• Title/Summary/Keyword: Southern Africa

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Zika Virus on YouTube: An Analysis of English-language Video Content by Source

  • Basch, Corey H.;Fung, Isaac Chun-Hai;Hammond, Rodney N.;Blankenship, Elizabeth B.;Tse, Zion Tsz Ho;Fu, King-Wa;Ip, Patrick;Basch, Charles E.
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.50 no.2
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    • pp.133-140
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the source, length, number of views, and content of the most widely viewed Zika virus (ZIKV)-related YouTube videos. We hypothesized that ZIKV-related videos uploaded by different sources contained different content. Methods: The 100 most viewed English ZIKV-related videos were manually coded and analyzed statistically. Results: Among the 100 videos, there were 43 consumer-generated videos, 38 Internet-based news videos, 15 TV-based news videos, and 4 professional videos. Internet news sources captured over two-thirds of the total of 8 894 505 views. Compared with consumer-generated videos, Internet-based news videos were more likely to mention the impact of ZIKV on babies (odds ratio [OR], 6.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64 to 23.76), the number of cases in Latin America (OR, 5.63; 95% CI, 1.47 to 21.52); and ZIKV in Africa (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.04 to 6.31). Compared with consumer-generated videos, TV-based news videos were more likely to express anxiety or fear of catching ZIKV (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.36 to 32.70); to highlight fear of ZIKV among members of the public (OR, 7.45; 95% CI, 1.20 to 46.16); and to discuss avoiding pregnancy (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.13 to 13.25). Conclusions: Public health agencies should establish a larger presence on YouTube to reach more people with evidence-based information about ZIKV.

A Convergence Research Study of Southern Fujian Region in China during the Song Dynasty analyzing the Export of Ceramics (송(宋)대 민남(閩南)지역의 수출 도자기 융합현상 분석)

  • Lim, Chun;Kun, Yue;Zheng, Zheng;Park, Jungwon;Kim, Won-Seok
    • Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.133-139
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    • 2019
  • A Convergence Research Study of Southern Fujian Region in China during the Song Dynasty analyzing the Export of Ceramics During the Song Dynasty in China ceramics made in the Southern Fujian (also known as Minnan) region were exported to different countries in Southeast Asia including the Philippines, Thailand and more. They were even exported to Korea, Japan and through trade they traveled as far as Africa. Ceramics was one of the three main sea route export item of China at the time and there were active commercial trading between Korea as well as other countries, enabling ceramics to develop rapidly. The harmonious reciprocal relationship between the geographical, political, cultural, economical characteristics of Southern Fujian enabled a unique type of celadon ware widely recognized to develop. Ceramics of this region is one of a kind in terms of history when we relate it to research on integrating different elements. It suggests a unique convergence of culture when we study its forms and its industrial characteristics. The study attempts to analyze the influence of geography, politics, economy and culture on the different phenomena found in ceramics. Different paradigms associated with changes of environment reflect on continued development in the field of ceramics.

Study on a model of street vended food choices by Korean high school students

  • Cho, Ki-Woong;Park, Sang-Hyun;Joo, Na-Mi
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.5 no.5
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    • pp.481-488
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    • 2011
  • Street vended food (SVF) includes food and beverages prepared and sold outdoors or in public areas by street merchants for consumption on the scene or later without further preparation. Due to its low price and convenience, SVF has been popular in Korea for a long time, particularly with high school students. Beyond Korea, SVF is also popular in southeast Asia and southern Africa in the form of ready-to-eat food. This study on high school students, who are main consumers of SVF in Korea, focused on the factors that affect consumer loyalty. The study was performed by questionnaire and used AMOS software to develop a structural equation model. The results of verifying the model's fidelity were $X^2$=685.989, df=261, GFI=0.851, AGFI=0.814, NFI=0.901, CFI=0.907, RMR=0.048, indicating a satisfying structural model. SVF quality and service, emotional response, and the physical environment had a statistically significant effect on consumer loyalty. In contrast, SVF sanitation had no statistically significant effect on consumer loyalty. Based on these results, the sanitary management of SVF needs to be addressed immediately combined with education for SVF providers to maintain a clean environment.

