bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocular Manifestations of Chromosome 14 Terminal Deletion
Authors: Chung Ida , Chawla Radhika , FitzGera David E
Published: January 2020

Abstract. A boy with chromosome 14 terminal (I4q32.3) deletion presented with typical facial dysmorphism, mental retardation, and hypotonia. Ocular examination revealed esotropia, jerk nystagmus, microcornea, and retinal-choroidal colobomas. We report the first case of microcorneas and colobomas in association with chromosome 14 terminal deletion to help further define this clinical syndrome. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2006;43:104-106.
Implementation of the String Matching Method on Anggah-Ungguhing Balinese Language Dictionary
Authors: Wirawan I Made Agus , Paryatna Ida Bagus Made Ludy
Published: January 2020

Although the learning media of the Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language has been done anytime and anywhere through a mobile application, this application has several obstacles. In detail, the contributions of this study are: 1) to develop a dictionary application that can be used in offline mode, so that it can be used anytime and anywhere. 2) to apply the string matching method to word search correction in the translator process so that the user gets the correct word from the type of keyword. 3) to develop a new vocabulary sending feature used for users to take part in managing the Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language. 4) to describe students’ learning responses in Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language using mobile application. Positive findings/innovations targeted at this study that support the development of science, technology, and social culture are as follows. 1) the availability of database update features for Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language that can be used for offline mode. 2) the availability of correction features using the string matching method for word search correction in the translator process in the dictionary application. 3) the availability of a new vocabulary delivery feature is used for users to take part in managing the vocabulary of Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language. 4) the students' responses to the Anggah Ungguhing Balinese language have been described based on mobile application in the learning process with an excellent range.
Collaborative Cassava-Chip Supply Chain Mobile Application in Thailand
Authors: Chintanapunt Thanika , Pichyangkura Rath
Published: January 2020

Cassava-chip is considered one of Thailand’s most important economic crops and Thailand is the world’s largest cassava products exporter. Thai government is prioritizing the cassava production in their “Mega farm” strategy in support of agricultural economic and collaboration between farmer, public and private sectors. The collaborative model is an integrated supply chain that manages the multiple stakeholders. Moreover, implementing the collaborative supply chain (CSC) has improve overall performance of the entire supply chain. The study aims to review existing literature on collaborative model and critical success factors in the agriculture supply chain context during 2008-2018 and the 20-year agriculture and cooperatives strategy (2017-2036). The six key collaborative success factors are identified: Business Management, Information Technology, Value Added Process, SC Relationship, Top Management Commitment, Partnership, Service Quality, Process, Resource Capability, Environment Uncertainties, Customer Satisfaction. The hypothesis will be tested by the linear regression analysis and develop the prototype of CSC mobile application to create the collaboration in cassava chip industry. Then, the result will be embedded into mobile application. The application will later be used to provide more appropriate third-party system to enhance the collaborative cassava chip supply chain in Thailand. The result shows that all components are supported by the hypothesis and user acceptance test.
Fog Computing Framework for Smart City Design
Authors: Haj Qasem Mais , Abu-Srhan Alaa , Natoureah Hutaf , Alzaghoul Esra
Published: January 2020

Fog-computing is a new network architecture and computing paradigm that uses user or near-users devices (network edge) to carry out some processing tasks. Accordingly, it extends the cloud computing with more flexibility the one found in the ubiquitous networks. A smart city based on the concept of fog-computing with flexible hierarchy is proposed in this paper. The aim of the proposed design is to overcome the limitations of the previous approaches, which depends on using various network architectures, such as cloud-computing, autonomic network architecture and ubiquitous network architecture. Accordingly, the proposed approach achieves a reduction of the latency of data processing and transmission with enabled real-time applications, distribute the processing tasks over edge devices in order to reduce the cost of data processing and allow collaborative data exchange among the applications of the smart city. The design is made up of five major layers, which can be increased or merged according to the amount of data processing and transmission in each application. The involved layers are connection layer, real-time processing layer, neighborhood linking layer, main-processing layer, data server layer. A case study of a novel smart public car parking, traveling and direction advisor is implemented using IFogSim and the results showed that reduce the delay of real-time application significantly, reduce the cost and network usage compared to the cloud-computing paradigm. Moreover, the proposed approach, although, it increases the scalability and reliability of the users’ access, it does not sacrifice much time, nor cost and network usage compared to fixed fog-computing design.
Improving Student Readiness for Inquiry-Based Learning: An Engineering Case Study
Authors: Eppes Tom A. , Milanovic Ivana , Wright Kamau
Published: January 2020

