bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
– THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Authors: Zsarnoczky Martin
Published: August 2017

Climate change a phenomenon mainly caused by the high level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
into the atmosphere of the Earth - makes human ecosystems vulnerable and is predicted to affect our
everyday life in the near future. The increased intensity of storms, cyclones, drought and flooding; the
greater magnitude and frequency of heat and cold waves and the continuous rise of the sea-level are likely
to generate more geopolitical conflicts, especially in the most vulnerable regions of the planet. The three
main categories of climate change impacts are classified as environmental, economic and social effects.
The economic and social consequences of climate change are expected to significantly reduce the resilience
of rural tourism regions and their capability to successfully respond to other possible critical events. Due
to the impacts of natural disasters and extreme climatic events, global climate change affects European
rural regions, too. The development of sustainable rural tourism requires the in-depth understanding of the
ongoing processes and the development of tools that will serve the interest of tourism and local people alike.
Effects of Market Reforms and External Shocks on Indian Stock Indices: Evidence on Structural Breaks and Weak-Form Efficiency
Authors: Chattopadhyay Somnath , Bose Suchismita
Published: August 2017

This study explores stock market efficiency in India after allowing for potential structural changes induced by reforms processes and/or external shocks. The endogenous determination of structural break dates, using mostly Clemente, Montanes, & Reyes (1998) (CMR) methodology, allows us to identify important events in this respect. External shocks such as occasional stock market scams, policy and political regime changes, oil price shocks and the effect of global market meltdowns have caused abrupt or one time changes in the series mean (additive outlier model), while the reforms processes stand out to be the single most important cause for the gradual shifts in the level of stock indices (innovation outlier model). This underlines the importance of institution building and the domestic policy stance in countering external shocks.
Voluntary Corporate Governance Disclosure Innovative Evidence: The Case of Jordan
Authors: Awwad Almanasir Ahmad Hamed , Shivaraj B.
Published: August 2017

This paper aimed to assess the corporate governance voluntary disclosure level and the impact of a set of corporate governances (CG) attributes on the level to which corporate governance voluntary disclosure is conducted in Jordan. Another objective was to determine if Jordanian industrial listed corporations adhere to and disclose good CG practices voluntarily, and if they do, to determine the factors influencing such disclosure. This study employed 61 industrial listed firms for the years 2010-2014. The research developed a general voluntary CG disclosure index composing of 15 Jordanian Corporate Governance Codes and gauged the relationship via pooled OLS and regression method. The results indicated that the proposed Jordanian Corporate Governance Index (JCGI) enhanced voluntary corporate governance disclosure among Jordanian listed firms over the examined years. They also showed varying levels of CG disclosures in different scenarios; 1) it is lower in firms with higher managerial ownership and 2) higher relative to the independent directors' proportion on the board, audit firm size, and audit committee presence with institutional ownership. Evidence on the compliance level towards the CG code in Amman Stock Exchange is unique and the study is distinct as it provides a pioneering evidence of the achieved compliance level.
Método de Análise e Solução de Problemas (MASP) apoiado no cliclo PDCA: um estudo bibliográfico
Authors: Bastos Júnior Luis Claudio dos Santos
Published: August 2017

As empresas ja entendem que a busca pela qualidade em seus processo não é mais uma opção estrategica, mas questão de sobrevivencia no mercado. A correta utilização das ferramentas de gestão de qualidade necessita de conhecimento sobre elas e resulta na perfeita execução da etapa de melhoria. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar 6 artigos cientificos publicados nos ultimos 5 anos em revista cientificas que trabalham a tematica Método de Análise e Solução de Problemas (MASP) apoiado no ciclo PDCA, mais especificamente, indentificar nas amostras selecionadas qual o ponto de similitude de sucesso na aplicação da metodologia.
Percepção de 1.101 clientes sobre negócios de apoio em supermercados
Authors: Casagrande Jacir Leonir , Elias Leandro Medeiros , Sehnem Simone
Published: August 2017

Nas idas aos supermercados os clientes estão se deparando com diversos comércios e serviços anexos. Esses podem ser chamados de Negócios de Apoio. Este artigo verifica como os clientes de uma rede supermercadista catarinense percebem esses negócios. O arcabouço teórico é formado por estudos científicos e revistas especializadas, e a contundência das evidências emerge de uma pesquisa empírica com um questionário aplicado em 1.101 clientes dessa rede. Esses foram aplicados pelos pesquisadores nos supermercados das cidades catarinenses de São José, Criciúma, Palhoça, Blumenau e Joinville. Evidenciou-se preferências, necessidades e opiniões dos clientes sobre a existência dos negócios de apoio. Assim, este estudo de cunho teórico-empírico contribui de forma prática ao propor ações para administração dos negócios de apoio instalados nos supermercados a partir das percepções dos clientes. Esta pesquisa evidencia que o cliente pode ter sua experiência de compra ampliada nas suas idas ao supermercado.
Democracia deliberativa, teoria da decisão e suas repercussões no controle social das despesas em saúde
Authors: Müller Bitencourt Caroline , Rodrigues Reck Janriê
Published: August 2017