Natural Occurrence of Fusarium Mycotoxins in Cereals (곡류에서의Fusarium속 곰팡이 독소의 오염)

  • 이인원;김진철
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.23-32
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    • 1993
  • Species of the genus Fusarium are worldwide in their distribution. They are saprophytes as soil inhabitants and parasites of cultivated plants. Some isolates of certain species car capable of producing mycotoxins. Mycotoxicoses, including moldy corn toxicosis, alimentary toxic aleukia, fusariotoxicosis, and rel mold disease are known to be associated with trichothecene-producing fungi. Historically severe epidemic of cereal scab occred in the southern part of Korea in 1963. The epidemic caused a social problem because of not only heavy economic losses but also mycotoxicoses to humans and farm animals. However the toxic principles were remained unknown until some publications in 1980's indicated that trichothecenes and zearalenone were major mycotoxins in Korea cereals contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme have been found to be associated with human and animal disease such as leukoencephalomalacia in horses, pulmonary edema in swine and esophageal cancer in humans. High concentrations of fumonisins have been detected in corn samples from high espohoageal cancer risk areas of South Africa and China. Thus fumonisins have been implicated in the etiolgy of human esophageal cancer in those high incidence countries. Recently increase of imported cereals from foreign countries demands to assess the safety of mycotoxins in Korea. The informations on the natural occurrence of mycotoxins are needed to solve the toxicological problems in humans and farm animals associated with the consumption of moldy cereals.

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Development of Aerosol Retrieval Algorithm Over Ocean Using FY-1C/1D Data

  • Xiuqing, Hu;Naimeng, Lu;Hong, Qiu
    • Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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    • 2003.11a
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    • pp.1255-1257
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    • 2003
  • This study proposes a single-channel satellite remote sensing algorithm for retrieving aerosol optical thickness over global ocean using FY-1C/1D data. An efficient lookup table (LUT)method is adopted in this algorithm to generate apparent reflectance in channel 1 and channel 2 of FY-1C/1D over ocean. The algorithm scale the apparent reflectance in cloud-free conditions to aerosol optical thickness using a state-of-art radiative transfer model 6S with input of the relative spectral response of channel 1 and 2 of FY-1C/1D. Monthly mean composite maps of the aerosol optical thickness have been obtained from FY-1C/1D global area coverage data between 2001 and 2003. Aerosol optical thickness maps can show the major aerosol source which are located off the west coast of northern and southern Africa, Arabian Sea and India Ocean. These result is very similar to other satellite sensors such as AVHRR and MODIS in the location area of heavy aerosol optical thickness over global ocean. The algorithm have been used to FY-1D operational performance and it is the first operational aerosol remote sensing product in China.

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One for All - Artemisia absinthium (Afsanteen) "A Potent Unani Drug"

  • Hashimi, Ayshah;Siraj, Mantasha Binth;Ahmed, Yasmeen;Siddiqui, Md. Akhtar;Jahangir, Umar
    • CELLMED
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.5.1-5.9
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    • 2019
  • The therapeutic use of the wormwood plant Artemisia absinthium L. dates back to at least Roman times. There are more than 200 plants in the genus Artemisia- including southern wormwood, petite wormwood and Grande wormwood and encompasses about 500 species. The best-known species of wormwood is Artemisia absinthium, native to temperate Eurasia and North Africa and is branded for its extreme bitterness. It is a magical greens booze used as carminative to support healthy appetite, balances healthy flora, cleanse the digestive tract of parasite and toxins. It possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-helminthic and anti-depressant activity. Thujone excites nervous system when taken in small amount. Due to contrary history of wormwood, its application in individuals should be preceded by a thorough and cautious risk-benefit analysis. In this appraisal an attempt is done to validate scientifically, mentioned therapeutic potential of Artemisia absinthium in classical Unani literature using PubMed, Science Direct researches.

The Clever Hare in Torobo Folklore

  • Ashdown, Shelley
    • Cross-Cultural Studies
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    • v.28
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    • pp.87-114
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    • 2012
  • The Maa speaking Torobo people inhabiting the southern portion of the Mau Escarpment in Kenya approach both individual and community survival from a relational orientation focused on ethnic identity and responsibility. This social responsibility to the tribe is in stark contrast to Torobo relationships with other ethnic groups. The purpose of the research is twofold. First, the paper explores how folkloric language through a trickster image reflects important cultural and social ideals, understandings, and patterns of thought in Torobo world view. A second purpose is to offer ethnographic information to scholars and students' alike necessary for world view studies of eastern Africa specifically focused on the interplay between anthropomorphic tales and the social context in which these stories are utilized. The key research question for this analysis asks how the trickster image in Torobo folklore conceptualize the life experience. A Torobo folktale entitled, The Clever Hare, is the text chosen for analysis with the hare character as the protagonist. A second query explores the importance of the trickster image in understanding Torobo world view categories of Self and Other. The analysis contributes an ethnographic perspective for the world view categories of Self and Other as well as trickster folklore by examining the nature of Torobo-ness using the tale of the cunning hare as a research tool.

