bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volcano hazard management strategies
Authors: Perry Ronald W. , Godchaux John David
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper seeks to review the geophysical threats generated by volcanic activity and reports on the technological and social management techniques available to counter those threats.

Design/methodology/approach

The information presented was derived from a review of case studies of response to volcanic eruptions in the USA, Europe and Japan. The studies reviewed included both technical papers from geologists and volcanologists and research by social scientists.

Findings

The unique relationship between human settlements and volcanoes was described. This was done in the context of special features of volcanic hazards that set them apart from other natural hazards: time frame, multiple impacts, magnitude of destructive potential and predictability. Based on pairing geophysical threats with human safety concerns, three critical social management techniques were described: public education, access controls and evacuation systems. The social science and geophysical principles that underlie the effectiveness of these techniques are described.

Practical implications

The review brings together the results of numerous case studies over the years and highlights the hazard management issues that were common across them. Then, with respect to each of the techniques identified, a critique of issues associated with implementation was conducted that draws upon both the geophysical literature and social science literature. In particular, patterns of citizen resistance to public education, access controls and evacuation are described and approaches to implementation that minimize such resistance are suggested.

Originality/value

There are many discussions in the geophysics literature of the types and nature of volcanic eruptive behavior. In the social science literature there are discussions of public education strategies for hazards, controlling access to dangerous locations and evacuation systems. This paper pairs geophysical threats with appropriate techniques for protecting populations, specifically within the unique context of volcanic eruptions. There is also discussion of common problems that have arisen when the different techniques have been used in the past and suggestions for ways to avoid those problems. The paper is aimed at professional emergency managers and planners who are faced with managing dangers to populations from volcanicity.
Why vulnerability matters
Authors: McEntire David A.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The following conceptual exposition is presented in light of the growing number of scholars who indicate need for a comprehensive and coherent approach to disaster reduction, while practitioners seem to be continually faced with dynamic and seemingly contradictory goals and strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This article reviews arguments from an assorted collection of literature in order to increase theoretical understanding of disasters and attempts to integrate various concepts, paradigms and policy proposals.

Findings

The discussion points out the strengths and weaknesses of alternative viewpoints about disasters, and suggests that a broad conceptualization of vulnerability may be best suited to assimilate findings for academia and simplify policy guidance for professionals in the field.

Research limitations/implications

Because this is a cursory exploration of the casting of vulnerability management in terms of liability reduction and capacity building, additional research on the matter will undoubtedly be needed. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this article may pull together diverse academic frameworks, in order to avert recurring mistakes among those designing and implementing policy.

Originality/value

By updating the author's prior work in this area with additional considerations regarding the natural hazards, civil defense, risk management and homeland security schools, this article may be useful for scholars and practitioners interested in reversing the trend of more frequent and intense disasters.
Indigenous technical knowledge inputs for effective disaster management in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem
Authors: Rautela Piyoosh
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Survival strategy of the masses has led to the evolution of area‐specific, locally pertinent and effective ways of mitigating natural disasters. This vital knowledge base is, however, often ignored and is being fast eroded. The paper aims at highlighting the relevance of these practices that put forth most cost‐effective and acceptable means of mitigating disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the extensive field studies and in‐depth probe of the traditional resource management practices of the people of the remote Himalayan terrain by the author and it reflects his belief in the acumen of the masses.

Findings

The paper discusses the relevance of the various disaster management practices of the region. During the course of their habitation in the disaster‐prone Himalayan terrain the indigenous people through experience, experimentation and accumulated knowledge devised ways of reducing their vulnerability to natural hazards. Studies show that their understanding was fairly evolved in the areas of earthquake, landslide and drought management and had devised efficient ways of mitigating the effects of these.

Research limitations/implications

The paper reflects the author's individual understanding and interpretation of the practices based on his interactions with the masses.

Practical implications

Improvisation on the traditional practices of disaster management has a major role to play in putting forth cost‐effective and sustainable means of shielding the community against the impact of natural disasters. This article puts forth an alternative approach of interpreting the traditional practices of the masses and would lead to appropriate innovations for better disaster management in the region.

Originality/value

This paper represents a useful attempt to reinforce the importance of local knowledge in mitigating natural disasters, which is often ignored and is quick to erode.
The networked idealist's advantage
Authors: Lowy Alex , Hood Philip , Singer Eli
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The authors have identified a new type of innovator that combines the rascal‐like idealism of Robin Hood with the network‐based business models of early internet businesses to revolutionize many markets. These innovators are initially non‐profit entrepreneurs who develop organic, cellular, distributed network structures to accomplish their work. They use financial, transportation and communications networks in novel ways to circumvent normal barriers to market entry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors studied the business practices and culture of a number of these network idealists.