During the past decade, the authors have sought to advance student research in a predominantly teaching institution. The two primary challenges were: academic - how to introduce and promote inquiry-based learning (IBL) given the constraints, and business - how to obtain and sustain funding in the area of industry-sponsored research. The authors developed a successful multidisciplinary modeling course that integrates four teaching and learning strategies and where key learning outcomes strengthen student readiness to engage in research. The course culminates with research performed as part of an IBL strategy that is relevant and supported by mentoring. The benefits include development of intellectual and practical skills that underlie a central activity of engineering design. The course structure, evidence of student work, and evolution over time to meet challenges are presented and discussed. Most importantly, the potential of this strategy to be implemented across other topical areas is addressed. Student participation in research improves learning of engineering and scientific concepts, increases interaction with faculty and industry sponsors, and provides opportunities for work in emerging technology areas. Benefits accrue both to students who pursue a research career and to those who enter applied fields by strengthening their ability to propose innovative solutions.
The Role of Profit Rate in Islamic Monetary Policy
Authors: Suprijanto Trisiladi
Published: January 2020

Extensive research has been done regarding the Islamic pricing benchmark, both in terms of the Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Islamic economic perspectives. However, there is no in-depth study on the substitution of the interest rate concept to date in the application on the Islamic banking pricing product. This chapter will initiate the difference between the concepts of rate of profit, rate of interest, and practice in the field. Some jurists from the Middle East allow the use of a benchmark rate, such as the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), as a measure of Islamic financial asset prices. They equate the concept of rate of interest with the concept of rate of profit. This is the core reason (raison d'être) for the replacement of usury as instructed in the Qur'an. This study will discuss a financial asset pricing methodology in accordance with the core principles of Islam.
Social Empowerment Through Islamic Finance
Authors: Abubakar Mustapha
Published: January 2020

Islamic social finance as an order ordained by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) for the benefit of mankind, seeks to provide an avenue for financial inclusion as well as entrenching social cohesion among Muslim communities across the globe. This is achieved with the application of Zakat (compulsory alms giving), Waqf (Islamic endowment), Sadaqah (Voluntary charity giving), and Qard (Loan giving) as the instruments. As poverty remains a social disorder and an affront to human prosperity, Islam has provided a remedy to its scourge. This chapter presents a discussion on poverty reduction if these instruments are effectively implemented in Muslim communities across the globe.
Interest-Free Micro-Finance Without Any Religious Connotation
Authors: Ibrahim Badr El Din A.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this chapter is twofold: to investigate the relevance and the significance of interest-free formulae for conventional microfinance in non-Muslim countries, (with no religious connotation), and to lay out the foundation of a global interest-free microfinance model. The major result is that the interest-free Musharakah is just a simplified limited liability with limited duration conventional partnership. Sales-based Murabahah can also be a rewardable complement to interest. Islamic Ijarah is a leasing formulae also practiced in Europe and Africa. Salam is not far from conventional forward contact. Other finance formulae can also be used by conventional lenders to ‘complement' the interest rate. These results, contrary to the general belief, concluded that investment formulae of the two systems are not far from each other. Moreover, interest-free formulae are practiced in Africa without being related to Islam. This indicate that if we look at the interest-free formulae from the point of view of their usefulness, and not from a religious point of view, these will have universal applications without being identified as Islamic. The chapter lays out the foundation of a global interest-free microfinance model capable of serving Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Operational Risk Management of Islamic Banks
Authors: Aldoseri Mahfod , Worthington Andrew C.
Published: January 2020

This chapter investigates the operational risk management and practices of Islamic and conventional banks in Saudi Arabia. Authors employ a sample of four Islamic and eight conventional banks and data gathered through a novel questionnaire administered to senior officers and managers carrying out risk management activity across five aspects of operational risk management: (i) understanding risk, (ii) risk management, (iii) risk assessment analysis, (iv) risk identification, and (v) risk monitoring. The results demonstrate that all of these play an important role in determining the quality of operational risk management. However, risk assessment analysis and risk monitoring are the most influential in determining the overall quality of operational risk management in both conventional and Islamic banks. Overall, conventional banks in Saudi Arabia are better than Islamic banks at operational risk management practices, suggesting the need for careful planning and strategizing, sound recruiting and training policies, and prudent monitoring of capital adequacy by regulators.
Corporate Social Performance of Takaful Operators
Authors: Muhamat Amirul Afif
Published: January 2020

This chapter discusses the Takaful operators' corporate social performance which has been given limited attention in previous studies as compared to financial performance. In addition, essential features of Takaful operators like structure and models are presented. These aspects influence the way Takaful operators perform their social obligations which can be categorized into several components: CSR1, CSR2, and CSR3, which are collectively referred to as CSP. Being Islamic financial institutions (IFIs), the Takaful operators are expected to achieve the social and financial objectives.
Dispute Resolution in the Islamic Finance Industry
Authors: Paldi Camille
Published: January 2020

