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Selected AbstractsInformation Technology and Emergency Medical Care during DisastersACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2004Theodore C. Chan MD Abstract Disaster response to mass-casualty incidents represents one of the greatest challenges to a community's emergency response system. Rescuers, field medical personnel, and regional emergency departments and hospitals must often provide care to large numbers of casualties in a setting of limited resources, inadequate communication, misinformation, damaged infrastructure, and great personal risk. Emergency care providers and incident managers attempt to procure and coordinate resources and personnel, often with inaccurate data regarding the true nature of the incident, needs, and ongoing response. In this chaotic environment, new technologies in communications, the Internet, computer miniaturization, and advanced "smart devices" have the potential to vastly improve the emergency medical response to such mass-casualty incident disasters. In particular, next-generation wireless Internet and geopositioning technologies may have the greatest impact on improving communications, information management, and overall disaster response and emergency medical care. These technologies have applications in terms of enhancing mass-casualty field care, provider safety, field incident command, resource management, informatics support, and regional emergency department and hospital care of disaster victims. [source] Effects of estimates from different geochemical models on metal fate predicted by coupled speciation-fate models,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008Satyendra P. Bhavsar Abstract Coupled metal speciation-fate models are an improvement over stand-alone fate-transport models for accurately assessing metal fate and transport. These coupled models estimate fate-controlling partition coefficients using geochemical speciation/complexation models. Commercially available geochemical models are practical options for a two-step, loose coupling with fate-transport models. These models differ in their partitioning estimates because of differences in assumptions, databases, and so on. The present study examines the effects of differences in estimates from geochemical models on estimates of cationic metal fate using two geochemical models: the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) and the minicomputer equilibrium+ model (MINEQL+). The results from each geochemical model were used as input to the fate module of TRANSPEC (a general, coupled metal transport and speciation model). The two versions of the TRANSPEC model were then used to assess the fate of five cationic metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Ross Lake (Flin Flon, MB, Canada; alkaline, eutrophic, mine impacted), Kelly Lake (Sudbury, ON, Canada; circumneutral, mesotrophic, mine influenced), and Lake Tantaré (Quebec City, QC, Canada; acidic, oligotrophic, pristine). For relatively soluble metals (Cd, Ni, and Zn), the WHAM and MINEQL+ estimates of speciation/complexation were similar for Ross and Kelly lakes but differed for Lake Tantaré. These differences, however, did not result in significant differences in overall fate estimates. Marked differences were observed between the WHAM and MINEQL+ estimates of partition coefficient, Kd, for more particle-reactive Cu and Pb that translated into the greatest impact on fate in mesotrophic Kelly Lake, in which particle movement is important for fate. [source] Response of zooplankton communities to liquid creosote in freshwater microcosmsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2001Paul K. Sibley Abstract In this study, the response of zooplankton communities to single applications of liquid creosote in model aquatic ecosystems (microcosms) was evaluated. Liquid creosote was applied to 14 microcosms at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 109 mg/L. Two microcosms served as controls. Zooplankton samples were collected from each microcosm on days 7 and 1 before treatment and on days 2, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 43, 55, and 83 following treatment. Temporal changes (response-recovery) in composition of the zooplankton community were assessed using principal response curves (PRC). Creosote induced a rapid, concentrationdependent reduction in zooplankton abundance and number of taxa, with maximum response (50,100% reduction in population densities) occurring between 5 and 7 d after treatment. Taxa that dominated at the time of treatment experienced the greatest impact, as indicated by large, positive species weight values (>1) from the PRC analysis. Many of these taxa recovered to pretreatment or control levels during the posttreatment period, with the degree and duration of recovery being strongly dependent on concentration. Creosote had little effect on species composition at less than 1.1 mg/L, because changes in the types and relative proportion of species contributed from Cladocera, Rotifera, and Copepoda were comparable to those observed in control microcosms. However, a significant shift in species composition was observed at concentrations greater than 1.1 mg/L; these microcosms were generally dominated by low numbers of rotifers, some of which had not been collected before treatment. Community-level effect concentrations (EC50s) were 44.6 and 46.6 ,g/L at 5 and 7 d, respectively, based on nominal creosote. Corresponding no-effect concentrations were 13.9 and 5.6 ,g/L. The results of this field study indicate that creosote may pose a significant risk to zooplankton communities at environmental concentrations potentially encountered during spills and/or leaching events. [source] The impact of problem size on decision processes: an experimental investigation on very large choice problems with support of decision support systemsEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 2 2004H. Wang Abstract: Choice problems as a class of decision problems have attracted great attention for the last couple of decades. Among the frameworks and supporting theories used in their study, two have had the greatest impact: bounded rationality and cost,benefit. Both theories could find support from past empirical studies under different conditions or problem environments. In the past studies, problem size has been shown to play an important role in decision-making. As problem size increases, a decision process may be detoured and the decision outcome may be different. In this paper we investigate the impact of problem size on three important aspects of the computer-aided decision process , strategy selection, decision time/effort, and decision quality , through very large choice problems. [source] Modelling the impacts of removing seal predation from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, rivers in Scotland: a tool for targeting