bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Accommodation Cluster and Tourism Development Based on GPS Positioning and GIS Analysis
Authors: Hsueh Ya-Hui , Lin Yi-Ling
Published: March 2020

This research aims to locate a set of points of B&B accommodations on a coffee cultivation area by using GPS positioning and GIS spatial analysis for responding to Porter's concept of industry cluster and to analyze the locational factors of B&B accommodation. Due to the coffee attractiveness, the B&B lodging establishments have sprung up in the area like mushrooms to service more and more tourists for the past 20 years. The spatial cluster of B&B establishments is displayed by specifying a set of GPS positioning points on different GIS raster surfaces to process point density analysis, buffer analysis and terrain analysis. To explore the locational characteristic of B&B establishments, overlay analysis is processed to examine the terrain, landscape, accessibility and tourist attractiveness factors. Instead of focusing on innovation atmosphere, knowledge intensive and technology transfer of new industry cluster factors, this research emphasizes traditional cluster concept of geography proximity on the benefits of agriculture and tourism linkage to available of tourist foods.
The Adoption and Development of Airbnb Services in Norway
Authors: Strommen-Bakhtiar Abbas , Vinogradov Evgueni
Published: March 2020

Collaborative consumption facilitated by peer-to-peer platforms has witnessed a rapid expansion in the areas of hospitality and tourism. However, it is very unevenly distributed across countries, regions, cities and neighborhoods. The aim of this article is to investigate why collaborative consumption takes off early and continues flourishing in some regions, while remaining almost non-existent in other regions. The extant literature provides some insights into the effect of demand-side factors on sharing economy. However, this literature largely neglects the role of supply. Informed by the innovation adaption literature, the present study seeks to address this gap. The analysis reveals that regions with a) well-developed tourism industry, b) relatively large number of available properties, and c) situated near the main tourist attractions, tend to have relatively large supply of Airbnb listings and relatively many Airbnb tourists. An early adoption of Airbnb services is also associated with availability of properties to rent out.
The Role of Destination Attributes in Assessing/Constructing the Image of Tourist Destination
Authors: Ban Olimpia Iuliana
Published: March 2020

This chapter aims to present and discuss the concept of ‘destination image', as shown in the literature to date and also to identify the way in which the image has been formed. The process of image formation is a dynamic one, in which the influence factors have a different importance and they continuously change and complete each other. It intend to analyze the formation and communication of the image, in the new context created by the Internet and social networks. Given the importance of destination attributes in the cognitive process of development/ evaluation of the destination image, it suggests a method for prioritizing these attributes, through fuzzy modeling in order to find the mix of attributes that best matches the expectations of the visitors. This could be a tool used by DMOs in image building, strengthening those attributes of the destination that best meet the wishes of the visitors.
A Framework to Analyze Cultural Values in Online Tourism Visuals of European Destinations
Authors: Mele Emanuele , Lobinger Katharina
Published: March 2020

Images play a crucial role in inspiring and informing travelers throughout the tourism experience. Due to this, destination management/marketing organizations (DMOs) do their best to provide visually rich websites and mobile applications. Among the factors guiding online communication choices, cultural values influence the selection and use of website design and multimedia contents. While several strategies are available to measure cultural values offline and online, so far, no consistent framework has accounted for the visual style of cultural categories in the tourism domain, especially within the European context. Addressing this research gap, the aim of this article is to propose a framework for the visual analysis of cultural values in the context of European destinations, also discussing the relation among values, visual content and visual style. The final model results from the combination of existing theories of visual semiotics and cross-cultural communication with bottom-up data from the semiotic analysis of 95 pictures from UK and Portuguese DMO websites.
An Exploratory Study of Online Destination Images via User-Generated Content for Southeastern Rural Transylvania
Authors: Kavoura Androniki , Nechita Florin
Published: March 2020

The advent of new technologies has brought forth an incredible power to online users of social media who may act as active contributors and co-creators of the tourism communication and promotion of the areas that have visited, influencing in that way the online image that is created for an area, a region or a country. The user-generated content (UGC) that is created and uploaded, text and/or travel photos allows research to examine tourists' behavior. How can this be depicted with the use of photos taken from visitors for a rural area? The present chapter aims to (a) examine the destination image of Brasov County's (Romania) based on UGC created via photos uploaded on Facebook by a selected group of visitors in the area; (b) to examine the projected image and strategy in official Brasov County's websites and strategic documents and (c) to create a set of recommendations for the promotion of the Brasov County's rural area on the international tourism market.
Creativity as a Tool of Tourism Development
Authors: Kiráľová Alžbeta
Published: March 2020

This chapter shows how creativity is bounded with tourism development in the destination. It points out the influence of changes in visitors´ behavior on the destinations, defines creativity, and discusses the relation of culture and creativity in tourism. The chapter focuses on the relation between creativity and development of tourism in the Czech Republic´s regions in the pre-crisis, crisis and after-crisis period. The destinations were subjects to research using two multivariate methods i.e. canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and partial least squares (PLS). The chapter also makes suggestions for future studies.
Tourism in East Timor
Authors: Allis Thiago , Barbosa dos Santos Maria Helena Mattos
Published: March 2020

