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Several Reasons (several + reason)
Selected AbstractsInfluence of reed stem density on foredune developmentEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 11 2001S. M. Arens Abstract Vegetation density on foredunes exerts an important control on aeolian sediment transport and deposition, and therefore on profile development. In a long-term monitoring field experiment, three plots were planted with regular grids of reed bundles in three different densities: 4, 2 and 1 bundles per m2. This study reports on the differences in profile development under the range of vegetation densities. Topographic profiles were measured between May 1996 and April 1997. Results indicate important differences in profile development for the three reed bundle densities: in the highest density plot a distinct, steep dune developed, while in the lowest density a more gradual and smooth sand ramp was deposited. When the stems had been completely buried, differences in profile evolution vanished. After a second planting of reed stems in January 1997 the process was repeated. In May 1997, all plots had gained a sand volume ranging from 11·5 to 12·3 m3 m,1, indicating that the sediment budget is relatively constant, regardless of the particular profile evolution. The field evidence is compared with simulations of profile development, generated by the foredune development model SAFE. The model successfully reproduces the overall profile development, but in general, the equations used for vegetation,transport interaction overestimate the effect of vegetation. This causes some deviations between field and model results. Several reasons for this are discussed. Based on the experiments reported here, recommendations are given for further research. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dietary specialization and infochemical use in carnivorous arthropods: testing a conceptENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2003Johannes L. M. Steidle Abstract For the location of hosts and prey, insect carnivores (i.e., parasitoids or predators) often use infochemical cues that may originate from the host/prey itself but also from the food of the host/prey, a food plant, or another feeding substrate. These cues can be either specific for certain host/prey complexes or generally present in various complexes, and the reaction of the carnivores to these cues is either innate or learned. According to the concept on dietary specialization and infochemical use in natural enemies, the origin and specificity of the infochemical cues used and the innateness of the behavioural response are dependent on the degree of dietary specialization of the carnivore and its host/prey species. This concept has been widely adopted and has been frequently cited since its publication. Only few studies, however, have been explicitly designed to test predictions of the concept. Thus, more than 10 years after publication and despite of its broad acceptance, the general validity of the concept is still unclear. Using data from about 140 research papers on 95 species of parasitoids and predators, the present literature study comparatively scrutinises predictions from the concept. In accordance with the concept, learning to react to infochemicals and the use of general host and host plant cues was more often found in generalists than in specialists. In addition, more specialists were using specific infochemicals than generalists. In contrast to the concept, however, there was no significant difference between specialists and generalists in the proportion of carnivore species that use infochemicals during foraging and also extreme generalists are using infochemical cues for foraging. Likewise, an innate reaction to infochemicals was found in both specialists and generalists. Several reasons why infochemical use, including an innate reaction to infochemicals, is adaptive in generalist carnivores are discussed . We conclude that the concept has been a useful paradigm in advancing the chemical ecology of arthropod carnivores, but needs to be modified: the use of infochemicals is expected in all arthropod carnivores, regardless of dietary specialization. [source] Mergers and acquisitions in Japan: Lessons from a Dutch-Japanese case studyGLOBAL BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, Issue 3 2009Frits D. J. Grotenhuis This article deals with lessons learned from mergers and acquisitions in Japan. In general, such combinations are not success stories, since 50,80 percent of them do not bring the benefits that were expected. Several reasons for such failures have been brought up in the literature, but real-life cases of the "how" and "why" are very limited or fragmented, especially in a Japanese context. This study enhances a more integral approach into Dutch-Japanese acquisitions. Based on an in-depth Dutch-Japanese case study and a literature review, it can be concluded that the preparation of mergers and acquisitions with Japanese organizations should be focused on (1) knowledge about the target company and its context, (2) strategic issues, and (3) leadership and cultural issues, in order to prevent culture clashes and misunderstandings, and increase the chances of success. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Evidence-based nursing: clarifying the concepts for nurses in practiceJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 8 2009Kay Scott Aim., To provide a critical analysis of key concepts associated with evidence-based nursing (EBN) to substantiate an operational definition for nurses to use in practice. Background., Despite the plethora of literature surrounding what evidence-based nursing is and is not and how it differs from its cousins, evidence-based medicine and evidence-based practice, nurses still struggle to get evidence into practice. Several reasons for this have been reported, for example, a lack of understanding about what evidence-based nursing means or time to engage with and apply the evidence into practice. Design., An in-depth critical review and synthesis of literature was undertaken. Method., Using the key words; evidence-based nursing, evidence-based medicine and evidence-based practice 496 articles were yielded. These articles were limited to 83. Using Burns and Grove's (2001) phased