Findings

Network idealist succeed by undermining at least four of the barriers to market entry. They use networks to ramp up scale quickly. They differentiate by appealing to idealistic or radical impulses, often creating a charismatic brand in the process. They overcome capital requirements by using contributed labor and public infrastructures. And, they skirt the regulations that restrict innovation in many industries.

Research limitations/implications

As network idealist organizations like Craigslist mature, researchers will need to analyze how their business model changes and develops.

Practical implications

An incumbent options matrix describes four strategies available in response to network idealist competition: eliminate, join, barricade, align.

Originality/value

The authors identify a new and very successful form of competition, explain its strategies, and suggest ways to counter attack.
From breakthrough to value creation
Authors: McKinnon Robert , Gowland Chris , Worzel Ken
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article introduces a three‐part approach to improving the results of discovery programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors studied successful R&D programs to determine the right elements of a process for discovery‐based innovation that improved the commercial focus of invention without disturbing the subtle creative dynamics of a successful research organization.

Findings

The search led the authors to the following three‐part approach: run discovery as a separate business, not as part of a business; focus on the economics of the process, not of the project; focus on decision‐making effectiveness, not functional efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The financial impact of authors’ approach needs to be studied and validated.

Practical implications

The authors’ approach provides managers with clear guidelines for structuring their research discovery programs.

Originality/value

The authors’ approach contradicts much conventional thinking.
Leadership: experience is the best teacher
Authors: Thomas Robert J. , Cheese Peter
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The authors introduce an experience‐based approach offering a comprehensive new way of developing leaders. It knits together on‐the‐job experience, life experience, and specific skill development, rather than presenting employees with a smorgasbord of classes and programs that is tenuously linked (if it is linked at all) to career development, succession planning, or business objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors base their conclusions on previous Accenture research and their observations of leadership technology as used by organizations.

Findings

Advances in learning models, information technology, and leadership research strongly suggest that new approaches like experience‐based learning hold strong promise in helping companies meet the high performance challenge.

Research limitations/implications

The experience‐based approach bridges the gap between practice and performance through creative uses of information and communication technology. Research to validate and show the impact of the experience‐based approach compared to various alternatives would be welcome.

Practical implications

The experience‐based method can be adapted to the developmental needs and opportunities of leaders and potential leaders at all stages of their careers, and also to the changing needs of organizations operating in complex and uncertain environments. The goal of experience‐based leadership development is to equip employees to mine their experiences – continuously and intensively – for insight into what it takes to lead, what it takes to grow as a leader, and what it takes to cultivate the leader in others (peers and superiors as well as subordinates).

Originality/value

Today's challenge for organizations is to grow more leaders over a larger terrain and faster than ever before. Article explains how a program that uses learning models, information technology, and leadership research to link experience and leadership training can help companies produce higher quality leaders more efficiently.
Four futures: privacy battles and chatty networks
Authors: Randall Doug
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Two completely different views on data distribution – the lockbox versus the chatty network – pose a dilemma that strategic planners must address and resolve. How do organizations make sense of conflicting possibilities for the future of information networks?

Design/methodology/approach

Recently the author participated in a discussion with privacy and security professionals attending an annual privacy and security conference titled “Seeking the middle path.” They explored four scenarios for the future of privacy and security.

Findings

The experts explored a future called Aikido – a scenario where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. Some of the elements of this scenario can be discerned from examining the offerings of companies that operate on the Internet today.

Research limitations/implications

Other companies need to explore these four scenarios in the light of their own security and privacy concerns as well as the possibilities of developing network business models.

Practical implications

The next step for CEOs struggling with issues of privacy and security: figure out the connection between sense making (expanding your view of new possibilities like networks and reperceiving what they mean to the industry and your organization) and business judgment (making concrete decisions that exploit that knowledge).