The objective of this chapter is to organize, analyze and discuss information on tourism development in the Democratic Republic of East Timor, based on efforts from “development partners” countries between 2007 and 2011, principles of 2011 Development Strategic Plan (PED) and government programs from 2007 on. The analytical framework emerges from discussions on tourism in post-conflict countries and dependence and autonomy issues within post-colonial contexts. From a methodological perspective, reflections on East Timor are result of reading and government programs analysis since 2007, PED (2011-2030) and international cooperation reports from May 2012. In short, one observes in parallel to the slow growth of tourism in the island and the increase of the relevance of this issue in national documents that objective actions on behalf of tourism development in East Timor have been virtually absent in terms of international cooperation– even though they have been indirectly identifiable.
Implication of SASEC Tourism Initiatives on North Eastern States of India
Authors: Dam Supriya
Published: March 2020

India's North Eastern Region (NER) stretches from the foothills of the Himalayas in the eastern range and is surrounded by international borders with countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (Tibet Autonomous Region), Nepal, and Myanmar. The landlocked region is constrained by a brief spell of insurgency, and dismal unemployment has affected the region's progress since 1947. The advent of the Look East Policy coupled with a number of South Asia sub-regional arrangements with neighboring countries opened a “Pandora's Box” for this region. The SASEC initiatives of ADB helped to improve the status of tourism and infrastructure, including roads, air connectivity, and also opened cross-border land routes and roads within the North East (NE). The present study takes stock of tourism development from a sustainability perspective and examines the implementation of the SASEC tourism project in eight NE States of India with a view to suggest priority areas for action for promotion of tourism in this region.
Practices and Attitudes to Environmental Management in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Grigoroudis Evangelos
Published: March 2020

The dynamic presence and intensification of tourism has created several negative environmental impacts and have made it one of the industries with the widest range of environmental pressures, calling for a more sustainable course in the future. In this article, in order to respond to the increasing level of environmental concerns of tourists, as well as to the new economic environment, several initiatives as well as environmental management systems (EMSs) are developed for tourism enterprises. EMS applications offer several benefits to the committed organizations, however, the lack of resources and knowledge often poses difficulties in developing and sustaining international EMS. The tourism industry includes two main activities: housing and transportation. The present article concerns housing and its impact on the environment. It also addresses the factors that influence corporate environmental management by identifying the motives and benefits, as well as the difficulties in improving the environmental performance of hotels. The article focuses on Greece and more specifically on the Region of Crete. The article has been based on a questionnaire survey, while the results and conclusions have been based on statistical analysis of the collected information.
Steps toward a City Marketing Mix and Its Perception Measurement
Authors: Mišič Katja Udir , Podnar Klement
Published: March 2020

Cities compete for limited resources and face various challenges. Changing conditions have increased awareness and interest in city marketing. However, in order to achieve a competitive advantage in the acquisition of investments, tourism and community development, change in the city marketing mix is most important. Marketing experts transferred general marketing concepts to be within the scope of cities, but due to the complexity of the structure of the city, the best model in the context of marketing mix has still not been found. Any attempt in this direction is therefore theoretically and practically relevant. This paper aims to encompass various perspectives and introduces a city marketing mix, which takes into account the complexity, functionality and structure of the cities. It also presents a measurement instrument of city marketing mix that can be used as a sophisticated tool to satisfy the needs of city residents, who are considered to be the most valuable assets of the city.
Investigation of an Extended Typology for Marketing Destinations with YouTube
Authors: Sambhanthan Arunasalam , Thelijjagoda Samantha , Good Alice , Scupola Ada
Published: March 2020

This article describes how YouTube has been evolving as an e-tool for marketing activities over the past decade. Utilizing YouTube for enhancing marketing endeavours is a strategy practiced by marketing professionals across a growing number of industries. The research documented in this article investigates virtual community-based destination marketing using an extended conceptualisation of a virtual community typology. A non-participant netnographic investigation of virtual communities through a content analysis has been applied in this article to investigate the research questions. The contribution includes the application of an extended typology of virtual communities to YouTube leading to a number of managerial implications for marketing practice on using YouTube as an effective marketing tool.
The Governed and Their Governments
Authors: Santos Diogo , Sampaio Mylla Maria Maria Sousa
Published: March 2020

The relationship between citizens and the state is omnipresent: even the most totalitarian regimes present some interaction between society and ruler. Digital communications have added new instruments through which all, especially the least represented, can make their voices heard. This chapter provides theoretical bases for analyzing how citizens and government interact in the digital age. Dictatorships rely on performance and resort to violence to obtain support. Democratic leaders rely on principle, performance, or elections. Legitimacy by policy efficiency can support despotic governments. Digital communications arise as new channels for governments to promote their views to the people, convincing them of their policies' value; monitor the population's activities in support or against the government; and block information contrary to governmental interests. The people too can use digital interfaces to obtain information, share approval or discontent, and organize protests. Digital communication tools deeply impact the traditional democratic mechanisms to provide regime legitimacy.
Rhino-Facial Conidiobolomycosis (RFC) (Rhino-entomophthoramycosis): presenting as a progressive nasal mass, A diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Dissanayake D. M. A. H. , Narampanawa W. M. C. , Jayathilaka J. A. M. A. , Kumara S. S. P.
Published: March 2020