Este trabalho versa sobre as relações entre controle social, Democracia Deliberativa e despesas em saúde no Brasil. Tendo em vista as contribuições advindas da Democracia Deliberativa e da teoria da decisão, o problema que orienta este trabalho é: de que modo é possível reconstruir e problematizar as o regime jurídico do controle social da despesa pública em saúde? A hipótese é a de que a teoria da Democracia Deliberativa pode ilustrar a leitura da Constituição, particularmente acerca da forma como são tomadas as decisões públicas e jurídicas, e especialmente no campo do estabelecimento das despesas em saúde, para os fins de construção de um regime jurídico de controle. Justifica-se socialmente o trabalho, tendo em vista a relevância do direito à saúde na comunidade brasileira e a necessidade de mais e melhores parâmetros de análise. Cientificamente, o tema da despesa em saúde é pouco tratado mesmo sob um aspecto dogmático, quiçá científico. Objetiva-se, assim, melhorar a observação científica sobre o tema para repercutir em uma dogmática do controle social da despesa pública. O trabalho utiliza a matriz pragmático-sistêmica como referencial, e se realiza monograficamente, a partir da conjugação de textos.
Reinterpretação conceitual do desenvolvimento sustentável em face do planejamento urbano e da economia circular
Authors: Xavier Laécio Noronha
Published: August 2017

Surgido na década de 1980, o cerne do conceito de Desenvolvimento Sustentável mostrou-se pouco ambicioso com o passar do tempo: minimizar a degradação ambiental em face da qualidade de vida das gerações presentes e futuras. Todavia, experiências públicas e privadas exitosas de várias nações desenvolvidas em relação à Economia Circular de Logística Reversa na era digital atestam o fortalecimento da Geopolítica Ambiental e suas formas alternativas de gestão ambiental com cooperação técnica entre empresas que utilizam energias renováveis, evitam desperdício, reusam materiais, eliminam o conceito de “lixo” e reincorporam objetos degradados ao ciclo produtivo. E, acrescentando novas categorias, como cenários democráticos (instituições políticas, transparência administrativa, segurança jurídica, participação popular) e inovações científico-tecnológicas (soluções técnicas para extinção da degradação ambiental), conquistou-se uma lapidação do conceito de Desenvolvimento Sustentável para além de suas clássicas vertentes econômica, ambiental e social e devidamente incorporadas nas normas do planejamento urbano das urbes brasileiras.
Sumário Bilingue
Authors: Table of Contents Bilingual
Published: August 2017

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Da (im)possibilidade do ajuizamento da ação direta interventiva para assegurar a autonomia municipal para legislar sobre licenciamento ambiental de impacto local
Authors: Maria Dioclides José , Gomes Magno Federici
Published: August 2017

O presente estudo busca analisar os contornos constitucionalmente estabelecidos a uma intervenção federal no Estado por violação da autonomia municipal em matéria ambiental. Apresentam-se breves considerações sobre a compreensão de supremacia da Constituição, com digressões necessárias sobre a autonomia municipal erigida a princípio sensível nas Constituições de 1946, 1967, Emenda Constitucional (EC) de 1969 e Constituição da República de 1988 (CR/1988). Adentra-se na análise da competência atribuída ao Estado pela Lei Complementar (LC) no140/2011 para, por intermédio do Conselho Estadual e em instrumento próprio, definir o conceito de impacto local no processo de licenciamento municipal. Para a elaboração desse estudo, foi utilizado o método dedutivo, bem como a pesquisa realizada na doutrina, leis e jurisprudência, tendo como marco a predominância do interesse local. Pode-se concluir que tal disposição viola a repartição constitucional de competência e o princípio sensível da autonomia municipal, bem como a competência privativa para organizar e planejar o seu território, sendo cabível o ajuizamento em face do Estado da Ação Direita de Inconstitucionalidade Interventiva, mediante representação ao Procurador Geral da República, nos termos dos arts. 34, inciso VII, “c”, e 36, inciso III, da CR/1988, regulamentada pela Lei no 12.562/2011, que tramitará perante o Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF).
Meio ambiente e economia: uma perspectiva para além dos instrumentos de comando e controle
Authors: Farias Carmem , Damacena Fernanda Dalla Libera
Published: August 2017

Com o crescimento populacional e o intenso consumo, a sociedade seguirá demandando por energia e matéria, colocando em discussão a capacidade planetária de continuar prestando os serviços ecossistêmicos que a humanidade precisa e, ainda, absorver os resíduos. Trata-se da dicotomia entre desenvolvimento econômico e proteção ambiental, especialmente em face da dificuldade de comunicação intersistêmica. O Direito Ambiental não pode ser concebido sem considerar os aspectos econômicos, devendo regular a apropriação dos recursos naturais e orientar a força produtiva na direção que atinja os objetivos ambientais pretendidos. Este trabalho se propõe ao estudo dos tipos de instrumentos de política ambiental capazes de mitigar os efeitos das externalidades negativas decorrentes da atividade de produção e consumo, contextualizando a sua aplicação no Brasil e no mundo. O objetivo específico é analisar o fortalecimento dos instrumentos econômicos na política ambiental brasileira, a fim de conferir maior efetividade às suas metas e premissas, com vistas a um Direito menos punitivo e mais promocional. O estudo verifica que o Brasil tem sua política ambiental orientada para regulação direta, mas, que poderia fomentar condutas ecológicas através de instrumentos econômicos, tornando provável a comunicação entre Direito e Economia. Destaca-se ainda, a necessidade de Adaptação Ambiental que consiste em redescobrir outras formas de conciliar desenvolvimento econômico e conservação dos recursos naturais.
Direitos da natureza a partir da perspectiva do direito global: um estudo de caso sobre o parque Yasuní
Authors: Borges Fortes Larissa , Fernandes de Aquino Sergio Ricardo
Published: August 2017