Originality/value

The author introduces a scenario called Aikido – a possible future where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. He shows how several existing companies are pioneering this value proposition.
Independence and co‐operation among small businesses
Authors: Koçak Akın , Edwards Vincent
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The article seeks to explore the importance of entrepreneurial behaviour and inter‐firm co‐operation for small firms seeking growth in a volatile, recession‐hit environment. Entrepreneurial behaviour is defined as seeking opportunities, developing new products and entering new markets. Strategic thinking and strategy type determine behaviour. Inter‐firm co‐operation includes both horizontal and vertical relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of co‐operating firms and questionnaire survey of independent firms were conducted in the Turkish shotgun industry.

Findings

Small firms engaging in co‐operation and applying prospector/analyser‐type strategies achieve greater success and growth than independent firms in the same industry. Moreover, co‐operation includes socio‐psychological, strategic and network dimensions, which are essential factors for success and growth.

Research limitations/implications

Since the sample comprised only one case and a small number of independent firms, generalization is difficult. Moreover, the results may not apply to other industries.

Practical implications

Relevant government agencies and other researchers should consider co‐operation and/or clusters to mitigate the impact of economic recession and sustain employment levels.

Originality/value

Although the Huglu case is unique in Turkey, clusters and co‐operations can enhance firm performance, job creation and general social welfare.
The entrepreneurial role of organisational members in the internationalisation of a franchise system
Authors: Altinay Levent , Roper Angela
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To discuss the entrepreneurial role and importance of organisational members in implementing franchising decisions internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

A single embedded case study of an international hotel firm was the focus of the enquiry. Interviews, observations and document analysis were used as the data collection techniques.

Findings

Findings suggest that Development Directors, as the organisational members in host country markets, display many characteristics of entrepreneurial salespeople in the process of selling the franchise system. However, they face organisational obstacles which mean that they cannot fully exploit their entrepreneurial effort. The paper concludes by suggesting that it is Development Directors, as opposed to senior decision makers, who possess an international orientation and are therefore crucial to the internationalisation process of the firm. In addition, there is an indication that there is a relationship between entrepreneurial efforts within sales and the performance of a firm.

Research limitations/implications

The hotel industry has been chosen as the focus of the study, and the comparability with other industries is therefore questionable. Although the research findings have not indicated any substantial differences in terms of the international management of the hotel firms and other types of organisations, the findings of this research cannot be generalised.

Practical implications

This paper both illuminates the challenges franchise organisations face internationally and highlights the options that companies may consider as part of their growth strategies.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the role and importance of organisational entrepreneurs in the international expansion process and sheds new light on the implementation of franchising decisions internationally. It identifies an important factor in the operationalisation of international franchising – the need for entrepreneurial sales people in the franchise‐selling procedure.
Women's career development phases
Authors: O'Neil Deborah A. , Bilimoria Diana
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This study aims to explore the nature of women's career experiences over the life course by examining career patterns, careerlocus, career contexts, and career beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, inductive approach to data gathering and analysis was employed, using life story surveys, semi‐structured interviewing, thematic analysis, grounded theory, code development and descriptive statistics.

Findings

The data revealed distinct patterns of how women's careers develop over time, particularly with regard to the impact of career contexts (societal, organizational, and relational) and women's own changing images of their careers and career success. A three‐phase, age‐linked model of women's career development is proposed: the idealistic achievement phase; the pragmatic endurance phase; and the reinventive contribution phase.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should test replicability of these findings to determine whether this three‐phase model is embedded in the particular socio‐historical context of the times in which the particular women in this sample have lived or is universally applicable across different eras and changing realities.

Practical implications

Better organizational efforts are needed to ensure that women receive ongoing coaching and mentoring, work for managers who support their development, have access to organizational resources and opportunities to develop their skills, are given challenging assignments, are acknowledged for their unique talents, and are recognized for aptitude learned through life experiences and “non‐traditional” work histories.

Originality/value

This is a rare, women‐only study that looks at the career dynamics of women over the life course.
Clinical leadership in health care: a position statement
Authors: Millward Lynne J. , Bryan Karen
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to briefly review leadership within the contemporary UK National Health Services (NHS) including Department of Health and Royal College of Nursing (RCN) initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

It is argued that the concept of clinical leadership is a viable and important one, and is theoretically consistent with the contemporary social psychological literature on the importance of “local” leadership to effective organizational functioning. Field theory proposes that local influences (e.g. local management) on attitudes and behaviour will to a large extent mediate the impact of the organization (e.g. organisational structure and values) on (in this instance) health care delivery.

Findings

The reality of clinical leadership must involve a judicious blend effective management in the conventional sense with skill in transformational change in order to make real difference to the care delivery process.