A 42-year-old male patient presented with a mass lesion over the dorsum of nose and central face. Initially, all investigations including inflammatory markers, multiple biopsies and fungal stains failed in diagnosing the disease. Eventually, it was diagnosed as rhino-facial conidiobolomycosis by fungal culture and successfully managed with combination antifungal therapy.
Endoscopic diathermy cauterization of piriform fossa sinus tract (PFST)
Authors: Dissanayake D. M. A. H. , Yasawardene A. D. K. S. N. , Kirihena R. A.
Published: March 2020

Introduction A congenital piriform fossa sinus tract is thought to be caused by a developmental abnormality of the third or fourth pharyngeal arches. This condition is traditionally managed by an open approach, external excision of sinus tract with hemi-thyroidectomy. However, endoscopic cauterization of PFST is now recognized as a minimally invasive definitive first line therapeutic option. Objective To evaluate the success of endoscopic cauterization of the PFST as a definitive first line therapeutic option. Method Retrospective analysis was done on medical records of ten patients (aged 1-12y), who were diagnosed with PFST and underwent endoscopic diathermy cauterization of PFST during one-year period (2015/2016) at LRH. Data including demography, presentation, management and response to treatment were analyzed. Results Median age of our case series was 8.23 years and eight out of ten patients (80%) were males. The most common presentation was recurrent thyroid abscess 60% (6/10) and the side of the disease was left in 90% (9/10). Eight out of ten (80%) patients had complete closure of the PFST after one session of endoscopic diathermy cauterization. Two out of ten (20%) patients had to undergo two sessions. Average follow up period was 17 months. Conclusion We propose the endoscopic diathermy cauterization as a safe and definitive first line therapeutic option in the management of the PFST.
Haemoptysis: a presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Balasubramaniam A. , Jayasuriya C.
Published: March 2020

Papillary thyroid carcinomas can be retrospectively diagnosed in patients, who are having metastatic disease with an occult primary lesion. A sixty-year-old female patient was investigated for haemoptysis and was found to have a tracheal lesion. Biopsy revealed a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Patient underwent total thyroidectomy with excision of the tracheal lesion and was followed up by adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. The detailed history, examination and investigations of neck and upper aerodigestive tract (ADT) are important for correct diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
An unusual presentation of a goitre which could be missed; primary intrathoracic goitre
Authors: Kumara S. P. P. , Jayasena K. D. N. U. D. , Selwarathnam S. , Ghnakanthan K.
Published: March 2020

A 62-year-old female was planned for total thyroidectomy; her clinical and ultrasonographic assessment did not reveal any retrosternal extension. Incidentally the preoperative chest radiograph revealed a retrosternal mass (Primary Intrathoracic goitre). Surgery included a total thyroidectomy, sternotomy and ICU care. She made an uneventful recovery after two days in ICU.
Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy surgery
Authors: Dayasena R. P. , Kularathne H. K. D. S. , Jayalath J. M. S.
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to systematically collect data of patients undergoing transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and analyse with regard to clinical presentation, short and long term complications and demographic details. Methods This is a prospective study of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery at National Hospital Sri Lanka from May 2013 to August 2019. 108 patients who underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for pituitary tumours were included. All the patients who underwent the procedure for the first time and for revision surgery were included in the study. ResultsOut of 108 patients, there were 87 primary cases and 21 revision cases. The average age at presentation was 45.39 years. The youngest patient was 2 years and 6 months old while the oldest was 76 years. 55 patients were male and 53 patients were female. The most common complaint at presentation was headache which affected 36 patients (33.3%). The visual disturbance was the second most common presentation, occurring in 32 individuals (29.6%). 103 patients out of 108 have been operated using trans-nasal transseptal approach and rest (5) by trans labial transseptal method.  The mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.8 days (range 3-17 days). The mean follow-up period was 35.7 months (range 3-75). 6 patients had died during the follow up period and 23 patients had defaulted follow up. Postoperative CSF leak occurred in 8 patients (7.4%) and anosmia was noted in 6 patients (5.5%). ConclusionMicroscopic transsphenoidal pituitary is a safe and effective treatment for pituitary tumours, and the commonest complication is CSF leak. Anosmia is one of the complications of this procedure.
Lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx - An analysis over 3 years at a tertiary care setting
Authors: De Alwis A. S. R. , De Silva H. M. S. S. , De Silva W. H. R. , Jayasuriya C.
Published: March 2020

