bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manufacturing flexibility and variability: an overview
Authors: Kara Sami , Kayis Berman
Published: August 2004

Flexibility has become one of the most useful and necessary weapons in many of today's competitive markets. For companies in situations considering investments in flexibility, it is necessary to assess carefully exactly what flexibility could benefit the company's operations, and how this flexibility can be achieved. Different manufacturing situations are associated with different levels of uncertainty and variations, and therefore call for different sorts of flexibility. Although flexibility has been argued to be available (to a certain point) without major investments in technology, it can be assumed that flexibility is most likely to come at a price. A company should therefore spend considerable effort on identifying what flexibility would be of benefit to the organisation to enhance their performance, and thereafter assess how to achieve it. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of variability and uncertainty, and therefore, the need for flexibility within an organisation by examining market and manufacturing process related factors. Each factor is further examined to find out relevant flexibilities and corresponding methods, tools, and techniques to be used by suggesting proposed manufacturing approaches to organisations. The human factor is suggested as an essential flexibility component as well as a key contributor for selecting, developing, improving and implementing flexibilities in order to succeed in markets that are accelerating and becoming more turbulent.
A production, distribution and investment model for a multinational company
Authors: Mohamed Zubair M. , Youssef Mohamed A.
Published: August 2004

Considerable research literature exists on production planning, distribution, and investment models. In most cases they have been treated independently in an environment of low inflation rates. Unfortunately, work extending these problems to multinational companies is sparse. This paper develops an integrated production planning, distribution, and investment model for a multinational firm that produces products in different countries and distributes them to geographically diverse markets. Since multinational corporations operate in different countries under varying exchange and inflation rates, varying opportunities for investing, and differing regulations, these factors should be included in the decision process. In the modeling, the paper incorporates these factors and elicits the performance of the model through an example and discusses the results. The results indicate that the exchange rates and initial capacity levels of the firms have significant effects on the production, distribution, and investment decisions, and consequently, on the profit.
A literature review of manufacturing performance measures and measurement in an organizational context: a framework and direction for future research
Authors: Gomes Carlos F. , Yasin Mahmoud M. , Lisboa João V.
Published: August 2004

Competitive pressures in the global manufacturing environment are forcing manufacturing organizations to re‐engineer in order to become more competitive in the marketplace. Toward that end, management of these organizations is paying closer attention to the changing nature of manufacturing performance, and the systems, processes and measures used in its evaluation. Examines the literature concerned with issues related to the different facets of manufacturing organizational performance. Reviews and classifies articles published in relevant journals between 1988 and 2000. Based on this extensive literature review, identifies and discusses several issues relevant to both practice and theory of manufacturing performance measurement. Concludes by presenting a conceptual framework outlining the evolution of manufacturing performance measures and measurement in an organizational context.
Managing workforce diversity as an essential resource for improving organizational performance
Authors: Aghazadeh Seyed‐Mahmoud
Published: August 2004

Today, human resource management is being renewed in organizations and is gradually affirming its strategic role. The need for highly qualified managers will increase as more organizations globalize their operations. The research presented in this paper highlights the need for management who are sensitive to the concerns of multicultural employees. The effects of cultural diversity on organizational behavior are complex and powerful. Within this perspective, the definition of diversity in the USA and the goals in achieving a more diverse workplace will be discussed. This paper will also examine the different facets involved in managing and developing a diverse human resource base. Organizations take into account their human resource base before hiring employees. One factor they look at is the possible advantages and disadvantages of a multicultural and diverse organization. This paper will examine ways by which managers and employees can learn about diversity, understand it, and respect it on a day‐to‐day basis when dealing with people from other diverse backgrounds.
Strategies to foster labor flexibility
Authors: Karuppan Corinne M.
Published: August 2004

This empirical study identifies individual, organizational, and job factors of the range‐number element of labor flexibility. Tenure and emotional stability are found to increase a worker's flexibility. Emphases on quality, speed, and flexibility (time) also have positive influences on labor flexibility. Finally, task complexity, joint responsibility for decision making, and automation require workers to expand their skill repertoire and therefore enhance their flexibility. This study focuses on a sound measurement of labor flexibility and proposes strategies to cultivate this capability.
Cusp not crisis: “Changing to Deliver” Scottish Government
Authors: Donnelly Mike
Published: August 2004

