bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Variational Assimilation of SSM/I and QuikSCAT Satellite Observations on the Numerical Simulation of Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Singh Randhir , Pal P. K. , Kishtawal C. M. , Joshi P. C.
Published: June 2008

In this study, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) with three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) is utilized to investigate the influence of Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) observations on the prediction of an Indian Ocean tropical cyclone. The 3DVAR sensitivity runs were conducted separately with QuikSCAT wind vectors, SSM/I wind speeds, and total precipitable water (TPW) to investigate their individual impact on cyclone intensity and track. The Orissa supercyclone over the Bay of Bengal during October 1999 was used for simulation and assimilation experiments.

Assimilation of the QuikSCAT wind vector improves the initial position of the cyclone’s center with a position error of 33 km, which was 163 km in the background analysis. Incorporation of QuikSCAT winds was found to increase the air–sea heat fluxes over the cyclonic region, which resulted in the improved simulated intensity when compared with the simulation made without QuikSCAT winds in the initial conditions. The cyclone track improved significantly with assimilation of QuikSCAT wind vectors. The track improvement resulted from relocation of the initial cyclonic vortex after assimilation of QuikSCAT wind vectors.

Like QuikSCAT, assimilation of SSM/I wind speeds strengthened the cyclonic circulation in the initial conditions. This increase in the low-level wind speeds enhanced the air–sea exchange processes and improved the simulated intensity of the cyclone. The lack of information about the wind direction from SSM/I prevented it from making much of an impact on track prediction. As compared to the first guess, assimilation of the SSM/I TPW shows a moistening of the lower troposphere over most of the Bay of Bengal except over the central region of the cyclone, where the assimilation of SSM/I TPW reduces the lower-tropospheric moisture. This decrease of moisture in the TPW assimilation experiment resulted in a weak cyclone intensity.
Investigating the Utility of Using Cross-Oceanic Training Sets for Superensemble Forecasting of Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclone Track and Intensity
Authors: Jordan Mark R. , Krishnamurti T. N. , Clayson Carol Anne
Published: June 2008

This paper examines how combining training-set forecasts from two separate oceanic basins affects the resulting tropical cyclone track and intensity forecasts in a particular oceanic basin. Atlantic and eastern Pacific training sets for 2002 and 2003 are combined and used to forecast 2004 eastern Pacific tropical cyclones in a real-time setting. These experiments show that the addition of Atlantic training improves the 2004 eastern Pacific forecasts. Finally, a detailed study of training-set and real-time model biases is completed in an effort to determine why cross-oceanic training may have helped in this instance.
Lower-Tropospheric Enhancement of Gravity Wave Drag in a Global Spectral Atmospheric Forecast Model
Authors: Hong Song-You , Choi Jung , Chang Eun-Chul , Park Hoon , Kim Young-Joon
Published: June 2008

The impacts of enhanced lower-tropospheric gravity wave drag induced by subgrid-scale orography on short- and medium-range forecasts as well as seasonal simulations are examined. This study reports on the enhanced performance of the scheme proposed by Kim and Arakawa, which has been used in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Spectral Model since 1997. The performance is evaluated against a traditional upper-level drag scheme that is also available in the model. The experiment results reveal that the Kim–Arakawa scheme improves the movement and intensity of an extratropical cyclone and a continental high pressure system that was accompanied by heavy snowfall over Korea on 14–15 February 2001. The monthly verification for medium-range forecasts in December 2006, which are initialized by the NCEP operational analysis, demonstrates overall improvements in the forecasts of large-scale fields in the Northern Hemisphere. Moderate improvements are also found in the seasonal simulation of December–February for the years 1996/97, 1997/98, and 1999/2000. This study concludes that the enhanced lower-level drag should be properly parameterized in global atmospheric models for numerical weather prediction and seasonal prediction.
Developments in Operational Long-Range Climate Prediction at CPC
Authors: O’Lenic Edward A. , Unger David A. , Halpert Michael S. , Pelman Kenneth S.
Published: June 2008

The science, production methods, and format of long-range forecasts (LRFs) at the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), a part of the National Weather Service’s (NWS’s) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), have evolved greatly since the inception of 1-month mean forecasts in 1946 and 3-month mean forecasts in 1982. Early forecasts used a subjective blending of persistence and linear regression-based forecast tools, and a categorical map format. The current forecast system uses an increasingly objective technique to combine a variety of statistical and dynamical models, which incorporate the impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and other sources of interannual variability, and trend. CPC’s operational LRFs are produced each midmonth with a “lead” (i.e., amount of time between the release of a forecast and the start of the valid period) of ½ month for the 1-month outlook, and with leads ranging from ½ month through 12½ months for the 3-month outlook. The 1-month outlook is also updated at the end of each month with a lead of zero. Graphical renderings of the forecasts made available to users range from a simple display of the probability of the most likely tercile to a detailed portrayal of the entire probability distribution.

