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Direct Impact (direct + impact)
Selected AbstractsComparison of phenology trends by land cover class: a case study in the Great Basin, USAGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008BETHANY A. BRADLEY Abstract Direct impacts of human land use and indirect impacts of anthropogenic climate change may alter land cover and associated ecosystem function, affecting ecological goods and services. Considerable work has been done to identify long-term global trends in vegetation greenness, which is associated with primary productivity, using remote sensing. Trend analysis of satellite observations is subject to error, and ecosystem change can be confused with interannual variability. However, the relative trends of land cover classes may hold clues about differential ecosystem response to environmental forcing. Our aim was to identify phenological variability and 10-year trends for the major land cover classes in the Great Basin. This case study involved two steps: a regional, phenology-based land cover classification and an identification of phenological variability and 10-year trends stratified by land cover class. The analysis used a 10-year time series of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite data to assess regional scale land cover variability and identify change. The phenology-based regional classification was more detailed and accurate than national or global products. Phenological variability over the 10-year period was high, with substantial shifts in timing of start of season of up to 9 weeks. The mean long-term trends of montane land cover classes were significantly different from valley land cover classes due to a poor response of montane shrubland and pinyon-juniper woodland to the early 1990s drought. The differential response during the 1990s suggests that valley ecosystems may be more resilient and montane ecosystems more susceptible to prolonged drought. This type of regional-scale land cover analysis is necessary to characterize current patterns of land cover phenology, distinguish between anthropogenically driven land cover change and interannual variability, and identify ecosystems potentially susceptible to regional and global change. [source] The contributions of microtubule stability and dynamic instability to adenovirus nuclear localization efficiencyCYTOSKELETON, Issue 9 2007James C. Warren Abstract Adenoviruses (Ads) utilize host cell microtubules to traverse the intracellular space and reach the nucleus in a highly efficient manner. Previous studies have shown that Ad infection promotes the formation of stable, posttranslationally modified microtubules by a RhoA-dependent mechanism. Ad infection also shifts key parameters of microtubule dynamic instability by a Rac1-dependent mechanism, resulting in microtubules with lower catastrophe frequencies, persistent growth phases, and a bias toward net growth compared to microtubules in uninfected cells. Until now it was unclear whether changes in RhoGTPase activity or microtubule dynamics had a direct impact on the efficiency of Ad microtubule-dependent nuclear localization. Here we have performed synchronous Ad infections and utilized confocal microscopy to analyze the individual contributions of RhoA activation, Rac1 activation, microtubule stability, dynamic behavior, and posttranslational modifications on Ad nuclear localization efficiency (NLE). We found that drug-induced suppression of microtubule dynamics impaired Ad NLE by disrupting the radial organization of the microtubule array. When the microtubule array was maintained, the suppression or enhancement of microtubule turnover did not significantly affect Ad NLE. Furthermore, RhoA activation or the formation of acetylated microtubules did not enhance Ad NLE. In contrast, active Rac1 was required for efficient Ad nuclear localization. Because Rac1 mediates persistent growth of microtubules to the lamellar regions of cells, we propose that Ad-induced activation of Rac1 enhances the ability of microtubules to "search and capture" incoming virus particles. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Diabetes UK Mozambique Twinning Programme.DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010Results of improvements in diabetes care in Mozambique: a reassessment 6 years later using the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access Diabet. Med. 27, 855,861 (2010) Abstract Objective, To assess improvements in diabetes care in Mozambique between 2003 and 2009 following the implementation of the Diabetes UK Twinning Programme. Methods, As in 2003, a Rapid Assessment Protocol was implemented from August to September 2009 in order to assess the improvements in diabetes care and impact of the Diabetes UK Twinning Programme. One hundred and eighty-four interviews were carried out at different levels of the health system in different areas of Mozambique. Results, The Diabetes UK Twinning Programme in Mozambique allowed the development of the first comprehensive non-communicable disease plan in sub-Saharan Africa. The other main improvements include a strengthening of the diabetes association with an 8-fold increase in membership, 265 health workers trained in diabetes care in all provinces, the development of patient education materials inspired by some Diabetes UK tools and the expansion of public awareness, particularly from events associated with World Diabetes Day. Conclusions, Much progress has been made in Mozambique with regard to diabetes and non-communicable diseases. Besides the direct impact of specific activities supported by Diabetes UK, this project allowed for ,collateral' benefits in the overall provision of diabetes care. As diabetes and non-communicable diseases have a low profile on the global health agenda, twinning partnerships based on rigorous needs assessment have the capacity to make significant improvements in diabetes care at a relatively low level of investment. Moreover, this study suggests that the tool used might be of value in assessing progress in health system strengthening as well as in conducting the initial needs assessment. [source] Effects of forest harvesting on the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in steep terrain of central JapanEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 