A modern democracy is being created in Scotland following the re‐establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 with new executive and scrutiny structures. This paper reports on early developments and the emergence of the Scottish Executive's organisational change programme – “Changing to Deliver” – as a response to the demands for public service reform and continuous service improvement. The paper outlines the contexts, theoretical framework, and early actions taken by the Executive to ground its work; examines the programme aims and the workstreams for change adopted as priorities for action; and reflects on more recent developments and the prospects for the success of the change programme. A key feature which characterises elected, government organisations is the relationship between elected people and senior unelected officials. The paper reports exploratory research investigating the expectations held by Cabinet Ministers of officials and the reciprocal expectations these senior civil servants have of Scottish Ministers.
Hypothesis, Faith, and Commitment: William James’ Critique of Science
Authors: BARBALET JACK
Published: August 2004

William James is remembered as the philosopher of pragmatism, but he was principally the founder of modern scientific psychology. During the period of his most intense scientific involvement James developed a trenchant critique of science. This was not a rejection of science but an attempt to identify limitations of the contemporary conceptualization of science. In particular, James emphasized the failure of science to understand its basis in human emotions. James developed a scientific theory of emotions in which the importance of emotion in cognition and decision‐making is central. James’ appreciation of the significance of emotions in science has continuing value. Nevertheless, his characterization of science in terms of its method introduces tensions in his account that an emphasis on the social dimensions of science, which he implicitly acknowledged, tends to resolve.
Sensitising Concept, Themata and Shareness: A Dialogical Perspective of Social Representations
Authors: LIU LI
Published: August 2004

This article aims at clarifying some critical, yet under‐explored, conceptual issues of social representations from a dialogical perspective. The article recasts the notion of social representations as a sensitising, rather than a definitive, concept, based on the distinction between dialogical and monological epistemologies. It is argued that the introduction of the concept of themata into the theory suggests the dialogical interdependence between common thinking and social morphology, between the genesis and structure of social representations, and between implicit underlying themata and their pragmatic manifestations in structuring social representations. At the same time, the concept of themata implies that a social representation may be, at one and the same time, shared and communicated in hegemonic, emancipated and polemical ways in a complementary manner. These three ways of “sharing” are dialogically interrelated to each other.
The Social Psychology of “Pseudoscience”: A Brief History
Authors: STILL ARTHUR , DRYDEN WINDY
Published: August 2004

The word ‘pseudoscience’ is a marker of changing worries about science and being a scientist. It played an important role in the philosophical debate on demarcating science from other activities, and was used in popular writings to distance science from cranky theories with scientific pretensions. These uses consolidated a comforting unity in science, a communal space from which pseudoscience is excluded, and the user's right to belong is asserted. The urgency of this process dwindled when attempts to find a formal demarcation petered out, and the growth of social constructionism denied science any special access to truth. The reaction to this led to the science wars, which ushered in a new anxiety in the use of ‘pseudoscience’, especially from the least secure branches. But recent writings on the disunity of science reveal how the sense of support drawn from it may be based on an illusion, creating a disunity of pseudoscience as well as of science.
Toward a Dialogical Perspective on Agency
Authors: SULLIVAN PAUL , MCCARTHY JOHN
Published: August 2004

The aim of this article is to motivate and outline a dialogical perspective on agency that accommodates centrifugal and centripetal tendencies in current cultural theories of agency. To complement approaches that assume a high degree of integration and clarity, we emphasise the diversity of agency as it is experienced in the open‐ended dialogical relationship with a particular other. While these former approaches to agency provide us with the means to examine the influence of social processes such as division of labour and reproduction of community, they tend to underplay the importance of agency as it is embodied and experienced in the lives of particular people. To reflect on this aspect of agency, we will draw extensively on Bakhtin's work, which crosses boundaries between philosophy, psychology and literary criticism, and which is concerned to understand what is personal in activity. In terms of agency, his work draws our attention to the sense of responsibility and potentiality that imbues our dialogues with particular others, the aesthetics and ethics involved in dialoguing with the other, and the sense of dilemmatic choice and intonation that is involved in our dialogue with the other.
C‐KIT expression in primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Brauns Tilmann C. , Schultewolter Thomas , Dissemond Joachim , Maschke Jan , Goos Manfred
Published: August 2004

Background:  Mutations of the stem cell factor receptor C‐KIT play a major pathogenetic role in the development of different malignant diseases like human mastocytosis, myeloproliferative disorders, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, acute myelogenous leukemia, and sinonasal lymphomas. Furthermore, the expression of C‐KIT has been described in Hodgkin's disease and nodal CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs). As it is possible to inhibit C‐KIT by innovative kinase inhibitors like STI571, it may be an attractive target for new therapeutical approaches. Therefore, we screened more than 50 different types of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (TCLs) for the presence of C‐KIT. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed on paraffin‐embedded tissue sections using a polyclonal rabbit anti‐human C‐KIT antibody. Naphtol‐ASD‐chloroacetate esterase (NASDCE)‐control stainings were performed on every positive sample to distinguish C‐KIT‐positive lymphoma cells from C‐KIT‐positive mast cells.