Efforts are under way at CPC to objectively weight, bias correct, and combine the information from many different LRF prediction tools into a single tool, called the consolidation (CON). CON ½-month lead 3-month temperature (precipitation) hindcasts over 1995–2005 were 18% (195%) better, as measured by the Heidke skill score for nonequal chances forecasts, than real-time official (OFF) forecasts during that period. CON was implemented into LRF operations in 2006, and promises to transfer these improvements to the official LRF.

Improvements in the science and production methods of LRFs are increasingly being driven by users, who are finding an increasing number of applications, and demanding improved access to forecast information. From the forecast-producer side, hope for improvement in this area lies in greater dialogue with users, and development of products emphasizing user access, input, and feedback, including direct access to 5 km × 5 km gridded outlook data through NWS’s new National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD).
Dryline Characteristics near Lubbock, Texas, Based on Radar and West Texas Mesonet Data for May 2005 and May 2006
Authors: Geerts Bart
Published: June 2008

Two months of Lubbock, Texas, radar reflectivity data and West Texas Mesonet data are examined to detect dryline finelines and to describe their thermodynamic and propagation characteristics. Before sunset the moist air mass east of the dryline was consistently denser than the dry air mass. This air density difference waned and even reversed after sunset, because of more rapid cooling on the dry side.

This study provides further evidence that the formation and propagation of the dryline convergence zone is driven by the daytime air density difference, that is, that the dryline behaves as a density current. The implication for forecasters is that the air density (or virtual potential temperature) difference across the dryline should be monitored, as a measure of dryline strength and as an additional indicator for the likelihood of convective initiation along the dryline.
Wind–Evaporation Feedback and the Axisymmetric Transition to Angular Momentum–Conserving Hadley Flow
Authors: Boos William R. , Emanuel Kerry A.
Published: June 2008

The effect of wind-induced surface heat exchange (WISHE) on axisymmetric, solstitial Hadley circulations is examined for forcings strong enough to produce meridional flow that nearly conserves absolute angular momentum in the free troposphere. Such forcings are known to produce an off-equatorial ascent zone in the summer hemisphere where the convergence of zonal momentum is balanced by drag on surface westerlies. Here, a convective quasi-equilibrium model with two vertical modes is used to show that enhanced surface entropy fluxes induced by these westerlies can intensify and shift both this ascent zone and the subcloud-layer entropy peak toward the equator. The equatorward shift of the subcloud entropy peak is associated with a reduction in the forcing amplitude needed to produce angular momentum–conserving (AMC) meridional flow. A previous theory of frontogenesis in tropical cyclones is adapted to axisymmetric Hadley circulations to show how WISHE shifts the peak subcloud entropy toward the equator.

These effects also occur for forcings that vary in a seasonal cycle, with the precise effect of WISHE depending on the peak amplitude of the forcing. For weak seasonally varying forcings, WISHE can abruptly increase the intensity of a local, viscous circulation, whereas for forcings of intermediate strength WISHE produces a transition to AMC flow when such a transition would not otherwise occur. For the strongest forcings, WISHE shifts the transition to AMC flow to a time earlier in the seasonal cycle. The possible relevance of these results to monsoon dynamics is discussed, as are possible effects of processes not represented in these axisymmetric models.
Influence of South Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures on Rainfall Variability and Extremes over Southern Africa
Authors: Williams C. J. R. , Kniveton D. R. , Layberry R.
Published: June 2008

It is generally agreed that changing climate variability, and the associated change in climate extremes, may have a greater impact on environmentally vulnerable regions than a changing mean. This research investigates rainfall variability, rainfall extremes, and their associations with atmospheric and oceanic circulations over southern Africa, a region that is considered particularly vulnerable to extreme events because of numerous environmental, social, and economic pressures. Because rainfall variability is a function of scale, high-resolution data are needed to identify extreme events. Thus, this research uses remotely sensed rainfall data and climate model experiments at high spatial and temporal resolution, with the overall aim being to investigate the ways in which sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies influence rainfall extremes over southern Africa.