O Parque Yasuní possui parte de seu território localizado no Equador, sendo considerado reserva mundial da biosfera pela Unesco. Em 2007, o governo equatoriano propôs, perante a ONU, uma compensação pecuniária para a preservação do Parque, mantendo-o intacto, proposta que ficou conhecida como Iniciativa Yasuní. Em 2013, fracassada tal proposta, o Equador pôs fim à Iniciativa, autorizando a exploração de petróleo no Parque. Assim, grupos ambientalistas denunciaram que estas práticas violariam a própria Constituição equatoriana. O presente trabalho pretende responder ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: quando as consequências de danos ambientais transcendem as fronteiras, a responsabilidade pelo cuidado e preservação é do Estado-território ou deve ser pensada em âmbito global? Para responder ao problema, a partir do método indutivo e das técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, analisou-se o caso do Parque Yasuní e seus desdobramentos, abordando a forma como o Direito Global pode pensar respostas a estes problemas. Formulou-se uma hipótese, no seguinte sentido: a responsabilidade pelos danos com impactos globais deve ser pensada em âmbito global, através da utilização de mecanismos propostos pelo Direito Global. Ao final, verificou-se que as questões relacionadas aos Direitos da Natureza, Ambientais e à Sustentabilidade devem ser pensadas na perspectiva global, de forma que o modelo de sociedade atual impõe responsabilidades aos diversos agentes transnacionais, no sentido de impedir que crimes ambientais ocorram da forma como poderá ocorrer no Parque Yasuní, sendo o Direito Global um importante instrumento com característica pré-violatória.
Spatiotemporal distribution of birds at the guerrero negro saltworks, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Carmona R , Danemann G D
Published: August 2017

The saltworks development located near the Ojo de Liebre-Guerrero Negro coastal lagoon system, in Baja California Sur (Mexico), conforms a modified habitat used by resident and migratory) birds. To describe the species composition, distribution and abundance of this avifauna, 12 monthly censuses mere performed in the area, from December 1995 to December 1996. Ninety-five species were identified. Changes in the number of species during the study period (from a maximum of 61 in January to a minimum of 39 in July) are related to the presence or absence of migratory and/or wintering species. Fifteen of the species are protected by the Mexican Government under some kind of status (two endangered, seven threatened, one rare and five under special protection). Changes in the abundance were also related to the occurrence of migratory and wintering birds, with the highest numbers recorded between August and December. The lowest abundance, 5.561 birds, was recorded in June and the highest, 72,951 birds, in August. The most abundant species were Phalaropus lobatus (24.1% of the overall record), Calidris mauri (23.2%), Podiceps nigricollis (13.8%), Limosa fedoa (6.4%) and Branta bernicla (6.2%). These results confirm that this area is ornithologically important.
Note on the geographic distribution of Chione cortezi (Carpenter, 1864) (Mollusca: Pelecypoda: Veneridae)
Authors: Villarreal-Chávez G , García-Domínguez F , Correa F , Castro-Castro N
Published: August 2017

Chione cortezi is not a well known species of bivalve and has been reported with a distribution that includes the Gulf of California as far as Bahía Magdalena on the western coast of Baja California. Since there are no recent observations of this species outside the northern Gulf of California, two expeditions were done in search of this species in May and July 1996. The records from the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas at La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, were also revised. The results of this study indicate that this species is restricted to the Biosphere Reserve of the Northern Gulf of California and the delta of the Colorado River. Alternatives are analyzed that explain the discrepancy between the observed and reported distributions. It is concluded that the reports of geographical distribution were based on a confusion of species between Chione fluctifraga and C. cortezi.
Differences in the length-age relationship of the snail Astraea undosa (Wood, 1828) between two localities of Tortugas Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Gluyas-Millán MG , Quiñónez-Velázquez C , Massó-Rojas JA , Melo-Barrera FN
Published: August 2017

The differences in basal diameter (DB), age and DB-age of the snail Astraea undosa in two zones of Tortugas Bay (Mexico) were studied from November 1996 to November 1997. Age was determined by counting the opercular growth marks. The age groups were annual. The interval size was of 49 to 118 mm DB in snails of 2 to 12 years of age. Monthly frequency distributions of the DB and of age between zones were significantly different, except for the age distributions of November 1996, and June and November 1997. The legal minimum catch size (90 mm DB) is reached in one zone at 5 years and in the other at 9 years, on average, indicating a different growth pattern between zones. The differences in DB-age between zones were significant at 4 years of age. To promote a rapid growth of the snails from the slowgrowth zone, we suggest moving individuals of ≥63 mm DB to better growth zones.
The effect of El Niño on the nutrients and total organic cabon of a coastal lagoon of northwestern Baja California
Authors: Galindo-Bect MS , Galindo-Bect LA , Hernández-Ayón JM , Ley-Lou F , Álvarez-Borrego S
Published: August 2017

