bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Alliance of Green Hotels to Reach Sustainable Competitive Advantages
Authors: Ge Hufei , Chen Silu , Chen Yujie
Published: February 2018

Under increasing environmental pressure, hotel firms need to improve their ability to access international alliances while maintaining good performance for sustainable development. This paper uses survey data from 784 hotels running at different levels of service in China to test the hypothesis in an integrated analytical model, and the findings show that the impact of international alliances varies with different levels of green hotels. Despite operating in the same sector, hotels running at different levels of service vary their respective tactics to gain sustainable competitive advantage and achieve significantly different results. This study intends to inform hotel managers in obtaining specific performance goals by developing absorptive capacity, and by choosing the most suitable alliance for their level of operation.
Comparative Study of Frequency Converters for Doubly Fed Induction Machines
Authors: Nahdi Tarek , Maga Dusan
Published: February 2018

The efficient utilization of energy sources seems to be one of the most challenging problems for designers and scientists alike. This challenge particularly applies to power electronics, where the increasing value of energy density leads to demands for optimization processes and better exploitation (and distribution) of available power sources. As a result, the implementation of frequency-controlled systems is more often in the spotlight. The systems with doubly fed induction machines and a frequency converter in the rotor circuit are typical representatives of these demands. In a wide spectrum of power electronic systems, frequency converters are often used that have a constant current, a diode rectifier, and a thyristor inverter. This article provides a novel approach to modeling methodology, and presents a unique comparison of four different frequency converter schemes that are connected to a doubly fed induction machine. This article presents the modeling methodology itself, as well as the results based on an asynchronous generator motor fed by different frequency converters, a spectral analysis of the output voltage of the used frequency converters, and a comparison of the different technologies. Based on the above, this paper recommends the use of a multistage-multilevel frequency converter scheme.
Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Climate Information Services: Evidence from Cowpea and Sesame Producers in Northern Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouédraogo Mathieu , Barry Silamana , Zougmoré Robert , Partey Samuel , Somé Leopold , Baki Gregoire
Published: February 2018

Climate information is recognized as a powerful tool to reduce the effect of climate risk and uncertainty on crop production and increase the resilience and the adaptive capacity of farmers in semi-arid zones. This paper estimates farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for climate information within cowpea and sesame value chains in Northern Burkina Faso. The study used the contingent valuation method for a monetary valuation of farmers’ preferences for climate information. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 170 farmers. The study found that 63% of respondents were willing to pay for climate information services (CIS) such as seasonal climate forecast (SCF), decadal climate information (10-DCI), daily climate information (1-DCI) and agro-advisories. The predicted value for the WTP was XOF 3496 for SCF, XOF 1066 for 10-DCI, XOF 1985 for 1-DCI and XOF 1628 for agro-advisories. The study also showed that several socioeconomic and motivation factors have greater influence on farmers’ WTP for CIS. These included the gender, age, education of the farm head and the awareness of farm head to climate information. The outcomes of this paper should support policy makers to better design an efficient mechanism for the dissemination of climate information to improve the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate risks in Burkina Faso.
The Acceleration of Urban Sustainability Transitions: A Comparison of Brighton, Budapest, Dresden, Genk, and Stockholm
Authors: Ehnert Franziska , Frantzeskaki Niki , Barnes Jake , Borgström Sara , Gorissen Leen , Kern Florian , Strenchock Logan , Egermann Markus
Published: February 2018

City-regions as sites of sustainability transitions have remained under-explored so far. With our comparative analysis of five diverse European city-regions, we offer new insights on contemporary sustainability transitions at the urban level. In a similar vein, the pre-development and the take-off phase of sustainability transitions have been studied in depth while the acceleration phase remains a research gap. We address this research gap by exploring how transitions can move beyond the seeding of alternative experiments and the activation of civil society initiatives. This raises the question of what commonalities and differences can be found between urban sustainability transitions. In our explorative study, we employ a newly developed framework of the acceleration mechanisms of sustainability transitions. We offer new insights on the multi-phase model of sustainability transitions. Our findings illustrate that there are no clear demarcations between the phases of transitions. From the perspective of city-regions, we rather found dynamics of acceleration, deceleration, and stagnation to unfold in parallel. We observed several transitions—transitions towards both sustainability and un-sustainability—to co-evolve. This suggests that the politics of persistence—the inertia and path dependencies of un-sustainability—should be considered in the study of urban sustainability transitions.
Discourses across Scales on Forest Landscape Restoration
Authors: Reinecke Sabine , Blum Mareike
Published: February 2018

Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) has recently received broad political support, e.g., under the Bonn Challenge. However, although the concept promises quadruple wins for humans, biodiversity as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, it remains heavily underutilized in practice. Drawing on a social constructivist reading and a survey in different developing and developed countries, we elaborate on varying existing narratives about FLR at global and country level. Overall, we find that FLR understandings in different countries strongly resonate with the globally pursued idea of enhancing ecological and human well-being. In more detail, however, rural development and climate mitigation oriented motives are prioritized over aspects of species conservation or adaptation. Globally, strong emphasis is placed on collaborative processes empowering local actors. At country level, by contrast, these ideas regarding greater local authority are complemented with a techno-managerial notion of government control. Considering the potential power struggles that could be evoked from such dialectic expectations, we see it as a primary responsibility for global FLR processes to fully embrace the political dimension of FLR and to support conflict resolution and adaptive learning processes.
Effect of Local Community’s Environmental Perception on Trust in a Mining Company: A Case Study in Mongolia
Authors: Dagvadorj Lavdmaa , Byamba Bolorchimeg , Ishikawa Mamoru
Published: February 2018

While the mining industry is booming globally, local communities resist mining operations. It is crucial for mining companies to maintain trust within these communities to prevent conflicts. This research investigated local community’s trust in a mining company in Mongolia using a questionnaire survey. We assessed the residents’ perceptions of the company’s effort to maintain environmental protection, as a determinant of trust, in addition to the determinants of motivation and ability. The results showed that the trust level varied within the different respondent groups and the determinants of trust differentially explained the state of trust. The nomadic herders who lived close to the mine site had low trust while being sensitive to the environmental effects. Other herders had neutral trust. Town citizens had high trust, which was mainly related to positive perceptions of motivation. Communicability of the information provided by the company influenced formulation of positive and negative perceptions. Overall, low trust likely leads to conflicts. Therefore, mining companies are advised to conduct surveys with different groups in the local community, especially those sensitive to environmental changes, and take measures to maintain trust.
Algal Blooms and Cyanotoxins in Jordan Lake, North Carolina
Authors: Wiltsie Daniel , Schnetzer Astrid , Green Jason , Vander Borgh Mark , Fensin Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

The eutrophication of waterways has led to a rise in cyanobacterial, harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) worldwide. The deterioration of water quality due to excess algal biomass in lakes has been well documented (e.g., water clarity, hypoxic conditions), but health risks associated with cyanotoxins remain largely unexplored in the absence of toxin information. This study is the first to document the presence of dissolved microcystin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and β-N-methylamino-l-alanine in Jordan Lake, a major drinking water reservoir in North Carolina. Saxitoxin presence was not confirmed. Multiple toxins were detected at 86% of the tested sites and during 44% of the sampling events between 2014 and 2016. Although concentrations were low, continued exposure of organisms to multiple toxins raises some concerns. A combination of discrete sampling and in-situ tracking (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking [SPATT]) revealed that microcystin and anatoxin were the most pervasive year-round. Between 2011 and 2016, summer and fall blooms were dominated by the same cyanobacterial genera, all of which are suggested producers of single or multiple cyanotoxins. The study’s findings provide further evidence of the ubiquitous nature of cyanotoxins, and the challenges involved in linking CyanoHAB dynamics to specific environmental forcing factors are discussed.
Comparative Genomics and Identification of an Enterotoxin-Bearing Pathogenicity Island, SEPI-1/SECI-1, in Staphylococcus epidermidis Pathogenic Strains
Authors: Argemi Xavier , Nanoukon Chimène , Affolabi Dissou , Keller Daniel , Hansmann Yves , Riegel Philippe , Baba-Moussa Lamine , Prévost Gilles
Published: February 2018

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, majorly resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, and may transfer several mobile genetic elements among the members of its own species, as well as to Staphylococcus aureus; however, a genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis remains controversial. We recently identified two pathogenic clinical strains of S. epidermidis that produce a staphylococcal enterotoxin C3-like (SEC) similar to that by S. aureus pathogenicity islands. This study aimed to determine the genetic environment of the SEC-coding sequence and to identify the mobile genetic elements. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation of the S. epidermidis strains were performed using Illumina technology and a bioinformatics pipeline for assembly, which provided evidence that the SEC-coding sequences were located in a composite pathogenicity island that was previously described in the S. epidermidis strain FRI909, called SePI-1/SeCI-1, with 83.8–89.7% nucleotide similarity. Various other plasmids were identified, particularly p_3_95 and p_4_95, which carry antibiotic resistance genes (hsrA and dfrG, respectively), and share homologies with SAP085A and pUSA04-2-SUR11, two plasmids described in S. aureus. Eventually, one complete prophage was identified, ΦSE90, sharing 30 out of 52 coding sequences with the Acinetobacter phage vB_AbaM_IME200. Thus, the SePI-1/SeCI-1 pathogenicity island was identified in two pathogenic strains of S. epidermidis that produced a SEC enterotoxin causing septic shock. These findings suggest the existence of in vivo genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis.
DNA Vaccine-Encoded Flagellin Can Be Used as an Adjuvant Scaffold to Augment HIV-1 gp41 Membrane Proximal External Region Immunogenicity
Authors: Ajamian Lara , Melnychuk Luca , Jean-Pierre Patrick , Zaharatos Gerasimos
Published: February 2018