Results:  We found weak expression of C‐KIT in seven of 18 patients with primary cutaneous CD30+ ALCL, two of eight patients with primary cutaneous pleomorphic TCL, six of 18 patients suffering from mycosis fungoides, and three of five patients with Sezary's syndrome. Generally, only a very small population of the lymphoma cells expressed C‐KIT. This finding indicates a difference to the systemic variant of CD30+ ALCL. The potential use of C‐KIT targeting new therapeutical approaches is therefore discussed critically, because C‐KIT expression is very rare in all investigated types of primary cutaneous lymphoma.
Heat shock proteins 60 and 70 expression of cutaneous lichen planus: comparison with normal skin and psoriasis vulgaris*
Authors: Bayramgürler Dilek , Özkara Sevgiye Kaçar , Apaydin Rebiay , Erçin Cengiz , Bilen Nilgün
Published: August 2004

Background:  Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are expressed by most living cells and play fundamental roles in many biological processes. Their synthesis increases by a variety of stresses in order to enable cellular survival. Although it is known that they play an important role in immune and inflammatory responses of the skin, the role of HSPs in the pathogenesis of skin diseases has been studied in only limited skin diseases. Lichen planus (LP) is a relatively common papulosquamous dermatosis, and cell‐mediated immunity plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Although an altered expression of certain HSPs was reported in oral LP lesions, the expression of HSPs in cutaneous lesions of LP has not been investigated. In this immunohistochemical study, we aimed at investigating the role of HSPs in the pathogenesis of LP by studying whether there is any difference in HSP expression in cutaneous lesions of LP when compared to normal skin and psoriasis vulgaris (PV).

Methods:  Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin biopsy specimen blocks from LP patients (n = 39), patients with psoriasis (n = 20), and normal skin controls (n = 20) were used in the study. Antibodies to HSPs 60 and 70 were applied immunohistochemically by using streptavidin–biotin–horseradish peroxidase complex. An immunoreactivity intensity distribution index (IRIDI) was calculated to express the proportion of the immunoreactive cells as well as the staining intensity in different layers of the epidermis.

Results:  The mean IRIDI scores for HSP60 expression in the basal, suprabasal, and superficial epidermal layers of cutaneous LP were moderately higher than those of normal skin, but not different from those of PV skin. These scores for HSP70 in lesions of LP were moderately lower than those for normal skin in the basal layer, but not significantly different from normal in the other two layers. Scores for HSP70 in PV lesions were markedly lower in all three layers. In the cells of the inflammatory infiltrates (mostly lymphocytes), HSP60 scores for LP were moderately higher, compared to those for PV, whereas scores for HSP70 were much lower for LP and very much lower for PV.

