bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiclassical electronic transport calculations in multilayered granular alloys
Authors: Milano J. , Llois A. M.
Published: July 2007

We have calculated the electrical conductivity in the current-in-plane geometry of multilayered granular alloys composed of Co clusters embedded in Ag alternating with pure Ag layers. In particular, we have paid attention to the conductivity behavior as a function of Ag layer thickness, Co clusters’ size, and degree of percolation. The electronic structure is self-consistently calculated within the unrestricted Hartree–Fock approximation using a parametrized tight binding Hamiltonian which includes a Hubbard-like term. The conductivity tensor is obtained by using the semiclassical Boltzmann equation in the anisotropic relaxation time approximation. We have used a s−d Mott-like scattering model for the electronic mean free path taking into account the Sondheimer’s picture for electronic transport in thin films. We find that the experimental conductivity behavior at coalescence can be explained through the electronic band contribution. The conductivity behavior of continuous multilayers is already attained in the very early stage of percolation, as in the experiments.
Effect of heterovalent ion substitution on the crystalline structure and magnetic ordering of SrRuO3
Authors: Nithya R. , Chandra Sharat , Valsakumar M. C. , Sastry V. S. , Han T. C. , Lin J. G.
Published: July 2007

Structural and magnetic studies have been carried out on SrRu1−xMxO3 (M=Ga:x=0.1; Cu and Zn: x=0.1 and 0.2) in order to understand the dependence of the ferromagnetic transition temperature of SrRuO3 on heterovalent magnetic and nonmagnetic cation substitution at the Ru site. Powder x-ray diffraction has been carried out to analyze the crystal structure using the Rietveld refinement procedure. Tc decreases more rapidly for divalent cation dopants as compared to the trivalent cations. The refinement results show that there are distortions of the RuO6 octahedra in the doped compounds, with little change in the lattice parameters. However, the direction and magnitudes of the tilt of the octahedra for all the compounds do not show correlation with the Tc. Therefore, the change of Tc is attributed to the charge and spin disorders introduced by the heterovalent dopant cations. The filled eg orbitals in Ga, Cu, and Zn ions are expected to have weak hybridization with the oxygen p orbitals as compared to the pristine compound, leading to a weakening of the overall ferromagnetic interactions between the Ru ions.
Negative capacitance in organic semiconductor devices: Bipolar injection and charge recombination mechanism
Authors: Ehrenfreund E. , Lungenschmied C. , Dennler G. , Neugebauer H. , Sariciftci N. S.
Published: July 2007

The authors report negative capacitance at low frequencies in organic semiconductor based diodes and show that it appears only under bipolar injection conditions. They account quantitatively for this phenomenon by the recombination current due to electron-hole annihilation. Simple addition of the recombination current to the well established model of space charge limited current in the presence of traps yields excellent fits to the experimentally measured admittance data. The dependence of the extracted characteristic recombination time on the bias voltage is indicative of a recombination process which is mediated by localized traps.
Active mechanical noise cancellation scanning tunneling microscope
Authors: Liu H. , Meng Y. , Zhao H. W. , Chen D. M.
Published: July 2007

We present the design and performance of an active mechanical noise cancellation scanning tunneling microscope (STM). This system features two key parts: a “twin-tip” scanner and an active mechanical noise cancellation algorithm. The twin-tip scanner functions as two independent STMs which share nearly the same mechanical transfer function, allowing both STMs to sense nearly identical background mechanical noise. Based on an adaptive digital signal processing technique, the active mechanical noise cancellation algorithm applies the noise sensed by the first STM to concurrently cancel the noise in the second STM and hence allows the second STM to acquire spectroscopy with a significantly improved signal to noise ratio. This system demonstrates long-term stability of the tip-sample tunnel junction and improved spectroscopy measurement in a mechanically noisy environment.
The impact of local authorities on labour party economic policy
Authors: Batkin Andy
Published: July 2007

This article questions to what extent the Labour Party is prepared to build on local authority experience in its policy statements and in practice. With the demise of the AES, Labour has been searching for a new political economy, publishing three policy statements in March this year. The author argues that while the impact of local authorities on these documents is unmistakable, the Labour Party has yet to take all their ideas on board.
Industrial property letting: Traditional v radical approaches
Authors: Cook Gary
Published: July 2007

Following the earlier article on GLC and GLEB property letting, this contribution argues that an industrial lettings policy is inadequate for the promotion of good employment practices and sector strategy.
Local economic strategies and area based initiatives—another view of improvement areas
Authors: Etherington David
Published: July 2007

In this continuing discussion on the role of industrial improvement areas the author extends the arguments to suggest how IIAs could be a progressive planning tool linking economic, property and land-use strategies.
Local politics and the local authority labour market
Authors: Walker Jill
Published: July 2007