Nutrients (NO3 + NO2, PO4) and total organic carbon (TOC) from Estero de Punta Banda, a coastal lagoon of Baja California (Mexico), were studied during the 1992–93 El Niño. Samples were collected at four sites distributed along the main channel of the lagoon, during four different tidal stages. According to reports in the literature, this coastal lagoon behaves as an antiestuary most of the time, with salinity increasing significantly from the mouth inwards. Greater input of fresh water due to a larger rainfall, well above the annual mean (393 mm), caused the Estero to behave as an estuary, with salinity values of <25 and with an increase of NO3 + NO2, PO4 and TOC. PO4 values fluctuated between 0.5 and 3.5 µM, and those of TOC between 2.3 and 9.8 mg L–1, with a clear tendency to increase from the entrance to the interior of the lagoon. NO3 values fluctuated between 0.2 and 2.3 µM in September 1992, and between 1.4 and 6.8 µM in March 1993, also with a clear tendency to increase towards the lagoon´ s interior in the latter case. PO4 had a significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) with salinity in March 1993. The change of this lagoon from antiestuary to estuary for long periods, of almost up to one year, is related to meteorological phenomena influenced by large scale events like El Niño.
Thallium in the marine environment: First ecotoxicological assessments in the Guadalquivir estuary and its potential adverse effect on the Doñana European natural reserve after the Aznalcóllar mining spill (SW Spain)
Authors: Del-Valls TA , Sáenz V , Arias AM , Biasco J
Published: August 2017

Thallium (Tl) is an extremely toxic but little-studied element in the marine environment and practically no information has been reported on the levels of Tl in marine organisms. After the Aznalcóllar mining spill (April 1998), high levels of metals were put into the environment. This acidcontaminated medium was responsible for the initial pollution effects measured in the Guadiamar River, which is an affluent of the Guadalquivir River and very close to the biggest natural reserve in Europe (Doñana). Four different species were used in the monitoring from April to September 1998 and a sediment field bioassay to check bioacumulation was performed. We present the first ecotoxicological evaluation of the mining spill in the Guadalquivir River, with reference to Tl, a little-known metal. Also, Pb and Cd data were compared to Tl during field sediment testing. Results show low levels of this metal in all of the organisms studied and they do not show any increase in the level of this metal, ranging from 40 to 90 ng g–1, 80 to 210 ng g–1, 15 to 98 ng g–1 and 75 to 125 whole body dry weight for Scrobicularia plana, Liza ramada (muscle), Crassostrea angulata and Uca tangeri, respectively. These are the first field data of Tl concentration measured using estuarine organisms. Field sediment toxicity test results confirm those obtained during the monitoring: Tl is not bioaccumulated by the organisms (C. angulata) used in the test. The sequence in bioaccumulation of metals was Cd > Pb > Tl. Both studies, bioaccumulation and sediment toxicity, should be maintained during the next few years to really evaluate the potential effect of the mining spill on the ecosystem and society.
Bimonthly Characterization And Behavior Of The Sessile Community Associated With The Rocky Littoral Of Bocachica, Tierra Bomba Island, Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Núñez SG , López NH , García CB , Navas GR
Published: August 2017

A total of ten fixed transects were sampled at two-month intervals during one year at the rocky littoral of Bocachica, Tierra Bomba Island, Colombian Caribbean. The census technique used was the transect-chain method. The zonation pattern observed was similar to that of other Caribbean locations. The characteristic species of the mesolittoral were the vermetid Dendropoma corrodens and the sponge Tedania ignis. The characteristic species of the infralittoral were the corallinacea alga Peyssonnelia sp.and one undetermined species (morphotype 1). The other 54 species were less abundant and occasional. A disturbance factor was found consistent with the advance and withdrawal of the sand plane on thesublittoral, which clearly affected the width of the littoral zones. This perturbation had no correlation with rain or the current regime, but it had a weak one with substrate inclination. The relative fluctuation in the width of the zones was highest in the supralittoral and lowest in the mesolittoral. The spatial classification and ordination analyses of the transects showed a spatial pattern dependent on the differential grade of exposure to the wind and waves. This was particularly notorious in one of the steepest and most exposed transects. The temporal classification and ordination of the transects showed an ordered pattern of change clearly correlated with the sampling month. The monthly samplings corresponding to the rainy season (May to November) and the monthly samplings corresponding to the dry season (January to May) revealed two distinct groups. The last sampling month (May) was placed apart from the initial sampling month (May of the previous year), which suggests a cycle longer than one year.
Diversity of soft-bottom macroinvertebrates from the continental shelf off Jalisco and Colima, Mexico
Authors: Godínez-Domínguez E , González-Sansón G
Published: August 2017

