North Research Articles

Traditional Phytotherapy amongst the Rural Communities of North Western Himalaya

This paper deals with 73 species of medicinal plants used by the traditional communities of Kullu district of north western Himalaya, forest wealth and traditional wisdom. An attempt has been made to record interesting folk-uses and medicinal plant lore used by the people at Chhakinal watershed in Kullu district of north western Himalaya.

Depleting Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Jharkhand State

The newly created state of Jharkhand is very rich in the plant wealth and other natural resources. The area has maxium concentration of tribal population in North India. The forests have several medicinal and aromatic plants that are being used as a source of medicines in various systems viz., Ayurveda, Siddha Unani and Homoeopathy. Due to continous habitat destruction fragmentation of forests, urbanization coupled with population explosion and agricultural growth, there is unprecedented pressure on plants wealth culminating into loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate. The authors have regularly been surveying the state for the last fifteen years. Based on the field survey literature and screening ca 24 medicinal plants whose populations have been continously depleting are identified and reported in the present communication.

Experimental investigation on the NO formation of pulverized coal combustion under high-temperature and low-oxygen environments simulating MILD oxy-fuel combustion conditions

The NO formation experiments simulating moderate and intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) oxy-coal combustion conditions were conducted on a laminar diffusion flame burner with the coflow temperatures of 1473–1873 K and the oxygen volume fractions of 5 %–20 % in O2/CO2, O2/Ar and O2/N2 atmospheres. The flame images of pulverized coal combustion were captured to obtain the ignition delay distances, and the axial species concentrations were measured to obtain the variation of NO formation and reduction. The NO yield in O2/Ar atmosphere decreased by nearly 0.2 when the oxygen volume fraction decreased from 20 % to 5 % and by about 0.05 when the coflow temperature decreased from 1873 K to 1473 K. The NO yield in O2/CO2 atmosphere was 0.1–0.15 lower than that in O2/Ar atmosphere. The optimal kinetic parameters of thermal NO and fuel NO formation rate were obtained by a nonlinear fit of nth-order Arrhenius expression. Finally, the relative contribution rates of thermal NO to total NO (Rth) and NO reduction to fuel NO (Rre) were quantitatively separated. Rth decreases with the increase of oxygen volume fraction, below 6 % at 1800 K, 25 % at 2000 K. Rre is almost unaffected by the coflow temperature and affected by the oxygen volume fraction, reaching 30 % at 5 % O2.

Análise epidemiológica de 9.897 óbitos por COVID-19 no período de março a maio de 2020, no Brasil

INTRODUÇÃO: O surgimento da pandemia de COVID-19 afetou severamente o mundo todo, inclusive o Brasil no que diz respeito ao número de óbitos. Dados epidemiológicos são importantes para o conhecimento do curso da doença, além de contribuir para realização de medidas preventivas, educacionais e técnicas. OBJETIVO: Analisar aspectos epidemiológicos dos óbitos por COVID-19 no período de março à maio de 2020 no Brasil. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo descritivo, através de dados publicados e extraídos do Sistema de Informação do Ministério da Saúde entre março e maio de 2020. Analisaram-se frequências simples absoluta de 145.328 casos por COVID-19 e 9.89(6,8%) óbitos. As análises incluíram faixa etária; grupo de risco de acordo com a faixa etária e distribuição geográfica. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que 69% tinham mais de 60 anos e 65% apresentavam pelo menos um fator de risco. A cardiopatia foi a principal comorbidade associada e esteve presente em 3.425 óbitos, seguida de diabetes, doença renal, doença neurológica e pneumopatia. A maioria dos óbitos foi registrada na região Sudeste seguida da Nordeste e Norte. CONCLUSÃO: As medidas de controle da infecção, de educação e orientação da população para o controle da COVID-19 devem ser intensificadas em indivíduos acima de 60 anos, com história de cardiopatias e em regiões de clima temperado.

THE EFFECT OF BUILDING HEIGHTS ON OUTDOOR WIND ENVIRONMENT OF THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR / CAS OF EL EULMA CITY, Algeria

The residential open spaces microclimate especially the wind environment, is widely affected by its surrounding buildings. This paper aims to assess the influence of residential buildings on urban microclimate in the North Est region of Algeria. This assessment performed using the in-situ measurements of different microclimate’s settings, during summer and winter. Comparing between two existing city housing blocks, the present study showed that, the higher one results lower temperatures outdoor spaces in winter and summer. Furthermore, the passage under the building improves the accessibility, the ventilation in the inside corner of the city block, but may increase the wind speed so it causes pedestrians discomfort and safety issues.