Conclusions:  Significantly altered levels of HSP proteins were found in cutaneous LP lesions in comparison with normal skin and psoriasis, suggesting the role of HSPs in the pathogenesis of LP.
Carcinoma with thymus‐like differentiation arising in the dermis of the head and neck
Authors: Bayer‐Garner I. B. , Kozovska M. E. , Schwartz M. R. , Reed J. A.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  Carcinoma exhibiting thymus‐like differentiation (CASTLE) is a rare, distinct tumor of the thyroid gland or soft tissue of the head and neck that may simulate primary squamous cell carcinoma or lymphoepithelioma, and which contains features reminiscent of thymic differentiation including Hassall's corpuscles, occasional perivascular spaces, and the presence of lymphocytes. Ectopic thymic tissue may result from incomplete descent or persistence of the cervical portion of the thymus and may occur anywhere along the course of the embryonic descent from the angle of the mandible to the sternal notch. Herein, we report two cases of dermal extrathyroidal CASTLE. The differential diagnosis of squamoid carcinoma with features of thymic differentiation includes extrathyroidal CASTLE, a primary squamous cell carcinoma with thymic differentiation, lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma of the skin, and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary. It is essential that the latter two be ruled out before accepting the diagnosis of an extrathyroidal carcinoma with thymus‐like differentiation.
Secondary syphilis: a histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation
Authors: Hoang Mai P. , High Whitney A. , Molberg Kyle H.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  The usual method for detecting spirochetes in tissue sections is the silver stain; however, they are often difficult to detect due to marked background staining commonly seen with this technique. In certain clinical settings, such as neurosyphilis, congenital syphilis, and immunosuppressive conditions including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, a better method of detecting spirochetes in tissue sections is needed. We compare immunohistochemistry (IHC) with a monoclonal antibody to Treponema pallidum to silver staining in 19 biopsies from 17 patients with serologic evidence of secondary syphilis. IHC demonstrated a sensitivity of 71%, which was superior to the 41% sensitivity of the silver stain (p = 0.084). Furthermore, specificity was improved with IHC, as background artifacts were markedly reduced. Dermal spirochetes were visualized in all 12 positive cases, while epidermal organisms were seen in only eight cases. This finding lies contrary to accepted teaching that organisms are most commonly seen at the dermal epidermal junction. Of interest, perineural plasmacellular infiltrates were frequently seen in our cases (74%). Spirochetes were not seen in any of 14 control cases with similar histopathologic patterns. Although serologic studies remain the gold standard, IHC is more sensitive and specific than silver stain for detecting T. pallidum in biopsies of secondary syphilis.
Dermoscopic features of combined melanocytic nevi
Authors: De Giorgi Vincenzo , Massi Daniela , Salvini Camilla , Trez Elisa , Mannone Francesca , Carli Paolo
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  In order to investigate the possible role of dermoscopy in the non‐invasive classification of combined nevi, we analyzed dermoscopic features of a series of combined nevi consecutively excised. Two dermatologists expert in dermoscopy retrospectively evaluated all images based on the presence of dermoscopic findings to analyze which epiluminescence microscopy features were more frequently associated with each type of combined nevus. Dermoscopy may provide useful information in the non‐invasive diagnosis of combined nevi, allowing a conservative management, but this may be limited to combined nevi including a blue nevus component. Conversely, combined nevi including a Spitz nevus component may be difficult to classify even by dermoscopy, thus requiring careful monitoring or surgical excision.
Can Market Incompleteness Resolve Asset Pricing Puzzles?
Authors: Freeman Mark C.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This paper shows that the presence of persistent uninsurable risk concentrated in economic depressions has the potential to resolve two well‐known asset pricing puzzles. It is also shown that the presence of such risk in more normal economic expansions and recessions is likely to be much less relevant in determining equilibrium asset prices.
Public Predisclosure Information, Firm Size, Analyst Following, and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements
Authors: Christensen Theodore E. , Smith Toni Q. , Stuerke Pamela S.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This study examines the effects of public predisclosure information on market reactions to earnings announcements. We develop an empirical measure of public predisclosure information impounded in price prior to earnings announcements by cumulating abnormal returns on public news release dates during the quarter. Consistent with prior literature, we document a negative association between this measure and market reactions to subsequent earnings announcements. Moreover, we find that after controlling for this measure, firm size and analyst following are significantly positively associated with market reactions to earnings announcements. Contrary to prior empirical evidence, our results suggest that, after controlling for actual predisclosure information impounded in price, market reactions to earnings announcements are greater in magnitude for larger, more widely‐followed firms than for smaller, less widely‐followed firms.
The Recognition and Timing of Deferred Tax Liabilities
Authors: Gaeremynck A. , Van De Gucht L.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This paper examines the characteristics of firms that account for deferred tax liabilities related to government investment grants under an extended adoption timing period. Not only the recognition but also the timing decision is associated with changes in future performance and changes in the debt structure. Recognisers outperform non‐recognisers in the future, while early recognition is related to post recognition performance but only for those firms that currently perform well. Changes in the balance sheet structure are also related to both decisions. Firms with recent increases in the debt level tend to postpone recognition, while currently well‐performing firms that increase their future debt level are less likely to recognise deferred taxes.
The Role of the Options Market in the Dissemination of Private Information
Authors: Cairney Timothy , Swisher Judith
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This paper examines the role the options market plays in the dissemination of private information. We find abnormal volume in the options market for three days prior to management forecasts, controlling for concurrent equity volume. Classifying trades as long or short, we find more informed options volume relative to equity volume (1) with relatively greater options market liquidity; (2) when equity is listed on the NYSE or AMEX; (3) for larger surprises; (4) with fewer analysts; (5) for shorter times between the forecast and period end; (6) for good news forecasts; and (7) for smaller percentage institutional holdings.
The Conditional Price of Basis Risk: An Investigation Using Foreign Exchange Instruments
Authors: Miffre Joëlle
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This paper uses a conditional multifactor model and shows that the basis of foreign currency instruments includes a time‐varying risk premium that is related to the conditional risk of the basis and to the conditional prices of systematic risk present in all assets markets. The result therefore reinforces the view, initially put forward by Bailey and Chan (1993), that the basis is priced rationally in an efficient market. The article also shows that the premium for basis risk increases with the maturity of the instruments used for hedging.
Making a Market with Spreads and Depths
Authors: Chung Kee H. , Zhao Xin
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  In this paper we study the quote revision behavior of NASDAQ market makers by analyzing inter‐temporal changes in their spread and depth quotes. Using individual dealer quote and trade data for a sample of 2,319 stocks, we find that NASDAQ dealers make more frequent revisions in depths than in spreads and the extent of liquidity management is greater for stocks of smaller companies, lower‐priced stocks, and stocks with larger trade sizes and fewer number of transactions. We show that intraday variation in the number of quote revisions follows the U‐shaped pattern, indicating that the extent of liquidity management is greater during the early and late hours of trading than during midday.
Firm Characteristics as Cross‐sectional Determinants of Adverse Selection
Authors: Hegde Shantaram P. , McDermott John B.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  We analyze the role of firm characteristics in determining the extent of adverse selection, and therefore liquidity, in securities markets. After controlling for the effects of the well‐established determinants of adverse selection, we find evidence that a firm's ratio of plant, property, and equipment to total book assets and its status as a public utility have additional explanatory power. To the extent that these variables are reasonable proxies for the firm's transparency of assets and regulatory environment, we assert these factors contribute to the adverse selection cost of transacting for our sample of NYSE listed S&P 500 firms.
The Influence of Monetary Conditions on the Response of Interest Rate Futures to M1 Releases: 1976–1998
Authors: Mann Thomas , Dowen Richard
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This study examines the response of T‐bill and T‐bond futures prices to weekly M1 announcements over the period March 1976 to November 1998 conditioned upon monetary operating procedures and the stance in monetary policy. In concurrence with previous studies, this study finds that unanticipated increases in M1 are negatively related to changes in T‐bill and T‐bond futures prices. However, when the data is sorted by monetary regime, the stance in monetary policy, and direction of money surprise, we find evidence to support the several competing theories historically suggested by Cornell (1983b) to explain the impact of money supply announcements.
Effects of Bank Funds Management Activities on the Disintermediation of Bank Deposits
Authors: Allen David E. , Parwada Jerry T.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  This study investigates the alleged disintermediation of banks’ traditional deposit‐taking in favour of investment management activities. Using data on Australian bank‐affiliated funds and a nine‐year record of the parent banks’ liability balances, this study finds that managed funds do not displace bank liabilities. Prudential capital adequacy requirements dissuade banks from using in‐house managed investments as indirect conduits for raising funds in the same manner as deposit‐taking.
Using Electronic Health Records to Help Coordinate Care
Authors: BURTON LYNDA C. , ANDERSON GERARD F. , KUES IRVIN W.
Published: August 2004