Practical implications

For leadership initiatives to become truly culturally embedded into the “way we do things around here”, they require more than just individual training and development.

Originality/value

A view is offered for the practical interpretation of the clinical leadership concept in relationship terms. This will involve management of the relationship between health care professionals, between health care professionals and the “organizations” to which they are accountable and between health care professionals and service users.
Access and utilization of health services by British Columbia's rural Aboriginal population
Authors: Wardman Dennis , Clement Ken , Quantz Darryl
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To provide a picture of the access and use of health services by Aboriginal British Columbians living in both reserve and off‐reserve communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This project represents a collaborative effort between the University of British Columbia and multiple Aboriginal community partners. Between June and November 2003, 267 face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with Aboriginal persons in seven rural community organizations across the province.

Findings

This paper reports on the results of a survey of 267 Aboriginal clients. It was found that a substantial number of survey respondents accessed health services provided by an Aboriginal person. Although most respondents felt that services were available, they also identified a number of concerns. These revolved around the need to travel for services, as well as a lack of access to more specialized services. A number of self‐reported barriers to service were also identified. These findings have several policy implications and will be useful to service planners.

Research limitations/implications

Several questions for additional research were identified including the need to establish an inventory of service problem areas and investigating service and benefit policy and community awareness issues.

Originality/value

This paper provides policy makers with knowledge on the rural Aboriginal population, a population that has faced long standing problems in accessing appropriate health services.
Does government matter?
Authors: Lerner Miri , Menahem Gila , Hisrich Robert D.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to examine the effect of government intervention programs in improving the occupational opportunities of new immigrants as self‐employed entrepreneurs or salaried employees, and to determine the effect, if any, of gender and ethnicity.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the effects of two major types of government programs – retraining courses and support for business creation – a sample of 1,195 immigrants from the former Soviet Union in Israel were interviewed in depth on two different occasions.

Findings

The findings indicate that the impact of both government programs was more pronounced for women immigrants and immigrants from the Asian republics.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses only on two government programs in one country – Israel.

Practical implications

In terms of immigrant incorporation into a society, government programs matter and matter more for disadvantaged groups. Participation in these programs helps diminish any gaps created by market forces.

Originality/value

This study adds to the immigration literature on state intervention by assessing the contribution of government programs and intervention to immigrants’ occupational incorporation.
SME perspectives on business support services
Authors: Boter Håkan , Lundström Anders
Published: May 2005

Purpose

From a literature review and a comprehensive survey aims to analyze how small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) use existing support systems. The analysis is specifically on focusing different size groups within the SME category, the role of industrial sector, and regional location.

Design/methodology/approach

The combination of macro‐economic theory and entrepreneurial perspectives constitutes the theoretical framework for this study. Empirical data are collected via a survey to over 1,000 Swedish SMEs with one to 49 employees, from both manufacturing and service industries, and from three different regions. Descriptive as well as multivariate statistical techniques are used in the analysis.

Findings

The results indicate low participation rates of available support services and the largest manufacturing companies with a location in sparsely populated areas are the most frequent users. Vague arguments from neo‐classical theory and lack of clarity in definitions of small firms pose an obstacle to the production of empirical results as well as theoretical development. Support users are mainly positive to the services and, although the “take‐up rate” has increased in recent years, a better match between demand and supply of support services must be undertaken.

Originality/value

This paper gives understanding of how the business support programs are received among small companies. The results generated via a large sample size, 1,022 companies, combined with theoretical considerations, give a solid platform for research and policy conclusions.
The development of the China Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Authors: Jin Yi
Published: May 2005

The importance of electronic theses and dissertations and the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations has been widely realized by Chinese academic libraries in recent years. This paper introduces the China Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations project initiated by the China Academic Library and Information System and current research into related technologies, including metadata standards, OAI metadata harvesting protocol, standard document format and intellectual property protection. Research work on multilingual and cross‐lingual searching, personalization and knowledge organization is also described. The goals of the China Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations are to establish electronic theses and dissertations collections for Chinese academic universities, to provide services to access them efficiently, and to ensure the seamless organization of distributed electronic theses and dissertations collections.
Towards multi‐factor models of decision making and risk
Authors: Nwogugu Michael
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The purposes of this article are to evaluate models of stock market risk developed by Robert Engle, and related models (ARCH, GARCH, VAR, etc.); to establish whether prospect theory, cumulative prospect theory, expected utility theory, and market‐risk models (ARCH, GARCH, VAR, etc.) are related and have the same foundations.