Extreme rainfall identification is achieved by the high-resolution microwave/infrared rainfall algorithm dataset. This comprises satellite-derived daily rainfall from 1993 to 2002 and covers southern Africa at a spatial resolution of 0.1° latitude–longitude. Extremes are extracted and used with reanalysis data to study possible circulation anomalies associated with extreme rainfall. Anomalously cold SSTs in the central South Atlantic and warm SSTs off the coast of southwestern Africa seem to be statistically related to rainfall extremes. Further, through a number of idealized climate model experiments, it would appear that both decreasing SSTs in the central South Atlantic and increasing SSTs off the coast of southwestern Africa lead to a demonstrable increase in daily rainfall and rainfall extremes over southern Africa, via local effects such as increased convection and remote effects such as an adjustment of the Walker-type circulation.
Pacific Decadal Variability in the View of Linear Equatorial Wave Theory*
Authors: Emile-Geay Julien , Cane Mark A.
Published: June 2008

It has recently been proposed, within the framework of the linear shallow-water equations, that tropical Pacific decadal variability (PDV) can be accounted for by basin modes with eigenperiods of 10 to 20 yr, amplifying a midlatitude wind forcing with an essentially white spectrum. Here the authors use a different formalism of linear equatorial wave theory. The Green’s function is computed for the wind-forced response of a linear equatorial shallow-water ocean and use the earlier results of Cane and Moore to obtain a compact, closed form expression for the motion of the equatorial thermocline, which applies to all frequencies lower than seasonal. This expression is new and allows a systematic comparison of the effect of low- and high-latitude winds on the equatorial thermocline. At very low frequencies (decadal time scales), the planetary geostrophic solution used by Cessi and Louazel is recovered, as well as the equatorial wave solution of Liu, and a formal explanation for this convergence is given. Nonetheless, this more general solution leads one to a different interpretation of the results. In contrast to the aforementioned studies, the authors find that the equatorial thermocline is inherently more sensitive to local than to remote wind forcing and that planetary Rossby modes only weakly alter the spectral characteristics of the response. Tropical winds are able to generate a strong equatorial response with periods of 10 to 20 yr, while midlatitude winds can only do so for periods longer than about 50 yr. The results suggest that ocean basin modes are an unlikely explanation of decadal fluctuations in tropical Pacific sea surface temperature.
Surface Circulation at the Tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from Drifters
Authors: Thompson Andrew F. , Heywood Karen J. , Thorpe Sally E. , Renner Angelika H. H. , Trasviña Armando
Published: June 2008

An array of 40 surface drifters, drogued at 15-m depth, was deployed in February 2007 to the east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula as part of the Antarctic Drifter Experiment: Links to Isobaths and Ecosystems (ADELIE) project. Data obtained from these drifters and from a select number of local historical drifters provide the most detailed observations to date of the surface circulation in the northwestern Weddell Sea. The Antarctic Slope Front (ASF), characterized by a ∼20 cm s−1 current following the 1000-m isobath, is the dominant feature east of the peninsula. The slope front bifurcates when it encounters the South Scotia Ridge with the drifters following one of three paths. Drifters (i) are carried westward into Bransfield Strait; (ii) follow the 1000-m isobath to the east along the southern edge of the South Scotia Ridge; or (iii) become entrained in a large-standing eddy over the South Scotia Ridge. Drifters are strongly steered by contours of f /h (Coriolis frequency/depth) as shown by calculations of the first two moments of displacement in both geographic coordinates and coordinates locally aligned with contours of f /h. An eddy-mean decomposition of the drifter velocities indicates that shear in the mean flow makes the dominant contribution to dispersion in the along-f /h direction, but eddy processes are more important in dispersing particles across contours of f /h. The results of the ADELIE study suggest that the circulation near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula may influence ecosystem dynamics in the Southern Ocean through Antarctic krill transport and the export of nutrients.
A Contribution to the Categories of Social Time and the Economy of Time
Authors: Julkunen Raija
Published: June 2008

The article strives to demonstrate the centrality of the category of social time (a) in people's daily lives, (b) as a methodological tool in the study of social process, and (c) as a means towards the planned development and management of advanced societies. Social time has two aspects: rhythm of life and available total time. The article shows that in advanced societies total time and its rational allocation are central in the development of society and individual personality. The nature of social time in less developed societies is also reviewed as well as the historical development of time awareness and the problems of the research on time budget. The article is based on the conceptions about the nature of the economy of time that emerged from reading Marx's Grundrisse.
Policy as Theory: A Framework for Understanding the Contribution of Social Science to Welfare Policy 1
Authors: Blume Stuart S.
Published: June 2008

This paper is based on the view that since social science is concerned with the generation of codified knowledge of the social world its impact should be seen as principally upon other sets of ideas. It suggests that social policy may thus be conceptualized as an evolving sequence of concepts, theories and problems comparable with the cognitive development of science. At any time a variety of such 'paradigms' will be in competition. Embodiment of these 'paradigms' in practical programmes constitutes a process of 'testing' through the medium of feedback/intelligence processes. Dem onstrated discordance between programmes and problems evinces responses understandable on the basis of an analogy with science. Under certain conditions major insights may be sought from outside. Thus the opportunities for social science vis-à-vis policy depend fundamentally on the extent of policy-makers' dissatisfaction with current 'paradigms'.
Einige Probleme des Verhältnisses zwi schen Wesenslogik und Umfangslogik
Authors: Schanz Hans-Jørgen
Published: June 2008

