title: High-resolution radiocarbon chronologies and synchronization of records

authors: Hajdas, Irka

abstract: It is now accepted that the precise dating of certain periods is complicated by extreme variability of atmospheric ¹⁴C content shown at times in the ¹⁴C calibration curve. This complication arises from variations in atmospheric ¹⁴C content and is known as wiggles in the calibration curve. Radiocarbon age ‘plateaus’, are caused by a decrease in the atmospheric ¹⁴C concentration and appear as a slowing down of the ¹⁴C clock such as occurred during the Younger Dryas (YD) chronozone. In effect, similar ¹⁴C ages apply across a range of up to 500 calendar years. The opposite is observed when atmospheric ¹⁴C levels increase so that the ¹⁴C clock appears to speed up. In such cases, which include the beginning of the YD and Pre-Boreal intervals, the true age of a sample, taking dating errors into account, may spread across a comparatively wide ¹⁴C age range

text: High-resolution radiocarbon chronologies and synchronization of records It is now accepted that the precise dating of certain periods is complicated by extreme variability of atmospheric ¹⁴C content shown at times in the ¹⁴C calibration curve. This complication arises from variations in atmospheric ¹⁴C content and is known as wiggles in the calibration curve. Radiocarbon age ‘plateaus’, are caused by a decrease in the atmospheric ¹⁴C concentration and appear as a slowing down of the ¹⁴C clock such as occurred during the Younger Dryas (YD) chronozone. In effect, similar ¹⁴C ages apply across a range of up to 500 calendar years. The opposite is observed when atmospheric ¹⁴C levels increase so that the ¹⁴C clock appears to speed up. In such cases, which include the beginning of the YD and Pre-Boreal intervals, the true age of a sample, taking dating errors into account, may spread across a comparatively wide ¹⁴C age range

year: 2006

title: Momentum returns, market states, and market dynamics: Are Islamic stocks different?

authors: Cheema, Muhammad A.

subjects: Islamic stocks

abstract: Recent studies suggest that momentum returns are conditioned by market states and market dynamics. We ask if Islamic stocks behave differently from Non-Islamic stocks. Using data from the Malaysian stock market from 1991 to 2015, we find no significant difference in Islamic versus Non-Islamic stocks either in their level of momentum returns or in the behaviour of momentum returns in response to market states and market dynamics, irrespective of whether we use time-series or cross-sectional momentum returns. Interestingly, we find that the behaviour of momentum returns in Malaysia is broadly consistent with that in the US market in that momentum returns are higher following UP markets compared with momentum returns following DOWN markets. We also find that momentum returns are larger when the market continues in same state than when it transitions to a different state, consistent with results in the US market and that the absence of momentum returns following DOWN market states is due to market dynamics. Our results suggest that investors in Islamic stocks can execute momentum strategies without loss of efficacy compared with Non-Islamic stocks.

text: Momentum returns, market states, and market dynamics: Are Islamic stocks different? Recent studies suggest that momentum returns are conditioned by market states and market dynamics. We ask if Islamic stocks behave differently from Non-Islamic stocks. Using data from the Malaysian stock market from 1991 to 2015, we find no significant difference in Islamic versus Non-Islamic stocks either in their level of momentum returns or in the behaviour of momentum returns in response to market states and market dynamics, irrespective of whether we use time-series or cross-sectional momentum returns. Interestingly, we find that the behaviour of momentum returns in Malaysia is broadly consistent with that in the US market in that momentum returns are higher following UP markets compared with momentum returns following DOWN markets. We also find that momentum returns are larger when the market continues in same state than when it transitions to a different state, consistent with results in the US market and that the absence of momentum returns following DOWN market states is due to market dynamics. Our results suggest that investors in Islamic stocks can execute momentum strategies without loss of efficacy compared with Non-Islamic stocks.