Three cruises (DEM I, II and III) were conducted along the coast of Jalisco and Colima (Mexico) during three hydroclimatic seasons, defined by the pattern of the surface currents. Trawl samples were taken at seven sites along the coastline and four bathymetric levels (20, 40, 60 and 80 m). During the three cruises, 170 invertebrate species were identified. The crab Portunus xantusii affinis was the most abundant species: 62.6% during DEM I, 26.8% during DEM II and 42% during DEM III. The diversity (H′) estimated was moderate to low, of 1.93, 2.62 and 2.39 for the three cruises, respectively. No significant differences in diversity were observed among the three cruises and the differences in diversity among depths were only significant during DEM I. The minimum sample sizes for diversity and richness indicate that at least 20,422 organisms are needed to estimate diversity and 34,476 for richness.
Electrophoretic variation between the central and southern populations of the northern anchovy Engraulis mordax Girard 1854 (Engraulidae, Pisces) from Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Díaz-Jaime P , Uribe-Alcocer M , Ayala-Duval E
Published: August 2017

Distinctive genetic markers of the central and southern populations of the northern anchovy Engraulis mordax were sought by electrophoretic techniques. Three samples of the central population were collected in Ensenada, Baja California, and one of the southern population in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur. Although the electrophoretic separation of the hemoglobins in polyacrilamide gels were identical in both populations, the FST of the esterases loci showed significant differences between them, and the proteins of the muscle extract as well as the parvalbumins yielded some bands that were exclusive to one population or the other. These bands might prove useful as genetic markers in studies of population dynamics on which the management of this valuable fishery resource can be based.
The determination of par levels from absorption coefficient profiles at 490 nm
Authors: Barnard AH , Zaneveld JRV , Scott-Pegau W , Mueller JL , Maske H , Lara-Lara R , Álvarez-Borrego S , Cervantes-Duarte R , Valdez-Holguín E
Published: August 2017

A model is presented that allows the prediction of percent photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) levels from measured profiles of the absorption coefficient at 490 nm in the Gulf of California. Percent PAR levels depend on the diffuse attenuation coefficients of the wavelengths that make up PAR, which in turn depend on the absorption coefficient. The emphasis is on developing a simple but robust model that can be used by researchers to plan deployments of photosynthesis experiments in the Gulf of California.
Apostasy and Repentance in Early Medieval Zoroastrianism
Authors: Kiel Yishai , Sklaervø Prods Oktor
Published: August 2017

The Middle Persian (Pahlavi) literature from the early Islamic centuries frequently deals with practical theological issues faced by the Zoroastrian communities under foreign domination. Here, we present a number of questions regarding a Zoroastrian’s conversion to Islam and his subsequent repentance and desire to return to Zoroastrianism and answers given by ninth- and tenth-century Zoroastrian priestly authorities. It is shown how the priests cite ancient traditions found in the Pahlavi versions of Avestan texts to justify their answers, and then apply them to the contemporary social reality.
Being a Sabian at Court in Tenth-Century Baghdad
Authors: Roberts Alexandre M.
Published: August 2017

Thābit b. Qurra (d. 288/901), a Sabian of Ḥarrān, and his descendants remained in their ancestral religion for six generations. Why did they persist despite pressure to convert? This article argues that religious self-identification as a Sabian could be a distinct advantage in Baghdad’s elite circles. It focuses on Thābit’s great-grandson Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm b. Hilāl al-Ṣābī (d. 384/994) and his poetry as collected by al-Thaʿālibī (d. 429/1038). Two members of the family who did convert are also considered by way of contrast.
Parallel Stories in the Āvaśyakacūrṇi and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya
Authors: Wu Juan
Published: August 2017

While it has been known for several decades that the Āvaśyakacūrṇi of the Śvetāmbara Jaina tradition and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya of the Buddhist tradition share some common narrative plots or motifs, so far no detailed study has been made to understand the different ways in which parallel narrative material is utilized in the two texts. Through a comparative study of stories of three characters (Prince Abhaya, the physician Jīvaka, and King Udrāyaṇa) in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya and their counterparts in the Āvaśyakacūrṇi, this paper demonstrates that the Buddhists and the Jainas who composed or redacted the two texts exploited parallel narrative plots or motifs along different lines and for different purposes. In particular, with regard to Jīvaka, who is widely known among Buddhists as a model of medical skill and religious faith, this paper argues that the fact that Jīvaka is prominently featured in Buddhist literature but finds no parallel in Jaina literature may be explained by the different attitudes of the two religions to medical healing and to the role of secular physicians in general.
Heightened Receptivity
Authors: Kost Catrin
Published: August 2017

Tombs of the kings of the Western Han dynasty (202 B.C.E.–9 C.E.) often contain burial items that are related to the material culture of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe. These artifacts are usually interpreted in a general sense, for instance as a sign for the fascination of the Han elite with the exotic. A closer analysis of relevant finds, however, shows different strategies of dealing with foreign influences. While the exchange with the empire’s northern neighbors is evidenced through goods for which identical excavated parallels from the steppe exist, the royal tombs of the Han also contained items that resemble and reference steppe motifs and objects but were clearly produced locally and for local consumers. Especially the latter type of artifacts can thus not simply be interpreted as the passive byproduct of exchange relations. Instead, we have to acknowledge that design, production, and usage of these objects were based on conscious decisions. Based on the insight that objects always have a social function, this article argues that the Han elite not only appropriated steppe influences and motifs but also strategically (re)produced and integrated them into their world in order to redefine, enhance, and strengthen their position within their social framework.
Choix d’articles. By Gérard Fussman. Edited by Denis Matringe, Éric Ollivier, and Isabelle Szelagowski
Authors: Salomon Richard
Published: August 2017