A unique and independent legal framework is important to effectively adjudicate Islamic finance disputes, Sukuk bankruptcies, and Takaful disputes. Currently, these disputes are being adjudicated in common law courts or ineffective arbitration centres where often the Islamic finance transaction is inadvertently converted into a conventional transaction due to the common law nature of the dispute adjudication. In this chapter, a framework is proposed for Islamic finance dispute resolution in the form of the Dubai World Islamic Finance Arbitration Centre (DWIFAC), DWIFAC Jurisprudence Office, the Sukuk Bankruptcy Tribunal (SBT) and the Takaful Tribunal (TT).
Common swelling of the dorsal thoracic wall brings an unexpected finding: elastofibroma dorsi
Authors: Kotoulas Sotirios , Grapatsas Konstantinos , Georgiou Charalampos , Tsilogianni Zoi , Leivaditis Vasileios , Rufino Mariana Braga Lopes , Kotoulas Christophoros
Published: January 2020

Elastofibroma is a rare benign, soft-tissue slow-growing tumor seen predominantly in elderly females. We present such a case in a 46-year-old female. She presented with gradually increasing soft tissue swelling of 8×6 cm in the right inferior subscapular region. MRI showed a large intramuscular lesion with atypia. She underwent excisional biopsy and the histopathology and immunochemistry showed elastofibroma. We present this rare case to emphasize the important role of the diagnostic tools. A definitive diagnosis helps to avoid unnecessary wide and radical resection.
A review of glycaemic changes on vision in phakic, aphakic and pseudophakic people with diabetes
Authors: Majola Lindokuhle , Munsamy Alvin J.
Published: January 2020

Background: One of the leading causes of preventable blindness is cataract affecting approximately 18 million people worldwide. Twenty per cent of cataract operations worldwide are performed on people with diabetes mellitus (PDM).Aim: The aim of this review article is to analyse the scientific literature relating to visual changes associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) in pseudophakic, aphakic and phakic people, and to discuss the consequences of these changes for optometrists.Method: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, the University of KwaZulu-Natal Libraries and Google Scholar databases from August 2017 to August 2018.Results: Acute and chronic hyperglycaemia in DM causes myopia in phakic PDM, whilst in aphakic PDM it causes a hyperopic shift in refraction. It has been reported that contrast sensitivity and visual acuity are affected by changes in blood glucose. People with DM have increased central corneal thickness as compared to non-diabetics, whilst only the posterior corneal curvature is affected by hyperglycaemia in PDM. No evidence exists on the effects of glycaemic changes in pseudophakes.Conclusion: It should be noted that high blood glucose level (BGL) induces transient myopia and hyperopia in chronic phakic PDM and aphakic PDM, respectively. All refractive procedures, including prescription of spectacles, corneal refractive procedures and lens extraction, should be deferred until normalisation of BGL in phakic and pseudophakic PDM, as higher sugar levels affect corneal curvature and thickness and overall vision.
Introduction of case-based learning aided by WhatsApp messenger in pathology teaching for medical students
Authors: Grover S , Garg B , Sood N
Published: January 2020

Aims:

The present study was carried out for comparative evaluation of case-based learning (CBL) aided with WhatsApp and didactic lectures (DL) while teaching a pathology topic to second-year medical students. In addition, the acceptability of WhatsApp as an aid to CBL was assessed.

Material and Methods:

After obtaining informed consent, 70 second-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students were exposed to six sessions of CBL aided by case scenarios for one set of topics of anemia posted on WhatsApp groups. This was followed by six sessions of DL for separate set of topics in anemia. The multiple-choice questions (MCQ) test scores obtained pre and postintervention, of CBL and DL sessions, were compared to pairedt-test (within the groups) and Student'st-test (between the groups). Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square (χ2) test. Student's self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect student perceptions and analyzed quantitatively, as well as qualitatively.

Results:

The mean MCQ scores obtained postintervention in CBL topics were significantly higher compared to DL (22.78 ± 2.99 vs 17.78 ± 3.35;P< 0.001). Students perceived that CBL enhanced their curiosity; hence, the acquired knowledge through various resources was retained better. It enhanced their analytical skills and interest in learning pathology. In FGDs, the students appreciated the use of WhatsApp as an aid to CBL for its ease of sharing scenario-related additional information and prior discussions among themselves in chat groups at their convenience.

