Evaluation of ECMWF and NCEP Reanalysis Wind Fields for Long-Term Historical Analysis and Ocean Wave Modelling in West Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bennet Atsu Kwame Foli ◽  
Kwasi Appeaning Addo ◽  
Joseph K. Ansong ◽  
George Wiafe
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Ocean Wave ◽  
Ncep Reanalysis ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Wave Modelling

Slave Traders by Invitation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Fuglestad
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Slave Trade ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Local Setting ◽  
Slave Traders ◽  
Atlantic Slave Trade

The small Slave Coast between the river Volta and Lagos, and especially its central part around Ouidah, was the epicentre of the slave trade in West Africa. But it was also an inhospitable, surf-ridden coastline, subject to crashing breakers and devoid of permanent human settlement. Nor was it easily accessible from the interior due to a lagoon which ran parallel to the coast. The local inhabitants were not only sheltered against incursions from the sea, but were also locked off from it. Yet, paradoxically, this small coastline witnessed a thriving long-term commercial relationship between Europeans and Africans, based on the trans-Atlantic slave trade. How did it come about? How was it all organized? Dahomey is usually cited as the Slave Coast's archetypical slave raiding and slave trading polity. An originally inland realm, it was a latecomer to the slave trade, and simply incorporated a pre-existing system by dint of military prowess, which ultimately was to prove radically counterproductive. Dahomey, which never controlled more than half of the region we call the Slave Coast, represented an anomaly in the local setting, an anomaly the author seeks to define and to explain.

scholarly journals Future Changes in Wave Conditions at the German Baltic Sea Coast Based on a Hybrid Approach Using an Ensemble of Regional Climate Change Projections

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Norman Dreier ◽  
Edgar Nehlsen ◽  
Peter Fröhle ◽  
Diana Rechid ◽  
Laurens M. Bouwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Wave Modelling ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
Mean Wave Period ◽  
Wave Conditions ◽  
Sea Coast

In this study, the projected future long-term changes of the local wave conditions at the German Baltic Sea coast over the course of the 21st century are analyzed and assessed with special focus on model agreement, statistical significance and ranges/spread of the results. An ensemble of new regional climate model (RCM) simulations with the RCM REMO for three RCP forcing scenarios was used as input data. The outstanding feature of the simulations is that the data are available with a high horizontal resolution and at hourly timesteps which is a high temporal resolution and beneficial for the wind–wave modelling. A new data interface between RCM output data and wind–wave modelling has been developed. Suitable spatial aggregation methods of the RCM wind data have been tested and used to generate input for the calculation of waves at quasi deep-water conditions and at a mean water level with a hybrid approach that enables the fast compilation of future long-term time series of significant wave height, mean wave period and direction for an ensemble of RCM data. Changes of the average wind and wave conditions have been found, with a majority of the changes occurring for the RCP8.5 forcing scenario and at the end of the 21st century. At westerly wind-exposed locations mainly increasing values of the wind speed, significant wave height and mean wave period have been noted. In contrast, at easterly wind-exposed locations, decreasing values are predominant. Regarding the changes of the mean wind and wave directions, westerly directions becoming more frequent. Additional research is needed regarding the long-term changes of extreme wave events, e.g., the choice of a best-fit extreme value distribution function and the spatial aggregation method of the wind data.

scholarly journals THE RAILWAY NETWORK AND THE PROCESS OF POPULATION CONCENTRATION IN SPAIN, 1900-2001

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Franch-Auladell ◽  
Mateu Morillas-Torné ◽  
Jordi Martí-Henneberg
Keyword(s):  
Total Population ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
Population Concentration ◽  
Central Hypothesis ◽  
Municipal Level

ABSTRACTThis paper proposes a methodology for quantifying the territorial impact on population distribution of the railway. The central hypothesis is that access to railway services provides the best-connected areas with a long-term comparative advantage over others that are less accessible. Carrying out a historical analysis and providing comparable data at the municipal level allows us to determine the extent to which the railway has fostered the concentration of population within its immediate surroundings. The case study presented here is that of Spain between 1900 and 2001, but the same methodology could equally be applied to any other country for which the required data are available. In this case, key data included a Geographic Information System with information about both the development of the railway network and census data relating to total population at the municipal level. The results obtained suggest the relevance of this methodology, which makes it possible to identify the periods and areas in which this influence was most significant.

scholarly journals Dengue in the South-eastern region of Brazil: historical analysis and epidemiology

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Carlos Serufo ◽  
Andréa Marcia Souza ◽  
Valéria Aparecida Tavares ◽  
Marcos Cézar Jammal ◽  
Josimar Gerônimo Silva
Keyword(s):  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
The Public ◽  
Efficient Measure ◽  
Unexplained Fever ◽  
Public Health Organizations ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Sera Samples

