bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observing Regularities in Location Patterns
Authors: Polèse Mario , Rubiera-Morollón Fernando , Shearmur Richard
Published: April 2007

The location of economic activity in Spain is analysed, employing a methodology previously applied to Canada. We ask whether the regularities posited for Canada also hold for Spain, despite the differences in geography. Using census data for the years 1991 and 2001, Spain's 8,086 municipalities are classified according to population size and distance thresholds analogous to those applied to Canada.The location patterns of industries are plotted in relation to these classes. The results reveal, on the whole, spatial distributions consistent with posited regularities and previous findings. Location patterns are fairly stable over time, reconfirming the continued weight of distance and of agglomeration economies. The results also show a crowding-out process in Spain, similar to that observed for other nations, fuelling the growth of manufacturing activity in locations in close proximity to metropolitan areas.
Agri-Environmental Schemes in Switzerland
Authors: Wilson Geoff A. , Lezzi Maria , Egli Christine
Published: April 2007

This study analyses agri-environmental schemes in Switzerland. It compares Swiss schemes with agri-environmental schemes in the EU (specifically the ESA and MEKA schemes) and hypothesizes what effects possible Swiss EU membership might have for the structure of its agri-environmental schemes and its landholders. Davos has been selected as a case-study to illustrate problems and opportunities of agri-environmental schemes in upland areas, and to provide a baseline for comparison in a European context. Swiss agri-environmental policies show great similarities with those of the EU and, under current conditions, Swiss EU membership would not have a great impact. The on-going debate about Euro-compatibility in Switzerland has led to a fruitful discussion and questioning of internal decision-making processes, but the EU can also learn from the Swiss experience, in particular with respect to Swiss targeting policies. Swiss integration into the EU would reinforce the already existing trend towards renunciation of an essentially productivist farming ethos in an economic environment still largely free from the problems of agricultural overproduction. It would also further encourage farmers to adopt farming practices that are more in line with EU post-productivist strategies of reduced agrarian production, while at the same time still maintaining the strong Swiss emphasis on environmental protection.
Winner or Loser in the New Europe?
Authors: Thomas Dennis
Published: April 2007

This article examines the prospects for the Welsh economy in a changing European context. To a large extent Wales' economic transformation in recent years has been enabled and supported by regional aid funding at UK and European levels. The run-down of regional support may have major implications for Wales' attractiveness to mobile international investment, which is itself changing in volume and nature, as well as the promotion of indigenous firm growth. These concerns together with local difficulties affecting the role of the development agencies cast doubt on the economy's capability for maintaining progress.

Wales is certainly not unique among the EU's 'northern' regions in facing an uncertain future in the 'new' Europe but its case would seem to be particularly interesting for two reasons. First the Welsh economy's performance in recent years has been widely presented as an economic success story. Secondly Wales has been presented as possessing a reasonable degree of institutional capacity by UK standards, reflecting a quasi-regional state with the potential for developing a regional innovation system.
Adriatic Brethren or Black Sheep?
Authors: Zinn Dorothy Louise
Published: April 2007

This article considers the shifting image and reception of the over 40,000 Albanians who fled their land for Italian shores during the dramatic events of March and August 1991 (an exodus which, in small numbers, continues even today). The analysis considers a striking rhetorical shift in Italian discourses; if, initially, the Albanians were depicted in this crisis as 'Adriatic brothers' and 'noble savages' who vafidated the ideal of western democracy against Communism, over the course of the crisis they became increasingly represented as merely savage and 'non-European'. This shift was paralleled in the problem of defining the Albanians as 'political refugees' or 'economic migrants', the latter designation aligning them with immigrants from developing countries whose presence has increasingly been a site of tension in Italy, as in many other western European countries. Additionally, the article considers the self reflection stimulated in Italy in the wake of the Albanian Crisis, which in many respects problematized ltaly's own rightful position alongside other European nations. The research is based on Italian mass-media discourses and anthropological fieldwork conducted in southern Italy, in an area which housed most of the arrivals.
Normative Standards for Crime Victims: Implications for Research and Policy
Authors: Ruback R. Barry , Gupta Deepak , Kohli Neena
Published: April 2007

Research has revealed that crime victims often seek advice about what action they should take, that victims' families and friends often provide this advice, and that this advice is based on norms for when reporting is appropriate. Results from this study indicated that research participants were more approving of reporting crimes committed by strangers than crimes committed by relatives, participants believed it was more appropriate to report crimes involving female victims than those involving male victims, and female participants believed it was more appropriate to report the crimes than did male participants. There were relatively small differences in how research participants in north and south India judged the appropriateness of reporting.
Resourcefulness: A Proximal Conceptualisation of Entrepreneurial Behaviour
Authors: Misra Sasi , Kumar E. Sendil
Published: April 2007

