bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rendering to Caesar and God: St Paul, the Natural Law Tradition, and the Authority of Law
Authors: Deagon Alex
Published: March 2014

The question of the authority of law has occupied and vexed the literature and philosophy of law for centuries. Law is something that characteristically implies obedience, but the precise nature of law’s authority remains contentious. The return to the writings of the Apostle Paul in contemporary philosophy, theology and jurisprudence begs attention in relation to the authority of law, and so this article will consider his analysis and critique of law with a focus on his Epistle to the Romans. It argues that Paul’s conception of the authority of law is explained on the basis that the law is from God, it externally sanctions obedience by virtue of the civil authorities, and it convicts internally in conscience. This triad is justified by the law of love (‘‘love your neighbor as yourself’’), and will be explained in relation to the natural law tradition as well as converse ideas in positivism. Hence, considering the reasoning of Paul in relation to traditional jurisprudential themes and the law of love provides a useful alternative analysis and basis for further investigation regarding the authority of law and the need for its obedience.
Evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of Telemark ski boots: Part I – materials characterization in use conditions
Authors: Natali Arturo N , Todros Silvia , Venturato Chiara , Fontanella Chiara G
Published: March 2014

This study reports the first part of the analysis for the evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of ski boots by means of an integrated approach that considers polymeric materials characterization, in Part I, and numerical structural analysis, in Part II. In the present Part I, different techniques are adopted to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the polymeric materials used for ski boots, to define the elastic, visco-elastic, temperature and weathering-dependent characteristics. Experimental data provide fundamental information on mechanical response, in particular taking into account the effect of the environmental conditions, due to temperature variation, ultraviolet radiation and water absorption, which are correlated to the definition of reliability and durability of the materials. In more detail, experimental results from tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis are reported, evaluating mechanical response and chemical conformation of the polymers. Materials properties are correlated with the specific use conditions and boot structure, to be able to evaluate and preserve overall performances and general safety requirements of ski boots. This activity represents a reference procedure for the evaluation of the material mechanical behaviour that must be considered within the structural analysis.
Evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of Telemark ski boots: Part II – structural analysis
Authors: Natali Arturo N , Fontanella Chiara G , Carniel Emanuele L , Venturato Chiara , Pavan Piero G , Todros Silvia
Published: March 2014

This work reports the evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of Telemark ski boots, by means of an integrated approach, considering polymeric material characterisation, reported in a previous study (Part I), and numerical structural analysis, reported in this study (Part II). Telemark boots entail a complex procedure for analysis of the mechanical response, with regard to both material assumption and overall structural behaviour, and represent a reference problem within sky footwear in consideration of this peculiar complexity. A visco-elastic constitutive model is formulated to describe the material mechanical response defined in accordance with experimental test performed. Solid models define the morphology of the ski boots and represent the basis for numerical modelling. Specific boundary conditions are assumed to mimic the binding effect. The numerical analysis leads to an interpretation of the global and local responses of a specific Telemark ski boot, considering material properties and structural conformation. The results provide valid information on the ski boot mechanical response, taking into account also the effects of temperature on material response and strain rate with regard to loading conditions. The evaluation of variations in shape and material of the different components can be performed representing a fundamental support for the design.
Consumers’ neutralization strategies to counter normative pressure: The case of illegal downloading
Authors: Odou Philippe , Bonnin Gaël
Published: March 2014

The process of neutralization of normative pressure by consumers, which allows the performance of deviant practices while maintaining the attachment to the norm, has not been sufficiently studied. Our analysis, in the case of illegal downloading, shows that consumers produce an autonomous discursive set, articulated around three defensive strategies (disempowerment as neutralizing, pragmatic neutralization, ideological neutralization) and accept internal contradiction.
Vote Centers as a Strategy to Control Election Administration Costs
Authors: Folz David H.
Published: March 2014

The rising costs of election administration in an era of fiscal stress have motivated some local officials to test the feasibility of ideas for reducing election costs while enhancing voter convenience and perhaps even increasing voter turnout. One such pilot project in a suburban community in the South involved replacing precinct-based voting on election day with a vote center that all voters could use regardless of their precinct of residence. A comparison of election costs across two municipal elections showed that replacing precinct-based voting with an election day vote center resulted in substantial cost savings. While there was no statistical difference in voter turnout in municipal elections held before and after implementation of the pilot project, voters were highly satisfied with the convenience of the vote center as well as other aspects of their voting experience. The findings suggest that an election day vote center can be a viable strategy to control election costs and enhance voters’ perceptions of the convenience of voting.
A psychological jurisprudence model of public opinion and international prosecution
Authors: Meernik James , King Kimi
Published: March 2014

