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The purpose of this paper is to deliver a detailed analysis of the functioning of upstream–downstream interface process of the tsunami early warning and mitigation system in Sri Lanka. It also gives an understanding of the social, administrative, political and cultural complexities attached to the operation of interface mechanism, and introduces an analytical framework highlighting the significant dynamics of the interface of tsunami early warning system in Sri Lanka.

Through the initial literature review, a conceptual framework was developed, highlighting the criteria against which the interface process can be assessed. This framework was used as the basis for developing data collection tools, namely, documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews and observations that focused on the key stakeholder institutions in Sri Lanka. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data according to the conceptual framework, and an improved and detailed framework was developed deriving from the findings.

The manner in which the interface mechanism operates in Sri Lanka’s tsunami early warning system is discussed, providing a detailed understanding of the decision-making structures; key actors; standardisation; technical and human capacities; socio-spatial dynamics; coordination among actors; communication and information dissemination; and the evaluation processes. Several gaps and shortcomings were identified with relation to some of these aspects, and the significance of addressing these gaps is highlighted in the paper.

A number of recommendations are provided to address the existing shortcomings and to improve the overall performance of tsunami warning system in Sri Lanka.

Based on the findings, a framework was developed into a more detailed analytical framework that depicts the interface operationalisation in Sri Lanka, and can also be potentially applied to similar cases across the world. The new analytical framework was validated through a focus group discussion held in Sri Lanka with the participation of experts and practitioners.

This paper aims to document indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) used for short- and long-range rainfall prediction by small holder farmers in three communities of Guruve District, in north-eastern Zimbabwe. The study also investigated farmers’ perceptions of contemporary forecasts and the reliability of both IKS and contemporary forecasts.

Data were collected among small holder farmers in Guruve District using household interviews and focus group discussions in three wards in the district, grouped according to their agro-climate into high and low rainfall areas. To get an expert view of the issues, key informant interviews were held with key agricultural extension personnel and traditional leaders.

Results obtained showed show high dependence on IKS-based forecasts in the district. Over 80 per cent of the farmers used at least one form of IKS for short- and long-range forecasting, as they are easily understood and applicable to their local situations. Tree phenology, migration and behaviour of some bird species and insects, and observation of atmospheric phenomena were the common indicators used. Tree phenology was the most common with over 80 per cent of farmers using this indicator. While some respondents (60 per cent) viewed forecasts derived from IKS as more reliable than science-based forecasts, 69 per cent preferred an integration of the two methods.

The simplicity and location specificity of IKS-based forecasts makes them potentially useful to smallholder farmers, climate scientists and policymakers in tracking change in these areas for more effective climate change response strategies and policymaking.

Argues that the purpose for the existence of the evolution science since the seventeenth century is how to once again understand the evolution science and its origin. Explains, on the basis of this new understanding, how some of the problems dating from the seventeenth century can now be resolved. Finally, briefly describes the method of infrastructural analysis of the second stir.

In this paper, a class of nonlinear heat‐conduction equations is derived. The properties of these heat‐conduction equations are analyzed. It is shown that the solutions of these equations contain singularity. That is, when T = T_m, discontinuity, i.e. blown‐up, occurs to the solutions. The occurrence of the blown‐ups is closely related the abnormal distribution of the initial ground temperatures, and so there might be some connections between blown‐ups and earthquakes.

Presents the development and implementation of a four‐dimensional variational (4D‐var) data assimilation technique for a comprehensive Eulerian chemistry‐transport model. The method aims at analysing the chemical state of the atmosphere on the basis of trace gas observations with arbitrary distribution in time and space, a chemistry‐transport model, and a priori knowledge as available from climatological records or preceding model runs. The model under consideration is the University of Cologne EURAD‐CTM2 with the full RADM2 gas phase mechanism. Describes the storage and recalculation strategy of a parallel implementation of the 4D‐var method and first experiences of its performance, when model generated data are provided as artificial observations. The problem of pre‐scaling the minimization problem is discussed in some detail. It is found that the algorithm is well suited to adapt the model trajectory to the observation data.

The reason why evolutions have been studied as a special science is that there exist reversal and transitional changes – blown‐ups – in the objective reality. However, the first‐push dynamical system has not been able to provide a mechanical explanation for these dramatic changes. Provides an exploratory explanation on how to understand “time and space” and some fundamental problems of evolutions, based on a discussion of problems existing in the first‐push system. In addition, points out the fact that the essence of the evolution science is that the concept of spinning materials is not an extrapolation or continuation of the first‐push system. What needs to be emphasized is that the presented work was originally based on first‐hand scientific practice and has been successfully evidenced by practical applications.

To forecast the path of tropic cyclones by using a non‐linear statistical forecasting technique – the method of successive analogy.

Non‐linear statistical forecasting models can describe the non‐linear relationship between the factors and the forecasting objects and the real atmospheric movement more accurately, so they usually have stronger forecasting capability. In practice, however, it is shown that the relationships between predictors and predictands sometimes are so complex that it is very difficult or even impossible to establish the kind of non‐linear mathematical model. Therefore, it is an important topic for atmospheric science to solve non‐linear prediction problem of atmospheric systems by using the non‐function model approach.

The objective and quantitative prediction of tropical cyclone moving path can be given by using the method of successive analogy, a non‐linear forecasting technique, and calculating the similarity parameters between the grayscale field and the height field.

Further experiments are needed to verify this technique.

A very useful technique for solving non‐linear problem.

Illustrates the new technique of solving non‐linear statistic problem and its application.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of potential users about water accounting reports prepared under Australian general purpose water accounting (GPWA), which applies financial accounting techniques to water and could be extended to other areas of natural resource management. In particular, the paper examines the extent to which users believe GPWA reports are useful and facilitate the discharge of accountability by water managers.

As a theoretical lens the authors apply an extended version of Gray et al.’s (1996) accountability model. The authors utilise mixed method research design comprising a questionnaire administered to users with water-related interests and an analysis of public submissions to the Water Accounting Standards Board on the Exposure Draft of Australian Water Accounting Standard 1.

Overall, users perceive the introduction of GPWA as useful and believe that the benefits will outweigh the costs. The adoption of a financial accounting approach in terms of accounting standards and prescribed methods for booking and disclosing water “transactions” was broadly supported. In terms of the main users of reports, there was some ambiguity but findings suggested that government agencies were likely to be the main users of GPWA. Users were also concerned about the degree of judgement required to determine the identity and boundaries of a “water report entity”. Perhaps the most controversial aspect related to accountability; while the Accountability Statement was broadly supported there was little consensus that GPWA collectively discharged the accountability of water managers. Taken collectively, these results suggest that GPWA may be more useful for improving management performance than accountability.

The findings suggest that future iterations of the standard need to reconsider how accountability might be discharged through the production of GPWA. The broad support for GPWA suggests, however, that the financial accounting approach – and hence the accounting community – may also make a valuable contribution to other areas of natural resource accounting.

This study contributes to the emerging but still limited literature on GPWA and the fundamentally different approach to natural resource accounting it represents. While some previous studies have examined potential users of GPWA none have done so after the standard has been fully developed, and no previous studies have adopted the mixed research design utilised in this study.

Based on the summary and analysis of the particle dynamics, developed in the past 300 years, and of fundamental properties of unevenness of natural materials, we propose the opinion of the second stir. We analyze the gains and loses of employing the non‐dimensionalization method developed in the quantitative analysis system of the first push. Combined with some theoretical models, we also consider the epistemological failures of pure quantification, linearization, and formal logic analysis.