North Carolina Books

North Carolina Books

North Carolina Books

North Carolina Books

A Woman in the Far North:

A Woman in the Far North:

Identificación y valoración de los Servicios Ecosistémicos del Parque Regional de las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia, España) basado en encuestas a los usuarios

El Parque Regional de las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar es un humedal salino situado al norte de la restinga que cierra el Mar Menor (Región de Murcia). Forma parte de la Red Natura 2000, y está declarado Zona de Especial Conservación y Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves, además de ser un importante enclave de producción de sal y turístico. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una valoración preliminar de los servicios ecosistémicos del Parque Regional mediante la realización de encuestas pre-test a los usuarios del espacio protegido. Para ello se utilizaron métodos de preferencias declaradas: el método de Valoración Contingente y la Valoración por Experimentos de Elección. Se realizaron 262 encuestas pre-test a turistas entre agosto y diciembre de 2019, las cuáles orientaron la redacción de las encuestas finales. Además, se definieron los servicios ecosistémicos que ofrece el Parque Regional mediante el análisis de la Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services en su última versión V5.1, obteniendo 32 tipos de servicios ecosistémicos que serán valorados en las encuestas finales con cuatro opciones de respuesta.

North Carolina Books

North Carolina Books

“The North Caucasian Diaspora Factor” in the Soviet-Turkish Relations (1919-1921)

“The North Caucasian Diaspora Factor” in the Soviet-Turkish Relations (1919-1921)

An Analysis on the System of Transmission and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Originated from the North Korean Region in South Korea

An Analysis on the System of Transmission and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Originated from the North Korean Region in South Korea

A Discourse Analysis of Power in North Korea after the ‘Arduous March’: Revolving around Michael Mann’s ‘Economic Power’ Model

A Discourse Analysis of Power in North Korea after the ‘Arduous March’: Revolving around Michael Mann’s ‘Economic Power’ Model

Extension of the Hydromechanized Work Season in the Far North

Extension of the Hydromechanized Work Season in the Far North

Analysis of the effects of climate variability on maize yields in Tano North District, Ahafo Region, Ghana

This study focuses on the effects of climate variability on maize yields in Tano North District for a 20-year period spanning 1995 to 2015. The Department for International Development model, the “Livelihood Sustainable Framework” was used to drive the tenets of the study which was informed by the Action Theory of Adaptation. Three farming communities namely; Duayaw Nkwanta, Yamfo and Tanoso were purposively selected for the study. A cross sectional study design, mixed method and pragmatic research approaches were used for the study whilst the probability and non-probability sampling methods were applied for the selection of the sample. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools like frequency using percentages and charts to present the final results. The thematic analyses were used for qualitative data based on common themes in the different responses and direct quotations were used to support the themes to address the research questions. Maize farmers observed that declining rainfall and increasing temperature had a significant negative influence on maize yields which means climate variability has had negative effects on maize yields. Coping and adaptation strategies to address the effects of climate variability on maize yields include on-farm adaptation strategies like application of agro chemicals, crop diversification, change in farm location, irrigation and off-farm adaptation strategies like migration, trading, poultry and livestock rearing. The findings have justified the Action Theory of Adaptation and the conceptual framework of the DFID’s Livelihood Sustainable Framework. Key words: Climate variability, maize farmers, coping strategies, adaptation strategies, Tano North District (TND), and cross sectional study design.

‘포스트식민적 망각’으로서 <남과북>

<남과 북>은 이산의 고통을 담은 멜로드라마로 이데올로기에 대한 전면적 회의를 드러낸 영화로 평가되었다. 본 연구는 <남과 북>이 강조하는 분단의 비극이 이 영화에서 어떤 역할을 하는지에 대한 의문에서 시작한다. <남과 북>은 남과 북의 군인(장일구, 이해로) 사이에 놓인 고은아를 배치하여 선택의 난처함을 강조한다. 고은아는 과거 장일구의 연인이지만, 현재 이해로의 아내이다. <남과 북>의 서사를 추동하는 비극의 시작은 식민시기 아시아태평양 전쟁의 징집이다. 그러나 <남과 북>은 명증하게 제시된 비극의 순간을 후경으로 밀어내고 분단을 비극의 전경에 배치한다. 이러한 <남과 북>의 영화적 구조는 망각을 통해 선택된 기억을 강화하는 포스트식민적 망각(amnesia)의 메커니즘을 보여준다. 장일구는 고은아를 만나기 전까지 군사 정보를 내놓지 않겠다고 말하며 귀순의 순간을 지연시킨다. 이는 영화에서 장일구의 강렬한 사랑으로 의미화된다. <남과 북>은 이때 권 중령을 배치하여 정보량의 완급을 조정하여 이들의 상봉을 ‘국가의 이익’이 마련한 자리임을 강조한다. 즉, 권중령 마련하려는 상봉은 ‘비국민의 사랑’이 아닌 ‘국민의 사랑’이다. <남과 북>의 이러한 구조는 제국 일본을 과거에 결박하고, 고도성장기 일본과 새로운 안보·경제 관계를 설정하려 했던 한일 국교정상화의 논리와 맞닿아 있다. 식민과 포스트식민을 연결하여 그곳에서 난반사하는 감각에 주목할 수 있는 관전사가 필요한 지점이다. 물론, <남과 북>이 관전사적 시각에 부합하는 텍스트는 아니다. 그러나 단절의 매커니즘 작동방식을 보여준다는 점에서 관전사의 필요성을 제기할 수 있는 텍스트라고 생각한다.