This is a contribution to the precise formulation of the characteristics of the object of the critique of political economy. It is effected primarily through the drawing of historical, extentional and qualitative distinctions. Such a formulation is necessary for several reasons: first of all, it is a precondition to the development of concepts for finding the relationship between the 'economic' and the 'non-economic' in the capitalist mode of production; secondly, it is necessary for the development of historical matenalism, which must occur on the basis - and not, as is usually the case, irrespective - of the achievements of the critique of political econo my.
Differential Rates of Change and Violence: France and Germany, 1820-1920
Authors: Svalastoga Kaare
Published: June 2008

The guiding theory relating differential growth rates of social systems or subsystems to maladaptive behaviors and/or violent exchanges can be traced back in time at least to Malthus. Although it seems possible to identify at least four conditions that may tend to reduce the effects of differential growth, it is claimed that none of these conditions apply to the interaction and growth of France and Germany in 1820-1920. Since the violent exchanges occurred both in 1870-1871 and in 1914-1918 a clear difference in power-related growth rates is expected. The empirical data showed Germany (Prussia) vastly superior in the rate of growth of popula tion and energy produced, that France and Germany seemed to be about even in regard to scientific and technical information, and that France was only superior in the growth of space controlled during a part of the time studied. It is concluded that the theory has received support. Technology, its correlates and their rates of change may be said to be the central emphasis of this theory and many similar theories. Two other sets of violence or aggression theories are population density theories and the set of biological, psychological or social-psychological theories. Accept ing one of these three theory sets as having explanatory value does not imply rejection of the other sets.
Trade Unions - Resource or Regulation?
Authors: Colbjornsen Tom , Korsnes Olav
Published: June 2008

In the first part of the article an attempt is made to locate the trade unions' position in their various relations to the buyers of labor in a capitalist economy. The position is considered a contradictory one, and the concept of the trade unions' double position is used to designate this position. The concept of the trade unions' double function refers to the consequences of their activity in this position.

Given this designation of the trade unions' position, we point to the strategic importance of the degree of unionization and the level of local union activity with respect to the development of an industrial democracy. We distinguish between two models of democracy: the representative and the participatory. Two extensive Norwegian research projects are used to illustrate the differences and similarities between these different models of democracy. The problem of local union activity is considered to be crucial in this connection.

In the last part of the article we draw special attention to the problem of unionization. This problem is regarded as closely related to the trade unions' organizational forms, and it is discussed with reference to pro posed changes in the organizational structure of the Norwegian LO.

In a synthesis of the various themes of the article we point to the relationship that exists between local union activity and degree of unioni zation, and how this relationship, in turn, is connected with the trade unions' double function and different strategies to increase the employees' influence. The aim of the article is to offer a fruitful preliminary approach to the study of these rather complex interrelationships.
‘Middle Way’ Sweden at a Cross-Road: Problems, Actors, and Outcomes
Authors: Ahrne Göran , Himmelstrand Ulf , Lundberg Leif
Published: June 2008

Theoretically the purpose of the paper is defined in terms of class analysis and class struggle: What is the strength of the Swedish working-class in terms of numerical size, unionization, level of social consciousness, and labour party responsiveness? What is the strength of the capitalist class in terms of its systemic metapower, its control of the capital market as reflected in ownership and investment patterns, its subjection to recent labour legislation, and its internal organizational and ideological unity? Does the class opposition indicated above represent a political cross-road, and what is the likelihood of a more socialist development of Sweden from that point of departure?

In spite of a decreasing percentage of industrial workers, the working-class is not diminishing in size, due to ‘proletarization’ of white-collar employees who also are becoming increasingly unionized. A new type of consciousness of the threats inherent in the capitalist order is found to unite various strata of this extended working-class, and to characterize a significant minority in some strata of the middle-class as well. We find circumstantial evidence supporting the assumption of increasing labour party responsiveness to demands for structural and not only incremental changes of capitalism. The strength of the capitalist class in Sweden is unimpaired in many respects, but increasingly appears as a hollow strength, due to contradictions between private and social costs, investment needs and investment patterns, and dependency on monetary rewards. Next general election (1979) is predicted to seat a labour party government taking off on a new road toward ‘economic democracy’.
Swedish Socialism and Big Business
Authors: Israel Joachim
Published: June 2008