Conclusion:

CBL aided by WhatsApp helped students acquire knowledge, discuss and learn actively, score more, and retain better than DL. Using WhatsApp as a platform helped them to interact at their ease and seek guidance from their mentors without resistance and hesitation.
Over-the-counter medicines
Authors: Marathe PA , Kamat SK , Tripathi RK , Raut SB , Khatri NP
Published: January 2020

Patients often approach a pharmacist instead of visiting a doctor for minor ailments such as cough, cold, allergies, pain, fever, acidity, diarrhea, and skin-related conditions. Purchase of specific medicines over the counter is legally recognized in most countries. 'Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines' means drugs which are legally allowed to be sold by pharmacists without need for a prescription. The term does not have a legal definition in India. Technically, drugs are OTC unless they are specifically stated as prescription only drugs. OTC drugs allow faster and cheaper access to healthcare; however, their misuse and adverse health effects cause concerns. This article describes concept of OTC medicines and practices in India against the background of globally prevalent regulations and practices. A recognized category of OTC medicines by law, patient awareness programs, and support of pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies are required to optimize the use of OTC medicines in India.
Anesthetic management of a patient with Sheehan's syndrome and twin pregnancy while undergoing a cesarean section
Authors: Arora G , Sahni N
Published: January 2020

Sheehan's syndrome (SS) is caused by infarction of the pituitary gland usually precipitated by hypotension due to massive uterine hemorrhage during the peripartum period. Once SS develops, it becomes a major comorbidity for the young females and predisposes them to further medical, obstetric, and anesthetic complications. Herein, we report the perioperative anesthetic management of a 28-year-old female, already diagnosed with SS precipitated by urosepsis and septicemic shock in a previous pregnancy, now presenting with twin pregnancy for elective cesarean section. Her magnetic resonance imaging brain revealed pituitary apoplexy and she had hypothyroidism with gestational diabetes mellitus. The overall successful perioperative management of the patient is described along with an emphasis on aggressive management of hypotension due to any cause in the peripartum period to prevent infarction/necrosis of anterior pituitary gland.
The Baum–Connes property for a quantum (semi-)direct product
Authors: Martos Rubén
Published: January 2020

The well known “associativity property” of the crossed product by a semi-direct product of discrete groups is generalized into the context of discrete
quantum
groups. This decomposition allows to define an appropriate triangulated functor relating the Baum–Connes property for the quantum semi-direct product to the Baum–Connes property for the discrete quantum groups involved in the construction. The corresponding stability result for the Baum–Connes property generalizes the result [5] of J. Chabert for a quantum semi-direct product under torsion-freeness assumption. TheK-amenability connexion between the discrete quantum groups involved in the construction is investigated as well as the torsion phenomena. The analogous strategy can be applied for the dual of a quantum direct product. In this case, we obtain, in addition, a connection with the
Künneth formula
, which is the quantum counterpart to the result [7] of J. Chabert, S. Echterhoff and H. Oyono-Oyono. Again the

K

-amenability connexion between the discrete quantum groups involved in the construction is investigated as well as the torsion phenomena.
Simple equivariant C*-algebras whose full and reduced crossed products coincide
Authors: Suzuki Yuhei
Published: January 2020

For any second countable locally compact group

G

, we construct a simple

G

-C*- algebra whose full and reduced crossed product norms coincide. We then construct its

G

-equivariant representation on another simple

G

-C*-algebra without the coincidence condition. This settles two problems posed by Anantharaman-Delaroche in 2002. Some constructions involve the Baire category theorem.
(The relationship of the hearts' work with the apparent worship .. Tasilah study in the light of the Prophetic Sunnah).
Authors: Abdo Kddaf Ahmad ALkad Abdo Kddaf Ahmad ALkad
Published: January 2020

In this research, the researcher presents his topic and aims to establish the concept of A legitimate concept, which is: a statement that the apparent worship (such as prayer, fasting and reading the Holy Quran and others) It must be carried out during the work associated with hearts (such as Fidelity to God and help God to do worship, and fear of non-acceptance, And hope the reward of Allah Almighty and thanks to the Almighty for His slaves). All this in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet, to improve the Role models and Guidance, Sayyid al-Abbad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), Where the apparent acts of worship if they are free from the actions of hearts, became acts without spirit, derived from the books of the Sunnah. I called it: (the relationship of the hearts' work with the apparent worship .. Tasilah study in the light of the Prophetic Sunnah).
Violence against Girls: A Study on Gender Based Violence in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Nora F. Almosaed Nora F. Almosaed
Published: January 2020

All studies that take from violence against women as main subject for her, including western studies are focusing on violence against women in intimate relationships where the abuser is a husband or a life partner. In most MENA societies with its patriarchal culture women become victims of violence in an early age and without being in intimate relationship that is because the abuser might be the father, mother or brother. The purpose of this study is to explore reasons and types of violence that girls might be subjected to in the Saudi society, based on information gathered from 500 college girls where most of them are in age of eighteen to twenty years old. The main findings of the study are: the majority of the respondents seemed to agree on the existence of family violence in the Saudi society and in a way that is far more than it’s known. The respondents have also agreed that children regardless of their gender are the most victims of violence followed by wives and girls, 33.77%, 29.25% and 27.1% respectively. Fathers use violence in 37% of the cases, followed by mothers in 28% and brothers in 10% of the cases. 71% of the respondents have experienced violence as growing up and 24% are still dealing with it. As for the types of violence, girls are subjected to beatings, preventing them or threats to prevent them from education or work, sexual abuse, not taking their opinion in marriage or preventing them of marriage or marrying them in young age, verbal abuse and insults, seizure of salary or inheritance, imprisonment or prohibition of going out. Types and practices of violence that might not all or most of it are known to girls in other societies and/or harm that cannot be imagine or perceived by others.
Financial Conditions and Growth at Risk in the ECCU
Authors: Komatsuzaki Takuji , Brito Steve
Published: January 2020