Objective Lesions involving nasal cavity(NC), paranasal sinuses(PNS) and nasopharynx consists of a wide variety of inflammatory, non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Even though they are common in Sri Lanka proper data is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine various histopathological patterns of NC, PNS and nasopharyngeal lesions, their relative distribution with regard to age and sex in our setting. Methodology A retrospective analytical study was carried out in all patients who underwent biopsies of the above lesions presented to ENT unit at National Hospital of Sri Lanka from 1.1.2015 to 31.12.2017. Results From 238 patients who underwent biopsies, the commonest site was the NC (51.06%) followed by the PNS (43.9%). Male to female ratio was 1.38:1. 79.8% were non-neoplastic, from which 88.9% were inflammatory and 7.3% were fungal, where mucormycosis and rhinosporidiosis being the commonest. Out of the neoplastic conditions (20.8%), 54.1% were benign, with inverted papilloma being the commonest (42.3%), commonly seen in 6th and 7th decades with a male predominance, followed by angiofibroma (15.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest malignancy (40.9%), common in 7th and 8th decades with a male predominance, followed by adenocarcinoma (18.18%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (9%) and non- Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma (9%). Conclusion Internationally benign and malignant neoplasms are more common in 4 to 5th decades and 5-6th decades respectively. But in our study both benign and malignant neoplasms were found approximately two decades later in life. This may be due to the late presentation hence we recommend a thorough ENT examination at the earliest presentation of nasal symptoms.
Lingual thyroiditis – an unusual cause for sore throat
Authors: De silva K. A. , Drahaman A. M. P. , Duminda K. D. , Munasinghe D.
Published: March 2020

The presence of an ectopic thyroid at the base of the tongue (midline) is a rare embryological malformation in the descending process of the thyroid gland and is termed as Lingual thyroid. These aberrant thyroid tissue are commonly found in the base of the tongue and it is subjected to the same diseases as the thyroid gland. A 22-year-old male patient presented to our ward with the chief complaint of sore throat for three days duration with no other symptoms. On fiberoptic nasolarygoscopic examination (FNE) a well-defined, circumscribed swelling with a rich blood supply was detected at the posterior aspect of the tongue. Tc⁹⁹ᵐ scanning showed increased tracer activity was noted in the sublingual region suggestive of a Lingual thyroid with thyroiditis whilst thyroid function tests confirmed Hypothyroidism. The patient was treated conservatively with steroids and thyroxine. Surgery was not offered due to the lack of obstructive features. His symptoms have since improved and is followed up at our clinic.
MHC-E–Restricted CD8+ T Cells Target Hepatitis B Virus–Infected Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Burwitz Benjamin J. , Hashiguchi Patrick K. , Mansouri Mandana , Meyer Christine , Gilbride Roxanne M. , Biswas Sreya , Womack Jennie L. , Reed Jason S. , Wu Helen L. , Axthelm Michael K. , Hansen Scott G. , Picker Louis J. , Früh Klaus , Sacha Jonah B.
Published: March 2020

Currently 247 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB), and the development of novel curative treatments is urgently needed. Immunotherapy is an attractive approach to treat CHB, yet therapeutic approaches to augment the endogenous hepatitis B virus (HBV)–specific T cell response in CHB patients have demonstrated little success. In this study, we show that strain 68-1 rhesus macaque (RM) CMV vaccine vectors expressing HBV Ags engender HBV-specific CD8+ T cells unconventionally restricted by MHC class II and the nonclassical MHC-E molecule in RM. Surface staining of human donor and RM primary hepatocytes (PH) ex vivo revealed the majority of PH expressed MHC-E but not MHC class II. HBV-specific, MHC-E–restricted CD8+ T cells from RM vaccinated with RM CMV vaccine vectors expressing HBV Ags recognized HBV-infected PH from both human donor and RM. These results provide proof-of-concept that MHC-E–restricted CD8+ T cells could be harnessed for the treatment of CHB, either through therapeutic vaccination or adoptive immunotherapy.
Cryotherapy Models and Timing-Sequence Recovery of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners
Authors: Qu Chaoyi , Wu Zhaozhao , Xu Minxiao , Qin Fei , Dong Yanan , Wang Zhongwei , Zhao Jiexiu
Published: March 2020

Context

Among sports-recovery methods, cold-water immersion (CWI), contrast-water therapy (CWT), and whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) have been applied widely to enhance recovery after strenuous exercise. However, the different timing effects in exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) after these recovery protocols remain unknown.

Objective

To compare the effects of CWI, CWT, and WBC on the timing-sequence recovery of EIMD through different indicator responses.

Design

Crossover study.

Setting

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Twelve male middle- and long-distance runners from the Beijing Sport University (age = 21.00 ± 0.95 years).

Intervention(s)

Participants were treated with different recovery methods (control [CON], CWI, CWT, WBC) immediately postexercise and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

We measured perceived sensation using a visual analog scale (VAS), plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) activity, and vertical-jump height (VJH) pre-exercise, immediately postexercise, and at 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours postexercise.

Results

For the VAS score and CK activity, WBC exhibited better timing-sequence recovery effects than CON and CWI (P < .05), but the CWT demonstrated better effects than CON (P < .05). The CRP activity was lower after WBC than after the other interventions (P < .05). The VJH was lower after WBC than after CON and CWI (P < .05).