The use of electronic health records that can securely transmit patient data among physicians will help coordinate the care of 60 million Americans with multiple chronic conditions. This article summarizes the different organizations in the United States that are developing this technology. It discusses some of the problems encountered and the current initiatives to resolve them. The article concludes with three recommendations for enhancing care coordination: (1) a common health record, such as the Continuity of Care Record, to facilitate the exchange of clinical information among health providers; (2) regional governance structures to encourage the exchange of clinical data; and (3) payment by purchasers of care, both public and private, to physicians for using electronic health records.
Cognition‐Enhancing Drugs
Authors: MEHLMAN MAXWELL J.
Published: August 2004

New drugs that enhance cognition in cognitively healthy individuals present difficult public policy challenges. While their use is not inherently unethical, steps must be taken to ensure that they are safe, that they are widely available to promote equality of opportunity, and that individuals are free to decide whether or not to use them.
The Effect of Heavy Drinking on Social Security Old‐Age and Survivors Insurance Contributions and Benefits
Authors: OSTERMANN JAN , SLOAN FRANK A.
Published: August 2004

This article estimates the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on Social Security Old‐Age and Survivor Insurance (OASI) contributions and benefits. The analysis accounts for differential earnings and mortality experiences of individuals with different alcohol consumption patterns and controls for other characteristics, including smoking. Relative to moderate drinkers, heavy drinkers receive fewer OASI benefits relative to their contributions. Ironically, for each cohort of 25‐year‐olds, eliminating heavy drinking costs the program an additional $3 billion over the cohort's lifetime. Public health campaigns are designed to improve individual health‐relevant behaviors and, in the long run, increase longevity. Therefore, if programs for the elderly are structured as longevity‐independent defined benefit programs, their success will reward healthier behaviors but increase these programs' outlays and worsen their financial condition.
Managing Value Conflict in Public Policy
Authors: Thacher David , Rein Martin
Published: August 2004