The 1979 election heralded a new approach to public sector finance and employment. For local government, this has involved a new regulatory framework, which attempts to reproduce private sector financial and labour market structures. This article examines the effect of this new regulatory framework on the labour markets of three case study local authorities and the manner in which those effects have been mediated by local politics over the period 1979–1984
Property-Led Regeneration and Job Creation: The Belfast Case
Authors: Cebulla Andreas
Published: July 2007

Outline

This paper presents the results of a recent evaluation of the Urban Development Grant in Belfast. In contrast to cities in Great Britain, the Urban Development Grant in Belfast has been available not just to property speculators, but also to owner-occupiers of commercial premises. The grant is to facilitate employment growth in assisted businesses by removing constraints on trade and production imposed by unsuitable premises or location. An analysis of employment change in UDG-assisted and non-assisted businesses is undertaken to ascertain whether grant assistance was associated with employment growth.
Making the Link
Authors: McArthur Andrew
Published: July 2007

Urban regeneration practitioners continue to search for ways to target a larger share of local employment opportunities towards residents in regeneration areas. This paper explores the potential contribution that childcare projects can make in this area. By evaluating the impacts of an innovative childcare project in the East End of Glasgow, the paper shows that the employment situation of many of the users has been improved and that some owe their foothold in the labour market to the service provided. It concludes that childcare merits more attention as a targeting measure and an element in area regeneration strategies
“Community” Economic Development in Knowsley, Merseyside
Authors: Boland Philip
Published: July 2007

The European Union's long-term goal for regional policy is economic and social cohesion. In Merseyside the Union has been engaged in a range of policies, through Objective 1 status, to stimulate regional economic development. In view of the current government's concern to promote capacity building and community economic development, an interesting aspect of Objective 1 is Pathways to Integration, a policy that seeks to tackle the problems of high unemployment and social exclusion across Merseyside through community economic development and capacity building. This paper contrasts the rhetoric of the Pathways literature with the reality of its local delivery in the Knowsley Borough of Merseyside. It argues that the reality of Pathways, particularly in relation to community involvement, does not match the rhetoric and the local delivery has been problematic, and that this experience has important lessons for local economic development strategies that include a large element of capacity building.
Integration, Embeddedness and Local Economic Development
Authors: Clark David , Smith-Canham James
Published: July 2007

This paper examines the ways in which a new sector is linked to a local economy, and the implications for local economic development. The focus is on the clothing industry in Coventry which survey evidence suggests operates independently and in isolation. A major reason is that the sector is only weakly embedded in a social sense. Clothing manufacturers have a low social profile and contribute little to the institutionalised business life of the city. The consequences of low integration are examined, as are the steps necessary to anchor the sector within the local area.
Discovering culture-led regeneration in Dundee
Authors: McCarthy John , Lloyd Greg
Published: July 2007

Summary

The arts and culture sectors have been shown to contain considerable potential as driving forces for regeneration. Following a series of physical, economic and community regeneration initiatives in the city of Dundee, an arts and culture-based strategy is now being followed which would seem to offer a means by which sustainable regeneration achievements can be made. While this initiative has been integrated with other aspects of regeneration in the city, a broader, strategic approach to culture-led regeneration would seem to be necessary for maximum benefits to be obtained.
POST‐GRADUATE EDUCATION IN ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM — A NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE
Authors: O'Hagan J.J.
Published: July 2007

The basic objectives and unique problems associated with post‐graduate education in this field are discussed. Difficulties in the recruitment and training of alcoholism specialists are outlined. Methods of continuing education are described, including the educational role of the Medical Society on Alcohol and Alcoholism, the publication of a handbook on Alcoholism for Medical Practitioners, the development of an experiential ‘live‐in’ alcoholism unit attachment, and experience with the organization of workshops on the practical management of alcohol problems in clinical practice. Ways of influencing the unconverted are discussed.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CAREER PROSPECTS
Authors: POLS R.G.
Published: July 2007

The need for more manpower resources in the area of alcohol and drug‐related problems is established.

It is argued that growth of clinical services, public policy initiatives, health educational strategies, as well as research in all these areas, will occur in the medium term. Cautious optimism is expressed.
ASSESSMENT OF OPIOID DEPENDENCE
Authors: REILLY DAVID K. , TWYMAN DAVID , WILLIAMS ROBERT J.
Published: July 2007

Diagnostic criteria for opioid dependence is presented. Five methods are described to assess the presence and/or severity of the opioid dependence syndrome:

Self‐report.

Physical examination

Toxicological analysis

Observation of withdrawal symptoms

Naloxone (Narcan) test.