Conclusions

The WBC positively affected VAS, CK, CRP, and VJH associated with EIMD. The CWT and CWI also showed positive effects. However, for the activity and timing-sequence effect, CWT had weaker effects than WBC.
Movement Demands and Injury Characteristics in Under-20-Years University Rugby Union Players
Authors: Ball Shane , Halaki Mark , Orr Rhonda
Published: March 2020

Context

Rugby union is a field-based collision sport with high injury rates. Associations between injury characteristics and global positioning system–derived movement demands in rugby union athletes are yet to be investigated.

Objective

To investigate associations between match injuries and movement demands, anthropometrics, and physical performance in under-20-years university-level rugby union players.

Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting

Competition season.

Patients or Other Participants

Rugby union players (n = 34, age = 19.3 ± 0.6 years) from a university club were recruited.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Acute medical attention non–time-loss (NTL), medical-attention time-loss (TL), and total medical-attention (MA) injuries sustained were recorded. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed on player-movement demand variables to identify independent-movement demand components. Pearson correlation and bivariate linear regression were used to test associations between match injuries and PCs. Anthropometric and physical performance measures were tested as predictors of match injuries using a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Results

Backs had lower anthropometric and performance measures than forwards (P < .05), whereas forwards performed fewer weekly movement demands than backs (P < .05). Increases in body mass and skinfold thickness were associated with more injuries (P < .05). Principal component analysis revealed 3 PCs representing overall performance, high-intensity running (HIR) performance, and impacts. Increases in HIR were associated with decreases in NTL upper limb and trunk (r = −0.32, P = .03), NTL musculoskeletal (r = −0.36, P = .05), NTL total (r = −0.46, P < .01), TL musculoskeletal (r = −0.30, P = .05), MA musculoskeletal (r = −0.41, P < .01), and MA total (r = −0.48, P < .01) injuries. Increases in impacts were associated with increased TL (r = 0.32, P = .03) and MA (r = 0.33, P = .03) head or neck injuries.

Conclusions

Backs experienced greater weekly movement demands than forwards. Increases in HIR demands were associated with decreased acute injuries in university rugby players. Increases in impacts were associated with more acute head or neck injuries. Positional differences in movement demands, anthropometrics, and physical performance highlight the need for position-specific training.
Challenges influencing nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy training and implementation in Ngaka Modiri Molema district, North West province
Authors: Mboweni Sheillah H. , Makhado Lufuno
Published: March 2020

Background: The increasing number of people testing human immunodeficiency virus positive and who demand antiretroviral therapy (ART) prompted the Department of Health to adopt World Health Organization’s task shifting where professional nurses (PNs) initiate ART rather than doctors. This resulted in decentralisation of services to primary healthcare (PHC), generating a need to capacitate PNs on nurse-initiated-management of ART (NIMART). The impact of NIMART was assessed and even though there was an increased number of patients on ART, the quality of care is of serious concern.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the challenges influencing NIMART training and implementation amongst PNs and programme managers.Setting: The study was conducted from the PHC facilities, in the rural districts of the North West province.Methods: An exploratory programme evaluation and contextual research design was used in the study. Purposive sampling was used. Focus group discussion (n = 28) and individual interviews were used to collect data. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti software.Results: The results revealed two themes: inadequacy in NIMART training and the healthcare system challenges that influence NIMART training and implementation. Theme 1 included among others the lack of standardised curriculum and model or conceptual framework to strengthen NIMART training. And theme 2 included patient and district healthcare structural system.Conclusion: There a need to improve NIMART training and implementation through the standardisation of NIMART curriculum, introduction of pre-service NIMART training in institutions of higher learning, addressing staff shortages and negative attitude of PNs providing ART.
Geohydrological aspects of importance in the public management of basic water supply services in Merafong City Local Municipality (Carletonville area), South Africa
Authors: Nealer Eric J.
Published: March 2020

Carletonville is a gold-mining town in western Gauteng province, South Africa, and is located in the Merafong City Local Municipality’s geographical area of responsibility. It is one of the richest gold-producing areas in the world but unfortunately the current state of the town’s infrastructure is in shambles and the environment is in a pitiful state because of human activities that have caused massive physical changes. Geohydrological aspects such as complex geology and the compartmentalisation of the groundwater into seven areas separated by syenite dykes, of which five have been dewatered to facilitate the gold-mining, have made it the research area of choice. Unfortunately, this led to the formation of hundreds of new sinkholes between the towns of Westonaria and Carletonville and eventually the evacuation of the old town of Bank, abandoning the area and declaring it unsuitable for human settlements. To try and identify possible reasons for this unfortunate state of the human-induced environmental change all along the Wonderfontein Spruit draining the area, the author using a comprehensive literature review, study of geological maps and databases as well as through data collection and semi-structured interviews with selected role-players and stakeholders identified basic essential geographical, geohydrological, organisational and municipal management aspects of significance for consideration. These steps were all a part of an attempt to improve the nature and extent of basic water-, sanitation-, human settlements- and environmental management in the Westonaria, Carletonville and Khutsong areas.
Centro de día y rehabilitación ASPAYM AVILA
Authors: Zaparaín Fernando
Published: March 2020