Theories abound as to why states consent to international courts, but little research has examined how individuals decide which justice options—local trials, international trials or other transitional justice options—are the preferred venue for settling violations of international law. We demonstrate that not only do individuals hold organized and fairly sophisticated beliefs on these topics, but we can also successfully import a psychological jurisprudence model used principally in analyses of individual values regarding domestic laws to explain these beliefs. We develop a multinominal logit model of individual choices regarding their preferred justice option based on their views concerning the morality of war, the extent of their victimization and the perceived competency of international institutions.
Correlation between FDG/PET, histology, characteristics, and survival in 332 patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia
Authors: Falchi Lorenzo , Keating Michael J. , Marom Edith M. , Truong Mylene T. , Schlette Ellen J. , Sargent Rachel L. , Trinh Long , Wang Xuemei , Smith Susan C. , Jain Nitin , Estrov Zeev , O’Brien Susan , Wierda William G. , Lerner Susan , Ferrajoli Alessandra
Published: March 2014

Key Points

Histologically aggressive CLL differs from histologically indolent CLL. Patients with different CLL phases but similar SUVmax have similar outcomes. FDG/PET is a useful diagnostic tool for patients with CLL and suspected transformation.
Therapeutic effects of lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting of cyclin D1 in human gastric cancer
Authors: Seo Jin-Hee , Jeong Eui-Suk , Choi Yang-Kyu
Published: March 2014

Background

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in males and the fourth in females. Traditional treatment has poor prognosis because of recurrence and systemic side effects. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic strategies is an important issue. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA stably inhibits target genes and can efficiently transduce most cells. Since overexpressed cyclin D1 is closely related to human gastric cancer progression, inhibition of cyclin D1 using specific targeting could be an effective treatment method of human gastric cancer.

Methods

The therapeutic effect of lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting of cyclin D1 (ShCCND1) was analyzed both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

In vitro, NCI-N87 cells with downregulation of cyclin D1 by ShCCND1 showed significant inhibition of cell proliferation, cell motility, and clonogenicity. Downregulation of cyclin D1 in NCI-N87 cells also resulted in significantly increased G1 arrest and apoptosis. In vivo, stable NCI-N87 cells expressing ShCCND1 were engrafted into nude mice. Then, the cancer-growth inhibition effect of lentivirus was confirmed. To assess lentivirus including ShCCND1 as a therapeutic agent, intratumoral injection was conducted. Tumor growth of the lentivirus-treated group was significantly inhibited compared to growth of the control group. These results are in accordance with the in vitro data and lend support to the mitotic figure count and apoptosis analysis of the tumor mass.

Conclusion

The lentivirus-mediated ShCCND1 was constructed, which effectively inhibited growth of NCI-N87-derived cancer both in vitro and in vivo. The efficiency of shRNA knockdown and variation in the degree of inhibition is mediated by different shRNA sequences and cancer cell lines. These experimental results suggest the possibility of developing new gastric cancer therapies using lentivirus-mediated shRNA.
Stainless steel versus titanium volar multi-axial locking plates for fixation of distal radius fractures: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Couzens Gregory B , Peters Susan E , Cutbush Kenneth , Hope Benjamin , Taylor Fraser , James Christopher D , Rankin Carly R , Ross Mark
Published: March 2014

Background

Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures seen in the hospital emergency department. Of these, over 40% are considered unstable and require some form of fixation. In recent years with the advent of low profile plating, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using volar plates has become the surgical treatment of choice in many hospitals. However, it is currently unknown which plating system has the lowest complication rate and/or superior clinical and radiological outcomes following surgery. Few studies have compared different types of plates, which may have various features, different plate and screw designs or may be manufactured from different materials (for example, stainless steel or titanium). This study will specifically investigate and compare the clinical and radiological outcomes and complication rates of two commonly used volar plating systems for fixation of distal radius fractures: one made from stainless steel (Trimed™ Volar Plate, Trimed™, California, USA) and the other made from titanium (Medartis® Aptus Volar Plate, Medartis®, Basel, Switzerland). The primary aim of this study is to determine if there is a difference on the Patient Reported Wrist Evaluation six months following ORIF using a volar plate for adult patients with a distal radius fracture.

Methods/Design

This study will implement a randomized prospective clinical trial study design evaluating the outcomes of two different types of volar plates: one plate manufactured from stainless steel (Trimed™ Volar Plate) and one plate manufactured from titanium (Medartis® Aptus Volar Plate). The surgery will be performed at a major trauma hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Outcome measures including function, adverse events, range of movement, strength, disability, radiological findings and health-related quality of life will be collected at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following surgery. A parallel economic analysis will also be performed. This randomized clinical trial is due to deliver results in December 2016.

Discussion

Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence on operative management of distal radius fractures and plate material type.