Design/methodology/approach

The author critiques existing academic work on risk, decision making, prospect theory, cumulative prospect theory, expected utility theory, VAR and other market‐risk models (ARCH, GARCH, etc.) and analyzes the shortcomings of various measures of risk (standard deviation, VAR, etc.).

Findings

Prospect theory, cumulative prospect theory, expected utility theory, and market‐risk models are conceptually the same and do not account for many facets of risk and decision making. Risk and decision making are better quantified and modeled using a mix of situation‐specific dynamic, quantitative, and qualitative factors. Belief systems (a new model developed by the author) can better account for the multi‐dimensional characteristics of risk and decision making. The market‐risk models developed by Engle and related models (ARCH, GARCH, VAR, etc.) are inaccurate, do not incorporate many factors inherent in stock markets and asset prices, and thus are not useful and accurate in many asset markets.

Research limitations/implications

Areas for further research include: development of dynamic market‐risk models that incorporate asset‐market psychology, liquidity, market size, frequency of trading, knowledge differences among market participants, and trading rules in each market; and further development of concepts in belief systems.

Practical implications

Decision making and risk assessment are multi‐criteria processes that typically require some processing of information, and thus cannot be defined accurately by rigid quantitative models. Existing market‐risk models are inaccurate – many international banks, central banks, government agencies, and financial institutions use these models for risk management, capital allocation, portfolio management, and investments, and thus the international financial system may be compromised.

Originality/value

The critiques, ideas, and new theories in the article were all developed by the author. The issues discussed in the article are relevant to a multiplicity of situations and people in any case that requires decision making and risk assessment.
Productivity improvement of a computer hardware supply chain
Authors: Ravi V. , Shankar Ravi , Tiwari M.K.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To determine the key reverse logistics variables, which the top management should focus so as to improve the productivity and performance of computer hardware supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) based approach has been employed to model the reverse logistics variables typically found in computer hardware supply chains. These variables have been categorized under “enablers” and “results”. The enablers are the variables that help boost the reverse logistics variables, while results variables are the outcome of good reverse logistics practices.

Findings

A key finding of this modeling is that environmental concern is the primary cause of the initiation of reverse logistics practices in computer hardware supply chains. For better results, top management should focus on improving the high driving power enabler variables such as regulations, environmental concerns, top management commitment, recapturing value from used products, resource reduction, etc.

Originality/value

In this research, an interpretation of reverse logistics variables in terms of their driving and dependence powers has been carried out. Those variables possessing higher driving power in the ISM need to be taken care on a priority basis because there are a few other dependent variables being affected by them. Variables emerging with high dependence contribute to productivity and performance of green supply chain.
Re‐modelling EOQ and JIT purchasing for performance enhancement in the ready mixed concrete industries of Chongqing, China and Singapore
Authors: Min Wu , Sui Pheng Low
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To develop just‐in‐time (JIT) purchasing threshold value (JPTV) models for ready mixed concrete (RMC) suppliers to decide whether or not to switch from an economic order quantity (EOQ) approach to a JIT purchasing approach for the purchase of their raw materials, when a price discount is offered.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing economic order quantity (EOQ) with a price discount versus the JIT purchasing cost comparative models neglect some important cost components under the inventory management systems, for example, the out‐of‐stock costs and the impact of inventory policy on product quality and production flexibility. In addition, these models do not empirically study the capability of an inventory facility to hold the EOQ‐JIT cost indifference point's amount of inventory. These models suggest that the JIT purchasing approach is always preferred to the EOQ approach when the JIT purchasing approach can capitalize on physical plant space reduction. The JPTV models developed in this study overcome the two limitations of the existing EOQ and JIT purchasing cost comparative models.

Findings

By developing the JPTV models, this study suggests that the theoretical advantages of JIT purchasing may have been overstated.

Originality/value

The field studies conducted in the RMC industries in Chongqing, China and Singapore supported the propositions in this study. The JPTV models, if adopted, would help to enhance performance in the RMC industries in other cities as well.
Measuring relevant things
Authors: Denton D. Keith
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To identify the risk of poor performance measurement including the fact that executives can easily develop bottom‐line myopia where performance is judged solely on monthly or quarterly numbers, to the exclusion of all other indicators of performance. The paper also identifies why relevant non‐financial measures, remain in the realm of more talk than action and what can be done about it.

Design/methodology/approach

Looks at various measurements, both financial and non‐financial, that are made within the business environment.