The conceptualisation of the 'entrepreneurial resourcefulness' model helps one to understand various aspects prompting an entrepreneur to identify opportunities and thereby regulate and direct her/his behaviour to make the best use of these opportunities. The model elaborates three entrepreneurial competencies—cognitive, affective and action oriented. Various details of these competencies are elaborated to explain the behaviour pattern of an entre preneur. The model treats the behaviour of an entrepreneur as an outcome variable and acknowledges that there are significant variations in the behaviour of one entrepreneur from the other. This article helps in resolving the doubts and confusions surrounding the conceptualisation of the terms 'entrepreneur' and 'entrepreneurship'. The resourcefulness model clarifies these confusions and contributes towards both theory advancement and generating new research hypotheses.
Market for Business Development Services in India: A Study of Calcutta
Authors: Awasthi Dinesh N. , Pal Sanjay
Published: April 2007

This article analyses the demand and supply of business development services (BDS) in the twin cities of Calcutta and Howrah in India. It argues that with the advent of liberalisation, small entrepreneurs will need timely and relevant counselling and consultancy support, as most of them lack adequate managerial and technical competencies to face the emerging competition. Based on a field survey, the study observes that there is a glaring mismatch between demand for and supply of BDS due to market imperfections and price distortions. Once this mismatch is removed, the small enterprises will be in a better position to derive the benefit of professional advice to improve their performance, even in the face of increased competition.
What Brings Entrepreneurial Success in a Developing Region?
Authors: Panda N.M.
Published: April 2007

The choices made by an entrepreneur at different stages of the development of an enterprise are the key elements of entrepreneurship that contribute to entrepreneurial success. The choice characteristics for entrepreneurial success are context specific. Hence, the process of nurturing the requisite entrepreneurial quality mix involves identification of qualities that contribute to entrepreneurial success in a particular context. Keeping this consideration in view, this article analyses how individual background and choice characteristics of the entrepreneurs operating in the hotel industry of the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland are associated with entrepreneurial success.
Complete Phase-Strain Model for Structurally Embedded Interferometric Optical Fiber Sensors
Authors: Sirkis James S. , Haslach Henry W.
Published: April 2007

The relation between a three-dimensional state of strain and the optical phase retardation in a single mode optical fiber is formalized by drawing together classical three-dimensional crystal optics and classical waveguide theory. Neumann's strain optic relations are described in a form usable in optical fiber sensor design. These relations are then combined with weakly guiding fiber theory to develop an integral which relates the optical phase shift in a structurally embedded interferometric optical fiber strain sensor to the induced three-dimensional strain field. This process leads to a previously undisclosed, additional waveguide dispersion term which contributes on the same order to the total strain induced phase retardation as does the term derived by Butter and Hocker (1978). Still, however, waveguide dispersion effects are found to be negligibly small, even in three- dimensional loading. Butter and Hocker's equation and the complete phase-strain model developed herein can give very similar results when both are applied to certain embedded sensors. This anomaly can lead to the false conclusion that Butter and Hocker's results are equally valid for any structurally embedded sensor.
The Electrorheological Effect in Activated Suspensions
Authors: Korobko E.V. , Mokeev A.A.
Published: April 2007

There are known models of mechanical behaviour of electrorheological fluids (ERF) in the presence of an electric field for low-concentration suspensions subject to infinite shear strains or to small static shears not disturbing their structure. The present authors have developed a physical-mathematical model of electrorhcological effect in high-concentration ERF activated by a poor-conducting substance with a large dielectric constant. Such ERFs find more frequent application in practice.

The model takes into consideration the competition between the Maxwell tension in a disperse medium with solvation repulsion and the Maxwell pressure in a micro-nonuni form electric field between solid particles. The tension/pressure ratio specifies the strength and stability of a formed structure.

The calculated strength of a suspension layer vs. the electric intensity and time after an electric field has been applied is in agreement with experimental data.
Analysis of Laminated Composites Containing Distributed Piezoelectric Ceramics
Authors: Ha Sung-Kyu , Keilers Charles , Chang Fu-Kuo
Published: April 2007

A finite element formulation was developed for modeling the dynamic as well as static response of laminated composites containing distributed piezoelectric ceram ics subjected to both mechanical and electrical loadings. The formulation was derived from the variational principle with consideration for both the total potential energy of the structures and the electrical potential energy of the piezoceramics. An eight-node three- dimensional composite brick element was implemented for the analysis, and three- dimensional incompatible modes were introduced to take into account the global bending behavior resulting from the local deformations of the piezoceramics. Experiments were also conducted to verify the analysis and the computer simulations. werall, the compari sons between the predictions and the data agreed fairly well.
Modeling of a Shape Memory Integrated Actuator for Vibration Control of Large Space Structures
Authors: Maclean B.J. , Patterson G.J. , Misra M.S.
Published: April 2007