conflict resolutionFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2006J. R. A. BUTLER Abstract, Bioenergetics were used to model the potential impacts on adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., stocks and rod fisheries of removing harbour seals, Phoca vitulina L., from three rivers of different scales in the Moray Firth, Scotland, viz: the Spey (large), Conon (medium) and Moriston (small). Overall, seals had the greatest impact on the Moriston, where removal of a single animal could increase cumulative catch by 17% during the fishing season. On the Conon and Spey the impacts were negligible, and resulted in increased catches of <1% annually. On all rivers eliminating seal predation had the greatest impact during the spring due to the smaller size of spring salmon sub-stocks. A generalised model of seal removal illustrated that stocks and catches increased by >33% in rivers with monthly rod catches ,10 fish, but declined to <10% for rivers with catches >34 fish. The outputs of the models are qualitative, but provide a management tool for targeting action to resolve seal-salmon fishery conflict. Smaller salmon population units, and spring salmon sub-stocks and fisheries in particular, are most vulnerable to predation. The merit of this approach is discussed regarding the management of Special Areas of Conservation for salmon and seals. [source] Gap Inc. sees supplier ownership of compliance with workplace standards as an essential element of socially responsible sourcingGLOBAL BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, Issue 1 2005Dan Henkle The author looks at the evolution of Gap Inc.'s program for socially responsible sourcing,from a policing model to multistakeholder partnerships,and examines the next stage, which includes a promising resource for placing accountability and compliance management systems where they will have the greatest impact,with the factory owners. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Model predicting dynamics of biomass, structure and digestibility of herbage in managed permanent pastures.GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Abstract To investigate seasonal and annual interactions between management and grassland dynamics, a simple mechanistic model of the dynamics of production, structure and digestibility in permanent pastures was constructed. The model is designed to respond to various defoliation regimes, perform multiple-year simulations and produce simple outputs that are easy to use as inputs for a model of ruminant livestock production. Grassland communities are described using a set of average functional traits of their constituent grass groups. The sward is subdivided into four structural compartments: green leaves and sheath, dead leaves and sheath, green stems and flowers, and dead stems and flowers. Each compartment is characterized by its biomass, age and digestibility. Only above-ground growth is modelled, using a light-utilization efficiency approach modulated by a seasonal pattern of storage and mobilization of reserves. Ageing of plant parts is driven by cumulative thermal time from 1 January and by biomass flows. Age affects senescence, abscission and digestibility of green compartments and, therefore, the quality of green leaves and stems can increase or decrease over time in relation to net growth and defoliation dynamics. The functional traits having the greatest impact on model outputs are seasonal effects, period of reproductive growth and effects of temperature on photosynthetic efficiency. The functional traits of the grass groups were parameterized for temperate pastures of the Auvergne region in France. The other model inputs are few: proportion of functional groups, basic weather data (incident photosynthetically active radiation, mean daily temperature, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration) and site characteristics (nitrogen nutrition index, soil water-holding capacity). In the context of a whole-farm simulator, the model can be applied at a field scale. [source] Altered fractionation and adjuvant chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomaHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 7 2010William M. Mendenhall MD Abstract Background The aim of this review was to discuss the role of altered fractionation and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods This review explores the pertinent literature and discusses the optimal management of previously untreated patients with stage III,stage IVA and/or -B HNSCCs. Results Depending on the schedule, altered fractionation improves locoregional control and survival. Both hyperfractionation and concomitant boost RT improve locoregional control and are associated with improved overall survival (OS). Adjuvant chemotherapy improves OS; the greatest impact is observed after concomitant versus induction or maintenance chemotherapy. Monochemotherapy appears to be equivalent to polychemotherapy. Drugs associated with the greatest survival benefit include fluorouracil and cisplatin. Intraarterial chemotherapy offers no advantage over intravenous chemotherapy. Concomitant cetuximab and RT results in improved outcomes similar to those observed after concomitant cisplatin-based chemotherapy and RT. Conclusions Altered fractionation and/or concomitant chemotherapy result in improved outcomes compared with conventionally fractionated definitive RT alone for stage III,stage IV HNSCC. The optimal combination of RT fractionation and chemotherapy remains unclear. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009 [source] Preventive HIV Vaccine Acceptability and Behavioral Risk Compensation among a Random Sample of High-Risk Adults in Los Angeles (LA VOICES)HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Peter A. Newman Objective. To assess HIV vaccine acceptability among high-risk adults in Los Angeles. Study Setting. Sexually transmitted disease clinics, needle/syringe exchange programs, Latino community health/HIV prevention programs. Study Design. Cross-sectional survey using conjoint analysis. Participants were randomly selected using three-stage probability sampling. Data Collection. Sixty-minute structured interviews. Participants rated acceptability of eight hypothetical vaccines, each with seven dichotomous attributes, and reported post-vaccination risk behavior intentions. Principal Findings. Participants (n=1164; 55.7 percent male, 82.4 percent ethnic minority, mean age=37.4 years) rated HIV vaccine acceptability from 28.4 to 88.6; mean=54.5 (SD=18.8; 100-point scale). Efficacy had the greatest impact on acceptability, followed by side effects and out-of-pocket cost. Ten percent would decrease condom use after vaccination. Conclusions. Findings support development of social marketing interventions to increase acceptability of "partial efficacy" vaccines, behavioral interventions to mitigate risk compensation, and