approach to reviewing the literature the articles were critically reviewed and categorised into key concepts and themes. Results., The in-depth critical review and synthesis of the literature demonstrated that evidence-based nursing could be defined as a distinct concept. The review clearly shows that for evidence-based nursing to occur, nurses need to be aware of what evidence-based nursing means, what constitutes evidence, how evidence-based nursing differs from evidence-based medicine and evidence-based practice and what the process is to engage with and apply the evidence. Conclusion., The in-depth critical review and synthesis of the evidence-based nursing literature reinforces the need to consolidate a position for nursing in the evidence-based field. The review confirms that evidence-based nursing can be defined and conceptualised; however, for nurses to engage and apply with the evidence-based processes they need to be informed of what these are and how to engage with them in practice. Relevance to clinical practice., This paper examines the concept of evidence-based nursing and its application to clinical practice. [source] Rational and irrational aspects of countertransferenceJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 8 2001Albert Ellis Countertransference in therapy stems from biological tendencies and social learning influences that involve mild or heavy prejudiced thinking, feeling, and behaving. Several reasons are given why it is almost inevitable and has both beneficial and destructive aspects,not either/or but both/and. It is hypothesized that therapists can well make good use of countertransference if they strive to employ it in a preferential, experimental rather than an absolutist musturbating manner. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 57: 999,1004, 2001. [source] Mechanism of emulsion polymerization of styrene using a reactive surfactantJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 18 2001X. Wang Abstract The emulsion polymerization of styrene using the reactive surfactant sodium dodecyl allyl sulfosuccinate (TREM LF-40) was studied. The polymerization kinetics were found to be unusual in that Rp was not directly proportional to Np (Rp , Np0.67). Several reasons are stated to explain the unusual kinetics, including chain transfer to TREM LF-40, copolymerization of styrene with TREM LF-40, and the influence of the homopolymer of TREM LF-40 [poly(TREM)] and/or the copolymer [poly(TREM- co -styrene)] on the entry and exit rates of free radicals. The possibility of both chain transfer and copolymerization exists primarily at the oil/water interface, whereas both can also occur in the aqueous and monomer phases. Bulk polymerizations of styrene in the presence of TREM LF-40 and poly(TREM) were conducted, and the results show that the reaction rate decreased for the styrene/TREM LF-40 system. Latex characterization by serum replacement and titration measurements provided evidence for the chemical bonding of TREM LF-40 to the polymer particles. The fraction of chemically bound reactive surfactant decreased with increasing surfactant concentration and increased with increasing initiator concentration. Relatively high contact angles of water on films cast from the latexes showed that TREM LF-40 did not migrate significantly to the surface of the film, which was consistent with the latex-surface characterization results. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3093,3105, 2001 [source] ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION IN THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: PRESENT AND FUTURE VIEW OF EUROPEDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2009Horst Neuhaus In Western countries endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been widely accepted for treatment of early Barrett`s neoplasia and flat or depressed colorectal adenomas. In contrast endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is infrequently performed for several reasons. It seems to be difficult to overcome the learning curve of this difficult technique because of the low case volume of early gastric cancer. On the other hand ESD of esophageal or colorectal lesions is even more challenging and is considered to be inappropriate for learning. In addition the indication for esophageal or colorectal ESD is controversial in view of excellent results of the well established EMR technique which is less time-consuming and safer than ESD. A recent survey of leading Western endoscopy centers indicated the limited experience with ESD with a low number of cases for all potential indications. Only a few training courses have been established and the number of ongoing clinical studies is limited. Only 12 out of 340 published articles on "endoscopic mucosal dissection" were reported from Western countries. A better acceptance of ESD requires improvement of the technique to allow an easier, faster and safer approach. There is a strong demand for structured training courses and limitations of human cases to selected centers which participate in prospective trials. A close collaboration between Western and Asian centers is recommended for improvement of the ESD technique and its clinical application. [source] GORDON BROWN COUNTS DEAD CHILDREN: THE TRUE IMPACT OF INHERITANCE TAXECONOMIC AFFAIRS, Issue 3 2006Cliff Pratten In the Budget and the supporting documents Gordon Brown and the Treasury reported that only 6% of estates pay Inheritance Tax and that the tax is a fair and targeted system. This article shows that for several reasons the tax affects far more than 6% of the community, is iniquitous and poorly targeted. [source] GLOBALISATION AND THE FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS FOOTBALL CODESECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue 4 2004LIONEL FROST Much of the debate about the future of indigenous football codes such as Australian Rules and Gaelic football has centred on the possibility that in the future their popularity will be eroded by the increasing power of soccer. Several commentators have envisaged a future in which sports that operate in a global marketplace will ,crowd out' sports that have been traditionally popular in certain parts of the world. This article will examine these predictions critically, and will suggest