bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in moisture and energy fluxes due to agricultural land use and irrigation in the Indian Monsoon Belt
Authors: Douglas Ellen M. , Niyogi Dev , Frolking S. , Yeluripati J. B. , Pielke Roger A. , Niyogi Nivedita , Vörösmarty C. J. , Mohanty U. C.
Published: July 2006

We present a conceptual synthesis of the impact that agricultural activity in India can have on land‐atmosphere interactions through irrigation. We illustrate a “bottom up” approach to evaluate the effects of land use change on both physical processes and human vulnerability. We compared vapor fluxes (estimated evaporation and transpiration) from a pre‐agricultural and a contemporary land cover and found that mean annual vapor fluxes have increased by 17% (340 km3) with a 7% increase (117 km3) in the wet season and a 55% increase (223 km3) in the dry season. Two thirds of this increase was attributed to irrigation, with groundwater‐based irrigation contributing 14% and 35% of the vapor fluxes in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The area averaged change in latent heat flux across India was estimated to be 9 Wm−2. The largest increases occurred where both cropland and irrigated lands were the predominant contemporary land uses.
Optical nonlinear absorption and refraction of CdS and CdS-Ag core-shell quantum dots
Authors: Gong Hong-Mei , Wang Xiao-Hui , Du Yu-Min , Wang Qu-Quan
Published: July 2006

The CdS and CdS-Ag core-shell quantum dots (QDs) have been prepared. The nanostructures of the QDs were revealed by transmisson electron microscopy and absorption spectra, respectively. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of the core-shell QDs have been studied by using Z-scan technique with femtosecond pulses at the wavelength of 790nm. The value of the effective nonlinear absorption coefficient βeff of CdS-Ag QDs is measured to be about 16.8cm∕GW, which is about 400 times larger than that of bare CdS QDs of 3.9×10−2cm∕GW. The nonlinear refraction index γ of CdS-Ag QDs is about −2.3×10−4cm2∕GW, which is about 200 times larger than that of bare CdS QDs of 1.0×10−6cm2∕GW.
Chemical shift anisotropic mapping of a coherent optical absorber using magnetic field induced quantum beats
Authors: Kiruluta Andrew J. M.
Published: July 2006

A new method for mapping the spatial structure of optical coherent materials which relies on imposing a set of linear orthogonal gradient magnetic fields for a controlled hyperfine splitting of energy levels to create characteristic quantum beats when illuminated with a laser pulse with sufficient bandwidth to excite these levels is proposed. In this approach, a spectroscopic fingerprint of the dopant sites due to concentration and field susceptibilities in the sample is achieved through a Fourier decomposition of the radiative relaxation decay in an approach analogous to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy due to the imposition of a controlled spatial-spectral encoding scheme. A three pulse sequence necessary to interrogate a gradient resolved voxel is also discussed. This three pulse approach can be combined with the conventional confocal imaging technique to provide information about the underlying chemistry of dopant distribution along each imaging plane which is useful in guiding the design and manufacturing process of optical crystals. In combination with gradient induced quantum beats, the entire inhomogeneous bandwidth can be interrogated. The proposed approach would scan this entire bandwidth at much faster rate enabling characterization of a large number of crystals than is currently possible through mechanical scanning with a confocal microscopy based spectroscopic technique as well as providing functional dopant profiling which is not currently possible with conventional approaches.
Carrier-envelope phase stabilization of high-contrast femtosecond laser pulses with a relativistic intensity
Authors: Hong Kyung-Han , Lee Jongmin , Hou Bixue , Nees John A. , Power Erik , Mourou Gerard A.
Published: July 2006

We report on the generation of carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-stabilized pulses with a relativistic intensity and a high-contrast ratio. The CEP stabilization is achieved with a jitter of 0.95rad from a 0.5kHz femtosecond laser pulses with a focal intensity of 2.6×1018W∕cm2 and a picosecond contrast of 2.5×10−9. CEP noise analysis shows that the beam pointing at the pulse compressor is a dominant factor of the CEP fluctuation with our laser system.
Growth and epitaxial structure of LaVOx films
Authors: Hotta Y. , Mukunoki Y. , Susaki T. , Hwang H. Y. , Fitting L. , Muller D. A.
Published: July 2006

We have studied the phase diagram of LaVOx films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. With increasing oxygen partial pressure, the growth phase diagram varies between epitaxial perovskite LaV3+O3 single crystal films and polycrystalline monoclinic LaV5+O4. An interesting feature is the lack of an accessible phase corresponding to V4+, resulting in an extended region of phase coexistence of LaVO3 and LaVO4. Atomically flat LaVO3 could be grown in both layer-by-layer and step-flow growth modes, making this a promising candidate for incorporating strongly correlated electrons in atomic-scale perovskite heterostructures.
Force-strain relation of bundles of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Xiao Tan , Ren Yu , Wu Ping , Liao Kin
Published: July 2006

