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Final Decision (final + decision)
Selected AbstractsInterpreting sustainable development and societal utility in Norwegian GMO assessmentsENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 4 2008G. Kristin Rosendal Abstract This article examines the process of assessing applications for genetically modified (GM) crops or plants for import or commercial planting in Norway. GMO legislation in Norway is closely linked to the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), to which Norway is a party. A central difference with the EU processes emanates from specific clauses in the Norwegian Gene Technology Act on ,sustainable development' and ,societal utility', which provide a potentially wider leverage for Norwegian authorities to turn down the applications. Research material indicates evidence of an increasingly restrictive practice in the Norwegian evaluations, raising the question of how this can be explained in the face of increasing global acceptance of GMOs. A related question is to what extent and how this result is affected by the trends in the EU. An increasingly restrictive practice may be explained by changes in the access structure to the evaluating body, or it may be due to learning and a growing acceptance of the precautionary principle in this sector. Third, a higher number of rejections may largely be associated with the interest structure pertaining to GMOs in Norway. Final decisions are pending and there are uncertainties concerning how Norwegian authorities will apply the specific criteria of the Gene Technology Act. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Neighbouring monocultures enhance the effect of intercropping on the turnip root fly (Delia floralis)ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2007Maria Björkman Abstract Knowledge of insect behaviour is essential for accurately interpreting studies of diversification and to develop diversified agroecosystems that have a reliable pest-suppressive effect. In this study, we investigated the egg-laying behaviour of the turnip root fly, Delia floralis (Fall.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), in an intercrop-monoculture system. We examined both the main effect of intercropping and the effect on oviposition in the border zone between a cabbage monoculture [Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (Brassicaceae)] and a cabbage-red clover intercropping system [Trifolium pratense L. (Fabaceae)]. To investigate the border-effect, oviposition was measured along a transect from the border between the treatments to the centre of experimental plots. Intercropping reduced the total egg-laying of D. floralis with 42% in 2003 and 55% in 2004. In 2004, it was also found that the spatial distribution of eggs within the experimental plots was affected by distance from the adjoining treatment. The difference in egg-laying between monoculture and intercropping was most pronounced close to the border, where egg-laying was 68% lower on intercropped plants. This difference in egg numbers decreased gradually up to a distance of 3.5 m from the border, where intercropped plants had 43% fewer eggs than the corresponding monocultured plants. The reason behind this oviposition pattern is most likely that flies in intercropped plots have a higher probability of entering the monoculture if they are close to the border than if they are in the centre of a plot. When entering the monoculture, flies can pursue their egg-laying behaviour without being disrupted by the clover. As the final decision to land is visually stimulated, flies could also be attracted to fly from the intercropped plots into the monoculture, where host plants are more visually apparent. Visual cues could also hinder flies in a monoculture from entering an intercropped plot. Other possible patterns of insect attack due to differences in insect behaviour are discussed, as well as the practical application of the results of this study. [source] EMPOWERING CHILDREN IN MEDIATIONFAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 3 2004An Intervention Model The available research in the mediation arena regarding child custody disputes indicates a lack of and growing need for effective intervention techniques. The authors present practicing mediators with a specific intervention model for interviewing, safeguarding, and empowering children in the process of mediating custody disputes. The mediation model utilizes a structured, strategic, and process-oriented approach with a family systems theoretical orientation and may be used in private or court-connected settings. The model presented here goes beyond the child-centered interview norm to the inclusion of the child in the process to assist parents in decision making. The model supports the current California statute under Family Code Section 3023, which states that "if a child is of sufficient age and capacity to reason so as to form an intelligent preference as to custody, the court shall consider and give due weight to the wishes of the child in making an award of custody or modification." The model does, however, maintain the position that the final decision continues to lie with the parents or the courts and not the child. [source] Validating the Relationship Qualities of Influence and Persuasion With the Family Social Relations ModelHUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Rachel Oakley Hsiung Influence and persuasion are related, fundamental constructs in interpersonal communication. Both display the relationship qualities of interdependence, bidirectionality, reciprocity, and multiple levels of analysis. Yet, empirical validation of these relationship qualities is lacking, largely due to an absence of appropriate methods and statistical procedures. This article uses the family social relations model (SRM) to test for the personal relationship qualities of influence and persuasion in the family decision-making context of buying a new car. New relationship measures of influence and persuasion were developed because, historically, measures have been at the individual level. The sample size of 110 families proved sufficient for stable parameter estimates. The results uncovered patterns in the relationship qualities of influence and persuasion across 3 decisions families make