several reasons why in the future, the range of sports that is played, watched, and followed with passion, is likely to continue to vary from nation to nation, and even from region to region. The article will argue that the success of any particular football code is most likely to be affected by the effectiveness of its own organisation and management, rather than whether or not there are ,global' competitors to it. [source] Vasopressin receptor antagonism , a therapeutic option in heart failure and hypertensionEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2000Louise M. Burrell The precise role of vasopressin in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease is controversial, but this peptide hormone is important for several reasons. Firstly, circulating concentrations of vasopressin are elevated in heart failure and some forms of hypertension. Secondly, there is evidence that vasopressin is synthesized not only in the hypophysial-pituitary axis but also in peripheral tissues including the heart where it acts as a paracrine hormone. Thirdly, vasopressin has vasoconstrictor, mitogenic, hyperplastic and renal fluid retaining properties which, by analogy with angiotensin II, may have deleterious effects when present in chronic excess. Finally, the availability of orally active non-peptide vasopressin receptor antagonists allows vasopressin receptor antagonism to be considered as a therapeutic option in cardiovascular disease. [source] Deposition of Functionalized Cr7Ni Molecular Rings on Graphite from the Liquid PhaseADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2010Alberto Ghirri Abstract Graphite is a clean substrate and its nanostructures hold great potential for applications. Anchoring large molecules on graphite represents a challenge for several reasons that essentially rise from the planar bonds of the packed honeycomb structure of carbon. Here, a systematic investigation by AFM and XPS on different derivatives of molecular Cr7Ni rings deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is reported. Cr7Ni is emerging as a prototipical example of molecular antiferromagnet on which quantum phenomena and coherence have been demonstrated. For the deposition of Cr7Ni on HOPG, two strategies are adopted: 1) Cr7Ni rings are functionalized with extended alkyl/benzene terminations and 2) a self-assembled monolayer of alkyl chains with sulfonate terminations is deposited and then a cationic Cr7Ni derivative is used. In both cases the electronic bond with the carbon surface is soft, but the two-step procedure is efficient, albeit indirect, in sticking molecular Cr7Ni on HOPG. These strategies can be easily extended to deposit other complex molecular aggregates on graphite from the liquid phase. [source] Medicinal plants and the treatment of diabetes in Senegal: survey with patientsFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Amadou Moctar Dièye Abstract Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide and is a major public health problem. Its frequency increases every day in all countries. However, in developing African countries, few people have access to drugs. In addition, in Africa, traditional beliefs induce people to use medicinal plants whenever they have health problems. Thus, many people in these developing countries use plants for the treatment of diabetes. Yet, few studies are focused on the knowledge and attitudes of the users on medicinal plants in Africa in general and in Senegal in particular. Hence we undertook this survey on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes in Senegal in order to make recommendations which could contribute to the increase of the value of herbal medicines in developing countries. We did a cross-sectional survey by direct interview at a university teaching hospital, in Dakar with a representative sample of 220 patients. Forty-one plants were used by the patients and the two most frequently cited were Moringa oleifera Lam (65.90%) and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst (43.20%). Patients gave several reasons for using medicinal plants (traditional treatment: 40%, efficacy: 32%, low cost: 20%). The principal suppliers of plants were tradesmen in the market (66.8%) and traditional therapists (5%). Sixty-five per cent of patients think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes and 20% have reported adverse effects which could be caused by medicinal plants. In conclusion, many people in our study think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes, which requires research work by scientists in developing countries in this field in order to prove their efficacy and innocuousness. [source] Darwin would be proud: Bioturbation, dynamic denudation, and the power of theory in scienceGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2002D. L. Johnson Charles Darwin's worm book influenced many early researchers who, following his lead, demonstrated how soil biota mechanically generate new strata and soil horizons, as well as blur or destroy them. Such early observations on biomechanical processes failed to find visibility in our models of landscape evolution for several reasons, chief of which are (1) except for ichnology, an Earth sciences tradition of adopting frameworks where biomechanical processes are absent and (2) a lapse of over 100 years after Darwin before a genetic language backed by supporting theory appeared that could showcase the importance of such processes. Examples of influential Earth science frameworks in which biomechanical processes are absent are the V.V. Dokuchaev,USDA,H. Jenny soil formational (five factors) paradigm, W.M. Davis' geographical cycle, the W. Penck,L.C. King,R.V. Ruhe backwasting-pedimentation concept, the stratigraphic Law of Superposition, and other traditional approaches to archaeology, geomorphology, and pedology. Examples of recent genetic language that serve to ameliorate the problem are soil thickness concepts, biomantle, bioturbation, faunalturbation, floralturbation, and pedoturbation. Examples of recent supporting theory that incorporate biomechanical processes are soil evolution, biomantle evolution, dynamic pedogenesis, and the dynamic denudation framework advocated here. Dynamic denudation is a unified synthesis that elevates bioturbation to parity levels with other major archaeogenic, geomorphogenic, and pedogenic processes. The general framework and its principal elements are summarized and simulated by diagrams and augmented by photographs taken in disparate parts of the world. The model has useful explanatory and predictive value in archaeology, geomorphology, pedology, and other surficial process research. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Nucleoside transporter expression and function in cultured mouse astrocytesGLIA, Issue 1 2005Liang Peng Abstract Uptake of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides in astrocytes is important for several reasons: (1) uptake of nucleosides contributes to nucleic acid synthesis; (2) astrocytes synthesize AMP, ADP, and ATP from adenosine and GTP from guanosine; and (3) adenosine and guanosine function as neuromodulators, whose effects are partly terminated by cellular uptake. It has previously been shown that adenosine is rapidly accumulated by active uptake in astrocytes (Hertz and Matz, Neurochem Res 14:755,760, 1989), but the ratio between active uptake and metabolism-driven uptake of adenosine is unknown, as are uptake characteristics for guanosine. The present study therefore aims at providing detailed information of nucleoside transport and transporters in primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction identified the two equilibrative nucleoside transporters, ENT1 and ENT2, together with the concentrative nucleoside transporter CNT2, whereas CNT3 was absent, and CNT1 expression could not be investigated. Uptake studies of tritiated thymidine, formycin B, guanosine, and adenosine (3-s uptakes at 1,4°C to study diffusional uptake and 1,60-min uptakes at 37°C to study concentrative uptake) demonstrated a fast diffusional uptake of all four nucleosides, a small, Na+ -independent and probably metabolism-driven uptake of thymidine (consistent with DNA synthesis), larger metabolism-driven uptakes of guanosine (consistent with synthesis of DNA, RNA, and GTP) and especially of adenosine (consistent with rapid nucleotide synthesis), and Na+ -dependent uptakes of adenosine (consistent with its concentrative uptake) and guanosine, rendering neuromodulator uptake independent of nucleoside metabolism. Astrocytes are accordingly well suited for both intense nucleoside metabolism and metabolism-independent uptake to terminate neuromodulator effects of adenosine and guanosine. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Headache and Psychological Functioning in Children and AdolescentsHEADACHE, Issue 9 2006Scott W. Powers PhD Headache can affect all aspects of a child's functioning, leading to negative affective states (eg, anxiety, depression, anger) and increased psychosocial problems (for instance, school absences, problematic social interactions). For children and adolescents who experience frequent headache problems, comorbid psychological issues are a well-recognized, but poorly understood, clinical phenomenon. The confusion surrounding the relationship between pediatric headache and psychopathology exists for several reasons. First, in some cases, headache has been inappropriately attributed to psychological or personality features based on anecdotal observations or interpretations that go beyond the available data. Additionally, measures of psychopathology have not always adhered to the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria, thus reducing the reliability of diagnostic judgments. Furthermore, the diagnosis of headache has not always followed standard criteria, and has been complicated by the emergence of new terms and evolving measures. Finally, methodological shortcomings, such as incomplete descriptions of the procedures and criteria used for the study, inadequate descriptions of headache severity, lack of a control group for comparison with individuals without headaches, reliance primarily on cross-sectional research designs that are often discussed with inferences to causal hypotheses, and the use of unstandardized assessment measures, have significantly limited the validity of research findings. The goal of the current review is to examine the extant literature to provide the most up-to-date picture on what the research has made available about the magnitude, specificity, and causes of psychopathology in children and adolescents with headache, in an effort to further elucidate their relationship and prompt a more methodologically rigorous study of these issues. [source] The economics and practicality of t-PA vs tunnel catheter replacement for hemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005Cairoli O. Kaiser Permanente Introduction:,Thrombolytic therapy is an important treatment modality for thrombosis-related catheter occlusion. Central venous access devices (CAVDs) are essential tools for the administration of many therapeutic modalities, especially for patients requiring lifetime therapy like hemodialysis. There are several reasons to salvage the occluded catheter. Catheter replacement results in an interruption of therapy delivery. This interruption may result in complications such as life-threatening metabolic and physiologic states. In addition, the patient's future access sites for CAVDs may be affected. The data released in the 2001 Annual Report , ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project (Department of Health and Human Services, December 2001) shows 17% of prevalent patients were dialyzed with a chronic catheter continuously for 90 days or longer. In the pediatric population the data shows that 31% were dialyzed with a chronic catheter. The most common reasons for catheter placement included: no fistula or graft created (42%) and fistula and graft were maturing, not ready to cannulate (17%). Five percent of patients were not candidates for fistula or graft placement as all sites had been exhausted. Methods:,A short study was done in our medical center to evaluate the results of t-PA vs. changing the tunnel catheter. On an average a catheter costs about $400.00. If you add the cost of specialty personnel such as an interventional radiologist, radiology technician, radiology nurse, and the ancillaries such as the room, sutures, gauze, and tape, the total could reach $2000.00 easily. CathfloÔ Activase® costs around $60.00 for a single dose. T-PA was reconstituted