The force-strain relation and tensile strength of carbon nanotube bundles are studied based on the assumption that the tensile strength of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) obeys the Weibull distribution, with nonlinear stress-strain behavior. The Weibull modulus of the CNT that characterizes the dispersion of tensile strength can be estimated in terms of the maximum sustained force and the failure strain of the bundle. Bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were subjected to tensile testing using a nanomechanical testing device. Results show that the nonlinear behavior of SWNTs does affect the force-strain relation of SWNT bundles, more apparent at large strain.
Effect of gravity on the growth of vertical single-walled carbon nanotubes in a chemical vapor deposition process
Authors: Yeh C. M. , Chen M. Y. , Syu J. S. , Gan J.-Y. , Hwang J.
Published: July 2006

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be fabricated on the Co∕Si(100) substrate in a gravity assisted chemical vapor deposition process. The Co∕Si(100) substrate is tilted such that its surface normal points downwards in the chemical vapor deposition process. All the SWCNTs are lined up with the direction of gravity. The length of SWCNTs increases with growth time. A modified vapor-liquid-solid mechanism is proposed to explain the role of gravity in the precipitation of SWCNTs and in the lineup behavior of SWCNTs.
Optical spin injection in CuGaSe2∕GaAs films
Authors: Itskos G. , Murray R. , Meeder A. , Papathanasiou N. , Lux-Steiner M. Ch.
Published: July 2006

We have investigated polarization-resolved photoluminescence in epitaxially grown CuGaSe2∕GaAs(001) films. Spin-polarized excitons are optically excited both below and above the characteristic crystal field splitting of the chalcopyrite. At low temperatures, a large exciton spin polarization of 35% is measured under resonant pumping but this is reduced by an order of magnitude and reverses its sign for nonresonant excitation. The measurements suggest that optical pumping within a small energy window just above the band gap results in the preferential generation of light holes and electrons that exhibit a long spin relaxation time, comparable to the recombination time in CuGaSe2.
The Role of Myosin II Motor Activity in Distributing Myosin Asymmetrically and Coupling Protrusive Activity to Cell Translocation
Authors: Kolega John
Published: July 2006

Nonmuscle myosin IIA and IIB distribute preferentially toward opposite ends of migrating endothelial cells. To understand the mechanism and function of this behavior, myosin II was examined in cells treated with the motor inhibitor, blebbistatin. Blebbistatin at ≥30 μM inhibited anterior redistribution of myosin IIA, with 100 μM blebbistatin causing posterior accumulation. Posterior accumulation of myosin IIB was unaffected. Time-lapse cinemicrography showed myosin IIA entering lamellipodia shortly after their formation, but failing to move into lamellipodia in blebbistatin. Thus, myosin II requires motor activity to move forward onto F-actin in protrusions. However, this movement is inhibited by myosin filament assembly, because whole myosin was delayed relative to a tailless fragment. Inhibiting myosin's forward movement reduced coupling between protrusive activity and translocation of the cell body: In untreated cells, body movement followed advancing lamellipodia, whereas blebbistatin-treated cells extended protrusions without displacement of the body or with a longer delay before movement. Anterior cytoplasm of blebbistatin-treated cells contained disorganized bundles of parallel microfilaments, but anterior F-actin bundles in untreated cells were mostly oriented perpendicular to movement. Myosin II may ordinarily move anteriorly on actin filaments and pull crossed filaments into antiparallel bundles, with the resulting realignment pulling the cell body forward.
Inferring gene regulatory networks from time series data using the minimum description length principle
Authors: Zhao Wentao , Serpedin Erchin , Dougherty Edward R.
Published: July 2006

Motivation: A central question in reverse engineering of genetic networks consists in determining the dependencies and regulating relationships among genes. This paper addresses the problem of inferring genetic regulatory networks from time-series gene-expression profiles. By adopting a probabilistic modeling framework compatible with the family of models represented by dynamic Bayesian networks and probabilistic Boolean networks, this paper proposes a network inference algorithm to recover not only the direct gene connectivity but also the regulating orientations.

Results: Based on the minimum description length principle, a novel network inference algorithm is proposed that greatly shrinks the search space for graphical solutions and achieves a good trade-off between modeling complexity and data fitting. Simulation results show that the algorithm achieves good performance in the case of synthetic networks. Compared with existing state-of-the-art results in the literature, the proposed algorithm exceptionally excels in efficiency, accuracy, robustness and scalability. Given a time-series dataset for Drosophila melanogaster, the paper proposes a genetic regulatory network involved in Drosophila's muscle development.

Availability: Available from the authors upon request.