We study the growth determinants in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), using the Growth at Risk (GaR) framework with a focus on financial variables. We find that excessive bank credit growth is associated with lower future real GDP growth in the medium term especially on the low quantiles of growth distribution. Moreover, worsening of both global financial conditions and external conditions are associated with lower future growth in the short term, especially at the high quantiles of growth distribution. Country-specific results are broadly in line with ECCU-wide results, with some variation potentially due to the strong Citizenship-By-Investment program inflows and lack of credit union data. The establishment of a macroprudential framework in the ECCU would need to pay close attention to credit growth not only of banks but also credit unions and continue to monitor global and external conditions.
China’s Productivity Convergence and Growth Potential—A Stocktaking and Sectoral Approach
Authors: Zhu Min , Zhang Longmei , Peng Daoju
Published: January 2020

China’s growth potential has become a hotly debated topic as the economy has reached an income level susceptible to the “middle-income trap” and financial vulnerabilities are mounting after years of rapid credit expansion. However, the existing literature has largely focused on macro level aggregates, which are ill suited to understanding China’s significant structural transformation and its impact on economic growth. To fill the gap, this paper takes a deep dive into China’s convergence progress in 38 industrial sectors and 11 services sectors, examines past sectoral transitions, and predicts future shifts. We find that China’s productivity convergence remains at an early stage, with the industrial sector more advanced than services. Large variations exist among subsectors, with high-tech industrial sectors, in particular the ICT sector, lagging low-tech sectors. Going forward, ample room remains for further convergence, but the shrinking distance to the frontier, the structural shift from industry to services, and demographic changes will put sustained downward pressure on growth, which could slow to 5 percent by 2025 and 4 percent by 2030. Digitalization, SOE reform, and services sector opening up could be three major forces boosting future growth, while the risks of a financial crisis and a reversal in global integration in trade and technology could slow the pace of convergence.
Bridging the Mobile Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Alper Emre , Miktus Michal
Published: January 2020

Digital connectivity, including through the modern cellular network technologies, is expected to play a key role for the Future of Work in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We estimate the cost of introducing a full-scale 4G network by 2025 in SSA and an operable 5G network by 2040. We adapt the costing model of Lombardo (2019) by accounting for the significant demographic transformation and rapid urbanization in SSA. We use the WorldPop and GADM databases and the UN’s medium-variant population projections to project the population densities at the highest level of administrative division for each SSA country in 2025 and 2040. For full 4G connectivity, the required capital and operational costs stands approximately at US$14 billion by 2025 and for 5G connectivity, costs amount to US$57 billion in 2040, conditional on having the 4G in place by 2025. These costs roughly translate to 8.4 percent of annual subscriber income, on a median basis, by 2025 for 4G and 4.9 percent of subscriber income by 2040 for 5G. Having the infrastructure in place is not sufficient to bridge the mobile Digital Divide. In addition, policies are needed to address affordability and knowledge gaps.
Quality Upgrading and Export Performance in the Asian Growth Miracle
Authors: Papageorgiou Chris , Perez-Sebastian Fidel , Spatafora Nikola
Published: January 2020

We explore the contribution of product-quality upgrading to the export performance of six fast-growing Asian economies: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand. We focus on measuring the impact of quality upgrading on the changes in these countries’ sectoral export shares during 1970–2010. We build a multisector Ricardian trade model which allows for changes in product quality, and calibrate it to generate predictions about export volumes. Unlike previous literature, our approach allows estimation without employing domestic production data. Our results point to quality upgrading being a key driver of export shares.
Iceland
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Published: January 2020