Trial registration

ACTRN12612000969864
Abundant expression and functional participation of TRPV1 at Zusanli acupoint (ST36) in mice: mechanosensitive TRPV1 as an “acupuncture-responding channel”
Authors: Wu Shu-Yih , Chen Wei-Hsin , Hsieh Ching-Liang , Lin Yi-Wen
Published: March 2014

Background

Acupuncture is a therapy that involves applying mechanical stimulation to acupoints using needles. Although acupuncture is believed to trigger neural regulation by opioids or adenosine, still little is known about how physical stimulation is turned into neurological signaling. The transient receptor potential vanilloid receptors 1 and 4 (TRPV1 and TRPV4) and the acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) are regarded as mechanosensitive channels. This study aimed to clarify their role at the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) and propose possible sensing pathways linking channel activation to neurological signaling.

Methods

First, tissues from different anatomical layers of ST36 and the sham point were sampled, and channel expressions between the two points were compared using western blotting. Second, immunofluorescence was performed at ST36 to reveal distribution pattern of the channels. Third, agonist of the channels were injected into ST36 and tested in a mouse inflammatory pain model to seek if agonist injection could replicate acupuncture-like analgesic effect. Last, the components of proposed downstream sensing pathway were tested with western blotting to determine if they were expressed in tissues with positive mechanosensitive channel expression.

Results

The results from western blotting demonstrated an abundance of TRPV1, TRPV4, and ASIC3 in anatomical layers of ST36. Furthermore, immunofluorescence showed these channels were expressed in both neural and non-neural cells at ST36. However, only capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, replicated the analgesic effect of acupuncture when injected into ST36. Components of calcium wave propagation (CWP, the proposed downstream sensing pathway) were also expressed in tissues with abundant TRPV1 expression, the muscle and epimysium layers.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated mechanosensitive channel TRPV1 is highly expressed at ST36 and possibly participated in acupuncture related analgesia. Since CWP was reported by other to occur during acupuncture and its components were shown here to express in tissues with positive TRPV1 expression. These findings suggest TRPV1 might act as acupuncture-responding channel by sensing physical stimulation from acupuncture and conducting the signaling via CWP to nerve terminals. This study provided a better understanding between physical stimulation from acupuncture to neurological signaling.
Unmodified starch as water-soluble binding polymer for chromium ions removal via polymer enhanced ultrafiltration system
Authors: Baharuddin Nurul Huda , Nik Sulaiman Nik Meriam , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine
Published: March 2014

Background

In this study the removal of Chromium (III) and Chromium (VI) ions are investigated via polymer enhanced ultrafiltration under important process parameters. This study proposes the use of unmodified starch as a novel polymer in the ultrafiltration process and its performance on the removal of chromium ions was compared with a commonly used polymer, polyethylene glycol.

Methods

The experiments were carried out at 1.5 bar and different pH values by using 10 kDa hollow fiber membrane operating in a cross-flow mode.

Results

The best chromium ions removal obtained approached 99% for Chromium (III) ion by unmodified starch at alkaline pH region and at pH 7 for Chromium (VI) ions retention by polyethylene glycol. Permeate flux behavior are fluctuated for both chromium ions tested at high metal ion concentrations. Low concentration of unmodified starch is applied to reduce gelatinization behavior.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that binding of chromium ions by unmodified starch is related to granule structure which is probably a principal indicator of the non-ionic behavior of unmodified starch.
Improving the Care of Children With Advanced Cancer by Using an Electronic Patient-Reported Feedback Intervention: Results From the PediQUEST Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wolfe Joanne , Orellana Liliana , Cook E. Francis , Ullrich Christina , Kang Tammy , Geyer Jeffrey Russell , Feudtner Chris , Weeks Jane C. , Dussel Veronica
Published: March 2014

Purpose

This study aimed to determine whether feeding back patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to providers and families of children with advanced cancer improves symptom distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Patients and Methods

This study was a parallel, multicentered pilot randomized controlled trial. At most once per week, children age ≥ 2 years old with advanced cancer or their parent completed the computer-based Pediatric Quality of Life and Evaluation of Symptoms Technology (PediQUEST) survey consisting of age- and respondent-adapted versions of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL4.0), and an overall Sickness question. In the intervention group (n = 51), oncologists and families received printed reports summarizing PROs; e-mails were sent to oncologists and subspecialists when predetermined scores were exceeded. No feedback was provided in the control group (n = 53). Primary outcomes included linear trends of MSAS, PedsQL4.0 total and subscale scores, and Sickness scores during 20 weeks of follow-up, along with child, parent, and provider satisfaction with PediQUEST feedback.

Results

Feedback did not significantly affect average MSAS, PedsQL4.0, or Sickness score trends. Post hoc subgroup analyses among children age ≥ 8 years who survived 20 weeks showed that feedback improved PedsQL4.0 emotional (+8.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 14.4) and Sickness (−8.2; 95% CI, −14.2 to −2.2) scores. PediQUEST reports were valued by children, parents, and providers and contributed at least sometimes to physician initiation of a psychosocial consult (56%).