Contact:  wtzhao@ece.tamu.edu
A whole genome long-range haplotype (WGLRH) test for detecting imprints of positive selection in human populations
Authors: Zhang Chun , Bailey Dione K. , Awad Tarif , Liu Guoying , Xing Guoliang , Cao Manqiu , Valmeekam Venu , Retief Jacques , Matsuzaki Hajime , Taub Margaret , Seielstad Mark , Kennedy Giulia C.
Published: July 2006

Motivation: The identification of signatures of positive selection can provide important insights into recent evolutionary history in human populations. Current methods mostly rely on allele frequency determination or focus on one or a small number of candidate chromosomal regions per study. With the availability of large-scale genotype data, efficient approaches for an unbiased whole genome scan are becoming necessary.

Methods: We have developed a new method, the whole genome long-range haplotype test (WGLRH), which uses genome-wide distributions to test for recent positive selection. Adapted from the long-range haplotype (LRH) test, the WGLRH test uses patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) to identify regions with extremely low historic recombination. Common haplotypes with significantly longer than expected ranges of LD given their frequencies are identified as putative signatures of recent positive selection. In addition, we have also determined the ancestral alleles of SNPs by genotyping chimpanzee and gorilla DNA, and have identified SNPs where the non-ancestral alleles have risen to extremely high frequencies in human populations, termed ‘flipped SNPs’. Combining the haplotype test and the flipped SNPs determination, the WGLRH test serves as an unbiased genome-wide screen for regions under putative selection, and is potentially applicable to the study of other human populations.

Results: Using WGLRH and high-density oligonucleotide arrays interrogating 116 204 SNPs, we rapidly identified putative regions of positive selection in three populations (Asian, Caucasian, African-American), and extended these observations to a fourth population, Yoruba, with data obtained from the International HapMap consortium. We mapped significant regions to annotated genes. While some regions overlap with genes previously suggested to be under positive selection, many of the genes have not been previously implicated in natural selection and offer intriguing possibilities for further study.

Availability: the programs for the WGLRH algorithm are freely available and can be downloaded at

Contact:  Giulia_Kennedy@affymetrix.com

Supplementary Material: Three Supplementary tables
Adaptive divergence of scaling relationships mediates the arms race between a weevil and its host plant
Authors: Toju Hirokazu , Sota Teiji
Published: July 2006

Coevolution of exaggerated morphologies between insects and plants is a well-known but poorly understood phenomenon in evolutionary biology. In the antagonistic interaction between a seed-predatory insect, the camellia weevil (
Curculio camelliae
), and its host plant, Japanese camellia (
Camellia japonica
), we examined the evolutionary trajectory of an exaggerated offensive trait of the weevil (rostrum length) in terms of scaling relationship. Sampling throughout Japan revealed that the ratio of the rostrum length to overall body size was correlated with the ratio of the pericarp thickness to overall fruit size across the localities. We found a geographical interpopulation divergence in a parameter pertaining to the allometric equation of rostrum length (the coefficient
a
in
y
=
ax

b

, where
y
and
x
denote rostrum and body lengths, respectively), and the pattern of geographical differentiation in the allometric coefficient was closely correlated with the variation in the pericarp thickness of Japanese camellia. Our results provide a novel example of a geographically diverged scaling relationship in an insect morphology resulting from a coevolutionary arms race with its host plant.
A validating CIF parser:PyCIFRW
Authors: Hester J. R.
Published: July 2006

PyCIFRWis a general-purpose Python package providing a simple, powerful interface for working with CIF files. Objects and methods are available for reading, writing and manipulating CIF files and dictionaries. Comprehensive validation of CIF files and dictionaries against DDL1 or DDL2 dictionaries is also possible.PyCIFRWis easily included in larger projects and is portable across a large number of platforms. Although written in an interpreted language, parsing and validation times are acceptable for most applications.
Protein crystallography with a novel large-area pixel detector
Authors: Hülsen Gregor , Broennimann Christian , Eikenberry Eric F. , Wagner Armin
Published: July 2006

The PILATUS 1M detector, developed at the Paul Scherrer Institut, is a single-photon-counting hybrid pixel detector designed for macromolecular crystallography. With more than 1 million pixels covering an area of 243 × 210 mm, it is the largest such device constructed to date. The detector features a narrow point spread function, very fast readout and a complete absence of electronic noise. Unfortunately, this prototype detector has numerous defective pixels and sporadic errors in counting that complicate its operation. With appropriate experimental design, it was largely possible to work around these problems and successfully demonstrate the application of this technology to structure determination. Conventional coarse ϕ-sliced data were collected on thaumatin and a refined electron density map was produced that showed the features expected of a map at 1.6 Å resolution. The results were compared with the performance of a reference charge-coupled device detector: the pixel detector is superior in speed, but showed higherR-factors because of the counting errors. Complete fine ϕ-sliced data sets recorded in the continuous-rotation mode showed the predicted advantages of this data collection strategy and demonstrated the expected reduction ofR-factors at high resolution. A new readout chip has been tested and shown to be free from the defects of its predecessor; a PILATUS 6M detector incorporating this new technology is under construction.
On the determination of step energies. Theoretical considerations and application to an anisotropic Kossel model
Authors: Deij M. A. , Los J. H. , Meekes H. , Vlieg E.
Published: July 2006