Flagellin’s potential as a vaccine adjuvant has been increasingly explored over the last three decades. Monomeric flagellin proteins are the only known agonists of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). This interaction evokes a pro-inflammatory state that impacts upon both innate and adaptive immunity. While pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like flagellin have been used as stand-alone adjuvants that are co-delivered with antigen, some investigators have demonstrated a distinct advantage to incorporating antigen epitopes within the structure of flagellin itself. This approach has been particularly effective in enhancing humoral immune responses. We sought to use flagellin as both scaffold and adjuvant for HIV gp41 with the aim of eliciting antibodies to the membrane proximal external region (MPER). Accordingly, we devised a straightforward step-wise approach to select flagellin-antigen fusion proteins for gene-based vaccine development. Using plasmid DNA vector-based expression in mammalian cells, we demonstrate robust expression of codon-optimized full length and hypervariable region-deleted constructs of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi flagellin (FliC). An HIV gp41 derived sequence including the MPER (gp41607–683) was incorporated into various positions of these constructs and the expressed fusion proteins were screened for effective secretion, TLR5 agonist activity and adequate MPER antigenicity. We show that incorporation of gp41607–683 into a FliC-based scaffold significantly augments gp41607–683 immunogenicity in a TLR5 dependent manner and elicits modest MPER-specific humoral responses in a mouse model.
Urban Surface Water Quality, Flood Water Quality and Human Health Impacts in Chinese Cities. What Do We Know?
Authors: Rui Yuhan , Fu Dafang , Do Minh Ha , Radhakrishnan Mohanasundar , Zevenbergen Chris , Pathirana Assela
Published: February 2018

Climate change and urbanization have led to an increase in the frequency of extreme water related events such as flooding, which has negative impacts on the environment, economy and human health. With respect to the latter, our understanding of the interrelationship between flooding, urban surface water and human health is still very limited. More in-depth research in this area is needed to further strengthen the process of planning and implementation of responses to mitigate the negative health impacts of flooding in urban areas. The objective of this paper is to assess the state of the research on the interrelationship between surface water quality, flood water quality and human health in urban areas based on the published literature. These insights will be instrumental in identifying and prioritizing future research needs in this area. In this study, research publications in the domain of urban flooding, surface water quality and human health were collated using keyword searches. A detailed assessment of these publications substantiated the limited number of publications focusing on the link between flooding and human health. There was also an uneven geographical distribution of the study areas, as most of the studies focused on developed countries. A few studies have focused on developing countries, although the severity of water quality issues is higher in these countries. The study also revealed a disparity of research in this field across regions in China as most of the studies focused on the populous south-eastern region of China. The lack of studies in some regions has been attributed to the absence of flood water quality monitoring systems which allow the collection of real-time water quality monitoring data during flooding in urban areas. The widespread implementation of cost effective real-time water quality monitoring systems which are based on the latest remote or mobile phone based data acquisition techniques is recommended. Better appreciation of health risks may lead to better flood risk management. In summary, there is still a limited understanding of the relationship between urban surface water quality, flood water quality and health impacts. This also holds true for Chinese cities. Given the widespread and frequent occurrence of urban flooding, further research into this specific cross-cutting field is mandatory.
Economic Evaluation of Hydrological Ecosystem Services in Mediterranean River Basins Applied to a Case Study in Southern Italy
Authors: Mastrorilli Marcello , Rana Gianfranco , Verdiani Giuseppe , Tedeschi Giuseppe , Fumai Antonio , Russo Giovanni
Published: February 2018

Land use affects eco-hydrological processes with consequences for floods and droughts. Changes in land use affect ecosystems and hydrological services. The objective of this study is the analysis of hydrological services through the quantification of water resources, pollutant loads, land retention capacity and soil erosion. On the basis of a quantitative evaluation, the economic values of the ecosystem services are estimated. By assigning an economic value to the natural resources and to the hydraulic system, the hydrological services can be computed at the scale of catchment ecosystem. The proposed methodology was applied to the basin “Bonis” (Calabria Region, Italy). The study analyses four land use scenarios: (i) forest cover with good vegetative status (baseline scenario); (ii) modification of the forest canopy; (iii) variation in forest and cultivated surfaces; (iv) insertion of impermeable areas. The simulations prove that the variations of the state of forest areas has considerable influence on the water balance, and then on the provided economic value. Small economic changes derive from reducing the impermeable areas. Increasing the agricultural area to 50% of the total, and reducing the forest surface, affects soil erosion, reduces the storage capacity of the water, and consequently the water harvesting. The suggested methodology can be considered a suitable tool for land planning.
Reusing Treated Wastewater: Consideration of the Safety Aspects Associated with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Hong Pei-Ying , Julian Timothy , Pype Marie-Laure , Jiang Sunny , Nelson Kara , Graham David , Pruden Amy , Manaia Célia
Published: February 2018