Problems in determining actual amounts of heroin in “street deals’ is also discussed. It is emphasised that assessment of heroin‐related problems in particular, requires a comprehensive lifestyle assessment in addition to the specific diagnosis of opioid dependence based largely on physical symptomatology as outlined in this paper.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 1971‐82: SOME PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Authors: SMITH D.I. , BURVILL P.W.
Published: July 2007

Liver cirrhosis mortality and morbidity (primary and secondary diagnosis) data for Western Australian men and women over the age of 30 years for the period 1971‐1982 are presented. Correlations between the morbidity and mortality data and adult consumption of beer, wine, spirits and absolute alcohol are also reported. Possible reasons for the various significant correlations are discussed, and in particular, with respect to increasing adult (≥15 years) wine consumption.
ALCOHOLIC CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTION PRIORITIES
Authors: BUNGEY JILL , Winter Carol
Published: July 2007

A survey aimed at assessing alcohol consumption patterns of persons aged over 18 years was conducted in South Australia during October 1983. Included in the survey were general questions relating to types and quantities of alcohol consumed, the effects of the wine cask and the impact of LA Beer on consumption patterns, as well as attitudinal data on random breath testing (RBT), and the characteristics of people tested at RBT sites.

Major findings of the survey were that whilst the average daily consumption of alcohol by persons was not significantly different from consumption reported in February 1977, there was an increase in the average daily consumption of alcohol by women during this period. The reported average consumption of beer fell, especially with men aged 40‐64 years. In contrast, the average consumption of wine increased, particularly amongst women.

In regard to random breath testing, heavy consumers of alcohol were significantly less in favour of RBT than non or light drinkers. When respondents were questioned about the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood alcohol level, the results indicated that the public lacks knowledge and is very uncertain about this issue. Some implications for prevention priorities are discussed.
ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND ROAD TRAUMA
Authors: McDERMOTT F.T.
Published: July 2007

This paper focuses mainly on Victorian experience. Studies documenting the associations between driving after drinking and road trauma, the introduction of random roadside breathtesting, levels of knowledge and the incidence of drinking problems amongst drivers, the profile of convicted drink drivers, and the use of drugs by drivers are all discussed. The impact of counter measures is studied and possible new counter measures are suggested.
A Survey of Abstinence from Alcohol Amongst Teenagers: An Analysis of Reasons for not Drinking*
Authors: Johnson S.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: This is a preliminary study into the reasons adolescents give for not drinking alcohol. This survey of religious and other reasons was conducted among 571 adolescents who identified themselves as being non‐drinkers from a sample of 2077 school students in Years 7 to 11 from 29 New South Wales schools. The survey was conducted by the NSW Drug and Alcohol Authority in connection with its regular monitoring programme which has been underway since 1971. Government, Catholic and other independent schools were used in the study.

This report outlines the percentage of each reason for abstinence given by early, middle and late adolescents and concludes with a discussion of the ordering of reasons for abstinence. Methods of discovering the effect of religious and other variables in promoting drinking, as well as preventing drinking behaviour, are suggested.
Drugs, Alcohol and the Law*
Authors: Goode Matthew
Published: July 2007

Abstract: While other aspects of the relationship between the law and intoxicants are mentioned briefly, this paper focuses upon doctrinal aspects of the criminal law relevant to the grossly intoxicated offender. It is generally true to say that the criminal law requires proof of individual fault before an accused can be convicted of a serious criminal offence. The accused must be judged on the facts, not as they are, but as he or she actually believes them to be. This causes difficulty where the accused is grossly intoxicated. The fair and correct doctrinal response to this problem has been the subject of controversy for over fifty years. The common law jurisdictions have come to different conclusions. In 1979, the High Court of Australia decided that if an accused was found to have lacked the intention to commit the crime required by law, then the fact that the lack of intention arose by reason of his or her voluntary ingestion of an intoxicant was irrelevant. If the accused is found to have lacked the intention, then the crime has not been proven and an acquittal must result. This decision caused some controversy at the time. The Victorian Law Reform Commission has been looking into the matter. The policy conflict is in one sense clear: on the one hand, the basic principle that a person should not be found guilty of a criminal offence except on the basis of personal fault, on the other hand the idea that those who, for example, kill when so under the influence of intoxicants as to be unable to form the intention to perform the killing should not escape the net of the criminal law.
An Evaluation of an Educational Programme for Multiple Drink‐Driver Offenders
Authors: Foon Anne E.
Published: July 2007