by pharmacy personnel in single vials containing 2 mg/2 ml. Now with Cathflo, vials are stored in the renal clinic's refrigerator and when the need arises, the RN reconstitutes the medication. The RN, using established protocols, will instill Cathflo in the catheter following the volume requirements of the various tunnel catheters. After the t-PA is placed, the patient is sent home with instructions to return to their dialysis center the next day (arrangements are made by the RN as needed). In seventeen patients (17) with tunnel catheter malfunctions due to inadequate flow, not related to placement, t-PA was used. Of those 17 patients 2 were unable to use their catheter on their next dialysis treatment date, yielding an 88% success rate. This compares with clinical trials in which there is an 83% success rate with a dwell time of 4 hours, or an 89% rate on patients having a 2 hour dwell time (t-PA was repeated a second time if flow was not successfully restored. Results:,15/17 patients in our retrospective study showed that Cathflo worked successfully in restoring blood flow. Two catheters needed to be exchanged. The cost savings were significant when we compared the average cost of an exchange ($2000) versus using t-PA ($170 including nursing time). Conclusion:,Cathflo is not just safe and practical to use but also cost effective. [source] Nanomaterials for Neural InterfacesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 40 2009Nicholas A. Kotov Abstract This review focuses on the application of nanomaterials for neural interfacing. The junction between nanotechnology and neural tissues can be particularly worthy of scientific attention for several reasons: (i) Neural cells are electroactive, and the electronic properties of nanostructures can be tailored to match the charge transport requirements of electrical cellular interfacing. (ii) The unique mechanical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are critical for integration with neural tissue as long-term implants. (iii) Solutions to many critical problems in neural biology/medicine are limited by the availability of specialized materials. (iv) Neuronal stimulation is needed for a variety of common and severe health problems. This confluence of need, accumulated expertise, and potential impact on the well-being of people suggests the potential of nanomaterials to revolutionize the field of neural interfacing. In this review, we begin with foundational topics, such as the current status of neural electrode (NE) technology, the key challenges facing the practical utilization of NEs, and the potential advantages of nanostructures as components of chronic implants. After that the detailed account of toxicology and biocompatibility of nanomaterials in respect to neural tissues is given. Next, we cover a variety of specific applications of nanoengineered devices, including drug delivery, imaging, topographic patterning, electrode design, nanoscale transistors for high-resolution neural interfacing, and photoactivated interfaces. We also critically evaluate the specific properties of particular nanomaterials,including nanoparticles, nanowires, and carbon nanotubes,that can be taken advantage of in neuroprosthetic devices. The most promising future areas of research and practical device engineering are discussed as a conclusion to the review. [source] Everybody Talks About Organizational Justice, But Nobody Does Anything About ItINDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009JERALD GREENBERG Most organizational justice studies focus primarily on theoretical issues and identify implications for practice only in passing. I advocate moving to the next step by testing such implications in theory-based studies that implement and assess the impact of interventions designed to promote organizational justice. Research that promotes organizational justice promises to benefit both organizations and their employees, and may be considered morally appropriate. Although usually not considered in this connection, theory-based application studies also promise to shed light on the theories from which they are derived. Despite these benefits, there are several reasons why such investigations are conducted only rarely. First, because managers tend to be unaware of justice-related problems, they are unlikely to accede to researchers' requests to address them in research. Second, many researchers erroneously believe that studies assessing ways of improving conditions in organizations lack scientific objectivity. Third, scholarly values favor research that addresses theoretical issues and that eschew practical applications. Finally, the challenges of conducting intervention studies are inclined to be formidable, and these may deter researchers from undertaking such efforts. [source] Refined avian risk assessment for aldicarb in the United StatesINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2010Dwayne RJ Moore Abstract Aldicarb was recently reviewed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for re-registration eligibility. In this paper, we describe a refined avian risk assessment for aldicarb that was conducted to build upon the screening-level methods used by USEPA. The goal of the refined ERA was to characterize and understand better the risks posed by aldicarb to birds in areas where the pesticide is applied. Aldicarb is a systemic insecticide sold in granular form under the trade name Temik®. It is applied directly to soil and is used to control mites, nematodes, and aphids on a variety of crops (e.g., cotton, potatoes, peanuts). Consumption of grit is necessary for proper digestion in many bird species, particularly for granivores and insectivores. Thus, aldicarb granules may be mistaken for grit by birds. The Granular Pesticide Avian Risk Assessment Model (GranPARAM) is described in a companion paper and was used to estimate the probability and magnitude of effects to flocks of birds that frequent aldicarb-treated fields. One hundred thirty-five exposure scenarios were modeled that together include a range of bird species, crops, application methods and rates, and regions in the United States. The results indicated that, even for the most sensitive bird species, the risks associated with the agricultural use of granular aldicarb are negligible to low. There are several