targeted cost subsidies. [source] The impact of storm events on solute exports from a glaciated forested watershed in western New York, USAHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 16 2006S. P. Inamdar Abstract This study analysed the importance of precipitation events from May 2003 to April 2004 on surface water chemistry and solute export from a 696 ha glaciated forested watershed in western New York State, USA. The specific objectives of the study were to determine: (a) the temporal patterns of solutes within individual storm events; (b) the impact of precipitation events on seasonal and annual export budgets; and (c) how solute concentrations and loads varied for precipitation events among seasons as functions of storm intensity and antecedent moisture conditions. Analysis of solute trajectories showed that NH4+, total Al and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) peaked on the hydrograph rising limb, whereas dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations peaked following the discharge peak. Sulphate and base-cations displayed a dilution pattern with a minimum around peak discharge. End-member mixing analysis showed that throughfall contributions were highest on the rising limb, whereas valley-bottom riparian waters peaked following the discharge peak. The trajectories of NO3, concentrations varied with season, indicating the influence of biotic processes on the generation, and hence flux, of this solute. Storm events had the greatest impact on the annual budgets for NH4+, K+, total dissolved Al, DON and DOC. Storm events during summer had the greatest impact on seasonal solute budgets. Summer events had the highest hourly discharges and high concentrations of solutes. However, NO3, and DOC exports during a spring snowmelt event were considerably more than those observed for large events during other periods of the year. Comparisons among storms showed that season, precipitation amount, and antecedent moisture conditions affected solute concentrations and loads. Concentrations of solutes were elevated for storms that occurred after dry antecedent conditions. Seven of the largest storms accounted for only 15% of the annual discharge, but were responsible for 34%, 19%, 64%, 13%, 39% and 24% of the annual exports of NH4+, K+, Al, NO3,, DON and DOC respectively. These results suggest that the intense and infrequent storms predicted for future climate-change scenarios will likely increase the exports of solutes like DOC, DON, NH4+, Al and K+ from watersheds. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Financial Reporting Regulation: The Case of Converging Canadian and International Accounting and Auditing Standards,/LA RÉGLEMENTATION DE L'INFORMATION FINANCIÈRE: LA CONVERGENCE DES NORMES CANADIENNES ET INTERNATIONALES DE COMPTABILITÉ ET DE VÉRIFICATIONACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 1 2008Kathryn Bewley ABSTRACT This paper provides a descriptive analysis of the differences between existing Canadian accounting and auditing standards and the corresponding international standards that Canadian standard-setters have decided to converge them with, at the time of the decisions to converge. The descriptive analysis is based on two reconciliation documents published by the standard-setting boards of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. The main contributions of the paper are to outline and analyze the differences systematically in the context of prior research on financial reporting regulation and the impact of internationalization of accounting and auditing standards, and to identify key areas of difference that are likely to have the greatest impact on preparers, auditors, and users of Canadian financial statements. The results do not indicate that Canada is moving to a significantly more or less restrictive accounting measurement regime, but it appears that there will be greater disclosure detail required under international accounting standards than under existing Canadian standards. The key accounting difference relates to appraisal values for tangible and intangible assets that are permitted in international standards but not currently in their Canadian counterparts. The findings for auditing standards suggest that international and Canadian auditing standards impose a similar set of requirements on the audit function, and provide a similar degree of detailed application guidance. Differences in standards for the auditor's report and for management's written representations to the auditor are the most significant changes for audit practice in Canada. RÉSUMÉ L'auteure présente une analyse descriptive des éléments qui différencient les normes canadiennes de comptabilité et de vérification existantes et les normes internationales correspondantes vers lesquelles les normes canadiennes devraient converger, selon la position adoptée par les normalisateurs canadiens au moment de trancher la question. L'analyse descriptive se fonde sur deux documents de conciliation publiés par les conseils de normalisation de l'Institut Canadien des Comptables Agréés. Le principal apport de la présente étude est double: elle propose une description et une analyse systématiques des différences entre les normes dans le contexte des recherches précédentes sur la réglementation de l'information financière et l'incidence de l'internationalisation des normes de comptabilité et de vérification, et elle recense les principales sphères dans lesquelles les normes présentent des différences susceptibles d'avoir les conséquences les plus importantes pour les auteurs de l'information, les vérificateurs et les utilisateurs des états financiers canadiens. Selon les résultats de l'étude, le régime de mesure comptable vers lequel s'oriente le Canada ne présente pas un caractère qui serait plus ou moins restrictif, mais tout indique que les exigences en ce qui a trait au détail de l'information à fournir seront plus grandes sous le régime des normes comptables internationales que sous celui des normes canadiennes existantes. La principale différence relevée au chapitre de la comptabilité se rapporte aux valeurs d'expertise des actifs corporels et incorporels qui sont permises dans les normes internationales mais ne le sont pas dans les normes canadiennes actuelles. Quant à la vérification, il semble que les normes internationales et canadiennes imposent à la fonction de vérification un ensemble d'exigences similaires et contiennent des directives d'application d'une précision analogue. Les différences dans les normes relatives au rapport du vérificateur et aux déclarations écrites de la direction sont les changements les plus importants pour l'exercice de la vérification au Canada. [source] Pulsed Signal Therapy® for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions: a millennium paradigmINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2004Richard MARKOLL Abstract Reports and