Groundwater stable isotope profile of the Etosha National Park, Namibia

The Etosha National Park (ENP) is a large protected area in northern Namibia. While the ENP has received a lot of research attention in terms of terrestrial ecosystem process understanding in recent decades, aquatic and hydrological research has to date been limited to a descriptive form. This study provides a baseline hydrological data set of the spatial representation of Oand H-isotope ratios in the groundwater at a park scale, with a focus on three water point types utilised by game, namely natural artesian and contact springs as well as artificial boreholes. The data are used to infer broad-scale hydrological process from groundwater recharge mechanisms dominated by direct rainfall recharge in the west of the ENP to evaporative controls on surface water recharge pathways in the east of the ENP close to Fishers Pan. The findings are used to recommend further targeted research and monitoring to aid management of water resources in the ENP. Conservation implications: The terrestrial ecosystem, particularly large game, are tightly coupled to the distribution of available surface water in the ENP, notably contact and artesian springs. Within the ENP there is a perceived desiccation of these springs. This study provides a baseline upon which more comprehensive studies should be undertaken to differentiate natural from anthropogenic causes for this phenomenon

On the resilience of scalar and vector vortex modes in turbulence

Free-space optical communication with spatial modes of light has become topical due to the possibility of dramatically increasing communication bandwidth via Mode Division Multiplexing (MDM). While both scalar and vector vortex modes have been used as transmission bases, it has been suggested that the latter is more robust in turbulence. Using orbital angular momentum as an example, we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the crosstalk due to turbulence is the same in the scalar and vector basis sets of such modes. This work brings new insights about the behaviour of vector and scalar modes in turbulence, but more importantly it demonstrates that when considering optimal modes for MDM, the choice should not necessarily be based on their vectorial nature

Drug Policies and Development

The 12th volume of International Development Policy explores the relationship between international drug policy and development goals, both current and within a historical perspective. Contributions address the drugs and development nexus from a range of critical viewpoints, highlighting gaps and contradictions, as well as exploring strategies and opportunities for enhanced linkages between drug control and development programming. Criminalisation and coercive law enforcement-based responses in international and national level drug control are shown to undermine peace, security and development objectives. Edited by Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse and Khalid Tinasti. Paperback reference: Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse and Khalid Tinasti (eds.) (2020) Drug Policies and Development, Conflict and Coexistence, International Development Policy series No.12 (Geneva, Boston: Graduate Institute Publications, Brill-Nijhoff). Order your copy on Brill-Nijhoff’s website. Videos and events. Les politiques anti-drogues et le développement. Entre conflit et coexistence. Ce douzième numéro thématique de la Revue internationale de politique de développement s'intéresse aux relations entre la politique internationale de lutte contre les drogues et les objectifs de développement aujourd'hui et dans une perspective historique. Cet ensemble de 15 articles rassemble diverses perspectives critiques qui mettent en avant les lacunes et les contradictions ainsi que les stratégies et les opportunités pour améliorer les relations entre le contrôle des drogues et les programmes de développement. Les auteurs analysent pourquoi la pénalisation et les réponses coercitives de lutte contre la drogue aux niveaux international et national sapent les objectifs de paix, de sécurité et de développement. Edité par Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse et Khalid Tinasti. Référence papier (en anglais): Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse and Khalid Tinasti (eds.) (2020) Drug Policies and Development, Conflict and Coexistence, International Development Policy series No.12 (Geneva, Boston: Graduate Institute Publications, Brill-Nijhoff). Commandez votre livre sur le site de Brill-Nijhoff. Vidéos et conférences en ligne. Políticas de drogas y desarrollo. Entre conflictos y coexistencia El número temático 12 de International Development Policy explora la relación entre las políticas internacionales en materia de drogas y los objetivos de desarrollo, tanto en la actualidad como según una perspectiva histórica. En sus artículos se analiza el nexo existente entre las drogas y el desarrollo desde una variedad de puntos de vista críticos, destacando las lagunas y contradicciones, así como indagando en las estrategias y posibilidades para reforzar los vínculos entre la fiscalización de drogas y los programas de desarrollo. Se muestra, asimismo, cómo la penalización y las medidas coercitivas nacionales e internacionales de fiscalización de drogas basadas en actividades de detección y represión debilitan la paz, la seguridad y los objetivos de desarrollo. Editado por Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse y Khalid Tinasti. Referencia de la versión impresa (en inglés): Julia Buxton, Mary Chinery-Hesse and Khalid Tinasti (eds.) (2020) Drug Policies and Development, Conflict and Coexistence, International Development Policy series No.12 (Geneva, Boston: Graduate Institute Publications, Brill-Nijhoff). Pida su ejemplar en el sitio web de Brill-Nijhoff