The criminal records of individuals who were eligible to attend a drink‐driver treatment programme were obtained for the period beginning 1978 and ending 1983. The programme was educational in focus and aimed at changing attitudes toward drinking and driving, rather than altering the actual drinking behaviour of participants. Of those eligible to attend (N = 381), 62% completed the course while 38% did not attend any sessions at all or failed to complete the programme. An examination was undertaken to examine differences between those completing the course and those not completing the course for pre‐ and post‐test measures. Significant differences were not obtained for any pre‐test measures, while differences were obtained between groups on the total number of crimes after treatment and the number of traffic‐related violations at post‐test, but not for any other outcome measure. Attendance at the course was not found to be related to subsequent decreases in drink‐driving offences. A possible explanation of this result is that the focus of educational treatments are too broad to achieve specific behaviour change for multiple drink‐driver offenders. It is accepted that the lack of a control or comparison treatment group, and the simple dependent measures employed, were important in limiting the utility of the findings presented. Some suggestions for overcoming these, and other related methodological problems in drink‐driving research, are given.
Introduction
Authors: Dunnage Jonathan , Cooke Philip
Published: July 2007

Although the 50th anniversary of World War II led to some noteworthy new publications it could be argued that, in terms of the historiography in Italian, the cinquantennale represented something of a missed opportunity. This would appear not to be the case with the 60th anniversary, which has led to the publication of a great deal of innovative and impressive research, much of which is based on archival material. In most cases new research has not been the result of sensational discoveries, but the fruit of long years of research in existing archives. This special issue of Modern Italy aims to reflect the vibrant state of current scholarship by bringing together adaptations of six papers delivered at the 2005 Association for the Study of Modern Italy conference dedicated to the theme of ‘Italy at War, 1935–2005’, together with a seventh article by Philip Cooke. The articles reflect the broad thematic interests of the conference (see Modern Italy, vol. 11, no. 3, 2006 for a detailed conference report) as well as its chronological span.
Building on Experience: a formative evaluation of a peer education sexual health project in South Africa
Authors: Warwick Ian , Aggleton Peter
Published: July 2007

In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, the promise of peer education as a means of promoting sexual health has contributed to its increasing popularity. While structural and organisational constraints can compromise the success of peer education, many of those involved in modest
local programmes in South Africa are able to address the sexual health and well-being of young people through knowing about and making the most of proximal salutogenic factors—personal qualities and local contextual characteristics that influence health. Participatory formative evaluation
can contribute to the development of peer education practice by providing opportunities for educators to extend their pedagogic knowledge and skills and review and re-orient their work. However, to embed new ways of working, sustained partnerships will be necessary.
Classrooms as learning communities: a review of research
Authors: Watkins Chris
Published: July 2007

This article reviews published research on (i) classrooms as communities; (ii) classrooms as communities of learners; and (iii) classrooms as learning communities. It is based on a reading of about 100 texts. It aims to answer the question 'What do we now know about the effects of operating
classrooms as learning communities?'. Despite the fact that this mode of operating classrooms is not the dominant one, and is correspondingly under-researched, there is good evidence that it brings significant benefits.
Academic standards in Catholic schools in England: indications of causality
Authors: Morris Andrew B.
Published: July 2007

In terms of absolute or 'raw' examination and test scores, those maintained schools in England designated as Roman Catholic by the Department of Education and Skills appear, on average, to achieve higher scores than the mean of non-Catholic schools. Similar findings have been reported
about Catholic schools in other differing educational systems, most extensively in the US. A range of possible causes has been advanced to explain the findings though there is little empirical research to determine causality with any certainty. The main source of evidence derives from studies
in the US. While they can offer some useful insights they relate to a different educational culture. This paper attempts to contribute to and evaluate the current debate about possible reasons for the high levels attainment of pupils attending Catholic schools in England. However, in the light
of the limited available evidence it is, inevitably, somewhat speculative.
Mitochondrial ubiquinol‐cytochrome C reductase and cytochrome C oxidase: Chemotherapeutic targets in malarial parasites
Authors: Krungkrai Jerapan , Krungkrai Sudaratana R. , Suraveratum Nongluk , Prapunwattana Phisit
Published: July 2007

In order to demonstrate that the mitochondrial electron transport system may be a target for antimalarial drug design in the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, ubiquinol‐cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase were purified from mitochondria of the parasite cultivated in vitro. It was found that the catalytic efficiency of the two enzymes from the malarial parasite were markedly lower than those from mouse liver mitochondria. The classical inhibitors affecting different quinone binding sites of the mammalian reductase, antimycin and myxothiazole, which had little antimalarial activities on P.falciparum growth in vitro, were found to exhibit little inhibitory effect against the parasite reductase. The malarial parasite reductase was more sensitive to inhibition by the antimalarial drug, 2‐[trans‐4‐(4′‐chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl]‐3‐hydroxy‐l,4‐naphthoquinone, than the mammalian enzyme, suggesting both the therapeutic potential of the target and the drug.
Effects of piperine on the lipid composition and enzymes of the pyruvate‐malate cycle in the testis of the rat in vivo
Authors: Malini T. , Arunakaran J. , Aruldhas M. M. , Govindarajulu P.
Published: July 2007