6 2008Fumitoshi Imaizumi Abstract Landslides and debris flows associated with forest harvesting can cause much destruction and the influence of the timing of harvesting on these mass wasting processes therefore needs to be assessed in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and develop improved strategies for disaster prevention. We examined the effects of forest harvesting on the frequency of landslides and debris flows in the Sanko catchment (central Japan) using nine aerial photo periods covering 1964 to 2003. These photographs showed a mosaic of different forest ages attributable to the rotational management in this area since 1912. Geology and slope gradient are rather uniformly distributed in the Sanko catchment, facilitating assessment of forest harvesting effects on mass wasting without complication of other factors. Trends of new landslides and debris flows correspond to changes in slope stability explained by root strength decay and recovery; the direct impact of clearcutting on landslide occurrence was greatest in forest stands that were clearcut 1 to 10 yr earlier with progressively lesser impacts continuing up to 25 yr after harvesting. Sediment supply rate from landslides in forests clearcut 1 to 10 yr earlier was about 10-fold higher than in control sites. Total landslide volume in forest stands clearcut 0 to 25 yr earlier was 5·8 × 103 m3 km,2 compared with 1·3 × 103 m3 km,2 in clearcuts >25 yr, indicating a fourfold increase compared with control sites during the period when harvesting affected slope stability. Because landslide scars continue to produce sediment after initial failure, sediment supply from landslides continues for 45 yr in the Sanko catchment. To estimate the effect of forest harvesting and subsequent regeneration on the occurrence of mass wasting in other regions, changes in root strength caused by decay and recovery of roots should be investigated for various species and environmental conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Congenital Heart DiseaseECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2002F.R.A.C.P., F.R.C.P.(C.)Article first published online: 24 JUL 200, Jeffrey F. Smallhorn M.B.B.S. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography has become an integral component of the repair of congenital heart defects. It currently has a direct impact on reducing morbidity and mortality in the pediatric cardiac population. To establish a successful program, it is important to follow guidelines for training as well as having a systematic approach to the evaluation of this patient population. This article addresses the specific indications in a patient population as practiced at the Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto. While there may be subtle differences between programs, the objectives are to provide excellent service to the pediatric cardiac patient in the operating room. [source] Taxation, warfare, and the early fourteenth century ,crisis' in the north: Cumberland lay subsidies, 1332,13481ECONOMIC HISTORY REVIEW, Issue 4 2005CHRIS BRIGGS Recent research into the impact of Anglo-Scottish conflict on northern England's economy has become increasingly sophisticated, using local estate accounts to enhance understanding of the role of war in the 'crisis' of the early fourteenth century. Yet taxation data also remains an important source on these issues, not least because of its wide geographical coverage. Using a rich series of lay subsidy documents for Cumberland, this article concludes that the direct impact of Scottish raids was only one of several determinants of economic fortunes. More significantly, reconstructing the process of taxation shows that non-violent resistance to state levies was as responsible as war damage for a decline in revenue from the county. [source] Facile Functionalization and Phase Reduction Route of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Conjugation of Matrix Metalloproteinase,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 6 2010Dan Li Abstract A protocol for the simultaneous functionalization and phase reduction route of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and its further bioconjugation is presented. It was found that surface functionalization of maghemite (,-Fe2O3) nanoparticles with mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) under anoxic environment at above 80,°C promotes in situ conversion to magnetite (Fe3O4). Full conversion to Fe3O4, as probed by Mössbauer spectroscopy, with accompanied increase in the composite saturation magnetization, was achieved at 120,°C. By controlling the MPTMS concentration, the resultant silane-MNPs morphology can be tuned from having homogeneous thin layer (<1,nm) to thick continuous silane with embedded MNP multicores. Likewise the amount of surface distal thiol moieties was dependent on the silanization conditions. The density of distal thiols (i.e., amount of thiol per surface area) and resultant aggregate size have direct impact on the attachment, as well as the activity and reusability of the conjugated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2, using sulfo-SMCC as crosslinker). The work has important implication to the field of magneto-chemotherapeutics, where spatial control of conjugated active biomolecules under magnetic field and T2 -weighted MRI contrast can be achieved simultaneously. [source] Do changes in climate patterns in wintering areas affect the timing of the spring arrival of trans-Saharan migrant birds?GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Oscar Gordo Abstract The life cycles of plants and animals are changing around the world in line with the predictions originated from hypotheses concerning the impact of global warming and climate change on biological systems. Commonly, the search for ecological mechanisms behind the observed changes in bird phenology has focused on the analysis of climatic patterns from the species breeding grounds. However, the ecology of bird migration suggests that the spring arrival of long-distance migrants (such as trans-Saharan birds) is more likely to be influenced by climate conditions in wintering areas given their direct impact on the onset of migration and its progression. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the first arrival dates (FADs) of six trans-Saharan migrants (cuckoo Cuculus canorus, swift Apus apus, hoopoe Upupa epops, swallow Hirundo rustica, house martin Delichon urbica and nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos), in a western Mediterranean area since from 1952 to 2003. By means of multiple regression analyses, FADs were analysed in relation to the monthly temperature and precipitation patterns of five African climatic regions south of the Sahara where species are thought to overwinter and from the European site from where FADs were collected. We obtained significant models for five species explaining 9,41% of the variation in FADs. The interpretation of the models suggests that: (1) The climate in wintering quarters, especially the precipitation, has a stronger influence on FADs than that in the species' potential European breeding grounds. (2) The accumulative effects of climate patterns prior to migration onset may be of considerable importance since those climate variables that served to summarize climate patterns 12 months prior to the onset of migration were selected by final models. (3) Temperature and precipitation in African regions are likely to affect departure decision in the species studied through their indirect effects on food availability and the build-up of reserves for migration. Our results concerning the factors that affect the arrival times of trans-Saharan migrants indicate that the effects of climate change are more complex than previously suggested, and that these effects might have an interacting impact on species ecology, for example by reversing ecological pressures during species' life cycles. [source] What should be given a priority , costly medications for relatively few people or inexpensive ones for many?HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 2 2008The Health Parliament public consultation initiative in Israel Abstract Background, In the past two decades, government and civic organizations have been implementing a wide range of deliberative public consultations on health care-related policy. Drawing on these experiences, a public consultation initiative in Israel called the Health Parliament was established. Goals, To implement a public consultation initiative that will engage members of the public in the discussion of four healthcare policy questions associated with equity in health services and on priorities for determining which medications and treatments should be included in the basket of national health services. Method, One hundred thirty-two participants from the general population recruited through a random sample were provided with background materials and met over several months in six regional sites. Dilemma activities were used and consultants were available for questions and clarifications. Participants presented their recommendations in a national assembly to the Minister of Health. Outcomes, Across the regional groups the recommendations were mostly compatible, in particular regarding considering the healthcare system's monetary state, even at the expense of equity, but for each policy question minority views were also expressed. A strong emphasis in the recommendations was pragmatism. Conclusion, Participants felt the experience was worthwhile; though the actual impact of their recommendations on policy making was indirect, they were willing to participate in future consultations. However, despite enthusiasm the initiative was not continued. Issues raised are whether consultation initiatives must have a direct impact on healthcare policy decisions or can be mainly a venue to involve citizens in the deliberation of healthcare policy issues. [source] Third time lucky for statutory union recognition in the UK?INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2002Stephen Wood A third statutory trade union recognition procedure was introduced in the UK in 2000. This paper explores the scope for increased recognition, employers' willingness to concede recognition, unions' response to the procedure and, finally, the use of it so far. The paper concludes that, while the procedure may be sustainable in the long run, its direct impact on union membership and recognition may be minimal. The indirect effect, through voluntary recognition will be greater. But any reversal in union decline will ultimately be dependent upon successful union recruitment well beyond their conventional territories. [source] Financial Dollarization and European Union MembershipINTERNATIONAL FINANCE, Issue 2 2010Kyriakos C. Neanidis We analyse the effect of European Union (EU) membership on financial dollarization for the Central and Eastern European countries. Using a unique monthly data set that spans about two decades, we find that both the accession process towards EU membership and EU entry have a direct impact on deposit dollarization (DD) and loan dollarization (LD). EU membership reduces DD while it increases LD. The negative effect on DD captures the increased confidence of the private sector in the domestic currency, as they consider the EU admission process a reflection of their government's commitment to promoting policies of long-run currency stability. The positive impact on credit dollarization is the outcome of a greater convergence of exchange rates to the euro and the subsequent anticipation of lower currency risk, which diminishes the cost of foreign currency borrowing. [source] Interannual variability of boreal summer rainfall in the equatorial AtlanticINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Guojun Gu Abstract Tropical Atlantic rainfall variations during boreal summer (June,July,August (JJA)) are quantified by means of a 28-year (1979,2006) monthly precipitation dataset from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). Rainfall variability during boreal spring (March,April,May (MAM)) is also examined for comparison in that the most intense interannual variability is usually observed during this season. Comparable variabilities in the Atlantic maritime intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) (15° ,35°W) strength (PITCZ) are found during both seasons. Variations in the ITCZ's latitudinal location (LatITCZ) during JJA, however, are much weaker than during MAM. PITCZ and LatITCZ are shown to be closely associated with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. Within