Policy issues are often characterized by conflicting values. Conventionally, students of public policy have conceptualized government's response to value conflicts as a matter of “balancing” competing goals, or striking trade‐offs among values. In this paper we argue that this way of managing value conflicts represents only one possibility from a larger and more varied repertoire of strategies that draw from more complex models of practical reasoning. Policy actors do sometimes try to strike a “balance” among conflicting values, but they often avail themselves of other strategies as well: they cycle between values by emphasizing one value and then the other; they assign responsibilities for each value to different institutional structures; or they gather and consult a taxonomy of specific cases where similar conflicts arose. We argue that each of these strategies can be rational in some institutional contexts, and that conclusion challenges the view that policy values must always be treated as commensurable for rational policy choices to be made. Government responds to value conflict in ways that are more varied and changing than existing views of public policy imply.
Good Enough Governance: Poverty Reduction and Reform in Developing Countries
Authors: Grindle Merilee S.
Published: August 2004

The good governance agenda is unrealistically long and growing longer over time. Among the multitude of governance reforms that “must be done” to encourage development and reduce poverty, there is little guidance about what's essential and what's not, what should come first and what should follow, what can be achieved in the short term and what can only be achieved over the longer term, what is feasible and what is not. If more attention is given to sorting out these questions, “good enough governance” may become a more realistic goal for many countries faced with the goal of reducing poverty. Working toward good enough governance means accepting a more nuanced understanding of the evolution of institutions and government capabilities; being explicit about trade‐offs and priorities in a world in which all good things cannot be pursued at once; learning about what's working rather than focusing solely on governance gaps; taking the role of government in poverty alleviation seriously; and grounding action in the contextual realities of each country.
The Political‐Economic Dimension of Pensions: The Case of Japan
Authors: Park Gene
Published: August 2004

This article examines how pensions are interwoven with the public and private financial system in Japan and the consequences for pension reform. A growing literature focuses on the multifaceted ways in which pensions are interwoven with the larger political economy. This study builds on this literature and finds that (a) public and private pensions have been integrated deeply into Japan's system of developmental finance, (b) this integration has created new economic and political problems as governments have attempted to shift away from its developmental model through deregulation, liberalization, and administrative reform, and (c) because pension reform is intimately linked with these reforms, it involves addressing fundamental issues regarding the role of the state, finance, and firms. These findings collectively illustrate that pension reform is not only driven by issues of fiscal viability and benefit levels, but also by the nature of the way in which pensions are integrated into a country's system of finance.
A Political Perspective on Contracting Out: The Politics of Good Times. Experiences from Danish Local Governments
Authors: Pallesen Thomas
Published: August 2004

Privatization has been on the political agenda for the last two decades. The literature points to two major explanations of privatization. One explanation is political‐ideological, considering privatization to be a Liberal‐Conservative strategy. Economic crisis or fiscal stress is the other main explanation of privatization. The two theses are investigated by evaluating the determinants of contracting out in Danish local governments. The analysis shows that fiscal stress is strongly, but inversely related to contracting out, while Liberal‐Conservative political leadership is not associated with higher levels of contracting out than Social Democratic governance. Thus, the richer a local government becomes, the more it contracts out. Although party politics is not decisive for contracting out, the motivation seems to be political rather than economical. Specifically, it is argued that in a strongly decentralized public sector with influential public employees, contracting out is possible in good times when revenue and public expenditure are easier to increase, which reduces public employee resistance to contracting out.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of a Restored Population of Oryza rufipogon in Huli Marsh, South China
Authors: Liu Gui‐hua , Zhou Jin , Huang De‐si , Li Wei
Published: August 2004

Studying the process of population restoration is helpful for managing and preserving endangered species. A population of Oryza rufipogon (wild rice), an endangered species, was reintroduced in 1993 into Huli Marsh. We conducted a detailed survey over a 5‐year period (1997–2001) to evaluate the present status of the population and to further our understanding of its habitat requirements and the population model. The population was surveyed using 2 × 2–m quadrats in mid‐September of each year. In total, 2,683 quadrats were surveyed covering the whole O. rufipogon reserve during each survey. The population's spatial distribution was mapped, and the maps were used to examine the relationship between patch replacement and water depth. The individual number of O. rufipogon increased steadily from 1993 to 2001. The patch number, patch area, mean patch size, and largest patch size increased over this time period, and Korcak patchiness exponents decreased. On average, 83% of the patches persisted from one year to the next. There was a significant positive correlation between the initial patch size and the size the following year. The probability of patch disappearance decreased as patch size increased. Fifty‐eight percent of the patches were located at water depths between 20 and 30 cm. Water depth had no significant effect on the patch transition from O. rufipogon to other species. The loss and gain of O. rufipogon patches were statistically correlated with the patch areas in different water depths. Our results show that the population of O. rufipogon can successfully be reintroduced to the original habitat after appropriate environmental conditions have been restored. We recommend the following transplantation practices: transplant many smaller patches rather than a few larger patches, use transplant patch sizes of at least 20 m2, and transplant into sites vegetated with species with different regeneration niches from the transplanted species.
Restoration of Magnesian Limestone Grassland: Optimizing the Time for Seed Collection by Vacuum Harvesting
Authors: Riley James D. , Craft Ian W. , Rimmer David L. , Smith Roger S.
Published: August 2004