Effects of piperine at two oral doses (5 and 10 mg/kg body weight for 30 days) on the lipid composition and some lipogenic enzymes of the rat testis were studied. Piperine treatment depleted the total lipid content which was mainly due to the diminution of the total phospholipid concentration. All the classes of phospholipids were decreased markedly following high dose piperine treatment. In contrast, a marked increase in total cholesterol and cholesterol ester was evident with a concomitant fall in free cholesterol. A similar trend was found for the total glyceride glycerol and its fractions. Total glyceride glycerol and triacyl glycerol showed a significant increase at the expense of diacyl glcyerol in rats treated with the high dose of pipeline. Lipogenic enzymes, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), malic enzyme (ME) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) were inhibited by the high dose and only MDH and ME activities were inhibited by the low dose treatment.
Effect of dose‐rate and dose fractionation on radiation‐induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes
Authors: Koziczak R. , Krokosz A. , Szweda‐Lewandowska Z.
Published: July 2007

Human erythrocytes suspended in an isotonic Na‐phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 (hematocrit 2 %) were exposed under air to gamma radiation at a dose rates of 2.2 kGy·h‐1 and 4.2 kGy·h‐1. The dose‐response curves for hemolysis of erythrocytes indicated that the process of hemolysis is inversely related to the dose‐rate. At both dose‐rates we observed a reduced level of hemolysis, when erythrocytes were irradiated with a split dose (0.4 kGy+2.3 kGy with an interval time between the subsequent exposures from 1 to 4 h) in comparison with the same single dose (2.7 kGy). The maximal effect of fractionation was observed when the interfraction time was equal to 3.5 h. The influence of the interfraction temperature on this effect was observed. The results obtained indicate that enucleated human erythrocytes under suitable radiation conditions are capable of repairing radiation damage which leads to hemolysis.
The ‘civic religion’ of the Resistance in post-war Italy
Authors: Gundle Stephen
Published: July 2007

The problem of the legitimacy or otherwise of the Resistance tradition in post-war Italy has been addressed in recent years mainly in terms of the role of the partisan struggle and its political legacy. This article aims to assess the tradition in terms of commemorative practices, rituals, artistic representations and monuments. It seeks to evaluate whether the Resistance gave rise to a civic religion that may be compared to those which existed in the Liberal period, based on the heroic struggles and figures of the Risorgimento, and the Fascist period, which drew on the feelings of loss and injustice that followed the First World War. It is argued that, although the Resistance lacked, prior to the 1960s, a high degree of official sponsorship, it did acquire some of the features of a civic religion. Its appeal was mainly limited to the regions administered by the Left which had seen a significant degree of Resistance activity in 1943-5. Even here, however, it was difficult to sustain the tradition as a key feature of community life during and after the economic boom: the eclipse of public culture, the decline of public mourning and the development of commercial leisure and mass culture all served to deprive it of meaning. Although intellectuals, politicians and ex-partisans reacted to this situation, the visual and rhetorical languages associated with the commemoration of the Resistance became increasingly divorced from everyday life and dominant social values.
Folk, Faith and Fatherland: Defining the Polish Nation in 1883
Authors: Dabrowski Patrice M.
Published: July 2007

On the north wall of Cracow's Church of the Annunciation (better known as the Carmelite Church at Piaski) hangs a long-ignored inscription. A simple stone tablet unprotected from the elements, its words have faded over the past century. One must strain to make out its cryptic message: “On September 11, 1883, Polish villagers gathered in Cracow solemnly celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of the relief of Vienna by John Sobieski, in remembrance of which this stone has been funded.”
Allosteric Properties of Cyanobacterial Cytochrome c Oxidase: Inhibition of the Coupled Enzyme by ATP and Stimulation by ADP
Authors: Alge Daniel , Wastyn Marnik , Mayer Christian , Jungwirth Christian , Zimmermann Ulrike , Zoder Roland , Fromwald Susanne , Peschek Gunter A.
Published: July 2007

Thorough analysis of the cta operon of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (grown in high‐concentration salt medium to enhance the expression of respiratory proteins) showed that, apart from ctaCDE and Fb genes potentially encoding subunits I, II, III, and a small pseudo‐bacteria‐like subunit‐IV of unknown function, a large mitochondria‐like cta‐Fm gene and a pronounced terminator structure are additional components of the operon. The deduced cta Fm gene product shows 50% and 20% sequence identity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and beef heart mitochondrial COIV proteins, respectively. It also shows amino acid regions (near the N terminus, on the cytosolic side) with conspicuous sequence similarities to adenylate‐binding proteins such as ATP synthase beta subunit Walker A and B consensus regions or to adenylate kinase. We suggest that, similar to the situation with beef heart mitochondria, it is the mitochondria‐like subunit‐IV of the cyanobacterial aa3‐type cytochrome‐c oxidase that confers allosteric properties to the cyanobacterial enzyme, the H+/e‐ ratios of cytochrome c oxidation being significantly lowered by ATP (intravesicular or intraliposomal) but enhanced by ADP. Therefore, the antagonistic action of ATP and ADP was in a way that the redox reaction proper, was always significantly less affected than the coupled proton translocation. Evolutionary and ecological implications of the unusualallosteric regulation ofa prokaryotic cytochrome‐c oxidase is discussed.
The politics of equality: professionals, states and activists
Authors: Hunter Shona , Swan Elaine
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper draws out the key conceptual, methodological and substantive issues raised in the papers around the politics of equalities.