As more countries engage in water reuse, either intended or de facto, there is an urgent need to more comprehensively evaluate resulting environmental and public health concerns. While antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are increasingly coming under the spotlight, as emerging contaminants, existing water reuse regulations and guidelines do not adequately address these concerns. This perspectives paper seeks to frame the various challenges that need to be resolved to identify meaningful and realistic target types and levels of antibiotic resistance benchmarks for water reuse. First, there is the need for standardized and agreed-upon methodologies to identify and quantify ARB and ARGs. Second, even if methodologies are available, identifying which ARB and ARGs to monitor that would best relate to the occurrence of disease burden remains unknown. Third, a framework tailored to assessing the risks associated with ARB and ARGs during reuse is urgently needed. Fourth, similar to protecting drinking water sources, strategies to prevent dissemination of ARB and ARGs via wastewater treatment and reuse are required to ensure that appropriate barriers are emplaced. Finally, current wastewater treatment technologies could benefit from modification or retrofit to more effectively remove ARB and ARGs while also producing a high quality product for water and resource recovery. This perspectives paper highlights the need to consider ARB and ARGs when evaluating the overall safety aspects of water reuse and ways by which this may be accomplished.
The Effect of Deep Oscillation Therapy in Fibrocystic Breast Disease. A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Hernandez Solangel , Socas Fernández Marilyn De Jesús , Iturralde Yinet , Suáres Fernández Addiel
Published: February 2018

Introduction: Fibrocystic breast disease is the most widespread disorder in women during their phase of sexual maturity. Deep oscillation (DO) therapy has been used on patients who have undergone an operation for breast cancer as a special form of manual lymphatic drainage.

Method: Experimental, prospective case-control studies were conducted in 401 women diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease. The sample was selected at random and was divided into three groups, a study group and two control groups.

Results: Pain was reduced in the three therapies applied. This was statistically significant in the study group. The sonography study presented a predominance of its fibrous form. Upon completion of the treatment a resolution of the fibrosis was observed in the study group. The women were using their bra in an incorrect manner.

Conclusions: Pain was reduced in the three therapies applied. In the study group this reduction was statistically significant. It is possible to verify the magnitude of the resonant vibration in the connective tissue from surface to deep layers by viewing the effect of the deep oscillations through the use of diagnostic ultrasound. The most frequent sonographic finding was fibrosis. Deep oscillation therapy produces a tissue-relaxing, moderate vasoconstriction effect, favours local oedema reabsorption and fibrosis reduction. A factor that may affect breast pain is incorrect bra use. The majority of women studied were using their bra incorrectly.
A novel approach using incremental under sampling for data stream mining
Authors: N Anupama ,   Research Scholar, GITAM University, Telangana, Hyderabad, India, Jena Sudarson ,   Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology, Sambalpur, Orissa, India
Published: February 2018

Data stream mining is every popular in recent years with advanced electronic devices generating continuous data streams. The performance of standard learning algorithms has been compromised with imbalance nature present in real world data streams. In this paper, we propose an algorithm known as Increment Under Sampling for Data streams (IUSDS) which uses an unique under sampling technique to almost balance the data sets to minimize the effect of imbalance in stream mining process. The experimental analysis conducted suggests that the proposed algorithm improves the knowledge discovery over benchmark algorithms like C4.5 and Hoeffding tree in terms of standard performance measures namely accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, F-measure, TP rate, FP rate and TN rate.
Características de las páginas web de los hospitales de la Comunidad de Madrid: relación entre la calidad web y la responsabilidad social corporativa
Authors: Gutiérrez-Ponce Herenia , Creixans-Tenas Judit , Arimany-Serrat Núria
Published: February 2018

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el contenido y características de las páginas web de los hospitales públicos y privados de la Comunidad de Madrid, y a la vez, evidenciar si existe una relación significativa entre la calidad de las webs y la presencia de indicadores de Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en las mismas. El estudio da respuesta a la creciente demanda de información digital de las instituciones sanitarias y el cumplimiento de la Ley de Transparencia, Acceso a la Información Pública y Buen Gobierno. La metodología utilizada, avalada por publicaciones académicas solventes, consiste en explorar la puntuación de los hospitales objeto de estudio mediante cuestionarios y herramientas de accesibilidad que permiten identificar una información web de calidad, en relación directa con los indicadores de RSC, según contrastes estadísticos, especialmente en el caso de hospitales públicos.
Smartphone Habits and Behaviors in Supporting Students Self-Efficacy
Authors: Razzaq Abdur , Samiha Yulia Tri , Anshari Muhammad
Published: February 2018