Martin Marietta is developing a shape memory material actuator to pro vide active vibration and shape control for large, adaptive space structures. An important facet of this work is the development of analytical modeling capabilities for shape memory material behavior. These alloys exhibit a very interdependent force-length-temperature (FLT) response, which must be understood to best exploit their behavior for the efficient and timely conversion of heat into mechanical work. Also, the modal response of large, flexible space structures will be affected by the use of inherently non-linear, hysteretic shape memory actuators, and specialized control methodologies need to be developed spe cific to this application. In this work, Cory and McNichols' theory of non-equilibrium thermostatics (NET) was modified to account for the multiple quadrant (i.e., tension and compression) hysteretic behavior of shape memory alloys. Experimental results were used to provide the basis for spatial mapping of the austenite-to-martensite ( AM) and mar tensite-to-austenite ( MA) phase transformation boundaries, along with the relative loca tions of the 100% austenite ( ZA) and 100% aligned martensite ( ZM) saturation surfaces in the three-dimensional FLT material behavior domain. A Fortran subroutine, describing the shape memory material actuator, was incorporated into dynamic analyses of a simpli fied finite element model based on the Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment (SCOLE) structure. A slewing maneuver of 20 degrees in 12 seconds was used to study a number of cases for the shape memory actuator which utilized a biasing force (e.g., the biasing effect of a matrix in a strain-compliant shape memory composite) acting against 150 NiTi wires (0.5 mm dia. by 0.50 m in length). Temperature was used as the command variable to demonstrate active vibration control during and after the slew maneuver. Sig nificant passive damping was noted, in addition to effective active control when the actua tor's temperature was pulsed. This analytic "test bed" will provide critical insight into the design and analysis of smart, adaptive shape memory space truss tubes and actuators for vibration and shape control, as well as the vehicle by which future shape memory actuator control algorithms and methodologies can be assessed.
Shape Control of Flexible Structures
Authors: Kashiwase Toshio , Tabata Masaki , Tsuchiya Kazuo , Akishita Sadao
Published: April 2007

A shape control algorithm for a large flexible structure is proposed: (a) a reduced order model, which represents the precise shape of a structure; (b) a shape esti mation filter, which reduces the estimation error caused not only by the white noises of sensor measurements but also by the variation of the D.C. offsets of sensors; (c) a simple and robust controller to regulate many state variables by using many sensors and actuators. The controller is realized by a zero proportional, integral, derivative controller (zero P-ID controller) with the concept of low authority control/high authority control (LAC/HAC). The proposed shape control algorithm is illustrated through applications to a numerical model of an experimental setup.
Career Search Self-Efficacy, Family Support, and Career Indecision With Italian Youth
Authors: Nota Laura , Ferrari Lea , Solberg V. Scott H. , Soresi Salvatore
Published: April 2007

Family support has been found to influence both career self-efficacy beliefs and career decision making. The purpose of this study was to verify whether career search self-efficacy could mediate the relationship between family support and career indecision.Using a sample of 253 Italian youth, the study found that, for male adolescents attending a university-preparation high school, career search self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between family support and career indecision. Contrary to expectations, for female adolescents there was no direct relationship between family support and career indecision; however, family support was directly associated with career search self-efficacy and career search self-efficacy was associated with career indecision.
Testing Vocational Interests and Personality as Predictors of Person-Vocation and Person-Job Fit
Authors: Ehrhart Karen Holcombe , Makransky Guido
Published: April 2007

The fit between individuals and their work environments has received decades of theoretical and empirical attention. This study investigated two antecedents to individuals' perceptions of fit: vocational interests and personality. More specifically, the authors hypothesized that vocational interests assessed in terms of the Career Occupational Preference System Interest Inventory—Professional Level taxonomy predict perceived fit with occupations (person-vocation fit) and personality assessed in terms of the Five-Factor Model predicts perceived fit with job characteristics (person-job fit). Results indicated that vocational interests were better predictors of both perceived person-job and perceived person-vocation fit than personality. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for researchers and practitioners.
Burnout and Personality
Authors: Ghorpade Jai , Lackritz Jim , Singh Gangaram
Published: April 2007