reviews from various sources, including the World Health Organization and United Nations Population Division, confirm the general increasing trend in the ageing population groups worldwide. There are over 150 types of musculoskeletal conditions, with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low back pain and limb trauma, accounting for the greatest impact on the population at large. Osteoarthritis (OA) is predicted to become the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020. The most common medication prescribed for OA is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These have long been associated with numerous adverse effects, are costly and short-term in their ,therapeutic' effect. Pulsed Signal Therapy® (PSTÔ) is an innovative treatment modality for musculoskeletal conditions. It has been commercially available since 1992, is currently employed in at least 800 clinics and/or medical institutes, and to-date, no adverse effects have been reported. Furthermore, it is non-invasive, non-pharmacological, painless, with long-term follow-up, and sustained efficacy. When connective tissue is injured and physiological signalling is disturbed or absent, PSTÔ, as the external, biophysical signal (stimulus) of physiological energy parameters and waveform, passively induces ,fluid flow' in the injured area, creating ,streaming potentials', that induce biophysical-biochemical coupling, subsequent signal transduction, to activate repair and regenerative processes. In doing so, it restores the innate, physiological signalling to enable these regenerative and repair processes to continue naturally. [source] Where will pathogen inactivation have the greatest impact?ISBT SCIENCE SERIES: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, Issue 1 2007T. Hervig Blood safety has always been a major task in transfusion medicine. A strategy to obtain this aim should include donor education, donor selection, and testing of blood donations. Pathogen inactivation adds another level of safety. In the fractionation industry, pathogen inactivation methods are mandatory. Several countries also use pathogen-inactivated plasma , from pools or single donors. Concerning the cellular blood components, there is still no method available for red cell concentrates, whereas methods for platelet concentrates are available in some countries and others are in the pipeline for commercialization. The efficiency of the ,old' methods to increase blood safety and the costs of the methods seem to be major obstacles for the introduction of the systems. There are also concerns on product quality and loss of volume during the inactivation process. As the importance of pathogen inactivation is largest in countries with blood donors who carry infections it is impossible to protect against, either due to high incidence of the infection or due to shortage of tests, cost will be a major question when pathogen inactivation is considered. Pathogen inactivation of red cell concentrates will also be a necessity. When pathogen inactivation methods are available for all blood components, they will have great impact to protect the patients in countries where a high percentage of the population is infected by agents transmissible through blood transfusion, and in all situations to protect against new pathogens and ,old' pathogens that become more virulent. The total risk of contracting infectious diseases through blood transfusion will probably be important when implementation of new methods for pathogen inactivation is considered. [source] General guidelines for invasive plant management based on comparative demography of invasive and native plant populationsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Satu Ramula Summary 1General guidelines for invasive plant management are currently lacking. Population declines may be achieved by focusing control on demographic processes (survival, growth, fecundity) with the greatest impact on population growth rate. However, we often have little demographic information on populations in the early stages of an invasion when control can be most effective. Here we determine whether synthesis of existing demographic data on invasive and native plant populations can address this knowledge problem. 2We compared population dynamics between invasive and native species using published matrix population models for 21 invasive and 179 native plant species. We examined whether the population growth rate responsiveness to survival, growth and fecundity perturbations varied between invasive and native species, and determined which demographic processes of invaders to target for reductions in population growth rate. 3Invaders had higher population growth rates (,) than natives, resulting in differences in demographic processes. Perturbations of growth and fecundity transitions (elasticities) were more important for population growth of invaders, whereas perturbations of survival had greater importance for population growth of natives. 4For both invasive and native species, elasticities of , to survival increased with life span and decreased with ,; while elasticities to growth and fecundity decreased with life span and increased with ,. 5For long-lived invaders, simulated reductions in either survival, growth or fecundity transitions were generally insufficient to produce population declines, whereas multiple reductions in either survival + growth or survival + fecundity were more effective. For short-lived invaders, simulated reductions in growth or fecundity and all pairwise multiple reductions produced population declines. 6Synthesis and applications. Life history and population growth rate of invasive species are important in the selection of control targets. For rapidly growing populations of short-lived invaders, growth and fecundity transitions should be prioritized as control targets over survival transitions. For long-lived invaders, simultaneous reductions in more than one demographic process, preferably survival and growth, are usually required to ensure population decline. These general guidelines can be applied to rapidly growing new plant invasions and at the invasion front where detailed demographic data on invasive species are lacking. [source] Demographic models and the management of endangered species: a case study of the critically endangered Seychelles magpie robinJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2003Ken Norris Summary 1Demographic models are assuming an important role in management decisions for endangered species. Elasticity analysis and scope for management analysis are two such applications. Elasticity analysis determines the vital rates that have the greatest impact on population growth. Scope for management analysis examines the effects that feasible management might have on vital rates and population growth. Both methods target management in an attempt to maximize population growth. 