Design/methodology/approach

Rather than reviewing and summarising each paper in turn this introductory article synthesises the key themes from papers to develop an overview of the key issues raised in the edited collection.

Findings

The papers trouble traditional dichotomies in equalities studies, suggesting complex and fluid relationships between states, activists and professionals. They also identify some key elements of current equalities work such as equalities framing, diversity interpretation and the negotiation of ambiguity produced through the seesaw of hope/failure characterising this work.

Research limitations/implications

The collection highlights the continuing dearth of work around certain equalities strands, in particular, around sexualities and generation. It also suggests avenues for further work developing postcolonial analysis of equalities work in organisations.

Originality/value

The collection is unique in that it draws together current work crossing diverse national and sectoral contexts and from a range of equalities strands.
Enhancement of Ionic Conductivity of Apatite‐Type Lanthanum Silicates Doped With Cations
Authors: Yoshioka Hideki
Published: July 2007

The oxide ion conductivity of apatite‐type lanthanum silicates has been enhanced by cation doping into both La and Si sites. The Sr and Nd fill vacancies on the La site by creating excess oxide ions and increasing the conductivity. Al and Mg, which substitute for Si at a fixed oxygen content, result in an enhancement of conductivity, accompanied by lattice enlargement. The Mg‐doped lanthanum silicate, La9.533(Si5.7Mg0.3)O26, has been shown to have the highest conductivity of 4.4 × 10−2 S/cm at 800°C. The conduction channel consists of La triangles and O triangles, and the channel sizes have been calculated from the Rietveld structure analysis of the powder X‐ray diffraction patterns. Expansions of the O triangles have been observed when introducing excess oxide ions by filling vacancies on the La site or by the substitution of Si using dopants.
Lon Protease Degrades Transfer-Messenger RNA-Tagged Proteins
Authors: Choy Jennifer S. , Aung Latt Latt , Karzai A. Wali
Published: July 2007

Bacterial
trans
translation is activated when translating ribosomes are unable to elongate or terminate properly. Small protein B (SmpB) and transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) are the two known factors required for and dedicated to
trans
translation. tmRNA, encoded by the
ssrA
gene, is a bifunctional molecule that acts both as a tRNA and as an mRNA during
trans
translation. The functions of tmRNA ensure that stalled ribosomes are rescued, the causative defective mRNAs are degraded, and the incomplete polypeptides are marked for targeted proteolysis. We present in vivo and in vitro evidence that demonstrates a direct role for the Lon ATP-dependent protease in the degradation of tmRNA-tagged proteins. In an endogenous protein tagging assay,
lon
mutants accumulated excessive levels of tmRNA-tagged proteins. In a reporter protein tagging assay with λ-CI-N, the protein product of a nonstop mRNA construct designed to activate
trans
translation,
lon
mutant cells efficiently tagged the reporter protein, but the tagged protein exhibited increased stability. Similarly, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct containing a hard-coded C-terminal tmRNA tag (GFP-SsrA) exhibited increased stability in
lon
mutant cells. Most significantly, highly purified Lon preferentially degraded the tmRNA-tagged forms of proteins compared to the untagged forms. Based on these results, we conclude that Lon protease participates directly in the degradation of tmRNA-tagged proteins.
The accuracy of extrapolation (time series) methods: Results of a forecasting competition
Authors: Makridakis S. , Andersen A. , Carbone R. , Fildes R. , Hibon M. , Lewandowski R. , Newton J. , Parzen E. , Winkler R.
Published: July 2007

In the last few decades many methods have become available for forecasting. As always, when alternatives exist, choices need to be made so that an appropriate forecasting method can be selected and used for the specific situation being considered. This paper reports the results of a forecasting competition that provides information to facilitate such choice. Seven experts in each of the 24 methods forecasted up to 1001 series for six up to eighteen time horizons. The results of the competition are presented in this paper whose purpose is to provide empirical evidence aboutdifferencesfound to exist among the various extrapolative (time series) methods used in the competition.
Practitioners' forum. Sales forecasting by forsys
Authors: Lewandowski Rudolf
Published: July 2007