Steps on surfaces are important in crystal growth theory, as the step free energy determines the two-dimensional nucleation rate, island growth, step flow and spiral growth. In this paper, it is illustrated that in general in lattice models the step energy of a single step cannot be determined directly by counting broken bonds. A new method is proposed that uses the geometry of a step together with the bonding topology, allowing for a straightforward determination of single-step energies for any case. The method is applied to an anisotropic Kossel model.
The revenge of the Patterson methods. I. Proteinab initiophasing
Authors: Burla Maria C. , Caliandro Rocco , Carrozzini Benedetta , Cascarano Giovanni Luca , De Caro Liberato , Giacovazzo Carmelo , Polidori Giampiero , Siliqi Dritan
Published: July 2006

Direct methods combined with direct-space refinement procedures are the standard tools forab initiocrystal structure solution of macromoleculesviadiffraction data collected up to atomic or quasi-atomic resolution. An entirely direct-space approach is described here: it includes an automated Patterson deconvolution method, based on the minimum superposition function, followed by an effective direct-space refinement, consisting of cycles of electron density modification. The new approach has been implemented in a new version of theSIR2004program and tested on a large set of test structures selected from the Protein Data Bank, with data resolution better than 1.6 Å and number of non-hydrogen atoms in the asymmetric unit up to 2000. The new procedure proved to be extremely efficient and very fast in solving crystal structures with atomic resolution data and heavy atoms: their solution and refinement requires a computing time roughly comparable with that necessary for solving small-molecule crystal structuresviaa modern computer program. It markedly overcomes direct methods, even for crystal structures with atomic data resolution and heaviest atomic species up to calcium, as well as for crystal structures with quasi-atomic data resolution (i.e.1.2–1.6 Å). The Patterson approach proved to be loosely dependent on the structure complexity.
Structural properties of ultra-low-energy ion-implanted silicon studied by combined X-ray scattering methods
Authors: Capello L. , Metzger T. H. , Holý V. , Servidori M. , Malachias A.
Published: July 2006

The use of a combination of X-ray scattering techniques for the complete characterization of ultra-low-energy (E< 5 keV) implanted Si is discussed. Grazing incidence diffuse X-ray scattering (GI-DXS) reveals the properties of the defects confined within thin crystalline layers with depth resolution. Due to the weak diffuse intensity arising from such defects, the high brilliance of synchrotron radiation is required. GI-DXS proved to be particularly well suited for the investigation of the so-called `end-of-range' defects. In a complementary way, X-ray diffraction (XRD) in the vicinity of the 004 Bragg reflection is sensitive to the distribution of the strain in the Si lattice in the direction perpendicular to the sample surface. The structural characterization is complemented by the electron density profile of the near-surface amorphous region provided by specular reflectivity (SR). It will be shown that only by merging the results obtained with GI-DXS, XRD and SR, is it possible to obtain the detailed structural characterization of the implanted Si samples.
A discrete tomography algorithm for improving the quality of three-dimensional X-ray diffraction grain maps
Authors: Alpers A. , Poulsen H. F. , Knudsen E. , Herman G. T.
Published: July 2006

A discrete tomography algorithm is presented for the reconstruction of grain maps based on X-ray diffraction data. This is the first algorithm for this task, inherently exploiting the discrete structure of grain maps. Gibbs potentials serve to characterize the statistics of the local morphology of the grain boundaries. A Monte Carlo based algorithm is applied as a restoration method for improving the quality of grain maps produced by a classical (non-discrete) tomography algorithm (ART). The quality of the restored maps is demonstrated and quantified by simulation studies. The robustness of the algorithm with respect to the choice of Gibbs potentials is investigated.
Structural investigation of tetragonally stabilized ZrO2in α-Al2O3–ZrO2composites
Authors: Deb Apurba Kanti , Chatterjee Partha , Sen Gupta Siba Prasad
Published: July 2006

A detailed structural analysis and phase-stabilization study of tetragonal (t-) ZrO2in α-Al2O3–ZrO2composites has been performedviaRietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It is observed that the tetragonal distortion (δ) oft-ZrO2in the composites is similar to that of puret-ZrO2. Although the average Zr—O bond distances are similar to those of other cation-doped zirconias, the X-ray and FTIR study gave no indication of Al2O3–ZrO2solid-solution formation. It is concluded that other factors, such as oxygen vacancies, play a significant role in the stabilization process. It may be argued that size-stabilizedt-ZrO2is actually an oxygen-deficient form.
Electrochemical studies of polyaspartic acid and sodium tungstate as corrosion inhibitors for brass and Cu30Ni alloy in simulated cooled water solutions
Authors: Xu Qun‐Jie , Zhou Guo‐Ding , Wang Hui‐Feng , Cai Wen‐Bin
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the inhibition effect of environmentally friendly inhibitors; polyaspartic acid (PASP), Na2WO4 and the complex of PASP and Na2WO4 for brass and Cu30Ni alloy (B30) corrosion in simulated cooled water solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibiting effect was investigated in simulated cooled water solutions by potentiodynamic polarization (DC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Findings