the tropical Atlantic, the Atlantic Niño events (Atl3) and SST anomalies in the tropical North Atlantic (TNA) are the two major local factors modulating surface rainfall patterns and variations. Atl3 is significantly correlated with PITCZ and LatITCZ during JJA and MAM. TNA is significantly correlated to PITCZ during JJA but not to LatITCZ. In contrast, TNA is significantly correlated to LatITCZ during MAM but its correlation with PITCZ is weak. The impact of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events (Nino3.4) is observed during both seasons, while the correlation between Nino3.4 and LatITCZ is slightly weak. However, with the effects of Atl3 and TNA removed, the ENSO tends to have a quite limited direct impact on the tropical Atlantic, specifically over the open ocean. High second-order partial correlation between Nino3.4 and rainfall is generally confined to the western basin and over the northeastern South America. Therefore, during JJA, the two local SST modes are of dominance for the tropical Atlantic rainfall variability. Nevertheless, the ENSO seems to still play an active role in modulating surface zonal wind anomalies in the western basin and then the Atlantic Niño mode. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Influence of seasonal pressure patterns on temporal variability of vegetation activity in Central SiberiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Sergio M. Vicente-Serrano Abstract This paper analyses the spatial distribution of the inter-annual variability of vegetation activity in central Siberia and its relationship with atmospheric circulation variability. We used NOAA-AVHRR NDVI series from Pathfinder Land Data Set at 1° of spatial resolution, and we calculated the annual vegetation activity in each pixel (aNDVI) from 1982 to 2001. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the general spatial patterns of inter-annual variability of vegetation activity. We identified three main modes, which explain more than 50% of the total variance, each corresponding to a large region. By means of surface pressure grids, we analysed the main patterns of the seasonal atmospheric circulation in the study area: its variability was summarised by means of a few circulation modes and the patterns differ significantly between winter, spring and summer. However, a pattern with a North,South dipole structure represents the general spatial pattern of atmospheric circulation. We investigated the effect of seasonal atmospheric circulation patterns on the inter-annual variation of vegetation activity. In general, the strongest relationships between the atmospheric circulation variability, climate and the aNDVI variability were found in areas where the climatic characteristics are more limiting for the vegetation development, such as the northern regions. This may be explained by the fact that in these areas the variability of atmospheric circulation modes determines summer temperatures, which have a direct impact on vegetation activity. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] Expatriate mangers: A historical reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS, Issue 3 2009Michael Harvey As expatriate managers continue to be a viable means for exercising control over foreign operations, they can have a direct impact on organizational performance, and therefore a delineation of the history of these key leaders in order to enhance our understanding of their continued significant impact is a laudable goal. The paper discusses each stage of the human resource management process, beginning with the identification and concluding with the repatriation stage of expatriate managers. Each stage is discussed in terms of the successes as well as problems/failures associated with the individual, organizational, environmental and systemic unit in mind. The paper concludes with future implications emphasizing the necessity to create new and/or enhance current practices relating to the development of expatriate managers' maximum global impact depending on the evolving nature of the globalization of business. [source] Perceived value of corporate donations: an empirical investigationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 4 2008Narissa Gipp There is current recognition that value is the fundamental basis for all marketing activities. The present research provides an empirical examination of perceptions of value within the voluntary sector and specifically donations made by organisations towards the funding of charitable projects. The impact of a number of charity and project-related variables on the formation of value and the corresponding effect of value on satisfaction and behavioural variables are examined. The results support claims that past experience with and information about a charity as well as information about a specific project are significant determinants of value. However, the impact of these constructs is differential between the two components of value (i.e. get/benefits and give/sacrifices). We confirm the significant effect of value on satisfaction and indicate that satisfaction and benefits derived from a donation have a direct impact on behavioural intention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Decision-making about artificial feeding in end-of-life care: literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2008Els Bryon Abstract Title.,Decision-making about artificial feeding in end-of-life care: literature review. Aim., This paper is a report of a review of nurses' roles and their perceptions of these roles in decision-making processes surrounding artificial food and fluid administration in adult patients. Background., Of all caregivers, nurses have the closest and most trusting relationship with severely ill patients and their families during the entire end-of-life care process. As a result, nurses become closely involved in complex ethical decision-making processes concerning artificial administration of food or fluids for these patients. Data sources., We searched seven electronic databases (1990,2007) and examined the reference lists of relevant papers. Review methods., This mixed methods review was conducted with guidance of the United Kingdom Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines on systematic reviews. Results., Although