Conclusion

Although routine feedback of PROs did not significantly affect the child's symptoms or HRQoL, changes were in expected directions and improvements observed in emotional HRQoL through exploratory analyses were encouraging. Importantly, children, parents, and providers value PRO feedback.
Satisfaction With Work-Life Balance and the Career and Retirement Plans of US Oncologists
Authors: Shanafelt Tait D. , Raymond Marilyn , Kosty Michael , Satele Daniel , Horn Leora , Pippen John , Chu Quyen , Chew Helen , Clark William Benton , Hanley Amy E. , Sloan Jeff , Gradishar William J.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To evaluate satisfaction with work-life balance (WLB) and career plans of US oncologists.

Methods

The American Society of Clinical Oncology conducted a survey of US oncologists evaluating satisfaction with WLB and career plans between October 2012 and March 2013. The sample included equal numbers of men and women from all career stages.

Results

Of 2,998 oncologists contacted, 1,490 (49.7%) returned surveys. From 1,117 oncologists (37.3% of overall sample) completing full-length surveys, we evaluated satisfaction with WLB and career plans among the 1,058 who were not yet retired. The proportion of oncologists satisfied with WLB (n = 345; 33.4%) ranked lower than that reported for all other medical specialties in a recent national study. Regarding career plans, 270 oncologists (26.5%) reported a moderate or higher likelihood of reducing their clinical work hours in the next 12 months, 351 (34.3%) indicated a moderate or higher likelihood of leaving their current position within 24 months, and 273 (28.5%) planned to retire before 65 years of age. Multivariable analyses found women oncologists (odds ratio [OR], 0.458; P < .001) and those who devoted greater time to patient care (OR for each additional hour, 0.977; P < .001) were less likely to be satisfied with WLB. Satisfaction with WLB and burnout were the strongest predictors of intent to reduce clinical work hours and leave current position on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

Satisfaction with WLB among US oncologists seems lower than for other medical specialties. Dissatisfaction with WLB shows a strong relationship with plans to reduce hours and leave current practice. Given the pending US oncologist shortage, additional studies exploring interactions among WLB, burnout, and career satisfaction and their impact on career and retirement plans are warranted.
Alternative Voice and Local Youth Identity in Chinese Local-Language Rap Music
Authors: Liu Jin
Published: March 2014

This essay sets out to examine the emerging trend of Chinese rap songs that are rendered in nonstandard local languages or dialects in mainland China in the age of the Internet. It first disputes the common criticism, based on limited data, of Chinese rap as lacking social and political commentary. Through a close reading of rich local-language rap song texts combined with fieldwork interviews, this essay argues that unlike the standard Mandarin-dominated, mainstream popular love songs, local-language rap songs are characterized by strong social messages, which thus enable Chinese youth to construct an alternative subcultural space outside that defined by adult culture and hierarchical institutions. These rap songs employ “vulgar” local language, which is identified as a noninstitutional language that has long been excluded from formal education, to assert an oppositional, counterhegemonic voice against the Chinese education system, high official culture, and mainstream discourse.

Furthermore, rendered in regional languages, these rap songs are infused with distinctive local knowledge and the sensibilities of a specific place. The songs articulate a distinct musicalized, collective local identity for urban youth, by mobilizing the generic convention of hip-hop in representing one's hood. In most studies of globalization and localization, the local appears to be interchangeable with the national. Yet this study presses the issue of localization further, examining local communities that are contained within the nation-state. From this perspective, the function of the nation-state seems more and more identified with globalization and its concomitant homogenization and centralization. In recent years, these rap songs celebrating locality have joined in a larger movement that promotes the use of local languages in local media to assert the identities of local communities, which have been insufficiently represented in a single Standard Mandarin.

Finally, on one hand, this essay recognizes a dialectical relationship between the global and the local, which do not necessarily pose as cultural polarities but are interpenetrating, interacting, and mutually signifying. However, on the other hand, although local-language rap songs assert the value of pluralism and diversity and defy the characterization of China as a unified, homogenous nation-state, this essay problematizes the local identities constructed through copying and imitation. The eager desire to compete with each other in asserting a local identity might belie a rising anxiety of placelessness in this dramatically globalized world. Therefore, these constructed local identities within nation-state may turn out to be what Stuart Hall calls that more “tricky version of ‘the local’ which operates within, and has been thoroughly reshaped by, ‘the global’ and operates largely within its logic.”
p53 Expression Is a Strong Marker of Inferior Survival in De Novo Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and May Have Enhanced Negative Effect With MYC Coexpression
Authors: Xie Yi , Bulbul Mohmad Ajaz , Ji Lingyun , Inouye Casey M. , Groshen Susan G. , Tulpule Anil , O’Malley Dennis P. , Wang Endi , Siddiqi Imran N.
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

To examine interactions among clinical factors and pathologic biomarkers in predicting the outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy.