The widespread of smartphones usage have increased the convenience of accessing information and knowledge sharing for higher learning students. University’s students are exposed with the multi channels of knowledge from various sources primarily from online learning’s resources. The study examines smartphone habit, internet literacy, and mobile learning in relation to self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to the internal forces of a student’s belief in the abilities in utilizing smartphone as educational aid in the context of mobile learning. This study deploys a quantitative approach in assessing the relationship between self-efficacy, internet literacy and smartphone’s habits for of university students. Understanding student self-efficacy is important factor to deliver an effective ways in supporting mobile learning activities. In addition to documenting the findings of self-efficacy and mobile learning, the research also represents a model of internal and external factors that affects student self-efficacy to make mobile learning successful.
The Effectiveness of Using Interactive Multimedia Based on Motion Graphic in Concept Mastering Enhancement and Fashion Designing Skill in Digital Format
Authors: Wiana Winwin , Barliana M. Syaom , Riyanto Arifah A.
Published: February 2018

This research is related to the effort to design a more representative learning system to improve the learning result of digital fashion design, through the development of interactive multimedia based on motion graphic. This research is aimed to know the effect of interactive multimedia application based on motion graphic to increase the mastery of the concept and skill of the students to making fashion designing in digital format. The research method used is quasi experiment with research design of Nonequivalent Control Group Design. The lectures are conducted in two different classes, namely class A as the Experimental Class and class B as the Control Class. From the calculation result after interpreted using Normalize Gain, there is an increase of higher learning result in student with interactive learning based on motion graphic, compared with student achievement on conventional learning. In this research, interactive multimedia learning based on motion graphic is effective toward the improvement of student learning in concept mastering indicator and on the aspect of making fashion design in digital format.
ACQUISITION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BOWEL SOUNDS USING LabVIEW SOFTWARE
Authors: Chanu Oinam Robita , Raj V. Karthik
Published: February 2018

Bowel sounds (BSs) are defined as the sounds when contractions of the lower intestines propel forward. It is simple, but empirical and too subjective. Auscultation is the traditional technique for determining gastrointestinal functioning. The most physicians and nurses carry out a cursory listen for BS resulting in misinterpretation. The aim and objective of this project are to design a low-cost prototype of an electronic stethoscope to acquire the BSs and analyzing its characteristics using LabVIEW software. The developed prototype is interfaced with the software, and the BSs are recorded from the epigastric region and the umbilical region. The characteristics of recorded BSs are analyzed in the LabVIEW software with the available tool like signal analysis and sound analysis. For this study, a total number of 17 subjects are included. Around 1[Formula: see text]min BS recordings are performed on 12 healthy subjects and 5 abnormal subjects. The result showed that the BSs are recorded from the designed prototype. The frequencies of detected BS vary for each person in different areas of the abdomen. Based on the frequency of detected BS for a particular subject, the classification of BS is made into hypoactive, hyperactive and absent (no sounds).
Sepsis by Capnocytophaga
Authors: Bellazzi Lara Ines , Diachyshyna Liudmyla , Mercuri Marcella , Terulla Cristina , Troupioti Panajota , Costanzo Filippo
Published: February 2018

Capnocytophaga species is a commensal gram-negative rod capnophilic facultative anaerobic bacterium that colonizes the oral cavity of humans and animals. This bacterium can cause severe illness in patients with alcohol addiction, chronic lung diseases, liver diseases and immunosuppression. Herein, we report a rare case of sepsis caused by C. sputigena in a 83-year-old woman.
The omics era: what can nuclear magnetic resonance tell us on metabolomics?
Authors: Castiglione Franca , Ferro Monica , Mele Andrea
Published: February 2018

A brief overview of the potentiality and use of the metabolic fingerprint of a system or biological process is here proposed. The information on the type, quantity and variation of the pool of metabolites and its relationship with a given biological process is commonly referred to as metabolomics. One powerful analytical approach to the detection and quantitation of metabolites is by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Additionally, the recently introduced High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) NMR approach improved dramatically the potentiality of the method allowing direct sampling of ex vivo specimens, such as tissues and cells, without any pre-treatment or extraction steps. The NMR data can be processed towards the target or non-target analysis of the metabolites. The former passes through the identification of all the metabolites, the latter adopts a multivariate statistical approach such as Principal Components Analysis. In this article, the main methodological points of NMR analysis with multivariate statistics are briefly outlined and discussed. A final case-study on the discrimination of healthy and neoplastic tissues via HR-MAS NMR metabolomics is reported as a paradigmatic application.
Stock market returns and exchange rate movements in a multiple currency economy: the case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Sibanda Mabutho
Published: February 2018