The results indicated that PASP and Na2WO4 both had an inhibition effect. A desirable inhibition effect was shown for brass and B30 corrosion at a PASP concentration of 15 mg/L. The best inhibition effects for Na2WO4 appeared at 10 mg/L for B30 corrosion and at 20 mg/L for brass, respectively. The combination of PASP and Na2WO4 showed a synergistic effect. The optimum ratio of PASP to Na2WO4 was 6:1 at the total inhibitor concentration of 20 mg/L.

Originality/value

This paper has for the first time showed that the two environmentally friendly inhibitors PASP and Na2WO4 had an inhibition effect for brass and B30 corrosion and the complex of PASP and Na2WO4 had good synergistic effect for brass and B30 corrosion in simulated cooled water solutions.
Corrosion behaviour of zinc in alcohol‐water solvents
Authors: Abdel‐Gaber A.M. , Abdel‐Rahman H.H. , Ahmed A.M. , Fathalla M.H.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to elucidate the mechanism and the effect of different monohydric organic solvent on the corrosion behaviour of zinc in distilled water.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion behaviour of zinc in stagnant distilled water containing 0‐70 percent (v/v) methanol, ethanol or n‐propanol was investigated at 25‐40°C using potentiodynamic polarization technique. The activation parameters that govern zinc corrosion in mixed solvent system were also calculated.

Findings

The data revealed that, the corrosion of zinc in mixed solvents depends on two factors: the hydrolysis rates of the metal ions in alcohol‐water solutions and the chemisorption of organic solvent molecules at the metal surface. When the latter effect predominant the final result is an increase of the inhibiting effect. On the other hand, when the first factor is dominant the final result is a decrease in the protection efficiency and may exhibit an accelerating effect.

Research limitations/implications

Special attention should be made on using mixed water‐alcohol solvents. Methanol, 50 percent (v/v), has unexpected accelerating effect whereas 70 percent (v/v) exhibits protection efficiency of ≈58 percent.

Originality/value

Owing to environmental concerns, the use of alcohol in automotive fuel increases. Therefore, it is of importance to study the corrosion behaviour of zinc in alcoholic solution.
Corrosion protection performance of nano‐particles thin‐films containing vanadium ions formed on aluminium alloys
Authors: Salam Hamdy Abdel , Butt D.P.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper seeks to find out new eco‐environmentally friendly surface treatments based on vanadate compounds as alternatives to the process involving toxic chromates for the corrosion protection of aluminium alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

A treatment process in which the surface was etched prior to vanadia treatment is being proposed. The process involves cleaning, etching in potassium hydroxide followed by treatment in vanadia prepared by sol‐gel method. The effect of surface preparation prior to vanadia treatment on the corrosion resistance of AA6061 T6 in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution was measured using AC impedance spectroscopy and DC polarization techniques. Surface examination was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Findings

It has been shown that the etching process prior to vanadia treatment enhanced formation of a uniformly distributed compact surface V‐rich Al‐oxide film of smooth appearance and inhibited the active surface sites and thereby preventing localized corrosion.

Originality/value

Vanadate conversion coatings seem very promising as alternatives to toxic chromating for the corrosion protection of aluminium alloys in NaCl solution.
From subsistence to commercial fishing in Northern Canada
Authors: Gombay Nicole
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that, until the 1960s, subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering were the mainstay of the economy for Inuit in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. This economy was sustained by the moral imperative that food should be shared with others whenever possible. The article explores the experience of one man in Nunavik (Northern Québec) who has started a business selling food.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows that regulatory challenges facing the industry are considered in relation to the moral dilemmas that need to be confronted in moving from an economy based on sharing food to an economy predicated on market exchange.

Practical implications

The paper concludes with a discussion about how this businessman has come to terms with his breaking of social norms about the sharing of food and his understanding of how, in doing so, he is representative of a new economic order amongst Inuit in Nunavik.

Originality/value

The paper shows that this is an original and novel subject for study.
Sámi reindeer herd managers: why do they stay in a low‐profit business?
Authors: Åge Riseth Jan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on the Sámi reindeer industry, which, in spite of a low economic return, contrasts with other primary industries in not displaying a population decline.