Choix d’articles. By Gérard Fussman. Edited by Denis Matringe, Éric Ollivier, and Isabelle Szelagowski. École française d’Extrême-Orient, Réimpressions no. 14. Paris: École Française d’Extrême-Orient, 2014. Pp. 598. €40.
Hindu Theology in Early Modern South Asia: The Rise of Devotionalism and the Politics of Genealogy. By KiIyokazu Okita
Authors: Edelmann Jonathan
Published: August 2017

Hindu Theology in Early Modern South Asia: The Rise of Devotionalism and the Politics of Genealogy. By KiIyokazu Okita. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. Pp. vii + 284. $99 (cloth).
Ugaritische Grammatik. Zweite, stark überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. By Josef Tropper
Authors: Huehnergard John
Published: August 2017

Ugaritische Grammatik. Zweite, stark überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. By Josef Tropper. Alter Orient und Altes Testament, vol. 273. Münster: ugarit-Verlag, 2012. Pp. xxii + 1068. €100.
Hieroglyphic Luwian: An Introduction with Original Texts, 3rd Revised Edition. By Annick Payne
Authors: Simon Zsolt
Published: August 2017

Hieroglyphic Luwian: An Introduction with Original Texts, 3rd Revised Edition. By Annick Payne. Subsidia et Instrumenta Linguarum Orientis, vol. 2. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2014. Pp. xiv + 217. €29.80 (paper).
Loi et justice dans la littérature du Proche-Orient ancien. Edited by Olivier Artus
Authors: Czander Giovanna
Published: August 2017

Loi et justice dans la littérature du Proche-Orient ancien. Edited by Olivier Artus. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für Altorientalische und Biblische Rechtsgeschichte, vol. 20. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2013. Pp. 274. €68.
Izates, Helena, and Monobazos of Adiabene: A Study on Literary Traditions and History. By Michal Marciak
Authors: Downing Caroline
Published: August 2017

Izates, Helena, and Monobazos of Adiabene: A Study on Literary Traditions and History. By Michal Marciak. Philippika, vol. 66. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2014. Pp. 316, illus. €62.
Early Chinese Commentary on the Ekottarika-āgama: The Fenbie gongde lun 分別功德論 and the History of the Translation of the Zengyi ahan jing 增一阿含經. By Antonello Palumbo
Authors: Kuan Tse-Fu
Published: August 2017

An Early Chinese Commentary on the Ekottarika-āgama: The Fenbie gongde lun 分別功德論 and the History of the Translation of the Zengyi ahan jing 增一阿含經. By Antonello Palumbo. Taipei: Dharma Drum Publishing Corp., 2013. Pp. xiv + 424. NT$460.
Esrrb, an estrogen‐related receptor involved in early development, pluripotency, and reprogramming
Authors: Festuccia Nicola , Owens Nick , Navarro Pablo
Published: August 2017

Estrogen‐related receptor b (Esrrb) is part of a family of three orphan nuclear receptors with broad expression profiles and a generic function in regulating energy metabolism in mammals. However, Esrrb performs specific functions during early mouse development, in pluripotent and multipotent populations of the embryo as well as in primordial germ cells. Moreover, Esrrb also impinges upon the control of self‐renewal in embryo‐derived stem cells and enhances reprogramming. Here, we review the function of Esrrb with special emphasis on its role in pluripotency. Esrrb activity at crucial regulatory elements of the pluripotency network, coupled with its role as a mitotic bookmarking factor and the ability to reset cellular metabolism, might explain its potent functions in ensuring the stability of pluripotency and driving the late stages of reprogramming. Hence, we argue that Esrrb represents a key addition to the pantheon of transcription factors sustaining pluripotent stem cell identity in mice. Understanding the mechanisms governing the interplay between different estrogen‐related receptors (ERRs) and their specificity of action may clarify the role these factors play during preimplantation development and in pluripotent cells in both mouse and humans.
Informing water harvesting technology contract design using choice experiments
Authors: Tarfasa Solomon , Brouwer Roy , Sheremet Oleg , Bouma Jetske
Published: August 2017

Introducing water harvesting technology is expected to be more effective and last longer if farm households are involved in their design. The main objective of this study is to inform policymakers in Ethiopia about the most important terms and conditions to incentivize farmers to enter into a contractual agreement to invest in water harvesting on their land. In order to test the influence of the way the specific contractual terms and conditions are communicated to farm households, many of whom are illiterate, a split sample approach is applied with and without visual aids for technical, institutional, and economic contract characteristics. Both samples generate significantly different results, highlighting the importance of how information is conveyed to farm households. This pattern is confirmed when examining the self‐reported importance attached to the various contract characteristics. Equality Constrained Latent Class models show that contract characteristics for which visual aids were developed are considered more attentively, emphasizing the importance of adequate communication tools in a developing country context where literacy rates are limited to increase water technology innovation uptake and reduce farm household vulnerability to droughts.
Underlying causes of Eurasian midcontinental aridity in simulations of mid‐Holocene climate
Authors: Bartlein Patrick J. , Harrison Sandy P. , Izumi Kenji
Published: August 2017