reasons for the limited risk: 1) the Temik formulation includes a gypsum core and a graphite coating and is black in color, all of which have been shown to be unattractive to birds, and 2) the pesticide is applied subsurface and rapidly dissolves following contact with water. The fact that no bird kill incidents involving appropriate label uses of aldicarb have been conclusively documented in the United States over its 38 years of use supports the results of this refined risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010; 6:83,101. © 2009 SETAC [source] Engineered Migration and the Use of Refugees as Political Weapons: A Case Study of the 1994 Cuban Balseros CrisisINTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, Issue 4 2002Kelly M. Greenhill This paper presents a case study of the August 1994 Cuban balseros crisis, during which more than 35,000 fled the island and headed toward Florida in the span of a few weeks. It argues that Castro launched the crisis in an attempt to manipulate US fears of another Mariel, and in order to compel a shift in US policy, both on immigration and on a wider variety of issues. The paper further contends that from Castro's perspective, this exercise in coercion proved a qualified success , his third such successful use of the Cuban people as an asymmetric political weapon against the US. In addition, the paper argues that Castro's success was predicated on his ability to internationalize his own domestic crisis and transform it into an American domestic political and foreign policy crisis. Finally, it offers a novel explanation of how, why, and under what conditions, states and/or non,state actors may attempt to use refugees as coercive political weapons. Although dwarfed in size by the larger 1980 Mariel boatlift, the 1994 crisis is important for several reasons. First, despite its brevity, it had far reaching consequences for US,Cuban relations. Without warning or preamble, it catalyzed a shift in US policy vis,à,vis Cuban immigration that represented a radical departure from what it had been for the previous three decades. Second, it influenced US domestic politics on the national level, by expanding the scope and salience of the issue, and mobilizing not only Floridians, but also the larger public concerned about illegal immigration. Third, the crisis illustrated the potential potency of engineered migration as an asymmetric weapon of the weak. Finally, the brief, but significant, interactions of international and domestic actors in this case warrant examination because, although the 1994 crisis was limited, in its dynamics it resembles myriad other international refugee crises, large and small. Thus the case offers valuable lessons that may aid in dealing with future (real or threatened) crises. [source] Do universal non-contributory old-age pensions make sense for rural areas in low-income countries?INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 4 2006Jessica K. M. Johnson The need for old-age security coverage in rural areas of many developing countries is rapidly increasing for several reasons, including population ageing and the weakening of family support networks. These trends have generated intense interest in policies that might help respond to the growing problem of rural old-age destitution. The focus of our analysis is on one of the most promising alternatives under consideration: universal non-contributory old-age pensions. This model has some limitations and it is not appropriate for all developing countries, but it would be of potential benefit to far more than the six that have already implemented variants of this approach. [source] Comparative changes in adult vs. juvenile survival affecting population trends of African ungulatesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2005NORMAN OWEN-SMITH Summary 1Among large mammalian herbivores, juvenile survival tends to vary widely and may thus have a greater influence on population dynamics than the relatively constant survival rates typical of adults. However, previous studies yielding stage-specific survival rates have been mostly on temperate zone ungulates and in environments lacking large predators. 2Annual censuses coupled with assessments of population structure enabled annual survival rates to be estimated for the juvenile, yearling and adult segments of nine ungulate species in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Four of these populations persisted at high abundance after initial increases (zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe), while five showed progressive declines during the latter part of the study period (kudu, waterbuck, warthog, sable antelope and tsessebe). 3The magnitude of the reduction in adult survival between periods showing contrasting population trends was similar to or greater than the corresponding change in juvenile survival for five of the nine species. Accordingly alterations in population phase, from increasing to stable or stable to declining, were brought about mostly through reduced survival within the adult segment. Elevated predation risk may have been responsible. 4Estimates were derived of the relative survival rates of juveniles, yearlings and adult segments associated with zero population growth, and the survival differential between adult males and females, for all nine species. Stage-specific survival rates appeared dependent on body mass, but with some anomalies. The sex difference in adult survival showed no obvious relation with sexual size dimorphism. 