Findings

An information system needs a set of rules and procedures to govern the collection, analysis, and distribution of this information. Intangibles and subjectivity is a casualty of current performance when there is excessive reliance on financial or other dated objective data. Narrowing down, define, and then managing a few critical performance indicators essential to improvement. Use specific quantifiable objectives.

Practical implications

Anyone wanting an organization to function as a cohesive unit will need to identify key performance measures. Anything can be measured. What is more important is to measure relevant and specific things. Look at your inputs, process and outputs, and identify ways of measuring those things relevant to your ultimate objective of your group.

Originality/value

Serves as a reminder that anything can be measured. Highlights the importance of measuring those things relevant to your ultimate objective in order to achieve that objective.
Good perinatal outcome in selective vaginal breech delivery at term
Authors: Uotila Jukka , Tuimala Risto , Kirkinen Pertti
Published: May 2005

Background and aim.  To compare perinatal outcome in groups of planned vaginal breech delivery, elective cesarean section with the fetus in breech presentation, and planned vaginal delivery with the fetus in cephalic presentation in a university hospital with a tradition of managing breech deliveries by the vaginal route.

Methods.  A cohort study from a 7‐year period 1995–2002, including 590 planned vaginal deliveries with a term (> 37 weeks) singleton fetus in breech presentation, 396 elective cesarean sections with a term singleton fetus in breech presentation, and 590 control women intending vaginal delivery with a singleton term fetus in cephalic presentation.

Results.  The Apgar scores were lower in the group of planned vaginal breech delivery, but in other outcome measures there were no significant intergroup differences. The overall neonatal morbidity was small (1.2% vs. 0.5% vs. 0.3% in the respective study groups) if compared to a recently published randomized multicenter study.

Conclusions.  Selective vaginal breech deliveries may be safely undertaken in units having a tradition of vaginal breech deliveries.
Evidence‐based changes in term breech delivery practice in Sweden
Authors: Alexandersson Olof , Bixo Marie , Högberg Ulf
Published: May 2005

Objective.  Medical documentation on term breech delivery (TBD) advocates planned abdominal delivery based on evidence. The aim of the present study was to describe a change in TBD practice in Sweden following evidence‐based documentation arguing in favor of TBD by cesarean section (CS).

Materials and methods.  The study was a population‐based observational study based on data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Eligible subjects were all mothers with singleton children in term breech (TB) presentation born between 1999 and 2001 at > 36 weeks' gestational age. Data were processed, and subjects were subdivided into groups, according to mode of delivery.

Results.  The CS rate increased from 75.3% in 1999 to 86.0% in 2001, due to an increase in planned abdominal deliveries. The change towards abdominal deliveries was more obvious for hospitals with fewer deliveries. While today, an increasing number of hospitals clearly have a non‐selective CS policy, with a > 95% CS rate, others still deliver 30% of TB babies vaginally.

Conclusion.  In conclusion, the evidence‐based recommendation for TBD has so far had considerable impact on Swedish obstetric practice.
Transepidermal water loss and incidence of hand dermatitis in a prospectively followed cohort of apprentice nurses
Authors: Schmid Klaus , Broding Horst Christoph , Uter Wolfgang , Drexler Hans
Published: May 2005

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the incidence of hand dermatitis, the impact of potential risk factors and the efficacy of skin bioengineering in a prospectively followed cohort of apprentice nurses. 104 participants were prospectively followed for 3 years. Before the start of training, after about 1 year and in the third year of occupational exposure, a standardized questionnaire was distributed, and a clinical examination with skin bioengineering of the dorsum of hand and forearm was performed. The 12‐month period prevalence of self‐reported symptoms of hand dermatitis was 36.5%[95%‐confidence interval (CI) 27.3–46.6] at intermediate follow‐up and 43.3% (95%‐CI 33.6–53.3) at the final examination. Apprentices with self‐reported symptoms at the final examination showed a significant increase of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at the dorsal hand from 10.15 g/m2h to 13.55 g/m2h. TEWL at this site did, at the initial examination, not differ significantly between persons who later reported symptoms of hand dermatitis at the final examination and those who did not (10.50 g/m2h versus 10.15 g/m2h, respectively). Our results do not support the notion that an increased basal TEWL is a good indicator for hand dermatitis risk.
Deodorants: an experimental provocation study with isoeugenol
Authors: Bruze Magnus , Johansen Jeanne D. , Andersen Klaus Ejner , Frosch Peter , Goossens An , Lepoittevin Jean‐Pierre , Rastogi Suresh C. , White Ian , Menné Torkil
Published: May 2005