대북인도적 지원사업 정책의 내실화방안에 관한 연구 : 남북협력 활성화 및 비활성화 시기 비교분석을 토대로

이 연구는 대북인도적 지원사업 정책에 있어 과거 남북관계를 중심으로 활성화 시기와 비활성화시기를 비교분석을 시행하였으며 향후 정부의 대북정책의 방향성을 제시하는데 목적이 있다. 분석을 위해 김대중·노무현·이명박·박근혜 각 정부별로 대북환경 분석과 대북정책 분석을 실시하였고 이를 협력활성화시기와 비활성화시기로 구분하였다. 협력활성화시기는 김대중·노무현 정부, 비활성화시기는 이명박·박근혜 정부로 분석되었고 이를 토대로 정부별 활동분석을 주체별 인도적 지원현황과 북한도발에 따른 인도적 현황추이를 신뢰·불신, 포용·대립 관점에서 비교 분석하였다. 연구결과를 종합하면 다음과 같다. 협력 활성화시기에서 정책내실화 방안은 첫째, 대통령의 대북정책 및 인도적 지원사업에 대한 의지를 통해 북한과의 지속적인 접촉과 긍정적 관계를 모색하는 것이 요구된다. 둘째, 북한지원 수요분석을 통한 맞춤형 사업을 발굴해야 한다. 셋째, 인도적 지원사업 지속성 확보를 위한 단기 및 중장기 사업계획을 수립할 필요가 있다. 협력 비활성화시기에서 정책내실화 방안은 첫째, 관계부처 단위의 협력 활성화 노력을 통해 바텀업(bottom-up) 접근방식이 요구된다. 둘째, 정부차원의 직접지원보다 국제기구 및 민간단체 주도에 의한 간접지원을 확대하는 것이 바람직하다. 셋째, 활성화·비활성화의 시기의 구분없이 지속적으로 대북인도적 지원사업 최소한 규모에 대한 가이드라인을 확보하는 것이 필요하다.

Weaving Traditions of Daboya and Yendi Communities in Northern Ghana

Narrow strip weaving has been an art and one of the traditional occupations in the northern part of Ghana, which has contributed significantly to the economic development and well-being of the people. Even though strip weaving is common in the North, Daboya and Yendi have unique weaving traditions with regards to the origin, types of yarns or materials, tools, processes and marketing strategies hence the focus of this paper. Field research design was used to observe, participate and have face-to-face interaction with weavers, smock makers and retailers in their natural setting. Interview was used for the collection of data during the study tour. The outcome revealed that traditional strip weaving in Yendi and Daboya has contributed immensely to tourism, the socio-economic and cultural heritage of the indigenes. Findings further indicated difference in design and loom types (traditional and modernised loom in Daboya and traditional loom in Yendi) with similar yarn types used in weaving. The study recommends intensive education for craftsmen to understand the need to welcome new technologies in their occupation to boost their production levels and increase their earnings. It is therefore incumbent on government, academia and the appropriate agencies to facilitate research to modernise the weaving tradition.

Progress on deer genome research.

Deer family is one of the most abundant mammalian families in the world. Deer species are distributed in wide geographic ranges including the North Pole, tropical regions and high-altitude mountains. Of these deer species, China accounts for more than 40% of them and is the main site for deer evolution. Besides the common phenotypical attributes for ruminants, deer family is evolved to possess the unique head gears with periodic regeneration, i.e. antlers. It is currently well accepted that deer is a very valuable model for the studies of ecology, behavior, evolution and biology, especially for the study of mammalian organ regeneration. Reference deer genome is the basis for systematically illustrating deer evolution, deciphering unique biological attributes of deer species, and is significant in protection and utilization of deer genetic resources. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the field of deer genome research, including data of deer genetic variation, molecular basis of adaptive evolution, and key genes and functional genomics involved in deer antler origin and evolution. The overall aim of the paper is to provide the reference neccessary for in depth investigation of deer species.

North Korea, Kihl-jae and I

North Korea, Kihl-jae and I