It is argued that during 44 years of Social Democratic government in Sweden an intimate co-operation developed between the government and large (multinational) corporations. This co-oporation was based upon the development of common interests; the result of an economic policy of structural rationalization and state intervention. A strong tendency of concentration of capital occurred. Figures are presented to support the theses developed.
On the Sociological Significance of N. Elias' s Sociogenetic Modelling Approach to Societal Transformations
Authors: Krartrp Karl
Published: June 2008

The main thesis is that Elias's work can play a paradigmatic role in a sociological theory development capable of synthesizing important com ponents of Marxian, Weberian, and Freudian theory. In addition, this is substantiated by an explication of his special process-oriented holon con ception of the relationship between society and individuals, and it is shown how this conception of the sociological object, allowing for the phenomena of emergence, is interrelated with a special kind of reconstructive modell ing - a methodological approach which, without differing from the basic methodological norms standard in the natural sciences, can transcend the limitation placed on the social sciences by the traditional interpretation of the 'scientific method'. The exposition also contains a critique of a tradi tional interpretation of Elias's work.
Some Recent Changes in the Swedish Occupational Structure
Authors: Dombos Paul
Published: June 2008

After a study by G. Therborn, the Swedish social structure has often been considered rather stable during recent decades. The aim of the present study is to shake this assertion by examining the main changes that took place between 1960 and 1975. As a preparatory step, the developmental trends of the three comprehensive sectors of the economy are followed from 1870 to 1977. Thereafter the economically active population is clas sified into five main occupational categories, and the development of these categories is examined from 1960 to 1975 on the basis of detailed figures from four consecutive population censuses. The ostensible stability of the manual category between 1930 and about 1960 turns out to be caused by a superposition of the contrasting developmental trends of two main sub categories, namely the industrial workers proper and the employed ag rarian labourers. On the theoretical level an assertion is made according to which both the industrial sector of the economy and the manual occupa tional category, and also their common main constituting component- the group of industrial workers proper- are all determined in their relative size by the main mobility processes during the extensive and intensive periods of industrialization. Their seeming 'stability' can be but a temporary dynamic balance, and the general trend of change can always be described by some kind of convex diagram. In present-day Sweden the relative size of the manual occupational category is on the second, descending slope of its diagram of change, in accordance with the advanced industrial stage of socio-economic development. Finally, some predictions are made about the long-term future prospects regarding the relative proportions of the three comprehensive sectors of the economy.
Interest as a Problematic Concept in Marxist Social Science
Authors: Bertilsson Margareta , Eyerman Ron
Published: June 2008

The following are discussed: (1) The promissory status of the concept of interest in Marxist social science. (2) We argue that the problematic status of interest arises in part from an attempt to combine theory and practice, which are considered two domains of discourses with distinct justificatory programs pertaining to each. (3) We discuss two contemporary Marxist attempts to overcome some difficulties inherent in the promissory aims of such a social science, and show the shortcomings of each to mediate the actual with the potential, theory and practice.
Households and Markets: Theories and New Research on Consumption Activities
Authors: Houg Tora
Published: June 2008

The empirical results and theoretical foundations of research on con sumption activities are discussed. Consumption activities are related to welfare in society, and economic and sociological thinking about welfare are considered. The aim is to construct sociological models for analysing consumption activities. The present economic models are not sufficient. A sociological approach in theory construction is needed.
Changes in the Work Process and Labour Conflicts in Swedish Pharmacies
Authors: Nilsson Tommy
Published: June 2008

Changes in the work process brought about by rationalization, the intro duction of new technology, etc. can lead to conflicts between different groups of employees and not just between employees and company man agement. Two major factors in the development of such a conflict seem to be (1) that the groups occupy qualitatively different positions in the work process, and (2) that they belong to different unions. In this article dealing with the Swedish pharmacy system, I shall give an account of a conflict which occurred between pharmacy technicians and prescnptionists and between their respective unions. It began in the late 60's, deepened in the 70's and reached its peak in 1977 when the pharmacy technicians went on strike. I shall show how union organizational conditions and the division of labour in pharmacies have hindered these two professional groups achieving a common solution to their problems.
False Consciousness and Ideology in Marxist Theory
Authors: Eyerman Ron
Published: June 2008

The article discusses the concepts of false consciousness and ideology and the relation between them as they have been used in the development of a particular aspect of Marxist theory. I trace the development from the writings of Marx and Engels to the early Frankfurt School. My aim is to underline a separation and a distinction between the use of the concepts that emerges in this movement from classical to cntical Marxism. I pro pose no firm conclusions, but rather focus on conceptual analysis and discussion.
Urban Social Movements and the Production of Urban Space
Authors: Finquelievich Susana
Published: June 2008