Climate model simulations uniformly show drier and warmer summers in the Eurasian midcontinent during the mid‐Holocene, which is not consistent with paleoenvironmental observations. The simulated climate results from a reduction in the zonal temperature gradient, which weakens westerly flow and reduces moisture flux and precipitation in the midcontinent. As a result, sensible heating is favored over evaporation and latent heating, resulting in substantial surface‐driven atmospheric warming. Thus, the discrepancy with the paleoenvironmental evidence arises initially from a problem in the simulated circulation and is exacerbated by feedback from the land surface. This region is also drier and warmer than indicated by observations in the preindustrial control simulations, and this bias arises in the same way: zonal flow and hence moisture flux into the midcontinent are too weak, and feedback from the land surface results in surface‐driven warming. These analyses suggest the need to improve those aspects of climate models that affect the strength of westerly circulation.
Improving the simulation of convective dust storms in regional‐to‐global models
Authors: Foroutan Hosein , Pleim Jonathan E.
Published: August 2017

Convective dust storms have significant impacts on atmospheric conditions and air quality and are a major source of dust uplift in summertime. However, regional‐to‐global models generally do not accurately simulate these storms, a limitation that can be attributed to (1) using a single mean value for wind speed per grid box, i.e., not accounting for subgrid wind variability and (2) using convective parametrizations that poorly simulate cold pool outflows. This study aims to improve the simulation of convective dust storms by tackling these two issues. Specifically, we incorporate a probability distribution function for surface wind in each grid box to account for subgrid wind variability due to dry and moist convection. Furthermore, we use lightning assimilation to increase the accuracy of the convective parameterization and simulated cold pool outflows. This updated model framework is used to simulate a massive convective dust storm that hit Phoenix, AZ, on 6 July 2011. The results show that lightning assimilation provides a more realistic simulation of precipitation features, including timing and location, and the resulting cold pool outflows that generated the dust storm. When those results are combined with a dust model that accounts for subgrid wind variability, the prediction of dust uplift and concentrations are considerably improved compared to the default model results. This modeling framework could potentially improve the simulation of convective dust storms in global models, regional climate simulations, and retrospective air quality studies.
Smart Bioinspired Nanochannels and their Applications in Energy‐Conversion Systems
Authors: Li Ruirui , Fan Xia , Liu Zhaoyue , Zhai Jin
Published: August 2017

Smart bioinspired nanochannels exhibiting ion‐transport properties similar to biological ion channels have attracted extensive attention. Like ion channels in nature, smart bioinspired nanochannels can respond to various stimuli, which lays a solid foundation for mass transport and energy conversion. Fundamental research into smart bioinspired nanochannels not only furthers understanding of life processes in living bodies, but also inspires researchers to construct smart nanodevices to meet the increasing demand for the use of renewable resources. Here, a brief summary of recent research progress regarding the design and preparation of smart bioinspired nanochannels is presented. Moreover, representative applications of smart bioinspired nanochannels in energy‐conversion systems are also summarized. Finally, an outlook for future challenges in this field is given.
Freeze Casting for Assembling Bioinspired Structural Materials
Authors: Cheng Qunfeng , Huang Chuanjin , Tomsia Antoni P.
Published: August 2017

Nature is very successful in designing strong and tough, lightweight materials. Examples include seashells, bone, teeth, fish scales, wood, bamboo, silk, and many others. A distinctive feature of all these materials is that their properties are far superior to those of their constituent phases. Many of these natural materials are lamellar or layered in nature. With its “brick and mortar” structure, nacre is an example of a layered material that exhibits extraordinary physical properties. Finding inspiration in living organisms to create bioinspired materials is the subject of intensive research. Several processing techniques have been proposed to design materials mimicking natural materials, such as layer‐by‐layer deposition, self‐assembly, electrophoretic deposition, hydrogel casting, doctor blading, and many others. Freeze casting, also known as ice‐templating, is a technique that has received considerable attention in recent years to produce bioinspired bulk materials. Here, recent advances in the freeze‐casting technique are reviewed for fabricating lamellar scaffolds by assembling different dimensional building blocks, including nanoparticles, polymer chains, nanofibers, and nanosheets. These lamellar scaffolds are often infiltrated by a second phase, typically a soft polymer matrix, a hard ceramic matrix, or a metal matrix. The unique architecture of the resultant bioinspired structural materials displays excellent mechanical properties. The challenges of the current research in using the freeze‐casting technique to create materials large enough to be useful are also discussed, and the technique's promise for fabricating high‐performance nacre‐inspired structural materials in the future is reviewed.
Fifty years of child height and weight in Japan and South Korea: Contrasting secular trend patterns analyzed by SITAR
Authors: Cole T. J. , Mori H.
Published: August 2017

Objectives Japanese and South Koreans have traditionally been shorter than Europeans, but have recently become appreciably taller. The aim was to quantify the secular trend patterns in height and weight growth in the two countries over 50 years using the SITAR growth curve model.