This study seeks to provide new evidence on the stock market and exchange rate relationship in Zimbabwe, a country that does not have its own sovereign currency. The bivariate vector autoregressive approach is used to establish the relationship between the stock market and exchange rates. The results show that no relationship exists between the stock market and the proxy exchange rate. The findings contradict the expectation that exchange rate movements would influence domestic stock market prices. This finding is especially interesting given the fact that Zimbabwe uses a basket of currencies for transacting purposes, albeit with the United States dollar as a major currency for reporting and stock market pricing purposes. The findings provide new evidence of a disconnect between the stock market and exchange rate movements. This has implications for international portfolio diversification and the use of foreign currency as an asset class in an economy using a multiple currency system.
Rewarding tax compliance: taxpayers' attitudes and beliefs
Authors: Bornman Marina , Stack Lilla
Published: February 2018

In a society the tax climate is determined by the interaction between taxpayers and tax authorities. In a ‘service and client’ climate, taxpayers do not expect authorities to automatically suspect them of being tax evaders. Evidence suggests that recognising good tax behaviour with strategies of rewards has a positive effect on voluntary tax compliance. Principles derived from the cognitive evaluation theory predict that when feelings of competence are affirmed and this is accompanied by a sense of autonomy it can enhance the intrinsic motivation for an action. The present research surveyed the attitudes and beliefs of taxpayers involved in small business on being rewarded for tax compliance. Results were corroborated with the principles of the cognitive evaluation theory and it was found that that the principles of the theory are applicable to rewarding tax compliance behaviour.
Environmental policy integration in terms of section 37d of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962
Authors: Van Wyk Ellane
Published: February 2018

Environmental policy integration is essential in achieving environmental sustainability goals across non-environmental sectors. Dilution of environmental goals in environmental policy integration should be avoided. The conservation tax incentive of the repealed section 37C(5) read with section 18A of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962, replaced by section 37D, represents environmental policy integration in tax legislation. The study primarily aimed to determine whether the replacement will benefit contracted landowners, using historical comparative methodology. Secondarily, a historical review of the literature on environmental policy integration and alternative incentives for private conservation efforts was performed. Although contracted landowners might obtain a smaller tax benefit annually, they will receive the same total tax benefit over the entire period of the deduction. They will have certainty regarding their annual tax benefit. As certainty is preferred by most landowners, the study concluded that dilution of environmental policy integration goals will not result from the amended legislation.
Christoffel functions with power type weights
Authors: Danka Tivadar , Totik Vilmos
Published: February 2018

Precise asymptotics for Christoffel functions are established for power type weights on unions of Jordan curves and arcs. The asymptotics involve the equilibrium measure of the support of the measure. The result at the endpoints of arc components is obtained from the corresponding asymptotics for internal points with respect to a different power weight. On curve components the asymptotic formula is proved via a sharp form of Hilbert's lemniscate theorem while taking polynomial inverse images. The situation is completely different on the arc components, where the local asymptotics is obtained via a discretization of the equilibrium measure with respect to the zeros of an associated Bessel function. The proofs are potential theoretical, and fast decreasing polynomials play an essential role in them.
“Kala-Azar is a Dishonest Disease”: Community Perspectives on Access Barriers to Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) Diagnosis and Care in Southern Gadarif, Sudan
Authors: Sunyoto Temmy , Adam Gamal K. , Atia Atia M. , Hamid Yassin , Babiker Rabie Ali , Abdelrahman Nugdalla , Vander Kelen Catiane , Ritmeijer Koert , Alcoba Gabriel , den Boer Margriet , Picado Albert , Boelaert Marleen
Published: February 2018

Early diagnosis and treatment is the principal strategy to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar in East Africa. As VL strikes remote rural, sparsely populated areas, kala-azar care might not be accessed optimally or timely. We conducted a qualitative study to explore access barriers in a longstanding kala-azar endemic area in southern Gadarif, Sudan. Former kala-azar patients or caretakers, community leaders, and health-care providers were purposively sampled and thematic data analysis was used. Our study participants revealed the multitude of difficulties faced when seeking care. The disease is well known in the area, yet misconceptions about causes and transmission persist. The care-seeking itineraries were not always straightforward: “shopping around” for treatments are common, partly linked to difficulties in diagnosing kala-azar. Kala-azar is perceived to be “hiding,” requiring multiple tests and other diseases must be treated first. Negative perceptions on quality of care in the public hospitals prevail, with the unavailability of drugs or staff as the main concern. Delay to seek care remains predominantly linked to economic constraint: albeit treatment is for free, patients have to pay out of pocket for everything else, pushing families further into poverty. Despite increased efforts to tackle the disease over the years, access to quality kala-azar care in this rural Sudanese context remains problematic. The barriers explored in this study are a compelling reminder of the need to boost efforts to address these barriers.
Mysticism, Ritual and Religion in Drone Metal
Authors: Coggins Owen
Published: February 2018

This is the first extensive scholarly study of drone metal music and its religious associations, drawing on five years of ethnographic participant observation from more than 300 performances and 74 interviews, plus surveys, analyses of sound recordings, artwork and extensive online discourse about music.