This article is a brief résumé of a three years' research work on urban social movements. A theoretical framework for the analysis of urban social movements is outlined and a methodology for their study is developed. The case of Barcelona is drawn on to illustrate the conclusions, and to demonstrate that urban movements can be social, e.g. that they can modify the power relationships between social classes. In the case of Barcelona these movements started when small groups of neighbours claimed better conditions in their urban environment and collective consumption, and have developed during the last fifteen years to become one of the most important social forces in the whole region of Catalonia, a force which cannot be ignored by the local authorities.
Aims and Forms of Tenant Influence. Some Preliminary Considerations1
Authors: Hjärne Lars
Published: June 2008

The article consists of four parts. The first is a short introduction to tenant influence in Sweden. In the second part certain motives and aims for tenant influence are deduced. Some conflicts of aims and some consequences of how this influence is organized are pointed at. The third part presents a short summary of an evaluation of an experiment with tenant influence. The conclusion is that the formal right to decide on certain questions, delegated to the tenants, did not lead to any genuine influence. Finally, a tendency toward professionalization of the neighbourhood committees and its consequences are discussed.
A New Social Movement in Search of New Foundations for the Development of the Countryside: The Finnish Action-oriented Village Study 76 and 1300 Village Committees
Authors: Rouhinen Sauli
Published: June 2008

The article discusses the increasing disintegration of the traditional agricultural and village structure in Finland owing to changes in the agricultural forces of production and in the relationship between industry and agriculture. The research project Village Study 76 and the 1300 village committees created in connection with the project are presented and evaluated as to their capacity to generate a new form of community in the countryside based on the activity and knowledge of the villagers themselves.
The Local State, Planning and Social Movements
Authors: Jensen John , Simonsen Kirsten
Published: June 2008

This article asserts that social movements have their base in the sphere of reproduction of labour power. The increased activities of the state within that area are examined, and it is pointed out that it is primarily the local state which carries out these activities. This in turn results in a basically local orientation of the movements. In an attempt to evaluate the political perspective of the movements we analyse the development of the factors – including collective consumption – which have caused their appearance, and at which they are aimed. We also deal with the development of the framework within and against which the movements struggle. This includes the local state and the relationship between the local and central states.
The Elderly, Women's Work and Social Security Costs
Authors: Sundström Gerdt
Published: June 2008

The article intends to demonstrate the continuing importance of informal care, especially of the elderly, and for social security costs The author argues that social security costs depend on the availability of informal care, not solely on economic level and the proportion of elderly in a country's population (as maintained by Wilensky) Eight countries are studied. The indicator of availability of informal care is number of women 45-59 years per 1000 elderly Rates of co-residence between generations are assumed to measure actual care exchanged Changes 1955-1975 are analysed The author concludes that a consideration of alternative informal care is a fruitful addition to 'harder' variables in research on the welfare state.
Some Ways of Examining Dimensional Distributions
Authors: Dombos Paul
Published: June 2008

The problem of measuring the inequality of distributions of variables along vanous dimensions of social stratification has usually been discussed in social science literature in relation to income distribution. Doubts are expressed in this paper about the fruitfulness of approaches that search for perfect numerical measures of inequality or mathematical formulas. The combined use of two graphical methods - simple frequency diagrams and the Lorenz curve - is proposed as an alternative, and the connection between them elucidated. An attempt is made to illustrate by visual methods the main types of distributions 'in the social consciousness' After a brief summary of some of the most important principles for selecting between still used numencal measures of inequality, the applicability of the primanly proposed visual ways of representation is demonstrated by a practical example dealing with income size distributions of households in the United States, Sweden and Hungary in 1977.
The Limits and Shortcomings of Humanistic Organization Theory
Authors: Alvesson Mats
Published: June 2008

This article is concerned with the weak influence of humamstic organization principles on working lite in highly-industrialized societies. Three aspects contributing to this weak impact are discussed. the control interest of management, the contingency view, and the influence of the formal and qualificational hierarchy in organizations on the practice of humanistic prin ciples The latter aspect is emphasized The article discusses and rejects studies advocating a close relationship between humanistic and economic goals in the practice of business organizations Instead, the basic contradic tion between these values and the rationalities which underlie the goals of working life is stressed.
Decisions, Power and Reason: A Preliminary Formulation
Authors: Abell Peter
Published: June 2008

The concept of action is combined with a preference-outcome model of 'power' in order to elucidate the conception of one actor getting another to do (or forbear to do) something the second would not otherwise do. The paper thus builds upon the Weberian concept of Power and attempts to elucidate this concept within the framework of the modern analytical phil osophy of action (Danto) The practical syllogism (Von Wright) is invoked as a basic way of explaining actions and forbearances The concept of 'power' is distinguished from the concept of 'influence' (Parsons) and the distinction is used to point to some basic problems in social control.
From Scientific Social Science to Responsible Research: the Lesson of the Finnish Gypsies
Authors: Gronfors Martti
Published: June 2008