Methods Data on mean height and weight by sex in 1‐year age groups from 1 to 20 years were obtained by decade in South Korea (1965–2005) and Japan (1950–2010). The data were analyzed using SITAR (SuperImposition by Translation And Rotation), which estimates a mean curve and three adjustments–size, timing and intensity–reflecting how the individual surveys differ from the mean. A sensitivity analysis compared results for the Japanese data based on cohort as well as period.

Results Growth patterns in the two countries changed dramatically over the study period, affecting not only height and weight but also developmental age, in that the growth period advanced in timing and shrank in duration. SITAR fitted the data well. The trends were larger in South Korea than Japan, and puberty timing in Japan stabilized by 1970. Most of the height increment seen in adults had already accrued by age 1.5 years, whereas the adult weight increment accrued throughout childhood.

Conclusions The secular height trend in these countries represents increased growth in the long bones during infancy, so it can be viewed as the inverse of stunting. There are striking country differences in growth pattern, but they are not easily explained by differences in national income, diet or lifestyle.
Work‐related mortality in the US fishing industry during 2000‐2014: New findings based on improved workforce exposure estimates
Authors: Lucas Devin L. , Case Samantha L.
Published: August 2017

Background

Commercial fishing is a global industry that has been frequently classified as high‐risk. The use of detailed surveillance data is critical in identifying hazards.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to provide updated statistics for the entire US fishing industry during 2010‐2014, generate fleet‐specific fatality rates using a revised calculation of full‐time equivalent estimates, and examine changes in the patterns of fatalities and in risk over a 15‐year period (2000‐2014).

Results

During 2010‐2014, 188 commercial fishing fatalities occurred in the United States. Vessel disasters and falls overboard remain leading contributors to commercial fishing deaths. The Atlantic scallop fleet stands out for achieving substantial declines in the risk of fatalities over the 15‐year study period. However, fatality rates ranged from 21 to 147 deaths per 100 000 FTEs, many times higher than the rate for all US workers.

Conclusions

Although the number of fatalities among commercial fishermen in the United States has generally declined since 2000, commercial fishing continues to have one of the highest occupational fatality rates in the United States. The sustainable seafood movement could assist in improving the health and safety of fishing industry workers if worker well‐being was integrated into the definition of sustainable seafood.
Microstructural white matter tract alteration in Prader‐Willi syndrome: A diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Rice Lauren J. , Lagopoulos Jim , Brammer Michael , Einfeld Stewart L.
Published: August 2017

Prader‐Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by infantile hypotonia, hyperphagia, hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, intellectual disability, and severe emotional and behavioral problems. The brain mechanisms that underpin these disturbances are unknown. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) enables in vivo investigation of the microstructural integrity of white matter pathways. To date, only one study has used DTI to examine white matter alterations in PWS. However, that study used selected regions of interest, rather than a whole brain analysis. In the present study, we used diffusion tensor and magnetic resonance (T 1‐weighted) imaging to examine microstructural white matter changes in 15 individuals with PWS (17–30 years) and 15 age‐and‐gender‐matched controls. Whole‐brain voxel‐wise statistical analysis of FA was carried out using tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS). Significantly decreased fractional anisotropy was found localized to the left hemisphere in individuals with PWS within the splenium of the corpus callosum, the internal capsule including the posterior thalamic radiation and the inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (IFOF). Reduced integrity of these white matter pathways in individuals with PWS may relate to orientating attention, emotion recognition, semantic processing, and sensorimotor dysfunction.
Development of the Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire
Authors: ten Dam Ellen , Feijen Robert A. , van den Berge Minke J.C. , Hoving Eelco W. , Kuijlen Jos M. , van der Laan Bernard F.A.M. , Vermeulen Karin M. , Krabbe Paul F.M. , Korsten‐Meijer Astrid G.W.
Published: August 2017

Background

The patients’ perspective of health outcomes has become important input for assessing treatment effects. However, existing endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) instruments are not fully aligned with the concept of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). A prospective cohort study was therefore conducted to develop a suitable quality‐of‐life tool to assess nasal morbidity after EES: the Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire (EES‐Q).

Methods

The study included 300 patients: 207 with sinus pathology and 93 with anterior skull base pathology. The EES‐Q was administered prior to surgery and postoperatively (2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year). Psychometric instrument properties were tested and relevant health domains were formulated. Seventy‐two items were generated by the conventional psychometric approach. An exploratory factor analysis was used to test construct validity. The optimal number of factors to retain was determined by using the eigenvalues‐greater‐than‐1 rule and scree plot. Orthogonal varimax rotation was used to enhance interpretability. Internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach α.

Results

The factor analysis yielded a 3‐factor solution, representing physical, psychological, and social functioning. The final version of the instrument consisted of 30 items with a high internal consistency (>0.80) for all 3 HRQoL domains.

Conclusions

The EES‐Q is a comprehensive, multidimensional, disease‐specific instrument. A distinguishing characteristic is that, apart from the physical and psychological domains, the EES‐Q also encompasses a social domain. Understanding different HRQoL aspects in patients undergoing EES may help caregivers restore, improve, or preserve the patient's health through individualized care, which depends on identifying their specific needs.