Methods:

In 85 patients treated at a single institution, clinicopathologic variables were analyzed, including the International Prognostic Index (IPI); germinal/nongerminal center phenotype; MYC, p53, BCL2, Ki-67, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expression; and MYC translocation status.

Results:

In univariate analysis, overall survival (OS) was worse for patients with high IPI scores, nongerminal center phenotype, high MYC and p53 expression by immunohistochemistry, and EBV positivity. In multivariable analysis, p53 expression was the strongest prognostic factor (P < .05) independent of IPI and cell of origin. A significant positive association between p53 and MYC expression was found. Moreover, coexpression of p53/MYC had an enhanced negative effect on OS independent of BCL2 expression.

Conclusions:

Immunohistochemical assessment of p53, particularly in combination with MYC, could be useful in identifying a high-risk subgroup of DLBCL.
Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Schmadeka Robert , Harmon Bryan E. , Singh Meenakshi
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Triple-negative breast cancer is regarded as an aggressive disease that affects a young patient population and for which effective targeted therapy is not yet available.

Methods:

Intense efforts have been made to gain a better understanding of this heterogeneous group of tumors from the histologic to the genomic and molecular levels.

Results:

Progress has been made, including the ability to subtype these tumors and the discovery of biomarkers toward which current therapeutic efforts are focused. Many novel targets under exploration have the potential to affect the clinical course of this disease.

Conclusions:

This article reviews the current concepts regarding the clinicopathologic features of triple-negative breast carcinoma, its histologic subtypes, molecular classification, the prognostic and therapeutic potential of biomarkers, and emerging targeted therapies.
Preface
Authors: Pessoa João Costa
Published: March 2014

Knowledge of the chemistry and biochemistry of vanadium has increased enormously since the early 1980s, particularly that of vanadium(III), (IV), and (V). This led to remarkable developments in the understanding and recognition of the properties of vanadium compounds. A consequence of these new insights has been numerous applications of vanadium complexes ranging from therapeutics to catalysis and from new materials to green chemistry. Many of the more recent advances were presented at the 6th International Vanadium Symposium held 17‚Äì19 July 2008 in Lisbon, Portugal.

The conference included 56 oral communications and 52 poster presentations. The following 12 papers are a selection from the oral communications presented. This conference attracted over 100 participants from 27 countries and 4 continents. The inorganic chemistry of vanadium, application of vanadium chemistry in catalysis and organic synthesis, and biological aspects of vanadium chemistry were discussed in invited lectures as well as in poster communications.

The Vanadium Award, a prize first introduced at the 4th International Vanadium Symposium held in 2004 in Szeged, Hungary to recognize an outstanding contributor to the advancement of vanadium science, was awarded in 2008 to Prof. Toshikazu Hirao of the Osaka University, Japan, and his contribution is the first paper presented herein.

The additional contributions that embody this issue are mostly papers covering aspects related to catalytic applications of vanadium compounds, including their use as functional models of vanadiumdependent haloperoxidases. Electron transfer in oxo and non-oxo vanadium complexes, the use of NMR to characterize the complexes, and synthesis of new polyoxovanadates are the subjects of other papers included.

We look forward to the 7th International Vanadium Symposium to be held in Japan in 2010, where additional studies on the role of vanadium in life, the vanadium nutritional essentiality, vanadium toxicity, and vanadium therapy, as well as new contributions to the use of vanadium compounds in catalysis, including "green chemical" industrial applications, will certainly be presented.

João Costa Pessoa

Conference Chair
Children born of war
Authors: Mochmann Ingvill C.
Published: March 2014

This paper gives a short introduction into the rather new research field of ‘Children born of war’. These are children who are born during and after conflicts and wars were the father has been a member of an enemy, allied or peacekeeping force and the mother a local citizen. ‘Children born of war’ are often stigmatised and discriminated in their home country and their particular interest and rights are overlooked in post-conflict situations. This paper presents different categories of children born of war and some results from research projects on children from Second World War are presented. Finally, the international and juridical situation of children born of war are discussed and possible guidelines to assist mothers and children introduced.
Suma Qamaña = el buen vivir
Authors: Albó Xavier
Published: March 2014

Una de las principales expresiones con que actualmente se busca sintetizar el nuevo estilo de país que deseamos construir es “vivir bien”, contrapuesto a “vivir mejor”. Se ha introducido ahora incluso en el solemne Preámbulo de la Constitución promulgada en febrero 2009, donde enumera las virtudes que debería tener la nueva Bolivia – respeto, igualdad entre todos, solidaridad, armonía, equidad, etc.– y concluye: “donde predomine la búsqueda del vivir bien”.
La dimensión ecológica del buen vivir: entre el fantasma de la modernidad y el desafío biocéntrico
Authors: Gudynas Eduardo
Published: March 2014