2The Seychelles magpie robin Copsychus sechellarum is a critically endangered island endemic, the population of which underwent significant growth in the early 1990s following the implementation of a recovery programme. We examined how the formal use of elasticity and scope for management analyses might have shaped management in the recovery programme, and assessed their effectiveness by comparison with the actual population growth achieved. 3The magpie robin population doubled from about 25 birds in 1990 to more than 50 by 1995. A simple two-stage demographic model showed that this growth was driven primarily by a significant increase in the annual survival probability of first-year birds and an increase in the birth rate. Neither the annual survival probability of adults nor the probability of a female breeding at age 1 changed significantly over time. 4Elasticity analysis showed that the annual survival probability of adults had the greatest impact on population growth. There was some scope to use management to increase survival, but because survival rates were already high (> 0·9) this had a negligible effect on population growth. Scope for management analysis showed that significant population growth could have been achieved by targeting management measures at the birth rate and survival probability of first-year birds, although predicted growth rates were lower than those achieved by the recovery programme when all management measures were in place (i.e. 1992,95). 5Synthesis and applications. We argue that scope for management analysis can provide a useful basis for management but will inevitably be limited to some extent by a lack of data, as our study shows. This means that identifying perceived ecological problems and designing management to alleviate them must be an important component of endangered species management. The corollary of this is that it will not be possible or wise to consider only management options for which there is a demonstrable ecological benefit. Given these constraints, we see little role for elasticity analysis because, when data are available, a scope for management analysis will always be of greater practical value and, when data are lacking, precautionary management demands that as many perceived ecological problems as possible are tackled. [source] Changes in population biology of two succulent shrubs along a grazing gradientJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Corinna Riginos Summary 1Heavy livestock grazing in Namaqualand, South Africa, is threatening the region's unique diversity of succulent shrubs. This is especially true in the communally managed lands, where grazing is centred around fixed enclosures (stockposts) in which animals stay overnight. In this study we set out to determine the effects of a semi-permanent stockpost on the composition of the surrounding vegetation and the mechanisms by which grazing limits the persistence of leaf-succulent shrub populations. 2We used the grazing gradient created by a stockpost to examine the impacts of grazing on vegetation composition and changes in mortality, reproductive output and seedling establishment for the leaf-succulent species Ruschia robusta and Cheiridopsis denticulata. 3Vegetation composition was found to change from a community dominated by the unpalatable shrub Galenia africana at high grazing intensities to a community dominated by the palatable leaf-succulent shrub R. robusta at lower grazing intensities. 4Mortality of the leaf-succulents R. robusta and C. denticulata was high at the sites closest to the stockpost, while fruit production and seedling germination were substantially reduced over distances of 800 m and 2 km for the two species, respectively. Seedling establishment was not limited by either grazing or microsite availability. Thus reduction in reproductive output is the greatest impact of heavy grazing on these two species. 5Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that marked zonation in vegetation composition and population biology can develop around a fixed stockpost and that the greatest impact of grazing on the two leaf-succulent species studied is the suppression of flower and fruit production. Consistent suppression of reproductive output could have long-term consequences for the persistence of succulent shrub populations in the heavily grazed communal lands of Namaqualand. We recommend that (i) herders should be encouraged to relocate their stockposts regularly to prevent the development of centres of degradation, and (ii) areas should be relieved periodically of all grazing pressure to allow for successful seed set of native shrubs. [source] The Perceived Fairness of Layoff Practices,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 8 2003Monica A. Hemingway Policy capturing was used to identify layoff practices having the greatest impact on the perceived fairness of layoffs. Full-time employees (N = 23) rated the fairness of 100 hypothetical layoffs incorporating each of 12 layoff practices reflecting different approaches to organizational justice. Managerial consistency in implementing layoffs, an unbiased layoff policy, and the size of severance packages had the strongest influence on fairness judgments. These results suggest that practices reflecting structural aspects of justice play the greatest role in layoff fairness perceptions, whereas practices consistent with social aspects of justice may be relatively less important. [source] Catheter Ablation of Long-Lasting Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Critical Structures for TerminationJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2005MICHEL HAÏSSAGUERRE M.D. Background: The relative contributions of different atrial regions to the maintenance of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are not known. Methods: Sixty patients (53 ± 9 years) undergoing catheter ablation of persistent AF (17 ± 27 months) were studied. Ablation was performed in a randomized sequence at different left atrial (LA) regions and comprised isolation of the pulmonary veins (PV), isolation of other thoracic veins, and atrial tissue ablation targeting all regions with rapid or heterogeneous activation or guided by activation mapping. Finally, linear ablation at the roof and mitral isthmus was performed if sinus rhythm was not restored after addressing the above-mentioned areas. The impact of ablation was evaluated by the effect on the fibrillatory cycle length in the coronary sinus and appendages at each step. Activation mapping and entrainment maneuvers were used to define the mechanisms and locations of intermediate focal or macroreentrant atrial tachycardias. Results: AF terminated in 52 patients (87%), directly to sinus rhythm in 7 or via the ablation of 1,6 intermediate atrial tachycardias (total 87) in 45 patients. This conversion was preceded by prolongation of fibrillatory cycle length by 39 ± 9 msec, with the greatest