Using multiple theoretical perspectives (stress, conservation of resources, and deviance), we investigated the relationship between burnout and personality. Burnout is measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishments), and personality is captured with the Mini-Marker Inventory (extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness to experience, and emotional stability). Regression analyses controlling for demographic characteristics, based on 265 instructors of a large state university, indicated that emotional exhaustion is negatively related to extroversion and emotional stability and positively related to openness to experience. Depersonalization is negatively related to agreeableness and emotional stability. Personal accomplishments are positively related to extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability. Implications of the results are discussed.
Predicting Burnout, Conflict Management Style, and Turnover Among Clergy
Authors: Beebe Ronald S.
Published: April 2007

Typically, the literature on clergy burnout employs an individual model and describes the pastoral role from the perspective of multiple demands or offers prescriptions for recovery. Although some literature examines the systemic nature of clergy burnout, little attention is paid to the internal psychological dynamics surrounding social expectations of the clergy role. Bowen's concept of differentiation of self offers insight into the relationship between self and role within the context of the clergy-congregation emotional system. A sample of clergy ( N = 343) are surveyed to examine the impact of differentiation of self and role on burnout, conflict management style, and tenure. The analyses indicate clergy functioning at higher levels of differentiation of self and role experience lower perceived burnout and prefer a collaborative conflict management style. This perspective offers potential avenues of response for professionals who interact with clergy regarding burnout and conflict.
Three Stages in the Evolution of Slavery in Precivilized Societies
Authors: Bowden Edgar
Published: April 2007

Analysis of a small sample of cross-cultural data suggests that slavery evolves through three stages in precivilized societies. At first, slaves are mainly war captives from other societies and serve primarily to symbolize the dominance of the victor over the vanquished: their economic func tion is minimal. Second, the importance of "dominance slavery" declines as the locus of the dominance struggle shifts to some extent from between to within societies, developing on a larger scale with a diversified struc ture and hierarchy. Finally, economic power becomes stratified until poverty forces an increasing proportion of the population into "economic slavery," the purpose of which is primarily productive exploitation, and which is ultimately codified in law along with other economic and au thority relationships in higher precivilized societies.
An Additional Warfare Element in Territorial Expansion
Authors: Russell Elbert W.
Published: April 2007

Otterbein has found that a major cultural element in the tendency of a society to expand its territory appears to be its level of military so phistication. However, this is evidently not the only warfare charac teristic related to territorial expansion. A further examination of his data indicates that the psychocultural element of aggressiveness or "ferocity," as measured by a tencency of the society to attack, is even more strongly related to territorial expansion than is military sophis tication. A high level of ferocity in a culture may also lead to internal fighting and the disintegration of a society, however. This internal fight ing must be controlled by strong authoritarian measures before the society's aggressiveness will produce territorial expansion.
An Evaluation of a Program for Teaching Clinic Patients the Rationale of their Peptic Ulcer Regimen
Authors: Caron Herbert S. , Roth Harold P.
Published: April 2007

This study examined the effectirreness of a program for teaching complex medical concepts, the rationale of antacid therapy, to clinic pactients with peptic ulcer. Those who already knew the rationale were excluded, and the remaining patients were divided into three groups: L taught the rationale, II. taught other materials, III. untaught control. Teaching Proved effective when: (1) basic concepts were identified and taught, (2) important misconceptions were eliminated, and (3) patients' attention was maintained and their progress monitored with the Socmtic method. The key facts were acquired by 85 percent of the patients within four sessions. However, application of the learned concepts in solving new problems varied with the intelligence of the patient. Certain misconceptions could not be eliminated by the teaching.
Forces and Issues in the Revival of Interest in Self-Care: Impetus for Redirection in Health
Authors: Levin Lowell S.
Published: April 2007

Most health and medical care is provided by families and individuals to themselves. Self-care has become a salient public issue because of the emergence of chronic diseases as leading causes of death and disability; a new awareness of the limitations of conventional medical care; and social changes which emphasize greater personal control. Challenges arise in definition of professional roles in relation to organized self-care efforts, economic implications, and de velopment of appropriate social policies. A negative potential exists for exploitation by interests which would limit move ments for more equitable and higher quality health services, but should not obscure the positive potential for a strengthened partnership in health between the lay and pro fessional worlds.
Self-Care in Urban Settings
Authors: Milio Nancy
Published: April 2007

A variety of indicators favors the development of self-care systems for inner-city populations. This cannot be conceived as an isolated individual or a family enterprise. To be effective, self-care must be a community concept This type of system requires (1) an information base; (2) an organized method of dissemination in a community; (3) support structures; and (4) an evaluation subsystem. A community- oriented system would be an alternative and a complement to formal health services; individuals and families would manage common health problems, but would have ready access to formal services through community organizations. Links must also be provided between personal self-care and other forms of community development.
Family and Self-Help Education in Isolated Rural Communities
Authors: Grant Richard H.
Published: April 2007