After years of robust growth, economic activity has significantly weakened. Supply disruptions in tourism, the engine of recent growth, and the associated uncertainty have triggered a drop in domestic demand and an increase in unemployment. A swift policy response, with fiscal relaxation and monetary easing, has stabilized expectations and cushioned the effects. A moderate but fragile growth recovery is expected in 2020.
Significant downside risks weigh on the outlook. World trade tensions and weaker than expected global growth, the UK’s still uncertain Brexit process, worsening of tourism activity in Iceland, and pressures in financial markets or payments due to Iceland’s grey-listing by the FATF could negatively impact the economy.
Effective radiative forcing and adjustments in CMIP6 models
Authors: Smith Christopher J. , Kramer Ryan J. , Myhre Gunnar , Alterskjær Kari , Collins William , Sima Adriana , Boucher Olivier , Dufresne Jean-Louis , Nabat Pierre , Michou Martine , Yukimoto Seiji , Cole Jason , Paynter David , Shiogama Hideo , O'Connor Fiona M. , Robertson Eddy , Wiltshire Andy , Andrews Timothy , Hannay Cécile , Miller Ron , Nazarenko Larissa , Kirkevåg Alf , Olivié Dirk , Fiedler Stephanie , Pincus Robert , Forster Piers M.
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The effective radiative forcing, which includes the instantaneous forcing plus adjustments from the atmosphere and surface, has emerged as the key metric of evaluating human and natural influence on the climate. We evaluate effective radiative forcing and adjustments in 13 contemporary climate models that are participating in CMIP6 and have contributed to the Radiative Forcing Model Intercomparison Project (RFMIP). Present-day (2014) global mean anthropogenic forcing relative to pre-industrial (1850) from climate models stands at 1.97 (± 0.26) W m−2, comprised of 1.80 (± 0.11) W m−2 from CO2, 1.07 (± 0.21) W m−2 from other well-mixed greenhouse gases, −1.04 (± 0.23) W m−2 from aerosols and −0.08 (± 0.14) W m−2 from land use change. Quoted uncertainties are one standard deviation across model best estimates, and 90 % confidence in the reported forcings, due to internal variability, is typically within 0.1 W m−2. The majority of the remaining 0.17 W m−2 is likely to be from ozone. As determined in previous studies, cancellation of tropospheric and surface adjustments means that the traditional stratospherically adjusted radiative forcing is approximately equal to ERF for greenhouse gas forcing, but not for aerosols, and consequentially, not for the anthropogenic total. The spread of aerosol forcing ranges from −0.63 to −1.37 W m−2, exhibiting a less negative mean and narrower range compared to 10 CMIP5 models. The spread in 4 × CO2 forcing has also narrowed in CMIP6 compared to 13 CMIP5 models. Aerosol forcing is uncorrelated with equilibrium climate sensitivity. Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest that the increasing spread in climate sensitivity in CMIP6 models, particularly related to high-sensitivity models, is a consequence of a stronger negative present-day aerosol forcing.
Mind-the-gap part I: Accurately locating warm marine boundary layer clouds and precipitation using spaceborne radars
Authors: Lamer Katia , Kollias Pavlos , Battaglia Alessandro , Preval Simon
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Ground-based radar observations show that, in the eastern north Atlantic, 50 % of warm marine boundary layer (WMBL) hydrometeors occur below 1.2 km and have reflectivities
Dynamics of environmental conditions during a decline of a Cymodocea nodosa meadow
Authors: Najdek Mirjana , Korlević Marino , Paliaga Paolo , Markovski Marsej , Ivančić Ingrid , Iveša Ljiljana , Felja Igor , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The dynamics of the physicochemical and biological parameters were followed during the decline of a Cymodocea nodosa meadow in the northern Adriatic Sea from July 2017 to October 2018. During the regular growth of C. nodosa from July 2017 to March 2018, C. nodosa successfully adapted to the changes of environmental conditions and prevented H2S accumulation by its re-oxidation, supplying the sediment with O2 from the water column and/or leaf photosynthesis. The C. nodosa decline was most likely triggered in April 2018 by a reduction of light availability which affected photosynthesis of C. nodosa and the oxidation capability of below-ground tissue. Simultaneously, a depletion of oxygen due to intense oxidation of H2S occurred in the sediment, thus creating anoxic conditions in most of the rooted areas. These linked negative effects on the plant performance caused an accumulation of H2S in the sediments of the C. nodosa meadow. During the decay of above- and below-ground tissues, culminating in August 2018, high concentrations of H2S were reached and accumulated in the sediment as well as in bottom waters. The influx of oxygenated waters in September 2018 led to the re-establishment of H2S oxidation and recovery of the below-ground tissue. Our results indicate that if disturbance of environmental conditions, particularly those compromising the light availability, take place during the recruitment phase of plant growth when metabolic needs are at maximum and stored reserves minimal, a sudden and drastic decline of the seagrass meadow occurs.