Design/methodology/approach

The project in this paper is based on two major hypotheses: the life form hypothesis: reindeer management has a particular value for the performers, being the condition for an active choice of staying within the industry; the capital hypothesis: lacking recognition of the resources of the reindeer‐managing Sámi is/has been limiting their establishment in capital requiring undertakings.

Findings

In the paper there are indications that the reindeer‐managing Sámi practices are in a Weberian sense a substantial rationality. Analysis at hand indicates close connections between landscape, management type, and type of rationality in reindeer management.

Practical implications

The project in the paper analyses the economy of reindeer management in chosen regions by both quantitative and qualitative studies, focusing on the household level. For the quantitative analyses the creation and extent of value streams in the households of reindeer management and near surroundings are focused. In the qualitative analyses the point of departure is decision situations and strategic choices with reindeer‐managing Sámi. Comparative analyses will be undertaken to explore representation of the regional studies.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the design is original and the outcome is expected to have a potential for changing the focus of current policies.
Farmers' markets: the small business counter‐revolution in food production and retailing
Authors: Guthrie John , Guthrie Anna , Lawson Rob , Cameron Alan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the rationale for, and development of, farmers' markets in New Zealand. The paper is based on and extends previous industry reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The research in this paper is viewed in the context of the dominance of globalised business in the food production and retailing process. Semi‐structured interviews and case studies were used to elicit the opinions, perceptions and attitudes of market managers, producers/growers, and customers.

Findings

It was found in the paper that farmers' markets provide additional outlets for entrepreneurial small‐scale farmers and producers, alternatives for consumers, and opportunities for communities, while their rapid growth is presenting challenges for some large competitors.

Originality/value

The paper finds that farmers' markets may be an important harbinger of the second industrial revolution where there is renewed respect for those small‐scale producers who meet the needs of discerning consumers.
Revisiting the New Zealand apple industry: the impacts of change
Authors: Dobbs Matthew , Rowling Daniel
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to show that in the past decade New Zealand apple growers have experienced a number of significant changes within their industry. It would seem that these changes have encompassed virtually every aspect of their production and the environment within which they operate. Probably the most significant development for growers was the decision to deregulate the industry, an issue which has continued to be at the forefront of much discussion since its implementation in 2001.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper shows that accompanying these changes there has also been a steady decline in industry performance. With many growers now staring in the face of financial ruin, further insight as to how they are being affected by the changing market and how they can be assisted is required to return the New Zealand apple industry to its once prominent position. Thus this paper examines the effects of change on the New Zealand apple industry as perceived by a sample of orchardists from one of the country's most prominent growing regions.

Findings

The paper finds that it has become evident from this research that in the majority of cases, technological improvements have come to the benefit of growers. However, a number of environmental changes (including a world oversupply of fruit, a high foreign exchange rate, etc.) and a significant change in structure are identified by growers as having a significant contribution to the industry's current state of turmoil.

Originality/value

The paper finds that, as a result, respondents appear to be looking back at past sources of competitive advantage (including the development of new varieties, high quality standards, and a united view of the industry) as ways to recover from their current position.
Teaching intellectual property rights as part of the information literacy syllabus
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To argue that in the knowledge economy, those who are expert in understanding intellectual property issues, such as librarians and information professionals, have a special responsibility for creating policy, encouraging understanding and resolving legal disputes and conflicts unique to this aspect of the information society. One way of achieving this is through the educational impact of systematic information literacy programmes which include intellectual property issues as part of the syllabus.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of current practice and current opinion.

Findings

That the current culture, especially in higher education towards intellectual property rights, remains both confused and confusing, above all for the “information illiterate” starting out on degree‐level programmes. Attitudes and policies need to be clarified so that a coherent approach to a range of different but related intellectual property (IP) matters such as plagiarism, self‐archiving on research repositories and respect for commercially owned copyright material is uniformly developed. Debate must be differentiated from policy which in turn must be implemented via the information literacy (IL) syllabus.

Research limitations/Implications

This is a statement of opinion that could be tested by practical case study investigation.

Practical implications

Suggests that information literacy programmes be promoted as a way of enhancing students' understanding of intellectual property issues.

Originality/value

This paper brings together different IP issues which are not normally considered together, such as institutional research repositories, student plagiarism and commercial IP entitlements. It points out ways of unifying these in a single coherent philosophy of information society rights and ownership. This philosophy should form one of the mainstays of the information literacy syllabus.
Examining the quality of National Library of Malaysia (NLM) cataloguing in publication (CIP) records
Authors: Abd Manaf Zuraidah , Abdul Rahman Ramlee
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This study attempts to compare the National Library of Malaysia (NLM)'s cataloguing in publication (CIP) records with their permanent records in the NLM's online public access catalogue (OPAC) database.

Design/methodology/approach

The study compares the description of records in the NLM CIP versus NLM OPAC in terms of similarities and differences in the bibliographic elements for each record. The study selected the NLM's CIP records from January to April 2000, allowing more than 5 years for publishers to publish the registered CIP titles and also the NLM to make the records available in their OPAC database.