El Centro de día y rehabilitación Aspaym Ávila  se configura como un pequeño pabellón rectangular de planta baja. En un entorno indiferenciado, cuando no agresivo, se ha optado por la autonomía de un prisma un tanto hermético, con una presencia material fuerte. Pero en cuanto se accede por la única abertura disponible, surge un vestíbulo pasante hacia el jardín que permite una panorámica hacia todo el interior. El volumen se compone de una tapa de madera laminada, contrapuesta a una banda inferior formada por muros discontinuos de homigón blanco encofrado con tablillas muy marcadas. Todos llegan hasta 2,70 m de altura y proporcionan apoyos puntuales a la cubierta, mientras configuran la envolvente. Las paredes no tienen perforaciones, porque las ventanas y puertas son los intersticios que hay entre ellos. El zócalo de hormigón blanco configura una fachada más cerrada a la calle y otra, discontinua, al jardín. Hacia el exterior se ofrece una imagen enigmática pero serena, que anuncia el caracter institucional. El friso horizontal de madera sugiere una frontalidad con reminiscencias clásicas. Pero el zócalo asimétrico rompe esa axialidad en la esquina, para crear un porche de acceso en vuelo.
Agroturism in Melgaço, Portugal
Authors: Correia Graça
Published: March 2020

When asked to design the rehabilitation and expansion of a traditional rural construction of the north of Portugal, we began by analysing the word preserve, and the dictionary proposes: protection and maintenance. Paradoxically, when referred to the past, these synonyms may indicate opposite concepts: do we speak of protecting the past or maintaining the past? Reflecting on the rehabilitation, we established a synthesis between conserving – the traditional construction, scale and characteristics of the plot – and rehabilitating – providing all the modern and technical facilities required and introducing new materials in dialogue with the traditional stone walls such as concrete – to achieve an intervention respectful of the history, that fits the nature of the non-urban site, promoting and enhancing the authenticity of the region.
Identification, molecular characteristics, and tissue differential expression of DGAT2 full-CDS cDNA sequence in Binglangjiang buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Zhou Fangting , Zhang Yongyun , Teng Xiaohong , Miao Yongwang
Published: March 2020

Abstract. It has been found that diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2)
plays a crucial role in the synthesis of triglycerides (TGs) in some mammals,
but its role in buffalo lactation is unclear. In the present study, the DGAT2
full-CDS cDNA sequence of Binglangjiang buffalo was isolated, and the
physicochemical characteristics and structure of its encoding protein were
characterized. Furthermore, the differential expressions of this gene in 10
tissues of lactating and non-lactating buffalo were analyzed by real-time
quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that the coding region (CDS)
of this gene was 1086 bp in length, encoding a peptide composed of 361 amino
acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence shared more than 98.6 %
identity with that of cattle, zebu, yak, and bison in the Bovidae family. Buffalo
DGAT2 protein is a slightly hydrophobic protein with a transmembrane region,
which functions in membrane of endoplasmic reticulum. Besides, this protein
belongs to the LPLAT_MGAT-like family and contains a conserved
domain of DAGAT that has a function in the synthesis of TGs. The
multi-tissue differential expression analysis demonstrated that
DGAT2 was expressed in the heart, liver, mammary gland, and muscle in both non-lactating and lactating buffalo. And its expression level in the heart,
liver, and mammary gland during lactation was significantly higher than that during non-lactation.
The results indicate that buffalo DGAT2 may be involved in
milk fat synthesis. This study can establish a foundation for further
elucidating mechanisms of the buffalo DGAT2 gene in milk fat synthesis.
The increasing atmospheric burden of the greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
Authors: Simmonds Peter G. , Rigby Matthew , Manning Alistair J. , Park Sunyoung , Stanley Kieran M. , McCulloch Archie , Henne Stephan , Graziosi Francesco , Maione Michela , Arduini Jgor , Reimann Stefan , Vollmer Martin K. , Mühle Jens , O'Doherty Simon , Young Dickon , Krummel Paul B. , Fraser Paul J. , Weiss Ray F. , Salameh Peter K. , Harth Christina M. , Park Mi-Kyung , Park Hyeri , Arnold Tim , Rennick Chris , Steele L. Paul , Mitrevski Blagoj , Wang Ray H. J. , Prinn Ronald G.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. We report a 40-year history of SF6 atmospheric mole fractions measured at the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) monitoring sites, combined with archived air samples to determine emission estimates from 1978–2018. Previously we reported a global emission rate of 7.3 ± 0.6 Gigagrams (Gg) yr−1 in 2008 and over the past decade emissions have continued to increase by about 24 % to 9.04 ± 0.35 Gg yr−1 in 2018. We show that changing patterns in SF6 consumption from developed (Kyoto Protocol Annex-1) to developing countries (non-Annex-1) and the rapid global expansion of the electric power industry, mainly in Asia, have increased the demand for SF6-insulated switchgear, circuit breakers and transformers. The large bank of SF6 sequestered in this electrical equipment provides a substantial source of emissions from maintenance, replacement and continuous leakage. Other emissive sources of SF6 occur from the magnesium, aluminium, electronics industries and more minor industrial applications. More recently, reported emissions, including those from electrical equipment and metal industries, primarily in the Annex-1 countries, have steadily declined through substitution of alternative blanketing gases and technological improvements in less emissive equipment and more efficient industrial practices. Conversely, in the non-Annex-1 countries SF6 emissions have increased due to an expansion in the growth of the electrical power, metal and electronics industries to support their development. There is an annual difference of 2.5–5 Gg yr−1 (1990–2018) between our modelled top-down emissions and the UNFCCC reported bottom-up emissions, which we attempt to reconcile through analysis of the potential contribution of emissions from the various industrial applications which use SF6. We also investigate regional emissions in East Asia (China, S. Korea) and Western Europe and their respective contributions to the global atmospheric SF6 inventory. On an average annual basis, our estimated emissions from the whole of China are approximately 10 times greater than emissions from Western Europe. In 2018, our modelled Chinese and Western European emissions accounted for ~ 36 % and 3.1 %, respectively, of our global SF6 emissions estimate.
Synergy of Active- and Passive Remote Sensing: An Approach to Reconstruct Three-Dimensional Cloud Macro- and Microphysics
Authors: Höppler Lucas , Gödde Felix , Gutleben Manuel , Kölling Tobias , Mayer Bernhard , Zinner Tobias
Published: March 2020