their direct impact is limited, nurses play a significant indirect role during decision-making processes. Because of their unique position, they often initiate decision-making processes, function as patient advocates and provide guidance, information and support to patients and families. Although nurses considered their role to be very valuable, they felt that their role was not always defined clearly or appreciated. Whether nurses experience decision-making processes positively depended on several contextual factors. Conclusion., Given their knowledge and practice skills, nurses are in a prime position to contribute valuably to decision-making processes. Nevertheless, they remain sidelined. For nurses to receive sufficient recognition, their decision-making tasks and responsibilities need to be clarified and made manifest to other participants. [source] Inter-relationships Amongst Grain Characteristics, Grain-Filling Parameters and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Milling QualityJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 4 2001S. Jongkaewwattana Resistance to breakage is a desirable trait of the rice kernel. Many factors, such as the genetics of the cultivar, the plant growth environment and the conditions of the milling process, will affect kernel breakage. Although many papers have discussed the factors that may affect and improve rice milling quality, few have related the grain-filling process to head rice, the unbroken polished kernels obtained after milling. The objectives of this paper were: (i) to characterize the interrelationships amongst grain filling and grain structural characteristics; (ii) to determine whether the grain-filling process and grain characteristics affect head rice, and (iii) to suggest a pathway through which grain characteristics can influence head rice recovery. An analysis of the interrelationships amongst all grain characteristics suggested that variables of grain structure (size, volume and per cent hull) have a decisive influence on the grain-filling process (rate and duration of grain filling). The grain-filling process will affect final grain traits such as weight and density, which in turn will have a direct impact on head rice. In addition, non-uniformity, whether expressed in terms of variable grain size and shape or grain filling and maturity, has a detrimental effect on rice milling quality. The implication of these findings is that rice breeders need to pay more attention to selecting plant types that have a high degree of uniformity of grain characteristics on the panicle, and to those traits (such as greater grain size, weight and density) that have a positive impact on yield and milling quality. Beziehungen zwischen Korneigenschaften, Kornfüllungsparametern und Reis (Oryza sativa L.)-Vermahlungsqualität Bruchresistenz von Reiskörnern ist eine wünschenswerte Eigenschaft. Viele Faktoren, wie Genetik, Umwelt des Pfanzenwachstums und Voraussetzungen der Vermahlung, beeinflussen die Bruchresistenz der Körner. Obwohl viele Veröffentlichungen die Faktoren diskutieren, die die Mahlqualität beinträchtigen oder verbessern, beziehen sich nur wenige auf den Kornfüllungsvorgang zu ungebrochenen polierten Körner nach dem Mahlvorgang. Ziel der Untersuchungen war es: zu charakterisieren die Beziehungen zwischen Kornfüllung und Kornstruktur; zu bestimmen, ob der Kornfüllungsprozess und Korneigenschaften die Bruchresistenz von Reis beeinflussen können; und vorzuschlagen eine Behandlung durch die Korneigenschaften die Wiedergewinnung von Bruchreis beieinflußt werden kann. Eine Analyse der Beziehungen zwischen den Korneigenschaften weist darauf hin, dass Variable der Kornstruktur (Größe, Umfang und Antiel der Schale) einen deutlichen Einfluß auf den Kornfüllungsprozess haben (Rate und Dauer der Kornfüllung). Der Kornfüllungsprozess beeinflußt Korngewicht und Korndichte, die eine unmittelbare Auswirkung auf ungebrochene Körner nach dem Mahlvorgang haben. Auch Uneinheitlichkeit in Korngröße und Kornform oder Kornfüllung und Kornreife haben einen ungünstigen Einfluß auf die Vermahlungsqualität von Reis. Hieraus ergibt sich der Hinweis, daß Reiszüchter in der Selketion auf einen hohen Grad von Einheitlichkeit der Körner der Rispe und deren Eigenschaften (hohe Korngröße, Korngewicht und Korndichte), die einen Einfluß auf Ertrag und Mahlqualität haben, achten sollten. [source] Predicting spatio-temporal recolonization of large carnivore populations and livestock depredation risk: wolves in the Italian AlpsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010F. Marucco Summary 1.,Wolves Canis lupus recently recolonized the Western Alps through dispersal from the Italian Apennines, representing one of several worldwide examples of large carnivores increasing in highly human-dominated landscapes. Understanding and predicting expansion of this population is important for conservation because of its direct impact on livestock and its high level of societal opposition. 2.,We built a predictive, spatially explicit, individual-based model to examine wolf population expansion in this fragmented landscape, and livestock depredation risk. We developed the model based on known demographic processes, social structure, behaviour and habitat selection of wolves collected during a 10-year intensive field study of this wolf population. 3.,During model validation, our model accurately described the recolonization process within the Italian Alps, correctly predicting wolf pack locations, pack numbers and wolf population size, between 1999 and 2008. 4.,We then projected packs and dispersers over the entire Italian Alps for 2013, 2018 and 2023. We predicted 25 packs (95% CI: 19,32) in 2013, 36 (23,47) in 2018 and 49 (29,68) in 2023. The South-Western Alps were the main source for wolves repopulating the Alps from 1999 to 2008. The source area for further successful dispersers will probably shift to the North-Western Alps after 2008, but the large lakes in the Central Alps will probably act as a spatial barrier slowing the wolf expansion. 5.,Using the pack presence forecasts, we estimated spatially explicit wolf depredation risk on livestock, allowing tailored local and regional management actions. 