'Scientific sociology'. as defined by a Western, middle-class, white community of scientists, is Increasingly unacceptable to ethnic and national minorities and to other powerless groups Does this indicate that sociologists and anthropologists are being forced to rethink their position, and possibly to redefine some long-accepted premises from which they have operated? A possible direction for future social science is a change of focus away from the victims of social systems and towards the system itself, the powerful, the oppressors.
The First Finnish Sociologist: A Reappraisal of Edward Westermarck's Work
Authors: Pipping Knut
Published: June 2008

Like Spencer's and Parsons', Edward Westermarck's once very high repu tation rapidly declined at the end of the 1920's when may anthropologists and sociologists dismissed him as 'one of those 19th century evolutionists'. But, as Ronald Fletcher has recently shown, this epithet was largely unjus tified. and based partly on careless and biased reading of his works. Wes termarck was an evolutionist, but in contrast to most of his fellows he was actually much more interested in the fundamental problems of social struc ture than in evolution His major works form attempts to find a general explanation to human morality, social norms and institutionalized behaviour in general, and thus the roots of all social behaviour. His theory constitutes an alternative to Durkheim's In his endeavours to create such a theory. he relied mainly on the comparative method then in vogue. Though he himself was one of the pioneers in anthropological field work and thus witnessed norms, sanctions and moral ideas in operation, he never attempted to study their functions, and remained critical of Durkheim's, Radcliffe-Brown's and Malinowski's functionalism In the author's opinion it was rather his failure to see the need for a functional approach than his evolutionism which caused his researches to be regarded with contempt.
Sociolinguistics and the Politics of Helping: Language Use in the Political Mobilization of Low-Income Groups
Authors: von Trotha Trutz , Brown Richard Harvey
Published: June 2008

Intelligible communication between different groups and classes in a society is a precondition for the existence of a 'public' in the classical, political sense of that term. The importance of such communication for a democratic policy was highlighted in the sixties when both reformers and revolutionaries generally failed in their efforts to educate or politicize tow-income groups. In this essay we discuss sociolinguistic theories as they bear on this question. First, we critically assess theories that bring the methods of linguistics to micro-sociological studies of speech behaviour Then we relate this work to the rich ethnographic literature on low-income culture, placing this amalgam of linguistics and ethnography in a larger political economic context We conclude by suggesting some moral and political implications of such a project.
Micro Analyses and Social Structure: Cognitive and Linguistic Models in Sociology
Authors: Maseide Per
Published: June 2008

Cognitive and linguistic models from recent works on discourse analyses are introduced as relevant and important contributions to sociological meth odology. By the use of such models, the integration of micro and macro levels of social scientific research, and the cognitive aspects of the phenom enon of social structure are addressed. It is suggested that cognitive schemata are part of the social structure, which again is always a tacit precondition for the description and interpretation of social details or micro phenomena. As a consequence, linguistic models and concepts may be useful for analyses of social interaction, while cognitive and sociological models and categories are necessary parts of conversational analyses.
The Use of Social Science in a Norwegian Ministry: As a Tool of Policy or Mode of Thinking?
Authors: Baklien Bergljot
Published: June 2008

Both producers and users of social science tend to think of it as an instrument ; perspectives and results from science forming direct premises for policy decisions The article summarizes a study of how research contributions in specific fields of transport research are used in the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communication. Despite institutional closeness and cultural similarities between research community and user community, we found that much direct use is unusual. The subject matters of social science, although frequently posed as social problems, may in effect constitute social conflicts, and as such cannot be solved by knowledge and information alone. The use of social science in the conceptualization process and as political ammunition is, however, important enough. The article points out obstacles to such use, primarily in the organizational structure of the Ministry.
Post-Materialist Values and Subjective Satisfaction: Testing Ronald Inglehart's Hypotheses
Authors: Mastekaasa Arne
Published: June 2008

According to Ronald Inglehart, post-materialist values are a well-integrated and stable part of the individuals personality, affecting a wide range of attitudes and behaviors. This article focuses on possible effects on the criteria by which individuals evaluate their living conditions; for instance, do materialists - compared to post-materialists - give more weight to such concerns as income or housing standard and less to broader social and political issues, as Inglehart claims? On balance, the results provide some tentative support for Inglehart's theory, although the differences are gen erally small and not always in the expected direction.
Choice of a Distribution Principle: Crosscultural Evidence on the Effects of Resources
Authors: Tornblom Kjell Y. , Foa Uriel G.
Published: June 2008