Development of a global 30-m impervious surface map using multi-source and multi-temporal remote sensing datasets with the Google Earth Engine platform
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Liu Liangyun , Wu Changshan , Chen Xidong , Gao Yuan , Xie Shuai , Zhang Bing
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The amount of impervious surface is an important indicator in the monitoring of the intensity of human activity and environmental change. The use of remote sensing techniques is the only means of accurately carrying out global mapping of impervious surfaces covering large areas. Optical imagery can capture surface reflectance characteristics, while synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images can be used to provide information on the structure and dielectric properties of surface materials. In addition, night-time light (NTL) imagery can detect the intensity of human activity and thus provide important a priori probabilities of the occurrence of impervious surfaces. In this study, we aimed to generate an accurate global impervious surface map at a resolution of 30-m for 2015 by combining Landsat-8 OLI optical images, Sentinel-1 SAR images and VIIRS NTL images based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. First, the global impervious and non-impervious training samples were automatically derived by combining the GlobeLand30 land-cover product with VIIRS NTL and MODIS enhanced vegetation index (EVI) imagery. Then, based on global training samples and multi-source and multi-temporal imagery, a random forest classifier was trained and used to generate corresponding impervious surface maps for each 5°×5° cell of a geographical grid. Finally, a global impervious surface map, produced by mosaicking numerous 5°×5° regional maps, was validated by interpretation samples and then compared with three existing impervious products (GlobeLand30, FROM_GLC and NUACI). The results indicated that the global impervious surface map produced using the proposed multi-source, multi-temporal random forest classification (MSMT_RF) method was the most accurate of the maps, having an overall accuracy of 96.6 % and kappa coefficient of 0.903 as against 92.5 % and 0.769 for FROM_GLC, 91.1 % and 0.717 for GlobeLand30, and 87.43 % and 0.585 for NUACI. Therefore, it is concluded that a global 30-m impervious surface map can accurately and efficiently be generated by the proposed MSMT_RF method based on the GEE platform. The global impervious surface map generated in this paper are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3505079 (Zhang et al., 2019).
Reduced complexity model intercomparison project phase 1: Protocol, results and initial observations
Authors: Nicholls Zebedee R. J. , Meinshausen Malte , Lewis Jared , Gieseke Robert , Dommenget Dietmar , Dorheim Kalyn , Fan Chen-Shuo , Fuglestvedt Jan S. , Gasser Thomas , Golüke Ulrich , Goodwin Philip , Kriegler Elmar , Leach Nicholas J. , Marchegiani Davide , Quilcaille Yann , Samset Bjørn H. , Sandstad Marit , Shiklomanov Alexey N. , Skeie Ragnhild B. , Smith Christopher J. , Tanaka Katsumasa , Tsutsui Junichi , Xie Zhiang
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Here we present results from the first phase of the Reduced Complexity Model Intercomparison Project (RCMIP). RCMIP is a systematic examination of reduced complexity climate models (RCMs), which are used to complement and extend the insights from more complex Earth System Models (ESMs), in particular those participating in the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). In Phase 1 of RCMIP, with 14 participating models namely ACC2, AR5IR (2 and 3 box versions), CICERO-SCM, ESCIMO, FaIR, GIR, GREB, Hector, Held et al. two layer model, MAGICC, MCE, OSCAR and WASP, we highlight the structural differences across various RCMs and show that RCMs are capable of reproducing global-mean surface air temperature (GSAT) changes of ESMs and historical observations. We find that some RCMs are capable of emulating the GSAT response of CMIP6 models to within a root-mean square error of 0.2 °C (of the same order of magnitude as ESM internal variability) over a range of scenarios. Running the same model configurations for both RCP and SSP scenarios, we see that the SSPs exhibit higher effective radiative forcing throughout the second half of the 21st Century. Comparing our results to the difference between CMIP5 and CMIP6 output, we find that the change in scenario explains approximately 46 % of the increase in higher end projected warming between CMIP5 and CMIP6. This suggests that changes in ESMs from CMIP5 to CMIP6 explain the rest of the increase, hence the higher climate sensitivities of available CMIP6 models may not be having as large an impact on GSAT projections as first anticipated. A second phase of RCMIP will complement RCMIP Phase 1 by exploring probabilistic results and emulation in more depth to provide results available for the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report author teams.
Les Fables : Un instrument incontournable pour la construction d’une société idéale
Authors: IYANDA Rabiu
Published: January 2020