Family and self-help education courses were developed to promote better personal health through more appropriate utilization of health services in underserved rural areas. Instructional target areas were health problems of young children and the elderly and emergency situations. Objectives and evaluation criteria were fonnulated after consultation with representatives of participating communities and expert advisors. Community advisory committees were identified or created to supervise program development and implementa tion. Local instructors were utilized and developed specific course content. An evaluation of one course showed that knowledge and decision-making skills significantly improved for participants.
Locus of Control and Health: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Strudler Wallston Barbara , Wallston Kenneth A.
Published: April 2007

Locus of control, qn individual difference construct from social learning theory, has shown some promise in predicting and explaining specific health-related behaviors. Research is reviewed on the utility of the locus of control construct in understanding smoking reduction, birth control utilization, weight loss, information-seeking, adherence to medication regimens, and other health or sick-role behaviors. Implications for health educators are presented.
A Test of the Construct Validity of Health Locus of Control: Effects on Self-Reported Compliance for Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Lewis Frances Marcus , Morisky Donald E. , Flynn Brian S.
Published: April 2007

A test of the construct validity of the Health Locus of Control (HLC) scale is presented within the larger framework of Rotter's social learning theory. Self-reported compliance behavior was predicted to relate to the subject's HLC orientation, value toward health, and level of perceived home assistance. In a sample of ambulatory hypertensive patients, a significant two-way interaction effect was calculated between the perceived level of home assistance and the patient's HLC orientation (p = .02). The more internally oriented the patient and the higher the level ofperceived home assistance in complying with the prescribed medical regimen, the greater the level of self-reported compliance behavior.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Children's Health Locus of Control
Authors: Parcel Guy S. , Meyer Michael P.
Published: April 2007

Studies were conducted with children ages 7 to 12 years to develop an instrument to measure children's health locus of control. Findings provide evidence that the Children's Health Locus of Control scale has acceptable levels of reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity. Item analysis and factor analysis were performed to determine item effectiveness and existence of significant subscales. Implications of this research for health education of children are discussed. Links between the theoretical basis for the locus of control construct and a more comprehensive explanation of health behavior are outlined.
Development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales
Authors: Wallston Kenneth A. , Strudler Wallston Barbara , DeVellis Robert
Published: April 2007

The development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales is described. Scales have been developed to tap beliefs that the source of reinforcements for health-related behaviors is primarily in ternal, a matter of chance, or under the control of powerful others. These scales are based on earlier work with a general Health Locus of Control scale, which, in turn, was developed from Rotter's social learn ing theory. Equivalent forms of the scales are presented along with initial internal consistency and validity data. Possible means of utilizing these scales are provided.
Managing Key Business-to-Business Relationships
Authors: Ryals Lynette J. , Humphries Andrew S.
Published: April 2007

Key account management (KAM) is a rapidly growing area of interest in business-to-business marketing. However, unnoticed by marketing, a quiet revolution has taken place in supply chain management (SCM), where the traditional emphasis on least-cost transactions has given way to a focus on long-term relationships with a few key suppliers. It is thus apparent that the two disciplines are converging. This article uses a cross-disciplinary approach to explore whether these developments from the field of SCM provide insights into key business-to-business relationships. A detailed case study of a long-term relationship between a business-to-business services provider and a key customer in the construction industry suggests there is a definable overlap. The supply chain model illuminates five important elements of KAM and offers a promising method for the evaluation of such relationships. As a result of the research, both supplier and customer companies implemented actions to improve and strengthen this important relationship.
Constructing Theories of Change
Authors: Mason Paul , Barnes Marian
Published: April 2007

`Theories of Change' has proved a popular approach for both evaluators and commissioners of complex social programmes, but the ways in which theories of change (ToC) evaluations have been implemented show considerable variation. This article draws on the ongoing work of the National Evaluation of the Children's Fund (NECF) and argues that the literature which discusses the ToC approach has neglected the process by which theories of change are constructed by stakeholders (and the implications of this for evaluation), while consistently describing such theories as `underdeveloped'. The authors argue that programme theory evaluations have relied on a process that emphasizes the importance of obtaining clarity at the outset, but that the detail of such theories and their implementation can only be obtained over time. An alternative approach is outlined, which the authors argue allows for a better understanding of programme theory, and hence knowledge and learning, to emerge.
Entropy and the Evaluation of Labour Market Interventions
Authors: Walker Robert
Published: April 2007