Magnesian limestone grassland is the rarest limestone grassland community in the United Kingdom, with many sites having been lost to quarrying and urban development. Its reestablishment, and that of many other semi‐natural grassland habitats, can be enhanced using seed collected from established communities. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of methods of seed harvesting. The objectives of this study were to (1) test the effectiveness of a hand‐held vacuum harvester in the collection of an adequate quantity of seed, and range of species, to revegetate former quarries and (2) determine the optimum time for seed collection based on a phenological study of the plants at the donor site. Germination tests of harvested seed were used to identify species, based on the germinating seedlings. Thirty‐six species were identified, with Briza media (quaking grass) and Festuca sp. (red and sheep's fescue) being the dominant species and accounting for 74% of germinating seedlings. Species composition of vacuum‐harvested seed was compared with species composition of the vegetation found in the principal donor site. The most common species in the collected seed were also common at the donor site, but some characteristic species of the grassland were absent or did not germinate. Most species reached a peak in ripe seed production between mid‐August and early September. Although having several advantages, vacuum harvesting will not, by itself, provide either sufficient quantity of seed or the wide range of species often required. Suggestions are given for combining this technique with other methods.
Root Dynamics in Restored and Naturally Regenerated Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands
Authors: Rodgers H. LeRoy , Day Frank P. , Atkinson Robert
Published: August 2004

This work addressed the seasonal and successional factors of root dynamics in natural and restoration Atlantic white cedar (AWC) wetlands. Using minirhizotrons and soil root cores, fine root dynamics were measured in a chronosequence of reference and restoration AWC wetlands to compare trends in ecosystem development after canopy harvest. Seasonal fine root abundance, production, and mortality were sampled during a 439‐day period in one restoration and three reference AWC wetlands. Soil cores were collected to measure fine root biomass and to determine allometric relationships between root length and biomass. Significant seasonal variation of root dynamics was observed in the young reference and restoration sites. The mature and intermediate‐aged sites exhibited little seasonal variability in root abundance and mortality. Root production was variable but not seasonally consistent. Results suggest that root dynamics become less seasonal as AWC communities shift from herbaceous to woody vegetation dominance. No trend in fine root abundance along the chronosequence was observed, suggesting that roots rapidly reestablish following tree harvest. Measurements of annual root length production suggest increasing annual production with decreasing stand age. However, a reversal of this trend was observed when using production estimates calculated from minirhizotron measurements and root length–mass relationships. These findings underscore the importance of supplementing minirhizotron data with root allometric relationships when analyzing vegetation gradients. Overall, results indicate substantial differences in the form and quantity of root contributions to soil organic matter in the restoration site compared to that in the reference chronosequence. Higher initial planting densities of AWC are recommended to achieve similar contributions of roots to soil organic matter accumulation in the restoration site.
Implications of Plant Density on the Resulting Community Structure of Mine Site Land
Authors: Jefferson Lara V.
Published: August 2004