This paper describes a sales forecasting system widely used by European companies. The system, known as FORSYS, includes several unique characteristics which increase its use and applicability among practitioners. FORSYS is simple to use; its underlying rationale is clear to the user; it is adaptive, and it allows the incorporation of special events into the model in order to determine their influence on forecasting.
Forecasting Time Series with Trading Day Variation
Authors: Hillmer S. C.
Published: July 2007

Some levels of economic activity change over the days of the week. Also, the composition of the calendar changes over the years so that a particular month contains a different configuration of days of the week each year. The effects of the changing composition of the calendar upon a monthly time series is called trading day variation. This paper discusses one way to model trading day variation in monthly time series and how this model can be used to obtain improved forecasts over univariate ARIMA models. The ideas are illustrated on an actual data set.
Automatic monitoring of forecast errors
Authors: Gardner Everette S.
Published: July 2007

This paper evaluates a variety of automatic monitoring schemes to detect biased forecast errors. Backward cumulative sum (cusum) tracking signals have been recommended in previous research to monitor exponential smoothing models. This research shows that identical performance can be had with much simpler tracking signals. The smoothed‐error signal is recommended for α = 0.1, although its performance deteriorates badly as α is increased. For higher α values, the simple cusum signal is recommended. A tracking signal based on the autocorrelation in errors is recommended for forecasting models other than exponential smoothing, with one exception. If the time series has a constant variance, the backward cusum should give better results.
Time series forecasting models involving power transformations
Authors: Hopwood W. S. , McKeown J. C. , Newbold P.
Published: July 2007

In this paper we discuss procedures for overcoming some of the problems involved in fitting autoregressive integrated moving average forecasting models to time series data, when the possibility of incorporating an instantaneous power transformation of the data into the analysis is contemplated. The procedures are illustrated using series of quarterly observations on corporate earnings per share.
Waiting for privatization in developing countries: Towards the integration of economic and non‐economic explanations
Authors: Cook Paul , Minogue Martin
Published: July 2007

The intention of this paper is to examine the political and administrative limits on the effective implementation of privatization in developing countries and so to present a challenge to the view that slow progress is primarily attributable to economic constraints. After examining these economic aspects, the paper provides an explanatory framework which incorporates those political and administrative processes central to an understanding of what happens to state economic policies in practice. The significance of these processes is demonstrated by drawing on research material from India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. The conclusion drawn is that responses to pressures for economic reform will be determined, not so much by economic criteria as by the political and bureaucratic resources available to decision makers. Since policy processes in developing countries show considerable variety it is likely that there will be substantial variations in the practical achievement of privatization objectives.
A Policy Delphi study in the socialist Middle East
Authors: Smit Jac , Mason Antony
Published: July 2007

The Delphi Method has been applied to a wide variety of predictive and consensus building problems in the West. It has achieved mixed success in its ‘native’ environment. This paper reports on the successful use of the Delphi by an interdisciplinary, international team of English‐speaking consultants in an Arabic‐speaking country, politically dominated by a centralist regime. In the sixth year of the Iran‐Iraq war, a group of international consultants proceeded with the development of a master plan for the development of the City of Baghdad, the Greater Baghdad Area and Central Iraq. Work on the plan had begun in 1982 but had been slowed by the war and its effect on the Iraqi economy, a lack of consensus on the part of the Iraqi government and a substantial degree of uncertainty in the government's confidence in the consulting team's perceptions. An accelerated form of the Delphi was structured and applied over a period of three weeks, employing high ranking members of the Iraqi technocracy. The results indicated a good degree of consensus on a number of material issues. The consultants obtained a clearer picture of the client's desires, and the client was left with greater confidence in the consultant's perceptions of the planning problems and solutions. There was a notable reduction in the level of uncertainty and disagreement among both Iraqi and expatriate members of the planning team. Finally, there was an increased acceptance of the resulting master plan due to the demonstrable participation of senior government officials in its formulation and the credibility they attached to the process of the Delphi. At the time of writing, the plan has been accepted by the government of Iraq.
Sustaining third world infrastructure investments: Decentralization and alternative strategies
Authors: Wunsch James S.
Published: July 2007

The paper assesses the effectiveness of two institutional strategies, one centralized and the other decentralized, for sustaining infrastructure investments in the Third World and the organizations that have developed from them. It argues that each has been flawed. Institutional over‐centralization, involving a centrally directed and hierarchical bureaucracy is widely found to have been ineffective in undertaking complex tasks of rural development under conditions of uncertainty and severely limited resources. It has failed to secure beneficiary participation, adequate maintenance and utilization of infrastructure, administrative co‐ordination, responsiveness to local needs, as well as flexibility and adaptability. But decentralization has not been a widely successful solution. Decentralized planning, attempts to increase the role of beneficiaries in development projects, and localized training and organizational developments efforts have all produced disappointing results. There is a lack of theoretical understanding in this area. Human behaviour and relationships within organizations have been neglected. An alternative strategy, using the individual as the unit of analysis, is suggested. It requires ‘institutional analysis’ of the incentives and disincentives involved in getting people to perform specific tasks relating to specific goals.
Corruption in public policy and its impact on development: The case of Uganda since 1979
Authors: Ouma Stephen O. A.
Published: July 2007