5For large mammalian herbivores, assessments of relative elasticities of stage-specific survival rates on population growth are problematic for several reasons. Sensitivity to corresponding increments in either survival or mortality rates provides a better basis for ecological or adaptive interpretation. Survival rates of adults seem to vary more over multiyear periods compared with mainly annual fluctuations in juvenile survival. More studies are needed on tropical species and in environments retaining large predators to support generalizations about factors influencing ungulate life-history patterns. [source] A classical dataset from Williams, and its role in the study of supersaturated designsJOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS, Issue 7 2008Rolf Sundberg Abstract A Plackett-Burman type dataset from a paper by Williams [1], with 28 observations and 24 two-level factors, has become a standard dataset for illustrating construction (by halving) of supersaturated designs (SSDs) and for a corresponding data analysis. The aim here is to point out that for several reasons this is an unfortunate situation. The original paper by Williams contains several errors and misprints. Some are in the design matrix, which will here be reconstructed, but worse is an outlier in the response values, which can be observed when data are plotted against the dominating factor. In addition, the data should better be analysed on log-scale than on original scale. The implications of the outlier for SSD analysis are drastic, and it will be concluded that the data should be used for this purpose only if the outlier is properly treated (omitted or modified). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Changes in patients' need of nursing care reflected in the Zebra systemJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2002A.-K. Levenstam RN, MSc (business administration) During 1995,97, many head nurses stated that they had perceived an increase in patients' need of nursing care. A questionnaire was designed to determine the reasons for this. The purpose of the investigation was to answer two questions, ,What were the reasons for head nurses perception of an increase in patients need of nursing care from 1995 to May 1997?' and, ,Does patient classification in the Zebra system reflect the underlying changes in patients' need of nursing care? The results show that there are several reasons behind changes in the patients need of nursing care. The main reasons are a decreased general level of health among patients and that treatments are more time-consuming. After comparing statistics concerning patient classification with the answers received from the questionnaire, a good level of agreement could be seen in these. [source] Prediction of human pharmacokinetics,gut-wall metabolismJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2007Urban Fagerholm Intestinal mucosal cells operate with different metabolic and transport activity, and not all of them are involved in drug absorption and metabolism. The fraction of these cells involved is dependent on the absorption characteristics of compounds and is difficult to predict (it is probably small). The cells also appear comparably impermeable. This shows a limited applicability of microsome intrinsic clearance (CLint)-data for prediction of gut-wall metabolism, and the difficulty to predict the gut-wall CL (CLGW) and extraction ratio (EGW). The objectives of this review were to evaluate determinants and methods for prediction of first-pass and systemic EGW and CLGW in man, and if required and possible, develop new simple prediction methodology. Animal gut-wall metabolism data do not appear reliable for scaling to man. In general, the systemic CLGW is low compared with the hepatic CL. For a moderately extracted CYP3A4-substrate with high permeability, midazolam, the gut-wall/hepatic CL-ratio is only 1/35. This suggests (as a general rule) that systemic CLGW can be neglected when predicting the total CL. First-pass EGW could be of importance, especially for substrates of CYP3A4 and conjugating enzymes. For several reasons, including those presented above and that blood flow based models are not applicable in the absorptive direction, it seems poorly predicted with available methodology. Prediction errors are large (several-fold on average; maximum-15-fold). A new simple first-pass EGW -prediction method that compensates for regional and local differences in absorption and metabolic activity has been developed. It has been based on human cell in-vitro CLint and fractional absorption from the small intestine for reference (including verapamil) and test substances, and in-vivo first-pass EGW -data for reference substances. First-pass EGW -values for CYP3A4-substrates with various degrees of gastrointestinal uptake and CLint and a CYP2D6-substrate were well-predicted (negligible errors). More high quality in-vitro CLint - and in-vivo EGW -data are required for further validation of the method. [source] The changing association between prenatal participation in WIC and birth outcomes in New York CityJOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2005Ted Joyce We analyze the relationship between prenatal WIC participation and birth outcomes in New York City from 1988,2001. The analysis is unique for several reasons. First, we have over 800,000 births to women on Medicaid, the largest sample ever used to analyze prenatal participation in WIC. Second, we focus on measures of fetal growth distinct from preterm birth, since there is little clinical support for a link between nutritional supplementation and premature delivery. Third, we restrict the primary analysis to women on Medicaid who have no previous live births and who initiate prenatal care within the first four months of pregnancy. Our goal is to lessen heterogeneity between WIC and non-WIC participants by limiting the sample to highly motivated women who have no experience with WIC from a previous pregnancy. Fourth, we analyze a large sub-sample of twin deliveries. Multifetal pregnancies increase the risk of anemia and fetal growth retardation and thus may benefit more than singletons from nutritional supplementation. We find no relationship between prenatal WIC participation and measures of fetal growth among singletons. We find a modest pattern of association between WIC and fetal growth among U.S.