The relative abundances of Chenopodiaceae shrubs are different from the seed composition in the original seed mix when sown on mine waste material in semiarid regions of Western Australia. Experiments were therefore undertaken to determine what species interactions are responsible for shifts in relative abundance after seeding. The growth parameters of five members of the Chenopodiaceae were used to determine intra‐ and interspecific density‐dependent interactions. Dominant and subordinant species were paired and grown in pots at differing densities. The growth parameters measured were height, root, and shoot biomass. Of the five species chosen for this study, Maireana georgei (golden bluebush) and Enchylaena tomentosa (ruby saltbush) do not establish well on mine site areas. These were sensitive to density in monoculture, as well as in the presence of both Atriplex bunburyana (silver saltbush) and Atriplex codonocarpa (flat‐topped saltbush). Although Maireana brevifolia (small leaf bluebush) does establish successfully on mine sites when sown, it showed the same negative reaction when grown in monoculture and in a two‐species mixture. Atriplex bunburyana and A. codonocarpa, in contrast, are dominant species and reacted differently when grown with increasing numbers of the target species (M. georgei, M. brevifolia, and E. tomentosa). Atriplex bunburyana did not exhibit any decreases in growth when grown in competition with up to four plants of the target species. However, A. codonocarpa did react adversely to the presence of the target species. It is thought that the resulting plant community organization reflects the original seed mixture, which is usually sown at a high density. Yet, this study has shown that the differing intra‐ and interspecific density responses of these chenopod species provide an indication of the resulting community organization. To maximize diversity and to prevent dominance by highly competitive species, such as A. bunburyana, it is important to take density‐dependent effects into account during the restoration planning stage.
Buffering an Acidic Stream in New Hampshire with a Silicate Mineral
Authors: Likens Gene E. , Buso Donald C. , Dresser Brian K. , Bernhardt Emily S. , Hall Robert O. , Macneale Kate H. , Bailey Scott W.
Published: August 2004

Ground and pelletized Wollastonite (Wo; CaSiO3) was added to a 50‐m reach of an anthropogenically acidified stream within the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, to evaluate its buffering and restoration potential. The Wo was highly effective in raising the pH, acid‐neutralizing capacity (ANC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and Ca2+ concentrations of the stream water, but during the short duration of the experiment had no discernable effect on the stream biota. After initial, spike‐like fluctuations in pH and concentrations of ANC, DIC, and Ca2+, the relatively slow dissolution rates of the Wo dampened extreme concentrations and contributed to relatively long‐lasting (4 months) amelioration of streamwater acidity. Changes in concentrations of Ca2+, dissolved Si, ANC, and DIC were inversely related to streamflow. After several high, stream‐discharge events, concentrations quickly and consistently returned to pre‐event conditions.
Gastropod Colonization of a Created Coastal Wetland: Potential Influences of Habitat Suitability and Dispersal Ability
Authors: Armitage Anna R. , Fong Peggy
Published: August 2004

We investigated the assumption that populations of epibenthic macroinvertebrates readily establish in created coastal wetlands by quantifying the spatial and temporal patterns of Cerithidea californica (California horn snail) density in a newly created wetland and an adjacent natural area in Mugu Lagoon, southern California, United States, for 3.5 years. The natural and created sites differed in vascular plant cover and sediment grain size, organic content, salinity, and moisture content. Densities of C. californica in the created site changed little during the study period, and were often lower than those in the natural site. The influences of habitat suitability and dispersal limitation on C. californica colonization of the created site varied among snail age classes. Sediment moisture and organic content explained some of the variability in subadult (47%) and adult (55%) density and relative abundance, but none of the variability in juvenile abundance. Adult snail density was also strongly influenced by distance from the natural/created site transition zone. Juvenile and subadult snail densities were not related to distance from the natural site, possibly due to greater dispersal ability. Between‐site differences in C. californica densities and size structure suggested that adult snails were affected by both habitat characteristics and dispersal ability, subadults were influenced to a lesser degree by habitat characteristics, and juveniles were not related to either factor. Accordingly, the influence of habitat characteristics and dispersal ability on created site colonization may change with snail age. Successful restoration of benthic invertebrate communities requires consideration of both habitat characteristics and dispersal ability of the target species, even in created sites in close proximity to natural areas.
The Potential of Cephalophyllum inaequale (L. Bolus) for the Restoration of Degraded Arid Landscapes in Namaqualand, South Africa
Authors: Anderson Pippin , Hoffman Timm , Holmes Patricia M.
Published: August 2004

The potential of Cephalophyllum inaequale was investigated for use in initiating ecosystem restoration in degraded landscapes of Namaqualand, South Africa. Cephalophyllum inaequale, a perennial shrub, is a member of the succulent Mesembryanthemaceae family, typical of the Succulent Karoo Biome and in particular of the Namaqualand area. A bioclimatic envelope was modeled to establish the area in which this species might feasibly be used. The regional bioclimatic potential for C. inaequale proved to be extensive, covering approximately 17,500 km2. An examination of the functional role of C. inaequale showed it to facilitate early seedling survival in this community. A nearest‐neighbor study found no evidence of interspecific competition between C. inaequale and its dominant co‐occurring species, possibly due to vertical stratification of rooting structures. Cephalophyllum inaequale significantly reduced wind speed and soil erosion. Experiments to test the feasibility of propagating, reintroducing, and establishing this species showed that it easily germinates from seed, and transplanted cuttings have a high survival rate. This study demonstrates that C. inaequale has potential for use in initiating the restoration of degraded lands in South Africa.