Las tensiones generadas cuando el concepto de buen vivir aborda la dimensión ambiental quedan en claro al comparar las nuevas constituciones de Bolivia y Ecuador. Mientras que en Ecuador se reconocen los derechos propios de la Naturaleza, y se apunta a una postura biocéntrica, la postura boliviana insiste en que un Estado debe industrializar los recursos naturales. Esto expresa la persistencia de aspectos propios de la Modernidad, con un antropocentrismo asentado en el dualismo Naturaleza-sociedad. El buen vivir necesariamente debe incorporar una dimensión ambiental, que desde el biocentrismo, le permita superar la herencia moderna, y transitar a otros desarrollos, con otra relación con la Naturaleza, seguramente más austeros, pero más equitativos.
Sumak Kawsay y Suma Qamaña, el reto de aprender del sur: reflexiones en torno al buen vivir
Authors: Hernández Sánchez María Isabel
Published: March 2014

La situación actual de crisis sistémica global ha puesto de manifiesto la inviabilidad del modelo de desarrollo tradicional, basado en el crecimiento económico y la acumulación de capital como fin en sí mismo. Ante el fracaso de este modelo y la constatación de que sus dinámicas han resultado ser, en contra de lo esperado, “maldesarrolladoras”, se hace necesaria la búsqueda de alternativas que propongan otras formas de relación más sostenibles y equilibradas. El ideal del Buen Vivir, originario de la cosmovisión indígena e incorporado en los nuevos textos constitucionales de Bolivia y Ecuador, promueve una nueva forma de entender el desarrollo, basada en la armonía entre los individuos y de éstos con la naturaleza. Este texto recoge las conclusiones fundamentales del seminario “Sumak Kawsay. Aprendiendo del Sur”, organizado por el Instituto de Desarrollo Social y Paz de la Universidad de Alicante, precisamente con el fin de establecer espacios de discusión y análisis sobre el alcance de estas propuestas.
Large-scale forest owner’s information needs in operational planning of timber harvesting - some practical views in Metsähallitus, Finnish state-owned enterprise
Authors: Laamanen Risto , Kangas Annika
Published: March 2014

MetsÃ¤hallitus in Finland is a state enterprise that manages about 3.5 million hectares of productive commercial state-owned forest land. MetsÃ¤hallitus has a forest management planning system which uses information stored in a GIS-based forest resource information system. The information on forest resources is currently collected using a standwise inventory system with ocular estimation of stand characteristics. New promising inventory methods based on laser scanning have been introduced. Before taking a new system into use, the information needs of MetsÃ¤hallitus must be analysed. In this study, information needs in operational harvest planning have been analysed with a qualitative approach. A total of eight team leaders in the forestry business unit were interviewed, six of them representing the process responsible for the operational harvest planning and two representing the process responsible for the harvest and deliveries. Based on the study, two main decision making points with different information needs were confirmed. The first decision making point is related to finding the areas potential for immediate or near future harvesting. Here, geographical information on the need for the treatment as well as rough information on the harvestable volume is needed. In the second decision making point, a final decision of sites to be harvested is made with rather intensive field work. Precise delineations of the treatment are needed as well as good estimates of volumes of different timber assortments. When considering a new inventory system it is justified to consider how much of the information needs in these decision making points can be covered. Two different approaches are proposed for further analysis. The interviews revealed a need for a more structured tactical planning system. Some of the findings of this study â especially the decision making points and information needs in them â may be transferable to other large-scale forest owners.
Making sustainability rankings using compromise programming. An application to European paper industry
Authors: Diaz-Balteiro Luis , Voces Roberto , Romero Carlos
Published: March 2014

This paper characterizes the sustainability of the European paper industry. To undertake this task the sustainability of each country is defined by using fourteen indicators of a diverse nature (economic, environmental and social). These indicators are aggregated into a composite or synthetic index with the help of a compromise programming model. In order to associate different weights with each indicator, a survey among international experts has been carried out. In this way, a ranking of seventeen European countries analysed in terms of the sustainability of the European paper industry has been established, where Finland is the most sustainable paper industry in Europe except when the most balanced solution is chosen. Also, the results are robust when different preferential weights are attached. Finally, this methodology can be applied at a more disaggregated level and other indicators can be introduced.
Effect of peak runoff control method on growth of Scots pine stands on drained peatlands in central Finland
Authors: Hökkä Hannu , Hyttinen Heli , Marttila Hannu , Jämsen Juha , Kløve Bjørn
Published: March 2014