The thermodynamic concept of entropy, referring to the degradation of energy and resultant disorder, has been influential in a number of disciplines including information science, ecological economics and sociology, and has recently been posited as a potentially fruitful approach to the evaluation of labour market interventions. The origins and applications of the entropy concept are reviewed before an evaluation framework is applied to assess how entropy evaluation might differ from traditional methodologies. As a thought experiment, a recent large-scale programme evaluation is `re-engineered' using entropy ideas resulting in a radically different design. Whether entropy designs would perform better than traditional ones will remain open to speculation until an entropy evaluation is implemented. Before then, the idea deserves peer review and refinement or rejection as appropriate.
Evaluating Measures Taken Against Right-Wing Extremism
Authors: Widmer Thomas , Blaser Cornelia , Falk Chantal
Published: April 2007

As part of a larger research project about right-wing extremism and its causes and countermeasures, this article assesses the quality of existing evaluation studies in Switzerland, Germany, the US and other countries in order to synthesize their results. It presents the results of a meta-evaluation of measures against right-wing extremism in areas including education and social work. The meta-evaluation follows the professional evaluation standards of the Swiss Evaluation Society (SEVAL Standards). Analysis of the quality of selected evaluation studies in the field of measures against right-wing extremism allows for an assessment of the value of their results. The meta-evaluation covers 12 evaluation reports, enabling a description of the current practice of evaluation of measures taken against right-wing extremism in selected countries. The article also presents evidence about the usefulness of the SEVAL Standards in an applied setting. Thus the article provides background information on both evaluation of measures against right-wing extremism and the applicability of evaluation standards.
Evaluation Systems in Development Aid Agencies
Authors: Liverani Andrea , Lundgren Hans E.
Published: April 2007

The search for increased effectiveness of development aid and improved accountability mechanisms has led donors to place more emphasis on evaluation as the tool to discern what works, when and why in development assistance. Yet, as the attention to evaluation grows, an analysis of the evolution of evaluation systems and their adaptation to new demands has yet to be carried out. This article attempts to address this issue. By drawing mainly on data contained in the peer reviews of the development cooperation programmes of the members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), this article discusses some of the challenges aid agencies' evaluation systems are currently facing, in terms of new demands and increasing pressures; capacity constraints; use of evaluation results; institutional position within the aid agency; and relationships to internal and external stakeholders and constituencies.
The China outbound market: An evaluation of key constraints and opportunities
Authors: Zhou Li , King Brian , Turner Lindsay
Published: April 2007

Chinese outbound tourism has grown rapidly, reaching 5 million in 1995 and with the potential for significant further growth. This potential was boosted in late 1996 when the Chinese Government relaxed its foreign exchange policy for outbound tourists and out bound travel businesses, thereby overcoming a major constraint to outbound tourism. A Chinese outbound tourist is defined here as a resident of mainland China and travels tem porarily outside mainland China for any pur pose.

Drawing upon a survey of constumers and of key informants, this paper outlines the main characteristics of tourists from mainland China and identifies main impediments to continuing market growth.

It is concludet that Chinese tourists are drawn initially to the most frequented attrac tions overseas, and particularly to those which offer a marked contrast with what is found in China. The intrinsic attributes of the attrac tions are found to be of secondary importance. It is suggested that destination countries serious about the Chinese market need to liberalise booking procedures as a matter of urgency. Greater promotion by destination countries is needed within China to improve travel industry and consumer awareness.
A preliminary study of the Northern Ireland hotel classification scheme as a reffection of customers' needs
Authors: Callan Roger J. , Shenton Lisa
Published: April 2007

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has recently developed new systems for classifying hotels. Under the old schemes one grade was given to reflect facilitics and their quality, but under the new scheme the classification is determined solely by the presence or absence of designated facilities and services.

The preliminary study of managers' and customers' views coucludes that the NITB classification scheme does not measure some of the attributes which were perceived as import ant by the customers when assessing the quality and desirability of a hotel, and that a review of the criteria (together with the desira bility of assessing the quality of the services and facilities) is required.
Everything you ever wanted to know about ski and snowboard tourists but were afraid to ask
Authors: Packer John
Published: April 2007

This paper provides data on snow sport tourists. The primary focus is to provide the reader with profiles of overnight skiers and snowboarders and what influences them in choosing a mountain resort. Furthermore, information will be provided on other activi ties that skiers participate in as an aid to attracing tourists with similar demographic profiles.
Long-haul tourism 2005 - Delphi study
Authors: Müller Hansruedi
Published: April 2007

Tourism to distant countries is booming, as many statistics confirm. And the forecasts indicate that long-haul tourism, with its advantages and disadvantages for travellers and host populations, for the economy and for nature, is set to increase still further. The positive and negative impacts on tourism des tinations in developing countries in particular are the subject of countless studies and discus sions.