6.,Synthesis and applications. Our predictive model is novel because we follow the spatio-temporal dynamics of packs, not just population size, which have substantially different requirements and impacts on wolf,human conflicts than wandering dispersers. Our approach enables prioritization of management efforts, including minimizing livestock depredations, identifying important corridors and barriers, and locating future source populations for successful wolf recolonization of the Alps. [source] Brains and brands: developing mutually informative research in neuroscience and marketingJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 4-5 2008Tyler K. Perrachione Advances in neuroimaging technology have led to an explosion in the number of studies investigating the living human brain, and thereby our understanding of its structure and function. With the proliferation of dazzling images from brain scans in both scientific and popular media, researchers from other fields in the social and behavioral sciences have naturally become interested in the application of neuroimaging to their own research. Commercial enterprises have long been interested in the prospects of literally "getting inside the heads" of customers and partners, with a variety of goals in mind. Here we consider the ways in which scholars of consumer behavior may draw upon neuroscientific advances to inform their own research. We describe the motivation of neuroscientific inquiry from the point of view of neuroscientists, including an introduction to the technologies and methodologies available; correspondingly, we consider major questions in consumer behavior that are likely to be of interest to neuroscientists and why. Recent key discoveries in neuroscience are presented which will likely have a direct impact on the development of a neuromarketing subdiscipline and for neuroimaging as a marketing research technique. We discuss where and how neuroscience methodologies may reasonably be added to the research inventory of marketers. In sum, we aim to show not only that a neuromarketing subdiscipline may fruitfully contribute to our understanding of the biological bases of human behavior, but also that developing this as a productive research field will rest largely in framing marketing research questions in the brain-centric mindset of neuroscientists. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] COMPARISON OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS AND CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN ORANGE JUICE FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF JINCHEN FRUITJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 2 2010YU QIAO ABSTRACT Jinchen is a native sweet cultivar of Citrus sinensis and one of the most important varieties used in orange juice processing in China. The study of flavor components of Jinchen orange juice has not been carried out before. In this paper, the color characteristics, pH value, total soluble solids, total acids, as well as organic acids and sugars were determined in Jinchen orange juice from different parts of fruit (peeled juice, pulp juice, whole fruit juice). The color characteristics were significantly different among three types of Jinchen orange juice. The level of vitamin C and total soluble solids/total acids ratio (TSS/TA) is higher in whole fruit juice. The organic acids and sugars also changed. Pulp juice is rich in the highest amounts of organic acids and sugars. Volatiles from three juices were studied using the solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The whole fruit juice has the highest amount of volatile compounds (53.07 mg/L) followed by peeled juice (51.044 mg/L) and pulp juice (27.107 mg/L). Some differences in the constituents of the volatile compounds of three type juices were observed. These results indicated that volatile compounds and quality properties differed in Jinchen orange juice from different parts of fruit. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The peeled orange fruits are usually used for juice processing. Great amounts of aroma components with intensive odor are located in the peel of orange. The aroma of pulp possessing weak fresh citrus odor is different from peel. The different parts of the orange utilized in processing have direct impact on juice quality. It is very essential to obtain the data of chemical and physical properties in juice from different parts of orange fruit. The quality information could be used to modify the orange aroma. [source] Poverty decline, agricultural wages, and nonfarm employment in rural India: 1983,2004AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2009Peter Lanjouw Poverty; Agricultural labor; India; Nonfarm employment Abstract We analyze five rounds of National Sample Survey data covering 1983, 1987/1988, 1993/1994, 1999/2000, and 2004/2005 to explore the relationship between rural diversification and poverty. Poverty in rural India has declined at a modest rate during this time period. We provide region-level estimates that illustrate considerable geographic heterogeneity in this progress. Poverty estimates correlate well with region-level NSS data on changes in agricultural wage rates. Agricultural labor remains the preserve of the uneducated and also to a large extent of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. We show that while agricultural labor grew as a share of total economic activity over the first four rounds, it had fallen back to the levels observed at the beginning of our survey period by 2004. This all-India trajectory also masks widely varying trends across states. During this period, the rural nonfarm sector has grown modestly, mainly between the last two survey rounds. Regular nonfarm employment remains largely associated with education levels and social status that are rare among the poor. However, casual labor and self-employment in the nonfarm sector reveals greater involvement by disadvantaged groups in 2004 than in the preceding rounds. The implication of this for poverty is not immediately clear,the poor may be pushed into low-return casual nonfarm activities due to lack of opportunities in the agricultural sector rather than being pulled by high returns offered by the nonfarm sector. Econometric estimates reveal that expansion of the nonfarm sector is associated with falling poverty via two routes: a direct impact on poverty that is likely due to a pro-poor marginal incidence