when buying a new car (i.e., how much to spend, car model choice, final decision). The findings confirm that both influence and persuasion are truly relational. The novel use of the model across decisions allowed the patterns of relationships among family members to be compared, and demonstrated the importance of the relationship qualities of influence and persuasion in decision making. Predictions were examined across decisions as well so as to check the consistency of hypotheses. The results provide further insight into the meaning of influence and persuasion, and of SRM terms. [source] The Preliminary Employment Interview as a Predictor of Assessment Center OutcomesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 2 2008Kobi Dayan The current study examined the relationships between personnel employment interview scores (PEI), cognitive ability test scores (CAT) and assessment center (AC) scores, as well as the potential to circumvent the costly AC method for some of the candidates by using these less expensive selection methods. A total of 423 Israeli police force candidates participated in the study. Their PEI and CAT scores were collected in the first stage of the selection process. They subsequently participated in an AC and a final decision was made regarding their acceptance to the police force. It was found that PEI and CAT scores significantly correlated with the AC scores and the recruitment decision, although the PEI scores demonstrated stronger correlations with the criteria. An actuarial analysis demonstrated the benefit of using the AC procedure for those achieving middle range scores on the PEI and CAT, circumventing the costly ACs for those achieving high and low scores. This strategy resulted in minor costs of both , and , errors. Organizations can adopt this economical strategy when the AC costs exceed the manpower costs incurred by disposing of the AC. [source] Three-Dimensional Surface Topography Acquisition and Analysis for Firearm IdentificationJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006Nicola Senin M.S. ABSTRACT: In the last decade, computer-based systems for the comparison of microscopic firearms evidence have been the subject of considerable research work because of their expected capability of supporting the firearms examiner through the automated analysis of large amounts of evidence. The Integrated Ballistics Identification System, which is based on a two-dimensional representation of the specimen surface, has been widely adopted in forensic laboratories worldwide. More recently, some attempts to develop systems based on three-dimensional (3D) representations of the specimen surface have been made, both in the literature and as industrial products, such as BulletTRAX-3D, but fundamental limitations in achieving fully automated identification remain. This work analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of a 3D-based approach by proposing an approach and a prototype system for firearms evidence comparison that is based on the acquisition and analysis of the 3D surface topography of specimens, with particular reference to cartridge cases. The concept of 3D virtual comparison microscope is introduced, whose purpose is not to provide fully automated identification, but to show how the availability of 3D shape information can provide a whole new set of verification means, some of them being described and discussed in this work, specifically, visual enhancement tools and quantitative measurement of shape properties, for supporting, not replacing, the firearm examiner in reaching the final decision. [source] Proposal for a Definition of Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Based on Epidemiological Stopwatch DataTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2005Marcel D. Waldinger MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Consensus on a definition of premature ejaculation has not yet been reached because of debates based on subjective authority opinions and nonstandardized assessment methods to measure ejaculation time and ejaculation control. Aim., To provide a definition for lifelong premature ejaculation that is based on epidemiological evidence including the neurobiological and psychological approach. Methods., We used the 0.5 and 2.5 percentiles as accepted standards of disease definition in a skewed distribution. We applied these percentiles in a stopwatch-determined intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) distribution of 491 nonselected men from five different countries. The practical consequences of 0.5% and 2.5% cutoff points for disease definition were taken into consideration by reviewing current knowledge of feelings of control and satisfaction in relation to ejaculatory performance of the general male population. Main Outcome Measures., Literature arguments to be used in a proposed consensus on a definition of premature ejaculation. Results., The stopwatch-determined IELT distribution is positively skewed. The 0.5 percentile equates to an IELT of 0.9 minute and the 2.5 percentile an IELT of 1.3 minutes. However, there are no available data in the literature on feelings of control or satisfaction in relation to ejaculatory latency time in the general male population. Random male cohort studies are needed to end all speculation on this subject. Exact stopwatch time assessment of IELT in a multinational study led us to propose that all men with an IELT of less than 1 minute (belonging to the 0.5 percentile) have "definite" premature ejaculation, while men with IELTs between 1 and 1.5 minutes (between 0.5 and 2.5 percentile) have "probable" premature ejaculation. Severity of premature ejaculation (nonsymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe) should be defined in terms of associated psychological problems. Conclusion., We define lifelong premature ejaculation as a neurobiological dysfunction with an unacceptable increase of risk to develop sexual and psychological problems anywhere in a lifetime. By defining premature ejaculation from an authority-defined disorder into a dysfunction based on epidemiological evidence it is possible to establish consensus based on epidemiological evidence. Additional epidemiological stopwatch studies are needed for a final decision of IELT values at both percentile cutoff points. [source] | ||||||||||