The Pattern and Characteristics of Demographic Transition in Developing Countries (개발도상국의 인구변천 유형과 특징)

  • Chung, Sung-Ho
    • Korea journal of population studies
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.89-113
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    • 2006
  • Over the past four decades reproductive behavior has changed rapidly in much of the developing countries. The average total fertility rate has fallen by half from six or more to near three today. Between 1960 and 2000 the largest fertility decline occurred in Asia and Latin America. The mortality rate has also decreased in most developing countries. The purpose of this study is to review the pattern and characteristic of demographic transition in developing countries. At first, this study focuses on the regional fertility and mortality transition. Africa, the total fertility rate is still high, can be match to the second stage of demographic transition. Similar case is found in Southern West Asia areas. However, the fertility rate has therd stage of demographic transition. The same pattern is found in Latin America. The mortality rate has also decreased in most of developing countries. It is interesting to find that there is a clear difference among developing countries. In terms of crude death rate, Latin American countries show the lowest rate. while African countries remain still high rate. About mortality, African countries show a high level in terms of both crude death rate and infant mortality rate. African countries also show the lowest level of life expectancy in the world. One of the reasons for low level of life expectancy in Africa is the widespread of AIDS in this areas. This study suggests that we should include 'AIDS' in the study of mortality in African countries.

A Study on the Water Resources Assessment for Irrigation Scheme in Malawi

  • AHN, SungSick;Kim, Jin-Hong
    • International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.178-186
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    • 2018
  • Generally, in terms of the development of irrigation scheme, the efficient water resource management that supplies the irrigation water in consideration of the required time and accurate quantity to grow the crop should be conducted. The water resource assessment should precede to supply the irrigation water efficiently. The water resources assessment is divided into the water requirement analysis and the water availability assessment. In case of Korea, the major crop is paddy rice unlike crops of Africa, such as sugarcane, maize, and cassava, etc. Because it is not familiar with the method for upland irrigation development in tropical area, it needs to know the water resources assessment for irrigation scheme development about these crops. The Natama Scheme in Chiradzulu District of the Southern Malawi was selected as study area, which has tropical climate. From the collected meteorological data, the evapotranspiration was analyzed by Penman-Monteith Method and the effective rainfall was analyzed by USDA Soil Conservation Service Method. This study displays the results that for study area, the evapotranspiration varies from 2.80 mm/day to 5.51 mm/day and the effective rainfall varied from 2.1mm to 149.0mm. According to the selected crop (Green Maize, Dry Maize), the unit water requirement (UWR) and water demand (WD) considering the irrigation efficiency, irrigation time and irrigation area were estimated to be $0.00122m^3/s/ha$ and $0.0122m^3/s$ respectively. For the water availability assessment, the runoff of Natama scheme was calculated by specific yield method. The water availability was evaluated through reviewed differences of discharge between $Q80_{intake}$ and Total WD, and the irrigation water can be supplied sufficiently in the existing 10ha of Natama scheme. As a result of reviewing the extensibility of irrigable area, total WD of scheme is $0.02313m^3/s$, and $Q80_{intake}$ is $0.02387m^3/s$ ($Q80_{intake}$ > Total WD). Therefore, Natama scheme can be extended from 10 ha to 17 ha in the dry season in consideration of the $Q80_{intake}$.

Comparing Plant Species Diversity of Mountainous Deserts - Successes and Pitfalls

  • Van Etten, Eddie J.B.
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.79-86
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    • 2004
  • An extensive study of the vegetation characteristics of the Hamersley Ranges, a mountainous desert area of north-west Australia, facilitated the comparison of plant species diversity measures with mountainous deserts of other parts of the world. Alpha diversity was defined as the number of species co-existing at local scales and was found to average 18 species per 0.1 ha for the Hamersley Ranges. This was found to be similar to seven other mountainous deserts in North and South America, and southern Africa. Variation in alpha diversity between these deserts was found to considerably lower than within deserts, suggesting that local processes control species richness at local scales. Beta diversity, defined here as turnover in species composition at various spatial scales, can be measured in many ways. For the Hamersley Ranges, Wilson's β ranged from 1.2 to 1.6 for five sites along a topographic gradient, whereas Whittaker's β between different plant communities was found to average 0.93. Comparable data was not found for other desert areas, but comparisons to non-desert areas suggest beta diversity within landscapes is relatively high and is likely to reflect the considerable landform heterogeneity of the Hamersley Ranges. 55∼70% of species were shared between different landscapes of the Hamersley Ranges; comparisons to other regions suggest beta diversity at this scale is relatively low. Gamma diversity, the number of species over large spatial extents, was successfully compared using regression analysis of the log-log species - area relationship. This revealed that the northern Sonoran desert has significantly less species than the Nama (inland) Karoo and Hamersley Ranges over medium spatial extents, but species numbers were similar at a regional scale. Several constraints to the valid comparison of species diversity were identified, including lack of standardisation of sampling techniques, the wide range of measures employed, general lack of published data, and the influence of the various components of spatial scale on most diversity measures. Recommendations on how to improve future comparative work are provided.