The Sacrifice of Isaac"— the face of his son Isaac and then suddenly interrupts what appeared to have been an imminent murder; another forces us to encounter, in Shakespeare's disruptively sober prose, Shylock's Jewish eyes; yet another, in Paul Celan's arguably modern Baroque poem "Tenebrae", interrupts—but too late, tragically—the profoundly enchanting pathos of François Couperin's high Baroque choral masterpiece, "Leçons de ténèbres", which inspired Celan's poem.