The Delphi study involving just under 150 experts from Germany, Austria and Switzer land conducted between April and December 1996 provides a sophisticated picture of pos sible future development patterns in long-haul tourism. The experts believe that a broad range of qualitative aspects will gradually gain in importance, with security aspects having top priority. Many tourism-generated problems will become more and more acute in the developing countries. There will also be quite a few changes in long-haul travel behaviour which the majority of experts see as undesir able. The anticipated long-haul tourism growth rate of approximately 5 per cent per year will impact on holiday travel, both in the tourist's home country and in other European countries.
Misconceptions and Misuse of International Agency for Research on Cancer `Classification of Carcinogenic Substances'
Authors: Bernstein David , Gibbs Allen , Pooley Fred , Langer Arthur , Donaldson Ken , Hoskins John , Dunnigan Jacques
Published: April 2007

In their work on human cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer have run a programme of «monographs» that evaluate carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man. The data collected provide considerable information on the risk from substances identified as carcinogens. However, this is largely unused in the IARC classification scheme in spite of the use of the term `risk' in the title and text of the monographs. Consequently, some governments and pressure groups use hazard identification to advance the cause for banning agents without conducting a risk assessment. Confusion and indiscriminate use of `hazard' and `risk' mean that the hazard data are commonly misrepresented as risk data. A common political response is to push regulatory action to extremes, citing the Precautionary Principle. Unfortunately, eliminating substances on the grounds of inherent hazard can deny major benefits to societies and undermine the sustainable developments. This is nowhere better illustrated than in the case of the minerals known collectively as asbestos. Evidence available clearly differentiates the hazards of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos, yet the current IARC classification does not make this distinction. This is in spite of the fact that amphibole asbestos produces orders of magnitude more diseases than chrysotile when used in the same way. The overwhelming weight of evidence available indicates that chrysotile can be used safely with low risk. Cement products such as water pipes and boards for housing provide are versatile products made at affordable cost for the developing countries which if not available would cost rather than save lives.
Thermal Comfort Investigation of Naturally Ventilated Classrooms in a Subtropical Region
Authors: Guoqiang Zhang  , Cong Zheng  , Wei Yang  , Quan Zhang  , Moschandreas Demetrios J.
Published: April 2007

A field study of student thermal comfort was conducted in the Chinese subtropics. Thermal comfort affects people's physical and psychological health. The study was performed in Hunan University in China from March 24 to April 23 in 2005. Two teaching buildings were selected as study sites. Thermal comfort was measured in naturally ventilated classrooms with ceiling fans. A total of 25 classrooms were surveyed and each classroom was visited two or three times and 1273 students responded to the questionnaire. Thermal comfort variables were measured at the same time: students answered a survey on their perception/sensation of the indoor climate. Objective data analysis showed that most respondents found thermal satisfaction during the sampling month, even though the indoor air temperature and relative humidity varied greatly, with average values at 20 °C and 71%, respectively. The thermal neutral temperature calculated by Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) was at about 21.5 °C and the slope of the regression line relating TSV with operative temperature was 0.0448/°C, which is quite different from that found in other similar thermal comfort studies. This difference is attributed to the different climate and adaptation and tolerance of students, who were the study subjects. There was a relatively large gap between studiedTSV and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV). An extended PMV model that incorporated two common forms of adaptation — reducing activity pace and expectation — was also considered, but the discrepancy between predicted and studied thermal sensations did not reduce noticeably, especially at the lower temperatures.
Characterization of Indoor Air Particulate Matter in Selected Elementary Schools in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Ekmekcioglu Daghan , Keskin S. Sinan
Published: April 2007

The mass of indoor air particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and its elemental concentration have been determined at five elementary schools in Istanbul, Turkey. Elementary schools were chosen because of the higher health risk associated with exposure to young children and the very high number of elementary school students currently being educated inTurkey. Results indicated that PM10 and PM2.5 maximum concentration limits determined by the World Health Organization were exceeded considerably in four schools located nearby a major road with high traffic density. Enrichment factor calculations obtained from the elemental composition results showed that Sb, Br, As and Zn were enriched considerably with respect to the Earth's crust, indicating an anthropogenic contribution to indoor air pollution levels in these schools.
Indoor Air Pollution in Coastal Houses of Southern Philippines
Authors: Saksena Sumeet , Subida Ronald , Büttner Lisa , Ahmed Lutfiyah
Published: April 2007