Owen Coggins shows that while many drone metal listeners identify as non-religious, their ways of engaging with and talking about drone metal are richly informed by mysticism, ritual and religion. He explores why language relating to mysticism and spiritual experience is so prevalent in drone metal culture and in discussion of musical experiences and practices of the genre.

The author develops the work of Michel de Certeau to provide an empirically grounded theory of mysticism in popular culture. He argues that the marginality of the genre culture, together with the extremely abstract sound produces a focus on the listeners’ engagement with sound, and that this in turn creates a space for the open-ended exploration of religiosity in extreme states of bodily consciousness.
The Collected Writings of Charles H. Long
Authors: Long Charles H.
Published: February 2018

Charles H. Long is one of the most influential and pioneering scholars in the study of religion from the past 50 years. This is the first comprehensive collection of his writings, edited by Long himself, and contains 38 pieces, including both published and previously unpublished articles, lectures, an interview, and two book reviews. The foreword is provided by Jennifer Reid, a former student of Long. The collection is divided into four thematic parts: America and the Study of Religion; Theory and Method in the Study of Religion; African American Religion in the United States; Kindling, Sparks, and Embers.

Long’s introduction provides much-awaited insight into his reflections on his work, expanding on questions that remained unanswered in his classic and influential text, Significations: Signs, Symbols, and Images in the Interpretation of Religion (1986). In particular, the new introductory essay explores the significance of “ellipses”, that which is omitted, the projected spaces of the Other in the study of religion.

Considered the preeminent founder and advocate of the study of Black Religion, Long was exploring religion and colonialism and the importance of Afro-American religion as early as the 1960s and early 1970s, and this collection of his thinking – which moves across the formations of religious studies, African diasporic studies, and social and cultural theory – is a must-have addition for any institutional or personal library.
América Latina em continuidades e rupturas
Authors: Sanctis Adriane
Published: February 2018

BOOK REVIEW:

ANGHIE, Antony. ORFORD, Anne. KOSKENNIEMI, Martti. Imperialismo y Derecho Internacional: Historia y Legado. Tradução de Jorge González Jácome; Estudo preliminar de Luís Eslava, Liliana Obregón e René Urueña. Bogotá: Siglo del Hombre Editores, Universidad de los Andes, Pontifícia Universidad Javeriana, 2016.
Edição Especial / Complete Issue
Authors: Dias Varella Marcelo , Monebhurrun (Editores / Editors) Nitish , Maljean-Dubois Sandrine , Hautereau-Boutonnet Mathilde , Pereira de Andrade (Editores convidados / Guest Editors) Priscila
Published: February 2018

Edição Especial / Complete Issue
Potential of INSAT-3D Sounder Derived Total Precipitable Water Product for Weather Forecast
Authors: Parihar Shailesh , Mitra Ashim Kumar , Bhatla Rajiv
Published: February 2018

Abstract. INSAT-3D satellite objectives to upgrade the meteorological observation, monitoring of earth surface atmosphere for weather forecasting and disaster warning. The amount of the water vapor present in atmospheric column in the form of total precipitable water (TPW) derived product from atmospheric sounding system is one such weather monitoring capability in the INSAT-3D payload. The current study is based on INSAT-3D satellite sounder derived TPW and corresponding TPW from radiosonde observations (RS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), N-18 and N-19 have been used to assess retrieval performances. The RS TPW from 34 India Meteorological Department (IMD) stations over the Indian region from May to September 2016 has been considered for the validation. The analysis is performed on daily, monthly, sub-divisional and overall basis over the Indian region. On daily and monthly scale against RS TPW, the root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficients (CC) of INSAT-3D TPW are in and around of 8 mm and above 0.8 respectively. However, on sub-divisional and overall scale, the RMSE found to be in the range of 1 to 2 mm and CC was around 0.9 in comparison with RS and NOAA. The spatial distribution of INSAT-3D TPW with actual rainfall observation is also been investigated. In general, INSAT-3D TPW correspond well with rainfall observation however, heavy rainfall events occurs in the presence of high TPW values. Furthermore, a case study with INSAT-3D TPW and ground based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver network have been demonstrated. It is noticed that, INSAT-3D TPW can be considered as a precursor for mesoscale activity very well. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential use of operational INSAT-3D sounder derived TPW to weather forecast. However, the major source of improvement in INSAT-3D TPW is mainly applying the GSICS calibration corrections (Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System) on Infra-Red (IR) sounder channels at IMDPS, New Delhi, which aims to produce corrections, ensuring the data consistency and allowing them to be used to produce globally homogeneous products for environmental monitoring. The current TPW from INSAT-3D satellite can be utilized operationally for weather purpose and it can also offer substantial opportunities for improvement in now casting studies.
The sea ice model component of HadGEM3-GC3.1
Authors: Ridley Jeff K. , Blockley Edward W. , Keen Ann B. , Rae Jamie G. L. , West Alex E. , Schroeder David
Published: February 2018