In drained peatland forests ditch networks need regular maintenance operations in order to sustain their drainage capacity. These operations however have a significant impact on the quality of the runoff water from the ditched areas. Peak runoff control (PRC) method has been proposed as a possible method to diminish the load to water courses through retention of the runoff temporarily in the ditch network during maximum runoff events using dams with a plastic control pipe. However, blocking water into the ditched area for periods of varying length during the growing season may have a negative impact on the growth of the tree stands. In this study past stand growth was investigated in Central Finland in altogether 10 sample Scots pine thinning stands in which the PRC method has been applied 5 growing seasons earlier. In each stand, a pair of sample plots was established: one plot next to the dam within the influence of periodic flooding and the other one outside the effect of periodic flooding. For determining stand growth, field measurements were made in August 2009. Stand growth near the dam was on average 0.54 m ha a lower than farther away from the dam but the analysis of covariance showed that the dam effect was not significant. The results of this study suggest that the PCR method does not decrease Scots pine stand growth during the first five year growth period after ditch cleaning.3-1-1
Optimal forest management with carbon benefits included
Authors: Raymer Ann , Gobakken Terje , Solberg Birger
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we analyse how optimal forest management of even aged Norway spruce changes when economic values are placed on carbon fixation, release, and saved greenhouse gas emissions from using wood instead of more energy intensive materials or fossil fuels. The analyses are done for three different site qualities in Norway, assuming present climate and with a range of CO prices and real rates of return. Compared to current recommended management, the optimal number of plants per ha and harvest age are considerably higher when carbon benefits are included, and increase with increasing price on CO. Furthermore, planting becomes more favourable compared to natural regeneration. At the medium site quality, assuming 2% p.a. real rate of return and 20 euros per ton CO, optimal planting density increases from 1500 per ha to 3000 per ha. Optimal harvest age increases from 90 to 140 years. Including saved greenhouse gas emissions when wood is used instead of more energy intensive materials or fossil fuels, i.e. substitution effects, does not affect optimal planting density much, but implies harvesting up to 20 years earlier. The value of the forest area increases with increasing price on CO, and most of the income is from carbon. By using the current recommended management in calculations of carbon benefit, our results indicate that the forestâs potential to provide this environmental good is underestimated. The study includes many uncertain factors. Highest uncertainty is related to the accuracy of the forest growth and mortality functions at high stand ages and densities, and that albedo effects and future climate changes are not considered. As such, the results should be viewed as exploratory and not normative.2222
Climate for innovation and innovation strategy as drivers for success in the wood industry: moderation effects of firm size, industry sector, and country of operation
Authors: Nybakk Erlend , Crespell Pablo , Hansen Eric
Published: March 2014

This study examines the relationships between firm financial performance and a) the climate for innovation and b) innovation strategy in the wood products industry. The focus is on the moderator effects of firm size, country of operation, and industry sector. Using a sample of 460 responses from chief executive officers and top managers of Norwegian and US firms, we conducted a regression analysis to probe for interaction effects. The sample included primary and secondary manufacturers of various sizes. Consistent with previous studies, we found a positive impact for both a climate for innovation and an innovation strategy on firm performance. In terms of moderation, only one interaction was found to be significant, representing a moderator effect of industry size on the climate-performance relationship. Further testing showed that secondary, large manufacturers exhibited a weaker, yet still positive, relationship between climate for innovation and performance. This low level of significant interactions suggests stability of the relationship among the main factors depicted in the model, with important implications for managers and future research. These findings indicate that a positive climate for innovation and a management committed to innovation through an innovation strategy have a positive effect on the bottom line of wood products firms. This effect holds true regardless of industry, size, or country, so most firms can benefit from the implementation of these pro-innovation practices.
Biomass structure and allometry of Abies nephrolepis (Maxim) in Northeast China
Authors: Wang Jinsong , Zhang Chunyu , Xia Fucai , Zhao Xiuhai , Wu Lianhai , Gadow Klaus
Published: March 2014

Above- and below-ground tree biomass structure and allometric relationships of Abies nephrolepis (Maxim) were assessed in an old secondary forest dominated by A. nephrolepis, Pinus koraiensis, Quercus mongolica, Tilia amurensis, Fraxinus mandshurica and Acer mono in northeast China. Based on the breast-height diameter (D), a total of 21 sample trees were divided into three tree size classes: the small trees (1 cm â¤ D < 10 cm), the medium trees (10 cm â¤ D < 20 cm) and the big trees (D â¥ 20 cm). The greatest amount of live branch biomass was located in the middle and bottom layers of the crown, while the largest foliage biomass was found in the middle layer in each tree size category. The relative contribution of canopy biomass components (live branches and foliage) decreased with increasing tree size, while that of coarse root biomass remained almost constant. The relationship between above- and belowground biomass was linear. D and tree height (H) decreased with increasing competition intensity. The small trees had lower average crown ratio and higher average height-to-diameter ratio than those of the medium and big trees. The big trees had higher average stem to foliage mass ratio than those of the small and medium trees. Crown ratio, height-to-diameter ratio and stem to foliage mass ratio were not correlated with competition intensity in the same tree size class. Root to shoot mass ratio was almost constant among tree sizes. Allometric equations based on D gave higher correlations compared to those with other stem diameters: at tree base, at 30-cm height and at crown base.
An assessment of different fertilization regimes in three boreal coniferous stands
Authors: Jacobson Staffan , Pettersson Folke
Published: March 2014