magnitude occurring during ablation at the anterior LA, coronary sinus and PV-LA junction. Thirty-eight atrial tachycardias were focal (originating dominantly from these same sites), while 49 were macroreentrant (involving the mitral or cavotricuspid isthmus or LA roof). Patients without AF termination displayed shorter fibrillatory cycles at baseline: 130 ± 14 vs 156 ± 23 msec; P = 0.002. Conclusion: Termination of persistent AF can be achieved in 87% of patients by catheter ablation. Ablation of the structures annexed to the left atrium,the left atrial appendage, coronary sinus, and PVs,have the greatest impact on the prolongation of AF cycle length, the conversion of AF to atrial tachycardia, and the termination of focal atrial tachycardias. [source] Population dynamics and stage structure in a haploid-diploid red seaweed, Gracilaria gracilisJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Carolyn Engel Summary 1,Many red seaweeds are characterized by a haploid-diploid life cycle in which populations consist of dioecious haploid (gametophyte) and diploid (tetrasporophyte) individuals as well as an additional diploid zygote-derived sporangium (carposporophyte) stage. A demographic analysis of Gracilaria gracilis populations was carried out to explore and evaluate the population dynamics and stage structure of a typical haploid-diploid red seaweed. 2,Four G. gracilis populations were studied at two sites on the French coast of the Strait of Dover. Survival, reproduction and recruitment rates were measured in each population for up to 4 years. Eight two-sex stage-based population projection matrices were built to describe their demography. 3,All four populations were characterized by high survival and low recruitment rates. Population growth rates (,) were similar between populations and between years and ranged from 1.03 to 1.17. In addition, generation times were found to be as long as 42 years. 4,Sex and ploidy ratios were variable across populations and over time. Female frequencies ranged from 0.31 to 0.59 and tetrasporophyte frequencies from 0.44 to 0.63. However, in most cases, the observed population structures were not significantly different from the calculated stage distributions. 5,Eigenvalue elasticity analysis showed that , was most sensitive to changes in matrix transitions that corresponded to survival of the gametophyte and tetrasporophyte stages. In contrast, the contribution of the fertility elements to , was small. Eigenvector elasticity analysis also showed that survival elements had the greatest impact on sex and ploidy ratios. [source] Logistics and supply chain strategies in grain exportingAGRIBUSINESS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004William W. Wilson The grain shipping industry is highly competitive and has become technically advanced during the past decade. These changes, along with the introduction of innovative shipping mechanisms, have made logistics management an important source of opportunity and risk for grain shippers. A stochastic simulation model was developed to evaluate tradeoffs and effects of key variables on logistical costs in the grain supply chain for an individual firm. Average demurrage for the supply chain was $2.14 million ($0.70/mt or 1.8 cent/bu) with the highest demurrage costs for vessels and lowest for railcars. Of the random variables modeled, unexpected changes in export demand had the greatest impact on costs. [EconLit citation: Q130.] © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 449,464, 2004. [source] An Integrative Framework for Measuring the Extent to which Organizational Variables Influence the Success of Process Improvement ProgrammesJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 7 2005Peter Lok abstract Studies on the three types of process improvement programmes (Continuous Improvement, Reengineering and Benchmarking) have appeared many times in the literature. These studies suggest that certain organizational variables act as enablers and their presence or absence can significantly influence success rates. Such studies have tended to examine companies where a single programme has been implemented. In contrast, this paper examines a sample of companies who have experienced all three programmes. Our aim is to compare and contrast each programme's impact on firm performance and identify which organizational variables are common and which are programme-specific enablers of success. We build and test an integrative framework to support our analysis. Our study found that: (1) Reengineering delivered the greatest impact on performance; (2) executive commitment was needed to make this happen; (3) strategic alignment was the major influence on the success rate of Reengineering and Continuous Improvement programmes; and (4) employee empowerment was necessary for each programme to work effectively. [source] Comparison of HPLC enantioseparation of substituted binaphthyls on CD-, polysaccharide- and synthetic polymer-based chiral stationary phasesJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 9 2010Lucie Loukotková Abstract Retention and enantioseparation behavior of ten 2,2,-disubstituted or 2,3,2,-trisubstituted 1,1,-binaphthyls and 8,3,-disubstituted 1,2,-binaphthyls, which are used as catalysts in asymmetric synthesis, was investigated on eight chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on ,-CD, polysaccharides (tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) cellulose or amylose CSPs) and new synthetic polymers (trans -1,2-diamino-cyclohexane, trans -1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and trans -9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-(11S,12S)-11,12-dicarboxylic acid CSPs). Normal-, reversed-phase and polar-organic separation modes were employed. The effect of the mobile phase composition was examined. The enantiomeric separation of binaphthyl derivatives, which possess quite similar structures, was possible in different enantioselective environments. The substituents and their positions on the binaphthyl skeleton affect their properties and, as a consequence, the separation system suitable for their enantioseparation. In general, the presence of ionizable groups on the binaphthyl skeleton, substitution with non-identical groups and a chiral axis in the 1,2, position had the greatest impact on the enantiomeric discrimination. The 8,3,-disubstituted 1,2,-binaphthyl derivatives were the most easily separated compounds in several separation systems. From all the chiral stationary phases tested, cellulose-based columns were shown to be the most convenient for enantioseparation of the studied analytes. However, the polymeric CSPs with their complementary behavior provided good enantioselective environments for some derivatives that could be hardly separated in any other chromatographic system. [source] Importance of soils, topography and geographic distance in structuring central