This study had two primary objectives: to determine the extent to which indoor air pollution (IAP) from cooking represented a serious problem that needed household energy intervention and to pilot survey and monitoring instruments for use in the design and evaluation of household energy interventions. This is in the coastal areas of the southern Philippines and/or in other country contexts. The study involved 120 households across three areas who responded to a comprehensive questionnaire on socioeconomic parameters, house and kitchen characteristics and ventilation practices. In 30 houses we measured 24-h average levels of carbonmonoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). This IAP monitoring revealed very low 24-h average area concentrations of PM4 and CO: 72 μg /m 3 and 1 ppm, respectively. Personal exposure monitoring of CO, as a proxy for PM from biomass smoke, was also very low (1 ppm averaged over 24-h); however, peaks of acute exposure were evident during cooking times, typically ranging between 20 and 40 ppm, with peaks up to nearly 200 ppm. This study highlights the fact that low 24-h averages of PM can mask acute exposure while cooking. The study, one of the first in a coastal area, also indicated that kitchen and ventilation characteristics can be significant determinants of exposure to certain indoor air pollutants and less so for others. The study also found weak correlations among the three variables: the area CO, personal CO and the area PM4.
Indoor Air Quality of Libraries in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Ito Lissandra Xavier , Aguiar Mônica Lopes
Published: April 2007

The main objective of this study was to monitor the indoor air of two public libraries located in the city of São Paulo to measure the particulate material (PM) in the breathable fraction (PM10) and in the fine fraction (PM2.5). The period of experiments was from July to October 2005. Air was sampled at a flow of 16 L/min for 1 h. To collect the PM, a small volume sampler (APV), a vacuum pump, a flow metre and membranes were used. The results showed that in both libraries, the concentrations of PM10 and PM 2.5 were greater indoors than outdoors, and the ratio of PM in indoor air to outdoor air was nearly 2 and nearly 3 for the two buildings.
Influence of Canopy Systems on Daylight Performance of Four-Sided Atria under an Overcast Sky
Authors: Song K.D.
Published: April 2007

The goal of this study was to provide building designers with daylight performance data on four-sided atria with various well and canopy configurations under an overcast sky. A total of seven different atrium well configurations and a total of 36 atrium canopy configurations were parametrically evaluated with physical scale models in terms of their impacts on the illuminance levels on the atrium floor. Effective transmittance data of the 36 canopy systems were determined from the measured daylight factors so that the effective transmittance data could be used when determining daylight factors inside atria with various alternative canopy systems.
Contrasting the form and use of reformulation markers
Authors: Cuenca Maria Josep , Bach Carme
Published: April 2007

This article deals with the form and use of reformulation markers in research papers written in English, Spanish and Catalan. Considering the form and frequency of the markers, English papers tend to prefer simple fixed markers and include fewer reformulators than Spanish and Catalan. On the contrary, formal Catalan and Spanish papers include more markers, some of which are complex and allow for some structural variability. As for use, reformulation markers establish dynamic relationships between portions of discourse which can be identified in our corpus with expansion, reduction and permutation. The analysis of the corpus shows that English authors usually reformulate to add more information to the concept (expansion), whereas Catalan and Spanish authors reduce the contents or the implicatures of the previous formulation more frequently than English.
Surplus production of flint blades in the early Neolithic of western Europe: new evidence from Belgium
Authors: Allard Pierre
Published: April 2007

The goal of this study was to identify cognitive processes in a particular technical subsystem – flint blade debitage in the Linear Pottery Culture (Linearbandkeramik or LBK, dating to the second half of the sixth millennium BC). The study was based on new archaeological data from pits with debitage waste on a site at Verlaine, near Liège in Belgian Hesbaye. The project mainly involved refitting and analysis of a concentration of blade debitage waste, which had been almost completely preserved; an exceptional situation for this period. This detailed analysis has produced new data for the early Neolithic on the mental conception and technical procedures involved in debitage of large blocks of flint and suggests that the evidence from Verlaine reflects a system of ‘surplus’ production. The objective of Neolithic knappers at Verlaine was clearly to surpass the needs of the local communities, with a view to long-distance distribution well outside the region.
Later prehistoric settlement patterns in Sicily: old paradigms and new surveys
Authors: Leighton Robert
Published: April 2007

Whilst Sicily is the largest and perhaps most geographically diverse island in the Mediterranean, archaeological survey has been slow to develop there and has had little impact on general accounts of Sicilian prehistory. Discussions of prehistoric settlement distribution in the island have to contend with uneven data obtained by different means and limited evidence for past land-use and environmental change. Nevertheless, survey data point to contrasting settlement patterns between the fourth and first millennia BC (Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages), which can usefully be compared with information from conventional (non-survey) distribution maps. Surveys have the potential to promote new accounts of Sicilian prehistory in which traditional historicist paradigms are at least complemented by those which place a stronger emphasis on relationships or dynamics within the specific island context.