This paper argues that corruption is a product of self‐aggrandizement; of unrealistically low remuneration which makes it impossible for public servants to live within their legitimate means; and of a closed political system which inevitably tends to exclude aggregated interests'. Corruption leads to loss of much needed revenue and human talent for development, distorts priorities for public policy, and shifts scarce resources away from the public interest. The mutual distrust that results among the different sections of society, and the growth of despondency in the general public, are incompatible with the requirements for successful public policy. The main theme running through the paper is that political instability, corruption and underdevelopment are mutually reinforcing. The paper finally outlines certain measures that need to be taken in order to clear the path for sustained growth and development.
How ‘integrated’ is integrated rural development? The case of the Pompengan Integrated Area Development Project (PIADP), Luwu district, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Roth Dik
Published: July 2007

Integrated rural development is often presented as an effective strategy against rural poverty in Indonesia. In this article the author discusses the case of the Pompengan Integrated Area Development Project (PIADP) in Luwu, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where a programme for land reform was part of the ‘integrated’ approach. In explaining the outcome of PIADP, the author analyses two properties of intervention itself in relation to the context in which it took place: first, land reform as a donor development priority which was planned and implemented as a purely technical and administrative operation; and, second, the production‐oriented character of planning, which further isolated land reform from its local context. It is concluded that PIADP was characterized by fragmentation, competition and conflict rather than ‘integratedness’. Therefore, rather than taking such policy language for granted and accepting the policy instruments it represents as ‘models for development’, we should critically analyse the sphere of policy implementation. In the case of rural development in Indonesia, the depoliticized character of land policy and its reduction to a technical‐administrative routine is a major issue to be addressed before land reform and integrated rural development can make a significant contribution to the eradication of rural poverty in Indonesia.
Building sustainable capacity in the public sector: What can be done?
Authors: Grindle Merilee S. , Hilderbrand Mary E.
Published: July 2007

Effective government performance is central to the creation of market‐oriented economies, secure and productive populations, and democratic political systems in developing countries. Capacity building to improve public sector performance is thus an important focus of development initiatives. Several implicit assumptions underlie most such efforts: that organizations or training activities are the logical site for capacity‐building interventions; that administrative structures and monetary rewards determine organizational and individual performance; that organizations work well when structures and control mechanisms are in place; and that individual performance improves as a result of skill and technology transfer through training activities. Each of these assumptions is called into question by the findings of research carried out in six developing countries and reported in this article. Our studies indicate designing interventions that most constructively address sources of poor performance must follow from an assessment of a relatively broad set of variables, including the action environment in which all such activities take place. We also found that effective public sector performance is more often driven by strong organizational cultures, good management practices, and effective communication networks than it is by rules and regulations or procedures and pay scales. Our case studies further indicate that individual performance is more affected by opportunities for meaningful work, shared professional norms, teamwork, and promotion based on performance rather than it is by training in specific skills. In this article, we describe a framework or conceptual map that emphasizes that training activities, organizational performance and administrative structures are embedded within complex environments that significantly constrain their success and that often account for training or organizational failure. When it was applied in the six case study countries, the framework proved useful in identifying capacity gaps and providing a tool for the strategic design of interventions that are sensitive to the roots of performance deficits. This allows us to conclude that the assumptions underlying many capacity‐building initiatives may focus attention on interventions that do not generate the highest payoffs in terms of improved performance.
Das Stromrauschen bei Feldemission und sein Zusammenhang mit Adsorptionserscheinungen
Authors: Kleint Christian , Gasse Hans‐Joachim
Published: July 2007

Es wird über Untersuchungen des Stromrauschens bei kalter Emission berichtet. Die Experimente wurden in Feldelektronenmikroskop‐Röhren unter Ultrahochvakuumbedinungen durchgeführt. Experimentelle Anordnung, Ergebnisse und theoretische Deutung werden für Spektralfunktion, Amplitudenverteilung, Stromabhängigkeit, Temperatur‐ und Zeitabhängigkeit besprochen. Während das Schrotrauschen nur bei Spitzen ohne Adsorptionserscheinungen hervorgerufen. Die theoretische Deutung kann sich auf die experimentelle Beobachtung eines Elementarvorganges des Rauschens und seiner Abhängigkeit von der Temperatur stützen.