Axillary dermatitis is common and overrepresented in people with contact allergy to fragrances. Many people suspect their deodorants to be the incriminating products. In order to investigate the significance of isoeugenol in deodorants for the development of axillary dermatitis when used by people with and without contact allergy to isoeugenol, patch tests with deodorants and ethanol solutions with isoeugenol, as well as repeated open application tests (ROAT) with roll‐on deodorants with and without isoeugenol at various concentrations, were performed in 35 dermatitis patients, 10 without and 25 with contact allergy to isoeugenol. A positive ROAT was observed only in patients hypersensitive to isoeugenol (P < 0.001) and only in the axilla to which the deodorants containing isoeugenol had been applied (P < 0.001). Deodorants containing isoeugenol in the concentration range of 0.0063–0.2% used 2 times daily on healthy skin can thus elicit axillary dermatitis within a few weeks in people with contact allergy to isoeugenol.
Potency and risk assessment of a skin‐sensitizing disperse dye using the local lymph node assay
Authors: Betts Catherine J. , Dearman Rebecca J. , Kimber Ian , Maibach Howard I.
Published: May 2005

Disperse Blue 106 is an acknowledged skin‐sensitization hazard. However, information about the relative sensitization potency of this chemical is lacking, and to provide this information was the purpose of the investigations described here. The approach taken was to measure dose–response relationships for C.I. Disperse Blue in the local lymph node assay, a method for the assessment of skin‐sensitization potential in which activity is measured as a function of lymphocyte proliferative responses induced in draining lymph nodes. From these data, it was possible to derive EC3 values (such being the estimated concentration of chemical required to elicit a 3‐fold increase in proliferation) that have been shown previously to reflect the relative sensitizing potency of contact allergens. These analyses revealed that Disperse Blue 106 had a relatively low EC3 value (0.01%), comparable to that measured concurrently for 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene, a potent contact allergen. Collectively, these data reveal that Disperse Blue 106 represents a significant skin‐sensitization hazard, and, in combination with information on dye migration and percutaneous penetration from various types of fabric and use conditions provide a basis for the development of effective and accurate risk assessments.
Occupational contact allergy to glyoxal
Authors: Aalto‐Korte Kristiina , Mäkelä Erja A. , Huttunen Maria , Suuronen Katri , Jolanki Riitta
Published: May 2005

Glyoxal is a dialdehyde that is used as a disinfectant in health care and dentistry work. Allergic contact dermatitis from glyoxal has been described in these occupations. We analysed our patient data from 1998 to 2004 for allergic reactions to glyoxal. 20 patients had allergic reactions to glyoxal on patch testing. 5 of these patients worked in dentistry and 4 of them had present exposure to glyoxal. 9 patients were machinists without obvious exposure to glyoxal. A grinder with work‐related facial dermatitis is described in detail. The chemical analysis of air samples from his workplace revealed 9.4–21 µg/m3 glyoxal. Glyoxal was also present in the used metal‐working fluid, and apparently it had been formed during grinding. The remaining 6 patients worked in miscellaneous occupations and had no present exposure to glyoxal. Glyoxal is irritant on patch testing. Especially, solitary reactions to glyoxal 10% in aq. may be false‐positive irritant reactions. 9 (45%) of our patients reacted to formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Glyoxal is an important allergen in dentistry and medical care, and we recommend it to be added to the antimicrobial patch test series. It also seems to be a ‘hidden’ allergen in the metal industry.
Severe delayed cutaneous reaction due to Mediterranean jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica) envenomation
Authors: Uri Sendovski , Marina Goffman , Liubov Goldshlak
Published: May 2005

During summer, Mediterranean Sea waters are invaded by a species of jellyfish designated as Rhopilema nomadica. Their tentacles contain numerous nematocysts loaded with a toxin that causes envenomation, usually expressed as immediate appearance of redness, burning sensation and papulovesicular eruption in the affected skin. We report a lady with a severe delayed reaction due to jellyfish envenomation that developed 2 days after contact with jellyfish tentacles.
Allergic contact dermatitis from ophthalmic products: can pre‐treatment with sodium lauryl sulfate increase patch test sensitivity?
Authors: Corazza Monica , Virgili Annarosa
Published: May 2005

In patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis because of topical ophthalmic medicaments, patch tests performed with patients' own products are often negative. The irritant anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) may alter the stratum corneum and increase antigen penetration. Pre‐treatment of the skin with SLS 0.5% for 24 h was performed in the sites of patch tests with patients' own products in 15 selected patients. In patients previously negative to their own products tested with conventional patch tests, SLS pre‐treatment showed 6 new relevant positive reactions and induced a stronger positive reaction in 1 patient. SLS pre‐treatment could be proposed as an alternative promising method, which may increase sensitivity of patch tests with patients' own products.
The Discount Rate for Public Sector Conservation Projects in South Africa
Authors: Du Preez Mario
Published: May 2005

Abstract:  South Africa, in an attempt to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty, has implemented a number of public sector conservation projects: the largest one being the Working for Water Programme (WfWP). Sound economic decision‐making regarding the economic feasibility of these public sector conservation projects require that they be subjected to economic assessment in the form of cost‐benefit analysis. One aspect of cost‐benefit analysis, which is often neglected, is the choice of the social discount rate. This paper addresses the issue of what the social discount rate for public sector conservation projects should be and provides an example of how to derive a social discount rate for a public sector conservation project, namely the WfWP.
A Review of Institutional Alternatives to Collateralized Lending
Authors: Maiangwa M. G. , Rahman S. A. , Omolehin R. A. , Phillip D. O. A.
Published: May 2005

Abstract:  Rural producers’ access to formal finance has often been limited by their inability to provide collaterals, particularly in the form of registered or certified land titles and tenancy contracts or assets which are auctionable as well as by laws that make foreclosure difficult. This paper reviews some of the alternative institutional arrangements (possibilities) for reducing and overcoming collateral requirements such as third party guarantees, ownership of tradeable assets, credit guarantee schemes, group lending, credit‐savings linkages, incremental and loan repayment‐dependent lending, portfolio diversification and an efficient legal system for contract enforcement. It also specifies the land policy and tenure reforms that are desirable, especially in the direction of formal land titling or legally specified rights to the use and ownership of lands, the consolidation of land holdings and the provision of proper cadastres for land and assuring that titles are secure.
Volatilité du prix international et distribution spatiale du prix du cacao en Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Mainardi Stefano
Published: May 2005

Abstract:  Instability in primary commodity prices is often assessed with descriptive statistics and estimation methods under the assumption of nearly normal distribution. However, asymmetries in the duration and amplitude of the cycles as well as in the intensity of the impact of shocks on commodity price volatility have been noticed. This bears implications for the analysis of producer support strategies. After reviewing some explanations of these irregularities, particularly those concerning the price and the main producer country of cocoa, properties of alternative GARCH models are compared, and a new specification is proposed. Five GARCH specifications are then applied to high frequency data of the cocoa price, relative to a 15‐year period. A moderate level of persistence is observed in the conditional mean of weekly observations. As for the conditional variance, specification tests and forecasting capacity measures give preference to models with a Student‐t distribution, with daily data being also characterized by rightward‐skewness and relatively higher, even if time‐varying, volatility persistence. Finally, estimates of two of these models are used to analyse space‐time relationships among price disparity across different trading centres, inter‐regional producer price dispersion in Côte d’Ivoire, and unforeseen volatility.
Haemodynamic effects of thoracic epidural anaesthesia during induction of anaesthesia: an investigation into the effects of tracheal intubation during target‐controlled infusion of propofol*
Authors: Nakatani T. , Saito Y. , Sakura S. , Kanata K.
Published: May 2005

We compared haemodynamic changes following induction of anaesthesia with propofol during tracheal intubation with and without epidural anaesthesia. Nineteen patients were divided into two groups to receive epidurally administered saline (Group C) or lidocaine 1.5% (Group E). The propofol infusion was started to produce blood concentrations of 3 μg.ml−1, and following fentanyl and vecuronium administration, tracheal intubation was performed. Mean arterial blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), Bispectral index and effect‐site propofol concentration were recorded. Time to loss of consciousness was significantly shorter in Group E than in Group C. The effect‐site propofol concentration at loss of consciousness was significantly lower in Group E than in Group C. MBP and HR were significantly lower following propofol induction in both groups, and were significantly increased following intubation in Group C but not in Group E. In conclusion, epidural anaesthesia did not produce profound hypotension following induction of anaesthesia and produced a reduction in the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation during a target controlled infusion of propofol.