-born Black twins. Our findings suggest that prenatal participation in WIC has had a minimal effect on adverse birth outcomes in New York City. © 2005 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management [source] Laser plasma EUV sources for Lithography , Diode pump technology offers new applicationsLASER TECHNIK JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005Martin Richardson The study of high-temperature plasmas produced by pulsed laser systems has for a long time been associated with esoteric applications such as laser fusion, x-ray lasers, space propulsion and the like. There are several reasons for this, but one practical reason was simply that the lasers required to produce these plasmas were large, unwieldy and generally singleshot devices (at least minutes between shots). This technology did not lend itself towards applications that were compact, reproducible and potentially automated. However, this is now no longer the case. High-power diode pump technology has transformed the architecture of solid state lasers, reducing by many factors the required thermal dissipation, and therefore allowing higher repetition rates. Coupled with more compact designs and reduced costs, commercial applications of high-power pulsed lasers, and even laserproduced plasmas are now emerging. Chief among the applications of laser plasmas is now its potential as a light source for what is now called Extreme UV Lithography, or EUVL. [source] Review of methods for measuring and comparing center performance after organ transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2010James Neuberger The assessment of outcomes after transplantation is important for several reasons: it provides patients with data so that they can make informed decisions about the benefits of transplantation and the success of the transplant unit; it informs commissioners that resources are allocated properly; and it provides clinicians reassurance that results are acceptable or, if they are not, provides early warning so that problems can be identified, corrections can be instituted early, and all interested parties can be reassured that scarce resources are used fairly. The need for greater transparency in reporting outcomes after liver transplantation and for comparisons both between and within centers has led to a number of approaches being adopted for monitoring center performance. We review some of the commonly used methods, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and concentrate on methods that incorporate risk adjustment. Measuring and comparing outcomes after transplantation is complex, and there is no single approach that gives a complete picture. All those using analyses of outcomes must understand the merits and limitations of individual methods. When used properly, such methods are invaluable in ensuring that a scarce resource is used effectively, any adverse trend in outcomes is identified promptly and remedied, and best performers are identified; they thus allow the sharing of best practices. However, when they are used inappropriately, such measurements may lead to inappropriate conclusions, encourage risk-averse behavior, and discourage innovation. Liver Transpl 16:1119,1128, 2010. © 2010 AASLD. [source] Experimental design and taxonomic scope of fragmentation studies on European mammals: current status and future prioritiesMAMMAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2010Alessio MORTELLITI ABSTRACT 1Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation are the greatest threats to mammals in Europe and the rest of the world. Despite the fact that extensive literature exists, no comprehensive review or synthesis is available to date and this may slow down scientific progress and hamper conservation efforts. 2The goal of this study is to understand if and in what direction progress has been made in the study of the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on the spatial distribution of European terrestrial mammals. Firstly, we carry out a general synthesis which is structured around 11 key points. The aim of this point-by-point analysis is to identify trends, knowledge gaps and any significant bias in the available literature, and to highlight strengths and shortfalls of the different approaches which have to date been applied. Secondly, we follow a species-specific systematic approach: for each species, we synthesise key results. 3Our results show how substantial progress has been hampered for several reasons including: a large predominance of small-scale field studies of short duration, and a generalised lack of control of: (i) confounding variables; (ii) spatial autocorrelation; and (iii) false absences. Also, despite the relatively high number of studies, few were theoretical studies and even fewer were meta-analyses. The lack of meta-analyses is likely to be due to the small amount of crucial details included in the publications, such as model parameters or information on the landscape context (such as the amount of residual forest cover). 4We synthesise the main results for 14 species. The level of progress is highly variable: for some species, such as the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, a series of long-term, large-scale process-oriented studies has allowed an in-depth understanding of its ecology in fragmented landscapes. On the other hand, with other species such as the bank vole Myodes glareolus, despite a relatively large number of field studies, little progress has been made. [source] McDowell on Kant: Redrawing the Bounds of SenseMETAPHILOSOPHY, Issue 4 2000Christopher Norris John McDowell's Mind and World is a notable attempt to redirect the interest of analytic philosophers toward certain themes in Kantian and more recent continental thought. Only thus, he believes, can we move beyond the various failed attempts , by Quine, Davidson, Rorty, and others , to achieve a naturalised epistemology that casts off the various residual "dogmas" of old-style logical empiricism. In particular, McDowell suggests that we return to Kant's ideas of "spontaneity" and "receptivity" as the two jointly operative powers of mind which enable thought to transcend the otherwise unbridgeable gulf between sensuous intuitions and concepts of understanding. However, this project miscarries for several reasons. Chief among them is the highly problematical nature of Kant's claims, taken over by McDowell without reference to their later treatment at the hands of subjective and objective idealists. Hence he tends to fall back into different versions of the same mind/world dualism. I then question McDowell's idea that Kant can be "naturalised" by reinterpreting those claims from a more hermeneutic or communitarian standpoint with its sources in Hegel, Wittgenstein, and Gadamer. For the result is to deprive Kant's philosophy of its distinctively critical dimension not only with regard to epistemological issues but also in relation to matters of ethical and sociopolitical judgement. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||