Findings

The findings indicate that libraries that use NLM's CIP records in their copy cataloguing activity should not rely 100 per cent on the records. Verifications and modifications need to be carried out to ensure accuracy and quality of their catalogue records.

Research limitations/implications

That Malaysian experience confirms research carried out previously elsewhere.

Practical implications

The findings of the study are significant in terms of giving data about whether NLM's CIP records are trustworthy sources for the practical task of copy cataloguing or not.

Originality/value

Although comparison studies of the accuracy and consistency of CIP records versus OPAC records are commonplace, having been conducted extensively since the 1980s in a variety of contexts, such a comparison study of CIP records versus OPAC records has never been conducted in Malaysia. With the increased usage of web‐based OPACs as one source option for copy cataloguing, it is imperative to ensure the records copied are consistent and accurate to avoid post‐alteration of the bibliographic description.
Healthy lifestyle project for overweight and obese children: a pilot study
Authors: Tyers Mary
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To describe a year‐long pilot programme, based at a leisure centre combining access to a modified version of the existing “Physical Activity Referral Scheme” (“Exercise on Prescription”) in North Staffordshire with dietary intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

A small group of overweight and obese children and their families participated in a year‐long programme with psychologist input in initial design. The programme entailed dietary intervention, incorporating behavioural approaches coupled with advice and encouragement to access physical activity opportunities. School nurses recruited 16 primary school‐aged children whose BMI fell within the inclusion areas of the BMI centile charts for overweight or obesity.

Findings

Sixteen children with their families were initially involved in the programme of dietary and physical activity intervention and encouragement. Twelve children completed the year. Ten of the 12 children (83 per cent) had an improved BMI centile status (three children marginally so). A total 75 per cent of children had an improved waist circumference centile by the end of the project. Dietary markers showed an all‐round improvement in the quality of children's diets. Children became more physically active, participants citing that they were walking more and most were achieving 16‐30 more minutes a day in various forms of physical activity.

Research limitations/implications

Statistical advice is sought to obtain numbers of children required to run a comparative study with a control group (dietary intervention only) alongside intervention described in pilot study.

Originality/value

The number of children involved has been small but the scheme appears to have been an effective means of enabling children and their families to achieve a healthier weight and lifestyle over the period of the programme.
Effects of an over‐the‐counter herbal weight management product (Zotrim®) on weight and waist circumference in a sample of overweight women: a consumer study
Authors: Ruxton C.H.S. , Hinton F. , Evans C.E.L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Aims to carry out a consumer intervention study to evaluate the impact of an over‐the‐counter herbal weight management product (Zotrim®) on weight and waist circumference.

Design/methodology/approach

Overweight women were recruited using local media and 61 passed initial screening to begin a four‐week intervention using a free sample of Zotrim at a dosage corresponding to manufacturers’ recommendations. A total of 56 subjects completed the study, but data on all 61 were included in the “intention to treat” analysis.

Findings

There was a self‐reported mean weight loss of 1.79kg (0.45kg per week) at week 4. Data on perceived hunger and fullness from three sets of questionnaires suggested that subjects felt less hungry between meals and fuller after meals at weeks 1 and 4 compared with base‐line. This is likely to have impacted on energy intake and may account for the weight loss. Average weight loss as a percentage of baseline was 2.3 per cent, but this masked a broad range, suggesting that some subjects benefited more than others. Taking into account adjusted guidelines for clinically significant weight loss, 23 per cent of subjects achieved this cut‐off, suggesting that their risk of chronic disease had reduced. Similarly, waist circumference (an independent measure of disease risk) decreased by an average of 4.3cm during the four‐week period. This reduced the number of subjects exceeding SIGN guidelines for central obesity from 93 per cent to 83 per cent.

Originality/value

Adds to the body of knowledge by proring that Zotrim can aid weight loss and help reduce waist circumference.
Predictors of physician overweight and obesity in the USA: an empiric analysis
Authors: La Puma John , Szapary Philippe , Maki Kevin C.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Because patients are more likely to follow advice from healthy weight rather than overweight physicians, seeks to determine whether physician overweight could be predicted by self‐reported physician eating behaviors.

Design methodology/approach

An anonymous, written, self‐administered, pre‐tested, confidential survey of practicing physicians in the Midwestern USA was undertaken.

Findings

Most surveyed physicians (394 or 74 per cent) completed the survey. The results indicate that stress at home (OR 2.62, CI 1.35‐5.08) was most significantly and strongly predictive of physician overweight (BMI>25kg/m2), as were particular eating behaviors, including eating food provided at the medical office. Assessment of overall health was significantly and strongly inversely proportionally predictive (OR 0.43, CI 0.30‐0.62) of physician overweight as well.