Abstract. A new sea ice configuration, GSI8.1, is implemented in the Met Office global coupled configuration HadGEM3-GC3.1 which will be used for all CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) simulations. The inclusion of multi-layer thermodynamics has required a semi-implicit coupling scheme between atmosphere and sea ice to ensure the stability of the solver. Here we describe the sea ice model component and show that the Arctic thickness and extent compare well with observationally based data.
Veros v0.1 – a Fast and Versatile Ocean Simulator in Pure Python
Authors: Häfner Dion , Jacobsen René Løwe , Eden Carsten , Kristensen Mads R. B. , Jochum Markus , Nuterman Roman , Vinter Brian
Published: February 2018

Abstract. A general circulation ocean model is translated from Fortran to Python. It is described how its code structure is optimized to exploit available Python utilities, remove simulation bottlenecks, and comply with modern best practices. Furthermore, support for Bohrium is added, a framework that provides a just-in-time compiler for array operations, and that supports parallel execution on both CPU and GPU targets. For applications containing more than a million grid elements, such as a typical 1 × 1 degree horizontal resolution ocean model, Veros is approximately half as fast as the MPI-parallelized Fortran base code on 24 CPUs, and as fast as the Fortran reference when running on a high-end GPU. By replacing the original conjugate gradient stream function solver with a solver from the pyAMG Python package, this particular subroutine outperforms the corresponding Fortran version by up to 1 order of magnitude. The study is concluded with a simple application in which the North Atlantic wave response to a Southern Ocean wind perturbation is investigated. It is found that even in a realistic setting the phase speeds of boundary waves matched the expectations based on theory and idealized models.
Testing and development of transfer functions for weighing precipitation gauges in WMO-SPICE
Authors: Kochendorfer John , Nitu Rodica , Wolff Mareile , Mekis Eva , Rasmussen Roy , Baker Bruce , Earle Michael E. , Reverdin Audrey , Wong Kai , Smith Craig D. , Yang Daqing , Roulet Yves-Alain , Meyers Tilden , Buisan Samuel , Isaksen Ketil , Brækkan Ragnar , Landolt Scott , Jachcik Al
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Weighing precipitation gauges are used widely for the measurement of all
forms of precipitation, and are typically more accurate than tipping-bucket
precipitation gauges. This is especially true for the measurement of solid
precipitation; however, weighing precipitation gauge measurements must still
be adjusted for undercatch in snowy, windy conditions. In WMO-SPICE (World
Meteorological Organization Solid Precipitation InterComparison Experiment),
different types of weighing precipitation gauges and shields were compared,
and adjustments were determined for the undercatch of solid precipitation
caused by wind. For the various combinations of gauges and shields,
adjustments using both new and previously existing transfer functions were
evaluated. For most of the gauge and shield combinations, previously derived
transfer functions were found to perform as well as those more recently
derived. This indicates that wind shield type (or lack thereof) is more
important in determining the magnitude of wind-induced undercatch than the
type of weighing precipitation gauge. It also demonstrates the potential for
widespread use of the previously developed transfer functions. Another
overarching result was that, in general, the more effective shields, which
were associated with smaller unadjusted errors, also produced more accurate
measurements after adjustment. This indicates that although transfer
functions can effectively reduce measurement biases, effective wind shielding
is still required for the most accurate measurement of solid precipitation.
Structural disorder of graphite and implications for graphite thermometry
Authors: Kirilova Martina , Toy Virginia , Rooney Jeremy S. , Giorgetti Carolina , Gordon Keith C. , Collettini Cristiano , Takeshita Toru
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Graphitization, or the progressive maturation of carbonaceous material, is considered an irreversible process. Thus, the degree of graphite crystallinity, or its structural order, has been calibrated as an indicator of the peak metamorphic temperatures experienced by the host rocks. However, discrepancies between temperatures indicated by graphite crystallinity versus other thermometers have been documented in deformed rocks. To examine the possibility of mechanical modifications of graphite structure and the potential impacts on graphite thermometry, we performed laboratory deformation experiments. We sheared highly crystalline graphite powder at normal stresses of 5 and 25  megapascal (MPa) and aseismic velocities of 1, 10 and 100 µm s−1. The degree of structural order both in the starting and resulting materials was analyzed by Raman microspectroscopy. Our results demonstrate structural disorder of graphite, manifested as changes in the Raman spectra. Microstructural observations show that brittle processes caused the documented mechanical modifications of the aggregate graphite crystallinity. We conclude that the calibrated graphite thermometer is ambiguous in active tectonic settings.