of nonfarm employment expansion; and an indirect impact attributable to the positive effect of nonfarm employment growth on agricultural wages. The analysis also confirms the important contribution to rural poverty reduction from agricultural productivity, availability of land, and consumption levels in proximate urban areas. [source] Implementation of a patient-friendly medication schedule to improve patient safety within a healthcare systemJOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010Jodi E. Fredericks PharmD Preventable adverse drug events have a direct impact on the well-being of patients. The creation and implementation of a patient-friendly daily medication schedule improved the way care is delivered at Memorial Healthcare System. The staff collaborated with patients and families and empowered them with the knowledge and tools needed to make their healthcare safer. Patient and family participation, a critical component of patient- and family-centered care, is a vital part of making healthcare safer. This tool enhances communication with patients and family members and enables patients to better understand the medications they receive while hospitalized. An additional welcomed byproduct is the prevention of potential medication errors. [source] Do counter-cyclical payments in the 2002 US Farm Act create incentives to produce?,AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2-3 2004Jesús Antón Abstract Analytical results in the literature suggest that counter-cyclical payments create risk-related incentives to produce even if they are ,decoupled' under certainty [Hennessy, D. A., 1998. The production effects of agricultural income support polices under uncertainty. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 80, 46,57]. This paper develops a framework to assess the risk-related incentives to produce created by commodity programmes like the loan deficiency payments (LDPs) and the counter-cyclical payments (CCPs) in the 2002 US Farm Act. Because CCPs are paid based on fixed production quantities they have a weaker risk-reducing impact than LDPs. The latter have a direct impact through the variance of the producer price distributions, while the impact of CCPs is due only to the covariance between the CCP and the producer price distributions. The methodology developed by [Chavas, J.-P., Holt, M. T., 1990. Acreage decisions under risk: the case of corn and soybeans. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 72 (3), 529,538] is applied to calculate the appropriate variance-covariance matrix of the truncated producer price distributions under the 2002 Farm Act. Risk premia are computed showing that the risk-related incentives created by CCPs are significant and do not disappear for levels of production above the base production on which CCPs are paid. [source] Developing an HIV cytotoxic T-lymphocyte vaccine: issues of CD8 T-cell quantity, quality and locationJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009D. Masopust Abstract. Issues of quantity, quality and location impact the ability of CD8 T cells to mediate protection from infection. These issues are considered in light of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccination. Methods are reviewed that result in 100- to 1000-fold higher frequencies of vaccine-specific memory CD8 T cells than that achieved by current HIV/SIV vaccine approaches. Data demonstrating that location within mucosal tissues has a direct impact on memory CD8 T-cell function are discussed. Arguments are made that establishing memory CD8 T cells within mucosal sites of transmission, a priori to natural infection, may be essential for conferring optimal and rapid protection. Lastly, it is proposed that heterologous prime-boost vaccination with recombinant live replicating vectors, which has the potential to induce tremendous numbers of cytolytic memory CD8 T cells within mucosal tissues, would provide a far more stringent test of the hypothesis that memory CD8 T cells could, in principal, form the basis for a preventative HIV vaccine. [source] Globalisation and science education: Rethinking science education reformsJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 5 2005Lyn Carter Like Lemke (J Res Sci Teach 38:296,316, 2001), I believe that science education has not looked enough at the impact of the changing theoretical and global landscape by which it is produced and shaped. Lemke makes a sound argument for science education to look beyond its own discourses toward those like cultural studies and politics, and to which I would add globalisation theory and relevant educational studies. Hence, in this study I draw together a range of investigations to argue that globalisation is indeed implicated in the discourses of science education, even if it remains underacknowledged and undertheorized. Establishing this relationship is important because it provides different frames of reference from which to investigate many of science education's current concerns, including those new forces that now have a direct impact on science classrooms. For example, one important question to investigate is the degree to which current science education improvement discourses are the consequences of quality research into science teaching and learning, or represent national and local responses to global economic restructuring and the imperatives of the supranational institutions that are largely beyond the control of science education. Developing globalisation as a theoretical construct to help formulate new questions and methods to examine these questions can provide science education with opportunities to expand the conceptual and analytical frameworks of much of its present and future scholarship. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Investing in the renewal of urban science teachingJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 10 2001Michael S. Knapp This article provides a conceptual framework for understanding what is involved in improving urban science teaching and what might be implied by conducting research on its improvement. It is argued in this article that three sets of forces and conditions have a direct impact on urban science classrooms: first, the array of interdependent policies at school, district, and state levels about science teaching in particular and about education improvement more broadly construed; next, the investment and use of instructionally relevant resources at each of the three levels and their differing impacts on the renewal of urban science teaching; and finally, the broader context in which urban science teaching occurs mediating how these resources are,or can be,used. Mediating factors include the professional peer community, subject-specific instructional leadership, the professional development infrastructure, the supply of available science teachers, and the broader community context. The article concludes with suggestions for how this framework informs directions for future research on the promise and limits of efforts to renew science teaching in urban settings. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 1089,1100, 2001 [source] The Effect of Franchisors' Communication, Service Assistance, and Competitive Advantage on Franchisees' Intentions to Remain in the Franchise SystemJOURNAL OF SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2004Jyh-Shen Chiou This study developed and empirically tested a model examining the antecedents of franchisees' overall satisfaction and intention to remain in a franchise system. Based on a sample from a convenient store franchise system in Taiwan, the results showed that communication is very important in reinforcing franchisees' trust and overall satisfaction with the franchise system. The results also showed that competitive advantage of a franchise system is the basis for a franchisee's overall satisfaction and intention to remain in a franchise system. However, satisfaction of a franchisor's service assistance did not have direct impact on a franchisee's overall satisfaction toward the franchise system. [source] SUPPLY MANAGEMENT, SUPPLY FLEXIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF MANUFACTURING FIRMSJOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010YING LIAO Increasingly, the global market environment is becoming more turbulent, complex and uncertain. Literature has explored the importance of supply management and its direct impact on performance. However, the nature of strategic supply management and its impact on supply flexibility needs further clarification in the context of the use of supplier resources and supplier network coordination. This research presents a model of supply management, supply flexibility and supply chain performance. In this study, we examine the relationships between supply management and supply flexibility, and extend the concept of supply flexibility in terms of supplier flexibility and supply network flexibility on relevant supply chain performance measures. Data for the study were collected from 201 manufacturing firms, and the measurement scales of supply flexibility were tested and validated using structural equation modeling. The results indicate strong, positive and direct relationships between supply management practices and supply flexibility, and between supply flexibility and supply chain performance. Concluding theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. [source] Contribution of indirect computed tomographic venography to the diagnosis of postpartum venous thromboembolismJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 9 2008M. P. REVEL Summary.,Background:,The diagnostic value of indirect computed tomographic venography (CTV), following thoracic computed tomographic angiography (CTA), has not been specifically evaluated in postpartum patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Objectives: To assess the diagnostic value of CTV in postpartum venous thromboembolism. Methods: We reviewed all CTA and CTV procedures performed during the last 7 years in our institution for suspected pulmonary embolism during the postpartum period. We focused on the quality of CTA, the rates of positive CTA and isolated positive CTV findings, and alternative diagnoses provided by CTV. Results: Fifty-five CTA and 33 CTV procedures were performed for suspected pulmonary embolism in 47 patients referred between 24 h and 2 months after Cesarean (34 patients) or vaginal (13 patients) delivery. Of the 33 patients who had both CTA and CTV, seven had positive CTA findings and four had isolated positive CTV findings. Thus, the absolute increase in the venous thromboembolism detection rate following CTV was 12.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0,29.1]. Subcapsular hematoma of the liver or spleen was found on CTV in another two patients without venous thromboembolism. Consequently, CTV had a direct impact on clinical management in six of 33 patients (18%). Conclusion: Our results suggest that postpartum patients with suspected pulmonary embolism have a significant rate of pelvic vein thrombosis and that the use of CTV leads to a 31% relative increase in the detection rate of venous thromboembolism as compared to CTA alone in these patients. [source] Fibrinolysis, inflammation, and regulation of the plasminogen activating systemJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 2007R. L. MEDCALF Summary., The maintenance of a given physiological process demands a coordinated and spatially regulated pattern of gene regulation. This applies to genes encoding components of enzyme cascades, including those of the plasminogen activating system. This family of proteases is vital to fibrinolysis and dysregulation of the expression pattern of one or more of these proteins in response to inflammatory events can impact on hemostasis. Gene regulation occurs on many levels, and it is apparent that the genes encoding the plasminogen activator (fibrinolytic) proteins are subject to both direct transcriptional control and significant post-transcriptional mechanisms. It is now clear that perturbation of these genes at either of these levels can dramatically alter expression levels and have a direct impact on the host's response to a variety of physiological and pharmacological challenges. Inflammatory processes are well known to impact on the fibrinolytic system and to promote thrombosis, cancer and diabetes. This review discusses how inflammatory and other signals affect the transcriptional and post-transcriptional expression patterns of this system, and how this modulates fibrinolysis in vivo. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||