Abstract. This paper presents a method to retrieve three-dimensional cumulus cloud macro- and microphysics measured by remote sensing instruments on the German research aircraft HALO. This is achieved by combining our hyper-spectral pushbroom spectrometer specMACS with active and passive remote sensing instruments, such as a lidar, a microwave radiometer, a radar and dropsondes. Two-dimensional cloud information such as cloud size, optical thickness, effective radius and thermodynamic phase are retrieved by specMACS with established remote sensing methods. Information of the other active and passive remote sensing instruments with a smaller field-of-view are mapped to the wider specMACS swath following Barker et al. (2011). The combination of specMACS with passive and active remote sensing quantities, for example, the Cloud Top Height from lidar measurements, allows new possibilities: three-dimensional cloud macrophysics can be reconstructed. Applying a sub-adiabatic microphysical model constrained with measurements allows to extend the measured quantities to a three-dimensional representation of microphysics. A consistency check by means of a three-dimensional radiative transfer simulation of the specMACS observations of these derived three-dimensional cloud fields shows good agreement.
Application of an O-ring pinch device as a constant pressure inlet (CPI) for airborne sampling
Authors: Molleker Sergej , Helleis Frank , Klimach Thomas , Appel Oliver , Clemen Hans-Christian , Dragoneas Antonis , Gurk Christian , Hünig Andreas , Köllner Franziska , Rubach Florian , Schulz Christiane , Schneider Johannes , Borrmann Stephan
Published: March 2020