In 1981â82 three field experiments were established with the aim of elucidating (i) the growth response of middle-aged coniferous stands at different fertilization intensities and, hence, the economic outcomes; and (ii) the need to add nutrients other than nitrogen (N). Nutrient additions were performed at intervals of two, four, six and eight years. The experiments were established on typical podzolized and N-limited mor-humus sites, two in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands and one in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand, at three different locations in Sweden. The ages of the stands were 65â70 years at the time of establishment. Growth responses were calculated after a 22-year study period. The growth responses were significant in all treatments. The addition of nutrients other than N did not affect stem growth at any of the sites. The growth response tended to increase with decreasing application interval. The results also revealed that the efficiency of fertilization is reduced as the interval between fertilizations is shortened. Accordingly, the growth effect per kg of added N was negatively correlated to fertilization intensity. The least intensive fertilization regime (an eight-year interval) resulted in an average net increase in C sequestration of 35 kg per kg N added. The profitability, in terms of internal rate of return, the present net value at different interest rates and the cost of production, i.e. the cost to produce one extra m under the different N regimes, are presented and discussed.3
Productivity of the M-Planter tree-planting device in practice
Authors: Rantala Juho , Laine Tiina
Published: March 2014

Need to mechanise tree-planting work have recently increased for many reasons. The newest planting and soil scarification device performing work in Nordic forests is the Finnish M-Planter. This study aims to clarify M-Planterâs productivity in practice and show how various factors affect it. The follow-up data set covers 607 work shifts, of 13 operators with, in total, five M-Planters. The average productivity figures for the operators were 143 and 169 seedlings per effective working hour during the first and second planting season, respectively. Overall, the measured average productivity was 34.2% lower than that observed in an earlier work study of the M-Planter based on an experimental study design. On average, the operators learned to use the combination of the M-Planter and a base machine more efficiently while their experience in using it increased during the follow-up. Increasing number of stones and stumps as well as a thicker humus layer decreased productivity of the M-Planter. The study concludes that utilisation of the full productivity potential of the M-Planter requires not only good operators but also development of the whole planting service supply chain.
Nordic forest professionals’ values
Authors: Rekola Mika , Valkeapää Annukka , Rantala Tapio
Published: March 2014

The present study analyses the values held by forest professionals in three Nordic countries: Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The data is from a large (n = 1113) internet survey that used cognitive mapping as a research tool, which is a novelty in value measurement. The questionnaire is based on the organisational value theory of Schein (1992), supplemented with relevant forest-related and environmental values. The forest-related main value factors were in the following order of importance: Expertise, Private forestry, Forest production, Nature conservation, and Tradition. The measurement included two kinds of cases: action values, referring to present decision-making, and ideal values, referring to decisions concerning future ideals. Most of the valuesâ scores were similar. Almost all values received higher scores of importance in the ideal cases compared to action cases, a fact that can probably be explained by constraints related to the professionalsâ current working environment. Some international differences were also found: Sweden and Norway were closer to each other and both differed from Finland, where private forestry, forest production, and traditions are highly valued. Moreover, respondents working in industry were found to be slightly more production-oriented than other forest professionals. The study also revealed several weaknesses of the cognitive mapping method in measuring values.
Prediction models for the annual seed crop of Norway spruce and Scots pine in Finland
Authors: Pukkala Timo , Hokkanen Tatu , Nikkanen Teijo
Published: March 2014

Many studies indicate that the flowering abundance of boreal trees strongly correlates with the weather conditions of the previous summer. This study developed prediction models for the seed crops of Norway spruce and Scots pine using weather variables one and two years prior to flowering year as predictors. Weather data, systematically recorded at many weather stations, were obtained from the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Seed crop monitoring data came from 22 spruce stands and 44 pine stands. In every stand, seed crop has been monitored for many years, the longest continuous period being 45 years. Monthly mean temperatures, monthly rainfalls, and periodical temperature sums were used as predictors in the seed crop models. Generally, both tree species flowered abundantly one year after a warm summer and two years after a cool summer. While the models only explained about 45% of the variation in the annual seed crop, they accurately predicted good and bad seed years: when the models predicted good seed crops the likelihood to have at least a medium seed crop was very high and when the models predicted small seed crops, the likelihood to obtain medium or good seed crop was very low. Therefore, the models reliably predict if a particular year will be a good seed year or a poor seed year. These predictions can be used in forestry practice for proper timing of natural regeneration activities, and when activities in seed orchards are planned.