Researchers concerned with resource allocation and distributive justice have paid little attention to the nature of the allocated resource, per se, as a determinant of the criterion according to which distribution takes place. Recently, six studies carried out in Germany, Sweden and the United States have demonstrated the effects of different types of resources upon preference for one of the following three criteria of distribution : contribution, need and equality. As the symbolic meaning of a given resource may vary with the situation in which it is allocated, the influence of different social contexts was studied as well. The findings were briefly described and compared. Expected relationships among resource class, social context and distribution rule were examined in the light of cognitive-developmental considerations and by way of integrating justice theory and resource theory. Finally, it was suggested that the influence of resources on the choice of a criterion may extend to the rewards and punishments which are often associated with the act of distribution.
Perception of Class Conflict in Scandinavia
Authors: Visher Mary G.
Published: June 2008

The effects of class and nationality on perception of class conflict in Finland. Sweden, Norway and Denmark are analysed Both class and nationality are found to have significant effects, but nationality is the more powerful pre dictor of this aspect of class consciousness. Fmns and Danes appear to be the most aware of class conflict. Norwegians and Swedes the least In general. skilled workers are the most conscious of class conflict, and the upper class the least. The data are from the Scandinavian Welfare Study (Helsinki 1972) and cross-tabulations are analysed using a logistic regression model.
Capitalism in Western Agriculture: A Comment
Authors: Nelson Edward
Published: June 2008

Recent discussions of capitalism in agriculture suggest that the classical Marxist texts are outmoded These critiques, however, offer little in the way of empirical support for their claims. When data on the development of United States agriculture are examined they confirm the classical theorists. The development of American agriculture has been characterized by an increase in scale, in capital investment and in the importance of wage labor.
The Permanency of Social Classes and Intergenerational Mobility in Finland
Authors: Jarvela Marja
Published: June 2008

Examination of social background in different social classes is based here on cross-tabulation of the respondent's and breadwinner's class position Classification follows E.O. Wright's class-scheme with some specifications. The results are founded on the Finnish sample, 'Comparative project on class structure and class consciousness', including interviews of 1311 respon dents. The analysis reveals that Finnish society, in terms of the essential class basis, is turning into a wage-workers' society, even though small-farmer background is still common in most social classes. While the relative share of wage-workers among the respondents increases moving from older gen erations to younger generations, the share of wage-worker background follows the same pattern. Intergenerational mobility between wage-worker classes is considerable, however Almost without exception, it is more common that second generation wage-workers have a wage-worker back ground other than their own. In other words, increased circular mobility is the expected tendency among wage-worker class groups.
Changes in Life-Style in Men Under Sixty Years of Age Before and After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Cleophas Ton J. M. , J. de Jong Sandra , G. Niemeyer Menco , Tavenier Piet , Zwinderman Koos , Kuypers Cl.
Published: June 2008

A case-control study was conducted to examine the presence of psychosocial factors before, during, and after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Dutch men under sixty years of age. The study included 42 AMI patients and 48 individuals in an age-adjusted sampled control group. The psychological factors included high level of psychological stress, of social isolation, type A1 and A2 behavior, and mental depression. They were assessed by means of the Health Insurance Questionnaire of Greater New York. Univariate analysis indicated that the presence of psychological factors was common at the onset of the myocardial infarction (MI). It clearly diminished, however, after the MI had taken place. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis after adjustment for the independent variables hypertension, cholesterol, and smoking, the following three characteristics were independently related to the risk of MI: no talking (item of social isolation, P = 0.008), need to excel (item of type A1 behavior, P = 0.04), and blue feeling (item of mental depression, P= 0.09).

The authors conclude that in men under 60 with AMI, the presence of psychosocial characteristics is common and that this gruop is going to change its
Coronary Heart Disease, Echo-Doppler Evidence of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Polymorphism of Apolipoprotein B Gene and Apo AI/CIII Cluster
Authors: De Lorenzo Ferruccio , Rubba Paolo , Monticelli Antonella , Cocozza Sergio
Published: June 2008

The possible associations between coronary heart disease (CHD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), detected by echo-Doppler analysis, with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of apo AI/CIII cluster and apo B gene were investigated in a group of men with premature CHD (n = 39) and in a control group of men without evidence of CHD (n=40). The genetic analysis of SstI RFLP of apo AI/CIII cluster showed a significantly higher frequency of the rare SstI allele (S2) in CHD patients (0.16) as compared with controls (0.06). No significant differences were found in the frequencies of XbaI RFLP for the apo B gene between CHD patients and controls. Moreover, patients with PAD showed no significant differences in the frequencies of XbaI RFLP for the apo B gene and of SstI RFLP for the apo AI/CIII cluster as compared with patients without evidence of peripheral arterial disease detected by echo-Doppler analysis.