Les fables occupent une place importante dans la société humaine. C’est peut-être la raison pour laquelle les écrivains au fil des années se servent de ce genre pour enrichir la culture, éduquer les êtres, critiquer et satiriser la société. Jean de la Fontaine utilise ses fables pour satiriser la France de son époque particulièrement le règne de Louis XIV. Cette communication présente l’importance des fables comme un mécanisme de préservation de la culture et un moyen d’inculcation des normes aussi bien que des us et coutumes de générations en générations. Nous nous sommes servis de la méthode d’explication de texte pour relever l’essentiel de ce genre littéraire. Nous avons également relevé le fait que ce genre présente des leçons incontournables même si la société devient imprudente de nos jours au contraire de la réalité africaine traditionnelle dotée de bonne conventions. Cette communication a suggéré qu’il serait important de narrer les fables aux enfants dans le but de réaliser une société idéale et plus adroite.
A comparative analysis of selected recommendations of the feng shui school of form, Alexander et al.’s pattern language, and findings of environmental psychology
Authors: Kryžanowski Špela
Published: January 2020

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese art of creating a supportive living environment. Despite many research contributions on feng shui, very few verify (comparatively or experimentally) the actual effectiveness of feng shui recommendations. Even the architectural profession has never clearly denied its opinion on feng shui. This comparative analysis seeks to determine whether 118 selected feng shui school of form recommendations are consistent with the recommendations of Alexander et al.’s pattern language and with selected findings in environmental psychology. The results support this, showing that 34% of the recommendations (or forty recommendations out of 118 in total) are consistent with pattern language and that 45% (or fifty-three recommendations) are fully or partially consistent with the findings of environmental psychology. Altogether, more than half of the recommendations (57%, or sixty-seven recommendations) are consistent (indirectly confirmed) by one or the other knowledge system, which means that it is very likely that these recommendations will actually have the promised impact on users of physical space. Twenty-seven feng shui recommendations (or 23% out of the 118) are doubly consistent, of which most are related to the five-animals feng shui model, the importance of the presence of water and natural light in the living environment, and the importance of the main entrance. The bulk of the recommendations, which remain unaddressed, relate to the Chinese concept of living energy, or qi.
Teaching Justice Aesthetically: Dwelling in Japanese American Art and Religion
Authors: Goto Courtney T.
Published: January 2020

Enfolding Silence is a sociological study of how Japanese Americans have developed various art forms to cope with, resist, and transform traumatic experiences of racism, including the mass, unlawful internment of nearly 120,000 people of Japanese descent during World War II. By examining an extended ethnographic case study, educators and students can reflect on how a community teaches aesthetically across generations, as one generation traumatized by racism teaches what matters culturally, aesthetically, and spiritually to the next. The author (Brett J. Esaki) analyzes four Japanese American art forms—gardening, origami, jazz, and monuments—in terms of what he calls “non-binary silence.” Esaki uses the metaphor of silence as a tool to enable readers to grasp the complexity of Japanese American art, showing how art has facilitated one community to be and become more authentic and whole in the face of adversity. For scholars and students of aesthetic education, this volume raises awareness of assumptions about silence and space, as it expands preconceived, common notions of these terms. It fosters appreciation for the pedagogic richness of art forms that are familiar to many, placing them in historical, religious, cultural, and political perspective. Finally, the book illumines the role of art in resisting oppression, providing rich cases that can be mined for implications for aesthetic education.
Complexo Eólico Chapada do Piauí I: Benefícios Sociais e Impactos Ambientais no Município de Marcolândia, Estado do Piauí
Authors: Campêlo Jaerle Rodrigues , Albuquerque Emanuel Lindemberg Silva , Melo Filho José Maria Marques de
Published: January 2020

A busca por novas alternativas de geração de energia proveniente de fontes renováveis e limpas visa mitigar os impactos socioambientais provocados pela utilização dos combustíveis fósseis. Com o estabelecimento desse cenário, a energia eólica obtida por meio do “movimento dos ventos” ganhou bastante destaque, e no Brasil, sobretudo no Nordeste, em razão de suas características geográficas, encontrou condições favoráveis para seu desenvolvimento. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar, de forma integrada, os impactos socioambientais oriundos da implantação do Complexo Eólico Chapada do Piauí I, nas comunidades localizadas no município de Marcolândia, na perspectiva de correlacionar as vantagens da geração de energia eólica com os conflitos ambientais e sociais que são identificados e materializados in loco. A implementação do Complexo provocou efêmero dinamismo econômico local e transformações na paisagem. A partir desta perspectiva, almeja-se que a análise em pauta possa contribuir com outros estudos que se propõem a discutir a transformação da paisagem local a partir da perspectiva socioambiental, tendo como pano de fundo a implantação de tecnologias de exploração eólica como matriz energética.
Emerging intravesical therapies for the management of bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Charting a path forward
Authors: Chehroudi Ali Cyrus , Black Peter C.
Published: January 2020

Management of patients with cacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) presents a formidable clinical challenge that requires urologists to weigh the competing risks of progression during further intravesical therapy vs. the morbidity of radical cystectomy. The prognosis of high-risk NMIBC recurring after BCG depends on the adequacy of prior BCG, the timing of recurrence, and tumor histology. The standard of care is currently radical cystectomy, as effective salvage intravesical therapy has not been established. The development of bladder-sparing treatments has been hampered to date by inconsistent definitions of BCG failure and difficulties in identifying appropriate control treatments in clinical trials. Despite these limitations, the spectrum of salvage therapy is expanding to include enhanced intravesical chemo-, gene, and immuno-therapies. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging agents in the context of our current understanding of BCG failure and the unique considerations for clinical trial design in this disease state.