Research limitations/implications

The research implies that, like patients, practicing US physicians are susceptible to feelings other than hunger which prompt over‐eating and weight gain. Limitations include study of a single, specific sample of physicians, and an exclusive focus on food and nutrition. Future research may wish to include measures of fitness and exercise.

Originality/value

Physicians are susceptible to predictable, particular feelings other than hunger which prompt over‐eating and overweight. Physician ability to respond to these feelings and to ameliorate the stresses and factors associated with them may help improve physician overweight and, in turn, physician ability to facilitate patient weight loss.
Modern diets converging: the move to low GI/GR diets
Authors: Landon Shane
Published: July 2006

Purpose

An abundance of diets advocating various different ways of losing weight have been covered in the media. This article aims to examine the latest trends and to look at how the nutrition message needs to be incorporated for effective and healthy weight management.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is to summarise the current diets trends and their nutritional profile.

Findings

The issue of carbohydrates is a current hot topic with UK consumers. The Atkins diet started the current interest in the health properties of carbohydrates. This concept has evolved and led to a strong focus on the type of carbohydrate and its effect on blood glucose levels (glycaemic index, glycaemic response and glycaemic load).

Originality/value

This review offers an evaluation on the benefits and limitations of the glycaemic concept from an Australian health professional's viewpoint.
Low levels of cholesterol/saturated fat index (CSI) in a Japanese–Brazilian diet
Authors: Aparecida Ferraz da Silva Torres Elizabeth , Rodrigues Sampaio Geni , Moreira Nery Castellucci Cláudia , Simioni de Abreu Edeli , Augusto Cardoso Marly
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Differences in dietary patterns constitute a major component of the environmental changes experienced by immigrant populations, and have been associated with several diseases with contrasting prevalence rates in the USA and Japan. The Japanese preparations present very colorful dishes, with a wide variety of vegetables with little or no cooking, which preserves the nutritive value of vitamins. The present study was carried out to determine the cholesterol/saturated fat index (CSI) levels of some Japanese dishes using the following equation, developed to calculate the ratio between cholesterol and dietary saturated fatty acids: CSI=(1.01 × saturated fatty acids in g)+(0.05 × cholesterol in mg).

Design/methodology/approach

Fifteen Japanese recipes consumed by Japanese immigrants in São Paulo (Brazil) were prepared and analyzed for chemical composition by AOAC methods, for fatty acids profile (gas chromatography) and cholesterol (colorimetric method).

Findings

Total lipid content (g/100g) ranged from 0.10 to 16.40, with mean±SD values of 2.83±4.10. Cholesterol (mg/100g) ranged from 0 to 166.5, with mean values of 36.90±45.61. CSI values ranged from 0.0 to 9.87, with mean values of 2.76±3.19.

Orginality/value

The habitual intake of Japanese foods available in São Paulo could be useful to achieve a limit of 30 per day for dietary CSI.
Diet, lifestyle factors and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Oliver Katie L. , Jill Davies G.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of appetite‐related, emotional and physical symptoms in a group of menstruating females.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 Caucasian females, aged 17‐24 years, completed a specifically designed menstruation symptoms diary for one cycle length.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that changes in appetite and physical and emotional symptoms accord with hormonal changes in the premenstrual and bleed phases of the cycle.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of using a daily diary to identify symptoms demonstrates a record of the individuals’ perceptions of their symptoms and is therefore only subjective. The prevalence of appetite‐related symptoms was reported in the diaries but the quantity of food and drink consumed, and therefore energy intake could not be established for any of the endocrine phases.

Originality/value

Conducted on a very small scale this study can be considered as being a pilot for a more rigorous investigation into the understanding of diet in the identification and management of premenstrual syndrome.
Nutritional profiling vs guideline daily amounts as a means of helping consumers make appropriate food choices
Authors: Bussell Gaynor
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To distinguish between the use of Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) for labelling purposes and traffic‐light labelling and to demonstrate the advantages of GDAs over traffic lights.

Design/methodology/approach

The advantages of GDAs are laid out along with the disadvantages of traffic‐light labelling.

Findings

The background to the development of GDAs and the FSA traffic light scheme, currently being consumer tested, is explained. The Food and Drink Federation recommend that GDAs will be of more value to consumers as opposed to traffic lights, as the GDA system will help individuals to build up a balanced diet which is appropriate for them. However, education on how to use GDAs will be vital, and this is already under way.

Practical implications

A traffic‐light system is a very simplistic subjective approach to signpost labelling and makes it hard to convey the true nutritional value of a food. For this reason it may mislead consumers. GDAs are more objective and will help inform and educate consumers on how to eat a balanced diet.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to lay out the concept of GDAs and why it is a labelling concept that will help consumers with their diet. It should be of interest to those working in the food industry, health professionals, food and health academics and anyone who communicates messages about food and health or indeed consumes packaged food.