Amazonian tree communitiesJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Stephanie A. Bohlman Abstract Question: What is the relative contribution of geographic distance, soil and topographic variables in determining the community floristic patterns and individual tree species abundances in the nutrient-poor soils of central Amazonia? Location: Central Amazonia near Manaus, Brazil. Methods: Our analysis was based on data for 1105 tree species (, 10 cm dbh) within 40 1-ha plots over a ca. 1000-km2 area. Slope and 26 soil-surface parameters were measured for each plot. A main soil-fertility gradient (encompassing soil texture, cation content, nitrogen and carbon) and five other uncorrelated soil and topographic variables were used as potential predictors of plant-community composition. Mantel tests and multiple regressions on distance matrices were used to detect relationships at the community level, and ordinary least square (OLS) and conditional autoregressive (CAR) models were used to detect relationships for individual species abundances. Results: Floristic similarity declined rapidly with distance over small spatial scales (0,5 km), but remained constant (ca. 44%) over distances of 5 to 30 km, which indicates lower beta diversity than in western Amazonian forests. Distance explained 1/3 to 1/2 more variance in floristics measures than environmental variables. Community composition was most strongly related to the main soil-fertility gradient and C:N ratio. The main fertility gradient and pH had the greatest impact of species abundances. About 30% of individual tree species were significantly related to one or more soil/topographic parameters. Conclusions: Geographic distance and the main fertility gradient are the best predictors of community floristic composition, but other soil variables, particularly C:N ratio, pH, and slope, have strong relationships with a significant portion of the tree community. [source] Using Comparative Cost DataNEW DIRECTIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 106 2000Michael F. Middaugh Cost study data have their greatest impact when viewed within the context of institutional peers. This chapter describes sources and strategies for the most effective use of comparative expenditure data. [source] Asylum-seekers and refugees: a structuration theory analysis of their experiences in the UKPOPULATION, SPACE AND PLACE (PREVIOUSLY:-INT JOURNAL OF POPULATION GEOGRAPHY), Issue 4 2006Ruth L. Healey Abstract Much of the literature on asylum-seekers and refugees tends to be atheoretical. This article uses ideas from Giddens' structuration theory as a conceptual framework to analyse the voices of a group of asylum-seekers and refugees. The empirical database consists of semi-structured interviews with 18 asylum-seekers and refugees living in the UK from a wide range of countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Poland, Somalia and the Yemen. The study shows that the experiences of asylum-seekers and refugees are impacted by both structural and individual agency factors. The former, it is argued, consist of public and political reaction towards the increase in the number of asylum applications, while the latter include asylum-seeker and refugee experiences of specific places and people which can create social networks. Structural factors had the greatest impact upon the integration of the participants into the host society. The nature of the experiences of asylum-seekers and refugees can influence the way they feel about their position in the host society. For example, negative experiences of the UK can reduce their sense of security in the society, whereas positive experiences can increase their feelings of comfort. Structuration theory conceptualises how asylum-seekers and refugees utilise coping strategies to raise their comfort level in the host country. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Organizational factors that influence safety,PROCESS SAFETY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2006Patrick Killimett For the past 20 years the author and his associates have worked with over 1600 organizations to improve safety performance. In the course of this work, we have discovered that organizations optimize their efforts when they provide and support strong roles at each of three levels: the front-line employee, supervisory, and senior manager levels. These three roles, when appropriately engaged, make up a cord of three strands that is not easily broken. Of these three areas, the leadership role has proved not only to have the greatest impact on safety improvement but also the most complex to understand and influence. One striking example of this is seen in the study of sites using the same improvement methodology. Even when compared by industry, site size, and systems, some organizations achieve steady improvement whereas others consistently struggle. More than any other factor, the quality of the organization's leadership,in particular its influence on the organizational culture,determined the level of success achieved. By organizational culture we mean the shared common values that drive organizational performance, more commonly defined as "the way we do things here." Culture applies to many areas of functioning, is generally unstated, in the background, and slow to change. Even though it is generally recognized that leadership is important to performance, the "how" of that leadership is often debated. What makes a leader effective at influencing and improving safety? What are the qualities of such a leader? What are the key tasks that a leader must perform to generate desired results? Although this paper focuses on these questions with respect to senior leaders, the principles discussed are applicable to all levels in the organization. © 2006 Behavior Science Technology, Inc. (BST), 2006 [source] Practical assessment of project performance: the ,potential impact' approach,PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2000Michael Hubbard This article sets out an approach to assessing project performance, using ,potential impact' of the project. Its purpose is to assist project design and evaluation. In project design, potential impacts of alternative activities on the project objective are compared, in order to select activities with the greatest impact. In project evaluation, potential and actual impacts of a project are compared. Additional benefits of the approach are that it indicates ,value for money' of development assistance invested in projects, and easier tracing of reasons for underachievement in projects to weaknesses in their design or management. Limitations are that it relies on informed judgement of the planners or evaluators and the categories for rating performance may unavoidably be broad. It complements the logical framework approach by providing a practical design and evaluation tool. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Do cavity-nesting primates reduce scent marking before retirement to avoid attracting predators to sleeping sites?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Samuel P. Franklin Abstract The largest population of endangered golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia, GLTs) decreased from approximately 330 to 220 individuals between 1995 and 2000 due to a dramatic increase in predation at sleeping sites. We used behavioral data from eight social groups in this population to test two hypotheses: First, if GLTs attempt to mitigate the risk of predation at sleeping sites, they should reduce their rates of scent marking just prior to retirement. Second, if the benefits of scent marking prior to entering the sleeping site merit an increase in the rate of marking, then tamarins should increase their rate of pre-retirement scent marking during the breeding season, when such behavior would have its greatest impact on reproductive fitness. We used a generalized linear model (GLM) repeated-measures analysis to compare rates of daytime scent marking with rates of marking just prior to retirement for males and females. In addition, we compared scent marking prior to retiring in the nonbreeding season to marking rates before retirement in the breeding season for males and both sexes considered concurrently. Contrary to our expectations, GLTs significantly increased their rates of scent marking during the 30,min prior to entering their sleeping site,an observation driven by an increase in male (but not female) rates of marking. Rates of marking before entering the sleeping site were greater in the nonbreeding season compared to the breeding season, when both sexes were considered concomitantly and when males were evaluated alone. We conclude that GLTs do not attempt to minimize predation risk by decreasing scent marking in the period before they enter their sleeping site, and that tamarins do not scent mark at this time of day in order to transmit information about reproductive status or to control reproduction of subordinates. We speculate that scent marking in the 30,min prior to entering sleeping sites may serve to reduce predation risk by enabling tamarin groups to return quickly to favored sleeping sites in the evening when crepuscular predators are active. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1,12, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Financial Champions and Masters of Innovation: Analyzing the Effects of Balancing Strategic Orientations,THE JOURNAL OF PRODUCT INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2009Angela Paladino Theory predicts that market and resource orientations can each lead to innovation and financial success. Despite this, no research has examined whether the pursuit of both resource and market orientations is feasible and, if so, the impact of this combined effect on innovative and financial outcomes. This paper aims to address these gaps. Thus, it is the first to examine the interdependent relationship between market orientation (MO) and resource orientation (RO). Additionally, this study responds to calls for (1) cross-disciplinary research, particularly in the areas of marketing and strategic management, and (2) comparative studies of diverse strategic orientations on performance. In doing so, this paper investigates the difference in innovation performance and financial performance between firms adopting a high or low degree of market orientation or a high or low degree of resource orientation. This allows us to observe independent and interdependent effects of these orientations on the firm's performance. Data were collected from 250 senior executives in Australia. Confirmatory factor analysis and related techniques were applied to assess the robustness of the measures used. A two-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the relationships. Results show the emergence of four organizational types: unfocused imitators or followers; market-driven innovators; masters of innovation; and financial champions. From these, financial champions emerge as having the greatest impact on the financial performance of the firm, while masters of innovation are best for maximizing innovation outcomes. In fact, organizations with a high RO in the matrix (masters of innovation and financial champions) achieved a higher impact on innovation relative to the quadrants reflecting a lower MO. Results also demonstrate that pursuing a low degree of resource and market orientations leads to inferior financial performance. Therefore, a balance of resource and market orientations is important. A potential extension of this research is to assess these relationships on an industry-by-industry basis. This would contribute to our knowledge by allowing us to determine if and how these results differ between industries. Managerial and theoretical implications are also discussed. [source] Quality of Life Correlates After Surgery for Laryngeal Carcinoma,,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2007Julian Bindewald Abstract Objectives: To assess the correlation of operation mode, postoperative radiotherapy, and disease stage factors with the health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures after surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. Study Design: Reanalysis of data of two multi-institutional cross-sectional studies. Patients and Methods: We interviewed 218 laryngectomees and 153 partial laryngectomy patients in and near Leipzig, Germany, in two cross-sectional studies, using the general and the head- and neck-specific quality of life questionnaires of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35). Multifactorial univariate and multivariate models were calculated, with laryngectomy vs. partial laryngectomy, radiotherapy (irradiated or not), and disease stage (International Union Against Cancer [UICC] stages I/II vs. III/IV) as influencing factors and the HRQL scales and items as dependent variables. Analyses were adjusted for the patient's age and the time elapsed since the operation. Results: Laryngectomees were more affected in their sense of smell (P , .000). Among irradiated patients, functioning levels and many symptom scales showed worse results (P , .05). Both operation mode and postoperative radiotherapy were independently associated with head- and neck-specific HRQL in multivariate analysis. Differences between disease stage groups, however, were not significant. Patient's age was an influencing factor on HRQL, but time since operation was not. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy seems to have the greatest impact on patients' HRQL independent of other clinical factors following surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. Aftercare of irradiated laryngeal carcinoma patients should focus more on the patient's quality of life. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||