year: 2016

title: Getting Deep:  Experiences of New Zealand Bodyboarders

authors: Nemani, Mihi Joy

subjects: bodyboarding

abstract: Since the mid 1990s, a growing body of literature on lifestyle sports has produced fresh insights into the nuances, esoteric terminology and social dynamics in an array of lifestyle sport cultures. While surf culture has gained considerable attention from both sociologists and historians, the voices of bodyboarders have been minimal.  Reflecting perceptions held by many in mainstream society, the literature on surf culture tended to marginalize bodyboarding participants, deeming the activity fit for children or teenagers.  Therefore, this project addresses the gap in academic literature on surf culture by adopting a socio-cultural, qualitative approach to give voice to bodyboarders, by revealing some of the complexities within bodyboarding culture, and revealing power relations operating between surfers and bodyboarders in the surf. 

As a three-time world amateur champion female bodyboarder of both Maori and Samoan heritage, I was particularly interested to understand experiences of gender and ethnicity in relation to bodyboarding.  Therefore, I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight bodyboarders living in New Zealand.  To analyse data from the interviews, I employed Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of habitus, field and capital to explore bodyboarding with the intent of presenting fresh perspectives relating to masculinity and femininity, and experiences of Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European bodyboarders.  The participants revealed embodied characteristics of the bodyboarder as well as a variety of strategies used to negotiate space in the surf field.  The experiences of female participants resonated with current literature where opportunities to gain respect were limited based on their marginal position in the male-dominated lifestyle sport culture.  While some female participants successfully negotiated space within the surf field, male bodyboarders revealed other difficulties due to the hyper-masculinity of stand-up surfing culture, and the marginal position of bodyboarders.

In specifically examining the experiences of Maori and Pacific Island participants, I argue that a unique form of cultural capital exists in which respect, courtesy and fairness were given more value than demonstrations of physical capital.  Adopting a socio-cultural approach to analyse the operations of power in the surf field, and particularly how gender and ethnicity affect the experiences of New Zealand bodyboarders, this research project brings “new value to identities and experiences that are marginalized and stigmatized by the larger culture” (Denzin, 2002, p. 486).

text: Getting Deep:  Experiences of New Zealand Bodyboarders Since the mid 1990s, a growing body of literature on lifestyle sports has produced fresh insights into the nuances, esoteric terminology and social dynamics in an array of lifestyle sport cultures. While surf culture has gained considerable attention from both sociologists and historians, the voices of bodyboarders have been minimal.  Reflecting perceptions held by many in mainstream society, the literature on surf culture tended to marginalize bodyboarding participants, deeming the activity fit for children or teenagers.  Therefore, this project addresses the gap in academic literature on surf culture by adopting a socio-cultural, qualitative approach to give voice to bodyboarders, by revealing some of the complexities within bodyboarding culture, and revealing power relations operating between surfers and bodyboarders in the surf. 

As a three-time world amateur champion female bodyboarder of both Maori and Samoan heritage, I was particularly interested to understand experiences of gender and ethnicity in relation to bodyboarding.  Therefore, I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight bodyboarders living in New Zealand.  To analyse data from the interviews, I employed Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of habitus, field and capital to explore bodyboarding with the intent of presenting fresh perspectives relating to masculinity and femininity, and experiences of Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European bodyboarders.  The participants revealed embodied characteristics of the bodyboarder as well as a variety of strategies used to negotiate space in the surf field.  The experiences of female participants resonated with current literature where opportunities to gain respect were limited based on their marginal position in the male-dominated lifestyle sport culture.  While some female participants successfully negotiated space within the surf field, male bodyboarders revealed other difficulties due to the hyper-masculinity of stand-up surfing culture, and the marginal position of bodyboarders.

In specifically examining the experiences of Maori and Pacific Island participants, I argue that a unique form of cultural capital exists in which respect, courtesy and fairness were given more value than demonstrations of physical capital.  Adopting a socio-cultural approach to analyse the operations of power in the surf field, and particularly how gender and ethnicity affect the experiences of New Zealand bodyboarders, this research project brings “new value to identities and experiences that are marginalized and stigmatized by the larger culture” (Denzin, 2002, p. 486).

year: 2013