Abstract. We present a novel and compact design of a constant pressure inlet (CPI) developed for use in airborne aerosol mass spectrometry. In particular the inlet system is optimized for aerodynamic lenses commonly used in aerosol mass spectrometers, where efficient focusing of aerosol particles into a vacuum chamber requires a precisely controlled lens pressure, typically of a few hPa. The CPI device can also be used in gas phase sampling instruments in a large range of altitude and inlet pressure. The constant pressure is achieved by changing the inner diameter of a properly scaled O-ring that acts as a critical orifice. The CPI control keeps air pressure and thereby mass flow rate (≈ 0.1 l/min) upstream of an aerodynamic lens constant, deviating at most by only ± 2 % from a pre-set value. In our setup a pressure sensor downstream of the O-ring controls the pinch mechanism via a feedback loop and setpoint conditions are reached within seconds. The device was implemented in a few instruments, which were successfully operated on different research aircraft covering a wide range of ambient pressures, from sea level up to about 55 hPa. Details of operation and quality of aerosol particle transmission are evaluated by laboratory experiments and in-flight data with a single particle mass spectrometer.
Comparing stability in random forest models to map Northern Great Plains plant communities in pastures occupied by prairie dogs using Pleiades imagery
Authors: Brennan Jameson R. , Johnson Patricia S. , Hanan Niall P.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) have been described as a keystone species and are
important for grassland conservation, yet many concerns exist over the
impact of prairie dogs on plant biomass production and consequently
livestock production. The ability to map plant communities in pastures
colonized by prairie dogs can provide land managers with an opportunity to
optimize rangeland production while balancing conservation goals. The aim of
this study was to test the ability of random forest (RF) models to classify five
plant communities located on and off prairie dog towns in mixed-grass
prairie landscapes of north central South Dakota, assess the stability of RF
models among different years, and determine the utility of utilizing remote
sensing techniques to identify prairie dog colony extent. During 2015 and
2016, Pleiades satellites were tasked to image the study site for a total of
five monthly collections each summer (June–October). Training polygons were
mapped in 2016 for the five plant communities and used to train RF models.
Both the 2015 and 2016 RF models had low (1 %) out-of-bag error rates.
However, comparisons between the predicted plant community maps using the
2015 imagery and one created with the 2016 imagery indicate over 32.9 % of
pixels changed plant community class between 2015 and 2016. The results show
that while RF models may predict with a high degree of accuracy, overlap of
plant communities and interannual differences in rainfall may cause
instability in fitted models. A final RF model combining both 2015 and 2016
data yielded the lowest error rates and was also highly accurate in
determining prairie dog colony boundaries.
Global ocean dimethyl sulfide climatology estimated from observations and an artificial neural network
Authors: Wang Wei-Lei , Song Guisheng , Primeau François , Saltzman Eric S. , Bell Thomas G. , Moore J. Keith
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Marine dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is important to climate due to the ability of DMS to alter Earth's radiation budget. However, a knowledge of the global-scale distribution, seasonal variability, and sea-to-air flux of DMS is needed in order to understand the factors controlling surface ocean DMS and its impact on climate. Here we examine the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) to extrapolate available DMS measurements to the global ocean and produce a global climatology with monthly temporal resolution. A global database of 57 810 ship-based DMS measurements in surface waters was used along with a suite of environmental parameters consisting of lat-lon coordinates, time-of-day, time-of-year, solar radiation, mixed layer depth, sea surface temperature, salinity, nitrate, phosphate, silicate, and oxygen. Linear regressions of DMS against the environmental parameters show that on a global scale mixed layer depth and solar radiation are the strongest predictors of DMS, however, they capture 14 % and 12 % of the raw DMS data variance, respectively. The multi-linear regression can capture more (∼29 %) of the raw data variance, but strongly underestimates high DMS concentrations. In contrast, the ANN captures ~61 % of the raw data variance in our database. Like prior climatologies our results show a strong seasonal cycle in DMS concentration and sea-to-air flux. The highest concentrations (fluxes) occur in the high-latitude oceans during the summer. We estimate a lower global sea-to-air DMS flux (17.90 ± 0.34 Tg S yr−1) than the prior estimate based on a map interpolation method when the same gas transfer velocity parameterization is used.
Mullite-2c – a natural polytype of mullite
Authors: Lenz Stephan , Birkenstock Johannes , Fischer Lennart A. , Schneider Hartmut , Fischer Reinhard X.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. A single crystal (∼ 20 µm × 20 µm × 330 µm) of mullite-2c, a natural
polytype of mullite, was separated from a radially grown cluster of acicular
crystals from Ettringer Bellerberg (Quarternary Eifel volcanic fields,
Germany). The chemical composition determined from electron microprobe
analysis (EMPA) is
Na0.01Mg0.05Al8.52Fe0.293+Si3.13Ti0.02O19.55,
corresponding to x=0.22(8) in the generalised mineral formula
My+Mgz2+M8+4x+y-2z3+M4-4x-y+z4+O20-2x.
Only Fe3+ as foreign cation was considered in the refined structure
model, partially replacing Al3+ in the octahedral chains. A crystal of
a similar type, though exhibiting a significantly different composition with
x=0.02, was first described in 2015, tentatively named “sillimullite”
by Fischer et al. (2015). This crystal and our new
sample have similar structural properties, now classified as a polytype of
mullite, designated mullite-2c. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the mullite-2c crystal investigated here exhibits partial Si ∕ Al ordering in
the double chains of (Si,Al)O4 tetrahedra in contrast to the sample
described in 2015 as being completely ordered. The ordering in mullite-2c
results in a doubled c lattice parameter with respect to mullite. It
crystallises in space group Pnam, with cell parameters for the new sample of
a=7.5432(5) Å, b=7.7048(5) Å, c=5.7965(3) Å,
V=336.89(6) Å3 and Z=1. X-ray powder diffraction data are
presented with a detailed discussion of the differences between the
diffraction patterns of sillimanite, mullite and mullite-2c. Crystals of
mullite-2c are translucent to lightly violet, they possess a vitreous lustre
and the calculated density is 3.199 g cm−3. The optical
character is biaxial (+), with refractive indices determined by
spindle-stage microscopy of nx=1.6673, ny=1.6687 and
nz=1.680(4) (adjusted to conform to 2VZ=39(4)∘).
Applying the Gladstone–Dale approach, the compatibility index is 0.007,
representing superior compatibility. In terms of chemical composition and
structural features mullite-2c is an outstanding example of mullite-type
compounds falling into the postulated miscibility gap between sillimanite
and mullite. Its crystal structure combines characteristics from both
mullite (oxygen vacancies, triclusters of tetrahedral building units) and
sillimanite (high degree of Si ∕ Al ordering in the tetrahedral building units, causing the doubled c parameter). The lattice parameters (normalised to 1c) of the new sample lie between those of sillimanite and 3 / 2 mullite; the chemical composition is close to 3 / 2 mullite and thus differs significantly from the silica-rich composition of the species previously
determined by Fischer et al. (2015), indicating a relatively large
compositional variation.