The aim of the study is an historical analysis of the work undertaken by the Public Health organizations dedicated to the combat of the Aedes aegypti, as well as an epidemiolocal study of persons with unexplained fever, with a view to evaluating the ocurrence of dengue within the population. The Mac-Elisa, Gac-Elisa, hemaglutination inhibition, isolation and typage tests were used. Organophosphate intoxication in agricultural workers was also assessed by measuring concentrations of serie cholinesterase. A sera samples of 2,094 were collected in 23 towns, and the type 1 dengue virus was detected in 17 towns and autochthony was confirmed in 12 of them. The cholinesterase was measured in 2,391 sera samples of which 53 cases had abnormal levels. Poisoning was confirmed in 3 cases. Results reveal an epidemic the gravity of which was not officially know. The relationshipe between levels of IgM and IgG antibodies indicates the outbreak tendency. The widespread distribution of the vector is troubling because of the possibility of the urbanization of wild yellow fever, whereas the absence of A. aegypti in 2 towns with autochthony suggests the existence of another vector. Since there is no vaccine against dengue, the combat of the vector is the most efficient measure for preventing outbreaks. The eradication of the vector depends on government decisions which depend, for their execution, on the organization of the Health System and the propagation of information concerning the prevention of the disease using all possible means because short and long term results depend on the education and the active participation of the entire population.

scholarly journals The English City Riots of 2011, ‘Broken Britain’ and the Retreat into the Present

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Flint ◽  
Ryan Powell
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Working Class ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Policy Discourse ◽  
Moral Panics ◽  
Urban Condition ◽  
Norbert Elias ◽  
Urban Disorder

The responses to the English city riots of 2011 bear a remarkable resemblance to those of historical urban disorders in terms of the way in which they are framed by concerns over “moral decline”, “social malaise” and a “lack of self-restraint” among certain sections of the population. In this paper we draw on the work of Norbert Elias and take a long-term perspective in exploring historical precedents and parallels relating to urban disorder and anti-social behaviour. We reject the notion of “Broken Britain” and argue that a more “detached” perspective is necessary in order to appreciate that perceived crises of civilisation are ubiquitous to the urban condition. Through this historical analysis, framed by Elias’ theory of involvement and detachment, we present three key arguments. Firstly, that a ‘retreat into the present’ is evident among both policy discourse and social science in responding to contemporary urban disorder, giving rise to ahistorical accounts and the romanticisation of previous eras; secondly, that particular moral panics have always arisen, specifically focused upon young and working class populations and urban disorder; and, thirdly, that previous techniques of governance to control these populations were often far more similar to contemporary mechanisms than many commentaries suggest. We conclude by advocating a long-term, detached perspective in discerning historical precedents and their direct linkages to the present; and in identifying what is particular about today's concerns and responses relating to urban disorder.

scholarly journals Virus-Vectored Ebola Vaccines

Acta Naturae ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Dolzhikova ◽  
E. A. Tokarskaya ◽  
A. S. Dzharullaeva ◽  
A. I. Tukhvatulin ◽  
D. V. Shcheblyakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Preclinical Trials

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is one of the most dangerous infections affecting humans and animals. The first EVD outbreaks occurred in 1976 in Sudan and Zaire. Since then, more than 20 outbreaks have occurred; the largest of which (2014-2016) evolved into an epidemic in West Africa and claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people. Although vaccination is the most effective way to prevent epidemics, there was no licensed vaccine for EVD at the beginning of the latest outbreak. The development of the first vaccines for EVD started in 1980 and has come a long technological way, from inactivated to genetically engineered vaccines based on recombinant viral vectors. This review focuses on virus-vectored Ebola vaccines that have demonstrated the greatest efficacy in preclinical trials and are currently under different phases of clinical trial. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms of immune response development, which are important for protection from EVD, and the key vaccine parameters necessary for inducing long-term protective immunity against EVD.

scholarly journals Islam and Traditional Titles in Contemporary Lagos Society: A Historical Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
Hakeem A. Akitoye
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
African Traditional Religion

Lagos, an area basically inhabited by the Yoruba speaking people of South Western Nigeria and by extension some other parts of West Africa where Islam, Christianity and the African Traditional Religion are still being practised side by side till date with the Africans still being converted to the new faiths without dropping their traditional religion or cultural affiliations. This ideology is very common to the average African who still believes in his culture which has always tainted his way of life or as far as his religion is concerned should not interfere with his culture as the religion as not tacitly condemned some of these practices. This paper intends to examine the extent to which the Yoruba Muslims have been involved in syncretism especially as regards the introduction of the conferment of titles into the Muslim community.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – A MODERN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT

2021 ◽  
Vol XXIII (2) ◽  
pp. 9-29
Author(s):  
Rafał Baum
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Critical View ◽  
Economic Area ◽  
The Subject

This article was created to present a broader, more critical view of the idea and concept of sustainable development, which has dominated the discourse on development for several decades. Based on the analysis of the literature on the subject, an attempt was made to state and explain how the original assumptions of the concept should be understood today. The most important contemporary challenges related to sustainable development have been identified. First, a historical analysis of the concepts of development and sustainable development was conducted, based on which it could be noticed that the original assumptions of the ideas have been forgotten. Then, the main dimensions (areas) of sustainable development in the literature of the last thirty years were examined. It has been noticed that the dimensions and their relations were very varied, and, first of all, defined in a rather general way. In an attempt to overcome that inaccuracy, efforts have been made to define the dimensions of sustainable development in a more precise way. Based on the analysis of the literature of the subject, it was determined that it was necessary to define the concept of sustainable development in a broader way, through the prism of 6 hierarchical dimensions: an expanded and modified economic area, a social justice area, an area of environment, an area of needs and rights, a democracy area as well as an area of long-term perspective and relations. The performed research confirmed that if sustainable development was to represent the most important current and future development issues, it should be structured around the key demands raised by scientists.

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